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.
Monday, August 30, 2010
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!
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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
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Disclosure Announcement
Keeping my promise to let you know when things change, I do have an announcement to make. I am honored to have been offered a role on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry.
I have accepted this role and look to help the Food Pantry in a couple of ways. One, they have expanded the membership of the Board and are embarking on a strategic plan initiative. I believe my project management skills and my work creating a good customer experience can help in this effort. Two, I will work to help the Food Pantry in their communication efforts. Drawing upon the experiences I have had using and implementing social media tools, I will help to spread the word about the work of the Food Pantry.
What won’t change?
My priorities won’t change with this new role.My number one priority remains my focus on finding appropriate full-time employment. (I forgot this reference to my job search was still here.) My second priority remains contributing to the well being of my immediate and extended family.
My third priority has been giving back to my community via the work I do for Franklin Matters. I see the Food Pantry time requirements fitting within the time I have available. The Food Pantry will allow me to explore what matters in Franklin in an important way. I see this as a natural extension of the outreach efforts I have already made through the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.
What may change?
The Food Pantry Board is currently scheduled to meet on the last Tuesday of the month. Depending upon how the calendar works out, this poses a potential conflict with the School Committee meetings. As a result of this conflict, I may be reporting on the second School Committee meeting more from the video archive than the in person/live reporting I have been able to do.
I should note that my role with the Food Pantry Board has changed. In addition to my original responsibilities, I have taken on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. (updated 5/2011)
I also serve as Chairman of the Board Development Committee. This last one is temporary (I hope) as we work to expand the Board with folks who share the passion for helping our Franklin neighbors. (updated 10/2011)
My disclosure statement can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/p/why-franklin-matters.html
and here http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/disclosure-statement-updated-4809.html
I have accepted this role and look to help the Food Pantry in a couple of ways. One, they have expanded the membership of the Board and are embarking on a strategic plan initiative. I believe my project management skills and my work creating a good customer experience can help in this effort. Two, I will work to help the Food Pantry in their communication efforts. Drawing upon the experiences I have had using and implementing social media tools, I will help to spread the word about the work of the Food Pantry.
What won’t change?
My priorities won’t change with this new role.
My third priority has been giving back to my community via the work I do for Franklin Matters. I see the Food Pantry time requirements fitting within the time I have available. The Food Pantry will allow me to explore what matters in Franklin in an important way. I see this as a natural extension of the outreach efforts I have already made through the Franklin Downtown Partnership and the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.
What may change?
The Food Pantry Board is currently scheduled to meet on the last Tuesday of the month. Depending upon how the calendar works out, this poses a potential conflict with the School Committee meetings. As a result of this conflict, I may be reporting on the second School Committee meeting more from the video archive than the in person/live reporting I have been able to do.
I should note that my role with the Food Pantry Board has changed. In addition to my original responsibilities, I have taken on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. (updated 5/2011)
I also serve as Chairman of the Board Development Committee. This last one is temporary (I hope) as we work to expand the Board with folks who share the passion for helping our Franklin neighbors. (updated 10/2011)
My disclosure statement can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/p/why-franklin-matters.html
and here http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/disclosure-statement-updated-4809.html
The bus is coming. The bus is coming!
Yes, it is that time of the year where the school bus schedule is reviewed. Getting up and out in the morning for school begins next week.
You can view the bus schedule here:
Franklin Public Schools 2010-11 Busroutes
You can also go to the Franklin Public Schools Transportation page to find this info and more:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/transport/default.htm
A quick summary of the changes to the schedule was covered in the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 24th.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/live-reporting-closing_24.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
You can view the bus schedule here:
Franklin Public Schools 2010-11 Busroutes
You can also go to the Franklin Public Schools Transportation page to find this info and more:
http://www.franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/FPS/transport/default.htm
A quick summary of the changes to the schedule was covered in the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 24th.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/08/live-reporting-closing_24.html
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the document.
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