You Know It's (Really, Really) Cold Out When ...

Fill in the blank with your clever, witty, or just really accurate descriptions.

It's winter in New England. And winter in New England is cold. We know this. But right now, we're at the beginning of an extra cold stretch. With a wind chill advisory in effect from 10 tonight to 10 a.m. Wednesday, we figured you could help warm your fingers by typing an ending to the beginning of this sentence: "You know it's cold out when..." Readers got us started earlier this month on another cold day. What can you contribute?

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Are You Ready For Winter Driving?

Although many of us got a taste of winter and icy roads recently, AAA of Southern New England has put out some tips to help you drive through the upcoming winter months.

Nearly one-quarter of weather related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, resulting in more than 1,300 deaths and 116,800 people injured annually, according to data from the Federal Highway Administration. With AccuWeather's winter forecast calling for above-normal snowfall in some parts of the country and the first official day of winter Dec. 21, AAA Southern New England, which has an office in Marlborough on Boston Post Road West, recommends motorists brush up on winter driving techniques before the weather outside turns frightful. Prepare Your Vehicle for Use in Ice and Snow Before winter conditions hit, it’s important to prepare your car for harsh winter weather. AAA’s Winter Car Care Checklist can help determine a …

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You Ask, Patch Answers

What Are the Winter Parking Ban Rules?

Towns all across the MetroWest region have begun enforcing winter parking bans, here is a quick rundown of where you can and cannot park.

Winter is here and that means snow plows need to get around town to clear the roads.  Towns across the MetroWest region have all come up with their own ways to keep cars off the road for plowing you can find the information for your town below along with several nearby towns. Marlborough: The city's overnight parking ban goes into effect on Dec. 1 and will continue through March 15, 2013. On-street parking is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night. Vehicles violating the ban are subject to a $10 penalty. Vehicles that interfere with snow or ice removal operations are subject to towing and storage at the owner's expense. The following streets are exempt from the winter parking ban: The granted exceptions shall not apply: 1. When a …

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Snow Tomorrow not a "Bread and Milk" Storm

The snow that will roll through New England Tuesday will avoid accumulating throughout much of Massachusetts.

The only "storm" this week is forecast to mostly miss Marlborough, or at least bring no accumulation when it rolls through tomorrow. The storm will bring overcast skies and snow along and below the Mass Pike line, according to Jeremy Reiner on the WHDH Channel 7 Weather Blog. This will be the only "storm" of the week, said Reiner, and take place midday into the late afternoon. Wednesday will see the sun return, he said, but not high temperatures.

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Nov. 21

Marlborough's postmaster will be at a press conference this morning with Mayor Nancy Stevens to talk about the city's upcoming holiday season plans.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations. 1. Mayor Nancy Stevens' office, in partnership with the Marlborough Human Services Department, will be holding a voluntary “Heat and Eat” toll road collection in support of the Mayor’s Charity Relief Fund this morning between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. at the intersections of Route 20/Granger Boulevard and Route 85/Main Street. The event is a way to help raise fuel assistance funds for Marlborough residents experiencing financial hardships.  2. Marlborough's overnight parking ban goes into effect on Dec. 1, 2011 and will continue through March 15, 2012. During that …

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A Weekend Visit to the Winter Farmers' Market

The Wayland Winter Famers' Market provides Marlborough residents the chance to stock up on fresh, locally grown and produced goods.

Local farmers’ markets are the calling card of summer. Outdoor booths and tables boasting locally grown fresh produce and hand-crafted goods await eager residents. But once winter storms come, the local vendors seemingly vanish until the following year. Russell’s Garden Center, however, provides a solution to those winter-time blues and void of local goods. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the center, at 397 Boston Post Rd. in Wayland, hosts the indoor Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market. Fresh seafood, fair trade locally roasted coffee, artisan breads, pastries, a variety of root vegetables, and the list goes on of the goods available at the winter market. And don’t forget the abundance of available samples!   Grab your friends and …

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Raising Marlborough: A Local Education

Hit the Beach this Winter

Just an hour from Marlborough is Manchester-by-the-Sea and several great beaches.

 Among other things, winter in New England brings to mind images of ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, skiing and snowmen. This winter, especially, these activities would most likely describe a typical Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Record snow has provided us with more than enough recreational activities to fill an entire weekend (and then some). Enter almost any home in Marlborough and you will find wet boots lining the front hall and along the wall hats and mittens hanging precariously from hooks, dripping puddles on the floor. A crackling fire may well be lit in the family room as hot chocolate simmers on the stove. Winter in New England.   This weekend, instead of hitting the slopes, lacing up your skates or packing your car full of …

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Patch Facts

5 Things to Know Today: Feb. 1

Here is a list of things you might want to know today.

The first bout of snow is now underway here in Marlborough with an expected accumulation of 4-8 inches today. There is the possibility of some sleet/freezing rain coming down this evening, to be followed by another 12-16 inches of snow on Wednesday. See the NWS warning here. Click here to see if the Marlborough Public Schools have canceled classes today. The City of Marlborough will also post the status of city government on their website. National Grid has warned that the heavy snow mixed with rain could result in power loss in the region. They have provided a safety checklist that everyone should read. There is a Library Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for this evening at the Marlborough Library. Refer to the organization’s home page…

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