It is that time of year, full of excitement and apprehension, nostalgia over the last whispers of summer and enthusiasm for getting reacquainted with old friends and, of course for parents, it is a time of barely managed chaos. In other words, it is time to go back to school.

Milton students in grades 1 through 12 start school next Tuesday, 9/2. Kindergarten opens for business the following week on 9/8.

Here are additional key dates:

Sept 4 – no school	Sept 16 – Pierce Middle School Open House 6:30- 9:00pm	Sept 28 – Yom Kippur, no school
Sept 7 – Labor Day, no school	Sept 24 – Cunningham Open House 6:00-8:00pm	Sept 29 – Tucker Open House
Sept 15 – MHS Open House @ 7:00pm	Sept 26 – MHS Walkathon	Oct 1 – Collicott Open House @ 6:30pm

Note: There currently is no scheduled open house for Glover. You can find the full school calendar here.

Please click on the “Continue reading. . . ”  to review a collection of hopefully helpful resources and information, not the least of which are parent advocacy organizations which can use your support.

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from The Boston Globe

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who carried aloft the torch of a Massachusetts dynasty and championed a liberal ideology during almost a half century in the Senate, but whose personal and political failings may have prevented him from realizing the ultimate prize of the presidency, died Tuesday night at his home in Hyannis Port. He was 77 and had been battling brain cancer. (Read the full story here.)

from Wicked Local Milton

The fire department has a new Jaws of Life tool thanks to the Copeland Family Foundation.

Chief John Grant said the $26,000 hydraulic tool used to free victims after car crashes will be assigned to Engine 4 at the Blue Hill Avenue station. (Read the full story here.)

The Milton Board of Appeals rendered their decision on the construction of a new cell tower in the Blue Hills last Wednesday and it was in favor of advocates for the Blue Hills who had argued against it.

The tower to be constructed on a small Milton parcel of land owned by the state was being proposed by Green Mountain Communication, a telecommunications company based in Wolfeboro, N.H.

The “Friends of the Blue Hills” appealed the initial decision approving the construction of the tower arguing that it would be a significant eyesore and detract from the natural beauty of the area. A second crane test was done, photos from a variety of vantage points were taken to demonstrate that the tower was a visible nuisance.

The board agreed that the towers benefits in terms of improved cell coverage in a relatively small geographic area did not warrant the detrimental impact it would have on the scenic beauty of the area.

Notes: There is a news story below about a recent collaboration between the MBTA and Google for a Trip Planner. You can find the online tool here. Regarding adding money to your Charlie Card online – you can find links for doing that here.

NEWS ITEMS

MBTA announces latest arrival: Google mapping tool for riders – 07/31/09 – from The Boston Globe

Charlie Card users get new online options – 07/29/09 – from The Boston Globe

T Riders, Lawmakers Rail Against Proposed Fare Hikes – 08/11/09

Hey dude, where’s my bus? – 08/21/09 – from The Boston Globe

ROAD CLOSURES

I-93 South Approaching and through Downtown: Nighttime Multi-lane Closures

Two-to-three lanes of I-93 South will be closed at night approaching and through Downtown Sunday, August 24, 2009 through Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning. These lane closures are for inspections and maintenance work.

Storrow Drive On-ramp to I-93 South: Early Morning Ramp Closure

The Storrow Drive on-ramp to I-93 South will be closed early morning (Wednesday night) Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 12:30 AM to 5:00 AM.

Motorists destined for I-93 South should follow posted detour signs via Martha Road and Merrimac Street to the I-93 South on-ramp at New Chardon Street. This closure is to allow for inspection.

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from Wicked Local Milton

Milton defeated Norwood for the South Shore Western Division final 1-0 behind the combined pitching of Justin Curley (6 1/3 innings, 3 strikeouts, 3 hits, 1 walk) and Max Devin who struck out the only batter he faced to strand the tying run on second base and preserve the victory.  Each team had just three hits. (Read the full story here.)

from The Patriot Ledger

Opponents of Barack Obama’s health care plans who have been showing up at forums with photos of him sporting a Hitler mustache will likely be disappointed to learn a Milton company’s newly unveiled Obama Christmas tree ornament includes no such flourish. (Read the full story here.)