Taste of the Region - Oct 23

Sample the variety of delicacies offered from around the region at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce's annual Taste of the Region event. This fun-filled food festival features an eclectic mix of restaurants serving a variety of dishes. Enjoy wonderful music and bid on exciting items in a silent auction.

The Taste of the Region is Tues., Oct. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tri-County Regional Vocational High School, 147 Pond St., Franklin.

Tickets are available at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce offices in Attleboro (40 Union St.) and Franklin (4 West St.). Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801 or 508-695-6011 for more information.

In the News: election information

The two 10th Norfolk candidates face off tonight for the first time at Medway High School. Next week, the meet again at the Horace Mann Middle School in Franklin.

Eustis, Roy meet Tuesday in first debate in Medway

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

So while both sides of the ballot joined to urge voters to pass on the question, AAA has decided to split from the coalition and step in to urge a vote anyway.  An issue that was already confusing has gotten more so!

Despite new law, AAA urging people to vote for right-to-repair on ballot

by Colleen Quinn

Kennedy, Bielat debate the economy

by Lee V. Gaines/Wicked Local

Food channel choices

The food shopping choices for Franklin are varied. Stop and Shop and Shaw's have been joined by the Big Y. Market Basket is in Bellingham. Trader Joe's in Foxboro. These are the 'traditional' food outlets. BJ Warehouse, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and then the smaller stores sell food as well. I had been working on an article to discuss what the introduction of the Big Y is doing to my family's shopping but the Globe has beaten me to the punch.

The Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday had a good article on the growth and evolution of supermarkets. Currently, we are shopping at more than one each week finding the best deals. The super stores that Walmart introduced have cut into the overall food sales of traditional supermarkets.

In part the article says:

Seventy-six percent of Americans now visit at least five “channels” for food — places like supermarkets, drug, and dollar stores — according to an August 2012 report from SymphonyIRI Group, a research firm in Chicago. Only 3 percent of us visit only one or two channels. Even my mom now shops at four. 

On average, a Boston-area family spends $8,066 a year on food, according to government statistics, but nearly half of it goes to things like restaurants and takeout. That leaves everyone selling groceries to tussle over only $4,870 per family. And for some time now, the traditional supermarket has been losing ground in the fight. 

Once the only game in town, supermarkets today only get about half of US grocery sales. Twenty-five percent goes to Walmart, which only introduced its Supercenters in 1988. Target is squeezing full food sections into many of its locations, including dozens in Massachusetts in recent years. Walgreens and CVS are now carving out more space for food on their shelves, and dollar stores across the country are adding freezers for items like pie crust and frozen vegetables. 

Offered this smorgasbord of options, today’s shoppers have become incredibly picky. Our sole loyalty, Rand says, is to our ability to find the best food at the best deals, behavior that increased during the Great Recession and still continues.

The online version of this article will require registration and/or subscription to the Globe
http://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2012/10/13/how-grocery-shopping-got-personal/P3Fgfalj8jB4bNQ8fGnU7K/story.html

"Miracle Workers" (video)

I spent the last four days at the Geraldine R Dodge Poetry Festival, an amazing gathering of poets and lovers of poetry. Among the many poets there, Taylor Mali stood out as one of the more dynamic performers.

He taught for several years in New York and built his reputation in the 'slam poetry' world. This video of his poem "Miracle Workers" was recorded in 2007. I saw Taylor perform this in almost the same way this weekend.

Taylor says:

I wanted to say, "All I did was give you what I knew you needed before you knew you needed it. Thank you for the compliment but education is the miracle, I am just the worker. I am a teacher and that is what we do." 

Enjoy!

For more Taylor Mali visit his webpage here:  http://taylormali.com

Tri-County recognized for career program by Cisco

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Tri-County recognized for career program by Cisco

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports on 10/14/12

The Tri-County RVTHS Computer Information Systems (CIS) career program was recently recognized with a special plaque by Cisco Systems, Inc. for 10 years of active participation in the Cisco Networking Academy.

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• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
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Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Oct 17, 2012

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
September 19, 2012

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
COA Appointment - Suzanne Wade

F. HEARINGS
Alcoholic Beverage License-Failure to Pass Compliance Check – 7:10 PM
Franklin Wine and Spirits

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 12-70:Appropriation - Insurance Recovery Account

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS
For Future Legislation

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN


The full set of documents for this agenda can be found here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2012%20docs/101712.pdf

Spilka endorses Roy

Senator Karen Spilka endorses Jeff Roy for the 10th Norfolk seat to replace Rep Jim Vallee.

''I cannot rectify it,'' he said, ''with the woman I know.''

'I find it hard to believe that she was an individual who decided to falsify lab results ... that she would turn into someone who did something like that. ... That isn't the person I remember,'' said John Warner, an instructor who gave her A's and A-minuses in 2000 when she took his biochemistry class as a senior at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. 

''Obviously, things can happen to people,'' he said. ''Either something happened in her life that changed the person that she is, or this is a deeper story.'' 

Dookhan's struggle with both personal and professional problems in 2009 - including a miscarriage and a legal ruling that put new pressures on chemists at the lab - may help offer an explanation, one former co-worker said.

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1890058796/A-closer-look-at-the-accused-rogue-chemist-Annie-Dookhan#ixzz29Ge4K5Nk

More Mass. voters steer clear of party affiliation

If you have not already registered to vote, the opportunity closes at 8:00 PM on Weds Oct 17th.

If you will be out of town on election day, you can still get an absentee ballot.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

More Mass. voters steer clear of party affiliation

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Laura Krantz/Daily News staff on 10/13/12

As voter registration forms flood into town halls across MetroWest, more voters than ever are choosing not to register with a political party.

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• Subscribe to The Milford Daily News News RSS using Google Reader
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Get Fit for Life Health Fair

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Get expert advice, meet great people in the local health and fitness industry, bring the entire family and Get Fit For Life! Giveaways from... Dream Dinners Pole Fitness Plus Whole Foods Auric Muse Ciao Bella Day Spa Davis Mega Maze and More! Win a getaway to Smuggler's Notch in Vermont! Meet participants from the first Get Fit For Life and the Rugged Maniac Dream Team! Demonstrations from Momentum Physical Therapy & Performance Training, Rivera Athletic Center, Pole Fitness Plus, Athletic Based Training and Get Josette! Visit www.facebook.com/wmrcgetfit for more info on vendors, demos, giveaways and more! WMRC Daily News 258 Main Street Milford, Massachusetts 01757

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"Roads go ever ever on"

Students at Horace Mann are about to embark on a journey!

Turns out, the posters were written in runes, which appear in the book. (Tolkien based his fictional language off ancient Norse runes.) 

The enormous success of last year’s read-a-thon, during which 250 students devoured Suzanne Collins’ "The Hunger Games," prompted teachers to plan another one.
Those who opt to take part in the challenge have a set amount of time to read "The Hobbit," Tolkien’s epic fantasy tale about a skittish hobbit who, swayed by a learned and powerful wizard, joins a hearty company of dwarves on a quest for stolen riches. 

After tackling the dense, 19-chapter novel, they must prove they’ve followed the story all the way to its conclusion — in the shadow of the Lonely Mountain — by answering a few questions about the plot.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x781379724/Franklin-students-to-tackle-Tolkien#ixzz29AmZwl6y

I heartily endorse this book choice! I first read The Hobbit when I was in high school as it had just become available (yes, that dates myself). I proceeded to read and re-read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy dozens of times beginning each re-read with The Hobbit. While the Hunger Games is a decent story, The Hobbit is so much richer.

The students will come to find:

Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon. 

Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Road_Goes_Ever_On_(song)

Cops: Couple robbed area donut shops to feed heroin habit

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Cops: Couple robbed area donut shops to feed heroin habit

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Matt Tota/Daily News staff on 10/12/12

A husband and wife this week went on a spree of armed robberies, with one acting as the stick-up-man, threatening donut shop cashiers with a syringe he warned contained AIDS-infected blood, and the other as the getaway driver, to feed their heroin addiction, a prosecutor said Friday.

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Winter Parking Ban returns soon

Yes, it is October. Summer is gone. Winter is around the corner. Franklin is preparing for what winter will bring this time around:

College Readiness Seminar 10/18/12

sent along by a loyal Franklin Matters reader:

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Mr. Fortin asked the PCC to share information with families about an upcoming seminar that may interest many of you. COLLEGE READINESS SEMINAR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012, 7:00 - 9:00 PM DWIGHT HALL, FRAMINGHAM STATE UNIVERSITY This is an annual event started by Lorretta M. Holloway, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English Department to get parents to start thinking about not just the content knowledge but the habits of mind their kids need to be successful in college. Parents of Middle School and early High School children are encouraged to attend. For complete details, view the event flyer here.

Forward this email Horace Mann Middle School PCC | 224 Oak Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Boston I-93 Overnight Lane Closure October 16-17

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Boston I-93 Overnight Lane Closure October 16-17

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 10/12/12

MassDOT's enhanced maintenance schedule will require complete lane closures of Interstate 93 Northbound through Boston from 11 pm, Tuesday, October 16 until 5:30 am, Wednesday, October 17.

I-93 Northbound traffic will be detoured off the highway at Exit 16 (Southampton Street Exit) to Frontage Road Northbound. Ramps from Frontage Road Northbound allow traffic to get to I-90 Eastbound (Logan Airport) and I-90 Westbound. I-93 Northbound traffic will continue on Atlantic Avenue and re-enter I-93 Northbound at Haymarket On-Ramp. Traffic destined for Route 1 Northbound (Tobin Bridge) should stay on the surface streets and access the Route 1 Northbound on-ramp in City Square.

Work to be performed October 16-17 includes: tunnel wall and sign washing, drain cleaning and maintenance, as well as maintenance of electrical and communications systems.

Enhanced maintenance is planned for I-93 through Boston in November, exact dates to be announced.

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Groundbreaking for New Franklin High School

The Franklin community is invited to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new FHS on Saturday, October 13, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The ceremony will occur on the athletic fields between the Field House and Pisini Field. During the week of October 14, leaders of Bacon & Agostini Construction of East Providence, R.I., the Building Committee, and project and design managers will meet to plan the best phasing for the construction work to ensure public safety and minimize disruptions to students, parents, teachers, visitors, pedestrians, neighbors and motorists.

Additional information on the new high school can be found on their webpage  http://www.newfhs.com/  or find them on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/thenewfhs

Absentee ballots available

The last day to register to vote for the November election is October 17th. Absentee ballots are now available and additional details can be found in the notice shown here




Additional information can be found on the Franklin Town Clerk webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/index

or on the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth webpage
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm

In the News: assisted suicide, Cardinal tweets

Opponents gather support to fight assisted suicide ballot question

by Chris Burrell

Cardinal O’Malley joins the Twitter world

by Lane Lambert

If you do have a Twitter account and want to follow the Cardinal, you can check out his profile here

https://twitter.com/CardinalSean

If you'd like to follow Franklin Matters on Twitter while you are at it, please do so! @franklinmatters