What's your name?

I've wanted to re-open the "Where in Franklin?" series and had the thought today on how to do it with a twist (of course).  I recall taking a walk along a state park trail with a naturalist when my daughters were young. The naturalist was able to name every plant along the way. Well, at least it seemed like she could. That is one area where my own development is lacking. I can recognize some vegetation (common trees, poison ivy, cherry tomatoes, etc.) but generally to walk in the woods, I feel a loss in that I don't know the names of the trees, plants and other vegetation.

Let's start with some simple things. Walking along the streets in Franklin, folks have various flowers and plants adorning their yard. Some of them are more attractive than others but all have a place in the circle of life. All of them have a name. As I walk around town and take pictures, I'll post good ones to find out the name.

You can play along in at least three ways:
1 - name it
send me an email, or leave a comment to identify the item shown

2 - send me a photo
of an item you would like to know the name of. I'll post it so we can all learn together

3 - you can also be less active and just read along
learning and sharing as we find out 'who's who' in the plant kingdom

This is not a contest where the first person who correctly names the item wins. We will all win by learning, and sharing and yes, perhaps having a laugh together, over what we know (and don't know).

This will be a new series. I'll have a separate page to collect the individual posts, pictures and results.

How does that sound?

I believe that learning, sharing, and laughing are the three things that I try to do everyday. Will you join me in this? Would you like to play along?

Yes, that is good. Then here is the first challenge. I found this gorgeous flower in a yard along King St.

Ms Flower - what's your name?

Note: If you have a Flickr account, you can also click through and comment on the photo in Flickr. I'll also post this to the Franklin Matters Facebook page.

-----

The Answer - my friend from Hawaii, Rosa Say, left a comment on the Flickr page to identify these as hibiscus.  More on hibiscus can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus


Franklin, MA

If you've already read Dark Tide

The Dark Tide was the book selected for the "Franklin Reads" program in 2008.

And from the Library newsletter:

Introducing One Book Two Communities. “Franklin Reads” is three years old. We are pleased to expand this program to include the Community of Medway. Book selection is in progress and we invite you all to participate in this exciting adventure.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

If you've already read Dark Tide

via Universal Hub by adamg on 7/14/10

Stephen Puleo, author of the definitive work on our very own Molasses Flood, has a new book out on the history of Boston between 1850 and 1890: A City So Grand.
Chris Klein reviews the book, says it's a great read, but left him melancholy:

... Back then, Bostonians literally moved mountains to resculpt the city, filling in waterways and creating the Back Bay. Puleo writes that the Great Coliseum, 500 feet long and 300 feet wide, that held 50,000 people for the Great Peace Jubilee was built in just 90 days. 90 days!

Boston still plays a leading role in science, technology, and education. In the last 20 years, Boston has had some notable achievements such as the cleanup of Boston Harbor and the Big Dig, but even while the Big Dig was an engineering marvel it was a long, protracted project and not necessarily a source of pride. These days, we can't even stage an event such as the Parade of Tall Ships without constant bickering and political infighting. There's a huge hole festering in Downtown Crossing where the old Filene's building, a Boston institution, once stood. I fear that it's becoming a symbol of a can't-do spirit in the city. Could Boston build the Great Coliseum in just 90 days today? I doubt it. ...

read more

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Third Thursday - July 15th - photo summary

The Museum was open and busy with visitors. Some were enjoying the Stanley Chilson videos being shown that showed life in Franklin in the 1930's.

The Fire Dept trucks were shining in the setting sunlight.

Rick's added a sign showing a welcome service in the recent heat; AC

The Downtown Consignment shop was open in the rear of the Berry Building

The triangle sign was updated to reflect the new water restrictions in place as of 7/7/10

The cherry tomatoes are growing at the Franklin Food Pantry

Did you go downtown for Third Thursday? Did you have any fried dough at the Rome? Or stop into Jane's Frames or Cafe Dolce?


Updated 5/17/11 - sometime in the past couple of months, Downtown Consignment moved to an unknown location in Plainville. The Franklin Art Association now has a gallery in this location.


Franklin, MA

Main St Construction

In case you missed the notice that construction on Main St began this week, you would find the following signs as you approached the Post Office heading to Dean College and the Library.

Franklin, MA

Massachusetts ballot questions announced by secretary of state

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Massachusetts ballot questions announced by secretary of state

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/15/10

Expect to hear a lot in the coming months about Questions 1, 2 and 3.  Massachusetts voters in November will decide the fate of questions slashing the sales tax rate to 3 percent from 6.25 percent, overturning last summer's new tax on retail alcohol sales and repealing the state's comprehensive permit law known as Chapter 40B.
Secretary of State William Galvin on Thursday announced the numbers attached to each question.

• The alcohol sales tax repeal question will be Question 1,
• The comprehensive permit law repeal is Question 2 and
• The initiative petition to reduce the sales tax to 3 percent will be Question 3. 

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MBTA New Commuter Rail Locomotive Purchase

Local commuters on the Franklin Line will have some light at the end of the tunnel for better service in 2013.

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

MBTA New Commuter Rail Locomotive Purchase

via Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation by Klark Jessen on 7/15/10

The MBTA Board of Directors has approved the purchase of 20 new diesel electric locomotives for commuter rail service.  The $114.6 million contract with Motive Power Inc. of Boise, Idaho will deliver the new locomotives beginning in 2013.

The acquisition of new locomotives is a high priority for the MBTA and is a critical element in improving commuter rail performance and service. 

The MBTA operates a fleet of 80 revenue service locomotives, the oldest of which were manufactured between 1978 and 1980.  Overhauled in 1989, these locomotives were programmed for retirement in 2005.  The purchase will allow the MBTA to remove the 20 oldest and least reliable locomotives from service, eliminating associated armature and traction motor failures. 
In addition to realizing increased reliability, the MBTA will significantly reduce locomotive emissions.  The new units will be required to meet "Tier 3" emission standards as regulated by the EPA.  Advancing the delivery of this cleaner technology will reduce fuel consumption by approximately 730,000 gallons per year and will reduce the following in emissions per year; particulate Matter – 26 tons, Hydrocarbons – 38 tons, and Oxides of Nitrogen – by 924 tons.  The reduction in fuel consumption will save an estimated $1.5 million annually.  Visit MBTA on the web to learn more and purchase commuter rail tickets.

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New MBTA trains to be added to Framingham, Franklin lines

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Michael Morton/Daily News staff

Facts At a Glance: Massachusetts Ranks 31st in Taxes in FY 2008

I get this newsletter and for those interested in the whole budget process, they are quite informative. You can subscribe to receive your own copy via one of their channels.

Explore our online budget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102   Tom Benner   Communications Director   tbenner@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x100 Facts At a Glance: Massachusetts Ranks 31st in Taxes in FY 2008 July 15, 2010 This week the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual update of State and Local Government Finances, providing national data for Fiscal Year 2008.  The amount of state and local taxes paid in Massachusetts as a share of total personal income was 10.3 percent in FY 2008. By this measure, Massachusetts had lower taxes than 30 other states. A MassBudget fact sheet analyzing the new Census data is available at www.massbudget.org or by clicking here. In addition, a newly updated fact sheet, Facts At a Glance: New Corporate Tax Breaks Proposed in Economic Development Legislation, is available by clicking here. See MassBudget's Budget Browser to explore Massachusetts state budgets from Fiscal Year 2001 to the present, as well as budget proposals offered by the Governor and the Legislature. MassBudget provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and moderate-income people.

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