Battle Road Brewing Company to Open Brew Pub in CTP

It had been rumored that the brew pub Battle Road Brewing Company was planning to open in Maynard would go into the Walgreens space. It would have been nice to have that space get utilized. But I'm so happy to hear that they'll be taking space in Building 5 of Clock Tower Place. That's the old Monster building.

With waterfront views, ample parking, not to mention a perfect view of the fireworks during Maynard's Oktoberfest, I think the location is going to be fabulous.

Time for me to start learning about beer!

Here's a link to the announcement.

Tish Has Closed

I always hate to post sad news, but it happens.

It seems that Tish has closed her salon doors. I don't even know how many years she has been in town. I do know that the most recent location was her second. My understanding is that she has not been well. We wish her the best and thank her for years of being part of the fabric of Maynard.

So What's Happening With the Fine Arts Theatre's Theater Three?

I've recently had to explain to my six-year-old daughter what chomping at the bit means. "Well, you see, when you really want something and can't seem to wait for it, and start trying to get that thing before it's ready, you're chomping at the bit." She gets it.

Everyone seems to want to know when the Fine Arts Theatre will have theater three completed. I recently asked Steve Trumble (owner of the theater) that very question.


The answer is, it's not that simple.

Steve is a business person and he prides himself on being a smart investor. That said, he did allow himself go ridiculously over his budget—more than double!—on repairs and improvements to the theater, though his friends and lawyers were advising him against it. Maybe that wasn't smart, but I am so glad he did.

So now he finds himself in the situation where he really needs to listen to his advisors. "They've made it quite clear that it would be financially foolish of me to try to finish up theater three before I can afford to, and I'm not sure when exactly that will be, especially since I have to begin planning for a digital conversion."

So it seems that, though he's in love with the theater, he's going to have to resist the urge to just get it all done. As for the rest of us, like Steve, we'll be chomping at the bit for the completion of theater three.

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In other theater news, the Fine Arts Theatre will not be showing any movies on the evening of Wednesday, March 4th, so that OARS can hold their annual film festival.  The event will host a selection of 2015 award-winning films from the nations largest environmental film festival. The event begins at 7 pm (doors open at 6 pm).

This organization's mission statement is to protect, preserve and enhance the natural and recreational features of the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord rivers, their tributaries and watersheds. Please consider attending this very cool event and supporting an organization that helps protect the river that runs through our beloved town.

Clock Tower Place Was Sold

Back at the end of last year, I heard from Joe Mullin (on the Board of CTP) that the bank that held the mortgage on Clock Tower Place was going to be selling that mortgage. It was unclear whether Wellesley Management would remain a partner.

As of Thursday, a new company called Saracen took over the Mill. This new group should have more capital and resources to put into it.

I got this message from Joe yesterday: "Thanks to one and all for the wonderful congrats on my latest "Friday the 13th" Birthday—just two snowy blizzard days ago! As it turns out my B'Day was also my last day at the Maynard Mill, a/k/a Clock Tower Place—in my hometown of Maynard, MA—after 18 terrific years. On to the next horizon—"management consulting", with my new sole proprietorship company, Commonwealth Consulting Service, Inc". "CCSI!"

Joe is a good guy, and we wish him well. Let's hope that this new change at CTP is a win-win, both for the new management company, and the town/citizens of Maynard.

For the Love of Art—February 14th is Second Saturday

Grab your Valentine and check out some art at Second Saturday in Maynard! Be part of the art scene as a new show opens in the ArtSpace Studio gallery (63 Summer St.).

This month the gallery features An Abstract Language, with works by Anthony Falcetta, Barbara Grad, Jo-ann Boback, Jennifer Moses, Lisa Reindorf (curator), Richard Kattman, Sean Mullins, Sebastian Harrington-Labarca, and Taylor Trew.

The event runs from 5-7 pm, but you can arrive earlier at 4 pm for "Mini" Open Studios. Many of artists will have their studios open for you to see their studio space and their work.

Also check out: "Local Martial Arts Master Becomes Digital Andy Bloch." 
Andy is the co-owner of Warrior's Way in Maynard. His martial arts movements have been digitized in the ArtSpace gallery. Andy's movements were captured using an innovative digital motion capture system developed by Noitom Limited based in Beijing, China. Curvin Huber, an artist at ArtSpace sharing a studio with Trina Baker, another artist here, was responsible for the "capture session" as it is referred to in the film and video games industry. The system is inertial which means the actor's movements are recorded by technology similar to what is found in smart phones that tells the phone which end is being held up or down. Most motion capture systems use optical capture technology which requires specialized lighting, making them less adaptable. The Noitom system called Perception Legacy can be used in any lighting environment and takes just minutes to set up. Curvin is planning on utilizing the system within his artwork as a method for interpreting human movement into procedurally-generated 3D imagery. Curvin will be demonstrating how this works during our "Mini" Open Studios. Come check it out!

And, at 3 pm, before all that gets underway at the studio building, head down to the ArtSpace Downtown store, where Leslie Zelamsky will be giving a talk about her powerful work in sculpture and painting.

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.