Every time I go to the Alchemy Cafe, I fall in love a little more. I usually reserve that kind of awe for Northampton or Provincetown MA. Besides having smoothies, vegan snacks, meals, and a store, there are also events at The Green Vibration’s Alchemy Cafe and Eco-Boutique.

On the last Friday of every month, Hope Out Loud Coffeehouse goes from 7:30-10:30pm. The coffeehouse has existed for several years, but has recently moved to Alchemy. There’s no cover, but donations are used to help fund the annual Hope Out Loud festival that’s held in Bushnell Park around the anniversary of September 11th. On all other Fridays there are free films on the subject of sustainability from 7:30-9pm.

On the first Sunday of each month there is a clothing swap at 5pm. No, it’s not an event where everyone jumps outta their clothes and runs around naked. Bring gently used kids’ and adults’ clothes to give away or trade. After this, from 6-9pm there is an Unschoolers Meeting. Unschooling is different from homeschooling, in case you’re wondering.

If your family is interested in environmental activism, there is a Roots & Shoots Youth Activism gathering on the third Sunday of every month at 4:30 pm. Cassie Zito, age 16, leads this group.

Although I do not have a family, I enjoy places that cater to children. I wouldn’t say that this kind of environment zaps temper tantrums completely, but I think there’s a connection between a welcoming environment in which kids running around is no problem, and much fewer meltdowns by said children. It’s just common sense. If kids are in an uptight setting where they are bored and forced to sit still, they are going to freak out.