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Author: Randy Harris

  • MA State Election 2010 – Ballot Question #3

    MA State Election 2010 – Ballot Question #3

    Massachusetts 2010 Ballot Question #3 - Rollback MA Sales Tax to 3 Percent
    In November, Ballot Question #3 will ask Massachusetts voters to decide if the state should rollback the (MA) Sales Tax to 3% or leave it 6.25%.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The question of whether or not the State of Massachusetts should rollback the MA Sales Tax to 3% is sure to bring voters to the polls this November — even if the task of deciding which candidates are the least objectionable has some disgusted with the “partisan politics as usual” races.

    Question #3 seems harsh to some and more than fair to others.

    The facts: Before 1966 there was no sales tax in Massachusetts. Facing a near $200 Million revenue shortfall,  then Governor John Volpe, (a Republican who went on the become Nixon’s Secretary of Transportation when he left office in MA), passed a bi-partisan supported emergency regulation by which the legislature imposed a [temporary] 3% sales tax, (it seems its never hard to get politicians to compromise and cooperate when it comes to raising taxes — no matter how many campaign pledges they make, and regardless of (more…)

  • Arlo Guthrie Concert, Oct. 10, 2010 – Framingham, MA

    Arlo Guthrie Concert, Oct. 10, 2010 – Framingham, MA

    Arlo Guthrie in 2007
    Photograph by John Kloepper, Guthrie Family Tour, May 2, 2007

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – on Sunday, October 10th, 2010, Arlo Guthrie, American folksinger, songwriter, storyteller will perform in concert as part of the Town of Framingham’s Grand Re-Opening of Bowditch Field.

    Tickets for Framingham residents are just $5.00, (and only $1.00 for kids under 12). Non-resident tickets are $10 (and $2.00 for kids under 12).

    Tickets may be purchased at the Bowditch Field office of the Framingham Park & Recreation Department, 475 Union Ave, Framingham, MA.  Tickets are also available at Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham MA.  Links at the bottom of this article provide additional information about the festival and how to purchase tickets online.

    In case there is some reason you don’t know who Arlo Guthrie is — like, maybe you’ve been living in the woods for the past 40 years with (more…)

  • Framingham Jobs – September 2010

    Framingham Jobs – September 2010

    Many Framingham companies are hanging out the Help Wanted sign -- and not finding people who want jobs
    Many Framingham companies are hanging out the Help Wanted sign — and not finding people fast enough to fill the available positions.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – While national unemployment levels hover around 10%, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of jobs available in Framingham.

    Staples, Inc., (NASDAQ:SPLS), which is headquartered in Framingham lists well over 100 jobs in town, (and many more at other locations). The jobs range from retail specific, to copy center and print related, trucking / transportation, marketing, copy writing and advertising to all types of technical and computer related positions.  Click the following (more…)

  • ”Water Whimsy” at Garden in the Woods

    ”Water Whimsy” at Garden in the Woods

    Water Whimsey - Fountain at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA, Aug 17 to Sept 7, 2010
    Granite bowl (hand-carved by a local craftsman) with bamboo pump is one of the nine garden water features on exhibit at Garden in the Woods.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – “Water Whimsy”, an installation of large and small water features is now on display at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham, MA.

    In addition to the Michael Mazur fountain in the entrance garden and the Nate McCullin bird baths in the wildlife garden, there are nine features which appear in Water Whimsy.

    They are located; at the entrance to the Curtis Path, in the Idea Garden and Edible Garden, adjacent to the Rain Garden, and opposite the Patio Garden.

    Included in the show are (more…)

  • Framingham House Lottery

    Framingham House Lottery

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Town of Framingham is hoping at least three new home owners will be moving into Downtown Framingham this fall.

    In October a lottery agent will be orchestrating the sale of two single family homes and one condominium unit the Town purchased as foreclosed bank owned properties. The homes were purchased using a portion of the $1.2M in Federal Stimulus money awarded to the Town and slated specifically for neighborhood stabilization.

    After purchasing the homes, the Town hired a contractor who rehabilitated the properties to get them ready to go back on the market.

    The Town of Framingham will be holding a public information meeting to (more…)

  • Luau at the Lake August 21, 2010

    Luau at the Lake August 21, 2010

    Luau at the Lake - Sax Beach August 21, 2010
    Luau at the Lake – Save the date: August 21, 2010, 3:00pm-6:30pm

    SAXONVILLE, MA – Aloha! The Friends of Saxonville invite you & your family to an afternoon of fun at Saxonville Beach for their “Luau at the Lake“, Saturday August 21, 2010 from 3:00pm-6:30pm.

    Saxonville Beach is located on Lake Cochituate with entrance and parking at Lake Road, (off Old Connecticut Path, near Wayland town line).

    The Luau Feast will include foods from local Saxonville area restaurants.  Admission is $15 per person, kids 12 & under are free! Live entertainment will be provided by the George Ede Trio.  Refreshments, raffles & prizes, fun & games are planned.  Bring a chair or blanket.  No alcohol permitted.

    For more information or to order advance tickets, call (508) 877-7034.  Tickets will also be available at the Luau.

    Aloha! Luau at the Lake 2010

    ###

  • “Once on this Island” – FHS Drama Aug. 7, 2010

    “Once on this Island” – FHS Drama Aug. 7, 2010

    POSTER - Once on this Island, FHS Award Winning Production - 2010 - Scotland Trip Benefit
    Framingham High School Drama Production, final Performance by leaving for 2010 Scottland Fringe Festival

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – In 2008, Framingham High School’s Drama Company performed “Once on This Island”. The production won seven out of ten awards in state-wide competition, including best Musical, Director, Ensemble, Orchestra, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, and Technical Crew.

    When FHS-DC was selected to perform in Scotland in August – as part of the world’s largest arts festival – Director Donna Wresinski decided that “Once on This Island” was the show to do. “Now people have one more chance to see this award-winning production right here in Framingham, MA – before it goes international in Edinburgh,” said Wresinski.

    SHOW DATE: Saturday, August 7, 2010
    TIME: 7:00 p.m.
    PLACE: Framingham High School Auditorium

    Tickets are available online via www.ticketstage.com Pricing is (more…)

  • FPAC TV Names New Executive Director

    FPAC TV Names New Executive Director

    PHOTO - Bill McColgan, FPAC-TV Executive Director
    Bill McColgan, FPAC-TV Executive Director

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Framingham Public Access Corporation has chosen Bill McColgan to lead Framingham’s non-profit public access cable station. McColgan brings over twenty years of broadcast journalism and management experience to FPAC. “I’m very excited by the potential for FPAC to be an outstanding resource to the Town of Framingham,” says McColgan. “At a time when most media are not able to devote a lot of resources to localism and covering the community, our role has never been more important. We give the community a voice and a way to communicate.”

    A graduate of Stanford University with a BA in Communication and International Relations, McColgan earned an MBA from Boston College. His previous positions include Director of Programming Development and Executive Producer for (more…)

  • Callahan Center Happenings for August 2010

    Callahan Center Happenings for August 2010

    The Raymond J. Callahan Senior Center, Framingham, MA (USA)
    Located at 535 Union Avenue, the Callahan Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Mon – Fri.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The following information is about activities and services at the Callahan Senior Center for the month of August, 2010.

    This month trips are planned to the Ogunquit Playhouse, a Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise, Tanglewood and more!

    Note: The Heritage Gallery is closed for the summer months of July and August. (The Gallery will reopen on (more…)

  • What is the 40B Law?

    What is the 40B Law?

    [Illustration] 40B crumbling
    What is 40B?
    FRAMINGHAM, MA – For residents and local planning and zoning officials in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, the battle is on for affordable housing.

    More than the battle to buy, rent or obtain affordable housing, the battle over “What really is affordable housing?” and how much of it should be built, along with where, when, why and how it should be built — and “On who’s terms?” are what is in dispute.

    Neither side is saying affordable housing is bad.  In fact both sides appear to be advocating responsible development of affordable housing in Massachusetts.

    So, what is 40B ?…

    Officially known as “The Regional Planning Law“, Massachusetts General Law, (M.G.L.), Chapter 40B contains (more…)