"Franklin has developed a reputation as a business-friendly community"

"Part of it is that the economy is starting to loosen up a little bit, and the Franklin area is just prime for almost any new business," said Jack Lank, president of the United Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

The Franklin Cafe and Grill, which will serve Mediterranean and American food, is expected to open in a few weeks in the former Kentucky Fried Chicken building near Panther Way. 

In October, owners of the hibachi and sushi bar Ichigo Ichie plan to open in the old Piccadilly Pub just beyond where West Central Street and Rte. 140 split. 

And local businessman James Daddario hopes to begin construction of a Wendy's and Taco Bell at the old Knights of Columbus hall this spring. 

Lank said the availability of several vacant restaurant buildings on a busy road near Interstate 495 created a perfect opportunity for new businesses.

Read more: New restaurants hope to succeed in Franklin

Franklin, MA

How do you do the impossible?

French artist JR creates a bridge with his art. Photos of peoples faces, side by side, face to face - how can you tell who is who?

Art asks questions that sometimes can not be asked with words.



Behind each image is a story.

The Inside out project website can be found here
http://www.insideoutproject.net/



Franklin, MA

Bill Gates on State budgets and Education

TED Talks are the visual presentations of an idea from significant thinkers that gather at TED each year. TED has also spawned a number of conferences under the TED umbrella; TEDx, TEDWomen, etc.

Bill Gates spoke at this year's TED conference about the impact of government deficits on education. He focused on California but the comments are applicable for other states.

If the youth are our future, how do we prepare them to take care of this whole place?




The collection of information for the Fiscal Year 2012 budget can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/01/fiscal-year-2012-budget-information.html


Franklin, MA

Explore the real food challenge

There was a bit of discussion around real food vs school food on Facebook when I posted the news about the Whole Food Foundation providing salad bar equipment for schools in Franklin. The discussion is a valid one. There are no easy solutions especially on a budget and with government requirements to be met.

What is real food?
Author Michael Pollen has written a few books on different aspects of the topic. Jamie Oliver took the Food Revolution to Huntington, WV last year and TV had a 10 parts series to showcase the efforts. There is a growing collection of movies on this topic.

The Leake family in North Carolina took a challenge to eat real food for 100 days.



The family successfully completed their hundred days. The record of what they did and how they did it can be viewed on their website:  http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/

The offer a challenge to take a 10 day pledge. 100 days too much? Ease into the change.

Benefits of Taking the 10-Day Pledge

Upon completing your goal we predict you will gain the following:

• A first-hand, eye opening experience of how to identify the real food in our processed food world.
• At least one improved health benefit such as having more energy, losing weight, improving regularity, or just feeling healthier overall.
• The realization that some of those pre-packaged processed “food-like substances” don’t even taste that good compared to real food.
• The opportunity to teach your children (if you have them), by example, the healthiest way to eat and enjoy the food mother nature has given us.
• A congratulatory letter and complimentary gift – a silicone wristband debossed with “10 Days of Real Food” which you can wear to make sure all of your friends know what you accomplished!
• The ability to continue on with your life however you chose, but with the new knowledge of how and why to avoid processed foods. Hopefully your 10-day experience will convince you to consider making at least a few changes for life.

What can you eat following the 'real food' challenge?
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/

What kinds of food would you have for the daily meals?
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/




Franklin, MA

RE: Franklin Library Blog Posting

A loyal reader provides an update to the posting on the Friends of the Library:

I recently read your blog posting about the Franklin Public Library.  There is a section in the blog posting where you shared that book donations to the public library are not tax deductible.  I would like to direct you to review IRS Publication 526 for clarification.  I also consulted a CPA in the town of Franklin that concurs with this publication that books donated to the Franklin Public library are tax deductible.  Our beloved Franklin Public Library falls under this category and all books donated to the library are tax deductible.  Please share with your readers that all books donated to the library are tax deductible per IRS publication 526 and ask them to support the Franklin Public Library with their book donations.  Please make any corrections to the BLOG entry to avoid confusion with your readers or with other new sources that graciously reprint the postings.

Here is the link to the IRS web page:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf

Below is what I found from the above IRS website.

Deductible As Charitable Contributions

Money or property you give to:

• Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other religious organizations

• Federal, state, and local governments, if your contribution is solely for public purposes (for example, a gift to reduce the public debt)

• Nonprofit schools and hospitals

• Public parks and recreation facilities

• Salvation Army, Red Cross, CARE, Goodwill Industries, United Way, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, etc.

• War veterans' groups 

• Charitable organizations listed in Publication 78

• Expenses paid for a student living with you, sponsored by a qualified organization

• Out-of-pocket expenses when you serve a qualified organization as a volunteer

This provides an update to the tax question raised during the Friends meeting on March 2.

"I hope that you welcome them"

The hourlong assembly was organized by the school's Best Buddies chapter, which seeks to develop friendships between students with developmental disabilities and their peers. 

Friends of Best Buddies Franklin, a nonprofit organization that supports the program at several schools, provided a $1,100 grant to bring the Maiers to Annie Sullivan. 

The Maiers perform at schools throughout the country in the hopes of increasing awareness of people with disabilities, growing friendships between disabled students and others and demonstrating that someone with a disability can achieve remarkable feats. 

"I think it's just a gift from God," Maier said, adding there's no scientific explanation for her daughter's musical ability. "And we want to share that gift and inspire people around the world."

Read more: Blind, autistic pianist Brittany Maier impresses Franklin students The Milford Daily News

Related post:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-news-brittany-maier-zoning-workshop.html


Franklin, MA

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT DEAN COLLEGE

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has organized a Business After Hours at Dean College, 99 Main St., Franklin, on March 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will take place on the concourse of the new Dean College Campus Center. The Main Stage Theater space and Campanella Boardroom will be open for self-guided tours. Ample parking is available on the main lot on Route 140 adjacent to the Campus Center main entrance. Admission is $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. Please register by calling any Chamber office: 508-222-0801, 508-695-2011, or 508-528-2800.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.



Franklin, MA