“We may fail but we don’t want them to fail”

Hidden in a shopping complex in downtown Franklin is a boutique full of one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry and gift items. But despite its small, local atmosphere, the store has roots on the other side of world in India, Indonesia and Thailand. 

Hema Chockalingam started Eco Embrace two years ago, after leaving a career in information technology. Her business works with artisans rural communities, mostly in India, to bring natural, handmade items to the United States. 

Items range from bangles made of semi-precious stones in Thailand, beaded necklaces with large pendants which is entirely handmade - even the beads. She even sells notepads made of animal poop. 

“Most of the items are one of a kind. When you come here it’s always a discovery,” said Chockalingam.

Continue reading about Eco Embrace here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150809/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150807412/1994/NEWS

You can find more about Eco Embrace on their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/ecoembrace

#shopFranklin

Davis Thayer is growing grass

On the walk Saturday morning, the sprinklers were out to water the newly seeded lawn. The modular units as reported were removed. New loam was added and leveled. The sidewalk sections needed to be placed but the work to restore the area at the corner of Davis Thayer is well underway.

newly seeded

included the sign to confirm the location

a 'new' look

sidewalk is planned to be completed

sprinklers in action

The modulars (photos from July 2015)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/07/davis-thayer-modular-units-to-be-removed.html

Offer to candidates for the Franklin Election Nov 3, 2015

To the citizens and potential candidates for Franklin's election this November 3

I extend an offer to conduct and post an interview with you here on Franklin Matters and on the corresponding Facebook page. The interview can be either text or audio.

You are running for a position to conduct business on behalf of Franklin. Together, we can share your views, your objectives, and help to spread the word to create an informed voter.

Send me an email (shersteve at gmail dot com) and we can arrange a mutually convenient time.

Be aware that this is my public service effort conducted solely to enable informed voters here in Franklin.

Franklin Town Common

I do this for fun and education. If this stops being fun, I will stop.


This is not an advertising site. This is an information sharing site.

My disclosure statement can be found here.
My comment/editorial policy can be found here.

A similar offer was made for the Franklin, MA elections in 2013, 2011, 2009 and 2007.



The interviews for the candidates in the prior elections can be found in the archives

2013 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/franklin-election-2013.html

2011 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/08/election-2011-summary.html

2009 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2009/10/2009-election-collection.html

2007 - http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-election-2007.html

5 Reasons You Should Check Your Credit Report Right Now

From the MA Consumer Affairs Blog they have a recent post on why you should get one of your free annual credit reports.

1. "Spot Identity Theft
2. Correct Inaccuracies
3. Know Your Credit History
4. Plan For Your Future
5. You Can Get It For Free"

You can read the full posting here
http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/5-reasons-you-should-check-your-credit-report-right-now/

MA Consumer Affairs Blog

You can get your credit report free once per year from each of the three major credit reporting companies at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you are a victim of identity theft, get a second free copy by contacting the credit reporting companies.

Consider this:

There are three credit report companies and you can get a free report every year from each. One way to manage your credit is to request one per quarter. 

January 1 - request from Experian
April 1 - request from TransUnion
July 1 -  request from Equifax

So for a few minutes each quarter, three times a year, you know what is up and you can take timely action. Alternatively, you could request all three at once and then wait a full year to request the free one again.

FHA's Audette named president of Mass. housing association

Lisa Audette of Cumberland, executive director of the Franklin Housing Authority (FHA), has been elected president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities, making her the lead advocate for public housing in Massachusetts. 

As president, she will lead an organization that represents more than 240 local housing authorities across Massachusetts, and she will preside over major changes in the delivery of housing services as last year's public housing reform law is implemented. 

Audette, who has served as executive director of the Franklin Housing Authority since 1995, has made significant contributions to MassNAHRO as a member of the board of directors, as treasurer, and as a member of several committees.

Continue reading about Lisa here
http://www.valleybreeze.com/2015-08-05/cumberland-lincoln-area/cumberlands-audette-named-president-mass-housing-association#.VcarMPlViko


For more about the Franklin Housing Authority visit their page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/housing

or read their entry in the Annual Report for 2013 here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/annual-report-2013-housing-authority.html

or find their entry for 2014 here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Clerk/annual/2014report.pdf

Franklin Housing Authority

“To prevent measles from spreading with herd immunity, you need 90-95 percent of people vaccinated"

"After a Disneyland measles outbreak last year sickened people with a disease typically associated with years long gone, the California legislature put a stop to the personal belief vaccine exemption that allowed parents to refuse immunization for their children on the grounds they disagreed with the requirement or questioned the need or safety of the vaccine. 

With the return of a disease once thought eradicated in the U.S., a Massachusetts bill is now moving to bring in what California just ruled out. 

Federal and state laws mandate all children must be vaccinated to enter school, with some exceptions. In Massachusetts, parents can opt their children out or delay vaccination for only medical or religious reasons. A bill proposed by Joan Lovely, D-Salem, on behalf of a constituent, would add personal belief exemptions to state law."

Continue reading the article here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150808/NEWS/150807168/1994/NEWS

Franklin Lions Club

Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community. 

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. We have 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in more than 206 countries and geographic areas. 

Lions have a dynamic history. Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. 

Lions give sight. By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward their mission of providing vision for all. We have extended our commitment to sight conservation through countless local efforts and through our international SightFirst Program, which works to eradicate blindness. 

Lions serve youth. Our community projects often support local children and schools through scholarships, recreation and mentoring. Internationally, we offer many programs, including the Peace Poster Contest, Youth Camps and Exchange and Lions Quest.

Our Leo Program provides the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide. 

Franklin Lions

Lions award grants. Since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than US$700 million in grants to support Lions humanitarian projects around the world. LCIF was also ranked the number one nongovernmental organization in a 2007 study by The Financial Times. 

Lions help during disasters. Together, our Foundation and Lions are helping communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies – and aiding in long-term reconstruction. 

Lions are active. Our motto is "We Serve." Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities. 

For more about Lions Clubs, go to  http://e-clubhouse.org/sites/franklinma/