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Category: General Interest

  • Labor Day Weekend Fun

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Fun things to do over Labor Day Weekend in the Framingham area.

    First, head over the libraries before 5 p.m. on Friday to stock up on videos and DVDs for the long weekend. Classic films are still only 50 cents a week to rent and feature films are only $ 1 a week. Series such as “24”, “Monk,” “The Sopranos,” and “Sex in the City” are no charge.

    Enjoy a great outdoor adventure at Hanson’s Farm on Nixon Rd. all weekend long. Try your skill at Tom and Matt’s Excellent Adventure, a four acre corn maze designed by Tom and Matt Hanson. Admission to the maze is only $6 and children under 5 are free. Bring a picnic to enjoy in their giant picnic tent after trying the maze, visiting the animals and picking your own raspberries and pumpkins. Yes, the pumpkins are ready! Other fresh produce is available at the Hanson Farm Stand. Hayrides may be available this weekend. Hours are: Daily 9 – 6, Sunday 9 -5:30. The corn maze will be open through Halloween.

    Saturday morning take a break from cooking breakfast and head over to the Mason’s Lodge at 404 Concord St., for their charity breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage are cooked to order, plus there is cereal, milk, coffee, and juice for only $ 3 per person. Proceeds go to Children’s Charities. All are welcome. Parking and entrance are in the back.

    On Saturday afternoon, September 3rd, Amazing Things Arts Center presents the Tanglewood Marionettes: An Arabian Adventure at 2 pm at the Framingham Civic League, 214 Concord St. A Persian prince is thrown into a dungeon because he loves a beautiful princess. Enjoyable entertainment for the entire family, featuring a dozen lavishly costumed marionettes. Tickets $8. Call 508-405-ARTS (2787) or e-mail info@amazingthings.org

    Later in the day, ride on over to Riley’s Roast Beef to check out their Saturday evening Cruise-In of classic and antique autos and enjoy an ice cream or dinner at Riley’s while you are there. Cars begin to roll-in in the afternoon so there is plenty of daylight to see and enjoy the cars.

    Saturday night at 8 p.m. Brazilian-American vocalist Anita Coelho and her Brazilian Jazz Ensemble present Jazz, Bossa, and Choro at Amazing Things Arts Center, Pinefield Shopping Center, Water St. & Nicholas Rd., Saxonville. Call 508-405-ARTS (2787) or visit www.amazingthings.org for information

    Other suggestions: boating and picnicking at Cochituate State Park or Ashland or Hopkinton State Parks, hiking to Tippling Rock via the trail at Nobscot Scout Reservation, walking the Carol Getchell Nature Trail along the Sudbury River (access via Danforth St. or Little Farms Road) walking in Callahan State Park.

    Also the Labor Day Festival runs through Monday, Sept. 5th at Navin Skating Arena, Rt. 85, Marlborough. Rides, games, food, attractions, free admission and free parking.

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  • Town of Framingham Receives Donation from Local Businesses

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Local businesses donate tents to Town of Framingham for Concerts on the Green. Noticing that the Town was in need of new tents for the concession stand and booths at the weekly Friday night concerts, four Framingham business people pooled resources to purchase and donate four tents.

    Val Thompson, of Diaper Queen, Jim Gordon, Gordon Real Estate, Jeff Newman of Sign*A*Rama, and Debbie Cleveland of framingham.com bought four tents and presented them to Jim Egan, Director of Town Building Services, who organizes the concerts.

    The tents made their debut on Friday night, July 29th, providing a clean and bright look to the concession stand.

    The four businesses were acknowledged during the announcement portion of the program.

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  • Mosquito Spraying Notice – Monday August 1st

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – On Monday, August 1st between dusk and 11 PM, the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project will be controlling mosquitoes in Framingham using truck mounted aerosol sprayers. Areas to be sprayed include neighborhoods located off Old Connecticut Path on the north side of the Mass. Turnpike, School St., Elm St., Joseph Rd., Griffin Rd. and Eaton Rd. In addition neighborhoods that are located south of Waverly St. will be sprayed. If spraying is postponed for any reason, it will be rescheduled for Tuesday night.

    The Project uses a spray formulation that contains the pesticide product, Scourge to control mosquitoes. Scourge contains the pesticide, resmethrin, which is a synthetic pyrethroid that is classified as a slightly toxic pesticide by the EPA. Mosquito control applications of resmethrin do not pose a significant risk to people or their pets due to the low toxicity of resmethrin and the small amount used to control mosquitoes. As with any pesticide, people should minimize exposure. If residents see a spray truck approaching, they are advised to go indoors for a few minutes while the spray dissipates. Residents are also advised to close windows facing the street.

    A recorded message providing the spray schedule is available at 781-893-5759. If residents have any questions related to the spraying or any questions on mosquitoes, contact the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project at 781-899-5730.

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  • Town of Framingham Now Accepts Online Tax Payments

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Town of Framingham is pleased to offer taxpayers the ability to pay Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills on-line, selecting MCC eBill, one of the fastest growing municipal bill payment services in Massachusetts, to process payments. This new customer service is effective immediately providing an additional option for the payment of outstanding real estate and personal property taxes. Other bill paying offerings will be phased in over time.

    eBill accepts verified tax information from the Town and posts it on the eBill website (www.mcc.net) so residents can view and pay their bill. Access to their website is via a link from the Town’s website www.FraminghamMA.gov.

    To make payments online, Tax Payers must first register on eBill. Once the online registration page is completed and the account is activated, residents can authorize electronic transfers from their bank account or by using an American Express credit card. The only information needed to complete a payment on eBill is your current bill and valid bank account or American Express credit card information.

    The convenience fee for paying your bill online via ACH (electronic check, payments made using a checking or savings bank account) at 25 cents, is cheaper than a stamp.

    Registering is easy and requires minimal information from you.

    Please contact the Treasurer/Collector’s Office with any questions: Tel: (508)628-1311, Treasurer@framinghamma.org.

  • HARRY POTTER MIDNIGHT MAGIC PARTY AT BORDERS

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The latest Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is set to be released at midnight tonight. To ease the wait for eager fans, Borders Bookshop & Café on Rt. 9, Framingham, is celebrating the release of the book with a free party starting at 9 p.m., Friday, July 15th.

    While waiting for the book to go on sale, enjoy face painting, trivia, and crafts, including birthday cards, dragon masks, wizard hats, and decorating party bags. Also, get your picture taken with Harry and Heromine! Just before midnight, sing “Happy Birthday”, and cut a birthday cake for the star of the show. Be one of the first 50 people to get your book, and receive a special door prize!

    Come dressed as your favorite character this weekend, and enter into the costume contest. The contest runs both Friday and Saturday, and everyone who enters will receive a prize, with grand prizes going to the best of each category! The categories include Scariest, Funniest, Most Original, Most Beastly, and Other (for those who don’t fall into any of the other categories)!

    But the fun doesn’t stop there. More events are planned for Saturday, July 16th! Calling all performers! Think you have what it takes to steal the show? Saturday, July 16th, starting at noon, come show off your skills and enjoy 15 minutes of fame as you perform for fans from all over the area. Prizes for the best acts!

    Besides the Talent Show, Elevenses, and High Teas, there’s face painting, trivia, drawings, and prizes, including door prizes for the first 50 people to pick up their books. There will be a Guess the Beans contest (enter all weekend, closest guess will be contacted) and a free book drawing (enter all weekend, name will be drawn Sunday night).

    Don’t miss out on the magic during this magical weekend! Saturday, July 16th, at 2pm, the wizard for the day, “Frankie D. Magic”, will put on a magic show, aided by his protégé, “Mr. Magic Christopher”.

    If you can’t make the party, you can still enter to the Guess the Beans and the Free Harry Potter Book drawing by visiting the framingham.com table at tonight’s (July 15th) Concert on the Green, Framingham Centre Common, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.. framingham.com will also have a table and giveaways at the Borders Midnight Magic Party.

    For more information, call or visit Borders Books, 85 Worcester Rd (Rt. 9), Framingham, MA 01701, (508) 875-2321.

  • MetroWest Radio Reading Day Celebration

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The MetroWest Radio Reading Service is celebrating ten years of service on Monday, July 11th from noon to 4 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room, Lower Nevins Hall, in the Memorial Building.

    Lunch will be followed by a recognition ceremony at 1 p.m. for 31 volunteers who have participated in the service. Three volunteers will receive five year pins and six will receive ten year pins. Commissioner David Govostes, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for The Blind will be present.

    Three books by local authors that the Radio Reading Service has recorded and broadcast will be donated to the Framingham Public Library’s and Christa McAuliffe Branch’s audio collections. The books are: “A Journal for Christa” by Grace Corrigan, “Just Let the Kids Play,” by Tom Moroney, and “A Woman’s Ways and Means: 24 Wild Years in the Massachusetts House” by Barbara E. Gray and Debra Regan Cleveland.

    “Just Let the Kids Play” and “A Woman’s Ways and Means” were recorded by Doctor Chet Roskey with the appendices, including a history of M.C.I. Framingham recorded by Christine Goodreau. “A Journal for Christa” was recorded by Carolyn Pailler.

    It is particularly fitting that Barbara Gray’s book was recorded by the service as a hallmark of her career in the Massachusetts House was the championship of the disabled.

    The Metro West Radio Reading Service was inaugurated on June 20th, 1995 and began its first broadcast on July 10th, 1995. The Reading Service is an affiliate of the Talking Information Center Massachusetts Reading Network which was established on June 19, 1978, and is primarily funded by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

    Listeners need a special radio to receive uninterrupted radio reading service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also hear the service over WDJM, 91.3 FM, Framingham State College. The service broadcasts Daily Newspapers such as The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Metro West Daily News, Natick Bulletin and Framingham Tab, to mention a few local newspapers.

    The Service also broadcasts via the network such magazines as Time Magazine, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Sports Illustrated, Atlantic Monthly, National Geographic to mention a few. In addition, best seller books are broadcast both locally and over the network. The service also provides special informational talk shows on disability issues including issues of independent living, job listings, etc. and supermarket and retail store sales.

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  • Funding for New McAuliffe Building Voted Down by Town Meeting

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Despite a masterful presentation by TMM Audrey Hall, a slight reduction in costs, and an extension of the grant period by the state, the article for proposed funding for a new building for McAuliffe did not receive the two thirds majority needed to pass.

    The ballot vote for Article 26, (“Library Vote”), is available online at the Town’s website if you care to see which Town Meeting Memebers did or did not vote for the Article.

    Due to the outcome of the vote, the Town of Framingham will lose the $ 1.6 million in state grant money that had been previously approved.

    Library Trustees will now have to move forward on renovations to the existing building, including roof and HVAC repairs and handicapped accessibility.

    Donations toward the new library building will be used towards improvements in the current building.

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  • Framingham Flag Day June 12th at 2 p.m.

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The annual Framingham Flag Day parade is this coming Sunday, June 12th, at 2 p.m. through Downtown Framingham.

    Framingham Flag Day Parade needs people to serve as parade marshal’s at this year’s parade.

    The Framingham Celebration Committee is asking for volunteers who will be matched up with an experienced marshal (as a team) to help direct the bands, groups and marchers to their correct positions in the parade line-up. The parade starts at 2PM on Sunday June 12th, but as a marshal you will need to be able to dedicate most of the afternoon. Marshal’s meet at 12PM in the parking lot of the Framingham courthouse for a pre-parade brief, team-up and staging area assignments. Marshal’s are usually done with their assignments by 4PM and are then free to enjoy the parade from the reviewing stand or to head home.

    If you are interested in helping (it really is fun), please plan attending one of the two marshal coordination meetings next week. Please email Doug Freeman at freeman_doug@yahoo.com or call him at 508-733-0028.

    Marshal coordination meetings are as follows:

    • #1 Monday June 6th, 7PM at the Framingham Civic League, upstairs from the auditorium in the “Champagne Room”.
    • #2 Thursday June 9th, 6:30PM at the Memorial building, downstairs in Conference Room 2.

    It is appropriate that Framingham has a Flag Day Parade as a tradition as Framingham was the site of the first factory established for manufacturing the American flag. Help the tradition live on by helping with the parade.

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  • Short Takes – June 2005

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — The summer concert series on Framingham Centre Common, “Concerts on the Green,” officially opened the season on Friday night, June 3rd. The Comcast Cable Studio crew was on hand to record it so if you missed it, you can enjoy reruns on Channel 9.

    Framingham Farmers’ Market will return to the Centre Common beginning Thursday, June 23 and continue through Oct. 27. Shop for fresh area produce and products from 1- 5:30 PM.

    On Thursday nights, music lovers can enjoy the Downtown Common Concerts, 6-7:30 p.m. from June 16th – July 28th. The Downtown Common is located on Concord St., in front of the Armenian (formerly Baptist) Church and opposite the Fabric Place.

    Amazing Things Arts Center located in Pinefield Shopping Center in Saxonville received its occupancy permit.

    The Friends of the Framingham Public Library will hold its last book sale of the season on Saturday, June 18th. Book sales will resume after Labor Day.

    The Framingham Library will kick off its summer reading program, “Going Places,” with “Truck Day,” a roundup of town vehicles at Pinefield Shopping Center on Saturday, June 11th, from 10 a.m. – noon for kids to enjoy and explore. “Truck Day” is part of the activities of the Friends of Saxonville’s Discover Saxonville Day. This year the focus is Pinefield Shopping Center.

    framingham.com had a record-breaking 72,000+ visitors during the month of May. One of the most popular sections is the community calendar, especially on weekends.

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  • Framingham Memorial Day Services

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Town of Framingham, Framingham Veteran’s Council has announced the following schedule of events for Memorial Day 2005;

    Memorial Day Services Schedule – Monday May 30, 2005

    7:30 A.M. Assemble – Rear of Memorial Building

    8:00 A.M.. Leave by car/bus

    8:15 A.M. St. Tarcisius Cemetery, Winthrop Street

    8:35 A.M. Cushing Memorial Chapel (Veteran Council Presentation)

    8:40 A.M 9-11 Memorial (Veterans’ Council Presentation)

    8:50 A.M. Old Burial Ground, Main Street (VFW Post #10313)

    9:00 A.M. Edgell Grove Cemetery, Grove Street (JWV Post #157)

    9:15A.M. St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Fenwick Street (American Legion Post #256)

    9:30A.M. St. George’s Cemetery, Cherry Street (VFW #929)

    9:45A.M. Edward’s Cemetery, Edwards Street (American Legion Post #74)

    10:00 A.M. Coffee Break, Edwards Church

    10:30 A.M. Athenaeum Hall (Veterans Council Presentation)

    10:45 A.M. Veterans’ Park, Concord Street (V.V.A.)

    At each location the service will include:

    • Prayer by Unit Chaplain
    • Placing of Wreath
    • Salute to the Deceased (Firing Squad/Taps)
    • Parade Marshall in-Charge

    11:00 A.M. SERVICES AT THE MEMORIAL BUILDING

    Veterans’ Service Officer: Tom Davitt

    Program Chairman: Mal Schulze, President, Veterans’ Council

    Presentation of Colours: Framingham Veterans’ Council

    National Anthem: Mary Beth Freeman

    Invocation: Rev Debbie Clark, Edwards Church

    Greetings: Board of Selectmen

    Greetings: State Senator: Karen Spilka

    State Representative: Thomas Sanacandro State Representative: Debby Blumer

    Dedication Service: Formal Dedication of Rotunda

    Ribbon Cutting/Floral Presentation

    Guest Speaker: Capt Mark Spear, US Army Recruiting Center

    Salute: Placing of the wreath in Rotunda

    Benediction: Rev Debbie Clark, Edwards Church

    Retirement of colours: Framingham Veterans’ Council

    Officer of the Day: Abbey Anderson

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