It's a New Year!

Happy New Year from Friends of Norwood Center!

2013 marks the second year for FNC and we thought now would be a good time to list a few things that FNC has been involved with in the effort to revitalize downtown Norwood.

We created a website and created a social media profile for Friends of Norwood Center.  FNC instituted MEAL MOBS in Downtown Norwood. Our first was at the Common Cafe on Washington street, aptly across from the Norwood Town Common. Modeled on the flash mobs and cash mobs of growing popularity, we asked people to visit the cafe for lunch and enjoy supporting their local business at a specific date and time. FNC organized many of these Meal Mobs in 2012. Look for the first of 2013 coming soon!

FNC conducted a survey of Downtown Usage as well as a Census of Downtown Businesses. For our inaugural year, it was important to introduce ourselves as a merchant organization and get to know the businesses we're supporting.

We helped facilitate a successful Farmers Market, recently moved to the Norwood Town Common. The Farmers Market had all new farmers, a new Farmers Market Advisory Board, and a Farmers Market Manager, Laura Valls. Every Tuesday from 12-6 the Market welcomed fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as organic eggs, meats, cheese, fresh fish, olive oil, and more! We hope you took advantage of the treasures of the market and will join the Market in 2013.

In February we held a Community Input Meeting where we learned what things locals want from their downtown. The ideas ranged from quick-to-implement to pie-in-the-sky and all contributions were welcomed. The meeting helped us set the agenda for 2012 and 2013.

We invited artists to paint in downtown. We partnered with Together Yes to bring Earth Day Events to you in April. Saturdays became Spending Saturdays -- look for more info on this in 2013! The Norwood Theatre held our interest for much of the summer as we anticipated its grand re-opening and no one could visit Norwood Center without seeing the new NORWOOD lit sign atop the theatre. Beautiful!

In late Fall there was Norwood Day - the spectacle of civic pride on a gorgeous day that started up a bit rainy but soon cleared for a day of fun. FNC had a table at Norwood Day and we worked with the Recreation Department on their carved pumpkin project.

Charles River Running came to Downtown Norwood and we welcomed the new addition happily. What fun it is to see the storefront alive again with merchandise and seasonal decorations. FNC had been in talks with Charlotte Walsh at early stages of the store's inception. We are happy to have be a resource of support for this vibrant new local business.

New Restaurants are in town! Arianna's, To Beruit, Unsal's Pizza, Broadway Pizza and Grill, and Thai Boo are all in Norwood Center. Have you tried them? If not, try them soon!

In October we welcomed a new FNC president, Nicole McCready of Envy Boutique and had a successful fundraiser at the Olde Colonial Cafe, thanks to everyone for their support of our mission. Later in the month FNC was invited to speak to the Norwood League of Women Voters. We've had numerous opportunities to connect with the community throughout the year. You may also have seen FNC at the Annual Town Meeting and featured on Norwood Cable numerous times on different shows. We may have begun the year a bit camera-shy but can't stay so for long when discussing Norwood Center.

The year ended with the Holiday Extravaganza and the first annual Reindeer Dash. Did you see the participants in reindeer antlers and jingle bells running around the common in this fantastic kids' race in bitter cold? What a great event it was with enthusiastic kids, some as young as two, giving it their all!

The year ended with a Holiday Stroll, the Circle of Hope Luminary, and amazing shows at the Norwood Theatre. It was a busy 2012 and we're excited about 2013!

Friends of Norwood Center

Together Yes Request

From Susan Clare of TOGETHER YES:

I'm trying to plan ahead here. Next late fall/early winter, Together Yes plans to offer a free series of sewing workshops, and will have sewing machines available for the workshops. Probably 4-5 of them, all told. It is hoped that smaller groups of people interested in a particular pursuit will continue meeting and talking with one another. It's all about community, as always.

 

These workshops will show how to do basic sewing: using a machine, necessary hand sewing, repairs, mending, altering, etc. Just "how to." But they will also show ideas and techniques for turning clothing and other household fabrics (curtains, sheets, towels, etc.) into usable items.We are trying to avoid discarding and buying new as much as possible. Sustainable from an economic perspective, of course, but also sustainable in that we won't be buying so much that's been outsourced overseas and transported back to us at great cost (monetary & environmental). This aims also to show how fabrics can often replace plastics in many items of use.

 

Just by word of mouth, I am aware of people who'd like to take these workshops, including some men and high school students. This is not only sustainable for most people, but financially important for those who have trouble buying new when something no longer fits, needs mending, or goes just "out of style."

 

We will naturally have one of the workshops focus on the use of smaller scraps that can be saved to quilt or applique.

 

THE FIRST CHALLENGE: Help me come up with a title for these workshops. I need a catchy title I can use over and over in the planning.

 

THE SECOND CHALLENGE: We have already secured the assistance of a professional seamstress in conducting and planning these workshops, but she and I both agree, not everything needs to come from a professional. If you can sew, have ideas or want to begin thinking of some, can quilt, let me know that you'd be willing to help with the planning of these workshops. And if you have no experience at all, but are interested, let me know that as well. You could be learning as you help us plan!

 

Thanks,

Susan

Last week was Busy!

Friday, April 20th, Friends of Norwood Center sponsored our First MEAL MOB/CASH MOB at the Common Cafe. What fun that was! A group mobbed the cafe and ordered from their menu of delicious salads, wraps, soups, cookies, and more. What a delicious way to support the community.

We also held our first SPENDING SATURDAY. With various "green" offers and events around Earth Day, participating stores like Babel's Paint and Decorating, Envy Boutique, Twice Is Nice, and Silver and Sage provided discounts and specials on their products.

Sunday was Earth Day and Friends of Norwood Center celebrated it at the Earth Day Extravaganza sponsored by Together Yes, the Environmental Youth Coalition, the Morrill Memorial Library, and the FNC. Due to the much-needed rain, the event was indoors at the United Church of Norwood's Community Room. I offered free face painting in Earth-themed subjects. What fun it was.

Together Yes photo of Kim Weineck painting Vic Babel's face
at the Earth Day Extravaganza, April 22nd

Today I'm delighted to announce that the soon-to-open Charles River Running at 679 Washington Street is starting its build-out and has a 'coming soon' sign in its window. Can't wait for the grand opening!

The Sweeterie, at 686 Washington Street (across from Perks Coffeehouse) is now open 7 days for your ice cream needs in the warmer weather. Fresh FroYo is also an option for your cooler sweet needs.

More is coming from FNC. Be sure to keep checking in for information on new Meal Mobs and more!

Thanks for reading!
~Kim Weineck,
Downtown Manager

Introducing SPENDING SATURDAYS!

How are you SPENDING SATURDAY?

Friends of Norwood Center want you to spend the 3rd Saturday of each month in Downtown Norwood!

The third Saturday of every month FNC will hold SPENDING SATURDAY, beginning Saturday, April 21^st with a kick off to our Earth Day weekend of events with Together Yes. 

Your group support of our local merchants on these days can add up for our downtown businesses. When you spend your money locally more of that money stays in your local community. Make a difference in your community by patronizing your local merchants.

Every business in Norwood Center will benefit from your patronage on SPENDING SATURDAY, our version of a cash mob, but focused on numerous merchants in our Norwood Downtown business district. 

Green-focused businesses participating in our First SPENDING SATURDAY event 

with an Earth Day tie-in on April 21^st include: 

Envy Boutique, 

Babel’s Paint and Decorating, 

Twice Is Nice, 

Silver and Sage, 

Custom Art Framing, 

Band Gig Music Program, 

with more coming on! 

Visit these stores for discounts and chances at raffle giveaways to be announced at the FNC and Together Yes Earth Day event on Sunday, April 22^nd from 2-5pm, held at the United Church in Norwood’s common room.

Spending Saturdays feature savings and specials for patrons of Norwood Center stores, restaurants, businesses, etc. Want to know what is available to you for this month’s SPENDING SATURDAY? 

Check our website: norwoodcenter.blogspot.com for updated listings.

How are you SPENDING SATURDAY?
On April 21^st, I’m spending it at businesses concerned with the earth and sustainability.

How about you?

Earth Day weekend in Norwood Center

Please mark your calendars!

Earth Day is Sunday, April 22nd and we're working with Together Yes to bring a celebration of Earth Day to Norwood Center!

Saturday, April 21 will be a series of specials involving merchants, businesses, and restaurants Downtown.
 

Sunday, April 22nd is EARTH DAY and we've secured various entertainment, displays, sponsors, etc. to celebrate the Earth.

We look forward to sharing more information with you and having you join us!

Thanks for your interest in Norwood Center!
~Kim Weineck, Downtown Manager, FNC

Call for sewing machines!

Do you have an unused sewing machine?

Together Yes, a local non-profit organization focused on sustainability, has been working with the FNC to develop a series of events to coordinate with Earth Day in April .

During a preliminary meeting, Susan Clare, the group's founder, mentioned how they are on the hunt for sewing machines.

Mending and re-purposing clothing is a truly green activity and Together Yes has a plan to offer sewing classes for this purpose.

If you have or know of someone who has a sewing machine (in working order) to donate to a worthy venture, please contact Susan at Together Yes!

Probably a little newer than this! 

A donated sewing machine can make a difference!