Breastfeeding Day this Saturday!

Saturday, October 2
11:00 am EXACTLY
Sponsored by the Quintessence Foundation

Join Mothers & Company in West Boylston to celebrate breastfeeding in a fun "competition" where every child "wins" because they are breastfed.

This fun event is a challenge for which geographic area (province, state or territory) has the most breastfeeding babies/toddlers, as a percentage of the birthrate, "latched on" at 11am local time. In 2009, there were 4,766 babies at 246 sites in 21 countries! Mothers & Company is proud to be the first site registered in Massachusetts. Let's make a good showing and latch on and be counted (and encourage more sites in Mass next year)!

Why: to celebrate breastfeeding and milk-banking, and demonstrate promotion, protection and support for breastfeeding women and their families. It's a chance for education and peer support done in a fun social way. Tell your friends!

"Latch on": 11am local time at Mothers & Company. Come and be counted! We'll have door prizes, too!

RSVP today...it's FREE!

To RSVP (please do!):

http://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ws.asp?studioid=9024&stype=-8&sView=day&sTrn=100000018&sDate=10/2/2010

TREAT Day on Sat., Sept. 25th in Needham

I have been thinking about frosting since I checked out Needham's new cupcake bar, Treat (pictured here is their seasonal candy apple cupcake but they have lots of frostings available if you opt make your own cupcake).

Too bad I checked it out online as I have been obsessing over a tall glass of milk and a cupcake with gobs of frosting.

At Treat, you choose your own cupcake and frosting, and it's served on a cute tray. Plus, they mix whatever toppings you choose into the frosting, and it's served on the side so you can frost your own. You eat in their adorable storefront.

Treat is having a FREE day this Saturday where you can try a cupcake by paying what you wish. They've also got lots of fun planned. Read on for the details.....Carrie


TREAT CUPCAKE BAR HOSTS A DAY OF FESTIVITIES TO LAUNCH ‘TREAT OTHERS WELL’ CHARITY PROGRAM

Custom Cupcake Boutique Introduces Monthly Initiative to Support Local Non-Profits with Fun-Filled Day of ‘Pay What You Wish’ Pricing, Raffles & Entertainment

WHAT: Treat Cupcake Bar will host a day of fun to celebrate their grand opening and the official launch of their unique monthly charity program, ‘Treat Others Well.’

In addition to kid-friendly entertainment, refreshments and raffles, families are encouraged to ‘pay what you wish’ for cupcakes during the event with 100% of all proceeds directly benefitting local causes through ‘Treat Others Well.’

Festivities will include:

· Cupcake temporary tattoo artists

· Balloon artists

· Complimentary refreshments

· Grand Prize Raffle: One family will win the opportunity to create a signature cupcake flavor to be named after them for one week and sold in-store, as well as a free dozen cupcakes!

About ‘Treat Others Well’: Each month Treat will choose one worthy charity from a selection of customer nominations and design a specialty cause-related cupcake to be sold in-store for that month. Fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds from the sales of the cupcake will be donated to the designated charity. Treat will also host in-store events each month to educate local youth groups about the charities and incorporate their ideas into the cupcake design. For more information or to nominate a charity, visit: http://www.treatcupcakebar.com/treat-others-well.html.

WHERE: Treat Cupcake Bar

1450 Highland Avenue

Needham, MA

WHEN: Saturday, September 25^th, 2010, 12pm – 4pm

ABOUT: Treat Cupcake Bar (www.treatcupcakebar.com) represents the next generation of cupcakeries with its signature make-your-own cupcake bar. Introducing customers to the interactive new option of creating personalized confections, Treat offers a tempting spread of mix-ins to create custom-blend frostings to design unique flavor profiles. The shop also offers a rotating selection of classic, seasonal and specialty flavors, as well as dietary options including vegan and gluten-free cupcakes.

Win Reebok Pink Ribbon Zig Pulse Sneakers!

We are so excited to give away two pairs of Reebok's latest sneaker: Zig Pulse. Thanks Reebok for supporting baystateparent in our upcoming October Think Pink issue. Enter to win by clicking "giveaways" on our home page, baystateparent.com.

Family Fun Sept. 18 & 19 Massachusetts

Hi Families,
Just some reminders about all the fun events going on this weekend in the Bay State.
Highlights are listed below but also check out: http://www.baystateparent.com/current/Calendar_%2528and%2529_Events.

Have fun!
Carrie
editor

Saturday, September 18
Animal Adventures Habitat Fundraiser Yard Sale. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Super deals on Animal Supplies - Tanks (10 gal to 100 gal!) - Unusual Reptile Enclosures and more ! Yard Sale Bake Sale Discount coupons Bonus Live Animal Shows at 12:00 & 2:00 featuring Naomi the Kangaroo and other Australian animals! All proceeds to benefit our new kangaroo habitat! Animal Adventures 336 Sugar Rd., Bolton, MA phone: 978-779-8988 email: info@AnimalAdventures.net

KidsFest. (This is also Sun., Sept. 19th) Mt. Wachusett, Princeton. American Idol, Ayla Brown will be there as well as WXLO's talent contest. Lots of free samples, kids' activities, entertainment. Take a sky ride to see the views on the chair lift for an additional fee. Check out admission fees and more: http://www.wachusett.com/

Sunday, September 19

Family SculptureFest. Decordova Museum, Lincoln. 10 a.m. - 5 p .m. Enjoy this campus-wide celebration of contemporary sculpture as it takes over all spaces at deCordova–indoors and out. Participate in Sculpture Park tours, scavenger hunts, art-making, art sale, performances, and community-related activities. Check out admission costs and more details: http://www.decordova.org/

FREE StART on the Street. Park Ave., Worcester. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 250+ artists and crafts, live entertainment, food, youth activities. A great place to find unique gifts!! http://startonthestreet.com/ Rain Date: Sept. 26.

Fairy Day!!

FYI: Looks like a cute event for next weekend.
Carrie

Fairies In the Garden

September 25,2010 (raindate 26^th)

The Somerville Growing Center

22 Vinal Ave Somerville Ma

2-5pm

An intergenerational event where all ages are being invited to come and play with each other in a respectful, playful, loving, creative way. There will be soap for bubbles of all sizes and wands to use and materials to make wands; chunky sidewalk chalk for creating a cooperative mural; tea party (bring your own special tea cup);fairy house building materials; face paints; fairy crafts; fairy books to read in the big fairy house, hula hoops, all size balls to play with; and jump ropes. Moovin’ and Groovin’ with Su Eaton of Magical Creations will create a fairy dance together and sing songs. If you don't already have a fairy name you can choose one; there will be a fairy oracle deck to read the wisdom of the fairies. We encourage you to come dressed as your Magical Being perhaps a fairy, dragon. unicorn, elf or some kind of fairy folk or woodland creature. I hope you can come! There will be fairy para'fun'alia such as wings wands fairy dust etc. also available for sale.

$5-$10 suggested Donation per child

Sponsored by Somerville Growing Center

and Created and facilitated by Su Eaton of Magical Creations

617-623-3521

www.sueaton.com www.thegrowingcenter.org

Sept. 10, 11, 12 So Much to Do this Weekend!

Fall's downfall is that it offers soo much fun all at once. It really is hard to choose what to do this weekend.

BSP will be hitting the Life is Good Festival in Canton. Can't wait. I saw the Laurie Berkner Band a few years ago at the Opera House in Boston, and they are just GREAT! They'll be at Life is Good this weekend with lots of other big names including Jason Mraz.

I also want to squeeze in the Sterling Fair (between errands, soccer and everything else).

The Wheelock Family Theater in Boston is having an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, September 11th. Our staff visited there last month and was blown away.



The weather is perfect. Hope you can find some time to something fallishly fun. Enjoy!!!

September 9 – 10: Franklin County Fair .89 Wisdom Way, Greenfield. Thurs., 3 pm; Fri., Noon; Sat. and Sun., 8 a.m. Draft horse show, entertainment, magic show. A $7, Sr. $4, C 11-17 $5, Under 11 free. 413-774-4282.

September 10 - 11: 11^th Annual Olde Home Day. Central Park, Church St., Clinton. Crafters, local food vendors and continuous entertainment. oldehomeday.com.

September 10-11: Our Lady of the Lake Parish Bazaar. 1400 Main St., Leominster. Fri., 5 – 10 p.m., Sat., noon – 10 p.m. A giant Kids Alley, obstacle course, train ride, games, huge white elephant,  potluck, silent auction, and many more booths. 978-342-2978. 

September 10 - 12: Sterling Fair. Sterling Airport, 121 Greenland Rd., Sterling. A two-and-a-half-day community, family-oriented agricultural fair with emphasis on agriculture and education. Details available at sterlingfair.org.

September 11: Blackstone Canalfest. Harding St., Worcester. A classic street festival complete with music, entertainment, vendors, food, an abundance of kids’ activities, horse-and-wagon rides, kayak rides, historic as well as current canal project information, a giant raffle and much more. blackstonecanal.org.

September 11: Do you like Wilco, the Beatles, Neil Young? Merrick Section is playing an outdoor concert in Goodale Park, West Boylston, 7 p.m....great for all ages. Preteens and teens will love the opening band,comprised of local teens, Time Slips Daily,. www.myspace.com/timeslipsdaily
More about Merrick Section: The songs are deep yet catchy, the playing is expressive and intuitive. www.myspace.com/merricksection
Adults are $10; C (12 and up) $5. More info, wbaf.org.

September 11: New Braintree Country Fair. New Braintree. Farm products, police displays, fireman demo, bands, burn outs, car & tractor show, chainsaw competition, scarecrow competition, kids games, pony rides, hay rides, bonfire, beer and wine tent, plant swap. Free kids 12 and under 1-mile race, 4.2 mile adult. 508-867-3583, newbraintreecountryfair.org.

September 11 - 12: Mattoon Street Arts Festival. Mattoon St., Springfield. Features 80+ exhibitors, food vendors and strolling musicians. This is the longest running arts and crafts fair in Western Massachusetts. mattoonfestival.org.

September 12: Life Is Good Festival. Prowse Farm, 5 Blue Hill Rd., Canton. Laurie Berkner Band show time TBA ; festival grounds open 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Children's music superstars and Nick Jr. channel favorites The Laurie Berkner Band will headline the Kids Stage at the Life is Good Festival. The festival features three stages of diverse live music, hands-on games, interactive arts activities and the "Good Kids" zone. 100% of Life is Good's profits from the Festival will go towards The Life is Good Kids Foundation, helping kids who are facing life-threatening conditions, including the trauma of violence, poverty and loss. Every festival attendee will have the opportunity to access exclusive hospitality, preferred viewing, artist meet and greets and other prizes by setting fundraising goals or making a donation to help kids in need. Top fundraisers will be called V.G.P.'s — Very Good People (like V.I.P.'s), and will have a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. A $50, C 6-12 $10, C 5 and under free. 888-339-2987, lifeisgood.com.

Editor's Note on Life is Good Festival: Keep in mind the $50 Life is Good adult admission is because the Festival is actually a high-quality series of concerts for adults and kids so it's basically a $50 concert ticket. Plus 100% of proceeds help disadvantaged kids.

September 12: Cambridge Carnival. Kendall Square, Boston. Noon – 7 p.m. A colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions. The highlight is a grand costume parade accompanied by rich rhythmic musicality promoting all types of cultures. Other free activities include stilt walking from Open Air Circus; a moon bounce; arts and craft activities, including origami. and, of course, popcorn. (617-492-2518, cambridgecarnival.org.

September 12 : Peabody International Festival. Main St, Peabody. Experience ethnic foods, music, dance and art. 978-538-5702, peabody-ma.gov.

September 12: Reading Fall Street Faire. Main & Haven St., Reading. 12 – 5 p.m. Over 80 vendors; Radio Disney, dance and street performers, children's area/ kids’ zone, Patriot's tailgate party, classic antique car show, chili "cook-off" contest and more. readingfallstreetfaire.com.

September 12: Pet Rock Festival. Quinsigamond Community College, 670 West Boylston St., Worcester. 12 – 5 p.m. Celebrating its 12th year, this family style festival features live music, demonstrations, speakers, vegetarian food, contests and 100s of tables of exhibitors from New England area animal organizations, including shelters, rescues and more. A see and be seen day for you and your pet. Proceeds benefit New England animal organizations. A$12, C$5. 508-832-8918 or petrockfest.com.

Free Breakfast and Meeting on Arts in the Community

Pakachaoag Music School invites parents to come!

Annual Meeting October 5th 7:30-9:15 a.m.

“Changing Landscapes: Youth, Arts & Community” will be the focus of Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester’s Annual Meeting scheduled for October 5th. The meeting, in addition to reporting on the School’s progress and recognizing special achievements during 2010, includes special guest and keynote speaker Paul Levenson, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra. Special music presented by students of the Suzuki Violin program; and 10 year faculty member, Maxim Korn, Violin. This meeting is free and open to the public with a light breakfast to be served. RSVP to 508-791-8159 or via email to erpakmusic@earthlink.net no later than September 24th.



The Education Wing at Pakachoag

Pakachoag Music School of Greater Worcester

203 Pakachoag Street

Auburn, MA 01501



Contact person: Sarah Smongeski, Executive Director

508.791.8159

sspakmusic@earthlink.net

Tell us about your first mammogram

Ladies,
Our October Think Pink issue is coming up, and our team thought it would be interesting to share each other's experiences with the mammogram to educate, encourage and support other women who have not yet had this check-up.


So please, take a few minutes to be a part of our very important and special October Breast Cancer issue. Email editor@baystateparent.com your thoughts on the mammogram.

For your time, we'll pick a few names and send your choice of product or tickets (whatever is available at the time).

Here are some things to consider:

1. What did you think the mammogram would be like? What was it like?

2. How did you feel before, during and after?

3. What did people tell you before you went?

4. What prompted you to go?

5. What did you not realize about the process?

6. Do you know people who don't get mammograms? Do you understand why?

7. How do you feel about October Think Pink month?

And of course, anything else....

Thank you!
Carrie Wattu, editor
baystateparent
editor@baystateparent.com