Franklin Matters

Friday, July 15, 2011

United Regional Young Professionals Organization announces website and membership opportunities

The United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) announced the launch of their website at unitedregionalypo.org and is accepting new members. The YPO consists of a diverse group of young professionals who have an interest in social and business networking, community involvement and professional development.

The YPO was organized in 2010 by the United Regional Chamber of Commerce in direct response to the challenges in attracting and retaining diverse young professionals and to develop the next generation of leadership. The annual membership fee of $50 is waived for the first year for United Regional Chamber of Commerce members.

The YPO is co-hosting a “Christmas in July” networking event with the Hampton Inn in Franklin on July 28. “The hotel will be decorated inside and out for Christmas – Trees, lights, holiday music, movies, the works!” says Amanda Gentile, Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn Franklin/Milford and Board Member of the YPO. The festivities will include pictures with Santa, Christmas ornaments, cookies, hot apple cider and coco buffet, and a hotel hunt for fabulous gifts. You may register for this event on the YPO’s website or by contacting 508-488-YPO1 (9761).

"The end product is very much their own"

In another movie, a dozen characters fight for the title of Greatest Warrior.

But the class is more than goofing off with gruesome fight scenes. Kids learn how to use a plethora of gadgets, from cameras to tripods, to USB cables, to memory cards. They learn how to make a better picture with or without the flash, edit audio and video clips, and download data to the computer program they used.

Bisbee said she also incorporates some creative writing in having the kids plan out their characters, plot and settings on paper and storyboards before acting the script out. More than the technical and academic skills, though, the kids learn teamwork.

"They definitely get a feel for what it's like to work cooperatively and be creative. They play off each other's strengths," said Bisbee, noting that the teams have to plan together and come to a consensus throughout the week. "It's a cooperative project from beginning to end."

Thousands needed for tornado cleanup July 30-31

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Thousands needed for tornado cleanup July 30-31

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/14/11

Thousands of volunteers are needed for a cleanup drive on Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31, in the communities affected by the June 1 tornadoes that struck western and central Massachusetts.

Click to register or for more information.

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

Drop off unused drugs at Franklin PD

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Drop off unused drugs at Franklin PD

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/14/11

A drug take-back container is now in the Franklin police station lobby at 911 Panther Way.

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

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"amendments were approved unanimously and without discussion"

The downtown district will now be labeled a mixed-use, transit-oriented area, with specific emphasis on restaurants and retail.

The amendments are stricter on residential use than commercial.

Apartments are restricted to upper floors, with no more than 1 dwelling per 2,000 square feet of a lot area downtown.

While there was previously no parking restriction, each residential unit must now provide 1.5 parking spaces. There is still no parking restriction for businesses.
The 20-foot setback from the street or sidewalk originally required for buildings now starts at a minimum of 5 feet, with 15 feet for four-story buildings. Upper floors are allowed to overhang that minimum requirement.

The new rules only apply to buildings that are three stories or lower, and proposals for taller structures would still have to get special permit.

"food service programs' nutrition standards are 'uneven' "

Ryan's remarks came after the Massachusetts Public Health Council yesterday adopted new school nutrition regulations giving students healthier eating options.

The new guidelines, which take effect in the 2012-13 school year, will require schools to make fresh produce, healthy beverages, and low-fat dairy and whole grain offerings available wherever food is sold. The rules also get rid of products loaded with sugars and trans fat, including sugar-sweetened beverages like soda.

The regulations apply to food in vending machines, at snack booths or at school-sponsored events. They won't affect schools' meal programs, nor do they apply to foods sold more than a half-hour before or after the school day.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1850043855/State-passes-stricter-school-lunch-rules#ixzz1S4ShI5MY

Note: Franklin just went with an outside firm to provide the food service partly for this reason.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/06/theres-lot-of-efficiencies-here.html