Patch Facts

5 Things: Trash Collection and Painting Windows

From a delay in trash collection to painting in the Library this weekend; we have what you need to know today.

1. The trash collection will be delayed one day due to the Christmas holiday. Trash and recyclables will be collected on Saturday. If you want your trash picked up, have it to the curb no later than 7:00 am on Saturday. 2. Sometimes the lawn is used as a parking option, but not when you are allegedly legally intoxicated and not when it is the birth home of one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. One Marlborough man was arrested before Christmas in that exact scenario. 3. Officials in Newtown, Conn. have requested a halt to donations to the town. They have become overwhelmed with the number of donations coming in and need time to sort them all out. 4. The Marlborough Public Library will be hosting a Cocoa House in the Library …

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Donation Opportunities in Wake of Marlborough Fire

Several organizations and the Marlborough city government have established means of relief for those displaced by the Lake Williams fire.

Dozens if not hundreds of residents around the Marlborough community have responded to the disastrous Lake Williams condo fire with sympathy and compassion in the days since the blaze, all the time asking what they could do to help those affected.  During that time, many local organizations have come forward to coordinate relief efforts, and the city of Marlborough has established an avenue for monetary donations that would benefit the victims of the fire.  Just a day after the fire, Furnishing Options, a local nonprofit, put forth an urgent plea to those in the Metrowest area asking for items such as bed linens, dressers and bureaus, kitchen and dining room tables as well as chairs and kitchenware (including posts and pans). Anyone who …

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Jocelyne Durrenberger

9:40 am on Friday, April 27, 2012

CaRMaH (Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson) wishes to assist displaced residents with catching and housing any cats that are loose outside from the fire. Please send an e-mail to info@carmah.org if you are a resident looking for your cat(s), or if you live in the area and have seen new 'strays'!   more ›

Furnishing Options Charity Awarded $10K Grant

The Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation has made a gift to this Marlborough-based charity.

The following release was supplied by Furnishing Options. Furnishing Options, a program of Marlborough-based Employment Options announced earlier this week that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation. The funds will go to support the goals and objectives of Furnishing Options. “This organization is proud to have earned the support of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation again this year,” states Toni Wolf, executive director of Employment Options. “ We have had a long-standing relationship with the foundation and they truly understand our mission and the needs of the people we serve.” The Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation has also supported Employment Options in …

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POLL: Should There Be Campaign Donation Limitations for Businesses?

The Supreme Court ruled two years ago today that there should be no limitations put on businesses/corporations when it comes to their campaign donations.

Even the Supreme Court is isn't all that decisive when it comes to the issue of campaign finance and business in America.  While the 5-4 decision in Citizens United vs. The Federal Election Commission on Jan. 21, 2010 established an unprecedented freedom for businesses, corporations and unions to financially support their candidate of choice, it was an extremely contentious issue at the time and it remains one today, with members of government and special interest groups constantly trying to revise or legislate a new rule of law.  According to Wikipedia, the ruling "was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that the First Amendment prohibits government from placing limits on independent spending for political …

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Heat and Eat Program, Community Cupboard Receive Grants

Heat and Eat Program, Food Bank receive generous grants.

This release was provided by the Foundation for Metrowest.  Foundation for MetroWest announced early Friday that it has distributed grants totaling $3,000 to the City of Marlborough Heat & Eat Program and the Marlborough Community Cupboard. The grants were a portion of $55,000 awarded to food pantries throughout the MetroWest region from the Foundation’s English Family Fund and Herbert and Esther Atkinson Fund.   “Food pantries and service organizations from around Massachusetts continue to face unprecedented challenges,” said Judith Salerno, executive director of Foundation for MetroWest. “The MetroWest region is no different and we are proud that we have been able to support Marlborough food pantries as they work to fulfill the growing …

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Marlborough Woman Turns to Volunteering After Getting Laid Off

Furnishing Options director Diane Ring profiles volunteer Kerry Higgins, and talks to her about what makes her tick.

Kerry Higgins first started volunteering with Furnishing Options two years ago. Since then, she has come to love helping out this program and really believes in its mission. Furnishing Options, which is run by Employment Options, a Marlborough-based agency, collects furniture, linens and household goods in good condition that people aren’t using and gives those items to people in need. As Higgins explains, when she first got on her own, “it was all hand-me-down furniture” and she sees her participation in this program as a way of paying it forward. Employment Options helps people who have experienced challenges in life and are on the road to recovery. Having a place to call home and an independent lifestyle is a huge step in this process …

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United Way to Support Marlborough's Holiday Helper Program

Parents must register for gifts by Friday, Nov. 18.

The city of Marlborough and the United Way of Tri-County announced earlier this week that the Holiday Helper program will go on helping Marlborough families this holiday season, despite the city being unable to coordinate the program due to budget concerns.  As such, the program will continue under the auspices of the United Way's Metrowest program Hope for the Holidays. Both programs focus on supplying gifts, clothing and food for thousands of children and families in the immediate area.  “The City of Marlborough has put so much love and care into the program in years past, but we had to be mindful of the added strain to city resources and staff time," said Mayor Nancy Stevens. "We are so happy that the program will continue in a new way …

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Letters to the Editor

Panera in Marlborough Donates $2,660 to Boys and Girls Club

The gift will help enhance existing program at the Marlborough club.

Panera Bread in Marlborough presented a check for $2,660 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest on Monday. The money, raised through Panera’s Operation Dough-Nation program, will be used to further the organization’s mission to enhance the development of children and prepare young adults to be responsible, productive members of the community through social, educational, physical and cultural programming for boys and girls in the MetroWest area. “The support of Panera Bread in Marlborough continues to positively impact our kids and our Clubs,” said Fran Hurley, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. “Their investment in our out-of-school programs will help ensure our members gain the skills necessary to confidently thrive in …

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NStar Collects Kitchenwares for Furnishing Options

NStar along with other volunteers collected goods for this nonprofit that helps low income families and those recovering from mental illness.

NStar employees in conjunction with other volunteers recently ran a drive to collect all kinds of kitchenware for Furnishing Options, a program of Marlborough-based Employment Options. Furnishing Options distributes various household goods including furniture and kitchenware to low income families and those recovering from mental illness. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Marlborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page.

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Furnishing Options in Need of Donations

Have household furniture you don't need or want? Furnishing Options, a local nonprofit, needs your help.

It may be hard to imagine coming home to an empty, unfurnished house. Imagine a home that is simply vast empty space without any domestic features. Imagine not having the proper furniture and tools for a good night's sleep and a balanced meal. For many families, these simple luxuries are out of reach, but with the help of Furnishing Options, dreams of a complete home can become a reality. Furnishing Options was founded in 2009 when concerned community members saw the need for furniture and other household goods for low-income families. This idea was then teamed up with Employment Options in Marlborough. Employment Options offers types of life coaching for those coping with the effects of mental illness and low incomes. Together, those …

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