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Category: General Interest

  • 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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  • Framingham Election Programming on Channel 9

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The updated schedule for Framingham election programming on Comcast channel 9 is as follows:

    Monday, March 28

    • 12:00 pm – FIMBY Candidates Debate
    • 2:00 pm – League of Women Voters Candidates Debate
    • 7:00 pm – Jim Pillsbury Show LIVE (candidates)

    Tuesday, March 29

    • 10:00 am – Jim Pillsbury Show (replay)
    • 7:30 pm – LWV Candidates Debate
    • 10:00-midnight – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 12:30 am – LWV Candidates Debate
    • 3:00-6:00 am – Political Roundtable – Candidates

    Wednesday, March 30

    • 9:00 am – LWV Candidates Debate
    • noon-3:00 pm – Political Roundtable – Candidates

    Thursday, March 31

    • noon – FIMBY Candidates Debate

    Friday, April 1

    • 1:30 pm – Community Connections Candidates Forum
    • 4:00 pm – FIMBY Candidates Debate

    Saturday, April 2

    • 3:30 pm – FIMBY Candidates Debate
    • 5:30 pm – LWV Candidates Debate
    • 8:00 pm – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • Midnight – LWV Candidates Debate
    • 5:30 am – FIMBY Candidates Debate

    Sunday, April 3

    • 8:00 am – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 11:00 am – FIMBY Candidates Debate
    • 1:00 pm – LWV Candidates Debate
    • 3:00 pm – Community Connections Candidates Forum
    • 8:00-10:00 pm – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 11:00 pm – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 2:00-5:00 am – Political Roundtable – Candidates

    Monday, April 4

    • 11:30 am – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 12:30 pm – FIMBY Candidates Debate
    • 2:30 pm – Community Connections Candidates Forum
    • 6:00 pm – Political Roundtable – Candidates
    • 7:00 pm – Jim Pillsbury Show LIVE
    • 10:00 pm – LWV Candidates Debate
    • Midnight – Jim Pillsbury show (replay)
    • 4:00 am – LWV Candidates Debate

    Tuesday, April 5 (ELECTION DAY!)

    • 10:00 am – Jim Pillsbury Show (replay)
    • 11:30 am – LWV Candidates Debate

    RCN channel 3 will be showing FIMBY at 2 PM and League of Women Voters at 4 PM daily until the election.

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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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  • Vote on Proposed New McAuliffe Library Building set for March 15

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – McAULIFFE LIBRARY NEWS: New Date set for a special Town Meeting to again vote on funding for proposed new McAuliffe Library Building: March 15th, 7:30 p.m. in Nevins Hall.  Asecond try by Library Trustees.

    On Wed., Jan. 12th, Framingham Town Meeting voted to buy the land on Water St. for the proposed new McAuliffe library, but voted down, by a small margin, to allocate funds to build it.

    If funds aren’t voted by mid-May, the town will lose the state grant money.

    How Town Meeting Members voted is available on the framinghamma.gov site. Many Town Meeting members reported that they voted in favor of the new library because so many of their constituants called them and urged them to do so.

    (For more info on the McAuliffe Branch Library, see www.framinghamlibrary.org/mcauliff.htm)

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  • Friends of Saxonville Annual Meeting set for Tues. April 12th

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Friends of Saxonville will hold their annual meeting on Tues., April 12th, at Stapleton Elementary School, Elm St. at 6:30 p.m.

    They will present updates on their initiatives, honor special volunteers, and elect officers. Every year they present a special feature. This year the Friends have arranged for a special Saxonville edition of the popular Framingham Trivia Cable Show with participation from the audience.

    Do you have a question about Saxonville’s history? If so, call Bill Dyan at 508-877-0289 and it may be covered on the show.

    Wish to nominate someone to the Board of Directors? Send your nomination to Friends of Saxonville, PO B ox 3236, Framingham, MA 01705.

    For additional information, call Charlene Frary, secretary, at 508-877-3556 or visit www.saxonville.org.

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  • Salute to Framingham

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – Each year, the Salute to Framingham Committee honors three individuals who, over the years, have done much for Framingham’s youngsters.

    The selection of three honorees from the hundreds of very active individuals from all walks of life is a most difficult task.

    This years recipients are Patrick Dunne, Bob Jachowicz, Joan Rastini.

    Each of these individuals has made a significant difference in the lives of the youth of our town thru their volunteer efforts. The event will take place March 16 at the Sheraton Tara.

    For tickets and information call 508/872-1933 or visit www.framinghamflyers.com/Salute

  • Exhbition: Toward Victory: Winning World War II from Home

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Historical Society & Museum presents the exhibit Toward Victory: Winning World War II from Home from April 2 – Sept. 24, 2005 at the Edgell Memorial Library Building, corner of Edgell Rd. & Oak St.

    The exhibition features not only items in the museum’s collection, but also materials on loan from area residents. The exhibit includes 1940’s home furnishings to provide a sense of the WWII home. Several posters, momentoes and war souvenirs will be part of the exhibit.

    For information, call 508-872-3780 or visit www.framinghamhistory.org

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  • Free Citizen’s Legislative Seminar at Framingham Public Library

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – A free Citizen’s Legislative Seminar will be held on Saturday, March 12 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Framingham Public Library, Public Meeting Room, Lincoln St.

    This program is presented under the leadership of Senator Jarrett Barrios and others to provide information on how individuals can get involved with the political and legislative process.

    Several Framingham residents have participated in earlier seminars offered at the State House. We have been working with Senator Barrios and others to bring this program to Framingham for the first time. This progam is free and open to people of all ages.

    Please email or call Debby Blumer with any questions: deborah.blumer@state.ma.us., 617-722-2400 or 508-879-0658.

  • Money Conference for Women at Framingham State College

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – A free money conference for women will be held on Saturday, February 12 – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Framingham State College.

    This program is presented under the leadership of Treasurer Tim Cahill for the benefit of all who are interested in learning more about managing their own money from experts. Dee Lee, author of books and articles on money management, is the keynote speaker. The program will include small group discussion on various topics.

    We have been working with the Treasurer’s staff to bring this seminar to Framingham for the first time. We will have official sign up information this week. The program is free and is open to men and women of all ages. Lunch and babysitting services will be provided.