Vani Hari aka the Food Babe, Takes On The Industry

Jonathan Fields is running a series of videos called the Good Life Project. He interviews a variety of really interesting folks to find out more about them, what they do and what they think a good life means. In this segment, he talks with Vani Hari, the Food Babe, who is doing some really good work in understanding what we are eating and what that 'food' is really doing to us. Watching the interview is well worth the 35 minutes to find out about Vani's story, what got her into this food research, then you can go to her website or Facebook page for the details on what to do (or not do).

"workshop on how to build a rain garden"

Through a $16,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the town has partnered with the Charles River Watershed Association to create a two-year rain garden training program, the first of its kind in Massachusetts. 

rain garden at Parmenter School

The training is to feature a classroom component where participants will learn how rain gardens work as a natural filter for polluted stormwater runoff, said Pallavi Mande, who is organizing the program for the association. 

The other component will be class trips to a sample garden at the Department of Public Works headquarters on Fisher Street. The educational excursions, Mande said, should prove "a successful way to get people motivated, rather than just providing outreach on the benefits of a rain garden. 

"People don’t feel compelled to take action until they get a little more in terms of training," she added.

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140124/NEWS/140127939/1994/NEWS#sthash.9HfOjLUB.dpuf

The rain garden project is looking for a catchy name, you can find out more about this and submit your idea here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/name-that-rain-garden-project.html

"a false perception that the industry is dying"

During a manufacturing roundtable, he and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, began the process of eliciting feedback from leaders in the industry on what they’ll need to improve and build those connections. Fourteen manufacturers, a fraction of the more than 7,000 companies in the state, attended, along with other lawmakers, public officials and Tri-County administrators. 

Tri-County cut its manufacturing program in 2002 in response to a decline in interest, closing its machine shop, said Superintendent Stephen Dockray. But, he said, voc-tech schools are prepared to provide a solution to the workforce shortage as long as they can get the right equipment. 

"We need to partner with many of you to purchase the machinery to train our students in manufacturing," Dockray said. "But it’s expensive."

Tri-County Voc Tech in Franklin

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140125/NEWS/140127340/1994/NEWS#sthash.SLD2UVCR.dpuf

NEW DATE - United Regional YPO Event - "Networking Made Easy!"

The United Regional Young Professionals Organization (YPO) will be holding its first quarterly educational workshop called Networking Made Easy! hosted by Ed McDonough, a Business Coach, Speaker and Marketing Consultant, on Thursday, February 27th from 6-7:30 PM at the Fisher College North Attleboro campus. The event will provide business professionals tips and techniques on how to make and keep business connections, and other do’s and don’ts of networking. 

Young Professionals Organization

Ed is the founder of Executive Coaching in Walpole, MA. Since 2001 Ed has been a successful entrepreneur and multi-business owner who has a unique talent for developing and implementing long-term profitable marketing strategies. 

In addition to his business owner experience, Mr. McDonough spent over 25 years as a top-level Information Technology professional and Project Management Consultant in Corporate America, making him well versed in all facets of the business environment. His real-world brick and mortar business experience combined with his passion for effective web-based marketing has lead him to coach business owners throughout North America to success from the ground up. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how you can make more and better business connections! 

The United Regional YPO consists of a diverse group of young professionals who have an interest in social and business networking, community involvement and professional development. 

The cover charge is $5.00 with pre-registration on the YPO website or $10 at the door. Attendees may register for this event on the YPO’s website unitedregionalypo.org or by contacting 508-488-YPO1 (9761).

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/24/14 - THU 1/30/14

1/25 SAT   8:30am-11:30am   Franklin Girls Softball Walk-In Registration, Elks Club, Franklin.
1/25 SAT   9am-10am   dance-FIT class to benefit Munroe family, Helen Owens Fitness in Franklin.
1/25 SAT   10:30am-12:30pm   Family Tracking at Stony Brook Sanctuary, Norfolk. Registration required.
1/25 SAT   4pm-7pm   Three Stories Band, Pizza & Beer Extravaganza at Pour Richard's, Franklin.

1/26 SUN  2pm-5pm   Wine Tasting with Appetizers to benefit Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee,  Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits, Franklin.

1/27 MON  7pm    Planning Board Meeting, Municipal Building - Council Chambers, Franklin.

1/28 TUE   7pm   School Committee Mtg., Municipal Building - Council Chambers, Franklin.

1/29 WED  7pm   Town Council - Zoning Workshop, Municipal Building - Council Chambers, Franklin.

Downtown Franklin on a warmer day

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

If you know of an event or have a suggestions for the calendar, please email Renata at Renata@BetterLivingRE.com.

Important change to Respite Companion Program

Do you recall the Respite Companion Program introduced at the Senior Center recently?
(If not, you can check out this link or this link and come back. We'll wait for you!)


The Senior Center has some good news to announce. They were able to get the grant amended.  It does say in the brochure that both the caregiver and the care recipient have to be 60 years of age or over.

The Senior Center found that they had turned down 25% of the folks who wanted respite care since September because the age of the caregiver was under 60. They have removed the age requirement for the the caregiver. The age requirement for the care recipient remains at age 60 or over.

This makes sense. Looking around at those I know in this situation, most of the caregivers are under sixty with the care recipient over sixty. The 'sandwich' generation is not just a media sound bite. It is real.

If you would like to check out the Companion Caregiver Program, contact the Senior Center. You can call the Senior Center to register: 508-520-4945

Franklin Senior Center

For more information about the Senior Center and all the programs they offer, visit their page on the official Franklin website  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/index

MassBudget: Analyzing the Governor's Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Governor's Budget for FY 2015  Yesterday, the Governor filed his budget proposal for FY 2015. Our new Budget Monitor shows how the Governor's budget would affect programs across state government, from health care and education to public safety and the environment--including information on tax revenues.  The Governor's proposal does not include significant new revenue, which means that the investments he specifies are relatively modest. They include: Higher Education, which would see a third straight year of increases--albeit to levels still 22% below where they were in 2001 (adjusted for inflation) Elder Services, where increases would expand access to home care and improve quality Early Education and Care, where continued funding growth would help move more children off the wait list and into early education and care programs  Read our full BUDGET MONITOR   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

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