Monday, July 24, 2017

Saturday, July 29 - 3rd Annual Cultural Festival Schedule - THE BLACK BOX


3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival
Performance Schedule

Saturday, July 29
At THE BLACK BOX

The Franklin Art Association will display works of local artists in the lobby of THE BLACK BOX.   The detailed schedule of performances looks like this:


Festival Stage
(inside)
Circle of Friends Stage
(outside, under the tent)

Set up

12:00 - 12:30 PM
Heath Nisbett
Set up
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Set up
Michele Kelly
1:30 - 2:00 PM
Emma Newton
Set up
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Set up
Jamie Barrett
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Universal Singers
Set up
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Set up
Stefilia's Stone
4:30 - 5:00 PM
Ann Sears
Set up
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Set up
Jim Henry
6:00 - 6:30 PM
Kaye Kelly
Set up
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Set up
Victims of Gravity
8:00 PM
FPAC performs a “24 Hour Play”



For updates to the schedule, follow @artshappenhere
Restaurants_20170729_v3.jpg
Franklin restaurants will offer samples of their best for sale under the tent during the afternoon


All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html


If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


You can also download and print a copy of the Saturday schedule here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10DSpiywIulafMNpPpj5a1ajiY_Gk-jBVXlH15dMS7f4/edit?usp=sharing

Stop by The Rome for "Festival Fettucini"

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29. The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 

Stop by The Rome for "Festival Fettucini"
Stop by The Rome for "Festival Fettucini"
If "Festival Fettucini" doesn't fit your taste, The Rome has a variety of daily specials to go along with their hearty Italian fare.  The full dinner menu can be found here  http://www.the-rome.com/menu_dinner.php

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival
All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival
 

“triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Following a two-and-a-half week summer concert tour of England, France, Italy and Switzerland, “Electric Youth” (EY) will perform a free outdoor concert on Wednesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. on the Franklin town common. 
The concert will open the third annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. 
Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, “EY” delivers a fun, high-energy show of family entertainment with an extensive range of pop, classic rock, swing, contemporary Broadway and country music for audiences all ages. 
The “EY” singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with music legends including Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Alicia Keys, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Van Morrison and many others."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20170723/electric-youth-to-give-concert-on-franklin-common

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


Electric Youth 2017 “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting"
Electric Youth 2017 “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting"

Register O'Donnell Delivers Donated Clothing to Interfaith Social Services



Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

Register O'Donnell Delivers Donated Clothing to Interfaith Social Services

Due to the generosity of countless Norfolk County residents, Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell recently delivered a sizeable clothing donation, through its Suits for Success program, to Interfaith Social Services of Quincy.

Register O'Donnell stated, "On behalf of the many compassionate Norfolk County residents and Registry staff who contributed clothing, it is my pleasure to deliver these critically needed items." O'Donnell handed over such clothing items as men's suits; dress pants; collared shirts; women's suits; women's dress pants and blouses.

Rick Doane, Executive Director of Interfaith Social Services said, "We appreciate very much the generosity of countless Norfolk County residents and Registry users who contributed to the Suits for Success program. This donated clothing is invaluable to helping South Shore residents in need of a helping hand get back on their feet."

Suits for Success is a program designed to help men and women reach economic independence and personal self-fulfillment. "The Registry is proud to partner with Interfaith Social Services on behalf of this worthwhile program," noted O'Donnell.

Those interested in making a clothing donation can drop off new or gently used business appropriate clothing, professionally cleaned, during the hours of 8:30AM-4:30PM at the Registry. If you have any questions regarding a donation, please contact Alicia Gardner at (781) 461-6104.

Register O'Donnell concluded by saying, "Having something in your closet that you don't usually wear can make a world of difference to someone else. It just might be the item that helps them get ahead in life."

To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, like us at facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds and instagram.com/NorfolkDeeds.

The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street, Dedham. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website at www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.


Register William P. O'Donnell
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds

phone: 781-234-3336
Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831

Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

Norfolk Deeds - Consumer Alert Service
Norfolk Deeds - Consumer Alert Service

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Food and music, a good combination - 3rd Annual Cultural Festival - Saturday, July 29

Food and music is always a good combination. Saturday afternoon, July 29, a variety of Franklin restaurants will be under the outdoor tent at THE BLACK BOX. You can sample their offerings and enjoy the musical entertainment as it alternates between the indoor and outdoor stages. 

Central Pizza,  The Curry House, Joe's American Bar and Grill and Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub are scheduled to offer a sample of their best for sale. The price will vary.

Food and music, a good combination - 3rd Annual Cultural Festival - Saturday, July 29
Food and music, a good combination - 3rd Annual Cultural Festival - Saturday, July 29
This highlights the culinary arts that are found within the proposed Franklin Cultural District. Come for the food, stay for the music!


The full Saturday schedule can be found here
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/closing-day-3rd-annual-franklin.html
* note the schedule is subject to change

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

MassBudget: Explaining the FY 2018 budget




MassBudget
Information.
Participation.
 Massachusetts Budget and Policy CenterDemocracy.


Analyzing the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget



At this point in the process, the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) state budget looks a lot like the FY 2017 budget. As MassBudget's new Budget Monitor, "Analyzing the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget" explains, the proposed total bottom line is lower than that of the FY 2017 budget, after adjusting for inflation, and we see essentially status-quo funding levels in each major category.

Over the coming weeks and into the fall the Legislature will decide on whether to override the Governor's vetoes and whether to accept changes he has proposed or advance new proposals in response to his suggested changes.

One major area of the budget remains in limbo: MassHealth, the Commonwealth's Medicaid program that comprises about a quarter of state spending. (While MassHealth is about 40 percent of the total budget, much of the cost of the program is paid by the federal government.) At the beginning of the budget process, the Governor identified a major challenge facing the MassHealth program: cost shifting from private sector employers onto the state MassHealth program as a result of more private sector employees not receiving health care from their employers.

To address this cost shifting and help to stabilize the finances of the state MassHealth program, the Governor proposed an assessment on employers that don't meet certain thresholds for providing health insurance for their employees. That assessment would have raised $300 million in revenue in the first year and $600 million or more in future years. The budget enacted by the Legislature included a modified version of the employer assessment recommended by the Governor, but not new changes to MassHealth or the commercial health insurance market he proposed.

When signing the budget, the Governor used his authority to send back sections with proposed amendments to ask the Legislature to hold hearings on and adopt his proposed changes to MassHealth along with the employer assessment.

The budget uses a conservative revenue estimate for FY 2018, $749 million below the original estimate. It relies, however, on significant amounts of temporary revenue and savings to achieve balance. 

This Budget Monitor describes the funding levels and major initiatives in each area of the budget.  It also provides comparisons to earlier versions this year, FY 2017 funding levels, and historic funding levels back to 2001 where relevant. For more comprehensive data on historic spending levels for each line item and category of the budget, see MassBudget's Budget Browser. For additional detail on programs in the state budget that affect children see our Children's Budget

Click here to read the full Budget Monitor, "Analyzing the State Budget for FY 2018," or click below on individual sections:

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
Early Education funding down 23% since 2001
Early Education funding down 23% since 2001 (MassBudget graphic)
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108

Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with
Constant Contact

"having a ticket is critical to boarding or riding the trains"

From the Boston Globe, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Frustrated by the loss of tens of millions of dollars in uncollected fares, the MBTA will soon require passengers to show their tickets before boarding commuter rail trains at North Station. 
The modest and decidedly low-tech approach will begin in a few weeks, and is the first of several fare-collection initiatives that will affect virtually all commuter rail, subway, and bus riders. 
Commuter rail fares are currently collected by conductors during the trip. The MBTA estimates it loses as much as $30 million a year when collectors run out of time — or give up trying — to check tickets."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/21/mbta-readies-new-system-for-verifying-passengers-payment/5Ic9pBMl3vOAQp2SmT6ytO/story.html

This MBTA train on July 13 should have gone to Forge Park and then returned to Franklin Dean before going to Boston on schedule. It never made it to Forge Park, left Franklin/Dean late and arrived in Boston late.
This MBTA train on July 13 should have gone to Forge Park and then returned to Franklin Dean before going to Boston on schedule. It never made it to Forge Park, left Franklin/Dean late and arrived in Boston late.


Editorial Note: 
As a long time rider from the Franklin/Dean station to Boston's South Station, the T has a mighty challenge at hand. While I absolutely agree ticket revenue is key, it goes hand in hand with a quality delivery of their service which has been lacking. It may very well be a chicken and egg thing (as it what comes first? revenue or service) but I would posit that in the competitive world service comes first. The T is in a non-competitive world and we suffer for it.

For all the improvements that have been made, faulty equipment, and a sorely lacking communication system (that provides timely and accurate info), never mind substandard on-time delivery remain as the top problems, and they are all interrelated. You'd think that by now with all the practice they have (slipped schedules, troublesome equipment, etc.) that the communications would have improved. One could only wish it had.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

In the News: Cultural Festival opens this week

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Pirates, robots, opera and food are all part of the Cultural Festival which is back this year for a third time. 
The four-day event is sponsored by Franklin Cultural District Committee, and funded by donations. The festival will feature multiple performances by the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), as well as other displays and music. 
From Wednesday, July 26, to Saturday, July 29, downtown will be host to the all-day events that will span from the Town Common to the high school."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20170721/franklins-annual-cultural-festival-returns-this-week

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


the Town Common stage will be busy Wed-Thu-Fri with performances during the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival
the Town Common stage will be busy Wed-Thu-Fri with
performances during the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival