FRAMINGHAM, MA – Skylights in the lobby of the Memorial Building which houses a Veteran’s Memorial will soon be uncovered as part of a renovation project.
Another project inspired by Framingham Town Owned Building’s Director Jim Egan who found the tar-papered and painted skylights and worked to get the project rolling to restore the hall’s entrance to it’s pre-WWII glory.
The skylights were covered up in 1942 per order of the governor as part of a blackout operation during WWII.
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FRAMINGHAM, MA – The executive committee of the START Framingham Partnership is pleased to announce the appointment of START’s first director, Alla Abramovich. She will officially be on board October 18th.
With doctorates in ethnomusicology from Leningrad State University in the USSR as well as from the University of Illinois School of Music, Alla has a background in teaching at the university level and has done special projects for UNESCO – her most recent in Estonia where she studied music and culture of the people there. She has written a number of books and papers over the years.
Until she moved to Framingham, Alla was the founder and CEO of the Earth Music Center in Indianapolis, Indiana – an initiative started after she noticed an empty building on park land. Seven years later, the center in Eagle Creek Park is a consortium of four non-profit groups dedicated to the environment, music, and the arts. She recruited a board of directors, nurtured partnerships, started a non-profit, and incorporated the effort.
At this time, Alla is fairly new to Framingham and looks forward to both understanding and learning about our community while advancing the mission and vision of the START Framingham Partnership.
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Contributed by Dr. Kayed S. Khalil
FRAMINGHAM, MA – I do not remember carrying my books in a backpack growing up. I remember carrying all my books with a heavy-duty rubber band around them. Today it is the backpack era, placing all your books in a beautiful backpack. Yet this great idea has been misused by many school children all over the country.
While carrying a backpack to school may seem cute and harmless, they cause clinical problems for children. Young people are putting themselves in danger by carrying too much weight. I think it is essential for children and parents to learn more about backpack injury and how to prevent them. Backpacks can cause painful back and neck problems and injuries that can lead to long-term medical problems.
Many parents have expressed concerns about their children’s backpacks. In my practice, (HealthLink Chiropractic, Framingham, MA), I’m beginning to see more and more suffering children.
In May 2002, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported backpack related injuries sent almost 6000 students each year to emergency rooms. The American Academy of Orthopedics stated that backpack injury is a significant problem for children. These children are supposed to carry their backpacks full with all their books to school. Most students carry more than the 15 0f their body weight, which is the maximum weight recommended by The American Orthopedic Association.
According to a study conducted at Simmons University, most students carry a backpack to school each day that is overstuffed and too heavy. An Auburn University study reported that nearly 700f children they surveyed suffered muscle soreness, 50% experienced back pain, 25% numbness and another 15% shoulder pain from carrying their backpacks. There is growing evidence that backpacks may threaten to spinal development.
A study by the University of Michigan reports that up to 60% 0f children will experience back pain by the time they reach 18. National Public Radio reported that 65% 0f adolescents’ visits to doctors are for backpacks related injuries.
Legislation was presented in May 2002 in California and New Jersey to require school boards to manage school backpack weight. This legislation should be extended to the rest of the country.
Some have suggested rolling backpacks. Rolling backpacks might seem like a good idea to help our children as long as they do it and do it right, but they do not. Many children carry these rolling backpacks in one hand when they are in a hurry or when they are going up and down stairs. Eventually they end up adding to the problem.
Is your child’s backpack causing problems?
-> Do your children complain that their fingers tingle?
-> Do they ever say that their shoulders or back are bothering them?
-> Do they have neck discomfort?
-> Is your child’s back and neck tired at the end of the day?
These are the signs of backpack injuries. Backpack injuries are real. Backpack injuries mimic repetitive stress injuries that adult experience on the job. There is only so much the human body can take before it starts to send out warning signals. Backpack injuries may include neck pain, upper back pain, mid and lower back pain, shoulder pain, arm to fingers numbness and tingling and headaches.
If you or a family member has experienced any of these symptoms you should be evaluated by a chiropractic Physician. Because this is a new phenomena in our society we do not know the long term effects of backpack induced injury. Similar effects from other repetitive stress injuries have been documented resulting in longer recovery and healing and in worse case scenarios chronic lifelong struggle with pain management.
Dr. Kayed S. Khalil is a Chiropractic Physician, he can be reached at HEALTHLINK CHIROPRACTIC, 639 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702, Telephone: (508)628-3800
Contributed by Jim Gordon
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Good foot care is important for all – the young and the elderly, those in good health and those with medical issues. By following a few simple steps, one can give much extra protection to foot care. We recently spoke to Dr. Brian Wascavage who is a graduate of Temple University and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine and has a Podiatry practice on Lincoln Street in Framingham.
Dr. Wascavage says, “It is most important to fit feet to shoes, rather than fit shoes to feet. For example a wide foot put into a narrow shoe can cause problems such as ingrown toenails and blisters, and corns. Specialty shoe stores with experienced employees usually do a better job in fitting the customer with the appropriate shoe”.
In some cases Wascavage advises using orthotics, which is a customized insert based on the shape of the individual’s foot which fits inside the shoes and may help in improving support for those with flat feet or major problems with bunions or heel spurs. In a comment which should be a delight to school children Wascavage says ” Sneakers are generally better for the feet than dress shoes as they have a larger base and better support for both sports and general walking. Young children have bones in their feet which are much softer than adults and changes in their feet can occur relatively quickly. Sneakers help provide the feet with good support”, Wascavage added.
For winter shoe support Wascavage recommends a rubber sole which gives more traction than leather shoes. He also said, “One should not cram his feet into boots, as the boot should fit properly. Winter boots can cause feet to sweat and this could possibly lead to Athletes Foot”.
Athlete’s Foot which is a fungus caused from sweaty feet, can usually be controlled by powdering the feet, keeping the feet clean and dry and changing socks regularly. Many diabetics have complications with their feet and toenails, including neuropathy (which is numbness in the feet) and circulation problems in the feet. Diabetics should check their feet daily for any cuts, bruises, athletes foot and ingrown toenails . Wascavage recommends diabetics change their socks and shoes once or twice a day to lessen the pressure on the feet. Diabetics should regularly discuss with their personal physician a regular preventative program in order to help provide good foot care. Wascavage says “Walking helps to strengthen muscles”.
For exercise walking is not only great for cardiovascular health but it helps keep the feet in shape. Stretching before exercise is very important as if one does not stretch he may be more likely to receive an injury. Wascavage has some reservations about treadmill use as he says treadmills are hard on the feet. The Doctor said “Treadmills should not be used on an incline level”.
He recommends taking short strides. Of course each individual should discuss his exercise program and foot care situation with his own physician and podiatrist. Keep your feet in good shape. See you on the track!
(Jim Gordon is chairman of the Board of Health in Framingham)
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FRAMINGHAM, MA — Below is information about the 2008 Framingham Concerts on the Green / Summer Concert Series held on the Framingham Centre Common (The Village Green), located at Edgell Rd. and Vernon St, near Rt. 9.
(more…)FRAMINGHAM, MA – Rockathon for 9/11 Memorial: Members of St. George’s Senior Youth Group participated in a 20 hour rocking chair marathon to raise money for the Framingham 9/11 Memorial and also for a handicapped access ramp at St. George’s Church, and for the youth group.
They raised about $2,500.00 and presented a check for the 9/11 Memorial at a recent Selectmen’s meeting.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham’s McAuliffe Branch Library receives construction grant.
After years of being on the waiting list for construction dollars from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commisssioners, the library was awarded a $1,654,493 provisional Library Construction Grant to build a new branch library in Saxonville.
It’s another first for Framingham as we are the first to ever receive a state grant for a branch.
There are some conditions, including the town securing funding for the community’s share of the $5,000,000 building project.
Proposed site for the new building is at the roadside corner of the Pinefield Shopping Center opposite the current McAuliffe building.
Donations and community support will be needed to make this happen. Look for announcements about fundraisers soon.
FRAMINGHAM, MA – The 2002 Annual Flag Day Weekend is upon us! Below is information about the parade and other events happening around town.
(more…)FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham Police D.A.R.E./P.A.L. is holding the Second Annual Roadrace along with a 5K & 1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run on November 7, 1999 in Framingham, Massachusetts.
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FRAMINGHAM, MA – Saturday nights, throughout the summer and early fall, the parking lot of Riley’s Roast Beef, and the area surrounding the intersection of Edgell Road and Water Street is transformed into a cruise-in. Hot-rod, classic car, antique vehicle, and motor cyles enthusiasts, some from as far away as New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island, and others who live less than a mile away, make the weekly pilgrimage to Nobscot.
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Here’s a ’39 Chevy Master 85 Coupe, (left), the former showcar sports a 3 1/2″ chopped top, and is powered by 471 blown and modified 350ci motor. The flawless Autumn Maple Firemist paintjob looks good in any season! The car’s owner, Jim English, cruises in from Marlboro in the Chevy, or in his ’34 Ford ‘Vicky (not shown). |
| Cliff Clancey’s ’67 Chevy Camaro and it’s 454 LS6 big-block rumbles in from Walpole. The car is a 4-speed, posi-traction equipped classic that looks good enough to show, and runs good enough to drive daily. |  |
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A fine ’66 GTO owned by Framingham resident Luke Emmanuel
makes any muscle-car lover’s heart beat a little faster with it’s 389ci ‘Tri-Power’ motor, four speed transmission, and posi-traction rear end. |
Is that Joe Mondello at the wheel of this flamed ’57 Chevy?
….(we’re not sure)
If you have more information on any of these cars, people, or car clubs that make the Cruise-In a favorite local happening, please let us know.
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