In the News: Dean to use common app, Library move scheduled, empty bowls dinner set, discrimination lawsuit dismissed

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Students applying to Dean College for 2017-18 will now have the ability to do so through the Common Application, an online system used by nearly 700 colleges and universities in the United States and around the world to manage the college admission process. 

By becoming a Common Application member, Dean College gains the opportunity to discover students who may not have been reached in the past."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160330/dean-college-to-utilize-common-application

"To accommodate a renovation and addition to its building, the Franklin Public Library will be closing on April 11 and re-opening in a temporary location in early May. 

The library this week released a timeline of the effort, which will result in its re-opening at 25 Kenwood Circle on May 1. The year-long, $10.5 million project will add a new section to the building, as well as updating its heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160330/timeline-of-franklin-library-move-set

"The Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club will co-host the Empty Bowls Dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27 in the Franklin High School cafeteria, 218 Oak St. 

Attendees will choose a hand-painted ceramic bowl to take home. A silent auction will feature select pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club and local youth, adult and corporate groups. Proceeds from the event benefit the Franklin Food Pantry."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160330/franklin-high-school-food-pantry-to-host-empty-bowls-dinner

"The Massachusetts Appeals Court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against Franklin Public Schools by a special education teacher once employed by the district. 

The suit, originally filed in June 2014, alleged that the schools discriminated against teacher Mary Perry because of her age. In a decision issued Tuesday, the appeals court held that a trial judge's summary dismissal of the case was proper."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160330/franklin-court-dismisses-school-discrimination-suit

"will revitalize an underutilized urban site" - Back Bay Station to be renovated

"It looks like Back Bay Station, the dingy and outdated transit hub of the MBTA at the corner of Dartmouth and Stuart streets, is getting an aesthetic overhaul, inside and out. So much so you might not even recognize the new structure. 

Boston Properties Inc. put forth plans Tuesday for the project, which would entail not just revamping the station itself, but the entire block surrounding it. Retail outposts would line the street level of a new glass office tower – 26 stories of twisting glass akin to several giant boxes stacked on top of each other at odd and seemingly random angles. 

The MBTA building itself, which sees some 30,000 commuters each day, would be redone to reflect a more modern transit station. Department stores and a supermarket could be in the picture as well, and the finished product will also offer "a variety of high-quality housing opportunities," which will reportedly include the creation of affordable housing."

Continue reading the article and view other renditions of the renovation

http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2016/03/30/new-back-bay-station-design-project-details-and-photos/

The full 242 page PDF of the project proposal can be found here

http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/3c17ced5-9199-4323-ac54-e5516c681f0a

Downtown Project Update #24 - March 29, 2016

Next week, construction will begin on the new sidewalk improvements and new road work on East Central Street leading into downtown. 

The bridge deck portion of the new island should be completed by the end of April. The project is anticipated to be fully complete by the end of August. 

Also, please note detours. From time to time, please be aware of detours around the downtown construction area through the spring and summer. 

Detours may need to be established as the construction team sees fit, and may not be able to give residents notice in advance. If we can, we will.

downtown triangle section under construction

This was shared from the official Franklin webpage http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02382928-000F8513

Multiple updates on the Franklin Library move to 25 Kenwood Dr

Friday - April 1 - Moving Party

Everyone is invited to our big send-off party at the Franklin Public Library on Friday, April 1 starting at 2PM. 

Join us for cake, games, treats, crafts, directions to the new location and information. There will be drawings for book giveaways for all ages.

Moving Dates

We will be closed from Monday April 11th – Sunday May 1st to relocate to 25 Kenwood Circle

Circulation

Please help us lighten our load. This is the perfect opportunity to check out enough books, movies and cds to hold you over till we are up and running at our new temporary digs. We will be extending the date the items are due until Friday, May 6th. 

Interlibrary Loan will end Friday, April 22nd at 118 Main ST and resume on Monday, May 2nd at 25 Kenwood Circle 

Please change Interlibrary Loan pick up location to another convenient Minuteman library. ( i.e Medway or Millis, or Medfield, Framingham, Dover, etc.) OR wait to place your request after April 22nd. 

Between April 11th and April 22nd (when the library is closed) interlibrary loan items can be picked up at the Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street between 9 AM – 5 PM on Mondays through Fridays. Please knock on the children’s door entrance for assistance.

Museum Passes

Non-returnable passes for the month of April and May can be picked up anytime before the 11th of April. Tickets to the Southwick Zoo can be purchased at the Circulation Desk for $15.00 each. To pick up passes that have to be returned; Mystic Seaport, Plimoth Plantation, Tower Hill, etc. please knock on the Children’s door entrance.

Book Drop

Book drop will remain open until April 23rd. You can drop off items at 25 Kenwood Circle beginning Monday, April 25th or hang on until Monday, May 2nd when we are up and running.

• The Library Phone number remains unchanged. 508 -520- 4940

Book Sale – Buck A Book

Get a jump start on Summer Reading. Everything is a $1.00Saturday, April 9th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM P (Please hold all donations until May 2nd) Monthly Booksales will resume in May at 25 Kenwood Circle.

All Library services will resume on Monday, May 2nd at 25 Kenwood Circle.

Please check the website for timely updates.
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_TownLibrary/index


Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Franklin Public Library

This was shared from the official Franklin page
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/02382C34-000F8513

You Are Invited To A Very Special Evening - April 14

Be our Guest for a very special evening  Music and Art Appreciation Night A Concert for the Senses You are invited to be our Guest for an evening of fun and entertainment.  Join us on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm for      "A Concert for the Senses" our Annual Music and Art Appreciation Night.  Together, we will hear from Franklin Forte, our Adult Chorus, in their latest public performance, along with many other musical offerings and accompaniments, including those of our music scholar/practitioners.  In addition, you will have the opportunity to view the works of our very own Adult Education Art Instructor, along with those of our budding artists in residence at the Watercolor Art Class. As a special treat, we will have an abbreviated Staged Reading presented by Mel Howards, the director of our newly established Senior Players' Group. He will be accompanied by Karen Alves, director of the Franklin Senior Center. We hope to whet your appetite and motivate you to join the fledgling group.                         THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 7:00 PM                              Franklin High School Auditorium                                  218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA  Meet Our Presenters                            Matthew Macaulay, Guitar                          Jill Noddin,Voice                          Brent Selby, Cello                          Cello Ensemble, Student Cellists                          Steven Sergi, Violin, Viola                          Students of Guitar                          Mel Roberts & Karen Alves, Reading Senior                          Players Group                          Franklin Forte, Adult Education Adult Chorus                          Gail Eckberg, Artist/Instructor-in-residence   Join us for an evening of celebration and fun  About Us The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning at Franklin is a program of the Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for adults in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities. Diverse and enriched education and experiences are the goals of The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning.  We are proud to be part of the Franklin Public Schools

FPS- Life Long Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Try it free today

Hockomock Area YMCA Celebrates April As National Child Abuse Prevention Month

In recognition of April as Child Sexual Abuse Prevention month, The Hockomock Area YMCA will be joining other Ys across Massachusetts and the nation in promoting “Five Days of Action” Initiative from April 4-8, 2016.

This month and throughout the year, the Hockomock Area YMCA encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making our local communities a better place for children and families. Together we can prevent child sexual abuse by ensuring that adults have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly.

Hockomock YMCA

1 in 10 children experiences the trauma of child sexual abuse before age 18, typically at the hands of someone they know and trust. As adults, we are responsible for protecting children and educating ourselves to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The Hockomock Area YMCA partners with Darkness to Light to provide child abuse prevention training to adults that strengthens our community and keeps our kids safe. This training, called Stewards of Children®, is based on The 5 Steps to Protecting Our Children™. The 5 steps are: Learn the Facts, Minimize Opportunity, Talk About It, Recognize the Signs, and React Responsibly.

“Protecting children is of the utmost importance and April reminds us that child sexual abuse is a threat to children in all communities,” said Tony Calcia, Vice President of Child Protection and Social Responsibility at the Hockomock Area YMCA. “Adults should learn the facts about child sexual abuse and be prepared to intervene to protect the children in their lives.”

During the week of April 4th as well as throughout the month of April, the Hockomock Area YMCA will share information and resources with our members and the community on how to keep our children safe. Information will be shared through a variety of methods such as email blasts, social media, and within our facilities. Please consider supporting the movement of child sexual abuse prevention by sharing the information with family and friends and participating in our calls to action. The Hockomock Area YMCA is working in partnership with New Hope, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County, Norfolk Advocates for Children, Darkness to Light, and Praesidum to make a positive difference in the lives of children.

On Friday, April 8th, along with Hockomock Area YMCA staff, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol County and the Norfolk Advocates for Children will be visiting the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Foxboro, Franklin, and North Attleboro branches to answer any questions individuals may have and share their resources.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, contact Tony Calcia at TonyC@hockymca.org.

About the Hockomock Area YMCA:
Where Cause Meets Community. At the Hockomock Area YMCA, strengthening community is our cause. 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.

The Hockomock Area YMCA is committed to partnering and collaborating with others to create and deliver lasting personal and social change in the 15 communities they are privileged to serve. The Hockomock Area YMCA is a not-for-profit charitable cause-driven organization with facilities in North Attleboro, Foxboro, Franklin, and Mansfield. For more information visit hockymca.org

Family Concert Series Presents Opera for Kids Featuring "The Three Little Pigs" - Apr 10

Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual, free Family Concert Series concludes this season with Opera for Kids, The Three Little Pigs, on Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. Arranged by John Davies and set to the masterful music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Three Little Pigs is an operatic adaptation of the children’s fairytale classic and brings the beloved story to life. 

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, Family Concert Series events are geared toward children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances introduce audiences of all ages to music of many genres and feature talented, professional musicians in an engaging, entertaining and interactive way. The Three Little Pigs features Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) student Madi Asgeirsson and sopranos Shauna Martin and Mariko Matsumura as the three little pigs, along with lyric baritone Thomas Gareau as the wolf. Pianist Synthia Sture will accompany the vocalists.

A native of Winnipeg, Canada, Shauna Martin received her master’s degree in Opera from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brandon University. Her performances include a wide variety of operatic and musical theater roles in works by classical as well as contemporary composers. Shauna is a founding member of the popular children's show Opera Night in Canada and has performed with Canada’s regional orchestras and on CBC Radio.

A native of Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Matsumura received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance with high honors from the University of Montana and a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Longy School of Music. Mariko's performance credits include Messiah, Aida, Hansel and Gretl, Der Rosenkavalier, The Magic Flute and numerous premiere performances throughout the Boston area. She has performed with Lorelei Ensemble, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Jyugoya Ensemble, Chorus Boston, Setegaya Women’s Chorus and Opera Unmet.

A graduate of The Boston Conservatory with a BM in Vocal Performance and an MM in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, Thomas Gareau has performed a wide variety of repertoire, from jazz to musical theater to opera and oratorio. As a regular and soloist with the Boston Choral Ensemble, he performed in the memorable production of Thomas Tallis’ Spem in alium at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross as part of the Boston Early Music Festival. Other notable engagements include Odyssey Opera’s debut concert production of Wagner’s Rienzi at Jordan Hall. Thomas has appeared in numerous solo recitals performing standard repertoire and unearthing lesser known art songs and arias.

FPAC’s 2016 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com and www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.