Five Things: Shawmut Construction Awarded for Service

1. Sunny skies with highs in the lower 80s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

2. The South End's was recognized earlier this month for engaging students at the Perkins School for the Blind during a construction project at the Watertown school.

Shawmut’s Project Superintendent answered email questions from students, created a tactile construction board with samples of various construction materials, taught students to lay bricks and hosted a hands-on class on solar panels.

Shawmut CEO Tom Goemaat accepted AER’s Distinguished Service Award at a regional conference at the Park Plaza Hotel.

"We consider it such a privilege to work with Perkins," he said. "The experience for our staff on site has made a lasting impression on them. The love, dedication and spirit on campus is truly inspirational.”

3. The Gallows restaurant is looking for a plant babysitter of sorts... The restaurant posted an item on facebook yesterday looking for potential caretakers for its tropical plants that currently hang in the entryway. The plants will stay out through October, but need to go indoors during the colder months. Interested? Contact the restaurant through facebook or email info@thegallowsboston.com.

4. The Department of Conservation and Recreation reopened 80 day parks, beaches and other day-use areas as well as 16 campgrounds following Tropical Storm Irene. But 45 DCR areas will remain closed until further notice because of inaccessibility, downed trees and power losses; staff is working to reopen these sites. Visitors and campers should consult the DCR’s website for status updates.

5. Municipal Elections are coming up. To prepare you for the primaries, we'll be posting Q&A's with candidates for Districts 2 and 7 in the coming weeks. Check out our and look for incumbent Bill Linehan's interview later this week.