BUSINESS BRIEFS: Love Your Shelf, Maximum Impact, Weed Safety, 4-Day Work Week, etc.

SPONSOR OF Business Briefs in the Franklin Observer

The chamber serves the communities of Bellingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Medway, Milford, Mendon, Millis, and Upton. More information is available at https://www.tricountychamberma.org

Love Your Shelf!

Linda Bedard, above, owner of Love Your Shelf
bookstore, newly reopened in a new location in the center of Bellingham, celebrated her grand reopening with the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and MyFM 101.3 last Thursday. The store grew out of Bedard’s love of books and reading and features a wide range of gently used books of many genres as well as select print and ebooks. Love Your Shelf also has a function room available for groups needing a meeting place. Located at 9 North Main Street in Bellingham, the store is open six day a week (closed Sunday).

"Dueling for a Cause" -- Maximum Impact

An unforgettable evening is on the way, filled with rock & roll, gourmet delights, thrilling auctions, and heaps of fun, all while jumpstarting the holiday season. The Chamber has lined up an absolutely epic evening for guests.

Here's what you can expect at the event:

A treasure trove of auction goodies, perfect for holiday gifting.

Live entertainment by The Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos that will leave you dazzled.

Entertaining games and tantalizing raffles.

A cash bar to keep the good times flowing.

Event Details:Date: 12/9/2023

Time: 6-9:30PM

Location: Portuguese Club 119 Prospect Heights Milford, MA 01757

Your support will make a meaningful difference as all the proceeds from "Dueling for a Cause" will go toward supporting the Maximum Impact Foundation's grants and training programs. Your generous donation for our auction will help us achieve our fundraising goals and make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.If you are interested in contributing to our auction, please let us know, and we will provide you with more details and answer any questions you may have. You can also go to our website and learn more or fill out a form with your donation information www.maximumimpactfoundation.org/event. Your donation will not only benefit our cause but also give your business valuable exposure to a diverse and engaged audience. We hope you can join us for this incredible night of giving back, entertainment, and celebration. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something special.

Weed Whacked

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) last week released an investigative report outlining additional steps the cannabis industry should take to prevent work-related asthma and sent a bulletin to health care providers in the Commonwealth urging vigilance in identifying work-related asthma among workers in that industry. These steps were taken after an investigation conducted by DPH and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) confirmed that the first known occupational asthma fatality in the US cannabis workforce happened last year in Massachusetts. The bulletin reminds providers that they are mandated to report cases of work-related asthma and other respiratory diseases to DPH.

Four-Day Work Week Pilot Program Advances Through Legislative Process

On Tuesday, H.3849, An Act relative to a four-day work week pilot program, was considered in a hearing by the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. The bill, co-filed by Representative Josh S. Cutler and Representative Dylan Fernandes, would establish a voluntary four-day work week pilot program in Massachusetts. Participating employers would transition employees to a four-day work week without any reduction in pay in return for a tax credit administered by the Department of Revenue. “Americans are overstressed and overworked. The data shows that a four-day work week creates a happier workforce, fuels company productivity, and helps businesses attract top talent,” said Rep. Fernandes. “This pilot program studies its efficacy in Massachusetts to determine whether the four-day work week could benefit Commonwealth employees and businesses.”

Apprenticeships for Child Care workers

Neighborhood Villages — a Boston-based nonprofit that advocates for solutions to the greatest challenges faced by the early education sector — is celebrating one full year of its Early Childhood Education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship Program, as Massachusetts marks National Apprenticeship Week (November 12-18, 2023). Neighborhood Villages launched the initiative in November, 2022 with philanthropic support from the Wellington Management Foundation, Lynch Foundation, and Highland Street Foundation as well as a $1 million grant from the City of Boston. With funding from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which was announced in January 2023, Neighborhood Villages expanded and extended its Apprenticeship Program, which offers non-college, accessible pathways to those entering or looking to advance their careers in the field of early education and care. The program offers on-the-job training, mentorship, wage bumps, and credentials to participants along two credentialing tracks: one for those seeking to become Lead Teachers and another for those seeking to become Directors.  Neighborhood Villages operates the largest Registered ECE Apprenticeship program in Massachusetts. Its program for aspiring ECE directors is the second only program in the country. Thus far, 89 early educators have participated in the program.