By   Mon, Jun 14, 2010

The best way to help the environment and the economy is to buy locally, starting with the farmers and the fishermen who make their living right here. This month, we highlight some of the businesses that are supporting South Shore sustainability by buying fresh fish and produce directly from people in our community.

The Fruit Center Marketplace, located in Milton and Hingham, is a family-owned establishment that has been a staple in the community for decades. "It all began in 1973, with a simple idea of offering exceptional produce to the South Shore Community." Well, they've done that, and so much more! Read Michael Dwyer' article to learn more about how the market is working with local people to deliver the freshest food.  And, read the SSW take on what it is that is so extra special about this establishment!

Other local entrepreneurs who are giving back include Robin and Jill King, owners of the newly-opened ORO Restaurant in Scituate. And, Christine Fiske, founder of Bite, Inc., a start-up that makes reusable produce bags.

Oh, and, SSW contributor, Erin Heffernan writes about "The Greenest School in America" which happens to be located locally in Norwell! Congrats to Sarah Roberts and the South Shore Public Charter School!

Also in Wink webzine this month, contributor Karen Capaccioli writes about "Freedom to Choose".  Karen's choices were shaped very early on by experiences in her childhood. Now, she watches her own daughter, Kirstin, make life decisions. You can read about her daughter, too. Kirstin Capaccioli is SSW's Woman of the Month!  She's 23 and fearless. She works hard and is rewarded for it. We are INSPIRED by her. You will be too!

Enjoy this month's issue. We hope you get the message: Live local.  Dream Global.

 

 

 

By Tracy Coyne   Mon, Jun 07, 2010

By   Fri, Jun 04, 2010

 

By Michael Dwyer

 

The world truly has become a smaller place. And nowhere is that more true than on the aisles of the Fruit Center Marketplace. Food from nearly all parts of the globe is readily found throughout the Fruit Center’s stores in Milton and Hingham. Pasta from Italy, cheese from Australia, wine from Chile, noodles from Asia. Even in the bone-chilling months of winter, tropical fruits are abundant. The culinary variety of the world is but a container ship or cargo plane away. 

Easily accessing our global village for our food provisions is an amazing accomplishment. But, as wonderful as this access to our world’s cuisine has become, there has recently been a focus on –- and a growing appreciation of –- the agricultural riches of our local environment.  “Eating Local” has become a mission for many folks who are environmentally conscious as well as those who wish to empower their local community.  The Fruit Center is inspired by those same ideals. In fact, the Fruit Center’s produce buyers are always on the lookout for locally grown produce. If the quality is excellent, locally grown produce is always the buyer’s first choice.

 

                                                                         

 Seeking out locally grown produce has a multitude of benefits, not least of which are maintaining your personal health and sustaining a fresh-foods lifestyle. Here are some of the other benefits realized from buying locally grown produce:

 

Fresher produce – Since most of the local farms the Fruit Center buys from are less than 200 miles from our stores, the items arrive shortly after being harvested (usually within 48 hours), so there’s far less time from “farm to table”.  When compared to produce harvested in California or other far-off locations, local produce is “thousands of miles fresher”.

Energy conservation and environmental protection – The environmental impact from buying local is significant. Local produce is not traveling great distances, thereby saving fuel and emitting less carbon pollution.  Also, local farmers have a personal connection to their land and make every effort to treat their land and surrounding environment responsibly.

Support of local farms, families and economy – Many of the farms the Fruit Center does business with are family owned and operated.  According to the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture more than 80% of Massachusetts farms are family-owned.  Some have been owned by the same family for several generations. For these families, farming is not just a business –- it’s deeply engrained in the fabric of their character, and it shows in the care they take to grow great produce and protect the environment. It also keeps our local economy strong and thriving.  In 2004, Massachusetts agricultural exports totaled $167 million and supported 3,000 jobs.

Smaller farms, more variety, huge benefits – Believe it or not, farms in New England cultivate more than just apples and pumpkins. These small local farms grow a surprisingly wide range of crops. This diversification translates to healthier crops and a healthier environment.  This is the polar opposite of corporate farming, which typically focuses on a single variety of a single crop, which can lead to any number of misfortunes during growing and harvesting.

 

As wonderful as our small slice of the world is here on the South Shore, the opportunity to enjoy seasonal, locally-grown produce is unfortunately fleeting. That being said, from May through October there is an abundance of locally-grown options in the produce department of the Fruit Center. As previously mentioned, the variety of locally grown produce is amazing: cooking greens, carrots, radishes, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and squash, are but some of the fresh choices to be found.

As you shop the aisles of the Fruit Center looking for local produce, have a sense of adventure and be open to experimenting with the variety of items available.  As long as nature and weather conditions cooperate, many of your favorites should be easily found, but don’t be afraid to “think outside the box” and try an item that you may not be familiar with. The staff at the Fruit Center can offer recommendations and suggestions on how to prepare many varieties of produce.

Celebrate the season and our local heritage – enjoy the local bounty arriving daily at the Fruit Center Marketplace.

 

Fruit Center Marketplace

10 Bassett Street, Milton

617-696-5274

79 Water Street/Rte. 3A, Hingham

781-749-7332

 

                                                  

Over the past year, the Fruit Center has received amazingly fresh and tasty produce from these local farms:

 

Brookdale Farm (Hollis, New Hampshire)

Carlson Farms (Harvard, MA)

Confreda Farms (Hope, Rhode Island)

Harvest Farm (Whatley, MA)

Libby & Son (Limerick, ME)

Manheim Farm (South Deerfield, MA)

Meadowbrook Farm (East Longmeadow, MA)

Pleasant Valley Gardens (Methuen, MA)

R & C Farms (Scituate, MA)

Reed Farm (North Dighton)

Romac Orchard (Acton, ME)

Scott Orchards (Ashburnham, MA)

Ward’s Berry Farm (Sharon)

Wilson Farms (Lexington, MA)

 

“We’ve got a thing for the locals!”

The Fruit Center’s local flair doesn’t stop on the produce aisles.  Here are some fantastic local companies –- from Boston on south –- that fill the shelves of the Fruit Center:

 

Alfredo Aiello (Quincy)

 Baking With Joy (Weymouth)

Bent’s Bakery (Milton)

Coffee Break Cafe (Quincy)

Dancing Deer (Boston)

Effie’s Homemade (Hyde Park)

Equal Exchange (W. Bridgewater)

Fancypants Bakery (East Walpole)

Fratellis Bakery (Quincy)

Giovanna Gelato (Newton)

Great Hill Dairy (Marion)

Greg’s Cinnamon Bread (Weymouth)

Hornstra Farms (Hingham)

Iggy’s Bread (Cambridge)

Jim’s Organic Coffee (West Wareham)

Konditor Meister (Braintree)

La Paloma Salsa (Quincy)

Laurel Hill Foods (Attleboro)

Mt. Vikos (Marshfield)

My Father’s Food Co. (Pembroke)

My Mom’s Meatballs (Osterville)

Nancy’s Kitchen (Marshfield)

Nona’s Homemade Ice Cream (Hingham)

Olivia’s Organics (Chelsea)

Pesto-Fresco (Plymouth)

Phillips Candy House (Dorchester)

Puopolo Candies (Hingham)

Redeye Roasters (Hingham)

Sabra (Norwood)

Shoe City Pizza (Brockton)

Someone’s In The Kitchen (Milton)

Sustainable Bite (Milton)

Sweet Tooth Bakery (South Boston)

Thatcher Farms (Milton)

 

 

 

By   Sun, Jun 13, 2010

 

At age 23, Kirstin Capaccioli has already been around the world. Her journey began as a student at Mass Maritime, which she graduated from last year with a degree in Maritime Transportation. She went on to pass the Coast Guard exams allowing her to operate vessels of unlimited tonnage (think tanker, cargo ship, or cruise ship). Today, Kirstin is a bridge officer for Azamara Club Cruises, a brand of Royal Caribbean International. It is a demanding and rewarding job that has taken her to some of the most beautiful, and some of the most dangerous places on earth.

I first met Kirstin five years ago at a marina in Hingham where she was working as a launch operator. At the time, she was being trained by a former Navy SEAL to operate the Night Cat, a high-speed interdiction vessel. She was 18, and the youngest person to be certified in fast rescue on the Night Cat. (You can read the article I wrote about her experience, “Young Hand Earns Place at Tricky Helm”, which appeared in The Boston Globe.)

I’ve continued to watch Kirstin work hard, play hard, and follow her dreams. And when South Shore Woman recently caught up with her while she was home in Hanover on break (she fit us in after her sky diving lessons), it became clear why this adventurous young woman is so special. She is smart, pretty, worldly, fun, humble, and--- as her mother, Karen, writes in her SSW article “Freedom to Choose”---fearless.  

We are very excited to introduce you to Kirstin, (a.k.a. “Ace”):

                                                                                                    

("Growing up I was always drawn to the water, and I knew I wanted to kick ass in a man's field." --- Kirstin Capaccioli)

 

SSW: What is your current role and your responsibilities?

KC: My current job title is a bridge officer (The bridge is the place on ships where it is controlled, steered, navigated, etc). I am a licensed third officer, unlimited tonnage – unlimited oceans. The officer ranking system from top to bottom is: Captain, Chief Mate, Second Mate, Third Mate (Mate is another word for officer). Then there is a hierarchy of unlicensed personnel that work under the officers. I am just starting out as an officer in the field, and coming out of the Maritime Academy, you have to start as Third Officer until you gain experience to upgrade your license and move through the ranks to captain, and then to pilot (if you so desire). All bridge officers are required to have the same book knowledge as the captain, regardless of the rank, but obviously we all have different experience levels based on years at sea which designates the position held on board. With Azamara Club Cruises, I have been working as Second Officer, but because the ranking is a little bit different with international companies, Second Officer is almost interchangeable with the ranking of Third Mate in the US ranking system.

 

The responsibilities of any bridge officer include: Navigating the vessel; controlling the auto pilot when making course changes; constantly monitoring the position of the vessel on the earth and how well the ship is making the required speed based on remaining distance to the next port of call; assisting in the preparation of voyage/passage plans to the ports that the company designates we must go to; firefighting, incident command and quick response in emergencies including medical, collision, running around, fire etc.; frequent use of radar/collision avoidance situations with other vessels; knowledge of distress procedures for both your ship and other ships; use of GPS navigation and Celestial Navigation (using sun and stars), and also using other means of navigation (radar, etc), and making use of wind and seas to best economize on fuel. Aside from all of that, the bridge is the main emergency center on any vessel. On the bridge you receive fire alarms, watertight door indications, you can view cameras showing other parts of the vessel, and the stability program for the vessel is constantly monitored (bending moments and shearing forces of the vessel), etc.  Also, I was constantly checking our engine efficiency and communicating with the engineers about where to consume fresh water from, and [where to] put the grey/black water (shower and sewage) of the vessel in order to have the best stability and lower the stresses on the ship, which is basically just a big piece of steel. In simple terms, you have to think about how many tons of water etc, that you need to evenly distribute so the ship won’t suffer damage. There are so many little responsibilities that we need to carry out each day, but those are the big ones.

 

Basically any officer position is extremely demanding regardless of your ranking, as you are the representative of the Captain, 24/7. The Captain of the vessel can’t possibly run the ship and stay awake at all times, so the shifts of running the ship called ‘watches’ are split up into 4 hour shifts, and each officer has 2 four hour shifts, twice a day on the bridge, and then works overtime another four hours in between to help maintain things around the vessel---maintaining the safety of the vessel, and checking that all equipment is up to regulation and in good working order, ready for immediate use.

 

SSW: Where has this job taken you in the world?

KC: I  have officially been all around the world. In school as a student I made the crossing from Massachusetts to Italy, from California to Hawaii, and all across the Caribbean. But this past trip on the cruise ship was so special (because it was my first real job as an official officer). In four and a half months of working (we do four months on, two months off with this company), the other bridge officers and I took the ship to the following places: China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, India, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Italy. To get there, we transited the following major bodies of water: The South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea, Sea of Japan, Korea Strait, Pacific Ocean, Strait of Malacca, Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean Sea. The highlighted areas are the world’s major piracy corridors for industry shipping routes, which is another story all together, but basically our ship hired British marines on a gun boat to protect our ship from the pirates!! It was like living in the Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

SSW: Having been all around the world, do you have a favorite place?

KC: I can’t say that I have a favorite place of all the places I have seen so far. Each and every country offers something inexplicable; a taste of real culture differences and language differences… But the more I’ve traveled, the more I’ve learned that no matter what race, religion, ethnicity, etc., people all around are just the same everywhere. I’ve seen everything from industrial and poverty ridden Asia to the Middle Eastern turbulence and the beauty of the Mediterranean. I’ve also learned how big the world is and how small I am; how much I don’t know, and how much I need to learn!! Traveling the world has somewhat quantified it…. I’ve realized how big it really is and how much we need to work together as a human race. There is too much violence and hatred and political absurdities. I can say, however, that the most beautiful place I’ve seen is Sorrento, Italy. Lovely!! Their way of life is so family based, and they are the most gentle and beautiful people I have ever seen.

 

 SSW: Is it difficult being a woman  in a male dominated profession?

 KC:  Being a woman in a male dominated industry is a tough game, but you can’t give up. Some guys are really helpful and treat you the same, but, a fair amount do not. Sometimes it’s more of an unspoken thing where you just get a sense that you don’t belong and are treated as such. Sometimes men assume that you are incompetent and talk down to you because of your femininity, but the best thing I can advise anyone to do is to not show the weakness, and try to show them through your work that you can do it better than them--- which requires a lot of extra time and effort. But, once they become afraid of you, they stop bothering you- --and actually start to respect you! Also, try and remember that sometimes you can’t ask someone if you can do something--- you just have to take matters into your own hands and do it! Also, don’t laugh with them when they make comments that you don’t appreciate. And sometimes you have to make unpopular decisions to hold your own a little bit. If you make a good friend, that’s a bonus, but you can’t try to be everybody’s friend, you’ll never make it. You have to treat people like you want to be treated.

  

SSW: Is this what you always wanted to do as a career?

 KC: Growing up I was always drawn to the water, and I knew I wanted to kick ass in a man’s field… Why should they get to have all the fun?  I also get really bored watching people just stay in one place and be a “lady”… What does that mean anyway? I’m happy with where I am now for my age, but I’d really like to live up to some of my idols…other women in the maritime field who have totally made it--- the pioneers of our shipping world: Debbie Dempsey, a female pilot in Oregon who I got to shadow; Anne Mcintyre and Rebecca Hendersen who also pilot ships and worked on oil tankers previously;  Lynn Korwatch, who was one of the first women to captain a Matson container ship while 8 months pregnant.  (I met all four of those women.) And, to all the women throughout history that dressed as men to get to work on the tall ships and learned the rigors of old-time sailing. I love every one of them. The pilots are of particular interest to me because they get on board ships of multiple nationalities, people that come from all over the world, and the position is respected so highly that the men from cultures that don’t allow women to do such things are put in their place. They shut up fast when a 120 pound woman is telling them what to do with their ship! Hahaha!

 

SSW: What’s next for you?

KC: I guess my goals are to have fun, keep learning, and to stay upbeat. I also hope to inspire other young women to just go for it and stop asking the boys what to do! I hope that I’ll also stay balanced (aside from working on ships) to accomplish some great hikes up mountains and complete my skydiving training.  I want to be in love, and maintain my wonderful relationship with my boyfriend, George, who also works on ships. He’s totally supportive! I’ve also taught him quite a bit about how to treat women he works with.

                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Stephanie Neil   Tue, Jun 15, 2010

Environmentally-minded consumers are always looking for a more eco-friendly way to do business. And, sometimes, the light bulb (an energy-saving version, of course) goes on.

For Christine Fiske, founder and CEO of Milton-based Bite, Inc., the idea to create reusable produce bags began with a simple trip to the store.

“I’d be getting produce and reach for a plastic bag. It seemed so counterintuitive when you are using reusable grocery bags,” Christine told South Shore Woman.

That feeling was reinforced when she was packing lunches for her two young kids. She was trying to be economical, and, in the back of her mind she was thinking about some research she had read about medical reasons to be concerned about plastics. As a result, those little sandwich bags just didn’t sit right anymore.

Now, a “mom-epreneur” on a mission, Christine has created a line of machine-washable, fashionable, and affordable reusable produce and snack bags. The products are sold in grocery stores, including the Fruit Center Marketplace and some Whole Foods locations, as well as in a variety of gift stores, or online at the Sustainable Bite website.

The company, just a year old, is already testing some new product lines as well, like a reusable napkin made out of organic cotton. “The hope is to get people to use them on a regular basis, and to not think of cloth napkins as a special occasion item,” Christine said. She’s also got some ideas about how to replace those plastic Tupperware containers, she said.

Christine, who started her career as a marketing and sales specialist for technology firms, designed the bags, had prototypes sewn, and then took them to New England manufacturers to be made. Owning this type of business has been a turning point--- with a bit of a learning curve—for Christine. “When you have a start-up, you have to do a little bit of everything,” she said. “And, if you are going to be successful, you have to be willing to stick your neck out, ask questions, and be willing to fail.”

Indeed, small missteps along the way can lead to huge success in the long run.

For Christine, it’s about building a business that has a favorable impact on the environment--- as well as for her family.

“You get to a point in life when you realize you are not invincible or immortal, and you say to yourself, ‘What do I want to leave behind, and what do I want to do for my children?’ For me, this is about doing something creative, as well as for the greater good. When I’m 70 years old, I can say I made a difference,” she said.

 

                                                                                                

                                                                                               Christine Fiske, Founder & CEO, Bite, Inc. (Milton, MA)

By Stephanie Neil   Mon, Jun 14, 2010

ORO Restaurant opened its doors in March, located in the historic Welch building in the heart of Scituate Harbor. Since then, it’s been the main attraction for people on the South Shore--- and beyond--- who want to experience all that it has to offer. That is: A beachy elegance and to-die-for-dishes.

 You might wonder what makes this place so special. What’s the catch?

                    ----Fresh lobster, oysters, clams, and, whatever is the catch of the day-------

ORO owners, Robin and Jill King, are taking advantage of their waterfront location, working with the local fisherman---one of whom also happens to be ORO’s pastry chef---to make sure there is fresh fare every dining day. Two lifelong friends of the couple own Snappy Lobster in Scituate, and, the King’s are working with Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, so they are always guaranteed good, fresh stuff on that front. But they are also establishing working relationships with all the local anglers.

“It doesn’t get any better than someone bringing freshly cut fish to the back door,” Jill told South Shore Woman in an interview. And, it doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. ORO sources everything from New England, and, more specifically, works with local farms, like Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset. Jill is also a frequent shopper at local farmer’s markets.

Jill and Robin, who met in high school and started their culinary careers on the west coast together before moving back to Boston and eventually settling on the South Shore where they grew up, are quickly becoming an important part of the local economy and the community. Buying locally means the food is fresh, of course, but Jill is forging new relationships, as well.

“[Buying] from local people makes it personal,” she said. “You know people were out picking it that morning.”

And, once Jill gets the food to the restaurant, her husband Robin is cooking it up in the kitchen. On any given night you can find Robin behind the stove, or in front of it--- expediting the process--- as people fill the seats in the intimate dining room, or the wide-open bar equipped with big-screen T.V. (and some really great bartenders!)

 

The design of the restaurant is very unique. The Kings wanted a ‘beachy’ feel, they said, but without the traditional nautical décor of anchors and starfish. Instead, the colors are soft and relaxing, kind of like a spa. And, it might take a moment to understand what’s going on, but, the orange and green bottles on the wall represent sea glass. The wall ornament is driftwood. Behind the bar is sea grass, and the lanterns dangling above the bar are made of cork. Uh-huh. It all comes together.

 

                                                                                                                                              

 

And, when you enter, it definitely does not feel like you are in Scituate anymore.

 “A lot of people around here are looking for the feel of the city without driving there,” Robin said. That’s what the King’s are delivering.

 While this is the first restaurant Jill and Robin have owned, they have plenty of experience to draw from: While living in Santa Barbara, Calif., the two teamed up to run Epiphany restaurant (owned by Kevin Costner). They returned to Boston where Jill worked at the South End Bistro, Aquitaine, while Robin helped to open Stella Restaurant working under chef Evan Deluty. At this point, they were inspired and experienced enough to live out their own dream and start up their own restaurant. Hence, ORO—named after their son Owen Robert--- was born.

(And, we’re oh, so glad!)

 

 

      Jill, Owen, and Robin King

 

 

By   Sun, Jun 13, 2010

South Shore Woman

Focusing on the people who energize our community. 

We tell the story behind the story!

 

For more information contact:
Editorial

Stephanie Neil, Editor

781-378-1652

stephanieneil@comcast.net

 

Advertising

Tracy Coyne, Publisher

781-413-6508

dtcoyne@comcast.net

 

By Erin Heffernan   Fri, Jun 11, 2010

Sarah Roberts teaches third and fourth grade at the South Shore Public Charter School (SSPCS) in Norwell, which serves more than 30 communities. When one young and unassuming student brought to school a magazine advertisement to become “The Greenest School in America,” entering the competition was an easy decision. With Sarah as a leader, students at SSPCS had already begun a green initiative months before.

 

Sarah explains that a large function of the SSPCS mission is service, whether it is to the community or to the environment. The incorporation of academic skills is also important. In the spirit of this mission, Sarah attended a 4-day professional development workshop in Auburn, Maine where she learned how to teach children the concept and execution of service while honing or acquiring academic skills.

 

While in Maine, Sarah discovered the KIDS Consortium, which gives “Green School Mini Grants.” She applied for and received a grant from the KIDS Consortium to implement with her students a green project, or, in her case, multiple projects.

 

“The service learning model,” Sarah says, “hands the project to the kids so they themselves investigate needs. . .” The children spent more than a month studying their school environment to decide what green projects would serve their community best. Ultimately, they concluded that there was too much waste in their school . . . thus the inception of the SSPCS “Waste Watchers” program. This program consisted of five teams:

 

• The “Saving Electricity” Team: This team initiated the installation of motion sensor electricity in the bathrooms so that the lights will go on only when a student opens the door.
• The “Saving Water” Team: This team built a gutter for the school shed that directs water into what has become the iconic green barrel (see picture); they use the water to water their outdoor and indoor gardens.
• The “Paper Saving” Team: This team solicits paper from local companies when they no longer have use for it . . . for instance, if they have changed a logo.
• The “Saving Plastics” Team: This team collects the plastic forks and spoons from lunch and washes them, so they are not only recycled but also reused prior to recycling.
• The “Saving Compost” Team: This team collects apple cores, banana peels, and other biodegradable foods to add to the grant-funded school composter.

These operatives included academics for the students to apply to real-life situations. The light sensor and the gutter projects were science and math lessons. Coincidentally, the math lesson the children used to build the gutter for the shed was the current math lesson in their math books.

 

Sarah also says, “Another component of the SSPCS mission is to share information. . . ” So, entering the “Greenest School in America” competition was a perfect way to disseminate information about their green initiatives. To demonstrate what they have achieved and continue to achieve, Sarah and the children submitted to the contest a mock news broadcast detailing their projects. (See “Ride with Pride . . . Join our Team . . . Go Green!" video above.)

 

The SSPCS was excited to learn they were chosen to be in the top ten (out of 550) schools for their green initiatives when, on April 27^th, Fox News arrived live to announce that they were number one! They presented Sarah and her students with a $20,000 school-makeover check, $3,000 in student scholarships, and a $500 school-supply gift. And, it is hard to believe but it is true that they brought a model of the $200,000 hybrid school bus that is being custom built for them! This school bus produces 65% less emissions than an average school bus. Lastly, they received a rock concert on their school grounds.

 

In the beginning of June -- as part of the KIDS Consortium grant program -- Sarah and eight of her students will travel overnight to the University of New Hampshire. They will present what they have achieved along with schools from all over New England. Sarah stresses that, for her students, the presentation is not a matter of rote memorization. They live everyday with what they present and therefore need not memorize. They speak of what has become a significant cause in their daily lives.

 

Sarah and her SSCPS students will also attend the Department of Education Service Learning At Holy Cross in Worcester. They will team with the Conservation Law Foundation for Earthfest at Boston’s Hatch Shell. They would have had these opportunities despite the contest, but the contest has earned them publicity in South Shore Living, the Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal.

 

Sarah describes the efforts and success of her third- and fourth-grade class as representative of the entire South Shore Public Charter School. For example, upper classmen video taped and edited the mock news broadcast that caught the attention of the judges of “The Greenest School in America.” And green initiatives take place beyond the walls of her classroom, the Veggie Van being a perfect example. The seniors at SSCPS manage the Veggie Van project, a van solely powered by vegetable oil that transports the students for every field trip.

 
As if Sarah and her students were not busy enough, they have created a special edition rain barrel with their handprints on it (see picture) to include in their school auction. They are also initiating a fundraiser; they will sell rain barrels and composters in partnership with New England Rain Barrel. For every one SSCPS sells, New England Rain Barrel will donate $10.00 to the school.

 

The deserving winners are also selfless, treating their win as a win for not just their school but a win for Massachusetts. Children from 30 communities attend the South Shore Charter Public School, and they are proud of the diversity, proud enough to share their title – “The Greenest School in America” – with all of the commonwealth.

 

 

 

By Stephanie Neil   Thu, Jun 10, 2010

I'm embarrassed to say that after many years on the South Shore, I had never stepped foot inside the Fruit Center Marketplace in Hingham or Milton. But a few weeks ago, I made the short trip to Milton and was pleasantly surprised. It is by no means a typical trip to the grocery store. Rather, it is a shopping experience.

Don't let the name of the establishment fool you. There's fruit, yes: Lots and lots of bountiful, colorful, healthy fruit. There is also an abundance of gorgeous vegetables, meat and fish stations, fresh sushi, a deli counter, a massive--- and I mean state-of-the-art--- salad bar that has over 100 items freshly chopped everyday (with things I've never even heard of deliciously displayed), as well as a gourmet section filled with imported oils, cheeses, as well as local pastries and breads. I even saw several variations of coffees from local companies. Who knew?! And, of course, you can't have all of this beautiful food without the perfect complement of wine and flowers.

I was entertaining some guests that night and walked out of the marketplace with a freshly cooked spinach calzone from the deli, Greek salad and grape leaves from the salad bar, and a bottle of red and white. So perfect, and with so little thought on my part (the way I like it)!

The best thing about the produce is that most of it is grown close to home. And, while, I would call this an upscale marketplace, the prices are not inflated---in fact, because they work with local farmers, the produce is often priced below that of the mainstream markets.

But to really understand what this place offers, you have to look beyond the meat, fish, gourmet displays, and produce. In the Milton location you can sit down and have lunch at the Marketplace Café where you can get a menu of light fare options, including a 'make your own burger' with your choice of sirloin, turkey, or veggie burgers and a list of many different toppings. The made-to-order sandwiches available in the market are made in the restaurant, but I would recommend making an afternoon of it. Take the kids, your best friend, or your husband to have lunch and then grab food for the week!

Yet, what I admire the most is the Fruit Center's commitment to the community. Just last year the company supported about 100 organizations and charitable groups, from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to Best Buddies to Healing Hands for Haiti, as well as Halifax Girls Softball, Hingham High Hockey, Milton Little League, and South Shore Hospital....and the list goes on.

And, there are cooking classes!!!  Local chefs will teach you specific dishes or specific skills, such as gluten-free baking. There are also food pairing and wine tasting classes. Hello?! I'm in.

Plus, 'living locally' and being environmentally friendly is a part of this company's culture. They even went so far as to install eco-friendly motors in the refrigerator systems!

Most importantly, the Fruit Center Marketplace is about people: Its employees---- some of whom have been there for 10-to-30 years--- and its customers. "Our staff goes above and beyond to make sure people's needs are met," said Mike Dwyer, the Fruit Center's marketing director. "We hire good people. That is the key to a successful business."

Of course, the Fruit Center Marketplace also provides your everyday grocery items, be it milk, cereal, chips, or peanut butter. But, when you walk into this store it somehow doesn't feel like the everyday shopping experience.

Michael Dwyer says it best. Hear it directly from him in the video below:

 

By Barbara Case   Thu, Jun 03, 2010

 

By Karen Capaccioli   Thu, Jun 03, 2010

There are pivotal moments in life, however brief, that impact your entire perspective.  It may be a casual exchange with someone-- or maybe an incident that you witness from a distance-- that moves you enough to create a change in life direction. You may be totally aware of it at the time, but it can happen when you are young and not sure of its significance until years later. People float in and out of our lives every day, and if we are in tune to them, they will teach us something either for the positive or for the negative.

As a pre-teen in the 1960's, I  lived in a neighborhood filled with cookie cutter ranch style houses with two parent families that had an average of about four kids. My childhood was filled with happy memories, and my days were carefree and safe.  But one day, when I was about 10 or 11, something happened in the neighborhood that changed my life forever.

My friend from across the street was suddenly moving. Her father up and left his four kids and his wife.  Her mother was a stay at home Mom, as were most in those days, and she had no means to support herself or her kids.  She could not pay the mortgage and had to sell their home.  After they left we never heard from them again, and I remember feeling devastated for my friend and for her mother.  For weeks I could not think of anything else.

I remember resolving to be the sole decision-maker for my life.  I vowed to support myself and not be reliant on another person for monetary means.  All of my future decisions were based either consciously or subconsciously on that incident.  Where I went to college, what career I chose, and what house I bought, were all based on an ancillary event that had happened years before.

I have always thought of that incident as having a positive impact in my life.  I felt it had empowered me and catapulted me to my independence.  I had accomplished what I had set out to do.  

I went on to teach my daughter the same message: "If you have a means to support yourself," I told her, "then you have total freedom."  Financial independence allows you to remove yourself from, or, put yourself into, any situation because self support gives you power.  It gives you confidence.  It liberates you.  And, I told her, because you can support yourself, when and if you decide to share your life with someone it will be based on a mutual decision to be in that relationship-- not because you have to be, but because you truly want to be.

Oddly, I have never thought of that childhood occurrence as a negative, until now.

What conservative decisions did I make which have held me back rather than propel me forward?  What decisions would have been made without the fear of the loss of my independence?  Would I have changed careers, taken a shot at starting my own business, bought more real estate?  I never was a risk-taker.  Everything I have, I cherish, and have never put in jeopardy.

 So now, it is my daughter's turn to teach me a life lesson. She has started her career, she will be totally independent, and I know she will be a risk-taker.  She is not afraid of anything, especially losing.  Fear has never held her back.

At a young age she's found the confidence that leads to financial freedom. She's approaching life from a very different perspective than I, yet with the same firm foundation. While I took a conservative path to secure my autonomy, she will achieve her success through impulse and endurance.

I hope it was something I said. Or, maybe it was her own pivotal moment--- a brush with another person in her life--- that has influenced her decisions to date.

But now I know there is definitely room to be both protective of what you treasure most, and at the same time, spread your wings and fearlessly take that risk.

 

 

 

 

By Emily Loverin   Tue, Jun 01, 2010

Hot Topic:  My hot topics are just ideas I have that made me stop and think. I hope they will inspire you to do the same.

 

 

So we all do it to an extent… care about the make and model of the car we buy, the label of the clothes we wear, the section of town we live in… and not just because we really care, but because ‘people’ care, or ‘everyone’ will see, know - what we have… It’s become a measure of our success to a large extent in today’s society.  I know it’s not a new concept, it just seems that lately… it’s a way of life.  In a time when everyone could stand to be a bit practical, especially with their money, I find myself questioning how pathetic the idea really is.  Success, to me, should be a measure of happiness.

 

I’m not saying I don’t do it myself.  My eight year old has a pair of overpriced designer jeans I happened to find at TJMaxx at a significant discount.  Still more than the $14 Old Navy jeans that always look cute and fit her perfectly, but I was momentarily thrilled and compelled when I found my ‘showy’ score.  She’s in second grade.  She is starting to care about what she wears, but let’s face it:  those were for me.  Me and if I’m getting down to the ugly crux of the matter, my ego and how somewhere in my mind it’s a reflection of how cool we are.  She gets compliments on them and I like it.

 

Where am I going with this?  I guess I am trying to change camps.  –All the way, and in my psyche.  I don’t want to be that kind of person.  The people who redo the outside of their homes first because they need it to look good before it works well.  The couples that lease a really expensive car because they can’t afford to buy it, but it represents status so they do it anyway.  I already lean towards trying not to care.  I have a solid, nice SUV because I need the size with my family, but not the most expensive one I could have purchased.  I bought my house and remodeled it for my family because of space, I love to design, I can walk to the beach and it’s a terrific trick or treat neighborhood.  But there’s still that nagging sensation inside me that wonders would I be so proud of how happy I am with what I have if it happened to be located a mile down the road?? –If all I could do was vinyl siding instead of cedar shakes?  -If I had to drive a lesser sedan?

 

So I’m sticking to those wistful days when I’m with my family in my backyard.  I haven’t showered, cloaked in ratty sweats that are barely passable for being outside in, and I’m sitting in a pollen laden deck chair.  My husband, Marc, walks past me and gently touches the side of my arm while still in motion towards the kids.  Charlie says something ridiculous and brilliant about something he discovered in the treehouse.  Addie kicks a soccer ball into the net and turns to me with an elated smile that impossibly makes her more gorgeous than she already is.  Jake growls and laughs at some weird bug he found in the grass, and then proceeds to make the cutest disgusted noise only a toddler can get away with.  Pure happiness.  In that moment I am the most successful person I know.

 

So my kids will never have the most expensive bike on the block, and I’ll never be clad in the runway gear some dream of, but I will be part of the family that I always hoped I’d have.  We will be the ones laughing and smiling like we’re up to something.  Something like a private joke ‘people’ haven’t figured out yet.  The only kind of ‘Jones’’ I care to be part of or will strive to be.

 

Which camp do you want to live in….?