Collecting used bikes

On Saturday, September 17th there will be a used bicycle collection at the Franklin High School parking lot, 218 Oak Street, to benefit charity. The collection runs from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is sponsored by the Franklin High School RE:Cycles Club to benefit a Boston based charity that provides used bicycles to people in need, in the US and overseas. We are looking for used bike donations as well as money donations to defray the cost of shipping overseas. Bikes Not Bombs, the beneficiaries of the drive, are a 501(c)3 charity, and donors can request a receipt for tax purposes. We are especially in need of adult bikes in reasonable or easily reparable condition. The event will be held, rain or shine.

For more information contact Eamon McCarthy Earls at re_cycles@yahoo.com.

The cost of attention (video)

What do you pay attention to? The headlines?



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

The post-industrial revolution is here

Seth Godin writes:

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

"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

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work 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.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Community Garden Walkabout

Last Saturday morning, before Irene brought her rain and wind to Franklin, Chris Clay held a "Community Garden Walkabout". Only a few took advantage of this and it was worthwhile.

Here Chris is pulling up some mint which is prolific and he wanted to remove it before if took over the bed.



See how deep and expansive the roots for this plant are. This growth is just since May.

In the walkabout, as Chris and I took pictures, he shared some insights on what we were seeing. On the face of it, these cucumbers look good and healthy.



While they are healthy, the key to picking a cucumber is to do so while there are still some numbs along them. The dark green one in the center is a good example, the two lighter cucumbers on either side are bigger, less or no numbs showing and past prime for picking.

I have more photos and stories from the walkabout to share. The sharing is meant to learn from. I don't mean to pick on anyone for doing something wrong. I am learning so much from this and I hope we all will continue to share and learn and grow better gardens!

"a global fishing crisis that is masked by sparkling blue waters"

Revenga suggests that sometimes supporting policies that may be unpopular in the short term will be beneficial to all in the long term, such as catch shares/limits, no-take zones and fishing gear modifications. She notes that supporting local fisherman and fishing communities is also important. International cooperation is also essential, since more than 80 percent of U.S. seafood is imported and the FDA inspects a small fraction of it. 

Consumers' choices are important. Revenga says, "Consumers need to ask questions and be informed. They can ask their stores and restaurants, not only where the fish is from, but how it was caught....The closer to home the better and the less impact the fishing method the better." 

Environmentally responsible methods of fishing include: hook and line, trolling, traps and pots, and harpooning larger fish. Products that carry the Marine Stewardship Council label ensure that the fish were caught sustainably (www.msc.org). Responsibly caught seafood tends to be more expensive, but the price will be much higher if we do not take steps now to support conscientious fishing practices. 

 Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948303120/Down-to-Earth-Look-for-sustainable-seafood-options#ixzz1Wsy6jQ5F

In the News - MOMS Club, Irene help

MOMS Club of Franklin slates kickoff social

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Volunteer hotline set up for post-Irene help

by Staff reports

The demise of guys

Philip Zimbardo was the leader of the notorious 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment. Now retired from teaching for over 50 years, he makes this presentation at TED about the demise of guys.
Video is less than 5 minutes long. You may need to return and watch it multiple times!










For information on a related topic, how little time outside is creating a 'nature deficit disorder'


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

In the News - mosquitoes, electricity

Mosquitoes with West Nile virus found in Medway, Franklin

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

Some still without power

from The Milford Daily News News RSS by Morgan Rousseau/Daily News staff

Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States

Explore our onlinebudget database Is our research helpful to you? Support our work Contact Info   Noah Berger   President   nberger@massbudget.org   (617) 426-1228 x102 Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States September 1, 2011    Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau releases education spending data on all 50 states.  Using this data, MassBudget reports annually on the state of education spending in Massachusetts. A new MassBudget report examines FY 2009 Census data (the most recent national data available) and compares education spending in Massachusetts to that of other states.  Key findings this year include:  Massachusetts saw a significant increase in federal education revenue in FY 2009 as part of the federal stimulus efforts to protect local schools from being harmed by cuts in state aid. Massachusetts ranks high in per-pupil spending but average in total education spending as a percentage of the state economy. Compared to other states, Massachusetts continues to rely more heavily on local funding sources for education than on state and federal sources.  The report, Public School Funding in Massachusetts: Where We Are, What Has Changed, and How We Compare to Other States, 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.

Forward email This email was sent to shersteve@gmail.com by info@massbudget.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News - youth baseball, Vallee

Franklin youth basketball sign ups

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

Vallee family welcomes baby boy

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