Reminder: Participate in Globe GRANT today

Franklin Food Pantry 

The Franklin Food Pantry has been fortunate to appear on this list and would appreciate if more Globe subscribers would participate. If you misplaced the mailing, there are instructions on how to contact the Globe to cast your ballot.

To see the current listing of the GRANT awards check here

https://services.bostonglobe.com/grant/LeaderBoard.aspx

GRANT: Globe Readers And Non-profits Together. View Web Version | Contact Us/Feedback

Dear STEPHEN, To start the new year, the Globe would like to ask you to be part of our newest community program, Globe GRANT (Globe Readers And Non-profits Together). The GRANT program will enable you to support the 501(c)(3) non-profit of your choice by helping them get free advertising space in the Globe to spread the word about their mission, recruit volunteers, advertise events, and more. This program comes at no cost to you or your preferred non-profit. GRANT is a FREE benefit for subscribers; here's what to do: Open your silver envelope you received in the mail. Write your favorite 501(c)(3) on the enclosed voucher. Mail the voucher in the postage-paid envelope. Lost your envelope? Just email us at grant@globe.com. Please include your name, email address, street address and non-profit.

To learn more, go to BostonGlobe.com/GRANT or call 617-929-3198.

To ensure you receive Boston Globe GRANT emails, please add grant@globe.com to your address book. We value your privacy. If you have any questions, please email grant@globe.com. Address: The Boston Globe 135 Morrissey Boulevard PO Box 55819 Boston, MA 02205-5819

"this is more important than anything he’s ever done as a coach"

Despite the desperate pleas, shouts, cries and a few curses from more than 20 of Peter Laviolette’s closest family and friends, his team could not tie the score in the waning seconds of Team USA’s semifinal game against Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Friday. The squad north of the border prevailed, 1-0, and will play Sweden for the gold medal. 

Laviolette, a 1982 graduate of Franklin High School, is the assistant coach for Team USA. On Friday, supporters gathered at The Rome Restaurant in Franklin to cheer on the former Franklin High Panthers defensemen who helped bring his team to the Hockomock League championship during his senior year.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140222/NEWS/140228795/1994/NEWS

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/21/14 - THU 2/27/14

FRI 2/21   3pm Whalemobile at Franklin Public Library. Grades K-6. Step inside the 43' long inflatable humpback whale Nile to learn about habitat, behavior and conservation of whales. Registration required.

FRI 2/21   6:30pm-8pm   'Healthy Hearts' Family Valentine Dance at the Bernon Family YMCA in Franklin. FREE event for all (members and non-members) with a DJ and many other activities.

SAT 2/22   10:30am-12pm   Animal World Experience, Fiske Public Library, Wrentham. Free, but get your tickets at circulation desk. Canned-goods donations accepted.

MON 2/24   3-4pm   Companion Caregivers Open House, Franklin Senior Center. Please call 508-520-4945 to sign up. On-site care provided for your loved one during Open House.

MON 2/24   7pm   Planning Board Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers.

Upcoming event - Tickets available NOW at all Hockomock YMCA branches ($20). YMCA will host Elizabeth Smart, Child Protection Activist on May 8 at 7pm (Foxboro HS). Seating limited.

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

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

A whale of a day

The Library will be hosting a humpback whale today! Registration is required. You can do that by calling the Library at 508-520-4940 or getting to the Circulation Desk. The event is for kids in grade K to 6.

Whalemobile

This was reposted from the Franklin Public Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/02/whalemobile.html

In the News: youth rally, minimum wage

Local legislators and politicians joined nearly 1,000 young people from across the state Thursday to rally for increased funding for youth jobs programs. 

"You are out there giving a voice to a need in our society today, which is that the government needs to work together with the private sector to make sure there are opportunities for every single person here," state Rep. Tom Conroy, D-Wayland, told the crowd inside Boston's Old South Church. 

Conroy spoke alongside Attorney General Martha Coakley and Felix Arroyo, Boston's chief of Health and Human Services.

Read the full article here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140221/NEWS/140229298

State Senate President Therese Murray wants the state’s minimum wage raised to $11 per hour. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, supports an increase, but wants it tied to changes in unemployment insurance. 

With dueling bills in the two chambers, there are two questions: what will the final solution be and when it it likely to be arrived at? 

“Both issues are in play in both chambers, but the division is more about process than substance at this point, I think,” Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, said Tuesday.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140220/NEWS/140229762

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for September 2014 will be held on:

Monday, April 7, 2014 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and
Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
at the Horace Mann/Oak Street Complex.

Registration forms will be available after March 3rd on the Kindergarten Registration web page, and at the office of the Superintendent.

Horace Mann Middle School on a fall day

Art Show - Feb 22 through Mar 29

As part of an ongoing program, the Norfolk Cultural Council is hosting a joint art exhibit at the Norfolk Public Library from February 22 through March 29 featuring local artist Mireille T. Eastman and homeless advocate and artist Matthew Works. The show explores themes about finding home and finding refuge. A reception will be held on March 8 at the Norfolk Public Library from 6 – 8 pm and everyone is welcome to come and meet the artists. Charley Eastman will provide music for the reception.

Saint Nicholas Church by Mireille Eastman

Mireille T. Eastman is a first generation American who grew up in New York City. She began painting while studying abroad in Paris. As her painting developed she began exploring images of Romania, the land of her parents, seeking to commune with her ancestral home. Please visit her website at mireille-eastman.squarespace.com.

Ecclesia et Civitas by Matthew Works

Matthew Works is a Boston artist, writer and activist for the homeless, who has been homeless for over a decade. His work is a testament to the creative spirit. Matthew travels extensively throughout the United States, speaking and presenting his artwork at churches, colleges and universities. He has built a following as a speaker, including keynote speaker, an artist, and "theologian in residence." He leads a walking tour titled “Homelessness and the Gospel” showing a different perspective of the street of Boston. He has been featured on National Public Radio and was profiled in the New York Times' bestselling book, God's Politics, by the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners magazine.

MBTA: Five-year Capital Investment public forum: Feb 25 in Cambridge; Feb 26 in Mattapan

Five-year Capital Investment public forum: Feb 25 in Cambridge & Feb 26 in Mattapan. See http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/ for more  Each year, the MBTA develops a 5-year Capital Investment Program (CIP), which invests in infrastructure & vehicles to maintain & modernize the system. We welcome your feedback on our FY15 FY19 Draft CIP. The public comment period began with the publication of the MBTAs Draft CIP on the MassDOT website on January 9, 2014, & ends on February 28, 2013. The FY15 FY19 Draft CIP is available at www.mbta.com. If you are unable to attend a public meeting, but would like to comment, send us an email at cipinfo@mbta.com or write to us at: MBTA Budget Office, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. All facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need an accommodation in order to fully participate in the hearing, please email us prior to the scheduled date. mbta,com/ Last updated: Feb 19 2014 12:09 PM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Meeting/FY15-19%20CIP%20Flyer_English.pdf Sent by the MBTA. (or write subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com)

Remember today

Feb 19 is a special day in US history. It was the day that the Battle of Iwo Jima started in 1945. The flag raising on Mt Suribachi is quite well known. That the battle fought for many days after the flag raising is less so.

Additional information:
Battle of Iwo Jima (wikipedia entry)

To the Shores of Iwo Jima (vintage video)

Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington, VA

If you see a veteran, thank them for their service.

If you find a World War II veteran, listen to a story if they'll tell it. We are all losing too many of those these days.





Note: My father was part of the 4th Marine Division that landed on Iwo Jima on Feb 19th and was one of the lucky ones to walk off in March. I was able to capture part of his oral history and you can listened to him talk of his unit, the Join Assault Signal Company here:
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/09/jerry-story-joint-assault-signal.html

Spring Training Baseball Clinic - March 1

Instructors include new Franklin High School Head Coach Zach Brown and his Coaching Staff, other local high school and college coaches along with current and former FHS players.

All players will participate in drills and receive instruction on hitting, fielding and

throwing techniques. Over 125 participants last year!

Saturday March 1, 2014

At the Franklin High School Field House

• Choice of 2 sessions: Session 1: 9a.m-11:30a.m.

Session 2: Noon-2:30p.m.

This event is sponsored by the FHS Baseball Boosters, for further information you can reach John Roche or Steve Gallo, email: FHSbaseballboosters@gmail.com or phone 774-571-1881 or 617-947-1668.

A copy of the registration form is shown here.

"Heavenly Haze" and "Grapefruit Diesel"

What is the headline? Two of the types of marijuana proposed for cultivation in the new facility here in Franklin.

The unassuming building at 5 Forge Parkway looks as if it could house any sort of large-scale industrial operation. 

Soon, though, the employees inside, watched over by a six-person security team, will begin growing thousands of pounds of marijuana, to be shipped by a fleet of three vehicles to dispensaries in Brookline and Northampton. 

New England Treatment Access Inc., one of 22 budding non-profit companies awarded licenses to sell medical marijuana last month, is now in the process of obtaining the necessary permits from the town of Franklin so it can start production at the 70,000-square-foot facility, leased through 2024.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140219/NEWS/140215841

"There are no negatives to this bill"

The bill, filed last year by state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, and state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, amends the current law, reducing the number of plates that a charity must sell initially to 500 and the number during the first two years to 1,000. 

According to Roy, lowering the threshold would help smaller charities reap the benefits of creating their own plates. The sale of specialized plates in Massachusetts — some 215,000 to date — has raised nearly $75 million for non-profits, he said. 

"It puts the small charities on equal footing with the larger groups who have access to marketing resources," Roy said, referencing non-profits aligned with professional sports teams.

Read the full article here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140219/NEWS/140215829/1994/NEWS

Parking Ban Activated

Parking Ban Activated 02/18/2014

Winter Weather Advisory

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA

408 AM EST TUE FEB 18 2014

...A QUICK PERIOD OF HEAVY SNOWFALL TODAY...

MAZ007-013>017-181715-

/O.CON.KBOX.WW.Y.0008.140218T1200Z-140219T0100Z/

EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-

SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...GLOUCESTER...FOXBORO...NORWOOD...

CAMBRIDGE...BOSTON...QUINCY...TAUNTON

408 AM EST TUE FEB 18 2014

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS

MORNING TO 8 PM EST THIS EVENING...

* HAZARD TYPES...SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 3 TO 5 INCHES.

* TIMING...FROM MID MORNING TO THE EVENING HOURS.

* IMPACTS...HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE AT TIMES...WITH REDUCTIONS IN

 VISIBILITY AND SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THIS HEAVY SNOW MAY BE

 FALLING DURING THE EVENING COMMUTE.

* WINDS...SOUTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SNOW AND/OR ICE IS

FORECAST TO DEVELOP IN THE AFFECTED AREAS...BUT ACCUMULATIONS ARE

EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT. ANY SNOW OR ICE WOULD RESULT IN SLIPPERY

CONDITIONS ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS AND SIDEWALKS.  WHEN

TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING...MOTORISTS NEED TO BE ESPECIALLY

CAREFUL ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES WHERE SLIPPERY SPOTS CAN EASILY

DEVELOP.

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‘Healthy Hearts’ Family Valentine Dance on Friday, February 21

The Hockomock Area YMCA invites area residents to wear red at our ‘Healthy Hearts’ Family Valentine Dance on Friday, February 21st from 6:30PM-8:00PM at our Bernon Family Branch located at 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin.

This free event guarantees a good time for all with a DJ and lots of dancing. Many other activities are planned including a nail salon, hair studio for boys and girls, Minute to Win It games, arts & crafts, heart healthy snacks, and more for members and non-members alike.

For more information, contact Michelle Branche at 774.235.2766 or visit our website at www.hockymca.org.

www.hockymca.org.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA
Through partnerships with families, the Hockomock Area YMCA empowers families to learn, grow and thrive together. Driven by our three areas of focus—youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility—family strengthening nurtures the potential of every child, improves family relationships and well-being, and provides opportunities for families to contribute to their communities.

The focus of family strengthening at the Hockomock Area YMCA is to provide intentional programming and services in a welcoming environment that embraces and reflects the diversity of families in the community. Family strengthening is a collaborative process to further work/life balance, deepen relationships within families, develop new skills and interests, and connect to community resources.

"a regional approach to rail trail developments'

For fans of rail trails, mark the date for an important meeting on the Upper Charles Trail

With spring just a few weeks away, the Friends of the Milford Upper Charles Trail will update residents on the trail’s current status, future plans and the benefits of a regional approach to rail trail developments during a forum next month. 

The forum, which will be held March 8 at 9 a.m. at the Ashland Community Center, will include presentations from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council focused on a regional view of rail trails, legislative advocates and a business owners who will provide insight on the commerce aspect of a multi-purpose trail. 

Representatives from the Upper Charles Trail towns of Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Milford and Sherborn will also provide updates on their towns and answer questions from the public.

Read the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140217/NEWS/140216570#sthash.njsLxy7p.dpuf


For more information on the Upper Charles Trail visit their webpage here
http://www.uppercharlestrail.org/

For additional info on the Friends of the Upper Charles Trail visit their webpage here
http://www.milfordtrail.org/

Franklin's rail trail sign on Grove St

Franklin's own section of the SNETT rail trail runs off Grove St to Bellingham and ultimately to Palmer.
http://www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/

In the News: salt supply, traffic arrest

In Franklin, DPW Director Brutus Cantoreggi said the town is better-positioned than many of its neighbors, but he said the town’s salt supplies are still below his comfort level. 

Cantoreggi said the town has two salt sheds and has been able to lend some salt to both Milford and Norfolk, but is now left with about 1,000 tons. He said the town uses about 400 to 500 tons of salt during each plowable storm.

Read the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140218/NEWS/140216330/?tag=2#sthash.Ia9cbGZa.dpuf

An expired inspection sticker led police to arrest two Franklin residents, one of whom was found with more than 60 prescription pills, after a motor vehicle stop Friday on South Main Street, police said. 

Read the full article here: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140218/NEWS/140216343/1994/NEWS#sthash.pQ7bMOQY.dpuf

Washington's Birthday

Poor George, his birthday really falls on Feb 22 but with the Uniform Monday Holiday act, and the realignment of the holiday to the 3rd Monday in February it never falls on the right day.

Have no fear, we live in MA where

• In Massachusetts, the state officially celebrates "Washington's Birthday" on the same day as the Federal holiday. State law also directs the governor to issue an annual "Presidents Day" proclamation on May 29 (John F. Kennedy's birthday), honoring the presidents with Massachusetts roots: Kennedy, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Calvin Coolidge.^[7]"

Read more about President's Day in this wikipedia entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%27s_Birthday


Happy birthday George!

George Washington, 1st President of the United States

Paper or Plastic? (video)

With the holiday and three day weekend, I'll do the food shopping today. The choice of paper or plastic is actually the wrong question according to Leyla especially since we have so many options for re-usable bags to bring home the groceries with. While she doesn't get into re-usable bags, she does get into the real problem:

"... at the end of the day, everything we design and produce in the economy or buy as consumers is done so for function. We want something, therefore we buy it. So breaking things back down and delivering smartly, elegantly, sophisticated solutions that take into consideration the entire system and the entire life of the thing, everything, all the way back to the extraction through to the end of life, we can start to actually find really innovative solutions."

Find a comfy spot, have your morning or favorite beverage at hand and watch this 18 minute video. It is time to "rethink environmental folklore"








For more about Leyla and the design work she does, visit her page on the TED site here
http://www.ted.com/speakers/leyla_acaroglu.html