Snow Removal Scheduled for January 30th, 11:00 p.m.

Our Town Administrator, Kevin Sweet, posted about the planned snow removal from downtown and other necessary areas in Maynard. Parking will be restricted.

All of us here certainly know that there's nowhere else to put the stuff, and with more snow on the way, they'll have to haul it away. Here's a link to Kevin's post.

Economic development study shows thriving downtown Maynard possible

In case you haven't read it, Lorne Bell (local freelance journalist) wrote this article about economic development in Maynard for the Beacon Villager. Give it a read.

Let's hope that we can put some of Pat Barringer's presentation proposals in place. Here's a link to the presentation. Scroll down to "Exploring Downtown's Potential". It lasts about an hour, but it's worth the listen and it will help you recognize how much we have going on.

Small Shop, Many Rugs

Have you ever had a dream where you've found some secret place that's loaded with treasure? I have, mostly when I was a kid. In it, I'm usually winding through a familiar building and finding my way into a treasure-holding attic or basement, and then wondering how I could have gone so long without having noticed it. So it's fitting that the Little Rug Company is located in the basement of the old Masonic building on Main Street, and it just so happens that it's loaded with treasure.

I had seen the sandwich-board signs out front for months, but I had never gone looking for it. One Saturday, after the routine breakfast at the Boston Bean House, I talked my husband and daughter into going on a quest for the supposed petite location.

I hobbled my way (those who know me know I hobble well) down the stairs into a space full of beautiful rugs from all over the Middle East. George, an older Lebanese gentleman, was working there. He's the father of the woman who owns the business. With his thick accent cushioned by the soft merchandise, George told me all about the rugs and the business. He also introduced us to his dog (and store mascot) Siona.

Big rugs, little ones, thin ones, small, long rugs, short rugs, some for your hall. (Yes, it's getting late here.)

If you haven't been down there, check them out—it's a really interesting shop. They not only sell rugs, but also clean and repair them.

That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

Crispy, sweet, with little pockets of chewy cranberry and white-chocolatey goodness—that's how I'd describe the latest cookie flavor to pop up at Serendipity Café. Dubbed the Maynard Original, the cookie boasts oatmeal (that's healthy, right?), cranberries, and white chocolate chips as key ingredients. I was the lucky recipient of a gift cookie that a friend brought while I was working my hours at ArtSpace Downtown. Lucky, lucky me!

While my kid daughter and I still reserve our true love for the Weak-in-the-Knees chocolate cookies, we feel it's important to try new things. See how broad-minded we are? And since we're so open to new ideas, on Sunday, when we're at Serendipity eating brunch and listening to live music, we might try the new cocoa sticky buns... or maybe the cinnamon-apple sticky buns. Oh, the choices we have to make in life!

Serendipity Café, thanks for keeping things fresh in so many ways!

Strange Things Seen in Maynard, Episode No. 1

Every town has little interesting bits. Maynard has some great ones. I've been dying to do some posts about some of the quirky things around town, but I never managed to find the time. But this one... this one just walked right by me last month, on a cold, wintery day. I was going to my car and I saw, coming down a street that isn't really near water, a man carrying a kayak.



Me: "Excuse me sir, where are you going?"
Him: "Down to the river. There's a good entry spot behind CVS."
Me: "Ummm, can I get your picture?"
He was a good sport.

This man is here to prove to all of us that Maynard is, indeed, a very walkable community, even if you're carrying a kayak in the winter.

Hopefully I'll get some time and photos of other unexpected things around town.

Cheers to El Huipil!

Image by Troy Tolley, via Flickr

The word has come in that El Huipil has gotten their liquor license! That's right, as of Friday, January 9th, when you devour your burritos and carne assada, you can also enjoy a margarita. So when you're in there, raise your glass to Alonzo and Alma, your neighbors and owners of Maynard's beloved Mexican restaurant.

Oh, and don't forget to "like" them on Facebook!

ArtSpace Second Saturday and Gallery Opening: "Visual Expressions in Cloth"

This weekend, January 10th, is ArtSpace Maynard's 2nd Saturday event and the next opening in the Gallery. Even ArtSpace Downtown is participating.

At three o'clock we invite you to kick off 2nd Saturday by going to ArtSpace Downtown, where Gail Erwin will be discussing her artwork and talking about her use of the Van Dyke Brown printing technique. Gail uses this nineteenth century photo process combined with twenty-first century digital photographic techniques to create images (often incorporating elements from nature) that are rich and mysterious.  

At four o'clock you can head over to ArtSpace Maynard and stop in to visit the various artists that have planned to be open. Are you an artist, too? Get connected with them.

At five o'clock head to the gallery. This month the ArtSpace gallery is featuring artist Valerie Maser-Flanagan's "Visual Expressions in Cloth." If you or anyone you know has an interest in fabric, sewing, quilting, graphic design and abstract pattern, then you're not going to want to miss this show. It's breathtaking. I'm not even sure how Valerie chose a piece of artwork for her postcard, they are all so beautiful.

The art scene is alive in Maynard. Come be part of it. Bring
your friends, grab a glass of wine, and make an evening of it.

Here are the details:

EVENT: “Visual Expressions in Cloth” Art Exhibit
LOCATION: ArtSpace, Maynard MA
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 10, 2015, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

“Visual Expressions in Cloth” Exhibit at the ArtSpace Gallery

The ArtSpace Gallery is pleased to present an exhibit by fiber artist Valarie Maser-Flanagan entitled “Visual Expressions in Cloth.” The artist, who lives in a rural setting but worked for many years in Boston, is influenced by both the open spaces and flowing elegance of nature and the tightly compact congestion and rhythm of the city. Her approach is improvisational, starting with a general idea, a palette of colors and a blank design wall.

The exhibit runs through January 30th

The public is also invited to the opening reception for this exhibit at the ArtSpace Second Saturdays art scene from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, January 10th. Prior to this opening reception, many artists will have their studios open that day from 4-6 p.m. for you to come and see their work.

Come join the art scene in Maynard!

The ArtSpace Gallery located at 63 Summer Street in Maynard and is free to the public and is wheelchair accessible.

. Gallery hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
. For more information, please call (978) 897-9828 or go to www.artspacemaynard.com

A Brew Pub for Maynard? Cool!

I heard on Facebook today that Maynard might be getting a brew pub. Magical Maynard had posted it. Here's a link to the article.