February 2019
Love is in the Air!
It feels more like a frigid wind than love at times but Natick is still the hub of activity despite the chilly temps!

Until the warmer weather arrives keep busy with the many events downtown or shop for your Valentine or Galentine! In the newsletter we've got a few updates and events to put on your calendar for the months ahead.

Our Welcome Center at 20 Main St. is open! You can find information there about shops, dining, and events in Natick! (Hours : M – F 6:30 am – 7:00 pm, Sat 8 am – 4 pm, Sun – Closed.)
There's always something to do, places to shop at and eat!
Check out the calendar at natickcenter.org
Checking for Charity
MutualOne Bank Checking for Charity $5,000 award benefits the Natick Center
Cultural District!

Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne
Bank, has announced a $5,000 donation to the Natick Center Cultural District. The
award was made at the conclusion of the Bank’s 2018 Checking for Charity initiative,
which promised a $10 donation to be shared equally by the Natick Center Cultural
District and Downtown Framingham, Inc. for every new personal or business checking
account opened during the year.

According to Natick Center Cultural District Executive Director Athena Pandolf,
the funds will support the ongoing Creative Placemaking initiatives that began last year
and resulted in the "For the Love of Natick" weekend that added six temporary art
projects to the downtown.

“Checking for Charity gives us the opportunity to welcome new checking account customers by donating to local charities on their behalf,” said Steve Sousa. “We are pleased to partner with our customers in this way to help build a stronger community for all.”
L to R: Steve Sousa, Executive Vice President & COO of MutualOne Bank, Athena Pandolf, Executive Director of the Natick Center Cultural District and
Colm Hamill, MutualOne Branch Manager, Natick.


Thank you MutualOne Bank !

Monica and Ashley together at Orangetheory Fitness and around town preparing
for their run in April!
We've Got Runners!
Monica Vargas and Ashley Traniello are running the Boston Marathon for the Natick Center Cultural District!

The story of Ashley and Monica begins with two energetic women who met and became friends at Orangetheory Fitness in Natick Center. Add in some personal goals, big ideas and then a challenge between friends and you have the Ashley & Monica Team of 2019!

Here's a little bit more about them:

Ashley is a Dr. of Physical Therapy, Head Coach for Orangetheory Fitness, and certified nutritionist. She's lived in Natick for 5 years with her husband Joe and their dog Euro (was recently married right on Natick Common!) She’s never considered herself a runner but excited to be given the opportunity to train and run for the town she now calls home. She’s inspired by the members she trains weekly as well as the many patients she’s helped return to the things they love, and plans on using that inspiration to carry her all 26.2 miles. 

Monica is a Nurse Practitioner in Dermatology at UMass Medical Center, and has been practicing as a Nurse for 10 years. She has lived in Natick for a year and a half with her husband Jon and their dog Oliver. She's always been passionate about working out and being healthy, but never imagined she would have the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon! When she moved to Natick, she joined a local gym, Orangetheory Fitness, where she met Ashley and soon became close friends. 

We're so incredibly grateful to these ladies for their time, dedication, wonderful spirit and willingness to run the marathon for the district! 

To read more about the AshMazing Team or to donate please visit our Crowdrise Site!

 Thank you!!
Metro Pets - Holiday Window Contest Winner
It was a happy day in the doggie neighborhood as Metro Pets received it's official award and trophy for being the winner of the Cultural District's Holiday Window Contest 2018!

Owner, Jill Hourihan, received a certificate from the district and two super official citation's from Senate President, Karen Spilka’s office and State Representative David Linksy's office as well as the coveted cultural district silver trophy.

Go visit Jill and bring your fur baby to get some treats or a bath or just to say hello and congratulate her on her win this year!
Owner of Metro Pets, Jill Hourihan receives official citation from Susan Nicholl, District Liaison for Senate President, Karen Spilka.
Breakfast with Frosty
It's breakfast with Frosty at  Bright Horizons at Natick  on February 2 from 10-12:00 pm.

This is a great opportunity to relax and meet new families, spend time with our wonderful teachers, participate in fun winter-themed activities and enjoy a visit from our favorite snowman! There will be a special visit from Frosty the Snowman, yummy breakfast buffet, snow-related art activities and music and movement activities too.

This is a FREE event and all in the community are welcome to attend!

Located at 313 Speen Street in Natick.
Shop Local for Valentine's Day!
In Natick Center you can find exactly what you need for that someone special this Valentine's Day and frankly, every day!

Visit the shops or restaurants downtown during the week of the 14th by clicking on this link: #shoplocalforvalentinesday
You'll make this Valentine's Day one to remember!
Workshop: Make an Old-Fashioned Valentine Saturday, February 2, 2019, 2:00 pm  - 3:30 pm.

Located at 58 Eliot Street,
lower level of the Bacon Free Library.
Natick Historical Society
Valentines of a century ago were lacy, layered, and elaborate. Yours will be, too! There will be a brief talk about Valentine’s Day in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and each participant will learn to make an old-fashioned, ribbon-tied valentine on February 2nd at 2:00 pm.

Cost of the workshop is $5 per person. All materials will be provided. Space is limited, so please CLICK HERE to reserve your spot and pay online. You may also reserve your spot by emailing events@natickhistoricalsociety.org or calling (508) 655-0729. Cash and check will be accepted at the door for participants with reservations only.
An Evening of Culture
Save the date, April 6th, for the district's 'An Evening of Culture' event! Held at the Walnut Hill School's Delbridge Center at 7:00 pm with reception event beginning at 6:00 pm. You'll witness the power of culture that's right here in our community!

Look for more info. in the coming months on our website.
Galentine's Day
Ladies, grab your best friends and let’s celebrate Galentine’s Day, breakfast style at the Morse Institute Library on February 10th at 1:00 - 3:00 pm. What is Gal-entines day? Only the best day of the year!

Popularized by Leslie Knope on the NBC comedy, Parks & Rec, Gal-entines Day is a celebration in response to Valentine’s Day where instead of celebrating our significant others, we celebrate our friendships! As Leslie Knope puts it, its ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus waffles.

We will have:
  • Waffle Bar
  • Tea & Virgin Mimosas
  • CHOCOLATE
  • Raffle for a free massage gift card
  • Make your own brown sugar facial scrubs

Farmers Market
The Natick Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 9:00-1:00 pm indoors at the Common St. Spiritual Center. It features local farms with fresh fruit, vegetables, local vendors with bread, bagels, pastries, unique crafts and more!

Please visit  natickfarmersmarket.com   for more information and a weekly list of vendors.
You can purchase Farmers Market gift certificates each week at the market. They make great
gifts for anyone! #shoplocal
Come hear about the project on February 13th
at the Morse Institute at 6:30 pm!
Cochituate Rail Trail project is moving forward!
MBTA Train Station & CRT Updates
Natick Center MBTA Station
The MBTA presents the second Public Information Session for the Natick Center Station Accessibility Improvements Project on Wednesday, February 13 at the Morse Institute Library, Lebowitz Room on the lower level. Doors open at 6:30, with a presentation at 7:00 followed by Q&A and public comment. The project is now at the 60% design stage. The event will also be recorded by Natick Pegasus. See  MBTA.com/projects  for a link to a project information page.

Cochituate Rail Trail 
The Cochituate Rail Trail project is moving forward. MassDOT has recently awarded a construction contract for this project, and will work with Natick, Framingham, the Town’s design consultant, and the project contractor to establish a construction timetable and work with abutters. Expect a groundbreaking in the coming months, and more details as they are available. See  natickma.gov/crt  for more details about the CRT.

Natick Center Cultural District
20 Main St., Suite 208
 Natick, MA 01760 - 508-650-8848
Check out our Events Calendar at our website for information on Natick Center activities and information!

Also visit the business directory for downtown information on local merchants,
art classes, organizations and much more!