MassBudget: The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges & Opportunities

The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges and Opportunities  Over the last 40 years, as productivity has increased steadily and we have created more value per hour worked, that growth has not translated into greater economic security for working people and their families. Wages for most workers have barely grown while the only group to see substantial income growth has been those with the highest incomes.   If the minimum wage had kept pace with productivity growth since 1968 it would be over $18 an hour today - twice its current level in Massachusetts. Increasing the minimum wage towards that level, at least for some larger businesses, could help people who work hard to better support themselves and pay for basic necessities for their families. The Minimum Wage in Massachusetts: Challenges and Opportunities examines long term wage trends and describes some of the ways employers could adjust to a significant increase in the minimum wage. Recent research indicates that when wages for low wage workers are increased, employers see reduced turnover and training costs, higher productivity and morale and they can implement modest price increases. To read the full brief, please click HERE.  The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

Reminder: Religious School Open House - May 3

Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin, is hosting a Religious School Open House event. Families interested in Religious School for their school-aged children from Pre-K through High School are welcome to join us Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 9:15 to 11:00 am at the Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, Medway. 

The open house will include a tour of the school and participation in the activities of the day, opportunities to meet with the Rabbi, the Education Director and representatives from the Membership Committee as well as time for coffee and schmoozing with temple families. 

There is no cost for attending. RSVP by email to Hana Berman at directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org or call the temple office (508) 528-5337 to RSVP or for additional information.

screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage

For additional information on the Temple Etz Chaim, please visit their webpage
http://www.temple-etzchaim.org/

Franklin Cultural Festival - applications due - Apr 17th

Hello, 

This is a gentle reminder that Friday, April 17, 2015 is the final day to submit applications for the Franklin Cultural Festival. 

If you wish to participate in this event, kindly submit your application by this Friday, April 17. 

Thank you, 

Pandora Carlucci 

Franklin Cultural District

Town Common bandstand, site of some of the Cultural Festival events

Related posts on the Franklin Cultural Festival being planned for this summer

Feb - application package

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html

Mar - reminder of application package

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/application-package-for-franklin.html

Apr - meeting schedule

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-cultural-festival-summer-2015.html

Saturday's Walk about Franklin (photo essay)

The 5th Grade Spring Cleanup was in full swing at Parmenter School. I made a loop around town coming back to Parmenter to check on the baseball field at the end of the walk.

car wash

DPW hydrant flushing

DPW rolling the real turf at Fletcher Field

feeder stream to Mine Brook

the big tree at Dean College

The Library on a sunny breezy day

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

home plate on Saturday at Parmenter still had ice (it was gone Sunday)

Upcoming Distracted Driving Episode Features Folk Singer/Songwriter Ellis Paul

Distracted Driving, a locally-produced web series, is happy to announce a very special upcoming episode of the talk show-based program.  On Sunday April 12^th, the hosts of Distracted Driving, Ray Auger, Tim Rice and Jay Pillarella, filmed an episode with local folk music legend Ellis Paul.  The show is scheduled to be released this Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00pm on the show's YouTube channel and will air in the near future on Milford TV and Amherst Media where the show is featured weekly.

Ellis Paul with Distracted Driving

"I've been such a big fan of Ellis' work since the early 90s" says Co-Host Tim Rice.  "To have him the back seat of our mobile studio was an honor, not to mention just a fun time all around."

On the show, which clocks in at just under an hour, Ray, Tim and Jay talk with Ellis about his roots, the current folk scene, the traveling life of working folk artist and more.  

Ellis even performs two songs from his latest album release.  Plus Distracted Driving got a special improvised theme song written for them on the spot.

Tune in on the Distracted Driving YouTube page starting Wednesday at 7:00pm for the fun!

Twitter – DDTheShow

Facebook – DistractedDrivingTheShow

YouTube – DistractedDrivingWS

www.distracteddrivingtheshow.com

About Distracted Driving

Distracting Driving is a web series hosted by Ray Auger, Jay Pillarella and Tim Rice.  It combines the late night talk show format and aimless driving.  Each week Ray, Jay and Tim chat about movies, TV, comics and life in general. The show features special guests, music, audience mail and fun surprises. Buckle up and take a ride with Distracted Driving, you never know where we'll be going!  Distracted Driving can be seen on YouTube, Milford TV and Amherst Media.

About Ellis Paul

Ellis Paul is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. Born in Aroostook County, Maine, Paul is a key figure in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, a literate, provocative and urbanely romantic folk-pop style that helped ignite the folk revival of the 1990s. His pop music songs have appeared in movies and on television, bridging the gap between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.

Ellis Paul has frequently appeared at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin

FHS spring sports results from Monday, Apr 13

Hockomock Sports provides the results around the Hockomock League for all the spring sports action on Monday, Apr 13. Franklin had a busy and successful day with only the baseball team dropping their game.

FHS Panthers

Baseball

Franklin, 6 @ Saint Peter Marian, 11 - Final - Senior Nick Burgos went 1-2 with three walks and three runs scored, sophomore Tyler Gomes was 2-4 with a pair of doubles, one run scored and one RBI and senior Ben Chaffee was 2-2 with two walks and an RBI.

Softball

Franklin, 15 @ Oliver Ames, 3 - Final (5 innings) - Franklin pitcher Sabrina LoMonaco struck out nine batters and was perfect at the plate herself, going 4-4 with six RBI including a home run, a double and a pair of singles. Alicia Donovan went 2-3 with an RBI and Olivia DiGiacomo had a two-run double. For Oliver Ames, freshman Caroline Mahoney knocked in a pair of runs early in the game while Mattea Sarnecki knocked in the third run for the Tigers.

Boys Lacrosse

Sharon, 5 @ Franklin, 13 - Final - For Sharon, Josh Rotman scored a hat trick and Mark Bloom, Spencer Aubin and Kevin Chen each registered a point. Sharon freshman Johnny Greenberg came into play goalie with three minutes left in the first quarter and finished with 12 saves.

Girls Lacrosse

Sharon, 1 @ Franklin, 17 - Final - Franklin had 11 different players find the back of the net, led by MacKenzie Pleshaw and Julia Jette, who both recorded hat tricks. Freshman Grace MacCallum scored her first varsity goal in the win for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 - Final

For all the results across the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-041315

Do you love cats? Calico Nook might be the place for you!

Do you love cats? 

Last month, co-partners Marissa Massucco and Kristi Mahoney opened up a not-for-profit for cat lovers called Calico Nook (58 E. Central Street in downtown Franklin). Calico Nook is a progressive, upscale, warm and relaxing community space where cats roam free and feline fanatics can get their fill. Calico Nook has a few resident rescue cats and are in the process of partnering with local animal shelters to foster some of their cats. Since Calico Nook is not-for-profit, funding comes from a $5 admission at the door. Some people come to hang out or play with cats. Some people come to read, relax, use the wi-fi, see local art or buy a variety of eclectic cat-centric retail items. So far the community has been very supportive!

Calico Nook is also planning on having many special events, from acoustic music nights to kids craft events to pet info sessions. They have two upcoming events in April:

Pet Info Session: Saturday, April 18th with Dr. Bart Massucco 10:30am and 1pm

Dr. Bart, the owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Wrentham, will be giving a fun pet informational session at 10:30am and 1pm. Dr. Bart can answer any pet related questions you may have. Fun for all ages (5 and up.) Bring your pet-related questions and he will answer them and learn fun cat facts from a seasoned pro. Standard $5 admission applies.

Kids School Vacation Event: Tuesday, April 21st from 3-4pm

Kids 5 and up can come and do a variety of cat centric games from word searches and word scrambles to puzzles and cat bingo. We have a prize basket brimming with prizes waiting to be won. Children must be accompanied, supervised by an adult at all times, and adhere to all cat rules. Standard $5 admission applies to each child and adult.

screen grab of Calico Nook webpage

For more information on Calico Nook, please visit their website at www.caliconook.com or like them on Facebook for up-to-date information.