Run!

Perfect Season

My son's recreational middle school basketball team won their league championship yesterday afternoon.  The guys went 8-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs.  The championship game was broadcast on Framingham Cable TV.  After the game came the league banquet.  The guys chowed down a bunch of pizzas and collected their hardware.  Great job Leprechauns!
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Congratulations on your Perfect Season!

Leprechauns TBA Hoops

Kids' Basketball 2013-2014

We're at it again. For the past several years I've coached my son's and daughter's basketball teams. It's always a great experience. This year we have three teams.

At one end of the development spectrum is my daughter's 4th and 5th grade girls' rec team. This team I co-coach with one of the moms. We emphasize fundamentals and fun. A few of these kids are quite athletic and have played before. Some of the others are developmental and new to the sport. All of them have great energy and enjoy being part of a team.

The Flaming Red Platipi are currently 3-3 and are looking to finish the season strong.

Next up is my son's middle school rec team. This league includes 3 grade levels and the range of size, strength and talent is broad. The boys are far more competitive and aggressive than the girls. It's a challenge balancing their drive to win and developing new skills.

The Leprechauns stand in first place at 6-0 and are chasing a magical perfect season.
https://tbahoops.shutterfly.com/

Third is my son's 8th grade CYO team. This league is more competitive. Most of these guys played on my 7th grade team and have been playing for a while. We have skilled guards, strong forwards and guys who can score. These guys want to win above all else, but they also need to work on fundamentals.

The Mustangs are 5-2 so far and have high hopes for making a deep playoff run.
https://mariancadets.shutterfly.com/

Coaching the three teams takes a lot of time. It is rewarding to spend time with the kids, help them get better, and accomplish things as a team.

Specialization is for Insects

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. 

-Robert A. Heinlein. The Notebooks of Lazarus Long

Chilly Half Marathon

I targeted this race a while back as an incentive to run regularly. I figured that if I paid the registration fee and put the race on my calendar, then I'd need to get in shape. It didn't really matter which race I chose. There are a whole bunch of great half marathons in New England in the fall. I picked this one because it was scheduled the latest of them all and I needed that extra time to get in shape. I liked that it benefits a good cause. Plus it's close to home. Also I like chili.    

Sunday, November 10, 2013. 7:30 AM, Newton, MA

Race Website       Cool Running Advertisement

 

 

 

It wasn't until later that I found out it's called 'Chilly' for the weather not 'Chili' for the delicious food. Hah. I've also learned that the course is described as 'challenging' .. that's code for hilly.  Yikes. Oh well. For me the race has already served it's purpose. I'm not concerned with my time or my pace. The main thing is that I'm running again. And enjoying it.

 

 Half Marathon Result: 2:03:02



Race Report.  Well organized race. 1200 runners. Started and ended at Newton South HS. 40 and drizzling at start.  Cleared and warmed after. Run through suburban streets. Lots of turns, small hills and street crossings (police blocked traffic). Little level ground. Killer uphills at miles 6 and 7. Long downhill around 9. This was a difficult run for me. Overweight and not properly trained. I worked hard to finish with a poor time. Ran the first 5 in 45. Endured the hills. Ran hard down Heartbreak (fun to run DOWN Heartbreak Hill for a change!). Lost my legs around 10. Staggered home. Happy to have completed my fifth half marathon. 

Youth Basketball in Framingham

There are 4 Winter Basketball Leagues in Framingham.  Combined they serve over 1,000 players.  All 4 leagues are private, non-denominational and receive no funding through the town.  Each depends on volunteer coaches, organizers and sponsors.   

Temple Beth Am (TBA) and YMCA are recreational leagues.  Between the two, they offer organized basketball for boys from kindergarten to grade 12, and for girls from kindergarten to grade 8.  Over 800 kids play in the 2 rec leagues.

CYO programs from Marian/St Stephens and St Tarcisius offer semi-competitive basketball in the Wellesley-Framingham CYO league for boys and girls grades 4-9.  Metrowest Travel offers competitive basketball for boys and girls grades 4-8.  Over 200 Framingham kids play in these leagues.  There are also AAU teams in the area and there are boys & girls middle school travel teams. 

Framingham Basketball attempts to serve as an umbrella for the various leagues in town.  Thus far it helps announce league registrations, tryout dates, area clinics and events.  As yet there is no coordination of the various leagues.  

1. TBA – Recreational, Non-denominational, No Travel, 5 Divisions, Boys Grades 4-12, Girls Grades 4-8    

• Boys Division C Grades 4-5
• Boys Division B Grades 6-8
• Boys Division A Grades 9-12
• Girls Division C Grades 4-5
• Girls Division B Grades 6-8
• Grades 4-8 - One Tuesday practice + One Sunday game per week
• Grades 9-12 One Sunday game per week, no practice.
• 1^st Child $170, Each Additional Child $140, Late Fee $15
• Registration Deadline Nov 4
• Player Evaluations Dec 8, Player Draft Dec 15
• Season runs late December through early March
• Championship and Banquet Mar 9
• Facilities used include Fay School in Southboro, Keefe Tech, Framingham State University
• 475 players total, majority from Framingham
• TBA Basketball Directors: Rich Steckloff and Len Brenner 
  

2. YMCA – Recreational, Non-denominational, No Travel, 6 Divisions, Boys & Girls, Grades K-8

• Boys & Girls Rookies Division Grades K-
• Boys Small Shots Division Grades 2-3
• Boys Big Shots Division Grades 4-5
• Boys Hot Shots Division Grades 6-8
• Girls Small Shots Division Grades 2-3
• Girls Big Shots Division Grades 4-5
• Girls Hot Shots Division Grades 6-8
• Grades K-3 - One Saturday game per week ($99 members / $139 non-members
• Grades 4-8 - One weeknight practice + One Saturday game per week ($102 members / $149 non-members)
• Registration Deadline Oct 31
• Season runs from December through early March
• Championship & Banquet early March
• Facilities used include Framingham Schools, Metrowest YMCA
• Around 400 players total, majority from Framingham
• YMCA Basketball Director: Brian Kowalski

3. CYO (Marian & St Tarcisius) – Semi-Competitive, Non-denominational, Limited Travel, 6 Divisions, Boys & Girls, Grades 4-9

• Boys Juniors Division Grades 4-5
• Boys Bantams Division Grades 6-7
• Boys Cadets Division Grades 8-9
• Girls Juniors Division Grades 4-5
• Girls Bantams Division Grades 6-7
• Girls Cadets Division Grades 8-9
• One weeknight practice per week + One  game per week on Saturday
• Early Nov Player Evaluations, Teams Formed
• Season runs late November through early March
• Playoff and Championship early March
• Around 800 players in Wellesley-Framingham league, Around 140 players from Framingham

       Marian

• 1^st Child $110, 2^nd Child $85, Each Additional Child $60
• Oct 11 Registration Deadline
• Facilities used include Marian High School, St Stephen’s
• Marian Basketball Director: Kellianne Erath 

       St Tarcisius

• $150 per child
• Facilities used include St Tarcisius
• St Tarcisius Basketball Director: Ken Seitz 

4. Metrowest Travel – Most-Competitive, Non-denominational, Travel, 1 Division per Grade/Gender, Boys & Girls, Grades 4-8, when numbers permit

• Boys Division Grade 5
• Boys Division Grade 6
• Boys Division Grade 7
• Boys Division Grade 8
• Girls Division Grade 7
• Girls Division Grade 8
• Two weeknight practices per week + One  game per week on Sunday
• Registration ($180 YMCA members / $225 YMCA non-members, Uniforms extra)
• Tryouts October 5, 6, 19, 20
• Facilities used include Metrowest YMCA
• Unknown number of players in Metrowest Travel league, Around 100 players from Framingham
• Metrowest Travel Basketball Director: Raul Matos

For AAU information contact Raul Matos. 

Middle School Travel – There is one 8th grade middle school travel team for boys and another for girls.  Players are selected after tryouts and minumum grades need to be maintained.  The teams practice after school with shuttles between the schools and buses to games provided.  The teams practice three times a week and play games twice a week.  Participation is free. 
Contacts: Boys Varsity Coach Adam Cluff
                  Girls Varsity Coach Dee King

All information collected 2013

2nd Annual Barbieri 5K & Fun Run

2nd Annual Barbieri 5K & Fun Run

October 6, 2013

  

Join us for a fun-filled, family-fitness morning! Proceeds will support educational programs for the children at Barbieri.

 

Race Results

 

Cool YouTube Race Video

            


 

Francicso 24:39 (7:57/Mile Pace) 1st Place Middle School Boys
Big Papi 25:11 (8:07/Mile Pace) 3rd Place Old Fat Guys
Mariana 30:10 (9:44/Mile Pace) 1st Place Elementary School Girls

Over 200 participants in both the 5K and Fun Run
Raised close to $1,500! Well done!!!

Barbieri Elementary
100 Dudley Road
Framingham, MA 01702

Cool Quotes II

“Not all those who wander are lost.” -- J. R. R. Tolkien.

"Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet." -- Bob Marley.

“To have everything you need is the definition of affluence.” -- Jack Reacher.

“One of my heroes has always been Barbie. She may not do anything, but she always looks amazing doing it.” -- Paris Hilton.

"Everybody pulls for David, nobody roots for Goliath." -- Wilt Chamberlain.

“When in doubt, drink coffee.” -- Jack Reacher.

"Think great. Be great." -- Me.

"Jarvis, sometimes you gotta run before you can walk" -- Tony Stark.

“Hit them fast, hit them hard, and hit them a lot” -- Jack Reacher.

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." -- William James.

“I don't really think, I just walk.” -- Paris Hilton.

"The best way to keep one's word is not to give it." -- Napoleon Bonaparte.

“If in doubt, say nothing.” -- Jack Reacher.

“Never volunteer for anything.” -- Jack Reacher.

"The more I practice, the luckier I get." -- Gary Player.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" -- Saint Augustine.

What I Really Think -- The First 50

1. Giselle is overrated
2. Cold days and long nights are bad

3. Mark Twain was funny
4. Trail running is cool
5. Increasing efficiency without limiting consumption is unwise
6. Cars are too expensive
7. Contact lenses are mind boggling
8. David Ortiz is way overpaid
9. Roller coasters are really fun
10. All religions are the same
11. Budgets with deficits are dumb

12. Steeplechase is a great event
13. Ice age mammals were interesting
14. Soccer is the best kids sport
15. Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is ridiculous
16. Listening to languages I don't understand is irritating
17. Pats should have kept Wes Welker
18. Old people shouldn't decide our future
19. Fast forward is better than reverse
20. Travel writers have it made
21. Baseball is boring
22. Stones are the best band ever

23. We should be striving toward a 4-day workweek
24. C's should have traded Pierce and Garnett
25. Greatest benefit of being in shape is having more energy
26. Kayaks are better than canoes
27. There are too many states
28. Tom Hanks is the best actor ever
29. Weather is important
30. A journey of one thousand miles really does begin with one step
31. Social media is a fad
32. Golf is not a sport

33. They should put vitamins in beer
34. Salt tastes good
35. The pope is too old
36. People who travel are more interesting
37. Zone defenses should be banned from youth basketball
38. Running water is more important than electricity
39. I shouldn't have google imaged 'compound fracture'

40. De-extinction is the greatest concept of the 21^st century
41. Gov should leave marriage to church
42. Daylight savings would be good year round
43. Reggae music is all I need
44. Being too hot is better than being too cold
45. Fire is fascinating
46. Marathons are too far

47. Teaching should be a high status profession
48. Car racing is not a sport
49. Time travel would be better than space travel
50. People who like dark coffee like dark chocolate

That Time of Year Again

It's that time of year again.

This year we're doing 6th-7th grade Boys CYO. This is the same league and division as last season. Some of our stronger players from last season have moved up to the next level. But we've got some good players returning as well as some talented younger guys that we have high hopes for.

And we're doing 4th-5th grade Girls CYO. This is my first foray in girls sports. We've got a great group of kids, but I really don't know what to expect.

Kids basketball is a lot of fun.  Hopefully all the kids will enjoy the experience.

Burgers and Beer

I've compiled a list of all the places in Framingham where one can get a burger and a beer. I'm taking it upon myself to visit and review each establishment. It's a tough job. I know. But I live to better the lives of others.

Some of the places I've been to recently. I can give my opinion on those now. I'll get to the others when I get the chance and I'll review them as I go. I'll use the 5-Star rating system. Wish me luck. It's crazy out there. I reserve the right to substitute burritos, pizza or pulled pork sandwiches for the burger. Extra points for places with friendly service, good atmosphere and being a place I'd want to watch a game at.

One Star : Not so hot. Go elsewhere.

Two Star : Ok, Not Bad. Lacking something though.

Three Star : Pretty Good Place.

Four Star : Very nice. Recommended.

Five Star : Knock your socks off Outstanding.

-- Stole this Framingham Restaurant Map from another site --


The Tavern
102 Irving St, Framingham, MA

Friendly place that serves local brew (Jack Abbey). They serve good burgers, pizzas, nachos and more. There are tv's to watch the game. Exactly what I was looking for.


John Harvard's Brew House
1 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

The real John Harvard's is is Harvard Square. This one's in Shopper's World. The beer's very good. The menu is too fancy and the prices are too high. It's an okay place to go out, but I wouldn't think to watch the game here. I mean .. it's in Shopper's World...


Joe's American Bar & Grill
1 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

Full service restaurant located in Shopper's World. The food is pretty good and the beer is served nice and cold. The service is fine. There are tv's. It's more pricey than a lot of the other places. And it's in Shopper's World...


The Chicken Bone
358 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

I like this place. Cold beer. Friendly service. Good burgers. Great atmpsphere. The specialty is the wings. They'll make 'em as hot as you can stand. They have live music here at night too.


British Beer Company
120 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

I was hoping I'd really like this place.  There's a good selection of bad British food.  But that's ok, it's fine for pub grub.  But it's way expensive.  And the beers are crazy costing too.  Maybe it would be a good place to watch a game if you are a rich dude.  But I doubt it.  The atmosphere is lacking too.


Framingham Beer Works
345 Cochichuate Rd, Framingham, MA

Opened Summer 2013.  They spent on this place and it shows.  Nice modern interior. Half restaurant; half bar.  Giant tanks of beer.  Lots and lots of tables outside too.  Food and beer are good here.  Prices aren't too bad.  Guessing this place will drive British Beer Works out of business in short order and take a bite out of John Harvard as well.  Many medium size tv's.  Be ok to watch the game on the bar side. 

Angry Ham's Garage
2 Beacon St, Framingham, MA

Lively atmosphere. The menu is fine, but the food isn't very good. Typical beer selection with below average service. Not a bad place to watch the game, eat a burger and enjoy a beer. Walkable from my house.


Tennessee's Real BBQ
341 Cochituate Rd, Framingham, MA

I come here for the pulled pork sandwiches. All the food is good though. You can get a beer with your sandwich, but it's not a pub or a place to watch the game.


Eagles All American Grill
55 Park St, Framingham, MA


Pepperoncini's
486 Concord St Framingham, MA

Suffering a bit of an identity crisis between being a pizza place and being a bar. Still, the pizza is very good, the beer is cold and there are lots of tv's. And there's Keno (always a good sign). The service is slow. There's a bar atmosphere. The prices are good. And it's a good place to watch a game.
 

Pupusas Y Tacos Doña Sofia
 Concord St Framingham, MA

Second location close to the railroad tracks.  Food's great.  El Salvadorean style tacos and pupusas, which are more doughy but taste good.  They have beer and tv's.  Not where you'd typically go to watch a game.   


Bertucci's Brick Over Pizzeria
486 Concord St, Framingham, MA

I like the food here. Everything they make is good. The beer is always served cold and the service is good. It's a chain though, and it's a little pricey. Not a place to watch the game either.


Uno Chicago Grill
70 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

Pizza's good, but pricey.  A large is small and a small is -- well it must be very small.  I don't know about anything else. Standard beer list. Average service. They did have a 16 oz Lite draft for $2.50, so it's not all bad.  No atmosphere. Not a place to watch the game.


Bru Burgers / Fours
666 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

A reputed dive.  But I haven't been there.


Happy Swallow Pub
398 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

Well known local dive.  Effort was made to refurbish a little while back.  Haven't seen the results.


Isla Restaurant & Lounge
672 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

This used to be The Stadium. Before that it was Los Compadres. Now it's under construction to reopen as Isla. Same owner. History says it will be a great place for a few months and then have problems. We'll see.


O'Connell's Pub
700 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA


The 400 Restaurant & Bar
430 Franklin St, Framingham, MA


Nobscot Cafe
847 Edgell Rd, Framingham, MA

Set in a small plaza in Nobscot the place is strictly divided as one-half bar and one-half restaurant.  There's a full menu and the food is ok.  But the beer is awful.  How can you run a bar and have bad draught beer?  Try cleaning the lines once in a while.  You might also invest in a few tv's. This place gets the hard things right and easy things wrong. It should be a great place to watch a game .. but it's not.


Limeys Pub
101 Concord St, Framingham, MA

Granted, English food is awful. But Limey's has good burgers. They've got friendly staff and a good beer selection. The atmosphere is great. Five Stars!


Sports Pub & Lounge
1186 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA


TGI Friday's
1 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

Chain restaurant in Shopper's World. The food's fine. The beer is fine. The service is bad. It's pricier than most places on this list. There are tv's. It's in Shopper's World...

99 Restaurant
659 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

New to Framingham; replaces Ruby Tuesdays at the same site.  Chain restaurant in a strip mall. For some reason I like this one better than the others.  The food and beer are fine. The service is fair and the prices are reasonable.  I'll take the kids here.  Or I might to watch a game with a burger and a beer.


Outback Steakhouse
30 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

New to Framingham, in the former Big Papi's Grille location.  Another chain restaurant for Route 9. Food is good here.  Service is excellent.  Theme is modern.  They get a good crowd.  Didn't strike me as a place to go for a burger and beer to watch the game.


Firefly's Bbq Restaurant
325 Old Connecticut Path, Framingham, MA

Closed.   No information on what's coming next at this location.


Deluxe Depot Diner
417 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

Coming Soon.  Going to occupy the old train station depot building that most recently housed an Indian restaurant.  This will be the third location for the chain.   Their other locations are in Watertown and Newton.  Reviews are postive.  Was supposed to open Summer 2013...


Samba West
1138 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

Coming Soon.  Formerly Chef Orient on Route 9 near Mass Pike entrance.  Not sorry to see Chef Orient go.  New place will be an Asian Sports Bar.  Cool. 


Red Pepper
17 Edgell Rd, Framingham, MA


Imperial China
413 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA


Han Dynasty Restaurant
5509 Concord St, Framingham, MA


Punjabi Grill
1243 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA


Aztec Restaurant
2 Waverly St, Framingham, MA

I used to love this place, but it's gone downhill. The food's not as good and the prices are higher. It's still not as bad place; it's just not as good as before. It's a decent place to go for real Mexican food. They have indoor and outdoor seating. They serve cold beer and there are tv's. The service is usually good. The atmosphere is fair. Not a place to go see a game.

Blue Agave 
270 Cochituate Rd, Framingham, MA

Used to be called La Carretta.  Good Mexican restaurant. This place used to be a be a Bickford's. They put a lot of money into refurbishing it. There's a nice looking bar with big tv's. You can get a nice cold beer, enjoy a great burrito and watch the game on a big tv. A little pricey. Good service. Walkable from my house.

Acapulco's
1714 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA

Pretty average Mexican restaurant. It was good a long while back, but as it got more popular the prices went up and the portion sizes and service went down. You can enjoy a burrito, enchilada or taco with a nice cold beer. You wouldn't come here to watch the game.

Zeta's Pizzeria & Kitchen
1645 Concord St, Framingham, MA

Closed. No information on what's coming next at this location.