Lyon Landscape and Nursery: pick and cut your Christmas tree

"I would like to say thank you to all the folks who came to the first annual Xmas tree sale at our farm. The sale exceeded my expectations. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. Unfortunately, we have sold out of all our trees for this year.
Next year we will have a larger selection of taller and fuller trees. Best of luck in the New Year."
-Alex Lyon, Lyon Landscape Nursery Inc.

updated Dec 2, 2018

"After 7 years of planting, watering, fertilizing, and mowing, our first crop of Frasier Fir Christmas trees are ready for harvest. I invite all friends, family, and valued customers who have supported my Landscape Contracting business over the years to stop by for a locally grown organic Christmas tree. 

We will be open the next (3) weekends 10 AM - 4 PM starting today. We are located at 250 Bent Street, Franklin MA. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in 2019!"

Lyon Landscape and Nursery: pick and cut your Christmas tree (courtesy photo)

Visit Lyon Landscape and Nursery on the internet
https://www.lyonlandscapenursery.com/

Shared via Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2215154692098617&set=p.2215154692098617&type=3&theater

FTC Consumer Alerts: New materials on cybersecurity for small business

New materials on cybersecurity for small business by Rosario Méndez Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC If you own a small business, you know it's critical to protect your business from cyber threats. Today (Oct 18, 2018), the FTC launched new cybersecurity resources for small businesses. What better time to check out these new resources than now – it's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and this week's theme is cybersecurity at work. The campaign is co-branded with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/new-materials-cybersecurity-small-business?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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"A willingness to accept change"

Franklin has some of the ingredients that helped Hudson: 

• The SNETT rail trail is located just outside of downtown
• Local zoning was changed in 2017 to allow distiller, winery or brewery tasting rooms
• The downtown renovation project was just completed in 2016
• Local businesses and town officials are talking about what needs to be done

What remains to be done now?

"Downtown Hudson was quiet when Michael Kasseris stepped out into the late night air in 2012. 

Behind him was a Main Street space that had once housed a printing shop, a bagel shop and a gifting shop. 

His uncle owned the building. Kasseris and his two business partners had just opened Rail Trail Flatbread Co. -- a trendy new restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza and craft beer. 

He looked around. The downtown stores, tucked inside historic brick buildings, were empty. The parking spaces were empty. There was no foot traffic."

Continue reading the MassLive article about Hudson
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/hudson_how_this_small_massachu.html

"It was the historic buildings and their curb appeal, the rail trail, the economy in an upswing,
the streetscaping and a dozen little things that became big things."

Hat tip to Melanie for sharing the article!

"There's a very diverse set of business owners who come out"

"The town will continue its series of workshops with the federal Small Business Association this coming week, as it looks to provide help to businesses throughout the region. 

The session - scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Municipal Building - will feature information on such topics as loan programs, government contracting opportunities and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center. 

Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen said the town's community planning office has held several such workshops. 

"One of the things they try to do is provide opportunities for aspiring and current business owners to get accurate information, in real time," he said. "We're giving the opportunity to talk, face-to-face, with the people who administer things like small-business loans."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170120/franklin-to-host-small-business-workshop

Franklin Municipal Building

Previously posted here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/01/connections-that-work-sba-workshop-jan.html

Connections that work! SBA Workshop - Jan 25

• Looking to Start or Expand your Business?
• Gain a better understanding of SBA Programs and Services

General information will be provided on the following:
MSBDC – Mass Small Business Development Center

SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business

SBA Guaranty Loan Programs:
7(a) Loans - Microloans
SBA Express Loans - 504 Loan Program

Government Contracting Opportunities:
8(a) Business Development - HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) - Small Disadvantaged Business - Surety Bonding - Disaster Assistance

CWE – Center for Women and Enterprise

Register online here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connections-that-work-tickets-30342938546

Connections that work! SBA Workshop - Jan 25

• Looking to Start or Expand your Business?
• Gain a better understanding of SBA Programs and Services

General information will be provided on the following:
MSBDC – Mass Small Business Development Center

SCORE – Counselors to America’s Small Business

SBA Guaranty Loan Programs:
7(a) Loans - Microloans
SBA Express Loans - 504 Loan Program

Government Contracting Opportunities:
8(a) Business Development - HUBZones (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) - Small Disadvantaged Business - Surety Bonding - Disaster Assistance

CWE – Center for Women and Enterprise

Register online here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/connections-that-work-tickets-30342938546

Franklin Municipal Building

view the complete information flyer here:

Jane's Frames: You don't want to miss this Once a Year Sale!

End of Year Inventory Clearance Sale!

Inventory Clearance Sale 30% OFF Custom Picture Framing  with our  In-stock Products * Thousands of In-Stock Frame moulding and mats to choose from *Museum Glass not included in sale You won't want to miss this sale! A great chance for Quality Custom Framing  with this Once a Year Sale Offer valid until January 7th 2017!       Share with a friend! Jane's Frames |  www.janesframes.com | 11. E. Central St. Franklin, MA 02038

Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janeframe@verizon.net in collaboration with Try it free today

#shopFranklin: Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center (video)

#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Cyndi Rich of Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center located in the heart of Franklin, MA. 

Find out how Cyndi started the business and learn how to make a simple FOUR seam project that works for any holiday and takes just a few minutes!

one of the storefront windows at Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Franklin Downtown Partnership Hosts Holiday Stroll December 1

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is hosting its annual holiday party on Thursday, December 1, from 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Franklin’s newly revitalized downtown.

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for this year’s Holiday Stroll, allowing easy walking between all the festivities on Main, West Central, East Central and Summer streets. Families will find decorated store fronts, entertainment and refreshments, visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Post Mark the North Pole Postman, crafts and gingerbread cookie decorating, and gift shopping.

“This event is always so much fun and really gets you in the mood for the holidays,” says Roberta Trahan, event co-organizer. “The Holiday Stroll showcases our businesses beautifully, and the downtown looks festive with the storefronts decorated. This year we have special guests and a new Holiday Stroll Passport that offers shoppers something extra.”

Holiday Stroll December 1

The Holiday Stroll begins at 4:15 p.m. with costumed carolers and refreshments on Dean College’s Dean Hall Common. The tree will be lit at sundown. Visitors don’t need to wait for the tree to be lit to begin their stroll through downtown; vendor booths and shops will be open for business by 4:30 p.m.

The Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Food Pantry kicks off that day, and red donation bin will be placed at the tree lighting. Bins will also be set up participating downtown businesses.

An all-new Holiday Stroll Passport will help visitors check items off their holiday gift shopping lists. The free passport can be picked up at participating businesses. Visitors will get their passport stamped at each location listed. When the passport is full of stamps it will be entered into a grand prize drawing, which is one $25 gift card from each business listed. Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, and Facebook event page for a list of passport business locations.

Several special guests will make appearances at this year’s Holiday Stroll. At Emma’s Quilt Cupboard on Main Street, Post Mark the North Pole Postman will mail letters to Santa and read from a Christmas book he’s written from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Families can follow Candy Cane Lane down East Central Street to Simon’s Furniture where Santa Claus and his elves will hear wish lists from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Franklin Historical Museum at 5 p.m. to treat kids to stories and snacks.

Great entertainers will put everyone into a jolly mood. Jamie Barrett will sing and play guitar at Jane’s Frames. The Saint Mary’s choir will perform holiday favorites on Main Street, and WMRC 1490-AM will broadcast live with giveaways and contests.

At Simon’s Furniture, talented Franklin High School musicians will perform inside while Feet In Motion Dance School students will put on holiday-themed dances and Eric the Wood Carver will create his artwork using a chainsaw and logs outside in the parking lot.

On West Central Street, performers at THE BLACK BOX will perform scenes from three FPAC December shows, including The Nutcracker, Humbug, and a holiday panto entitled A Glass Slipper Christmas.

Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or Facebook event page for entertainment times and location updates.

Kids will enjoy the Touch-A-Truck event at the Franklin Fire Station, and the Historical Museum will have delicious treats when kids come to see Mrs. Claus.

Downtown businesses will open their doors and tempt visitors with refreshments and shopping deals on holiday gifts, services and gift cards. Sponsors and merchants will have booths inside the Depot Plaza building next to Acapulco’s on Main Street, and also at Dean Bank and Simon’s Furniture.

“We’re turning downtown Franklin into ‘Holiday Central’ during our Stroll. Everyone can visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Postman, sing Christmas carols, shop for gifts, and meet friends for dinner, all right here in the center of town,” says Jennifer Hurst, event co-chair.

The Holiday Stroll is made possible by the generous sponsorship of local businesses. Dean Bank and Dean College are Gold sponsors of this event. Silver sponsors are DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rescom Exteriors.

Bronze sponsors are Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, BMW Gallery of Norwood, Boston Solar, Flynn/Wirkus/Young Attorneys at Law, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Driving School, Franklin Girl Scouts, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact event organizers Roberta Trahan, trahanroberta@gmail.com, and Jennifer Hurst, jhurst@deanbank.com.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th year as a 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. For more information about the FDP, please visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

"a stunning array of beautiful holiday music"

If you are looking for some new music to play this holiday season, we have exactly what you are looking for!

Released in 2015, this album features children ages 8 to 18 in a stunning array of beautiful holiday music. Included are some holiday classics, along with some beautiful arrangements of newer holiday favorites. To purchase, simply click on the link below. 

All proceeds from the sale of this album go directly to the Encore Music Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and subsidies to deserving students of music.

Thank you for your support, and have a wonderful holiday season!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/december/id1069500761?i=1069500783

if you have any trouble with the iTunes link, here is another good source for the CD  http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/encoremusicacademyandrec


Note: When I attempted to follow the link (on a non-Apple device) I was getting prompted to install iTunes (which was already installed). I was able to find the album by searching for "Emma Newton". She comes up with several entries and the album "December" fortunately is one of them.

#shopFranklin: Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store (video)

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. 

We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!

If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Shop Small Business Saturday - Nov 26

American Express has been bringing attention to small business since 2010, and this Saturday is a good reason to get out and support the many small businesses here in Franklin.

Shop Small Business Saturday - Nov 26

If you need a refresher on the #shopFranklin small businesses, the listing can be found on the #shopFranklin webpage   http://www.shopfranklinma.com/members/

#shopFranklin

"the buffet, you can't go wrong!"

#shopFranklin speaks with Nilu Patel of The Curry House to learn about how she and her partners decided to open a restaurant in Franklin. 

We also explore all of the flavors in India and learn what makes The Curry House unique - and DELICIOUS!

Where is the Curry House?

418 West Central St in Franklin





Visit their webpage  http://www.thecurryhouse.com/menu

The Curry House

Note: the video was recorded in May or June 2016 as they mentioned the "Taste of Franklin" was coming up and that was part of the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival at the end of July

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase at FHS - 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

FREE - On November 17

DON'T FORGET Small Business Showcase This Thursday Don't miss the fun! AND it's FREE November 17 5:00 to 8:30 pm at Franklin High School Cafeteria   Hope to see you then! Franklin Public Schools                  Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase - details 1

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase - details 2

Note: I will be at the Welcome table to greet all arrivals and I am also scheduled for a round table discussion on Social Media. Be sure to stop by! 

Your Invitation To the Small Business Showcase at FHS, Nov 17

FREE - Great Family Event

Come Join Us For A SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE November 17, 2016 5:00 to 8:30 PM Franklin High School A TERRIFIC COMMUNITY EVENT FREE and Open to the Public Raffles, Giveaways, Shopping, and Presentations! Fun, Interactive and Educational   Entertainment by Franklin Forte and FHS Student Ensembles. The Small Business Showcase is co-sponsored by #shopFranklin, an organization formed to help support and promote local, independently owned and operated businesses in Franklin and The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning, a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences in Franklin and surrounding communities.

FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today