THE BLACK BOX - now open

After spending sometime at the dedication ceremony for the new Franklin High School last Sunday, I did stop in to see THE BLACK BOX. While the views of the theater are nothing in comparison to the new high school, the concept and opportunity is as great an event for Franklin.

THE BLACK BOX - 15 West Central St, Franklin

Yes, the new 850 seat FHS auditorium is amazing. If you need convincing, listen to the first concert held there. I recorded this while sitting up in the back where the acoustics still allowed for the capture of every note.

inside THE BLACK BOX last Sunday, Sep 20th

So how is THE BLACK BOX as great an opportunity for Franklin?

Simply, it is a black box and while there is nothing terribly unusual about it, the greatness of a black box is the potential it presents. This theater in downtown Franklin is already scheduled to provide cultural opportunities not previously available.

Yes, the Franklin School for Preforming Arts will use it for some of their productions. Peter Pan coming in October is the first.

Tickets are available for Peter Pan

A series of events for children is scheduled with Franklin's Jamie Barrett scheduled to appear first.

The first scheduled for the children's series is Jamie Barrett

A series of performances featuring local groups has the Brothers McCann lined up to appear in November

The Brothers McCann are scheduled for November 28th

Tickets for most shows go on sale October 1.

For more information on THE BLACK BOX you can visit their web page here

http://www.theblackboxonline.com/

The Young Democrats of FHS [feedly]

With the Massachusetts' state election approaching in November it is good to see some engagement among the high school youth as they prepare to turn 18 and register to vote. While sports and the performing arts also offer good after school programs, the Young Democrats of FHS is a great opportunity for the students to become aware of their civic responsibilities.

Now more than ever, young Americans are not politically engaged. According to a poll by the Harvard University Institute of Politics, fewer than 1 in 4 millennials under 30 “definitely” plan to vote in this year’s midterm elections in November. This same poll also found that more people between 18-29 years old identify as Democrats than Republicans. This means that election results do not match the political makeup of our country, so our representatives in Congress do not truly representative us. 

So, why should you care? As high school students, we are on the brink of turning 18, the time when we can have a voice in the country’s political system. Voting is more than filling in some circles on a ballot in the gym at FHS. It is utilizing your power to make change. 

Young people have most likely lost their desire to vote out of cynicism. We see and hear about what Congress is doing – or, not doing – every day. We have lost hope for the future, picturing a life riddled with college debt and a lack of jobs. We are not wrong for having these feelings, because our elected representatives do not reflect the young people’s interests. If you do not vote, you will not see change be made.

Continue reading the article at Pantherbook: http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2014/09/27/the-young-democrats-of-fhs/#sthash.PGrY1XQZ.dpuf

pantherbook article screenshot

Pantherbook is the website or blog published by FHS students. If you want to see more of what they talk about consider subscribing to Pantherbook.org/

“To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”

The Mass Climate Action Network has a good weekly podcast. This week they provide coverage on the 400,000 people that marched in New York City which most people were unaware of due to the lack of media coverage.

The past weekend in New York, four hundred thousand people strolled through the city in the largest climate march in history. This is the big news, even though it was competing with out latest war for attention. What did it all mean? Two things: first that a powerful, vibrant climate movement exists and second that local action is the next big step.

Continue reading the article here
http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/the-march-the-media-and-the-meaning-the-climate-minute-podcast/

To save a click or two, you can listen to this week's podcast here:



For more information on how you can help the Mass Climate Action Network, visit their website here

Mass Climate Action Network

Attention: Tag/Moving Sale 9/27/14 -> 9:00 - 5:00

Do you post yard/tag sales on your site?  We sold our home and are offering almost everything at our tag sale tomorrow. 

In Home Tag/Moving Sale - Everything Must Go! 

Furniture, area rugs, Weber gas grill, tools, lamps, artwork, kitchenwares, small kitchen electrics, crystal, Fiestaware service for 8 still in box, dolls, Hello Kitty bathroom set, linens, books, chest freezer, LL Bean sledding inner tubes, 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, and much more. 

478 Maple St, Franklin, 9/27, 9-5, no  previews or early birds.

from the photo archives of June 2012

Caregiver Support in Massachusetts

From the MA.GOV blog we find good tips for caregivers and a listing of resources.

The Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program empowers caregivers through information, education, support, and services that help enhance their quality of life. Caregivers may experience physical, emotional, and financial strain while caring for a loved one. With this in mind, the Commonwealth offers support resources to ease those stresses and reduce the challenges of caregiving. 

Care for the Caregiver 

Whether you are just beginning a caregiving role or continuing to care for an older person whose needs are increasing, it’s important to  take care of your own physical and mental health. Remember to recharge and take time for yourself. Rest, maintain healthy eating habits, get enough sleep each night, exercise, and communicate your needs to others when in need of help.

You can continue reading the MA.GOV article here  http://blog.mass.gov/blog/health/caregiver-support-in-massachusetts/

screen shot ma.gov article on caregiver support 

One resource we can add to the list for Franklin is the program started earlier this year at the Franklin Senior Center.

The Companion Caregiver Program at the Franklin Senior Center recently received an award from the Massachusetts Council on Aging for "innovative program". The award ceremony was on June 6 at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.

The program offers in home full time caregivers respite for 2-4 hours per week if they are caring for someone 60 years of age or older with Dementia or a major medical illness. There is NO restriction on age of caregiver to be eligible for the program. 

The cost of the program is between $8 and $12 per hour depending upon household income. This cost is at least $8 below current market rate.

Our companions provide socialization and stimulation for the recipient of care in the home setting. The companions are trained in Dementia and Elder Care, cultural competency, CPR and first aid, and fall risk. 

We tailor activities with the recipient based on our review of their interests.

For more information please feel free to contact Elaine Owens at the Franklin Senior Center. the number is 508-520-4945.

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/companion-caregiver-program.html

Map of the Harvest Festival - where is it all happening in downtown Franklin?

Want to know where things are happening at the Harvest Festival? Check out the official map showing the location of each booth and stage.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

For more information on the Harvest Festival, visit the Franklin Downtown Partnership webpage
http://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 9/26/14 - THU 10/2/14

FRI 9/26   10am-12pm   Girl Scouts Sign Ups at Franklin Public Library.
FRI 9/26   12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market - Town Common
FRI 9/26   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center

SAT 9/27   8am-2pm   Medway Townwide Yard Sale (Map will be sold at Anne's Market - Medway Plaza, Town Clerk's Office, Charles River Bank, Middlesex Bank, Star Market and Medway Commons)
SAT 9/27  9am-12pm   Fun on Trail: if your child created and owl last week at the Library, come find it on the Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail (Grove Street entrance)
SAT 9/27   9:30am-4pm   Open Auditions for Nutcracker (FPAC), 15 W. Central Street, Franklin.
SAT 9/27   10am-2pm   Electronic Recycling to Benefit Franklin Food Pantry. Franklin Village Center (Stop & Shop Plaza)
SAT 9/27   4-7pm   Beer Extravaganza 5.0 at Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits in Franklin.

SUN 9/28   9am-3pm  Autism Speaks Fund Raiser at Timeless Barber Shop
SUN 9/28   1-4pm   Pennywise and Snappy Dogs back at Pour Richard’s in Franklin.
SUN 9/28   1:30-4:30pm   Open Auditions for Humbag and Tis The Season (FPAC), 15 W. Central Street, Franklin.
SUN 9/28   2:30-3:30pm   Jamie Barrett Family Music Show to celebrate new Franklin Public Library Sunday hours.
SUN 9/28   iStories at the Franklin Public Library

MON 9/29   3-6pm   Farmers Market at Whole Foods Plaza in Bellingham

WED 10/1   6:30pm   Franklin Art Association Meeting, featuring artist and demonstration by William Lane. Open to public. Franklin Senior Center.

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