Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/7/14 - THU 2/13/14

FRI 2/7   3:30pm-4:30pm   Silly Science and Mystical Math: Levers and Pulleys and Gears ... Oh My. Grades 1-4, Franklin Public Library. Registration required.
FRI 2/7   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked. Franklin Art Center.
FRI 2/7   7pm-11pm   Comedy Night to benefit Franklin Fusion Softball. Elks Lodge, Franklin.
FRI 2/7   7pm   You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - The Musical. Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium, Franklin.


SAT 2/8   10am-noon   Surviving the Challenge of Caregiving. Hampton Inn, Franklin.
SAT 2/8   2pm   You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - The Musical. Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium, Franklin.
SAT 2/8   7pm   Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. New England Chapel, Franklin.

SUN 2/9   10am-2pm   Yard Sale/Raffle Fundraiser to benefit Munroe Family. VFW Post, Franklin.
SUN 2/9   11am-4pm   Destination Dog Open House. 7 Forge Parkway, Franklin.
SUN 2/9   1pm-4pm   Free Classes to Sample at the Hockomock YMCA branches.

MON 2/10   7pm   Planning Board Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers.

TUE 2/11   11:30am-1pm   Discovery Luncheon: Emeritus Assisted Living. Hampton Inn, Franklin.

WED 2/12   6:30pm   Report Card Changes Info Session. Kennedy and Oak Street Schools. Oak Street Elementary School - Library. Franklin.
WED 2/12   7pm   Town Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers.

For camps, activities and happenings for upcoming February vacation visit Franklin Living blog.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

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

"We make a life by what we give”

Did you know it that in leap years, February is the only month that ends on the same weekday it begins. You don’t need to worry about that this year as this is not a leap year. However, it does remain the shortest month of the year. So there is only so much time left to plan and execute for Valentine’s Day.

Yes, that day.

All hearts and flowers.

Maybe some bling.

Maybe a Franklin Pride bead?

Franklin Pride

Aside from wearing it proudly, the best part about the Franklin Pride bead is that each purchase contributes to the Franklin Food Pantry. You make someone happy with the Franklin Pride bead and you help a neighbor. That sounds like a win - win!

Franklin Pride with bracelet

This Valentine’s Day wouldn’t that be a nice touch to add to the gift?

Franklin Pride with necklace

The Franklin Pride bead can be purchased through this link. Franklin Pride can be purchased (as shown) with a choice of necklace, or bracelet, or the bead alone.

The Franklin Food Pantry is pleased to collaborate with Confidence Beads and Beads for a Cause to make the Franklin Pride Bead available to you. Confidence Beads operates the store, handles the transaction and delivery of the item(s) you order. They will periodically make the donation to the Food Pantry based upon your purchases.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

― Winston S. Churchill

This was also posted to the Franklin Food Pantry website

Democrats to elect delegates to state convention (2014)

Democrats in Franklin will be holding a caucus at the Franklin Public Library, in the Community Room on Saturday, March 1st at 10:00 am to elect fourteen (14) delegates and three (3) alternates to the 2014 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will vote to endorse candidates for statewide office. The convention will be held on Friday June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014
at the DCU Center in Worcester. Check-in for the caucus will begin at 9:30 am.

Candidates running for statewide office need 15% of the delegates elected at the caucuses to gain a place on the primary ballot. Attending the convention is a great way to network with Democrats and progressive organizations across the state.

Franklin Democrat Town Committee

"This is going to be an exciting year as we build on our recent successes and prepare for the elections in 2014," commented Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Senator Tom McGee. "Caucuses are the next step in growing our community organizing strategy for victory. People who were part of candidate campaigns in 2012 and 2013 have the opportunity to become part of their local Democratic Party organizations."

"We have a lot of great candidates running for statewide office," Senator McGee added. "Anyone who is interested in getting involved in a campaign for Governor, Lieutenant Governor or any other statewide office, can attend their local caucus and learn how to get involved.

The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Franklin, and the Democratic Committee welcomes participants. Delegates will be divided equally between men and women, and all ballots will be written and secret. Youth, minorities, and people with disabilities who are not elected as delegates or alternates may apply to be "add-on" delegates. The Franklin Public Library building is handicapped accessible. Details on the rules can be found at www.massdems.org.

The Franklin Democratic Town Committee normally meets on the third Monday of the month at the Franklin High School, in the media center. For more information on the caucus or the committee please contact the committee Chair, Denise Schultz, at 508-612-5950 or DeniseLynnSchultz@gmail.com or http://www.franklindemocrats.com/.

For general information on the Convention or the Democratic Party please contact
617-939-0800 or contact@massdems.org

In the News: Democratic governor candidates, Franklin Ed Foundation, BAA virtual marathon

The five Democrats running for governor met on Wednesday to debate the state's troubled child welfare agency, a proposed $2.2 billion rail line and health care. 

Candidate Don Berwick has become more fully supportive of a single-payer, MassHealth-for-all health care system, while his rival for the office Joe Avellone has become vocal in opposing that tack. 

"The more I've looked at it the more I'm convinced it's the right way to go," Berwick told the News Service after a debate at the Boston Globe. At a forum in Jamaica Plain, Berwick said he would favor the universal health care model supported by some liberal activists if health care costs continue to grow.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140205/NEWS/140207806/1994/NEWS#sthash.6UqW3MDI.dpuf

The Franklin Education Foundation has set a date for this year’s Trivia Bee. 

The foundation, which supports teachers at Franklin Public Schools with annual grants, will hold its popular fundraising event Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. at the Horace Mann Middle School, 224 Oak St. 

Since 1997, the Bee has been the foundation’s largest fundraiser, helping it donate more than $300,000 to the schools.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140206/NEWS/140207869/1994/NEWS#sthash.hYIqgZJe.dpuf

The Boston Athletic Association today announced the launch of a new mobile app that will allow a virtual community of runners to participate in this spring’s Boston Marathon. 

Available for Apple and Android devices, the application lets runners from all over the world pick a distance of their choosing and participate “in the athletic spirit of the event,” a press release from the association said.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140205/NEWS/140208355/1994/NEWS#sthash.Xdf8zsoQ.dpuf

If you subscribe to the Boston Globe, you can help

If you are a Boston Globe subscriber, please read on. If you are not, you can skip to the next article.

If you are a Boston Globe subscriber, you may have received this letter in the mail recently. If you did not send it to the circular file or recycle bin, you can act and help the Franklin Food Pantry.

The Globe is allowing subscribers like you and I to cast votes for non-profit organizations. Those non-profits with the most votes will benefit from the largest ad. The Franklin Food Pantry would like to take advantage of this 'free' ad in the Boston Globe.

The ad would help is tell the Franklin Food Pantry story to a larger audience.

This is where you can help.

Find the letter, fill out the card specifying the Franklin Food Pantry as the 501(c)(3), put it in the envelope provided by the Globe, and mail it.

The Franklin Food Pantry thanks you!

"It’s exciting to see the new science offerings"

Realtor Warren Reynolds has a nice write up on the science program at Franklin High School.

The opening of the new Franklin High School this fall will enable the Franklin Public School system to pursue the ambitious goal of offering its students the “premier high school science program in Massachusetts” according to Peter Light, Principal of the Franklin High School. Mr. Light recently alluded to this exciting prospect at an orientation held at the old high school for incoming 8th grade students and parents.

You can read the full article here
http://www.02038.com/2014/02/franklin-best-high-school-science-ma/

the new Franklin High School under construction in Jan 2014

"Companies rely on LinkedIn"

The Milford Daily News has an article on LinkedIn.

It’s been over 10 years since LinkedIn, the “World’s Largest Professional Network” was introduced to the Internet, growing from 4,500 members in 2003 to a staggering 259 million in 2014. 

LinkedIn has connected countless professionals, from entrepreneurs and entry-level employees to corporate CEOs, in a number of different ways.

LinkedIn

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140205/NEWS/140207995/1994/NEWS#sthash.e6zBTKHD.dpuf



You can find Renata Gilarova on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/renatagilarova

You can find Steve Sherlock on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensherlock


You can follow the Franklin Food Pantry on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-food-pantry-inc-?trk=company_name

"It came on really fast"

Milford Daily News recaps the storm from the surrounding area DPW perspectives:

Franklin DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi said the circumstances of the storm were positive. 

"The timing was pretty good - most people knew about the storm, and a lot of people stayed off the roads," he said, adding that school cancellations helped the situation. 

Many directors said they were concerned about the salt supply for the storm, but they all said their stores were adequate. 

"We were running low earlier, but there was a lull and we were able to fill up our supplies," said Bellingham DPW Director Donald DiMartino. 

Cantoreggi said Franklin was set on salt supplies, but noted that the season has been hard on vendors.

Read the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140206/NEWS/140207864#sthash.kBCaM9Y8.dpuf

early Weds morning in Franklin

Franklin Schools: School Status for Thursday - Feb 6, 2014

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Hello

By now I hope you are all plowed/shoveled out. In anticipation of school opening tomorrow a few reminders. The temperature will drop this evening and much of the snow/sleet/slush will freeze. DPW will treat the parking lots and roads however,  surfaces will not be dry. Please take caution to reduce speeds and stay 100 feet behind all school buses (as per law). If you have young drivers in your home please caution them to reduce speed and not follow other cars too closely. 

DPW  has done an exceptional jobs clearing streets and parking lots.  Due to the volume and density of the snow,  please be advised  that  sidewalks will not be plowed by the opening of school.  As a result we will initiate emergency bussing for our students who are walkers. Buses will pick up  any student seen walking.  Parents of a walker may access our web site for the list of bus numbers and stops and you can access transportation without a bus pass. 

Finally, any  parent/guardian has concerns about getting child to school you may exercise your right to keep child home. Please contact the school and let them be aware so it is recorded as an excused absence.

Thank You and Stay Safe,
Maureen Sabolinski

from 'Nemo" in Feb 2012

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

The bus information can be found here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_BusOffice/transportation/transportation


The PDF doc with all the bus routes for each school can be found here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_BusOffice/transportation/Bus%20Routes%20FY14.pdf

Franklin Schools: Schools Closed, Wednesday, Feb 5

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Morning, 

All schools will be closed on Wednesday, February 5 due to impending inclement weather. All evening activities are canceled. Office personnel will work from home. 

Stay safe, 

Maureen

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. If you wish to discontinue this service, please inform FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT either IN PERSON, by US MAIL, or by TELEPHONE at 508-613-1777.

From Feb 2012, when 'Nemo' buried Franklin