This Is Framingham

Ethan and I went to check out  Flag Day at Chushing Park.  Despite the heat, it was really nice to walk around have something interesting going on at the park.

There were tents with vendors and information tables set up by the entrance. We didn’t end up buying anything but  there was a good variety of tables set up with merchandise, crafts and kids treats.

We really enjoyed was the Civil War camps that were set up in preparation for the fictional “Battle of  Farm Pond” staged just for this event.  

As we walked through the camps,  I was impressed how no one looked like they were about to faint considering the heavy clothing they were wearing and how hot it was.  We were breaking a sweat just wearing shorts and T-shirts so I can imagine how hot these folks were.

The camps are realistically functioning and they do everything from chopping wood for the fires they cook with, to hanging laundry.

Flag Day will go on again through tomorrow,  Sunday the 15th too so if you missed it today you can still check it out.

The other day, the Metro West Humane Society was kind enough to let me come in and take some pictures and tell me about their cat shelter.  They run a no-kill facility and have set adoption hours on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.   This is right on the Framingham/Ashland line on 126.  Technically it’s in Ashland, but again, this is a “very special” TIF post : )

Before I came here I was afraid I would be depressed seeing a bunch of cats in cages and meowing to be let out, but this wasn’t the case at all.   I was surprised/impressed with the free roaming space for the cats.  Some cats were just walking around in the halls and other cats are kept in community rooms.  Only those cats that have to be, are in cages but even then the cages are very roomy and are like a double-suite rooms with a bed on one side and a door they can walk through to get to the other “room”.

The cats here seemed so content and comfortable and the MWHS does such a great job at keeping the rooms clean and supplying them with multiple food/waterbowls, litterboxes, toys and beds that the cats that share a room do not have to fight over anything.  In fact it was interesting to see so many cats getting along.  Maybe it’s just because my cat hates other cats and won’t let us get a new one, but it was nice to see so many cats getting a long in the same building.

Here’s some pictures from my visit:

There is also a gift shop where manufactured and hand-made items are for sale and all profits go to the shelter of course.

There is also a wall you can buy a tile in memory of a pet and it have their name up on the Cat Walk wall.

They always welcome financial donations but are just as grateful for any dry and canned food donations as well.

And finally, I’d like to mention their event on Saturday, June 7th.  The 11th annual Walk for Animals

For everything you would want to know about the Metro West Humane Society, including adoption hours, cat profiles and other events please visit their website http://www.webpaws.com/mwhs

My friend Yana’s husband, who is a teacher at Walsh Middle School, helps to organize a 5K for a cause each year.
This year, the students were given a survey of organizations to help and chose the MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

Proceeds from this race help our furry friends find homes, get medical care, be treated humanely and live full lives.

  Walsh Middle School
  301 Brook Street in Framingham
  June 7
  9am registration for the run/walk
  10am for BBQ, raffle and festivities
   
More info at: www.mspca.org/goto/Walsh5k

I occasionally think about what I would do if I got mugged or attacked.  I’ve heard of things you can do like walk with your keys in between your fingers and use that to accentuate a punch but I’ve wondered “What IS the best way to kick an attacker in the crotch?”
It just so happened that I got an email informing me about a free Women’s Self Defense workshop this Wednesday at 8pm.  I’m really looking forward to it and since it’s open to the public, I thought there might be some other ladies out there who might be interested.
 Here is the information sent to me by the Framingham chapter of Mother’s and More:

Mothers and More, Framingham Chapter Presents:
 
Self Defense for Women
May 28— Wednesday, 8:00 PMat 885 Waverly Street, Framingham Nick Cerio’s Traditional Kenpo Jiujitsu,Master Instructor Craig Seavey will lead a discussion and demonstration on self defense for women. Strategies for making your home more secure, personal safety, and methods to thwart an attack will be discussed.  This event is free and open to the public.   For more information on the chapter, see our website at: www.mothersandmoreframingham.com
 
RSVP to  Tanya Lipp at  tanya_rlp@yahoo.com  

Yesterday I saw this sign on Thompson St.  (Sorry for the crummy picture, all I had was my cell phone cam).  I like that this person is restricting giving these kittens to “Nice people only”.

On May 18th the Framingham Historical Society will be conducting their 8th annual House Tour from 12-5pm.
Tickets in advance are $25 and after May 10th are $30. There is a $5 discount given to members of the Historical Society and Museum. Tickets are available online at www.framinghamhistory.org or at Whole Foods.

From their website:
This year’s House Tour will be Opening Doors to Framingham’s Past. Explore an entire section of the Jonathan Maynard Historic District’s three sites within walking distance.  Don’t miss the beautiful Victorian with its sleeping porch master suite and gazebo deck overlooking Gleason’s Pond.  Marvel at both the restoration efforts and adaptive reuse to preserve
some of Framingham’s most architecturally significant properties.  

A Patrons Reception will be held on Saturday May 17th.  The Patrons party tickets are  $100 each and include
open bar, reception, dinner catered by Whole Foods, and a House tour ticket for Sunday.

Last Sunday I went to the Framingham Civic League to see/hear artist Ana Maria Pacheco talk about her work.  Ana currently has an exhibit “Dark Night of the Soul” at the Danforth Musuem. 
It was really interesting to hear her stories about her childhood and what lead her to be an artist as well as her move from Brazil to London and also hearing her interpretations of her work.  It was also surprising that even though her art is somewhat on the dark side, she has a very pleasant and humorous personality.
After the lecture, we were invited to view her exhibit at the Danforth, so I went and checked it out.
Her strong suit is sculpture but she also does prints and paintings.  The sculptures are set up in a dark room with spotlights where visitors can walk around and view the sculptures form all angles.

Ana Maria Pacheco’s work will be at the Danforth through August 3rd

For more info go to: http://www.danforthmuseum.org./ana_maria_pacheco.html