This Is Framingham

On Tuesday, September 16th, elections for State Representative will be held.  For what it’s worth, I’m voting for Chris Walsh.  I put a lot of thought into this, I have friends who are voting for other people and enjoyed learning about all of the candidates and while all three have good qualities, I ended up deciding on Chris because of his spoken interest in making downtown a better place which, as many readers know, I live downtown and that’s really important to me. 
You can check out his website to learn more about him: http://www.electchriswalsh.com/

As most people have seen, there is an abundance of can collectors in Framingham.  Particularly where I live, in in the downtown area.  I have mixed feelings about this.   I kind of feel like somehow it makes the area look not so great to have people pushing shopping carts full of cans, or walking with big full trash bags carried “santa-style” over their shoulders visiting house to house.  But part of me thinks “Why not?”.  If people are going to just throw away or recycle the cans, they might as well get some money if the original owners aren’t going to redeem them.  But then I wonder, is it worth it?  I’m guessing it is, but it takes 1,000 cans to make $50 so this must be a full-time job because it must take a lot of can hunting to get 1,000. 
Every trash day morning I hear the rattle of  a shopping cart coming down my street and it eventually stops in front of our house.  Technically there is nothing wrong with it, but it does feel a little weird to see someone pick through your trash/recycle.  I have to say though, the lady who can-collects on our street  is very mindful of putting anything that fell out onto the ground back into the trash and leaving it as she found it and securing the lid back on the trash can.  So I appreciate that and really have no problem with it because of that courtesy.  If the person who lets their dog poop where ever it wants had the same consideration, that would be nice.

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. beuotq

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. ivermectine kopen aliexpress
 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. ivermectin for coyotes    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). ??? ????? 2023 ???????   I like that this person is restricting giving these kittens to “Nice people only”.