Monday, August 22, 2011

YMCA announces races on Sep 10th

Youth races, tri-races, and 9th annual 5K road race are announced by the Hockomock Area YMCA. Details contained in the flyer attached.

Healthy Futures Races Press Release

Visit the Y website to register - look for Special Events


"fewer soggy chicken nuggets"

While farmers' markets are expanding, the use of fresh and local foods is increasing in the school lunch programs:
Franklin decided to revamp its food program by bringing in help. 
In June, the school system awarded its dining contract to Whitsons Culinary Group, a company that works with public and private schools to improve menus and promote healthy eating. 
School Committee member Bill Glynn, who led a nutrition subcommittee while the school was evaluating potential candidates, said at a June meeting that the change was to address the state's ever-evolving nutrition standards, according to school committee minutes. 
Kevin Silivia, an area training manager for Whitsons, said the company is training cafeteria employees to cook a variety of foods using fresh ingredients. 
"I think we are on the cutting edge, starting to develop programs that make food nutritious and fun for kids," Silivia said. "We develop our concepts around that ideal."
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1837753803/Area-schools-go-local-to-get-healthy-produce#ixzz1VkWRf0vO


Related Post:
Farmers' markets are expanding
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/people-want-convenience.html

"people want convenience"


Much of the expansion of farmers markets has come in the past three years, said Scott Soares, state commissioner of agricultural resources. 
Public interest in buying local products "really caught fire," he said. In part, demand seems driven by worries about food safety. 
"(Customers) get it here fresh," said Terri Kanief of Boston-based Globe Fish Company, who was in Framingham last Thursday selling seafood. "You don't (know) how long it's been in the grocery store." 
Farmers markets give customers a connection to growers and their techniques that they can't find elsewhere, Cole said. 
Shoppers also are increasingly conscious of how far their food must travel to get to their table, Soares said. 
"Consumers are really recognizing those kinds of impacts that their food choices can make on the environment," he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x27462244/Farmers-markets-sprouting-up-all-over-Massachusetts#ixzz1VkVKUGIV

Related post:
Food Pantry grant doubles SNAP dollars at the Franklin Farmers Market
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/07/franklin-farmers-market-doubles-food.html


product warranties

It wasn’t until 1975 — when Congress passed the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — that federal teeth were added to consumer warranty protections. 
Among other things, Mag-Moss says that businesses offering written warranties to consumers have to clearly disclose the details. Over the years, to flesh out companies’ obligations, the FTC has issued additional compliance guidance in the form of rules, guides, and interpretations. 
As part of its systematic review of regs on the books, the FTC just announced it's looking into how Mag-Moss is faring in today’s marketplace. What’s up for consideration? The FTC’s Interpretations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act; rules dealing with written disclosure of warranties, how warranty documents should be available pre-sale, and informal dispute settlement procedures; and the agency’s Guides for the Advertising of Warranties and Guarantees. 
The FTC is interested in feedback about the rules' costs and benefits, as well as their overall effectiveness and coverage. If your company offers warranties — or if you can share insights into how warranties are working in today’s marketplace — you’ll want to be part of the conversation.

Read the full posting on the official FTC website here


"A waiver for Massachusetts could lift a burden"


It is a particularly high bar for Massachusetts, whose statewide standards for student attainment are among the toughest in the country. And the consequences of falling short are serious - including the possibility of the state taking over underperforming schools. 
Mitchell Chester, the state’s commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said in an interview last week that Massachusetts is giving serious consideration to filing for a waiver from the 100 percent proficiency rule, under a new program announced this month by the Obama administration. 
“For me, the reason filing a waiver makes sense for Massachusetts is that [the rule] no longer does a good job of differentiating our strongest performers from our weakest performers,’’ Chester said. “We have many schools in the Commonwealth at this point that are failing the federal requirements but are not failing schools.’’

Read the full article in the Boston Globe here

"Economic inequality"

From the Boston Globe comes the stark realities of the gulf between the haves and  havenots:
Shoestock, 29, is part of a forgotten economy. While family incomes across Massachusetts have generally risen over the past three decades, the state’s poorest residents have fallen behind. And nowhere have they fallen farther than here in Western Massachusetts, where families in the bottom fifth of the income scale have seen inflation-adjusted earnings drop below 1979 levels, according to a new study by University of Massachusetts economists. 
The study paints a stark picture of two commonwealths, in which the gap between rich and poor, east and west is growing. For example, the inflation-adjusted median income of affluent families in Greater Boston has grown 54 percent since 1979, to $230,000 from $150,000 a year, largely due to high-paying technology jobs. 
In Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley, where decades of plant closings have left hollowed-out economies, the inflation-adjusted median income of the poorest families fell 24 percent, from $21,000 a year in 1979 to $16,000 - on par with some of the most impoverished parts of Appalachia. 
“No real income growth over three decades is what we’re seeing - no improvement in the standard of living,’’ said Michael D. Goodman, one of the study’s authors. “It’s a lost generation of families.’’

Read the full article in the Globe here


Sunday, August 21, 2011

Buddy Greene Classical Harmonica, Carnegie Hall

I do have a harmonica and some day I'll take some time to learn to play. Will I ever play like this? It would be a good goal to do so but this guy can play!





Enjoy!

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

"real housewives of Norfolk County box"


Despite the gym's opening in June at its current location, 33 Forge Hill Road, the women have been boxing with Keegan for years, and moved from the Adirondack Club without hesitation when she did. 
"I didn't think twice about not going where she went," said Rossi, a stay-at-home mother of three in Franklin. Like the other mothers, Rossi explained that boxing is the first exercise that kept her focus and didn't bore her. 
Keegan keeps the classes small intentionally, allowing her to make sure everyone has the right form, and she works one-on-one with the women. She is also a licensed personal trainer, and helps the women with nutrition questions and muscle aches.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633535546/At-local-boxing-club-these-mothers-pack-a-punch#ixzz1Vf0EFWvW


Franklin Art Center sets fall registration

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 8/20/11

Franklin Art Center, 5 Main St., Franklin, is having an open house Thursday, Aug. 25, 4-6 p.m.

Things you can do from here:

Saturday, August 20, 2011

"helps the whole school be a student body"


The High School Experience program runs the weeklong orientation - yesterday was the last day - and introduces new students to as many aspects of Franklin High as it can, from academics to simple things such as the layout of the building. Sophomore, junior and senior volunteers helped to acclimate their new schoolmates. 
"I've learned a lot," said incoming freshman Hannah Gallo, citing her newfound knowledge of the footprint of the school, especially. "Before, when we had tours, I didn't know where we were going at all. There was a group of 50 people, and now it's a group of 10." 
More than 230 freshmen - there will be about 400 in the Class of 2015 - took part in the optional freshman orientation. The first year brought in around 90 students, and last year had 198, said Kristin Cerce, co-director of the program and the district director of health and physical education. School starts Aug. 31.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1510868100/Schooling-the-rookies-in-Franklin#ixzz1VZCgHXiS


Franklin's McGann undecided on re-election

 
 

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

 
 

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Alison McCall/Daily News staff on 8/19/11

Town Councilor Joseph McGann said yesterday that he is interested in serving on a town board, but has not decided whether he will seek re-election to the council or run for a different board in the Nov. 8 election.


 
 

Things you can do from here:

 
 

“There’s room for improvement”


“It seems that there is a clear need for a more ambitious curriculum -- and more rigorous assessment of teachers and student performance,” Charny said. 
Chester said the state’s new Common Core curriculum has made many changes to math education standards already, such as putting more emphasis on teaching proportional reasoning and fractions. 
“Too often, curriculum in those areas have not been as deliberately and carefully sequenced as they should be,” he said. 
Ultimately, though, “math is math,” said Sweeney. “Nothing’s changed about it.” 
“So much of what we’re talking about is the basics,” said DeBenedictis. “Give (students) support, and math is really much easier to supplement than writing, for example.” 
What’s important, educators agree, is finding ways to make the subject interesting to students, and rewarding for them to master. Sweeney said he often tries to incorporate real-life math problems -- figuring out electrical circuits, for example -- so that students will “see firsthand how (math) is done, and how it’s used.”
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x386669906/Solving-Americas-math-challenge#ixzz1VZB1Fiqp


Friday, August 19, 2011

"It's been a wonderful experience"


Former Town Councilor Deborah Bartlett has taken out papers to run against incumbent Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri. Pellegri has been town clerk for 27 years, she said, and was last challenged 17 years ago. 
"I don't take anything for granted," said Pellegri, of her position. "I am excited for every election whether I'm running in it or not." 
Current School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy, and current School Building Committee Chairman Thomas Mercer have taken out papers for Town Council, along with Juan Ramon Riveras. 
Three of the nine current town councilors, Chairman Scott Mason, Shannon Zollo and Stephen Whalen, have said they do not intend to run for re-election. In Franklin, the seats of all nine councilors are up for grabs every two years.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x633535108/Franklin-town-clerk-may-face-a-challenger#ixzz1VStXt9zI

Related post:
The full slate of positions available for election as well as the complete timeline can be found here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/08/franklin-election-details-are-now.html

Farmers Market: noon to 6:00 PM


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

Located on the Town Common

Franklin: Farmers Market


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.


"right back into the swing of things"


"As a coach you have a good understanding of what coaches have to do and do not lose track of what it's like," said Sidwell.

There is much to do this time of year for any athletic director. For the AD-football coach dual role, preparation is the key for opening week.

"To be honest, from doing this awhile, you get used to the flow of how it works," said Sidwell. "You work during the summer prior to this so it's not just overwhelming. You meet with the (fall) coaches over the summer. And you need good maintenance people, which we do in Franklin, that will know what to do with the fields so we do not have a lot of problems and it's not an issue."

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/archive/x1510867605/Local-ADs-getting-ready-for-summer#ixzz1VQIRSpK7


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Avery Give Back to Schools


I saw the Parmenter sign the other day and wondered what Avery was up to.

Vote Parmenter $ Avery Com


When I visited Avery.com I found the following:
There are lots of ways to help earn cash and much needed supplies for your school today. First, make sure that Avery school supplies are on all your Back-to-School supply lists. Avery offers high-quality, durable school supplies with Box Tops for Education® coupons, so kids and parents can clip off the coupons and give them to their schools. Each coupon is worth 10¢—and boy does it add up fast! Schools have earned over $1,000,000 from Box Tops coupons found on Avery products that have helped purchase computers, playground equipment, books and more.And with the Avery Give Back to Schools™ promotion, all you have to do is vote for your favorite school. The top five schools at the end of the promotion will each win $10,000 worth of Avery School Supplies, 10,000 Bonus Box Tops coupons, and $1,000 worth of gift cards. Twenty-five runner-up schools will also win 5,000 Bonus Box Tops coupons! So what are you waiting for? Start voting today! 
Promotion runs June 15 - September 16. Winners announced in late September.
Visit Avery.com here http://givebacktoschools.avery.com/schools/index

Register with an email (you can opt out of receiving promotional emails!) and vote often for your favorite Franklin school!



Nature and Her Ways: Artists' Reception this Thursday

logo
11 East Central Street 
 Franklin, MA
August  2011
Dear Steve,
 You are invited to an exhibit: 




NATURE AND HER WAYS:
THROUGH THE LENSES OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHERS  


Artist Opening Reception 

Pamela Ruby Russell
&
Rebecca Skinner


Thursday,  August 18, 2011 4pm-8pm
.
 The Gallery Show is on display until September 9th



Twilight Moon by Pamela Ruby Russell 
Twilight Moon
by Pamela Ruby Russell
 "My personal approach... is to observe and capture those vulnerable, fleeting moments, the essence of my subject...to intimately record the authentic center of a subject, I find this experience completely exhilarating"

Leaf by Rebecca Skinner
Leaf
by Rebecca Skinner
  "Photography is my lifelong passion...the majority of my work is in color, I tend to avoid any type of digital manipulation of my images....I am constantly exploring new subjects as well as new techniques- there is nothing more rewarding."
Come meet and greet these two talented artist photographers,
  Enjoy live entertainment by singer, guitarist Kai Olsson, 
Be treated to a free hand massage by
Lucy Gallagher, massage therapist,
 Introducing a new organic skin care line by
Neals Yard Remedies.
  Delectable Refreshments and more!!

For more information go to www.JanesFrames.com 
  
Natur and Her Ways
Save up to  
   $50  
CustomFraming
with your
Clipper Coupon
      Watch for your Jane's Frames coupon arriving in the mail from Clipper Magazine!



This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by janeframe@verizon.net |  
Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

Harvest Festival Press Release

Franklin’s Harvest Festival Plans Being Finalized




With only a month to go, volunteers are finalizing plans for the 2011 Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 2. The Franklin Downtown Partnership’s 9th annual event promises crafters, live entertainment, food, kids games and antique cars spanning the downtown area from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We expect more than 5,000 visitors this year and we’ve had a tremendous response from crafters and groups who want to participate,” says Harvest Festival Chair Angie Grant. “We especially appreciate our sponsors who have stepped in to make this work. Without their collective support of our community effort we wouldn’t be able to deliver an event of this magnitude.”

The Gold sponsor of this event is Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation. Silver sponsors are Middlesex Savings Bank, Digital Credit Union and Green Mountain Chocolate Company. Bronze sponsors are Byrne Financial Freedom, LLC., Chestnut Dental Associates, Dean Bank, Michael Dunsky of Guaranteed Rate and NHS Print. Friends of the Festival include Ferguson Enterprises and Ten Key Inc.

Anyone interested in sponsoring this event can contact the FDP office at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109. Sponsorship registration forms and a list of opportunities can be found on this website under the Sponsorship tab.

Booth space is going fast. If you’re interested in participating contact Harvest Festival Chair Angie Grant at agrant@middlesexbank.com. Registration forms can be found on this website. If you would like to volunteer for festival setup or cleanup on the day of the event please contact Joel Carrara at jcarrara@prntsmartoffice.com.

----

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization made up of businesses, community leaders and residents. The Partnership relies on donations and sponsorship to fund events like the Harvest Festival as well as downtown improvement projects like beautification efforts and streetscape improvements. For more information please contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774)571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.



This was originally posted on the Downtown Partnership website
http://franklindowntownpartnership.blogspot.com/2011/08/harvest-fesival-press-release.html

Budget Brief: The FY 2012 Budget for MassHealth and Related Programs





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Budget Brief: The Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for MassHealth and Related Programs

August 17, 2011 

This Budget Brief describing the Fiscal Year 2012 (FY 2012) budget for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other related health care programs is the latest in a series of fact sheets published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI) and produced by MassBudget in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute.  The Budget Brief is available here


These fact sheets have been published at each stage in the FY 2012 budget process; this fact sheet summarizes the enacted budget for FY 2012.  The other budget briefs are available on our website.


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.


This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |  
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Fairmount Fruit Farm - strawberries


Did you know that there are still U-pick strawberries to be found in Franklin?

Fairmount Fruit Farm on Lincoln Street (near the Medway border) has an amazing greenhouse full of the berries growing on their new hydro-stackers.

We had a great time picking recently, no deep knee bending or sunscreen needed.

They also have great fresh, organic eggs and a freezer full of fresh lamb.

They will be opening the berry greenhouse to the public later this week.

http://www.fairmountfruit.com/

Check availability by calling them at 508-533-8737

Support your local farmers!


Antonio Mendoca, Neil Acevedo, and Will Acevedo, all from Franklin, at the Fairmount Fruit Farm


Look at the size of this one!


A peek at the hydro-stackers, which the greenhouse also sells.


My thanks to Amy Acevedo for sharing these pictures and information!