Tuesday, December 17, 2013

MassBudget: Job Posting and Announcement of New Board President

MassBudget		Information.
MassBudget		Participation.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center		Democracy.

Job Announcement: Policy Analyst

MassBudget is seeking a Policy Analyst to work largely, although not exclusively, on education policy research. We're seeking candidates who have strong policy analysis skills, work well in teams, and can communicate information effectively to diverse audiences.

A full job description and information on how to apply can be found here.

MassBudget Board has elected Joel Barrera as its new Board President

Additionally, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has elected Joel Barrera as its new President of the Board. He replaces Peter Enrich, professor of law at Northeastern University, who served in that role for 10 years. Joel is the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council where he has expertise in municipal government, municipal finance and health insurance. In addition to his work at MAPC, Joel runs the Commonwealth Seminar which he co-founded over 10 years ago. The Seminar provides training and networking opportunities to help diverse leaders in Massachusetts learn about the state government.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700

BOSTON, MA 02108

CPR and First Aid Training

Good Morning,

My name is Nick Spencer and I am a local CPR and First Aid Training company located in Franklin.

Act 1st CPR

Frank from Padula Insurance asked for me to write to you and see if we can add some events to your website and calendar. I am located right across from the hall from him at 247 East Central Street in Franklin.

Our website is http://www.actfirstcpr.com and our number is 1-800-255-5660.

We will be holding CPR and First Aid training sessions at our Franklin office on

Sat Dec 22 - 2:30 pm
Sat Dec 28 - 2:00 pm
Sat Jan 4 - 2:00 pm
Sat Jan 11 - 2:00 pm
Sat Jan 25 - 2:00 pm

The normal cost for CPR and First Aid training is $95 per person. All of the above classes are discounted to $35 per person with the Discount Code: JAN2014. That's a savings of $60 per person!

People can register at www.actfirstcpr.com/open for any of our trainings.

--

Best Regards,

Customer Care - Act First CPR

P: 800-255-5660
W: www.ActFirstCPR.com

"Your Training is Only a Heartbeat Away!"

Learn about our Referral Rewards program - Click Here

Monday, December 16, 2013

Franklin, MA: Planning Board - Agenda - Dec 16. 2013

The agenda document for the Planning Board meeting Monday, Dec 16 at 7:00 PM can be found here

You can also find this document on the Planning Board page of the official Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Bcomm/planning

If you really want the updates, please subscribe

Companies using Facebook pages have found it increasingly difficult to reach their audience through unpaid, organic promotion. Even those with thousands of fans see only a tiny fraction of their posts actually being viewed in newsfeeds. Many have suspected for some time that Facebook is pushing businesses to use Sponsored Posts, just to get them seen by people who already Like the brand.

Facebook now admits that businesses will need to pay in order to get their companies posts and information in user newsfeeds.

Franklin Matters

You can read the full story here

Facebook treats the Franklin Matters page as a 'business' and I can't blame them, they are attempting to creating a business that makes money from advertising. I don't spend on advertising as this is purely a volunteer operation and my charity dollars are better served going elsewhere.

In order to receive timely updates you are better off to subscribe via email. Once daily you'll get an email with whatever has been published the prior day. Most of what is published that day is generated that morning before the email will hit your Inbox about 9:00 AM. This is the freshest local news you can get.

The subscription process is two steps (1) you provide your email (2) you acknowledge the email confirmation that is sent to you. once completed, you'll receive the daily email. This email listing is not sold to anyone. Only on very special occasions will the email listing generate an email other than just after 9:00 AM.

You can subscribe here http://www.franklinmatters.org/p/welcome.html

Franklin Business in the news: Emeritus at Franklin

Emeritus at Franklin Offers Free December Educational Seminars for Seniors and their Caregivers

This spring, Emeritus at East Franklin will open its doors to provide a premier community designed for seniors whose needs range from assisted living to memory care. For the holidays, Emeritus at Franklin is offering an educational series for seniors, caregivers and the public that will provide helpful care tips for seniors who are living with dementia, as well as their caregivers. Refreshments will be served.

"How to Make the Most of Each Day - Living with Dementia" Wednesday, Dec. 18, 4-5:30 p.m.Place: Hampton Inn Franklin, 725 Union St., Franklin, MA

Please RSVP to (413) 224-2200 or Franklin-ED@emeritus.com. Seating is limited.

2

Emeritus at Franklin Names Executive Director

Emeritus Senior Living has named Christine Smith as Executive Director of Franklin's newest senior living community, Emeritus at Franklin. This new community will open its doors at 656 King Street in spring 2014.

"Christine has a wealth of experience managing a senior community that is a vibrant and caring place for seniors to spend their golden years," said Charlene Young, Emeritus Regional Director of Operations. "This makes her a perfect fit for Emeritus at Franklin."

Smith has more than 28 years of experience in healthcare. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director at The Inn at Robbins Brook, an assisted living community in Acton, Mass. Under her leadership, the community received a perfect state survey in 2012.

"I am really looking forward to welcoming residents into this beautiful new community," said Smith. "Besides the wonderful location and living environment, I'm excited about the care and programs we will be providing to enhance the quality of life for each resident."

Reservations for this premier community are now being accepted at (413) 224-2200

For more information on Emeritus at Franklin you can visit their website here
https://www.emeritus.com/massachusetts/franklin/emeritus-franklin

"working diligently to have the show ready"

"The Great Gatsby" is scheduled to be performed by Franklin High School students on Wed and Thu this week. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for adults. Both performances start at 7:00 PM

In addition to the cast, the Franklin Arts Academy junior class has been involved in constructing, designing, and painting the sets, composing original music for the entire production, and recording sound effects.

In order to utilize space in a small area with many different scenes, periaktos were constructed by the students with help from Dean College. These periaktos, when set up, change almost effortlessly, causing the audience to be instantly transported into the heart of New York and Long Island.

Join the cast as they travel back to the heart of the Prohibition era, when parties were extravagant, money was abundant and life was easy. Gaze into the heart of Mr. Jay Gatsby as his mysterious intentions are revealed. Watch as Nick comes to realize all the people who surround him, with their secrets masked by money, are not what they appear to be.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Snow and the bells of St Mary's (video)

Stopped by the Town Common 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon as the snow was beginning to fall. Captured the video of the snow fall and was about to end with the bells of St Mary's started to ring. Good timing!

Enjoy!

Free holiday parking downtown Franklin (video)

The practice instituted last year with free parking for the holiday season in downtown Franklin has returned this year.

Last year, the parking meter covers were not quite as festive as this years.

This year, the meter covers fit the season nicely!

parking meter cover

And if you haven't seen the sign with the scrolling message, you can view it here:

In the News: holiday challenges, utility scam

Holidays can bring added challenges for elders

It's the hap-happiest time of the year, at least for many people.

Utility company warns of ongoing scam

NStar is again warning the public of a scam targeting the utility's customers.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Hockomock Area YMCA Welcomes New Gymnastics & Dance Director

The Bernon Family Branch of the Hockomock Area YMCA in Franklin has hired Jodie Bedard as Gymnastics and Dance Director. Bedard brings more than 20 years of experience coaching both recreational and competitive gymnasts, and has personal experience competing up through USA Gymnastics level 10. She will be responsible for the management of the gymnastics and dance programs including program development, staff hiring and supervision, and building strong relationships with participants and their parents. In addition, Jodie will be managing summer gymnastics camp programs, as well as coaching the Hockomock Area YMCA’s competitive gymnastics team based out of the Y’s North Attleboro branch.

Bedard first began coaching gymnastics as a teen, at the New York YMCA’s National Gymnastics Training Camp in Huguenot, NY. Her career includes serving as the assistant women’s gymnastics coach for Rhode Island College, where she was involved with all phases of the RIC women’s gymnastics program, including recruiting, scouting, administering practice and meet coaching. Bedard has served as a coach at Ocean State School of Gymnastics in Lincoln, RI for the past seven years.

“I’ve been involved in some way with the YMCA since I was 12 years old,” said Bedard, “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be here and be able to give back some of what my Y experiences have given me. I am here to bring the Bernon Family branch’s gymnastics program to a whole new level. I am also happy to be able to bring all my years of choreography to the dance program here. Every young person should have the chance to have a Y experience. I am beyond proud to be part of that!”

Jodie is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she competed in their Division 1 Competitive Gymnastics program. She currently resides in Rhode Island with her daughter Madeline.

About Hockomock Area YMCA:
The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. With over 33,000 members, half under the age of 18, their promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. Their programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.