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

Author: Deb Cleveland

  • Flag Replacement Volunteers Needed

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Veterans are looking for volunteers to help distribute and place 4,000 American flags in seven Framingham cemeteries.

    Tom Davitt, Veterans Service Officer, 508-620-4842; and Nick Paganella, Veterans Council, 508-872-5895, are inviting volunteers to call them. Davit and Paganella are organizing the replacement of worn flags at the gravesides of all who served in the armed forces by Memorial Day. They hope parents may sign up for the project with their children as a patriotic learning activity.

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  • Framingham Blues Festival needs sponsors ASAP

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Mohegan Sun has ended its major sponsorship of the Framingham Blues Festival and organizers are scrambling to find new sponsors to be able to run the event this August.

    Event Faces Cancellation as Major Sponsor Pulls Out

    Co-founders Bob Merusi, of the Framingham Park and Rec Department, and Ted Epstein, of the Sit ‘n’ Bull Pub of Maynard, regretfully announced that this year’s event faces cancellation unless some major sponsors are found quickly.

    The Framingham Blues Festival was founded in 1996 and features bands from noon until about 9 p.m. on an August Saturday, with area favorites like Fat City Band and headliners like Edgar Winter.

    The festival, held at Bowditch Field on Union Ave., attracts over 2000 people from all over New England. While adults listen, chat, and dance, their kids enjoy rides, moonwalks, and facepainting. Vendors offer great picnic food and unique treasures.

    Any business or individual interested in sponsoring the event should contact Framingham’s Park and Rec Department at (508)620-4834 as soon as possible as Bowditch Field needs to be reserved as there are other summer events and renovations to work around.

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  • Handcrafted Framingham Bracelets Available for Mother’s Day

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Janice Kiley, of the Framingham Cultural Council, announces that the sterling silver limited edition handcrafted Framingham Bracelet is available for Mother’s Day and Graduation Day giving.

    The tulip design incorporated into the bracelet is patterned after the wrought iron railing around Framingham’s downtown common. The bracelet was designed and is made by Vera Jeweler’s in downtown Framingham. The bracelet is a fundraiser for the Framingham Cultural Council, which supports many Framingham organizations and activities, including the Framingham Historical Society, and the summer concerts series.

    Bracelets are $ 100, and $ 50 is considered a donation to the Framingham Cultural Council.

    If you have a mother who likes jewelry and has ties to Framingham, this makes a great and unusual gift, plus you are giving a gift to the town at the same time.

    For more information and an order form, click on the link below, call 508-628-1382, or send email to: culturalcouncil@framinghamma.org

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  • MetroWest Humane Society Walk May 21st

    METROWEST, MA – On Saturday, May 21st, MetroWest Humane Society is holding a three-mile fundraising Walk For Animals at Hopkinton State Park located on Cordaville Road in Hopkinton. Registration starts at 9:00 AM.

    Activities for the day will also include amateur dog contests, a pet photo contest, raffles, dog agility training demonstration, light refreshments, games, and free face painting for all children participating in the Walk.

    If you are an animal lover or simply enjoy the outdoors, please attend the MetroWest Humane Society’s Eighth Annual Walk For Animals. All proceeds help abused, needy and homeless animals throughout the Metrowest area.

    To obtain a sponsor sheet, donate prizes, or for any other information regarding this event, please contact Anne Nicholas at (508) 877-8765 or visit the MWHS website at: www.webpaws.com/mwhs

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  • framingham.com featured on front page of Framingham TAB

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The April 15th edition of The Framingham TAB featured a front page article about framingham.com and its owner, Debbie Cleveland.

    The article comes on the heels of the launch of a revised look for the site and a record of over 50,000 visitors in March.

    Coincidently, Comcast, Channel 9 has been showing a 2001 tape of Our Town, with Joyce Tolman interviewing Debbie shortly after she took over the community web site.

    Framingham.com is now in its tenth year of providing online news and information about the largest town (population wise) in Massachusetts. It is going into its fifth summer of setting up a table at local events and providing free raffles, giveaways, business literature, balloons and coupons.

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  • Framingham Heart Study Director to Speak

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Thursday, May 19, Dr. Daniel Levy, Director of the Framingham Heart Study, will discuss his book A Change of Heart at 7 p.m. in the Costin Room at the Framingham Public Library. The book explains the process and findings of the heart study, which revolutionized our understanding of the causes and treatment of heart disease.

    Did you know that your heart beats approximately 42,075,900 times per year, and that it goes largely unnoticed unless something goes wrong with it?

    In 1948, the Framingham Heart Study was undertaken to try to pinpoint the causes of cardiovascular disease. The study asked 5,209 citizens of Framingham — who suffered stokes and heart attacks to the same extent as the rest of the United States — to undergo biennial physicals, blood tests and detailed interviews concerning their behavior. The rest is medical history.

    Following the talk, there will be a question-and-answer period as well as a book sale and signing. This event is co-sponsored by the Framingham Public Library and Borders Books. Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Framingham Library. Questions? Call 508-879-3570 x228.

    Coincidentally, the Framingham Heart Study was recently a featured topic in the health and fitness section of Parade.com. Their article is linked to framingham.com’s information about the Framingham Heart Study, one of the more popular parts of this web site.

    Dr. Levy’s book may be borrowed from the Framingham Public Library or purchased at the talk, or from Borders or Amazon.com.

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  • Short Takes News Notes

    FRAMINGHAM , MA – The following are some snippets of news items you might finding interesting:

    Town Election on Tues, April 5.

    Marconi’s on 9 has closed.

    Bob’s Furniture & The Container Store are opening on Rt. 9 this weekend.

    framingham.com had a record 50,000 plus visitors in March.

    MetroWest Homes/Mal Duane has moved around the corner to 12 Library St., off Edgell Road.

    Ollie Gadson has been sworn in as Framingham’s new Fire Chief.

    The Framingham High School Parent Teacher Booster Organization held a meet and greet for Michael Welch, the newly appointed principal of FHS.

  • Framingham Named a ”Tree City USA”

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Town of Framingham has been named a “Tree City USA” by the National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF), it was announced this past week. Tree City USA is a national awards program run by the NADF and administered in Massachusetts by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry Program.

    Becoming a Tree City USA requires that a municipality meet standards, set by the NADF and the National Association of State Foresters, which include passage of a tree care ordinance and implementation of a tree or forestry board, as well as an official proclamation or formal observance of Arbor Day.

    State Senator Spilka commented, “One of the features that make Framingham such a wonderful residential community is its beautiful foliage. Not only is it environmentally sound, but it adds to Framingham’s warm and inviting demeanor. Such a feature can be easily taken for granted by a community, so it is to the great credit of Framingham’s residents and municipal government that it has earned Tree City USA status.”

    Visit The National Arbor Day Foundation website for additional information.

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  • Red Sox/Yankees 4/13 Tickets Fundraiser Auction

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Bid on eBay for tickets for Yankee vs Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 13th and help sponsor Framingham’s Irene Dunne’s participation in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Bid price minus cost of tickets and auction fees will be donated as a tax deductible contribution (consult your tax advisor) in the winning bidder’s name, for which they will receive a receipt. The tickets are two pairs of side by side Infield Grand Stand seats and game time is 7:05 p.m.

    Benefits Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

    The auction has the official sanction of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer organization. This Red Sox game is sold out. To bid, go to eBay and bid on Item number 6519718787 and/or 6519695292, found under the tickets category. Auction ends March 28 so bid now!

    Irene Dunne of Framingham will spend a weekend walking to help eradicate breast cancer by participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Boston on May May 14/15, 2005. The Avon Walk Boston is one of six events in a series of weekend fundraising walks taking place from May to October this year to help raise awareness and funds for access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer.

    The Avon Walks are non-competitive and structured for walkers of various fitness levels with a choice of completing a marathon walk (26.2 miles) or a marathon and a half (39.1 miles) over the Saturday and Sunday.

    Dunne, like everyone walking in the event, is required to raise a minimum of $1,800 to participate, but she’s aiming higher, with a personal goal of $5,000. She hopes the Metro West residents will share their goodwill towards her efforts. Funds donated to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer are managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, with funds awarded for breast cancer awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; treatment; support services; and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based non-profit breast health programs in the vicinities of each Avon Walk event and nationwide.

    In addition to bidding on the Red Sox tickets, you can help Dunne reach her fundraising goal, by donating online at www.avonwalk.org or, you can send a check made payable to the “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer” to Dunne at: 181 School Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

  • Welcome Home Heroes at Cushing Chapel

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – “Welcome Home Heroes” this Sunday at 2PM at Cushing Chapel, Tercentennial Park, Dudley Rd.

    You are invited to join the Framingham Celebration Committee and the Framingham Veterans Council on Sunday March 20th at 2:00PM at the Cushing Chapel for an event, “Welcome Home Heroes” to honor those returning Metrowest veterans from Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

    All Metrowest recently returned veterans are invited to attend in uniform and will be hosted by WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Era veterans from the Framingham Veterans Council. Council President Mal Schulze will help host the program.

    The event is intended to welcome home today’s returning veterans from the Metrowest area and honor the service they have provided to our country. The hour long event will include reflections on experiences while deployed overseas as well as proper respect for the flag.

    The Celebration Committee is working in conjunction with the Framingham Veteran’s Council in holding this event. The event will be followed by a reception at Keefe Tech High School just around the corner from the Chapel.

    The Framingham Celebration Committee sponsors the Flag Day Parade in Framingham and this year’s theme is “Honoring Returning Veterans: Then and Now”.

    For more info, contact: Doug Freeman, Chairman, Framingham Celebration Committee, Inc., 508-879-6394 Home, 508-733-0028 Mobile, freeman_doug@yahoo.com

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