10/10/10 Global Work Party

On Sunday, October 10th, Winchester residents have the opportunity to join groups from all over the globe in what may be the largest community work day ever — the 10/10/10 Global Work Party. With events all around town, the day is a kick-off for "A Winchester Week of Environmental Awareness and Action."

The week starts with Sunday's Global Work Party events, continues midweek with the dedication of the solar panels at the high school, and ends with the Winchester Environmental Fair on the 16th. Read more about the global event and its inspiration at www.350.org.

• Start the day by walking, biking or carpooling to your morning service of worship or your other activities. Or take a hike and clean up along a favorite path or trail in one of our beautiful parks or conservation areas. Try going 3.50 hours without using fuel or electricity.
• At 10 am, join a one-hour guided trail walk led by Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy board member Alan Field. The walk will start at the farm barns and head out over easy terrain.
• At 10 am, join Friends of Winter Pond at the public landing on Woodside Road for a couple hours of cleanup of invasive plants and trash. Bring gloves, rakes, clippers, plastic bags, and your smiles.
• Join one of the guided, leisurely bike rides.
•  At 9 am meet at Ginn Field playground for a ride led by the Greenway Committee's Jay Olmsted. Tour along part of the proposed Tri-Community Bikeway, around Horn Pond and return by 10:30.
• At 2 pm take an easy self-paced 8-mile guided ride from the Common. The tour, through parts of Winchester and Medford, lasts 1/2 to 1 hour. Coaching to riders will be offered along the way.
• At noon, join the 10/10/10 Celebration — a community gathering on the Town Common. The Winchester Unitarian Society will coordinate refreshments and the choir of Second Congregational Church of Winchester and others will lead a joint choir sing, inviting all to join in.
• Starting at noon, get a free bicycle checkup and minor repairs, including tubes and tires, compliments of Eric Ferioli and of Ace Wheelworks, Somerville.
• Join a work party to remove invasive species from town trails and waterways. Meet at noon with members of the Conservation Commission at their table on the Common. Bring gloves and clippers.
• Start working toward a "Greener Travel Week." The newly-formed Renewal Group will provide information about biking, commuting and car-pooling resources.
• Sign up at the Common, at noon, for one of a limited number of free one-hour sessions, sponsored by Cool Winchester, to measure electrical usage in your home. Discover which appliances inflate your electric usage and bills.
• See the film "Renewal." Continuous showings of this 90-minute documentary from 2 pm to 8 pm at the Winchester Unitarian Society on the corner of Main and Mystic Valley Parkway. Eight vignettes show how groups engaged their different faith traditions in environmental issues and awareness and how this shaped their lives and spirits.
• Join the Second Congregational Church at 485 Washington Street throughout the afternoon for its Family Festival at their "pumpkin patch." There'll be children's activities plus opportunities to pick up some fall decorations, participate in meditations, and learn more about protecting and preserving our environment.