Saturday, September 27, 2014

“To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”

The Mass Climate Action Network has a good weekly podcast. This week they provide coverage on the 400,000 people that marched in New York City which most people were unaware of due to the lack of media coverage.
The past weekend in New York, four hundred thousand people strolled through the city in the largest climate march in history. This is the big news, even though it was competing with out latest war for attention. What did it all mean? Two things: first that a powerful, vibrant climate movement exists and second that local action is the next big step.
Continue reading the article here
http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/the-march-the-media-and-the-meaning-the-climate-minute-podcast/

To save a click or two, you can listen to this week's podcast here:



For more information on how you can help the Mass Climate Action Network, visit their website here

Mass Climate Action Network
Mass Climate Action Network

Attention: Tag/Moving Sale 9/27/14 -> 9:00 - 5:00


Do you post yard/tag sales on your site?  We sold our home and are offering almost everything at our tag sale tomorrow. 
In Home Tag/Moving Sale - Everything Must Go! 
Furniture, area rugs, Weber gas grill, tools, lamps, artwork, kitchenwares, small kitchen electrics, crystal, Fiestaware service for 8 still in box, dolls, Hello Kitty bathroom set, linens, books, chest freezer, LL Bean sledding inner tubes, 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, and much more. 
478 Maple St, Franklin, 9/27, 9-5, no  previews or early birds.
from the photo archives of June 2012
from the photo archives of June 2012

Caregiver Support in Massachusetts

From the MA.GOV blog we find good tips for caregivers and a listing of resources.
The Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program empowers caregivers through information, education, support, and services that help enhance their quality of life. Caregivers may experience physical, emotional, and financial strain while caring for a loved one. With this in mind, the Commonwealth offers support resources to ease those stresses and reduce the challenges of caregiving. 
Care for the Caregiver 
Whether you are just beginning a caregiving role or continuing to care for an older person whose needs are increasing, it’s important to  take care of your own physical and mental health. Remember to recharge and take time for yourself. Rest, maintain healthy eating habits, get enough sleep each night, exercise, and communicate your needs to others when in need of help.
You can continue reading the MA.GOV article here  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/health/caregiver-support-in-massachusetts/
screen shot ma.gov article on caregiver support
screen shot ma.gov article on caregiver support 
One resource we can add to the list for Franklin is the program started earlier this year at the Franklin Senior Center.
The Companion Caregiver Program at the Franklin Senior Center recently received an award from the Massachusetts Council on Aging for "innovative program". The award ceremony was on June 6 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.

The program offers in home full time caregivers respite for 2-4 hours per week if they are caring for someone 60 years of age or older with Dementia or a major medical illness. There is NO restriction on age of caregiver to be eligible for the program. 
The cost of the program is between $8 and $12 per hour depending upon household income. This cost is at least $8 below current market rate.

Our companions provide socialization and stimulation for the recipient of care in the home setting. The companions are trained in Dementia and Elder Care, cultural competency, CPR and first aid, and fall risk. 
We tailor activities with the recipient based on our review of their interests.

For more information please feel free to contact Elaine Owens at the Franklin Senior Center. the number is 508-520-4945.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/companion-caregiver-program.html

Map of the Harvest Festival - where is it all happening in downtown Franklin?

Want to know where things are happening at the Harvest Festival? Check out the official map showing the location of each booth and stage.




Franklin Downtown Partnership
Franklin Downtown Partnership

For more information on the Harvest Festival, visit the Franklin Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Friday, September 26, 2014

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 9/26/14 - THU 10/2/14

FRI 9/26   10am-12pm   Girl Scouts Sign Ups at Franklin Public Library.
FRI 9/26   12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market - Town Common
FRI 9/26   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center

SAT 9/27   8am-2pm   Medway Townwide Yard Sale (Map will be sold at Anne's Market - Medway Plaza, Town Clerk's Office, Charles River Bank, Middlesex Bank, Star Market and Medway Commons)
SAT 9/27  9am-12pm   Fun on Trail: if your child created and owl last week at the Library, come find it on the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail (Grove Street entrance)
SAT 9/27   9:30am-4pm   Open Auditions for Nutcracker (FPAC), 15 W. Central Street, Franklin.
SAT 9/27   10am-2pm   Electronic Recycling to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry. Franklin Village Center (Stop & Shop Plaza)
SAT 9/27   4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza 5.0 at Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits in Franklin.

SUN 9/28   9am-3pm  Autism Speaks Fund Raiser at Timeless Barber Shop
SUN 9/28   1-4pm   Pennywise and Snappy Dogs back at Pour Richard’s in Franklin.
SUN 9/28   1:30-4:30pm   Open Auditions for Humbag and Tis The Season (FPAC), 15 W. Central Street, Franklin.
SUN 9/28   2:30-3:30pm   Jamie Barrett Family Music Show to celebrate new Franklin Public Library Sunday hours.
SUN 9/28   iStories at the Franklin Public Library

MON 9/29   3-6pm   Farmers Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham

WED 10/1   6:30pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting, featuring artist and demonstration by William Lane. Open to public. Franklin Senior Center.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Harvest Festival - Sunday Oct 5th


seasonal colors
farmers market sample
The Harvest Festival has become a favorite fall tradition, and the Franklin Downtown Partnership plans a fun-filled start to the season with the 12th annual event on Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


Organizers expect approximately 6,000 people will visit downtown Franklin and enjoy lively entertainment, delicious food, browsing among more than 100 participating artists, crafters, businesses and community groups, and, of course, games and activities in the Children’s Area.


“Every year the festival gives people an opportunity to relax, have one-on-one conversations with business owners, and take the time to learn more about our community,” says Lisa Piana, Franklin Downtown Partnership executive director. “We are happy to give everyone the chance to catch up with 6,000 of their closest friends and neighbors.”


DJ Domenic Cotoia of Music Odyssey Productions will kick off the event at 11 a.m. and entertain festival goers with a mix of country, Top 40 and rock and roll hits all day long from his booth on Main Street in front of Platinum Sponsor Rockland Trust.


Entertainment also can be found on the center island at the corner of Main and East Central streets and on the patio next to The Cake Bar. Local entertainers, including Franklin High students, will perform, along with perennial favorite Jamie Barrett, sponsored by Jane’s Frames. Fred Astaire Dance Studio dancers will show off their ballroom skills, and The Cake Bar will feature balloon artist Dick Moberg of Fun Faces With a Twist from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Franklin School for the Performing Arts plans special events on its Main Street stage throughout the day.


Food options will cater to a variety of tastes. The FDP food tent on Main Street in front of Dean Bank will satisfy cravings for hot dogs, popcorn, snacks and water. The food truck outside of Century 21 will tempt with steak tips, burgers, Italian sausages, chicken, fresh-squeezed lemonade and lime rickeys.


harvest festival
harvest festival
Several downtown restaurants will serve signature snacks, and many food-based businesses will hand out free samples. Outside the Food Pantry, local farmers will sell fresh seasonal produce.


The Children’s Area behind Rockland Trust will be staffed by energetic volunteers from the Bernon Family Branch YMCA. Carnival games like the ring toss, balloon darts, corn hole and sink it, along with a bounce house, face painting and fall-themed crafts will keep children entertained. “Shoot, Kick and Tumble” will challenge kids to show off their basketball, soccer and gymnastic skills.


The area will feature many child-oriented businesses, such as Franklin Martial Arts, which plans board-breaking seminars. New this year is the ChildID booth where children, teens and young adults can be fingerprinted for free. The program is a service to parents, who will leave with a ChildID kit.  


The fun continues with tours at the Historical Museum, and the Franklin Public Library plans to host a “Make and Take” Halloween craft. Kids are invited to drop in between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and sip hot cider while they create a Halloween spider or pumpkin.


The festival is not just for kids. Throughout town visitors can find a variety of art, informational, gift, business and organizational booths. The Franklin Cultural Council’s painted ladybugs will be on display at the corner of East Central and Summer streets. On Main, volunteers will answer questions and hand out information about the Franklin Solar Challenge.


The Harvest Festival is made possible by the generous support of sponsors who will have booths in “Sponsorship Row” on Main Street. This year’s Platinum Sponsors are Big Y World Class Market and Rockland Trust. Silver Sponsors are Digital Credit Union and Middlesex Savings Bank.


Bronze Sponsors include Chestnut Dental Associates, Dean Bank, Franklin Ford, Keefe Insurance Agency and SolarFlair Energy. Friends of the Festival Sponsors are AstrumSolar, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Yoga & Wellness, Leaf Filter, Rescom Exteriors and the Bernon Family Branch YMCA.


“The Harvest Festival shows what a tight-knit community Franklin is. In a relatively small downtown area we include more than 100 non-profit organizations, businesses, churches, banks, community groups, restaurants and cultural attractions. The festival continues to attract more vendors and visitors but essentially has stayed true to its origins by bringing the community together for a fun, affordable day out,” says Terri Frank, Harvest Festival booth chair.


The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization made up of businesses, community leaders and residents working together to revitalize downtown Franklin. The Partnership relies on donations and sponsorship to fund events like the Harvest Festival, the Holiday Stroll and the Strawberry Stroll. The FDP works year-round on Beautification and greenspace efforts, and is actively involved in streetscape design and development issues involving the downtown. For more information please visit the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/, or contact the Executive Director at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.  

Timeless Barber Shop - Autism Fundraiser


Steve, 
The Timeless Barber Shop at 334 Union Street is having a fundraiser on Sunday from 9 to 3. There will be a bake sale, a raffle, haircuts and all proceeds will go to Autism Speaks. 
You can also contact the owner for more info at 508-520-1984
Trevor

Timeless Barber Shop, 334 Union St
Timeless Barber Shop, 334 Union St

You can find more information about Autism Speaks on their website here
http://www.autismspeaks.org/