Franklin Matters

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The cost of attention (video)

What do you pay attention to? The headlines?

Julia Bacha tells a compelling story about paying attention to nonviolence.

Monday, September 5, 2011

The post-industrial revolution is here

As we get ready for the 93rd year of universal public education, here’s the question every parent and taxpayer needs to wrestle with: Are we going to applaud, push or even permit our schools (including most of the private ones) to continue the safe but ultimately doomed strategy of churning out predictable, testable and mediocre factory-workers?

Read his full posting here.

The magic of truth and lies (video)

Labor Day, the traditional end to summer.

There are those among us who do work, very hard, at looking for work.

There are those among us who work very hard, at getting enough to eat.

There are those among us who have so much, they become careless.

This Labor Day, take a few minutes. Reflect on where you are, what you have, what you can help some one with.

Be aware of the lies and deceptions you tell your self. The lies that others tell you.

Marco Tempest has this brief TED video to help understand the difference between truth and lies, deception and magic.

Enjoy!

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

Sunday, September 4, 2011

"improving the map for all users"

"Here's one, the Nason Street Tot Lot. That was never there," said Zub, pointing out places in the Franklin map he found and added. "The train station icon over here was on top of BJ's, so people probably thought 'Hey, big parking lot - this must be the train station.' "

Using a satellite setting on Google Maps to find places that are not yet labeled, and drawing from his own visits to local spots, Zub puts more and more of his hometown on the interactive map every day.

He has more than 9,000 map edits to his name.

Zub uses a free program called Google Mapmaker, which allows anyone with Internet access to refine the maps in the Google database. It was introduced to the United States in April. A user goes to google.com/mapmaker and does not have to download the program.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948303690/Local-man-working-to-chart-Franklins-every-detail-using-online-maps#ixzz1Wz3bC8TU

Geoffrey's profile page in Google

And the Nason St Tot Lot mentioned in the article:

View Larger Map

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: mosquito alert

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has found a bird-biting mosquito in the central section of Franklin, which has tested positive for the West Nile Virus. This is the first positive WNV mosquito sample found in Franklin so far this season. All residents are urged to avoid mosquito bites if at all possible.

The use of an insect repellent containing DEET is recommended during all outdoor activities. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age, and not used in concentrations above 30% in older children. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are also recommended when out of doors during times of peak mosquito activity; usually between dawn and dusk.

In addition, residents should drain all standing water on their property to reduce mosquito breeding sites. Inspection and/or repair of window and door screens are also important to keep mosquitoes from entering ones home.

We expect mosquito activity to remain high until the first hard frost in the fall. As such, residents should take all steps necessary to prevent mosquito bites until then.

Additional information is available on the Department of Public Health website: www.mass.gov/dph/wnv or by calling the DPH recorded information line at 1-866-627-7968.

You may also contact the Franklin Health Department with questions at 508-520-4905.

Franklin Health Department
David E. McKearney, R.S.
Public Health Director

Originally posted to the Franklin, MA website here

In the News: SNAP benefits, Irene update

Reimbursements possible for losing food during Tropical Storm Irene

by Staff reports

National Grid: All Mass. customers to have power today

by Staff reports

Jobs and the Massachusetts Economy on Labor Day 2011

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Contact Info

Noah Berger

President

nberger@massbudget.org

(617) 426-1228 x102

Facts at a Glance: Jobs and the Massachusetts Economy, Labor Day 2011

September 2, 2011

After a record-setting economic downturn that officially began in December of 2007 and ended in June of 2009, the US economy is now in a period of weak and fragile recovery, one that features both slow growth and high levels of unemployment. For many Americans, the current recovery feels little different than the recession itself.

This certainly holds true for the many Massachusetts families who have felt the direct effects of this historic downturn - Labor Day 2011 offers little cause for celebration among the Bay State's thousands of unemployed and underemployed workers. By many measures, however, Massachusetts has fared far better than most other states during the Great Recession and its aftermath. We have experienced lower rates of unemployment, lost a smaller share of our jobs, and maintained higher median wages for many of our workers.

A new Facts At A Glance, Jobs and The Massachusetts Economy: Labor Day 2011, provides charts and analysis of the most current data for Massachusetts and the US on unemployment rates, job losses, and median wages. The report offers snapshots of how these measures have changed since the start of the Great Recession and over prior decades. It is available here and at www.massbudget.org.

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.