2018 Annual B-SLUG Holiday Party and Smith Society Fundraiser Set for Sunday, December 9

Yay! The table is set! It's time to mark your calendars for the annual BSLUG Holiday Party! It will take place on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9 at the artist loft of our very generous host, Cowell alum, Jill Hoy. (Check out her beautiful artwork on her website http://www.jillhoy.com)

The party is a fundraiser** for the Smith Renaissance Society, founded by Cowell alumnus Bill Dickinson. The Smith Society provides UCSC mentors, scholarships, and collegiate resources to foster children, homeless and runaway youth, orphans, and wards of the court. 

Donations at all levels are appreciated. However, Stephen Marino has an unlimited number of Above UCSC calendars and a gorgeous poster (24" x 36") that he's making available to any B-Slug who donates $100 whether or not they attend the holiday party. To see the poster go to https://photos.app.goo.gl/GuU7Wjdc5TCNYTUN7

Thank you, Stephen!!!

***All donations will be TRIPLE matched by Bill up to $2000***
Donations at all levels are appreciated. 

In addition to being a fundraiser, the BSLUG annual holiday party is a guaranteed wonderful time! 

Thanks to the generosity of Jill Hoy, the festivities will be held again at her lovely home in Somerville, Mass. You'll not only enjoy the awesome company of fellow UCSC alums, but also partake of delicious catered delights from Dave's Fresh Pasta in Somerville, surrounded by gorgeous works of art. Friends and family are also welcome. What better way to greet the winter season! 

WHEN: Sunday, Dec 9, 4-7 p.m.
WHERE: Home of Jill Hoy (near Davis Square in Somerville, Mass.)
RSVP by Friday, November 30
BYOB

Email Beata (beatapanagopoulosverizonnet) for directions, car-pool arrangements, or any questions or call 617-491-3871 

**All tax-deductible donations received go directly to the Smith Renaissance Society. Contributions, large and small, are most welcome. Suggested donation: $15-25 per person. Larger donations will also be much appreciated by the Society. 

Checks should be made payable to: "UC Santa Cruz Foundation" and write in the memo line: Page and Eloise Smith Scholarship Fund (Fl011F)

Bring your check to the party OR mail them to: Beata Panagopoulos, 28 Maple Ave., Apt. 3, Cambridge, MA 02139-1130. You will receive a receipt directly from UCSC.

B-SLUGS HIKE MT. WACHUSETTS SAT. SEPT. 29

B-SLUGS:  September Hike at Mt. Wachusett

Join us on a beautiful autumnal hike at Mt. Wachusett!

WHERE: Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary at Mt. Wachusett, Princeton, MA
WHEN:  Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m.

We’ll begin at the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Wachusett Meadow on the south side of Wachusett, which is a little over an hour from Boston via car. It’s a beautiful place well deserving of a trip by itself. Parking, etc, is free for Audubon members and $4 for non-members. Wachusett Meadow has restrooms, a helpful start for the day.  If you need a ride, no problem!  We’ll carpool.  Just let Beata know if you need a ride at beatapana@gmail.com

Our guides will be fellow B-SLUG Walter Stine and Clare Esparolini, who have designed the route just for us.  They tried it out this summer and decided on the following route.

The hike to Mt. Wachusett from the Audubon sanctuary is about 3.5 miles. The early going is a gentle uphill, crossing near a giant glacial boulder at one point. The upper part of the trail gets steeper, but not difficult. There are some sections with large rocks to go over on the upper portion of the trail. (Walter and Clare saw families with young children going up this section.)

 The hike up took Clare and Walter just over 1 hour and 30 minutes. The hike down took them a little under 1 hour and 30 minutes. For a group that doesn’t hike much, the hike up might take 2 hours or 2 hours and 30 minutes. The hike down might take 2 hours or so.

Let’s plan to arrive at Wachusett Meadow around 10:00 am and leave for the hike no later than 10:30. If folks take an hour for lunch at the top, that puts us back at Wachusett Meadow around 4:00 pm. Worse case, 5:00 pm.

Participants should be in reasonably good shape, able to walk several miles carrying a small pack. Hiking boots or shoes are required (no tennis shoes). Other items would include   1-2 liters of water, trail snacks, lunch, hiking poles (optional but helpful), hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray (might not be needed), rain jacket (just in case).

If some B-SLUGS don’t want to hike, they could hang out at Wachusett Meadow and then drive to the summit to meet us for lunch between 12:30 and 1:00. There is a parking area right near the summit.

RSVP by Monday, September 24 on the B-SLUG group Facebook page
If you you don’t do Facebook, just contact Beata at beatapana@gmail.com

BSLUGs Go to Shakespeare on Common's Richard III July 19

Join your fellow Slugs on the Boston Common to watch The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's production of Richard III. "Shakespeare’s searing drama chronicles the ruthless ascension of a king and the devastation he leaves in his wake as he gains power over the realm. Featuring stage, film, and television actor, Faran Tahir as Richard III." From the Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. website) For more information about the production see http://commshakes.org/production/richard-iii/

WHEN: Thursday, July 19
WHERE: Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common

Come early to help us stake out a great spot. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic dinner. We'll be there from 5:30 pm on. 

The performance is free and open to the public.

If you've never attended Shakespeare on the Common, consider this a nudge - you won't regret it! A fantastic experience to see fabulous actors outside in the summer air. If you have already been, you know how wonderful it is.

We hope to see you there!!