framingham.com (*** TEST SITE ***)

Author: News Staff

  • Elementary School Reorganization Proposed

    Framingham, MA – Framingham Superintendent of Schools Steven Hiersche presented a school reorganization plan to the school committee on January 5th. Information and a link to view the presentation are available on the Framingham Public Schools website: http://www.framingham.k12.ma.us
    The plan suggests reorganizing the elementary schools so that schools are paired and that one serves kindergarten through second grades and the other serves third through fifth grades.

    School Officials will field questions and comments from the public about the reorganization at two community forums.

    The presentation Format for January 11 (7PM Fuller auditorium) and January 14 (7 PM FHS auditorium) community forums:

    • PRESENTATION IN AUDITORIUM
    Superintendent Hiersche will re-present the information he presented to School Committee on Tuesday, January 5. Translations into Spanish and Portuguese will be available.

    • BREAKOUT GROUPS IN CAFETERIA
    Those who have seen the presentation will be able to provide feedback and input, and ask questions in a small group setting. These questions will be compiled and responded to as part of the Frequently Asked Questions.
    Feedback on the presentation and plan can be emailed to: reorgteam@framingham.k12.ma.us

    On January 20 the School Committee will continue discussion of the proposed reorganization plan.

    There is a discussion group on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=280442260680&ref=ts about the reorganization as well as considerable discussion on the frambors email list which you can subscribe to by emailing:  majordomo@syslang.net

  • University of Notre Dame Chorale at St. Bridget’s

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — On Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 at 7:30 pm the University of Notre Dame Chorale, the official concert choir of ND will give the fourth performance of its Winter Tour at St Bridget’s Church.

    The program features traditional Christmas carols, choral works by BYRD, Haydn, Verdi, Wagner, Handel & Debussy and school songs including the Notre Dame Victory March. It’s free and open to the public. The Chorale is a mixed, 60 voice choir composed of (more…)

  • Voting Registration Deadlines

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Wednesday, Dec. 30 2009 is the deadline to register to vote for the Jan. 19, 2010 Sspecial Senate Election.

    Thursday, Dec. 31 is the deadline to be enrolled as a Democrat or Republican in order to participate in the 2010 party caucuses and conventions, which nominate candidates for statewide offices.

    The Framingham Democratic Town Committee holds its caucus 2/21 to elect delegates to the state convention (June 4-5). For more information, www.framinghamdems.org

  • CALLAHAN HAPPENINGS FOR JANUARY 2010

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Here’s what’s happening in January at the Callahan Senior Center this month!
    Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center

    • Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, January 4, 11, 18 & 25 at 10:00 am.
    • ‘Better Breathers’ Support Group: Wednesday, January 13 at 1:00 pm.
    • Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 am.
    • Grandparent Support Group: Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 pm. Please call the Center to confirm in the event of a change.
    • Low Vision Group: No meetings in January & February. Meeting will resume in March.
    • Massage Therapy: Thursday, January 7 (by appt. only).
    • Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, January 19 at 1:30 pm.
    • Podiatry: Wed., January 13 with Dr. John 1:00 – 4:00 pm & Wed., January 27, with Dr. Lukoff from 1:00 – 3:30 pm (by appt. only).
    • Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, January 4 at 1:00 pm.

    BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR JANUARY – Wednesdays, January 6,13,20 & 27 from 9:30am—12:30pm (more…)

  • French Biotech Company CYTOO Opens U.S. Subsidiary in Framingham, Massachusetts

    Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and other state officials participated in ribbon-cutting ceremony

    FRAMINGHAM, MA (Dec. 11) – CYTOO Cell Architects, a French biotechnology company focused on applications in cell based assays, high content analysis and cell screening for life sciences research, announced today that it is expanding its operations to serve researchers in the United States by opening a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts.

    The company officially opened its United States headquarters in Framingham today. The company’s main offices are in Grenoble, France. Company officials were joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, Massachusetts Department of Business and Technology Director George Ramirez representing the Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment, MassBio Economic Development Director Peter Abair, Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Tom Sannicandro, Representative Pam Richardson and Selectmen Ginger Esty, Laurie Lee and Dennis Giombetti.

    “It is outstanding that CYTOO, an international company on the cutting edge of Life Sciences research, has sought out Framingham for its US headquarters,” Representative Pam Richardson said. “Framingham is already home to a host of Life Sciences companies and I am pleased to welcome yet another.”

    CYTOO provides innovative enabling technologies and products for high content cell analysis. CYTOO chips streamline cellular analysis by decreasing cell variability. The chips are composed of four square inches of 20,000 concave geometric micropatterns, which standardize cell position, shape, and organization when the cytoskeleton architecture and organelle morphology adapt to the shape of the micropattern. By April 2010 the company hopes to release a new technology, CYTOO plates, which hold up to 384 wells of 1,000 micropatterns. The company is the first to offer a technology that standardizes cells, streamlining analysis and speeding up discoveries. By opening a US subsidiary in Massachusetts, the company hopes to better address the worldwide market for cell-based assays in life sciences research.

    In June of 2008, Governor Patrick signed into law the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, a ten-year, $1 billion commitment to maintaining and strengthening the life sciences as a major economic engine for the Commonwealth. Conversations with CYTOO began at the BIO International Convention, held in Atlanta in May, 2009. Company officials cite their meetings with MOITI and the Life Sciences Center, and subsequently with Governor Deval Patrick directly, as having been key to their decision to locate in Massachusetts.

    “It is terrific to see our state’s Life Sciences initiative, and our presence at BIO International, bringing new companies to Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. “We warmly welcome CYTOO to the Commonwealth, to Framingham and to the diverse group of pioneering companies that make Massachusetts a global leader in the life sciences industry.”

    CYTOO’s decision to locate in Framingham is part of a growing trend of foreign life sciences companies locating their regional headquarters in Massachusetts. Last week Systagenix Wound Management, a British company, opened its headquarters for the Americas in Quincy, Massachusetts. Biocell Center, an Italian company, recently opened their US headquarters in Medford, Massachusetts. The companies have cited the state’s Life Sciences Initiative as a key factor in their decision to locate here.

    “CYTOO’s decision to locate in Framingham is a direct return on investment for our state’s presence at the BIO International Convention in Atlanta this past May,” said Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the quasi-public agency charged with implementing the state’s Life Sciences Initiative. “Massachusetts is a great place to do business for life sciences companies, both international and domestic, and we welcome CYTOO to the world’s leading life sciences Supercluster.”

  • FHS Drama Company Announces “Scotland Night” Fundraiser

    Framingham, Mass. – Scottish entertainment, amazing items up for auction, and fabulous food will headline the “Scotland Night” fundraiser on January 9, 2010 at Temple Beth Am in Framingham. Parents of students in Framingham High School’s Drama Company are coordinating and hosting this special event, which will (more…)

  • Danforth Museum Reports Record Attendence in 2009

    Letter from Katherine French, Director, Danforth Museum:

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – During 2009, an increasing number of visitors made their way to our Framingham location, and we experienced the highest attendance ever. Marketing and building feasibility studies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council helped support a renewed commitment to the Danforth Building. Museum membership and (more…)

  • CALLAHAN HAPPENINGS for DECEMBER 2009

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Events and news from  Callahan Senior Center, Framingham, MA.

    CRAFT SHOW & BAKE SALE – Saturday, December 12th from 9:00am-2:00pm Callahan Center (jewelry, clothing, arts & crafts & White Elephant Tables) No admission fee.

    Heritage Gallery –  Do you need a pretty plate on which to place your cookies for the Neighborhood Holiday Cookie Swap? Do you need some stocking stuffers for $1.00? Does your mantle need a touch of red and green to help usher in the holiday season? How about a pair of sparkly earrings or a necklace to wear to the Holiday Sing-a-long Concert? If so, then we will be looking for you at the Heritage Gallery in the Callahan Center on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

    Holiday Open House – Monday, December 21st from 12 noon until 2:00 pm at Callahan Center. There will be music by disc jockey Bob Fisher, dancing and refreshments.

    New Year’s Eve Day CELEBRATE! It’s fun, it’s a party and it’s a great deal! —December 31, 2009 Noon time Luncheon (Prime Rib or Chicken) at Lantana, Randolph, MA $69.00 pp Dancing & easy listening, New Year’s Countdown with confetti celebration and Champagne toast! Depart from Callahan at 10:30am and arrive back to Center at 4:30pm. To sign up, please call the Callahan Travel Office, Mon.-Fri. between 10 am-2 pm at 508-532-5980, extension 3.

    Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center:

    Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, December 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 10:00 am.

    ‘Better Breathers’ Support Group: Wednesday, December 9 at 1:00 pm.

    Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, December 29 at 10:00 am.

    Grandparent Support Group: Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm. Please call the Center to confirm in the event of a change.

    Low Vision Group: Friday, December 18 at 1:00 pm.

    Massage Therapy: Thursday, December 3 (by appt. only).

    Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, December 15 at 1:30 pm.

    Podiatry: Wed., December 9 with Dr. John 1:00 – 4:00 pm & Wed., December 30, with Dr. Lukoff from 1:00 – 3:30 pm (by appt. only).

    Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, December 7 at 1:00 pm.

    Caregivers’ Support Group Notice – Due to the Metrowest Office closing and moving to Boston, Judith Chaloux, Bereavement Coordinator, will no longer be able to come to the Callahan Center to host the Caregivers’ Support Group. We are in the process of contacting the Boston office to find a coordinator to host the group here at the Center. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

    BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR DECEMBER     – Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 9:30am—12:30pm

    Town of Framingham & Callahan Center Snowstorm Policy Notice – If the schools close due to snowstorms or other inclement weather days, there will be no activities at the Center. On these days, the Town of Framingham Staff will be available to you at the Center, unless the Town of Framingham declares an emergency closing.

    Please note:     Due to a lack of storage space at the Callahan Center, please be advised that we can no longer accept donations of books, magazines, puzzles and other miscellaneous items until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this request.

  • Photos with Santa on Sat. Dec. 12th at Nobscot’s Cafe

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Republican Town Committee is hosting a holiday get-together on Saturday, December 12 from 8:30 to 10:30 in the morning. Please join us at Nobscot’s Cafe, 847 Edgell Road for light refreshments and photos with Santa. A donation of $5.00 is requested but children under 14 will be our guests.

    Mary Z. Connaughton, Republican candidate for State Auditor and Ed McGrath, Republican candidate for State Senator will be there to greet you. Questions/comments to Connie Barnes – 508 879-1834.

  • MassDOT Forum on Route 9 Resurfacing

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – MA Dept. of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Highway Division is holding a forum for businesses that may be impacted by the planned Route 9 Resurfacing Project from the Southborough/Framingham town line to Maine Avenue in Natick.

    MassDOT would like to provide the affected businesses with specific background on the project in order to address their anticipated questions on traffic and access to their properties. The forum is taking place on Thursday, December 17th from 8:30 ­ 10:30 AM, in meeting space being provided by the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, 1657 Worcester Road in Framingham.

    Given the impacts of this project on both Framingham and Natick, if you know of businesses that will be affected, please let them know about the forum.

    Jessica Strunkin, Deputy Director of Public Policy & Public Affairs for the 495/MetroWest Partnership is coordinating registration for this event. Please contact her at (774) 760-0495 ext. 103 or jessica@495partnership.org.