Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 8/15/11

Join author David Rottenberg as he reads from his book
Gwendolyn, the Graceful Pig
David will be joined by ballet dancers who will provide a mini-dance lesson
August 27th at 11 AM
Ages 3 - 8 No Registration required.

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In the News - Tr-County, Rep Vallee, school backpacks

Tri-County Regional School holds grade 9 orientation

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Rep. Vallee slates district office hours

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Backpack, school supplies collection under way

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Partridge St: road closure Aug 18

NOTICE: Partridge Street between Dover Circle and Harborwood Drive will be closed to through traffic on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM due to construction.


Originally posted on the Franklin notices here
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_News/0176EAEB-000F8513

Franklin Info

Zip skinny displays publicly available info on Franklin in tables and charts. If you want to check out other zipcodes, enter one.

This link is set for 02038


Related post:
Yes, this was seen here in 2007
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2007/11/zip-skinny.html

In the News - high school fair

High school fair planned, Sept. 14

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Upper Charles Trail - Milford Section

For the cyclists in the area, the Boston Globe West edition for Sunday had an article about the rail trail efforts in Milford:

The Milford bike path eventually will loop more than 7 miles from the Hopkinton line through downtown and back to the Holliston line. The project is nearing completion of what the town refers to as Phase 2 of the trail, which stretches from the Milford Senior Center, across Route 109 and under I-495 along power lines to the Holliston town line. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is in the works for Sept. 24, according to Reno DeLuzio, former town planner and chairman of the Milford Upper Charles River Trail Committee. Phase 1, where the Millets were riding last Tuesday, stretches from downtown to the Hopkinton town line, skirting playing fields, woods, and water along the way. 

A third stretch, linking the first two, is still being designed.

Read the full article here:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2011/08/14/milford_takes_the_lead_on_the_charles_river_bike_trail/?page=1

Where is the Upper Charles Trail in Milford?


View Larger Map



Is there a group doing something like this in Franklin?
Yes, there is. The Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee is working to develop the section of the SNETT that starts in Franklin and runs to Palmer, MA. You can fill out an application to join the committee or donate online via Paypal here

"We'll always be tied to St. Rocco's"

For those participating in the 33rd Feast of St. Rocco, the patron saint of the sick, the event is more than a time for socializing and eating Italian favorites like cannoli and lasagna. Like Brunelli, for most it's a matter of the heart. 

Brunelli and his cousin, Mickey Degrazia, two of the five co-chairmen of St. Rocco's and both Franklin natives, have helped plan the feast for three decades now. 

This year, they started the planning process July 25. They expect 50,000 to 60,000 people will attend this weekend, Brunelli said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633534048/Franklins-hearts-belong-to-St-Rocco#ixzz1V02ZgqbK

"These are objects that excite the imagination"

For something to do out of the rain, Worcester is not far away. There is a sword exhibit at the Higgins Armory Museum that sounds interesting!

Occupying a single third-floor gallery, the swords in the exhibit are displayed in separate display cases according to chronology and function. 

In addition to several swords, a placard in each cabinet briefly explains the metal-making techniques used to forge them plus additional information on their special features such as the development of complex hilts to protect the user's hand and evolution of the short-bladed cutlass for fighting on board crowded vessels. 

Some of the exhibit's sections include "Ancient Swords," "Medieval Swords," "After the Middle Ages," "Small Swords," "Naval Swords," "American Swords," "Swords of Ceremony and Fancy" and "Making and Using a Sword."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633533920/Sword-exhibit-is-on-the-cutting-edge#ixzz1V04FC7nb

"Everybody likes to beat the government"

Kirk Simon, owner of Simon's Furniture at 8 Summer St. in Franklin, said his business thrives on tax-free weekend because furniture is a big-ticket item. The sales tax in Massachusetts is 6.25 percent. 

Simon tries to increase business by holding additional sales and extending store hours, he said. This year, the business plans to match the sales tax discount and give customers an additional discount of 6.25 percent on their purchases, he said.
"It's a double tax holiday at Simon's," he said. 

Since people often postpone buying furniture for financial reasons, the tax-free holiday is a popular event for the business, said Simon.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633533992/Local-businesses-expect-good-things-over-tax-free-weekend#ixzz1UuEIbRJ5

Celebrate National Farmers' Market Week - visit the market today!

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.

National Farmers' Market Week
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-celebrate-national-farmers.html

Moving Planet - Sep 24th (video)

For more about the Moving Planet and Sep 24th visit here
http://act.350.org/signup/moving_planet/?akid=1188.235799.m-pChN&rd=1&t=1


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the video

Tanglewood Marionettes

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Tanglewood Marionettes

via Franklin Public Library by Franklin Public Library on 8/10/11

Our end of summer reading program will be the Tanglewood Marionettes.
They will be performing "Fairy Circus"

Monday August 15th at 1PM

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Public Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

This program is partially funded by a grant from the Franklin Cultural Council.

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"The building has got to go"

The board placed special conditions on the project, including careful demolition of the chimney and a request that the remaining wall does not topple into nearby Mine Brook after the building is taken down. Members agreed to vote on a permit at their next meeting, Aug. 25. 

If the permit is approved, the town can put the project out to bid, a process officials had hoped to complete first in May and then by the end of July. 

"It's been a long haul," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. "(The town) started trying to figure this out 10 years ago." 

Nutting said he still believes the building will be demolished by the fall, and conservation officials stressed the importance of taking it down.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633533666/Franklin-closer-to-tearing-down-former-Nu-Style-building#ixzz1UoNwhic1

Related posts:

The public hearing held in April, 2011
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/04/live-reporting-nustyle-brownfields.html

In the News - PMC, ravioli

Thanks for local support of PMC

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by To the Editor

Ravioli recipe is so good, everyone in Franklin is using it

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Whitney Clearman/Daily News staff

"There isn't going to be an option not to do the project."

"This is a very unfortunate, but not unknown increase," said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. "It shouldn't be a surprise to anybody." 

The Charles River Pollution Control District has already begun a $19 million project expected to cap the residuals landfill, upgrade security, and upgrade the phosphorus removal and disinfection system, add a scum handling system and replace clarifier mechanisms, among a few other improvements. The town shares the cost with Bellingham, Millis, and Medway, but Franklin's sewer assessment will go up $700,000, said Nutting. 

Then, last year, the council authorized a $7.5 million bond to improve the water system. 

The increases should cost the average customer $40 more in sewer bills the first year and $50 more for water the first year. 

Town Council did not take action on the proposal, but is expected to vote on it at its next meeting.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1510866185/Franklin-water-sewer-bills-expected-to-rise#ixzz1UiFmCHXW


While Jeff Nutting is quoted as saying "this should not be a surprise". In 2009, he also said

"We do have time to plan for it per Jeff as this would only kick in for 2015 and beyond."

Apparently the increase is coming in sooner than 2015.
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/02/live-reporting-charles-river-pollution.html

How to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

 

 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 

 

How to Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

via food: TakePart - Inspiration to Action by maxfollmer on 8/9/11

(Photo: Getty Images).

It's National Farmers Market Week here in the U.S. through August 13, as good a time as any to remind you of the thousands of great local markets supplying fresh, in-season produce grown by family farmers. 

In fact, the USDA says more than 1,000 new farmers markets popped up around America last year, bringing the total in the 2011 National Farmers Market Directory to 7,175 — a 17 percent jump over last year. 

Shoppers looking for the market nearest them can check out the USDA's national directory by clicking here. 

There's also the directory of markets, CSA's and farms over at Local Harvest. 

You can find all of TakePart's stories about America's great farmers markets here. 

And in case you need some pointers on how to pick some of the best produce that's in season at farmers markets right now, don't miss TakePart's recent guide on everything from Apricots to Watermelon. More

read more

 

 

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Around the table: healthy food, 2000 calorie diet

I'll share some good information on healthy foods that I find:

Does it really cost more to buy healthy food?

by Marion

Where did the 2,000 calorie diet idea come from?

by Marion

In the News - St Rocco's

There's no festival in Franklin without the gravy

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff

Josette Sheeran: Ending hunger now

Josette Sheeran says: "What I would like to offer here is a challenge. I believe we're living at a time in human history where it's just simply unacceptable that children wake up and don't know where to find a cup of food. Not only that, transforming hunger is an opportunity, but I think we have to change our mindsets."

The Franklin Food Pantry works to provide a safety net for those in our community.

MBTA - Franklin Line - expect delays Sunday, Aug 14

On Sunday, Aug. 14, all outbound trains will terminate at the Norwood Central Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Walpole Station. All inbound trains will terminate at Walpole Station with substitute bus service shuttling passengers to Norwood Central Station. 

Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected

Read more: Work on Franklin commuter rail line may cause 30-minute delays - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/archive/x919518666/Work-on-Franklin-commuter-rail-line-may-cause-30-minute-delays#ixzz1Ua3LcmMK