FRAMINGHAM, MA – Do you just love the movies, but find that your friends don’t want to see all the movies you do? Do you work from home or are a stay-at-home mom who needs to get out every now and then to meet other people? Do you have your evenings free and want to catch a movie and a bite to eat with a group of really nice people?
The Framingham Movie Meetup has been around since (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham High School is planning another Holiday Marketplace sponsored by the Parent Athletic Committee to benefit the FHS athletic program. The Marketplace will take place on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 10am to 4pm at Framingham High School.
Exhibitors with high quality, original handmade items, artisans and boutique items such as knitting, quitting, pottery, jewelry, toys, home décor, holiday items and gifts will fill the gymnasium areas and beyond. Plan on taking your time to get through the marketplace; there will be lots to see and to buy for holiday giving.
Admissions fees for shoppers will only be $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for students and children over 12 years old.! There will be plenty of parking, police on duty, and refreshments will be available. All students working at the Marketplace are athletes lending their support and thanks for your participation in the Marketplace.
For more information, please contact Faith Guarino at havefaith23@rcn.com or 508-367-6103.
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.
FRAMINGHAM, MA — If you’d like to hear an in-depth discussion about Framingham’s $43M Birch Road Well Project to reduce the town’s dependence on MWRA water by 50%, tune in to hear the experts discuss the overall project on public access t.v. on:
The Audrey Hall Show:
The well site has been referred to as the “highest yielding” aquifer in eastern Massachusetts and after years of discussing the potential of the well the town started to seriously consider the project in 2003, with aquifer testing beginning in spring 2006.
In May, Town Meeting approved a $40.3 million water treatment facility project that would tap into the Birch Road Wells. The site is located in Saxonville adjacent to the PUD site (formerly NE Sand and Gravel) just off of Old Conn Path near the Wayland line. The aquifer tapped by the wells and treated by the facility could supply more than 4 million gallons daily, nearly half of the town’s water supply. This has the potential to save the town tens of millions of dollars in years to come.
The town has to pay a fee to the MWRA annually and the rates keep escalating. In 2008 MWRA water cost Framingham $6.3 million. Projected 2014 costs for the town are estimated to be $9.3 million.
In 2013, the Birch Road Wells water could potentially cost about 40 percent less than MWRA water. In addition to the savings on MWRA water, Framingham can benefit from some federal stimulus funding, which could amount to 14 percent of the project’s cost, or about $5.6 million.
There are some concerns, including magnesium levels and the impact of a plume of PCE from a spill decades ago during experiments on the property to develop a quick means of patching damaged air fields.
Wayland officials are concerned about the impact on their water supply. Richard Miller of the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee has raised concerns about the impact to Lake Cochituate.
FRAMINGHAM,MA — On Saturday, August 29, after more than 24 years of planning,working, and waiting, the 6.8-mile section of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from Cross Point Towers in Lowell to Route 225 in Westford will officially open! This is the first completed section of the 25-mile rail trail that is planned to extend southward through Acton, Concord and Sudbury into Framingham.
The MassHighway ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10:00 am at Old Town Hall in Chelmsford Center, followed by a gala celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail on the Chelmsford Town Common with music, balloons, and refreshments.
The 6.8 miles of trail will be open, with activities suitable for children and adults scheduled from the ribbon cutting to 2:00 pm. Join the activities by using any non-motorized form of transportation, and enjoy this new trail. A barbecue with hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks, for $1 each, will be available at Agway on Maple Road in Chelmsford from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.
This section of the planned 25-mile multi-use rail trail has been under construction for two years. The trail will be accessible to users of all ages and abilities. It traverses woods, wetlands,open fields, and shopping areas and also features an artwalk with renderings of historic Chelmsford buildings painted by local artists.
The ceremony will be held rain or shine. We encourage you to take part in this day of celebration and fun!
For further information please visit www.brucefreemanrailtrail.org
FRAMINGHAM, MA – As in summer’s past, the Framingham Public Library and the McAuliffe Branch are modifying their hours during July and August.
McAuliffe Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is closed Saturdays and Sundays. NOTE: McAuliffe is never open on Sundays during the school year.
The main library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon. Closed on Sundays until October 4th, 2009.
This is not the first time that the main library has curtailed the Saturday hours during the summer. Some patrons may remember summers when the library closed at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Usually the main library reopens on Sundays after Labor Day, but due to budget restraints, Saturday hours were reduced and the date for resumption of Sunday afternoon hours was pushed back.
On Friday, August 7th, both libraries will be open from 9 a.m. to 12:3 p.m. They are closing early for staff development. Visit www.framinghamlibrary.org for more info.
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FRAMINGHAM, MA – MetroWest and Metro-Boston have a number of Fourth of July fireworks. Some are part of a weekend or daylong series of activities. Note the day as not all are on July 4th. Visit town websites for details.
Boston Harborfest: The annual celebration along Boston’s waterfront, featuring more than 200 events, will be held June 30-July 5. For information, visit www.bostonharborfest.com or call 617-227-1528.
Franklin: The town’s annual 4th of July celebration will be held from July 1-5 at the common, and will including bands, rides, children’s activities, road race and Franklin Idol (both on July 4) and fireworks (on July 2). For details, visit www.franklinma.virtualtownhall.net or http://july4thfranklinma.com/
Lexington: The Lions Club’s annual carnival will be held at Center Playground on July 1 and 2 from 6-11 p.m., July 3 from 1-11 p.m. (fireworks after sundown), July 4 (youth games from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., carnival from 1-11 p.m.), and July 5 from 1-7 p.m. For information and updates, visit www.lexingtonlions.org.
Wednesday, July 1
Natick: 4-8 p.m. Family Night on the Common, including the Children’s Parade at 6 p.m. There will be games, food and raffle drawings, as well as entertainment. For updates, visit www.natick4th.org.
Thursday, July 2
Worcester: The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra presents a family pops concert, including Sousa marches and fireworks, on July 2 from 8-10 p.m. at Cristoforo Columbo Park (East Park), Shrewsbury Street and Fantasia Drive. Conductor will be Alton Baggett and Jane Shivick will be the soloist. Bobbie Chase will be the announcer. Rain date is July 3. Cost: free but donations will be accepted.
Friday, July 3rd
Needham: The Needham Exchange Club is sponsoring the following events at Memorial Field from 5-10 p.m.: food tents from 5-8:45 p.m., including ice cream, grilled foods and soft drinks; Maple Street Project, a hometown folk and blues band, from 5-7 p.m.; children’s entertainment from 5-8 p.m., including pony rides and face painting; the oldies band Reminisants from 7-9 p.m.; and fireworks when it gets dark. Visit www.needhamexchangeclub.org for updates and details.
Framingham: Concerts on the Green: Framingham Centre Common, 6:3 0 – 8:30 p.m. Suburbanaires Big Band Sound.
Saturday, July 4
Acton: The annual celebration at NARA Park, off Route 27 in North Acton, will begin at 6 p.m. with Facepaint, followed by a performance of the Rolling Stones tribute band, the Blushing Brides and fireworks at 10 p.m. There will be food vendors on site, and limited free shuttle buses to NARA Park from Nagog Park Drive beginning at 6 p.m. Rain date is July 5. for updates, visit www.acton-ma.gov.
Boston: The city’s annual Independence Day observances will be from 9-11 a.m. at City Hall Plaza. 9 a.m., flag raising at City Hall Plaza; 9:15 a.m., parade; 9:30 a.m., Halt for the Honor at Old Granary Burial Ground; 9:45 a.m., Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Old State House; 10:30 a.m., Independence Day Oration, Faneuil Hall. Call 617-635-3911 for information
Concord: The Picnic in the Park will be held from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Emerson Field on Everett Street. Bicycle and doll carriage parade starts the day’s activities. Music starting at noon with Uncle Sam’s Patriotic Jazz Band, Southern Rail bluegrass band and the Concord Band. Program by Benjamin the Juggler and demonstration by Concord Police K9 Unit. Tethered hot air balloon rides, activity booths, food concessions. For information, call 978-369-1890.
Natick: 7 a.m.-noon. Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Sherrill Hall, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Central Street; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Flea Market on the Common. Shop for treasures and bargains; dealer spaces available for $35; 9 a.m. The 54th annual Parade will step off from the 9/27 Plaza and travels down Route 27 to Route 135 in Natick Center. This year’s theme will be “Celebrating the Great Outdoors in Natick,” and the grand marshals will be the following organizations: Natick Recreation and Parks Department; Natick Garden Club; and Natick DPW’s “Garden Girls,” Nancy Halpern and Jane Magee. For updates, visit www.natick4th.org.
Needham: The Needham Exchange Club is sponsoring the following events to celebrate Independence Day: 8:30 a.m., registration for Children’s Parade decorated bikes and costumes, Greene’s Field on Pickering Street; 8:45 a.m., annual 5K road race at Carter Memorial Church; 9 a.m., salute and flag raising, Town Common; 9:05 a.m., Grand Parade with bands, floats, musical groups and more; 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Craft Fair and Flea Market; 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Food Tents, with grilled food, soft drinks, cotton candy and more; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Music by the Centre Streeters at the Gazebo; 12:30 p.m., children’s races and contests at football field; 2 p.m., open swim meet at Rosemary Pool, and Needham Little League All-Star Game at Memorial Park. Visit www.needhamexchangeclub.org for updates and details.
Newton: The annual July 4th celebrations will take place at the following locations: the Kids Morning from 10 a.m.-noon at Newton Centre Playground, featuring activities for kids age 3-12, including a pet parade, teddy bear parade, decorated doll carriage promenade, foot races, free ice cream, candy and drinks; at the Russell J. Halloran Field and Sports Complex, Albemarle Road off Route 16, Open Air Market and Amusement Rides, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., with handmade and international crafts, professional dealers and food vendors; Summer Stage and the Gazebo, noon-9 p.m. on the hour, with musical selections from Jekyll and Hyde, Violet and the Spitfire Grill; picnic beginning at 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Sponsored by the Newton Pride Committee.
Sherborn: Field games at Laurel Field will begin at 9 a.m. with events for all ages. The parade, featuring floats, antique and classic cars and the “wet float,” will step off around 2 p.m. and head down Main Street to Jameson Fields. The parade’s theme is “Old Sherborn’s Historic Businesses.” After the parade, there will be fire truck rides at Station One on Main Street starting at 5 p.m. The events are sponsored by the Sherborn Fire and Rescue Association.
Sudbury: There are two road races at Featherland Park, a 1.5-mile race for children 9-13 years old, and a 3.8-mile race for runners 14 and over. The race has been held annually for more than 40 years. Its only purpose is to provide an occasion for hometown road race competition. It has been the tradition over all that time that only town residents are eligible for prizes and awards, although nonresidents are welcome to run. “Residents” also includes people who no longer live in Sudbury but who grew up here and still have family living here. Registration begins at 8 a.m., the kids race starts at 9 a.m. and the 3.8 mile race begins at 9:30 a.m. For more information contact Bob Hall at 978-443-8404 or Graham Taylor at 978-443-5024. The annual parade will step off at 1 p.m.
Waltham: From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Prospect Hill Park, there will be a family event featuring free children’s rides, pony rides, animal shows, music, food, drinks, and much more. From 5:30-10 p.m. at Leary Field, the Reminisants will perform until 9:30 p.m., followed by fireworks. Children’s rides will be at Prospect Hill only. For more information, please contact 781-314-3100. This event is sponsored by the Waltham Celebration Committee and the City of Waltham.
Celebrate!
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FRAMINGHAM, MA – This year’s theme at the Framingham Memorial Day ceremonies will be, “Let us not forget our fallen veterans.”
Assemble at 8 a.m. at the rear of the Memorial Building.
At each location the service will include: Officer of the Day Abbey Anderson; Prayer by unit Chaplain Robert Anspach; Placing of the wreaths: Cmdr. Pinsley Post 157 (more…)
FRAMINGHAM, MA — In a successor to the 50 States Quarters Program, the U.S. Mint, in a nationwide program, has asked Governor Patrick to select one preferred and three alternate Massachusetts national sites to be featured on the reverse of a quarter. Beginning in 2010, the Mint will release five new quarter designs annually based on the order in which the selected sites gained federal designation.
Governor Deval Patrick is calling on the people of Massachusetts to help with this decision. “Our Commonwealth has many great parks and historically significant sites,” said Governor Patrick. “It will be fun to let everybody help choose the one to submit.”
What Sites are Included? The sites for Massachusetts can include federally-recognized national parks or other national sites in the Commonwealth, including those appearing on the National Register of Historic Places, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Forests.
Governor Patrick has had a website created with additional information and where you can vote. While there is a list on the webpage with the more likely and well-known sites, there is a link to a list of historic places that includes several in Framingham. So, you could show your hometown support by voting for a Framingham site.
How to Vote: Go to the website via the link below and select one of the sites, or call the number below if you want to nominate a Framingham site because they don’t have buttons to check off.
The voting is now open. Please note that you can only submit one site at a time, but you can vote as often as you would like until 5:00 p.m. February 26, 2009. If your preferred site does not appear on the list on the website, you can still vote for it by calling 1-800-227-MASS [6277]. For more info, visit: mass.gov/governor/quarter
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FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Public Library is inviting the entire community to participate in the first annual Framingham Reads Together program. In similar programs across the country, this type of One Book, One Community initiative promotes reading and helps build community. The selected book is Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.
Three Cups of Tea describes Mortenson’s near-fatal attempt to scale the treacherous K2, one of the world’s deadliest mountain peaks, and his rescue by Pakistani villagers. A grateful Mortenson accepts the villagers’ challenge to return with the resources to build a school for girls. His ten-year struggle to live up to his promise makes for a spellbinding story. He battles poverty and ignorance and survives kidnapping, fatwas, and family separations. He’s built 55 schools serving Pakistan and Afghanistan’s poorest communities.
The book is a combination adventure story, travelogue, and case study of how one person can positively change lives.
In February 2009, the library, local schools, and other organizations will offer special programs connected with the book selection, including a presentation by the author, Greg Mortenson, on Saturday, February 7, at Nevins Hall.
The special events planned for this program will appeal to all ages. A schedule of events is available on the Framingham Reads Together Events page, including release forms for the REI Climbing Wall program and the details of Greg Mortenson’s visit.
Copies of Three Cups of Tea, in book and audio form, are available at both the main library and at McAuliffe so if you have limited sitdown reading time, you can listen to the book while in your car or doing activities around the house.
Check the library’s website or call 508-532-5570 for updates.
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