News from our members

Leominster Credit Union Holding Free Mortgage Info Sessions

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Leominster, MA – Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is holding two free virtual Mortgage Info Sessions Wednesday, March 24, and Tuesday, March 30. Sessions will be held from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Visit www.leominstercu.com/homes for information.

These LCU Mortgage Info Sessions will address the specific needs of most homebuyers including first-time buyers, buyers moving after owning for several years, or buyers entering the market after having credit issues in the past. Zoom virtual sessions will be presented by an LCU Financing Specialist who will answer questions regarding the home buying process and what to expect from realtors, attorneys and home inspectors. Topics will include: buying, refinancing, downsizing, second homes, investments, the application process, purchase and sales, inspections, and benefits of borrowing locally.

Matt Dufault, AVP Real Estate Lending commented, “These seminars not only provide the basics of buying a home, but also the opportunity to establish a plan for home ownership based on your personal situation.”

LCU has programs available for not only for first-time homebuyers, but for any buyer who needs help getting mortgage-ready. Borrowers may be able to qualify for a mortgage much sooner than they expect.

Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information and to register online, please visit leominstercu.com/homes.

 

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.

Fitchburg Public Library to offer Citizenship Corner and Courses with $5,000 American Dream Literacy Grant

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The Fitchburg Public Library has been selected as one of 16 public libraries nationwide to receive a $5,000 American Dream Literacy Initiative grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

With the funding, library staff will create a Citizenship Corner in the library.  The Citizenship Corner will be a single destination for patrons seeking information on citizenship test materials as well as adult literacy and ESL materials.  Additionally, thanks to a partnership with the Literacy Volunteers of the Montachusett Area, two complete Citizenship Courses will be offered later this year.  Assistance with the completion of citizenship applications will be provided to students of the courses as well, thanks to Project Citizenship, a Boston-based organization.

The Fitchburg Public Library was selected through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process. Nearly 90 public libraries applied for the 16 available grants, according to the ALA Public Programs Office. View all 16 recipients of the 2021 American Dream Literacy Grants.  The American Dream Literacy Initiative strives to develop tools and resources for libraries and library staff to provide effective literacy services to adult English language learners in their communities and across the country.

Since the program’s inception, more than 200 libraries in Dollar General communities have initiated or expanded literacy services for adult English language learners.  The grants allow libraries to augment their print and digital English as a second language (ESL) collections; increase computer access and training; provide job training; hold English language learning (ELL), general educational development (GED) and citizenship classes; and raise the visibility of services for immigrant populations.

The American Dream Literacy Initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

Fitchburg Public Library presents Mediumship: Communication with the Beyond

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Please join us on Saturday, April 3, 2021, from 2:30-4:30 PM if you are a fan of the Long Island Medium or the Hollywood Medium!  Even if you have never heard of them or are a skeptic, please consider joining us for this session of entertainment and inspiration.
The mediums, Kim and Leslie, communicate with those who have passed on, sharing messages from your loved ones and ancestors.  This event is in a gallery format.  There’s no guarantee you will receive a reading however the event, in and of itself, brings inspiration.  The audience often feels such a strong sense of connection that creates comfort and healing.
The interpreters:
Leslie Gabriele: founder of With Love and Gratitude
Kimberley Dunsmore: a team member of With Love and Gratitude
With Love and Gratitude are a team of dedicated light workers, each with their own special gifts, acting in unison for the sole purpose of uplifting the spirit.  The team works in the moment without attachment or judgment, to heal and bring peace, harmony and joy and to all they encounter. www.withloveandgratitude.com

Please sign up at https://tinyurl.com/fplmediumship.  The Zoom link will be sent to the email you provide the day prior to the event.

This is a free program. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

Envision John Fitch Highway Artwork Challenge: Redesigning John Fitch Highway – A Climate Resilient Corridor

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The City of Fitchburg through the Department of Public Works is planning improvements to the John Fitch Highway (JFH) Corridor to increase climate resilience, mitigate flooding, and increase mobility. This is a unique opportunity to improve our public spaces by incorporating nature-based solutions (like rain gardens and tree planting) and elements of Complete Streets (such as shared use paths and improved crosswalks).

We are seeking input from the community to inform initial designs for the current project within the JFH roadway between Lunenburg Street and Summer Street. Community members are encouraged to share your vision for the JFH Corridor and the innovative ideas for making the area more climate resilient. Comments are being accepted now through March 12, 2021 at https://arcg.is/SqTn80. We want to hear from residents of all ages.

Community members can also get involved by submitting a creative piece to the Envision John Fitch Highway Artwork Challenge. Show us what improvements you want to see in the Corridor to reduce flooding, make it greener, and improve bike and pedestrian access! Artwork submissions can be hand-made or computer-generated (full submission guidelines can be found here). Submit by March 12 to be entered into the Artwork Challenge! A winner will be selected within categories divided by age and medium to receive a prize. For more information please visit:  www.FitchburgMA.gov/JFHProject

We will announce the winners of the Artwork Challenge at a virtual event later this spring. Watch the City’s website and social media accounts for updates on future events and engagement activities.

Mitigating flooding of Baker Brook into JFH was a top priority in the City’s 2020 and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and Hazard Mitigation Plan. The initial design phase is funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs MVP Action Grant Program.

Spanish versions available for comment and submission forms. For questions regarding this project, contact the Department of Public Works Engineering Department: 978-829-1915 or email JFHProject@fitchburgma.gov.

Leominster Restaurant Week returns February 21 – 27

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Save the date! Leominster Restaurant Week returns February 21 – 27.
Support local restaurants during this annual event. Enjoy the very best that Leominster has to offer at discounted prices!
Participating Restaurants:

Aroma Joe’s Coffee

  • $5 Breakfast

Brazilian bites

  • $5 Lunch

Brazucão Lanches

  • $5 Lunch / $10 Dinner

Comeketo – Brazilian Cuisine

  • $10 Lunch / $20 Dinner

Cristina’s Restaurant

  • $20 Dinner

Daddys Best Pizza

  • $10 Lunch / $20 Dinner

The Daily Bagel Cafe

  • $5 Breakfast

Don’s Diner

  • $5 Breakfast

Leominster Nutrition

  • $10 Breakfast / $10 Lunch

McDonald’s (Mill Street)

  • $5 Breakfast / $5 Lunch / $10 Dinner

McDonald’s (North Main Street)

  • $5 Breakfast / $5 Lunch / $10 Dinner

McDonald’s (New Lancaster Road)

  • $5 Breakfast / $5 Lunch / $10 Dinner

Momo’s Bistro & Brick Oven Pizza

  • $10 Lunch / $20 Dinner

North End Diner

  • $5 Breakfast / $5 Lunch

NY Pizza

  • $5 Lunch

Oliver’s Café

  • $5 Breakfast / $5 Lunch

Pizza King, Leominster

  • $10 Dinner

Roasted Peppers

  • $10 Lunch / $20 Dinner

SaMoreRay’s at Dandini Liquors

  • $5 Lunch

SHAKE N DOG

  • $5 Lunch / $10 Dinner

Fitchburg Public Library presents: Kate Chadbourne, Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Concert

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Join us to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 2:00 PM – online!  Singer, storyteller, harper, and poet Kate Chadbourne is eager to welcome you virtually into her home to share heart-raising songs and tales that get you singing and smiling in this time when everyone, including YOU, is Irish.

Generously funded by the Robert L. Rice Memorial Concert Fund and the Rice Family.

Kate Chadbourne is a singer, harper, and storyteller, an award-winning songwriter and poet, a scholar and teacher of Irish language and folklore with a PhD from Harvard, and a beloved performer at venues throughout New England.  She has been honored as a “tradition bearer” in the Revels Salon series and in the Gaelic Roots Concert Series at Boston College, and her music has been featured on NPR’s programs, “Cartalk” and “All Songs Considered.”  She has released six solo CD’s, three collections of poetry, and has written two books to encourage and support artists, musicians, and creators.  Named as one of “The Most Fascinating People” in Central Massachusetts by the Sentinel and Enterprise Newspaper, Kate is also the founder of The Bardic Academy, a school for writers, musicians, singers, and young scholars.  She brings to her audiences the sounds of the harp, piano, tin whistle, Irish flute, and melodeon, a deep love and knowledge of traditional Irish story, a warm and welcoming presence, and a voice often described as “the voice of an angel.”

Learn more about joining the Bardic Academy at www.bardicacademy.com and find out about CD’s, books, and upcoming performances at www.katechadbourne.com.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/fplchadbourne to be sent the Zoom link.

This is a free program. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

Fitchburg Public Library presents: Ukulele J VIRTUAL EVENT!

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Please join Ukulele J (in partnership with the Fitchburg Youth Library and Strengthening Families) on February 18, 2021, at 6:00 PM for a fun and interactive virtual music program designed for pre-school children and their parents/caregivers.  We’ll sing, dance, and march to a variety of traditional and original kid’s songs.  Also, Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal for a stuffed animal parade in the comfort of their own home!  A good time is guaranteed!

Contact Deanna Wilbur at strengthfam@gmail.com to register and receive a zoom link.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

This is a free program. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

Fitchburg Public Library presents: Lego STEM Challenge!

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February 16, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the Youth Library Door

Pick up a bag of Legos and STEM Lego Challenge cards outside the Youth Library door on February 16, 2021, at 10:00 AM for Lego STEM Challenge!   Complete a challenge and post of picture of it on the Fitchburg Youth Library Facebook page and you will be entered to win a 2007/2008 United States of America State Coin Collector’s Map complete with coins (quarters) representing each state.

This is a free program. For information about this or other Library programs call 978-829-1780 or visit our website: www.FitchburgPublicLibrary.org.

Mometrix eLibrary Now Available from Fitchburg Public Library

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Fitchburg residents can now access free standardized testing preparation materials with their Fitchburg Public Library card. Mometrix eLibrary provides study guide eBooks, practice tests, and flash cards to help you raise your score. Exams currently covered are: SAT, HiSET, ASVAB, CNA, ATI TEAS, and CDL.

Residents can log in with their library card from our website, fitchburgpubliclibrary.org. Look for the Mometrix link under “eBooks and Digital Resources.”

To sign up for a library card or to learn more, please contact the library at 978-829-1780 or email fplref@cwmars.org.