Frugal Family

5 Ways to Save Money this Week

Introducing the new weekly column, Frugal Family, where we'll share five ways to save money each week.

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars. This column will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money. You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together. This week, we scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on museum passes, quilting supplies, salon services, paper goods, and pizza. Remember to check with the …

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Claire Petrillo

9:02 am on Wednesday, February 2, 2011

I always look through the paper over the weekends and pull out the 40% off coupon for Michael's. This is a great way to get something (not already on sale) almost half off that perhaps I would not typically buy. Then you usually get a couple great coupons on your register tape! If you need to spend the money anyhow, might as well get 40% off!   more ›

Ice Rink Opens for Winter Fun

After setbacks and storms, the Community Ice Project opened to thrilled skaters Sunday morning.

The Community Ice Project made it through vandalism, melted ice, and storms to get here, but as of 10 a.m. on Sunday, it's up and running. "We made it," said John Smith, lead maintenance coordinator, " we're finally open." Jay Taranto, who has been organizing the project while its founder Phil Cohen is out of town on military duty, gave a short speech thanking the community, town, and volunteers for all their hard work to get the rink on its feet. Jessica, Cohen's wife, cut the ribbon to open the ice for fun. "Phil wishes he could be here," Cohen said of her husband who will likely be in town for a Winterfest event at the rink. "We're happy that these guys picked it up while he had to be away." As volunteers and community members watched …

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Ice Rink Nearly Ready for Skaters

Patch Exclusive: Community Ice Project volunteers turn 18 inches of slush into a stable ice skating rink with assistance from nearby community.

In just four days, a shocking change has taken place at the Community Ice Project rink on McFarlin Field. "We made it over the hill and now we have a rink." That's the announcement that John Smith, Jay Taranto, and all of the hardworking volunteers were glad to share Sunday morning. What was a rink full of slush following snow and vandalism on Thursday, is now a functional ice skating rink nearly ready for skaters. "We're holding fast to that Saturday grand opening on the 22nd," Smith said, "but we're going to open for a few afternoons this week to see how the ice does and get the kids out there." That heartening announcement may have seemed far off early last week when the opening was postponed once again, but thanks to the dedication of …

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Image Gallery: Remembering the Faces of Fallen Servicemen

Traveling exhibit of 139 fallen New England servicemen and women on display at Chelmsford Public Library for November.

After viewing an online tribute to fallen soldiers in late 2007, Woburn portrait artist Gina Johnson decided to honor fallen service men and women with her artistic skills. Johnson began creating detailed pencil portraits of fallen New England military personnel who have died since Sept. 11 took place and presenting the originals to their loved ones. Johnson has taken copies of each portrait and created a traveling tribute wall titled "Faces of Remembrance." Johnson writes that having a face replace a name allows viewers to connect more personally with the people being honored. Johnson hopes that the wall will be a living monument to both the subjects while supporting those left behind. The traveling wall was first publicly displayed in …

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Tom Christiano

7:19 am on Thursday, November 18, 2010

I hope everyone gets to see this exhibit at the Chelmsford Library this month, to pay your respects to the men & women from MA who have made the ultimate sacrifice for thier country. Gina Johnson is a great portrait artist. Thanks to the Patch for highlighting this exhibit so well.   more ›

Catch a Movie at the Library

Free monthly screenings and discussions at Chelmsford Library's Cinema Night Out.

With the price of a ticket movie expanding to over $10.00 a person, many people are looking for less expensive ways to get our cinematic fixes. One option you may not have thought of trying is the Chemsford Public Library's Cinema Night Out Series. Of the series, coordinator and Teen Services Librarian Tricia Horan said, "Cinema Night Out is a wonderful way to meet other people who share an interest in film." Every third Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. an audience gathers in the McCarthy meeting room to watch a foreign, cult classic, or independent film and then discuss the movie over refreshments. "The discussions after each film are engaging and interesting," said Horan, "and the patrons who attend bring a variety of ideas and …

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Have a Howling Good Time this Weekend

The Chelmsford Dog Association hosts free Howl'ween event Saturday

Schnauzers dressed as Snoopy, Chihuahuas in clown garb, or Dalmatians with dinosaur tails. We're not sure who you'll run into at the Chelmsford Dog Association's inaugural Howl'ween event on Saturday, Oct. 16th, but the possibilities are endless. As part of their efforts to raise money and awareness for a safe, off-leash dog park in the town, the association will host an event full of costumes, talent contests, and family fun at Parlee Farm's corn maize from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Vivian Merrill, a member of the Association and an organizer of the event, said, "We'll host a costume contest for dogs and their owners, hotdogs for lunch, kids games, pet photos, a silent auction, and a wide variety of vendors, crafters, and shelters." A small …

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Julia Gavin

1:34 pm on Friday, October 15, 2010

Join the Facebook fun at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68540112005   more ›