"is seen as women’s work and is underpaid"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Less than a year after lawmakers struck a so-called “grand bargain” to increase minimum wages for all workers, advocates are mounting a new push to ensure tipped workers receive the same base wage as all other hourly employees. 

In all but seven states, the minimum wage for service employees who can earn gratuities — many of whom work in the restaurant industry — is lower than the standard rate. Massachusetts has one of the largest gaps in the country, with a minimum wage of $12 per hour and a minimum tipped wage of $4.35 per hour. 

The divide will persist as increases under the new law take effect and the standard minimum wage rises to $15 an hour by 2023 and the minimum tipped wage climbs to $6.75. 

Legislation re-filed last week by Sen. Patricia Jehlen and Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier would effectively eliminate the separate rate for service workers and include everyone under the larger standard minimum wage."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190129/lawmakers-push-for-equal-pay-for-tipped-workers

For more about One Fair Wage   http://onefairwage.com/about/

For more about One Fair Wage   http://onefairwage.com/about/

Franklin Odd Fellows Winter Corn Hole Tournament - Feb 23

Franklin Odd Fellows Winter Corn Hole Tournament 2 PM, Saturday, February 23 Downtown Sports 240 Prospect Street Franklin MA, 02038 Join us for some fellowship and fun at our semi-annual corn hole tournament. This event is a followup to our successful tournament last summer and is sure to build on that momentum. These fun events help the Odd Fellows to do their part in supporting local charities like the cub scouts, rail trails, food banks and others. The entrance fee into the tournament will be $20 per person and will include food and drinks. This is a family friendly event so don't come alone! View our Corn Hole Tournament Flyer https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczVVhmXzJnTkhrQlB5eGVMcTFoVy1WcGM1Q3dn/view?usp=sharing Visit our Corn Hole Tournament Webpage http://www.franklinmassoddfellows.org/2018/10/10/winter-cornhole-tournament/ Copyright © 2019 Franklin Massachusetts Odd Fellows, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Franklin Massachusetts Odd Fellows 20 Meadowlark Ln Franklin, MA 02038-5206

THE BLACK BOX Classical Series to present Violin and Piano Duo - Feb 3

Violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar will present Music and Friendship on Sunday, February 3 at 1 PM as a part of THE BLACK BOX Classical Series. The program will include music by Brahms, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, and Vitali. Tea service by Intermission Cafe will be available in the lobby.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen is member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and has performed with New Hampshire Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Pro-Arte Chamber Orchestra, and recently with Broadway on Tour’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Boston Opera House. 

Born in Ukraine, Irina Kotlyar received degrees from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. With Gregory Shifrin, the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo has won several international prizes and awards and has performed throughout Israel, Europe, and America.

Tickets are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar will
present Music and Friendship on Sunday, February 3

Franklin Public Schools Music Dept: Concert Hour - Feb 5 and Feb 7

The Franklin Public Schools Music Department will be presenting two nights of chamber music. “Concert Hour” is a showcase of small musical ensembles from the middle schools and high school. 

These recitals will take place on Tuesday, February 5 and Thursday February 7 at 7:00 PM. in the Franklin High School auditorium. 

Come hear our talented student musicians from grades 6-12 perform solo and small ensemble repertoire. The recital is free and open to the public.

Franklin Public Schools Music Dept: Concert Hour - Feb 5 and Feb 7

School Committee hears Superintendent's Budget Proposal

The proposed school budget is level service plus 'critical needs.' The entire budget is an increase of $3.8 million or 6% over the FY 2019. How it will be funded is the question that remains to be answered. 

Participate in the Legislative Forum on Feb 5. Stay tuned for additional budget meetings. The schedule is included on the last page of the presentation document shown here:

FY 2020 Superintendents Recommended Budget from Franklin Matters

The report by Superintendent Ahern
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_january_22_2019.pdf

The FHS program of studies can be found online
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eyO5BpibK6SvUSbjpvc3AcY3tuuIFb328uNM1fIe4JE/edit#

My notes reported live during the meeting

• Live reporting: Consent Agenda to Closing (Executi...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-consent-agenda-to.html
• Live reporting: Information Matters
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-information-matters.html
• Live reporting: Discussion - Action Items
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-discussion-action-items.html
• Live reporting: Superintendents Recommended Budget...
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-superintendents.html
• Live reporting: School Committee - Jan 22, 2019
• https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/01/live-reporting-school-committee-jan-22.html

Goodman and Ahern presenting the FY 2020 budget

FHS Brigham "Player of the Week"

Via HockomockSports and Twitter, we share the results of the FHS sports action on Monday, Jan 28, 2019

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 1 @ Walpole, 3 – Final

For other results around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/mondays-schedule-scoreboard-01-28-19/

"Franklin junior Ali Brigham has been selected as the HockomockSports.com Player of the Week, presented by Morse Insurance, for Jan. 20 through Jan. 26. Brigham is the 17th player chosen as Player of the Week for the 2018-19 school year and the seventh player in the winter season. 

Brigham has established herself as one of the top players not only in the league but in the state and had another dominating week for the Panthers, who remain undefeated in league play and with just one loss overall (an exclusion game against Coyle & Cassidy). The 6-foot-3 center, and George Washington University-commit, scored 20-plus points in all three wins this week, including a showdown against fellow league leader Foxboro. 

“It’s great coaching a kid that wants to become better,” said Franklin coach John Leighton following the Foxboro win. “She’s not complacent. She’s not close to the player that she wants to be, yet. She keeps expanding her game.”

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/player-of-the-week-ali-brigham-franklin-basketball/

Player of the Week: Ali Brigham, Franklin Basketball

3-1 loss to a tough Walpole team! Strong effort by everyone, let’s get ready for MOA Wednesday‼️ goal by Paterson

— FHS Girls Hockey (@fhsvgockey) January 28, 2019

Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club: Feb 13 - Alan Earls

Not just for Newcomers . . .

Local historian Alan Earls returns in February to deliver a slide show and talk about the historical background and world events that led up to the day in 1919 when terrorism struck Franklin. February 28 marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most terrible tragedies in town, the attempted bombing of the Ray Textile Mill on Union Street.

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, February 13 at 7:30 PM.

No need to RSVP, just join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. As a member driven organization . . .  your ideas count and we want to implement them!

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). We run our meetings September through May. We meet at "3" Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available.

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club.

Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club: Feb 13 - Alan Earls