Memorial Day Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

Monday, May 28, 10 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Take a global journey of the MFA's collection and special exhibitions, while enjoying FREE general admission and reduced tickets to Edward Hopper. Enjoy a world music performance of percussion infused electronic music by members of Electric Kulintang. Join immigrants from the local Chinese community as they share family stories of journeys to America and recount memories of childhood. Watch The Crocodile River, a film exploring how crossing international borders and emotional boundaries enables two people of vastly different cultures - one American and one African - to find common ground. Hear a presentation by the MFA’s Teen Arts Council - a group of teenagers engaged in a year-long apprenticeship - about their contribution to the current exhibition War and Discontent. Discover the many cultures in the museum using maps, then draw objects from different countries and create travel journals. Tickets to Edward Hopper are only $6 during the Open House!

For more information, call 617-369-3447 or visit www.mfa.org.

FREE Coffee on Thursday!

Thursday, May 17th, J.P. Licks is hosting their first annual “Free Coffee Day.” Customers can visit any of seven J.P. Licks locations from open to close and receive a free cup of coffee, but that is just the beginning. In addition to a free cup of coffee on that day, guests will also be receiving a “Free Iced Coffee Card." This card will be valid through the entire summer and will allow a customer to stop into any J.P. Licks store when the weather rises above 81 degrees (1981 is the year the 26-year old shop was established) and get a free iced coffee. Why the free coffee at every location? J.P. Licks wants the Boston public to experience good coffee. They roast all of their beans on site at their Jamaica Plain headquarters to ensure customers receive the freshest cup of coffee possible. J.P. Licks is the only New England coffee company to do this.
Not only is owner Vince Petryk serious about how he roasts his beans, but he is also serious about how he picks them. The J.P. Licks coffee importers have a direct relationship with the village of Trapichitos in Guatemala. The importers purchase the farmers’ entire crop, and in return, pay a fair price which helps to develop better farming and harvesting methods. This, in turn improves the living conditions of farmers and their families by using funds for the construction of housing, schools and community resources. Petryk and his operations staff have made several trips to Guatemalan farms to develop a better understanding for how his beans are selected and deeper relationship directly with the farmers who harvest his beans.

Pictured is Owner Vince Petryk doing his best Vince Juan Valdez impersonation.


Locations:
Jamaica Plain 659 Centre Street
Coolidge Corner 311 Harvard Street, Brookline

Davis Square 4A College Ave. , Somerville

Newbury Street 352 Newbury Street, Boston

Newton Centre 46 Langley Rd.

Mission Hill 1 Brigham Circle, Boston

West Roxbury 661 VFW Parkway

WEEKEND PICKS: Mother's Day Specials!

Make Some Mother's Day Memories with Brunches, Nature Walks, Teas, Free Admission, & More Happy Mother's Day!
Moms, you deserve a special outing away from your to-do lists where you can enjoy time with your family. Choose from one of the following events, and plan to make some memories.
-- Calendar Editor Carrie Wattu


Saturday, May 12
Mother's Day Picture Event. Auburn Mall. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kidgit Club members, get dressed up and have a special picture taken for your Mom. Make a gift at the craft table. Not a Kidgits member? Sign up today for a $5 annual fee. 508-832-2314. shopauburnmall.com .
Free Garden Admission for Moms. Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, Boylston. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stroll the gardens. Bring a picnic. A$8, Y $5, Free for 6 and under. 508-869-6111. towerhillbg.org . Also 5/13.
Mother's Day Tea. Willard House Clock Museum, North Grafton. 2 to 3 p.m. Treat your mother, daughter or granddaughter. Reminisce about the past and experience the slow pace of years gone by in the historic Willard House. Spend a leisurely afternoon in a quite country setting enjoying tea, coffee and pastries, and the sights and sounds of clocks. Daughters, 5 - 12, $9, Moms/Grandmoms $10 NM. Advance registration by 5/5: 508-839- 3500. willardhouse.org .
Mother's Day. Providence Children's Museum, Providence, RI. 1 to 3 p.m. Ages 3 - 8. Bring bears to share cookies and lemonade with moms and grandmoms. Listen to bear stories and make May baskets. $6.50pp. 401-273-KIDS childrenmuseum.org .
Mother's Day Craft Station. Heritage Museums & Gardens, 67 Grove St., Sandwich. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tour the gardens & buildings; stop by the craft table at the Art Museum to make a unique gift tag and a sachet of relaxing bath salts with the scent of your choice. Free w/admission: A$12, Y (6-16) $6, C 5 and under free. 508-888-3300. 508-888- 3300. heritagemuseum.org .
Mothering Sons Retreat. For mothers of all boy families. Held in Sudbury. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. What makes mothering sons unique? How do we honor the "feminine" in our households? Facilitated by Betsy Wisch M.A., LMHC. Call for fees. Registration: betsywisch@comcast.net or 978-394-6316.
Flowers for Mom. Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester. 10 a.m. to noon. Take a gentle family hike to view the wildflowers in bloom. Then, sit and relax on the deck, while dad (or other adult) and kids make special gifts to present to moms. All ages. A$10, C$6 NM. Register: 508- 753-6087.

Sunday, May 13
Half-Price Admission for Mom. Discovery Museum, Acton. Mothers, Stepmothers, and grandmothers enjoy half-price admission. $8pp; Both museums $12pp. 978-264-4200. discoverymuseums.org .
26th Annual Duckling Day Parade. Boston Common (opposite the State House). Sign up at 11 a.m. Parade is at noon. Every Mother's Day, the tiny duckling sculptures inspired by the children's book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey come out of storage. They return in a parade, designed especially for children, that winds through the Boston Common and the Public Garden. Children dress as their favorite characters from the book and are led by the Harvard University Marching Band. After the parade, swan boats at the garden lake are available. Registered children receive ducky prizes and refreshments. Tickets: $25 per family. Advance tickets: Mail a check made payable to Friends of the Public Garden, 87 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston, MA 02108. Tickets also at the event. 617-723-8144, 617-766-5669 or email fopg@gis.net. friendsofthepublicgarden.org .
Mother's Day. Franklin Park Zoo, Boston and Stone Zoo, Stoneham. Enjoy scavenger hunts, zookeeper encounters and a special surprise unveiling. zoonewengland.com .
Free Garden Admission for Moms. Tower Hill Botanical Gardens, Boylston. See 5/12 listing for details. 508-869-6111. towerhillbg.org .
Mother's Day with A Splash of Blue. Concord Museum, Concord. 12 to 5 p.m. Bring your mothers (or mothers bring your families!) to enjoy the exhibition A Splash of Blue and a special guided tour (2 p.m.) of the Museum with a focus on some fascinating and accomplished women in Concord's history. Reservations: 978-369-9763.
Mother's Day Brunch. Verrill Farm, Concord. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Served outside under the tent. Live music. $20pp, C (Under 10) $10. Reservations and pre-payment by 5/11. 978-369-4494. verrillfarm.com .
Annual Mothers Day Brunch. Fruitlands Museum, Prospect Hill Rd., Harvard. A fun free day. 978- 456-3924 x 239. fruitlands.org .
Bring Your Mom(s) to DeCordova for Free. DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Explore the 35-acre Sculpture Park and The 2007 DeCordova Annual Exhibition; dine in The Café, and more. Bring your family dog. A$9, Y (6-12)$6, C 5 and under free. 781-259- 8355. decordova.org .
30th Annual Birds and Breakfast. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Learn bird identification tips from an expert during a 90-minute guided walk, then return to the nature center for homemade pancakes and real maple syrup from Natick Community Organic Farm. A $15, C$8 NM. Register: 508-655- 2296 or e-mail: broadmoor@massaudubon.org .
Mother's Day Brunch. Plymouth Plantation, Plimoth. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch and hands-on workshop to create a handmade Mother's Day present, or simple memento of your visit to the museum. A $27.95; C $16.95 NM. RSVP by 5/5: 508-746-1622. plimoth.org .
Meet Our Moms Day. Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and honorary mothers for half price on Mother's Day, when accompanied by a child. Special activities planned. A$12, C (3-12) $6, Under 3 free. 401-785-3510. rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org .
Mother's Day. Providence Children's Museum, Providence, RI. Free admission for moms and grandmoms all day. Ages 3 - 11 can make special cards with creative materials from 1 to 3 p.m. 401-273-KIDS. childrenmuseum.org .
Moms are Free at Davis' Farmland. Sterling. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other admission: Ages 2 - 59 $12.95. Under 2 free. 978-422-MOOO. davisfarmland.com .
Mother's Day at Old Sturbridge Village. Sturbridge. Published 19th-century author Lydia Maria Child shares her advice to mothers upon the subject of child rearing and other domestic practices. Half-price admission for Mom. Heirloom bulbs in bloom in Village gardens and baby animals at the farm. A$20, C (3-17)$6, C under 3 free. 800- SEE-1830. osv.org .
A Mother's Day Tea in the mansion at Gore Place. 52 Gore St., Waltham. 3 p.m. Enjoy a traditional English tea in the beautiful surroundings of the Governor Gore estate in Waltham plus an assortment of sweets and savories served in the Great Hall and Oval Parlor of this beautiful 1806 mansion. Music by guitarist David Newsam. $20pp. Reservations: 781-894-2798. goreplace.org.

WEEKEND PICK: Free Inline Skating Lessons

Saturday, May 12th, Four Wheels Inline Skate School (www.4wheelsinline.com) will join Rollerblade and 17 other skating schools across the country in celebrating national Skate for Health Day with certified skating instructors offering free lessons to children, teens, parents and grandparents to promote the health benefits of in-line skating.
In addition, free equipment will be provided by the instructors for use during the instruction. Lessons will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Corporal Burns Park on the corner of Memorial Drive and Flagg Street in Cambridge.
To sign up for a free skate lesson, visit www.freeskatelesson.com.

Based in New Jersey, Rollerblade is the founder and leader of the in-line skate industry, with over 250 patented innovations, serving as the premier manufacturer of in-line skates, related accessories and protective gear. For more information visit www.rollerblade.com

Moms Receive Free Plant & Admission on Mother's Day

Bring Mom to Belkin Family Lookout Farm for a Day of Outdoor Family Fun on Mother's Day. The Natick farm will give free admission and plants to all moms on Sunday, May 13th in honor of Mothers Day. The farm is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for outdoor family activities including train rides through the orchards, two petting zoos, and a childrens' play area. The Farm Market and Garden Center is also open. Admission is $5 and includes a free hotdog and drink!

The Farm is located at 89 Pleasant Street in Natick. Belkin Family Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the United States, since 1651. Joan and Steve Belkin purchased the 180-acre farm in 2005, and their family is dedicated to continuing 350 years of farm tradition for future generations.

Photographer's Mother's Day Event Benefits Breast Cancer Research

A special event Mother’s Day weekend will give daughters, mothers, and grandmothers a chance to capture their bond with a professional, custom portrait by an award-winning Massachusetts photographer, and to give to breast cancer research at the same time.
The Photography by Teya studio in North Oxford will be open throughout Mother’s Day weekend for “Portraits for Progress.”
For just $20, daughters, mothers, and grandmothers are invited to stop by for a portrait session and receive a professional 5x7 print. Additional 5x7” prints will be available for $10 -- half off their normal price.
“Mothers and daughters share a special bond,” said photographer Teomara (Teya) Rutherford. “Having dealt with breast cancer in my family, I understand how important it is to fight this disease, and to celebrate the bonds between women.”
All proceeds from this event will benefit Komen Massachusetts, the local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and will fund breast cancer research, education, screening and testing.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged.

To reserve time for a photo session on either Saturday, May 12 or Sunday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. contact contact Photography by Teya at by calling 508-892-0107 or 617-480-6153 or e-mailing teya@teyaphoto.com

To view some of Teya's beautiful photographs visit www.teyaphoto.com/

WEEKEND PICKS: Rudnick Concert

Looking for something to do Saturday?
Consider attending the Ben Rudnick & Friends Children's Show tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Amazing Things Arts Center, 55 Nicholas Road, in Framingham.
Ben Rudnick and Friends play upbeat, blue grassy music for kids of all ages, including parents and grandparents. Drawing on the original and traditional material from their current and forthcoming "Emily Songs" children’s recordings, as well as performing songs learned from their parents and grandparents as kids, an environment is created where everyone smiles. An acoustic, bluegrass-flavored affair, performances tend to be a slice of time where families can relax, enjoying the music and each other. Dancing shoes are optional.
For tickets visit, www.amazingthings.org/

WEEKEND PICK: $3.50 Saturday & Sunday Movie Matinee

Okay, the big movie opening this weekend is Spiderman 3.
But if you are looking for something to do with your child(ren), Saturday or Sunday morning check out the Kidtoons movie at National Amusements theatres, including the Blackstone Valley 14: Cinema de Lux in Millbury.
Kidtoons runs every Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m., with a different feature every month. May's feature film is Eloise in Hollywood.
Movie summary: A big time movie producer invites Eloise and Nanny to Hollywood, and the Plaza Hotel’s most famous six-year-old is instantly overcome by visions of overnight stardom and red carpet premieres. But Eloise soon discovers making a movie isn’t always as exciting as it seems.
All tickets for Kidtoons are $3.50. Kidtoon patrons also receive a coupon for a special value kid’s concession combo – small popcorn & small soft drink for another $3.50
For more information, visit www.nationalamusements.com/programs/

WEEKEND PICK: May 20: New England's Largest Festival Celebrating Israeli Culture

New England Celebrates Israel Comes to the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro on Sunday, May 20 from 1 to 7 p.m.
Join friends and families at New England’s Largest Festival Celebrating Israeli Culture.
This free-to-the-public event, brings together 5,000 to 7,000 families and individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about an Israel they rarely see today – a country with creative expression that has many different cultural and social influences, as it continually blends tradition and innovation.
Highlights include:
*A festival of Israeli culture, music and dance – enjoy the best entertainment Israel and New England have to offer.
* Kids’ zone – ride a camel, dig for artifacts, participate in Patriots’ sports activities and shop in a virtual Israeli supermarket.
* Sports and activities – Israeli professional flag football teams will play an exhibition game and be available to lead drills with children during the day.
* Israeli food and wine pavilion – sample falafel, kabobs and sip on tasty kosher wine. All food is kosher and will be prepared and sold by Gillette Stadium in cooperation with Catering by Andrew.
* Israeli technology and tourism – learn about high-tech Israeli innovation and travel connections to Israel.
* Shop Israel – experience the culture and art of Israel through shopping for traditional and contemporary Judaica, art, jewelry and much more.
* Community showcase – Agencies, synagogues, day schools and Jewish organizations will showcase their connections to Israel.

Sponsored by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Gillette Stadium and the Greater Boston Jewish Community, for more information and directions to Gillette Stadium by car, visit: www.celebrateisrael.org Parking is free, too.

Combined Jewish Philanthropies is the oldest federated charity in the United States. Founded in 1895, it is the central planning and fundraising arm of Boston’s Jewish community, representing almost 210,000 people and supporting a network of more than 200 agencies, schools, synagogues and programs in Greater Boston, Israel and abroad. To learn more about CJP, call 617-457- 8500 or visit www.cjp.org.

May 12: Meet Former Patriot Mosi Tatupu & Benefit the C2 Mission

On Saturday May 12 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Skybox Restaurant in Tewksbury, KBK Sports is hosting a Fans Press Conference with New England Patriots Fan-Favorite Mosi Tatupu.
Tickets are $15 (with $5 of each ticket benefiting C2 Mission Foundation, a charity).
The ticket price includes an 8x10 colored glossy photo, autograph opportunity, photo opportunity, and a chance to participate in a special Q&A with Mosi Tatupu.
Tickets are limited to 200 to ensure intimacy of this special event.
Interested families, can purchase ($25) an old logo Patriots mini helmets for Tatupu to autograph, also.
The event benefits C2 Mission (www.c2mission.org). C2 Mission is a Foundation that benefits children and families affected by Cerebral Palsy and Cystic Fibrosis. Run and operated by Jon & Lauren Goode, it was started because Alison Thomas (niece of Jon & Lauren Goode) suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and Jon overcame Cerebral Palsy. A native of Natick, Jon is the Director of Corporate Communications for the Lowell Spinners, Class A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

For information or to order tickets please call Jon at 978-805-5106 or e-mail him at jgoode@lowellspinners.com

May 11: St. Anna in Leominster to Host Art Show

St. Anna School, a Pre-K through grade 8 school located at 213 Lancaster Street in Leominster, will hold its first Art Show on Friday May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The school’s gym will be transformed into an Art Gallery and will feature art creations of various media types, all created by the students throughout the school year.
Works from the show will also be chosen to be reformatted and showcased in a calendar, which will be published and sold in the fall.
The art show is under the artistic direction of Karen Rousseau, artist and full time art teacher at St. Anna. The public is invited. For more information, call 978-534-4770, or visit the school's Web site at www.stannaschool.com

May 14: Chess Club for Kids

The Children's Department at Northborough Free Library on Main Street has a meeting of its Chess Club Monday, May 14 from 7 to 8 p.m. for children ages 8 and older.
Kids can learn to play chess or challenge a new opponent. The library is requesting, kids try to bring a chess set.
Registration is required. To register, call the children's room at 508-393-5025.

Music in Motion Class in Northborough

The Children’s Department at the Northborough Free Library on Main Street is holding a Music in Motion class on Tuesday, May 15 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for children ages 12-24 months with an adult. The class features dance and rhythms with Lisa. Registration is required to attend. To register call, 508-393-5025.

Baby Sign Language Class in Northborough

The Children's Department of the Northborough Free Library on main Street is holding a Baby Sign Language Class on Saturday, May 19 from 10 to 10L:45 a.m. for babies 6-12 months old with an adult. Registration is required to attend the event. To register, call 508-393-5025.