There's lots to do at Cochituate State Park!

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Between the towns of Natick, Wayland and Framingham, MA, Lake Cochituate offer many recreational summer activities including swimming, boating and fishing.

Many locals may not realize that just a few hundred yards east of the Framingham/Natick town line, (on Rt. 30), the beach, picnic area, boat launch, snack bar and canoe/kayak rental shop are in Cochituate State Park, (which is operated by the MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation).

Below is a list of fun, educational FREE summer activities for kids and families available at the park during the month of August 2011, (Tuesdays-Saturdays).

Most of the activities have a different theme each week, so ...[read more]

There's lots to do at Cochituate State Park!

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Between the towns of Framingham, Wayland and Natick, MA, Lake Cochituate offer many recreational summer activities including swimming, boating and fishing.

Many locals may not realize that just a few hundred yards east of the Framingham/Natick town line, (on Rt. 30), the beach, picnic area, boat launch, snack bar and canoe rental shop are in "Cochituate State Park", which is part of the Massachusetts State Park system and operated by the MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.

Throughout the months of July and August, (Tuesdays-Saturdays), the park provides fun, educational, and FREE summer activities for kids and families!

Most of the activities have a different theme each week, so ...[read more]

FRAMINGHAM, MA - During summer vacation many parents may be hearing the all too familiar "I'm bored" from their school age progeny.

In these "difficult economic times" things to do that are are free or only cost a few dollars -- and don't require excessive driving can help stretch the family budget between trips to Six Flags, Canobie Lake Park or other New England area day trips.

For activities in the list that require traveling in town -- consider having kids go places on MWRTA routes.  Older kids can walk to a neighborhood bus stop, and go by themselves -- relieving their parents of driving duty -- and helping reduce local daytime traffic.

Things to do in Framingham in the Summer:

• Make some Sidewalk Chalk and color on the driveway, a concrete deck or the sidewalk with colored chalk.  If you find a big enough area, you can use the chalk to make a bike riding course or ...[read more]

N.E.W.F.S. Photo Contest - Prize for adult winners will include signed copy of the book ''Wildflowers'' by William Cullina

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Do you enjoy taking photos of plants and flowers in their natural habitat?

The New England Wildflower Society, ("NEWFS"), which operates the "Garden in the Woods" on Hemenway Road is sponsoring a photo contest!

The photograph may be from any season, but the photo must have been shot between April 15, 2011 and October 31, 2011, (October 31st is the deadline for submissions).

Prizes will be awarded for photos in several categories including:

• single plants

• groups of plants

• polinators

• "scenes" - did you capture a breath-taking scene in the Garden? Submit it! (Note: photos may not have any people in them.)

• artistic merit - photos in this category may be a ...[read more]

The classic cars that made Riley's in Nobscot a favorite Saturday night cruise destination has re-opened as CJ's Northside Grill.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - For nearly a decade, every Saturday night when the weather was nice, antique autos, high performance hot-rods and vintage vehicles cruised to Framingham to meet with other car enthusiasts at a restaurant in the Nobscot section of town.

The restaurant, formerly operated by Joe Breed as "Riley's Roast Beef" is now CJ's Northside Grille -- brought back to life by Framingham natives Chris Gagen and Jamie Anderson.

Chris and Jamie are both Framingham North High class of 1989 graduates and both worked at Riley's when Joe owned the place

Along with the partners, Chris' brother Sean, some cousins and other family members ...[read more]