YPO Membership Changes

Young Professionals Organization Special Announcement: YPO Membership Changes The United Regional Young Professionals Organization is a community of diverse individuals who share a common interest in professional relationship building, career development, social engagement and civic leadership. As an affiliate of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce, the United Regional YPO provides a platform for individuals to engage with their peers and community while providing guidance and support to help them grow personally and professionally.  You asked and we listened! We are  excited to announce that you can now become involved with the United Regional YPO without a $50 membership fee. Originally the YPO required the membership fee to cover operational costs. Over the past year we have successfully reduced our costs and are now able to operate without a membership fee while still providing significant donations to local charitable organizations and causes. We are hoping that these changes will give our supporters more flexibility to take advantage of events and workshops without a significant commitment.        Commonly asked questions: Q:  Do I need to be a member to attend the events and workshops? A: No. Attendance to all events is open to the general public. Q: Can I still contribute a by-line article to the website for free? A: For now, by-line articles will be reviewed on a first come first served basis. Q; I already have paid for membership. What do I do? A: We are in the process of reviewing all paid membership applications since January 1, 2014 and will be refunding on a prorated basis though PayPal. Questions regarding refunds can be directed to unitedregionalypo@ymail.com  We look forward to seeing you at future networking  events and educational workshops. Thank you for your support!   STAY CONNECTED

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/20/14 - THU 6/26/14

FRI 6/20   12-6pm   Farmers Market at Franklin Common
FRI 6/20   1-6pm   Franklin Community Blood Drive at Boston Sports Club, 2 weeks guest pass to BSC to all donors.
FRI 6/20   6:30pm-8:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center

SAT 6/21   9am-4pm   Franklin Public Library Book Sale
SAT 6/21   10am-1pm   “Say Goodbye To Franklin High” - final tour!

SAT 6/21   1-4pm   4th Annual Golf Classic - FHS Football and Alumni at New England Country Club

SUN 6/22   9am-12pm   Franklin Public Library Bag Sale
SUN 6/22   10am-11:30am   Zumbathon Charity Event for Jimmy Fund at Helen Owens Fitness in Franklin

WED 6/25   1pm   Summer Reading Kick Off Party at Franklin Public Library (lawn).

THU 6/26   6-8pm   Franklin Food Pantry Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s in Franklin.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

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

F.X.O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) Now Enrolling For the 2014-2015 School Year

The Francis X. O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is an integrated preschool program operated by the Franklin Public Schools and is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. The program is designed for children who are three to five years old. Parents and community involvement is an integral part of our preschool program. There are 2.5 and 4 hour programs available, but spots are filling quickly so register early! 

The highly trained staff provides a nurturing environment that utilizes a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the National Association of the Education of Young Children and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care guidelines. Multi-sensory and hands-on experiences maximize learning opportunities in the areas of social/emotional, language, motor, cognition and daily living skills. 

Applications and additional information for the 2014-2015 school year can be obtained online at: www.franklin.k12.ma.us by clicking on the link under "schools" for ECDC. Applications can also be picked up by stopping by ECDC, 224 Oak Street (rear). All applicants must be Franklin residents who are 3 years of age by August 31, 2014. Any questions, please contact Kelty Kelley @ 508 541-8166 or by emailing kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us.

The ECDC page on the Franklin website can be found here
http://franklinecdc.vt-s.net/Pages/index

F.X.O’Regan Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC)

In the News: TriCounty builds a home, Food Pantry summer programs

Tri-County carpentry instructor John Lavigne has literally raised the stakes for his students to give them a hands-on lesson in the trade. 

Juniors and seniors studying carpentry and the other building trades at the regional vocational technical high school have started the frame, roofing and window work for a modular home that will become available in June 2015 through Franklin’s affordable housing program. 

For students used to building small mock-ups that they later tear down, the chance to erect a house that will stand for years has been as much a thrill as a challenge, Lavigne said.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140620/NEWS/140629742/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Food Pantry this week announced it will offer fresh produce from local farms this summer. 

The Healthy Futures Fresh Produce Market runs through October — open every Tuesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at 43 West Central St. 

All of the fruits and vegetables arrive from local farms and community gardens, such as Hoffmann Farm, Akin Bak Farm and the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School garden.

You can read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140620/NEWS/140629743/1994/NEWS

Electric Youth hit a high note before Council gets into the dirt

Do you recall this?

WHEREAS, the Town Council continues to explore ways of making improvements to our community; and 

WHEREAS, the Town Council would like participation by the citizens to provide valuable input. 

Now therefore, be it resolved by the Franklin Town Council that a Citizen Committee is established. Said committee shall consist of 5 to 9 members to be appointed by the Town Council. Said committee shall make recommendations to the Town council on how to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Franklin in areas including but not limited to enhancing citizen participation, aesthetics of the community, and business development, and other recommendations that the Council deems appropriate. Said committee shall make its recommendations by December, 2012. This Resolution shall become effective according to the rules and regulations of the Town of Franklin Home Rule Charter.

This was the resolution to form the creation of the Citizens Committee on the agenda for the Town Council in January 18, 2012.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/creation-of-citizen-committee.html

Now the current Town Council is slightly different from the one in Jan 2012 but 6 of the 9 should remember this.

I was attracted by this because of the first objective: "enhancing citizen participation"

I applied, was appointed, was sworn in and then didn't attend a meeting as the Chair clearly indicated that the work would focus on the other objectives ("aesthetics of the community, and business development").

I find it interesting that had the committee focused on their original objective the whole town of Franklin might actually be in a better position.

Instead we continue to find Town Council meetings where everyone has only part of the information yet feels compelled to 'right the situation'.

Indeed, Wednesday night one of the projects that the Citizens Committee got involved in was raised for discussion during the presentation by the Panning and Committee Development Dept.

• A family is looking to sell their property
• The development proposed requires a new zoning bylaw
• The development requires a special permit from the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission
• All the hearings are currently underway
• Advice to the Planning Board by the Town Attorney was taken out of context
• Should this matter be discussed as it is (was last night) with the hearings underway?
• Should members of the Council who recused themselves from the zoning discussion still be making comments on the matter?
• Apparently the developer is unaware of some critical procedural matters applicable to all of MA and not just Franklin (demolition of a structure categorized as 'historic')
• Apparently, the Council forgets from time to time that it is a governing body and should not be running the day to day operations of the Town

If the Citizens Committee had focused on "enhancing citizen participation," folks would be more informed on process and procedures. The level of communication and information sharing would be improved. Decisions and discussion would be based upon all the facts and not just part of the story or biased viewpoints.

We'll see... there is always hope... We need to stay out of the mud piles. No one ends up with a clean shirt after playing in the mud!

So the Electric Youth performance to open the meeting Wednesday evening was the high note. It all went downhill after that.

Electric Youth performing for Town Council

The full set of my notes reported live during the Wednesday meeting can be found here

• Live reporting: Legislation
• Live reporting - Citizens Committee
• Live reporting - Dept of Planning and Community De...
• Live Reporting - opening of meeting
• Live Reporting: Town Council - June 18, 2014
• 
  

MassBudget: Rewarding Work: The Data on an $11 Minimum Wage

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Rewarding Work:  The Data on an $11 Minimum Wage Seeking to expand economic opportunity for working people in the Commonwealth, the House and Senate have voted to increase the state's minimum wage to $11 an hour by 2017. This will raise the wages of about 600,000 people who work hard, at low wages, to support themselves and their families. In addition to helping these families and individuals, a minimum wage increase can also have positive effects on the overall economy, as higher wages allow workers to spend more at local businesses. When fully phased in, the increase will raise annual wages for affected workers by approximately $1.1 billion. Who are the 600,000 people whose wages will increase? Together they are one-in-five wage earners in the Commonwealth. Over 85 percent are twenty years old or older -- and younger workers who are helped are often working to pay for college or to help their family with basic expenses. 57 percent are women 140,000 of the affected workers are parents -- and 236,000 children live in households that will be helped by the increase. This legislation would raise the wage in three steps: to $9/hour in 2015, to $10/hour in 2016, and to $11/hour in 2017 (on January 1st of each year). These wage increases would not be indexed to inflation. (For more discussion of indexing, see MassBudget's factsheet Value of Minimum Wage is Eroded Quickly by Inflation.) In addition, the "tipped minimum wage" - which allows employers to pay tipped workers a lower wage (as long as tips bring the workers' pay up to the regular minimum wage) -- would rise slightly, from the current rate of $2.63/hour to a final rate of $3.75/hour, also by 2017. (For more discussion of the tipped minimum wage, see MassBudget's factsheet The Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers.) At $11 and hour in 2017, Massachusetts would have the highest state minimum wage in the nation -- unless other states raise their wage above that level during the next three years. For more information visit our minimum wage resource page . 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

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Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival is THIS Saturday!

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 4th annual BRT SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL? WE ARE! Fundraising and planning is almost over ...now it's time to make it happen! Over the course of the next four days more than 75 incredible volunteers will transform a beautiful but underused park in Cumberland into a world class festival space... FIVE stages and 45 food and craft vendors will be set up, ready for YOU to enjoy an amazing day of music, dance and culture! PLEASE JOIN US  THIS SATURDAY!  FOOD VENDORS  Mickey G's Clam Shack, GottaQ BBQ, The Salad Man & Juice Bar, Del's Lemonade, and the Ice Cream Machine. CRAFT VENDORS SoulQuest Designs, Cheryl's Designs, Tom and Alice Apiaries, Scentsy Fragrance, Willow Grove Naturals, Thirty-One Gifts, Dexter Fiddles, The Pampered Chef, Willow Grove Tie-Dye, My Magical Emporium, K&T Jewelery Accessories, Bonnie Lee's Creations, Renewal by Andersen, Silver 'N Such, Jewels by Crissy B, Rick's Musical Instruments, Kim Wyld-Chirico, Hands That Heal RI, Gerry Scanlon and Sons, Starlite Jewelry Designs, Tupperware, SilverLeaf Designs, R.I. Independent Living Council, La Wren's Nest, Centers for Integrative Medicine and Healing, Celtic Beat, mpic studios, Charmed in R.I., The Art Group of Northern R.I., Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, Pocasset Wampanoag Creations, BoydHomes, Swiss Just, Terry's Tasty Treasures, Rusted Goat Soaps, Silpada Designs, Rita's Boutique Fashions & Accessories, Harmony Pots, R.I. Home Improvement, The Rhode Island Ceilidhe Club. Dear Steve, SOLSTICE FESTIVAL! We have an amazing time planned for you! Full details can be found at: www.riverfolk.org/brtssf  And don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news! please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   4th annual BRT Summer Solstice Festival Looking for a great family-friendly outdoor music festival without having to travel hours to find it? Blackstone River Theatre has your solution as we move our programming outside to present the 4th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival at Diamond Hill Park, Rte. 114, Cumberland, on Saturday, June 21. The Summer Solstice Festival, falling on the Solstice itself this year, will run from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with five stages that focus on Celtic and world music, dance and culture. There will also be more than 45 craft and food vendors. Featured entertainers include long-time BRT favorites as well as several acts that will be new to area audiences. This year sees three music stages plus stages dedicated to both Irish dance traditions and children's entertainment, all running continuously throughout the day. Featured performers - most doing two sets each - include Burning Bridget Cleary, Cantrip (from Scotland), Aoife Clancy and Robbie O'Connell, Eastern Medicine Singers (Algonquin and native American drum and song), The Gnomes, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Laurel Martin, Mark Roberts & Kieran Jordan, the Panache Quartet, Pendragon, Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen, and Torrin Ryan & Mark Oien. There will also be nonstop Irish step dance featuring 40 dancers from Tir Na Nog Irish Dance and Showcase Dance Productions as well as participatory set dancing with Devine's Diner. A children's stage will feature Aoife Clancy, Irish magic shows with Debbie O'Carroll, Mary King & Phil Edmonds, and Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts. Admission is only $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 children ages 6-15, children under 5 free. Festival sponsors include Navigant Credit Union, the Town of Cumberland, The Valley Breeze Newspapers, Open MRI of New England and Angelo's Palace Pizza.   And the music continues Saturday night!... One of the highlights of each year's Solstice Festival is the after-festival music session held at Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St. "It's designed to be an intimate, informal evening that allows attendees the chance to mingle with performers and hear some great music in a casual atmosphere," Russell Gusetti, Festival producer, explains. "We sell only 80 tickets to the event, and it has sold out the past two years, so we encourage folks to reserve a spot ahead of time. If any tickets remain, we'll sell them at the Festival information booth during the day." AS OF TODAY, ONLY 35 TICKETS REMAIN! E-mail russell@riverfolk.org through Wednesday night to reserve your spot! The after-festival music session takes place Saturday, June 21, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., and is sponsored by Angelo's Palace Pizza. The session features virtually all of the festival performers. There will be a cash bar and complimentary food will be available at the evening event. Tickets are $20.00 per person and advance purchase is highly recommended. Blackstone River Theatre is located at 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI. Telephone is (401) 725-9272. "One of the nicest things that happens is the great mixture of songs and tunes along with some incredible dancing," Gusetti added. "It's really a magical time when musicians are relaxed and playing in combinations that are usually not possible and that audiences rarely see. At times, we have more than 25 musicians and dancers performing at once."

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Join us for this week's Ranger Walkabout

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Ranger Walkabout on Thursday, June 19 A Village Walk and Eco-Machine    Thursday, June 19  A Village Walk and Eco-Machine Grafton, MA Start time: 6:30 pm Fisherville was once home to a mighty textile mill.  Today, it is home to the Eco-Machine, a water treatment system that uses water plants and mycelium to break down the oil, chemicals and nitrates that have polluted the Blackstone Canal.  Join our partners from the Blackstone River Coalition at Mill Villages Park to learn more about the history of Fisherville and this new way of helping to protect and preserve the Blackstone Watershed.  This free program begins as 6:30 pm at Mill Villages Park, 61 Main Street (Rt. 122 A) Grafton, MA. Watch the video promo (on our Facebook page) See the full schedule Event Calendar Check out the event calendar for a more complete, detailed listing of Blackstone Corridor Events: Event Calendar  We are glad to include Corridor-related news and events, both on our web site calendar and in our monthly newsletter, Corridor Currents. Send us your stuff! About The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Congress established the National Heritage Corridor in 1986 to restore and preserve the nationally significant heritage of the Blackstone River Valley, where the industrialization of America began. It has become a successful program of partnerships between federal, state and local government agencies, as well as nongovernment organizations, pooling their resources and pursuing a common agenda of preservation and revitalization.  Ongoing Blackstone Corridor programs and projects include historic preservation, river cleanup, land conservation and stewardship, visitor centers, ranger walks, programs with schools, recreational programs and events, support for arts and cultural events, training for partners and volunteers and assistance to towns trying to preserve their heritage while also improving the local and regional economy. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor One Depot Square Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895 Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 401-762-0250

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