Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 7/29/16 - THU 8/4/16

FRIDAY 7/29/16
Franklin Cultural Festival Day 3
11am   Summer Music Concert @ Franklin High School
12-6pm   Franklin Farmers Market @ The Town Common
6:30pm   Kevin Wolf - Soft Classic Rock @ Sculpture Park
8pm   Shakespeare on the Common

SATURDAY 7/30/16
Franklin Cultural Festival Day 4
9am-12pm   Touch a Truck @ Elks Lodge
1:30-6:30pm   Music Performances @ The Black Box
3:30-6:30pm   Arts and Robots @ The Black Box
4-6pm   The Taste of Franklin, Culinary Arts - inside and outside @ The Black Box
6:30pm   One Acts @ The Black Box
7:30pm   Victims of Gravity @ The Black Box
9pm   Soiree @ The Black Box
10pm   2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Closing Ceremony @ The Black Box

TUESDAY 8/2/16
10:30am   Legos and Giant Games @ Franklin Public Library

WEDNESDAY 8/3/16
10am-2pm   Teddy Bear Picnic @ The Town Common
6pm   Concerts on the Common: Leed’s Band (at 6:30pm), Children’s Program: Rob Peters, Bubble Man
8:15pm   Movies in the Park @ Choate Park in Medway

THURSDAY 8/4/16
10:30am   Family Storytime @ Franklin Public Library
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked @ Franklin Art Center

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

Today's schedule for the 2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Friday, July 29

Summer Music Concert – Band, Strings and Chorus

• Location – Franklin High School Auditorium – 11:00 AM

Farmer’s Market – on High Street Side

• Location – Franklin Town Common – 12 Noon to 6 PM

CANCELED due to the weather at 11:30AM 7/29/16

Kevin Wolfe – Soft Classic Rock

• Location – The Sculpture Park – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Shakespeare on the Common –– FPAC

• Location – Franklin Town Common – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM  on the lawn by the Statue (High St side of the Common)

Franklin Sculpture Park

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Get the full Cultural Festival brochure to download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

* note the schedule is subject to change

2016 Preparing for Middle School: Parent Edition Assembly

Join Franklin Recreation as we host Erin Mahoney; the founder and creator of Girl Power Go which is an empowerment program for girls! This program was specifically designed to get girls ages 7 to 14 excited about being strong, self-confident, independent and healthy. Erin will be hosting a one hour parent assembly on preparing your daughter for Middle School. 

Many important topics will be covered such as children’s excitement and fears about entering middle school, technology awareness, social media and network safety, the power of being yourself and how parents can encourage their kids to navigate through changing friendships, their bodies, large classroom transitions and much more!

For parents interested in attending this informative assembly, which will take place on August 19th at 7:00pm - location either FHS auditorium or at Franklin Recreation Department. 

Please register online via the Franklin Recreation Department’s online registration page (www.franklin.ma.us/recreation) or you can call the office at (508) 613-1666. More information to follow to registered participants.

image from Girl Power Go webpage

James Montgomery Band Headlines THE BLACK BOX - Aug 5

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s theater, music, and event venue, presents the renowned James Montgomery Band on Friday, August 5 at 8 p.m.

Whether it’s recording with Kid Rock, sitting in with Gregg Allman, or fronting his band of 30 years, blues legend James Montgomery plays with authority. While growing up in Detroit, he learned firsthand from the masters – James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, and Jr. Wells – at the legendary “Chessmate.” Over the years, Montgomery has carried on in the tradition and continues to be a vital presence in Blues as one of the most dynamic performers on the scene.

James Montgomery

He formed the James Montgomery Band in 1970 while attending Boston University. Montgomery’s inimitable harmonica playing, combined with his energetic live shows, led to the band’s quick ascension on the New England music scene. Within two years, the James Montgomery Band was among the hottest acts in Boston, along with J. Geils and Aerosmith, and they were quickly signed to a multi-album deal with Capricorn records.

Since that time, James has recorded six albums. His first, First Time Out, has been re-mastered and re-released by MRG/Capricorn. Others include James Montgomery Band on Island Records, which was number nine on Billboard’s national playlist; Duck Fever, with members of the David Letterman Band; Live Trax, with the Uptown Horns (the Rolling Stones’ horn section); and his release on Tone-Cool, The Oven Is On.

Montgomery has toured with major artists including Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller and others. He has jammed on stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Charlie Daniels, Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, Laverne Baker, Patti LaBelle, and Peter Wolf, among others, including an impromptu session with Mick Jagger at New York’s “Trax.”

Over the years, Montgomery’s band has been a springboard for many musicians, with members having included Billy Squire, Wayne Kramer (MC-5), Jeff Golub (Rod Stewart), Jim McCarty (Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels), Jeff Pevar (Ray Charles Orchestra and Crosby, Stills & Nash), Bobby Chouinard (drummer with Ted Nugent, Squire, and Robert Gordon), Jeff Levine (Joe Cocker), Aerosmith’s Tom Gambel, and many others.

Tickets are $25. THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. A cash bar is available. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

The 2nd "Taste of Franklin" will appear at the Cultural Festival on Saturday, July 30

The "Taste of Franklin" provides an opportunity for several of the restaurants and food establishments to showcase their signature 'taste'. These 'tastes' will be available for a $2 purchase for each item. Other items from the food vendors may be available at their regular price.

The "Taste of Franklin" will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM inside and outside THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA.
 

The 2nd "Taste of Franklin" will be held on Saturday, July 30 at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX, 15 W Central St, Franklin

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Get the full Cultural Festival brochure to download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

* note the schedule is subject to change

In the News: police looking at DUI, School Committee coffee hours

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Police Department has placed a emphasis on a type of impaired driving that is often overlooked: drivers under the influence of drugs. 

The department now has three officers who have undergone Drug Recognition Expert training, meant to help police identify when a driver is under the influence of drugs - both illegal and prescription - and what drugs they may have used. 

Detective Joseph MacLean has been a expert since 2003, and helps train officers in the technique. He said, while officers are trained to recognize impaired driving, there are times when additional expertise is necessary, as there is no Breathalyzer equivalent for most drugs."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160728/franklin-police-step-up-efforts-to-identify-drug-influenced-drivers

Franklin Police, 911 Panther Way

"Coffee hours" encouraging discourse between residents and the School Committee worked well, members said Thursday afternoon when they met to discuss communication with the public. 

The committee has held the series over the past several months, and analyzed the feedback at this week's session. 

Committee member Denise Schultz said participation has been very good."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160728/franklin-school-committee-forges-closer-ties-with-public

Major Water Ban in effect for the Town of Franklin

Important Information:

Major Water Ban in effect for the Town of Franklin

Please Read and pass along,

As I sit here today writing this post,approximately over "3.5 MILLION" Gallons of water is consumed daily here in Franklin. That is actually down from the almost "6 MILLION" Gallons that was consumed one day earlier this month. We should be averaging only 2.5 million per DAY!!

OK, so what does this all mean...

• Lets play the numbers game:

3.5 Million Gallons at 8.34 pounds/gal = 29,190,00 LBS of water
The USS Missouri battle cruiser weighs in at 90 Million pounds, so every 3 days we match the weight of a battle ship :)

An Olympic size swimming pool holds 660,430 gallons of water.
3,500,000/660,430 = ~5.3 Olympic Size pools a day.

The online price of a standard gallon of water at Walmart in Bellingham is $0.88. 3,500,000 x 0.88 = $3,080,000

Currently the Town of Franklin obtains its drinking water from 12 groundwater supply wells. In addition to the 12 water supply wells, the Town operates 8 booster pump stations, 6 water storage tanks, 2,000+ hydrants, 157 miles of water main and approximately 9,000 water services. The Town of Franklin sanitary sewer system is comprised of 137 miles of sewer pipe, 3,400+ manholes and 23 pump stations.

I was told today that the State has moved from being a "Drought' to being an "Extreme Drought" condition.

• What does that mean?

Well according to the
U.S. Drought Monitor Classification Scheme
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/aboutus/classificationscheme.aspx

See the chart...

drought severity chart from US Drought Monitor website

We are now officially one level away from the worst possible state we can be in!!

• So why care?

- As water levels diminish our ability to effectively fight fires lowers dramatically. If you haven't noticed even the grass and trees have no water. So, even the slightest spark or ember will ignite them.

- As the water levels diminish our over-all health becomes greatly impacted!

• Am I scaring you?

I hope so...because this is a very serious situation.

Please check out the Town's DWP Water Department webpage for very helpful links and info! 
 http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_PublicWorks/Water_Conservation/Water_Conservation_Index

Please do your part to conserve!

Thank you!

Glenn Jones
Franklin Town Council

Today's schedule for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Thursday, July 28

Location – Historical Museum – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

• The Fiddling Thomsons
• Historical artifacts
• Selling Hotdogs and Hoodsies ($1 each)

Franklin Historical Museum

Location – Franklin Town Common – By the Statue - 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM

• Laughter Yoga – Bill and Linda Hamaker

Location – Franklin Town Common – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

• Shakespeare on the Common – at the Gazebo

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Get the full Cultural Festival brochure to download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

* note the schedule is subject to change

Downtown Changes - Revitalize Downtown

From Eileen Mason, Franklin Realtor and community advocate:

I was at the Franklin Downtown Partnership meetings years ago when the decision was made to improve the economic environment and bring our downtown back to life. This was no small task but a major plan for improvements requested, was funded by a State Grant written by our Director of Town Planning at the time, Carol Harper.

The major concern for businesses was that 75% or more of the traffic on the one way setup went down main street just to continue onto Rte 140. It has been a high volume, high speed and weaving raceway. So now all that traffic stays on Rte 140, reducing the volume and speed of traffic on Main St. Making it safer for all.

The fire station was another major consideration. The ability to take a left out of the station takes critical minutes off of response times. We should all be happy about no more unnecessary delays to emergencies.

The third major concern was to improve the safety of walking on Main St, where weaving through lanes and not paying attention to pedestrians is significantly reduced or eliminated.

Lastly, but most importantly was to improve the economic climate in downtown by attracting development and reinvestment in our community.

Get to know who is owning/operating these businesses.

It's a big change and controversy was expected, but now the streets work like all the other streets in the community and surrounding towns. Out of towners won't have an issue with the changes because now the traffic flow is normal.

There are many that will have comments and opinions which is fine.

For me, I drove down Main St from the Town Common and parked right in front of the business that I wanted to go to. No triangle and lights to go around. That was so easy and took much less time.

I'm very proud of all the hard work this team has done over the years to make this vital economic and logistics change for our town. There are some very dedicated town administration people who have been on this project for years and yes, it was a successful start to the change. GOOD JOB! Improving the timing of the lights is in process. Be patient. 

If we all just follow the rules of the road, all will be well in Franklin. Stay on your side of the road, stop at stop signs and lights. The finish work is still going on, so please keep an open mind.

New construction is in process to bring even more businesses to downtown. Let's all help to support them and have a thriving downtown area.

So we didn't set out to change to two way traffic. We set out to revitalize our downtown. This change was needed to accomplish several goals and hopefully will be a lasting improvement for all.

This was shared from her Facebook posting to the "All About Franklin" group

new traffic flow in downtown Franklin

David A Bernstein to appear in Art Show at Patriot Place

Franklin artist David A Bernstein will showcase his work in an art show at Patriot Place Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31.

In the News: neighbors concerned about development, 2-way traffic arrives

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Neighbors have expressed their concerns about a potential affordable housing development off Peck and Cottage streets. 

At issue is a multi-unit townhouse-style development - called "Madalene Village" - that is now before the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Angela Woislaw, one of those opposed to the project, said neighbors are worried about the housing's effect on the environment and flooding. 

"The residents believe that this is a very poorly designed development," she said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160727/franklin-residents-concerned-about-housing-development

sign in neighborhood around proposed development

"At 5 a.m. Tuesday, the proverbial switch was flipped on traffic in downtown Franklin, going from a one-way, counter clockwise motion around the center business block to moving both ways. 

Digital advisories and signs were placed around downtown, along with orange traffic cones, and police officers were posted at key spots, to help direct drivers through the new flow. 

While there were some small hitches, overall, the switch "went very well," Police Chief Thomas Lynch said. 

"The contractor, Walsh Construction and the Mass Department of Transportation/Mass Highway authorized a number of details, so we had plenty of help up there," he said.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160727/two-way-traffic-begins-in-downtown-franklin-first-day-went-well

Franklin Cultural Festival opens today at 5:00 PM

at the Franklin Town Common

Assorted art activities sponsored by the Franklin Art Association – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Sidewalk Chalk Drawing
• Face Painting
• Rich Guardabascio’s Block Printing
• Plein air Painting

Opening ceremony – 5:45 PM

Electric Youth concert – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

Electric Youth 2016

the stage is ready at the Town Common

at THE BLACK BOX

One Act Plays – 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM



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Get the full Cultural Festival brochure to download and print from here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZGhDUmdGWm1GNHM/view?usp=sharing

• Get updates on the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival on the webpage

http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/

• or follow Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalFestival/

• or Twitter  https://twitter.com/artshappenhere

* note the schedule is subject to change

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Schedule for the 2016-17 Season

Next show is September 10th featuring Garnet Rogers with Shawna Caspi View this email in your browser Our 2016-17 schedule is almost complete We have recently added Livingston Taylor and Catie Curtis to the schedule and look forward to seeing many of you this coming season. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available. Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information.  Upcoming Shows Sep 10     Garnet Rogers with Shawna Caspi Sep 24     An Evening with Tom Rush Oct 15      Jim Henry and Abbie Gardner (Red Molly) Nov 5       Matt Nakoa, Rachael Kilgour, & Kirsten Maxwell Nov 19     The Kennedys Dec 3       Ellis Paul

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

FPAC Presents 9th Annual Whatever Theater Festival

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 2016 Whatever Theater Festival, running from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30. The 9th annual festival features a production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors and a presentation of One Acts, an eclectic series of one-act plays. 

One Acts will be performed on July 27 at 8:30 p.m. and again on July 30 at 6:30 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Comedy of Errors will be staged on July 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common. All performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of William Shakespeare’s earliest plays, the Bard’s famously farcical Comedy of Errors entertains with a tale of two sets of twins accidentally separated at birth. When twin masters Antipholus of Ephasus and Antipholus of Syracuse, with their twin servants Dromio of Ephasus and Dromio of Syracuse, cross paths in the same town, double trouble and madcap mistaken identity ensue. FPAC’s 90-minute adaptation features the beloved slapstick comedy, funny antics, and witty word play that are hallmarks of this enduring classic.

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, FPAC’s Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience that showcases an exciting range of dramatic and comedic works. 

This year’s Whatever Theater Festival will be part of the 2nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. The visual, performing and culinary arts celebration will take place July 27-30 at various downtown Franklin locations within the proposed Cultural District. 

FPAC’s 2016 Whatever Theater Festival is sponsored in part by grants from the Franklin, North Attleborough and Wrentham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

THE BLACK BOX

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Computer Seminar - Sep 29

Press Release - Free Computer Seminar ~ September 29, 2016 ~ 4:30pm

Norfolk County Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell  to Host Computer Seminar Thursday, September 29, 2016 ~ 4:30pm to 5:30pm Register of Deeds William P. O'Donnell will host a free informational seminar on computer assisted land records research at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds at 649 High Street in Dedham from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on Thursday, September 29, 2016.  The seminar is intended for both real estate professionals and the general public.   Register O'Donnell noted that the program will include a brief presentation complete with reference materials and hands-on exercises. There will also be opportunities to ask both basic and advanced questions. Computer assisted land records research is currently available both at the Registry and on the Internet at www.norfolkdeeds.org. "These services have proven to be invaluable tools for our customers. We hope that this seminar will be both helpful and informative," said Register of Deeds Bill O'Donnell. There is no charge for the seminar, but anyone planning to attend is asked to register by calling Alicia Gardner at 781-461-6104 or by email to agardner@norfolkdeeds.org.  Please include your name, address, email and a daytime phone number when you register. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds is located at 649 High Street in Dedham.  It is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County, amassing approximately a half of million land records dating back to 1793. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information.  Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center via telephone at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org. To learn more about this and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives like us at Facebook.com/NorfolkDeeds or follow us on twitter.com/NorfolkDeeds.

Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, 649 High Street, Dedham,, MA 02026-1831 Sent by registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org in collaboration with Try it free today

Norfolk County Register of Deeds Computer Seminar

Downtown Project: Update #40 - July 26, 2016

Today (Tuesday, July 26, 2016) the traffic has opened to two-way in Downtown Franklin. Thank you to everyone for their patience and working to provide a safe flow of traffic in downtown.

However, there is still work to be done. The project will continue through the next couple months with odds and ends to complete, including installation of benches, bike racks, trash barrels, decorations, banners, American flags, finishing the crosswalks, planters, trees and much more.

Please contact the Town Administrator's Office at 520-4949 with any questions. We will continue to keep the public informed through our website, Twitter and Facebook.

working on the entrance to the fire station on West Central St

This update can also be found on the official Town of Franklin webpage
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02472532-000F8513