Why SmARTroom is so great

SmARTroom celebrated it's first anniversary in Maynard a couple of months ago. Our daughter has had a membership from the beginning, and we've found that she gets more out of it than we could have imagined in the beginning.

Sure there are cool projects and great parties there. Our daughter has enjoyed the Glow-in-the-Dark party, building events, and 3D printing days. She's joined in community building projects, and Halloween parties, and just drop ins. They have S.T.E.A.M. programing, so kids can learn some science, technology, engineering, art, and math using fun experiments in a fun space. She loves all of those things.

As parents, sometimes we fail to see the truly creative resources that are right in front of us, but our kids don't. If I ask my daughter if she wants to go to SmARTroom, she doesn't hesitate to say yes. But if I asked what she'd be doing there, she'd casually say, "I don't know," and that's just as it should be. The not knowing what you're going to do is a creative adventure in the making.

If you take advantage of it, one of the unexpected and insanely valuable benefits of SmARTroom is the responsibility it teaches kids. They have a certification process for their space that, if you pass it, proves that you know how to be responsible for your behavior in a public space. With certification, you are allowed to be in the space without parental supervision. For kids, that's such a rite of passage—to be able to go and be in a place without Mom and Dad watching your every move. It allows kids to learn to be responsible for their community and to be respectful of property and others.

My daughter and her best friend are particularly pleased that they are allowed to walk there together. They can even take along some money and go to Serendipity to get themselves some food. Many of us remember that kind of independence but can't figure out how to let our kids have it. This is a great start.

And how about the benefits to us as parents? Because my daughter is certified to be independent, I have been able to time doctor's appointments and errand runs with her visits to SmARTroom. She doesn't have to trudge through the grocery store with me, and I get my shopping done faster. In the meantime, she's working on creative projects.

And how about this... imagine that your kid comes home from school with homework that they can't quite figure out, and you have to make dinner. If the timing works out, why not take them to SmARTroom? The staff there can help sort through the homework while you're mashing potatoes and chopping vegetables.

Once you realize what a service SmARTroom is providing, you might want to get an annual membership , but you could start with $10 drop in visits. Either way, I don't think you'll regret the investment. We are so lucky to have this valuable family resource right here in Maynard.

Yes! The Indian Restaurant Reopens! And...

This evening, during the Maynard Business Alliance's Sip & Stroll, I got busted for not having done a blog post about the Indian restaurant's reopening. I wanted to tell you, I really did. I've just been so busy that I didn't have much time. And I decided my shopping list was a more important post. So I know you'll forgive me. 

But yes indeedy, what was formerly "Savoring Indian Cuisine" (quite a mouthful to say), is now owned by someone else. I'm not sure of the name, something like Café India. I believe they may have even opened today. I'm looking forward to getting down there. If you had a chance to try it, I'd love to hear how it was. I'm sure they'll have some kinks to work out in the beginning, but hopefully they'll get things running smoothly soon.

We now have Asia strongly represented on Main Street—Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Korea. 

And...

I also heard that there is going to be a cheese shop/beer and wine seller, perhaps with a slant toward some ethnic (Armenian?) foods. They have another location in Belmont. 

Let's be sure to make Maynard worth both of these business's effort, stop in and visit. 

Here it is—Your Maynard Holiday Shopping List!

I can't possibly know what you have on your Holiday list, but I'm guessing that you may have overlooked a few of your Maynard shops. Here is a list that's going to keep you out of the stress of the mall and mere minutes from your front door. This is by no means a complete list, but I'm sure that as you go, you'll discover more than you imagined. If you have a great find could you post it in the comments here?



• Christmas ornaments and decorations - Summer St. Fine Consign, 6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studios, The Paper Store, Sugar Snap, Video Signals/Art Signals Studio
• All things Maynard, sweatshirts, hats, personalization - CSA graphics
• Vintage toys (G.I. Joe?) - Collector's Paradise, Summer St. Fine Consign
• Red Sox or Patriots items - The Paper Store, Maynard Outdoor Store
• A Swiss army knife - The Maynard Outdoor Store
• Toys - The Paper Store, Collector's Paradise, Summer Street Fine Consign
• A decorative candle - The Paper Store, Denault Studio
• A beautiful hand-made mug - 6 Bridges Gallery, Earth Changes Pottery
• A Jewelry Box - 6 Bridges Gallery, Summer Street Fine Consign, Denault Studio
• A season subscription for local theater (plays) - ACME Theater
• A hand-glazed platter from the kids - Video Signals/Art Signals
• A pair of gold earrings - Richard Goddard, jeweler
• Snow shoes - The Maynard Outdoor Store
• Vintage kitchen gear - Summer St. Fine Consign
• Harry Potter merchandise, wands - Charmed
• A custom piece of jewelry - Richard Goddard, jeweler
• Multipack movie passes - Fine Arts Theatre
• Knitting or crochet classes - Island Yarn Company
• Kids art supplies - The Paper Store
• A pair of sunglasses - LOOK Optical, The Maynard Outdoor Store
• A bicycle helmet, water bottle, and bike bell - Ray and Sons
• A manicure - Crystal Nail and Spa, Royal Nails, Toast 'n Shine
• A piece of local, one of a kind art - 6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studio, Gallery 7, Earth Changes Pottery
• Learning to work with art glass class gift certificate - Denault Studio
• A pair of warm gloves - The Maynard Outdoor Store, Corner Closet, Raspberry Beret
• A cyclists tire repair kit - Ray and Sons
• A cast iron pan - Collector's Paradise
• Therapeutic dance lessons - Two Left Feet, newdreamco@gmail.com
• Ice skates - The Maynard Outdoor Store
• A pair of jeans - The Corner Closet, The Maynard Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret
• Tools - Butler Lumber, Parker Hardware
• Semi-precious stones, pretty stones - Charmed
• Wreaths -  The Flower Pot, Hawes Florist
• Some lovely handmade jewelry - 6 Bridges Gallery, Denault Studio
• A facial - Flawless
• Handmade soap - 6 Bridges Gallery
• Poinsettias - The Flower Pot
• Spa day for your pooch - Scrub-a-Dog, Wags to Whiskers, Dirty Paws
• Matchbox cars - Collector's Paradise
• Martial Arts lessons - Metro West Kung Fu, the Concord School of Taekwon-do
• Artistic eyeglass frames - LOOK Optical
• A really cozy woman's sweater - Raspberry Beret
• Stocking stuffers galore - Sugar Snap, The Maynard Outdoor Store
• Handmade handbags - 6 Bridges Gallery
• A tan - Toast 'n Shine Tan and Spa
• A pair of pajamas - The Maynard Outdoor Store
• Collector's coins - Collector's Paradise, Summer Street Fine Consign
• A pair of binoculars - The Outdoor Store
• Collector's memorabilia - Collector's Paradise
• A special memento or photo framed - Gallery Seven
• A new coat - The Maynard Outdoor Store
• Drop-in kids play membership - SmARTroom
• Comic Books - Excelsior Comics, Legends
• Legos - The Paper Store
• Action Figures - Excelsior Comics
• A pile of books - Video/Art Signals, The Paper Store, Library's ongoing book sale
• A new bicycle - Ray and Sons
• Kids' books - Video Signals, The Paper Store, Library's ongoing book sale
• Gift certificate for a personal trainer - Aim for Fitness
• Gift certificate for a massage - Pathways to Wellness, Bailey's Therapeutic Massage, Massage Visits
• Health club Membership - Anytime Fitness
• And of course, plenty of gift certificates to any of Maynard's great restaurants

Start your shopping day with some friends, coffee, cinnamon buns or muffins from Serendipity Café or the Boston Bean House, and make your way around town. Then grab some lunch , finish up your shopping, and pat yourself on the back. You'll have avoided the mall and put money back into your own community, which makes more of a difference than you can imagine.

I didn't know that business was in trouble!

When a business here in Maynard closes, and we're left with an empty store front, we find ourselves saying to each other, "If I had known they were in trouble, I would have shopped there more." Our local businesses can't wait for you to find out they're struggling for you to decide to shop locally. And if you went in to any of the businesses, they're not likely to complain to you—it's the same in so many other places, not just Maynard. Nobody wants to be a dark cloud, and they're all waiting for this economy to turn around, so they'll shrug and tell you they're fine.

We have lots of wonderful little shops here in Maynard. All you have to do is take the time to visit them. In the next few days, I'm going to try to do a post that is a holiday shopping list that you don't have to leave Maynard to fulfill.

If we all recognize how important making our purchases within our zip code is, both during the holidays and beyond, our communities will feel the benefit. And our businesses deserve it because having a vibrant downtown is a big part of what makes Maynard so great.

Recognize how much you matter to your community. I encourage you to give a gift back this holiday season—do as much of your shopping as possible right here in Maynard. It's what Maynard needs.

We Made Our Goal!

Not only did we make our goal, we surpassed it. Some contributed through the site, others sent us checks, but more than one hundred and thirty-nine people, from Maynard and beyond, helped fund our project. Thank you so much. 

As we move forward with the project, I'll try to post updates here.  

Support the Maynard Honeybee Meadow!

Many of you know that I have been working with my friend Melissa to establish a Honeybee Meadow on an old empty lot at ArtSpace. More than a hundred of you have stepped up to pitch in in one way or another, and we truly appreciate it. This has been a really wonderful example of the community pulling together to make something happen, which always makes me happy. If you go to our Facebook Page you can learn more about what we've been up to.

If you were interested in giving but haven't had a chance yet, we have five days left in our Patronicity campaign.  If you prefer not to give online, but want to contribute to the project, you can write a check to the Maynard Honeybee Meadow Project and send it to 63 Summer St., Maynard.

Thanks again. I'll update you if we make our goal.

Living in a Creative Arts Community

I feel like I can say that as an artistic community, we recognize that art comes in all forms, that it often challenges, inspires, or makes us look at things in unexpected ways. It doesn't always make us feel good, but it makes us feel something. 

How much have you heard about the controversy over "Seagull Cinderella," the giant bird sculpture created by sculptor Donna Dodson, that usually resides on Summer St.? The sculpture seems to have offended people in New Bedford because she's a bird with a woman's torso. She's not even naked, and is completely stylized. Some citizens even signed a petition to have her removed from a summer display that she was asked to be part of. Artists from that area rallied to support both the sculptor and the sculpture, and the petition was eventually withdrawn. Well, her stay in that community is coming to an end, and thankfully it's time for her to return to her home in Maynard.

She has gotten lots of press, which is a good thing for both the artist and Maynard. It's a sculpture worth talking about. I think her notoriety adds to her story and in some sense, our community's own, of whether or not we want to challenge traditional conventions of art and beauty. And as Maynard is applying to get a Cultural District Designation, her presence becomes even more important. To quote the Mass Cultural Council's site, "The evidence is clear: A thriving creative sector is one of our Commonwealth's most powerful economic development assets. In support of this, the MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010, and launched in April 2011." 

People, bottom line, art is valuable to a community. It makes whatever space it's in become more interesting. A street is a street is a street, but put art on it... well, now we have something to talk about! I want to live in a place worth talking about, don't you?

There are certainly people here in Maynard that don't love her, and of course that's fine. But a few of us ArtSpace artists are planning her a welcome back parade. With this parade we'd like to send the message that Maynard is a home for artists, art lovers, and art, in all its forms. 

Please join us on Saturday, October 15th, 2:30pm for
the "Seagull Cinderella" Homecoming Parade. 

We're meeting at 2:30pm at the library, then we'll walk, hand in wing with the sculpture over to 6 Bridges Gallery, where there will be a pop-up show of artwork inspired by Seagull Cinderella. Some students of SmARTroom will be participating in the parade carrying an artwork that they are creating.

Your presence would mean a lot to the Maynard arts community, so I sure hope you'll consider being a part of this event. 

Maynard is such an interesting place, and I'm so glad to be here, and I'm glad you're here, too. "Seagull Cinderella" belongs here... with us.

No Fireworks This Year

I hate to report sad news, I really do, especially when it involves our sweet town.

Did you hear that there wouldn't be any fireworks this year? Yup, it's true. Had the Oktoberfest beer garden and fireworks happened this year it would have been last weekend.

So here's my understanding of what happened. 1.) Rotary didn't get approval from Mill & Main in time (it's easy to forget that this event happens on private property). That meant that 2.) safety permits weren't issued in time. Which led to 3.) not being able to be contract a fireworks company in time. But a bigger, overall issue is 4.) that the Rotary Club, as a civic organization, doesn't have enough membership to handle the volunteer work that this project takes.

There are ramifications of not having the Oktoberfest event. The funds raised from hosting the beer garden are what pays for our Christmas parade. Don't panic just yet. My understanding is that, though there will be no Oktoberfest, the parade will still happen in 2016. It just might not happen next year.

So now we all need to start putting our heads together and try to figure out how to make these two very dear events happen in the future. We can't just let them slip away. And don't forget that it takes volunteers—lots of them—to make these things happen. If it's just a handful of people, they will get burned out and give up. If the call goes out for volunteers, consider adding your name to the list.

Artist Petting Zoo Happening September 24 and 25!

Come see artists in their natural environment. Dare to step into their unbarred cages where they make their art. Feel free to feed them (artists have a reputation for being extremely hungry). Whatever you do, don't miss the Artist Petting Zoo! Okay, it's really Open Studios, but tell the kids it's an artist petting zoo—they'll love it. 

I really want you to come and visit during ArtSpace's Open Studios. It's where I make my hats, and it's where I've found a very important Maynard community—the artist community. With about eighty artists working in the studio building, we're a pretty substantial group.

This year ArtSpace has had some changes. Aside from some important building maintenance, there were some changes in artists. One artist had to move out, and we miss her terribly, but we did gain about eight new artists, a few of them from right here in Maynard. We even had one of our artists move here from Stow to be closer to her studio. (Originally from New York City, she loves that she can walk to so many great places right here in our small town.) 

Two of our artists (Ingrid Goldboom and Jen Maestre) will be missing Open Studios because they're flying to Azirbaijan. They were chosen to participate in the Fourth International Exhibition "From Waste to Art" to create recycled art for a museum. The group responsible brings artists from around the world (this year there are 10 and only 2 from the US, our Maynard two!) to create art to highlight reuse and recycling. There will be a big event with high government officials October 2nd, and our Maynard artists will be there for about two weeks making pieces that will go on display there. We're all super proud of them. You'll still be able to visit their studios even when they're gone, so come and see why they would have been chosen for such a cool project. 

The annual show in the ArtSpace gallery has more art than every before. It's beautiful to see visual representations of so many of our artists, so make sure you stop into that part of the building. 

There are so many wonderful artists worth visiting, and I'd love to mention them all, but there's just not enough room. There are also so many artists that I can't know what new things they're up to. Instead, I'll make some suggestions of things you shouldn't miss:

• Trina Baker: She and her husband, Curvin Huber, teach and do animation. 
• Brenda Cirioni: Be sure to take a closeup look at her paintings.
• Andrew Child: Had a very successful KickStarter and is publishing a book of photos of Cuba.
• Priscilla Alpaugh Cotter: has been doing tons of illustration and has been working on some animation. She's always posting new work on her Facebook page. 
• Catherine Evans: She did the community arts project that hangs on the fence across from ArtSpace. Now she's taking remnants from that project and turning them into something new. 
• Gwen Murphy: You may know her for her shoe sculptures, where she turns old shoes into beings. She also reuses old bathroom scales in some of her more recent art. 
• Sue Huszar makes sculpture out of bones. Seems strange, right? Some of it's really cute.
• There are free concerts at the end (5:15) of both days of the event, first with Berit Strong on Saturday, and Ron Hertz and his trio Shikaya  on Sunday. .

Stop in to my studio—I'd love to see you and show you my hats. While you're there, ask me about the ArtSpace Honeybee Meadow.

And don't be shy! Your questions let the artists know that you find something interesting in their work, so ask away!

Here are the details:

Visit the studios and view the work of more than 75 artists, both emerging and long practicing, including painters, sculptors, bookbinders, ceramicists, a milliner, photographers, print makers, illustrators, jewelers, musicians & writers.

Here we invite you to explore the artists’ world outside of the normal gallery experience.  Meet the artists, ask questions and see how they work in their own studios.

In addition to seeing these studios, visitors will see a group exhibit in the ArtSpace Gallery and join a backstage tour of the Acme Theater.

IF YOU GO:
WHAT: ArtSpace Artists Annual Open Studios Event
WHEN:  September 24 & 25
HOURS: HOURS: The studios are open Noon to 5 p.m. both days. 
On Saturday, September 24th from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. there will be a musical performance by ArtSpace resident Ron Hertz and his trio Shikaya, performing an eclectic mix of Jazz, Celtic and Latin music. On Sunday, September 25th from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm there will be a concert featuring Classical Guitarist Berit Strong.

COST:  Free and Wheelchair accessible
INFO: visit us on our web at:  www.artspacemaynard.com

LOOK AT ALL THESE ARTSPACE ARTISTS!!!
ACME THEATER
DON ALDEN
TRINA BAKER
STEVEN BOGART
HELEN CITRON BOODMAN
LOLA CHAISSON
LILY CHEN
ANDREW CHILD
BRENDA CIRIONI
TETE + ELIZABETH COBBLAH
DEE COHEN
BILL COHN
MERILL COMEAU
BETSY CONSTANTINE
PRISCILLA ALPAUGH COTTER
JULIA CRAPO
DARTHEA CROSS
JENNA DELUCA
JULIE DUFFY
JOYCE MCJILTON DWYER
GAIL ERWIN
CATHERINE EVANS
JIM FERGUSON
ARLENE FINS
CYNTHIA FROST
MICHELLE GARRO
INGRID GOLDBLOOM BLOCH
ERIK HANSEN
KAY HARTUNG
RON HERTZ
WHITNEY HEAVEY
LISA HEFFLEY
GEORGE HERMAN
RUTH HERMAN
LAURA HOWICK
CURVIN HUBER
SUE HUSZAR
JUDITH JAFFE
DONNALISA JOHNSON
JANE MCKINNON JOHNSTONE
MICA KNAPP
MAUREEN KIMBALL
RACHEL KORN
MARGARET KUSNER
JULIE L’HEUREUX
SAMANTHA LINNANE
MELISSA LJOSA
HELENA LONG
SUE KIM LUCCHINI
NATALIE MACKNIGHT
JENNIFER MAESTRE
SUSAN MARSHALL
BRENT MATHISON
SARA MATIAS
CATHY MCCARTHY
DONNA MELANSON
MARY MOONEY
DOUG MOORE
MARY MORAZZI-HENDERSON
TERI MORSE
GWEN MURPHY
BARBARA O’BRIEN
WENDY OLTSIK
DIANNE PAPPAS
COLLEEN PEARCE
JILL POTTLE
KRISTIN REGAN 
FAY SENNER
DONNA SHAPLEIGH
DENISE SHEA
STEVE SMITH
ERNEST STONEBRAKER
BERIT STRONG
VICTORIA VANDERLOOP
KATE WHEELER
SANDY WILENSKY
TOBY WILLIAMS
JEANNE WILLIAMSON
LESLIE ZELAMSKY

Don't Miss the First Party in the Basin, the Water Ball!

Your first question might be, "Where's the Basin?" That's the nickname that people are giving to the parking lot where El Huipil and Babicos are. Remember it because I'm sure it will come up a lot in the next several years. Now that we've taken care of that...

Why is there going to be a party in the Basin?

Have you heard of the Maynard Cultural Council? You probably have, but just in case, let me give you a basic primer. The Maynard Cultural Council gives out grants to local organization (or people) that apply for funding for their community cultural projects. Applicants have to adhere to Massachusetts Cultural Council Guidelines as well as our local Maynard Guidelines, and preference goes to projects that benefit Maynard.

Here's what I heard from somebody, and I think I have this right... Over the last few years, the Maynard Cultural Council (MCC) has felt that the Maynard cultural community should get more funding. They have decided that, by raising funds at an annual event (this party), they could give applicants more money, and then more cool Maynard projects could take place.

"What kind of a party will it be?" 

I asked around and this is what I heard:
It's like a cocktail party, but just wine and beer. It's like an art opening with no art on the walls. It's a mix-and-mingle thing. There's no big central spectacle. We'll be projecting onto the big white wall, creating an environment that encourages people to see the basin as a place of potential. 

Be curious and interested. Attend to explore and see.
Play in the projectors' rays and make some beautiful silhouettes."

It seems that beer and wine will be served, and there will be munchies available, but not proper food. Kids are welcome, but they may not find anything other than making silhouettes to do. There is no ticket price—it's free to get in. Yup, I said it, FREE. The hope is that your love and appreciation for the people applying for grants will make you want to give a little something back in the form of a donation.

How can I join the party?

Here's the info on their Facebook page invitation

And why wouldn't you come? It's free. It'll be fun. It's just one more cool thing happening in Maynard that helps to support and emphasize our growing arts community.

the WATER BALL party
is a kick-off to the Council's WATER project challenge
is a fund-raiser to increase the Council's grant-making capacity
is a celebration of progress toward recognition of Assabet Village, Maynard's Cultural District

You can apply for a grant. 

Do you have a good idea that's going to have a positive impact on Maynard? Every year, the Maynard Cultural Council funds projects and events which enrich the cultural life of our town.

Apply for funding between September 1st and mid-October.
This year, the Council challenges all lovers of life on this planet to conceive and execute projects which express the myriad qualities and values of WATER. All compete applications received by the deadline will be considered. Your project doesn't have to have a water theme, but it would be nice if it did.

Let them know you're going!

Click on the link to the invitation above and let them know you'll be there. Bring your friends. Be part of the Maynard Arts Scene!

All the cones and construction

It sure looks like there's a lot of work going on in town with all the cones, fences, and trees coming down. If you haven't been paying attention, you might not know that the work on the long-awaited rail trail has begun.

The Assabet River Rail Trail is going to connect the communities of Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton, with paved trail that will make biking, walking, running and rollerblading safer. You'll be able to leave your car behind and self-propel your way to the Acton train station.

Areas that already acted as corridors through woodsy areas are going to be widened up and cleared of excess plantings (behind Maple St.), and areas that have no trail present will be created (along Railroad St.). The footbridge behind the post office is in for a major overhaul, as the bridge has to meet certain standards of safety. It is going to be widened to be about fifteen feet wide—able accommodate emergency vehicles.

Coming up in the first weeks of August you'll see lots of cones downtown. Maynard is participating in the states Complete Streets program. With Maynard being one of the most walkable towns in the state—you can get to a lot of places on foot—it only makes sense that the town should consider how people move around.

From the town's Web site: "A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes – walking, biking, transit, and motorized vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. Designing streets with these principles contributes toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments and providing safer, more accessible and comfortable means of travel between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations. More broadly, embedding Complete Streets principles in policy and practice help promote more livable communities.

Based on community input in our May meeting, the downtown streets of Main Street, Nason Street and Summer Street will feature temporary traffic configurations that will demonstrate how they could be redesigned to be more welcoming to all users. The temporary configuration will be made of moveable materials and will include elements such as curb extensions, bike lanes, and other features promoting non-automobile oriented circulation through downtown. The feedback gained from the program will help Maynard determine what future improvements residents would like to see in their community.The Town of Maynard is running a Downtown Street Improvement Pilot Project on Summer Street, Nason Street and Main Street from July 29, 2016 through August 3, 2016.

Town officials are requesting that people come experience these temporary configurations and let them know what you think! Please send your feedback on the temporary pilot project to: Bnemser@townofmaynard.net

While I was downtown I found myself thinking of the rail trail and imagining bikers detouring into our downtown for a coffee and a bite to eat. I hope the Complete Streets program is taking all that into consideration.

Be sure to let them know what you think!

The Farmers' Market Kicks Off This Weekend, 6/25! Don't Miss the Parade!

Every year I look forward to Maynard's summer traditions—going to Erikson's, attending the Maynard Community Band's weekly summer concert in Memorial Park, and the weekly Farmers' Market. All of these have the feel of a block party, only with the Farmers' Market, it's a block party where I get to buy fresh produce and support local agriculture, yummy baked goods, and other interesting things (soap, flavored extracts, jewelry, books, and dog treats for example).

Maynard's Farmers' Market has had a very cool Opening Day event for the last few years. Aimeé Ledwell of SmARTroom has organized a costume parade that kicks off the market in style. People arrive at the market around nine o'clock to make a bit of costume at the costume making station, or they arrive already dressed up. At a little after ten o'clock everyone starts to line up to walk through the downtown (at 10:30) and back to the market. It's a fun family event and a great way to get to know other people in town.

For many years I would do chalk drawings at the Farmers' Market, but my bad back has made that less of an option. Still, sometimes I can't help myself and I'll show up to do a little work from time to time. The market does still provide a bucket of chalk and bubbles for people to use. The kids do a great job with that, unless they're occupied with one of the other great children's events taking place (Story Time, craft projects, hula hoops, etc.)

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the live music! Johnny and Laura of Serendipity Café organize all the great musicians for the market.

The Maynard Farmers' Market is designed in a diamond shape to create a bit of an arena in the center. That way people can socialize, those with children can let them play a little bit while they do their shopping, and those with dogs can let them hang out with their four-pawed peers. Chairs located near the music allow people to rest a little bit while catching some shade.

You can buy a magnet at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main St.

We've got a great thing going on here people! I know many of you will take time to travel this season, but if you're around our beloved hometown, don't miss out on this popular weekly event. It should be no surprise that it was at this very event that I came up with my bumper magnet. Come to the Maynard Farmers' Market and you'll see that Maynard really is like a big neighborhood!

Bears? Moose? What's going on?

Not sure if those fires in Canada are pushing animals waaaaaaaaay southward, but last night I saw a posting that there was a bear spotted on Mockingbird Lane. And did you hear about the moose? I guess Michele Hudak of Vose Hill Road spotted a baby moose in her yard and even grabbed a picture, included here. Thanks Michele!

What in the world is going on?

  Here's a link that I got on Facebook about what to do about bears. I pulled some of the tips to share here:

How to prevent conflicts with bears
To avoid habituating the bears in your area, follow these steps.
• Make trash cans inaccessible. Bring them inside at night or buy a bear-resistant trash can or an enclosure for the container.
• Enclose your compost pile. Open compost piles, especially those that include kitchen scraps, are an irresistible treat in bear country. Burying compost won’t work because bears will easily find and dig it up.
• Recycle wisely. If you store recyclables outside, use enclosed bins. (Persistent bears will break into even ruggedly built bins.)
• Keep your barbecue grill clean and as free of drippings as possible. Move the grill away from your house when you aren’t using it, and clean it regularly with ammonia or bleach.
• Rethink your bird feeders. In the summer, birds can make do with naturally available foods. If you do set up feeders, install them away from your house.