Thursday, May 1, 2014

Want to read your poetry at the festival this weekend?

Performance stage schedule, Cornelius Eady, The Nuyorican Slam Team, Line Break, emerging poets, and more

The performance stage boasts many great acts--including yours!

Saturday, May 3
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Derby Square outside of Old Town Hall

12:00 - 12:45: As the Sparrow
12:45 - 1:00: Open mike
1:00 - 1:30: Poetry Out Loud
1:30 - 2:00: Slam Poetry Performance
2:00 - 2:45: Helen Creeley Student Poetry Prize

2:45 - 3:00: Open mike
3:00 - 3:40: Jade Sylvan
3:40 - 4:10: The Reservoir Writers
4:15 - 4:45: Jennifer Greer Trio
4:45 - 5:00: Open mike

The festival is just days away! A reminder: Buttons that you have pre-purchased can be picked up, and buttons are also available for purchase, at Festival Headquarters (121 Museum Place Mall) and our Info Booths (located along the Pedestrian Mall).

Please note that Headquarters closes prior to our Friday and Saturday night headline readings, but buttons can be picked up and/or purchased directly at those readings, as well as at the Friday and Saturday night slams.

A look at Cornelius Eady

by Jennifer Jean

Many of my favorite contemporary writers happen to be former fellows of Cave Canem—a writers "affinity group" for African Americans, co-founded by Cornelius Eady and Toi Derricotte. Every year, several Cave Canem fellows trek in for a Mass Poetry Festival group reading—and their reading always rocks! This year's offering has another stellar line-up: Jamaal May, Nicole Terez Dutton, January O'Neil — and Eady, who's considered an "elder" in the community. Get to know Cornelius Eady in my essay, here.

Sessions with Cornelius Eady:
Poetry and Music | Saturday, May 3, 12:45 - 1:45
Cave Canem Group Reading | Saturday, May 3, 2:45 - 3:45
Saturday Night Headline Reading | Saturday, May 3, 7:30 - 9:15

In the spotlight...

In each newsletter between now and the festival, we will be highlighting a different session.

Generation Write

Saturday, May 3 • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Charter School, Room 1
with Mahogany Browne and The Nuyorican 2013 Slam Team

This workshop will help generate new ideas. There will be a lively discussion on writing prompts and ways to combat writers block. Participants will walk away with suggestions and several writing prompts inspired by contemporary poetry. Handouts available.

What do you get when you bring a hammock to the PEM during the Mass Poetry Festival?

Line Break: A Poetry Installation by Colleen Michaels and Lillian Harden

Friday-Sunday, May 2-4 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Peabody Essex Museum, 1st Floor: Spiral Staircase; 3rd Floor: Taj Mahal Gallery

Playing with the idea of a writing retreat, artist Lillian Harden and poet Colleen Michaels have created a reflective space within the festival. Participants are invited to spend time in the installation, reclining on soft seating under dim lights. There is a hammock above, reminiscent of smocked clothing; the sound of an old slide projector and its slow offering of words; a basket of handmade blank books within reach. This piece invites you to shift your posture, adjust your eyes, and bring your voice down to a whisper. This is your time out. Write or don't write (the books are yours to take), and enjoy the space created in Line Break. Read more about Line Break here.

Buy your festival button online or at any of these stores:

Beverly
The Book Shop of Beverly Farms

Brookline
Brookline Booksmith

Cambridge
Grolier Poetry Bookshop
Porter Square Books
Rodney's Books
Harvard Bookstore

Concord
Concord Bookshop

Newburyport
Jabberwocky Bookshop

Marblehead
Spirit of '76 Bookstore

Salem
The Roost
Salem Trolley Depot
SSU English Dept.

What else should you check out at the festival? We're glad you asked! Take a peek at:

Emerging Poet Heather Treseler opening our Friday Night Headline Reading

Emerging Poet Krysten Hill opening our Saturday Night Headline Reading

Poetry Meet-Up at Howling Wolf--Let's get our mingle on!

Friday Night College Slam

Saturday Night Slam (Nuyorican Poets Café, Providence Slam, Boston Poetry Slam, Lizard Lounge)

North of Boston: Four new Hampshire Poets

Boston and Beyond: A Reading for Salamander

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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Kids Day - Stuff a Truck Challenge

The Franklin Food Pantry will be bringing their new Mobile Pantry Truck to Healthy Kids Day and we challenge you to help us fill it with healthier items!

The Stuff a Truck Challenge will close out the Hockomock Area YMCA 2014 Healthy Futures Food Drive.

When: Saturday, May 3rd
Where: Patriot Place NRG Plaza, Foxborough MA (lower level outside The Hall)
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Suggested donation items include: high fiber cereal, low sodium canned vegetables, toiletries, paper goods, whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, olive oil, spices, 100% fruit juice, multi-vitamins, white tuna, cans of beans, oatmeal, nuts or seeds

Franklin Food Pantry - mobile pantry truck

Very interesting article - "Serious reading takes a hit from online scanning and skimming, researchers say"

Points made in this article are worth sharing - it is so essential that we continue to maintain some of those "analog" ways and tools necessary for critical thinking, more focused, slower processing, less distraction, more patience to enjoy the fine details and not this immediate gratification mentality driven by technological gadgets.

"I wanted to enjoy this form of reading again," Wolf said. "When I found myself, it was like I recovered. I found my ability again to slow down, savor and think."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/serious-reading-takes-a-hit-from-online-scanning-and-skimming-researchers-say/2014/04/06/088028d2-b5d2-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html

Serious reading takes a hit from online scanning and skimming, researchers say

Recycling Drive - May 3

I would like to let you all know that Kennedy Elementary School and Cub Scout Pack 126 will be having our annual Recycling drive this weekend. We are accepting recyclable glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic soda bottles.

NEW! We are accepting all gently worn, paired mens, womens and kids sneakers and shoes and sports cleats that are still reusable and re-wearable!

Please no big winter boots, UGG boots, rubber boots, big fuzzy slippers, ice & roller skates, slippers, flipflops or moldy shoes or with holes/rips. Shoes must be wearable and in pairs. Get those pairs of shoes going!

You can just pull through the drop off lane and we can help unload your recyclables.

Please help spread the word. Share this on Facebook, Twitter, e-mail etc. .

Date: May 3rd
Time: 9am - noon
Location: Kennedy Elementary - 550 Pond Street

Ladybug rug at Kennedy School

PANDA Update: Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit

Via email from Rich Aucoin:

And so it's official: Begging nine robed federal government employees to restore sacred Rights taken away by a bunch of other federal government employees is a losing game. Who can forget Dred Scott?

So the reality is NDAA kidnapping has been a local issue from day one. Congrats to Dan Johnson for launching PANDA long before these "supreme" "justices" would officially stick it to us.

Did anyone really doubt Hedges' case would end this way?

Turns out human rights aren't granted, they're asserted.

So now it is do-or-die time at the grassroots. Let's see if Hedges, et al will join us.
One thing's for sure: people giving up on their Right to due process in America (or anywhere) is not an option.

Subject: PANDA Update: Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit

Panda

NDAA Resistance:

If this does not provide evidence that the Federal government is corrupt beyond reform, and that is truly up to the states, cities, and counties to resist this atrocity, I do not know what will. Share this with everyone you can so they can see we are no longer a nation of laws, but of arbitrary decisions, no longer a nation of liberty, but nothing more than a militarized police state.

-Dan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: presschief@pandaunite.org

Supreme Court Denies NDAA Lawsuit

BOWLING GREEN – On September 12^th, 2012, Federal District Judge Katherine B. Forrest issued a permanent injunction against enforcement of Section 1021 of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. In July 2013, the 2^nd Circuit ruled the plaintiffs did not have standing to challenge that law.

Monday, the Supreme Court put the final nail in this suit by denying to hear the case, without comment.

The lawsuit at issue, Hedges v. Obama, was brought in early 2012 by a group of journalists, scholars and activists. Containing such noted figures as Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, journalist Chris Hedges, and others, this "Freedom 7" challenged Section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA as unconstitutionally overbroad.

This section determines who is covered by the 2012 NDAA, and contains such vague terms as "substantial support" "direct support," and "belligerent act" and, if one falls under one of these terms, they could be subject to indefinite military detention without charge or trial.

Dan Johnson, PANDA National Director, said:

"In 1944 the Supreme Court approved the pre-emptive detention of over 110,000 Japanese-Americans. The Court's denial 70 years later proves that we cannot rely on 9 people in black robes to defend our freedom.

It is now up to the states, cities, counties, and people of this nation to show the Supreme Court that it is not the final arbiter of our human rights. As 5 cities have already done so, I urge Americans across the country to begin action to ban these sections in their communities, raise awareness, and push back against this denial. If Washington D.C. thinks this is the last they will hear from us, they are very, very wrong."

In a statement on the outcome of this denial, lead plaintiff Tangerine Bolen wrote:

"We are no longer a nation ruled by laws. We are nation ruled by men who have so steeped themselves in a false narrative that at the same time they are exponentially increasing the ranks of terrorists, they are destroying the rule of law itself. It is madness upon madness - the classic tale of becoming the evil you purport to fight while believing you remain righteous. "

If the outcome of this lawsuit does not cement the fact that the courts will not defend the Constitution, nor our rights with it, there is little more evidence to be presented. The Federal tier has failed us. The states, localities, and eventually the people, are where we will stand. As we resist, the work of the plaintiffs will not be forgotten.

Grab the packet and start taking back your city: http://pandaunite.org/takeback/

###

Invite others to get breaking news from the NDAA Resistance: https://tinyletter.com/pandaunite

PANDA "Take Back" Update by Dan Johnson

P.O. Box 653 Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 USA

Delivered by

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Apr 29, 2014

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

1. Routine Business

Franklin Public Schools

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the April 8, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: none

2. Guests/Presentations
a. Jefferson Update – Linda Ashley
b. FHS Update – Peter Light
c. Alumni Survey

3. Action Items
a. I recommend approval of transfers as detailed.
b. I recommend acceptance of the donation of a Casio Celviano AP-45 Digital Piano (valued at approximately $250.00) from Doug and Laura Newton for the FPS Music Program.
c. I recommend acceptance of a check for $282.66 from Wells Fargo for in-house enrichment at FHS.
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $6.00 from Hannaford Supermarkets for in-house enrichment at ECDC.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $258.31 from Follett Educational Services for supplemental curriculum materials for Jefferson Elementary School.
f. I recommend approval of the recurring field trip request of Nancy Schoen to take music students to Canobie Lake Park in Salem New Hampshire on June 13, 2014 as detailed.
g. I recommend approval of the request of Beth Wittcoff to take students to see a Pawtucket Red Sox game in RI on June 10, 2014 as detailed.
h. I recommend acceptance of a check for $1,300.00 from the Keller PCC for in-house enrichment at Keller Elementary.
i. I recommend acceptance of a check for $836.50 from the Davis Thayer PCC for field trips.
j. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,000.00 from the ASMS PCC for Supplies at ASMS.

4. Information Matters
Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

5. New Business
To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

6. Adjourn

Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race/Walk - May 10

The Second Annual

Elks Care Elks Share 5K Road Race - Walk

to benefit the

Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warrior Project

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2014
FRANKLIN ELKS
1077 Pond Street
FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS

Registration: 9:00 AM Start: 10:00 AM

Help support the Franklin Food Pantry and Wounded Warrior Project

Franklin Food Pantry

· Post race refreshments, giveaways, raffles, and prizes
· T-SHIRTS available to runners that register online. While supply lasts.
· REGISTER NOW to get your T-SHIRT!!!

· Run or Walk Route - 5K loop of paved roads

Wounded Warrior Project

· Awards given to top three male and female finishers in each age group
· Professional Race Timing by RaceWire
· Giveaways, raffles, and prizes

Video of the race start from May 2012:

Online registration fee $25.00 https://www.franklinelks5k.racewire.com

More info on Web Site http://franklinelks5k.com/

Follow us http://www.facebook.com/FranklinElksAnnual5K

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace says: "Thanks to All"

Hi Steve,

Thanks for all of your support for Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace Grand Opening last Saturday. It was a complete success.

If you could mention in your blog, Donna and I would like to thank the people of Franklin who have graciously welcomed us to the community and participated beyond our expectation during our grand opening celebration. We look forward to being of service for many years to come.

Dave and Donna Lanni

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace508 631 3984

Tastebuds Fresh Marketplace

Franklin Downtown Partnership Hires Communications Coordinator

Franklin Downtown Partnership

The Franklin Downtown Partnership recently hired Terri Frank as the non-profit organization's Communications Coordinator. Frank, a resident of Franklin, has worked as a volunteer for the Partnership for the past five years.

In addition to her PR and website responsibilities, her new duties will include acting as Coordinator for the new Franklin Map/Brochure, which will be published early this summer. She will also be the Crafter Chairperson for the FDP's Harvest Festival, set for October 5.

Terri Frank can be reached at terrifrank1@gmail.com.

Update: Remington/Jefferson Exterior

An update from the Facilities Dept via Town Administrator Jeff Nutting regarding the exterior photos of the Remington/Jefferson school building that were shared here on Sunday:

-Steve

As a followup to your pictures the other day about the water at the RJ please see memo from Facilities

thanks
jeff

------------

Hi Jeff,

Mike and I walked the entire exterior of Rem/Jeff. As pictured in Franklin Matters, there are a number of areas where water sheds from the roof onto the brick and leaves a staining of moss/mold. Fortunately, this mold is exterior and not capable of penetrating the interior of the building. However, it does leave an unsightly appearance on the affected areas. For some reason, the roof was designed to shed water as it currently does.As the weather changes and gets warmer, the brick will begin to dry out and the staining will become less noticeable. We will power wash the brick.

Thanks

Dana

While waling Sunday also in rain but much lighter, I snapped these photos of Parmenter and Davis Thayer. Both of these buildings have the roof extending over the building wall a good 10-12 inches. As indicated in Dana's email, that appears to be the 'root' cause.

Parmenter roof showing the overhang

Davis Thayer roof showing the overhang

If you missed seeing the photos on Sunday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/new-kind-of-green-photo-essay.html

Monday, April 28, 2014

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - May 1, 2014 (FY 2015 budget hearing and vote)

Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St

The documents as released for this agenda can be found on the official Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050114.pdf

or here

Franklin's Community Gardens - ready for growing

In the rain Saturday, I stopped by the Community Garden. It was quiet and empty. Signs of preparation for the growing season were around.

Franklin Community Gardens

worthy caution

garden beds ready for planting

garden beds ready for planting - 2

rain barrel and shed

Fresh mulch was added. It ha snot completely been spread out yet so some piles remain.

For additional info on the community gardens, visit their page on the Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/garden

From their section of the Annual Report
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/annual-report-2013-community-garden.html

Where are the community gardens?
In the King St Memorial Field

Baseball: Franklin tops King Phillip 11-3

Franklin (4-4) scored nine runs in the final two innings, including an eight-run explosion in the top of the seventh, to come from behind and pick up a big 11-3 win over Kelley-Rex rival King Philip (4-6) on Sunday in Wrentham.

Panthers pitcher Zane Byrne, making his first start of the season, gave up three runs on four hits in the bottom of the first but settled down and finished with six scoreless innings allowing only one more hit and three more base runners.

Franklin High School Panthers

“We were fighting against ourselves early and Zane was a little excited in his first start and was a little off, but I was really proud of how he and the team settled in, righted the ship, and started to play good baseball,” said Franklin coach Zach Brown. “It was a much-needed win against a high quality opponent.”

Read the full article in Hockomock Sports
http://www.hockomocksports.com/1/post/2014/04/byrne-franklin-rally-for-division-win-at-king-philip.html

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 30, 2014

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS

F. HEARINGS
- 7:10 PM Budget: FY 2015 Budget Hearing – 1st Reading

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-26: Establishment of a Council on Aging Senior Center Activities Program Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2015.
2. Resolution 14-27 Establishment of a Use of Facilities Account for Fiscal Year 2015
3. Resolution 14-28: Establishment of a Council on Aging Supportive Day Program Revolving Account for Fiscal Year 2015.
4. Resolution 14-29: Establishment of a Fire Department Fire Rescue Training Revolving Account For Fiscal Year 2015.
5. Resolution 14-30: Salary Schedule Full Time Elected Officials

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

Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St

The documents released for this meeting agenda can be found on the official Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/043014.pdf

or here

new kind of 'green' ?? - (photo essay)

While walking in the rain on Saturday, I was able to capture some photos of the Remington Jefferson building. Some parts of the building remained dry in the light rain. Some parts did not.

back side of building (gym)

facing the Jefferson playground area

close up of the window sill and below show in the photo above

wet corner, close up it is ugly (see below)

close up of the wet corner

Jefferson side of building

as good as water is, it does cause damage

4th Annual Franklin & Bellingham SNETT Road Race 5k Run, 1 or 3 Mile Walk

Help the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee and get in some exercise at the same time.

When: Saturday, May 3 10:00 AM

Where: 431 Washington St

Register: http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race/register

4th Annual Franklin & Bellingham SNETT Road Race

Google map for the race location (former Putnam property)

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Indian Rock (video)

On my walk I diverged to explore what I believe is Indian Rock. It is supposed to be located off Jordan Road and off Indian Lane. Further off Indian Lane, there is another side street that according to Google maps is called King Phillip Road. (There is no street sign on the corner however.) At the end of this cul-de-sac, there are well worn trails to the rock.

looking down from Indian Rock

looking up to Indian Rock

Warren Reynolds posted about his visit to Indian Rock here
http://www.02038.com/2008/12/indian-rock-franklin-ma/