Senator Spilka is looking for Your Feedback

Steve, We have had a great year in the Senate. Working with my colleagues, I took the lead on several key pieces of legislation including: Led the conference committee on domestic violence legislation. We took important steps to improve protections for victims and increase penalties for perpetrators. Sponsored The Electronic Privacy Act, ensuring our rights against unreasonable search and seizure extend to laptops, phones and other electronic devices. Created the Massachusetts Tech Hub Caucus, facilitating conversations between legislators and leaders in tech industries, helping create good, high paying jobs here in the Commonwealth by growing our innovation economy. As we look forward to the next year, I need your feedback on top priorities for my office and for the Senate next year. Click here to take our survey on 2015 priorities >> I look forward to hearing your take on the issues most important to you, together we can keep the Commonwealth moving forward and build on our past successes! Take the survey: www.electkarenspilka.com/2015-priorities Thank you for your support! Sincerely, Karen Spilka State Senator & Majority Whip Paid for by the Spilka Committee

Karen Spilka | info@electkarenspilka.com | Office of Karen Spilka | Committee to Elect Karen Spilka, P.O. Box 2323 | Framingham, MA 01702

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Families Helping Families

A Free Community Event to Support our Local Food Pantries

Saturday December 13, 6-8 pm at Living Buddha Nature

All monetary donations go to our local food pantries in Millis and Franklin to directly support local families.

Enjoy a free concert by international Virtuoso guitarist Aaron-Larget Caplan

Raffle at event for prizes including yoga and tai chi classes, massages, gift certificates, and surprise gifts! Share free refreshments and time together as a community during this event.

screen grab of Living Buddha Nature webpage

Living Buddha Nature 969 Main St. (Rt. 109) Millis, MA 02054 www.mylbn.com

The flyer for today's event:

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 12/12/14 - THU 12/18/14

FRI 12/12   7:30pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

SAT 12/13   9am-4pm   Book Sale at Franklin Public Library
SAT 12/13   9am & 10am   Breakfast with Santa at the Franklin YMCA (and other Hockomock branches), registration required.
SAT 12/13   1-3pm   Winter Event with Santa at KinderCare Learning Centers in Franklin
SAT 12/13   4-7pm   Beer and Bling: Fundraiser for Cameron Liberatore at Pour Richard’s Franklin
SAT 12/13   7:30pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

SUN 12/14   9am-12pm   Bag Sale at Franklin Public Library
SUN 12/14   2pm   Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera at The Black Box

MON 12/15   3:15-5pm   Cookies and Cocoa with Santa - Franklin Recreation - register HERE.

TUE 12/16   6am-8pm   Special Town Election in Franklin, location Franklin HS

WED 12/17  6:30pm   Doggie Tales at Franklin Public Library, registration required.

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

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

Graduation gown discussion

From Pantherbook, their editorial written by Sammy Croteau

Recently the Franklin High School (FHS) Student Government was approached by the Gay Straight Alliance with a proposal to do away with the white and blue graduation robes, that are assigned by gender, and to adopt one robe color for all graduating students. This proposal has sparked much controversy and division within the student body. Even outside news agencies have come to the school to highlight the issue. 

I have spoken with many of my classmates who feel strongly of keeping the blue and white graduation robes. With all due respect for those who are petitioning for a change, we need to give voice to those who seek to preserve the blue and white tradition. 

In order for our school to be together as one we need to start considering what unites us rather than what separates us. We are all Franklin Panthers whose school colors are blue and white. Changing our school’s traditions to soothe the feelings of a few seems drastic and unnecessary. Tradition is important and so is representing our true school colors on the day we graduate. 

Individuals who feel uncomfortable having to choose between graduation gowns of blue and white should not be afraid to choose the color that best suits them. Today’s student body has learned to welcome the quality of our diversity and the traditions that unite us. 

I believe the student body should all have the freedom to choose what school color they would like to wear on their graduation day, despite their gender. Shouldn’t we promote freedom of choice for all students at FHS? This compromise can be achieved by opening up a vote to the whole student body on whether or not we should be free to choose. 

The power of the democratic process will allow us to rise above the politics of division and make any changes adopted acceptable to the majority.

See more at: http://pantherbook.org/top-stories/2014/12/11/power-politics-and-the-press/#sthash.hORuejWs.dpuf

entrance to Franklin High School

From Fox25 their video summary

Boston News, Weather, Sports | FOX 25 | MyFoxBoston

"One would assume I’d be moving forward with the project after that"

Town planning officials received just one response to the request for proposals to develop a town-owned property at the corner of Emmons Street. 

While potential uses for the one-acre property had been hotly debated - with residents, downtown business owners and even Dean College officials all pitching ideas - only Franklin developer Roger Calarese submitted a proposal by the Dec. 2 deadline. Calarese is best known as the developer behind the Franklin Village Mall. 

His plan for the 150 Emmons St. site calls for a 5,300-square-foot commercial property that would include a bank with a drive-through service. He described it as being a Colonial-style building, designed to mesh with the downtown's aesthetic.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141212/NEWS/141218719/1994/NEWS

150 Emmons St, the building under discussion

In August, the Calarese proposal for the "express of interest" was captured here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/08/responses-for-emmons-st-building.html

From the March public meeting, the handouts provided can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/emmons-st-building-discussion-documents.html

'Tis the Season for Giving!

“We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.”

― Winston S. Churchill

Giving is as easy as 1, 2, 3

1 - You can give to help provide cupcakes for our December holiday meal. Visit The Cake Bar today to help out with the cupcake order.  

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/lets-add-cupcakes-to-holiday-ham-dinners.html

2 - Make a reservation with Nice Car Care for your vehicle to get serviced. 5% of the profits from the services they provide during the month of December will come to the Food Pantry. 

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/11/nice-car-care-gives-back-to-families-in.html

3 - The Franklin Food Elves are making it easy for you to help your neighbors in need during the "12 Days of Donating" campaign. From December 1 through December 12, volunteer Food Elves will be coming to your neighborhood, or you can donate goods at a local participating business.

http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/franklin-downtown-partnership-and-food.html

And if you prefer, you can also give directly via this secure online donation link

Donate securely here

This post was shared from the Food Pantry page here
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2014/12/tis-season-for-giving.html

"Franklin will be among the heavy favorites"

Hockomock Sports has the boys hockey preview for the Kelly-Rex Division which includes Franklin


Franklin 
2013-14 Record: 14-7-1, 8-1-1
2013-14 Finish: Lost in the Division 1 South quarterfinal to Framingham
Head Coach: Chris Spillane

The Panthers are a perennial Hockomock power and are looking to build on last year’s league title and their first foray into D1 hockey, which included a win over Weymouth in the playoffs before a loss to Framingham in Bourne. 

Franklin had a strong senior class but, in a sign of the strength of the program, returns 18 juniors from 2013. The top scoring line from last year is back with Joe Bourque, Alec Borkowski, and Ryan Spillane expected to once again be the top line. 

Also, the Panthers return three of the top four defensemen from last year in Kyle Filbert, Nick Morris, and Mason Saunders, who impressed on both sides of the ice with a powerful shot from the point. 

The question mark for Franklin is in goal. The loss of talented goalies Devon Maloof and Mike Donadio leaves a big hole to fill and head coach Chris Spillane is counting on senior Ryan Shea, who saw limited action last season, and junior Nick Jasinski to step into the No. 1 spot.  

Once again, Franklin will be among the heavy favorites to bring home a league title, but is also looking to be a challenger in D1 and added strong opponents like Super 8 contenders Springfield Cathedral and Malden Catholic. 

“We have a veteran team returning that will be challenged with a very strong schedule,” said Spillane.

Alec Borkowski (3) and Franklin will once again be the favorite to take home the Hockomock League title coming into the season. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

Read the full hockey preview article here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-hockey-kelley-rex-division-preview

The Davenport Division hockey preview can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-hockey-davenport-division-preview

Blackstone River Theatre - Christmas Celebration Shows Saturday AND Sunday!!

THANK YOU! This year's Solstice Fest was our biggest yet... stay tuned for more on the 2015 festival set for June 20th... COMING SOON TO BRT!                     Ongoing   Zumba with April Hilliker on Mondays, 6:30 PM NO CLASSES 12/22 OR 12/29       Saturday, Dec. 13, 8 PM AND  Sunday, Dec. 14, 7 PM $18 adv / $20.00 day of show BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!   Quick Links... BRT Website     BRT Classes       Directions to BRT Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. Dear Steve, Thank you to all who came to our CRAFT FAIR AND HOLIDAY FESTIVAL Saturday... it was our best one yet! And BOTH SHOWS of the TIR NA NOG IRISH DANCE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR on Sunday sold out as well! Congratulations to Erika Damiani and the amazing dancers and proud parents and friends... fantastic shows! Before we shut down for the Christmas break and New Year's we have two more great shows lined up for you.. don't miss a A BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION this Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 7 PM. We have 23 performers and a bunch of new material as well as some old favorites! Call soon for reservations so you get YOUR seats... Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook to get late-breaking news and really expensive gifts. Well, not that last one but definitely the first part... Please share what we do with your friends! www.facebook.com/pages/Blackstone-River-Theatre/165592431396    Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Blackstone River Theatre will present our 7th annual Christmas Celebration featuring Aubrey Atwater, Erika Damiani, Elwood Donnelly, Bob Drouin, Kevin Doyle, Russell Gusetti, Josh Kane, The Miller Family, Mary Lee Partington, Torrin Ryan, and the Swamp Meadow Victorian Carolers. Audiences can expect the unexpected - familiar and unfamiliar songs, high energy clogging and step dancing, ancient carols, spoken word, jokes and more - as musicians and dancers perform in varied combinations or join together on beautiful Christmas and winter-themed pieces. "That's one of the nicest thing about this show," explains Russell Gusetti, BRT executive director. "We all get a chance to perform with each other in several different configurations, something audiences simply do not get to see at any other point in the year." Special guest performers will include the Swamp Meadow Victorian Carolers from Foster, BRT's Irish step dance instructor Erika Damiani with five members of Tir Na Nog Irish Dance, award winning 20-year-old Irish bagpiper Torrin Ryan, and music and step dancing by the talented Miller Family - Ruby May, Evelyn and Samuel.   Event Info Saturday, December 13, 8 P.M. AND Sunday, December 14, 7:00 P.M. $18.00 advance / $20.00 day of show Sponsored in part by Navigant Credit Union at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, R.I. Call 401-725-9272 for reservations  www.riverfolk.org

Forward email to a friend! Blackstone River Theatre | 549 Broad Street | Cumberland | RI | 02864

"she and the district began working together on a solution"

The school district’s opinion on a first-grader's service dog has softened after the boy’s mother mounted a public campaign to bring attention to his story. 

Ericha Flateau's 7-year-old son Austin has bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria, a rare brain malformation that causes seizures. Last month, Austin was paired with a service dog named Paris who can detect and respond to Austin's seizures: The milky-white golden retriever comforts the boy, alerts others to his seizures and stays by his side nearly 24 hours a day. 

Flateau, a 26-year-old single mother, had hoped the district would assign Austin's aide at Davis Thayer Elementary School, where he attends first grade, to handle Paris. The other options, she said, were to hire someone to travel to school with Austin or care for the dog herself, neither of which she can afford.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20141209/NEWS/141206740


You can find 4 Paws for Austin on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/4PawsforAustin

3 brief videos by FHS Students

From pantherbook, I find and share these three short videos by students. Animoto is a free internet based tool that takes photos, adds music and creates a brief movie that can be shared on the web.

The free tool provides a limited selection of music to 'match' the photos. You can also upgrade to a 'premium' or business version to enable more music choices and video length options.

It is good to see students using this kind of tool in their class work.

Everyday Life at Franklin High School by Sammy Croteau

http://pantherbook.org/video/featured-multimedia/2014/12/09/everyday-life-at-franklin-high/

Behind the scenes at FHS by Lucy Hemingway

http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/12/09/behind-the-scenes-at-fhs/

A day in the life at Franklin High School by Lauren Robinson

http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/12/09/a-day-in-the-life-at-franklin-high-school/

screen grab of Animoto home page

If you would like to explore Animoto for some family holiday videos, you can find them on the web here  https://animoto.com/

2 Original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents two original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!, for the holidays this year.

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Scrooge. With musical hits of every genre and live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians, Humbug! transports audiences from Dickensian England to contemporary America as the novel’s characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Newly restaged for THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new home and performance venue in downtown Franklin, Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely and timeless message.

FPAC's Humbug!

Paone has reinvented the Dickens story for a modern audience, producing satire with updated references to current events and pop culture. As Scrooge embarks on his transformative journey of self-redemption, he faces his nighttime visitors with unexpected twists and hilarious turns along the way. The plotline is supported by an entertaining and accessible score that includes creative treatments of Broadway and pop hits. A talented cast of 40 brings Paone’s fresh interpretation of Dickens’ work to the stage.

’Tis the Season!, an original large cast musical first presented by FPAC in 1995, returns by popular demand to entertain audiences with great merriment, fanfare and fun. The upbeat, jazzy extravaganza features members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from swing, R&B and gospel to rock, pop and Broadway.

The show spotlights over 100 singers and dancers. Musical arrangements include Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Happy Holiday, songs from several popular television Christmas specials, Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and many surprises. Notes Director Raye Lynn Mercer, “’Tis the Season! is reminiscent of a good old-fashioned Christmas special with great singing, dancing and holiday fun. The show is guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages.”

• FPAC presents ’Tis the Season! on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street, in Franklin. 
• Performances of Humbug! are on December 12 at 7:30 p.m., December 13 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and December 14 at 2 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street.

Big Y and Waters Corporation are 2014 FPAC Holiday Performance Sponsors. For more information and tickets to FPAC holiday shows, visit www.fpaconline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Murphy Business Holiday Gathering

Murphy Business invites you to a holiday gathering

Knock Off Early - Party at Murphy Business! Please join us at our office for some holiday fun next Thursday, December 11th!  We're wrapping up  two weeks of collecting for the Franklin Food Pantry  that day and will be serving up whoopie pies from 3 - 6pm  (made by our friend Kerri at Making Whoopie).   Not into dessert?   Then come have a drink.  Just please make sure you bring along  a can of tuna, or better yet a couple of bottles of shampoo,  which is the pantry's #1 need.  No regrets necessary; just please advise if you're coming so we get enough Cheez Doodles (crunchy - duh).  Thanks!     Chris    PS: Please visit Making Whoopie on Facebook to see why so  many people like what they do...    Chris Bond Murphy Business 15 East Central St. Franklin, MA 02038 D: (508) 440-5670 C: (508) 380-7997

Help Others To Have A Merry Little Christmas

Help others to have a Merry Little Christmas Please grab a tag from around the Team Fitness club doors or on the tree and buy a gift for the child: example: Elaine-5yo-baby doll. Please place gifts under or around our tree. All gifts due by December 18th so we can get the gifts to the Santa Foundation on the 19th. Thank you again for helping the local families of Franklin. Purchase a gift card for $99.00 Get a gift card with $120 value. November 21 - December 24, 2014 Holiday 2014 Gift Card Special Team Fitness and CrossFit Franklin Limit 2 cards per person Cannot be used for membership dues. (Exception: a gift card may be purchased and given to a non-member to be used toward a NEW membership. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other special, sale or promotion. Gift cards can be used for all other services in Club: Personal Training, Small Group Training, CFour, Retail items, Smoothies and smoothie cards, Progenex, Kill Cliff, Fuel for Fire, Advocare.

Forward this email Team Fitness Franklin | 100 Franklin Village Drive | Franklin | MA | 02038

Hockomock Sports: FHS Basketball Season Preview

Hockomock Sports has published their preview of the  Boys and Girls Basketball teams for the Kelly-Rex division. The Franklin portion of both articles are captured here along with the links to read the full articles.

It's safe to say that Franklin is not just starting a new chapter in the program, but arguably a whole new book. Dean O'Connor and the field house are gone. CJ Neely takes over the program and the team will play in a new state of the art gym. One thing that remains the same is the winning standard. 

"I'm really looking forward to growing as a team and focusing on day to day progress," Neely said. "I expect our kids to really have to battle day to day for minutes which should make practices very competitive and enjoyable. If we stay focused on commitment to daily improvement I hope to be in contention in a highly talented and deep Hockomock league and make a strong tournament showing." 

FHS Panthers

Six-foot-seven Marcus Giese returns as not only one of the better post players in the league, but one of the best players period. He's tough to defend around the rim and he showed last year that he can has extended his range. On defense, his shot blocking ability is unmatched and makes it tough to score in the paint. Tim Prunier had a breakout sophomore year last season and will look to build on that while Dylan Reno will emerge as a key player on both ends of the court.

Read the full boys basketball preview article by Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-boys-basketball-kelley-rex-preview

The Panthers return all but two regular players from last season’s team, which lost the league title by a single game and reached the D1 Central semifinal in Franklin’s first year competing outside of Eastern Mass. Head coach John Leighton knows that his team enters the season with huge expectations, especially with star forward Lexi Martin back for her senior season and recently signed to play at Merrimack College. 

“Lexi signed and that’s nice because now she can focus on the season without having to worry about it,” said Leighton. Along with Martin, Franklin returns a cast of players that can all play major roles in the drive and kick system that Leighton runs. Julianne Pisani was the team’s leading scorer in the tournament with Martin out injured and will be joined in the backcourt by her twin sister Tracey, who was the HockomockSports.com Defensive Player of the Year last winter. 

Jillian Spolidoro adds size and shooting on the wing and junior Aubrie Kutil continues to develop into a weapon on the post. Alexandra Ethier and Olivia Adiletto will add scoring off the bench and Leighton expects junior Lauren Rudolph to return from an ankle injury that she suffered during the soccer season and add another shooter off the bench. 

As if that was not enough talent to work with, Leighton is also looking for Caroline Maguire, Meghan Georges and “dynamic” freshman Kiera Fernandes to contribute as well. After regularly making deep runs in the tournament, Leighton is hopeful that this year’s team can “break through” and bring a title home to its new gym.

Read the full girls basketball preview by Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-girls-basketball-kelley-rex-preview