First Universalist Society - March 8th - Religious Education Open House

First Universalist Society in Franklin holds Religious Education Open House

Sunday, March 8th, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Looking for a spiritual community close to home? The Religious Education (RE) Team of First Universalist Society in Franklin (FUSF) invites area families to visit for Unitarian Universalist worship and RE classes, and stay for a potluck lunch and socializing. FUSF's spring semester begins March 8th, so this open house is a great way to learn more about what this UU faith development program has to offer. FUSF is a welcoming community that respects individual beliefs, and works for peace and justice while sharing the journey. For more about the faith, visit www.uua.org. 

screen grab of FUSF.org webpage

On March 8th, families can enjoy free nursery care for children under 3 years of age, and RE classes as follows: PreK/K Spirit Play; Grades 1-3: Moral Tales; Grades 4-5: Bibleodeon; Grades 6-7: Riddle and Mystery; Grades 8-12: Fun, friendship and volunteering for spring semester. Meet FUSF's new director of religious education Aoife Barrington-Haber and the RE teachers, and learn more about FUSF's Chalice Club, Coming of Age program, OWL program, and more. 

First Universalist Society in Franklin is located at 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, 508-528-5348 and fusf@verizon.net. For more information, visit www.fusf.org.

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 2/27/15-3/5/15

FRI 2/27   6:30pm   PAINTNITE fun-raiser for BFCCPS at Franklin Art Center - open to public
FRI 2/27   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena 

SAT 2/28   9am-2pm Blood Drive at Hockomock Y, Bernon Family Branch
SAT 2/28   2pm   The Black Box presents “Our Town”
SAT 2/28   3:30pm   iStories at Franklin Public Library
SAT 2/28   7:30pm   The Black Box presents “Our Town”
SAT 2/28   8pm   Mark Erelli Concert with special guest Surly Temple at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse at FUSF

SUN 3/1   11:30am   Big Band Brunch with Kenny Hadley Big Band Group at The Black Box

WED 3/4   12pm-6pm   Workshop Wednesday: Spring Critter Cupcake at The Cake Bar
WED 3/4   7pm   Friends of Franklin Library Public Meeting at the FPL

THU 3/5  7pm  Fiscal Responsibility: A Taxpayer’s Perspective; Alumni Restaurant

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

FHS Sports: Boys Basketball tops Wachusett to advance in playoffs

The Franklin High School boys basketball team won a close game on Thursday to advance to the D1 Central semifinals on Sunday. Ryan Lanigan, Editor in Chief of Hockomock Sports reports on the game by writing:

Josh Macchi only scored two points on Thursday night, but they couldn't have come at a better time. 

FHS Panthers

With Franklin up 36-33 and just over a minute to play, Macchi tried to go up and under. It missed, but Marcus Giese got just enough to tip the offensive rebound right back to Macchi and he laid it in with a defender draped all over him. 

The Panthers never looked back, taking down Wachusett 44-35 to advance to the D1 Central Semifinals. 

......

The Panthers now return to WPI to take on St. John’s Shrewsbury in the D1 Central Semifinals. The game is a rematch of last year’s D1 Central final. The two teams played once this season with SJS take a 66-59 win. The game is scheduled for Sunday at WPI at 1:00.

Continue reading the full article at Hockomock Sports here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/franklin-grinds-out-tough-win-over-wachusett

Big Band Brunch - March 1 - THE BLACK BOX Theater

Come Join Us This Sunday Big Band Brunch - Sunday, March 1 - THE BLACK BOX Theater

Franklin Performing Arts Company uses Vendini for ticketing, marketing, and box office management.

Franklin Performing Arts Company - PO Box 16, Franklin, MA, 02038, (508) 528-8668
Vendini, Inc. - 660 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94104, 1 (800) 901-7173

View as a web page.

In the News: Franklin receives DEP grant, DEP fines Franklin owner for improper asbestos removal

The Department of Public Works plans to use money from a state grant to curb the amount of stormwater draining into the Charles River. 

The town on Tuesday won a $119,000 grant through a state Department of Environmental Protection initiative to help cites and towns manage local water supplies. In all, DEP awarded around $755,000 in grants to 12 communities, including Medway. 

Franklin DPW Robert Cantoreggi said Thursday the grant will fund work to build a water recharge area off Jefferson Road.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150227/NEWS/150226926/1994/NEWS#sthash.qKXmtquO.dpuf

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed both Cohen One Realty Trust and its trustee, Harold S. Cohen of Franklin, $54,895 penalties for violating state asbestos regulations during the demolition of a Franklin residence owned by the Trust. Total fines assessed were $109,790. 

Although the Trust had the residence surveyed for asbestos-containing materials, it did not have them properly removed by a licensed asbestos contractor before demolishing the building. Also, the Trust did not notify MassDEP prior to commencing the demolition work as required by the regulations.

Continue reading the article in the Milford Daily News: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150227/NEWS/150226925/1994/NEWS#sthash.JdZSrFvc.dpuf

MassBudget: New Infographic - Economic Opportunity and Child Poverty in MA

Economic Opportunity and Child Poverty in MA: What's Working and How We Could Do Better The number of children living in poverty in Massachusetts would be twice as high if low income families did not receive help from effective anti-poverty programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps), WIC nutrition programs, and the Child Tax Credit. Together these programs help lift 1 in 7 children in Massachusetts out of poverty. Yet, another 1 in 7 children still live in poverty in Massachusetts. These findings are detailed in a study released today, Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's national KIDS COUNT project of which MassBudget's KIDS COUNT project is the state affiliate.  To provide an overview of what's working, what's holding back progress, and how to fix what's broken, MassBudget created the infographic below. For a more in-depth discussions of these issues, see our reports and resources on expanding economic opportunity, support for kids, jobs and the economy, education, and taxes.     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

YMCA: Blood Drive - Feb 28th - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Hockomock YMCA

Could you please include that we will be holding a blood drive here at the Bernon Family YMCA next Saturday, February 28th from 9:00-2:00pm. 

This blood drive is being run by volunteers from our community and they are looking for a great turn out. We will also be looking for other volunteers to be involved with some future community events. 

This group of volunteers will be holding 4 service projects to benefit our surrounding communities.