FHS boys basketball tops Acton-Boxboro to advance in playoffs

"For a brief moment, it felt like top-seeded Franklin was the underdog in Thursday night’s D1 Central Quarterfinal against #9 Acton-Boxboro. 

The Colonials, who had trailed for the entire game, rattled off an 8-0 run over a three minute span in the final quarter to take their first lead, 49-48, with 3:31 to play and set their large traveling fan base into a frenzy. 

But order was restored over the next three minutes, with Franklin regaining control on the back of sophomore Jalen Samuels, who finished with a career-high 18 points. 

After A-B took the lead on a layup from sophomore Austin Zhou (12 points), the Panthers’ offense ran through Samuels. He had two free throws chances but missed them both, only to grab the offensive board himself and earn two more opportunities from the charity stripe. He sank both of them to put Franklin ahead by one."

Continue reading Hockomock Sports Editor Ryan Lanigan's recap of the game
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-boys-basketball-samuels-survive-scare-from-acton-boxboro/

Franklin sophomore Jalen Samuels goes up for a layup against Acton-Boxboro in the first half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

Do you wish you had their attention?

For those who show up Saturday morning, you can get the attention of the School Committee Community Relations Sub Committee.

Saturday, March 4, 2017 - 9:00am

Franklin Cable Access
23 Hutchinson Street
Franklin, MA 02038

Franklin Public Access Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street

Superintendent search dates and social emotional learning

The School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 28 had two major takeaways:

1. the updates schedule for the Superintendent search (see below)
2. the presentation, discussion (and video) on the work around social emotional learning being done in the district

Superintendent Search

• Consultants HYA have been receiving applications
• At the next School Committee meeting, the committee reviews the final set of candidates (7:00 PM on March 14)
• Interviews by the School Committee with the candidates are set for March 17
• Public forum meeting with the candidates Monday night March 20
• Leading to the School Committee meeting March 28 where they should make the selection of  the "preferred candidate"

Social emotional learning

The presentation document used Tuesday night

Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Franklin (MA) School Committee from Franklin Matters

The first documentary produced by Franklin Public Schools shared on Tuesday night




Additional information can be found in the notes taken live during the meeting

• Live Reporting: Action Items through Closing
• Live Reporting: NEASC visit
• Social Emotional Learning - Presentation to Frankl...
• Live reporting: School Committee - Feb 28, 2017

view from the seats at the School Committee meeting Tuesday evening

The Franklin TV video of the meeting is available for replay
http://view.earthchannel.com/PlayerController.aspx?PGD=franknma&eID=437

News and Upcoming Charles River Meadowlands Initiative Meetings

We have four news items to share:

#1 

The Boston Globe's Hattie Bernstein recently profiled the Initiative: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2017/02/17/this-land-protected-but-can-people-reach/uh2PYr2vBlI2nuaj4FwkfO/story.html

#2

Our next meeting will focus on continued outreach across Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway as well as the US Army Corps of Engineers Master Plan draft (see more below). The meeting will be held Tues Mar 7, 6:30 PM, Dean Rm, First Universalist Soc. 262 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA. RSVP if you can -- but come even if it is a last minute decision.

#3

The Army Corps of Engineers requested a written response to their draft Master Plan for the Charles River Valley Natural Storage Area (which includes the large land parcels in Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway.) 

A summary of the response follows:

Those of us who are involved with the initiative deeply value the presence of the Corps and its efforts to preserve and maintain these lands for flood control, conservation, and recreation. We are anxious to encourage the governments of Franklin, Bellingham, and Medway to work together with each other and with the Corps to protect and manage these lands and adjacent areas while taking steps to improve public access. Our primary focus is on Area M and Area S as described in the Master Plan. More information about our efforts is available at www.charlesrivermeadowlands.org.

Regarding the draft Master Plan, we would like to offer the following comments:

* We note that Section 1.1 states the CRNVS Project was authorized as "a multi-purpose project for flood control, recreation, and natural resource management under the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-251).

* The importance of the recreational component to the CRNVS Project is touched upon at many points in the Master Plan but, in general, with few specific actions defined. The primary exception to this is with regard to hunting and fishing; for which purposes management responsibilities of fee simple properties have long been ceded primarily to the Massachusetts Fish & Wildlife Department (sic) [recently renamed Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, we have been informed]. Section 3.2, Natural Resource Objectives, ties this trend to natural resource management goals, noted above, stating, a primary aim as being to "Promote the public's use of the project for both consumptive (hunting) and non-consumptive (bird-watching) uses."

* We note that a broader treatment of "recreation" is to be conditioned by the other two foundational goals (flood control and natural resource management).

* Regarding section 2.4; we agree that the sections of CRNVSA lack adequate parking as well as signage and trail access.

Therefore, we would like to request that the Master Plan incorporate recognition of the following needs.

* Since the establishment of the CRNVSA, the communities closest to the source of the Charles have undergone dramatic growth. Franklin, for instance, has approximately quadrupled in population. This growth has been accompanied by a dramatic loss of open space and passive recreation opportunities.

* In keeping with the three part mission of the CRNVSA, we believe it would be appropriate for the Master Plan to include more specific goals and actions related to enhancing public access to Corps fee simple lands, including:

* More and better signage. There is no visible indication of the Corps' presence on either the Bellingham or the Franklin side of I-495 for passing motorists. This is the most visible and substantial presence the Corps has in this general area. Making the CRNVSA visible here would be strategically beneficial because it would inform citizens and influence land use and planning in the three towns about which the Charles River Meadowlands concerns itself.

* Create goals in cooperation with local communities, specifically Bellingham, Franklin, and Medway, to provide access to and through CRNVSA lands, linking whenever possible with trails and access points on town owned lands.

* Provide leadership in connection with utilities utilizing rights of way on or adjacent to CRNVSA properties so as to encourage the developments of Right of Way (ROW) trails and paths.

* Ensure that USACE personnel have a clear mandate through the Master Plan to balance the three goals of CRNVSA, namely flood control, recreation, and management of the natural environment.

* Ensure that local communities and stakeholders are informed of and involved with future planning and management initiatives involving the CRNVSA.

We appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns and voice in this process and look forward to working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to bring about the most beneficial operation of the CRNVSA in coming years.

******************************************

#4

IMPORTANT - April 19 from 4-8 at Millis Town Library, the Army Corps of Engineers is holding a public meeting to discuss the master plan...PLEASE TRY TO ATTEND.


--
Alan R. ​Earls
Charles River Meadowlands Initiative​

Office: 508 528 6930
Cell Phone: 508 560 3786
Email: alan.r.earls@gmail.com

one of several photos of the meadowlands in snowy winter

RUNA March 4 - may sell out

RUNA returns! View this email in your browser Celtic Band RUNA March 4th 8PM $20 Celtic band RUNA has been selling out concerts all around the world. If you purchase your ticket now you will not be disappointed. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and four Independent Music Awards including Best Live Album, Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song.  http://www.runamusic.com/ 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. Tickets for this shows are $20.  Please call (508)528-2541 or visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Mar 18      The Boxcar Lilies Apr 1         Brother Sun Apr 22       Livingston Taylor May 6        Catie Curtis

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

Register NOW: FHS Panthers Softball Clinic - March 25

Saturday March 25, 2017 (Rain or Shine) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Franklin High School Gymnasium

$30.00 per player Grades 1-6

Players will learn the fundamentals of Fastpitch Softball. Specific skills will be covered using a series of stations which the players will rotate between to insure age groups and skill levels are being maintained.

Stations include:
• Proper throwing and catching mechanics
• Proper hitting mechanics
• Overall fielding and base running

The lead instructor will be KATE FALLON-COMEAU, Franklin High School Softball Program Director and Head Coach of Franklin High Panthers Varsity Softball. 

Coach Fallon-Comeau was a four year starter at Curry College in both pitching and catching and was team captain her senior year. After coaching JV softball at Cardinal Spellman High School, she went on to be Varsity Coach of SE Regional Vocational High School.

FHS Panthers

Assistant coach Matt Connelly, along with the Varsity players will be on hand to assist in what should truly be an exciting three hours.

Please complete and mail the form below with payment by March 18, 2017, to insure your softball player will be part of this event.

FPAC Presents Disney’s Beauty And The Beast

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at THE BLACK BOX, the company’s home and performance venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Show times are March 11, 17, and 18 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees on March 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. An international sensation, the enchanting musical is a family favorite with an unforgettable cast of characters and an irresistible score.

Based on the Academy-Award-winning animated feature film, the smash hit stage version includes the movie’s memorable songs, written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for over 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The magical story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will be broken and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. This “tale as old as time” is family theater at its best.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Under the direction of Nick Paone and Raye Lynn Mercer, the staging in the intimate venue will bring audiences right up close to all the action. Musical Director Hallie Wetzell will conduct the production’s professional orchestra. FPAC’s costumer, Merrie Whitney, is building the entire show, designing costumes that are true to the spirit of the movie, but which also reflect her creativity in supporting the show’s choreography and direction. The production showcases a cast of more than 40 professional and community performers and students of the arts.

FPAC presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as part of the company’s 26th season. Tickets are $34. For tickets and more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).