Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Scarecrow Stomp on Septembmer 20

September 20, 2009

Scarecrow Stomp at the Children's Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Avenue
North Easton, MA 02356

11 a.m.- 4 p.m

Come to The Children's Museum in Easton for the Scarecrow Stomp, a down-home fall family festival!

Bring some old or outgrown pants and shirt to stuff, and make a scarecrow to take home (we'll provide the stuffings!). Press some apple cider (and taste the delicious results), crank the handle of our old-fashioned wringer washer, hang your socks out to dry (actually parents, the kids LOVE this chore), and dress up like a "country bumpkin".

Awesome autumn crafts, old-fashioned games (remember the ol' donut on the string game?) and lively folk music make this a family-friendly event!



Admission to the Scarecrow Stomp is $4 per person for members and $8 per person for non-members with a family maximum of $30. Admission includes all Scarecrow Stomp activities and admission to the Museum’s interactive exhibits.

(508) 230-3789

childrensmuseumineaston.org/ScarecrowStomp.asp

The rain date is Sunday, September 27, 2009. Call ahead in the event of inclement weather.

Boston Red Sox All-Star Pitcher Josh Beckett, Local Stars and Athletes Throw Strikes for Children at 3rd Annual Beckett Bowl

Red Sox fans...this is just in....

Boston Red Sox All-Star Pitcher Josh Beckett,
Local Stars and Athletes Throw Strikes for Children
at 3rd Annual Beckett Bowl
Star-Studded Lineup of Boston’s Hottest Celebrities, Athletes, Musicians, and Comedians
Compete in Celebrity Bowling Tournament to Benefit Children’s Hospital


WHAT:
Boston Red Sox All-Star pitcher Josh Beckett will throw strikes of a different kind on September 10, when he hangs up his cleats and ties on a pair of bowling shoes at the third annual Beckett Bowl, a star-studded bowling tournament. All proceeds benefit the Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital Boston.

Festivities will conclude with the official Absolut Beckett Bowl After-Party with Josh Beckett and friends to benefit the Josh Beckett Foundation. The after-party will feature celebrity appearances and live entertainment including performances by Texas Country Music star Pat Green, Matt Cline and DJ Buddy Costa.


WHO:
Actors, comedians, musicians and past and current players from Boston’s professional sports teams.

Past Beckett Bowls have attracted some of the Boston’s top professional athletes and celebrities, including Beckett’s teammates Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell; HBO’s Entourage star Adrian Grenier; performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of legendary hip-hop trio Run DMC; Boston Celtics 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce and teammate Glen “Big Baby” Davis; Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic; New England Patriots Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Adalius Thomas and Steve Gostowski; New England Revolution stars Matt Reis and Taylor Twellman; and many more.


TICKETS:
A limited number of tickets for the bowling event and after-party are available now at ticketmaster.com or by calling 617-338-2766.

* Bowling event: $250

* After-party: $45


WHEN:
Thursday, September 10, 2009
6:00pm – 7:30pm: Red Carpet appearances (free-of-charge, open-to-public)
7:30pm – 9:00pm: Bowling event
8:30pm – 2:00am: Absolut Beckett Bowl After-party featuring Pat Green


WHERE:
Lucky Strike Lanes | 145 Ipswich Street | Boston


About The Josh Beckett Foundation
The Josh Beckett Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2007 by Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett to support community-based programs that strive to improve the health and well-being of children, especially children that are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. The Foundation provides Beckett with an opportunity to have a direct and permanent impact on the lives of children throughout New England and in his hometown of Spring, Texas. Since its inception in 2007, Beckett Bowl has raised more than $500,000 for the Josh Beckett Foundation and Children’s Hospital.

In 2008 the hospital unveiled the Josh Beckett Cancer Treatment Room which features Boston Red Sox imagery including Beckett and his teammates, crowd scenes and the historic Fenway Park sign.

Fall Story Hours in Waltham

This press release...just in....

GORE PLACE TO OFFER STORY HOURS FOR PRESCHOOLERS THIS FALL

(WALTHAM, MA, AUGUST 11, 2009) On Wednesday, September 9 Gore Place, the historic Governor Gore estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, will offer a program entitled, Preschool Story Hour at Gore Place: Harvest Time. During this program, children will listen to stories about growing and harvesting vegetables and do a related craft activity. Then, they will take a hay-ride to the farm where they will see the raised-bed gardens and farm animals.

Two sessions are planned: morning from 10am to 11am and afternoon from 2pm to 3pm. The program is the same for each session. Attendees should be prepared to go outside, rain or shine. This program is for children ages 3 and 4 accompanied by an adult. The fee is $5 per child, $3 for one additional child. No charge for adult. Space is limited. Please, reserve by September 8. To reserve, email: tamar.agulian@goreplace.org, or, call (781) 894-2798 ext. 18.

Gore Place is located at 52 Gore Street, just off Route 20 (Main Street) near the Waltham/Watertown line. For more information, call: (781) 894-2798 or visit the museum's website at: www.goreplace.org.

For press information, photographs, or interviews, please contact Director of Programming
Thom Roach at (781) 894-2798 ext. 12.
-30-

52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA 02453
TEL: (781) 894-2798 · FAX: (781) 894-5745

Gore Place is accredited by the American Association of Museums
and receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
S

Family Show? Illumination by Cirque Dreams at Foxwoods

Meet you at Foxwoods!

We brought the kids (ages 8 and 5) to see this cool acrobatic show over the weekend. It's like a Cirque de Soleil.

It was creative, funky and amazing, but the kids didn't truly understand the kind of skill it takes to perform the feats (which is what completely amazed and entertained the adults).

The show is appropriate for all ages (except one steamy dance scene around a tub that will probably go over their heads). A gymnastic or dancer would especially love it.

It would also be a fun night out for a teen or pre-teen. Any August or September birthdays coming up? Tickets are about $30 each, and you can eat at the Hard Rock Cafe (it's right there at Foxwoods).

Or if you like the casino scene, consider taking in the show without the kids. It's only there until September 6th....

http://www.mgmatfoxwoods.com/illumination.aspx?gclid=CL3iq7Wlv5wCFQtN5QodKyizmw

FREE Ice Cream Social on Saturday, August 29

FREE Ice Cream Social at The Goddard School in Westford

westfordma@goddardschools.com

The Goddard School is located on 162 Concord Road in Westford from 1:00 - 4:00PM
The new Goddard School in Westford is celebrating its Grand Opening with an Ice Cream Social. Parents and kids are invited to make sundaes and participate in kids activities while meeting our outstanding teachers and learning more about our program. A special Grand Opening discount will be given to all families who enroll during the event.

978-692-3531
goddardschool.com/Schools/Westford-MA/schools.gspx

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Health Pet Expo in September!

Just in: a pet expo is coming in September:

INTEGRATIVE HEALTH PET EXPO

September 10 & 11, 2009

Courtyard by Marriott, Fitchburg MA

60+ Natural Pet Care Exhibitors!

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from leading practitioners of integrative health care products and services. Come explore the exhibit hall and visit with manufacturers and providers of natural care products and services. The following is a just a sampling of our many exhibitors who will be in attendance.

* Nature's Variety
* RX Vitamins
* Especially for Pets
* A Diamond in the Ruff
* Bravo
* Main Street Animal Services of Hopkinton
* Yoghund
* Holistic Pet Organics
* Handicapped Pets
* Guna


Meet Keynote Speaker - Jean Dodds, DVM

Dr. Dodds is President of Hemopet/Pet Life-Line, a non-profit greyhound rescue/blood donor/adoption facility servicing North American veterinary clinics. The Hemolife Division provides a worldwide animal diagnostic service. Dr. Dodds teaches animal health care professionals and pet owners on hematology and blood banking, immunology, endocrinology, nutrition and holistic medicine. www.hemopet.org
She will speak about the current issues about Vaccines and your Pets.
In addition to our keynotes, we have a full speaker schedule that will run throughout both days. To learn more about our speakers, click the link below.

www.hemopet.org

Winners of the Brave Girl Adventure Pack!

Meet some of the Brave Girls who entered baystateparent’s “Brave Girl Adventure Pack Contest:

Mom Evelyn Larson wrote that her daughter Audrey is brave everyday by overcoming some of the many social obstacles that come along with being homeschooled. Audrey strives to be pleasant, to stand up for her educational rights, and to be brave about being different!
Good work Audrey, that’s what BRAVE is all about!

Kaylei Carlson is a special child who holds true to the #1 principal of braveness; she never talks down to her friends and truly sees the good in everyone. Being a social butterfly, she loves to include new friends into her peer group.
Thanks Kaylei, you help set a great example for girls who rock!

Little 2 ½-year-old Ellie shows her bravery in ways both large and small. She is fearless around animals, loves to climb and jump despite her small size, and is brave with her emotions. Says her mother, she is always trying to let us know exactly how she feels. Ellie, you are growing up to be one brave little lady!

Katie, 12, is brave everyday because she is strong and independent, with an “I can do anything attitude.” baystateparent loves that! As her mother says, “In today’s world, being 12 can be difficult, and middle school can be challenging. She is her own person, and stays true to herself. I admire that in her, and wish I was more like Katie when I was growing up.”
What a great mom and daughter team!

Mom, Daniele Sarkisian-West, told us that her daughters are so brave and adventurous. Not only do they take swimming lessons in the rain but they are not afraid of bugs! Her oldest daughter, who is 8, went to an overnight camp for 2 weeks and wants to go back for a month!
Thanks for showing us that girls can do anything!

OUR WINNERS
Although baystateparent wishes we could have let everyone who entered our contest win, we had to choose. And while you are all brave in your own amazing ways please meet our brave winners.

Shayla Yu Ping Nicholson, 4, was left at the door of an orphanage in China. Someone found her and she took 4 planes to get to the U.S where she now lives with her loving mom and dad. Shayla has overcome a Cleft Palate repair, learned to speak English, and began school everyday in West Boylston. That takes bravery!

Megan, 7, of Mendon shows her courageousness everyday. Unfortunately, mean spirited children taunt Megan and try to hurt her feelings. Megan does the right things and uses her bravery to ignore these comments and tell herself that she is and can be the best girl she wants to be!
baystateparent is very proud of you Megan! Keep up the good work!

Free September Storytime in Amherst

Tuesdays, Friday - Sunday

Gabrielle Healy Carroll Storytime Program at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Reading Library

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Reading Library, 125 West Bay Rd
> Amherst, MA 01002

Tue & Fri at 10:30 am; Sat & Sun at 2:00 pm

This program for children of all ages and their caregivers includes the reading of 3 to 5 picture books, as well as opportunities for children to share their reactions to this unique art form and to learn about how the
> various parts of a book function together to create an artistic whole.

> Adult admission $9
> Youth (under 18), Student and Senior Admission $6
> Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50
>
413-658-1100
>
carlemuseum.org
>

>

Summer Party in Needham on Thursday, August 27

End of the Summer Party at Knowledge Beginnings on 206 A Street in Needham is on Thursday, August 27th at 4:30. There will be food and face painting. Also Wally from the Red Sox will be visiting along with Stuff-N-Cuddles (it's like build-a-bear on wheels where children can create their own stuff animals).

Call 781.455.8723 for more details. This is free and open to the public!

Rubber Duck Race on Mon., Sept. 7 in Sudbury!

Bullfinchs Restaurant Makes a Splash!

Sixth Annual Duck Race to Benefit the Child Life Services Program at

UMass Memorial Medical Center



Sudbury, MA – More than 3000 rubber ducks will be splishing and splashing at the Grist Mill at the Wayside Inn on Monday, September 7th, at 12 p.m, as Bullfinchs Restaurant sponsors it’s sixth annual Rubber Duck Race. Proceeds from the duck race will benefit the Child Life Services Program at UMass Memorial Medical Center.



Bullfinchs owner Peggy and Scott Richardson were first-hand witnesses to the love, support, and care the Program provides to families, when Scott’s then three year old daughter and Peggy’s granddaughter Maddy became sick more than 10 years ago. The first race was held in the Summer of 2004 and each year, more and more participants purchase ducks and watch them race for this amazing cause. “It was through our personal involvement with this project that we were inspired to do what we could to support The Child Life Program and show our gratitude,” says Peggy. “We encourage everyone young and old to join us for the fun, exciting and rewarding event!”



What: Sixth Annual Duck Race Sponsored by Bullfinchs to Benefit the Child Life Services Program at UMass Memorial Medical Center. On race day, all ducks are placed into the Grist Mill at the Wayside Inn. As the ducks floats down the stream, the first three to cross the finish line are winners! First, second and third place ducks will receive cash prizes and/or a gift certificate to Bullfinchs.The remainder of the funds raised goes directly to UMass Medical Center.



When: Monday, September 7th at noon time.



Where: The Grist Mill at The Wayside Inn in Sudbury off of Rte. 20



How: Participation is simple! Ducks can be “adopted” for $5.00 each at Bullfinchs. The restaurant is located at 730 Boston Post Road in Sudbury or by calling 978-443- 4094. Those interested in “adopting” more than one duck can do so by calling Peggy or Scott directly.



Contact: For more information, please call Bullfinchs at 978/443-4094 or log onto www.bullfinchs.com

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Aug. 23: Vermonnt Cheesemakers Festival

Who doesn't love cheese?! Here's a just-in press release...

August 5, 2009— Burlington , VT – On Sunday, August 23rd, dozens of cheesemakers and other artisan food producers will gather in Shelburne , VT , for the first annual Vermont Cheesemakers Festival. The one-day event, hosted by the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese, the Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, and the Vermont Cheese Council, will be held from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Coach Barn at picturesque Shelburne Farms.



The Festival is a spectacular opportunity for food-lovers to spend a day amidst Vermont ’s bucolic landscape while sampling some of the most delicious foods available anywhere. Tickets to the Festival are available online at http://www.vtcheesefest.com/ for $20 each, and the event will be open to the first 1,000 people who register.



Festival visitors can sample over 100 types of cheese from 40 different cheesemakers, a variety of locally produced wines and beers, and several other artisan foods, including maple syrup, honey, chocolates, baked goods, and more. The Festival will also feature four tasting seminars, where visitors will learn how to pair cheeses with wine, beer, and other foods.



Among the “big cheeses” taking part in the Festival will be:

* Eric Warnstedt , Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef of 2008;
* Tom Bivins , Executive Chef of the New England Culinary Institute;
* Laura Werlin , cheese authority and author of numerous books including Laura Werlin's Cheese Essentials: An Insiders Guide to Buying and Serving Cheese ;
* Liz Thorpe , Vice President of Murray’s Cheese in New York City and author of the upcoming The Cheese Chronicles: A Journey Through the Making and Selling of Cheese in America , From Field to Farm to Table;
* Max McCalman , Maitre Fromager, Artisanal Premium Cheese Center in New York City .



Eric Warnstedt and Tom Bivins will each lead a cooking demonstration designed to show visitors new innovative ways to incorporate cheese and other local products into their cooking. Laura Werlin will lead a seminar on the best wine and cheese pairings and how to host your own pairings event.



“ Vermont has more artisan cheesemakers per capita than any other state, and it produces some of the best cheese in the world,” said Allison Hooper, co-owner of Vermont Butter & Cheese Company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. “We wanted to create an event that not only showcases the cheesemakers’ skills but also gives the wider community a chance to learn about their craft.”



“ Vermont has become one of the top culinary destinations in the United States ,” said Catherine Donnelly, co-director of the Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese. “Cheeses from Vermont consistently rank among the top in national and international competitions. This is a great event for those wanting to experience artisan food at its best.”



"The Festival is a great opportunity for our customers to meet us and taste our cheese,” said Laini Fondiller, President of the Vermont Cheese Council. “It also builds solidarity among cheesemakers, winemakers, brewers, and all of the local producers of the foods that we love to eat and promote."



For those who wish to turn a visit to the Festival into a weekend of artisan food enjoyment, more than 20 artisan food producers will be taking part on the preceding day – Saturday, August 22nd – in Vermont Artisan Food Open Studio Day. Creameries, vineyards, and breweries across the state will be open for special tours and tastings, allowing visitors a chance to go behind-the-scenes and taste some of Vermont ’s most well-known offerings. Further information on Open Studio Day is available at the Vermont Cheesemakers Festival website.



The official destination resort for those attending the Festival is The Essex, Vermont ’s Culinary Resort & Spa. Located in Essex , VT , the resort is home to the award-winning New England Culinary Institute. The Essex will offer special rates to media, vendors, and visitors attending the festival, as well as an exclusive festival package that includes reduced rates, special amenities, admission for two to the Festival, a special welcoming event, and more. Further information can be found at http://www.vtculinaryresort.com/.

Theatre in Berlin: August 17 - 21

Free Summer Shows

Fri, Aug. 14 at 7:00 pm - FREE TEEN CABARET (note earlier time)

Produced by Sarah Barsamian and Avi Wolf, this show culminates a one-week summer workshop for kids.



August 21 at 3:00 pm- FREE SHOW

Musical theatre show produced by Sarah Barsamian culminating a one-week summer workshop for kids.

There is still room available in this program for students entering grades 2-5.

Aug. 17 - 21. Monday through Friday from 9am-1pm.

Contact Sarah to register at sarahbarsamian@gmail.com or 508-864-7050.

Tuition is $150, family discounts are available.

Theatre in Berlin: August 17 - 21

Free Summer Shows

Fri, Aug. 14 at 7:00 pm - FREE TEEN CABARET (note earlier time)

Produced by Sarah Barsamian and Avi Wolf, this show culminates a one-week summer workshop for kids.



August 21 at 3:00 pm- FREE SHOW

Musical theatre show produced by Sarah Barsamian culminating a one-week summer workshop for kids.

There is still room available in this program for students entering grades 2-5.

Aug. 17 - 21. Monday through Friday from 9am-1pm.

Contact Sarah to register at sarahbarsamian@gmail.com or 508-864-7050.

Tuition is $150, family discounts are available.