Sunday, December 4, 2011
Mall Santa Musical (video)
Sunday. Likely you have some shopping scheduled
Maybe to the Mall?
Maybe there'll be a Santa!
Way to go ImprovEverywhere!
Whole Foods - 5% day benefits Hockomock Area YMCA
Whole Foods Market Bellingham has selected the YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative for their Community Giving or 5% day, on Monday December 5th from 8 AM – 9 PM. Five percent of the day’s net sales will be donated to the Hockomock Area YMCA Healthy Futures Initiative to reduce inactivity and poor nutrition in the fifteen communities served.
In Massachusetts 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese and 3 in 5 adults fall into those categories. Research now is showing numbers are rising in our youngest kids too. It is imperative that we partner together to improve the health of our children such as through this upcoming Whole Foods Market 5% Day, helping ensure that we can meet all the needs within our communities.
“Our YMCA is committed to improving the health of kids and families by making the healthy choice the easy choice. The Healthy Futures Initiative strives to support the community through the development of programs, projects and policies that create sustainable change,” says Lauren Marciszyn, Youth and Community Wellness Director.
We hope many people will show their support by saving their shopping for Monday, December 5th and participate in the various activities scheduled throughout the day.
Activities include free classes for youth ages 1 – 4 years old between 10 AM – 12 PM, shopping while you dine from 12 – 2 PM for all who provide a shopping list (lunch must be purchased), and an Elegant Evening with Ming Tsai from 6 :30 – 8 PM. The Elegant Evening features massage therapists, hears, make-overs, tastings and an appearance by Ming Tsai.
More information can be found at www.Hockymca.org special events or directed to LaurenM@hockymca.org.
Finance Committee - Agenda - Dec 6, 2011
The agenda for the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec 6, 2011.
FinCom Agenda 20111206
FinCom Agenda 20111206
Saturday, December 3, 2011
"the change will be good for Franklin"
"The site work is starting - obviously, you see some of that," Big Y spokeswoman Claire D'Amour-Daley said. "We've been really wanting to expand our eastern stores for quite some time."
Contractors knocked down the empty building two weeks ago, where the Franklin Buffet restaurant last stood, but D'Amour-Daley said it could take nine months to a year before the project is finished.
"It's good for property values around here," said Town Councilor Andrew Bissanti, whose realty business is also near the land leased by Big Y. "It's going to be fantastic. It's just a matter of time before Rte. 140 gets built up nice and clean. Now is as good a time as any."
But other local business owners and residents have mixed feelings on the grocery chain coming to Franklin, with some happy to see development but many worried about traffic.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x1178219312/Resolution-far-off-as-work-begins-at-Big-Y-in-Franklin#ixzz1fTFqfWUr
What once was:
What now is:
You're Invited - Healthy Kids Summit - Tues 12/6 @ Patriots Place
An email from the YMCA:
We hope you can be part of the Healthy Kids Summit on Tuesday December 6th 4 – 5:30 PM at Patriots Place featuring a panel of experts and family activities. This is free event for families. As leaders in our communities Healthy Futures work, we want to make sure you are aware of great resource sharing events in our area, such as this one by Stop and Shop. We know that you will gain a lot of beneficial information and resources you can put into practice as well as have the opportunity to speak with experts in the field. Please consider joining us. We hope to see you there. Supporting Healthy Living,Lauren
Lauren A. Marciszyn, RD, LDNDirector of Youth & Community WellnessHockomock Area YMCA774.235.2737
Downtown Partnership says "Thank You!"
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 12/2/11
Hundreds of people turned out in chilly but seasonal weather yesterday afternoon for the Partnership's Third Annual Holiday Stroll!
The holiday tree lighting at Dean College kicked off the event. Carolers led the crowds in song, dancers entertained and an a cappella choir performed in front of Dean Hall. More than 250 Gingerbread Men and 250 Whoopie Pies were quickly devoured, along with gallons of hot chocolate.
From there the Stroll wound throughout the downtown. Businesses kept their doors open late and offered shoppers incentives as well as refreshments. Kids decorated cookies at Dean Bank, created ornaments at the Franklin Art Association and met Scoobie Doo on East Central Street. Santa heard wish lists at Simon's Furniture and Mrs. Claus read stories to the younger crowd at the Historical Museum.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this year's Holiday Stroll our best yet!
Silver Sponsors: Dean Bank, DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Ferguson Enterprises, Middlesex Savings Bank and nhs print.
Bronze Sponsors: Judith V. Butler, M.A., LLC, Franklin Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, John J. Roche, Attorney, and Laura Lowe, Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Franklin.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Franklin Downtown Partnership using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Giving the Gift of Less
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Catalog Choice - MailStop Blog by Jill on 12/1/11
Looking for a meaningful gift that everyone can use? Our new MailStop Envelopes save trees and reduce clutter by stopping unwanted mail. Prepaid MailStop Envelopes make perfect, practical gifts for your friends, family and co-workers. Everyone will appreciate this easy way to eliminate the waste of unwanted mail.
MailStop Envelopes are great for people who are too busy to use our online service, not Internet-savvy, or just have not gotten around to stopping unwanted mail. With the postage-paid MailStop Envelope, you simply collect and send in mailing labels, saving trees and time with minimal effort. Give envelopes to anyone who wants to make a difference this holiday season and beyond.
At $6.75 each, a MailStop Envelope is the perfect stocking stuffer or gift. Give the gift of less – less paper waste, less clutter, less time managing unwanted mail – and celebrate a meaningful holiday season.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Catalog Choice - MailStop Blog using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Thanks to Abbe for pointing this tip out for us!
DOR warns of Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit scam
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue by Robert Bliss on 12/2/11
The Department of Revenue today released a statement from Taxpayer Advocate Dennis Buckley warning the public, tax preparers, and those who assist seniors in preparing tax returns of a scam that surfaced last year involving the popular Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit.
"The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit last year helped nearly 80,000 state residents receive a refundable tax credit. Unfortunately, several unscrupulous tax preparers coaxed elderly public housing residents to fraudulently apply for the credit (residents of public housing are ineligible for the credit).
"The preparers who participated in this scam asked for a payment to submit the fraudulent application, and some seniors received the credit without actually qualifying for it. The Department of Revenue has notified those senior residents that the refund was obtained fraudulently and must be paid back.
"The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit last year helped nearly 80,000 state residents receive a refundable tax credit. Unfortunately, several unscrupulous tax preparers coaxed elderly public housing residents to fraudulently apply for the credit (residents of public housing are ineligible for the credit).
"The preparers who participated in this scam asked for a payment to submit the fraudulent application, and some seniors received the credit without actually qualifying for it. The Department of Revenue has notified those senior residents that the refund was obtained fraudulently and must be paid back.
"We ask you to share knowledge of this scam with your colleagues. Seniors are not eligible for the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit if they live in public or subsidized housing," Buckley wrote.
The Senior Circuit Breaker will deliver a maximum tax credit of $980 in tax year 2011.
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Commonwealth Conversations: Revenue using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
Friday, December 2, 2011
Santa's arrival (photo slideshow)
I missed the tree lighting ceremony at Dean College but did manage to make it around to most of the Holiday Stroll on Thursday evening. As I made the rounds however, it was too dark to take good photos. I do have additional photos from Santa's arrival on the Town Common on Sunday to share:
Enjoy!
12 Days of Donating to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry
Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:
via Berry Insurance Blog by berryinsurance on 12/1/11
Franklin businesses will be collecting canned goods for the Franklin Food Pantry for twelve days, from December 1st to the 12th as part of their "1,200 pounds of food and $1,200 in 12 days" campaign. Be sure to take part in this "12 Days of Donating" to help the Pantry support those in need this holiday season. Be sure to stop into any of these local spots listed below, anytime until the 12th, with canned goods or donations, and show your support for the community.- Franklin Downtown Partnership – 9 East Central Street
- Jane's Frames – 11 East Central Street
- Printsmart Office Supplies – 20 East Central Street
- Berry Insurance – 9 Main Street
- Dean Bank – 21 Main Street
- Dean College at the Campus Center
For more information about this topic, or to get some answers about your current insurance situation, please visit our virtual insurance agency at www.berryinsurance.com, stop by one of our two locations, or give us a call at (800) 941-3317.
You can also find us on all your favorite social networking sites!
Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn
Things you can do from here:
- Subscribe to Berry Insurance Blog using Google Reader
- Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites
"this gets people thinking"
The Holiday Stroll, hosted by the Franklin Downtown Partnership, is meant to draw people through downtown and reacquaint residents with the businesses there on a more personal level.
"It gives people a chance to talk to local store owners and business owners," said Lisa Piana, executive director of the partnership. "A lot of times people find out about new businesses downtown because they're taking the time to stroll downtown, instead of doing their errands."
The stroll began with a ceremonial lighting of a large tree on the Dean College campus. Businesses nearby set up indoor and outdoor craft stations for children. They could, for example, decorate gingerbread cookies outside Dean Bank or make snowman ornaments in the Franklin Art Center.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/features/x46240893/Families-flock-to-downtown-stroll-in-Franklin#ixzz1fNBhacda
Thursday, December 1, 2011
"Your local tax dollar is spent in your town"
The tax rate was raised from $12.95 per $1,000 of property value to $13.73 per $1,000, in part because of dropping home values. Towns often respond to declining property values by raising rates to at least maintain revenue totals.
"Rates go up when the value of the town goes down because the value of the town needs to stay the same," said Councilor Glenn Jones, admitting that the explanation is basic and simplistic.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/business/x46240157/Residential-commercial-taxes-rising-in-Franklin#ixzz1fHHdtjPM
The live reporting from the Town Council meeting Weds, Nov 30 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/town-council-113011.html
Additional information on the tax rate can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/11/fm-101-tax-rate-info.html
Taking a LEAP! (video)
I met Steve Farber earlier this year and received an advance copy of this book. I don't have it anymore as it went to someone who really wanted to read it. Now with the official version available, I can get a new copy for myself. And help him with this new out reach effort!
"Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do" - Steve Farber
"Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do" - Steve Farber
3 more Franklin Area Blogs
Three more items from the Franklin Area Blogs to highlight today.
Realtor Kathy Stankard writes about the Downtown Partnership's Holiday Stroll taking place today:
Upcoming Franklin, MA Holiday Events Worth Checking Out
Holiday Stroll Map
Realtor Kathy Stankard writes about the Downtown Partnership's Holiday Stroll taking place today:
Upcoming Franklin, MA Holiday Events Worth Checking Out
Holiday Stroll Map
Breakfast with Santa - Franklin British Beer Company
What: Breakfast with Santa
Where: British Beer Company in Franklin
When: Saturday December 10th, 8:30am and 10am
Why: To benefit the Santa Foundation
Santa's coming to town! Gather up the kiddies and let 'em know they better be good, for goodness sake, 'cause Santa will be hosting breakfast at the British Beer Company in Franklin. Old Saint Nick will be flying in from the North Pole on December 10th for this special morning. There will be two seatings: 8:30am and 10am, tickets are only $10 and $5 for kids under 12. The breakfast, and a raffle, will be helping us to raise funds for the Santa Foundation, who provides gifts for families in need during Christmas. The foundation was able to help 700 families last Christmas…that's a lot of shiny happy local children! The BBC is inviting the whole Franklin community down for some eggs and pancakes…all for a good cause. Children should come with their Christmas wish list ready to go for good ole Chris Kringle.
British Beer Company
280 Franklin Village Drive - Franklin, MA
Town Council - 11/30/11
The collection of posts that were reported live during the Town Council meeting on Weds, Nov 30 can be found here
- Live reporting - closing
- Live reporting - legislation for action
- Live reporting - Tax hearing
- Live reporting - Citizens comments
- Live reporting - Town Council
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