NO Adult Education Classes Next Week

DON'T FORGET There will be NO Adult Education classes during the week of February 14. All schools will be closed for February vacation. Classes will resume during the week of February 21.          See you then! The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning 218 Oak Street Franklin, Massachusetts 02038 (508) 613-1480

Forward this email FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

"You’re not going to see too many teams of that caliber"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports.com writes:

"There is not a single player that took the ice for Franklin on Wednesday night that had ever played against perennial power Malden Catholic. The game was billed as a rematch of last year’s Super 8 first round but in truth it was more of a learning experience, a building block for the Panthers. 

With a Div. 1 tournament berth locked up and a fifth straight Kelley-Rex division title already sewn up, the Panthers used the exclusion game against the Lancers at Pirelli Veterans Memorial Rink as preparation for the playoffs. 

Although the Lancers skated away with a 6-0 victory, the chance to play the No. 2 team in the state could be a boost for Franklin. 

“They’re stronger, faster. No doubt about it,” said Franklin coach Chris Spillane. 

“Every 50-50 battle they won. They’re good with puck possession and they’re faster.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/mc-loss-a-learning-experience-for-panthers/

Franklin goalie Nick Jasinski (31) makes one of his 19 saves against Malden Catholic on Wednesday. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

In the News: bowling may return, Rec Dept praised, sub committee to look at school calendar

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"When Ficco's Bowladrome closed last June, it brought to an end a 79-year legacy of bowling in downtown. 

The possibility of a return is alive now that a group of businessmen is attempting to bring bowling back to town, using equipment - pin setters, ball returns and automatic scoring system - once used at Ficco's. 

Franklin resident Andy Trockman, the group's operations manager, said his connection to the bowling alley was personal."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/bowling-may-make-comeback-to-franklin

"Town Council members praised the local Recreation Department recently for working to expand its offerings and the number of people it serves. 

The council heard an update from department director Ryan Jette on a number of initiatives at its meeting last week. 

Among the programs the department offers, Jette said, are flag football, field hockey and basketball, as well as classes on such topics as babysitting, social netiquette and art."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160209/franklin-rec-praised-for-expanded-programs

"A new subcommittee will consider whether Franklin schools should continue to have February and April vacations. 

School Committee member Mary Jane Scofield will lead the group, it was announced at a committee meeting Tuesday night. 

School Committee Chairman Kevin O'Malley thanked Scofield for taking on the task, saying she had relevant experience in the matter."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/franklin-subcommittee-will-study-school-calendar-changes

Baseball and softball clinics this March at FHS

FHS coaches and athletes will conduct baseball and softball clinics this March at the high school. Additional details including fees and registration information can be found in the two links listed here.

FHS Panthers

• Softball clinic

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/franklin-high-school-to-host-softball-clinic

• Baseball clinics

http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160210/registration-opens-for-franklin-high-school-spring-training-clinics

Franklin Rod and Gun Club Event - Feb 21

Come join us for our annual Game Supper at the Franklin Rod and Gun Club, Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2pm. 

We are located at 53 Florence Street in Franklin.

Franklin Rod and Gun Club 

Cash bar opens at 1pm.

Ticket donations are $25 per person.
To reserve tickets or for more information please contact us at info@franklinrodandgun.org

MassBudget: Tools for Understanding State Budget Proposals

MassBudget resources to use during the budget season

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Tools for Understanding State Budget Proposals  On January 27th, the Governor kicked off state budget season by releasing a detailed Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal. While the final state budget is largely crafted by the Legislature, the Governor's proposal begins an important process of determining what we as a Commonwealth hope to do together through our government, and detailing how we will pay for those things. Key subsequent steps in the process: In April, the House will debate and approve its FY 2017 budget proposal. In May, the Senate does the same. In June, a joint House/Senate conference committee will reconcile differences between these two budgets. The final budget plan, which requires the Governor's signature, will ideally be completed by July 1st, the beginning of FY 2017. Since the state budget is often the most important policy document of the year, our team at MassBudget works hard to produce the following resources for helping you stay informed and engaged in the public debate. We hope you find them useful! Budget Monitors (hyperlink in title) Shortly after each major budget release, we produce a written Budget Monitor that analyzes major proposals across a range of key areas (e.g. education, transportation, health care, revenue). As soon as they're written, we send Monitors out to our email list and post them on our website. Here is our Governor's Budget Monitor, which we released last week, and here is our FY 2017 Budget Preview, which lays out major fiscal challenges entering next year. Budget Browser Our Budget Browser, which we just updated with all of the Governor's FY 2017 spending proposals, is a user-friendly online tool where you can track all state spending back to FY 2001. You can drill down to individual programs (called line items) or look at clusters of programs that support similar activities (e.g. Child Welfare). You can adjust for inflation so that comparisons make sense over time, and you can generate your own tables and graphs. Each line item of the Browser has a "Proposals" tab, where you can compare each of the FY 2017 proposals as they are released. Children's Budget and Jobs and Workforce Budget These two web tools are similar to the Budget Browser in that they track state funding for programs in these areas--state programs related to children and state programs that support jobs and workforce training. But they go an important step further by also including written program descriptions and links to other useful resources for more detail. These tools are also updated during the budget season.                                Finally, do not hesitate to reach out directly to any of our analysts, who are the true experts behind each of these great resources. You'll find contact information and their respective research areas on our website's staff page. 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 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Blackstone River Theatre - Blackstone Valley Bluegrass returns!

COMING SOON TO BRT!                      February 13, 8 PM, $15 BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS BAND February 20, 8 PM, $15 ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO February 27, 8 PM, $15 MATT FLINNER TRIO with special guest DAROL ANGER Sunday, February 28, 4-6 PM ROOTS MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASS WITH DUKE ROBILLARD Friday, March 4, 8 PM, $22 advance / $26 day of ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS March 5, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of RUNA March 12, 8 PM, $15 advance / $18 day of PENDRAGON celebrates St. Patrick's Day! March 13, 7 PM, $15 adv / $18 day of THE PAUL McKENNA BAND March 19, 2 PM matinee $12  / $6 children EASTERN MEDICINE SINGERS sponsored by Navigant Credit Union March 19, 8 PM, $25 MARK O'CONNOR & MAGGIE O'CONNOR American Classics       THANK YOU to everyone who attended Blackstone River Theatre's 5th annual Summer Solstice Festival!  We will see you   this year on June 18 The first band we will announce is an exciting trio called BARRULE who plays music from their native home of Isle of Man. Listen HERE    Quick Links... BRT Website     Directions to BRT BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO Tickets often available at door but to ensure a seat CALL FOR RESERVATIONS 401-725-9272 Please understand that when a show is SOLD OUT, it truly is! We must adhere to fire codes and it truly is not possible to fit "just one more"... especially when we have had several people ask to do the same! If a show at BRT has an advance price & a day-of-show price it means: If you pre-pay OR call in your reservation any time before the show date, you get the advance price. If you show up at the door with no reservations OR call in your reservations on the same day as the show, you will pay the day-of show-price. NOTE for prepaid tickets or if reservations have been made but not pre-paid: If you reduce the number of tickets requested or paid for at the box office on the night of the performance, that ticket must still be paid for! BRT requires 24 hour notice for cancellations or you will be charged for all seats reserved. This Saturday we bring back the amazing picking and beautiful 4-part harmonies of BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS ... On Feb. 20 we see the return of the ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO   and on Feb. 27 we present the BRT debut of the Matt Flinner Trio with guest fiddler extraordinaire Darol Anger. BRT has an incredible winter and spring season lined up for you ... AND we are getting closer to the launch of our redesigned website! Please LIKE us on Facebook.   And please share what we do with YOUR friends!  https://www.facebook.com/BlackstoneRiverTheatre     Hope to see you soon... Russell Gusetti, Executive Director   BLACKSTONE VALLEY BLUEGRASS        Brothers Bob and Dave Dick from Sutton, Mass., renowned musicians and celebrated recording artists, regularly wow audiences with their award-winning picking. The Taylor-Nowlan bass/mandolin combo has been together in numerous bands since 1989. Put these four longtime friends together and you have a group that has excellent musicianship, high energy and a true love of the music. Blackstone Valley Bluegrass plays breakdowns and gospel, fiddle tunes and waltzes and features strong four-part harmonies. Bob Dick plays guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals for the band. He toured for 12 years with Front Range, with whom he recorded five albums on the Sugar Hill label, playing rhythm guitar and adding some rapid-fire flat picking. Dave Dick plays banjo, guitar, and mandolin and he sings harmony and occasional lead vocals. He has been a member of several popular bands including Southern Rail, Salamander Crossing and Northern Lights. Although primarily known as a banjo player, Dave also shines on the guitar and mandolin and his imaginative playing style always dazzles the audience. Dan Nowlan plays mandolin, guitar and sings lead and harmony vocals. Dan began his musical career playing drums with the Valley Airs Drum and Bugle Corps. Dan helped form Central Turnpike, the "Bluegrass with a Twist" band from central Mass., and also played with Rolling Hills Bluegrass. Ken Taylor keeps the band tight with arguably the most solid bass-playing in the New England area and he is also the bass singer in the band. He was one of the founding members of the Central Turnpike Bluegrass Band. EVENT INFO Saturday, February 13, 8 PM, $15.00 at Blackstone River Theatre 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Reservations: 401-725-9272

Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI 02864 Sent by russell@riverfolk.org in collaboration with