Time and Place	RECURRING EVENTS Description and Contact Information
1st* Monday of month (7:30PM) Natick Police Conference Room 2010 exceptions: July 12th September 13th	*Confirm time and place: Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Glen Glater, Chairman (1-508/269-7566). A. Richard Miller, Chairman Emeritus and Assoc. Member (1-508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com; http://www.millermicro.com/crt.html). Subscribe to Dick's free NBPAC/Cochituate Rail Trail e-mail list.
2nd Tuesday of month (7:30PM) Framingham Memorial Building (often Room 130)Confirm time and place, or subscribe to e-mail list:	Framingham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Contact Bill Hanson, Chairman, to confirm meeting time and place, or subscribe to FBPAC's e-mail list.
2nd Wednesday of month (7PM) Cochituate State Park HQ Building (south side of Route 30), Wayland	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee Sandra Brennan, Chair (1-508/655-7212) Tim Murphy, Park Supervisor (508/653-9641)
2nd Thursday of month (7PM) Natick Town Hall 2nd floor, Community Development Conference Room	Natick Open Space Advisory Committee Martin Kessel, Chairman
3rd Monday of month (7:30PM) Usually in Framingham Memorial Building (room to be announced)	Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee See www.CRTrail.org/events.htm to confirm meeting location, see other CRT events, or subscribe to FCRTC's e-mail list.
3rd Wednesday of month (7PM) Often in Natick Morse Institute Library, Study Room 1A. Meetings announced in Town Calendar.	Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee Appointed (as Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Task Force) by Natick Selectmen on September 25th 2006. Contact: Matt Daniels, Chair (MDaniels42@gmail.com)
4th Wednesday of month (7PM) Natick Town Hall 2nd floor, Community Development Conference Room	Trails Subcommittee of the Natick Open Space Advisory Committee Contact: Tim Collins, Chairman (1-617/840-0827)

Time and Place	FUTURE ONE-TIME EVENTS Description and Contact Information (Free except as noted. Well-fitted bike helmets are required for bicycle rides.)
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 Boston	Moving Together 2010 The Moving Together Conference is an annual and major event for bicycle and pedestrian action in Massachusetts. Pre-register for $? including meals, or $? at the door. Great talks, great sponsoring agencies, great contacts, makes a big difference. Read the online information, register, be there!
September 24th-26th, 2010 TBA, in and about various Burys - Amesbury, Newbury, Salisbury - and Haverhill.	"Trails and Sails" - Two Weekends of Walks and Water in the Essex National Heritage Area Many free events. Check back later.
September 17th-19th, 2010 TBA, in and about various Burys - Amesbury, Newbury, Salisbury - and Haverhill.	"Trails and Sails" - Two Weekends of Walks and Water in the Essex National Heritage Area Many free events. Check back later.
Monday, August 26th, 2010 (through Midnight) (E-mail. fax or mail)	Close of EPA Comment Period (see 6/22, 6/24, 7/19) Nyanza Chemical Superfund Clean-up of the Sudbury River Dan Keefe, Project Manager (617/918-0327) EPA - New England, Region 1 5 Post Office Square Suite 100 Boston, MA 02109-3912 Note: This comment period was extended 30 days from July 26th, 2010.
Friday and Saturday, August 20th and 21st (10AM-10PM) Boston City Hall Plaza	Boston Greenfest Its events calendar lists exhibits, live concerts, films and more. Including, 4-5:30PM Saturday, a Green Debate with the Mass. gubernatorial candidates.
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 (7-8:30PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick	Public Meeting re Speen Street Culvert Replacement Project The Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Town of  Natick are holding a public meeting to present the final design, construction plans, and a traffic management plan for the Speen Street culvert replacement project. DCR's notes (with a few corrections): The culvert, which is believed to be more than 100 years old, connects the Beaver Dam Brook Settling Ponds (not "Settlement Pond") to Fisk Pond (not "Fiske Pond") and supports two lanes of traffic above. After a severe rainstorm in March, the culvert became partially collapsed and partially blocked with debris. A large void also formed under the southbound lane of the roadway. Several utilities, including sewer, water, gas, and communications, are located beneath Speen Street above the culvert. The culvert now presents a public safety hazard involving concerns of flooding, emergency access, and sewer and gas line collapse. These concerns necessitate an immediate replacement of the culvert. Construction is expected to cost about $3 million and will be funded through the state’s Accelerated Bridge Program. Work is planned to start in mid-August and be completed by the end of December. During construction, the section of Speen Street between Roche Bros. market and Route 135 will be closed in both directions. Traffic will be detoured. And a comment by me: A major town road through Cochituate State Park, and yet without any sidewalks or bike shoulders! And you know that it won't get another fix for another century. So if we're to spend 3-Million dollars for this small stretch of road, let's be sure to fix that now!
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 (10AM-Noon) MassDEP Boston Office, Washington Street Conference Room, One Winter Street, 2nd Floor, Boston Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 (5-7PM) MassDEP Central Regional Office, 627 Main Street, Worcester Thursday, July 29th, 2010 (5-7PM) MassDEP Northeast Regional Office, 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington	Public Hearing re Zero Waste The first public hearings on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) draft Solid Waste Master Plan, “A Pathway to Zero Waste”. This plan is the blueprint for how the Commonwealth will manage waste for the next decade. Zero Waste doesn't mean more incinerators. It means manufacturers are obligated to dispose of their materials after you wear them out. Preferably, by recycling. Like beer cans. When manufacturers must stop ignoring the disposal cost as someone else's problem, they'll design differently. What does this have to do with Lake Cochituate? If the producers of the floating plastic garbage in our lake were not empowered to ignore their the obligation to get it out, do you think they'd keep using those materials? That's one example of what Zero Waste should be about. But will our State recognize that? Similar thoughts? You can say so at these hearings, and/or in the comment period through Sept. 15th. Comments to: John Fischer, MassDEP, One Winter Street, Boston, MA  02108
Saturday, July 24th, 2010 (10AM-12PM) Franklin Park, Boston Meet at Williams St Entrance	Franklin Park History Tour The final tour of the three-part series! Join local historian, Julie Arrison, author of Images of America: Franklin Park, to hear about the fascinating history of Olmsted's jewel of the Emerald Necklace. Learn where the Dorchester Minutemen stopped to rest on their way home from the battles at Lexington and Concord, walk on beautiful stone bridges over a pond alive with seasonal birds, and hear about Olmsted's plans and the intricate engineering responsible for this area of the park. RSVP: Franklin Park Coalition (1-617/442-4141).

Time and Place	ARCHIVE OF PAST ONE-TIME EVENTS Description and Contact Information
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 (6:00-6:45PM) From North Main Street (Route 27), drive west on Kansas Street. Turn left into the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, and check in at the guard booth before parking in Lot C. See further instructions, at the right in this message!	Site Walk, to see U.S. Soldier Sytems Center's Pegan Cove Sediment Remediation Project After decades of discussion, U.S. Soldier Sytems Center now is dredging toxic sediments from Pegan Cove, in the South Pond of Lake Cochituate in Natick. The public is invited to this site walk of the Pegan Cove sediment remediation project. Please park in parking lot “C”  at the bottom of the entrance ramp. Meet near the construction trailer at the northeast end of the parking lot. This is a military base. All vehicles may be searched. Photo identification will be required.  No cameras allowed without prior written approval. Contact: James B. Connolly, Environmental Scientist, U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (1-508/233-5550)
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 (5-7PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick	Boston MPO Public Workshop on Public Transportation Learn about upcoming transportation projects and plans at the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s regional meetings, including this one in Natick. Two important regional transportation-planning documents are now out for public review and comment. These will be among the topics discussed at the meetings: - The draft federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2011-14 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - The draft FFY 2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
Monday, July 19th, 2010 (7PM) Framingham Town Library 49 Lexington Street, Framingham	Public Hearing (see 6/22, 6/24) - Nyanza Chemical Superfund Clean-up of the Sudbury River EPA will begin a formal 30-day public comment period. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Framingham Town Library and the public has an opportunity to make oral comments for EPA to consider. You may also submit written comments – see page 11 to find out how. Comments accepted through August 26th, 2010.
Saturday, July 17th, 2010 (10AM-2PM) Franklin Park, Boston At the Playstead near back Zoo entrance	Franklin Park Bicycle Festival Riders of all ages are welcome. No bike? No problem! Free bike "rentals" for all sizes, organized bike tours exploring the park, including special dirt bike riding for teens, and other fun bicycle activities. There'll be bike mechanics on hand to help with light repairs and flat fixes, and helmet fitting and give-a-ways. Sponsored by Boston Bike, Boston Center for Youth and Families, DotBike, Franklin Park Coalition, JP Bikes, and Rozzie Bikes. Note: No bike riding in Boston Parks - except for the new bike paths in Franklin Park! RSVP: Franklin Park Coalition (1-617/442-4141).
Thursday, June 24th, 2010 (7PM) National Wildlife Refuge Complex (GMNWR), 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, MA	Informational Meeting on Computer Modeling (see 6/22, 7/19) Nyanza Chemical Superfund Clean-up of the Sudbury River US EPA and Mass. DEP invite you to this supplemental public informational meeting, which will focus on the WASP computer model (its calibration, sensitivity, and sources of uncertainty) that was developed to evaluate different remedial alternatives for the proposed remediation plan. Comments accepted through August 26th, 2010.
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 (7PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 13 East Central Street, Natick	MassDOT Public Hearing - Route 9 and Speen Street in Natick (Project File Number 601586) A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT - Highway Division to discuss the proposed modifications and traffic signal improvements at the intersection of Route 9 and Oak Street in Natick, MA. The proposed project consists of improvements to the existing signalized intersection at Route 9 and Oak Street in Natick. Work includes the reconfiguration of the existing intersection; geometric improvements, roadway widening and installation of new traffic signals; Work also includes signal coordination of the new traffic signals with the existing signals at Overbrook Drive in Wellesley; sidewalk reconstruction; associated drainage improvements; landscape improvements; and new pavement markings and signage.
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 (7PM) Framingham Town Library, 49 Lexington Street, Framingham, MA	Informational Meeting (see 6/24, 7/19) Nyanza Chemical Superfund Clean-up of the Sudbury River US EPA and Mass. DEP invite you to a presentation describing the proposed remediation plan, followed by a question and answer session. The current proposal is to cover 70% of the mercury-contaminated bottom sediment in the Ashland-Framingham basin of the Sudbury Reservoir, with six inches of sand. Comments accepted through August 26th, 2010.
Saturday, June 19, 2010 (10AM-Noon) Meet at rear zoo "Giraffe" entrance of Boston's Franklin Park Zoo,	Franklin Park History Tour Come for a walk in the park and learn about the exciting history of the 527-acre, 120-year-old jewel of the Emerald Necklace! Julie Arrison, local historian and author of Images of America: Franklin Park, will lead participants past old stone ruins, through woodlands, and across unique landscapes created by renowned park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. RSVP: Franklin Park Coalition  (1-617/442-4141).
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting Come learn about the status of Lake Cochituate and Cochituate State Park. Share questions, answers and suggestions with the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.
Saturday and Sunday, June 12th and 13th (plus one event on Monday) All weekend long, about the SuAsCo Watershed	SuAsCo Riverfest Weekend Events galore, up and down the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers! See the program, and select events of interest to you.
Saturday, June 12th, 2010 (9AM-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Framingham Town Line)	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Help out in advance, by  printing and posting this flier. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/653-3585) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641).
Sunday, June 6th, 2010 (Noon-5:30PM for Green Roots Festival) Bike-A-Thon; see the flier.	Bike-A-Thon and Green Roots Festival Join the crowd in Boston, as Bikes Belong celebrates for its 23rd year! The Bike-A-Thon costs; it's a money-raiser. The Green Roots Festival is free. See the flier (click above).
Saturday, June 5th, 2010 (9AM) Rocky Woods Reservation, Hartford Street, Medfield MA.	National Trails Day Celebrate locally at Rocky Woods Reservation with The Trustees of the Reservations and REI/Framingham. Volunteers who register at www.rei.com/stores/57 receive a free T-shirt the day of the event. Have fun working alongside other outdoor enthusiasts. Wear boots and appropriate clothing; bring work gloves if you have them. REI will provide a light lunch. Rain or shine (cancellation in event of severe weather).
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 (6-7:30PM) Framingham Town Hall, Blumer Room, 150 Concord Street, Framingham.	Public Hearing: Highway Five-Year Capital Investment Plan A Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT – Office of Transportation Planning, to discuss the Department’s Five-Year Capital Investment Plan for the Commonwealth’s highway system. (You can read its draft version, here.) The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about how MassDOT will determine its capital funding priorities for the highway system. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.
Sunday, May 23rd (Noon-4PM) Locations TBA, in Newburyport and Salisbury.	Discover new rail-trails in Newburyport and Salisbury Celebrate the grand opening of new rail-trails in Newburyport and Salisbury! Free family-oriented activities include ribbon cutting ceremonies, art, music, community group exhibit booths, and refreshments - all along the trail. The two trails will be linked by a water shuttle ferrying pedestrians and cyclists across the Merrimack River. Come experience how overgrown rail corridors have been transformed into safe, attractive and popular community assets providing easy walking and bike access to the MBTA commuter rail station, Merrimack River and the Great Marsh. Find out more: http://coastaltrails.org/xoops/
Saturday, May 15th through Sunday, May 23rd, 2010	Natick Bike Week: Celebrate with the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee! We're doing our part for  Massachusetts Bike Week and National Bike Week. Please help, by posting this Natick Bike Week Flyer.
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010 (2-4PM) Meet in the small park on north side of Rte. 16, just west of Union Street in South Natick.	Natick Bike Week: Charles River Road Ride Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (1-508/653-5083)
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 (2-5PM) Meet at the Gazebo on Natick Common.	Natick Bike Week: Farm Ride in and near South Natick, with Ice-Cream Stop Charles Planck and Sue Geiser lead this moderately-paced 11-mile road ride to some or all of these working farms: Lookout Farm, Natick Community Organic Farm, Dowse Orchards, Iron Horse Farm, Sunshine Farm - with a stop for ice cream at Sunshine Dairy. Contact: Sue Geiser (1-508/647-3713).
Friday, May 21st, 2010 (6:30-8PM) Meet at the Gazebo on Natick Common.	Natick Bike Week: Natick Town Forest Ride Bike the trails in one of Natick's prime open spaces! Bring kids, too, age 10 and up. Contact: Charles Planck (1-508/650-4013)
Thursday, May 20th, 2010 (6:30-8PM) Meet at the Gazebo on Natick Common.	Natick Bike Week: Historic Natick Bike Ride with Maureen Sullivan Did you miss Maureen's walking tour on April 17th? Did you enjoy it, and want to try one on bikes? Grab your helmet and come along! Contact: Jill Miller (1-508/653-6136)
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 (6:15-17:45PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27)	Natick Bike Week: Landry's Bicycle Group Rides: Wednesday evenings, Landry's offers group bike rides in three lengths and speeds to fit varying abilities. For Bike Week, the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee joins Landry's and invites you to do so, too!
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 (6:30-8PM) Meet at the Gazebo on Natick Common.	Natick Bike Week: Henry Wilson History Bike Ride Visit our hometown hero, U.S. Vice President Henry Wilson - his home, the "Ten-Footer" in which he began his shoe-making business, and his perplexing grave site in Old Dell Park Cemetery. Plus, of course, a look at the new Henry Wilson History Trail. Contact: Dick and Jill Miller (1-508/653-6136)
Monday, May 17th, 2010 (6:30-7:30PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick	Free Clinic on Basic Bicycle Maintenance Co-sponsored by Landry's Bicycles and the Natick Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Celebrate Bay State Bike Week in Natick, and learn how to maintain your bicycle for safe, efficient, economical, and fun travel around town. Ken McLean, Landry's technical director, will present a program on basic bike maintenance, followed by Q&As. Just bring yourself, not your bike. This clinic will meet in Landry's Natick conference room -- just  ask to be directed to the clinic when you arrive at the store. This clinic is FREE. Questions: Mark Gray (Landry's/Natick, 1-508/655-1990 x7)
Saturday, May 15th, 2010 (4-4:30PM) Elm Bank: 900 Washington St. (Rte. 16), just past Natick in Wellesley. Park cars uphill, then bike to trail head just before the small bridge and boat launch area (where parking is for the paddlers).	Natick Bike Week: Elm Bank Kids Ride Bring your kids and bikes for an easy ride at Elm Bank Reservation, along the Charles River in South Natick, Wellesley and Dover. Contact: Sue Geiser (1-508/647-3713).
Saturday, May 15th through Sunday, May 23rd, 2010	Natick Bike Week: Celebrate with the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee! We're doing our part for  Massachusetts Bike Week and National Bike Week. Please help, by posting this Natick Bike Week Flyer.
Saturday, May 15th, 2010 (Noon-3PM) Natick Town Common	Natick Health, Fun & Fitness Day Sponsored by Natick Center Associates and Natick Recreation and Parks Department. Events will include an Obstable Course, Fitness Preview, Mini-Golf Holes, Martial Arts Demo, Moonwalk, and a Slow Bike Race at 2 PM. Also, there will be a Chase Team Relay at 12:30PM and a Bicycle Auction by the Police Department. All activities are Free!  Contact: Margaret Sleeper, Natick Center Associates (1-508/650-8848)
Saturday, May 15th, 2010 (9AM-3PM) Natick Town Hall (Coffee and registration begin 8:30AM.)	Lake Cochituate Watershed Spring Meeting The (new) Lake Cochituate Watershed Council invites you to its spring meeting, featuring Martin Pillsbury of MAPC. Free (the $25 registration fee has been dropped). Box lunch provided. Contributions welcome. Contact: Pat Conaway, President, LCWC (1-508/740-9949)
Saturday, May 8th, 2010 (9AM-3PM) (Rain Date: Saturday, May 15th) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail project in Framingham. This will probably be the last opportunity for you to help out on a work day for a while, since construction of the trail is set to begin this November and continue for about a year. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely  helpful.  Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Check the website, www.CRTrail.org, Saturday morning, to find out whether the event is being postponed because of bad weather.
Saturday, April 24th, 2010 Various times and locations	Mass. DCR's 4th Annual Park Serve Day Find a project near you.
Saturday, April 24th, 2010 (9AM-5PM) Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham	Earth Day at New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods Today, free admission to this wonderful natural garden in northwest Framingham. And consider joining the Society that does that and more.
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 Various times and locations	The official Earth Day, 2010 - 40th Anniversary! (And I was there, chatting with the late and great Jacques Cousteau in Boston and on Georges Island, for the very first!)
Saturday, April 17th, 2010 (10AM) Meet at the Gazebo on Natick Common.	Pre-Season Walking Tour of Natick Center with Maureen Sullivan Maureen promises to present lots of tidbits about the history of this part of town, and it's free. If you haven't yet been on a history walk with Maureen, here's your chance to see what you've been missing!
Monday, April 12th, 2010 (6-7PM) Framingham Town Hall	Route 9 Road Resurfacing about to begin in Framingham and Natick MassDOT District 3 pays a last-minute visit - and announces a new on-line project-information site for this project.
Sunday, April 11th, 2010 (10AM-5:30PM) Bentley University, 175 Forest Street, Waltham	Environmental Action 2010: Toxics Action Center's 24th annual citizens conference will draw about 400 activists from MA, CT and RI. It is a top-notch event for people wanting to sharpen their knowledge, skills, and connections for clean air, clean water, and a protected environment for our communities. Registration: $30 ($15 for students).
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 (4:30-5:30PM) Union Station, Worcester (in Union Hall)	Outreach Meetings - ABP Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations    MassDOT is sponsoring a series of meetings to discuss pedestrian and bicycle accommodation in the bridge projects included in Governor Patrick's Accelerated Bridge Program. There will be one meeting for each MassDOT Highway Division district. If you are interested, please attend the appropriate regional meeting to learn about this historic $3 billion statewide investment in the Commonwealth's bridges, and specifically how bicycle and pedestrian accommodation is being incorporated into the program.    Our District 3 meeting, in Worcester, will be led by Bryan Slack (508-929-3818).
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 (7-9PM) Grant Conference Center, U.S. Soldier Systems Center (NLabs), Kansas Street, Natick Grant Conference Center is located between MacGillvary Hall (formerly Research Building #3) and MacArthur Hall (formerly Development Building #4).  Please park your vehicles in the parking lot across from the flag pole.  Enter MacArthur Hall through the middle side door and walk through the glass enclosed hallway to reach the Grant Conference Center.	Restoration Advisory Board - Toxic Sediment Removal from Lake Cochituate For many years, the U.S. Soldier Systems Center's RAB has advised re the study, testing and massive groundwater treatment to remove toxic materials from groundwater that was heading toward Natick's Springvale Pumping Station and Natick's drinking water. Now it's time to address the other half of the problem: the removal of toxic sediments from Lake Cochituate. Normal entry requirements: All vehicles will be searched.  Photo identification will be required.  No cameras allowed without prior written approval. Contact: Jim Connolly (1-508/233-5550).
Sunday, March 28th, 2010 (2PM) Hunneman Hall of the Brookline Main Library, 361 Washington Street, Brookline, MA	Dennis DeWitt: "The Big Dig of 1848" The Brookline Historical Society hosts Dennis DeWitt, who will talk about the Cochituate Aqueduct and the Brookline Gate House. Dennis is leading the effort to rehabilitate the Brookline Gate House. Dick Miller and Dennis have collaborated on researching the Cochituate Gate House (the start of the Cochituate Aqueduct). Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Thursday, March 25th, 2010 (7-9PM) Heritage at Framingham, 747 Water Street, Framingham	Bruce Freeman Rail Trail meeting in Framingham This month's meeting of the Friends of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is a panel discussion about Framingham, in Framingham. You're invited. Contact: John Stasik (1-508/877-6771).
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 (7-9PM) Ablondi Room, Framingham Memorial Building (Town Hall)	Design Public Hearing to discuss the proposed Resurfacing of Route 9 project in Framingham and Natick: MassDOT- Highway Division will discuss the proposed Resurfacing of Route 9 project in Framingham and Natick, MA (Project File No. 604991). The proposed project consists of resurfacing Route 9 in Framingham and Natick from the Southborough/Framingham Town Line to Walnut Street in Natick. The improvements include pavement micro-milling and resurfacing, sidewalk and wheelchair ramp upgrades, guardrail repairs, installing and resetting curb, isolated tree trimming, cleaning of the existing drainage systems and new pavement markings and signs.    Use this opportunity to propose bicycle and pedestrian improvements!    Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above.    Plans will be on display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer in attendance to answer questions regarding this project. A project handout is available on the MassDOT website.
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Public Presentation of Draft Plan for the Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick: Come see the draft plan for the southern 60% of the Cochituate Rail Trail, as proposed by the Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Committee and its consulting firm, Fay, Spofford and Thorndike. Then share your comments before it is finalized! Please tell friends about this free event and print/post its online poster which, with the draft plan itself, now is online at the NCRTAC's web site.
Monday, November 16th, 2009 (7-9PM) Community Room, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Dick and Jill Miller present a FOSS (Free, Open-Source Software) Talk and Demonstration: There's a universe out there, of free programs and operating systems! Meet some of the very best (including Firefox, Thunderbird, Open Office, Ubuntu Linux Desktop), that can allow you to freely share powerful and friendly software with your co-workers and co-volunteers. Please tell friends about this free event, and print/post this online poster. Would you like to try a temporary FOSS system on your (backed-up!) notebook computer? Bring it along! For more information: Dick and Jill Miller (1-508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Thursday, November 5th, 2009 (8:30AM-3PM) Newton Marriott Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA	3rd Annual Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Forum: Learn about SRTS best practices, lessons learned, community initiatives, and infrastructure safety enhancements, while networking with school partners, stakeholders, and enthusiasts. Learn firsthand from principals, parents, police officers, and community partners statewide how to successfully launch and sustain a SRTS program. Topics will include education and encouragement programs, such as Walking School Buses, evaluation, enforcement, and engineering strategies. Successful SRTS partner schools and communities will be recognized for their achievements. Mark Fenton, a Scituate, MA resident, is a nationally recognized public health and transportation consultant, author, and pedestrian and bicycle advocate. An inspiring, entertaining presenter, he will discuss the importance of Safe Routes to School efforts and initiatives to create more livable, sustainable, and successful cities and towns. The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program promotes healthy alternatives for children and parents in their travel to and from school. The SRTS program aims to reduce congestion, air pollution, and traffic conficts near participating schools, while increasing the health and mobility of school-aged children. Admission free, and lunch will be provided. RSVP by October 21st: Courtney.Croteau@eot.state.ma.us (1-617/892.6083)
Saturday, October 31st, 2009 (9-10AM) Meet at 9 a.m. at the Longfellow Pond parking lot, located on the left side of Oakland Street 0.9 miles south of Rt. 9.	Town Forest Walk in Wellesley Walk the woodland trails in the Town Forest. Enjoy the picturesque views around Longfellow Pond. Walk the Esker Trail and experience the steep 80-foot high eskers deposited by glaciers. Leaders: Diane Hall, Miguel Lessing Most Wellesley Trails Committee walks cover 1.5 to 2 miles and last about one hour.
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 (10AM-11AM, rain or shine) Meet on the northerly side of Route 109 across from Friendly’s Restaurant.	Milford Upper Charles Trail - Phase 2 Ground Breaking Help celebrate the start of this section! Contact: Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail (trail@milfordtrail.org) or Milford Parks & Recreation Dept. (508/478-1110, ext. 2650).
Saturday, October 24th, 2009 (9AM-4PM) Central Mass Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) Conference Room, Untion Station, 2 Washington Square, Worcester MA	2nd Annual Conference, Massachusetts Forest and Park Friends Network: With a rich agenda, and great opportunities to meet the volunteers for other Mass. Forests and Parks! Registration is $3.00 per person. Catered lunch is $8.00 or bring a bag lunch. Download registration form and register by mail before October 18th.
Saturday, October 17th, 2009 (9-10AM) Meet at 9 a.m. at the Guernsey parkin1g area. Take Dover Road from Washington Street and follow for 0.7 mi. Turn right onto Livingston Road, which becomes Winding River Road, and follow for 0.9 mi. Parking area is on your left at the trail map house.	Guernsey Path Walk in Wellesley Walk along the Charles River to the historic Waban Arches built in 1876 to carry water to Boston and see the colorful fall foliage from the top of the 50 ft. arches. Take an optional short walk thru the Guernsey Sanctuary to Sabrina Lake, the 1870’s site of an amusement park. Leaders: Bob White, Peter Rovick  Most Wellesley Trails Committee walks cover 1.5 to 2 miles and last about one hour.
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 (8:30AM-4:30PM) Marriott Boston Courtyard Hotel, 275 Tremont St., Boston	Moving Together 2009 The Moving Together Conference is an annual and major event for bicycle and pedestrian action in Massachusetts. Pre-register for $50 including meals, or $60 at the door. Great talks, great sponsoring agencies, great contacts, makes a big difference. Read the online information, register, be there!
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 (9-10AM) Meet at the end of Glen Brook Road, located off Glen Road at the Wellesley-Weston town border.	Carisbrooke Walk in Wellesley Walk trails through Carisbrooke Reservation, a surprising wooded area with rocky outcrops on the Weston town line, and explore trails in the adjacent Weston conservation land. Meet at 9 a.m. at the end of Glen Brook Road, located off Glen Road at the Weston town border. Leaders: Tim Anderson, Denny Nackoney Most Wellesley Trails Committee walks cover 1.5 to 2 miles and last about one hour.
Month of October 2009 See individual events.	Massachusetts Archaeology Month Choose your favorite events from the Massachusetts Archaeology Month Calendar Of Events online now, or request a free printed copy of it: 1-617/727-8470 in Boston, or mhc@sec.state.ma.us .
Saturday-Sunday, September 26th-27th, 2009 (10AM-5PM) Day Use Area, Cochituate State Park	Natick Powwow at Cochituate State Park: This Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration is hosted by the Praying Indians of Natick and Ponkapoag. Singing; dancing; storytelling; food and more! Public welcome. Free admission. Information: 1-508/339-8919.
Saturday, September 26th, 2009 (9AM-3PM) Rain date: October 3rd, 2009 Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Fall Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail. Here's a way to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Sunday, September 13th, 2009 (1-6PM) Natick Town Common	Natick Days It is the rain date, but a good'un! Food, fun and entertainment. The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting together in front of the Police Headquarters, and there's much more on the Town Common and along East Central Street, which is closed to traffic for this major event. This is a great stop on your bike ride!
Saturday, August 29th, 2009 (10AM) In Old Town Hall (across Rte. 4 from the Common), Chelmsford  MA	Ribbon Cutting for the first 6.8 miles of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail!    On Saturday, August 29, after more than 24 years of planning, working, and waiting, and two years of construction, the 6.8-mile section of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from Cross Point Towers in Lowell to Route 225 in Westford will officially open!  This is the first completed section of the 25-mile rail trail that is planned to extend southward through Acton, Concord and Sudbury into Framingham.    The MassHighway ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10:00 am at Old Town Hall in Chelmsford Center, followed by a gala celebration sponsored by the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail on the Chelmsford Town Common with music, balloons, and refreshments. Non-profit groups promoting rail trails, fitness, outdoors, cycling and town activities will have information tables on the common.     The 6.8 miles of trail will be open, with activities suitable for children and adults scheduled from the ribbon cutting to 2:00 pm.  Join the activities by using any non-motorized form of transportation, and enjoy this new trail.  A barbeque with hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks, for $1 each, will be available at Agway on Maple Road in Chelmsford from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm     This section of the planned 25-mile multi-use rail trail has been under construction for two years. The trail will be accessible to users of all ages and abilities. It traverses woods, wetlands, open fields, and shopping areas and also features an artwalk with renderings of historic Chelmsford buildings painted by local artists.     The ceremony will be held rain or shine. We encourage you to take part in this day of celebration and fun!    For latest details, see the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail web site: http://brucefreemanrailtrail.org/ribboncutting/index.html
Thursday, August 20th (5-10PM Concert) and Friday and Saturday, August 21st-22nd (10AM-10PM) Boston City Hall Plaza	Boston GreenFest: The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. offers this entertaining education festival celebrating the many ways we can create a better world by greening our neighborhoods, our communities and the entire Greater Boston area. The festivities will include "Project Recycle Runway", a walk through the Time Tunnel, lots more entertainment, food, and fun activities for children. Festival-goers will learn what it means to eat and grow local organic food, improve nutrition and healthcare, green our city, build healthy communities, take political action, create green jobs and a green economy.
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 (6-8PM) Natick Morse Institute Library	Public meeting re the former Natick Paperboard factory site: A new Phase II Comprehensive Site Assessment report addresses potential effects upon Pegan Cove Park, Lake Cochituate's Pegan Cove in South Pond, and upon the outcome of the US Army Soldier Systems Center clean-up. Following this meeting, there will be a 20-day period for public comments. I'm told that Natick has one copy of the 2,300-page assessment report, in the Morse Institute Library. Fat chance, that anyone can digest it like that! But CD copies do exist. I've requested one, from: Dave Heislein, MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Inc. (1-781/245-6606 (tel); 1-781/246-5060 (fax); deheislein@mactec.com)
Monday, August 10th, 2009 (7-8PM) Community Room, Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston	Weston Climate Group: "King Corn": Free screening of evironmental film. A discussion will follow the screening.
Friday, July 31st, 2009 (5PM)	Close of  MEPA Public Comment Period re Draft/Final Environmental Impact Report for Town of Framingham Birch Road Well Redevelopment, Project No. 14197: This proposal may significantly affect the Sudbury River and Lake Cochituate. When you read some existing comments, and realize how very belatedly the CSPAC was informed of this comment period, I believe you'll agree that the request to make this the Final Environmental Impact Report is premature. The CSPAC was not notified until July 21st, that its 30-day comment period would end on July 24th. The comment period now has been extended one week to July 31st. I've provided a new web page, with links to the DEIR and to some comment letters. Thanks to those who stepped forward to help inform us! I will provide a personal comment letter to that end. Your additional comment letter may help.
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 (7-9PM; preview at 6:30PM) Blumer Community Rm. (basement), Memorial Building, 150 Concord St., Framingham	Preliminary Plans Workshop for the Cochituate Rail Trail: The Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee invites you to review the draft preliminary plans for the Framingham portion of the Cochituate Rail Trail. Plans will be available for preview starting at 6:30PM. A presentation by the trail's designer, Weston & Sampson, will begin at 7:00PM and will be followed by public comment. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the trail, show your support, and help with the design. Bring your ideas, questions, and comments to this workshop.
Monday, July 20th, 2009 (7-8PM) Community Room, Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston	Weston Climate Group: Rachel Carson film, "A Sense of Wonder": Free screening of a new film, based on the life of Rachel Carson. "A gem of a film – a real treat for the soul!" A discussion will follow the screening.
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009 (8PM) Framingham ZBA, Framingham Town Hall	Cement Plant Hearing (continued from April 27th, 2009): Paulini Loam's new proposal to the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals, for an "enclosed" cement plant at 597 Old Connecticut Path (overhanging the Cochituate Rail Trail, just north of the Massachusetts Turnpike).
Saturday, June 13th, 2009 (9AM-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Framingham Town Line)	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up: Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/653-3585; BobD@playbackinc.com) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641).
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 (6:30PM-8:45PM) Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd fl. front), Natick Town Hall	Natick Soldier Systems Center Clean-Up, Repeat of May 21st Public Hearing: The first half of the "Natick Labs" hazardous wastes clean-up is well underway - the clean-up of toxic groundwater plumes that threaten Natick's drinking water wells. Now NSSC shifts attention to the second half of the clean-up - treatment options for toxic sediment on the bottom of Lake Cochituate's South Pond, notably in Pegan Cove. Ignore it? Cover it over? Remove it partially or entirely? And what about restoration? NLabs' toxic sediments in Pegan Cove stopped Mass. DCR from pulling the Eurasian water milfoil plants that initially appeared there in 2002, and that spread the invasive aquatic weeds to the entire lake. You can be involved: 1. Request your copy of an introductory brochure, from: James Connolly, Environmental Scientist, U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (1-508/233-5550) 2. See Soldier Systems Center's 19-page DRAFT Proposed Plan for Sediment. (It was released May 18th. It and this late-announced meeting date were not approved by the project's Restoration Advisory Board.) 3. Attend this hearing to learn, and to voice your opinion. (On May 19th, SSC and EPA agreed to announce and hold a second, more carefully chosen, hearing night within the 30-day hearing period. This June 10th date was confirmed on May 27th.) 4. And/or, comment in writing by June 25th (extended from June 16th!). Extensive documents relating to this major clean-up project are available for public review at the Morse Institute Library in Natick.
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting Come learn about the status of Lake Cochituate and Cochituate State Park. Share questions, answers and suggestions with the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.    On June 8th, we learned that DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan would be replaced as our guest speaker by Conrad Crawford of his staff.    Also, we will not be permitted to show a 3-1/2-minute video designed to contrast the official (but inexperienced) Mass. DCR opinion of DASH (Diver-Assisted Suction Harvesting) boats to that of the New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services' use of DASH boats on NH lakes and ponds. NH DES owns two DASH boats, is seeking five more, and helps NH ponds to build amd operate their own. Our DASH-boat video is on-line here (a 150MB, Miro-ready .mpg file that may take ten minutes to download at cable speeds). Expect more DASH progress in the weeks to come.
Saturday, June 6th, 2009 (10AM-2PM) Callahan State Park, Millwood Street, Framingham Directions: Rt. 9 west to Rt. 30 exit, right at first set of lights to Edgell Road to Belknap Road (left), right onto Millwood Street to entrance on left across from golf course.	National Trails Day at Callahan State Park: Join the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), REI, and local volunteers as we work together on National Trails Day. We'll be doing trail maintenance and cleanup on several popular trails and areas in Callahan State Park as directed by DCR personnel. Wear appropriate clothing and work gloves. Note: All volunteers who sign up by calling REI Framingham receive a free REI volunteer T-shirt on the day of the event. Contact: REI Framingham (1-508/270-6325)
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall.	Natick Conservation Commission hearing re chemicals in North Pond: Related to NCC's controverial hearing about diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond (see April 23rd et al), but now in North Pond. Only a small fraction of the North Pond's water surface is within Natick, and North Pond is generally downstream of all Natick drinking water well fields. On May 28th, Mass. DCR withdrew its Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA), saying it doesn't need NCC approval to apply triclopyr. Tonight, the NCC considered its Wetlands Protection Act jurisdiction, confirmed that a widened no-treatment area would surround the small Natick area in North Pond, and determined that no NOI would be required for this application. See the updated web page re Eurasian Water Milfoil in Lake Cochituate.
Sunday, May 31st, 2009 (3-5PM) Natick Senior Center, 131 East Central Street	Natick Trails Subcommittee Builds A New Trail: Clear a new trail that will start behind the Senior Center (which is behind the courthouse) and run up Broad's Hill on the beautiful conservation land to connect to Union Avenue near the Emergency Room entrance to the Metrowest Hospital. Please wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat and gloves. There is poison ivy, and may be ticks. Please bring tools if you can: hand saws for cutting branches, bow saw, hand clippers, long-handled loppers, long-handled scythes or swizzle sticks, an old lawnmower to help clear the trail. Contact: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827)
Thursday, May 28th, 2009 (7:30PM; postponed from May 6th and 21st) Natick Town Hall.	Natick Conservation Commission hearing re chemicals in North Pond: Opening Natick's follow-up to the controverial hearing about diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond (see April 23rd et al). Only a small fraction of the North Pond's water surface is within Natick, and North Pond is generally downstream of all Natick drinking water well fields. Surprise! This afternoon, Mass. DCR withdrew its Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA), saying it doesn't need NCC approval to apply triclopyr. The NCC acted to assert its Wetlands Protection Act jurisdiction and to gather more information from DCR for its next-week meeting. See the updated web page re Eurasian Water Milfoil in Lake Cochituate.
Thursday, May 21st, 2009 (6:30PM-8:45PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Natick Soldier Systems Center Clean-Up, Public Hearing: The first half of the "Natick Labs" hazardous wastes clean-up is well underway - the clean-up of toxic groundwater plumes that threaten Natick's drinking water wells. Now NSSC shifts attention to the second half of the clean-up - treatment options for toxic sediment on the bottom of Lake Cochituate's South Pond, notably in Pegan Cove. Ignore it? Cover it over? Remove it partially or entirely? And what about restoration? NLabs' toxic sediments in Pegan Cove stopped Mass. DCR from pulling the Eurasian water milfoil plants that initially appeared there in 2002, and that spread the invasive aquatic weeds to the entire lake. You can be involved: 1. Request your copy of an introductory brochure, from:  James Connolly, Environmental Scientist, U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center (1-508/233-5550) 2. See Soldier Systems Center's 20-page DRAFT Proposed Plan for Sediment. (It was released May 18th. It and this late-announced meeting date were not approved by the project's Restoration Advisory Board.) 3. Attend this hearing to learn, and to voice your opinion. (Have a conflict this evening? Natick Town Meeting members and Town officials do! On May 19th, SSC and EPA agreed to announce and hold a second, more carefully chosen, hearing night within the 30-day hearing period.) 4. And/or, comment in writing by June 16th. Extensive documents relating to this major clean-up project are available for public review at the Morse Institute Library in Natick.
Saturday, May 9th through Sunday, May 17th, 2009 Check back for event updates.	Bike Week 2009! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week.) Please help, by posting this Natick Bike Week Flyer!
Saturday, May 16th, 2009 (4:30-6PM) Meet on the Natick Town Common, at the Bandstand.	Natick Bike Week, Town Forest and Pizza Bike Ride: Join the NBPAC for a short bike ride on streets, through the Town Forest, and to a favorite pizza place. Leader: Ken DelPapa (1-508/308-4585; kdelpapa@gmail.com)
Friday, May 15th, 2009 (all day) Massachusetts.	Natick Bike Week, Massachusetts (and U.S.) Bike To Work Day: Just do it! Or see how they do it in San Francisco.
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009 (6:15-17:45PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27)	Natick Bike Week, Landry's Bicycle Group Rides: Wednesday evenings, Landry's offers group bike rides in three lengths and speeds to fit varying abilities. For Bike Week, the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee joins Landry's and invites you to do so, too!
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009 (6:30-7:30PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27)	Natick Bike Week, Fix-A-Flat and Simple Bike Maintenance Workshop: Have you gotten rusty, or never learned? Here's a free opportunity to be road-ready, taught by a repair expert from Landry's! Reserve your place with: Tim Tapply (1-508/545-0213).
Monday, May 11th (6:30-8PM) Elm Bank: 900 Washington St. (Rte. 16), just past Natick in Wellesley. Park in Parking Lot C.	Natick Bike Week, Elm Bank Reservation Easy bike ride on road and woodland trails along the Charles River in Elm Bank Reservation. See headquarters of Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Elm Bank offers a fine example of carriage road construction (which is one possible surface for the Cochituate Rail Trail); experience it, and discuss the trade-offs between natural, stone-dust and paved trail surfaces. Leader: Dick Miller (1-508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Sunday, May10th (2-4PM) Meet in the small park on north side of Rte. 16, just west of Union Street in South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Charles River Road Ride: Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (1-508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 9th, 2009 (3:30-4:30PM) Meet on the Natick Town Common, by the Post Office.	Natick Bike Week, Children's Ice Cream Bike Ride: Enjoy this short, flat NBPAC bike ride suitable for children with accompanying adult, ending at a favorite Natick ice cream shop! Contact: Susan Geiser, NBPAC member
Saturday, May 9th through Sunday, May 17th, 2009 Check back for event updates.	Bike Week 2009! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week.) Please help, by posting this Natick Bike Week Flyer!
Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 All day, across Massachusetts.	Massachusetts Walk to School Day On the first Wednesday in May, Massachusetts Safe Routes to School partners participate statewide. It is an opportunity for schools to celebrate walking and bicycle to school as a special one-day event or complement on-going activities.
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 (4-6PM) The Weston Scout House School Street, Weston MA (across from the Weston Public Library which is at 87 School Street) Guided walk at 2PM - Meet at Recreation Building (barn), near the COA door on the lower level.	"The Rail-Trail Initiatives in Massachusetts", by Craig Della Penna Craig is the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Weston Forest & Trail Association. All are welcome, and there's a guided walk beforehand.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 (9AM-3PM) (Rain Date: May 9th) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail project in Framingham. Here's an opportunity to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely  helpful.  Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Monday, April 27th, 2009 (8:15PM) Framingham ZBA, Framingham Town Hall	Cement Plant Hearing:: Paulini Loam's new proposal to the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals, for an "enclosed" cement plant at 597 Old Connecticut Path (overhanging the Cochituate Rail Trail, just north of the Massachusetts Turnpike).
Saturday, April 25th, 2009 (10AM-1PM) DCR says: "No rain date!" Fisk Pond Parking Lot, north side of Rte. 135 in Natick, across from east end of Fisk Pond.	Celebrate Park Serve Day in Massachusetts Parks - and Earth Day! Complete construction of the new Henry Wilson History Trail in Cochituate State Park: You and your friends can help, as we complete the Henry Wilson History Trail (and two foot bridges), around the east end of Fisk Pond in Cochituate State Park. CSP will provide tools. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Contact: Tim Murphy, CSP Supervisor (1-508/653-9641).
Saturday, April 25th, 2009 (Free admission to 5PM) Garden In The Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham MA	The New England Wild Flower Society's Garden In The Woods celebrates Earth Day! Special events, Noon-4PM: Scavenger hunt, face painting, recycling relay race, invasive plant game, demonstrations, wildflower seed planting in pots to take home, exhibits and more. (So you can help build the Henry Wilson History Trail, first! See above.)
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 (7:45PM) Note: Moved from April 15th Natick Town Hall (probably Selectmen's Meeting Room, 2nd-floor front)	Natick Conservation Commission hearing re applying diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond The Natick Board of Health recommended against this chemical application, as did many other groups. NCC closed public comments (see April 2nd), and may issue its decision tonight. Mass. DCR's Office of Lakes and Ponds appeared before NCC on March 19th and April 2nd, seeking to apply diquat dibromide in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, upstream of Natick's Evergreen well field. Lakes and Ponds had surprised local groups by recommending against the alternative DASH-boat grant proposal (after waiting all winter without saying so), and killed that grant despite a one-third pledged share from Natick. When we discovered that problem at the end of January, DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan assured us that the DASH-boat grant would be reconsidered. But his Lakes and Ponds Office didn't meet with us until March 27th, at which time it said it has no money (other than the diquat money which, if diquat is not permitted, must go to the same company for less efficient hand-pulling without a DASH boat!). Can such things be? You can read DCR's NOI (Notice of Intent) to NCC, Natick BOH recommendation, DASH-boat information and more (including new documents from April 2nd) on-line at: http://www.millermicro.com/LCmilfoil.html
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 Everywhere!	Celebrate the real Earth Day! (April 22nd, every year.)
Saturday, April 4th, 2009 (9AM-5:30PM) Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston. Conference begins in Watson Auditorium in Watson Hall (number 5 on the campus map).	Toxics Action 2009: Toxics Action Center's 23rd annual citizens conference will draw about 400 activists from MA, CT and RI. It is a top-notch event for people wanting to sharpen their knowledge, skills, and connections for clean air, clean water and a protected environment for our communities. Registration: $30 and up.
Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall (probably Selectmen's Meeting Room, 2nd-floor front)	Natick Conservation Commission hearing re applying diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond [The Natick Board of Health recommended against this chemical application. NCC closed public comments tonight, and may issue its decision on April 23rd.] Mass. DCR's Office of Lakes and Ponds reappeared (continued from March 19th) before Natick Conservation Commission, seeking to apply diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond. We recently learned that the same office also recommended against the DASH-boat grant proposal (that waited all winter before it was rejected). DCR assures us that the DASH-boat grant will be reconsidered, complete with a live conversation that failed to materialize until now. You can read DCR's NOI (Notice of Intent) to NCC, DASH-boat information and more on-line at: http://www.millermicro.com/LCmilfoil.html
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 (7PM) Natick Town Hall (School Committee Meeting Room, 3rd-floor front)	Informal meeting re Conceptual Redesign of North Main Street (Rte. 27) in Natick The Town of Natick hired a consulting engineering firm last summer with private mitigation funds to undertake a redesign of North Main Street which is intended to accommodate better traffic flow, safer/more efficient intersections with improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Although the design is still conceptual we would like to update residents regarding the design work to date, future steps and obtain relevant comments. Contact: Patrick Reffett, Natick Director of Community Development
Thursday, March 19th, 2009 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall (probably Selectmen's Meeting Room, 2nd-floor front)	Natick Conservation Commission hearing re applying diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond Mass. DCR's Office of Lakes and Ponds appears before Natick Conservation Commission, seeking to apply diquat in Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond. We recently learned that the same office also recommended against the DASH-boat grant proposal (that waited all winter before it was rejected). DCR assures us that the DASH-boat grant will be reconsidered, complete with a live conversation that failed to materialize until now. You can read DCR's NOI (Notice of Intent) to NCC, DASH-boat information and more on-line at: http://www.millermicro.com/LCmilfoil.html
Monday, February 9th, 2009 (7PM) John Harvard´s Brew House, One Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA (in Shoppers World).	The Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee and John Harvard´s Brew House: Cochituate Rail Trail Night Come hear updates on the Cochituate Rail Trail project in Framingham and Natick. Meet the trail designer, Weston & Sampson, and learn about upcoming plans. Sponsors REI and John Harvard´s will make short presentations. Snacks provided by John Harvard´s.
Saturday, January 24th, 2009 (9AM-3PM) Worcester State College, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester MA	22nd Annual Mass. Congress of Lakes And Ponds (COLAP) Winter Workshop on Lake and Pond Management and Restoration Contact: Carol Hildreth (508/429-5085)
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 (6:30-8:30PM) Nevins Hall, Framingham Memorial Building, 150 Concord St., Framingham MA	MassPike Public Hearing on Toll Structure Changes The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority ("Authority") is convening public hearings on toll structure changes within the Metropolitan Highway System. The proposed changes include increasing tolls and changing toll rates. The Authority will accept oral testimony on the toll structure changes during these public hearings. In addition, written testimony and comments will be accepted for one week following the hearings, until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2008. Written testimony and comments should be sent to the Office of the General Counsel, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 4 160, Boston, MA 02116. You may also send your comments to the Authority via its e-mail form using the Tolls/Roadways topic.
Saturday, December 6th, 2008 (8AM-1PM) Clock Works Café & Pavilion, Building #2, Clock Tower Place, 146 Main Street, Maynard MA	SuAsCo Watershed Community Council presents River Visions 2008, Tenth Annual Watershed Forum: "Greening the SuAsCo Watershed: LEED, LID and Other Tools for Responding to Climate Change" Sudbury, Assabet & Concord Rivers - "Three Rivers, One Community." Keynote Speaker: Mass. DEP Commissioner Laurie Burt Register ($35-$45): Nancy Bryant (1-978/461-0735)
Monday, November 17th, 2008 (7:30-8:30PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	DASH-boat Presentation The Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation and Natick propose to use a Diver-Assisted Suction Harvester (DASH) to clear weeds from Lake Cochituate. Jerry Davis, President of UWS Aquacleaner Inc. in Rochester NY, visits to explain his high-efficiency equipment and services.
Thursday, November 6th, 2008 (8:30AM-4PM) Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough MA	2nd Annual Massachusetts Safe Routes To School Forum This FREE all-day SR2S forum features Mark Fenton. I've heard Mark speak, and know that you'll be glad you attended. Learn how your town can take advantage of the excellent State and Federal support programs to create safe routes to school - and to create healthier, happier kids. Tip: Encourage your town's school and police staffers to attend, too! Register by October 29th: Christine Morrow (1-617/892-6095).
Month of October 2008 See individual events.	Massachusetts Archaeology Month See the Massachusetts Archaeology Month Calendar Of Events online. To request a free printed copy of it: 1-617/727-8470 in Boston, or mhc@sec.state.ma.us .
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 (7:30PM) Garden In The Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham MA	The Friends of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail: "Updates Of Major Rail Trails in Eastern Massachusetts" FBFRT has a good public presentation at each of its monthly meetings, but this one's near us and this one's about all the trail projects in our region. Presentation by rail-trail expert Craig Della Penna.
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance A good, free bike fix-it course. Preregister: 1-508/270-6325
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 (8:30AM-4:30PM) Marriott Boston Courtyard Hotel, 275 Tremont St., Boston	Moving Together 2008 The Moving Together Conference is an annual and major event for bicycle and pedestrian action in Massachusetts. $40, including meals. Great talks, great sponsoring agencies, great contacts, makes a big difference. Read the online information, register, be there!
Month of October 2008 See individual events.	Massachusetts Archaeology Month See the Massachusetts Archaeology Month Calendar Of Events online. To request a free printed copy of it: 1-617/727-8470 in Boston, or mhc@sec.state.ma.us .
Sunday,  October 5th, 2008 (Noon-4PM) Various events along the Minuteman Bikeway.	Minuteman Bikeway Celebration Help celebrate the Minuteman Bikeway's induction into the national Rail-Trail Hall of Fame, with special events and activities along the bikeway.
Sunday, September 28th, 2008 (1-3PM) River Bend Farm Visitor Center, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge Mass. (1-508/278-7604)	Join Dick and Jill Miller in a tour of The Blackstone Canal Tow Path Show up in the morning to see historic sites and exhibits on Heritage Homecoming Day. At 1PM, hike or bike with us along the unpaved tow path, and talk with Mass. DCR Park Superintendant Val Stegemoen about this very popular multi-use path project. An easy trip, suitable for kids (with adult supervision). Ends in time for a 3:30PM free outdoor concert on the canal by the Heritage String Band. Contact: Dick and Jill Miller (508/653-6136).
Sunday, September 28th (10A-6PM) (Postponed from Friday and Saturday, September 26th-27th) Boston City Hall Plaza	Changed: Instead of Boston's 6th Annual AltWheels Transportation Festival, City Hall is hosting Boston GreenFest 2008 It's an entertaining education festival celebrating the many ways we can create a better world through greening our neighborhoods, our communities and the entire Boston area. See displays and demonstrations of many fun ways people can save energy and save money with products and systems available today. Tip: Come by bike; there's free bike parking! Contat: 1-617/477-4840; karen@bostongreenfest.org)
Saturday-Sunday, September 27th-28th, 2008 (10AM-5PM) Day Use Area, Cochituate State Park	Natick Powwow at Cochituate State Park: This Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration is hosted by the Natick Praying Indians. Singing; dancing; storytelling; food and more! Public welcome. Free admission. Information: 1-508/339-8919.
Monday, September 22nd, 2008 (7-8PM) For location and directions, RSVP to Lexington Community Ed (1-781/862-8043)	Lexington Community Ed invites you to a free MassBike Business Bike Commuter Workshop Learn how to ride your bicycle to work, at this free presentation of MassBike's Business Bike Commuter Workshop. Learn the ins and outs of commuting to work. This fast and fun presentation covers bike choice, gear choice, Rules of the Road, route planning, and a whole host of other tips and tricks to get you started riding your bicycle to work. Space is limited; residents of other communities are welcome to reserve seats.
Monday, September 22nd, 2008 (6PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	"You Move Massachusetts" The Mass. Executive Office of Transportation holds a regional public meeting in Natick, to seek YOUR ideas and opinions on the entire transportation situation. MassPike tolls? Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations in highway design and maintenance? Better bicycle parking facilities, and taking bikes on commuter rail? You name it! Then continue the conversation at: http://www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts/ (where the theme is, "This fall, you can tell us where to go." :-) Contact: Kate Fichter, EOT Project Manager (1-617/973-7342)
Saturday, September 20th, 2008 (9AM-Noon, 1-3PM) (Rain date is Sunday, September 21st.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Fall Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail. Here's a way to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments As proposed, this development, very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach, will have a negative visual impact on Lake Cochituate and has been opposed by Mass. DCR and by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee. The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its July 9th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. The NZBA has closed public comments, and expects to vote on the final decision. [It did, and it's not good.] This meeting was postponed from September 10th.
Saturday, September 13th, 2008 (10AM-3PM) Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbott Road, Leominster (Event relocated from Sudbury.)	Massachusetts Rail Trails: Linking Together Starting a new State-wide level of rail trail activism. The CRT will be represented here, as should other groups; is your rail-trail group represented? Pre-register; $12 charge covers lunch, etc. Contact: Craig Della Penna
Saturday, September 13th, 2008 (10AM-4PM) Natick Town Common	Natick Days It's only one day, but it's a good'un! Food, fun and entertainment. The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting together in front of the Police Headquarters, and there's much more on the Town Common. This is a great stop on your bike ride!
Friday, August 15th, 2008 (5PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Old Cold Tater, bluegrass    Cochituate State Park's Friday-night summer concert series runs July 18th to August 15th, at 5PM.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.    Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, August 8th, 2008 (5PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Earthtunes, children's music    Cochituate State Park's Friday-night summer concert series runs July 18th to August 15th, at 5PM.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.    Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, August 1st, 2008 (5PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Julie & Brownie, chidren's music    Cochituate State Park's Friday-night summer concert series runs July 18th to August 15th, at 5PM.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.    Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Thusday, July 31st, 2008 (11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kidleidescope at Cochituate State Park: Birds    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, July 25th, 2008 (5PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Dale & The Duds, classic rock    Cochituate State Park's Friday-night summer concert series runs July 18th to August 15th, at 5PM.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.    Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Thusday, July 24th, 2008 (11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kidleidescope at Cochituate State Park: Bugs    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 (10AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Interpretive Program at Cochituate State Park: Birds Of Prey    Ever seen a hawk soaring over the highway? Have you heard owls hooting in your backyard? Come meet these incredible birds up close at Cochituate State Park. Local bird rehabilitator Larry Keating will bring a variety of hawks, falcons, and owls to the park and talk about the habits and adaptations of birds of prey.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, July 18th, 2008 (5PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area, 93 Commonwealth Road, Wayland (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Bernice Lewis, singer/songwriter    Cochituate State Park's Friday-night summer concert series runs July 18th to August 15th, at 5PM.    Children must be accompanied by an adult. All events are free after $5 parking fee. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.    Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Wednesdayday, July 9th, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its June 23rd hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. This is expected to be the final discussion prior to issuing a decision; only letters received since the prior meetnig will be considered. I am invited to submit final thoughts regarding the visual impact on Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance: REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Pre-register at: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its May 19th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. Continuing the prior meeting's discussion re the visual impact on Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Thursday, June 19th, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick Conservation Commission: 7:30pm: Wetland Protection Act hearing re Henry Wilson History Trail. 7:40pm: Wetland Protection Act hearing re removal of water chestnut from Fisk Pond (Lake Cochituate) .
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting Come learn about the status of Lake Cochituate and Cochituate State Park. Share questions, answers and suggestions with the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.
Sunday, June 15th, 2008 (8AM and 11AM) Start at Natick Common 8AM for 25-mile route. 11AM for 6-mile route.	Tour de Natick: Natick Rotary Club's annual mob scene on bikes, with many proud sponsors! What do YOU do on Father's Day? Many fathers and their families make this a part of their celebration. This is one of the few events in this calendar that cost money, $40 or $50 per rider, but it's for a very good cause. Click above for details. Early registration: Paul Gerry at Patterson & Gerry (1-508/875-2367)
Sunday, June 8th, 2008 (10AM) Cochituate State Park Marina (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Framingham Town Line)	REI Paddle Demo Day on Lake Cochituate: Thinking of buying a new canoe or kayak, and want to try it out? Just want to learn more? Come down early for this popular event. Free parking passes available in advance from REI/Framingham. Contact: Joel Bottesini, Outreach Specialist, REI (1-508/270-6325 in Framingham)
Sunday, June 8th, 2008 (9AM-12:30PM) Natick High School	PMC's Natick Kids Ride: Pan-Massachusetts Challenge holds a PMC Kids Ride in Natick, to raise money for the Jimmy Fund's cancer research. Three route options fit kids aged 3-12.
Saturday, June 7th, 2008 (9AM-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Framingham Town Line)	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up: Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/653-3585; BobD@playbackinc.com) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641).
-- POSTPONED FROM -- Saturday, June 7th, 2008 (time TBA) Fisk Pond Parking Lot, north side of Rte. 135 in Natick, across from east end of Fisk Pond. Date TBA...	(Awaiting rescheduling after June 19th hearing before Natick Conservation Commission.) Clearing for Henry Wilson History Trail in Cochituate State Park: Be there, as we install the Henry Wilson History Trail, around the east end of Fisk Pond in Cochituate State Park. (See May 17th.) CSP will provide tools. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Contact: Tim Murphy, CSP Supervisor (1-508/653-9641).
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Cochituate Rail Trail Community Forum: Presentations by Craig Della Penna and the Natick Cochituate Rail Trail Advisory Committee on regional and local rail trail projects. Share your questions and comments. Please post this flyer in downtown Natick stores, bike and hike stores and group offices, and invite your friends. Contact: Karla Sangrey (508/653-6149)
Monday, May 19th, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd floor School Committee Meeting Room.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its April 14th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. Continuing the prior meeting's discussion re the visual impact on Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Sunday, May 18th, 2008 (1:00PM) Mee at the bandstand on Natick Common.	Robert Eisenmenger Trail Natick's Trails Subcommittee invites you to a trail-opening ceremony followed by a trail walk. Following the ceremony, the walk will follow the trail 1.3 miles to the Natick Community Organic farm, and return. Bring water. Contact: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827)
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 (3:30-5PM) Meet on Natick Common.	Natick Bike Week, Ice Cream Bike Ride: Enjoy the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee's bike ride through Natick - with critical ice-cream stops en route! Contact: Susan Geiser, NBPAC member
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 (10AM-1PM) Cochituate State Park, Headquarters Building (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Lake Cochituate.)	Park Serve Day in Massachusetts Parks! Snake Brook Trail Clearing in Cochituate State Park: Discover and improve this little-known trail in Cochituate State Park (and early spur of the future Cochituate Rail Trail). CSP will provide tools. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Contact: Tim Murphy, CSP Supervisor (1-508/653-9641).
-- POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE! -- Saturday, May 17th, 2008 (10AM-1PM) Fisk Pond Parking Lot, north side of Rte. 135 in Natick, across from east end of Fisk Pond.	-- POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE! -- Park Serve Day in Massachusetts Parks! First Clearing for Henry Wilson History Trail in Cochituate State Park: Be there, as we begin to clear the Henry Wilson History Trail, around the east end of Fisk Pond in Cochituate State Park). Then come back for more, on June 7th. CSP will provide tools. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Contact: Tim Murphy, CSP Supervisor (1-508/653-9641).
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 (9AM-3PM) (Moved from Saturday, May 10th.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail project in Framingham. Here's an opportunity to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely  helpful.  Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Friday, May 16th, 2008 (6:30PM) Start on Natick Common	Natick Bike Week, Henry Wilson History Bike Ride Natick historian Maureen Sullivan and the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee peddle into the past, near Natick center to visit the home, shoe shop and grave plot of "The Natick Cobbler", Henry Wilson, - the indentured servant who became a shoe manufacturer, a famous Natick legislator and national abolitionist, Senate Co-Chairman of appropriations for the Civil War, and U.S. Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant. Contact: Mel Albert, NBPAC Chair (508/395-1732, 9am-9pm)
Friday, May 16th, 2008 (all day) Massachusetts!	Natick Bike Week, Massachusetts (and U.S.) Bike To Work Day: Just do it! Or see how they do it in San Francisco.
Thursday, May 15th, 2008 (6PM) Bicycle ride starts at the Cushing Memorial Park Chapel parking lot, on Dudley Road in Framingham.	Framingham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee's Ride of Silence. (The bicyclists' national Ride Of Silence is 7PM Wednesday, May 21st.) Contact: Bill Hanson, FBPAC Chair
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 (6PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27)	Natick Bike Week, Landry's Bicycle Group Rides: Wednesday evenings, Landry's offers group bike rides in three lengths and speeds to fit varying abilities. For Bike Week, the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee joins Landry's and invites you to do so, too!
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 (7PM) Natick Police Headquarters- front lawn, or in the sally port (with the Police bikes and motorcycles).	Natick Bike Week, Bicycle Tire-Change Clinic: The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee shows you how to change a flat tire. "The trouble with experience is that you get it just after you needed it!" Be prepared. Contact: Tim Tapply, NBPAC member
Monday, May 12th, 2008 (6:30PM) Ride starts at Shaw Park (across from Bacon Free Library) in South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Charles River Road Ride: Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083)
Saturday, May 10th through Sunday, May 18th, 2008 Check back for event updates.	Bike Week 2008! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week.)
Monday, May 5th, 2008 (7:30-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	The Ultimate Green Lawn The fertilizer that makes your lawn green also runs downhill to our lakes and ponds - where it grows algae and aquatic weeds. And mowing grass wastes energy, including your own. Jackson offers an interesting alternative approach!
Sunday, May 4th, 2008 (1-3PM) Natick Common	Natick Service Day Help out for one to two hours with one of many community service projects located near Natick Center, including: - Picking up litter along sidewalks - Cleaning walking trails and parks Just show up by yourself or with your family and friends! The Natick Service Council will provide bags and gloves. Contact: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827)
Sunday, April 27th, 2008 (Noon-4PM) At the top of Mountain Road in Framingham. (From MassPike Exit 12, 1/2-mile west on Rte. 9 to right on California Ave.; through the lights; at the base of the mountain take a left onto Mountain Rd.)	Kite Day at Bose Mountain By KONE (Kites Over New England), with participating companies, charitable organizations and more. It's free, and you're invited - especially with kids! Free nylon kites(while supplies last), free face painting, magic and balloons, games, a raffle (first prize is a Bose Wave Radio), stunt kite demos by professional kite flyers, see a fire truck. Ice cream, baked goods and pizza for sale.
Monday, April 14th, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd floor School Committee Meeting Room.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its March 3rd hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. Continuing the prior meeting's discussion (and new, low-foliage balloon testing) re the visual impact on Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Saturday, April 12th, 2008 (10-3PM) (Phone Natick ZBA Friday, to confirm: 1-508/647-6450) Observe ballons at east end of Chrysler Road in Natick. Preliminary talk at 10AM, main boat ramp at Cochituate State Park (south side of Route 30).	Balloon Test for proposed Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments (It was postponed from April 5th, due to weather. Despite another prediction of bad weather, conditions turned out fine and it went well.) This low-foliage balloon test will be held prior to the April 14th hearing continuation (and before the trees leaf out). On a windless day, balloons will be located at each upper corner of the proposed buildings so the Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members and the public can visualize the impact on the lake and on the Cochituate Rail Trail. Boaters: Can you help for an hour or so, by showing up at the main boat ramp at Cochituate State Park at 10AM and taking some passengers out for the view from our lake? Contact Dick Miller (1-508/653-6136) or Than Bogan, CSPAC Chair (1-508/650-4120).
Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 (1PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Mountain Climbing with REI: Hear experiences of winter climbing and hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire by an REI staff member. Learn climbing and hiking basics, proper equipment, clothing and more. Free, no registration required. Contact: Morse Institute Library (1-508/647-6520)
Thursday, March 20th, 2008 (5-7:30PM; register and refreshments at 4:30PM) TTOR's Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbott Avenue, Leominster, MA	Sustainable Watersheds Workshop: Free workshop on growing our towns greener and enacting practices that preserve the ecological health of watersheds. Preregister: Massachusetts Watershed Coalition (1-978/534-0379; mwc@commonwaters.org)
Tuesday, March 18th, 2008 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance: REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Pre-register at: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Saturday, March 15th, 2008 (9AM-4:30PM) Wentworth Institute of Techhology, Boston. Conference begins in Watson Auditorium in Watson Hall (number 5 on the campus map).	Toxics Action 2008: Toxics Action Center's 22nd annual citizens conference will draw about 400 activists from MA, CT and RI. It is a top-notch event for people wanting to sharpen their knowledge, skills, and connections for clean air, clean water and a protected environment for our communities. Registration: $35 each; $50 for a co-sponsoring group @ $20 each with 2 free seats.
Thursday, March 13th, 2008 (7:30PM) Senior Center (probably), Wayland Town Office Building, 41 Cochituate Road	Application For Use of Aquatic Pesticides in Dudley Pond: Continuation of February 14th public hearing before the Wayland Conservation Commission. Lake Cochituate and adjacent Dudley Pond are the sites of two on-going evaluations of different floating circulators, by SolarBee and Eco-Guide International. Will the Eco-Guide test be confused or interrupted by chemical treatments?
March 8th, 2008 (8:30AM-Noon) Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury MA	OAR Roundtable Discussion, Watersheds of Eastern Massachusetts: The Organization of the Assabet River holds its annual panel discussion, comparing problems and opportunities in our local watershed associations. Contact: Sue Flint, OAR (1-978/369-3956; www.assabetriver.org)
Saturday, March 8th, 2008 (8-11AM) Memorial Elementary School, South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm: NBPAC, Natick Open Space Committee and Natick Walks will co-staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. (All you can eat, $8; $4 for kids; exhibits are free.) Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more? [My photo album for last year's event.]
Monday, March 3rd, 2008 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd-floor Training Room.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its February 4th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. We are assured that this meeting will address the visual impact on Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Monday, February 4th, 2008 (7:30PM) Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd-floor front), Natick Town Hall	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its December 17th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. The theme for this meeting again is: Traffic and Landscaping. (Last-minute change: The visual impact on LC and CRT will be discussed at a FUTURE hearing date.)
Monday, December 17th, 2007 (7:30PM) Natick Fire Department's Meeting Room.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its October 29th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the Cochituate Rail Trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. The theme for this meeting is: Traffic and Landscaping. (The visual impact on LC and CRT will be discussed at a FUTURE hearing date.)
Thursday, December 6th, 2007 (7:30PM) Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd-floor front), Natick Town Hall	Mass. DCR reviews Invasive Aquatic Plant Management in Lake Cochituate: Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) visits Natick Conservation Commission for a quarterly review (months overdue) of its program to manage invasive aquatic vegetation in Lake Cochituate. Floating circulators and more.
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 (8:45PM) (Time confirmed, 1 day in advance.) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm.	Natick Helipad Hearing Continued from October 24th, the Natick Planning Board hearing re extension and expansion of a special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail! You still can be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for more information.
POSTPONED! -> Thursday, November 1st, 2007 (NO) Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd-floor front), Natick Town Hall	Mass. DCR reviews Invasive Aquatic Plant Management in Lake Cochituate: Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) visits Natick Conservation Commission for a quarterly review of its program to manage invasive aquatic vegetation in Lake Cochituate. Floating circulators and more. NOTE (as of Oct. 31st): This visit has been POSTPONED - probably to Thusday, Dec. 6th, 2007.
Monday, October 29th, 2007 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd floor School Board's Meeting Rm.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its September 17th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. The theme for this meeting is: site planning, drainage, etc. (071029: I've been informed that the visual impact on LC and CRT will be discussed at a FUTURE hearing date.)
Friday, October 26th, 2007 (5PM) Public comments (by e-mail).	Close of public comment period, on Proposed MassPike Toll Increase. See my MassPike Toll Increases web page, with my comment letter of October 19th, 2007. You can e-mail your comment letter to the same two e-mail addresses.
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 (8PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm.	Natick Helipad Hearing Continued from September 26th, the Natick Planning Board hearing re extension and expansion of a special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail! You still can be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for more information. Update, on the afternoon of the hearing: The Natick Planning Board just e-mailed me a copy of a new "final sound study" (we requested but never received the draft study), and I've just posted it for your information. You'll find its link near the top of the BSC Helipad webpage. After meeting: That presentation, and comments about it, were the 1-hour agenda item. The "final report" was updated late in the day, and I was able to post the new copy the next morning. The meeting is continued to November 14th.
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Register at: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Wednesday, October 17th, 2007 (8AM-3:45PM) Marriott Boston Courtyard Hotel Boston, MA	Moving Together 2007 The Moving Together Conference is an annual and major event for bicycle and pedestrian action in Massachusetts. $40, including meals. Great talks, great sponsoring agencies, great contacts, makes a big difference. Read the online information, register, be there!
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Register at: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 (3PM) Chelmsford Community Center (Old Town Hall), 1A North Road (Route 4), Chelmsford, MA	Phase 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail The public is invited. Luisa Paiewonsky, Commissioner of MassHighway, will be a featured speaker. Contact: help@brucefreemanrailtrail.org
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 (8:30AM-6:15PM) MIT Room 10-250, Cambridge MA	2007 Earth System Initiative/Center for Global Change Science Symposium: This “Earth System Revolutions: Key Turning Points in the History of our Planet” symposium has three sections. In the first session, key examples of revolutions early in the history of the Earth System such as the advent of oxygenic photosynthesis, the origin of Life and the Cambrian Explosion, will be presented to bring to light the ever evolving nature of the biosphere. In the second session, speakers will discuss the "Anthropocene", that is, the ways in which humans have fundamentally altered the chemical, physical and biological systems on this planet. Topics include the impact of our energy portfolio, our changing climate, biodiversity, and other ways that society and industry have intentionally or unintentionally shaped the Earth. The final session will focus on the possible futures of the Earth System. To highlight two simple extremes, should we as a society attempt to mitigate the effects of our changing planet through geoengineering? Or should we accept the inevitable and adapt to a new planet?   What middle ground is the best balance? What options are most likely to succeed in protecting Earth’s resources for future generations? A detailed agenda with a list of speakers can be found at http://esi.mit.edu/content/view/139/1/. Please email esinfo@mit.edu with questions.  Free, public, registration not required. Groups, please contact esinfo@mit.edu.
Tuesday, October 2nd (7PM) Wilson Middle School 22 Rutledge Road, Natick	Natick 360 Community Survey Results This two-year strategic planning process is scheduled to be completed in January of 2008 with the publication of the final strategic plan and a community-wide celebration of the accomplishment. Hear this presentation of the Phase IV results, followed by Q&A.The report is online here.
Saturday-Sunday, September 29th-30th, 2007 (10AM-5PM) Day Use Area, Cochituate State Park	Natick Powwow at Cochituate State Park: This Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration is hosted by the Natick Praying Indians. Singing; dancing; storytelling; food and more! Public welcome. Free admission. Information: 508/339-8919; http://natickprayingindians.org/.
Saturday, September 29th, 2007 (9AM-Noon, 1-3PM) (Rain date is Sunday, September 30th.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Fall Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail. Here's a way to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Friday, Sept. 28th (9AM-7PM) and Saturday, Sept. 29th (10AM-6PM), 2007 Boston City Hall Plaza	Boston's Fifth Annual AltWheels Transportation Festival More than 160 exhibitors, including free CFL light bulbs, discounts on alternative vehicles, a chance to bid on a Prius/Camry, and more! Visit the Energy Freedom trail with ideas on reducing your carbon footprint, MassBike with human-powered transportation, and REI's free bike repair tent. The festival also features live music, performance artists, and Mayor Menino on Friday from 3-4pm.
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 (8:30-11AM) Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Framingham MA	Walkable Communities Workshop The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Town of Framingham co-sponsor a free regional workshop to make your community more walkable. Pre-register with: Bryan Taberner, Framingham Planner (508/532-5455, bwt@framinghamma.gov)
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 (8:45PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm.	Natick Helipad Hearing 4PM same-day ALERT! This hearing IS scheduled for 8:45 tonight, with a first presentation by the Town's noise consultant. I expect that report to be available online, with time to respond before a continued hearing date. A related hearing for a Natick Noise By-Law is scheduled at 8:15PM. Continued from July 11th, the Natick Planning Board hearing re extension and expansion of a special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and Cochituate Rail Trail! You still can be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for more information.
Wednesday, September 26th, 2007	CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THIS EVENTS CALENDAR! Dick and Jill Miller thank you for your continuing interest.
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 (7AM-2PM) Boston MA: City Hall Plaza, and throughout Boston	Hub On Wheels Boston's city-wide bike ride and festival. Bike down Storrow Drive with no cars around to get in your way. You'll enjoy harbor views and hidden pathways, river greenways, and Boston's wonderful and eclectic neighborhoods. Your donation helps Boston Public School students get the technology and the skills they need to succeed in today's world. Contact: Nicole (617/918-4343; nicole@hubonwheels.org)
Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 (7PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	MetroWest Community Forum on Transportation Hosted by Lt. Gov. Tim Murray. Free and open to the public.
Monday, September 17th, 2007 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd floor School Board's Meeting Rm.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) continues its July 9th hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. The theme for this meeting is: traffic.
Saturday, September 8th, 2007 (10AM-4PM) Natick Town Common	Natick Days It's only one day, but it's a good'un! Food, fun and entertainment. The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting together in front of the Police Headquarters, and there's much more on the Town Common. This is a great stop on your bike ride!
Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 (9AM-5PM) 5 Chrysler Road, Natick (just south of Home Depot)	Balloon test, to predict impact of proposed new Chrysler Apartments high-rise housing on Cochituate Rail Trail and on Cochituate State Park. (Expect additional testing after Fall foliage, and if the weather is too windy.)
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Contact: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007 (10-11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kidleidoscope Kids at Cochituate State Park: Birds Join us at the park with other preschoolers and their parents to learn about birds! Learn how to use binoculars for bird watching, go outside and hunt for bird nests, then come inside for a craft and a story. Program intended for ages 3-6 and a caregiver. Wear shoes and clothes for playing outside. All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (508/653-9641)
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 (7PM) REI Framingham, 375 Cochituate Road (Route 30), Framingham, MA 01701	Basic Bike Maintenance REI's free Bike Maintenance classes will increase your knowledge, comfort and safety. Learn how to do most maintenance yourself, and when to ask for help. Contact: REI Framingham Customer Service (508/270-6325).
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 (5:30-7:30PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Tom Neilson   Music and fun with Tom Neilson, an award winning folk singer and political satirist. Bring your chair, blanket, and friends for an evening of entertainment for the whole family. For all ages. Cochituate State Park's Tuesday-night summer concert series runs July 24th to August 21st, from 5:30-7:30PM.  Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 (10-11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kidleidoscope Kids at Cochituate State Park: Trees   Join us at the park with other preschoolers and parents to learn about trees! Learn how trees are the giants of the plant world, go outside and play games, then come inside for a craft and a story. Program intended for ages 3-6 and a caregiver. Wear shoes and clothes for playing outside.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 (10-11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kidleidoscope Kids at Cochituate State Park: Rabbits   Join us at the park with other preschoolers and parents to learn about rabbits! We will meet a live rabbit, learn about camouflage, go outside and play games, then come inside for a craft and a story. Program intended for ages 3-6 and a caregiver. Wear shoes and clothes for playing outside.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 (5:30-7:30PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Sasquatch Cochituate State Park's Tuesday-night summer concert series runs July 24th to August 21st, from 5:30-7:30PM.   Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM. All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, August 3rd, 2007 (11:30AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Nature at Cochituate State Park: Meet Smokey The Bear when he visits Cochituate State Park. Remember, only you can prevent forest fires!   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 (5:30-7:30PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: Dale and the Duds, an oldies band   Cochituate State Park's Tuesday-night summer concert series runs July 24th to August 21st, from 5:30-7:30PM.   Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Friday, July 27th, 2007 (1-2:30PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Nature at Cochituate State Park: Birds of Prey - Tom Ricardi, Massachusetts Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center   Don't miss this special event! Tom Ricardi and his Center rehabilitate injured birds of prey so they can go back to the wild. Meet Tom and some of his wonderful birds.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 (10-11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kaleidoscope Kids at Cochituate State Park: Bugs, Insects and a Bug Hunt!   Cochituate State Park's Wednesday-morning summer nature series runs July 18th to August 22nd, from 10-11AM. Kaleidoscope Kids is designed for a child (3-6 years old) and a caregiver. Each week features a different nature topic; we go outside (weather permitting) and explore to learn about nature.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 (5:30-7:30PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Concerts at Cochituate State Park: John Porcino, Folk Singer and Story Teller   Cochituate State Park's Tuesday-night summer concert series runs July 24th to August 21st, from 5:30-7:30PM.   Note: Bathrooms close at 7PM. Park gates close at 8PM.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 (10-11AM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area (Route 30, by the Framingham-Natick town line)	Kaleidoscope Kids at Cochituate State Park: Squirrels!   Cochituate State Park's Wednesday-morning summer nature series runs July 18th to August 22nd, from 10-11AM. Kaleidoscope Kids is designed for a child (3-6 years old) and a caregiver. Each week features a different nature topic; we go outside (weather permitting) and explore to learn about nature.   All events are free of charge, but there is a $5 parking fee to get into the park. Unless stated otherwise all events will be held at the Nature Center, which is to the right when you enter the park and is wheelchair accessible. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Sunday, July 15th, 2007 (9AM-1PM) Boat Rentals Marina at main boat ramp, Day-Use Area, Cochituate State Park	SunNew England Canoe-Orienteering Championships Rentals available on site Event Director: Aims Coney (1-978/562-2805; GlideXC@Yahoo.com)    The Cochituate Canoe-O is open to canoes, kayaks and other human- powered craft. Please consider your footwear choice carefully. Many controls are on  land. Think of this event as a foot-o meet with some canoeing legs.   Cochituate State Park is an excellent canoe-o venue with four interconnected lakes, on-site kayak and canoe rentals, and a swimming beach. The drawback is that it gets crowded- so crowded that the park entrance closes for the day when the parking lot is full.   Park entrance opens 8 AM.   Rentals open 10 AM.   If the park gates are closed when you arrive, you can still get in if you have a boat on your car roof. Drive 0.6 miles east on route 30 to the car-top boat launch on the north lake. From there, paddle south through the tunnels to the boat rental station on the middle lake. Directions: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/coch.htm Boat rental: http://www.paddleboston.com/natick.php
(NO! New date to be announced.) Wednesday, July 11th, 2007 (8PM?) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm.	Natick Helipad Hearing Continued from May 23rd, the Natick Planning Board hearing re extension and expansion of a special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and Cochituate Rail Trail! You still can be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for more information.
Monday, July 9th, 2007 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd floor School Board's Meeting Rm.	Natick 40B Hearing re Chrysler Road High-Rise Apartments The Natick Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will hold a hearing to build a 404-unit apartment development (40B) on Chrysler Road. This development would be very close to the Natick section of the trail and to Lake Cochituate's Middle Pond, just south of the state park beach. It is our understanding that it includes two of four eleven-story apartment towers, proposed to straddle the Natick Mall connector trail. Since this is a 40B development (affordable housing) it goes in front of the ZBA; unlike a Site Plan review in front of a planning board, there is no "mitigation". (Continued to September 17th.)
Saturday, June 16th, 2007 (10AM-3PM) Milford, Massachusetts: Fino Field, Louisa Lake and along the trail	Dedication Day for Milford Upper Charles Trail Celebrating the completion of Phase One of the Milford Upper Charles Trail. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with local and state officials, food, fun, balloons, music, entertainment, fitness and bike safety demonstrations, helmet give-away, a “fun run” and more.
Saturday, June 16th, 2007 (9:30AM-2PM) Wayland Middle School Wayland, MA	COLAP Annual Meeting The Massachusetts Congress of Lakes and Ponds features four interesting new technologies to control nutrient enrichment of our ponds: a hybrid grass that requires NO water or fertilizer and only once-monthly mowing in the peak summer season; aerial scanning to locate nutrient inputs to our ponds; floating circulators and milfoil weevils to control rooted aquatic weeds. This is your day to hear and then chat with the experts, from the US and Canada! To top it off, there's a waterfall spectacular celebrating this summer's 100th anniversary of Rachel Carson. Light breakfast and lunch included. Reduced price: pre-register for $10, or pay $12 at the door.
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library, 14 East Central Street, Natick.	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting Come learn about the status of Lake Cochituate and Cochituate State Park. Share questions, answers and suggestions with the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation.
Saturday, June 9th, 2007 (9AM-5PM) Worcester Technical High School 1 Skyline Drive, Worcester, MA	Partners in Parks $35 admission. A major, all-day event for Massachusetts State Parks.
Saturday, May 26th, 2007 (9-10AM bike ride, 10AM-3PM Spring Spectacular) Rear left of Memorial School parking lot, off Route 16 in South Natick.	Easy Trail Ride in South Natick (kids welcome; both events postponed to now due to rain): Sudbury Aqueduct - followed by the Spring Spectacular at Natick Community Organic Farm Leaders: DIck and Jill Miller (TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 (8PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm	Helipad Hearing Continued from April 11th, the Natick Planning Board Hearing re extension and expansion of a special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and Cochituate Rail Trail! Yes, you still can be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for more information.
Saturday, May 12th-Sunday May 20th, 2007 See the individual events (below) for details and last-minute changes.	Bike Week 2007! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week.) Please print and post this poster.
Saturday, May 19th, 2007 (9-10AM bike ride, 10AM-3PM Spring Spectacular) Rear left of Memorial School parking lot, off Route 16 in South Natick.	(Both events are POSTPONED to May 26th because of rain) Natick Bike Week, Easy Trail Ride in South Natick (kids welcome): Sudbury Aqueduct - followed by the Spring Spectacular at Natick Community Organic Farm Leader: Susan Geiser (SGeiser1@comcast.net)
Friday, May 18th, 2007 (all day)	National Bike-To-Work Day Have fun; make a statement!
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 (6:30PM) Elm Bank: 900 Washington St. (Rte. 16), just past Natick in Wellesley. Park in first parking lot on right side of road (Lot B), atop hill.	Natick Bike Week, Elm Bank Reservation Easy bike ride on road and woodland trails along the Charles River in Elm Bank Reservation. See headquarters of Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Elm Bank offers a fine example of carriage road construction (which is one possible surface for the Cochituate Rail Trail); experience it, and discuss the trade-offs between natural, stone-dust and paved trail surfaces. Leader: Dick Miller (508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 (6:30PM) Pegan Cove Park parking lot, on Washington Avenue across from Cochituate Street.	Natick Bike Week, Cochituate Rail Trail Criss-cross Bike Ride Take a first tour of the Cochituate Rail Trail right of way in downtown Natick, before the rails and ties are removed! We don't have Town permission to ride the CRT, so we'll see it from all its cross streets. Easy bike ride on roads in downtown Natick. If there's time, we'll also visit Pegan Cove Park on Lake Cochituate. Leader: Jill Miller (508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Monday, May 14th, 2007 (all day)	Natick Bike-To-Work Day Have fun; make a statement!
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 (4PM) Across from Bacon Free Library, South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Charles River Road Ride: Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 (9AM-3PM) (Rain date is Saturday, May 19th.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail project in Framingham. Here's an opportunity to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely  helpful.  Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Saturday, May 12th-Sunday May 20th, 2007 See the individual events (above) for details and last-minute changes.	Bike Week 2007! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week.) Please print and post this poster.
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 Lake Clean-Up:  (9AM-Noon; rain date is Sunday, May 13th) Snake Brook Trail Clearing: (10AM-2PM) Cochituate State Park, Headquarters Building (South Side of Route 30, just EAST of Lake Cochituate.)	Park Serve Day in Massachusetts Parks! Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up (AND Snake Brook Trail Clearing) Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/653-3585; BobD@playbackinc.com) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641). Note: This event was incorrectly listed online at Mass. DCR, for Noon-2PM; that's wrong! It will be 9AM-Noon! Snake Brook Trail Clearing: Discover and improve this little-known trail in Cochituate State Park (and early spur of the future Cochituate Rail Trail). CSP will provide tools. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Contact: Tim Murphy, CSP Supervisor (1-508/653-9641).
Monday, May 7th, 2007 (7PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick Selectmen's proclamation of Natick Bike Week.
Thursday, April 19th, 2007 (7:30PM?) Natick Town Hall, TBA	Removal of Rail and Ties from CRT Natick Conservation Commission reviews CSX plans to remove RR rails and ties from Cochituate Rail Trail.
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 (8PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd floor Selectmen's Meeting Rm.	Helipad Hearing It's back!! Natick Planning Board Hearing re extension and expansion of special permit for Boston Scientific's Helipad by Lake Cochituate and Cochituate Rail Trail! If you don't like it, it's time to be heard, in person or by e-mail. See my BSC Helipad webpage for update information.
Monday, April 9th, 2007 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Study Room 2A	Monthly meeting of the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee A week later than usual -- Happy Passover (and Easter)!
Saturday, March 24th, 2007 (9AM-5:30PM) Wentworth Institute of Techhology, Boston. Conference begins in Watson Auditorium in Watson Hall (number 5 on the campus map).	Toxics Action 2007: Toxics Action Center's 21st annual citizens conference will draw about 400 activists from MA, CT and RI. It is a top-notch event for people wanting to sharpen their knowledge, skills, and connections for clean air, clean water and a protected environment for our communities. Registration: $30 each; $50 for a co-sponsoring group @ $20 each with 2 free seats.
Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 (8-11AM) Memorial Elementary School, South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm: NBPAC, Natick Open Space Committee and Natick Walks will co-staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. (All you can eat, $8; $4 for kids; exhibits are free.) Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more? [We did! See my photo album for this event.]
Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 (5-7PM) Framingham Town Hall, 150 Concord Street, Public Hearing Room	Journey To 2030: This regional workshop provides an opportunity for the public to learn more about, and comment on, the draft of JOURNEY TO 2030, the MPO’s long-range transportation plan.
Thursday, February 15th, 2007 (7-9PM) Morse Institute Library, Lebowitz Meeting Hall (lower level)	Natick 360 Phase III, "Our Strategic Choices": Phase III will itemize the gaps between Natick today and the vision for the future, and then create a series of options to move Natick closer to its vision for the future. The Public is invited to participate at a meeting to identify gaps between Natick today and the vision for the future.
Monday, January 8th, 2007 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Study Room 2A	Monthly meeting of the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee A week later than usual -- Happy New Year! A. Richard Miller, Chairman (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm).
Friday, December 1st, 2006 (8AM-4PM) DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester	2006 Massachusetts Smart Growth Conference
Month of October 2006 See individual events.	Massachusetts Archaeology Month See the Massachusetts Archaeology Month Calendar Of Events online. To request a free printed copy of it: 1-617/727-8470 in Boston, or mhc@sec.state.ma.us .
Friday-Sunday, October 27th-29th, 2006 Wilson Middle School, Natick.	Natick Vision for the Future Weekend Join the Natick 360 process, and give your inputs for a future Natick! Attend Friday, 6:30-8:30PM: "Natick: Our Community Yesterday and Today". Then, join any two-hour focus group session during day Saturday or afternoon of Sunday.
Monday, October 23rd, 2006 (7-9PM) Natick Kennedy Senior Center, 117 East Central St. (Rte. 135), Natick.	Free Talk and Video Presentation by Lynette Chiang: "Route 66 By Bicycle: Pedaling The Mother Road" Presented by the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and MassBike. In April 2006, six-times Race Across America legend Lon Haldeman led 40 cyclists 2,488 miles from LA to Chicago to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of "The Mother Road". The movie is an upbeat two-wheeled journey along the paved and pot-holed '66, eating at famous cafes, meeting famous '66 characters and revisiting beloved icons of roadside America. Author, world bicycle traveler and 'handlebar videographer' Lynette Chiang is the creator of last year's Boston Bike Film Festival audience favorite, "16,000 Feet On A Friday (Biking World's Highest Paved Road - Peru)." She talks about PACTOUR, two-wheeled film making, and life on the road as Customer Evangelist for the world's leading performance travel bicycle. Please reserve ahead by e-mailing the number of seats desired, to: Oct23Talk@millermicro.com More about this movie: http://www.galfromdownunder.com/route66 More about Lynette: http://www.galfromdownunder.com Please print and post this flyer!
Saturday, October 21st, 2006 (10AM-Noon) Meet at Moran Square (Route 27 at Natick Railroad station)	NCRTTF site tour of Cochituate Rail Trail in Natick: Natick's new Cochituate Rail Trail Task Force (NCRTTF) takes a bus tour of some prime sites along the CRT - and gets out to walk. Seats for NCRTTF members and other Town officials first; others are invited to drive along or to use spare seats in the bus. Additional sites may be visited afterward. Tour guide: Dick Miller (1-508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Thursday, October 19th, 2006 (6:30-9:00PM) Concord Town House (Hearing Room), 22 Monument Square, Concord, MA (978-318-3080)	Public Meeting re Massachusetts Bicycle Plan Update: The Mass. Executive Office of Transportation (EOT), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, is currently undertaking a project to form a statewide bicycling network. This effort, known as The Massachusetts Bicycle Plan Update, is intended to improve bicycle transportation, as well as promote multi-modal transportation, recreation, tourism, and economic vitality. This is the most local one of eight public meetings to solicit public input on current bicycling conditions, potential cross-state corridors, and recommended improvements.
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 (10AM) Main Boat Ramp (Route 30), Cochituate State Park	Installation of SolarBee floating circulators for one-year demonstration program at Lake Cochituate. (See http://www.millermicro.com/LCmilfoil.html)
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 (8AM-3:45PM) Marriott Boston Courtyard Hotel Boston, MA	Moving Together 2006 The Moving Together Conference is an annual and major event for bicycle and pedestrian action in Massachusetts. $35, including meals. Great talks, great sponsoring agencies, great contacts, makes a big difference. Read the online information, register, be there!
Saturday, October 14th, 2006 (10-11:30AM) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park	Tour of the Cochituate Rail Trail: Volunteers from the Framingham CRT Committee will lead a tour of this former rail line - now under development as a multi-use trail. Committee members will give an overview of the project and identify plants and wildlife along the trail. For more information, contact: Framingham CRT Committee (info@crtrail.org).
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 (7PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library	Natick Town Government Open House Meet your Town boards and departments!
Thursday, October 5th, 2006 (6-8PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester Street, Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27).	Meet Greg LeMond, three-time Tour de France champion. Meet the first American to win the Tour de France (three times), hear his stories, and participate in a lively question and answer session. Autographed posters will be available, and refreshments will be served.
Month of October 2006 See individual events.	Massachusetts Archaeology Month See the Massachusetts Archaeology Month Calendar Of Events online. To request a free printed copy of it: 1-617/727-8470 in Boston, or mhc@sec.state.ma.us .
Saturday, September 30th, 2006 (9AM-Noon, 1-3PM) (Rain date is Saturday, October 7th.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Fall Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail. Here's a way to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Friday-Sunday, September 22nd-24th, 2006 Fri.-Sat at Boston City Hall Plaza Sun. at Larz Anderson Auto Museum, Brookline MA	Boston's Fourth Annual AltWheels Transportation Festival Mostly alternative-energy cars, but also recumbent bicycles and more!
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23rd-24th, 2006 (10AM-5PM) Day-Use Area, Cochituate State Park.	Natick Powwow at Cochituate State Park Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration Hosted by The Natick Praying Indians Singing; dancing; storytelling; food and more! Public welcome. Free admission. Information: 1-508/339-8919; http://natickprayingindians.org/.
Saturday, September 16th, 2006 (9AM-2PM; Rain Date Sept. 17th) Several locations on the Cape Cod Rail Trail in Dennis, MA	FST Bikefest '06 Fay, Spofford & Thorndike Engineers (FST) sponsors an outing on the newly reconstructed Cape Cod Rail Trail - a fun day on the Cape with your friends or family, AND ideas for developing a trail in your own community. The free event includes a guided bike tour of the trail improvements designed by FST, family nature walk led by LEC Environmental Consultants, facepainting, treasure hunt, cook-out and free raffle! Free bike and helmet safety checks will be provided at the event by Barb's Bike & Blade. Discounted bike rentals are available at Barb's (1-508/760-4723); mention "FST Bikefest" when making a reservation. RSVP by September 8 to receive a free gift: http://www.fstinc.com/bikefest06 or contact Jen Shemowat at FST (1-800/835-8666 x1031; jshemowat@fstinc.com).
Saturday, September 16th, 2006 (9-11:30AM) Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway Transit: Red Line to Central Square, walk up Prospect Street to Broadway, turn left on Broadway, one block down on left.	WalkBoston presents Ped Advocacy 101, a workshop on walkability and intersection assessment. WalkBoston’s Advocacy Committee will highlight techniques for evaluating your community’s pedestrian environment. We will review sidewalk widths and conditions, crosswalks, curb ramps, landscaping, street furniture, lighting and signal timing. We will utilize in-class instruction and a field visit to nearby streets and intersections to show participants what to look for, and provide information on who to call for municipal improvements and help in advocating effectively. FREE, but RSVP to WalkBoston by September 1; space is limited. View or print this event's online flier. Questions? Call 617/367-9255.
Monday, September 11th, 2006 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library	Public Meeting: "Looking Ahead On The Cochituate Rail Trail!", with Craig Della Penna The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Natick Morse Institute Library invite you to a great rail-trails slide talk by Craig Della Penna, plus an exciting status report on the Cochituate Rail Trail and a Q&A session with community leaders at a major milestone in this major regional rail-trail project. (After years of anticipation, CSX has filed for abandonment of the right of way in Natick, and the Town of Natick has filed its interest to acquire it.) View or print this event's online flier. Note: A minimal NBPAC monthly meeting will be convened within this event.
Saturday, September 9th, 2006 (10AM-4PM) Natick Town Common	Natick Days Yes, it's only one day, but it's a good'un! Food, fun and entertainment. The Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting together on the Town Common. Sign up for the first MassBike Bicycles Skills Classes in Natick. This is a great stop on your bike ride! New: NBPAC and Honey Farms of Natick co-sponsor a Slow Bike Race, all day at the NBPAC table, with a $50 prize to the slowest racer of all.
Thursday, August 31st, 2006 (6:30PM) John Harvard's Brew House Shoppers World, Framingham	Introduction of "Rail Trail Ale" John Harvard's Brew House, a stout supporter of the Cochituate Rail Trail, has created an ale in its honor - and will be donating a portion of its proceeds to the CRT project. Help toast its introduction, tonight!
Saturday, August 26th, 2006 (9AM-4PM) Verrill Farms, Sudbury Road, Concord, just north of Route 117	Massbike Festival Rides of all lengths, from a family ride of 6 miles up to 62 miles. Food! Fun! And the Fabulous Pie Race, a bike race *and* pie-eating race contest all in one!
Wednesday, August 16th, 2006 (1PM) Cochituate State Park Nature Center, Route 30 on the Framingham-Natick-Wayland town line.	Interpretive program: Hoo's Watching You? Owls of the World How often do you get to see a live owl up close? Perhaps you've glimpsed the shadowy form of a Great-horned owl in the headlights as you traveled a backroad at night. Have you ever scanned a frozen saltmarsh or farmer's meadow in winter, hoping to find that Arctic hunter, the Snowy Owl? Join naturalist Marcia Wilson and photographer Mark Wilson in sharing their passion for owls! Mark and Marcia share the field marks, signs and naturalist's skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them. Then meet six live owls (from small to BIG) up close.
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006 (7-9PM) Wayland Senior Center (in the Wayland Town Building, 41 Cochituate Road; Rte. 27, just south of Rte. 20)	Public meeting: Controlling invasive aquatic weeds in Quebec Hosted by the Wayland Surface Water Quality Committee. Aquatic ecologist Dany Boudrias of Eco-Guide International will describe his company's success story applying small floating circulators since 1997 to control invasive growths of Eurasian water milfoil and other problem weeds in more than 36 lakes and ponds. Meet the man who has used this innovative method longer and on more lakes than anyone else, on his first visit to the Boston region. Free, open to public. Use main parking behind building; facing building, use door nearest cars at right (SW corner of building). New August 17th, 2006: Today I received and posted Eco-Guide International's powerpoint presentation from this meeting. (6.3MB .ppt file; try [F5] to display, [Downarrow] to step through slides or to step within some slides, [Esc] to exit.)
Tuesday evenings, 2006 (6PM) Cochituate State Park Nature Center, Route 30 on the Framingham-Natick-Wayland town line.	2006 Summer Concert Series, Concerts at Cochituate July 25th: John Fitzsimmons Aug. 1st: Backwoods Ramblers, bluegrass with Barry Michaud Aug. 8th: Earthtunes, with Barbara Herson Aug. 15th: TBA.
Monday, July 24th, 2006 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library.	A Status Report: Aquatic Vegetation Management at Lake Cochituate The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation invite all interested citizens to this special public meeting. DCR will present the results of early summer 2006 weed surveys, and discuss its next steps for vegetative management progress on our lake. In addition to reviewing the new information on the distribution of Eurasian water milfoil and other invasive weeds in Lake Cochituate, the discussion is likely to include the recent Conservation Commission determinations (in Natick, Wayland and Framingham), SolarBee floating circulators, milfoil weevils, diver-assisted suction harvesting, an independent study team, funding issues and more. New August 17th, 2006: As promised at its July 24th meeting, today DCR posted the powerpoint presentation from that meeting, "Lake Cochituate State Park, Vegetation Survey Results, June 2006". (1MB .ppt file; try [F5] to display, [Downarrow] to step through slides or to step within some slides, [Esc] to exit.) Reporters and others: Please note that there is no "Lake Cochituate State Park"; it's Lake Cochituate, in Cochituate State Park.
Saturday, July 15th, 2006 (8:30AM-4PM) Natick Police Headquarters	MassBike Bicycling Skills Class: Bicycling 101- Basic Road Riding A day-long, on-bike training class for age 15 and up (bring helmet). Prerequisite: Intro to Bicycling Safety (see below). Fees: FREE for Natick residents; others $50 regular, $40 for MassBike members. Advance registration required. Improve your cycling skills – and save gas! MassBike, your statewide bicycle education/advocacy group, offers these bicycling classes in cooperation with the Natick Police Department and Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. To register and for more information: www.massbike.org or 617/542-BIKE (2453). Please post this flier!
Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 (6-9PM) Natick Police Headquarters	MassBike Bicycling Skills Class: Intro to Bicycling Safety An off-bike lecture and discussion. FREE for all, age 15 and up. Advance registration required. Improve your cycling skills – and save gas! MassBike, your statewide bicycle education/advocacy group, offers these bicycling classes in cooperation with the Natick Police Department and Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. To register and for more information: www.massbike.org or 617/542-BIKE (2453). Please post this flier!
Sunday, June 18th, 2006 (9AM for 25-mile course, 11AM for 6-mile course) Natick Town Common	Tour de Natick: The Natick Rotary Club's annual pair of road-biking trips around town and beyond. Support from various local businesses, and a good time for all.
Saturday, June 17th, 2006 (8AM-Noon)	Wellesley Trails Walk, Wellesley Grand Tour Contact: Wellesley Trails Committee
Monday, June 12th, 2006 (7-8:30PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester St., Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27).	Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic: Fix a flat. Easy adjustments. Learn how from the experts at Landry's Bicycles! 15 seats available. Reserve your seat by e-mailing your name and phone number to Mark Gray: MGray@landrys.com
Saturday, June 10th, 2006 (9AM-Noon; rain date is Sunday, June 18th) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp.	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Please print and post this poster. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/655-3555; bobd@playbackinc.com) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641).
Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library.	The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation co-host the Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting.
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 (10-11:30AM) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Tour: Volunteers from the Framingham CRT Committee will lead a tour of this former rail line - now under development as a multi-use trail. Committee members will give an overview of the project and identify plants and wildlife along the trail. .
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 (9-10AM)	Wellesley Trails Walk, Town Forest Contact: Wellesley Trails Committee
Saturday, May 20th, 2006 (9-10AM)	Wellesley Trails Walk, Centennial Reservation Contact: Wellesley Trails Committee
Saturday, May 20th, 2006 (9AM-3PM) (Rain date is Sunday, May 21st.) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in across the street at the Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day: We join the Framingham CRT Committee for a day of trail work and clean-up on our Cochituate Rail Trail. Here's a way to visit, and help create, the CRT to be. Arrive in the morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Work for as long as you can. Free lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended.
Friday, May 19th, 2006 (6:15PM) Rain Date: Saturday (10AM) Rear left of Memorial School parking lot, off Route 16 in South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Easy Trail Ride in South Natick (kids welcome): Sudbury Aqueduct and Natick Community Organic Farm Leader: Susan Geiser (SGeiser1@comcast.net)
Thursday, May 18th, 2006 (7PM) Especially For Pets, Rte. 27 just south of Rte. 30, Cochituate.	Natick Bike Week, Slow Ride on Snake Brook Trail: Slow and easy mountain bike ride with nature and history stops - on the footpath along Snake Brook, then across Route 30 to Cochituate Dam, and a visit to the Gate House that once delivered pure water to Boston. Leaders: Dick & Jill Miller (508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 (5:45PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester St., Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27).	Natick Bike Week, Natick Road Ride: 16-plus mile road ride in Natick and Dover, in three groups for average speeds of 22mph, 16mph, and slow. All are welcome on Landry's Group Rides; road skills will be taught. Bring helmet and spare tube. Leader: Cory Lovett (c/o Peter Henry at Landry's: 1-508/655-1990; PHenry@landrys.com)
(Canceled due to rain prediction.) Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 (7PM) Pegan Cove Park parking lot, on Washington Avenue.	Natick Bike Week, Pegan Cove Park and more: Easy bike ride on trails and roads in downtown Natick. We'll visit Pegan Cove Park on Lake Cochituate, and Middlesex Path (with a historic stop on the old Underground Railroad!). Also, maybe Old Dell Park Cemetery and Fisk Pond. Leader: Mel Albert (508/395-1732; Mel@mfa.info)
(Moved to Monday, June 12th) (was Monday, May 15th, 2006 (7-8:30PM) Landry's Bicycles, 790 Worcester St., Natick (Route 9 eastbound, just east of Route 27).	Natick Bike Week, Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic: Fix a flat. Easy adjustments. Learn how from the experts at Landry's Bicycles! 15 seats available. Reserve your seat by e-mailing your name and phone number to Mark Gray: MGray@landrys.com
Monday, May 15th, 2006 (All Day)	Natick Bike Week, Bike-To-Work Day
(Canceled due to rain prediction.) Sunday, May 14th, 2006 (3PM) Across from Bacon Free Library, South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Charles River Road Ride: Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 13th, 2006 (2-4PM) Start at Natick Common.	Natick Service Day: Help out for 1-2 hours with one of many community projects near Natick Center, including picking up litter along sidewalks, walking trails and parks. Natick Service Council will provide bags, gloves, etc.
(was Saturday, May 13th, 2006 from 9AM-3PM) (Moved to Saturday, May 20th)	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Work Day
Saturday, May 13th through Sunday, May 21st, 2006	Bike Week 2006! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week) See above. Bike Week weather prediction. Please announce, print and post our Natick Bike Week Poster (22K), and read the Selectmen's Bike Week Proclamation (90K; save to disk, then print the saved file to page size.)
Monday, May 8th, 2006 (7PM)	Natick Selectmen proclaim Natick Bike Week.
Saturday, May 6th, 2006 (9-10AM)	Wellesley Trails Walk, Hemlock Gorge & Echo Bridge Contact: Wellesley Trails Committee
Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 (6:30-8:30PM) Framingham Town Hall, Public Hearing Room	Free regional workshop: Healthy Lawns and Landscapes Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection and Town of Framingham teach you how to have a beautiful lawn and landscape that's healthy for your family, neighbors, pets and the environment -- including reducing non-point source pollution into Lake Cochituate. Refreshments served. Free gifts. Win a compost bin. Please print and post this poster. To sign up, contact Angie Fowler (1-508/620-4900).
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 (7-9PM) Lebowitz Meeting Hall, on lower level of Natick's Morse Institute Library. Note: Dr. Richards also will make brief presentations on Thursday evening, April 20th at the U.S. Soldier Systems Center's Restoration Advisory Board (7PM) and at the Natick Conservation Commission (7:55PM).	Educational meeting, re the Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lake Cochituate using Floating Circulators: The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee (CSPAC) and Protect Our Water Resources (POWR) invite you one in a series of public meetings regarding the Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lake Cochituate.   Bruce Richards, a Ph.D. and past Executive Director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (CIB), visits Lake Cochituate in follow-up to the March 23rd educational meeting by Chris Knud-Hansen of SolarBee (see below).   SolarBee has offered two SolarBee units for a free one-year evaluation on Lake Cochituate, and Eco-Guide International of Quebec has offered one similar unit. Dr. Richards will discuss details of that evaluation. The SolarBee solar-powered up-flow water circulator has successfully removed Eurasian water milfoil and other problem growths from lakes. One preferred mode of operation permits up to 40-acre coverage by one device, without disturbing bottom sediments.   More information on up-flow water circulators is online at: http://www.millermicro.com/LCmilfoil.html (Click on "Resources"; see "Links (Alternative Methods)". Contact: A. Richard "Dick" Miller (1-508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 (7-9PM) Natick Kennedy Senior Center, 117 East Central St. (Rte. 135), Natick.	Educational meeting, re the Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lake Cochituate using Up-flow Water Circulators: The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee (CSPAC), Protect Our Water Resources (POWR) and the Mass. Congress of Lakes and Ponds (COLAP) invite you one in a series of public meetings regarding the Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lake Cochituate.   Chris Knud-Hansen, a Ph.D. limnologist from Colorado, visits Lake Cochituate to introduce a non-chemical method for controlling aquatic-weed infestations of lakes. The SolarBee solar-powered up-flow water circulator has successfully removed Eurasian water milfoil and other problem growths from lakes. One preferred mode of operation permits up to 40-acre coverage by one device, without disturbing bottom sediments.   Although this approach has worked well in other states and in the Province of Quebec since 1997, it has not yet been tried in Massachusetts. Local and State officials and the public will learn about this application of these devices, and will ask the questions necessary to decide upon local action.
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library (lower level), 14 East Central Street, Natick)	Stormwater Summit: The Summit will raise general awareness on stormwater pollution and will present an overview of the new regulatory requirements for stormwater. Abby Swaine of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be a guest speaker. This meeting is hosted by the Natick Conservation Commission and the Natick Dept. of Public Works, as part of this week being declared Stormwater Awareness Week by the Board of Selectmen.
Saturday, March 18th, 2006 (8AM-7PM) Wentworth Institute of Techhology, Boston. Conference begins in Watson Auditorium in Watson Hall (number 5 on the campus map).	Environmental Action 2006: Toxics Action Center's 20th annual citizens conference will draw about 400 activists from MA, CT and RI. It is a top-notch event for people wanting to sharpen their knowledge, skills, and connections for clean air, clean water and a protected environment for our communities. Registration: $30 each; $50 for a co-sponsoring group @ $20 each with 2 free seats.
Thursday, March 16th, 2006 (6-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library (lower level), 14 East Central Street, Natick)	Soldier Systems Center's Environmental Open House (a poster session): DoD's large, multi-branch research facility on Lake Cochituate (the old U.S. Army Natick Laboratories, or "NLabs") has been hard at work cleaning up toxic groundwater plumes headed toward Natick's Springvale drinking-water wells, and will be addressing sediment deposits in the lake. This rare poster session is designed for walk-in traffic, public questions and comments (about the groundwater aspect of its clean-up), or later follow-up. If you plan to attend the Natick Conservation Commission's NOI Hearing (Mass. DCR's proposal to apply herbicides to Lake Cochituate for aquatic plant control, scheduled to start at 7:40PM), you can attend this event on the way to that. Contact: John McHugh (1-508/233-5404; john.mchugh@natick.army.mil).
Friday, March 10th through Sunday, March 12th, 2006 Boston Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston.	Boston Bike Show Discount tickets available.
Saturday, March 4th, 2006 (8-11AM) Memorial School Cafeteria, 107 Eliot Street (Rte. 16), South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm: NBPAC, Natick Open Space Committee and Natick Walks will co-staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. (All you can eat, $8; $4 for kids; exhibits are free.) Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more?
Thursday, January 5, 2006 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, lower level	Public meeting, re the Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds in Lake Cochituate: The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee hosts a public meeting to inform and get input from the public. It will include information on the new Notice of Intent that will be filed with the Conservation Commissions of Framingham, Natick and Wayland, and presentations by two experts on herbicide and other lake management methods, Mr. Carlton Layne and Dr. Michael Netherland. Contact: Sandra Brennan (1-508/655-7212)
Monday, Nov. 14, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, lower level	Natick Town Government Open House: Learn about opportunities to participate in local government. Meet members of Natick’s elected/appointed boards and commissions, and Natick Town Meeting members. Get an overview of Natick’s elected and appointed boards and committees - including the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Read and post this flyer.
Saturday, Oct. 29th, 2005 (9-10AM) Centennial Reservation parking lot on Oak St., Wellesley	Centennial Reservation Walk: Wellesley Trails Committee leads a picturesque walk to the top of Maugus Hill; see the Great Blue Hills in Canton. Contact: Denny Nackoney (1-781/237-5174)
Sunday, Oct. 23rd, 2005 (10AM-4PM) Park inside Hudson Road gate, in Sudbury.	Opening Dedication Celebration for the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge.
Saturday, Oct. 22nd, 2005 (9:45AM, 1PM) Parking lot across West St. from the Natick High track and football field.	Fall 2005 Natick Trail Day 1PM Trail Opening Ceremony for the Timothy Coolidge Hill Trail and a 1-mile guided walk. This trail loops through a beautiful forest and also connects to both Route 27 and the Cedar Gardens housing development. 9:45AM, volunteers are invited to meet at the same location for Starbucks coffee and pastries, then split into teams for Trail Clean-ups here and on the Daniel Takawambpait Trail in South Natick. Bring gloves, pruners and saws. Contact: Tim Collins (natickwalks@mail.com)
Wednesday, Oct. 19th, 2005 (8:30AM-4PM) Marriott Boston Tremont Hotel, 275 Tremont Street, Boston MA	"Moving Together 2005" - MassHighway's annual bicycling and pedestrian conference. This annual conference is top-notch for information and contacts. $35 per head, including lunch. Note that it's moved from Worcester to Boston. For more information: Call 1-413/545-2604; fax 1-413/545-6471; e-mail baystate_roads@hotmail.com .
Monday, Oct. 17th, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Police Conference Room	Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: October meeting (continued).
Sunday, Oct. 16th, 2005 (10-11:30AM) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in diagonally across the street at the trailhead for  Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Tour of the Cochituate Rail Trail: Volunteers from the Framingham CRT Committee will lead a tour of this former rail line, now under development as a multi-use trail. Committee memvers will give an overview of the project and identify plants and wildlife along the trail. For more information, contact the FCRTC at: info@CRTrail.org or visit its website at www.CRTrail.org.
Saturday, Oct. 15th, 2005 (8:30AM-4PM) Natick Police Headquarters	MassBike Bicycling Skills Class: Bicycling 101- Basic Road Riding A day-long, on-bike training class for adults (bring helmet). Prerequisite: Intro to Bicycling Safety (see below). Fees: FREE for Natick adults; other adults $50 regular, $40 for MassBike members. Advance registration required. Improve your cycling skills – and save gas! MassBike, your statewide bicycle education/advocacy group, offers these bicycling classes in cooperation with the Natick Police Department and Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. To register and for more information: www.massbike.org Please post this flier!
Tuesday, Oct. 11th, 2005 (6-9PM) Natick Police Headquarters	MassBike Bicycling Skills Class: Intro to Bicycling Safety An off-bike lecture and discussion. FREE for all except young children. Advance registration required. Improve your cycling skills – and save gas! MassBike, your statewide bicycle education/advocacy group, offers these bicycling classes in cooperation with the Natick Police Department and Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. To register and for more information: www.massbike.org - CLASS FILLED Please post this flier!
Sunday, Oct. 2nd, 2005 (10:15AM) Meet on Cambridge Common.	"Bow-Tie" Bike Ride in Cambridge, MA: 16-mile and 6-mile rides, by Cambridge Bicycle Committee.
Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2005 (9AM-3PM) (Rain Date is Oct. 2nd) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham. Check in diagonally across the street at the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Cochituate Rail Trail Fall Clean-Up: Join us for a day of clearing and clean-up on the Cochituate Rail Trail! Arrive in the morning or afternoon. Work for an hour and get a free CRT-shirt. Free pizza lunch at Noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws, and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves, and long pants are recommended. Bring your friends and help create this outstanding multi-use trail! For more information, contact the FCRTC at: info@CRTrail.org or visit its website at www.CRTrail.org.
Monday, Sept. 26th, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Police Conference Room	Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: "October" meeting (due to a holiday conflict)
Sunday, Sept. 25th, 2005 (7AM-3PM) Franklin Park, Boston	Hub On Wheels City-Wide Bike Ride and Festival This promises to be a major new event. Bicycle rides, bike-sculpture contest, food, a festival, Zoo discount coupons, and more! Click on the URL (above), and consider volunteering to help out. Contact: Steve Miller (steve@hubonwheels.org)
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25th, 2005 Day-Use Area, Cochituate State Park.	Natick Powwow Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Day Celebration Hosted by The Natick Praying Indians Tribal Historical Event: First Praying Indian Powwow in 354 Years Singing; dancing; storytelling; food and more! Public welcome. Free admission. Information: 1-508/339-8919.
Saturday, Sept. 24th, 2005 (9:30AM-3:30PM) At the Trail Tunnel under the I-290 Connector Road. (park at Assabet Valley Vocational School on Fitchburg Street in Marlborough)	GRAND OPENING of Assabet River Rail Trail: Not sure about a bike-ped tunnel? See this new tunnel, about the same size as the one proposed for the CRT/Natick Mall connector, but fancier and for 1/5 Natick Mall's estimated price! Various events, including: 12:30PM speeches at tunnel by U.S. Congressman Marty Meehan, MassHighway Commissioner Luisa Paiwonsky. 1:30PM ribbon-cuttiing at tunnel. 1:30-3:30PM Community Celebration, Food, Music, Prizes at Assabet Valley Voke.
Monday, Sept. 19th, 2005 (6:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 3rd Floor Meeting Room	Natural Pond Remediation: A no-cost public presentation by Ocean Arks, Inc. of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Speakers will be Dr. John Todd, Professor of Fisheries and Oceanography, University of Vermont, his son Jonathan Todd, and Cathy Paris, a biologist from Cape Cod. The sponsor of this meeting is Protect Our Water, a Natick-based group concerned with water quality in Lake Cochituate. Everyone interested in natural pond remediation is invited to attend. [A second presentation was given by Martin Hilovsky of EnviroScience, Inc., on the successful use of milfoil weevils to control infestations of Eurasian water milfoil (which recently invaded Lake Cochituate.)]
Monday, Sept. 12th, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, History Room (2nd floor).	NBPAC Monthly meeting (see Recurring Events, above). (Special room and date, due to conflict with Labor Day.)
Saturday, Sept. 10th, 2005 (2-4PM) TBA	Natick Trails Clean--Up Help Natick Walks maintain some Natick trails. Contact: <Victoria369@att.net>
Saturday, Sept. 10th, 2005 (10AM-4PM) Natick High School athletic fields.	Natick Days Food, fun and entertainment. The NBPAC and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting together on the soccer field. Sign up for the first MassBike Bicycles Skills Classes in Natick. This is a great stop on your bike ride! Note: Not in Natick Center this year, because of the current Route 135 Reconstruction work.
Monday, July 11th, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Community Room.	NBPAC Monthly meeting (see above). (Special room and date, due to conflict with Independence Day.)
Friday, June 24th, 2005 (8:30AM-5PM) Curry Student Center, Northeastern University, Boston	Data Day: Expanding the Use of Data to Drive Community Change A free conference, sponsored by The Boston Foundation, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Northeastern Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States Geological Survey. A one-day conference to help organizations and municipalities expand their capacity to use technology and data in innovative ways to advance their community's goals. The conference will serve as a vehicle for new information and data tools and highlight ways in which some community groups are already using data to support community change. The conference is structured around a series of "how to" interactive workshops in which people who work with data to drive community change will explain how to use data, where to get data, how to gather your own data, how to map your data, and how to get your data noticed by the media and to influence public policy. In addition to the skill building hands on workshops, this year's conference will feature presentations, exhibits, and speaker-led discussions about the latest technological advances and federal resources that are shaping collaborative data systems for the Boston Metropolitan Region.  Contact: Tarin A. Comer (1-617/451-2770 x2066;  DataDay@mapc.org)
Sunday, June 19th, 2005 (Father's Day; more details shortly) Starts from Natick Common	Second Annual Tour de Natick There will be a long bicycle course and a short one. The courses have been re-designed this year for even greater safety, clearness and scenic enjoyment. Last year the Tour de Natick was a huge success, and raised $10,000 for scholarships and other educational support.
Wednesday, June 15th, 2005 (7PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room	Natick Mall Expansion project: Natick Planning Board presentations re (a) Neiman-Marcus store plans (a first visit) and (b) VHB's preliminary report on Cochituate Rail Trail-Natick Mall connection options - a short presentation on six Speen Street crossing options, after two of the MEPA/EOTC-mandated meetings have taken place. VHB's online preliminary report is available online here: 1. VHB's preliminary evaluation of alternative Speen Street crossings (3.2MB .pdf fle) 2. Plan views of the alternative Speen Street crossings (1.3MB .pdf fle) 3. Larger color versions of two orthophotos in the report (4.1MB .pdf fle) Note: We've been told that Natick Mall is the first item on the agenda, so it should begin promptly.
Tuesday, June 14th, 2005 (7-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 11th, 2005 (9AM-Noon; rain date is Sunday, June 19th) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp.	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Contact: Bob Dreissig (1-508/655-3555; bobd@playbackinc.com) or Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641).
Sunday, June 5th, 2005 (2PM) Oak St. Natick entrance to Hunnewell Town Forest (200 yards south of Rte.9)	Hunnewell Town Forest Walk and Scavenger Hunt: Wear comfortable walking shoes; long pants. Bug repellant, water bottle and light snack are suggested. For more information: Peter Tordo (508/655-4417; petertordo@verizon,net)
Saturday, June 4th, 2005 (4-5PM) Eastern Mountain Sports, 1400 Worcester Road, Natick	Cochituate Rail Trail slide presentation for National Trails Day: Presentation will include a history of the project including its prior use as a railroad, current status, and future plans. Contact Miranda Buck (Eastern Mountain Sports) at 1-508/872-7915 to register. For more information, check the FCRTC Web site at CRTrail.org
Saturday, June 4th, 2005 (10-11:30AM) Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham (north side of MassPike). Walk north and across OCP to the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Tour the Cochituate Rail Trail on National Trails Day: Committee members will mention interesting items of historical significance along the trail. For more information, check the FCRTC Web site at CRTrail.org
Monday, May 23rd, 2005 (7:15-9PM) Natick Town Hall	"Exploring Resources: Alternative Transportation for Natick" A Community Forum, hosted by the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Bring your friends, bring your groups, share your ideas for alternative transportation.
Thursday, May 19th, 2005 (7PM) Especially For Pets, Rte. 27 just south of Rte. 30, Cochituate.	Natick Bike Week, Slow Ride on Snake Brook Trail: Slow and easy on the footpath along Snake Brook; then across Route 30 to Cochituate Dam, and a visit to the Gate House that once delivered pure water to Boston. Leader: Jill Miller (508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Wednesday, May 18th, 2005 (5:45PM) Landry's Bicycles, Route 9 eastbound.	Natick Bike Week, Natick Road Ride: 15-plus mile road ride in Natick; 16mph average speed. Leader: Cory Lovett (TheCyclist@hotmail.com)
Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 (7PM) Pegan Cove Park parking lot, on Washington Avenue.	Natick Bike Week, Pegan Cove Park and more: Easy bike ride on trails and roads in downtown Natick. We'll visit Pegan Cove Park on Lake Cochituate, and Middlesex Path (on the Underground Railroad!). Also, maybe Old Dell Park Cemetery and Fisk Pond. Leader: Dick Miller (508/653-6136; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Monday, May 16th, 2005 (7-8PM) Landry's Bicycles, Route 9 eastbound.	Natick Bike Week, Basic Bike Maintenance Clinic: Fix a flat. Easy adjustments. Learn how from the experts! 20 seats available. Reserve your seat by e-mailing your name and phone number to BikeClinic@millermicro.com
Sunday, May 15th, 2005 (3PM) Across from Bacon Free Library, South Natick.	Natick Bike Week, Charles River Road Ride: Join our moderately-paced 7-mile road ride along both sides of the Charles River in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover. Contact: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 14th, 2005 (2-4PM) Meet on Natick Common	Natick Service Day Community service projects for families, teens, seniors, everyone! Join hundreds of neighbors and friends as we generate community spirit and give Natick a face lift. Help out for 1-2 hours, picking up litter along sidewalks, cleaning walking trails and parks. The Natick Service Council will provide bags, gloves, etc. Just show up!
Saturday, May 14th, 2005 (9AM-3PM). Rain date May 15th. Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham (north side of MassPike). Walk north and across OCP to the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Clean Up Join the NPBAC and the FCRTC for a day of clearing and clean-up on our regional Cochituate Rail Trail! Arrive in the morning or afternoon. Work for an hour and get a free CRT-shirt. Free pizza lunch at noon. Please bring any of these tools that you have: rakes, shovels, hand saws and loppers. Pick-up trucks are extremely helpful. Work gloves, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. Bring your friends and help create this outstanding multi-use trail! Please print and post this flyer! Contact: Mark Lamkin, Chairman, FCRTC (1-508/788-9912; info@CRTrail.org).
Saturday, May 14th through Sunday, May 22nd, 2005	Bike Week 2005! (National Bike Week, Massachusetts Bike Week, Natick Bike Week) See above, for Natick events and others in the region. Bike Week weather prediction. Please print and post our Natick Bike Week Poster (243K) and read the Selectmen's Bike Week Proclamation (98K). (Save to disk, then print the saved file to page size.)
Monday, April 11th, 2005 (6PM) Meet at the Skate Park on West St. (next to the Natick High School track).	Guided Walk of soon-to-be-opened trail on West St.,  Natick: An Eagle Scout has agreed to clear, blaze and clean up this trail (with twenty other Scouts). This guided walk will show interested citizens the current location of the trail, evaluate the condition of the trail, and create an action plan to ready it for a grand opening in June. Natick Walks; advance notice is not required.
7PM Friday, April 8th through 6PM Sunday, April 10th, 2005 Natick High School; Follow the "NEFFA" signs.	New England Folk Festival - since 1944! NEFFA is back -- with its wonderful singing, dancing, story-telling, crafts, and international food! It's a mob scene, so park your car at TJX (Route 30, east of Speen Street) and use the free shuttle buses. Better yet, come by bike! Details at: http://www.neffa.org/
Thursday, March 31st, 2005 (7:00-9:30PM) Framingham Town Hall, Public Hearing Room, 150 Concord St., Framingham (April 7th snow date, same time and location)	Community Preservation Act - Five Years Experience Sponsored by: MetroWest Growth Management Committee, Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination, Southwest Area Planning Committee, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Hear how communities have successfully used CPA funds for local projects, while meeting their housing, historic preservation and open space protection needs. Panel discussions will include advice on how to design a campaign to adopt the CPA, how to set up a Community Preservation Committee, and how to leverage resources. To register: Margaret Sleeper (1-508/907-6740; msleeper@mapc.org)
Friday, March 11th-Sunday, March 13th 2005 (5-9PM Fri., Noon-6PM Sat. and Sun.) Cyclorama, 539 Tremont St., Boston)	Boston Bicycle Show And here is a $3 discount coupon.
Wednesday, March 9th, 2005 (9:15PM?) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd floor front).	Natick Mall Expansion: Continuation of Natick Planning Board hearings, time approximate.
Saturday, March 5th 2005 (8-11AM) Memorial School Cafeteria, 107 Eliot Street (Rte. 16), South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm NBPAC, Natick Open Space Committee and Natick Walks will co-staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more?
Thursday, March 3rd, 2005 (7:00-9:00PM) Natick Morse Institute Library	CPA 101: A public forum by the Natick Community Preservation Alliance. If passed by Town Meeting and the town's voters, the Community Preservation Act would let the town collect a property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent, to be matched by state funds, which would be used for open space acquisition, affordable housing, and historic preservation. Learn what the CPA could mean for Natick, and how you could help. For further information see http://natickcpa.org/
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2005 (8:45PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd floor front).	Natick Mall Expansion: Continuation of Natick Planning Board hearings, time approximate.
Wednesday, February 9th, 2005 (9:50PM, 10:10PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd floor front).	Natick Mall Expansion: Continuation of Natick Planning Board hearings, time approximate.
Thursday, January 27th 2005 (8-11:30AM) South Boston Convention and Exhibition Center	MetroFuture Citizens Seminar: The Metropolitan Area Planning Council's MetroFuture project is creating planning tools to help communities understand the consequences of their choices, and the tradeoffs of different approaches. MetroFuture will forecast how the Greater Boston Region will grow if "business as usual" continues, and will enlist residents and experts to create "alternative futures" based on the visions heard over the past year. Now is the time to get involved. Register or get more information here, or call Lauren at 1-617/552-0904.
Saturday, January 22nd, 2005 ( 8:30-11:30AM) Memorial Hall, 590 Main St., Melrose MA	Saving Common Ground; Building Our Conservation Community Featuring Mayor Rob Dolan, Melrose; Kathy Abbott, Commissioner, MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation; Peter Alden, Naturalist Guide and Lecturer, "Taking Aim at Non-Native Invasive Species"; Meredith DeCarbonnel, Melrose Conservation Commissioner, "How to Empower Conservation Commissions for Healthy Communities"; Mike Ryan, Executive Director, Friends of the Fells, "The Middlesex Fells: Common Ground for Five Communities". Citizens of all communities attending this conference are encouraged to participate in this first ever event. Brief presentations will be followed by discussion groups where we can learn from and meet one another to discover new ideas and ways to work together. Contact Information: Mike Ryan, mike_ryan@comcast.net (1-781/662-6889) and Sarah Smith, Sarah_L.Smith@tufts.edu (1-617/817-7888) Free; public is invited.
Thursday, December 16th, 2004 (7:30-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Beethoven and his Natick biographer: On Beethoven's birthday, hear how a long-lost score from his youth was recreated by composer Jon Mitchell (Chair of the Music Dept. at U.Mass./Boston). And learn about Beethoven's great biographer, Alexander Wheelock Thayer, from another Natick resident, A. Richard Miller. Please print and post this event flier, to alert others to this unusual free event.
Saturday, November 20th, 2004 (8:30AM-4:30PM) 100 Rock Street, Fall River, MA (see links on right)	"Urban Rivers and Their Neighborhoods" Conference: This free conference will be useful for river AND lake AND rail trail activists. Fall River is about an hour's drive south of Lake Cochituate.
Saturday, October 30th, 2004 (Trail work 9AM-Noon; 1PM Dedication) From Route 16 and Pleasant Street in South Natick, take Glen St. to Sassamon Rd. Park at the end of Sassamon Rd.	Trail Clearing and Dedication Ceremony in Mumford Wildlife Forest: Help complete this new South Natick trail in the morning. (See Sept.  18-19, below.) And in the afternoon, come to its dedication ceremony! Contact: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827).
Sunday, October 24th, 2004 (3PM) Meet at the gazebo on Natick Common (Rtes. 27 and 135).	Walk through Coolidge Woods, Broad's Hill and the Hamlet Development: Natick Walks leads these Sunday walks. They are 2 to 4 miles, and end back at the Natick Common. Just show up and join the group. Questions: Tim Collins (617/840-0827)
Wednesday, Oct. 20th, 2004 (9AM-4PM) Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester, Mass.	"Moving Together 2004" - MassHighway's annual bicycling and pedestrian conference. This annual conference is top-notch for information and contacts. $30 per head, in nearby Worcester. For more information: Call 1-413/545-2604; fax 1-413/545-6471; e-mail baystate_roads@hotmail.com .
Sunday, October 17th, 2004 (3PM) Meet at the gazebo on Natick Common (Rtes. 27 and 135).	Walk on Pegan Cove Park trails: Natick Walks leads these Sunday walks. They are 2 to 4 miles, and end back at the Natick Common. Just show up and join the group. Questions: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827)
Sunday, October 17th, 2004 (10-11:30AM) Park 500 Old Connecticut Path. Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Tour of the Cochituate Rail Trail: Volunteers from the Framingham CRT Committee will lead a tour of this former railroad line - now under development as a multi-use trail. Committee members will give an overview of this exciting project, and naturalist Anne Pratt of the New England Wildflower Society will identify interesting plants and wildlife along the trail. This will be one of several walking tours organized by the Friends of Saxonville as part of its annual "Sax-on-Foot" event (see below).
Sunday, October 17th, 2004 (10AM, 1PM) Saxonville (see to right, and above).	Sax-on-Foot (Friends of Saxonville) 10:00 am, meet at 625 Old Connecticut Path for a tour of the future Cochituate Rail Trail led by members of the Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee . 1:00 pm, meet at the Athenaeum at the corner of Concord and Watson for a guided tour of this historic area. For details check the flyer!
Sunday, October 10th, 2004 (3PM) Meet at the gazebo on Natick Common (Rtes. 27 and 135).	Tour past Historic Homes and Buildings in Natick Center: Natick Walks leads these Sunday walks. They are 2 to 4 miles, and end back at the Natick Common. Just show up and join the group. Questions: Tim Collins (617/840-0827)
Sunday, October 3rd, 2004 (3PM) Meet at the gazebo on Natick Common (Rtes. 27 and 135).	Walk on Coolidge Woods trails: Natick Walks leads these Sunday walks. They are 2 to 4 miles, and end back at the Natick Common. Just show up and join the group. Questions: Tim Collins (617/840-0827)
Saturday, October 2nd, 2004(9AM-Noon, Noon-3PM) Park 500 Old Connecticut Path. Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Cochituate Rail Trail Clean-up (Rain date is Sunday, October 3rd.) Join us for morning or afternoon, on this day of trail-clearing and clean-up on the Cochituate Rail Trail! CRT-shirts, pizza Noon-1PM), bring tools.
Saturday and Sunday, September 25th-26th, 2004 (10AM-5PM) Cochituate State Park Day Use Area (Route 30, 1/2-mile east of Speen Street)	The Annual Harvest Moon Festival and Pow-Wow in Cochituate State Park. Meet the Natick Praying Indians and other tribes. Dancing, singing, drumming, crafts, food. Admission is free.
Thursday, September (9th and) 23rd, 2004 (6:30-9PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Community Charrette: Is "Smart Growth" in Natick smart? Co-sponsored by Natick Center Associates and Natick's Community Development Office. On the first night, a look at the ten principles of Smart Growth and how they apply to Natick Center in general. On the second night apply them to specific areas of Natick Center.
Saturday and Sunday, September 18th-19th (9AM-3PM, with a lunch break) From Route 16 and Pleasant Street in South Natick, take Glen St. to Sassamon Rd. Park at the end of Sassamon Rd.	Trail Clearing in Mumford Wildlife Forest: Help clear this new South Natick trail, from the end of Sassamon Road about 1/3-mile up Pegan Hill to Pegan Lane. This new trail will connect the Mumford Forest to the Pegan Hill trail system. It also provides the missing link for the Charles River Link trail, which connects the Charles River Walkway in Newton to the Bay Circuit Trail in Medfield. Members of the Appalachian Mountain Club, Trailwrights, Bay Circuit Alliance and Natick Trails will be helping to organize and teach other volunteers how to build the trail. Volunteer as many hours as you wish. Contact: Tim Collins (1-617/840-0827).
Saturday, Sept. 11th, 2004 (10AM-4PM) Natick Town Common, Town Hall, Library.	Natick Days Food, fun and entertainment. The NBPAC and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting near the northeast corner of the Town Common. This is a great stop on your bike ride!
Thursday, September 9th (and 23rd), 2004 (6-10PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Community Charrette: Is "Smart Growth" in Natick smart? Co-sponsored by Natick Center Associates and Natick's Community Development Office. On the first night, a look at the ten principles of Smart Growth and how they apply to Natick Center in general. On the second night apply them to specific areas of Natick Center.
Wednesday, July 14th, 2004 (7:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, traffic, Speen St. crossing, bicycle and pedestrian concerns)
Wednesday, July 7th, 2004 (7:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, traffic, Speen St. crossing, bicycle and pedestrian concerns)
Wednesday, June 30th, 2004 (7:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, traffic, Speen St. crossing, bicycle and pedestrian concerns)
Tuesday, June 29th, 2004 (7 PM) Natick Town Hall 3rd floor, School Committee Room	Lake Cochituate Water Quality Plan: The Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the MetroWest Growth Management Committee invite you to a public meeting and workshop. MAPC also will release a new MAPC report, Lake Cochituate, Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan; Protecting MetroWest's Prime Water Resource: Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Sherborn, and Wayland".
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2004 (7:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, traffic, Speen St. crossing, bicycle and pedestrian concerns).
Sunday, June 20th, 2004 (starts at 10AM and 11AM) Start and finish at Natick Common.	First annual Tour de Natick: The Natick Rotary Club raises money for scholarships to Natick High School seniors, with 6-mile and 25-mile races on Fathers' Day.The event is designed to offer bicycle riders of all ages courses suitable to their abilities along Natick's scenic roads and country lanes.
Saturday, June 12th AND Sunday, June 13th, 2004 (Many towns - see web site.)	SuAsCo RiverFest Many events along the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers, including Saturday's Discover Saxonville (see below). Note that Dick and Jill Miller's events were scheduled in Framngham but will be held in Wayland (see below).
Saturday, June 12th, 2004 (2:30PM) Moved! (slightly, across town line from Framingham):  For free admission, meet at the HQ Building of  Cochituate State Park (Route 30 in Wayland, just east of MassPike).	Hike new trails in Cochituate State Park Join botanist and birdwatcher Jill Miller on a casual walk along one or two little-known trails: the Snake Brook Trail and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Saturday, June 12th, 2004 (1:30PM) Moved! (slightly, across town line from Framingham):  For free admission, meet at the HQ Building of  Cochituate State Park (Route 30 in Wayland, just east of MassPike).	"Lake Cochituate: Then and Now" State Park Historian A. Richard Miller describes Lake Cochituate's fascinating past: the Natick Praying Indians, providing power (and a railroad) for mills, a reservoir for Boston, torpedo testing during WW II, the major recreational lake in eastern Massachusetts, and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
Saturday, June 12th, 2004 (10:00 am to 3:00 pm) Danforth Park, corner of Danforth and Cottage Streets., Framingham.	Discover Saxonville Many events, including an exhibit table for the Cochituate Rail Trail. This event is part of the larger SuAsCo RiverFest (see above). (Alas, Massachusetts Biodiversity Days has not been funded this year.)
CANCELED! Saturday, June 12th, 2004 (9AM-Noon)	PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNUAL CLEAN-UP HAS BEEN CANCELED! The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation co-host the Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring broken-glass-proof wading footwear.
CANCELED! Thursday, June 10th, 2004 (7PM) St. Zepherin's hall, 99 Main Street, Cochituate.	PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ANNUAL MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELED! The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation co-host the Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting.
Wednesday, June 9th, 2004 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, bicycle and pedestrian concerns).
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2004 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion (including landscaping, bicycle and pedestrian concerns).
Saturday, May 22nd, 2004 (1:00PM) Walk in from Oak Street parking area, at Jennings Ponds.	Re-dedication ceremony for Hunnewell Town Forest in East Natick: All are invited. The formal ceremony will last 30 minutes and will be followed by a guided nature walk, and trails exploration including a Geocache and Orienteering course. Tea, water, cookies will be served. A history of the Town Forest will be given and Natick Walks will be unveiling two new trail kiosks and trail maps. Contact: Tim Collins (617/840-0827)
Saturday, May 22nd, 2004 (9AM-Noon) Day Use Area of Cochituate State Park (Route 30 in Natick, 1/2-mile east of Speen Street)	Fishing Clinic: Natick Recreation and Parks Dept. and others co-sponsor a free fishing clinic. Certificates and other goodies. Bring your pole if you have one; some will be made available. Contact: Natick Rec. & Parks Dept (1-508/647-6530).
Wednesday, May 19th, 2004 (7:30PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion including design of included housing (was postponed to later), design of Speen Street from "Beetleback" interchange south to Route 135 (including bicycle and pedestrian concerns).
Wednesday, May 19th, 2004 (6:00PM) Landry’s Bicycles, 60 Worcester Road (Route 9 Eastbound). (ALSO 6:15PM) Natick Cole Rec. Ctr.; 179 Boden Lane, West Natick.	Casual Bike Road Ride (Bike Week, Natick): Ride 12 to 18 miles (1 to 1-1/2 hours) through scenic parts of Natick, Sherborn & Dover. Helmets required. No riders get dropped or left behind. Bring a water bottle. Leader: Cory Lovett (roadcyclists@hotmail.com)
Tuesday, May 18th, 2004 (6:30PM) Parking lot for Pegan Cove Park, on Washington Avenue across from Cochituate Street.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) in downtown Natick: Pegan Cove Park, Middlesex Path and Dell Park Cemetery Complete with historic commentary. Some dirt trails, mostly smooth. Leader: Dick Miller (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Sunday, May 16th, 2004 (1:30PM) Entrance to Shaw's Park on Eliot Street (Route 16, just west of Union Street).	Scenic Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Come on a moderate on-road bike ride in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover; about 7 pretty miles with some hills, a lot of history, and the upper Charles River.  Bring water. Leader: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 15th, 2004 (1:30PM) South side of parking lot for "Especially for Pets", on Route 27 just south of Route 30 in Cochituate.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Take an unusual and quite-bumpy bike ride on the little-known Snake Brook Trail in Cochituate State Park (North Natick and Cochituate) and to Cochituate Dam. Slow and interesting. Leader: Jill Miller (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
May 15th-23rd, 2004	Massachusetts Bike Week Join us at the Natick events, above! For more Mass. Bike Week events, click here.
Wednesday, May 5th, 2004 (7:00PM?) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing continuation, Natick Mall Expansion including design of included housing (was postponed to later), design of bicycle-pedestrian westerly branch from Cochituate Rail Trail).
Saturday, May 1st, 2004 (9AM-Noon, Noon-3PM) Park 500 Old Connecticut Path. Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Cochituate Rail Trail Spring Clean-up (Rain date is Sunday, May 2) Join us for a day of trail-clearing and clean-up on the Cochituate Rail Trail! CRT-shirts, pizza, be there.
Monday, April 26th, 2004 (7PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's meeting room.	Natick Selectmen proclaim Natick Bike Week, May 15th-23rd.
Thursday, April 22nd, 2004 Framingham Town Hall, Selectmen's meeting room.	Earth Day milestone: Framingham signs on for first half-mile of Cochituate Rail Trail! Framingham Selectmen sign agreement with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, for an easement at least 24' in width from Route 30 to the MassPike; public access expected within two months. (Disposition of entire 65'-80' width ROW is tabled for now.)
Thursday, Mar. 11th, 2004 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Special Public Meeting (Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation) Lake Cochituate Aquatic Weed Management Program
Saturday, Mar. 6th, 2004 (8-11AM) Memorial School Cafeteria, 107 Eliot Street (Rte. 16), South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm NBPAC, Natick Open Space Committee and Natick Walks will co-staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more?
Thursday, Mar. 4th, 2004 (7:00PM) Natick Town Hall, 2nd Floor front.	Natick Planning Board Public Hearing, Natick Mall Expansion including design of bicycle-pedestrial westerly branch from Cochituate Rail Trail.
Wednesday, Oct. 22nd, 2003 (9AM-4PM) Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester, Mass.	Moving Together 2003 - MassHighway's annual bicycling and pedestrian conference. This annual conference is top-notch for information and contacts. For more information: Call 1-413/545-2604; fax 1-413/545-6471; e-mail baystate_roads@hotmail.com .
Sunday, Oct. 5th, 2003 (10AM) "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation.	Sax-On-Foot, a Walking Discovery of Sax-On-Ville 10AM- Dick and Jill Miller will lead the way on the Cochituate Rail Trail -- a former railroad track, now in development as a multi-use recreational path. Also nearby: 12 Noon walk with historian Steve Herring, and 2:30PM walk on the Carol Getchell Nature Trail.
Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 27-28th, 2003 (10 AM-5 PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area.	Harvest Moon Festival and Pow-Wow, Inter-Tribal Council of Tolba Menahan This annual Native-American celebration features traditional events, crafts, food and more. Free, public invited. It is held in the CSP ballfield area, which backs onto the proposed Cochituate Rail Trail. One of the participating groups is the Natick Praying Indians.
Sunday, Sept. 14th, 2003 Cochituate State Park	Ride For Hunger This was a BIG success last year. 25-mile ride, and 70-mile ride. Even if you're not participating or sponsoring, come on down to CSP to help cheer them on at the start and finish!
Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2003 (10AM-4PM) Natick Town Common, Town Hall, Library.	Natick Days Food, fun and entertainment. The NBPAC and other outdoor groups will be exhibiting near the northeast corner of the Town Common. This is a great stop on your bike ride!
Saturday, August 23, 2003 (9AM-12Noon, 12Noon-3PM) "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Summer Clean-Up on the Cochituate Rail Trail Join the summer clean-up on the Cochituate Rail Trail. Bring hand-saws, loppers,  rakes, and work gloves. Work for an hour - get a CRT-shirt and lunch. Contact: Mara Yale (508-877-1556; CRT-Friends@rcn.com) Help publicize this event, by printing and posting this flyer! (Read the 78K .pdf file with free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
July 30th, 2003 (6-7 PM) Cochituate State Park Headquarters Building	Weed-Watchers Training Class Learn what weeds are in Lake Cochituate, and which few are harmful. Volunteer for free professional training, to help Cochituate State Park map its invasive pond weeds - and later, to organize professionally-supervised weed-pulling projects. Note: Avoid any untrained pulling of weeds. Most weeds are good, and the others tend to spread more when pulled. Contact: Cochituate State Park (1-508/653-9641)
Monday, June 23, 2003 (7PM) Framingham Memorial Building (150 Concord Street) Public Hearing Room	Final Public Forum, Framingham Rail Trail Task Force: Individuals who wish to ask questions or provide comments on the desirability of creating a trail along the unused railroad right of way from Framingham Centre though Nobscot to South Sudbury are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. The Rail Trail Task Force, chaired by former Framingham State Representative John Stasik, was formed in 2002 by the Board of Selectmen to study the feasibility and desirability of converting the unused CSX rail line into a public use trail. The right of way extends from Worcester Road northward to South Sudbury, a distance of 4.8 miles. For more information please contact: John Stasik (1-508/877-6771; FBPAC@rcn.com)
Thursday, June 19th, 2003 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Slide Talk: "Rail Trails of New England: Connecting and Enriching our Communities" An inspiring presentation by Craig Della Penna, New England Field Representative for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. What will the Cochituate Rail Trail mean here? See what other trails do for their communities!
Saturday, June 7th, 2003 (2:30-5PM) Cochituate State Park, Day-Use Area	Biodiversity Walk: "New trails at Cochituate State Park - Nature on the Line" Jill Miller, botanist and birdwatcher, leads a moderate biodiversity walk on one or two of these little-used trails: Snake Brook Trail, trail to old Cochituate Reservoir Gate House, trail to Cochituate Dam, proposed Cochituate Rail Trail.  Half-way bail-out option for the tired and hungry.
Saturday, June 7th, 2003 (1:30-2:30PM) Cochituate State Park, Day-Use Area (South side of Route 30, 1/4-mile east of Speen Street in Framingham)	History Talk: "Lake Cochituate -- The Place of Falling Water" A. Richard Miller, Cochituate State Park's Historian, Vice-Chairman of its Advisory Committee, and local environmentalist, recounts geological and historical events which shaped our unique chain of lakes - with some unusual problems and opportunities for the future.
Saturday, June 7th, 2003 (9AM-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp	Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring wading shoes and gloves, and help put our ponds in shape for the summer season. This event is hosted by the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, Three Seasons Ski Club and Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management. Contact: Mike Clark (508/650-0468 weekdays; mclark@datasweep.com)
Thursday, June 5th, 2003 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 17th, 2003 (1:30PM) South side of parking lot for "Especially for Pets", on Route 27 just south of Route 30 in Cochituate.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) An unusual and bumpy bike ride on the Snake Brook Trail in Cochituate State Park (North Natick and Cochituate). Might we have a walking group, too? Leader: Jill Miller (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Thursday, May 15th, 2003 (6:30PM) Rear left of Memorial School parking lot, off Route 16 in South Natick.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) in South Natick: Sudbury Aqueduct and Natick Community Organic Farm Leader: Dick Miller (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Tuesday, May 13th, 2003 (6:30PM) Parking lot for Pegan Cove Park, on Washington Avenue across from Cochituate Street.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) in downtown Natick: Pegan Cove Park, Middlesex Path and Dell Park Cemetery Complete with historic commentary. Leader: Dick Miller (508/653-6136, 9am-9pm; TheMillers@millermicro.com)
Sunday, May 11th, 2003 (2PM) Entrance to Shaw's Park on Eliot Street (Route 16, just west of Union Street).	Scenic Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Come on a moderate on-road bike ride in South Natick, Sherborn and Dover; about 7 pretty miles with some hills, a lot of history, and the upper Charles River. Leader: Martin Kessel (508/653-5083; Martin@TheKessels.org)
Saturday, May 10th, 2003 (9AM-12Noon, 12Noon-3PM) "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham - the trailhead for Cochituate Brook Reservation Park.	Spring Cleanup on the Cochituate Rail Trail Join the spring cleanup on the Cochituate Rail Trail. Bring hand-saws, loppers,  rakes, and work gloves. Work for an hour - get a CRT-shirt and lunch. Contact: Mara Yale (508-877-1556; CRT-Friends@rcn.com)
May 10th-18th, 2003	Massachusetts Bike Week Join us at the Natick events, above! For more Mass. Bike Week events, click here.
Monday, May 5th, 2003 (approx. 7:10PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room.	Natick Selectmen proclaim Natick Bike Week, May 10th-18th. (Prior to NBPAC monthly meeting.)
Saturday, May 3rd, 2003 (1PM) Meet at Natick Common, then to selected trail.	Natick Service Day The Natick Service Council is hosting a day of community service projects including trail clean-ups at Pegan Cove Park, Middlesex Path and Coolidge Hill. To volunteer yourself or your group, please email to Sandy Mamakos (1-508/655-8434; naticksd@mail.com) with the number of volunteers and their ages.
Saturday, April 12th, 2003 (1PM) Natick Town Common	Inauguration of the Natick Walks program. Followed by walks in Pegan Cove Park, up Coolidge Hill, and more.
Saturday, March 1st, 2003 (8-11AM) Memorial School Cafeteria, 107 Eliot Street (Rte. 16), South Natick	Annual Pancake Breakfast for The Natick Organic Community Farm NBPAC will staff an exhibit table, featuring the Cochituate Rail Trail project (and the CRT Brochure) and other walking and biking initiatives in our community. Afterward, you can tour the adjacent Community Farm. It has its own maple sugar shack, and this is a pancake breakfast. Need we say more?
Saturday, November 2nd, 2002 (1:00-3:30 PM) Meet at the Main Boat Ramp at  Cochituate State Park (on the south side of  Route 30, east of Speen Street and the Framingham-Natick town line).	Educational Hike Framingham State College's MassPIRG invites you to join its educational hike,  in and near the beautiful Cochituate State Park in Framingham, Natick and Wayland. It will be led by environmentalist Dick Miller, Vice Chairman of the Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee, and local naturalist Jill Miller. Learn about current opportunities and problems facing our open space, with a look at history, wildlife and the Cochituate Rail Trail.
October 23rd-24th, 2002 (9AM-3PM) Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester, Mass.	Moving Together 2002 - MassHighway's annual bicycling and pedestrian conference. This annual conference is top-notch for information and contacts. For more information: Call 1-413/545-2604; fax 1-413/545-6471; e-mail AhmadJia@ecs.umass.edu .
Saturday & Sunday, October 12-13th, 2002 (10 AM-5 PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area.	Harvest Moon Pow-Wow This annual Native-American celebration features traditional events, crafts, food and more. Free, public invited. It is held in the CSP ballfield area, which backs onto the proposed Cochituate Rail Trail. One of the participating groups is the Natick Praying Indians.
Saturday, October 5th, 2002 (9AM-4PM) Meet at "625" Old Connecticut Path, Framingham	Volunteer Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail Join us for a day of trail-clearing and clean-up on the Cochituate Rail Trail! Arrive Saturday morning or afternoon, depending on your schedule. Bring any of these tools that you have: clippers, loppers, bow saws, metal rakes, shovels, and wheelbarrows. Work gloves, long pants, and long-sleeved shirt are recommended. Refreshments and a free T-shirt will be provided. Bring your friends and help us create this outstanding multi-use trail! Meet at the Cochituate Brook Reservation trailhead, just northeast of the CRT on Old Connecticut Path in Saxonville. Contact Person: Mara Yale (1-508/877-1556, CRT-Friends@rcn.com)
Saturday, September 28th, 2002 (9AM-1PM) Northern section of Pegan Cove Park, Natick	Trail Cutting in Pegan Cove Park Steve Holt's Eagle Scout project re-establishes the North Trail in Pegan Cove Park. Volunteers can help there and/or with selective clearing at the lovely and historic Stony Point area near the Lake Street entrance. Meet 9AM, opposite 8 Lake Street. Wear long pants and work gloves, bring loppers if you've got 'em. Contact Person: Prior to 28th, Dick Cugini, Natick Dir. of Recreation  (1-508/647-6530 days).
Saturday, September 14th, 2002 (10AM-4PM) Natick Common	Natick Days Big outdoor celebration with  many events including NBPAC exhibit table (buy CRT shirts, get CRT Brochures with map),  bicycle registration.
Sunday, August 18th, 2002 9:30am-3:30pm Brookline, Massachusetts	Larz Anderson Bicycle Show and Swap
June 4th-July 31st, 2002 Natick Morse Institute Library	See the Cochituate Rail Trail display case in the Natick Library - and ask for a CRT Brochure. (Held over for a second month, due to great popularity -- and unclaimed exhibit space. :-)
Saturday, June 29nd, 2002 (9-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp (Rain date is the following day.)	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. DEM invite you to the:  Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring glass-proof wading footwear. Note: This event has been rescheduled from June 22nd. Contact person: Mike Clark (508/653-9943; Mike.Clark@agile.com)
Wednesday, June 26th, 2002 (7 PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd Fl. front)	Public Hearing re draft Natick Open Space and Recreation Plan Review the draft report online or in the library,  then share your comments.
Friday, June 21st, 2002 (11 AM-2 PM) Bentley College, Waltham, Mass.	Mass. Central Rail Trail Golden Spike II Conference. A major gathering for Massachusets rail trail projects, including our CRT and the 104-mile Mass. Central Rail Trail.)
Wednesday, June 12th, 2002 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library, Main Hall.	The Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management co-host the Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting. DEM Planner Andy Backman will present the Draft Management Plan for Cochituate State Park (including Snake Brook Trail and Cochituate Rail Trail). Get your copy of the draft plan at the meeting or online.
Saturday, June 1st, 2002 Saxonville section of Framingham Meet at north end of CRT (corner of Concord and School Streets)	Discover Saxonville - and Massachusetts Diversity Days Many events, including activities on Cochituate Rail Trail:. 10am, Jill Miller leads a one-hour bird walk on CRT. 11AM, 1PM and 3PM: Guided walks on CRT. These are the FIRST public recreational events on the CRT!
Sunday, May 19th, 2002 (2-4PM) (Was shifted to rain date.) Call NBPAC for further information.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Sudbury Aqueduct and Community Farm in South Natick A high road through the woods. Meet at back left of Memorial School parking lot, off Route 16 in South Natick. Idea: Also enjoy the Sping Fair next door, at Natick Community Organic Farm (10am-3pm, also shifted to Sunday).
Thursday, May 16th, 2002 (6:30PM) Call NBPAC for further information.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Snake Brook Trail -- special biking permit! We have special permission to take an unusual bike trip in Cochituate State Park, on the Snake Brook Trail to Cochituate Dam, and to the old Gatehouse of Cochituate Reservoir (1848, Boston's first public water supply).
Monday, May 13th, 2002 (7-8PM) Framingham Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Lower Nevins Hall, Public Hearing Room.	Join the FBPAC for more information about the proposed Framingham-Sudbury Rail Trail and a Rails-to-Trails Presentation by Craig Della Penna, New England Representative for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy plus question and answer session with officials.  Learn about Framingham's newest Historic Rail Trail project from Framingham Centre to Nobscot and beyond. Discuss the Trail with Framingham officials and national Rail Trail experts. Complimentary refreshments. Sponsors: Framingham BPAC, William Hanson, Chair (508) 628-3686; (508) 904-0446 (day of event only)
Monday, May 13th, 2002 (4PM) Hemenway School, 729 Water Street, Framingham. Outdoors, rain or shine!	Join the FBPAC to visit the proposed Framingham-Sudbury Rail Trail Learn about Framingham's newest Historic Rail Trail project from Framingham Centre to Nobscot and beyond. Discuss the Trail with Framingham officials and national Rail Trail experts. Complimentary refreshments. Sponsors: Framingham BPAC, William Hanson, Chair (508) 628-3686; (508) 904-0446 (day of event only).
Saturday, May 11th, 2002 (2-4PM) Call NBPAC for further information.	Easy Bike Ride (Bike Week, Natick) Pegan Cove Park, Middlesex Path and Dell Cemetery Complete with historic commentary.
May 11th-19th, 2002	BIKE WEEK 2002 See the MassBike events list.
Monday, May 6th, 2002 (7-9:30PM?) Natick Police Conference Room (and elsewhere).	Special events plus NBPAC meeting At 7PM in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, hear a Proclamation for Bike Week 2002 and the NBPAC's Annual Report to the Selectmen. About 7:20PM, NBPAC regular meeting convenes - to include Plan Review for Route 135 Reconstruction through Natick, presented by Natick Dir. of Community Development Sarkis Sarkisian. Help NBPAC to review these plans in time for expected September 2002 start of reconstruction!
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2002 (7/7:30 PM) Stapleton School (25 Elm Street, in the Saxonville section of Framingham)	Annual Meeting of the Friends of Saxonville (public is invited): From Rails to Trails in Saxonville, a joint presentation by Steve Herring, Town Historian and Mara Yale, Chair, Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee. (E.g., the Saxonville Branch Railroad Line which is about to become the Cochituate Rail Trail.)
Wednesday, February 13th, 2002 (7:30pm?) Framingham Memorial Building, Conference Room 1?	Framingham Traffic and Roadway Safety Committee Reconsideration of Cochituate Rail Trail crossing design at Old Connecticut Path (see Jan. 16th, Dec. 5th, etc.).
Wednesday, February 13th, 2002 (5:30-7:30pm) Natick Town Hall	Boston MPO Regional Transportation Plan One of a series of regional Public discussion meetings. Draft report online at: http://www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/resources/review.htm
Wednesday, January 16th, 2002 (7 PM) Framingham Memorial Building, Conference Room 1	Framingham Traffic and Roadway Safety Committee Reconsideration of Cochituate Rail Trail crossing design at Old Connecticut Path (see Dec. 5th, etc.). (Just-arrived revised plans were submitted, further action tabled for a month. The revised plans will be posted on this Web site once Framingham makes them available.)
Wednesday, January 9th, 2002 (8:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room	Natick Planning Board Determination re heliport hearing (see Dec. 19th, etc.)
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2002 (7:45PM) Framingham Memorial Building	Framingham Conservation Commission John Brennan gives slide presentation; Conservation Commission votes to add its supporting letter and advocacy for the full Cochituate Rail Trail transfer from MassPike.
Wednesday, December 19th, 2001 (8:30 PM) Natick Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room (2nd Floor front)	Natick Planning Board Continued hearing, Boston Scientific Corp.'s Helipad Permit by Lake Cochituate and the Cochituate Rail Trail. The public is urged to attend or at least to send a protest letter. The proposed Sikorsky S-76 helicopter would be unusually noisy and intrusive, by the CRT and Lake Cochituate. This is YOUR chance to be heard, and the NPB wants to know whether you really care. It's on the agenda at 8:30PM.
Tuesday, December 18th, 2001 (7 PM) Framingham Memorial Building, Lower Nevins Conference Room 2	Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee Review draft Old Connecticut Path intersection design. Draft agenda: 7:00 pm - Introductions 7:15 pm - Old Connecticut Path intersection design The Design Subcommittee will present recommendations based on the current draft of the intersection design. Public comment on the design will be welcome. The goal is to have a solid plan that can be presented to the Framingham Roadways and Traffic Safety Committee in January. 8:00 pm - Review status of trail development     * spending money from DEM grant by end of year     * recent trail work by volunteers, Parks and Rec, landscapers     * Mass Turnpike Authority Tourism grant clock has started 8:20 pm - Public comment 8:30 pm - Adjourn Mara Yale, Chair, Framingham CRT Committee
Saturday, December 15th, 2001 (12-2 PM) Parking at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham	Cochituate Rail Trail - Hay Bales Last Saturday, we ran out of hay bales a little early. Just a few people wanted to help complete the short remaining section. See the Dec. 8th info, below.
Saturday, December 8th, 2001 (2-4 PM) Parking at 500 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham	Cochituate Rail Trail - Hay Bales Help install hay bales along the edge of the trail. Since we will be pounding stakes into the ground, the ideal tool for this job is a very heavy hammer or a small sledgehammer (about 15 inches long). Park at 500 Old Connecticut Path. Walk across OCP, take a left and you will see the trail head on the right. Walk down the CRT until you find the work party. Contact: John Brennan (617-782-1500)
Wednesday, December 5th, 2001 (7 PM) Framingham Police Headquarters, Public Hearing Room	Framingham Traffic and Roadway Safety Committee To discuss CRT Intersection Designs on School Street and Old Connecticut Path. Meeting begins 7PM; item time not yet known. Info arrived on Dec. 4th: a) "Once the Framingham Traffic and Roadway Safety Committee, Engineering Department, Fire Department, Police Department, FBPAC, CRT Development Advisory Committee, and general public give comment before or on this evening, our consultant will update the plans and go to 100% design." Info not arrived as of Dec. 4th: b) We still don't have a sharable plan copy to put on the Internet, and we don't know the expected time for this item (which appears to be its final hearing).
Monday, November 19th, 2001 (7 PM) Natick Police meeting room	Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Our Nov. 5th monthly meeting was moved to Monday, Nov. 19th; many members attended the Nov. 5th meetings in Framingham, instead (see below).
Wednesday, November 7th, 2001 (3:30 PM) MassPike's Charlton Service Area	Monthly meeting of Massachusetts Turnpike Advisory Board The MTAB voted its recommendation to grant an 18-to-24-foot-wide trail easement to the Town of Framingham now, while postponing the possible transfer of its entire half-mile long, 60-to-80'-wide Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way to public ownership.
Monday, November 5th, 2001 (6-8 PM; THREE meetings!) Framingham Memorial Building (Conference Room 2, basement)	4-6 PM: MetroWest Transportation Task Force 6-7 PM: Update on Transportation Plan by Central Transportation Planning Staff To provide the MetroWest Growth Management Committee and the public with a review of the Central Transportation Planning Staff's evaluation of MetroWest roadways using the Federal Highway Administration's Bicycle Compatibility Index. CTPS staff is currently working on a report that will outline the results of the study. The contents of the report include BCI ratings for the MetroWest network, comparisons with the 1996 Bike Map based on local cyclists' subjective ratings of the network, and an assessment of the BCI's usefulness for broader applications in the region. Copies of the draft report will be available at the meeting. 7-8 PM: MetroWest Bike & Pedestrian Task Force CTPS will hold a forum on the Regional Transportation Plan. Work is underway to update the current 2001 Transportation Plan for the Boston MPO Region. This work is necessary in order to comply with federal directives issued as a result of the Boston MPO's certification review last March. The update of the Plan must be submitted to FHWA and the Federal Transit Administration by March 15, 2002. Staff hopes to solicit input and suggestions from the public with regard to the MPO's guiding policies for the Plan as well as the transportation projects that will be included in the update. Re any of the above: MetroWest Growth Management Committee (1-508/620-7330 in Framingham) or Scott Hamwey, CTPS (1-617/973-7092; hamwey@ctps.org).
Wed.-Thurs., Oct. 24-25th, 2001 (9 AM-3 PM) Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester, MA	Moving Together Conference MassHighway's annual Bicycle and Pedestrian Conference.
Saturday, October 20th, 2001 (9 AM-4 PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham.	Trail-Cleaning Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way. Complete initial Framingham trail-clearing, from School St. to Route 30! There will be two shifts, with lunch from 12-1 pm. Volunteers from both shifts are invited to lunch which will be provided. Morning Shift: 9 am - 12 pm; Afternoon Shift:1 pm - 4 pm. Please sign up for a shift by contacting: Mara Yale at 508-877-1556 or crt-friends@rcn.com . Other Contacts: Bryan Taberner (508-620-4852, weekdays); Dick Miller (508-653-6136, 9AM-9PM). Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Bring any of these tools that you have: clippers, loppers, work gloves, metal rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, hand saws. For further information on the Cochituate Rail Trail visit: http://MMS.TheMillers.com/crt.html
Saturday & Sunday, October 6-7th, 2001 (10 AM-4 PM) Cochituate State Park Day-Use Area.	Harvest Moon Pow-Wow This annual Native-American celebration features traditional events, crafts, food and more. Free, public invited. It is held in the CSP ballfield area, which backs onto the proposed Cochituate Rail Trail. One of the participating groups is the Natick Praying Indians.
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2001 (3 or 3:30 PM) MassPike Regional Headquarters Weston, Massachusetts	Monthly meeting of Massachusetts Turnpike Advisory Board The MassPike Advisory Board will discuss the possible transfer of its entire half-mile long, 60-to-80'-wideCochituate Rail Trail right-of-way to public ownership, instead of its current plan to sell it off to adjacent companies after establishing an 18-to-24'-wide easement for the trail. Open to the public.
Saturday, September 29th, 2001 (10 AM-1 PM) At four Mass. State Parks, including Callahan State Park in Framingham.	REI Work Day/Public Lands Day REI and the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management, both major contributors to the Cochituate Rail Trail, invite you to help clean up some of our local State Parks by clearing trails, picking up litter, and working on other projects as needed. Work from 10-1 (people should be at the park by 9:30), have lunch then go on an interpretive walk with a DEM ranger (may not be available at all parks), take a bike ride or a hike to enjoy the park. We will be volunteering at Callahan State Park in Framingham, Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton, Harold Parker State Park in Andover, and Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield. Volunteers will receive t-shirts and a chance to win some cool REI gear. REI will supply the drinks and some snacks; you bring lunch and lots of enthusiasm for a fun day of work and play. No experience is necessary, but bring long sleeves and long pants in case of poison ivy. For more information please call 508-872-1628 and leave a message. Participants must sign up at either the Framingham or Reading REI Customer Service Departments, and say which location you are interested in. Groups are welcome, but participants under 18 must have a parent or a guardian to sign the release form and must have adequate supervision. Help spread the word about this great chance to help our local parks. Diane Gifford, REI Special Events Coordinator Reading Customer Service 781-944-5103 Framingham Customer Service 508-270-6325
Saturday, September 22nd, 2001 (9 AM-1:30 PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham.	Trail-Cleaning Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Bring clippers, loppers, work gloves, metal rakes, shovels (snow and dirt), wheelbarrows, push brooms, hand saws, small sledge hammers. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If you have a pickup truck that could be used for trail work, please let us know. Bryan Taberner (508-620-4852, weekdays) Dick Miller (508-653-6136, 9AM-9PM) Mara Yale (508-877-1556)
Thursday, September 20th, 2001 (7 PM) Public Hearing Room (basement) Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Framingham	First meeting of the Framingham CRT Development Committee. Meeting is open to the public.
Saturday, September 15th, 2001 (10 AM-4 PM) Natick Common	Natick Days- Big community celebration! NBPAC table will offer Cochituate Rail Trail information, local historical walks, and more. Visit, or help at the table.
Saturday, September 8th, 2001 (9 AM-1:30 PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham.	Trail-Cleaning Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Bring clippers, loppers, work gloves, metal rakes, shovels (snow and dirt), wheelbarrows, push brooms, hand saws, small sledge hammers. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. If you have a pickup truck that could be used for trail work, please let us know. Bryan Taberner (508-620-4852, weekdays) Dick Miller (508-653-6136, 9AM-9PM) Mara Yale (508-877-1556)
Monday, August 27, 2001 (3:30 PM) Meet Natick Town Hall (or on Rte. 135 route from Framingham)	Meet, bike with Mass. Senate Pres. Tom Birmingham on his "Tour de Mass." See http://www.massbikeboston.org/projects/tourdemass.htm.
Tuesday, August 21, 2001 (10:30 AM) Meet Cochituate State Park Interpretive Center (Rte. 30)	CSP Interpretive Program: Curious Creatures Kid Zoo Join in a hands-on experience with some very exotic animals. Meet a Red Foot Tortoise from South America. Pet an American Alligator from Florida. Find out how a Chinchilla, from the Highlands of Peru, keeps its fur so soft and clean. And more. (About one hour; 508/653-9641 for information.)
Saturday, August 11, 2001 (1 PM) Meet Cochituate State Park Headquarters Building (Rte. 30)	CSP Interpretive Program: Hike along the Snake Brook Trail, tour the old Gatehouse of the Cochituate Aqueduct, and hike along the North Pond of Lake Cochituate. (About 90 minutes; 508/653-9641 for information.)
Saturday, July 14, 2001 (9AM-1:30PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham. (Rain date is July 21st.)	Trail-Cleaning Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Bring snippers, rakes, shovels, work gloves. Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Weekdays, Bryan Taberner: (508/620-4852) Cell phone at Trail-Clearing: (508/904-0446)
Wednesday, June 13, 2001 (7PM) Natick Morse Institute Library	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and DEM:  Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting
Tuesday, June 12, 2001 (6-8PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham.	Trail-Cleaning Evening on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Bring snippers, rakes, shovels, work gloves. Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Weekdays, Bryan Taberner: (508/620-4852) Cell phone at Trail-Clearing: (508/904-0446)
Saturday, June 9, 2001 (9-Noon) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and DEM:  Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up Free power-boat ride! Bring glass-proof wading footwear.
Saturday, June 9, 2001 (9AM-1:30PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham. (Rain date is June 16th.)	Trail-Cleaning Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Bring snippers, rakes, shovels, work gloves. Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Weekdays, Bryan Taberner: (508/620-4852) Cell phone at Trail-Clearing: (508/904-0446)
Tuesday, May 22, 2001 (10AM) State House, Boston	Mass. Senate Post Audit and Oversight Committee (Sen. Cheryl Jacques, Ch.) releases report, Getting On Track: Common Sense Ideas to Expedite Rail Trail Development in Massachusetts. (Our local Cochituate Rail Trail appears on pp.14-16/footnotes 75-79.)
Thursday, May 17, 2001 (6:30PM) Pegan Cove Park Parking Lot	Easy Bike Ride, Pegan Cove Park and Dell Cemetery
Tuesday, May 15, 2001 (6:30PM) Parking Lot of "Especially For Pets" Rte. 27 at Natick/Wayland town line	Easy Walk on Snake Brook Trail
Saturday, May 12, 2001 (8:30AM-3PM) Meet "625" Old Connecticut Path,  on the CRT in Framingham.	1st Trail-Clearing Day on the Cochituate Rail Trail right-of-way Bring snippers, loppers, bowsaws, work gloves. Work at least 1 hour, get a CRT-shirt! Weekdays, Bryan Taberner: (508/620-4852) Cell phone at Trail-Clearing: (508/904-0446)
Thursday, May 10, 2001 (7 PM) REI/Framingham	"Rail Trails of New England" slide talk by Craig Della Penna, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Monday, May 7th, 2001 (7 PM) Natick Town Hall	Natick Selectmen reconfirm Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and appoint seven voting members.
Monday, Feb. 12, 2001 (7 PM) Natick Morse Inst. Library, Community Rm.	NBPAC Meeting (moved from Feb. 5th). Extra events: Elections, visits by FBPAC and Cathy Buckley Lewis of CTPS, final edit of new CRT map.
Sunday, December 17, 2000 (2 PM) The Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington, MA	NBPAC and friends visit The Bicycle Takes Off: 1865-1900 exhibit. Optional, 12:30 PM: Easy bicycle ride (same location)
Thursday, November 9, 2000 (7 PM) Natick Morse Inst. Library, Main Meeting Hall)	Rail Trails slide presentation, by Craig Della Penna, author, New England Representative for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Sunday, October 15, 2000 (Noon) Framingham Centre Common	Tour de Fram Rides through Framingham, historic site visits, and more!
Wednesday, June 14, 2000 (7 PM) Natick Morse Inst. Library, Main Hall	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and DEM: Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting (Cochituate Rail Trail gets new support from EOEA and DEM.)
Saturday, June 10, 2000 (9 AM) Cochituate State Park, Main Boat Ramp	Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee: Lake Cochituate Annual Clean-Up
Monday, June 5, 2000 (7 PM) Natick Morse Inst. Library, Community Rm.	NBPAC Meeting: MassHighway visit.
Sunday, May 21, 2000 (6 PM) Memorial School, So. Natick (left rear)	NBPAC Bike Week activity: Easy ride on Sudbury Aqueduct
Thursday, May 18, 2000 (7 PM) Memorial School, So. Natick (left rear)	NBPAC Bike Week activity:  Easy ride on Sudbury Aqueduct (Called off due to lightning storm.)
Tuesday, May 16, 2000 (7 PM) Pegan Cove Park parking lot	NBPAC Bike Week activity: Easy ride at  Pegan Cove Park and Middlesex Ave. Ext.
Wednesday, June 9th*, 1999 (7:30 PM) Framingham Memorial Building, Room 130 * Moved from June 8th.	Special joint meeting of FBPAC and NBPAC: Cathy Lewis of Central Transportation Planning Staff, First (official) Public Meeting re Saxonville Branch RR Feasibililty Study
Wednesday, June 9th, 1999 (7:30 PM) Natick Town Hall Selectmens' Meeting Room	Lake Cochituate Annual Meeting Cochituate State Park Advisory Committee and  Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management (Cathy Lewis will briefly discuss the Feasibility Study for the Cochituate Rail Trail)
Wednesday, May 19th, 1999 (7 PM) Natick Town Hall Selectmens' Meeting Room	Special joint meeting of FBPAC and NBPAC: Cathy Lewis of Central Transportation Planning Staff, First informal meeting re Saxonville Branch RR Feasibililty Study
Wednesday, May 19th, 1999	MetroWest Daily News story: Bike trail supporters geared up.
Tuesday, May 18th, 1999	TAB Weekly Newspapers cover story: Trekking the Trail of Progress. Also, The Do's and Don'ts of Bicycling. Also, Letter to Editor: Bike Trails Improve Quality of Life.
May 16-22nd, 1999: National Bike Week	Print your own Cochituate Rail Trail brochure (in Adobe Acrobat format): Page 1 (991K) and Page 2 (70K).
May 3rd, 1999	Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: Resolution, re Bicycle Parking in MBTA/Natick Parking Garage
Dec. 8th, 1998 Natick Morse Inst. Library Main Hall	Rail Trails slide presentation for Cochituate Rail Trail, by Craig Della Penna, author, New England Representative for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (Metrowest Daily News preview) (Natick Bulletin report)
April 13th, 1998 Natick Town Hall Selectmens' Meeting Room	George Eckert visits Natick Board of Selectmen to make Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee official.
January 13th, 1998 (7:30 PM) Framingham Memorial Building, Room 130	First meeting of the Framingham Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
September 26th, 1997	This Cochituate Rail Trail Web page is created by A. Richard Miller.
June 2nd, 1997	1st meeting of Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, chaired by George Eckert.
March 8th, 1997 Framingham State College Alumni House	MetroWest Growth Management Committee's Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force hosts a Regional Workshop on establishing bicycling advocacy groups in local communities.

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