Tuesday, July 29, 2014

In the News: Kmart on RT 109 to close

In the Milford Daily News we find this item of interest to Franklin shoppers:
The Kmart store on Rte. 109 will officially close in October, said Chris Braithwaite, vice president of media relations for Sears Holdings."Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce ongoing expenses," he said.Kmart is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corp. and has had presence in Milford for at least 35 years. The store will begin a liquidation sale Aug. 7, he said.
You can continue to read the article in the Milford Daily News here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140729/NEWS/140726803/1994/NEWS

Monday, July 28, 2014

Fund raising: Thermal totes for infants

Via email I hear of a fund raiser to help those with infants at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU):
Hi Franklin! I am working to donate Thirty One thermal totes to the NICU at a nearby hospital...so many moms go there to see their little babies who are fighting for their lives or very sick. 
I am not looking for other sales or to make the commission...my commission will be used to fill the bags with ice packs to keep milk cold, Chapstick, snack, magazines etc... things they need and we can help in some small way. 
It's $20.50 for the tote (incl. tax and shipping). Please help me by donating a tote. You order and it ships to me and you fill your heart with knowing how you helped someone. 
For more info please email Megan DeKing or comment here. Orders will go in August 3rd! Thanks!

The thermal totes:

infant surrounded by thermal totes
infant surrounded by thermal totes

You can email Megan directly at = Hartwick1998@aol.com


Patriots, Public Safety Officials Throw Danny Nickerson a Surprise Birthday Party Unlike Any Other


It started with a simple wish for birthday cards a week before his sixth birthday and ended with a birthday celebration unlike any other at Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 26.

Danny Nickerson, a Foxborough boy with an inoperable brain tumor, celebrated his sixth birthday on Friday, July 25, with a trip to Legoland in Boston before meeting New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft at Gillette Stadium.

Danny and friends
Danny and friends

During the visit, Danny and his family toured the Patriots’ trophy room before taking a walk onto the Gillette Stadium field, where they were greeted by Pat Patriot, the team’s official mascot, and Patriots Cheerleaders.

“We got out on the field and Danny’s name was up on the video boards, which was absolutely awesome,” said Daniel Jamieson, Danny’s father. “I never thought one of my family member’s names would be up on the video board in Gillette Stadium.”

presentation of the card
presentation of the card

Kraft presented Danny with a card signed by the entire New England Patriots team and a gift bag, which included Patriots-themed toys and a customized Patriots jersey. Following the special field visit, Patriot Place treated Danny and his family to a birthday lunch at SkipJack’s.

“Seeing Danny smile so much has been amazing,” said Jamieson. “Everything Mr. Kraft and the Kraft family have done to help out my family and show support for my son is incredible.”

The show of support for Danny didn’t stop there, as Cops for Kids with Cancer organized a surprise birthday party for the six-year-old and his family at Patriot Place and Gillette Stadium on Saturday, July 26.

“Hopefully this helps Danny and his family know they aren’t alone,” said Burlington Police Sgt. Gerard McDonough, one of the organizers of Saturday’s event. “I’ve read that Danny can feel alone and sad at times, so we want the family to know they are not alone and they are not fighting alone.”

Cops for Kids with Cancer
Cops for Kids with Cancer

Danny’s special day began with a convoy of more than 100 police, fire and EMS vehicles arriving at Gillette Stadium shortly before 9 a.m. Hundreds of public safety officials representing more than 40 communities throughout the region then gathered on the steps of Patriot Place’s grand staircase to sing “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor.

“Seeing all the police, firefighters and motorcycle riders showing up to support my son is absolutely emotional and really nice,” said Jamieson.

The celebration continued on the first floor of CBS Scene with a public safety-themed birthday cake that featured a photo of Danny on a motorcycle and a presentation of birthday cards and gifts from each agency, including a motorized toy police car from Boston Police, which Danny drove around NRG Plaza until the power ran out.

“It’s been an incredible and emotional day,” said Canton Police Deputy Chief Helena Rafferty, who also serves as President of Cops for Kids with Cancer. “Every little boy loves police and fire and it is such an honor to be part of this special day.”

Foxborough police officer Stephen McGrath said participating in Saturday’s celebration was important to the department because Danny is a relative of one of their sergeants.

“We knew that participating today would be just one way to demonstrate our support to Danny and his family, and also to our sergeant,” said McGrath. “I know how important it is to them and I think they need to know not only the Foxborough Police Department is behind them, but the support extends throughout law enforcement and communities across the region. This event brings everything into focus for us and we are honored to be a part of it.”

After cake and presents at CBS Scene, the party moved to Patriots Training Camp where another surprise was waiting for Danny.

Toward the end of practice, Kraft invited Danny and his parents onto the field where the entire team, including head coach Bill Belichick, gathered around the Foxborough family and sang “Happy Birthday” to Danny.

“It’s been an incredible day for Danny and the Patriots singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to my son was a real touching moment that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” said Jamieson.

Danny’s mother, Carley Nickerson, was equally grateful for all the support her family has received since making a public request for birthday cards for her son.

“It’s overwhelming,” Carley said. “Everyone has been amazing. They’ve all come together and are here for our little boy.”

Danny has received more than 150,000 birthday cards in the 10 days since his wish was made public. Some cards have been sent from as far away as Japan, and mail is still coming in.

“It’s been amazing to see him so happy,” said Carley. “He loves getting mail.”

For Sgt. McDonough and Cops for Kids with Cancer, the goal for Saturday was a simple one – make Danny and his family smile.

“As long as Danny was smiling and we gave the family some happy memories it was mission accomplished for us,” said McDonough. “We are very grateful to the Kraft family and the Patriots organization for giving us the venue to be able to do this and we were very happy for the show of support to Danny and thank all the officers who were able to come out.”


Franklin Library: Tanglewood Marionettes - Aug 2 - 10:30 AM

The Franklin Public Library will host a show by the Tanglewood Marionettes:
Featuring over twenty beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, The Fairy Circus is a showcase for turn-of-the-century-style trick puppetry. The puppets will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease, all to the best-loved music of favorite composers. This title is perfect for younger children and family audiences. 
The Fairy Circus is performed by a solo puppeteer. The presentation includes a lively puppetry demonstration prior to the show, and a Question and Answer session following the performance. 
Running time: 40 minutes
Recommended grade levels: Appropriate for pre-K - 6; best for pre-K - 2

Tanglewood Marionettes
Tanglewood Marionettes

When:  Saturday, August 2, 10:30 AM

This was shared from the Franklin Public Library website
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2014/07/tanglewood-marionettes.html

For more about the Tanglewood Marionettes, you can visit their website here
http://www.tanglewoodmarionettes.com/fairycircus.html


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Downtown Project - protecting the trees

The trees are being protected as discussed during the downtown improvement project construction meeting held on July 10 at Dean College

trees on the Town Common
trees on the Town Common

tree at the Franklin Public Library
tree at the Franklin Public Library

My notes from the July 10th meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/live-reporting-downtown-project-status.html

The map distributed that night can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/downtown-improvement-project-map-pdf.html

You can also listen to the full meeting with this audio recording
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/07/downtown-improvement-project-meeting.html


Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - July 30, 2014


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 9, 2014

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by Franklin Matters.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Historical Commission - Minessa Konecky
Housing Authority - Peter Brunelli

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 14-49:Designation of Special Municipal Employee under State Ethics Law
2. Bylaw Amendment 14-738: Amendment to Chapter 179-9.1: Water Map – 2nd Reading
3. Bylaw Amendment 14-739: Amendment to Chapter 179- 9.1: Water Map – 2nd Reading
4. Bylaw Amendment 14-740:Amendment to Chapter 139-14: Sewer Map –2nd Reading

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN


The full set of documents as released with this agenda can be found on the Franklin webpage here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/073014.pdf

Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St
Franklin Municipal Building - 355 East Central St


Rainbow Loom events to help Max Love Project


Learning Express Franklin
Learning Express Franklin
I am a local Franklin resident and I help Learning Express with their marketing. They are planning a community-Rainbow Loom event, called the MAX LOVE PROJECT. 
This is a nation-wide event where we are trying to help this 7-yr old (Max) who is battling brain cancer reach his goal of building a 100-mile Rainbow Loom Chain! 
The Franklin Learning Express store will be hosting 3 Max Love Looming events to contribute to this project. We would love if you could help us gain momentum in the community. Our flyer is attached below.

Max Love Project

When are the community rainbow loom events?
July 31 - 4:30 PM
Aug 9 - 4:30 PM
Aug 14 - 3:30 PM

For more about the Max Love Project, you can visit their website  http://maxloveproject.org/

For more about Learning Express Franklin, you can visit their website http://www.learningexpress.com/store/franklin-ma/