Senator Spilka: Many Reasons to Give Thanks

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Dear Friend, As we prepare to join family and friends in the annual tradition of Thanksgiving, I want to say how very grateful I am for the opportunity to serve the people of the 2nd Middlesex & Norfolk district and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. When we work together, we have every ability to build a stronger future for our children, families and residents. In a time when the challenges facing our state, the nation and the world seem so great, it is important to remember that we can turn to our neighbors, communities, friends and families for support. I wish you all health, wellness, strength and good cheer this holiday season. Proud to walk with family and friends in honor of my sister and mother-in-law to fight Alzheimer's and dementia Last Formal Session of 2015 Last week, the Massachusetts Senate wrapped up formal legislative sessions for 2015. We passed bills in the following key areas: Shared Prosperity & Income Inequality Climate Change & Energy Criminal Justice Reform Shared Leadership & Transparency Combating the Opioid Crisis Protecting Taxpayers Protecting Our Children & Families Intergovernmental Affairs Please click here to see the full graphic. You can read the press release about the Senate's accomplishments here. Office of State Senator Karen E. Spilka Room 212, State House Boston, Massachusetts  02133 Phone: (617) 722-1640 - Fax: (617) 722-1077 http://www.karenspilka.com As always, if you would like additional information or have any concerns or comments, please call my office at (617) 722-1640 or email me at Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov. Warm Regards, Senator Karen E. Spilka 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk

Forward this email Senator Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 212 | Boston | MA | 02133

Rep Roy: What's happening in the district - November 2015 newsletter

This is our regularly monthly newsletter. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can get on our email list by clicking here. View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website Email Happy Thanksgiving Best wishes to you and your family for a most Happy Thanksgiving. Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family. We gather together around a table, thankful to have one another in our lives and grateful for the blessings bestowed upon us. As I think about gathering this week, I am grateful for your friendship, support and guidance over the years, and most importantly, for the opportunity you have given me to represent the residents of Franklin and Medway. I thank you for continuously being there and coming together as a community, in both good times and bad. And I thank my family, friends, and colleagues who work day in and day out to make Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and raise a family. That hard work and commitment is such a great way to give thanks and pay it forward. As I look forward to carving yet another turkey, I hope that you too will enjoy your day and the beginning of a wonderful holiday season!

State Rep Jeff Roy · State House Room 527A · Boston, MA 02133 · USA

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Shades IN Place Inc: We've gone national!!

I had the opportunity to participate in the ribbon cutting when Roger opened his location on Grove St and have been watching his business grow. His message today includes the realization that a Franklin business can gain business via the Internet. Not quite a radical concept but an important one none the less.

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We are now Nationwide! Well, Sorta! View on the web

The Blind Spot 'Shady' stories in the life of a Brazilian small business owner November - 2015 Roger Magalhaes Shades IN Place Inc. Owner & Blind Installer Nothing like the internet to help spreading the word...Read on to find out what happened two weeks ago. Cheers,   Gone Nationwide Last week I received a call from Claire. Claire was moving from North Reading to Milford, and needed window coverings for her new home. I have to be honest: I don't receive many phone calls these days. The majority of my inquires are either via email or text. Yes, texting is so popular nowadays and isn't just exclusively for kids anymore. Anyway, back to Claire. I find that talking on the phone is great, because we can discuss details, get a feeling for what the client really wants, and even schedule a consultation all at the same time...I always like to get an idea of how people found us and because she did not mention it, I asked: "How did you find me Claire?" To my surprise, she said "I didn't...my daughter in California did." Right there and then, I knew Claire's daughter in California had found my online reviews. It was one of the best moves I made a couple of years ago. Following the evolution of our society, we barely see or talk to our neighbors or family anymore (sometimes that can be a good thing), but the fact is that many times we have to rely on a complete stranger's experiences before we make our minds when making a purchase nowadays. Especially if the opinions you need are from people across town or even across the country! Let me give you an example of why reviews are becoming so vital. Would you simply walk into a bookstore and buy just any book on the spot, based on the fact the cover said it was a best-seller? Or would you rather read the reviews and recommendations first, before you make your decision? Yeah, me too. So today's newsletter has a few key points for you: #1 - We are in November already, and this week we are celebrating Thanksgiving. As such, I am humbled and so grateful for our success and your continued support. My company started out back in 2006 as a part time job, then went through the great recession, and I'm proud to say that next year we will be celebrating TEN YEARS in business and I could not do without you and your support. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! #2 - The only way we can stay around for another ten years without being swallowed up by the big players, is by having the support of happy clients like yourself. Following the trends, I would humbly ask you to post a review of your experiences using our services. There are 3 links below for your convenience. Please use the one that suits you best. Thank you so much, It really does make a difference for us! Leave Us A Review on Google Leave us a review on Angie's List (If you're a member) Leave us a review on Facebook But Before I Go... I just started a weekly blog post called Riding Along . Every week, you will have the opportunity to learn what we did, where we went, and what jobs we performed. We'll even try to make it fun and entertaining sometimes. Curious? Intrigued? Good! Hop on and check it out! Wishing you and your family a peaceful, thankful, and restful Holiday Season! What I do... People don't shop for window coverings often. In fact many haven't  bought new shades in 15 - 20 years! My job is to introduce you to the many wonderful features & benefits  that automated shades have to offer. As a result you will be able to control privacy, home security (protection) and prevent sun fading via smartphones and tablets whether you are home or away. Stay IN Touch postal services:  Shades IN Place Inc. 76 Grove St. Franklin MA 02038 email - roger@shadesinplace.com call / text - 508-904-2108 office - 508-520-6700 fax - 508-445-8800 shake hands - 76 Grove St Franklin MA 02038 web - www,shadesinplace.com read - download brochure schedule - Book An Appointment resources - My Power Team Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

Forward this email Shades IN Place | 76 Grove St | Franklin | MA | 02038

In the News: Silipo recognized, Housing Authority groundbreaking ceremony

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Franklin native Leah Silipo was recently awarded the Harvard Club of Boston 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Silipo was one of five high school teachers in New England to be selected as a recipient of the award this year. She joined other teachers and over 200 student winners of the Harvard Club’s Prize Book Award at a celebratory breakfast on Oct. 7, held in their honor at the Harvard Club of Boston. 

Salipo was raised in Franklin and is a 2000 graduate of Franklin High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of New Hampshire. She has been teaching at Sharon High School for 12 years.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127737/1994/NEWS

The Franklin Housing Authority will have a groundbreaking ceremony next week for a housing building on Plain Street. 

The event, set for Monday morning, will celebrate the beginning of work on an eight-unit facility set to house state Department of Developmental Services clients. 

Lisa Audette, the town's Housing Authority agent, said the work is an exciting development for the authority. 

"It's a fantastic opportunity for DDS clients," she said. "There is a need for this type of housing."

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127586/1994/NEWS

In the News: Christmas concert, original panto, free entrance to state parks

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Franklin Federated Church will present this year’s annual Christmas concert, “Peace on Earth,” 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the church at 171 Main St. 

The concert will feature an arrangement of classical music and Christmas melodies performed by “Quartet Duviteux,” a string quartet of young musicians who met as students at the New England Conservatory of Music. Maria van der Sloot, violin, is from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada; Luther Warren also plays violin and comes from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Linda Numagami plays viola and comes from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and cellist Marza Merophi Wilks was born in Peru and spent her high school years in Ithaca, New York. 

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the church office at 508-528-3803.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151128102/1994/NEWS

Franklin Performing Arts Company will present “Snow White and the Seven Elves,” an original panto, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12, and 2 p.m. Dec. 13, at the Black Box, 15 W. Central St. 

The production follows in the tradition of a British panto, a type of show that retells a well-known fairy tale in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular songs, slapstick comedy, jokes and dances.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127785/1994/NEWS

Starting on Thanksgiving day, all state parks and forests will be free and open to all residents. 

The free entry from Nov. 26 through Nov. 29 by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation is being done as a thank you to those currently serving or have served in the armed forces. 

Find out more information on parks and forests nearby at mass.gov/dcr.

Read the full article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151124/NEWS/151127734/1994/NEWS

Franklin TV: "It Takes a Village" - What every parent should know

From Anne Bergen:

What are kids really doing on-line when we think they are doing homework? Amy Leone, a therapist who is a leader on the coalition to fight the disease of addiction, is so concerned about how kids are using social media, she came back on the program to share her insights with parents on this topic. 

Franklin TV

Her interview on "It Takes a Village.." (Comcast Channel 8 and Verizon 26) will be aired on Tuesday morning at 9:00 and again on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. 

Kids are using all kinds of apps to go off the parent radar, sexting is increasing, access to internet porn is easier and easier and there are some unknown dangers lurking behind the most innocent of video games.

Updated:

Ken Norman shared your blog post on Google+

"Actually Anne forgot the coverage appears on the Education Ch Comcast 96 and Verizon 28. Tue 2PM, Fri 9AM, and Sat 12:30PM"

Below is a PowerPoint for a parent forum she presents. She graciously offered to share this with the community:

What Parents Should Know from Franklin Matters