"the human cost of operating a farm in a culture of cheap food" (video)

There are three local farms in Franklin: Grateful Farms, Ak-Bak and Hoffman Farms. Scenes from their locations could fit in this film. #shopFranklin and shop local when you visit the Farmers Market on Friday!


Seedlight Pictures premieres a new film:

GROWING LOCAL—A mid-length film in three parts that explores the growing pains of the local food movement and the uncertain fate of the farmers and farmland that keep it alive.

The locavore movement is old news. Growing Local takes the conversation to the next level. While "buying local" is on the rise, these three poignant vignettes make clear that small farms and access to locally produced food is not a sure thing. 

In Growing Local, we meet father and son organic dairy farmers struggling with the realities of producing a commodity food product to keep their farm going and in the family, we follow an artisanal butcher who helps us understand how healthy, thoughtful meat production can be supported and sustained, and the series closes with the story of a young farm couple who, on risky sweat-equity, have revitalized a fertile piece of farmland into a thriving community food hub. These stories help us to better understand the interconnected fates of farmers and farmland, consumers and the local food movement.

Growing Local (Trailer) from Seedlight Pictures on Vimeo.

Artist Bridget Besaw talks about the Making of Growing Local

"We’ve made a series about small farms and the uncertain fate of the local food movement. The challenge of this series was weaving together three separate but connected stories to create a coherent narrative about local food and local farms. Our goal was to craft a project that will help fellow Mainers, and hopefully others around the country, better understand the agrarian landscape surrounding us and the important role it plays in growing community as well as food. We hope to inspire viewers to actively seek out local foods for their own health, the health of their communities and that of the planet."

Continue reading what Bridget says about the film here
http://www.growinglocalfilms.org/about-the-series/artists-statement/

For more about "Growing Local" check their webpage  http://www.growinglocalfilms.org/

hat tip to Sarah Mabadry for finding this piece to share

2015 Whatever Theater Festival performs at the Franklin Cultural Festival

The 2015 Whatever Theater Festival will feature a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV (Part 1) on Franklin Town Common and a series of one-act plays staged at THE BLACK BOX. 

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present the Whatever Theater Festival from July 29 - August 1, with performances offered free to the public.

Wednesday, July 29, 8:30 pm - One-Act Plays staged at THE BLACK BOX

Thursday, July 30, 7:30 pm - Shakespeare's Henry IV (Part 1) on Franklin Town Common

Friday, July 31, 7:30 pm - Shakespeare's Henry IV (Part 1) on Franklin Town Common

Saturday, August 1, 8:30 pm - One-Act Plays staged at THE BLACK BOX

arts happen here - Franklin Cultural Festival

This year’s Whatever Theater Festival will be part of the first annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. 

The visual, performing and culinary arts celebration will take place at various downtown Franklin locations within the proposed Cultural District from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2. 

FPAC’s Whatever Theater Festival is sponsored in part by grants from the Franklin and Norfolk Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-3370.

For more information on the Franklin Cultural Festival visit www.franklinsculturalfestival.org.

In the News: Grant received, Pond St proposals

After applying jointly for Community Development Block Grants from the state Department of Housing and Economic Development, the towns of Bellingham, Franklin and Hopedale were awarded a total of $894,082 for housing rehabilitation and a fuel assistance program. 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced 33 grants totaling $26 million to 65 communities Wednesday. 

The federally-funded grants will help cities and towns provide housing, infrastructure improvements, childcare vouchers and other services, a press release said.

Continue to read the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150715/NEWS/150717728/1994/NEWS


The grant was applied for in early 2014 and reported on here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/questions-were-raised-answers-sought.html

and here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/150-emmons-st-sold-pond-st-parcel-re.html

The town is vetting three potential developments proposed for more than 30 acres of land on Pond Street that officials have been trying to sell for at least a decade. 

Two developers proposed solar farms for the property near Interstate 495, and the third submitted a commercial project with 85 condominiums and 14,000 square feet of office and retail space. 

The town’s Department of Planning and Community Development received the proposals July 9.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150716/NEWS/150717691/1994/NEWS

THE BLACK BOX: Mark Poniatowski Situation - July 17

Enjoy a cool summer night out at THE BLACK BOX as Jazz in July welcomes The Mark Poniatowski Situation Friday, July 17, 2015 8:00 PM THE BLACK BOX is pleased to present The Mark Poniatowski Situation, led by bassist, composer and arranger Mark Poniatowski, with Robert Gallegos on trumpet, Jon Garniss on trombone, Kenny Hadley on drums, Joe Mulholland on piano and Jared Sims on saxophone. The Mark Poniatowski Situation released a self-titled CD of jazz instrumentals composed and arranged by Poniatowski in 2010. An associate professor in the Contemporary Writing and Production department at Berklee College of Music, Mark Poniatowski's extensive experience includes performances with the Bruce Katz Band, Toni Lynn Washington Band, Kenny Hadley Big Band, Soul Kitchen, Floyd Dixon, Sid Caesar, Rita Moreno, Bob Newhart, Junior Watson, Janiva Magness and Kid Ramos. Click link below to purchase tickets online https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=5195bd3307096b7e3e5ff89eafb6c516 Tickets will also be available at the door Cash Bar for Beer and Wine

Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.

Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668

Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173


View as a web page.

Franklin Library: Book Sale - Sat - Sun July 18-19

This is the weekend for the monthly Franklin Library Book Sale. 

The standard schedule applies; books for sale on Saturday from 9:00 - 4:00 PM. 

Books by the bag for sale on Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon.

Franklin Library - Book Sale

This was shared from the Franklin Library page:
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/07/library-book-sale.html

"how to handle a growing number of “sexting” cases"

At the State House Tuesday, Roy and Reilly, joined by a Bridgewater State University psychology professor, testified before the Judiciary Committee in favor of the bill. According to Roy, the legislation would not hinder legitimate child pornography investigations, but rather establish an important, potentially life-altering distinction between child porn and sexting among teens. 

“This bill would set up a new section of the statute to give police officers and prosecutors more tools to curb this behavior,” Roy said. 

Filed earlier this year, H.1567, An Act Relative to Transmitting Indecent Visual Depictions by Teens, has found supporters beyond the Legislature, including in law enforcement and academics. One letter of support came all the way from a professor at the University of Colorado. 

The bill, Roy said, protects minors who participate in sexting as long as they do so consensually. Instead of a felony, 15- to 19-year-olds convicted of sexting would have to enter a mandatory diversion program; other penalties range from a civil fine to community service.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150714/NEWS/150718263/1994/NEWS

Would a wheelchair fit here?

One of the reported benefits of the Downtown Project is to make getting around town easier. Traffic calming cross walks will be installed along Main St to make it easier for the Dean students to cross and to make it easier for drivers to slow down for the cross walk.

Based upon the placement of the new utility poles, handicap access according to ADA requirements was left out of the planning process. These are a couple of photos from Sunday's walk along Main St. I have several more with similar situations present along West Central.

eventually take away the 'old' pole on the right

and same here, take away the old pole on the right

Assuming the 'old' pole is removed, does that leave enough space for a wheelchair or stroller to get by?