The latest from Mass Poetry

View this email in your browser Starting next week, watch for Poetry on the T! These three poems, by 2015 Mass Poetry Festival headliner Edward Hirsch, 2015 Common Threads poet Rhina P. Espaillat, and U35 poet Hannah Larrabee, will be up on the red line beginning Tuesday, March 9! Plan your visit to the Mass Poetry Festival In case you missed it this week, the schedule for the 7th Massachusetts Poetry Festival is now live! Join us May 1-3 in Salem with headliners Rita Dove • Richard Blanco • Stephen Burt • Denise Duhamel • Nick Flynn • Regie Gibson • Jorie Graham • Edward Hirsch • Richard Hoffman • Adrian Matejka • Marge Piercy • Rachel Wiley • and with the hundreds of fabulous poets participating in sessions. Buy your button today! Check out Tuesday's release email for information on creating your custom schedule, joining the attendee directory, participating in the Small Press Fair, listing an off-site event, volunteering, and more.  Common Threads at Grub Street with Ben Berman • April 2, 6-9 p.m. Join Mass Poetry and Grub Street Writers for a Common Threads discussion and writing workshop. We will both discuss the wonderful selections in this year's Common Threads Poems and use these poems as inspiration to write our own original pieces. There will be an opportunity to write and receive feedback during the workshop, and everyone will leave with a richer appreciation of the Common Threads Poems and a new draft of an original poem. This session is free and is limited to fifteen attendees. To reserve your spot, click here and sign up to add the event to your Common Threads calendar. Common Threads events have been taking place all over the state! Don't forget to be checking out our Common Threads event calendar regularly.  On Festival Poet Denise Duhamel by Dawn Paul Poetry is Duhamel's affirmative answer to all that life throws at her, from the dissolution of love to the certain knowledge that our time here is limited. Though she will welcome you with the familiar or even the frivolous, she will drop you off at the big questions of transcendence and mystery. Read more. Poem of the Moment Linda McCarriston: Mr. No Class, USA Thinking of how he will live             just shy of retirement                         if all goes well if all goes the way the ads             on t.v. suggest it must                         urge him to think it will, gardening with the little lady             say, golfing maybe, just                         tossing the ball with the dog in Continue reading. Why I Love Poetry by julie ann otis "The dusty manacles of what we think poetry and theatre are still weigh on us. But though the outdated or overwrought may give our art a bad name, they also provide the springboard for our minds to be blown by the true, clear voice of those gifted few who pierce thru and captivate us." Continue reading. Coming up March 24 7 p.m., The Marliave, Boston Featuring: David DiSarro Richard Shideler Denise Warren RSVP & share the Facebook event, and visit our website for more info! Coming up on our statewide calendar: Tonight (Thursday, March 5) • The Ones We Carry: A Literary Evening with Lesléa Newman Friday, March 6 • Fundraiser: An Evening with Harbor Mountain Press & Alice B. Fogel, Diana Whitney, Peter Money, and Partridge Boswell  Sunday, March 8 • Calliope Poetry Series featuring Danielle Legros Georges, John Holgerson & Sandra Storey To submit an event, click here. To submit a Common Threads event, click here. Statewide Poetry Calendar • Participate • New Books by Massachusetts Poets • Massachusetts Poet Database • Poetry Partners • Sponsorship Opportunities Share Tweet Forward Facebook Twitter MassPoetry.org Copyright © 2015 Mass Poetry, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website. Our mailing address is: Mass Poetry 15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103 Boston, MA 02210

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 3/6/15 - 3/12/15

FRI 3/6   3:30pm   Science Friday: Meteorology at Franklin Public Library
FRI 3/6   6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at Franklin Art Center
FRI 3/6   7pm   Culinary Cabaret at The Black Box
FRI 3/6   8-9:50pm   Frozen Friday DJ Public Skate at Pirelli Arena

SAT 3/7   10:30am   Family Storytime at Franklin Public Library
SAT 3/7   1pm   Toy Story Movie at Franklin Public Library

SUN 3/8   10am-12pm   Religious Education Open House at FUSF
SUN 3/8   1pm   FSPA presents “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” at The Black Box
SUN 3/8   5 pm   FSPA presents “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” at The Black Box

TUE 3/10   7:30pm   Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee Meeting at the Franklin YMCA - new members and public welcome!

WED 3/11   12-2pm   Adult Painting at Franklin Art Center
WED 3/11   6:30pm   Getting Paid to Talk Seminar - register at Franklin Adult Education
WED 3/11   7pm   Small Business Co-Op Meeting at The Cake Bar - public welcome!
WED 3/11   7pm   Speakers Forum: Franklin Fire Department at Franklin Public Library

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

"small businesses have suffered devastating sales losses due to the unprecedented winter weather"

In case anyone needed some statistics to prove the point, the survey says:

After a strong holiday sales season and amid growing consumer confidence, Massachusetts small businesses experienced an average drop in sales of 24 percent during the recent wave of snowstorms, according to new survey. 

Sales losses for retail and restaurant employers were higher, at 49 percent, as customers hunkered down at home and stayed off dangerous roads and away from a public transit system marred by service woes. 

The survey, released Thursday by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and other groups, looked at sales between Jan. 26 and Feb. 22. More than 1,600 small businesses responded to the survey, most of them companies with less than $5 million in annual sales. Many larger employers and employers not hurt by the weather did not respond, officials said.

Continue reading: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150305/NEWS/150307779/1994/NEWS#sthash.3ewq8cuB.dpuf

#shopFranklin

We can do something to help. We can #shopFranklin!!!

Ribbon Cutting at Real Living Realty Group

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event at Real Living Realty Group, 55 West Central St., Franklin, on March 3 to celebrate the real estate brokerage's new location.

Steven Falguera of Real Living Realty Group, State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Mike Colombo of Real Living Realty Group, Matt Kelly of Real Living Realty Group, and State Sen. Richard Ross

Pictured at the ribbon cutting, in the front row left to right, are: Steven Falguera of Real Living Realty Group, State Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Mike Colombo of Real Living Realty Group, Matt Kelly of Real Living Realty Group, and State Sen. Richard Ross.

Budget Statement by MTA President Barbara Madeloni

The following statement was issued to the press yesterday and is posted on the MTA website.

Statement by MTA President Barbara Madeloni
on Governor Charlie Baker's Proposed Budget for 2015-2016

Governor Baker's proposed budget is troubling for its lack of vision and absence of meaningful investments in education and other vital community services. Although some of the governor's ideas appear positive, his budget is ultimately a proposal that shortchanges students, families and our cities and towns by including cuts to kindergarten expansion programs and providing inadequate funding for our public schools, colleges and universities.  

MA Teachers Association

While keeping school districts at foundation levels, as is constitutionally required, Governor Baker's proposed spending plan fails to address the fact that many of our communities already face significant shortfalls in the resources they need to provide children with the schools they deserve. Public education is the center of our democracy and the heart of our future, and the Commonwealth's spending priorities must recognize that.

Where the Quality Full-Day Kindergarten Grant program is concerned, for example, Governor Baker is eliminating funding. This step would hinder expansion of full-day kindergarten programs and cause some districts to reduce access.

The MTA is also deeply concerned about other grant cuts that appear to target education programs in urban communities. The consolidation of numerous programs into an account called the "Partnership Schools Network" is disturbing and potentially very harmful to our public schools and students.

Governor Baker is unfairly seeking to further shift health care costs to many current active state employees and all future state retirees by increasing the percentage they pay for coverage through the Group Insurance Commission. In other areas, the governor's proposal to "level-fund" numerous line items will actually result in cuts that damage our current services and our economic future.

The time has come for Massachusetts to turn the corner and look toward the revenues required to help working families and the communities they live in. Over time, the Commonwealth has implemented billions of dollars in tax cuts. In addition, we live in a state where residents with the highest incomes pay the smallest share of their incomes in state taxes.

Every budget represents choices, and the plan outlined today does not include the right ones for our students, families or communities.

This was shared from the MTA webpage 

http://massteacher.org/news/archive/2015/budget_statement_by_barbara_madeloni.aspx

In the News: Wilfork neighbors react, Henandez neighbors testify

Neighbors of longtime New England Patriot Vince Wilfork, who announced Thursday the organization did not pick up his contract option, had nothing but praise for the Franklin resident. 

Wilfork, a defensive lineman who was a team captain, has always been very active in the community. He heads the Vince Wilfork Foundation, a non-profit concentrating in diabetes research. Wilfork was often seen in the Franklin Town Hall and school district, according to Town Clerk Deborah Pellegri, a friend of Wilfork's wife, Bianca.

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150306/NEWS/150307627/1994/NEWS#sthash.ZyTJR6Ii.dpuf

Prosecutors in the Aaron Hernandez murder trial honed in on a Franklin condominium Thursday, commonly referred to as Hernandez’ “flophouse.” 

Prosecutors brought two Franklin residents to the stand – Barbara Scardino, the real estate agent that sold Hernandez the rental property and Carol Bailey, tenant of a neighboring unit in the building.

- See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150306/NEWS/150307637/1994/NEWS#sthash.Vq8Gs9Im.dpuf

Franklin Publc Schools: Another Update on Parmenter

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Good Afternoon, 

It has come to our attention that there are a number of rumors circulating regarding the individual involved in the incident at Parmenter School on Monday. We are aware that there are media reports that are citing information that school department has not received. We need to reiterate that this individual did not make any threats while he was in the school.  

Please be advised that this is a legal matter and is now in the hands of the police and the court system.  As such, the school department is not privy to any further information about this individual or his intent.  We have filed a No Trespass Order on him for all schools and school grounds in the district.   

Any further questions about this individual should be directed to the police. 

Respectfully, 

Sally WinslowAssistant Superintendent of Schools

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

Franklin Public Schools: Update on Parmenter

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Hello, 

We have been apprised by the Franklin Police that the individual involved in the incident at Parmenter School on Monday has been arrested and is being arraigned in Wrentham District Court today.  The police are continuing to investigate the matter, and we will update you as appropriate when we get further details.  The school department intends to work with the Franklin Police to issue a no trespass order to this individual, prohibiting him from all schools and school grounds. 

Respectfully, 

Sally Winslow
Assistant Superintendent of Schools

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

HMEA Career Fair - March 19th

Hello,

My name is Lauren Bavosi and I am the Marketing Manager at HMEA Inc. in Franklin MA.

I noticed that you feature local town events on your website. Please consider adding information about our March 19th Career Fair. Here is the info:

                Who: HMEA Inc.             

                What: HMEA Career Fair

                When: Thursday, March 19th 2015, 4-7 pm

                Where: HMEA Inc., 8 Forge Park, Franklin MA 02038

HMEA Career Fair

On Thursday March 19th, 2015, HMEA will open its doors in Franklin to the public to welcome job seekers to apply and interview for positions available company-wide. The agency is looking for people who are passionate about gaining experience and becoming an important factor in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Whether you have an interest in working with children with Autism or joining a team of staff assisting adults with disabilities to earn gainful employment, there is an something for everyone.

Anyone who attends the career fair will automatically be entered into a drawing for a $100 gas card and two $25 gas cards. Interested candidates are asked to bring a copy of their resume and to be prepared to interview on the spot. Visit our website for more information at www.hmea.org.

Attached, is the official flyer.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Best,

Lauren B. Bavosi

Manager, Marketing & Communications

HMEA | 8 Forge Park East

Franklin, MA 02038

lbavosi@hmea.org

O: (508) 298-1104

M: (508) 612-1485

 

Application Package for the Franklin Cultural Festival is now available

In case you missed this: The application package for the Franklin Cultural Festival is now available.

Attached, please find the application package for the Franklin Cultural Festival performances and events. The Festival will take place between July 29 and August 2, 2015, and will celebrate the Performing Arts, the Fine Arts and the Culinary Arts. 

The application package includes a briefing memo that explains the Festival and the application process. Additionally, it includes information about dates, times and potential locations. There is a 3-page application and a map of the proposed Franklin Cultural District. 

without the snow, the Town Common is likely one of the locations for events scheduled
 for the Cultural Festival during the last week of July

You can find all the details here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html

FHS Hockey falls to Malden Catholic in Super 8

Just the score from Hockomock Sports to report on for the FHS hockey game. The hockey team did accomplish a whole lot getting to Suer 8 for the first time. Much to be proud of as they were the first Hockomock team to ever do so.

FHS Panthers

HockeySuper 8#7 Franklin, 0 vs. #2 Malden Catholic, 5 - Final

For other results around the Hockomock League playoff action on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-030415

Franklin Library: "Toy Story" - Saturday at 1:00 PM

Movie time at the Franklin Library. Get out of the house, let the kids enjoy a good movie. Saturday at 1:00 PM

Toy Story - movie Saturday at 1:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library webpage
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/03/toy-story.html

Real time Reporting: Town Council meeting - March 4, 2015

Present: Feldman, Padula, Kelly, Vallee, Pfeffer, Bisssanti, Williams, Dellorco
Absent: Mercer

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- January 7, 2015, February 11, 2015, April 2, 2014, April 16, 2014, May 7, 2014
Motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0


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


C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
none


E. APPOINTMENTS
- Cultural Council

Madison Weber
Teresa M. Burr

Motion to accept, seconded, passed 8-0

Joint approval of Board of Assessors and Town Council of individual to Board of Assessors


F. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS
- Acapulcos – Change of Officers/Directors 
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0

and Change of Manager
motion to approve, seconded, passed 8-0


G. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
none

H. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
none

I. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
none

J. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
received report from MBTA on repairs that would be desired at the Franklin/Dean Station
no funding for this but it is progress

bond refinancing saves money

Another grant received for storm water maangement
addition of rain garden, underground capacity to recharge aquifer

storm water regulations to come online this spring or July

Fire Dept to be making a presentation at the Library next Wednesday

Police officers took classes on responding to incidents of mental illness

Snow/Ice budget, exceeded by $350K approx, ($1.3M total)
will cut in to the capital budget planning
gap not as bad as it could have been with the work of the Council to increase funding

will need executive session to discuss real property

K. OLD BUSINESS
none

L. NEW BUSINESS
none

M. COUNCIL COMMENTS
waiting on traffic studies before scheduling the next Economic Development meeting

N. EXECUTIVE SESSION 
– Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
motion to move to executive session, seconded, 8-0 via roll call
will not return to public session


Note: as I was late coming out of Boston via the commuter rail and anticipating that the meeting would be a short one (it was), I did report in 'real-time' via the webcast rather than getting to the meeting room where it would have been "live reporting"

The distinction was published here in 2010:
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2010/07/note-of-distinction.html

Franklin Public Schools: Information from Assistant Superintendent Winslow

A message from FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT 

March 4, 2015 

The administration of the Franklin Public Schools learned Monday that an unauthorized individual was admitted to one of our schools. It was initially thought the individual was a visitor or volunteer and the person was admitted to the school and directed to sign in. When the individual did not sign in and access a visitor badge he was almost immediately intercepted by three school staff and was escorted out of the building.  At no time did this individual make a threat, create a disturbance or have any contact with students and he left willingly without incident. The other schools in the district were immediately notified, but as there was no threat at any school, a lock down was not initiated.  The Franklin Police were notified and are continuing to investigate. A parent meeting was held at the impacted school led by school administration and the Franklin Police Department on Tuesday evening to debrief the incident. 

As a result of this incident, all school principals were immediately directed to initiate a review of safety protocols with staff with respect to all individuals seeking to access schools. Additionally, principals will discuss school safety at the next Parent Communication Council meeting at their schools.  Parents are encouraged to attend. 

We take the safety of students and staff seriously.  When our internal investigation and the police investigation are completed, we plan to debrief with police to implement any recommendations in moving forward. We are committed to our continued collaboration with the Franklin Police Department and all the administrators to review safety protocols and procedures. 

Parmenter Elementary School

This e-mail has been sent to you by FRANKLIN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. To maximize their communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message. 

FSPA Ballet Conservatory To Present "Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland"

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) Ballet Conservatory presents "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland" on Sunday, March 8 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Journey with Alice down the rabbit hole as Lewis Carroll’s immortal children’s story comes to life in this captivating ballet. Delight in the surreal wonder of Alice’s dream world where things are not always as they seem. Discover the fantastical Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, Caterpillar and more. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is choreographed by FSPA Ballet Mistress Cheryl Madeux, with stage direction by Madeux and Raye Lynn Mercer. Set design is by Nick Paone, with costuming by Merrie Whitney.

FSPA

Featured roles in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will be danced by Kendra Dombroski (Alice), Shaina McGillis (White Rabbit) and Lauren Szczepanowski (Mad Hatter) of Franklin; Jared Brouillette (March Hare) of Holliston; Haley Desjarlais (Butterfly), Ally Lynch (Tweedle Dee) and Alli Tomsik (Dormouse) of Medway; Phoebe Dias (Tweedle Dum), Jessica Guidice (Small Alice) and Mikaela Guidice (Sunflower) of Norfolk; Noura Sander (Queen of Hearts) of North Easton; and Sarah Radford (Marigold) of Wrentham.

The cast animates Alice’s vivid imaginary world, bringing to life the flowers, butterflies, caterpillar, mushrooms, cards, pages, flamingos and hedgehogs. Ensemble cast members include Ty Gavin of Bridgewater; Meghan Archung, Claire Bauer, Emma Brown, Anya Clark, Isabella DeCrescenzo, Paige DeMarino, Dora Ebbeling, Amanda Fleischer, Lauren Foellmer, Madilyn Hendricks, JoJo Liu, Emma Nicholson, Grace Olah, Paityn Orr, Corinne Pungitore, Olivia Rondeau, Sofia Smith, Carley Woodcock, Katie Wylie, Jaiden Wyner and Delaney Zolnowski of Franklin; Dana Zapolin of Holliston; Anna Martin and Samantha Pannenborg of Hopedale; Kaitlyn Calnan of Medway; Evelyn Luster, Maddie Proffer, Nora Skaling, and Hannah Weis of Norfolk; Grace Ellis of North Attleboro; Jillian Refford of North Easton; Julia Calianos of Upton; Lily Devine, Naomi Fitzgerald and Zoya Malik of Walpole; Gina Brown and Chloe Pouilot-Porter of Wrentham.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, visit www.theblackboxonline.com or call (508) 528-8668. Visit www.fspaonline.com for more information about FSPA’s ballet program, including class schedule and course catalogue.

FHS girls basketball win, boys hockey plays game 2 tonight

From Hockomock Sports we find that the girls basketball team won to continue in the playoffs. 

The boys hockey team plays game 2 of their best of three against Malden Catholic tonight

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball 

D1 Central 

#2 Franklin, 51 vs. #3 Holy Name, 38 - Final

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-030315

Hockey 

Super 8 

#7 Franklin vs. #2 Malden Catholic, 8:00

http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-030415

Reminder: Religious School Open House

Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin, is hosting two Religious School Open House events. Families interested in Religious School for their school-aged children from Pre-K through High School are welcome to join us Sunday, March 15, 2015 or Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 9:15 to 11:00 am at the Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, Medway. 

Each event will include a tour of the school and participation in the activities of the day, opportunities to meet with the Rabbi, the Education Director and representatives from the Membership Committee as well as time for coffee and schmoozing with temple families. 

There is no cost for attending. RSVP by email to Hana Berman at directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org or call the temple office (508) 528-5337 to RSVP or for additional information.

screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage

For additional information on the Temple Etz Chaim, please visit their webpage
http://www.temple-etzchaim.org/