Community Garden Walkabout - August 27th 9am-11am

Hello Everyone,


This Saturday August 27th the garden coordinator Chris Clay will be in the garden from 9am-11am to give tours of the garden for community members and answer any questions gardeners may have.  If you want to know what the spots on your tomato leaves mean, what that bug on your broccoli is, or anything else this is your chance to ask!


Cheers,


Chris Clay

--

www.franklincommunitygardens.org

Visit us on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Franklin-Community-Gardens/152040424825578

Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/FRKLNCommGarden

US Congressman Jim McGovern: Hurricane Irene: Be Prepared

If you are having trouble viewing this message, you can view the message online.

August 26, 2011 Unsubscribe Update My Profile Website | Jim McGovern | Services | 3rd District | Issues & Legislation | Media Center | Contact Jim Dear Friend, This weekend, as we prepare in Massachusetts and all along the East Coast for Hurricane Irene to hit land, there are some excellent resources to ensure you are ready for whatever comes our way. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth; more information is available at Mass.gov. Be sure to print this article and information from the following resources, in the event you cannot access it after the storm. WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE STORM: Track the Storm: Track Hurricane Irene on NOAA's website, or follow them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov) or Twitter (@usnoaagov) to get updates. Hurricane Checklist: Review the American Red Cross' Hurricane Safety Checklist to prepare for the next several days. Create an Emergency Kit:  Use this Ready.gov checklist to ensure you have all of the needed supplies at hand. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with local authorities by listening to your local broadcast media, or by visiting Mass.gov and Ready.gov. Mobile FEMA: FEMA's Mobile site is an excellent way to stay up-to-date if you are away from home or unable to connect to the internet through your computer. Be prepared for power outages during and after the storm: The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has the following tips for dealing with a possible power outage: Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries on hand.  A radio is an important source of critical weather and emergency information during a storm. If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water.  Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water.  Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet. Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored).  During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unnecessarily.  Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed). If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using a generator.  Always use outdoors, away from windows and doors. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly accumulate indoors. Never try to power your house by plugging the generator directly into household wiring, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices. In order to protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is restored, you should unplug all sensitive electronic equipment, including TVs, computers, stereo, DVR, VCR, microwave oven, cordless telephone, answering machine and garage door opener. (Review the process for manually operating your electric garage door.) Be extra cautious when you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm.  Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by trees or debris, and could be live.  Never attempt to touch or move downed lines, and keep children and pets away from them.  Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences.  Always assume a downed line is a live line.  Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem. Be safe this weekend, and if you have neighbors who may need help getting prepared, please take a few minutes to check on them or help them with their efforts as well. Sincerely, Congressman Jim McGovern Contact Information Washington D.C. Office 438 Cannon HOB | Washington, DC 20515 | Phone: (202) 225-6101 | Fax: (202) 225-5759 District Offices: 34 Mechanic Street Worcester, MA 01608 Phone: (508) 831-7356 Fax: (508) 754-0982 255 Main Street Room 104 Marlborough, MA 01752 Phone: (508) 460-9292 Fax: (508) 460-6869 8 North Main Street Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-8025 Fax: (508) 431-8017 371 S. Main Street Suite 102 Fall River, MA 02721 Phone: (508) 677-0140 Fax: (508) 677-0992 Update My Profile - Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy

State Senator Karen Spilka: Staying Safe During Hurricane Irene

August 26, 2011 Dear Steve, The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends steps residents should take as Hurricane Irene approaches the Commonwealth. It is important that we all plan early for this storm, which forecasters report may bring damaging winds and torrential rain to the area. The Governor has issued a State of Emergency because of the predicted severity of this storm. It is crucial to stay informed and MEMA has frequent updates and additional recommendations. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/mema. The National Weather Service also has a full list of counties impacted and more details of the hurricane and its expected path.  Here some tips outlined by MEMA: Have a Kit Every home and business should have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency, in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power. Each kit will be unique to each family, but should include a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets. Make a Plan Develop a Family Emergency Communications Plan in case family members are separated from one another during the storm. This plan should also address reunification after the immediate crisis passes. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the Family Emergency Communications Plan contact person. During and immediately after a disaster occurs, it is often easier to access a long distance telephone number than a local one. Also, calling outside a disaster area is usually easier than calling into the same area. Be Informed You should contact your local Emergency Management Director to familiarize yourself with you Community's Emergency Plans, particularly potential evacuation routes and shelter locations before an emergency situation occurs. Because turbulent weather is expected, MEMA also highlights steps for staying safe during power outages: •   Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries on hand.  A radio is an important source of critical weather and emergency information during a storm.  •   If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water.  Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water.  Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet. •   Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored).  During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unnecessarily.  Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed). • If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage. •   Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using a generator.  Always use outdoors, away from windows and doors. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly accumulate indoors. Never try to power your house by plugging the generator directly into household wiring, a practice known as "backfeeding." This is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices. •   In order to protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is restored, you should unplug all sensitive electronic equipment, including TVs, computers, stereo, DVR, VCR, microwave oven, cordless telephone, answering machine and garage door opener. (Review the process for manually operating your electric garage door.) •   Be extra cautious when you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm.  Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by trees or debris, and could be live.  Never attempt to touch or move downed lines, and keep children and pets away from them.  Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences.  Always assume a downed line is a live line.  Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem. I hope you and all your friends and loved ones are able to stay safe during this storm. Warm Regards, Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk http://www.karenspilka.com/ Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 511-C, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 (617) 722-1640 phone - (617) 722-1077 fax Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov http://www.karenspilka.com/

This message was sent to shersteve@gmail.com from: Office of Karen Spilka | Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka, Room 511-C, State House | Boston, MA 02133

Email Marketing by

Manage Your Subscription

Making a purchase!

Franklin Farmers Market,  Friday,  12:00pm to 6:00pm

Located on the Town Common

Reminder that the Farmers' Market now accepts SNAP dollars and can double your purchasing power.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html

Visit the Food Pantry tent at the Farmers' Market for details.

Where is the Town Common?


View Larger Map

Making strides - yes or no?

Catching up to the Boston Globe article from Thursday. Turns out that a website has ranked Franklin amongst the least walkable communities in MA. One may quibble with the ranking or methodology, but when you think about it, the ranking I think is fair. There are more streets with no sidewalks than with, and those that have them are not all in good condition, never mind tip top condition. That's my 2 cents accumulated from spending quite a bit of time running the roads around town and some of them are far safer than others.

Meanwhile, Franklin - along with Milford and Northborough - will soon be getting some guidance and training from the nonprofit Walk Boston, through funding from the Metrowest Community Health Care Foundation. 

The project is just getting started, according to Wendy Landman, executive director of Walk Boston - which has worked with about 50 communities in various capacities, from creating walking maps to providing pedestrian safety education. 

The plan is to perform “walk audits’’ in each community. Those involve walking around and examining various factors, she explained, including sidewalk conditions, intersection placement and geometry, efficiency of pedestrian lights, presence of trees, and availability of shade.

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

Making a race!

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Up to 26 candidates for Franklin town election

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Staff reports on 8/25/11

Four more people have taken out papers for the November town election since last week, upping the list of potential candidates to 26.

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

Making the way for dogs!

A dog park has been part of Franklin's open space plan since 2009, said Town Planner Beth Dahlstrom, but hasn't been a priority in past years. When Goulet began work on the project about five months ago, she contacted Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, who helped her figure out where to put the park, and to which departments she needed to talk. 

"It's something that's been in our master plan for some time and she's taking the initiative. That's great," said Nutting. "We hope she can move ahead with this in the next several months." 

To get the park opened, Goulet coordinated volunteers to help her clear the proposed space in Dacey Field, on the far side of the walking path between the sport field and playground; sought donations from local businesses and price quotes on fencing, mulch, trash bins and signs; and built a website, franklindogpark.webs.com, where people can go for more information.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1752170060/Girl-helping-Franklin-establish-dog-park#ixzz1W7v3QfOE