"the person who grew the product"

The Milford Daily News writes about the expansion of farmers markets. Franklin's market operates on Fridays from noon to 6:00 PM on the Town Common.

With demand high for local food, the number of farmers markets in the state has doubled in five years and the number of small farms has also grown significantly, farm and market federations say. 

“The trend is that more and more people are caring about where their food comes from and interested in trying to sustain themselves a little bit more locally,” said Martha Sweet, operations manager at the Waltham-based Federation of Massachusetts Farmers Markets. 

Residents of MetroWest and the Milford area don’t have to go far to find pitched tents and fresh produce.

Farmers market photo taken Friday, Jun 15 at the Grateful Farm tent.
Visit Grateful Farm on their website http://www.gratefulfarm.com/

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x448221759/Farmers-markets-on-the-upswing#ixzz1y34UVZuW

"vital to their self-assessment"

The Milford Daily News has an article on the annual police staffing ratio released by the FBI. A survey of the communities in the MetroWest region shows the following: (Bold added for emphasis)

Marlborough and Framingham’s ratios come in at just under 1.7, while Shrewsbury was the lowest department surveyed at 1.2. 

Many chiefs noted they had not received a new position in years, including Northborough (1998), Holliston (2007), Hudson (2001) and Sudbury (2001). 

Marlborough Chief Mark Leonard said the city hasn’t increased its number of sworn officers since 1988. 

The most well-staffed Milford-area town is Mendon, with just more than two officers per thousand residents, while the lowest was Franklin with 1.39.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345282287/Police-department-staffing-levels-below-regional-averages#ixzz1y32VAj9J

In the News: Electric Youth, Sweatt Beach, Fast Lane

‘Electric Youth’ embarks on 2012 European concert tour

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

The Electric Youth performed for the Town Council at a recent meeting. You can tune into the meeting to view the performance here 

Sunny days at Sweatt Beach: Officials look to lure people back to Pearl's shore

by Heather McCarron/STAFF WRITER

Mass Pike says goodbye to ‘Fast Lane’

by Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Summer Fun at the Y...Something for Everyone!

Online Registration   |   Our Facebook Page   |  Our Website                                                                            HOCKOMOCK AREA YMCA                                                                                                                          JOIN US FOR SUMMER CAMP & CLASSES! Our Camp Season Starts: This Monday, June 18th! Our Summer 1 Classes Begin: The Week of June 25th!   Click here to view our camps & download camp registraton forms. Click Foxboro  Franklin or North Attleboro to view classes & plan your fun summer!  (For Aquatics classes, please click here & then click on your branch for offerings). EXPANDING YOUR EXPERIENCE FOXBORO OUTDOOR      POOL OPENING! SATURDAY, JUNE 23 11:30AM-1:30 PM Join Us for Olympic-Themed Games & Activities as we Celebrate the Opening of our NEW SPIER FAMILY Outdoor Aquatics Center! Franklin & North Attleboro Outdoor Pool Opening Celebrations! Saturday, June 16 Summer Hours:  All 3 outdoor pools will be open to members for family swim (+ 1 lap lane) Mon-Fri from 1-7pm and Sat & Sun from 12:30-6:00pm.                 'SPLASH' INTO SUMMER! 'Splash' Starts Mon, June 18th. 'Splash' is a 5-day swim & safety program for ages 3-12. Offered this Mon-Fri, June 18-22.  Teaches children basic swimming techniques & a variety of safety & rescue skills, including beach, backyard pool, & boat safety! For beginner & intermediate swimmers. Only $25 for a whole week of lessons! Members & Non-members welcome!  To register: (members) click here or visit any of our Member Service Desks (both members or non-members)    Foxboro 'Splash' Sponsored by OUR CAUSE IS OUR COMMUNITY Reach Out for Youth & Families  We are on the final leg of the Y's annual campaign, the  Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign. We are 74% to our goal of raising $650,000. 100% of every $ is re-invested back into our community to help our neighbors live healthier, happier lives.  If you have not given yet, please consider making a gift to ROFY today.  To learn more about the Power of Y Voices, click here.  2 GREAT FAMILY EVENTS... Triathlon at Lake Pearl Sunday, July, 22, 2012 Start time: 8:00am EST    Luciano's Lake Pearl 299 Creek Street Wrentham, MA 508.695.7001 Register Today! MAKE IT A FAMILY DAY! RUN FOR BOB 5K Join me at the 8th annual Run for Bob. This event welcomes individuals and families of all abilities.  Secure your spot in this popular Walk · Run · Roll today.  (Early bird savings will end at midnight tonight, Friday, 6/15!) For more info and to register, click here The Hockomock Area Y is                   providing Stewards of Children child protection training for adults in the community.   Tues, June 26, 2012 (register by June 22)  6:30pm-9:00pm North Attleboro Police Facility 120 South Washington St, North Attleboro For more info, click here. Contact Tony Calcia at 508.643.5226 or tonyc@hockymca.org to schedule a training in your community. For program information, visit www.d2l.org. www.hockymca.org              facebook.com/hockomockareaymca

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Good time for a car wash!

The Parmenter school has timed it just right with good weather and Father's Day on Sunday to hold their annual car wash this Saturday

In the News: unemployment rate

Mass. unemployment rate down to 6 percent

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

If only the number were real. The process of counting unemployment is flawed and has been for years. Nothing to celebrate with this number.

Given the slowness of the recovery, another stimulus might be a good idea

10 Reasons Why Public Policies Rescued the U.S. Economy

from Center for American Progress by Christian E. Weller

In the News: open house, Sons of Italy

Preschool Exploration open house at Dean College, June 19

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Tri-County Web kids work wonders

by Matt Tota/Daily News staff

(Note: There should be a button to turn off the auto-play music when you visit the Sons of Italy web site)

"those things are done, I’m going to move on"

Rep Jim Vallee just announced that he would be stepping down immediately from his position in the House. He had previously announced he would not run again this November but at the time it seemed he would stay in the role until then. Given the House schedule and Rep Vallee's new opportunity, it does make sense to move on.

“I have a new job, and they want me to work,” Vallee, D-Franklin, said. “I had a job opportunity that started and, you know, they want me to go to work. I had some things I wanted to get accomplished … and I wanted to ensure that the budget was completed. And now that those things are done, I’m going to move on.” 

“It wasn’t a secret: I got a job opportunity. I took it. I served 18 years. My office will be staffed. And there will be someone available to answer the phones and work on constituent issues,” he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x681113347/State-Rep-Vallee-abruptly-resigns-his-seat#ixzz1xlALtyms

Social media forum Thursday night in Franklin

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Social media forum Thursday night in Franklin

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 6/13/12

Milford's Center for Adolescent and Young Adult Health wants parents to be aware of the dangers of social media and to discuss the issues openly in hopes of finding solutions.

The center will host a parent roundtable from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin, 45 Forge Hill Road. YMCA staff will be on hand to go over strategies for teaching teens smart ways to use social media.

The cost to register is $10 per person and $15 for groups of two. Register online at www.yourteen.org.

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

Franklin Public Library: Survey

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Library Survey

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 6/13/12

How Are We Doing? The Franklin Public Library is committed to the efficient delivery of high-quality services and wants all customers to have an inviting and welcoming experience. Please take the time to tell us about your most recent visit and how we are doing. Any suggestions will assist us in serving you better.

Click here to take the survey

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“We are very thin administratively"

From the School Committee meeting Tuesday night, Milford Daily News reported:

“You look at the list of schools (they will be attending),” Light said, “and it was by far the most impressive list of schools we’ve ever seen at Franklin High School.” 

Light credited the student schedule implemented this year in helping foster the success of the school’s marquee self-directed-learning program. 

The self-directed learning program gives students, during one of their free periods, the opportunity to pursue personalized courses of study. 

“They have the freedom to create their own learning goals,” Light said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1225004404/Franklin-High-principal-pleased-with-how-school-year-went#ixzz1xfFu94jk

Flower power

Downtown Franklin is looking bright and cheerful with the colorful flowers in key spots. Thanks to the Downtown Partnership and all the volunteers for making this happen!




Note: Franklin Matters maintains membership in the Franklin Downtown Partnership. The cost of membership for a citizen to join is only $25.00. If you are interested in Franklin, this might be a good thing to do! Membership forms can be found on the Downtown Partnership website

Parmenter 5K - photo essay

The Parmenter School was the site for their 4th Annual Run for All Ages on Sunday, Jun 10. Great sunshine greeted all the runners and supporters.



The Parmenter Panda kept an eye on what was happening



Attached to some of the light poles or parking signs were a series of student work addressing the question: What is fun about running?



As a life long runner, there is much fun in running



Good healthy habits can form around regular exercise



You learn to plan ahead, you learn to follow the curve



You learn that you CAN do it, you need to take the first step to try



Consider racing against yourself, use the others on the course for inspiration or incentive



Ultimately, it is all up to you. Starting and finishing is a worthy reward



Almost 300 runners and walkers lined up for the start



Thanks especially to all the sponsors and volunteers who put the race on; thank you!



Race results can be found on Cool Running
http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Jun10_4thAnn_set1.shtml

Franklin teacher inspires cancer ride

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

Franklin teacher inspires cancer ride

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 6/11/12

When Catherine Middelmann thinks about her fourth-grade teacher Kirstin Eickmann, she laughs as one moment in particular comes to mind.

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

Relay for LIfe - photo essay

The Relay for Life took place this past weekend. The relay this year combined the communities of Franklin, Bellingham and Wrentham. The relay opened Friday evening and ran through Saturday morning. Dolores and I stopped by as part of our normal Saturday morning walk.

You can still contribute to a walker or a team via the website

In a world where you can either give in or fight back, fight back!



This was the end of the line of coins collected during the event



The line was a long one, effectively extending half way around the track



Some of the tents were still up, maybe there were some late sleepers as well.



Thank you! To all the walkers, the team, the sponsors, and especially to all the donors! Your effort makes a difference!