Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Electric Youth to Perform Summer Concert opening the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

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 Franklin Town Common. The concert will open the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth 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. Raye Lynn Mercer and Hallie Wetzell are Electric Youth’s Director and Vocal Director, respectively. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and “triple threat” accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 15-18, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice and acting at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Electric Youth 2017 includes Julia Buccella, Brooke Collins, Aaron Frongillo, Sydney Leach, Caitlin Woodcock and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Sam Evans and Colie Vancura of Medfield; Katie Gray of Milford; Naomi Fitzgerald, Mairead Nee and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.
Electric Youth to Perform Summer Concert On Franklin Common
Electric Youth to Perform Summer Concert On Franklin Common

Electric Youth’s 2017 European tour featured several concerts along the coast of Normandy, including shows in Barfleur, Cherbourg and the historic D-Day site of Sainte-Mère-Église. The itinerary also marked the group’s debut in Switzerland with a concert in Zermatt. Venues in England included Wimbourne’s Tivoli Theatre, along with performances in Arundel, Chichester and Hastings. EY also returned to Lake Como, following performances there last summer, to deliver two lakeside shows at the Hotel Britannia.

Electric Youth has released six professional albums and toured Europe 13 times, with performances at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby and Aviano Air Force Base. The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater, the United Nations and the American Embassy in Rome. EY’s music, including the 2014 album Power Chord, is available at amazon.com and iTunes. 

The EY summer concert on the common will also feature a performance by Future Shock, a select children’s ensemble of students ages 6-13. For more information about Electric Youth, visit www.electricyouth.com. To learn more about the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Franklin 4th of July - Monday, July 3rd

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/



Monday, July 3


6pm - 10pm Rides and food booths open
7pm - 10pm Victory Shot (Band)
10pm - Laser Light Show (Town Common)



Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing



Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets


carnival ride set up on Town Common
carnival ride set up on Town Common

#shopFranklin features the Curry House (video)

#shopFranklin speaks with Nilu Patel of The Curry House to learn about how she and her partners decided to open a restaurant in Franklin.

We also explore all of the flavors in India and learn what makes The Curry House unique - and DELICIOUS!






Where is the Curry House?

418 West Central St in Franklin





Visit their webpage  http://www.thecurryhouse.com/menu

http://www.thecurryhouse.com/
The Curry House


Note: the video was recorded in May or June 2016 as they mentioned the "Taste of Franklin" was coming up and that was part of the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival at the end of July. 

The 3rd Annual Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 26-29, 2017
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/06/3rd-annual-cultural-festival-to.html



Franklin Almanac - Episode 5 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 5 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

  1. Intro- 0:00-0:31
  2. Spectra Access Northeast Pipeline- 0:31-8:35
  3. Madalene Village interview 8:36- 21:48
  4. Madalene Village resident feedback-21:48-23:43
  5. Distracted Driver Simulation- 23:51- 28:34
  6. Earth Day-28:35-29:14
  7. Final thoughts-29:15-31:06







Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street
Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Franklin 4th of July - Sunday, July 2

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/



Sunday, July 2


1pm - 11pm Rides and food booths open
4pm - 7pm Matt Zajac (acoustic)
7pm - 10pm Phantom (Band)



Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing


Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets

Thunder Bolt set up on Town Common
Thunder Bolt set up on Town Common

#shopFranklin features Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!





If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store
Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Visit Agway on Cottage St or visit them on the Internet at

Franklin Almanac - Episode 4 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 4 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on


  • Relay for Life (Franklin, Bellingham, Wrentham)
  • Empty Bowls - FHS fund raising for the Franklin Food Pantry
  • Blood drives for Boston Children's Hospital



More about the Empty Bowls program and to donate to the Franklin Food Pantry
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/give-help/volunteer/empty-bowls/

More about the Sabini-Leite twin's blood drives
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/02/blood-drive-march-4-hockomock-ymca.html



Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite, seniors at Franklin High School, are coordinating the blood drive March 4
Giovanna and Olivia Sabini-Leite, seniors at Franklin High School
coordinate blood drives for the Boston Children's Hospital

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Franklin 4th of July - Saturday, July 1

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/



Saturday, July 1


9am - Adult Road Race (5k) / registration 8am-8:45am at the Gazebo 

10am - Children's Road Race (1.2mi) / registration 8:45am-9:45am at the Gazebo 


(Races sponsored by the Franklin Recreation Department. Pre-register for the road races at: www.franklinma.gov/recreation-departmentand click on the Register Now button, then the Register for Activities link to access the 4th of July Road Race.)

11am - 11pm Rides and food booths open
1pm - 2pm Vics and Sticks
2pm - 3pm Flippo the Clown
3pm - 4pm Jamie Barrett
4pm - 6pm Tyler Zajac (acoustic)
7pm - 10pm Groove Doctors (Band)




Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing


Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets


children's ride and Magic Maze on the Town Common
children's ride and Magic Maze on the Town Common

#ShopFranklin features Elizabeth's Bagels (video)

#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Jen Garcia of Elizabeth's Bagels in Franklin,MA. Elizabeth's Bagels preserved the age old art of perfectly kettle boiled bagels. This delicacy is then augmented with a great selection of in house blended cream cheese options, seasonal offerings, loose leaf teas and an assortment of coffee creations







One of my favorite breakfasts is to walk to Elizabeth's Bagels, grab a bagel breakfast sandwich and coffee, then walk over to the Sculpture Park to enjoy breakfast before continuing the walk around Franklin and home.

Elizabeth's Bagels, grab a bagel breakfast sandwich and coffee, then walk over to the Sculpture Park
Elizabeth's Bagels and the Sculpture Park a breakfast combo


Franklin Almanac - Episode 3 (video)

Franklin Almanac, the compendium of life in Franklin. If you missed the broadcast via cable, you can catch up to Episode 3 via the YouTube link. Polikseni Manxhari hosts segments on

  • Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA)
  • Franklin AAA office offers RMV services to members
  • the Franklin Chapter of Neighbor Brigade
  • Franklin's new WFPR 102.9 FM





Find out more about each of the organizations featured in this episode

Polikseni Manxhari hosts Franklin Almanac Episode 3
Polikseni Manxhari hosts Franklin Almanac Episode 3

Friday, June 30, 2017

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 6/30/17 - THU 7/6/17

FRIDAY 6/30/17
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ Town Common
4:30pm   Yoga on the Town Common
6-10pm   2017 Franklin 4th of July Celebration (concert starts at 7pm: ZOD Band) @ Franklin Town Common

SATURDAY 7/1/17
8am   Annual 4th of July 5K Road Race (registration starts at 8am, adult run at 9am, children's fun run at 10am) @ Franklin Town Common Gazebo (this event was originally posted under July 4th date by error)
10-1pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
11am-11pm   2017 Franklin 4th of July Celebration @ Franklin Town Common

SUNDAY 7/2/17
1-4pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
11am-11pm   2017 Franklin 4th of July Celebration @ Franklin Town Common

MONDAY 7/3/17
6-10pm   2017 Franklin 4th of July Celebration @ Franklin Town Common
10pm   Laser Light Show @ Franklin Town Common

TUESDAY 7/4/17 - Happy 4th of July!
12-5pm   2017 Franklin 4th of July Celebration @ Franklin Town Common

WEDNESDAY 7/5/17
1pm   Animal Craze ZOO @ Franklin Public Library

THURSDAY 7/6/17
5-8pm   Franklin Historical Museum Open
7-8pm   Healing Hearts Community Support Group @ Franklin YMCA

For 4th of July Celebration details click HERE.

For the Town of Franklin Public Calendar click HERE.

For all other events and Franklin happenings click HERE.

*To submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this FORM


Franklin 4th of July - Friday, June 30

The schedule of events for the Franklin 4th of July has been posted to the webpage  http://july4thfranklinma.com/


Friday, June 30


6pm - 10pm Rides and food booths open
7pm - 10pm ZOD (Band)




Full 4th of July schedule
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczRTRscloyTnBscFU/view?usp=sharing


Per the Franklin Almanac video, one price wrist bands will be available for Thursday, 6 - 10; Saturday 12 -5 and then Monday 6 - 10PM 
All other times the rides would be for the individual tickets



Magic Maze set up on Town Common
Magic Maze set up on Town Common

Sleepy teens: A public health epidemic - Wendy Troxel - TEDxManhattanBeach (video)

"Sleep deprivation - What most parents, teachers, and school administrators think of as just part of being a teenager, Rand Corporation sleep scientist Wendy Troxel labels loss of teen sleep a public health epidemic. Not a function of being social or participating in social media, Wendy believes sleep loss is mostly due to school start times - a matter of public policy. 
Dr. Troxel’s research focuses on the interface between sleep, the social environment, and health, and on implications for public policy. 
Her research is supported by the Department of Defense and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. As an active clinical psychologist, Dr. Troxel helps patients overcome sleep disorders through behavioral (nonpharmacologic) treatment. She was the founding director of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine–an accredited training program in Behavioral Sleep Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She continues to provide research and clinical training opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral students interested in sleep medicine. She also holds leadership roles in several professional sleep societies, is an Associate Editor for the journal “Sleep Health”, and has been involved in local and national efforts focused on healthy school start times for adolescents."



This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

#ShopFranklin features Fiori (video)

#shopFranklin spends some time with Michelle Fiori, owner and designer at FIORI - a boutique in Franklin with beautiful, contemporary floral creations and a curated selection of unique gifts.





For more about Fiori, visit their store on Main St or visit them on the internet
http://www.fioriflorals.com/

Facebook image of product at Fiori
Facebook image of product at Fiori

Franklin Almanac - Episode 2 (video)

Polikseni Manxhari covers four stories in the new episode of Franklin Almanac now available from Franklin TV. Broadcast on Franklin cable channel at noon and 7:00 PM. You can also view the show via YouTube.






For more of Jamie Barrett's music, he'll be playing on Saturday, July 1 at 3:00 PM on the Town Common  
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/06/4th-of-july-schedule-of-events.html

He'll also play during the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival July 26-29, 2017
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/06/3rd-annual-cultural-festival-to.html



Jaime Barrett
Jaime Barrett