Saturday, July 27, 2013

Hockomock Area YMCA receives award to prevent Type 2 Diabetes


The Hockomock Area YMCA announced that it is one of 11 YMCAs nationwide to receive a grant from the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, to help expand the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program and help reduce the burden of chronic disease in communities across the nation.

YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the nation’s 2,700 YMCAs, is working with CDC and other organizations to expand the program nationwide as part of CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. The Hockomock Area YMCA will launch the program and offer classes to community members beginning this month.

“Providing support and opportunities that empower people to be healthy and live well is part of the YMCA’s charitable purpose,” said Ed Hurley, President of the Hockomock Area YMCA. “We welcome the chance to partner with the local medical community to bring an effective program to prevent type 2 diabetes to help individuals in this community make lasting changes to protect their health.”

CDC leads the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which offers communities an evidence-based lifestyle change program to prevent type 2 diabetes. The program is geared to those at high risk of type 2 diabetes. People have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes if they are overweight, age 45 years or older, have a family history of the disease, get little physical activity, developed gestational diabetes while pregnant, or are members of certain racial/ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.

The program is based on a research study led by the National Institutes of Health and supported by CDC, which showed that the 79 million people in the United States who have prediabetes could reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes by making modest lifestyle changes that resulted in a 5 to 7 percent weight loss (about 10-14 pounds for a 200-pound person). CDC estimates that national implementation of the prevention program could save $5.7 billion in health care costs and prevent 885,000 cases of type 2 diabetes in the next 25 years.

Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine were able to replicate the successful results of the national DPP research study with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. Unlike the national DPP research study, which was conducted with individuals one-on-one, the YMCA’s program is conducted in a group setting.

The research by the Indiana University researchers also demonstrated that the YMCA could effectively deliver a group-based lifestyle intervention for about 75 percent less than the cost of the original Diabetes Prevention Program. This research also highlighted the ability of the Y to take the program to scale nationally. “We now have proof that lifestyle interventions delivered through community-based organizations such as the Y can reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and save health care dollars,” said Frank Saba CEO of Milford Regional Medical Center.

The program provides a supportive environment where participants work together in a small group to learn about healthier eating, and increasing their physical activity in order to reduce their risk for developing diabetes. The evidence-based program is delivered over a 12-month period, with 16 weekly core sessions then monthly maintenance. It is classroom based and can be offered in any community setting.

“The partnership between the Hockomock Area YMCA and Milford Regional Medical Center, supported by medical evidence, stands to reduce the burden of diabetes, one of the nation’s costliest diseases, in the communities we serve,” said Mr. Saba. “With the CDCs recent prediction of an increase in diabetes rates in the United States, it’s of the utmost importance that we do all we can to help the growing population who are at risk for diabetes adopt ways to prevent the disease and live healthy and more productive lives.”

For more information please contact Vickey Marini at phl@hockymca.org or 774.235.2742.

About The Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow.

For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit hockymca.org.

News around town: drumset clinic, Bohmiller competing, freshman guide


Drum Champion returns to Franklin this weekend

The Drummers' Studio will host a world class drumset clinic and camp with 2012 Guitar Center Drum-Off national champion and 2012 Roland V-Drum national champion JP Bouvet.

Bohmiller to Compete in 'A Shot For Life Challenge'

On Saturday, August 3 at 1 p.m., at the University Sports Complex in Hanover, 11 of the best shooters in Massachusetts high school basketball, including Franklin's Sam Bohmiller (the 2013 HockomockSports.com Boys Basketball Player of the Year), will fire jump shots for two straight hours. 

THE DEAN COLLEGE FRESHMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE: 5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Take it from me; freshman year is a fun and crazy time. Navigating a new social scene, trying to figure out where your classes are, and where to sit in the caf are all new and sometimes stressful scenarios that you need to face. So, to help the entire incoming freshman population at Dean College this year, I have created this nifty no holds bar survival guide with the top 5 things you need to know to have an awesome freshman year!



Friday, July 26, 2013

Mount St Mary's - solar farm (update)

Catching up to some photos on the progress of the solar farm at Mount St Mary's Abbey which straddles Franklin and Wrentham.

MountStMary_Solar1
solar panels being installed

These are slick and shiny on an overcast day, I can just image how bright they'll be on a day with glorious sunshine!

MountStMary_Solar2
gentle slope for the solar panels



MountStMary_Solar3
slick and shiny on an overcast day


The first photos showing the solar farm construction can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/mount-st-marys-solar-farm.html

Farmers Market: today from noon to 6:00 PM


on the Town Common, along the High St side.

Franklin, MA: Farmers Market
Farmers Market today

Franklin Library: How to Draw Stuff: Shading

How to Draw Stuff: Shading
how to draw stuff
how to draw stuff


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

MassBudget: Massachusetts ranks in middle for taxes in 2011



MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.


On Taxes, MA in Middle of Pack
The money that we use to provide police and fire protection, to maintain our roads and transit systems, to support the one million kids in our public schools, and to provide other vital services throughout our communities comes largely from state and local taxes.

According to 2011 data recently released by the census bureau, state and local taxes in Massachusetts amount to 10.4% of our total income, which is slightly below the national average of 10.6%.  

Compared with other states, Massachusetts ranks 21st, meaning there are 20 states with a higher level of taxation and 29 with lower rates.
  
Measuring taxes in this way (as a percentage of personal income) provides the most accurate comparisons. It involves looking at the total amount of money collected through state and local taxes and then seeing what share that is of the total income earned in the state. 


The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News - music boosters car wash

Franklin Music Boosters plan car wash, July 27
The Franklin Music Boosters are hosting a fundraiser car wash on Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pizzeria Uno's in Bellingham.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Franklin's local election timeline

Yes, this is the year for Franklin biennial election. The Town Council, School Committee and most other elected positions are on the ballot this time around.  The Town Clerk and Treasurer/Collector positions are not on this ballot as they were elected in 2011 for a four year term. Page two of the document here outlines the full list of positions up for election this time.

Candidates can go to the Town Clerk's office to take out nomination papers as early as August 5th and as late as Sep 16th. All nomination papers need to be returned by Sep  18th.

The last date to register to vote for the Nov 5th election is Oct 16.

The full set of important dates can be found here




This was posted on the official Franklin page here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01B596FC-000F8513

Attention Gmail Users

Gmail users may have noticed the new tabbed layout that has been introduced recently. If you don't want to miss the Franklin Matters newsletter this brief video shows a couple of the options on what to do.






massBudget: Kids, families, and the minimum wage - at MassKidsCount.org

MassBudget    Information.
   Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy.
Kids and the Minimum Wage
This week, the MassKidsCount.org group blog is hosting a discussion of the minimum wage and its effects on families with children. Current participants includes state legislators, researchers, worker's rights advocates, and education advocates.

More posts will be appearing throughout the week, so we encourage you to visit (and revisit). To ensure that MassKidsCount.org reflects the full range of ideas, we also invite you to join the conversation and share your own own perspective--by sharing a story, disagreeing with any of the posts you read, or even proposing your own post. You can receive information about new posts via RSS, Twitter, or Facebook.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER
15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
Twitter Facebook


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by nberger@massbudget.org |  

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108



Franklin Library: Dig In, Read, & Succeed with Ronald McDonald



"Ronald's Dig In, Read, and Succeed Show"

Thursday, July 25th 2013
At 1:00 PM

Get ready to dig into some reading fun with

Ronald McDonald!

This show is filled with adventure, magic, audience participation, and surprises!  

Throughout the performance, Ronald will demonstrate how the power of reading can help us succeed at anything.

 The performance is sponsored by our local Franklin McDonald's


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

In the News: police drill, Project Cat reunion, sleeping in the lab

Several local police departments - including Franklin, Bellingham and Milford - participated in a mock child abduction in Norwood Wednesday morning.

A reunion for people who grew up in Project Cat in Franklin during the 50s, 60s, and 70s is planned on Aug. 17.

DeBaggis: Sleeping in the school science lab

The structural steel frame of the new Franklin High School is topped off.   When school is out next summer, the wrecking ball will pulverize the old building, and enormous trucks will haul away the rubble.  Afterwards, the coffee shop chatter will include tidbits of the good times at the old place.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Concerts on the Common - 6:00 PM

The series of Concerts on the Common continues today with the children's show beginning at 6:00 and the regular show beginning at 6:30 PM.

Today story teller Elaine Kessler will perform for the children followed by the Sharon Band

Concerts on the Common

The full schedule of performers this summer is shown in the attached flyer:


"a keen focus on the task ahead"

In a recap of the response to the marathon bombing, area communities sent police and law enforcement representatives to Boston.
Franklin police Sgt. James West, an element leader in the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council’s SWAT team, was preparing to begin his 3 p.m. shift when he saw the first reports of the twin explosions appear on the news. He immediately checked his phone and pager, expecting to get a call. 
The council, a consortium of more than 40 local police departments and law enforcement agencies, contains six divisions: a canine unit, computer crime unit, crisis negotiation team, mobile operations motorcycle unit, regional response team and SWAT team. 
In all, at least 100 officers from the council would be activated.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1580231620/In-wake-of-marathon-bombings-Franklin-Milford-Bellingham-police-answered-call-for-help#ixzz2ZxA6LMlc

In the News: RMV Milford, K girls, unarmed robbery

Officials oppose RMV possible Milford branch closure

Local officials raised concerns over a state transportation plan to regionalize the Registry of Motor Vehicles and close the Milford branch.


Mendon mother-daughter team made history during tragedy

While their accomplishment was overshadowed by the bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line, Kristine Biagiotti said she and her daughter have since received plenty of recognition for becoming the first mother-daughter team to complete the race.


There is nothing in the news yet about the report in the Franklin Police log for Sunday, Jul 21 where an unarmed robbery was reported at the Big Y at 6:40 PM.
911 CALL REPORTS UNARMED ROBBERY. 617(GILBOY) 613(GOVE) 603(KENNEY) 623(NIX) 602(MARGUERITE) 622(SGT THIBEAULT) RESP. SUSPECT FLED IN POSS BLUE FORD FOCUS TOWARDS WRENTHAM. WRENTHAM AND NORFOLK PD NOTIFIED. MV POSS MATCHING DESCRIPTION AT FRANKLIN COMMONS. 623/603/622/613 OFF AT RESIDENCE. NOT SUSPECT MV.
The full police log for Jul 21 can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/jul2013/jul212013.pdf

All the daily police logs are posted to the Franklin Police website here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Police/newlogs



Boston: Fun After Dark

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Summer Arts Weekend After Dark
Everyone knows that the real fun starts after dark.

After the sun sets on Copley Square on Friday and Saturday, join me and some of my closest friends for After Dark. It's all part of the Boston Globe WGBH Summer Arts Weekend, presented by Citizens Bank.

Buy tickets now for the exclusive After Dark performances.


Dr John;Angelique Kidjo
Spend Friday evening jamming with Dr. John and Della Mae. Come back Saturday night for a toast with Angelique Kidjo and Red Baraat.

Get tickets right now, and use the member discount code (WGBH20) to save 20 percent.

After Dark is the only place to see the biggest acts from BSAW's big stage playing together at a cocktail party for an intimate audience. And I hope that audience includes you.

Brian O'Donovan
Artistic Director, Boston Summer Arts Weekend
Host, A Celtic Sojourn on 89.7 WGBH Boston Public Radio

PS – After two late nights, don't forget about the Baroque Brunch on Sunday, July 28. Tickets are on sale. WGBH members save 20% on tickets for a limited time (use code WGBH20).


Buy tickets


WGBH | One Guest Street | Boston, MA 02135 | 617-300-5400Privacy Policy | Pledge & Renew




Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Music Boosters: Car wash at Uno's July 27


The Franklin High School Music Boosters is hosting a car wash on Saturday, July 27th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Uno's in Bellingham. The group is raising money to help send the high school's music groups to perform at Disney world during the school's April vacation. The bands and vocal groups will be performing in Florida. 
The Music Boosters will have a series of fundraisers throughout the year, including a collection at Stop and Shop in Franklin on August 10 and 11.

Franklin Library: Teddy Bear Picnic

Teddy Bear Picnic
teddy bear picnic
teddy bear picnic


Franklin Public Library - 118 Main Street Franklin MA 02038 - 508.520.4940

In the News: RMV regionalization, food collection

Milford RMV branch could close with state plan

A state Department of Transportation plan to regionalize the Registry of Motor Vehicles could mean the Milford branch would close.


St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary's in Franklin plans food collection

The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Church in Franklin will hold its monthly food collection at all Masses the weekend of Aug. 3 and 4.


Monday, July 22, 2013

Ramsey Musallam: "3 rules to spark learning"


It took a life-threatening condition to jolt chemistry teacher Ramsey Musallam out of ten years of “pseudo-teaching” to understand the true role of the educator: to cultivate curiosity. In a fun and personal talk, Musallam gives 3 rules to spark imagination and learning, and get students excited about how the world works.



For more about Ramsey, you can visit his TED bio page http://www.ted.com/speakers/ramsey_musallam.html

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sir Ken Robinson: "How to escape education's Death Valley"


Sir Ken Robinson outlines 3 principles crucial for the human mind to flourish -- and how current education culture works against them. In a funny, stirring talk he tells us how to get out of the educational "death valley" we now face, and how to nurture our youngest generations with a climate of possibility.



For additional info on Sir Ken Robinson including links to additional TED Talks you can visit
http://www.ted.com/speakers/sir_ken_robinson.html

Free the grapes! (video)

In the midst of vacation season, wouldn't it be nice to be able to ship some wine back home to MA.
Massachusetts wine lovers still cannot purchase wines directly from out-of-state wineries. But the legislature is now considering House Bill 294, a favorable bill that would replace an unconstitutional law with a proven solution. However, some Massachusetts package stores and the politically powerful wholesalers remain opposed to consumers choosing their own wine 
2013 is going to be the year for consumer choice in wine, but we need your help:




Step 1: Spread the word: Tell your friends about us on Facebook (and share our page, Facebook.com/freethegrapes
Step 2: Write your legislator! This is really easy (and quick) to do online through our Action Alert! 
Step 3: Join our email list: You’ll need to know the bill number as soon as we have it, so join the email list and we’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest news.
For more information, you can visit the "Free the grapes" website
http://freethegrapes.org/massachusetts-2013/