New Feature - Post Your Job Opportunities

We would like to announce a new feature that is now available at our wiki website --- the ability to post job opportunities to our members! Just visit our website and click on "POST YOUR JOB"

By filling out the Employment Opportunities form, members as well as non-members will be able to post new job openings that will be forwarded to members of The Underground via our Yahoo Group.

Looking for some help this coming season? Then please give it a try.

New Online Store

We would like to announce that The Underground now has an online store. We have a great selection of books and supplies that you may wish to purchase for the holidays and we are happy to add more based upon member suggestions.

A small portion of your purchase price of items selected through our website will go to benefit The Underground. We thank you for your support of our organization.

Please visit our website and click on STORE.

If you have other suggestions for great books or merchandise please let us know and we will add them to our store. What's in your top ten list?

Article About Native Plants As Part of the Sustainable Landscape

We would like to give a very big thank you to Scott LaFleur and Tom Smarr of The New England Wild Flower Society for writing our latest online consumer article "How Native Plants Work as Part of the Sustainable Landscape". This article can be viewed at our Find A Landscape Pro wiki website.

If you would like to contribute an article or photo to either of our wiki websites or to our forums please let us know. We welcome your contributions.

New Speakers Bureau

The Underground is currently developing a Speakers Bureau and will be providing listings on our 'Find A Landscape Professional' wiki website. All speakers must be members in good standing of The Underground. To add your speaker listing please visit our website and fill out our form.

Garden Ornamentation Workshop with Marie Stella and Artisans

Photos credit: Charlotte Fleetwood

Garden ornamentation has been integral to private and public garden spaces for more than two thousand years. In this "Garden Ornamentation Workshop" we examined the history of garden ornamentation, materials that are commonly used, and how fine garden art can be incorporated into your landscape projects. Our presentation was followed by a studio visit, artisan demonstrations and a self-guided tour of local installations.

Guest Presenter: Marie Stella, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., Charlemont, MA
Guest Artisans: Ray Ciemny, Artist/Blacksmith and Doug Patten, Artist/Stone Carver, Groton, MA

Fine garden ornamentation adds a sense of embellishment to an existing garden. Using one-of-a kind pieces can establish a new sense of peace or provide a complete makeover for the garden. Incorporating extraordinary furnishings and art of the past or present can create a sense of ambiance and mood or establish a focal point that demands attention. It can draw people into the garden, frame an important view or anchor a perennial bed. It can create unity and harmony in a garden that might not otherwise exist.

In this workshop we looked at ways that we can enhance our landscape plans and add that special finishing touch to our projects.

Following our slide presentation we drove a short distance to visit a local studio to see wrought iron forging and stone carving demonstrations and talk with the artisans about their craft.

Marie Stella - MA, MS, is a landscape historian and designer. Her design firm, Kirin Farm Enterprises, Inc., specializes in historic gardens and environmental landscapes. She is on the faculty of the Landscape Institute, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University, and adjunct faculty at the New York Botanical Garden, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, The Institute of Ecosystem Studies, and Cooper Union.

Ray Ciemny (Artisan/Blacksmith) - Ray received his initial professional art training at the Massachusetts College of Art. He worked as an illustrator and founded a computer design studio. When he first touched hammer to iron, however he knew this was his true passion. Mr. Ciemny began an apprenticeship with Master Blacksmith William Senseney of Williamstown, MA in 1987. Following years of honing his craft, Mr. Ciemny now offers his personal vision of the fusion of Art and Craft. http://www.ArtisanIron.com

Doug Patten (Artisan/Stone Carver) - DM Patten began carving small wooden objects as a young boy. While in his twenties he discovered stone sculpting and was instantly hooked. Over the years he has developed his own style and methods for working in various native stones. His skills are primarily self taught from readings and occasional conversations with old timers who practiced this craft many years ago. Patten’s work is peppered throughout Groton, the surrounding communities and beyond.

Thank you to Charlotte Fleetwood for providing her digital photos taken at this workshop.

Discount on Google SketchUp for Members

We have a special time limited offer for Underground members only. Purchase Google SketchUp Pro Single User license through 11/22 and save $50 off the current price of $495. If you are interested in this offer please and are a current Underground member please contact us for more information.

You do not need to have attended our Software Shootout to take advantage of this offer. Google SketchUp is PC and Mac compatible.

Discount on Dynascape Software for Members

Dynascape will offer members of The Underground a 10% discount on any purchase of DynaSCAPE Design, DynaSCAPE Quote, or DynaSCAPE Color through December 31, 2007. This includes any purchases made by Underground members since the Software Shootout on October 20, 2007. Please contact us for more details. Prior to processing the purchase, DynaSCAPE will validate membership in The Underground. The offer is open to any current member of the Yahoo Group. Purchases are to be made directly with the Sales staff of Dynascape at (800) 710-1900 or by visiting http://www.dynascape.com

2007 Election Results Are In!

The Underground Elections results are in, with 23% of our nearly 300 eligible members casting their votes in our first election. All candidates ran unopposed and received 68 votes each. The slate of candidates has been elected to serve for a two year term beginning in January 2008.

The announcement of theses results and introductions of the new officers were made at our annual meeting (required by the bylaws) on Saturday, October 20th at The Software Shootout.

Thank you to everyone for continuing on and working to build this wonderful organization.

2007 Annual Report Now Available

Yesterday we held our first annual meeting at the Software Shootout program. Our annual report as presented is now available at our website.

Thank you to our participants at yesterday's program - (Reid Bertone-Johnson, Mike Ambrose, Sally Naish and Len Hordyck) you helped make this program a tremendous success.

Congratulations also goes to our software winners.
Amy VanDoren - Google SketchUp Pro
Risa Edelstein - Dynascape Design and Quote

Much thanks goes to our program sponsors DynaSCAPE Software and Google SketchUp

A special thank you to Mary Coyne, Professor Emerita, Wellesley College and the Wellesley College Science Center for providing their wonderful facilities for this program.

2nd Annual Software Shootout

Howdy, pardner! Mosey on down and join us at the "2nd Annual Software Shootout" for a rootin' tootin' shootin' good time at this exciting program which will explore how landscape professionals are using today’s high falutin' techniques to create their landscape plans and documents.

The software presented at this program was representative of just a few of the applications available, and ranged in price, capability and complexity. Yeeeeeeeeeeha!

Our guest presenters included:
Reid Bertone-Johnson, Dodson Associates, Ltd., Ashfield, MA - Google SketchUp
Mike Ambrose, Ambrose Plants & Design, Millis, MA - Drafix ProLandscape
Sally Naish, Light & Shade Garden Design, Arlington, MA - Dynascape Design

Attendees learned the secrets to creating high quality, graphically rich landscape plans using their computers. Designers showed examples of their projects and described the step-by-step process for their implementation. They discussed their software products’ learning curve and the strengths and weaknesses from their personal perspectives. Handouts provided additional information including tips and tricks, equipment requirements, costs and other special considerations and comparisons. Attendees were also encouraged to bring in design examples that have been created using these software programs for a show and tell session at the end of the program.

DynaSCAPE Software representative Len Hordyk was on hand to answer questions about specific components of their software and show us their new product DynaSCAPE Color 1.0.

This program gave you information you need to find the software that will work for you in your landscape business. It gave a real-world perspective of the products’ capabilities from real users.

Working in Cooperation with NOFA OLC

The Underground is pleased to be working in cooperation with The NOFA Organic Land Care Committee. NOFA OLC provides education and outreach to landscape professionals, homeowners, activists and all concerned with organic land management. Offering the 5-day NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care annually in winter in MA, CT and RI; and the 1-day NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course annually in August in MA and CT. For more info contact Ashley Kremser, program manager. Visit www.organiclandcare.org

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Article

We would like to point your attention to an article about The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden which is now available. The article and pictures were submitted by Undergrounder Beth Ranahan and details how The Underground brought about the workshop and made this project happen - thanks to you, our wonderful members!

Click here to see more of our workshop pictures.

Heartfelt Thanks go to the following donors and volunteers who joined the cause:

Donors
Aclearium, Inc., Westford, MA
BayLeaf Studio, Maynard, MA
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Framingham, MA
Crocker Electrical, North Quincy, MA
Dunkin' Donuts, Framingham, MA
EssentialSpace EarthScapes, Newburyport, MA
Eves Electrical, Waltham, MA
Landscape Artisans, Shirley, MA
Lepidoptera Landscape Design, Framingham, MA
Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc., Carlisle, MA
NECC Corporation, Woburn, MA
New England Nurseries, Bedford, MA
NorthStar Farm Perennials & Groundcovers, Westport, MA
Penske Truck Leasing, Framingham, MA
Savio Engineering, Albuquerque, NM
Starbucks Coffee, Westford, MA
Trader Joe’s, Framingham, MA
The New England Wild Flower Society, Framingham, MA
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc., Harvard, MA
Weir Meadow Nursery, Wayland, MA
Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton, MA
Whole Foods Market, Framingham, MA
Z-Taylor Trucking, Leominster, MA

The Underground Volunteers
Paul Angelli
Lisa Bailey
Jeff Barone
Jay Bearfield
Barbara Blake
Susan Bringola
Darrell Buchannan
Ted Chapman
Ed Council
Ed Coykendall
Elizabeth Dudley
Martha Eisenberg
Todd Eves
Hasso Ewing
Laurie Fitzgerald
Charlotte Fleetwood
Nancy Forbes
Karen Fountain-Lantelme
Sherri Geldersma
Lori Gotlieb
Rochelle Greayer
Mike Gudejko
Seija Halva
Suzanne Higham
Katherine Holland
Chris Kelly
Mabel Liang
Linda Lischer
Adaela McLaughlin
Bridget McManus
Laurie Pegrum
Denise Pegrum
Bruce Piper
Beth Ranahan
Judith Reeve
Julie Seavy
Michael Smith
Dori Smith
Susan Tuttle
Jill Vollmuth

Fundamentals of Landscape Estimating

From project conception to bid acceptance, the accuracy of your current working estimate is vital to landscape installation success. This informative program "Fundamentals of Landscape Estimating" explored professional methods for accurately costing out landscape projects.

The guest speaker was Frank Crandall, Wood River Evergreens, Inc., Hope Valley, RI

Participants learned about the techniques for taking the guess-work out of landscape estimating. Our speaker discussed the fundamentals of estimating landscape projects, pricing of plants and materials, vehicle and equipment costs, and job costing. Attendees were provided with insights, methods, and techniques to help make their business more profitable.

This program provided the novice as well as the seasoned landscape professional suggestions and tips to improve and streamline their landscape estimating methods. It also helped to demystify the cost estimating process to allow you to work more effectively with your contractor/installer.

Frank Crandall, owner of Wood River Evergreens, Inc., in Hope Valley, RI, an award-winning landscape company serving Southern Rhode Island, horticultural speaker, author of Lessons from the Landscape, noted photographer, and current chairman of the Master Gardener Foundation of Rhode Island. He has been a frequent Flower Show speaker who delivers his presentations with entertainment, education and creativity.

Participants were free to enjoy the trails at Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary upon the conclusion of this program.

Underground Merchandise Available for Purchase

The Underground is now selling merchandise through our event registration site. Merchandise can be purchased and then picked up at our educational programs. Pictures and descriptions of our most requested items - our coffee mugs and journals are viewable upon registering for our programs. Visit our store at CafePress for even more items.

The Underground Needs You!

The Underground is an all volunteer organization that would appreciate your help. We need volunteers to assist with a wide range of activities throughout New England. You can choose to help occasionally or regularly, as your schedule permits. No experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn, make new friends, and share with others who have similar interests, while promoting our organization in New England. Many of the committee tasks and responsibilities can be shared, so feel free to enlist friends and colleagues to work on your committee if you need additional assistance.

The following committees are available:
Programming
Publicity
Membership
Exhibits
Annual Meeting
Internet Technology
Audio/Video Production
Sponsorship
K.O.T.B.
Photojournalism

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Elections End September 1st

For those members who have already voted in our elections thank you. For those who have still not voted, please take a moment to show us your support. Email voting instructions were already sent to all eligible members.

It is very easy to cast your vote, so don't delay, vote today!

If you are a new member of The Underground, you may not be eligible to vote. Only those members who have received previous notification containing registration codes are eligible.

The Underground In the News!

Check out the article that appears in the MetroWest Daily News.

New Program Cancellation Policy Implemented

Cancellations and Refunds

You may cancel an event (program, workshop, or tour) registration and receive a partial refund by notifying us (by email or phone) up to the time of the event. With such cancellations, a cancellation fee of 15% (with a minimum of $5.00) for each cancellation will be deducted. Cancellations received after this time, or after the event will not be refunded. We regret that no refunds or credits can be given for events that are in progress or that you have not attended.

If registration numbers are insufficient, The Underground reserves the right to cancel a program. In this case a full refund will be issued. The Underground also reserves the right to modify this general cancellation and refund policy for a specific event as needed; any modifications will be announced with the details of that event.

Weather Cancellations

Program cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced in advance of the event (typically by email). If you think that your program may be canceled please contact us.

Please Welcome New Member of Steering, Ed Coykendall

We would like to announce the addition of a new member-at-large to our steering committee. Please welcome Ed Coykendall of Landscape Artisans, Shirley, MA. We look forward to Ed's participation in our organization.

We would also like to thank Denise Pegrum for agreeing to continue on the board as a member-at-large. Denise will be stepping down as Secretary as of January 2008.

The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Project in the News!

Today's edition (Sunday) of the Boston Globe NorthWest (page 10) has an article by Cindy Cantrell about the efforts of The Underground to install the water feature at The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. You can read the article here.