BJ's Intersection

The improved signage for the intersection of Forge Parkway and West Central St has apparently reduced the number of traffic incidents. You may recall that for a period of time, the neighborhood was quite upset when  traffic signals were removed by the state. Several accidents occurred some of them with significant injury. Franklin worked with MassDOT to improve the stop signs at the intersection.

In my own use of the intersection, it seems much better behaved than the 'wild west' it used to be.

early warning stop sign ahead

stop sign has blinking lights all around the edge

the intersection is a wide one with good views

Pet CPR and First Aid

CAN YOU SAVE YOUR DOG?

• Learn Pet CPR and First Aid
• Get Certified!
• % of proceeds donated to a local animal charity!

Saturday April 27, 2014 - 1pm to 4pm

Destination Dog,
7 Forge Parkway,
Franklin, MA 02038

Cost: $55

To register:
Pet Emergency Education, LLC
401-450-5047


The skills and topics covered in this course include:
• Safety when working with sick and/or injured animals
• Restraint and transportation of injured dogs and cats
• Choking/Heimlich Maneuver in dogs and cats
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in dogs and cats
• Bandaging and wound management
• Triage and Assessment

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 4/11/14 - THU 4/17/14

FRI 4/11  6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked - Franklin Art Center
FRI 4/11   7pm   FSPA presents: Disney Showcase, Elks Lodge Franklin. Tickets available at the door or www.fspaonline.com
FRI 4/11   7pm   Kennedy School Ladybug Auction, Primavera in Millis. Tickets available at the door.

SAT 4/12   8:30am   Franklin-Bellingham Rail Trail Clean Up (meet at Grove St. trailhead, bring gloves)

SUN 4/13   3:30pm   LiveARTS Concert: Janice Weber (piano), First Universalist Society Franklin

WED 4/16   7pm   Rails To Trails and Rails WITH Trails Projects in Southern New England, Franklin Public Library
WED 4/16   7pm   Town Council Meeting, Franklin Municipal Building.

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

High School parking update (video)

This was presented during the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Apr 8. While the new school opens in Sep, the removal of the old school will begin and result in less parking spaces until the removal of the old school and construction of the new fields is complete.

Action is required now!




Additional info can be found here:

new Franklin High School - winter of 2013-14

For additional updates on what is happening at Franklin High School, visit their webpage here
http://franklinhigh.vt-s.net/Pages/index

FHS Sports Results - Thursday, Apr 10

Via Hockomock Sports we share the following results from Thursday

Baseball
Attleboro, 12 @ Franklin, 4 - Final - Steven Knox picked up the win going six innings with four strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. Matt Elliot was 3-4 with four RBI, two runs and a three-run home run. Max Lancaster was 3-4 with three runs and Elliott Desvergnes was 1-3 with a home run. Franklin's Nick Gallo was 2-3 with an RBI, one run and a stolen base and Andrew Parent was 2-4 with a run scored.

FHS Panthers

Softball
Attleboro, 2 @ Franklin, 6 - Final - The Panthers scored five runs in the fourth inning on their way to their fourth straight win. Olivia DiGiacomo was 3-3 with two RBI, Alicia Donovan was 2-3 with two RBI and Sammie Rondeau was 2-4 with two RBI and a triple. Lilly Criscione started the rally in the fourth inning and was 2-4 at the plate and also picked up the win, striking out six. Courtesy runner Tatiana Havens scored twice for Franklin.


Girls Tennis
Franklin, 4 @ Attleboro, 1 - Final

FSPA Registration Open for Summer and Fall Programs

Registration for summer and fall programming is now underway at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA). Prospective students and families are encouraged to visit the school, tour the facilities and try a complimentary class.

Registration is also ongoing for the current Trimester III, which began on March 24. Students are welcome to start classes and private instruction at any point throughout the year and tuition is pro-rated.

With extensive programs in Music, Dance and Drama, FSPA brings the performing arts disciplines together in downtown Franklin. The school offers instruction for all ages and abilities to meet the needs of those who seek levels of training and involvement ranging from recreational enjoyment to serious study.

FSPA

FSPA’s music program provides voice and instrumental private lessons, as well as group classes with ensemble performing opportunities. Little Music School®, an innovative music program developed exclusively at FSPA, teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. Dance instruction is offered at all levels in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop, with specialized classes for boys, adults and beginner teens.

FSPA’s roster of dance classes also includes dance for musical theater, lyrical, acro and Horton Technique. The drama department features programs in acting and musical theater with classes for all ages, beginning with kindergarten children. Interactive classes explore storytelling, theater games, improvisation, scenes and monologues, character development and audition preparation.

Performing opportunities at FSPA include musical theater troupes, dance companies, Glee Club, Ballet Repertoire Series, Spring Concert, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses and recitals. Many FSPA students are also cast, by audition, in productions presented by the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC).

Summer session programming runs from June 30 to August 22 and includes performing arts workshops and one-week camps, an eight-week session of voice, instrumental and dance classes, two ballet intensives and the annual SummerStage musical theater program.

FSPA’s roster of one-week performing arts camps includes Camp ProVoice, Jazz and Tap Camp, Choreography Camp, Broadway Camp and Acting Camp, as well as Little Gems Ballet Camp, Creative Kids Camp and Little Music School Experience for younger children.

FSPA will also offer two Summer Ballet Intensives: Summer Session I for the Young Dancer Division from June 30-July 11 and Summer Session II for the Pre-Professional Division from July 14-July 24.

The annual SummerStage musical theater program for students in grades 3-12 features a two-week format (July 28-August 8) and full-length production of LEGALLY BLONDE, The Musical.

Younger SummerStage students (grades 3-8) will be showcased in “PARALEGAL, The Musical.” Auditions will be held by appointment and are for placement purposes only; all SummerStage students will be cast in the productions.

FSPA will also offer a series of 2- and 3-day workshops.

• Critically-acclaimed R&B singer April Hall will conduct a Vocal Styles workshop for ages 13-18, introducing students to jazz phrasing, scatting and improvisation, as well as microphone and performance techniques. 
• Rock Out, for musicians of all levels, provides students with the opportunity to jam with talented area musicians and learn from well-known Boston professionals. 
• A performance skills workshop, Up Your Game, will focus on audition techniques, presentation skills and developing or improving an audition binder, headshot/resume and audition wardrobe. 
• Behind the Scenes will introduce students to the many details involved in bringing a production to the stage, including an overview of the technical and operational aspects of producing a show.

Register over the phone at (508) 528-8668 or in person at 38 Main Street in Franklin. For further information, including a summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.

MassBudget: Analyzing the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. MassBudget Analysis of the House Ways and Means Budget for FY 2015  Yesterday (Wednesday), the House Ways and Means Committee (HWM) presented its budget proposal for FY 2015. Our new Budget Monitor shows how this proposal would affect programs across state government, from health care and education to human services and the environment. The HWM proposal does not include significant new revenue, meaning that proposed new investments are relatively modest. They include: Higher education, where funding is increased roughly $60 million over last year and $8 million over the Governor's proposal. Child welfare, where $8.4 million in additional funding is provided to hire additional social workers to begin to reduce caseloads to levels at which children and families could be better protected and supported.   Substance abuse and prevention and treatment, where funding is increased $6.3 million over last year and $3.6 million above the Governor's recommendation. The budget also recommends a number of cuts to existing programs, including a $13.9 million reduction in funding for youth jobs programs. Read our full Budget Monitor 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