[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/32940517 w=400&h=225]
Christmas in Beantown from Daily Free Press on Vimeo.
By Lauren Dezenski
Copley Christmas Tree: (info courtesy of friendsofcopleysquare.org)
In 1883, the public space formerly known as Art Square officially received its current name.
Featured guests at this year’s tree lighting included WHDH anchor Janet Wu, Santa Claus, Rudolph, and the Bear from Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”
When the tree was illuminated, the Old South Church tolled its bells.
Boston Common Christmas Tree: (info courtesy of Boston Parks and Recreation)
The Boston Common Christmas Tree is an annual gift from Nova Scotia as a way to thank the people of Boston for providing emergency assistance when an explosion in 1917 devastated Nova Scotia’s capital city, Halifax. This is the 40th anniversary of this tradition.
The official 2011 tree is a 45-foot white spruce donated by Ken and Donna Spinney of Central Argyle, Nova Scotia.
For those who can’t attend the Thurs. Dec. 1 lighting at 7:55 p.m., WCVB-TV will air live coverage of the event starting at 7 p.m.
Police escort delivered the tree to its current location on the Common near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Plaza on Nov. 18.
Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree: (Courtesy of Boston.com)
This is the 27 year of the Faneuil Hall Christmas Tree, which features over 20,000 lights.
This year’s Christmas tree is an 85-foot Norwegian Spruce.
The Faneuil Hall tree was this year’s first Boston Christmas tree to be lit—illuminated on Nov. 19.
Prudential Center Christmas Tree: (Courtesy visitboston.com)
The Pru Christmas Tree is also a gift of the people of Nova Scotia, in addition to the Boston Common Christmas Tree.
The Pru and Boston Common trees need to stand between 40 and 50 feet tall and are not farmed—instead, they’re grown free standing in open fields, allowing for room for growth.
Back in 1917, Boston sent relief aid after the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship that was filled with wartime explosives, accidently collided with the Norwegian SS Imo in the Halifax Harbour. Boston Red Cross and the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee responded immediately and sent relief trains filled with supplies to the victims of the accident.
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I had an adopted greyhound (Retired racer), and he was the most loving and friendly dog. Most greyhounds are exactly like him. Knowing that they get killed if they aren’t adopted is awful.
Regardless of rumors of mistreatment (malnutrition, injuries, etc.), the fact remains that we are forcing animals to do something contrary to their nature. This, in and of itself, is mistreatment of animals. See Wikipedia for more about greyhounds’ temperaments– they are NOT racing animals–“Although greyhounds are extremely fast and athletic, and despite their reputation as racing dogs, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters, and although they love running, they do not require extensive exercise. Most are quiet, gentle animals. An adult greyhound will stay healthy and happy with a daily walk of as little as 20 to 30 minutes” (from Wikipedia).
As for the case of jobs lost, I could not have brought myself to take a job at a dog track in the first place. Shame on them for having done so. It’s time to retire this ridiculous pastime of forcing dogs to race against each other for our entertainment.