Natick Service Council extols virtues of virtual run & walk fundraiser

September 2, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The pandemic has forced Natick Service Council to skip its usual Fall for Natick Dinner & Auction and hold a virtual 5K Run/1 Mile Walk instead. Participants should plan to run between Oct. 11-24.

The Council makes a pretty compelling argument for the virtues of such an event, including the lack of crowds, the ability to sleep in and not worry about hitting the starting line first thing in the AM, avoiding hills if you want, and more.

Funds raised through the event will help the Council help neighbors in need, including those affected by the pandemic.

For sponsorship opportunities contact Sonia Shah, sshah@natickservicecouncil.org.

More: Natick Service Council taps tech industry veteran as executive director

Natick businesses tapped PPP loans in a big way

August 31, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

A much higher percentage of Natick businesses and nonprofits took advantage of the federal Paycheck Protection Program than did businesses across the state as a whole, according to numbers released this month by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).

Some 52% of 1,546 establishments in town were approved for a total of 823 loans, which are administered by the Small Business Administration and are designed mainly to help small businesses retain employees. Across the state, about 46% of businesses were approved through July.

Nearby, more than 63% of Needham businesses got PPP loans, and 57% in Wellesley did, according to the Newton Needham Regional Chamber. Most businesses and nonprofits have already used up their funds and would love a shot at more in light of the pandemic’s persistence, according to the Chamber. PPP loan applications were curtailed as of Aug. 8.

According to the data for Natick, which we broke out in the spreadsheet below, the loans helped to fund some 9,300 jobs in town, with an average of 13 employees but as high as 500. Businesses secured loans, which may or may not need to be repaid, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. Numerous lenders, from Needham Bank to Bank of America, handled the loans.

Natick has taken steps to help local businesses, including restaurants, but accommodating extended liquor and outdoor dining licenses.

Other opportunities could emerge. Needham’s Select Board recently voted to cut restaurant liquor license fees in half for 2021, so perhaps that’s something Natick establishments could push for.

Note: Businesses were not required to self-identify the race, gender or veteran status of ownership for the data shared by MAPC, and that accounts for so much missing info in those columns.

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Weekly Natick Black Lives Matter vigil set for Sunday

August 29, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Update 8/30/20: Photos from the event.

BLM vigil on Natick Common, with beats pic.twitter.com/1N8jVwm2yW

— Natick Report (@NatickReport) August 30, 2020

Natick Black Lives Matter will be hosting its weekly vigil at Natick Common on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 3pm.

All are welcome to join in peaceful protest against racism and racial injustice.

More: Sickened by racism, Natick takes a stand

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Natick scores $100K grant from state for clean energy projects

August 28, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Natick is one of 103 municipalities to snag a share of $13 million in new Green Communities competitive grants doled out by the state’s Department of Energy Resources to fund clean energy projects. The agency has awarded more than $136M in such monies since 2010.

Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding, which in this case is generated through carbon allowance auctions under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Those awarded in this round (maximum of $200K per award) have proven track records in investing previous awards.

Natick scored $100,000 in this round “to fund energy conservation measures, LED lighting, interior and exterior and retro-commissioning in municipal facilities including the police station and Wilson Middle School.”

Wilson Middle school, Natick — Wilson Middle School

More: Natick Sustainability Committee

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Summer’s incomplete without a visit to Natick’s Miniature Golf on the Village Green

August 26, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

While I ran my lifetime losing streak to forever at Natick’s Miniature Golf on the Village Green this past weekend, I didn’t let my flubbed putts get in the way of a fun family outing.

My wife, the winner with a low score of 44, doesn’t want to hear that miniature golf is hard for tall people.

We hit the course on a sunny Sunday afternoon, and while there were a couple dozen people there, everyone stayed socially distant. The operation has a detailed cleaning protocol in place to ensure players have clean clubs and golf balls.

Despite the sun, some of the greens were a bit soggy, but that made for good strategy and excuses. It didn’t bother Deborah one bit, as she nailed a key hole-in-one with her bright pink ball that assured her the victory over myself and our two boys, who have played “real golf” a total of about twice.

The course always brings back fond memories, including of kids’ birthday parties (often there or at the now defunct Fairway Bowling). This is where I first recall hearing Natick referred to as the “Place of Hills.”

While the course is in some ways a throwback, the Colonial-themed Village Green hasn’t stood still. The owners took advantage of having to open later than usual due to COVID-19-related business rules, by gussying up the place. New carpets have been installed, statues have been repainted, and a few have been replaced: Two Native Americans are gone. Ben Franklin and the Statue of Liberty are in.

“The center flag pole is new this year and 10 feet taller than the old one it replaced,” says Village Green’s Mark Daley. “With the arcade (Fun and Games in Framingham) closed at the moment, we have taken the extra time to keep repainting statues and making other improvements at the golf course.”

Miniature Golf on the Village Green on Rte. 9 west is open 10am-10pm daily. It costs $6 for kids 12 and under, $8 for 13+, and $4 replays for all. And of course, you win a free round if you sink a hole-in-one on #18.

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