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Author: News Staff

  • Sensory Integration: Ideas for Home and School

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Special Education Parent Advisory Council (F-SEPAC)cordially invites you to “ Sensory Integration: Ideas for Home and School“, a talk where Phyllis Samara of the Barrett Family Wellness Center will share her knowledge of SI, and discuss ideas for helping special kids both at home and at school.  Thursday, November 12, 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the Cameron Middle School Auditorium, 215 Elm Street, Framingham, MA.

    This presentation is free & open to the public. It is geared toward parents, guardians, & education professionals who teach children with special needs.

    All TEACHERS attending may get PDPs (Professional Development Points). All ATTENDEES may receive a certificate of participation. Sign-up sheets will be available at the workshop.

    Please RSVP so they will have enough handouts available for all attendees, please RSVP to info@f-sepac.org

    For more information call 508.558.7220 or go to our web site www.f-sepac.org

    ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Phyllis Barrett Samara has been in the business of Occupational Therapy for over 35 years and is a graduate of Boston University. She is an SI Certified Therapist, specializing in treating children with varying disabilities. She is also a professor of Occupational Therapy at Quinsigamond Community College. In 1980 she began her own practice, P.B. Samara OT & Assoc., servicing area school systems and nursing homes. In 2000, she started the Barrett Family Wellness Center www.barrettfamilywellness.com with the goal of providing exceptional occupational therapy services that would benefit the children and parents alike. It has been her mission to educate parents about their children’s various disabilities in order to empower them, and enable them to make informed decisions as to what course of treatment is best for their child.

  • Special Event Showcase at Village Hall

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Are You Planning A Special Event? A Wedding, Anniversary, La Quinceañera, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah or a Sweet 16 Party?   There’s a special free event at the Historic Village Hall in Framingham featuring businesses that can help you make your occasion special.

    Meet some of Metrowest’s Best ~ Cardoos, BlackTie Catering, Bakers Best, David O’Leary DJ, Silpada Designs, Souvenier Photography, LiaSophia, Motives Cosmetics, Landscape Designs, PartyLite Candles and Spa Products, and so much more.

    Come and enjoy a fun filled night of Sampling, Raffles, Door Prizes, and more. Admission is FREE, Wednesday, October 28th, 6:30 – 9:30 PM at The Village Hall, 2 Oak Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

    Co-Sponsored by PartyLite Candles Sweet Dreams Unite & The Framingham History Center.  Pre-registration is recommended. Everyone who pre-registers will be entered into our Raffle for a “Super Special Event Gift Basket”.

    For more information on registering for this spectacular event, please contact Kathy Lynch at 508-788-0533 or by email at kl08partylite@live.com

  • PUBLIC FORUM ON OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

    FRAMINGHAM,MA — Our Health Care System: Diagnosis & Treatment Options: Why can’t we have a health care system that works for the patient?

    Announcing: A Public Forum on the Health Care Crisis at the Framingham Public Library,49 Lexington St.,Framingham Mass on Thursday October 15, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm.

    Dr. Gordon Schiff, M.D., a physician and past president of Physicians for a National Health Plan (PNHP), will speak at a public forum to be held at the Framingham public library. Dr. Schiff will address the facts and fantasies surrounding a National Health Plan. Everyone is invited. There will be an hour for questions and answers.

    This forum is for people to ask questions about the proposed health care plan and learn how it will affect them. Our intention is for people to come away with a better understanding about the facts and what they can do to make their voices heard and their representatives to listen.

    This forum is sponsored by MetroWest Mass-Care, and the Nightingales.

    For further information send an email to: nightingales@meganet.net


  • Framingham Farm Day 2009

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham Farm Day is coming up on Sat Oct 17 10am-2pm. Bring the whole family and enjoy the fall weather at any or all of these real New England farms in the greater Nobscot area. Co-sponsored by Nobscot Neighbors and the Framingham Agricultural Committee.

    – Baiting Brook Christmas Tree Farm, 32 Nixon Rd. – George and D.D. Harrington will give tours of a real tree farm, explain how Christmas trees are grown and why this is the greenest solution to holiday decorating. Tours every half-hour from 10am to 2pm, cider and doughnuts too. No charge.

    – Stearns Farm, 862 Edmands Rd. – Plant garlic with farm manager, Kathy Huckins and friends, tour the farm and learn about Community Supported Agriculture and the importance of locally produced food. No charge. Established in 1723, this historic farm was operated by the Nixon family until 1900 and became Stearns Organic Farm in 1954 and today the farm provides fruit, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers to a full roster of CSA members.

    – Hanson’s Farm, 20 Nixon Rd – Navigate Tom and Matt’s Corn Maze, take a hayride, pick your own pumpkins and raspberries, buy produce at the farmstand and picnic under the giant tent. From 10am the hayride plus corn maze is $6 per person, children under 5 yrs. no charge. The 152 acre farm has been continuously operated by five generations of the Hanson family. Open seven days a week from May to November, 9am-6pm (Sun until 5:30). Ask about the Haunted Hayride. 508-877-3058.

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  • Learn the “Food Allergy Fundamentals”

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Learn the “basics” about living with food allergies in your family, including how to prevent and handle severe allergy emergencies, on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Metro-West Allergy and Asthma Educational Support Group meeting, which is held at Allergy & Asthma Treatment Specialists, 475 Franklin St., Framingham. The program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. There will be time for questions and discussion.

    “There are a growing number of people with allergies to peanuts and many other foods”, says Sharon Schumack, Director of Education for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter, which is sponsoring this meeting. It will feature a presentation by Framingham allergist Stuart Rhein, M.D., and practical tips from support group leaders Linda Drews and Lori Brockway, “veterans” of managing food allergies at school, child care, and in their homes.

    AAFA New England organizes educational support group programs throughout the region, publishes a newsletter, and runs a telephone resource and referral line for people coping with allergies and asthma. For more information, or free a free copy of “Eating Out with Food Allergies,” call (781)444-7778 or see www.asthmaandallergies.org.

  • Winter Parking Regulations Start November 1st

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – This is the fourth year of formal winter parking regulations in Framingham. There are two tiers to this program: one is a standing parking prohibition and the other comes into play only when a snow emergency is declared and announced through the media.

    The permanent part of the program bans parking for 24 hours a day on the even numbered side of all streets from November 1, 2006 to April 1, 2007. The side of the street prohibited alternates each year to make the program equitable. Parking meter spaces are exempt, as are streets where parking is permanently prohibited on one side of the street for the entire length of the street.

    The purpose of these restrictions is to keep all streets passable for the entire winter. It is the responsibility of the building owner to provide off street parking for their own cars and those of their tenants.

    The second portion of the ban prohibits all parking on posted arterial routes during a snow emergency. Vehicles parked on these posted routes will be towed during a declared snow emergency. The Boston television stations will provide information regarding the declaration of snow emergencies, as will the Town’s Government Access Channel.

  • CALLAHAN SENIOR CENTER HAPPENINGS FOR OCTOBER 2009

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Here’s what’s happening at the Callahan in October:

    Tuesday, October 6th at 11:00 am, Kimberly Sambuchi, of Framingham Cooperative Bank will be here conducting a presentation on Online Banking.

    Wednesday, October 7th from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon at the Callahan Center – This is the first session of a talk on fall prevention. The talk will provide six simple steps to help prevent falls. A light snack will be provided. Come to this program and get the facts to keep right side up. Learn how to reduce your risk of falling, prevent injury and remain safe at home!

    Thursday, October 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am at Callahan Center –“Staying Healthy; Staying Fit” — Discussion: Maintaining Your Cardiovascular Health”.

    Thursday, October 8th at 3:00 pm, we will have Officers Dolores Coots and Debi Nau from the Framingham Police Department at the Center to conduct an 8-week self-defense course.

    Tuesday, October 13th at 11:00 am, Linda Sakin, a Hard of Hearing Independent Living Specialist, will be at the Center conducting a presentation “How to Shop for a Hearing Aid”.

    Friday, October 16th – The third annual Health Information Forum for Portuguese-speaking Seniors will be held at the Callahan Center. Important health and health insurance issues will be discussed. It is being organized by the Metrowest SHINE Program, the Hudson Senior Center and the Marlborough Senior Center. All presentations will be done in Portuguese. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Call Ana at the Hudson Senior Center (978-568-9638) or Ana Cristina at the Marlborough Senior Center (508-485-6492). This event is completely free!

    Monday, October 19th at 9:30-11:00 am, come join in on the fun with artist, Susan Chicco, and create an incredible work of art out of a picture frame. Make it your own by using the creative art form: decoupage. Decoupage is the art or technique of cutting out pictures or designs from paper or other material and applying them to a surface. Seating is limited to 10 people.

    Monday, October 19th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm – FREE bone density screening for osteoporosis with the VNACare Network. An appointment is necessary.

    Monday, October 19th at 1:00 pm – The Friends of Callahan will hold their next general meeting with entertainment provided by Mel Simons and his one-man show!

    Tuesday, October 20th at 11:00 am, Lisa Rohmer from Framingham Cooperative Bank will be here conducting a presentation on Reverse Mortgages.

    The Callahan Center offers a number of courses including Introduction to the PC, Intermediate PC, Internet and Email, MS Word, and Photoshop. All are 4-day a month courses and the donation is $20.00. If interested, please call Robert Kyriakakis, Computer Center Coordinator, at 508-532-5983.

    Thursday, November 12, 2009 – 2010 Day Trips Travel Show Presentation from 10 am – 12 Noon
    Tuesday, November 17, 2009 – COLLETTE TRAVEL SHOW for 2010 Europe & Beyond Trips from
    10:00 am – 12:00 pm (with light refreshments) Be the first to know about our 2010 Overnight Trips!!!

    Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center: Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, October 5, 19 & 26 at 10:00 am. Center Closed for Columbus Day holiday. ‘Better Breathers’ Support Group: Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00 noon. Caregivers’ Support Group: Please note new date and time- last Wednesday of the month—October 28 at 2:30 pm. Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, October 27 at 10:00 am. Grandparent Support Group: Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm. Please call the Center to confirm in the event of a change. Low Vision Group: Friday, October 16 at 1:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursdays, October 1 &15 (by appt. only).

    Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, October 20 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Wed., October 14 with Dr. John 12:30 – 4:00 pm & Wed., October 28, with Dr. Lukoff from 1:00 – 3:30 pm (by appt. only). Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, October 5 at 1:00 pm.

    BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC – Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21 &28 – 9:30 am—12:30 pm

    Heritage Gallery – The pumpkins are growing big and round, the leaves are changing color, mum plants are popping up everywhere…including at the Heritage Gallery. New items are constantly arriving. Need a necklace to wear to that fall wedding? How about a wedding present? We have it all! The Gallery hours are: 10 am – 2 pm, Wed.-Fri.

    Should you Change your Medicare Health Plan? You may not have a choice! Some Medicare health plans will no longer be offered next year, including Tufts Medicare Preferred PPO and PFFS. In October, your plans will be sending letters about changes for next year. Be sure to open, read and save these letters! Although your plan may still be available next year, a different plan may be better for you. You may want to consider changing plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (November 15 – December 31).

    Some reasons to look for a new plan for next year: Your current plan’s premium will be increasing, your co-payments to providers will be increasing, your doctors will no longer be taking your plan, some of your prescriptions will no longer be covered or the cost of your prescriptions will be increasing. A SHINE Counselor can help you understand the choices! SHINE offers free Medicare counseling at your Senior Center. Call your Center and ask for a SHINE appointment. You can also reach a SHINE counselor by calling 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636), then pressing or saying 3. If you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A volunteer will call you back, as soon as possible. Please be patient. Due to a large volume of calls, you may not hear from us for several days.

  • Luau at the Lake – September 12, 2009

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Friends of Saxonville invite the greater Framingham Community to the 10th annual Discover Saxonville event. Each year The Friends focus on a feature of Saxonville that makes Saxonville special and unique. This year we highlight Lake Cochituate at Saxonville Beach with a “Luau at the Lake” on Saturday September 12th from 3PM to 6:30 PM.

    The beach is located on Lake Road, just off Old Connecticut Path, in Saxonville with plenty of parking.

    The event begins at 3:00PM with refreshments, games, fun contests and prizes. The Luau starts at 4:30PM with a mix of Polynesian and Southern Barbeque cuisine provided by Firefly’s Bodacious BBQ and the Three Gorges restaurants plus a colorful and festive dessert by Culinary Artworks.

    Live music from the George Ede Trio (of Liberty Music fame) offers a delightfully unique Hawaiian-Country sound.

    Discovering Saxonville with a Luau-at-the-Lake is a fun finish to the summer for the entire family. And all of that for $15 per person, kids 12 and under, free.

    To reserve a spot send a check to the Friends of Saxonville, Box 3236, Framingham, MA 01705. For more information call John at (508) 877—6771, or visit www.saxonville.org

  • Divine Kitchens Offers Showroom to Non-Profit Organizations

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Is your non-profit organization looking for a new venue to hold a fundraiser or meeting? Divine Kitchens on Lyman Street in Westborough, just off Route 9, offers its luxury kitchen showroom to area groups free of charge for just that purpose!

    Host a local chef for a cooking demonstration to attract your membership. Hold a dinner meeting of your board there. Perhaps your organization would like to offer a cooking class as part of its programming, but no one member wants to host the activity in their home kitchen? Here’s your chance.

    “We’ve worked with several local organizations, including Ovations for a Cure, to host evening cocktail parties, wine and cheese receptions and cooking demonstrations,” said Divine owner Mariette Barsoum. “This is our way to give back to the community and meet new people.”

    Barsoum is available for educational talks as part of the event, but that is not a requirement for using the free space. Divine provides its space, as well as dishes, glasses and silverware for the event. For more information call 508-366-5670 or visit www.divinekitchens.com.

  • Suburban Coalition presents the Survival of Our Communites

    FRAMINGHAM, MA -The Suburban Coalition is holding a meeting about the fiscal survival of our communities on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at 7:15-9:00PM in the King Building, Desmarias Meeting Room (Lower level), 454 Water Street, Framingham.

    The event, with the title: THE SURVIVAL OF OUR COMMUNITIES will feature as a speaker Michael Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Mr. Widmer is well respected for his thorough and accurate analyses of state fiscal conditions and outlooks.

    Senator Jamie Eldridge, Chair of the Municipalities and Regional Government Committee and additional legislators from the metro-west area have also been invited.

    This is an opportunity for interested community members to hear about the state’s fiscal status and outlook.

    Take advantage of this early opportunity to hear what is in store for the remainder of FY10 and FY11 and to speak with legislators about the challenges and needs in your community.

    Please feel free to share this information to others who may be interested in attending.

    Please RSVP to dorothypresser@suburbancoalition.org

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