Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/21/14 - THU 2/27/14

FRI 2/21   3pm Whalemobile at Franklin Public Library. Grades K-6. Step inside the 43' long inflatable humpback whale Nile to learn about habitat, behavior and conservation of whales. Registration required.

FRI 2/21   6:30pm-8pm   'Healthy Hearts' Family Valentine Dance at the Bernon Family YMCA in Franklin. FREE event for all (members and non-members) with a DJ and many other activities.

SAT 2/22   10:30am-12pm   Animal World Experience, Fiske Public Library, Wrentham. Free, but get your tickets at circulation desk. Canned-goods donations accepted.

MON 2/24   3-4pm   Companion Caregivers Open House, Franklin Senior Center. Please call 508-520-4945 to sign up. On-site care provided for your loved one during Open House.

MON 2/24   7pm   Planning Board Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers.

Upcoming event - Tickets available NOW at all Hockomock YMCA branches ($20). YMCA will host Elizabeth Smart, Child Protection Activist on May 8 at 7pm (Foxboro HS). Seating limited.

For more details on above events click HERE and select the event of interest.

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

A whale of a day

The Library will be hosting a humpback whale today! Registration is required. You can do that by calling the Library at 508-520-4940 or getting to the Circulation Desk. The event is for kids in grade K to 6.

Whalemobile

This was reposted from the Franklin Public Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/02/whalemobile.html

In the News: youth rally, minimum wage

Local legislators and politicians joined nearly 1,000 young people from across the state Thursday to rally for increased funding for youth jobs programs. 

"You are out there giving a voice to a need in our society today, which is that the government needs to work together with the private sector to make sure there are opportunities for every single person here," state Rep. Tom Conroy, D-Wayland, told the crowd inside Boston's Old South Church. 

Conroy spoke alongside Attorney General Martha Coakley and Felix Arroyo, Boston's chief of Health and Human Services.

Read the full article here:
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140221/NEWS/140229298

State Senate President Therese Murray wants the state’s minimum wage raised to $11 per hour. House Speaker Robert DeLeo, supports an increase, but wants it tied to changes in unemployment insurance. 

With dueling bills in the two chambers, there are two questions: what will the final solution be and when it it likely to be arrived at? 

“Both issues are in play in both chambers, but the division is more about process than substance at this point, I think,” Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, said Tuesday.

Read the full article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140220/NEWS/140229762

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for September 2014 will be held on:

Monday, April 7, 2014 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and
Thursday, April 10, 2014 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM
at the Horace Mann/Oak Street Complex.

Registration forms will be available after March 3rd on the Kindergarten Registration web page, and at the office of the Superintendent.

Horace Mann Middle School on a fall day

Art Show - Feb 22 through Mar 29

As part of an ongoing program, the Norfolk Cultural Council is hosting a joint art exhibit at the Norfolk Public Library from February 22 through March 29 featuring local artist Mireille T. Eastman and homeless advocate and artist Matthew Works. The show explores themes about finding home and finding refuge. A reception will be held on March 8 at the Norfolk Public Library from 6 – 8 pm and everyone is welcome to come and meet the artists. Charley Eastman will provide music for the reception.

Saint Nicholas Church by Mireille Eastman

Mireille T. Eastman is a first generation American who grew up in New York City. She began painting while studying abroad in Paris. As her painting developed she began exploring images of Romania, the land of her parents, seeking to commune with her ancestral home. Please visit her website at mireille-eastman.squarespace.com.

Ecclesia et Civitas by Matthew Works

Matthew Works is a Boston artist, writer and activist for the homeless, who has been homeless for over a decade. His work is a testament to the creative spirit. Matthew travels extensively throughout the United States, speaking and presenting his artwork at churches, colleges and universities. He has built a following as a speaker, including keynote speaker, an artist, and "theologian in residence." He leads a walking tour titled “Homelessness and the Gospel” showing a different perspective of the street of Boston. He has been featured on National Public Radio and was profiled in the New York Times' bestselling book, God's Politics, by the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners magazine.

MBTA: Five-year Capital Investment public forum: Feb 25 in Cambridge; Feb 26 in Mattapan

Five-year Capital Investment public forum: Feb 25 in Cambridge & Feb 26 in Mattapan. See http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/ for more  Each year, the MBTA develops a 5-year Capital Investment Program (CIP), which invests in infrastructure & vehicles to maintain & modernize the system. We welcome your feedback on our FY15 FY19 Draft CIP. The public comment period began with the publication of the MBTAs Draft CIP on the MassDOT website on January 9, 2014, & ends on February 28, 2013. The FY15 FY19 Draft CIP is available at www.mbta.com. If you are unable to attend a public meeting, but would like to comment, send us an email at cipinfo@mbta.com or write to us at: MBTA Budget Office, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. All facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need an accommodation in order to fully participate in the hearing, please email us prior to the scheduled date. mbta,com/ Last updated: Feb 19 2014 12:09 PM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Meeting/FY15-19%20CIP%20Flyer_English.pdf Sent by the MBTA. (or write subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com)

Remember today

Feb 19 is a special day in US history. It was the day that the Battle of Iwo Jima started in 1945. The flag raising on Mt Suribachi is quite well known. That the battle fought for many days after the flag raising is less so.

Additional information:
Battle of Iwo Jima (wikipedia entry)

To the Shores of Iwo Jima (vintage video)

Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington, VA

If you see a veteran, thank them for their service.

If you find a World War II veteran, listen to a story if they'll tell it. We are all losing too many of those these days.





Note: My father was part of the 4th Marine Division that landed on Iwo Jima on Feb 19th and was one of the lucky ones to walk off in March. I was able to capture part of his oral history and you can listened to him talk of his unit, the Join Assault Signal Company here:
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2007/09/jerry-story-joint-assault-signal.html