Business of the Week: Acton Memorial Library

Highlighting a local business every week.

Welcome to our weekly Business of the Week feature, where we highlight a business in town. All businesses we highlight are listed in our business directory. This week's spotlight is on Acton Memorial Library. Located next to the Town Hall, the Acton Memorial Library was given to the town in 1890 by William Allan Wilde, in honor of the Civil War Veterans. The library offers computers, free wireless access, and 132,000 books, 20,000 audiovisual materials, and 220 periodical catalogs. For up-to-the-minute updates on this story and more, follow Acton Patch on Facebook, Twitter, or sign up for our email newsletter. Is your business listed on Acton Patch? If so, did you know you can claim that listing? It's free to do and we have a great video …

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What's Happening

Five Things to Know Today: July 5

Karaoke, trivia, crafts and live jazz... a lot going on in the area today.

Karaoke: 1. Karaoke will take place at Tailgaters Grille at 9 p.m. Stumped: 2. Stump! Trivia at The Halfway Cafe in Maynard will take place at 8:30 p.m. Bring Your Kids: 3. Crafts for Ages 3 and Up will take place at the Acton Memorial Library at 10 a.m. It's a Thing: 4. The Gwenn Vivian Thing will perform at The Acton Jazz Cafe at 6:30 p.m. School Committee Meeting: 5. The Regional School District Study Committee (RSDSC) Subcommittee will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the R.J. Grey Junior High School.

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Frugal Family: Summer Freebies and Bargains in Acton

Moms and Dads don’t have to go far to find free and low-cost solutions to summer boredom. There's lots to do right here in Acton!

Need some ideas of where to take the kids without breaking the bank? Here are Patch’s picks: Discovery and Science Museums, 177 Main Street, Acton This summer, admission is free every Friday night! Starting at 4:30 p.m. from now until August 31, 2012, kids can explore, build and create in the Discovery Museum and find their inner scientists at the Science Museum. The Drome, Acton’s Bowladrome, 257 Main Street, Acton On Thursday afternoons from 3:00-5:00 p.m. this summer, arcade games will be half price.  In addition, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, games of bowling will cost $1 each.  (Family bowling ends at 9:00 p.m. After that time, it’s 21+ for $1 bowling.) NARA Park Free Summer Concert Series, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton Free music …

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Once in a Lifetime Chance to Read the Book Before Watching the Movie Filmed in Your Town

If you ever wanted to read the book before watching the movie, there's no better time than now.

How exciting is it that a major motion picture is being filmed in your town? Some may care less for the hype and others may have concerns with Mass and New Hampshire foreigners flooding their town with fandemonium - but I would bet the majority of Actonians are very excited the Indian Paintbrush Production film crew for "Labor Day," directed by Jason Reitman and staring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, picked their town out of the many territories Massachusetts has to offer. The movie is based on the 2009 book "Labor Day," by American author Joyce Maynard. So, it's a once and a lifetime chance to read the book first before the movie being filmed in your town is released. Maynard writes a love story that takes place in New Hampshire that has …

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What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 14 [VIDEO]

Town meetings, live jazz and claiming your business listing on Acton Patch.

Meetings: 1). The Conservation Commission will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. in Room 126 of the Town Hall. 2). The Town Sidewalk Committee will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Acton Memorial Library. 3). The Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee's Regional School District Study Committee (RSDSC) Subcommittee will meet at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Parker Damon building. Live Jazz: 4). Paul Broadnax and Peter Kontrimas will perform at the Acton Jazz Cafe at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7.50. How To Claim Your Business Listing on Acton Patch: 5). Patch Places is the spot to find business descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and more. You can even see what your neighbors think of a business before you try it, or can write…

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab and Go: Harvest Fair, Art, Music, and Helping Soldiers

Here are some local events to attend this weekend.

Saturday, September 10, 2011, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Indian Hill invites local families to a free event featuring musical fun. There will be class demos for younger children, an instrument “petting zoo,” and other hands-on activities. Information about classes and upcoming events will be shared. Faculty will be on hand to answer questions. Saturday, September 10, 2011, Opening ceremony at 10:45 a.m., fair from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Come join our Boxborough neighbors for a fun day! The fair, sponsored by dozens of area businesses, will feature  local residents’ homegrown produce, handmade goods and crafts.  In addition there will be musical performances, blessing of the animals, a pie-eating contest and lots more. Consult the website for the …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab and Go: Benefit Yard Sale, Futures at Fenway, Pig N Pepper and More

Head out this weekend to do some good, discover the next Dustin Pedroia and eat some BBQ.

1). Family Movie Night, Acton Memorial Library meeting room, 486 Main Street, Acton Friday, August 19, 2011, 7:00 p.m. This month’s film is Mars Needs Moms. It’s rated PG and tells the  story of Milo, who learns to appreciate his mother after she’s abducted by Martians and is in need of rescuing. Based on Berkeley Breathed’s fun-filled, popular book, the animated film has received positive reviews. Parents must accompany their children. There is no admission charge. (The library will be closed for other services.) 2). Benefit Yard Sale for Joplin, Missouri Family, sponsored by Keller Williams Realty of Concord 17 Captain Forbush Lane, Acton Saturday, August 20, 2011, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (No early birds, please!) The dynamic staff of Keller…

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Patch Passport

Patch Passport: Travel Back in Time: Acton Memorial Library

Travel Back in Time with the Wednesday Patch Passport, to discover the history and roots of Acton.

Acton Memorial Library’s role as a community mainstay is well known to the many residents who enjoy its 152,000-item collection, variety of programming and, in the summer months, temperate climate during oppressive days. But also important to the community is its role as a building of historical importance in the town, and as the display site for a wealth of historical documents and artifacts, aspects perhaps less known to its many patrons and visitors. “AML has a more extensive artifact collection than the vast majority of public libraries, especially for a community of this size,” said Marcia Rich, AML director. “The library has been extremely fortunate to have staff, trustees and volunteers who have put time into research and record …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab and Go: NARA Park Beach Party Blast, Movies and Theatre

Head out for some family fun in Acton and nearby this weekend.

Beach Party Blast, NARA Park, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton Friday, July 15, 2011, 4:30-7:30 p.m. The NARA Park playground area will be the site of the 5th annual Beach Party. Thanks to the generosity of Roche Bros. and other sponsors, free family fun will be offered. Hula hoop and watermelon contests, a coconut roll, shell hunt, and Polynesian dancing will keep summer boredom at bay for one night! Entertainment will be provided by the Scooby Snax band. A barbecue dinner and other concession items will be available for purchase.   Movie night/Kids’ night out at 10.0 Academy, 181 Great Road, Stow Friday, July 15, 2011, 6:00-9:00 p.m. The staff at 10.0 will entertain the kids while parents enjoy a date night! The featured film will be Ice Age 3: …

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Grab and Go: Weekend Family Picks

There is plenty of fun to be had this weekend. Read on for some great options.

Acton Memorial Library Book Sale, 486 Main Street, Acton Saturday, June 4, 2011, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  and Sunday, June 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m. It’s time to stockpile some summer reading! Head on over to the library for this weekend’s giant used book sale benefitting the Friends of the Acton Libraries. Bargains can be found on hardcover and paperback books of all genres. Kids’ books abound as well!  Preview sale for Friends of the Acton Libraries members will be held on Friday night, June 3, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Hours on Saturday are for the main event; come by Sunday for half-price deals on books that remain. Stow Lions Club Flea Market, Stow Lions Land, Great Road, Stow Saturday, June 4, 2011, 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Come support the work of …

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