9th Annual Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6K Race, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

We went out to the 9th Annual Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6K Race at Institute Park yesterday. There were a lot of people out there despite the very hot and humid weather.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Lots of activities and food. I got to catch up with one of my “Facebook buddies”.

Sarah got her picture and fingerprints done by the Molly Bish Foundation. They were providing free booklets to parents that include the photos and fingerprints. This is an important service they are providing. They do need support to keep doing it. Go to their web site for more information.

If you somehow haven’t heard of this event, maybe you’re new to Worcester; The Firefighters Memorial 6K Race is an annual event that raises money for local charities in the names of Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, James “Jay” Lyons, Joseph McGuirk and Thomas Spencer.

This year they were raising money for:
The Molly Bish Foundation
Alzheimer’s Association - Massachusetts Chapter
Connecticut Burns Care Foundation
The Firefighters Memorial Fund

They did have a nice spray set up at the finish line but it must have been rough running in that heat! I was just walking around and chatting with people and thought it was bad

The kids also enjoyed that spray a bit.

stART on the Street, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

Last weekend I was trying to figure out what to do for fun. I have to say, it was a bit of a task. Despite all the great online tools for getting the word out, it still seems hard to find something to do with the kids on the weekends.

This week there’s been a change in that. I’ve been getting information about great stuff going on from all directions. I guess if you complain enough, people start sending you email to shut you up or something.

I decided to share some of what I’ve got so far. I’m just posting things I’ve got through the July 4 fireworks. I’ve actually been sent information about things out into September. Wow. I guess I won’t be able to complain about having “nothing fun to do” for a while now.

So, here it is, the big list so far:

stART in the Park
June 1st, 11 am to 4 pm
Beaver Brook Park, Mann Street, Worcester, MA
100+ artists and crafters, performers, food vendors, kids activities, local farms and organizations and more!

A day-long celebration of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine and fun in the sun! And it’s FREE! stART events are always fun. stART web site has more information.

Worcester Firefighters Memorial 6k Run/Walk
June 8, 2008 -1:00 p.m.
Institute Park, Worcester, MA
This annual event raises money for local charities in the names of Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey, James “Jay” Lyons, Joseph McGuirk and Thomas Spencer.

This year they are raising money for:
The Molly Bish Foundation
Alzheimer’s Association - Massachusetts Chapter
Connecticut Burns Care Foundation
The Firefighters Memorial Fund

They have planned “a day of fun for the entire family with free food, live entertainment, raffles, a Kiddie Corner and more.” It sounds like a great time!
Check their web site for more

Grecian Festival
June 6, 7 & 8, See site for times
St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester, MA
Great food, live music, dancing, kids fest, church tours, art exhibits.
For information about the event:
Grecian Festival web site

Irish Music Festival
June 14th & 15th, Saturday 12 noon to 11 pm & Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple Street, Worcester, MA

Live Irish music, Irish step dancers, a traditional Irish Seisiun and the first ever Boiled Cabbage O’Lympics. You’ll need to go to the web site for information about the O’Lympics. It sounds like it will be hilarious.

Tickets are on sale on their web site, $10 for a one day ticket, $15 for two days. At the door they are $12/1 day and $18/ 2 days. Kids under 12 are FREE.
Tickts and information on their site

5th Annual Asian Festival
June 29th, 12 noon to 6 pm
Italian-American Cultural Center, 28 Mulberry Street, Worcester, MA

The Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts hosts a celebration featuring music, food and traditional dances from Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Laos, Korea, Japan, Philippines and India.
FREE ADMISSION

Independence Day Celebration
July 3rd, 6 to 10 pm
Cristoforo Columbo Park, Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA

Enjoy a concert by the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, children’s activities and a spectacular fireworks display.

______________________

Ok, if you’re having an event or know of something fun to do with the kids, please drop me an email. I’ll be happy to post it.

If you are a grown up looking for cool stuff to do, check out Worcesterite.com and Worcester Magazine. They’ve got it all covered over there.

Last Sunday we went out to the “Taking Steps To End Violence Against Women And Children” awareness walk. This is an annual event held to raise awareness about the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault and to raise money to help Daybreak, The Rape Crisis Center and Girls Inc. in Worcester.

This is a link to some photos of the t-shirt display, above is the video we shot at the event. I spoke with Kim Dawkins, Executive Director of the Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts. I also got some tape of Linda Cavaioli, Executive Director of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts.

The event had a pretty good turn out. I hope that my small contribution of blog posting and vlog will help them raise awareness and support so the next one is even bigger. Speaking of which; this is an annual event so be on the lookout in the spring. They need everyone out there - that means you too.

If you couldn’t make it out to walk this year you can still help. These organizations need support year round. They need volunteers, supplies and money so they can keep helping women and children in crisis. Click on the URL’s below to find out how you can get involved in a specific organization. Or, go to the Taking Steps web site for information about this event.

There are hotline numbers and URLs embedded in the video. If you know anyone who is being hurt please help them by getting those numbers and web sites to them.

URLs for more information about the organizations:

• The Rape Crisis center of Central Massachusetts
• YWCA of Central Massachusetts / Daybreak
• Girls, Inc.

AND - I think that AK Consulting Services did a great job organizing the event. They did a good job of making an informative and family-friendly event. Despite the very sad reason for the event, it was a fun day.

So - if you missed it this year, get out there next year!

Ok, I’m done telling you what to do with your weekend now. Thanks for listening

Link love - Thank you Wormtown Taxi for posting the video!

Also - thank you to Papamoka Straight Talk for cross-posting this to his blog here and on Raising Kids In America. Thank you!!

And - HUGE thank you to boston.com for linking to this post on their homepage for a day. It was a great thing to see that.

Taking Steps - awareness walk / silent auction, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

We just noticed this banner up on the corner of Park Ave. and Salisbury St. yesterday. It’s announcing the 14th annual “Taking steps to end violence against women and kids” pledge walk and silent auction.

They are trying to raise $100,000 to help survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Specifically, they are calling on men to come out and help raise money and awareness for some great organizations(see below).

Details to pass along are:
April 27th - Sunday
11am Registration/Entertainment
1pm Walk begins
Place: Institute Park.

Organizations supported by the Taking Steps annual fundraising event are:

• The Rape Crisis center of Central Massachusetts
• YWCA of Central Massachusetts / Daybreak
• Girls, Inc.

Sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday. For more information hit their web site is www.takingsteps.org.

The swans are back, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

I sure hope so! Yesterday morning I saw 2 swans in the pond at Institute Park. Yippee!!!