Thursday, July 12, 2012

Franklin, MA: Concerts on the Common


Summer 2012 - Wednesdays from 6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

July 11 - Frank Padula

July 18 - Sharon Band

July 25 - Electric Youth

August 8 - Roy Scott Swing Band

August 15 - Leeds Bank

August 22 - Ayla Brown


Children's Programs 6:00 pm -6:30 pm

July 11 - Rob Peters Bubble Music Man

August 8 - Mike Rutkowski DJ

August 15 - Story Teller Elaine Kessler


In the event of rain, the concert will be held at St.Mary's/Ben Franklin Charter School - across from the Town Common.

Gianettis' U Pick Blueberries Newsletter - Summer Edition 2012

Dear Valued Customer,

IT'S BLUEBERRY TIME!

We are so happy to announce that Gianetti's U-Pick Blueberries will be opening for the season on Friday July 6th and Saturday July 7th at 8 a.m.. If at all possible, please arrive after 8 a.m. to ease the traffic jam during the morning commute, and to prevent a back-up on the street. So mark your calendars, tell all of your friends, grab your favorite picking pail and join us for a tasty time.

As usual will be open every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. throughout the months of July and August. If there happens to be inclement weather on either a Friday or Saturday, please call 508-528-9430 ahead of time to make sure that we are open. A message will be posted on the machine by 7 a.m..

If you happen to forget to bring your own picking container, don't worry, we have containers for you to use.

Please use the link below to forward this e-mail to your family and friends. We don't want anyone to miss out on this year's great picking season!

OPENING WEEKEND!

The unuaually warm spring means that U-Pick Blueberries will be open for 2012 picking season two weeks earlier than normal, Friday July 6th and Saturday July 7th!

We have a fine crop of blueberries this year due to the early heat wave in March and the frequent rain storms in May and June. Of course our tender loving care over the past 10 months didn't hurt either. Do you know that each and every one of our bushes are hand pruned every year to help promote new growth and lots of blueberries? We also make sure we have enough honeybees on the property in the spring to ensure proper pollination and large berries.

We have 5 varieties of blueberries on our farm. Collins are the earliest variety of the season. Our mid-season varieties are Blueray, Bluecrop, and Berkley. Finally, our late season variety is Coville. With these five
varieties we are able to provide our customers with lots of big, sweet, and tasty blueberries for about 6-8 weeks each year.

Through proclamation of the United States Department of Agriculture, July is National Blueberry Month, and what a wonderful time to celebrate these little berries by picking your own at our farm!

Remember we usually pick through the end of August so if you can't make it on our opening weekend, don't worry.


Blueberries and Your Health

Did you know that blueberries are the second most commonly eaten berry in the U.S.? (Strawberries are the first). They are also one of the few fruits native to North America, blueberries have been enjoyed by Native Americans for hundreds of years.

Blueberries are renowned not only for their flavor but for their impact on health. The USDA recommends adults enjoy two cups of fruit a day - all year round. Fresh blueberries can help you fulfill that  recommendation. A half-cup of blueberries has just 40 calories and contributes to our daily intake of dietary fiber and vitamin C.

After many years of research on blueberry antioxidants and their potential benefits for the nervous system and for brain health, there is exciting new evidence from researchers at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center that blueberries can help improve memory. Also, scientific studies show that blueberries contain antioxidants that may be beneficial to good health. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, which are linked to the development of a number of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and other age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's.

New studies also make it clear that we can freeze blueberries without doing damage to their delicate anthocyanin antioxidants.


FAQ

How much does a pint weigh?
A pint of blueberries weighs approximately 3/4 of a pound.

What's the best way to store fresh blueberries?
Fresh blueberries should be stored uncovered in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 10 days. Remember that they need to be completely dry when stored.

Do you have handicapped parking? We try our best to accomodate our handicapped customers with allowing them to park as close to the field as possible. However, since this is a working farm some walking on uneven ground is required.

Can I bring my dog along?
Unfortunately due to health reasons, dogs (except service dogs of course) are not allowed in the field. Please be kind to your pet and leave them at home to rest, while you enjoy your picking experience, it's really too hot to leave them in your car in the middle of the summer.

Do you take credit cards?
We do not have electricity out in the field, and therefore do not accept credit cards. Cash and personal checks are always more than happily accepted.

Do you advertise?
Word of mouth is our best form of advertisement. We rely on our customers to spread the word to their family, friends, and neighbors. So we appreciate it when you do your part!

Do you have restroom facilities?
Unfortunately, we do not have restroom facilities on-site. However, if Mother Nature calls, there is a gas station or Dunkin Donuts 1/10th of a mile down the street.

Thank you for your continued patronage. It is loyal customers like you that make all of our hard work enjoyable. We hope you enjoy our blueberries and your picking experience at our farm.

Gianettis' U Pick Blueberries


We Won't Lay Down 2 Cancer Run, Walk, or Crawl 5K


The We Won't Lay Down 2 Cancer Run, Walk or Crawl 5k is less than 2 weeks away and only a few more days to pre-register.

Registration is $25 by July 13 and $30 day of the event.


This will be held July 21, 2012 at the Franklin High School and we have lots of vendors, raffles, a certified coarse, professionally timed, etc - for more information or to register you can go to http://www.wontlaydown2cancer.com/


In the News: Girl Scouts, music academy, community preservation



Franklin Girl Scouts make Bronze from lead

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Nick Alfieri will be missed

I was fortunate to have met and talked with Nick Alfieri at a number of meetings over the years. He was always helpful and took time to explain the details and the impact of the issue at hand. My tour of the Del Carte property with Nick and Jeff Livingstone is all the more memorable due to the insights he shared along the way.
Alfieri, who lived in Franklin for 17 years, holding multiple positions in town government, including town planner and geographic information system administrator, died in his sleep of a heart attack Sunday. He was 53. 
“Nick played a very large role in turning around and fixing the relationship between the town and the Conservation Commission,” said Commissioner Jeff Livingstone. “He really did change the entire town’s perception of obtaining the right permits as a hassle-filled process to one that was more of partnership driven.” 
And Livingstone said yesterday he expects Alfieri’s passing to affect the commission for a long time. 
“Franklin has become a poster child for how to do things and a highly rated town in terms of its ability to promote conversation initiatives,” he said. “We have relied extremely heavily on Nick’s perception, his feedback and his knowledge of the town.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052258710/Franklin-Conservation-Agent-Nick-Alfieri-dies-at-53#ixzz20J09rA3J

As part of the outreach by the Conservation Commission, Nick submitted this article in January
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/nick-alfieri-why-conservation.html

The obituary can be found here:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/milforddailynews/obituary.aspx?n=nicholas-alfieri&pid=158473884
(services will be private and burial will be in PA).

The Adult Congenital Heart Association website can be found http://www.achaheart.org/

Related post on the the Del Carte property visit
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/09/fm-72-week-ending-91210.html


"The committee is looking at the big picture"

Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator, was quoted in the article posted by the Milford Daily News on the final report issued by the Long Range Financial Planning Committee.
“Franklin has an excellent reputation as a place to live, work and go to school,” said the Long Range Finance Committee in its annual report. “The decisions we are making (or not making) now will determine how long this reputation endures. 
“Quality of life in the town will continue to erode, affecting our infrastructure, public safety, education and other core services,” the report says. 
According to the report, future road maintenance will present a serious financial hurdle for the town, as budget constraints have postponed work, costing Franklin in the long run.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052258676/Report-Franklin-to-face-fiscal-challenges#ixzz20IyHnZra

To read the full report, you can find it here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/franklin-ma-long-range-financial.html

In the News: education, recycling, court, art



Legislation aims to improve early education

Rec Department announces NFL Flag Football signups

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via Wicked Local Franklin News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 7/10/12

The Franklin Recreation Department is offering the popular NFL Flag Football to Franklin and Medway residents.

Things you can do from here:

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sep 6 primary falls on a Thursday


The Boston.com website has a piece on the candidates who will be facing off in Sep 6 primary.
Two Democrats and three Republicans are seeking the state representative seat formerly held by James Vallee, who resigned last month. 
In the Sept. 6 primaries, Jeffrey Roy, a member of the Franklin Town Council, and Peter Padula, a criminal defense lawyer, will face off for the Democratic Party’s nomination, while the Republican race will have John Jewell, a member of the Franklin School Committee; lawyer Rich Eustis; and C. Stolle Singleton, who works as a policy adviser to the 33-member House Republican Caucus.
Read the full article here
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/07/01/candidates_line_up_for_house_race_five_vie_for_open_house_seat/


Candidate websites

Jeff Roy   http://jeffreyroy.com/

Peter Padula   http://padulaforrep.com/

John Jewell   http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Jewell/381175918591241

Rich Eustis  http://www.facebook.com/RichEustisForStateRepresentative

C Stolle Singleton  http://www.votesingleton.com/

In the News: registration, smoke free, master dance



Patrick vetoes vehicle registration amendment

Franklin sets up medical sharp disposal kiosk


“I think that the number of people who are utilizing home sharps has risen annually,” said David McKearney, public health director for the Franklin Health Department. “There was just a pent-up demand for a way to dispose of these things; people are not only injecting themselves but also their pets.” 
Franklin has already purchased a $2,500 kiosk. Located at the Franklin Fire Department on West Main Street, it is open all week and managed by a hazardous waste company the town employs. 
“We want to let people know we have a safe and viable option (for disposal),” McKearney said yesterday.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1052258508/Area-towns-work-on-needle-disposal#ixzz20DCMvGt5

Monday, July 9, 2012

"a good little niche"


In March, the Franklin school showed interest in renting a space. Alan Mercer, manager of business development for the school, said school officials heard about the facility through Studio Ballet director Cathy Fallon. 
Fallon’s studio will be merging with FSPA’s Ballet Conservatory. 
“Our vision (at FSPA) is to bring quality performing arts education opportunities and performing opportunities to the local community — to the suburbs, if you will,” Mercer said. “This just extends our mission. Hudson is a very nice community and the people have been very engaging.” 
FSPA will hire staff for the new facility and has already had students enroll there. And it’s the school’s first satellite location.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x345286845/Franklin-arts-school-expanding-its-reach#ixzz207Ej1K4I

Visit the Franklin School for Performing Arts website here http://fspaonline.com/


In the News: malware, budget, reading



Remember to check computer for malware today