MBTA: Update - Commuter Rail schedule changes through Friday, Feb 20th

All Commuter Rail Lines will operate a modified weekday schedule through Friday, February 20. Schedules for each line are at www.mbta.com/winter. Passengers should expect significant delays and several canceled trips. Providence/Stoughton Line trains will not serve TF Green and Wickford and all service will begin and end in Providence. Kingston/Plymouth Line trains will not service Plymouth and all service will begin and end in Kingston. Greenbush Line trains will not service Weymouth Landing. Last updated: Feb 17 2015 08:41 PM Sent by the MBTA.  Franklin Line following trains will NOT operate 2/18/2015.6701,702,703,790,706,710,733,732,793,734,709,716,715,737,736,721,725,726. Train 719 will make all stops. Last updated: Feb 18 2015 05:58 AM Franklin/Dean Station

THE BLACK BOX Sets The Stage For Culinary Cabaret Signature Food And Wine Event

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Culinary Cabaret 2015 on Friday, March 6, from 7-11 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. The fourth annual signature food and wine event showcases the culinary and performing arts, featuring masterful dishes and gourmet specialties. A culinary-themed silent auction will feature quality cookware, wine and experiences for the food lover. The evening includes music and entertainment by FPAC special guest artists and Electric Youth.

FPAC is pleased to partner with exceptional area chefs and restaurants to present an innovative evening of inspired cuisine. Savor fine wines, craft beer, and delicious appetizers, desserts and dishes from Annie’s Just Desserts, The Cake Bar, Campania Ristorante, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Genji Sushi, Incontro, J & L Catering, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, Salt & Olive, Tavolino, Twelve Fine Food & Spirits, Whole Foods Market, 3 Restaurant and more. THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue, provides a dynamic setting to eat, drink, learn and celebrate.

Pictured from Franklin's 3 Restaurant are
Executive Chef Chad Terry and General Manager Brian Ravella

With the return of Culinary Cabaret 2015, FPAC is proud to once again spotlight some of the finest culinary talent in Boston’s MetroWest region, pairing food and art of outstanding creative caliber, with an impressive roster of vendors.

This year’s event welcomes back several founding partners, including Davio’s, Tavolino and Whole Foods Market. Led by General Manager Tom Perruna and Executive Chef Greg Galano, Tavolino treated guests to seared Ahi tuna and braised calamari at Culinary Cabaret's launch in 2012. This year, the team will prepare pan-seared scallops, crushed cashews and local seaweed salad, as well as duck confit ravioli served with a toasted walnut risotto and a port wine reduction. Davio’s Executive Chef Paul King will serve up prime beef short rib and butternut squash purée, garnished with crispy leeks. Among the 2015 new event partners, Incontro will present guests with several selections, including pork rillette with pickles, mustard, herbs and micro greens with crusty bread, as well as house-made lemon ricotta and grilled asparagus.

Culinary Cabaret

Pour Richard’s will partner restaurant stations with representatives from wineries and distributors, who will pour wines specifically chosen to complement the chef-prepared specialties. Reflecting Pour Richard’s “Never Drink Ordinary” motto, beverages will feature small producers, high quality and eclectic selection, including wines from Carol Shelton Vineyards, Sine Metu, Wente Vineyards, Pedroncelli Vineyards, Tiefenbrunner and many more, as well as craft beer, Irish Whiskey, Coole Swan Irish Cream and a signature cocktail created by Ipswich's own Privateer Rum. Pour Richard’s will also feature a single cask, single malt Scotch tasting, led by Scotch Master Charlie Tower, representing Douglas of Drumlanrig, Old Malt Cask and Malt Man selections. These are rare and delicious whiskies, many produced in lots of only 150 total bottles.

Tickets for Culinary Cabaret are $75 and fully inclusive of the evening’s food, wine, beer and entertainment. Purchase tickets online at www.theblackboxonline.com or by phone at 508-528-3370. Event proceeds support Electric Youth’s 2015 European summer concert tour and EY’s mission to give back through musical performance, education and ambassadorship. Culinary Cabaret 2015 media sponsors are The Milford Daily News and WMRC.

The direct link for tickets via THE BLACK BOX is here

Franklin in Snow

Even I'll admit that the snow is getting tiresome. It is pretty and we have been very fortunate not to lose power through all these storms (and I hope this doesn't jinx us). But it is also disrupting life. I stuck to mostly the sideroads as the side walks are buried while making my morning exercise walk around Franklin on Monday. 

cars are now hidden in driveways with the snow piling up so high on either side

Be careful driving on side streets and expecially coming out from the side streets on to the main roads. What you used to be able to see may not allow you that view today

fortunately school is out this week so DPW has time to catch up to clearing them

the new tot lot is getting buried deeper and deeper in the snow

even the sign at Dean is getting hidden by the snow

While the sign gets buried, the Library stands tall above the snow

a monster icicle at Clark Cutler on Fisher St

The train hadn't gone to Forge Park yet that morning

the wind has added its influence to the snow piles

Wachusett St is shining in the sunlight

the wind creates its own sculptures

FHS winter team results Monday, Feb 16

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the FHS teams on Monday, Presidents' Day

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 66 vs. Andover, 60 - Final - Senior Markus Bohmiller connected on 70% of his three pointers, hitting seven of them on his way to a team-best 28 points. Senior Marcus Giese added 16 points and junior Tim Prunier added 13 points.

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 69 vs. St. Bernard's, 28 - Final - All 13 Franklin players scored in the win, led by Jillian Spolidoro's 11 points. Julianne Pisani and Lexi Martin each added nine points and Lauren Rudolph had eight points. Franklin will play Shepard Hill in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Whitman-Hanson, 7 - Final

For the remainder of the Hockomock League results check this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021615

Franklin Library: Winter Carnival - Feb 18th

Take the kids to the Winter Carnival at the Franklin Library on Wednesday.

Games, music, prizes, face painting balloons and more from 10:30 AM to noon.

Winter Carnival - Feb 18th

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/winter-carnival.html

MBTA: Tuesday (Feb 17) Commuter Rail schedule changes

All Commuter Rail Lines will operate a modified weekday schedule on Tuesday, February 17.  Schedules details for each line are at www.mbta.com/winter. Passengers should expect significant delays and several canceled trips. Note that Providence/Stoughton Line trains will not serve TF Green and Wickford and all service will begin and end in Providence.  On the Kingston/Plymouth Line, trains will not service Plymouth and all service will begin and end in Kingston. Last updated: Feb 16 2015 09:23 PM Sent by the MBTA. not hard to see why the MBTA is having trouble running trains on time given the state of the tracks covered with snow

Party - Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday - March 1

The Franklin Historical Commission will celebrate our town's birthday with a party at the Museum on Sunday March 1st.

The public is invited and encouraged to join the Commission for cake and refreshments as we commemorate the Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday.

Originally to be named Exeter when the charter was filed on March 2, 1778, our town took the name Franklin after the famous diplomat and revolutionary, Benjamin Franklin
.
Local residents who were born on March 2nd have received an invitation from Historical Commission Chairperson, Debbie Pellegri, inviting them to the museum to celebrate their shared birthday with the town. 

From young children to seniors, as many as 88 town residents have a March 2nd birthday. All invitees in attendance born on March 2nd, will be entered in a free raffle for a $100 prize!

Sunday March 1st, 1:00PM, Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin.

The Franklin Historical Museum in warmer times

For additional information on the Museum and exhibts, visit their webpage
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/

FPAC - “My Violin Journey” Sunday, February 22

Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual, free Family Concert Series continues this season with “My Violin Journey” on Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m., featuring violinist Irina Fainkichen, with piano accompaniment by Kitty Cheung Evans. The performance will take place at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 

violinist Irina Fainkichen

Family Concert Series events are especially geared to children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances feature talented, professional musicians and present music of many genres in an entertaining and interactive way. Audience participation is encouraged.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen received degrees from Rachmaninoff Music College, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia, and Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. She is a busy freelance violinist in the Greater Boston area. Irina was concertmaster of San Francisco’s Russian Chamber Orchestra for many years, appearing as soloist numerous times. Currently, she is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and a co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including Jazz, Klezmer, and classic American tunes.

For the FPAC Family Concert Series program, Irina has chosen songs that have significance from her early childhood. These include works by Mozart and Beethoven, pieces that Irina first played at the age of 5 and that she now likes to teach to her own violin students. Additionally, Irina will perform two pieces, Weber’s “Hunter’s Chorus” and Baklanova’s “Mazurka,” that she played at her first public performance at age 6, and F. Schubert’s “The Bee,” which she performed at age 10 for her first national TV appearance. The program will also include “At the Zoo,” by Cofalik and Twardowski, among the many engaging and accessible pieces of repertoire by noted composers.

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, FPAC’s Family Concert Series concludes on April 12 with Alice in Wonderland, an opera for children featuring sopranos Mariko Matsumura and Shauna Martin. FPAC’s 2015 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance. A distinctive, non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, FPAC presents quality performances with a focus on youth development and live music, while offering opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts to work together in a collaborative and creative environment. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.fpaconline.com and www.theblackboxonline.com.

Religious School Open House - Mar 15, May 3

Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin, is hosting two Religious School Open House events. Families interested in Religious School for their school-aged children from Pre-K through High School are welcome to join us Sunday, March 15, 2015 or Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 9:15 to 11:00 am at the Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, Medway. 

Each event will include a tour of the school and participation in the activities of the day, opportunities to meet with the Rabbi, the Education Director and representatives from the Membership Committee as well as time for coffee and schmoozing with temple families. 

There is no cost for attending. RSVP by email to Hana Berman at directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org or call the temple office (508) 528-5337 to RSVP or for additional information.

screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage

For additional information on the Temple Etz Chaim, please visit their webpage
http://www.temple-etzchaim.org/

MBTA: Commuter Rail schedule change for Presidents' Day

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday, February 16. Commuter Rail service is expected to have delays due to switch and signal issues and mechanical issues with locomotives. Cancelled train trips are also likely. -------- Limited Rail and Bus service will be available on Presidents' Day, Monday, February 16. Details are available at www.mbta.com/winter. Photo of commuter rail train leaving Franklin Dean Station Last updated: Feb 15 2015 07:11 PM Sent by the MBTA.

FM #109 - The Delegate Ladybug Lands in Franklin

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

Listen here:

The Delegate Ladybug

Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Council

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug

Rep Roy speaking about the Ladybug story

Session Notes: - FM #109

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

What was the ladybug project and how did this ladybug land here?

Claire and Beth Simon spearheaded the Ladybug Committee to obtain the 25 ladybugs, solicit sponsors and artists for each of them, coordinate their showing on the Town Common in August, and at the Harvest Festival in October.

The delegate ladybug will now be on display at the Municipal Building to remind us of the story of the ladybug being selected as the state bug for MA.

Money from the fundraising portion of this community art project will be used eventually for a fitting memorial for Palma Johnson, the Kennedy School teacher whose class developed the proposal and successfully petitioned to the State 40 years ago.

This was quite an accomplishment 40 years ago, and equally a good accomplishment during 2014 for the Ladybug project.

Without further ado, here is the recording of the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 at the Franklin Municipal Building.

(recording)

----

As I close this special session, let me remind you that

• If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don’t like something, please tell me

It is through this feedback loop that you can help me improve the information I provide for you.

Thank you for listening!

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 and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!

You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Related links:

• The Ladybug story can be found on the Kennedy School webpage

http://kennedyelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinKennedy_Webdocs/ladybugstory

• Copies of the Ladybug story are also available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s page

http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

• The collection of photos of the ladybugs from the showing on the Town Common in August 2014 can be found here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

• The same collection of photos can also be found on Facebook here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150410611444995.1073741875.173205529994&type=3

Clebrating Presidents' Day in MA

If the weather cooperates, something from this list of historic sites provided by MA.GOV would be good to take in on Presidents' Day. Adams National Park and the Coolidge Library are still on my own list of places to visit.

I have visited the Kennedy Library a couple of times and there is always something to learn there.

quote from President Kennedy's 1st Inaugural Address

"All of this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in the our lifetime on this planet. But let it begin."

The recent record-breaking snowfall has affected hours of operation and parking availability for many of these sites. Make sure to call ahead before visiting.

• Take a tour of the Adams National Historical Park and explore the birthplace of our second and sixth U.S. presidents, John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. The Adams National Historic Park includes a visitor center, a bookstore, a short film, a trolley ride, and tours of each president’s birthplace.
  • Located in Quincy, the park grounds are open year-round and the historic homes reopen this season on April 19. The Visitor Center is open year-round Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for federal holidays.
  • Admission is $5 for adults. Children 16 and under can explore for free.

• Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and learn about the life of our 35th president. Although the main exhibit halls are closed for renovations until mid-March, the special exhibit “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” is currently open to the public.
  • The museum is located on Boston’s waterfront and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for veterans and teenagers 13 to 17. Museum members, active duty servicemembers, and children 12 and under are admitted for free.

• Explore the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, which was established in 1920 and houses a large collection of artifacts and exhibits that tells the story of our 30th president’s life.
  • The Coolidge research library and museum are located in the Forbes Library in Northampton.
  • Museum hours When planning a visit, contact the library by phone at (413) 587-1014 or via email atcoolidge@forbeslibrary.org for additional information.

Make this Presidents’ Day fun-filled and educational. Join Massachusetts as we remember and honor our past presidents, who helped shape our great nation under their leadership.

Shared from the MA GOV page here

http://blog.mass.gov/blog/history/celebrating-presidents-day-in-massachusetts/

FHS Wrestling finishes Second in D1 Central meet

From Hockomock Sports we can share the results of the D1 Central Wrestling sectional meet where Franklin finished second!

FHS Panthers

D1 Central
Team Rankings
2. Franklin 184.5

106
2. Mike Racca, Franklin

113
2. Nick Narducci, Franklin

120
1. Mike Copolla, Franklin

126
1. Dan Pisani, Franklin

132
3. Pat Glynn, Franklin

145
6. Nate Bakalars, Franklin

160
1. Bilal Khan, Franklin

285
2. John Miller, Franklin


For the results of the other Hockomock teams in D2 South follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-wrestling-sectionals-hockomock-results

Franklin Library: Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations

School vacation week, what to do with the kids? Check out the library. In addition to plenty of books there are events scheduled almost every day.

Chris Towle will perform some liquid nitrogen demonstrations on Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Good for kids K and older.

Liquid nitrogen demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/liquid-nitrogen-demonstrations.html

FHS Winter Sports Results for Friday, Feb 13th

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 2 @ Malden Catholic, 6 - Final - Ryan Spillane gave Franklin a 1-0 lead and Joe Bourque made it 2-1 in favor of the Panthers late in the first period. This is an exclusion game for Franklin and won't count towards playoff seeding.

Girls Basketball

Mansfield, 37 @ Franklin, 44 - Final - Julianne Pisani led the Panthers with 10 points. Jillian Spolidoro had nine points for the Panthers, who had nine players score in the game. Mansfield was led by Jen Peel with 14 points. Jess Stoyle and Alyssa Kelley each added seven points.

Game of the Week - Boys Basketball

Franklin, 51 @ Mansfield, 61 - Final - Junior Nick Baskin had a game-high 18 points for the Hornets, who outscored Franklin by 14 in the second half and won their third straight Kelley-Rex division title. Ryan Boulter added 15 points, five boards and three assists, Michael Boen had a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and sophomore Matt Ehrlich had seven points, seven boards and three assists. Marcus Giese had a team-high 12 points for Franklin and added nine rebounds, Shawn Hanley had 11 points, Markus Bohmiller had 10 points and Tim Prunier had nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

Mansfield's Michael Boen is guarded by Franklin's Dylan Reno in the second half.
 (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

For additonal results around the Hockomock League Friday night
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021315

For the 'game of the week' write up
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/mansfield-wears-franklin-down-wins-kelley-rex-title

For the girls Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-girls-indoor-track-championships-hock-results

For the boys Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-boys-indoor-track-championships-hock-results

April Hall - rescheduled to April 24

Please Note:  

April Hall has been rescheduled to April 24 due to the impending snow storm on Valentines's Day!

April Hall

Ticket info at THE BLACK BOX Theater can be found here
http://www.theblackboxonline.com/event-2015-01-12-mon-jan/?lang=en

Hockomock Area YMCA Holding Sunday Open House - Feb 15th

The Hockomock Area YMCA welcomes everyone in the community to visit its facilities in North Attleboro, Franklin, and Foxboro on Sunday February 15 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm to join free introductory youth classes run by expert YMCA coaches in the Sports, Gymnastics, Enrichment, and Dance programs. In addition, families will enjoy free Open Swim, Child Watch, Kids Gym, and more. This afternoon of family time is designed to support the Y’s belief that healthy living has as much to do with pursuing interests, passions and learning new things as it does with eating healthy and being active.

youth swimmer

“We’re here to surround every child with support, guidance and fantastic chances to discover and learn,” says Jim Downs, VP of Operations. Whether you’re a current YMCA member and want to try something new or prepare for spring swim lessons by being assessed in the water, or you’ve never visited, you will be made to feel welcome.

Half hour classes running throughout the afternoon will include those in Sports like parent-child All-Star Kids and Basketball Skills; in Gymnastics and Dance, including Boys Super Heroes and Princess Dance; and in Arts & Enrichment, including Me, Mommy & Music, Youth Cooking, and Little Wizards. All in the community are invited to attend and sample a variety of the programs available year-round at the Hockomock Area YMCA.

The Y is about youth development: we strive to help children and teens reach their full potential by helping them grow—physically, mentally and socially—from young children into engaged, active members of their communities.

“This event is a great way for kids who have never been in the water or in a sports class to get comfortable with the experience and to begin to develop life skills and interests,” says Downs. “Or, if your child wants to try a new program, you’ll find dozens of options in a fun, supportive environment,” he adds.

gymnast

Through Y programs, kids have the opportunity to find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and memories. And, of course, it’s fun too.

“Over the years, thousands of children have learned lifelong skills at the Y and we are proud to continue to make events like this available,” Downs says. “It’s really part of the important role the Y plays in our community.”

Call or stop by to pick up a schedule of classes that will be offered for kids, age 18 months – 14 years. Signups will be available starting at 12:30 pm on the day of the event. For more information on the February 15 Open House or programs offered at the Y, please call 508-695-7001 | North Attleboro; 508-528-8708 | Franklin; or 508-543-2523 | Foxboro. Or visit hockymca.org.

Locations: 300 Elmwood Street in North Attleboro; 45 Forge Hill Road in Franklin; 67 Mechanic Street in Foxboro

About Hockomock Area YMCA:

The Hockomock Area YMCA is an organization of men, women, and children sharing a commitment to nurture the potential of kids, promote healthy living, and foster a sense of social responsibility. With over 33,000 members, half under the age of 18, their promise is to partner and collaborate with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. Their programs and activities emphasize the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, and body and are available to all individuals regardless of their ability to pay.

MBTA: Service change - No Parking after 7:00 PM Saturday

Parking will be prohibited at all MBTA stations parking lots from 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015, until 5:00 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015 in order to enhance snow clearing efforts.  Due to the impending Blizzard, parking will be prohibited in all MBTA station parking lots from 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015, until 5:00 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015. All vehicles left in MBTA station parking lots are subject to towing. Last updated: Feb 14 2015 07:12 AM Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/parking/default.asp?id=25318 Sent by the MBTA.

Franklin Station before the major snow falls this winter