Category Archives: Local Information

April Vacation Week

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If you have kids out of school this week, or just have extra time for yourself, here are some places to go – to see more of Boston and MetroWest, have some family fun, and practice your English:

Framingham Bookmobile

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Your library is a great place to improve your English.  They have…  

  • books to borrow and read – to yourself or your kids
  • audiobooks
  • music and movies
  • videos on learning English
  • and so many more free resources

In Framingham there are two libraries – the main library near downtown at 29 Lexington Street; and the new  McAuliffe Branch Library in North Framingham at 746 Water Street

Beginning on Tuesday, April 9th, there will also be a Bookmobile, that will bring a piece of the library to neighborhoods, schools, and other places all around the city.  On Tuesday morning at 8:30 in front of the Memorial Building (City Hall), there will be a little celebration for the bookmobile’s first day, with some snacks until 10:00.  Later that day, the fist places that the bookmobile will visit will be:

  • Woodrow Wilson School
  • Brookdale Senior Community
  • Carmel Terrace Senior Community
  • Framingham YMCA

Maple Sugaring Season

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  With cold nights and warmer days, late February is the beginning of maple sugaring season in Massachusetts. Maple syrup is made in many sugar houses in and near MetroWest.  You can visit a sugar house and get a tour explaining how maple syrup is made – and usually taste/buy some fresh delicious maple syrup or other maple products.

Places to visit:

Vacation Week Ideas

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If you have kids out of school this week, or just have extra time for yourself, here are some places to go – to see more of Boston and MetroWest, have some family fun, and practice your English:

Winter/Spring ESL Classes at FAESL – New Student Lottery Information

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Framingham Adult ESL will have a limited number of spaces for morning and evening classes for the Spring 2019 semester.

UPDATE: Registration is closed for this semester.  The next lottery for English classes will be in August, 2019.

  • If you are interested in taking a MORNING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    St. Tarcisius School (BRACE building)
    560 Waverly Street, Framingham
    Thursday, January 17th, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
  • If you are interested in taking an EVENING English class at Framingham Adult ESL you must come in person to
    Fuller Middle School Cafeteria
    31 Flagg Drive, Framingham
    Thursday, January 17th, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
  1. Come on January 17th to submit an entry card (with your name, address, etc).  Everyone who submits a card will have their name included in the lottery.
  2. The lottery will be on Wednesday, January 23rd.  Don’t come to the school on Jan 23rd.  You can watch the lottery online (Facebook Live) on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  3. If you are one of the winners of the lottery, you will be asked to come back on a different day for testing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • If I want to participate in the English class lottery, do I have to come to the school?
    YES – You must come to the school on Thursday January 17th to submit an entry card.  BUT, this should not take too long because there will be no lottery or testing on that day.
  • Will there be 2 separate lotteries?
    YES     – If you come in the morning of Jan 17th (to St. Tarcisius), your name will be part of the lottery for MORNING classes.  If you come in the evening of Jan 17th (to Fuller School), your name will be part of the lottery for EVENING classes.
  • On January 17th do I need to arrive at the school before 6:30PM (or before 8:45 AM for morning classes)?
    NO – You can come any time between 6:30 and 8:00PM (or between 8:45 and 10:00AM for morning classes).  ALL the names collected during that time will have an equal chance in the lottery.
  • Do I need to watch the lottery (on Facebook Live) on January 23rd?
    NO – When you come to the school on January 17th, you will submit an entry card with information (phone, email) on how to contact you.  If your name is selected in the lottery, the school will contact you.
  • If my name is selected in the lottery, what happens next?
    You will be asked to come to the school for testing.  After testing, you will be assigned to one of these:

    • a regular English class (6 hours each week)
    • or – a volunteer-led, once-a-week prep class (2 hours)
      If you stay in prep class with good attendance, you will automatically be on a priority list for a regular class and will not need to participate in any more lotteries.
    • or – a waiting list
      (You get a space in class as soon as possible and do not need to participate in more lotteries)
  • When are the classes?
    • Regular morning classes are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 10:45
    • Regular evening classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30
    • Prep classes are on one of those mornings, or evenings, each week
    • Regular classes start on Tuesday February 5th and Prep classes start a few weeks later
  • I can’t come on January 17th.  Can I come on the 16th (or some other day)? Or can someone else come to submit an entry card for me?
    NO – Unfortunately, the only day you can come to submit your name for the lottery is on January 17th, and you must come in-person.

NOTE: This is information only.  It does not guarantee you a place in class. 

New Year’s Week in Boston

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There will be a large number of special events in Boston to celebrate the new year.  Most of them are part of First Night Boston.  Here’s a Full Schedule

  • Blink light and music show – every 30 minutes from 4:30-10:30pm, every night through Jan 1st
  • Ice sculptures – at Quincy Market, Copley Square, and other places 

Free Flu Shots

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flu-shot-clinic    Many towns are offering clinics where you can get a free flu shot.  The clinic in Framingham (for Framingham and Ashland residents) will be on Saturday, September 22nd from 10:00 until 2:00 at the McCarthy School at 8 Flagg Drive. It’s free, no insurance necessary. But if you have health insurance bring your health insurance card.

  • In Natick, there will be a 2 free clinics:
    • Wednesday Oct. 10th from 10AM-Noon, and 5-7PM at the Community Senior Center, 117 East Central St.
    • Tuesday Nov 6th from 5-7PM at the Town Hall, 13 East Central St. (2nd floor)
  • Milford: Monday October 22nd at Milford Senior Center (60 North Bow St) from 5-7PM
  • Southborough: on Thursday October 5th  at the Senior Center, 9 Cordaville Rd.  10AM-12:30PM for Seniors; 2-4 PM for all residents ages 12 and up
  • Marlborough: on Tuesday, Oct 2nd from 10:00 to Noon and 4:00 to 6:00 at the Senior Center (40 New St.)
  • Other towns will offer them soon too.  You can contact the Board of Health at your city/town hall.

Are You a U.S. Citizen? Prepare to Vote!

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  The next national election will be on November 6, 2018.  In Massachusetts, we will vote for one senator (currently Elizabeth Warren), and our representative to the U.S. House of Representatives.  We will also vote for state governor (currently Charlie Baker), our state senator and representative, and other state officials.

If you are a U.S. citizen, and are at least 18 years old, you can – and you should – vote in government elections – local, state, and national. BUT – you must be registered to vote.  It’s quick and easy.  You need to register before you can vote for the first time, and update your address every time you move.

If you want to vote in this election (in Massachusetts), you must be registered by Wednesday, October 17th. 

  • In Massachusetts, you can register online
    (You can also confirm that you are already registered)
  • In most other states, it’s easy to register online at VOTE.GOV
  • There’s more detailed information on how to vote at USA.gov
  • Here’s an example of the mail-in voter registration form in Massachusetts
  • You can also get help at the Clerk’s Office in your City Hall or Town Hall

Are you almost a citizen?  MIRA and many organizations in Massachusetts provide services to help you become a citizen.  Framingham Adult ESL offers citizenship classes to help you prepare for the citizenship test.