Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club - Mar 9

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is pleased to invite you to our March Meeting. We gather monthly to make new friends and connections while learning about our community.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends

We will be meeting at the "3" Restaurant in Franklin on Wednesday, March 9th at 7:30pm. Come join us upstairs for complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. We always begin our events with ample time to socialize . . . we welcome all residents; whether you are new to town or if you have lived here for years. We look forward to meeting you!

Regarding our April Meeting, we typically meet the 2nd Wednesday of the Month. In April, the Newcomers and Friends will be participating in the FEF Trivia Bee fundraiser on Wed. April 13. So instead, our April Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 20th.

Best Buddies Online Silent Auction – Opens March 3rd

Team GT for KT is hosting an online silent auction to raise funds for Best Buddies. Online bidding opens on Thursday, March 3, 2016 and will close on Thursday, March 31, 2016. Please support our auction by bidding and sharing our auction information with your friends. Some of the items in our auction include:

• Tom Brady Signed NFL Football
• Red Sox Tickets (bidding closes 3/13)
• Bose SoundTouch WiFi Music System
• Golf for 4 at Maplegate Country Club
• Restaurants, Jewelry, Spa/Salon and much more!

To bid go to https://www.32auctions.com/GT4KT2016

Best Buddies

Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization that provides friendship and integrated employment opportunities to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Best Buddies has a number of active chapters serving students enrolled in the Franklin Public Schools.

Special thanks to all our 2016 donors!

Franklin Schools - half day Friday Mar 4

Franklin schools have a half day Friday, March 4 for teacher professional development.

Parmenter sign on half day, Mar 4; PCC Mtg Mar 10

Friendly reminder that the calendar for the 2016-2017 school year was approved by the School Committee a few weeks ago. It is posted online

http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_News/02308424-000F8513.0/16-17%20Calendar.pdf

The School Committee has a subcommittee looking at the calendar for the 2017-2018 school year with the idea that if there was a change to combine the Feb and April break into one MArch break, the decision and calendar would be available in June 2016

FPAC presents Disney’s The Little Mermaid

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the under-the-sea spectacular, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, on March 12, 13, 19 and 20 at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Be a VIP Under the Sea following the March 13th matinee performance with a package experience that includes an exclusive reception featuring a photo opportunity with Ariel and her friends.

Based on the beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen and the classic animated film, the enchanting blockbuster musical brings audiences into a magical ocean kingdom – home to mermaid Ariel, King Triton and a host of memorable characters, including Flounder the fish and Sebastian the crab. When the beautiful and curious young mermaid falls for a handsome human, Prince Eric, in the world above, she bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, Disney’s The Little Mermaid features the irresistible songs “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl,” and “Part of Your World.” 

Franklin’s Madi Asgeirsson plays Ariel (Phil Fox Photography)

Under the direction of Nick Paone and Raye Lynn Mercer, FPAC’s production of the family favorite musical imaginatively uses THE BLACK BOX’s flexible space. The intimacy of the venue and the show’s clever staging bring audiences right up close to all the action and into The Little Mermaid’s fantasy world. 

The theater’s 360-degree catwalk provides a dramatic platform to feature the production’s professional orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Hallie Wetzell. FPAC’s costumer, Merrie Whitney, who is building the entire show, has fashioned designs that are true to the spirit of the movie, but reflect her creativity in supporting the show’s direction and choreography by Paone, Mercer and Kellie Stamp. 

Sea creatures are anthropomorphized and given human qualities to bring the underwater scenes to life. Spotlighting the talents of more than 40 area performers, FPAC’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid is presented as part of the company’s 25th anniversary season.

Performances are on March 12 and 19 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on March 13 and 20. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370. Disney’s The Little Mermaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Franklin Downtown Partnership GENERAL Meeting Agenda - March 3 - 8:00 AM

Franklin Downtown Partnership GENERAL Meeting Agenda
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Dean College Campus Center @ 8:00 a.m.
Golder Room

• Open Meeting
• Adoption of Agenda
• Introductions
• Streetscape Project and Town Update - Lisa Piana

- Jamie Hellen - Deputy Town Administrator
- Anthony Tavalone- MA DOT
- Bryan Taberner-Planning Director

• Update from Executive Director - Lisa Piana

- 2016 events, membership, sponsorship

• Progressive Dinner - Jane Curran, Joel Carrara
• Networking Committee - Matt Lechter, Gary Donelan
• Economic Dev Committee-Lisa Piana, Bryan Taberner

- Dean College Discount Program - Matt Lechter- Ideas for new retail in downtown - handout- Downtown PR project

• New Business
• Adjourn

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Upcoming Events:

• Networking Luncheon - March 11
• Progressive Dinner - May TBD
• General Meeting - May 5
• Beautification Day - May 21
• Strawberry Stroll - June

FHS boys hockey top Wellesley 2-1 to advance in playoffs

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of Hockomock Sports, provides a detail write up for the Franklin - Wellesley boys hickey game on Wednesday, March 2:

"With Franklin leading 2-0 in the second period, sophomore Jeremy Miller skated past three Wellesley defensemen in the zone and unleashed a rocket that appeared to hit the bar in the back of the net and ricocheted out. 

Wellesley fans at that end of the ice were waiting for the officials to stop play for the goal, but instead it was ruled that the shot hit the crossbar and the Panthers’ lead stayed at two goals. 

Just seconds later that lead was cut in half and for the final 23 minutes of the game Wellesley became the aggressor and put Franklin back on its heels. Despite the Raiders’ pressure, Franklin held on, thanks in part to 20 saves from senior goalie Nick Jasinski, for a 2-1 victory in the Div. 1 South opener at Loring Ice Arena in Framingham. 

“We’ve just got to learn how to put teams away,” said a relieved Franklin coach Chris Spillane after the game. “We seem to have a problem; we keep teams around all the time and I can’t take many more of these games.”

Continue reading the article online
http://www.hockomocksports.com/after-strong-start-panthers-hang-on-for-playoff-win/

Franklin held on for a 2-1 victory over Wellesley in the Div. 1 South first round at Loring Arena. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)

For additional photos from the game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/20152016/Winter-201516/Franklin-Wellesley-hockey-3-2/

Senator Ross: February 2016 State House Update

The contents of this newsletter were shortened for publication here. You can view the full newsletter by following this link 

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, February 2016 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, This month, besides my legislative duties, I have crisscrossed my district visiting new businesses, meeting with students, and listening to the needs of our seniors. One thing is for certain: the people and communities I represent are truly remarkable and I am humbled to serve you. My February newsletter is filled with Beacon Hill updates as well as a celebration of this district and my constituents. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Sincerely, RECOGNIZING MILLIS AS A GREEN COMMUNITY I was honored to join Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton, Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources Judith Judson, and Rep. David Linsky in recognizing the town of Millis as a Green Community earlier this month. Representing the town was Town Administrator Charles Aspinwall, Vice Chair James Neville, and Energy Manager Robert Weiss. Millis received a grant of $151,325 aimed to advance clean energy solutions and strengthen the local economy by reducing long-term energy costs. I am very excited for my constituents as this funding will go a long way to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, facilities, and schools. We are fortunate that the Baker-Polito Administration prioritizes the needs of our cities and towns and is actively working towards the long-term stability of our communities. To learn more about Green Communities, please click here. SECRETARY ASH VISITS NORTH ATTLEBORO Thank you to the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash for taking the time to visit North Attleboro this month and discuss upgrades to the downtown area with town officials, Rep. Betty Poirier, and myself. Secretary Ash toured the abandoned Balfour building site on East Street which is set to be redeveloped to include new apartments, restaurant and retail space, as well as a GATRA bus terminal. North Attleboro secured grants through MassWorks and MassDevelopment for these projects and if completed it could bring a substantial amount of revenue for the town. The town cares about this project very much and we are very fortunate to have an administration that is invested in the progress and success of our cities and towns. CLOTHING DRIVE IN FRANKLIN We have some truly amazing students in our district. In February, the Jefferson Elementary Student Government in Franklin conducted a pajama and sock drive to benefit the Friends of Foster Care and Comfort Cases for Kids. Representative Jeffrey Roy and I visited Jefferson Elementary School to present the thoughtful students with citations from both the House of Representatives and Senate congratulating them on this selfless act of kindness. Entering a new foster home can be hard, but a new set of clothes can go a long way to truly change someone's life for the better. These students are an inspiration for our community and I am so proud of the work they put into this. If you would like to learn more about Friends of Foster Care or contribute, you can visit their website here. We had a successful month of Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Seminars and you still have a chance to learn how you can benefit from this significant program. Just a couple dates left in five towns. Check out the schedule below to see when we will be coming to your town, and for information on what the Senior Circuit Breaker tax Credit is, visit my website here. Friday, March 4th Wayland Senior Center, 41 Cochituate Road, Wayland 9:30am-10:30am Wellesley COA, 219 Washington Street, Wellesley 11:00am-12:00pm