Pipelines to Powerlines - The Climate Minute Podcast

New post on Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) Pipelines to Powerlines- The Climate Minute Podcast by massclimateaction As a leader in the fight against climate change, Massachusetts often has to deal with problems at the leading edge. Is a natural gas pipeline through the state a good idea? Is it wise to import hydro-power from Quebec in order to achieve our emissions goals? We discuss these topics, along with a review of the proceedings down in Lima. Kinder Morgan re-routes it's controversial pipeline. We talk with Rich Cowan about what is happening on the front lines of the struggle. Better Futures Project's Craig Altemouse provides a run down of reasons to oppose the pipeline on the Huffington Post. For even more info, check out the MA Pipeline Action Network . The next hearing on the low-demand scenario is scheduled for December 18th. The Globe's Business Page gives a somewhat unclear discussion of the Hydro-Quebec question. But the Op-Ed page has a simpler explanation. Alternatively, the State could save emissions by adjusting our thermostats or using tidal power. In Peru, the COP20 in Lima has been on-going. ThinkProgress gives an update , and DemocracyNow talks to Pablo Solon. If you do nothing else, watch John Kerry's remarkable speech. Finally: Watch President Obama "dis" Keystone XL under Colbert's cold stare. Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon. Thanks for listening. …Ted McIntyre massclimateaction | December 12, 2014 at 10:42 am | Tags: carbon emissions, Clean Energy and Climate Plan, cop20, global warming, Global Warming Solutions Act, QuebecHydro, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Northeast Expansion Project | Categories: Climate Action | URL: http://wp.me/p14L3C-11Y Comment    See all comments    Like Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser:  http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/pipelines-to-powerlines-the-climate-minute-podcast/ Thanks for flying with WordPress.com

screen grab of MASS Climate Action webpage

You can click through to the Climate Action page or listen to the podcast here:

Senator Spilka is looking for Your Feedback

Steve, We have had a great year in the Senate. Working with my colleagues, I took the lead on several key pieces of legislation including: Led the conference committee on domestic violence legislation. We took important steps to improve protections for victims and increase penalties for perpetrators. Sponsored The Electronic Privacy Act, ensuring our rights against unreasonable search and seizure extend to laptops, phones and other electronic devices. Created the Massachusetts Tech Hub Caucus, facilitating conversations between legislators and leaders in tech industries, helping create good, high paying jobs here in the Commonwealth by growing our innovation economy. As we look forward to the next year, I need your feedback on top priorities for my office and for the Senate next year. Click here to take our survey on 2015 priorities >> I look forward to hearing your take on the issues most important to you, together we can keep the Commonwealth moving forward and build on our past successes! Take the survey: www.electkarenspilka.com/2015-priorities Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Karen Spilka State Senator & Majority Whip Paid for by the Spilka Committee

Karen Spilka | info@electkarenspilka.com | Office of Karen Spilka | Committee to Elect Karen Spilka, P.O. Box 2323 | Framingham, MA 01702

Email Marketing by

Families Helping Families

A Free Community Event to Support our Local Food Pantries

Saturday December 13, 6-8 pm at Living Buddha Nature

All monetary donations go to our local food pantries in Millis and Franklin to directly support local families.

Enjoy a free concert by international Virtuoso guitarist Aaron-Larget Caplan

Raffle at event for prizes including yoga and tai chi classes, massages, gift certificates, and surprise gifts! Share free refreshments and time together as a community during this event.

screen grab of Living Buddha Nature webpage

Living Buddha Nature 969 Main St. (Rt. 109) Millis, MA 02054 www.mylbn.com

The flyer for today's event:

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/12/14 - THU 12/18/14

FRI 12/12   7:30pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

SAT 12/13   9am-4pm   Book Sale at Franklin Public Library
SAT 12/13   9am & 10am   Breakfast with Santa at the Franklin YMCA (and other Hockomock branches), registration required.
SAT 12/13   1-3pm   Winter Event with Santa at KinderCare Learning Centers in Franklin
SAT 12/13   4-7pm   Beer and Bling: Fundraiser for Cameron Liberatore at Pour Richard’s Franklin
SAT 12/13   7:30pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

SUN 12/14   9am-12pm   Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library
SUN 12/14   2pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

MON 12/15   3:15-5pm   Cookies and Cocoa with Santa - Franklin Recreation - register HERE.

TUE 12/16   6am-8pm   Special Town Election in Franklin, location Franklin HS

WED 12/17  6:30pm   Doggie Tales at Franklin Public Library, registration required.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Graduation gown discussion

From Pantherbook, their editorial written by Sammy Croteau

Recently the Franklin High School (FHS) Student Government was approached by the Gay Straight Alliance with a proposal to do away with the white and blue graduation robes, that are assigned by gender, and to adopt one robe color for all graduating students. This proposal has sparked much controversy and division within the student body. Even outside news agencies have come to the school to highlight the issue. 

I have spoken with many of my classmates who feel strongly of keeping the blue and white graduation robes. With all due respect for those who are petitioning for a change, we need to give voice to those who seek to preserve the blue and white tradition. 

In order for our school to be together as one we need to start considering what unites us rather than what separates us. We are all Franklin Panthers whose school colors are blue and white. Changing our school’s traditions to soothe the feelings of a few seems drastic and unnecessary. Tradition is important and so is representing our true school colors on the day we graduate. 

Individuals who feel uncomfortable having to choose between graduation gowns of blue and white should not be afraid to choose the color that best suits them. Today’s student body has learned to welcome the quality of our diversity and the traditions that unite us. 

I believe the student body should all have the freedom to choose what school color they would like to wear on their graduation day, despite their gender. Shouldn’t we promote freedom of choice for all students at FHS? This compromise can be achieved by opening up a vote to the whole student body on whether or not we should be free to choose. 

The power of the democratic process will allow us to rise above the politics of division and make any changes adopted acceptable to the majority.

See more at: http://pantherbook.org/top-stories/2014/12/11/power-politics-and-the-press/#sthash.hORuejWs.dpuf

entrance to Franklin High School

From Fox25 their video summary

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

"One would assume I’d be moving forward with the project after that"

Town planning officials received just one response to the request for proposals to develop a town-owned property at the corner of Emmons Street. 

While potential uses for the one-acre property had been hotly debated - with residents, downtown business owners and even Dean College officials all pitching ideas - only Franklin developer Roger Calarese submitted a proposal by the Dec. 2 deadline. Calarese is best known as the developer behind the Franklin Village Mall. 

His plan for the 150 Emmons St. site calls for a 5,300-square-foot commercial property that would include a bank with a drive-through service. He described it as being a Colonial-style building, designed to mesh with the downtown's aesthetic.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141212/NEWS/141218719/1994/NEWS

150 Emmons St, the building under discussion

In August, the Calarese proposal for the "express of interest" was captured here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/responses-for-emmons-st-building.html

From the March public meeting, the handouts provided can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/emmons-st-building-discussion-documents.html

'Tis the Season for Giving!

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

― Winston S. Churchill

Giving is as easy as 1, 2, 3

1 - You can give to help provide cupcakes for our December holiday meal. Visit The Cake Bar today to help out with the cupcake order.  

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/lets-add-cupcakes-to-holiday-ham-dinners.html

2 - Make a reservation with Nice Car Care for your vehicle to get serviced. 5% of the profits from the services they provide during the month of December will come to the Food Pantry. 

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/nice-car-care-gives-back-to-families-in.html

3 - The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the "12 Days of Donating" campaign. From December 1 through December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/franklin-downtown-partnership-and-food.html

And if you prefer, you can also give directly via this secure online donation link

Donate securely here

This post was shared from the Food Pantry page here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/tis-season-for-giving.html