Monday, August 27, 2012

Dean College welcomes students Sunday, Sep 2



"unfortunate but necessary response"?

The Milford Daily News has an article covering the local college campuses that have switched their security guards from unarmed to armed. Is this an "unfortunate but necessary response"?
There were also some skeptical of the plan, however, including many students who were wary of dealing with gun-toting police. 
Other colleges in the area, particularly ones with smaller campuses, don't have any immediate plans to arm police. 
"We are located within minutes of the Franklin police station, and have an outstanding relationship with them," said Dean College spokesman Gregg Chalk, who added school officials haven't had any discussions about giving guns to police.

Read more: Arming police a hot topic on area campuses - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x976203572/Arming-police-a-hot-topic-on-area-campuses#ixzz24jnisnNV

Sunday, August 26, 2012

New Facebook page for the new Franklin High School building

Switching to a more serious topic for Franklin. I received the following in an email from Ed Cafasso:
I wanted to let you know that there is a new Facebook page for the Franklin High School construction project. I am trying to get the folks who liked the campaign page ("Vote Yes..") to switch over. 
The community can now stay in touch with the project by "liking" and following our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thenewfhs. Hopefully, they "share" it too, to spread the word. 
I also have re-tooled the web site, stripping away all the campaign stuff. New info and pictures will start to be posted to the site on a regular basis. The address is the same:www.newfhs.comInformation on this site will be updated as developments warrant. You'll see capsules of the latest updates right on the home page. 
If folks have questions about the new FHS project, they can visit the "Ask Us" page of the web site or contact us by e-mail at the franklinhigh2014@gmail.com. That is a new email address, by the way -- not the one used during the campaign.
If you are on Facebook, please follow the links above to "like" the new page!


Your photo from the OSCAR MAYER Wienermobile!


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The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile: photo essay


The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile came to Franklin yesterday as part of the Big Y celbrating their grand opening.

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

As a big kid, and one who grew up with Oscar Meyer (yes, showing my age!) I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

Especially since Beefilicious Ben had sent me an email letting me know they were coming. If they took the time to find me, I could only return the favor!

I was justly rewarded with the visit

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

The inside reminded me more of Pooh Bear (similar colors)

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

I think I would could get used to seeing the hot dog on the dash after awhile. At least I hope so

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

This is only the most recent of a long line of vehicles that goes back to 1936. Is anyone around who remembers one of these earlier versions?

Franklin, MA: Oscar Meyer Wienermobile

You can enter a contest to get driving around in the luxury vehicle if you register on oscarmeyer.com

This was one way to bring smiles to those who came by the Big Y on Saturday!


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Big Y coins

Dolores and I made our first visit to the Big Y on Friday night. The parking lot was busy but there were open spots fairly easy to find. The store is nice. I got the feeling that some of the crowding, negotiating in the aisle will settle down as folks figure out their path through the store. Right now, there is a lot of looking and exploring going on.


And there is a lot to see and explore. Folks will hand out a store layout so you'll be able to find the produce or meat section readily. There are plenty of baggers and cashiers available. This is always the cash for a new store. It will be interesting to see how many there will be on a regular basis going forward.

You can sign up for a frequent buyer card. They apparently have multiple levels as we found out at the register when asked if we had any coins to use. Coins?



Yes, apparently based upon purchases, you can earn coins and then use them for reduced prices on future purchases. I understand the concept behind it but tracking and remembering to bring the coins back with you might be too inconvenient for some (including moi!).

I do like and appreciate their efforts to use local products. There were some stuffed clams that we purchased at a good price that were made in RI.

I was disappointed that while Big Y offers the 'store brand' of Greek yogurt, they don't offer their own for regular yogurt. Odd. They must have a reason for it. May be one factor keeping us from being a regular customer. Like others, it may very well be another stop for a good sale but may not replace our regular shopping.

What do you think of the Big Y?

"improve mobility options in our suburban communities"

The Milford Daily News informs us of a new study to look at regional transportation.
The study, paid for with a $40,000 grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization, involves taking stock of the various public transportation options in Bellingham, Franklin, Milford, Medway, Millis, Hopkinton, Sherborn, Dover, Norfolk and Wrentham. 
The SouthWest Advisory Planning Committee represents those towns and will work with the MAPC to finalize the scope of the study. The committee met on Wednesday. 
"These types of studies are important," said Eric Halvorsen, a transportation planner, "because we are trying to identify how towns can work … to connect people to the larger transportation networks and create more mobility."

We are fortunate to have access to the two train stations to take the commuter rail into Boston. The GATRA bus gets around Franklin and to Patriot Place. In the times I have seen the bus go by or taken it myself, it is underutilized.

What kind of regularly schedule transportation would you utilize if it was available and reasonably priced? Where would it go? What times would you want it to run?


Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1405833151/Milford-area-towns-look-to-bridge-gaps-in-public-transit#ixzz24YF52YBt

The GATRA bus schedule can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2008/09/gatra-updated-schedule.html