Talking about the fun pathways at FSPA with Raye Lynn and Susana (audio)

FM #1058 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1058 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and Director of the Franklin School for Performing Arts, and special guest FSPA alum Susana Cordon. We recorded this in the Franklin Public Radio Studio on  Thursday, June 1, 2023.  

Yes, this sat in the archives for a while due to some unforeseen events that held up the publication. Aside from the future view, now in the past, the pathways talked of still apply.

Susana tells her amazing story following her path through FSPA to Carnegie-Mellon and is looking forward to an exciting year with a performance in Violet (with FPAC), an alumni show with the Electric Youth European tour this summer, fall semester in Wales, followed by final semester and graduation in 2024. Definitely a commencement of whatever her future holds for her. 

We cover a lot of ground in about 34 minutes with Raye Lynn and Susana. 

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1058-fspa-fun-pathways-06-01-23

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Tickets for Violet are available -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1597 

Susana was quoted in a article about Carnegie-Mellon https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/carnegie-mellon-university-school-of-drama-star-factory-patrick-wilson-susan-tsu-john-wells-myhala-herrold-purnell-center/

FPSA post about Susan’s acceptance at Carnegie-Mellon

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fspa-senior-accepted-to-prestigious.html

Original conversation with Raye Lynn as we spend 38 minutes talking about 38 Main St and the evolution of FSPA to FPAC, THE BLACK BOX, et al …

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX

Town Council recognizes Electric Youth, approves annual appointments, authorizes additional funds for School budget (audio)

FM #1009 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1009 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Town Council meeting held in Council Chambers on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. All 9 members of the Council were present in the Council Chambers.

Quick recap:

Recognition

• Electric Youth 2023 were recognized with a proclamation and provided  song for the Council (and audience). They have a pair of 'Bob Voyage' concerts June 16 & 17 at THE BLACK BOX and then leave on their European tour the week after

Appointments

• The Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committees was approved, there are a few positions still open, some are in process of being filled, some are still looking for candidates

• Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee recommendations by year end

Public hearings

• License corporate formalities

• Zoning Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling units

• The set of zoning bylaws was moved to a second reading with modification to one of the three measures in the set of three. There are three as one covers the bylaw language, one covers the definition, and one covers the use table. The use table received the modification to revert the language to what originated from the EDC Plus committee. 

• The Town Council in their actions during the April 12, 2023 meeting modified the use table to expand coverage for 'by right' for additional residential zones. The Planning Board did not like the expansion and in turn recommended the 'original' language over the modified. The Town Council after some discussion agreed to the original language and moved that to second reading

Pair of resolutions to adjust the FY 2024 Budget to provide an additional $736K to the schools

• Resolution 23-39: FY2024 Budget Adjustment 

• Resolution 23-40: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY24 

• Folks may recall that at the end of the Finance Committee budget hearings and repeated at the end of the Town Council budget hearings, Town Administrator laid out the plan for providing additional funding for the school budget. The MA Senate passed their version of the State FY 2024 which set into play this "plan b" earlier than Jamie had outlined. The two resolutions passed unanimously. The additional funds restore 8 of the 30 positions targeted to balance the budget. Of the 22 that remain to be cut, some number (I recall it was 16) were going to be cut anyway as the result of declining enrollment. Stay tuned for the School Committee meeting scheduled for June 13 where they will approve the 'final' budget and confirm the number affected

• Interesting to note that while most if not all of the Town departments that gave up the funds to enable this transfer were present, only Dave McNeill, the School Committee Budget Subcmte Chair spoke to acknowledge the transfer to increase the school budget and express appreciation for this action. If other members of the School Committee were present virtually, they remained quiet. (They were not in the Council Chambers.) 

The recording runs about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council meeting on June 7, 2023. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1009-franklin-ma-town-council-mtg-06-07-23

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Franklin TV video link ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share

Council agenda and documents released for the meeting ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf 

My notes in this ThreadReader PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hc2egjV3zKOqJmIziMKApdR4z24gNMya/view?usp=drive_link 

Photos from the meeting -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/KnXuTmSfcwAEXFxe6

The FY 2024 budget document folder ->

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

The Franklin TV video replay for    https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Town Council recognizes Electric Youth, approves annual appointments, authorizes additional funds for School budget (audio)

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 06/07/23 meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)

FM #1008 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1008 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town Council meeting. 

Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of June 7, 2023: 

• ok, what just happened? 

• What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

We cover the following key topics

PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

Recognition: Electric Youth

APPOINTMENTS

• Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committees - a few positions still open
• Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee - recommendations by year end

Public hearings

• License corporate formalities
• Zoning Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling units

FY 2024 Budget - Additional $736K for school budget

• Resolution 23-39: FY2024 Budget Adjustments
• Resolution 23-40: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY24 

Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes. 

Our conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded June 8, 2023

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1008-town-council-quarterbacking-06-08-23

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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf 

FY 2024 budget documents https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials 

My notes in one PDF file -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hc2egjV3zKOqJmIziMKApdR4z24gNMya/view?usp=drive_link

Franklin TV meeting video ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 06/07/23 meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)

Electric Youth 2023 Bon Voyage Concert and European Tour Dates

Electric Youth 2023 returns at THE BLACK BOX for their Bon Voyage Concert with 2 shows -- Friday, June 16th at 7:30 pm sponsored by 1776 Financial and Saturday June 17th at 7:30 pm with special guests Future Shock!. Offering high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits. 

Electric Youth 2023 includes Tatiana McAlpine, Audrey Miningham, Devin DeAngelis, Finley Doherty, John Fitzhenry, Madigan Wirkus, Abby Trombert, Anya Fox, Ashley Pepin, Erin Belger, Tzintli Cerda, Hannah Connors, Anna Linde, Macie Hoben, and Mason Sanford.

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison.

Don’t miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment!

Tickets for the Bon Voyage Concerts -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1673&month=06&year=2023

Electric Youth 2023 Bon Voyage Concert

Electric Youth 2023  European Tour Dates

Electric Youth 2023 European Tour dates shared from ->

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs_sT5nOwlt/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Electric Youth "Funraiser" Featuring Motorboat with Phil Fox, Friday, May 12

The Electric Youth will benefit from a "Funraiser" featuring Motorboat with Phil Fox, Friday, May 12 at 8 PM. 

Motorboat - 6X WMRC Local Music Award winning cover band (yeah we're as surprised as you are!) we guarantee a healthy dose of magical musical shenanigans covering everything you wanna hear! Bring your dancing shoes - you’re gonna need’m ;)

Doors open at 7:30 PM

Tickets available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

Electric Youth "Funraiser" Featuring Motorboat with Phil Fox, Friday, May 12

Franklin Cultural District: dance & concerts, listening tour & poetry, Electric Youth & Future Shock as #artshappenhere

Dance and concerts surround the arts & culture listening tour on Friday and a favorite poem reading at the Library on Saturday as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, April 26

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin TV Studio - recording session)

7:00pm - Critical Conversations (student voices) (Franklin School District at FHS)

7:00pm - Executive Function Strategies Workshop (Virtual) (Franklin SEPAC)

7:00pm - Library Book Club - "The Plot" (Franklin Public Library)

dance performances

Thursday, April 27

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

5:00pm - FHS Softball Boosters Fund Raiser (Pretty is Pink)

6:00pm - Open Mic Night (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

Friday, April 28

9:00am - Arts & Culture Listening Tour - Session 2 (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Northeast Groove (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

Saturday, April 29

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

favorite poem project

12:00pm - Favorite Poem Project (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

6:00pm - Corner 2 Corner (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

7:30pm - Electric Youth 2023 (ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm - John Gorka (ticketed event, masks required) (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

Sunday, April 30

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - Dean Dance Company (Ticketed performance) (Dean College Main Stage)

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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin Art Association Art Gallery

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!