Franklin Matters

Monday, December 24, 2012

Franklin Calendar for 2013

Christmas Eve
the elf on the shelf is ready
the children are ready

will Christmas be white? time will tell

Consider getting a calendar for the 2013

Available at the Franklin Art Center, the calendar depicts some views of Franklin each month. An artist chose a medium (watercolor, photography, etc.) to show a familiar or a good view of Franklin that you may not have seen before.

Several months provide information on the importance of a particular date for that month in the history of Franklin. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to the Franklin Historical Commission which operates the Franklin Historical Museum.

Note: the calendars were printed in error to say "Society," they should say "Commission"

In the News: pitching clinic, open house

Last day to sign up for this clinic!

Franklin Girls Softball slates annual pitching clinic, sign up by Dec. 24

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin YMCA slates preschool registration, open house

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Markham Nolan: How to separate fact and fiction online

The difference between fact and fiction is more than in the eye of the beholder. Yes, that is a mixed metaphor. Maybe it caught your attention. Maybe it turned you off. As a citizen journalist, the difference between fact and fiction is so important.

"Truth is emotional, it's fluid, and above all, it's human. No matter how quick we get with computers, no matter how much information we have, you'll never be able to remove the human from the truth-seeking exercise.” (Markham Nolan)

You can watch Markham in this TEDTalk. About 15 minutes.

What is ALiCE?

The newspaper has an article on the current safety protocol "freeze" and a recent alternative called ALiCE which stands for "alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate."

Several members of the Franklin Police Department work in the schools, though not as full-time school resource officers.

Franklin Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski said two officers were able to attend the ALiCE training for free since it was hosted in town.

However, she said ALiCE has not been implemented since protocol changes require "a lot of coordination’’ among the schools, emergency departments and surrounding towns that would likely be called in if a violent intruder entered a school.

Police departments that have ALiCE trainers on staff include Framingham, Hudson, Franklin, Hopedale, Natick and Wellesley, according to Response Option’s website.

Read more: Schools explore new armed-intruder protocol - Franklin, MA - Wicked Local Franklin http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x65619491/Schools-explore-new-armed-intruder-protocol#ixzz2FsQfzFEB

More about ALiCE can be found on the Response Options website
http://www.responseoptions.com/

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Food Elves Press Release

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

Food Elves Press Release

via Franklin Downtown Partnership by noreply@blogger.com (Franklin Downtown Partnership) on 12/21/12

Food Elves Collect Over 2 Tons of Food

The Franklin Food Elves' "12 Days of Donating" campaign exceeded expectations for the second year in a row, bringing in more than two tons of non-perishable goods and over $5,700 to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry.

Working with the Franklin Downtown Partnership and local businesses, 50 Food Elves collected 4,223 pounds of goods. Eleven participating businesses each pledged $200 if the Elves met their goal. In addition, DCU donated $1,500, Berry Insurance donated $1,000, and numerous residents also wrote checks.

According to Linda Sottile, operations director at the Food Pantry, the money donated will be used to purchase goods through the Greater Boston Food Bank, where every $50 translates into 118 meals. The combination of the dollar amount with the weight of goods donated translates into close to 17,000 meals for the families who currently use the pantry.

"The community's response has been overwhelming," says Sottile. "In addition to the other contributions we've received this season we will definitely have the resources to help get us through March or April."

"Our need has increased this year and we worried how we were going to meet that need," says Erin Lynch, the Food Pantry's development director. "We are grateful to this community that really stepped up and gave this year."

Co-founders of the Franklin Food Elves Melissa and Cameron Piana are more than thrilled with the results. "It is amazing the good that people can do when everyone works together for a common goal," says Melissa. "We are so proud of our team of elves and for the generosity of the community."

"It is incredible what can be done in 12 days," Cameron added. "Each year we have been able to double the food donations."

Emma's Quilt Cupboard customers donated six bins worth of goods, according to Cyndi Rich, Emma's owner and FDP board member. She was one of 11 business participants.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, go to www.franklinfoodpantry.org, or call 508-528-3115. For more information about the Food Elves and the "12 Days of Donating" campaign, please contact the Franklin Downtown Partnership at downtown.frankin@yahoo.com, or go to www.frankindowntownpartnership.org.

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"We need to think hard about what message we're sending to kids"

The Milford Daily News reports on NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre's comments calling for armed security at school. Local officials comment on the NRA idea.

"There are armed guards in a lot of public places," said Franklin Superintendent Maureen Sabolinski, who called the NRA's plan "silliness." "That doesn't isolate them from violence."

For Sabolinski, the federal funds that would go to placing those officers at schools should instead be used for educational services and programs geared toward violence prevention.