Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all moms a relaxing day!

Important Update on Sick Time Law Info Session

* Please note this important change - the Sick Time law that will go into effect on July 1 affects all small businesses in some way, regardless of the number of employees.  The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with FDP member Michael Doherty to present information about the new "Sick Time" law that will directly impact Franklin businesses with 7 or more employees.* Please consider attending this important information session. The event is free; register here: http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/rsvpmaker/sick-law-seminar-may-13-2015-5-13/ From the URCC newsletter: Sick Time Law Seminar May 13

On May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Attorney Michael Doherty of Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C. will explain the provisions of the new Massachusetts "sick time" law at Dean College, Golder Room, 99 Main St., Franklin. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2015, and will apply to most Massachusetts employees and employers. Attendees of the program will learn the broad new definition of events that will allow an employee to take sick time, traps for the unwary employer in the new law, which employers must provide paid sick leave and which employers may provide only unpaid sick leave. In addition, changes in personnel manuals and policies will be suggested to avoid the substantial penalties for employers who unwittingly violate the new law. Register for this free event here.

Welcome to New Member La Cantina Wine School

New Member

La Cantina Wine School: Located at 355 Union Street in Franklin, La Cantina offers classes on winemaking. Owner Bob Vozzella will guide you through the winemaking process, from fermentation to aging and bottling. La Cantina Wine School is currently partnering with The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning to offer classes, one of which starts next week (follow this link for class information). 

Learn more about La Cantina Wine School on its website, www.lacantinawineschool.com, or follow them on Facebook.

Learn to Make Wine: La Cantina and the Center for Adult Ed

FDP members The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning and La Cantina Wine School offer a wine making class that starts next week. The class is filling up fast! Read on for more details:

Winemaking Partnership with La Cantina Wine School

Classes begin May 16

Franklin , MA, April 30, 2015– The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning has announced its partnership with Franklin’s La Cantina Wine School. This is a multi-week course, designed to introduce the participants to the pleasures and satisfaction of winemaking, begins on May 16.
    The seminar fee of $250 includes all materials – grapes, use of professional winemaking equipment, winemaking consultation and education, 10-month wine storage, corks, capsules, bottles and one case of wine to take home. Class size is limited.
     This is a hands-on winemaking experience for the wine enthusiast! Participants will have the unique opportunity to create their own world-class wine. They will be guided throughout the entire process and will have input on all decisions from fermentation, to aging and bottling. La Cantina wines are Gold Medal award winners.

Anyone interested in this opportunity can register by going to www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com , clicking on Adult Education or by calling The Center at 508-613-1480.

About The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning
The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning at Franklin is a program of the Franklin Public School’s Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for adults in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Brenda Reed at 508-613-1483 or email at reedb@franklin.k12.ma.us.

###

For more information about The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning please go to www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com.

For more information about La Cantina Wine School, please go to http://www.lacantinawineschool.com/home.html.

Would You Like to Sponsor the Strawberry Stroll?

The Strawberry Stroll is June 11th and we are excited for another fun event.

We hope you will consider being a Sponsor of this wonderful annual stroll. Your sponsorships keep our events and projects coming back each year.

Did you know that for $500 you can be a Silver Level sponsor?  We also have Bronze level at $300 and Friends level at $200.

Thank you to all of our past sponsors.  Below are links to details and the sponsorship forms.  Please let us know by May 14th if you plan to participate so we can list you on the posters and in the press releases. Email us at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

2015 Sponsorship Opportunities

2015 Sponsorship Registration Form

'Sick Time' Law Information Meeting May 13 at Dean College

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with FDP member Michael Doherty to present information about the new "Sick Time" law that will directly impact Franklin businesses with 7 or more employees. Please consider attending this important information session. The event is free; register here: http://www.unitedregionalchamber.org/rsvpmaker/sick-law-seminar-may-13-2015-5-13/ From the URCC newsletter: Sick Time Law Seminar May 13

On May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., Attorney Michael Doherty of Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C. will explain the provisions of the new Massachusetts "sick time" law at Dean College, Golder Room, 99 Main St., Franklin. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2015, and will apply to most Massachusetts employees and employers. Attendees of the program will learn the broad new definition of events that will allow an employee to take sick time, traps for the unwary employer in the new law, which employers must provide paid sick leave and which employers may provide only unpaid sick leave. In addition, changes in personnel manuals and policies will be suggested to avoid the substantial penalties for employers who unwittingly violate the new law. Register for this free event here.

Pay It Forward While Mother's Day Shopping

Mother's Day is right around the corner (here's a hint - May 10). Looking for unique gifts? You might find something interesting at the Franklin Food Pantry! That's right... read on for more information:

Mother’s Day Shopping Event Benefits Franklin Food Pantry

FRANKLIN, Ma. – esbe Designs will hold a Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale on Thursday, May 7, at the Franklin Food Pantry to raise money for hunger relief efforts at the Pantry. The community is invited to do their Mother’s Day shopping from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., and will have the opportunity to tour the Pantry and learn about volunteer opportunities.

Representatives from esbe Designs will have a variety of merchandise available for purchase. A portion of the proceeds from every sale will go directly to the Food Pantry. Items include designer jewelry, handcrafted in Bali, using quality metals and real gemstones. Traditional and on-trend designs will be featured. Complimentary gift wrapping and gift certificate purchases will be offered on site.

“With nearly 600 households counting on us for supplemental food assistance each year, this benefit will help other moms in Franklin provide enough food for their families,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Many parents in our community struggle with providing three meals a day for their children. Mother’s Day was the inspiration for esbe Designs to help others do something nice for their moms while also doing something meaningful for the families we serve. It is a way for people to pay it forward with their Mother’s Day shopping.”

For more information on the jewelry sale, please contact Sue Kilcoyne at skilcoyned1@hotmail.com.

The Franklin Food Pantry is located at 43 West Central Street, Franklin, near the Rockland Trust parking lot on Route 140 across from the Franklin fire station.

For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

National Small Business Week Event Features Rep. Kennedy

Did you know that May 4 - 8 is National Small Business Week? 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has devoted next week to helping small businesses succeed in today's economy. 

As part of a localized effort, U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy is participating in an event in Taunton on Tuesday, May 5, and you're invited! Pre-registration is required. Please see the flyer for registration information.

SBA/Kennedy flyer

Office Space Available Downtown on East Central Street

Do you know anyone in need of office space? 

There are two offices available at 9 E. Central Street, the building where the Franklin Downtown Partnership is located. That same building also houses FDP members Jane's Frames and H & R Block.

An extra perk -- if any FDP member finds a tenant for the space, the landlord has pledged a $500 donation to the Partnership. 

Please contact Executive Director Lisa Piana with inquiries or information. Email her at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com, call (774) 571-3109 or stop buy the office (2nd floor and to the left). 

Details:  

• Highly visible, professional office, retail building in downtown Franklin, MA.
• Bright second floor offices, one with four smaller rooms and one with two rooms. Common rest rooms. 24/7 access. Other practices in the building: Law office, Family therapy, Non-Profit, Art Studio.
• Conveniently located next to commuter rail station on Route 140 and near Route 495. 
•  Four room office: $550/mo. plus Elec.
• Two room office: $475/mo. plus Elec.
•  First and last month's rent plus security.

The FDP office moved down the hall earlier this year. Here are photos from a recent visit by Rep. Joe Kennedy to show examples of office space at 9 E. Central St.

The FDP office's outer meeting space.