Franklin YMCA hosts Annual Youth Triathlon
Franklin, MA
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I love my white shoes
Reading is so important. Do you have good reading habits for your kids to pick up?
Cute girls
Author version
Kindergarten version
Franklin, MA
Cute girls
Author version
Kindergarten version
Our example to our children, to our families, and to the world around us is constant. The question is not whether or not anyone is watching, the question is what are they learning as they watch. -- Kirk Weisler
Franklin, MA
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Native Plants of Franklin
Did you recognize last week's mystery flower?
This is joe pye weed, another lovely native flower that is cursed with the name "weed". Joe pye is currently in bloom in sunny fields of Franklin alongside goldenrod.
(Thanks to wikimedia for this image.)
There are several types of joe pye weed, or Eutrochium, which in turn are in the aster family of plants. Joe pye weed is typically a dusty purple color when in bloom.
Much like goldenrod, Joe pye weed produces a clump of flowers on a tall and spindly stalk. It can form dramatic clumps. Click here to see what joe pye weed can look like in a flower garden.
Butterflies just love this flower.
Next up: sure looks tropical, doesn't it?
Post your guesses in the comments section, and have a great week!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
This is joe pye weed, another lovely native flower that is cursed with the name "weed". Joe pye is currently in bloom in sunny fields of Franklin alongside goldenrod.
(Thanks to wikimedia for this image.)
There are several types of joe pye weed, or Eutrochium, which in turn are in the aster family of plants. Joe pye weed is typically a dusty purple color when in bloom.
Much like goldenrod, Joe pye weed produces a clump of flowers on a tall and spindly stalk. It can form dramatic clumps. Click here to see what joe pye weed can look like in a flower garden.
Butterflies just love this flower.
Next up: sure looks tropical, doesn't it?
Post your guesses in the comments section, and have a great week!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
Town Council - Agenda - associated documents
The Town Council has an interesting set of discussions coming up this Wednesday evening. With the long weekend and hence the opportunity to do so reading, I thought I'd share the full document.
The DelCarte property discussion will be on the Finance Committee agenda for their vote Tuesday evening.
Franklin is getting to cleaning up the tax/title property is has. Per discussion with Jeff Nutting, this should be an annual exercise but this first batch gets the 'backlog' handled.
Some clean up of unused borrowing authorizations is on the agenda.
Franklin is looking to become a "Green Community" and proposing a committee of five town employees in order to apply for some grant money that will assist in generating further energy savings.
The public hearing for the downtown utilities is proposed for the Sep 29 Town Council meeting.
Town Council 20100908 Agenda document
Franklin, MA
The DelCarte property discussion will be on the Finance Committee agenda for their vote Tuesday evening.
Franklin is getting to cleaning up the tax/title property is has. Per discussion with Jeff Nutting, this should be an annual exercise but this first batch gets the 'backlog' handled.
Some clean up of unused borrowing authorizations is on the agenda.
Franklin is looking to become a "Green Community" and proposing a committee of five town employees in order to apply for some grant money that will assist in generating further energy savings.
The public hearing for the downtown utilities is proposed for the Sep 29 Town Council meeting.
Town Council 20100908 Agenda document
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - 9/08/10
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 4, 2010 and August 18, 2010
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council - C Kai Olsson
Historical Commission - Mary O'Neill, Mary Morrissey Olsson
Zoning Board of Appeals - Timothy C Twardowski
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-48: Appropriation – DelCarte Open Space Design & Permitting of Repairs to Dam
2. Resolution 10-49:Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Municipal Parking Garage
3. Resolution 10-50: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Construction of Fire Station
4. Resolution 10-51: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Fire Ladder Truck
5. Resolution 10-52: Scheduling of Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires, and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area
6. Resolution 10-53: Creation of Energy Committee
7. Resolution 10-54: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
8. Bylaw Amendment 10-649: Amendment to Sewer System Map, Coutu Street- 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS -Meetings of the Town Council are Recorded
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
Cultural Council - C Kai Olsson
Historical Commission - Mary O'Neill, Mary Morrissey Olsson
Zoning Board of Appeals - Timothy C Twardowski
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 10-48: Appropriation – DelCarte Open Space Design & Permitting of Repairs to Dam
2. Resolution 10-49:Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Municipal Parking Garage
3. Resolution 10-50: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Construction of Fire Station
4. Resolution 10-51: Rescission of Authorization to Borrow, Fire Ladder Truck
5. Resolution 10-52: Scheduling of Public Hearing to Consider Removal of Utility Poles, Overhead Wires, and Associated Overhead Structures in Downtown Area
6. Resolution 10-53: Creation of Energy Committee
7. Resolution 10-54: Transfer of Tax Title Possession Parcels to Different Municipal Purposes
8. Bylaw Amendment 10-649: Amendment to Sewer System Map, Coutu Street- 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Friday, September 3, 2010
We are all serving a life sentence
The School Dept posts a "thought for the day" on a white board as you come to the top of the stairs on the 3rd floor at the Municipal Bldg.
The quote from Thursday was a good one and well worth stopping for the moment it took to snap this photo.
"We are all serving a life sentence and good behavior is our only hope for a pardon."
Franklin, MA
The quote from Thursday was a good one and well worth stopping for the moment it took to snap this photo.
"We are all serving a life sentence and good behavior is our only hope for a pardon."
Franklin, MA
Friendly reminder: recycle your electronics on Saturday!
Friendly reminder:
I am posting this here for two reasons, one to help the Blackstone Valley area and two, if you have electronics to recycle, Cranston is not a bad drive from here.
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, a program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and in partnership with REI Cranston and Indie Cycle, LCC will hold an electronics recycling drive on Saturday, September 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, located at 22 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston.
“This electronics recycling drive is being held in conjunction with REI’s annual Labor Day sale,” said Mathhew DeMello, Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful program coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA member. .
Residents are encouraged to recycle the following items, all free of charge: computers, servers, printers, televisions, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, laptops, UPS battery back-ups, and stereo equipment. No other items will be accepted.
Donations benefit the environmental programs of Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful. For more information, call 724-2200 or visit www.KeepBlackstoneValleyBeautiful.com.
Indie Cycle, LLC, a Providence-based company, recycles the electronic items. Their zero-waste policy means that everything is reused, resold, reclaimed or recycled.
About the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Established in 1985, the agency’s mission is to create positive change with regard to community values by developing and promoting coordinated, responsible and sustainable tourism in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley communities. To plan and collaborate with intrastate, state, regional, national and international organizations to sustain and enhance the character of our destination, and to develop the public and private natural, historic, cultural, ethnic, industrial, recreational, educational, special events, artistic and commercial resources in Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.
About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit public education organization dedicated since 1953 to engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their local community environments. For half a century, Keep America Beautiful has been the nation’s leading community improvement organization successfully implementing an effective, systematic strategy for reducing waste, preventing litter and beautifying communities nationwide.
About Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful serves as the environmental education and awareness program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. We are focusing on preventing litter, reducing waste and beautifying our communities by working with government, business and civic groups in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket. We work with these cities and towns to understand their specific needs and to create programs that will enhance their landscapes. Emily Soergel, the program coordinator, is sponsored by AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Visit the event's Facebook page
Franklin, MA
I am posting this here for two reasons, one to help the Blackstone Valley area and two, if you have electronics to recycle, Cranston is not a bad drive from here.
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, a program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and in partnership with REI Cranston and Indie Cycle, LCC will hold an electronics recycling drive on Saturday, September 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, located at 22 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston.
“This electronics recycling drive is being held in conjunction with REI’s annual Labor Day sale,” said Mathhew DeMello, Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful program coordinator and AmeriCorps*VISTA member. .
Residents are encouraged to recycle the following items, all free of charge: computers, servers, printers, televisions, CRT monitors, LCD monitors, laptops, UPS battery back-ups, and stereo equipment. No other items will be accepted.
Donations benefit the environmental programs of Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful. For more information, call 724-2200 or visit www.KeepBlackstoneValleyBeautiful.com.
Indie Cycle, LLC, a Providence-based company, recycles the electronic items. Their zero-waste policy means that everything is reused, resold, reclaimed or recycled.
About the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
Established in 1985, the agency’s mission is to create positive change with regard to community values by developing and promoting coordinated, responsible and sustainable tourism in Rhode Island’s Blackstone Valley communities. To plan and collaborate with intrastate, state, regional, national and international organizations to sustain and enhance the character of our destination, and to develop the public and private natural, historic, cultural, ethnic, industrial, recreational, educational, special events, artistic and commercial resources in Pawtucket, Central Falls, Cumberland, Lincoln, Woonsocket, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester.
About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful is a national nonprofit public education organization dedicated since 1953 to engaging individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their local community environments. For half a century, Keep America Beautiful has been the nation’s leading community improvement organization successfully implementing an effective, systematic strategy for reducing waste, preventing litter and beautifying communities nationwide.
About Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful
Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful serves as the environmental education and awareness program of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. We are focusing on preventing litter, reducing waste and beautifying our communities by working with government, business and civic groups in Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket. We work with these cities and towns to understand their specific needs and to create programs that will enhance their landscapes. Emily Soergel, the program coordinator, is sponsored by AmeriCorps*VISTA.
Visit the event's Facebook page
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: tower truck exercises
Regular exercise is good for the body. Regular exercise is also necessary to ensure equipment is in good condition, especially when it can make a difference in saving a life or a building.
Tower One was getting exercised on Thursday morning.
Franklin, MA
Tower One was getting exercised on Thursday morning.
Franklin, MA
Chamber of Commerce updates
A couple of updates on the United Regional Chamber of Commerce front:
1 - EXECUTIVE EXPRESS-O SEPT. 10
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce, 42 Union St., Attleboro, is hosting the next Executive Express-O meeting on Fri., Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. This month’s topic is “Perfecting Your Elevator Speech. Generate Interest, not Boredom!" The seminar is free to attend, but registration is requested. Register by calling 508-958-3681 or charlie.miller@vistage.com. Future dates of Executive Express-O are Oct.1 and Nov. 12. Executive Express-O is sponsored by The United Regional Chamber of Commerce and Vistage.
2 - CHAMBER HOSTING TWO GRANT WORKSHOPS
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting two grant workshops on Thurs., Sept. 9 at its Attleboro office, 42 Union St. Admission is free. Register by calling 508-222-0801.
The first workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The workshop will explain The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Express Program. The Training Fund Express Program is accepting applications from organizations with 50 or fewer employees in Massachusetts that contribute to the Workforce Training Fund via DUA/UI investments. Training funded by this program should address the priorities of the fund which include projects that will result in job retention, job growth or increased wages and for projects where training would make a difference in the company's productivity, competitiveness, and ability to do business in Massachusetts.
The second workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to noon and will explain The Department of Industrial Accident's Office of Safety and Health Education's Training Grants and how to apply for them. Last year, a number of Chamber member organizations attended this meeting, applied for these grants and received them. Grants are considered for any type of safety training. Examples are, but are not limited to, ergonomics, crisis prevention, work zone safety, OSHA, and aging workforce topics.
------
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.
Note: I joined the Chamber in 2009. This membership has been beneficial because it has helped me understand what it takes to do business in Franklin which in turn I think has helped me share what matters in Franklin.
1 - EXECUTIVE EXPRESS-O SEPT. 10
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce, 42 Union St., Attleboro, is hosting the next Executive Express-O meeting on Fri., Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. This month’s topic is “Perfecting Your Elevator Speech. Generate Interest, not Boredom!" The seminar is free to attend, but registration is requested. Register by calling 508-958-3681 or charlie.miller@vistage.com. Future dates of Executive Express-O are Oct.1 and Nov. 12. Executive Express-O is sponsored by The United Regional Chamber of Commerce and Vistage.
2 - CHAMBER HOSTING TWO GRANT WORKSHOPS
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is hosting two grant workshops on Thurs., Sept. 9 at its Attleboro office, 42 Union St. Admission is free. Register by calling 508-222-0801.
The first workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The workshop will explain The Massachusetts Workforce Training Fund Express Program. The Training Fund Express Program is accepting applications from organizations with 50 or fewer employees in Massachusetts that contribute to the Workforce Training Fund via DUA/UI investments. Training funded by this program should address the priorities of the fund which include projects that will result in job retention, job growth or increased wages and for projects where training would make a difference in the company's productivity, competitiveness, and ability to do business in Massachusetts.
The second workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to noon and will explain The Department of Industrial Accident's Office of Safety and Health Education's Training Grants and how to apply for them. Last year, a number of Chamber member organizations attended this meeting, applied for these grants and received them. Grants are considered for any type of safety training. Examples are, but are not limited to, ergonomics, crisis prevention, work zone safety, OSHA, and aging workforce topics.
------
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.
Note: I joined the Chamber in 2009. This membership has been beneficial because it has helped me understand what it takes to do business in Franklin which in turn I think has helped me share what matters in Franklin.
Clarification on grant money
There is a key clarification to the notification of the grant awarded here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1169807703/-300-000-grant-to-help-towns-deal-with-runoff-mandate
The money is to be used by the EPA to provide consultants to help the three communities (Bellingham, Milford, and Franklin) make progress on the 'storm water utility' being proposed as part of the overall permitting process. The consultants should be a good help in this matter as the communities generally don't have the resources and or skills to devote to this aspect of the development.
Thanks to Jeff Nutting for sharing this nuance on the grant.
Additional information on the storm water permit which is open for comments through Sep 30, 2010 can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html
Franklin, MA
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1169807703/-300-000-grant-to-help-towns-deal-with-runoff-mandate
The money is to be used by the EPA to provide consultants to help the three communities (Bellingham, Milford, and Franklin) make progress on the 'storm water utility' being proposed as part of the overall permitting process. The consultants should be a good help in this matter as the communities generally don't have the resources and or skills to devote to this aspect of the development.
Thanks to Jeff Nutting for sharing this nuance on the grant.
Additional information on the storm water permit which is open for comments through Sep 30, 2010 can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/epa-storm-water-proposal-information.html
Franklin, MA
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Fund raiser for Cavossa Family
The Cavossa Family was one of those left out on the sidewalk by the fire last week.
The Franklin Elks are putting together a fund raising event on Saturday, Sep 11 from 7:00 PM until midnight at the Elks on Pond St.
Tickets are $25/person and available at the door. There will be a buffet dinner, music and dancing.
Franklin, MA
The Franklin Elks are putting together a fund raising event on Saturday, Sep 11 from 7:00 PM until midnight at the Elks on Pond St.
Tickets are $25/person and available at the door. There will be a buffet dinner, music and dancing.
If you hear of any other fund raising efforts for the residents of 125 East Central St. let me know. I'd like to share that information here.
Franklin, MA
Dean College: President's Cup Golf Tournament
The 14th annual Dean College President’s Cup Golf Tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at the New England Country Club, Bellingham, MA.
Check-in, registration and breakfast begins at 8 a.m. The tournament begins with a shotgun start and scramble format at 9 a.m., and concludes with a luncheon and awards at 2 p.m.
For more information or to register, please contact the Dean College Office of alumni relations at 1-888-711-3326, or go online to https://www.dean.edu/forms/golfregistration.aspx
Franklin, MA
Check-in, registration and breakfast begins at 8 a.m. The tournament begins with a shotgun start and scramble format at 9 a.m., and concludes with a luncheon and awards at 2 p.m.
For more information or to register, please contact the Dean College Office of alumni relations at 1-888-711-3326, or go online to https://www.dean.edu/forms/golfregistration.aspx
Franklin, MA
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Mark Your Calendar for September 8th
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Growing In Franklin by Franklin Community Gardens on 8/31/10
For Immediate Release:
Franklin Group Plans For New Community Garden
Would you like to be a part of a new Community Garden in Franklin?
Would you like to grow fresh and healthy food?
We are group of new and seasoned gardeners who would like to start a large community garden in Franklin with separate plots available for individuals, families and community groups as well as a "Giving Garden" for the Franklin Food Pantry. This vision is a continuation of the Healthy Futures Harvest Garden Project, started earlier this spring as free-standing raised garden beds placed throughout our community.
Please join us for a planning session Wednesday evening September 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Franklin YMCA Bernon Family Branch, 45 Forge Hill Rd. Now is the time to plan for next spring! No experience is necessary.
Come help us grow our garden dream into homegrown food on your plate!
For more info, contact Lauren at 774-235-2737, email Amy at franklincommunitygardens@gmail.com or read more on the new blog at http://www.franklincommunitygardens.org/
August 31, 2010 - Contacts:
Lauren Marciszyn, Franklin YMCA, 774-235-2737
Amy Acevedo, committee member, 508-520-7018
Event Date is Wednesday September 8, 2010
---------------------------------
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Growing In Franklin using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - 8/31/10
The School Committee did get their brief agenda posted on the new 'open meeting' window at the Municipal Bldg.
You can find it amongst the other meeting notices also posted there as you approach the door from the parking lot. On the other side of the window is the Town Clerk offices to complete the orientation of where this is.
Oh, and the agenda item of note is:
Franklin, MA
You can find it amongst the other meeting notices also posted there as you approach the door from the parking lot. On the other side of the window is the Town Clerk offices to complete the orientation of where this is.
Oh, and the agenda item of note is:
Discussion Only Items - Budget
Franklin, MA
American consumers ... a 'eureka' moment!
Director of the New America Foundation Energy Policy Initiative, Lisa Margonelli writes about the global culture and economy of energy in this TEDx talk:
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Franklin, MA
So the thing about water oil spills is that they are very politically galvanizing. I mean, these pictures -- this is from the Santa Barbara spill. You have these pictures of birds. They really influence people. When the Santa Barbara spill happened in 1969, it formed the environmental movement in its modern form. It started Earth Day. It also put in place the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. Everything that we are really stemmed from this period. I think it's important to kind of look at these pictures of the birds and understand what happens to us. He we are normally; we're standing at the gas pump, and we're feeling kind of helpless. We look at these pictures, and we understand, for the first time, our role in this supply chain. We connect the dots in the supply chain. And we have this kind of -- as voters, we have kind of a "eureka!" moment. This is why these moments of these oil spills are so important. But it's also really important that we don't get distracted by the theater or the morals of it. We actually need to go in and work on the roots of the problem.
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
Franklin, MA
Monday, August 30, 2010
Parmenter School: Student drop off/pick up process
The letter to the Parents of the Parmenter School:
Parmenter_ParentLetter_20100826
The drop off/pick up process for Parmenter School during the Wachusett St construction:
ParmenterDropOffProcess_20100830
These were originally posted to the Franklin website:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/015E89DE-000F8513
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/015E8A02-000F8513
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents.
Parmenter_ParentLetter_20100826
The drop off/pick up process for Parmenter School during the Wachusett St construction:
ParmenterDropOffProcess_20100830
These were originally posted to the Franklin website:
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/015E89DE-000F8513
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/015E8A02-000F8513
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the documents.
Parmenter School: rain gardens
The construction work on the rain gardens at the Parmenter School may get finished before school opens but the road work certainly won't be. Parents in the Parmenter community should be getting special instructions on what to do for drop off and pick up of students when school opens on Sep 1.
There are rain gardens in front of school, in the parking lot and another in the back of school. On a recent run by the school, I stopped to take these photos. The rain gardens are designed to catch rain (storm water) and filter it through several layers of material.
As construction makes progress, I'll try and get photos to show the other layers of material.
Franklin, MA
There are rain gardens in front of school, in the parking lot and another in the back of school. On a recent run by the school, I stopped to take these photos. The rain gardens are designed to catch rain (storm water) and filter it through several layers of material.
This view shows a cloth covering providing one layer of the filter material.
As construction makes progress, I'll try and get photos to show the other layers of material.
Franklin, MA
Podcamp Boston 5 – September 25 & 26, 2010
Are you ready for the future?
Are you new to new media like blogging, podcasting, Twitter, Facebook, and wondering where to get started?
Are you a veteran of all things 2.0 and wondering what to learn next to propel you into future success?
PodCamp Boston, now in its 5th year, aims to help you answer these questions and many more. On September 25-26, 2010 at the facility of Microsoft New England Research and Development Center, PodCamp Boston will bring together the best and the brightest - including you - for two days of learning, sharing, and growing your social media skills.
Who should attend PodCamp Boston?
You. It doesn't matter where you are on your social media journey, whether you just starting Tweeting yesterday or whether you're one of the decade-long bloggers. It doesn't matter whether you're the CEO of a Fortune 50, a director of a non-profit, or a guy who likes to knit on the air. What does matter is that you are an expert in something. You have questions AND answers, and PodCamp Boston is the best opportunity to contribute and learn all at once.
What will you learn at PodCamp Boston?
PodCamp is driven by what YOU want to learn and share. Twitter? Sure. Facebook? Of course. Blogging? Definitely. Podcasting? By the bucket. Last year we introduced a way to have more conversations and less presenting with discussions. This year we want to continue that success and give you the opportunity to learn about the things that would help YOU.
More important, we want you, as you register, to consider leading a session in which you pose a burning question that you absolutely must get the answer to. Maybe you need to know how to figure out the ROI of Facebook. Maybe you need to learn how to make great Internet video. Whatever your burning question is, we want you to ask it at PodCamp.
Take a look at some of the planned topics:
- Clearing the Hurdles - on pitching social media marketing initiatives
- Blogging 100/101/102
- Preparing for the future - What tips, techniques, tactics, and ideas can we share for preparing for the future?
- Monitoring, Management & the Promise of Social CRM
- Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare... It's Taking Over Our Lives!
- Social Media for Fundraising and Nonprofit Marketing
PodCamp Boston 5 is a mere $50 to participate, but we guarantee you'll get so much more. Not only will you benefit but the net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank feeding some very hungry kids in the Boston area. Register today, as we've only got a little over a hundred spots left, and they're going wicked fast.
Register now for PodCamp Boston »
After you've registered, share this with your network and invite them to come to PodCamp Boston with you!
SHARE THIS EMAIL: | ||||
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We'll see you there!
PodCamp Boston 5 is sponsored by the Microsoft NERD Center, our venue sponsor.
Email outreach is sponsored by Blue Sky Factory.
To no longer receive information about PodCamp Boston 5, update your communications preferences here.
One Memorial Drive
Suite 100
Cambridge, MA 02142
Franklin, MA
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Harmony from the Heart
A good night for a good cause.
FUNDRAISER FOR PLATELET RESEARCH
FRIDAY OCTOBER 1, 2010
LAKE PEARL LUCIANO'S
WRENTHAM MA
6:30PM - 11:30PM
ENTERTAINMENT:
Kai Olsson
Peter Paulousky
PT 73
THE DRIVE
Toby Olsson
$25.00 In Advance
$30.00 At the door
You can check out the Facebook page here.
Franklin, MA
FUNDRAISER FOR PLATELET RESEARCH
FRIDAY OCTOBER 1, 2010
LAKE PEARL LUCIANO'S
WRENTHAM MA
6:30PM - 11:30PM
ENTERTAINMENT:
Kai Olsson
Peter Paulousky
PT 73
THE DRIVE
Toby Olsson
$25.00 In Advance
$30.00 At the door
You can check out the Facebook page here.
Franklin, MA
Clipper Magazine
The Clipper Magazine delivered with your regular postal mail this week is full of good coupons for restaurants and other retail outlets in the area.
Maguro House is featured on the cover:
Inside, there is a page with Clipper Cash coupons for other local restaurants:
Grab your copy before it gets into the recycle pile.
If someone did toss it already, you can find a copy of this issue on line here: http://couponclipper.com/c-tb/www.pageturnpro.com/Clipper-Magazine/17841-015610210/index.html/zip/02038
Franklin, MA
Grab your copy before it gets into the recycle pile.
If someone did toss it already, you can find a copy of this issue on line here: http://couponclipper.com/c-tb/www.pageturnpro.com/Clipper-Magazine/17841-015610210/index.html/zip/02038
Franklin, MA
Underground Utilities - survey results
The question was:
Yes - 22
No - 44
A convincing 2-1 ratio of No to Yes.
The survey had been introduced here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
The collection of Downtown Improvement Project posts can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/downtown-improvement-project-collection.html
Franklin, MA
WOULD YOU PAY APPROX. $70 TO PUT THE UTILITIES UNDERGROUND?The results were
Yes - 22
No - 44
A convincing 2-1 ratio of No to Yes.
The survey had been introduced here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/franklin-ma-underground-utilities.html
The collection of Downtown Improvement Project posts can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/downtown-improvement-project-collection.html
Franklin, MA
Special - Dinner for Two - $20
The Rome Restaurant is running a Dinner for Two Special for $20. The special is available on Tue-Wed-Thu only but well worth it,
For those who have been to the Rome, you know the food is good. For those who haven't been, this is well worth a visit.
Note: The Rome happens to be one of our favorite places to go. We had stopped in on Friday night and weren't eligible for the special. We paid full price for the meal and enjoyed a great dinner.
Franklin, MA
For those who have been to the Rome, you know the food is good. For those who haven't been, this is well worth a visit.
Note: The Rome happens to be one of our favorite places to go. We had stopped in on Friday night and weren't eligible for the special. We paid full price for the meal and enjoyed a great dinner.
Franklin, MA
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Native Plants of Franklin
Hello Franklin! Did you recognize last week's mystery native, perhaps because it grows in the cracks of your driveway, or between the mulch and the curb of the grocery store parking lot?
This plant is called spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) and if you grow anything at all out-of-doors in New England, then you have likely plucked out this plant as a weed.
This is what it looks like when spotted spurge is left to its own devices for a few months. It grows absolutely flat against the ground, and has a lovely tinge of purple to its stems and leaves. Spurge is an annual plant that flourishes in hot, dry conditions that kill everything else.
I am a bit baffled as to why every source considers this plant to be just a weed, worthy only of killing, and I am currently leaving it to grow in parts of my garden to see how it does as a groundcover. So far it has been great! It was one of the only plants that didn't seem to suffer during the drought.
Just for fun, here is a closer look. This plant is in bloom. There they are: each flower is barely a millimeter across.
And here is next week's flower. Do you know what it is?
Feel free to post your guesses in the comments section here. Cheers!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
This plant is called spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) and if you grow anything at all out-of-doors in New England, then you have likely plucked out this plant as a weed.
This is what it looks like when spotted spurge is left to its own devices for a few months. It grows absolutely flat against the ground, and has a lovely tinge of purple to its stems and leaves. Spurge is an annual plant that flourishes in hot, dry conditions that kill everything else.
I am a bit baffled as to why every source considers this plant to be just a weed, worthy only of killing, and I am currently leaving it to grow in parts of my garden to see how it does as a groundcover. So far it has been great! It was one of the only plants that didn't seem to suffer during the drought.
Just for fun, here is a closer look. This plant is in bloom. There they are: each flower is barely a millimeter across.
And here is next week's flower. Do you know what it is?
Feel free to post your guesses in the comments section here. Cheers!
Michelle Clay writes about gardening here in Franklin at the Clueless Gardeners Blog.
Franklin, MA
Friday, August 27, 2010
Farmers Market - today - noon to 6:00 PM
"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day."
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/hardertheycome/icanseeclearlynow.htm
The Farmers Market will be open on the Town Common today from noon - 6:00 PM.
Franklin, MA
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day."
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/hardertheycome/icanseeclearlynow.htm
The Farmers Market will be open on the Town Common today from noon - 6:00 PM.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Attn: Business Owners - Training Grant Money Available!
How to Stop Eating Crap to Stop Feeling Like Crap
This "Howcast" is one of a series on healthy eating.
What do you need?
You Will Need
The Franklin Food Pantry website can be found here: http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
What do you need?
You Will Need
Portion-size guide
Vegetables and fruit
Whole grains
Healthy drinks
Restraint
Grass-fed beef (optional)
The Franklin Food Pantry website can be found here: http://franklinfoodpantry.org/
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video.
EPA Storm water proposal information
Reminder that the last informational meeting for the proposed storm water permit process will be held today in Milford.
A summary of the storm water permit process can be viewed here:
2010 08 18 Summary of RDA Storm Water General Permit
The presentation used for the Aug 18, 2010 information meeting can be found here:
EPA Information Meeting – August 18, 2010_HANDOUTS
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the documents on Franklin Matters.
Franklin, MA
Thursday, August 26, at 10:00 AM at the Physician's Conference Room (First Floor) in the Milford Regional Medical Center, located at 14 Prospect Street, Milford. Free parking is available at the Cancer Center, directly across the street from the Hospital, on Prospect Street
A summary of the storm water permit process can be viewed here:
2010 08 18 Summary of RDA Storm Water General Permit
The presentation used for the Aug 18, 2010 information meeting can be found here:
EPA Information Meeting – August 18, 2010_HANDOUTS
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to view the documents on Franklin Matters.
Franklin, MA
$3 Million in Additional Education Funds for MetroWest
Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced today that six MetroWest towns in her district will receive $3,111,517 in additional education funding thanks to the federal Education Jobs Fund signed into law by President Obama on August 10, 2010.
Under the allocation of funding, which is designed to preserve teaching jobs, Ashland will receive $253,982, Franklin will receive $1,295,418, Holliston will receive $343,005, Hopkinton will receive $315,671, Medway will receive $484,561 and Natick will receive $418,880.
“This additional federal money allows Chapter 70 education aid to be fully funded in every community in the state,” state Senator Spilka. “This announcement, coming on the heels of $250 million in Race to the Top funds, demonstrates how, by working together, we can translate the Commonwealth’s single-minded commitment to education into results.”
The $204 million from the federal Education Jobs Fund to school districts across the Commonwealth brings state support for public schools to its highest level in history. A combination of state and federal dollars totaling $4.07 billion will ensure all school districts receive more state aid - at least $25 per student - than they did last year. The new funding will support an estimated 2,700 teaching positions across the state.
The Education Jobs Fund provides $26 billion nationwide to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees. The Commonwealth's $204 million appropriation will be directly distributed to school districts through the state's education funding formula and combined with state and federal funds to ensure that every school district across the state meets its foundation level budget for the 2010-2011 school year. With this new infusion of federal funding, Chapter 70 will be fully funded without using nearly $60 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds available for general government purposes.
This year the state will commit nearly $3.85 billion in Chapter 70 education funds to cities and towns. By combining these state dollars with $204 million in Education Jobs Funds and $20.7 million in existing ARRA funds, the state will meet its commitment to helping every school district reach foundation level spending targets in Fiscal Year 2011.
Yesterday, Massachusetts received $250 million from the federal Race to the Top program. These funds will be used to implement landmark education reforms, including providing new and more immediate opportunities to turn around underperforming schools and close achievement gaps, expand access to successful charter schools and authorize new Innovation Schools to provide greater choice for students and their families.
Franklin, MA
Under the allocation of funding, which is designed to preserve teaching jobs, Ashland will receive $253,982, Franklin will receive $1,295,418, Holliston will receive $343,005, Hopkinton will receive $315,671, Medway will receive $484,561 and Natick will receive $418,880.
“This additional federal money allows Chapter 70 education aid to be fully funded in every community in the state,” state Senator Spilka. “This announcement, coming on the heels of $250 million in Race to the Top funds, demonstrates how, by working together, we can translate the Commonwealth’s single-minded commitment to education into results.”
The $204 million from the federal Education Jobs Fund to school districts across the Commonwealth brings state support for public schools to its highest level in history. A combination of state and federal dollars totaling $4.07 billion will ensure all school districts receive more state aid - at least $25 per student - than they did last year. The new funding will support an estimated 2,700 teaching positions across the state.
The Education Jobs Fund provides $26 billion nationwide to preserve jobs for teachers and other school-based employees. The Commonwealth's $204 million appropriation will be directly distributed to school districts through the state's education funding formula and combined with state and federal funds to ensure that every school district across the state meets its foundation level budget for the 2010-2011 school year. With this new infusion of federal funding, Chapter 70 will be fully funded without using nearly $60 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds available for general government purposes.
This year the state will commit nearly $3.85 billion in Chapter 70 education funds to cities and towns. By combining these state dollars with $204 million in Education Jobs Funds and $20.7 million in existing ARRA funds, the state will meet its commitment to helping every school district reach foundation level spending targets in Fiscal Year 2011.
Yesterday, Massachusetts received $250 million from the federal Race to the Top program. These funds will be used to implement landmark education reforms, including providing new and more immediate opportunities to turn around underperforming schools and close achievement gaps, expand access to successful charter schools and authorize new Innovation Schools to provide greater choice for students and their families.
Franklin, MA
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