In the News: EEE 2nd case in MetroWest; Plans for divider on RT 1 in Wrentham

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

Health officials announced that the city is among several communities in the region at “critical” risk for a potentially fatal mosquito-borne virus, after a person aged 19 to 30 in Grafton tested positive.

Friday’s news marks the first time that an Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)-positive human case has been confirmed in the region and the second EEE-positive human case in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Six days ago, an individual from Plymouth County was confirmed with the disease.

Besides Framingham, the DPH said risk ratings were raised to critical in Hopkinton, Grafton, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Upton, Westborough, Marlborough, Millbury, Northborough and Sutton.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190816/dph-raises-mosquito-risk-in-milford-area-after-second-human-eee-case-announced

A head-on crash on Rte. 1 earlier this month was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back for Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath.

The chief took to his department’s Facebook page the morning after the Aug. 4 crash, vowing to do what he can to press for safety improvements along the dangerous stretch of road.

“Too many injured and dead over the years,” he wrote, noting that the crash - caused when a left-turning car was struck - resulted in several people getting injured, including a 6-year-old Wrentham girl who suffered a head injury.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190816/officials-unite-to-put-dividers-on-rte-1-in-wrentham

FTC Consumer Alerts: Claims in weight loss ads might be false

Claims in weight loss ads might be false by Rosario Méndez , Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education Some ads for weight loss products promise miracles. They might say that the product works for everyone or will let you lose weight permanently. Those claims are lies. Dishonest advertisers will tell you anything to get you to buy their product.  They might have images of "doctors" in their ads and even "news" reports to make you believe that the product works.Today, the FTC launched a new website, based partly on the LeanSpa case, to help people identify false weight loss claims. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/08/claims-weight-loss-ads-might-be-false?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 16 to THU - Aug 22

Fri Aug 16, 2019

10am	Knitting Group
12pm	Farmers Market
1pm	Book sale
1pm	SUMMER PROGRAM: Farmer's Market Fun! (MITZI)

Sat Aug 17, 2019

9am	Book Sale
10am	1950's Car Show
10am	Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
1pm	Bag Sale
1pm	TEEN SUMMER Silent Library Challenge (BREE)

Sun Aug 18, 2019

1pm	Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Mon Aug 19, 2019

10:30am	SUMMER MOVE ALONG (outside if permitting, otherwise in Community Room)
1pm	SUMMER PROGRAM: Picnic Storytime
4pm	TEEN SUMMER Writer's Block Wrap Party

Tue Aug 20, 2019

9:30am	Cool Cruisers
1pm	SUMMER PROGRAM: Water Science!
6:30pm	Documentary Film Series

Wed Aug 21, 2019

10:30am	SUMMER PERFORMER: Activated Story Theatre!
11am	Monthly Morning Prayer at St. John’s
2pm	TEEN SUMMER: Teen SRP Chipotle Wrap Up Party
4pm	SUMMER Crafternoon!
5pm	Book Bites
6pm	Concerts on the Common: Jamie Barrett
6:30pm	Concerts on the Common: Frank Padula Band
7pm	Town Council Meeting

Thu Aug 22, 2019

	Vietnam Veterans Memorial
9:30am	Baby Tummy Time
3:30pm	TEEN SUMMER Board Game Cafe!
5pm	Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
5pm	SUMMER Thursday Movie Night

For the interactive version, please visit

https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/links/submit-event

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Aug 16 to THU - Aug 22

FPAC to Host Dance Master Class with Broadway’s Clay Thomson - Aug 29

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is excited to host a Matilda-themed Dance Master Class with original Broadway cast member Clay Thomson on Thursday, August 29 at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts at 38 Main Street in Franklin, MA. Thomson will be returning to Franklin in the fall to choreograph FPAC’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical.

There will be a Beginning/Intermediate level class (minimum age 9) from 4:00-5:30 pm and an Intermediate/Advanced level class from 6:00-8:00 pm. Students will learn choreography from the Broadway production with Clay Thomson. The Beginning/Intermediate class is $25, the Intermediate/Advanced class is $30, and both classes together are $40.

Clay Thomson

Currently appearing in KING KONG on Broadway, Clay Thomson started out as a competitive gymnast at the age of four, which eventually led him into the performing arts. At age twelve, Clay joined the Cameron Mackintosh/NETworks tour of Oliver!.

After Clay completed his freshman year at Pennsylvania State University studying Musical Theatre, Clay toured the U.S, Canada, and Japan with the Broadway First National Tour of West Side Story as A-rab. Soon after returning from tour, he made his Broadway debut in Disney's Newsies, playing Spot Conlon. After that, he was cast in the Original Broadway cast of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical.

In 2014, Clay left Matilda to perform in New York City Center Encores' productions of Little Me and The Most Happy Fella. Clay has also made numerous television appearances, performing on shows such as Dancing with the Stars, The 2013 TONY Awards, The 2012 and 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Late Show with David Letterman, The View, Good Morning America, Good Afternoon America, and more.

Clay has taught master classes around the U.S, including classes at Broadway Dance Center, Broadway Artists Alliance NYC, Camp Broadway, Broadway Workshop, Broadway Classroom, and dozens of high schools, dance studios and universities all around the country. He is featured in the viral YouTube video #CupsTapDance as well as his most recent appearance in The Happy Tap Dance #TAPPY.

To reserve a spot in the Master Class, call 508-528-8668. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook, Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co), Twitter (@fpac_online), and YouTube.

Ribbon Ceremony at the New Home of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School - Aug 10

The Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation (BFEF) hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new home of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) which is now located at 500 Financial Park in Franklin. The new 72,000 square foot facility will open to 708 incoming students on Tuesday, September 3rd for the 2019-2020 school year.

The Benjamin Franklin Educational Foundation secured funding for the new school primarily through a $24,550,000 tax-exempt bond issued by MassDevelopment and purchased by Citizens Bank with participation by HarborOne Bank, Websterfive Bank and Radius Bank. The bond financing was supplemented with a $2,000,000 loan provided by The Property and Casualty Initiative. Project management of the new facility was provided by Daedalus Projects, Inc. and the building was designed by the Boston based architectural firm Arrowstreet, Inc.

Donald Tappin, President of the BFEF welcomed attendees to the event and thanked the members of the BFEF with a special focus on the leadership team who managed the expansion project with both tenacity and perseverance. Tappin shared that ”The foundation board is extremely excited to see what the future holds for

BFCCPS. We are building upon the school’s already proud heritage. Having a home of its own offers limitless possibilities for their students, faculty and staff.” During the event, Gerald Cimmino the Treasurer of the BFEF announced that the construction of the school’s gymnasium is slated to begin in October, 2019 with completion of the project expected in the spring of 2020.

Upon the momentous occasion of the school’s opening, Mrs. Heather Zolnowski, the Executive Director of the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School expressed her sincere gratitude to the volunteer members of the project’s leadership team for the time, energy and determination they poured into this project. 

“This building affords us the ability to strengthen our academic program, to build hands on experiences into our academic goals and objectives, and to provide after hours programming to support our students and families. This new property will allow us to strengthen the culture we have built over the last 24 years. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who had a part in bringing this dream to fruition.”

Special awards were issued to Roger Stone, Senior Vice President at Citizens Bank as well as the Tappin and Cimmino families for their extraordinary dedication to the school over the last seven years of the expansion project.

Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting invited guests received guided tours of the facility led by members of the Educational Foundation, and school board, as well as school administration.

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School opened in 1995 and is one of the original 13 Charter Schools in the state of Massachusetts. Priority in the school's annual enrollment lottery is given first to siblings of current students, then to residents of Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Norfolk, Plainville, Upton, Walpole, and Wrentham.

The rigorous educational program at BFCCPS offers a strategic partnership with parents, foreign language instruction, commitment to arts education, character education, and community service activities.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, BFCCPS has increased enrollment from 50 students to 92 students per grade in grades Kindergarten through grade five. Applications for the 2020-2021 school year will go live on November 1, 2019.

About Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School’s mission is to assist parents in their role as the primary educators of their children by providing students with a classical academic education coupled with sound character development and community service. Our mission is supported by four distinct, yet interconnected pillars that provide for a collaborative, rigorous education for all students. These pillars guide, direct and define the school in all it does. Learn more at www.bfccps.org or visit us on Facebook.

I was able to participate in the opening and a few of my photos are here. I'll have more later. More photos from the event made available by BFCCPS can be found online https://photos.app.goo.gl/x1hZV4KVa7NPgjJY8

ribbon ceremony

the commons, multipurpose meeting and cafeteria space view from second floor

new school sign at the entrance

DJ Mike to Entertain at St. John’s Summer Block Party - Aug 25

Music and Fun Maker DJ Mike will be spinning the music at St. John’s Summer Block Party set for Sunday, August 25 from 12:30-3:30. His music plays from 1:00-3:00.

The very popular DJ Mike will entertain and have your kids dancing and moving with his music and amusing challenges. DJ Mike always plays a good mix of current songs that kids and teens love.

Plus, visitors can enjoy fun games such as corn hole and spike ball in the front lawn. Snacks and drinks will be provided for adults and children. The block party is free and open to the community.

Bring your friends and neighbors. It’s the perfect way to end the summer and celebrate as the kids get ready to go back to school. See you at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 237 Pleasant St., Franklin.

For more info or directions: Call 508-528-2387
Visit on Facebook at St John’s Episcopal Church
See the website at www.stjohnsfranklinma.org
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DJ Mike to Entertain at  St. John’s Summer Block Party - Aug 25

The Newcomers are back! - Wednesday, September 11

Come join your friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends monthly Meeting. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, September 11th at 7:30 PM.

The Newcomers are back!

No need to be a newcomer to the area . . . and no need to RSVP. Come join us and have fun while you make connections in your community. We are a multi-generational club offering a wide range of activities for all ages with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. We are a member driven organization and are always excited to welcome new faces and new ideas.

Residents of Franklin, or any surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, are welcome to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). 

We run our meetings September through May. We meet at "3" Restaurant, 461 W. Central Street, Franklin, upstairs in a private room. Complimentary hot appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available.

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club.