Community Events...
Green Up / Clean Up - Saturday, May 1st
The Alliance, in conjunction with the Town of Billerica, is once again sponsoring the annual Clean Up / Green Up event during the month of May. Our primary day for communtiy efforts will be on Saturday, May 1st. However, we are open to any group or business that wants to make an effort during the month of May to take on a project or a cleanup / greenup activity.
The Alliance is also working with our member businesses to match projects with businesses. If you are a business who is looking for a way to give back to the community, than we may have a project that will fit your needs. Please contact our office at 978-667-4174 or via email at info@billerica-alliance.org for more details.
Sweetheart Dinner Dance - Thanks To Our Sponsors
On Thursday, February 11th, 2010, the Alliance will sponsor the sixth annual Sweetheart Dinner Dance. This event, which celebrates couples who have been married for 50 years or more, is truly a rewarding evening. It includes a full sit-down dinner, live music, corsages, commemorative photographs and transportation for those who need it. All of this is provided at no cost to those who attend.
Just over 100 local couples were invited to this year's event and 72 are expected to attend. We have been thrilled with the response we have had from both the Town of Billerica and a large number of local businesses in supporting this event.
Our sincere thanks goes to all who funded or donated services to make this event possible. They include
Those who made our community fund grant a reality
- Town of Billerica - Community Fund Grant Program
- Nortel Neworks
- FLIR Systems Inc
Those Who Donated Time or Services
- Billerica Crossings - Centerpieces
- Billerica Garden Club - Corsages & Boutonnieres
- Billerica Recreation - Photography Equipment
- Coutyard by Marriott - Table Linens
- Creative Photography - Photography
- Century Bank Burlington - Music
- Sweeney Funeral Home - Transportation
- Woods Real Estate - Music
Our Table Sponsors
- America Science & Engineering
- Billerica Access TV
- Billerica Lions Club
- Cabot Corporation
- Enterprise Bank
- FLIR Systems Inc
- Fred Ciampa, CPA
- Friends of the COA
- Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley
- LPL Financial
- Middlesex Community College
- Stoneham Bank
- The Billerica Green
- America Dream Homes
- Barbara Flaherty
- Bob & Judy Rogers
- Brightview Concord River
- Dr. Scott Goldberg
- Integrated Financial Partners
- Marshall's Auto Body
- Northern Bank & Trust
- Parent, McLaughlin & Nangle
Lastly, we want to recognize the Billerica Board of Selectmen, Representative Bill Greene, Tej Tanden of Om Temple and Reverand Katherine Adams of the First Congregational Church for their assistance and participation.
Traffic and Community Updates from Town of Billerica via Nixle
Want to keep up with the latest on traffic and road closures in town? The
Town of Billerica is launching a new Community Information Service designed to deliver important and timely information to town residents using the latest technology.
This service, created by Nixle, LLC delivers trustworthy and important neighborhood-level public safety and community event notifications by web, e-mail, and cell phone text. The service is free but you must register to become a user of the service.
For more informaiton or to register for the Nixle service, see the Billerica Police Department website at www.billericapolice.org.
Community News Items...
Casa Blanca - Second Anniversary Celebration - Thursday, March 18th
Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant and Cantina will be holding a Second Anniversary Celebration on Thurday, March 18th from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm at their 99 Chelmsford Rd location in North Billerica.
The celebration will feature Door Prizes, a live Mariachi Band and a tequila tasting from Lunazul Tequila, one of Mexico's hidden jewels. So be sure to stop by and join the festivities.
WellSkills - Eat Well Group Program & Cooking Class
WellSkills Eat Well Group & Cooking Class is an ongoing program that you may join at any time. Or you may drop in for any session that suits you.
Upcoming Sessions:
MARCH 13: GROCERY TOUR - SHOPPING HEALTHFULLY AND WITHIN BUDGET: Do you want a professional's advice on what to buy and how to read food labels? Do you want to know how to shop for tasty and healthy foods without spending your whole paycheck? Take a 90-minute tour including healthy food ideas, meal and snack options, and tips on how to SAVE TIME and MONEY while shopping.
MARCH 20: DESSERTS: You need to make a cake but you don’t want the local store brand because you know it is loaded with unsavory ingredients. What do you cook? In this session, we will go over some great alternatives that won’t wreak so much havoc on your body! Just a little bit of natural sweeteners will do the trick.
MARCH 27: GLORIOUS GREENS: You have to eat your greens. They are chock full of nutrients that boost immunity. You may be wondering what types of greens to prepare and how? We will do some wonderful recipes with greens you probably never even heard of until now. These recipes are worth repeating.
When: 10:15 - 11:45 AM (90 minutes), Saturday mornings
Where: Billerica, MA - Directions mailed upon registration
Fee: $35 per session (Prepay for 5 sessions at a time -- only $30/session). Includes daily email access, online group forum with numerous simple, healthy recipes and health articles, cooking demonstrations, and sample foods. Register now to secure your spot!
For more information and a FREE ezine, visit www.WellSkills.com or email KathyLynch@WellSkills.com |
Billerica Public Library - Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, April 24th
The Billerica Public Library will be holding their second annual Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, April 24th. The scavenger hunt runs from 3:00 to 6:00 pm with festivities at the Library after the event for awards and refreshments.
Teams must consist of 4 individuals who must have access to a car and a digital camera to compete. The entry fee for each team is $100. First prize for the winning team is $400 in cash. There will also be second and third prizes as well as a 'Spirt' award for the most enthusiastic team. If you are not on a team but wish to join the post hunt festivities, you are welcome to join for a $10 fee.
Entry forms are available at the library or online at www.billericalibrary.org. Or you can contact Barbara Flaherty at the Billerica Public Library at 978-671-0948 for more information. All proceeds benefit the Library Foundation.
Billerica COA - Wisdom Works Program
The Billerica Council on Aging (COA) is offering a new program called 'Wisdom Works'. Job seekers age 55 or older, who are or will be looking for work, can participate in this program.
The series of four employment workshops will be facilitated by Human Resources professionals from a variety of companies including Raytheon, Bruker Corporation, Converse, Nokia and Lahey Clinic. These professionals have volunteered their time and expertise to facilitate the workshops developed by Keystone Associates, a premier outplacement firm in Burlington.
The four-session workshop models include "Looking Back...What's Next" (skills assessment); "Getting Started" (resume/cover letter); "Job Search Strategies"; "Interviewing" and "Research & Technology" (learning how to navigate the internet).
Each session will be held at the Billerica Senior Center, 25 Concord Road. There is a registration fee of $15.00 per person. The COA is planning to offer daytime and evening workshops. Participants must attend all four sessions.
If you are interested in joining the program or want more information please contact COA Director, Donna Popkin at 978-671-0916, ext. 221.
Shawsheen Tech - Summer Camp Programs
Shawsheen Valley Technical School will be offering 4 summer camp sessions during July and early August. Each session runs for one week from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Programs are intended for children from 7 to 12 years of age. The cost of each session is $100 per child.
Program activities include scavenger hunts, fun in the pool Fridays, volleyball and kickball tournaments, Olympics week, Shawsheen Idol contest, carpentry, baking/cooking classes, design and visual arts and much more.
Programs are located at Shawsheen Tech at 100 Cook St in Billerica. For more information or to register contact Shawsheen Tech at 978-671-3608. Deadline to register is May 21st.
Billerica Recreation - Summer Programs
The Town Of Billerica's Recreation Department has a wealth of Youth Summer Programs for residents of Billerica as well as members of the Billerica business community. They are currently accepting registrations for this summer's youth summer camps and programs. There are a variety of programs available for different age groups.
For more information on Billerica Recreation's summer programs, see their website at town.billerica.ma.us or call them at 978-671-0921.
Friends of Billerica COA Golf Tournament - Monday, June 28th 2010
The Friends of the Billerica Council on Aging will host their 5th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, June 28th at the Billerica Country Club. The tournament is a scramble format with an 8:00 am shot gun start.
Special rates apply for those who sign up by Friday, May 7th.
- Per Person $100
- Seniors $75 (60+)
For more information or to register, contact Bill Foley at 978-667-2169 or Onorio Cerrato at 978-362-3406.
Billerica Lions Golf Tournament - Monday, July 26th
Mark your calendar for the upcoming Billerica Lions Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, July 26th at the Meadow Creek Country Club in Dracut.
More information will be available in the upcoming weeks.
If You Name It, She Can Frame It - Alliance Member Lisa Di Clemente
Reprinted from Billerica Minuteman February 15th Article by Max Bowen
If you name it, she can frame it, and if you’ve got a cause, she can bring the applause.
For the past 22 years, Lisa Di Clemente has framed everything from paintings of loved ones to beloved gears shifts, and through her band The Stirr, she’s supported many worthy causes and charities. On Saturday, Feb. 27, the band will take part in the Kick’n Cancer 2010 fundraiser, which will raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Q Can you tell me about the Kick’n Cancer 2010 fundraiser?
A The cancer benefit at the Best Western in Marlborough and it’s for cancer and I believe they’ve sold about 2,500 tickets so far and I believe there’s going to be three bands and one of which is our band The Stirr.
Q Do you do a lot of fundraisers and benefit shows?
A We play a lot of fundraisers and benefits, we used to be strictly for the bar scene. We started getting up there in age. The other band members had families and needed the extra income, so it was doing very well for awhile, then the clubs stopped paying bands. So I said “let’s get into ore of the benefit fundraisers, weddings and functions.”
We also bring our own DJ, we offer our own wedding services, we run the whole thing. When it comes to the benefit, they know how to run a benefit, but they don’t have the outgoing personality to do public speaking, and I love doing that. So does Steve the drummer so we pass the microphone back and forth and banter with each other and we do the auctions and we do the raffles, and joke around and get everyone’s spirits up. This benefit for cancer’s going to be huge, it would be great for people to get out.
Q How did the band get started?
A I was dating a guy back then who was a bass player, and I was a classic pianist, and he said, “do you want to play keyboard in a rock band,” and I said “I don’t know how to play rock and roll.”
He bought be a keyboard and he knew I knew how to sing, and we broke up but I wanted to keep the band together. I asked him if I could keep The Stirr name. Every so often someone has to leave because they have a baby, and you need to get someone to take their place, but you’re building your repertoire of musicians.
Q You’ve been running We Frame It for 22 years. What kind of work do you do?
A You name it, we frame it, it’s the slogan. From the real simple, to the little more intricate. I’ve actually built furniture for people, a gentlemen brought in the old Lowell Sun presses, and he used to work for the Lowell Sun, they said he could take those cylinders.
So he brought them in and said could you make an end table for me, and I say yes to everything whether I’ve done it or not. I put the two cylinders together, I knew a company that makes round frames, put wheels on the bottom.
Steve, the drummer, I sent him to this guy I know, and I said “find a round glass table.” The guy just freaked out, the guy who brought the cylinders in, he had no idea. I get all kinds of things. Can you frame a gear shift?
I recently decorated JoJo White’s Club, the Celtics player, the new place down in Maynard, they brought in a big baby sneakers, and I called all over my vendors for a Lucite box to display in. I had to make my own. You just use your brain. A friend of mine is a Dallas Cowboys fan, asked me to build a star-shaped frame. Whatever anybody asks me to do, I can do it. Something for everybody from $5 to $2,000.
Q In this business, is that kind of versatility needed?
A Absolutely, I don’t think I’ve ever, ever turned anyone away unless when they do ask for something. We can do anything, the only time I ever turn anyone away and they say “sorry, it’s the price.” They don’t understand what work goes into that, they think everything’s done on a machine.
Everything I do here is by hand, everything here is custom, nothing is ready-made. Everything is hand-cut. I don’t just go to a store and pull a frame off the shelf.
Anything can go in a frame. To me nothing is weird to put in a frame. Dishes, someone had collectible plates, someone asked me to do that. A woman in Vermont asked me to build her a clock, she made a needlework of a clock face with the old roman numerals, and flowers all around it. and I said I’d be glad to do it. So she mailed just that needlework to me, I stretched it,, put it in a shadowbox, and I went to a craft store and I bought the mechanics, and put all the hands in, the motor behind it, shadowboxed it in a nice, deep frame. Because it was so delicate, I drove it to Vermont for her, it was so delicate I didn’t want to ship it.
Q How do you think you manage to last in this business?
A My prices are very reasonable. I get excellent prices from my vendors and I work within everybody’s budget. When someone walks in and says “I need this portrait of my family framed,” I’ll say “I’m going to show you the best way to do it.”
I talk to them, get to know their personality, are they going want a black frame or a white frame. Seventy five percent of the time, they’ll say “wow that looks good, go ahead and do it.” Someone told them to come to this store. If they do freak at the price, I’ll say “let me show you what else I can do.” Ninety five percent, I fit everyone’s budget.
Q What are the finer points of the framing industry?
A I can look at the piece, talk to the person, and you want to pull out colors that are in the piece to compliment it but don’t distract. You don’t want a bright red frame with a black and white photo. Look at what the piece consists of.
There’s also different types of frames, is it a watercolor, is it an oil painting, oil paintings don’t need glass, they don’t need matting, you just build the frame around it, they’re durable.
You do what compliments the piece and what makes it jump out. You don’t want the frame to distract from it. If something is signed and numbered limited edition, it gets treated completely different from a poster or a photograph. Different mounting procedures and backing.
If you go to the store and pick up a ready-made frame, someplace like Walgreens Wal-Mart or AC Moore, you throw a photograph, someone’s wedding picture, your wedding picture. Don’t you want that to last? If you buy one of those frames the backs are cardboard that will eat right through it. I use acid-free, museum quality. Do it once, spend a little more, it’ll last 200, 300 years.
To see what kind of custom framing work Lisa can do, visit her Web site at www.weframeit.com. For more information on The Stirr Band, visit www.thestirr.com.
Marshall's Auto / CARSTAR - Donate to Educate
Can Auto Repair Benefit Your School? It can when you get your car repaired at Marshall's Auto Body / CARSTAR. CARSTAR is dedicated to high quality collision repair and excellent customer service but above all we are dedicated to benefitting our community and it's future.
So, when you, your school's principal, teachers faculty members, coaches, parents or anyone else with your school gets their car repaired at a CARSTAR location such as Marshall's Auto Body, CARSTAR will donate $25 to your school's PTO / PTA for each car repaired.
Marshall's Auto Body and CARSTAR care about customer satisfaction and getting you back on the road. They also care about our community and it's educational institutions.
To learn more about 'Donate to Educate', call Marshall's Auto Body at 978-663-8166 or see their website at www.MarshallsAutoBody.com.
Operation 'Honor Our Heroes' - Thanks for Your Help
Honor Our Heroes, now in it's ninth year, was truly pleased by all the support they recieved from Billerica for this year's campaign. They are now sorting donations at at Burlington High School and expect to ship about 150 very large boxes overseas by Friday, December 4th. These boxes each contain a phone card and a letter expressing gratitude to our Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Of particular assistance in this year's campaign were the Billerica Council on Aging and the Parker School, who contributed much help in order to make this a very successful collection drive. Thanks goes to Donna Popkin of the Council on Aging and Dr Barbara Wittenhagen of the Parker for the efforts they made on behalf of Honor Our Heroes.
This effort has shipped literally TONS of large packages filled with wonderful gifts to servicemen and women in the Middle East over the past eight years. They have received many grateful letters from the recipients of these packages. This year they would like to send even more care packages to those who are still sacrificing so that we can enjoy our freedom.
For more information on Honor Our Heroes, contact one of the following:
Joan Proctor - 781-272-4848 or 781-771-0203
Alan McRae - 781-273-7020 or 978-664-1273
Casa Blanca - Sunday Kids Special!
Bring the whole family to enjoy Casa Blanca's Sunday Kids Specials. On Sundays, kids eat for only $1.99 when there meal is accompanied by an adult dinner purchased at regular price.
Kids meal choices include burrito, enchilada, taco, quesadilla, grilled cheese sandwich, cheeseburger or chicken tenders, all normally priced at $4.75. The $1.99 discount price applies to children under 12 and there is a limit of one 'Kid's Meal' for each adult dinner purchased at regular price. This special may not be combined with other specials.
For more information about Casa Blanca, call them at
978-262-9030 or visit them at 99 Chelmsford Road in North Billerica.
Support the Bennett Library
Billerica's crown jewel, the historic Bennett Public Library is conveniently located on the Common in Billerica center. A cultural landmark dedicated in 1881, the building has recently been restored to its original splendor and turn-of-the-century elegance. Period colors, drapery, stained glass windows, and lighting fixtures provide an awe-inspiring glimpse of the Victorian era, a time when The Bennett was Billerica's cultural hub and meeting destination - just as it is today.
The library is privately owned and managed by the Bennett Public Library Association, which was chartered in 1880 to preserve the building and to make the public aware of its availability for cultural, civic, and social events. The Library is available for rental and has a capacity of 75. Individuals, families and businesses can also become a member of the Association: Membership fees are:
- Individual $10.00
- Family $20.00
- Corporate / Sponsor $50.00
To learn more about the Bennett, see their website at www.bennettpubliclibrary.org or contact them at 978-667-8830.
Middlesex Canal Museum - Available for Rental
For the past seven years a group of dedicated volunteers has operated the Middlesex Canal Museum and Visitor Center at the Faulkner Mill in North Billerica. Through the generosity of the owner, the Museum was able to stay in the facility rent-free however that has recently changed and the Museum must now pay rent for their space at the Faulkner Mill.
The Museum wants everyone to know that they have meeting facilities for rental in a charming location in their Visitor Center Meeting Room; a 2,000 square foot room with kitchen and catering facilities and a seating capacity of 60 that can be set up banquet style for dining or entertaining.
This is an ideal location for companies, groups as well as individuals to hold a function. Should you be planning a function, please consider the Middlesex Canal Museum as a location for your event. The Museum charges a rental fee of $200 which covers the cost of the room and the services of a committee member who will be present to assist you throughout the event.
For more information on rentals, please contact the Middlesex Canal Museum at 978-670-2740, leave a message and a member of the committee will return your call.
Billerica Food Pantry
If you wish to contact the Billerica Food Pantry, their contact information is on the Links page of our website or you can reach them by calling 978-671-0968.