Sunday, April 19, 2015

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2016



MassBudget  Information.
  Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center  Democracy.
Analyzing the House Ways & Means Budget for FY 2016


This Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee released its budget blueprint for fiscal year 2016. It recommends targeted investments in some important areas including early education and care, affordable housing, and opiate abuse prevention and treatment. The HWM budget also rejects some cuts proposed by the Governor, including the elimination of Kindergarten Expansion Grants.

For a full analysis of this HWM proposal, please read our Budget Monitor available HERE.

The HWM budget also proposes new cuts to some important programs including workforce training for low income parents and youth jobs and violence prevention efforts. Like the Governor's proposal, the HWM budget relies heavily on temporary strategies. Both versions spend $300 million in capital gains tax revenue that would have gone into the Rainy Day Fund under current law. They also both count on $100 million from a tax amnesty and $116 million from putting off paying some of our FY2016 MassHealth bills into FY 2017.

Ultimately, the shortcomings of this budget proposal mirror those of the Governor's and reflect ongoing challenges that our Commonwealth has faced for more than a decade: after cutting the income tax by over $3 billion dollars between 1998 and 2002 we have experienced deep cuts to things that strengthen our communities and our economy. Between 2001 and 2015, for instance, funding for higher education has been cut 21 percent, environmental protection and recreation (parks, swimming pools, rinks) has been cut 33 percent, local aid has been cut 44 percent, early education and care has been cut 24 percent and funding for public health has been cut 24 percent (all numbers adjusted for inflation).

Please click HERE to read the full Budget Monitor. 
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700
BOSTON, MA 02108
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MassBudget - Budget Browser
MassBudget - Budget Browser


Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

2015 Boston Marathon - Spectator Guidelines

From the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA):

The 119th running of the Boston Marathon will be held on Patriot’s Day, Monday, April 20, 2015. This year, 30,000 registered participants will run the 26.2-mile course, which starts in Hopkinton and passes through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline before culminating at the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston. An estimated 1 million spectators will line the streets to watch this year’s marathon. 
Local, regional, state, and federal public safety partners have collaborated to develop a comprehensive, layered safety and security plan that maintains the traditional family-oriented character and environment of this historic event. 
Public safety officials ask spectators to follow reasonable and commonsense guidelines when traveling to the area and cheering on the runners along the marathon course. These guidelines will help ensure a safe and secure day:

2015 Boston Marathon - Spectator Guidelines
2015 Boston Marathon - Spectator Guidelines


Follow the link to read all the guidelines
http://blog.mass.gov/blog/safety/the-2015-boston-marathon-spectator-guidelines/

FHS softball lost, baseball won on Saturday

Hockomock Sports reports that the FHS softball team lost to Bishop Feehan and that the baseball team beat Taunton.


Softball
Franklin, 3 @ Bishop Feehan, 4 - Final (9 innings)


For the remainder of the results from Saturday's action
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-041815

Franklin's Anthony Chaiton was strong on the mound and picked up the win for the Panthers. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

The first inning isn’t always indicative of how the rest of the game is going to go. 
It was on Saturday afternoon though. 
Ant Chaiton sat down the side in order in the top of the inning and Franklin plated three in the bottom half and the Panthers never looked back in a 10-5 win over Taunton.

“The guys were really locked in and did a really nice job extending innings and making it really tough of them,” Franklin head coach Zach Brown said. “And then Ant did a great job having shut down innings after we scored so we could keep extending on the lead.”

Conitnue reading the full article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/chaitons-pitching-hitting-push-franklin-past-taunton

Blackstone Valley: More Events for April!



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News and Happenings 

in the Blackstone River Valley 

National Heritage Corridor


For a complete, detailed listing of events, see the event calendar

Coffee with Charlene - This Tuesday!


Tuesday, April 21, 2015


Join Executive Director 
Charlene Perkins Cutler 
for her monthly coffee hour.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

This month's topic:  

Location:  
Blackstone Heritage Corridor
One Depot Square
Woonsocket, RI 02895


For more information, click here





    

GO! for a walk...GO! for a hike...GO! for a paddle, or pedal, or tour!

What is it?

An exciting new fall activity for the 25 towns of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor during the entire month of September, 2015.  Blackstone Heritage Corridor will coordinate and promote a program of free, guided experiences and other events to highlight the wonderful resources in our valley!   






Volunteers on the Go!
 
Now that Spring has finally arrived, it is time to welcome back our amazing
volunteers, and invite new volunteers to experience the unique opportunities that the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's Volunteers In Parks program has to offer!

We are gearing up a fun and rewarding season.  Some examples of how people are already getting involved in 2015 include:


* Signing up to assist with a
   activity
*  Helping the Paddle Club
*  Joining the Blackstone River Bikeway 
   Patrol 
* Spending a few hours at a community    
   clean-up


Ready to get involved? 




Save the Dates!

We are looking ahead to some great activities and opportunities.  Mark your calendars, and look for more information in upcoming newsletters.


May 2            (Saturday) -   Bike and Blues the Blackstone
                                                  Click here for more information


May 15             (Friday)   -  Deadline for proposals
                                                         Click here for more information
  
       May 19            (Tuesday) - Coffee with Charlene
                                                         Stay tuned for more information,
                                                         including the topic of discussion!

 May 21        (Thursday)  - Mark your calendars for Ranger Walks 
                                            on Thursday evenings.  They begin on 
                                            Thursday, May 21, as Al Klyberg leads a
                                            discussion on the RI Civilian Conservation
                                            Corps.  Stay tuned for more information and 
                                            a complete schedule of 2015 Ranger Walks.


Partner Events in April

BHC logo
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. enjoys the partnership of numerous organizations all working to protect, support and enhance our communities and region.  In the following section, we list just a sampling of their activities and events taking place during the coming month.





April 17 - Twin River Casino Event Center
                 The Beach Boys

You can capsulize most pop music acts by reciting how many hits they've had and how many millions of albums they've sold.  But these conventional measurements fall short when you're assessing the impact of The Beach Boys.  

For more information, visit the web page:


April 18 - Hearthside House
                 Downton Abbey - style Dinner Party

Hearthside will host a Downton Abbey Dinner Party and you're invited to this elegant event that is inspired by the TV series.  Both the setting and the meal will be opulent, certainly meeting the standards of the Crawleys to enjoy on this side of the pond.

Reservations for the Downton Dinner Party may be made by calling Hearthside at 401-726-0597. Seating is limited. 

 

April 18 - Bay State Trail Riders Association and 
                Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
                Trail Work Day 
                Douglas State Forest
                                                                                                                                 

Bay State Trail Riders Association and the MA Department of Conservation & Recreation will be partnering up to start improvements to part of Ridge Trail. Work will consist of cutting and brushing back. Each person's work that day will go towards the match of a grant BSTRA received. Please wear appropriate clothing for working in the woods, including sturdy shoes and wear gloves. Check-in is 8:30 a.m., trail work begins at 9:00 a.m and continues until 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be served upon completion.



Location: Wallis Street Trailhead parking lot. 
Closest house number to parking lot is 124 Wallis Street, Douglas, MA

For more information, please contact Becky at bstra@charter.net.



April 18  - Wintertime Farmers Market 


Visit Hope Artiste Village every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. through May 9 for local products. Don't forget to bring your recycling, and drop off your clean egg cartons for farmers to reuse.

Location:  Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street., Pawtucket, RI

For more information, visit the web page:


April 18  -  Blackstone River Theatre
                  The Mairtin O'Connor Trio

The Máirtín O'Connor band has been steadily evolving into a cohesive musical entity. Individually recognized figureheads of the tradition, they have built solid reputations as master musicians with astounding skill, diversity and virtuosity. Together they produce a vibrant and musically charged experience that redefines one's concept of brilliance, verging on perfection.

Location:  Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI
For more information, visit the web page: http://riverfolk.org/schedule.html


April 18 - Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone                       (BRWC/FOB)
                Earth Day for the BRWC/FOB

General clean-up along the Blackstone River Bikeway and the nearby riverbanks. This will also be the first stage of this year's knotweed control effort at Sycamore Landing. 

Clean-up begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 12 p.m. or later.

Location: Friends of the Blackstone Environmental Center, 
               100 New River Road, Manville, RI

For more information, visit www.blackstoneriver.org or contact Keith at keithhainley@blackstoneriver.org.


April 18-19  - Twin River Casino Events Center
                 Annual Southern New England Women's Expo
          "Love is Life" Tour

Seminars, fashion shows, beauty pavilion, cooking demos, wine tastings, book signings, live entertainment, shopping. 

For more information and to pre-register, visit the web page:  www.snewomensexpo.com


April 19 - Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA)                             
                 Earth Day Cleanup

Support the BRWA's efforts to clean up the Blackstone River Watershed. Join their annual Earth Day event! 

Once again, the BRWA will be asking scouts, church groups, families, and local businesses to support the BRWA's efforts to clean up the Blackstone River Watershed. Last year there were more than 200 people assisting in seven towns throughout the watershed! 

For a location near you, contact Susan Thomas at events@thebrwa.org 
For more information, visit the web page: http://www.thebrwa.org/


April 20 - Leicester Historical Society
                 Wayne Tuskulis on Antiques & Appraisals
Join the Leicester Historical Society in welcoming Mr. Wayne Tuskulis. 
He will be discussing antiques and will appraise an item for you. 

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Location: 40 Winslow Avenue, Leicester, MA. 
Handicap accessible and free parking are available.

For more information contact Diane at diane_calvano@yahoo.com


April 24 - Slater Mill
                Mills & Mysteries - A Ghostly Experience

Now in its fifth season, Slater Mill's Ghost Hunts are paranormal investigations of what is considered to be one of the most haunted places in New England. 

Renowned paranormal investigators Carl L. Johnson, his twin bother Keith E. Johnson, and their associates, present a unique investigation of Slater Mill's historic structures after dark.  Slater Mill's haunted past attracted the attention of the T.A.P.S. crew, which featured the mill on an episode of the Sci-Fi Channel show "Ghost Hunters" in 2008.


April 25 - Bay State Trail Riders Association
   MA DCR Park Serve Day
   Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT)
       
Bay State Trail Riders Association and Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation will be partnering up again this year to celebrate Park Serve Day by cleaning up the SNETT. Work will consist of cutting and brushing back along the trail. Every person's work that day will go towards the match of a grant that BSTRA received. 

Please wear appropriate clothing for working in the woods, including sturdy shoes and wear gloves. Check-in is at 8:30 a.m., trail work begins at 9:00 a.m. and continues until 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be served upon completion. Rain date is April 26. 

Location: Southern New England Trunkline Trail crossing on Monroe Street. 
                Use street address 122 Monroe Street, Douglas, MA on GPS. 

For more information, please contact Becky at bstra@charter.net


April 25  - Wintertime Farmers Market 

Visit Hope Artiste Village every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. through May 9 for local products. Don't forget to bring your recycling, and drop off your clean egg cartons for farmers to reuse.

For more information, visit the web page:


April 25 - Mass Audubon
                Statewide Volunteer Day

Enjoy getting outdoors, re-connecting with nature, and helping one of our wildlife sanctuaries tackle their spring "to do" list. We'll have a variety of volunteer projects at 16 sites across Massachusetts.  Join our corps of volunteers and find out where you can volunteer and how you can make a difference in just one morning.

For more information, visit the web page:


April 25 - Rhode Island Historic Preservation Conference
                 "Sticks & Stones"

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) 
presents the Annual Rhode Island Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in different communities around the state. This year's statewide preservation conference, "Sticks and Stones", examines historic rural landscapes and the long-term impact of changes on the land. The event gets underway at St. Eugene's Church in historic Chepachet Village with a keynote speech on the geology and cultural history of New England's stone walls. The speech is followed by 10 workshops, 6 films, and 11 bus and walking tours of historic places around Rhode Island's northwest corner, including farms and forests, mid-century modern residences, and village centers from Harrisville to North Scituate. Starts at 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. $40 includes all activities, plus morning coffee, lunch, closing reception. 

For more information and to register, visit the web page:http://www.preservation.ri.gov/conference/15overview.php


April 25 - Slater Mill's Stone Soup Coffeehouse
                 Featuring Ronnie Cox

For more information, visit the web page:


April 25 - Friends of Upton State Forest (FUSF)
                 MA Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR)
                 Park Serve Day

Many hands make light work so please join us for the annual MA DCR spring work party. 

Youth over 12 are welcome with a parent's signature. Youth groups are required to pre-register. Contact us for registration forms. Bring tools such as rakes, shovels and loppers. No power tools. Dress for work and the weather. Don't forget gloves, insect repellent and sunscreen. Water will be provided. 

Location:  Meet at the Headquarters Building at Upton State Forest near the intersection of Westborough and Southborough Roads in Upton, MA. 
(GPS 205 Westboro Rd, Upton, MA). 

For more information, contact DCR at 508-278-6486 or FUSF at news@friendsofuptonstateforest.org

For more information about Park Serve Day visit the web page:


April 25 - Blackstone River Theatre
                Burning Bridget Cleary

Known for their captivating sound and engaging stage presence, Burning Bridget Cleary is currently one of the hottest young acts on the Celtic and folk music circuits with a reputation for presenting high-spirited Celtic music.  

Location:  Blackstone River Theatre
549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI

For more information, visit the web page:


April 25 - Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket
          Pawtucket/Central Falls Earth Day Clean-up: 
          Pride in Our Three Rivers

Help show neighborhood pride with clean-ups in both Central Falls and
Pawtucket and along the rivers for a spring start after a rugged winter. 
Clean-up starts at 9 a.m. and will continue until 12 p.m. 

Location: Galego Court, 483 Weeden Avenue and Calcutt High School, Central Falls, RI



April 29 - Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
                 Lunch & Learn - The Year of the Fiduciary

As the government continues to focus more and more on the retirement plan market place, what does this mean for you as an employer running a benefits package?  We will discuss the increased regulations, how it affects your day to day  responsibilities and how to protect yourself and your business.


April 29 - Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
                Dance of the Woodcock

Love is in the air as the sun sets in early spring and the male American woodcock performs his aerial mating display. We will visit breeding grounds at the sanctuary to view the performance of this spring ritual. As sunset nears, you can hear the male woodcock's peent before he spirals 300 feet up into the night sky. Open to ages 8 and up. 

Location: Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA. 
Adults: $5 members, $7 non-members
Children: $3 members, $5 non-members

For more information, e-mail bmbrook@massaudubon.org


April 30 - Captain Planet Foundation
                 Grant Application Deadline

The Captain Planet Foundation is accepting applications from schools and nonprofit organizations for its Ecotech Grant program, a new initiative to support projects that motivate children through the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields while challenging them to reimagine the way their world can be. 

Sixteen grants of $2,500 each will be awarded to schools and nonprofit organizations in support of projects that use innovation, nature-based design, or technology to address local environmental problems. Ideal projects will integrate environmental education with opportunities for children to solve real-world problems by using science practices and technology to help care for the environment. Preference will be given to applicants who have secured $2,500 in matching funds or in-kind contributions. In addition, priority will be given to student-directed projects that provide materials that make the project easy to replicate, including lesson plans, protocols, videos, adaptations, and examples of student work. 

For more information, visit the web page:


May 1   - The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) 
                Service and Volunteerism Awards

The MSA is currently seeking nominations for the 2015 Massachusetts Service and Volunteerism Awards. 

The MSA invites you to nominate an outstanding Blackstone Heritage Corridor individual in either of two categories: Getting Things Done, and Lifetime Achievement.  Alternatively, you may nominate a nonprofit organization or business for the Higher Ed/Community Service Partnership, Service-Learning Partnership, Corporate Partnership, or Nonprofit Volunteer Program Award. 

MSA will pay tribute to the winners during a special Awards Luncheon Ceremony at the 2015 Massachusetts Conference on Service and Volunteering on Monday, June 1st at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel. 

For more information, visit the web page:




Your event could be featured here!

Include a description of the event, the event date/time, and other information shown on our event listing form.  

Would you like to include a picture?  Be sure to send it along with the form!


Call for Event Listings!

Is your organization hosting fun, informative, adventurous, or educational activities?  We would love to help you get the word out!

Click below for a copy of our submission form


We will try to include all events and activities.  Simply start by providing some basic information about your event, and we will take it from there!

The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a unique cultural landscape of industrial history and immigration in the interconnected system of the Blackstone River watershed. An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. partners with organizations, local communities and businesses, and residents to insure the long term vitality of the Corridor.

 
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor | One Depot Square | Woonsocket | RI | 02895