U.S. Geological Survey introduces "Learning From Home" portal

The U.S. Geological Survey Youth and Education in Science (YES) Team has revamped their web presence to better assist with online and home learning.

Check the new USGS Learning From Home portal for weekly lesson plans and activities, grades K – 12.

Students of all ages can always tap into the USGS Resources for Teachers for over 140 years of USGS research in the natural sciences in the form of lesson plans and activities, maps, podcasts, online lectures, videos and animations, and much more. Browse thousands of ideas for using these resources in elementary, secondary, university, and informal education settings.

• USGS Learning From Home portal   

https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/learning-home

• USGS Resources for Teachers

https://www.usgs.gov/science-support/osqi/yes/resources-teachers/

https://edits.nationalmap.gov/tnmcorps/

In the News: map at the Library restored; growing alarm over salt used for treating ice

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Sometimes, it takes a map to locate historical treasures -- the proverbial “x” marks the spot on a faded document, in ink turned brown. 

But at the Franklin library, it is a map that is actually the treasure: An age-stained, 26″ x 20 3/8″ document that provides a view of the town’s layout when Henry Clay sat in the oval office -- about to be defeated by Andrew Jackson -- and Princess Victoria was still five years shy of ascending the throne of Great Britain. 

Recently, a custom-framed reproduction of the map was put up for display in the hallway by the circulation desk on the first floor of the library, so it could be shared with the public. The original, restored through the efforts of the Friends of the Franklin Library, is carefully stored in the library’s new climate-controlled archives room. 

“It was found rolled up in a drawer, as I’m told, during packing up for the renovations,” said Phil Sweeney, president of the Friends board, referring to the renovation and expansion project completed in 2017."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20191224/early-map-of-franklin-preserved-replica-hung-in-library

In the News: map at the Library restored;

"Each year, Americans spread more than 48 billion pounds of salt on roadways to ward off the effects of winter weather. But it comes at a cost: De-icing salt degrades roads and bridges, contaminates drinking water and harms the environment, according to a slate of scientists expressing growing alarm. 

“The issue of road salt has been out in front of us for decades but has received very little attention until the past five years,” said Rick Relyea, a biological scientist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute near Albany, New York. “Then we see, my goodness, it is everywhere, and it is a growing problem.” 

It’s a problem that’s growing exponentially. 

The country used about 164,000 tons of road salt in 1940, U.S. Geological Survey data shows. It broke one million tons in 1954, 10 million in 1985, and now averages more than 24 million tons a year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191226/scientists-alarmed-by-massive-amounts-of-road-salt-used-in-northeast

The Big Game is coming up! Get ready with the Big Game Census. Check out our new interactive data visualization.

It's the Big Game Census The Big Game is this Sunday! Get ready with the Big Game Census. Our new interactive data visualization might help you decide who to cheer for. Learn more about where each player is from, what college they attended, and more fun facts based on Census Bureau data. Start exploring the state or hometown of your favorite player by clicking the button below. https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/big-game-census-2019.html? Here are a few more things to know before the Big Game: California leads the way with 17 players. Florida's the runner up followed by Texas. How many players are from your state? The smallest hometown is Magnolia, Delaware with less than 300 people. The largest is Los Angeles, California with almost 4 million people. This data visualization is best viewed on a laptop or desktop computer. For a mobile, phone-friendly version, please click here. https://public.tableau.com/profile/us.census.bureau#!/vizhome/BigGameCensus2019/BIGGAMECENSUS Get Answers to Your Data Questions We're here to help you get the most out of Census Bureau data. If you have a question, visit Ask Census.gov or give us a call at 1-800-923-8282 (TTY 1-800-877-8339). You can also connect with us on social media. There are many more ways you can stay connected with us! Join the conversation on social media by following us on:

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In the News: What are 'American cars'?; 4th of July celebrations mapped

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The most American-made cars may not be made by the most American car brands. 

Four out of the top 10 most American-made vehicles of 2018 are made by Japanese brand Honda, according to the annual report from Cars.com. 

“It’s part of the globalization of automotive manufacturing,” Cars.com Executive Editor Joe Wiesenfelder said in a phone interview. “The brand on the vehicle isn’t the only part of the equation of what makes it American.” 

The Honda Odyssey, for instance, is built in Lincoln, Ala., and is made with 75 percent domestic parts. Compare it with Buick, which is considered to be as American as the red, white and blue in its badge: the Buick Envision crossover is manufactured in China with only 2 percent domestic parts, said Wiesenfelder."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20180623/list-of-top-american-made-cars-drives-home-some-surprises

"Fourth of July celebrations begin at the end of June and carry on through Wednesday, July 4, with parades, barbecues, fairs and fireworks. 

Here is a map of activities from the North Shore to the Cape, whether you plan to stay close to home for the holiday weekend or will spend the weekend at the beach. Zoom in to take a look at what is happening in your area and click on each icon to learn more about the event."

Franklin's 4th of July schedule can be found online  https://www.franklin4th.com/

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180624/interactive-map-find-fourth-of-july-celebration-near-you

In the News: superintendent search priority; Charles River meadowlands; where the Irish are

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The School Committee has canceled this week's meeting because of snow, but hopes to continue its superintendent search effort unabated. 

The committee had been set to receive a slate of candidates from its search consultant - Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) - at that Tuesday night session, and to interview those prospects during the day on Friday. 

Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley said the district had taken steps to avoid any delay. 

"We're very concerned," he said. "We have a schedule that's very short."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170313/franklin-committee-keeps-superintendent-schedule

"A local group is hoping to have a say in plans for the future of the Charles River Meadowlands. 

The area consists of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers properties that abut the river. 

The group has submitted a response to the corps' master plan for the land, which includes parcels in Bellingham, Franklin and Medway and is intended to provide a buffer for river flooding. 

Alan Earls, a leader of the local effort, said the corps had solicited his group's feedback, and that it had responded with remarks that encourage the government to preserve the land and promote recreational opportunities there."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170313/franklin-group-considers-management-of-land

"While there's a saying that everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, more than one in five people in Massachusetts can trace their roots back to the emerald isle all year round. 

Massachusetts and New Hampshire have a higher concentration of Irish-Americans than any other state in the country. According to 2015 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, 20.2 percent of Massachusetts residents and 20.6 percent of New Hampshire residents claim Irish ancestry. The difference between the two states' estimates is within the margin of error, making the figures statistically even. 

"People of Irish descent form the largest ethnic group in Massachusetts," said Seamus Mulligan, president of the Canton-based Irish Cultural Centre of New England. "The state changed dramatically in the 19th century following the arrival of Irish immigrants. The [Irish] famine of the 1840s caused an enormous change in the demographics. The Yankees during the period hired the Irish as workers and servants and they became more assimilated into society. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170313/where-are-most-irish-towns-in-massachusetts

screen grab of interactive map on Milford Daily News article

Downtown Parking Map

The DPW must be busy preparing the signs as I did not see the new ones around on my Saturday walk. I did see signs that according to the new regulations would be taken down (I think). For example, the "resident parking' now enabled for Winter Street and Crescent St would be going away (as I read the new rules).

The new parking map was posted to the Town of Franklin page on Friday. You can view it here, download it here, or go to the Franklin page to get your copy.




View the PDF here

• Download your copy here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczeGY4THpKVmYzRWc/view?usp=sharing

• Or from the Franklin page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024A17AB-000F8513

JPG image of the most central downtown region shown on the full map

legend of parking zones for downtown Franklin

as I read the new parking rules, these designated parking zones would go away

In case you missed the Town Council making these changes, you can find the full set of regulations and vote results here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/08/town-council-actions-taken-august-10.html

Map of the Harvest Festival - where is it all happening in downtown Franklin?

Want to know where things are happening at the Harvest Festival? Check out the official map showing the location of each booth and stage.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

For more information on the Harvest Festival, visit the Franklin Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

A better cell phone service map

Instead of compiling the data on cell phone coverage in our spreadsheet, another loyal reader points us to sensorly.com/

The various carrier services are mapped out so it helps to see where the coverage is in relationship to where your residence is.

Verizon 4G for 02038, 12/3/12 6:00 PM

This screen shot above depicts the Verizon 4G coverage for 02038.

I'll suspend the spreadsheet we started earlier today and recommend that all who want to participate use this instead. It is so much better!

Go to sensorly.com!

3 more Franklin Area Blogs

Three more items from the Franklin Area Blogs to highlight today.

Realtor Kathy Stankard writes about the Downtown Partnership's Holiday Stroll taking place today:

Upcoming Franklin, MA Holiday Events Worth Checking Out

from Franklin Massachusetts Homes Blog

The Downtown Partnership published a map of the Holiday Stroll events and business taking part:

Holiday Stroll Map

from Franklin Downtown Partnership 

Kennedy School teacher Mrs Williams writes regularly about activities in her 4th grade classroom

Food Pantry Visit

from The Shiny Red Apple 

"improving the map for all users"

"Here's one, the Nason Street Tot Lot. That was never there," said Zub, pointing out places in the Franklin map he found and added. "The train station icon over here was on top of BJ's, so people probably thought 'Hey, big parking lot - this must be the train station.' " 

Using a satellite setting on Google Maps to find places that are not yet labeled, and drawing from his own visits to local spots, Zub puts more and more of his hometown on the interactive map every day. 

He has more than 9,000 map edits to his name. 

Zub uses a free program called Google Mapmaker, which allows anyone with Internet access to refine the maps in the Google database. It was introduced to the United States in April. A user goes to google.com/mapmaker and does not have to download the program.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948303690/Local-man-working-to-chart-Franklins-every-detail-using-online-maps#ixzz1Wz3bC8TU

Geoffrey's profile page in Google

And the Nason St Tot Lot mentioned in the article:



View Larger Map

Mapping Wrentham

In the category of being aware of our surroundings, as well as wasn't Franklin once part of Wrentham anyway, comes this item from fellow 'local blogger' Patrick Coleman:

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Mapping Wrentham

via The Wrentham Times by Patrick Coleman on 8/24/11

The Wrentham Cultural Council and the Wrentham Historical Commission will sponsor an exhibit "Mapping Wrentham" including maps and historical objects from their collections at Wrentham Day on September 10, 2011. The exhibit, open at the Old Fiske Museum from 9 am to 4pm, will feature a variety of maps (topographical maps, roadmaps, hand-drawn maps, and aerial photos) accompanied by representative artifacts such as postcards, vintage clothing, straw hats, and hand-made quilts, chronicling the history of Wrentham from its incorporation in 1673 to 1990.
One display will feature an 1830 reproduction of a painting of the town center (pictured) whose exact location is not eminently clear to contemporary viewers. Visitors will be invited to contribute their ideas about the painting, specifically the present day location of the figures pictured. Also featured will be a map of the hastily-prepared campsite of Rochambeau, just one of fifty-four camps of the French army used its march from Yorktown to Boston.  Each of the four divisions of the army remained at the site between Lake Archer and Main Street only one night, the first division arriving on December 1, 1782, before marching to Dedham, the last stop before Boston. Incidentally, an officer in the French army, Ludovici Cornette, who married a woman from town, is buried in a plot in the East Street cemetery easily viewed from the window of the Old Fiske.

In addition, visitors may mark the location of their homes on a reproduction of another map on display, thus creating a census of visitorship to the exhibition. The cotton bathing costume (pictured) that may have been worn by a young lady visiting Lake Pearl Park at the turn of the 20th century, will be juxtaposed with a map dated to that period. Other articles of clothing such as a Sheldonville baseball uniform and jersey and straw hats made in Wrentham will also be displayed with appropriately dated maps. A quilt constructed by Mrs. Patricia Shea's practical arts class at the King Philip North Junior High School depicting the town seal, historical structures, and important figures will hang over the newly restored fireplace mantle in the museum. Commission and Council members will be on hand all day with narratives and explanations to enhance the visitor's experience. The public is welcome!

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