"a global fishing crisis that is masked by sparkling blue waters"

Revenga suggests that sometimes supporting policies that may be unpopular in the short term will be beneficial to all in the long term, such as catch shares/limits, no-take zones and fishing gear modifications. She notes that supporting local fisherman and fishing communities is also important. International cooperation is also essential, since more than 80 percent of U.S. seafood is imported and the FDA inspects a small fraction of it. 

Consumers' choices are important. Revenga says, "Consumers need to ask questions and be informed. They can ask their stores and restaurants, not only where the fish is from, but how it was caught....The closer to home the better and the less impact the fishing method the better." 

Environmentally responsible methods of fishing include: hook and line, trolling, traps and pots, and harpooning larger fish. Products that carry the Marine Stewardship Council label ensure that the fish were caught sustainably (www.msc.org). Responsibly caught seafood tends to be more expensive, but the price will be much higher if we do not take steps now to support conscientious fishing practices. 

 Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948303120/Down-to-Earth-Look-for-sustainable-seafood-options#ixzz1Wsy6jQ5F

In the News - MOMS Club, Irene help

MOMS Club of Franklin slates kickoff social

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Volunteer hotline set up for post-Irene help

by Staff reports

The demise of guys

Philip Zimbardo was the leader of the notorious 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment. Now retired from teaching for over 50 years, he makes this presentation at TED about the demise of guys.
Video is less than 5 minutes long. You may need to return and watch it multiple times!










For information on a related topic, how little time outside is creating a 'nature deficit disorder'


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the video on Franklin Matters

In the News - mosquitoes, electricity

Mosquitoes with West Nile virus found in Medway, Franklin

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Whitney Clearman/Daily News staff

Some still without power

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Morgan Rousseau/Daily News staff

Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102 Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States September 1, 2011    Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases education spending data on all 50 states.  Using this data, MassBudget reports annually on the state of education spending in Massachusetts. A new MassBudget report examines FY 2009 Census data (the most recent national data available) and compares education spending in Massachusetts to that of other states.  Key findings this year include:  Massachusetts saw a significant increase in federal education revenue in FY 2009 as part of the federal stimulus efforts to protect local schools from being harmed by cuts in state aid. Massachusetts ranks high in per-pupil spending but average in total education spending as a percentage of the state economy. Compared to other states, Massachusetts continues to rely more heavily on local funding sources for education than on state and federal sources.  The report, Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States, is available here and at www.massbudget.org.     MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News - youth baseball, Vallee

Franklin youth basketball sign ups

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Vallee family welcomes baby boy

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Another School Year!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Another School Year!

via Lifelong Learning by Pandora Carlucci on 9/1/11

The 2011 - 2012 school year has experienced a delayed start due to power outages associated with Tropical Storm Irene. That said, teachers, staff and administrators throughout the district have worked diligently to re-shape the start of the new school year.

Adult Education: Tracy Cheney is returning to offer three courses for Child Care Providers that are timely and provide needed continuing education points. The classes for this term include: The Ten P's of Partnering with Parents, Transition Magician, and Creating a Classroom that is Inclusive.

Other classes that support careers include: Social Media - Learning how to effectively use social media tools to support your business; Tips on Writing and Publishing your Book; and, the Virtual Assistant -- What is it?

Adult Education also offers classes in Belly Dancing, Bollywood Dancing, Line Dancing, a Thriller Dance Workshop for Adults, and a Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance.

Check our website for additional courses in Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, Self Defense for Women, Fitness for Women, Basketball, Volleyball, art, cooking, photography and more!

www.franklin.k12.ma.us select Lifelong from the top banner.

We hope to see you soon!

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Towns may get delay on river fix

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Towns may get delay on river fix

via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Jose Martinez, Globe Correspondent on 8/31/11

The next step in cleaning up the water flowing in the Charles River appears to be so costly that federal regulators are considering more than doubling the length of time given the test communities of Milford, Franklin, and Bellingham to reduce the amount of phosphorus pouring into the river from their shores.

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Final Prep for Job Search Jam Sessions

Friday is almost here. Have you registered for Job Search Jam Sessions? If you are looking for work, or know someone who is, this is the event to participate in. This will be your time to find out what others know, get your questions answered from those who can answer them, and get to network with others to build your listing of valuable connections.

How should I prepare?
Come to the event prepared to share something you have learned along the way. Come prepared for learn. Come prepared to network (bring business cards).

How should I dress?
Dress as you would for any other networking event, business casual or business comfortable. You still want to make a good first impression but a suit or tux is not required.

What does the facility look like?
Check out the brief video of the facility recorded during May 2010:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/2010/05/video-tour-of-job-search-jam-session.html

What will the schedule be?
Check out the overall schedule here:
http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/p/schedule.html

When do the doors open?
The registration/welcome desk will be open at 8:30 AM.
You can check in, pay at the door (if you elected to do that), and make a name tag.

Beginning at 9:00 AM (or thereabouts) we'll provide an overview of an unconference using the open space technology.

If you want to read up on the unconference format, you can find info here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?AboutOpenSpace
here
http://www.openspaceworld.org/cgi/wiki.cgi?WorkingInOpenSpace
and here:
http://podcamp.pbworks.com/ scroll down the page to view the section on how to "host a podcamp"

What is the registration fee being used for?
1 - We intentionally don't want to make money, we are all looking for work and recognize that funds are tight.
2 - We did want to charge something to ensure a reasonable headcount for planning purposes.

Hence, the $8 charge seems reasonable and allows us to plan a good event and to make a contribution to the church for the use of the facility.

Your registration fee ($8.00) paid via Eventbrite nets the organizing team approx. $6.50 (Eventbrite has a charge for processing the credit card).

From the $6.50 times however many people show up, we will plan for refreshments, lunch and will purchase accordingly.

All surplus funds will be donated to the St John the Evangelist Parish. The church has graciously allowed us use of the facility for free. A full accounting of the receipts and expenses will be provided to the attendees.

You can still talk about the event with your friends, neighbors and networked connections. Registrations will be taken at the door on Friday. You can share the event website http://jobsearchjamsessions.blogspot.com/

or have them go directly to the registration page http://jobsearchjamsessions2.eventbrite.com/


Thank you. See you soon!

The Job Search Jam Sessions organizing committee

"a lack of electricity four days after"

In Franklin, about 1,300 people were still without power as of noon yesterday, which is down from about 4,200 on Tuesday. 

Franklin Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said National Grid told officials in a meeting on Tuesday that power was supposed to be restored at the Municipal Center yesterday by 11 a.m., but wasn't. 

"The only people that dropped the ball are National Grid," said Nutting, praising town public safety departments and the DPW for their work during and after the storm. 

"We still have about 1,300 folks out of power. If you're one of those 1,300, it's getting a little thin after three days." 

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x227166423/Many-still-without-power-across-region#ixzz1Wgy4h0dG

Updated Fiscal Fallout Report & Updated Budget Browser

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102 Updates to Fiscal Fallout Report and MassBudget Budget Browser August 31, 2011    MassBudget has published an updated report Fiscal Fallout: The Great Recession, Policy Choices, and State Budget Cuts 2009-2012 (updated), examining state budget cuts since the onset of the current economic downturn.  The report builds on our prior edition published in April (which included cuts up through the Governor's FY 2012 budget proposal) and compares changes in major categories of state spending between FY 2009 and FY 2012.  The full report is available here and at www.massbudget.org.      In addition, MassBudget's interactive Budget Browser has been updated to include the FY 2012 budget and updated inflation data.  The Browser allows you to see historic spending amounts and trends by budget category and subcategory when you Compare Past Year Budgets; you can Compare Current Budget Proposals and you can Compare Current vs. Past Budgets.  In addition, you can drill down further in your search by choosing Search Line Items & Categories to compare spending levels for a single line item or group of line items from FY 2001 to present.    MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

YMCA - September Membership Promotion

The Hockomock Area YMCA announces their Fall Membership specials. Details are contained in the flyer here:


Flyer- Fall 2011 Promo


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New partnership with Greater Boston Food Bank

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

New partnership with Greater Boston Food Bank provides a way to reduce ‘food insecurity’ for families in the area

via Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services by Paulette Song on 8/29/11

By DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) is the first line of defense against hunger and currently serves one in eight Massachusetts residents .  But what happens to individuals and families who don't qualify for SNAP and are struggling to put food on their tables?  If a household's income is more than twice the federal poverty level (currently $22,350 per year for a family of four), they are not eligible for SNAP, but are likely in need of additional resources to make ends meet.  
I'm pleased to announce a new, innovative collaboration between the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) to distribute food to households who don't qualify for government benefits.
This exciting initiative involves two key components that are currently being piloted at our Dudley Square and Newmarket Square offices in Boston:

• First, DTA identifies households who are ineligible for SNAP but still at-risk of hunger.  We give them a voucher that allows them to pick up a box of produce and frozen meats at GBFB on designated distribution days.  These packages also include information about food pantries and community meal programs, food safety information, and recipes.

• Second, GBFB will supply boxes of dry, shelf-stable foods to create mini-pantries at DTA offices.  We will then provide these packages to SNAP applicants who have no other resources to tide them over until their benefits are approved.  We hope to have our mini-pantries up and running sometime this fall.

Our first food distribution day at GBFB was Saturday, August 20^th, and it was very successful.  Of the 25 families who were issued vouchers, 18 came to GBFB to pick up their food boxes.  Each family received 40 pounds of food including fruit, vegetables, milk, yogurt, frozen beef and chicken.  Families were encouraged to utilize the local food pantry network as a way to reduce their 'food insecurity,' or  inadequate food supply.   
DTA and GBFB will continue to evaluate this initiative and may expand it to include more DTA offices in the future.
The next food distribution day will take place on Saturday, September 10^th at the Greater Boston Food Bank. 

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In the News - schools, FSPA, FYHA

Franklin schools delayed until Sept. 6

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports

FSPA slates auditions for performing troupes

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

FYHA slates skating, hockey programs

from Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Beaver St Recycling Hours

Hello, this is Brutus Cantoreggi your director of Public Works calling with an important message about the leaf and brush drop offs and spoiled food drop offs at the Beaver St. recycling center. Do to the effects of Hurricane Irene, and to assist residents, the Beaver St Recycling Center will be open from 8AM to 6PM daily now through September 10th for leaf and brush drop offs except this Sunday. The Recycling Center will be closed all day this Sunday, Sept 3rd so we can grind the brush on site. The Recycling Center will reopen again on Labor Day Sept 4th at 8AM. A Beaver Street Recycling Sticker is required on all vehicles dropping of brush and leaves at the site. Stickers can be purchased at the Beaver St. recycling center. effective immediately, spoiled food can be dropped off in the designated dumpster at the Beaver Street Recycling Center. A sticker is not required for spoiled food drop offs. Further information can be found on the Town's website. Thank you for your patience and understanding. To listen to the above message, you will need audio software and speakers on your computer. This e-mail has been sent to you by TOWN OF FRANKLIN. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform TOWN OF FRANKLIN either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at (508) 520-4938. THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS NOT MONITORED. Please do not reply to this e-mail as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.