Above, keynote speaker Stephanie Crimmins of Foxborough, who helped lead the fight that defeated the casino proposal in that town, speaks to residents of the area who came to hear her share what she learned about casino developer tactics, the blight a casino brings with it, and strategies to fight them.

March 14, 2013 — About 125 people showed up at the Holliston Middle School Thursday night to support a casino-free Milford, as well as an organization of the same name headed by Holliston resident Ken Rockett, as a sort of prelude to their visit to the Milford Selectmen's meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Casino developer David Nunes, who has set his sights on a land parcel near Routes 16 and I-495 has brought in Foxwoods as a partner for the multi-million dollar proposed facility.  There were a few people who asked questions at Thursday's meeting who identified themselves as being from from Milford, Holliston, Hopedale and Hopkinton.

         Mr. Rockett's introduction was followed by a 35 minute presentation by Stephanie Crimmins on the negatives a casino brings into a community. Ms. Crimmins, who studied the casino industry, highlighted statistics about the rise in crime, drug addiction and gambling addiction that come with casinos. She said there are more accidents by people leaving casinos, because the casinos pump in oxygen to keep people awake, something they don't get when they leave the premises.

          Ms. Crimmins related how casino developers use a divide and conquer strategy, offering disparate groups in a community different promises.

         "Every school will get a new field," she quoted one developer as promising. They said every kid would get a new iPad, she said, and that the seniors would get wheelchair ramps they wanted. 

         "When a casino opens, it cannibalizes all of the businesses in a town, because they [casinos] are self-contained," she said.

         She said that in Foxborough, they fought the casino at the ballot box by voting in anti-casino selectmen candidates in and voting the pro-casino out by 65% - 35%. Ms. Crimmins said that the selectmen can simply refuse to entertain the application, as they did in Foxborough.

           The organizers invite people to visit http://www.CasinoFreeMilford.com/

           HopNews, in a first, has nearly the entire presentation, at least 45 or so minutes, below. The volume will need to be increased:

Educators in 18 U.S. States & Two Countries Join The VHS Collaborative

Hopkinton Teacher, Marilyn Miracle, Now Instructing Students Worldwide

March 12, 2013, Maynard, MA – The Virtual High School Collaborative (VHS), the nonprofit pioneer of K-12 online learning, today announced that 64 additional educators representing 18 U.S. states and two countries, have started teaching or supporting VHS (http://www.TheVHSCollaborative.org) courses at their school. Having completed VHS’s graduate level NetCourse Instructional Methodologies (NIM) or Site Coordinator Orientation (SCO) course, these individuals have begun participating in the Spring semester, which is presently in progress.

As a nonprofit collaborative of schools, VHS’ mission is to provide students with access to high quality online learning experiences and courses not offered at their school, while supporting educators with the professional development and services they need to provide an effective 21st century education to every student. VHS member schools have access to a range of collaborative core, elective, enrichment and AP® courses that inspire, ignite and deepen learning.  The courses enable students to develop digital literacies and independent learning skills, explore college majors and careers, try interesting electives, earn credits, participate in global classrooms and get the opportunity to take advanced courses not offered at their school. Courses are taught by active classroom teachers who are specially trained in online teaching best practices, highly qualified, and certified in their subject areas.

Doug Dufresne to Teach Private Woodwind Lessons at HCA

HOPKINTON, MA (March 13, 2013) --  Talented and experienced music teacher Doug Dufresne is now teaching private woodwind classes at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts.  The lessons are for all ages (including adults) and are being held at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts (98 Hayden Rowe).   Anyone interested in starting classes should  contact the Hopkinton Center for the Arts at 508-435-9222 or visit www.hopartscenter.org

“I’m thrilled and excited to be part of the HCA,” said Dufresne.  “I’ve been interested in music since I was a young boy and love teaching students how to use their ears to become their own teachers.  My biggest reward is seeing my students succeed.”

Dufresne’s experience includes teaching private lessons, and general classroom music (grades 5 -8) for the Marlboro Public Schools.  He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from UMass Dartmouth, and has also played in the Holland America Cruise Lines private band. 

“Doug has a lot of energy and enthusiasm regarding music, and is skilled in teaching all types of students – whether they are beginners or accomplished musicians,” said Kelly Grill, executive director at HCA.  “We are very happy he has joined the HCA and look forward to not only his lessons, but also hearing him play in the orchestra at some HCA shows.”    

2013 Boston Marathon

Hopkinton Police Department

Public Service Advisory

            The 117^th running of the Boston Marathon will take place on Monday April 15, 2013.  The roads in Hopkinton will be closing at 7:30 AM Monday morning.   The roads near the town common will be closed at 7:00 AM. Approximately 27,000 runners will be running in three different groups or Waves.  The time-line for the race is as follows:

            The Mobility Impaired will start at 9:00 AM.

            The Wheelchairs will start at 9:17 AM.

            The Handcycles will start at 9:22 AM

            The Elite Women runners will start at 9:32 AM.

            Wave 1 of the runners (9,000) will start at 10:00 AM; this will include the Elite      Men.

            Wave 2 of the runners (9,000) will start at 10:20 AM.

            Wave 3 of the runners (9,000) will start at 10:40 AM

There will be shuttle services for spectators and runners from the Hopkinton State Park on Cedar Street, which is also Route 85 and from South Street.  It is suggested that registered runners board the buses on South St. and spectators board the buses at the State Park. The shuttle buses will start at 6:00 am and run continuously until 12:00 Noon.  After the race the shuttles will run continuously returning spectators to the parking areas.  

The spectator shuttles leaving from the Hopkinton State Park will drop passengers at the corner of Cedar St, (Route 85), and A Street.  The intersection of Main Street and Cedar Street, Routes 135 and 85, is a short walk away.  Spectators can walk up Main Street to the Common area to watch the start of the race; runners going to Runner’s Village can walk up Grove Street to the school campus and look for the appropriate village.   The shuttles leaving from South Street will drop passengers off at the corner of Main Street and Pleasant Street.  From here, spectators can walk up Main Street to the Common area for the start of the race.

 Registered runners boarding the buses on South St. will be transported to Runners Village by way of Route 495 to Route 85 to the High School.

For spectators who wish to return to your vehicle after the race, please wait for the buses in the same place you were dropped off by the bus. Runners will be transported back to Hopkinton from Boston post-race.

There will be no on street parking allowed in or near the center of town on Marathon Monday.  Numerous roads in Hopkinton will be posted No Parking.  Parking is allowed only in designated parking lots on South Street and at Hopkinton State Park.  Parking is not allowed on South Street or Cedar Street.  All violators will be ticketed and towed.  Parking on school property is prohibited unless authorized. There will be no exceptions.  

Click here for directions and road closings

Milford PD Safety and Security Training

(Milford, MA.)  The Milford Police in concert with the Milford Schools will be conducting training on Friday March 15, 2013 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm for a Safety and Security Training Program at Milford High School involving over 450 people.

The exercises will include simulated incidents in the school and are NOT REAL and part of the training.  Members of the public should not attempt to enter the training area.

B.A.A. Financial Commitment to Boston Marathon^® Host Communities,
providing $2.7 Million from 2013-‘15

Three-Year, Increased Contribution to Marathon’s Eight Cities and Towns and Commonwealth Recognizes Support

BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) today announced its renewed financial commitment to the eight host cities and towns of the historic Boston Marathon^® course. The B.A.A. has pledged its financial support over a three-year term from 2013 through 2015, with contributions increasing annually.

The total contribution in 2013 of $858,000 reflects an increase from last year of nearly seven percent. Over the next three years, the B.A.A. will make a $2.7 million contribution to the eight cities and towns and the Commonwealth. The B.A.A.’s financial support of the host communities of the Boston Marathon reflects its appreciation for successful cooperation with the Marathon communities in hosting the world’s most prestigious marathon.

Through the strong support of John Hancock Financial Services, principal sponsor of the Boston Marathon since 1986, the B.A.A. has made financial contributions to the marathon’s host communities.  The financial commitment continues in recognition of the expenses for logistical, operational and administrative course support provided for the towns of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, and Brookline, the cities ofNewton and Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This year (2013) marks the 28^th consecutive year of John Hancock Financial’s landmark principal sponsorship of the Boston Marathon.

“We are appreciative of the enthusiastic support that we receive from the host communities along the Boston Marathon course, and we are pleased to make this three-year financial commitment,” said Tom Grilk (HopNews file photo), B.A.A. Executive Director. “Through careful planning, and with the cooperation of these communities and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we are able to showcase the world’s oldest annual marathon with great pride. With the gracious support of the Boston Marathon's principal sponsor John Hancock Financial Services, we'll continue to support the Marathon communities. It also remains our hope that some funds from our donation be directed towards youth and community programs whenever and wherever possible.”  

The distribution takes into account the location of each city or town along the course, the impact of the Marathon in the community, and the planning associated with the race.  The Boston Marathon is a 26.2-mile, point-to-point course which begins in Hopkinton adjacent to the Town Common and finishes on Boylston Street in front of the Boston Public Library near Copley Square in Back Bay.

Last year, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the economic impact of Boston Marathon® weekend at approximately $137 million.  In addition, dozens of local charitable organizations benefit through their own fund raising efforts at the Boston Marathon each year with entry made possible by the Boston Athletic Association and John Hancock Financial.  More than $18 million is estimated to be raised in 2013.

As an example of the cooperation received for the Boston Marathon, last year residents and representatives from the eight cities and towns along with the Commonwealth added significant resources in a variety of forms to benefit runners who were participating under unseasonably warm weather conditions.

The B.A.A. recognizes the host communities in other ways throughout the year, including an allocation of entries into the Boston Marathon which may be used for fund raising and the B.A.A. Invitational Mile/Middle School 1000 meter races held the day before the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. Mile/Middle School 1000 meters features youths exclusively from the eight cities and towns of the Boston Marathon course and is held on Boston Marathon weekend. The one-mile race offers these high school runners a chance to compete on the same course was world class athletes. ~ Press release

Thoracic surgery services expand at Milford Regional Medical Center (Milford Regional) with the recent appointment of Brigham and Women’s thoracic surgeons Drs. Marcelo DaSilva (left) and Abraham Lebenthal to Milford Regional’s active medical staff. They join thoracic surgeon Dr. Ciaran McNamee, who is also on the active medical staff at both Milford Regional and Brigham and Women’s. The physicians see patients at The Cancer Center at Milford Regional.

Marcelo DaSilva, MD, graduated with a degree in medicine from Universidade Gama Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1990. He completed a residency in general surgery at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA and a fellowship in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. He is board certified in surgery, critical care and thoracic surgery. In addition to performing thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. DaSilva is an instructor in thoracic surgery at Harvard Medical School. He speaks Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Abraham Lebenthal, MD, MHA, earned his medical degree from Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel in 1993. He performed a residency in
general surgery at Hebrew University Medical School and Mt. Sinai Medical School, New York, NY. Dr. Lebenthal continued his training with fellowships in cardiac and thoracic surgery at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Roxbury and Harvard Medical School, and minimally invasive general thoracic surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lebenthal is a thoracic surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, an instructor at Harvard Medical School, and the director of minimally invasive thoracic surgery at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Roxbury, MA. Dr. Lebenthal is board certified in surgery and thoracic surgery and speaks Hebrew, Spanish and Arabic.

“We are very pleased to welcome Drs. DaSilva and Lebenthal to our medical staff,” states Edward J. Kelly, president, Milford Regional. “We are excited to offer expanded thoracic services to our community with the addition of these highly trained and experienced thoracic surgeons.”
An appointment may be scheduled with Dr. DaSilva or Dr. Lebenthal by calling The Cancer Center at Milford Regional at 508-634-0345.

Hopkinton High School’s Drama Director to Stage On Golden Pond

Production Dates: May 3-5 and 9-12, 2013

Directed by Valerie von Rosenvinge.

Performances will be at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre.

321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, Massachusetts.

For ticket information:www.wellesleyplayers.org.

The Wellesley Players, MetroWest’s preeminent community theater, are proud that award-winning actress and director Valerie von Rosenvinge is at the helm of the Players’ final show of the 2012-2013 season, On Golden Pond. Von Rosenvinge, the acting teacher at Hopkinton High School, will direct the Pulitzer Prize winning play at the Arsenal Center for the Arts’ Black Box theater, running May 3-12.

“I discovered theatre in my early thirties when a friend introduced me to the Wellesley Players, and I felt as though I had found a home, not only because of the productions, but the people involved in the group. Many of them are still counted among my closest friends,” von Rosenvinge said. “Since then, I have acted in plays, written plays, directed plays and served on the board in many capacities. In May 2002, I received my Master Degree in Theatre Education from Emerson College and began teaching acting, speech, and English at Hopkinton High School the following fall.”

Valerie is a multi-talented artist, having written several original plays and working with her own high school students to create a play which she then adapted for the stage. A popular teacher at the high school, Valerie derives the most satisfaction from watching her students perform.

Valerie lives in Needham and works in a variety of capacities for the Wellesley Players when she is not busy producing three shows a year for the high school. She is a recipient of a Best Actress Award from the Eastern Mass Association of Community Theatres and her play, The Quarterly, has been performed to critical acclaim on several college campuses across the United States.

On Golden Pond is a 1979 play by Ernest Thompson. The plot focuses on aging couple Ethel and Norman Thayer, who spend each summer at their home on a lake called Golden Pond. During the year in which the story takes place, they are visited by daughter Chelsea with her fiancé and his son in tow. The play explores the often-turbulent relationship the young woman shared with her father growing up, and the difficulties faced by a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage.