Commuter Rail updates schedule on Franklin Line
Franklin, MA
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity
A wonderful lesson in about 3 minutes. Yes, the commercial at the end is 2 minutes so the total is 5, 5 minutes! Watch, listen, and enjoy.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA
Monday, November 22, 2010
Hungry together
The Boston Sunday Globe, Globe West section, had an article covering the rising need for food in MA communities. Franklin is no exception to this. The economic conditions and persistent unemployment have created needs not seen in years.
In my role on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, you will see more frequent postings here on food and food security. What is food security? The wikipedia entry says:
Other worthy links for information on this are:
MA Dept of transitional Assistance
SNAP (previously known as food stamps)
Project Bread
Lisa Richards, a Framingham resident, works two jobs, one as a personal care attendant and another driving a van for senior citizens. Acton resident Julie Neubauer works part time in retail. Virginia Loftus, also of Acton, receives a disability pension.
In my role on the Board of Directors for the Franklin Food Pantry, you will see more frequent postings here on food and food security. What is food security? The wikipedia entry says:
Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.When the household is not food secure, then it can be referred to as food insecure. There is a whole set of new terms to become aware of in this area and over time, I'll be sharing them here and eventually on the revamped Food Pantry website.
Other worthy links for information on this are:
MA Dept of transitional Assistance
SNAP (previously known as food stamps)
Project Bread
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Boston Globe -- Globe West by Calvin Hennick, Globe Correspondent on 11/20/10
Lisa Richards, a Framingham resident, works two jobs, one as a personal care attendant and another driving a van for senior citizens. Acton resident Julie Neubauer works part time in retail. Virginia Loftus, also of Acton, receives a disability pension.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Boston Globe -- Globe West using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks
A quick set of slides from Chris Lehman, who presented this at TEDxPhilly, asks some good questions about making education more relevant and worthwhile.
TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slide deck.
Franklin, MA
TEDxPhilly - High School Stinks
View more presentations from Chris Lehmann.
If you have the opportunity to participate in the visioning exercise for FHS, it would be a good thing to do. Time intense, yes - but a good thing. Details available here
and here:
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the slide deck.
Franklin, MA
"this community has been blessed by their efforts"
Over the last year, Anne Marie Bellavance has presided over the rebirth of the Franklin Food Pantry as its new executive director following the retirement last year of its former leader.
Volunteers at the pantry's office at 43 West Central St. are distributing about 200 "turkey meals in a bag" to families that have met eligibility criteria.
Bellavance said she's seeing more "working families with recently unemployed members" looking for food assistance.
Working with Franklin's Interfaith Council and seven churches, the pantry recently collected 8,000 pounds of food, which has been distributed to about 700 people.
Bellavance credited manager Linda Sottile and volunteers for reviving the food pantry at a time when the economy has left many on the edge.
"We love volunteers. This community has been so ready and willing to help out," she said. "I feel blessed. I think this community has been blessed by their efforts."Read the full article about volunteers helping this cause in the region
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x535938806/Extra-helping-Volunteers-will-feed-thousands-this-week
Franklin, MA
In the News - Anti-bullying Plan comments wanted
Franklin stepping up anti-bullying crusade
Related posts on the Anti-bullying Plan
The background presentation on bullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-presentation.html
the Anti-bullying Plan
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-plan-comments-wanted.html
The Dec 9th event on Anti-bullying
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2010/11/lets-talk-about-cyberbullying.html
Franklin, MA
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Grand Opening: Printsmart Office Products
Joel Carerra has expanded his mail order and website office products to a retail store in downtown Franklin. I took a few minutes to stop by on Saturday afternoon to have Joel take us on a tour of his new store.
You can find Joel's website at PrintsmartOffice.com
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video
Franklin, MA
Started in 2007, Printsmart Office Products has been supplying local businesses and offices with ink, toner, office supplies and office furniture. We work with our customers to lower their office supply bill. We offer free delivery and very competitive prices.
You can find Joel's website at PrintsmartOffice.com
Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video
Franklin, MA
Print extras in today's Milford Daily News
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports on 11/20/10
Every day, The Milford Daily News prints stories you will not find anywhere else. In today's edition, read about a lockdown drill at Hopedale Junior-Senior High School; talk of setting up a nonprofit to run Franklin's cable TV studio; and columnist Lenny Megliola's take on the Celtics' Kevin Durant.
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
There are three good advantages for those folks in Franklin. MA and beyond who want to keep up with what happens in Franklin.
First, you can visit Franklin Matters and get the information about the business of Franklin, everyday in one place.
Second, you have an option to subscribe via RSS feed or email, or just visit the site from a bookmark or list of favorites. If you want to skip the daily dose and go right to the weekly summary, you can get that either via RSS, email, or iTunes.
Third, while my colleagues at the Milford Daily News are out to sell something, I am not. So when I report from the Town Council or School Committee meeting you get all the information available from the meeting as it is discussed. You don't need to wait until Saturday to have to buy the paper to find out that Franklin is considering establishing a non-profit 501(c)3 entity to run the cable feeds for the town.
The Cable Update was published Wednesday night and the full recap of the Town Council meeting was collected as well.
Your choice to stay informed on all the business of Franklin.
Because Franklin MAtters!
In the News - Tri-County
Medway farm to be repaired by Tri-County students
from The Milford Daily News News RSSExplore the Tri-County website to find out more about what they do http://www.tri-county.tc/index.php
Franklin, MA
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A great "Holiday Care Package" idea for the members of our Armed Forces in Afghanistan or Iraq
First, I hope that this message finds you and your families in good health and spirits.
Second, as we approach the holidays, I ask that you give some thought to performing a random act of kindness for a member of our military serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. You can perform this random act of kindness by:
1. Sending a Holiday Care package to a member of our Armed Services
or
2. Making a donation to the USO (http://www.uso.org/).
For the first option, a holiday package can be sent via the USPS to one of the Chaplain addresses found at http://www.cjtf101.com/files/CJTF101%20com%20RST%20MAILING%20ROSTER%20(2).pdf (skip the “Redeploying soon” addresses).
For example, my wife and I know someone at FOB Gardez so we are sending Holiday Care packages to:
Chaplain
Chaplain Section,
FOB GARDEZ,
APO AE 09354
with a note asking the Chaplain to distribute the gift to a Service Member who may not receive a holiday care package from home.
However, you can select one of the other addresses and use the above format. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find addresses for a US Marine base but perhaps a reader of this can share a Marine base address.
The Holiday Care packages that Beth and I are sending includes Xmas candy (chocolate bar and jelly beans), socks, trail mix bars, a small packet of Oreo cookies, soap, and a Xmas card. The Xmas card is addressed to “A member of our Armed Services at FOB Gardez” and signed the Kelliher Family. We are not addressing the card to “a Soldier” because members of the Army, Air Force, and Navy are all stationed at the base and the term soldier would be inappropriate for members of the Air Force or Navy. In addition, we are packing the items in a Holiday theme gift bag before we place the bag in the box so that the idea of a Holiday gift is reinforced.
Incidentally, the large Priority Mail Flat-Rate box, only costs $12.50 to send to a overseas military zip code like 09354 and the box can be filled with a nice collection of candy, socks, soap, and other items.
Please utilize the list http://www.cjtf101.com/files/CJTF101%20com%20RST%20MAILING%20ROSTER%20(2).pdf to pick another base. We would like to show our appreciation at more than one base.
Please share the “Holiday Care package” suggestion with your friends, relatives, and co-workers.
Regards and Season’s Greetings,
Charlie Kelliher
Franklin, MA
Second, as we approach the holidays, I ask that you give some thought to performing a random act of kindness for a member of our military serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. You can perform this random act of kindness by:
1. Sending a Holiday Care package to a member of our Armed Services
or
2. Making a donation to the USO (http://www.uso.org/).
For the first option, a holiday package can be sent via the USPS to one of the Chaplain addresses found at http://www.cjtf101.com/files/CJTF101%20com%20RST%20MAILING%20ROSTER%20(2).pdf (skip the “Redeploying soon” addresses).
For example, my wife and I know someone at FOB Gardez so we are sending Holiday Care packages to:
Chaplain
Chaplain Section,
FOB GARDEZ,
APO AE 09354
with a note asking the Chaplain to distribute the gift to a Service Member who may not receive a holiday care package from home.
However, you can select one of the other addresses and use the above format. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find addresses for a US Marine base but perhaps a reader of this can share a Marine base address.
The Holiday Care packages that Beth and I are sending includes Xmas candy (chocolate bar and jelly beans), socks, trail mix bars, a small packet of Oreo cookies, soap, and a Xmas card. The Xmas card is addressed to “A member of our Armed Services at FOB Gardez” and signed the Kelliher Family. We are not addressing the card to “a Soldier” because members of the Army, Air Force, and Navy are all stationed at the base and the term soldier would be inappropriate for members of the Air Force or Navy. In addition, we are packing the items in a Holiday theme gift bag before we place the bag in the box so that the idea of a Holiday gift is reinforced.
Incidentally, the large Priority Mail Flat-Rate box, only costs $12.50 to send to a overseas military zip code like 09354 and the box can be filled with a nice collection of candy, socks, soap, and other items.
Please utilize the list http://www.cjtf101.com/files/CJTF101%20com%20RST%20MAILING%20ROSTER%20(2).pdf to pick another base. We would like to show our appreciation at more than one base.
Please share the “Holiday Care package” suggestion with your friends, relatives, and co-workers.
Regards and Season’s Greetings,
Charlie Kelliher
Franklin, MA
Sign the Food Revolution Petition
Jamie Oliver is working on his Food Revolution to change the way families eat and cook. He created a stir when he came to Huntington, WV last year and as I recall he is going to LA this year.
He has started a petition to take to the President to get the FDA to change the way they establish the requirements for school lunches.
You can find out more about Jamie's work on his website http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution
You can sign the petition here http://www.jamieoliver.com/jfr-beta/petition_beta.php#petForm
You can get recipes for school lunches here http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/school-food
Franklin, MA
He has started a petition to take to the President to get the FDA to change the way they establish the requirements for school lunches.
You can find out more about Jamie's work on his website http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution
You can sign the petition here http://www.jamieoliver.com/jfr-beta/petition_beta.php#petForm
You can get recipes for school lunches here http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/school-food
Franklin, MA
Friday, November 19, 2010
5th Annual Casino Night - tonight!
Today, the Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) will hold its 5th Annual Casino Night at the Franklin Elks from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. The event will feature Black Jack, Roulette and Money Wheel as well as raffles, a Silent Auction, cash bar and FREE hors d’oeuvres. The event is well known as a fun evening out with friends and neighbors, all while contributing to a worthwhile cause.
Admission is $25. To avoid waiting in line at the door, advance ticket purchase is recommended. For ticket purchase, auction donation or sponsorship information, please contact Peter Minor at (508) 541-6700 or peter@peterminor.com. Cash only accepted for chip purchase. Checks and Visa/MC accepted for Silent Auction items. For more information visit www.franklined.org.
Since 1997, The Franklin Education Foundation events have raised well over $190,000 which has been distributed to Franklin public schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF have funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.
Franklin, MA
Admission is $25. To avoid waiting in line at the door, advance ticket purchase is recommended. For ticket purchase, auction donation or sponsorship information, please contact Peter Minor at (508) 541-6700 or peter@peterminor.com. Cash only accepted for chip purchase. Checks and Visa/MC accepted for Silent Auction items. For more information visit www.franklined.org.
Since 1997, The Franklin Education Foundation events have raised well over $190,000 which has been distributed to Franklin public schools in the form of special grants. All Franklin Public School staff members are eligible to submit creative, innovative ideas for programs or activities that would not traditionally be funded by tax dollars. To see a list of programs FEF have funded over the years, visit www.franklined.org.
Franklin, MA
Attention Franklin: Important Dates for your calendar
Dec 8, 2010 - a new meeting was added to the Town Council calendar. This is the annual exercise to set the tax rate. I hope to have the data in time to update the analysis that I did last year. I expect the tax rate to increase from the 12.03%. The question is will it go higher than the 14.21% rate that was set in 1997. The low rate for the record was in 2007 at 8.86$
You can find last year's analysis here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/11/fm-50-slidecast.html
Jan 25, 2011 - a presentation and discussion on the issue of full vs half day kindergarten. As has been said frequently by the School Committee, full day is on the table this year. It is likely to be included in the level service budget they initially come forward with. How much revenue the school budget can expect from the Town and state will determine how much of a gap there will be, and hence what options they'll need to consider to balance the budget.
Jan 29, 2011 - school budget workshop, this will be a good opportunity to get into the details and nuances of the budget, cost drivers, etc. The information in this session will set the stage for the school budget actions to come later.
Feb 1, 2011 - announced as the presentation of the school budget formal presentation at the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting.
Franklin, MA
You can find last year's analysis here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/11/fm-50-slidecast.html
Jan 25, 2011 - a presentation and discussion on the issue of full vs half day kindergarten. As has been said frequently by the School Committee, full day is on the table this year. It is likely to be included in the level service budget they initially come forward with. How much revenue the school budget can expect from the Town and state will determine how much of a gap there will be, and hence what options they'll need to consider to balance the budget.
Jan 29, 2011 - school budget workshop, this will be a good opportunity to get into the details and nuances of the budget, cost drivers, etc. The information in this session will set the stage for the school budget actions to come later.
Feb 1, 2011 - announced as the presentation of the school budget formal presentation at the regularly scheduled School Committee meeting.
If you heard the School Committee on Tuesday evening, you heard clearly that they are not interested in changing their ways of communication.
If you did not view the meeting, tune into this section here
Given the reluctance of the current School Committee to consider changing their ways, anyone with any interest in the schools needs to start taking an interest now.
Re-districting is another distinct possibility, they really should have done it earlier to avoid some of the imbalance in class sizes amongst the schools. They have chosen to move slowly. Why? Maybe they can answer. I won't speculate for them.
Both of these issues affect the entire school population. Never mind getting into a tough budget year next year AND the high school renovation pending some realistic dollar figure being attached to it after all kinds of speculation.
Given all this, one would expect a significant communication effort to come forward. As was made clear by their litany of excuses explanations during their meeting Tuesday, they are comfortable with their efforts and don't see the need to change.
You can ask them. You can get involved.
Franklin, MA
Franklin, MA: Police toy drive
The Franklin Police will be conducting their annual toy drive. Details in the flyer below
FranklinPolice_toydrive_2010
Franklin, MA
FranklinPolice_toydrive_2010
Franklin, MA
Sunday - Downtown Partnership Needs YOU!
Franklin Downtown Partnership Plans Holiday Decorations
The Franklin Downtown Partnership will once again team up with the Garden Club to decorate Franklin's downtown center with holiday greens, ribbons and wreaths on Sunday, November 21, at 9:00 a.m.
Residents are welcome to put on their garden gloves and join volunteers on the center island in front of the Rome Restaurant. Volunteers are also needed on Friday, November 19, at 10:00 a.m. to organize the greenery at Hillside Nursery.
"It's become our tradition to put up the decorations the Sunday before Thanksgiving to spruce up the downtown for the holidays," says Eileen Mason, Beautification Day chairperson. "Volunteers from the high school boys and girls hockey teams are very much appreciated every year for their spirit and enthusiasm in the decorating".
Each year local sponsors donate funds to pay for the holiday decorations and the spring flowers. "We are fortunate to have such generous businesses that enable us to continue our efforts each year," says Executive Director Lisa Piana. "We accomplish all of this through donations and tireless volunteer hours."
Anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring this activity should contact Eileen Mason at emason11@verizon.net for more details. For more information please visit the Partnership's new website at franklindowntownpartnership.org or contact Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com
"The whole project is done beautifully"
The project was permitted in 2004 as a senior housing development. Construction began one to two years later, but a weak real estate market and high unemployment made it difficult to sell units. In 2008, the Zoning Board granted a variance making two of the five buildings non-age restricted.
"It has been transformed ... into something that is unique," Gary Hogan, an attorney for the developer. "There is not another similar development in this town."
That variance coupled with a decrease in the selling price of units led to increased sales, Hogan said, adding that 25-30 percent of the units have been sold and 40 percent have been built.Franklin condo developer wants to expand project
from The Milford Daily News News RSS
Franklin, MA
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