In the News: new high school, STEM roundtable, clean water grant

Every student has been assigned a Google Chromebook — affordable laptops — to use in class, Waite noted, saying it’s one of the things she’s been most excited about. 

Bates and Waite, as well as the other members of the student-led transition teams, were integral in preparing the school for the first day, Light said. 

"It was impressive work by a group of kids who were so enthusiastic and positive and willing to do all of the hard work behind the scenes to get the school up and running," he said. "That, to me, is really the most exciting thing: This is a place for the students, and we’re trying to create a culture where it’s led by the students, as well."

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140908725/1994/NEWS

Sparking interest in science and engineering early at the middle school level is one way to build a stronger workforce in the high-tech manufacturing fields, according to officials in the industry. 

Executives from four such companies on Wednesday met with U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III and state Rep. John Fernandes, D-Milford, for a roundtable discussion on potential solutions to the problems the industry faces. 

Kennedy, a Democrat who represents the state’s 4th Congressional district, organized the session in part to update leading manufacturers on his bill that aims to establish regional manufacturing institutes across the country for education and research. The government would dole out funding for the centers through a competitive grant system.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140904/NEWS/140908721/1994/NEWS

The town has received $117,650 in state funds to improve storm water runoff, the state Department of Environmental Protection announced today. 

The money will aid the town in "mitigating the effects of polluted storm water," according to a press release.. 

"Clean lakes and streams mean thriving communities and healthy ecosystems," said Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David W. Cash.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News (subscription maybe required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140902/NEWS/140909473

Friends of Franklin Library - Meeting Agenda - Sep 3

FOFL Meeting Agenda for Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Meeting time:  7PM

Meeting place:  Franklin Library, Community Room

·         Welcome and introductions

·         Public Comments

·         Library Director

·         Library Board of Directors

·         Acceptance of minutes from last (June) meeting

·         Treasurer's report

·         Committee updates

o   Membership 

o   Outreach – Facebook/Twitter

§  newsletter

o   Downtown Partnership  

§  Harvest Festival

·         Continuing items

o   Scholarship 2015

o   FoFL Bulletin board content, monthly themes

·         New Items

o   Fundraising 2014-2015      

o   Presenting/sponsoring programs in conjunction with other town groups

§  Upcoming:  October 7 with Garden Club at Alumni.          

·         Author of "Garden Club Mysteries' and other mysteries (Neal Sanders)

o   Other authors?  Topics?

o   Other

Franklin Public Library

Starbucks: Another chemical dumped (almost...)

Given the recent hype about the new Starbucks, this seems appropriate to share. Caveat emptor!

Hi from New York City! 

I can't believe we did it again. We are bending policies of multi-billion dollar companies overnight. It really blows my mind! 

In this latest post, I reveal the email exchanges I had with the Starbucks PR team leading up to last week, including what happened after they invited me to their headquarters in Seattle.  

And…because of what you did last week, their stance completely changed. 

Watch me talking about this issue on national TV this morning & read the latest news HERE. 

At the end of this post, I have one little favor to ask. Even though Starbucks has agreed to some of our requests, they have a lot more work to do. Millions of people are still drinking these chemicals as I am typing! 

None of these changes could become a reality without you and your unwavering determination to improve the quality and safety of our food. 

I hope you are proud of yourself. I certainly am. 

Thank you for standing with me and for your continued love and support.

Xo,
Vani 

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

P.O. Box 31521 Charlotte, NC 28231

Drink Starbucks? Wake Up And Smell The Chemicals!

Franklin Area Kids Hiking Group - September hike descriptions

The hikes for September have been scheduled and posted to the group Facebook page:

Sept 5th Creatures of the night hike Delcarte Playground Franklin 6pm Join in this hike for a night of face painting and creature finding. We will discuss all the different nocturnal animals as well as a take home craft for each child! 15 child limit $5 per child

Sep 9th Open hike 4pm Join us for a free open hike through the cranberry bog and woods trail at Bass Pro Franklin Ma (Foxboro??)

Sep 11th Art in Nature Bird Park Walpole 4pm Join us for this beautiful hike and fun activity. The children will be using materials from nature to create their very own masterpieces. 15 child limit $5 per child

Sept 13th Owling Dacey Field 6pm Join us for a trip through the woods while we look for our friends of the night OWLS!! The kids will learn how to do owl calls and pick up some not so appetizing info on the owls digestive system!!! Take home craft provided for each child. 15 child limit $5 per child

Sep 14th Apples Apples Apples The Big Apple Wrentham Ma 10am This delicious hike is perfect for a weekend morning outing. The children will be making their own apple prints as well as exploring the farm land!! After the hike during our activity, the kids can enjoy apple cider donuts along with water and of course APPLES!!! 15 child limit $7 per child

Sep 17th Open Hike Hopedale Parklands 4pm. Join us on another free hike to explore a wonderful area with wild and plant life all around!!

Sep 19th Hike and Learn Plants. Choate Park Medway 4:30 pm Each child who joins this hike will be given their very own field guide and taken on a hike to identify and learn about different native plants that grow in the area. After the hike there will be a plant related Craft. !5 child limit $6 per child

Sep 22 Changing of the seasons SNETT Trail Franklin Ma 4pm This fun filled adventure will consist of take home field guides and lots of detective work to find the different signs of a changing season. After the hike the kids will be given a take home seasonal craft. 15 child limit $6 per child

Sep 25th Open Hike Bellingham Town Common. 4:30pm This is a fun afternoon hike as it is not to strenuous or even in the woods! A great place to walk and finish with some time on the playground

Sep 28th Yoga for kids and Moms Borderland State Park. Easton Ma !0am This is one of the most beautiful places to sit by the water and find some Sunday morning inner peace. A great way to get ready for a new week for both your child and you. All ages of children welcome. 15 child limit $2 entrance fee $4 per child hike fee

The schedule in a calendar view

September 2014 hiking calendar

The Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/830232910335361/

Important Emmons St Meeting WEDNESDAY - 5:30 pm

The Economic Development Committee will be making their recommendations for the RFP on Emmons Street property on Wednesday.

At the last meeting they discussed cutting the greenspace and leaving in the possibility of a drive-thru. They are very interested in citizens input, but people need to attend the meeting.

Emmons Street Property Discussion

Economic Development Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 3rd

5:30 pm-Town Hall meeting room-3rd floor

Committee will decide on specific recommendations to be included in the RFP

Public encouraged to attend

150 Emmons St

This is a reprint of the Downtown Partnership notice posted earlier

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/franklin-downtown-partnership-reminders.html

  

Franklin High School Preview for boys soccer and football

Hockomock Sports has the preview for Franklin in Boys Soccer and Football

Franklin
2013 Record: 13-2-5 (11-0-5)
2013 Finish: Lost in MIAA D1 South Quarterfinal
Coach: Fran Bositis

Last fall, the Panthers were a minute from upsetting one of the top teams in the state, before Klisman Sousa scored an equalizer for New Bedford, which went on to win on penalties. Franklin returns 14 players from that squad, including 13 seniors who will be looking to make it a perfect four for four in league titles over their careers. As coach Fran Bositis explained, “There are no real flashy players, but they all fit well as a team.” 

The Panthers will be without the box-to-box talent of midfielder Joe Kalil this season, but Bositis believes that he has a ready-made replacement in senior Tim Larowe, who played mostly at defensive mid last year. Bositis believes that Larowe, a two-year captain, has the capability of adding more attacking to his game. Offensively, Franklin will look to junior forward Austin Kent to provide the goals, but this will be a team based as always on energy, defense, and speed. 

Bositis also highlighted his other captains Cal Harmon and Ben Labelle and said that a player to keep an eye on this season will be sophomore midfielder Hatim Brahimi, who can add some creativity in the center of the pitch as he gets accustomed to the league’s physicality. 

With scrimmages against perennial powers such as Medway, Ludlow, and Algonquin, Bositis believes that his team will be ready to try and challenge Attleboro and KP for the title.

You can read the complete boys soccer Kelly-Rex Division preview here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-boys-soccer-kelley-rex-division-preview

new FHS Panthers logo

Franklin
2013 Record: 5-6 (1-4)
2013 Finish: Missed Playoffs
Coach: Brad Sidwell (21st Year, 118-88-3)
Key Players: Colton Cardinal, Sr. TE/LB, 6-4, 235 lbs.; Andrew Parent, Sr. WR/CB, 5-9, 165 lbs.; Daevon Weathers, Sr. RB, 5-6, 170 lbs.; Luke Gordon, Jr. WR/S, 6-1, 175 lbs.; Sam Harrell, Jr. WR, 5-11, 180 lbs.; Kyle Skidmore, Sr. QB/DB, 6-3, 200 lbs.; Nick Yelle, Jr. WR/DB, 5-9, 175 lbs.; Jake Garrity, Sr. WR/DB, 5-8, 165 lbs.; Brian Sugrue, Sr. OL/DL, 6-2, 255 lbs.; Joey Giacalone, Jr. OL/DL, 6-1, 260 lbs.; Ben Riggs, Jr. OL/DL, 6-2, 285 lbs.; Brian Casali, Sr. LB, 5-9, 185 lbs.

Offense: Kyle Skidmore will take over the reins at quarterback this fall and the lefty will have to try and build an offense that features a number of new faces in the skill positions. Daevon Weathers will be the primary back with Sam Harrell, Luke Gordon, Jake Garrity, and senior captain Andrew Parent among the players that will be counted on to make plays at receiver. 

Franklin has plenty of size up front with Brian Sugrue, Joey Giacalone, and Ben Riggs all at least 6-1. The line will need to protect the passer against its speedier Kelley-Rex rivals. Weathers is a smaller back but likes to go downhill and attack the hole quickly, which will again make interior line play a crucial component to the offense’s success. 

Defense: Parent will be one of the key players in the Panthers’ inexperienced secondary. Many of the receivers will also be playing on the other side of the ball. Like Parent, senior linebacker Colton Cardinal, who has DI interest and was named one of HockomockSports.com Defensive Players to Watch, was missing during parts of preseason and will be a pivotal player for Franklin. Cardinal will be a key weapon in the pass rush and with his ability to recognize and call out screens or to judge the zone read, which is a component of many Hockomock offenses. 

The size that is a strength of the offense is also a factor on defense. Franklin is a team that can bunch the middle and will be tough to run against inside the tackles. Cardinal will get some help in the linebacking corps from senior Brian Casali. 

Outlook: Franklin struggled offensively against the top teams in the division last season and that could be an issue again as it searches for the right combination of playmakers and Skidmore becomes comfortable with the system. The Panthers do bring three of their rivals to Pisini Field, but reaching the playoffs could be a tough task this season.

You can read the full Kelly-Rex Division preview here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-football-kelley-rex-division-preview

Franklin Newcomers and Friends - meeting Sep 10

Hi Steve,

Our committee is gearing up for our first official meeting of the year.  We're reaching out to see if you'd be able to post our events on your Franklin Matters blog.  We all subscribe and we're big fans of your blog.  We're thankful for the time you take to keep us all in know about anything that "matters" in Franklin!  We'd appreciate your help and thank you in advance!

Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 10th  at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street in Franklin.  We gather at 7:30 for complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages.  A cash bar is available.  Our meetings start by 8pm.

We're a social gathering of local residents.  We welcome you whether you are new to the area or have lived here forever.  We meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September through May.  We have additional gatherings each month based on different interests.  We meet regularly for morning breakfasts, lunch or dinner.  We have Ladies Nights Out, Wine Tastings, movie nights, events for couples and families . . .singles too!  Everyone's input is valued and if you have something you'd like to do,  we offer a place to come together with your ideas and an opportunity to socialize with others.  We like to give back to the community so we hold events that raise funds that support local programs and organizations. Our goal is to provide friendship and promote camaraderie among local residents.

Giving back to the community is important to us.  The proceeds raised at our annual fundraiser, the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Craft Fair, is donated to local charities and organizations.  We also look for opportunities to lend our support through volunteering.

For more information, check out our website www.franklinnewcomers.com.  For ease in communication, we utilize MeetUp.com for events outside of our regular monthly meetings.  If you have any questions, contact us by email at franklinnewcomers@hotmail.com.

Thanks for helping us spread the word . . . 

Karilyn Hammer

Franklin Newcomers and Friends

Board Member

Franklin Newcomers and Friends website