LiveArts: Kevin Owen - Jan 25

From the LiveArts webpage, we read about the next concert, Sunday Jan 25 at 3:30 PM:

A first at LiveARTS: the featured solo instrument is the French horn! Liberated from the orchestral brass section, virtuoso French hornist, Kevin Owen, with his pianist wife, Asako Shibata, “cuts loose” in an awe-inspiring demonstration of what the French horn is all about. Often regarded as the most difficult of the instruments in the orchestra, the French horn and its lovely tonality will be demonstrated by Owen in performance and in informative remarks that will be not only illustrative but fascinating. Owen is widely recognized as one of the the finest horn players today, and his participation in an exceptionally wide variety of ensembles throughout his career is nothing short of astounding.

Kevin Owen, French Horn (LiveArts photo)

LiveArts postcard

For additional information and ticket procing, visit their webpage here
http://www.liveartsfranklin.org/

Kidz Plaster Zone - 524 W Central St

Reporting by walking around walk on Sunday, I found a 'new' business on RT 140. Located in the stores in front of Primrose Car Wash and next to Dadarrio Hardware. From their webpage, I find that they opened in Aug 2014. 

For those looking for crafty parties for kids, and those looking for a crafty adult night out this is an option!  

Our specialty is crafty fun for all ages!

Every kid loves plaster painting. We carry a large selection for boys and girls as well as adults. Pieces are ready to take home the same day! With a wide variety of plaster figures, plaques, curio boxes, picture frames to choose from, there is something for every age, interest and budget.

We have a fun and friendly place to create your very own masterpiece.

We provide kids safe paint, brushes, smocks, glaze, glitter - you provide the creativity.

Fantastic Birthday Parties and a delightful area to get together and celebrate.

Paint, eat and have fun.

Walk-ins are always welcome at our beautiful and conveniently located studio -

drop in anytime!

Prices range from $5-$30 with all materials included.

Gift Certificates are available in $10.00, $25.00, and $50.00 denominations.

Kids Plaster Zone - 524 West Central St

Looking for a perfect venue to celebrate your child's birthday? 

Check out our Birthday Party Package and let us take care of all the party details for you. 

Priced to fit everyone's budget!

For more information, visit their webpage here
http://www.kidzplasterzone.com/

or find them on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/kidzplasterzone

Kidz Plaster Zone street sign

Plan "a week-long celebration of the arts"

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee is in the process of planning a week-long celebration of the arts in downtown Franklin in July.

We envision a celebration that would include participation by all things Cultural that are Franklin-based.

We’ll celebrate Franklin’s

• Musicians 
• Dancers 
• Actors 
• Artists 
• Writers 
• Poets 
• History through Museum and Library tours and events 
• OTHER SUGGESTIONS

The week could include performances at venues throughout the downtown such as Franklin Common, THE BLACK BOX and others. Museum and Library tours. Events at our Downtown Restaurants. Let’s think out of the box.

BRING YOUR IDEAS. Plans are not finalized yet. The purpose our meeting is to develop some enthusiasm and get your feedback to drive this event to a wonderful week celebrating the arts and perhaps to build an annual celebration.


When:  January 15 at 7PM 
Where: THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX Theater - 15 West Central St, Franklin

Winter Dance – Friday, Jan 23rd

Franklin Chargers will have their next middle school dance on Friday Jan 23rd from 7 to 10pm 

The Dance is open 5th - 8th Graders 

Dances are held at Tri-County Regional High School from 7pm-10pm. 

Admission is $10 at the door.   

Snacks and drinks will be available for sale. 

Click here to view the post on the Franklin Chargers website http://franklinchargers.org/2015/01/08/winter-dance-friday-jan-23rd/

Franklin Chargers middle school dance

Franklin Library: LEGO Club - Jan 15 - 4:00 PM

The LEGO Club returns to the Franklin Library on Thursday. Gather the kids for a fun time building with LEGOs

LEGO Club at the Franklin Library

Good for kids aged 3-12, the club event starts at 4:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/01/lego-club.html

Franklin, MA: School Committee - Agenda - Jan 13, 2015

Vision Statement

The Franklin Public Schools will foster within its students the knowledge and skills to find and achieve satisfaction in life as productive global citizens.

AGENDA

"The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law."

The Key to Learning - Franklin Public Schools

1. Routine Business

Citizen’s Comments
Review of Agenda
Minutes: I recommend approval of the minutes from the December 9, 2014 School Committee Meeting.
Payment of Bills Mr. Clement
Payroll Mrs. Douglas
FHS Student Representatives
Correspondence: Budget to Actual – Miriam Goodman

2. Guests/Presentations

a. MASS Academic Excellence Awards

1. Madison Wendell
2. Haley Frank

b. Trends in Special Education – Elizabeth Fitzmaurice
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/fps-special-education-update.html

c. Capital

3. Discussion Only Items

Policy – Elimination (First Reading)

o GCBA – Professional Staff Salary Schedules

BICO Collaborative Agreement 

2015-2016 School Calendar Draft

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/fps-school-calendar-for-2015-2016-draft.html

4. Action Items

a. I recommend moving Policy GCBA – Professional Staff Salary Schedules to a second reading for elimination as discussed.
b. I recommend approval of the BICO Collaborative Agreement as discussed.
c. I recommend acceptance of two checks Davis Thayer Elementary School totaling $550.00:
1. $50.00 from Lueders Environmental, Inc.
2. $500.00 from BOKS, Reebok Foundation
d. I recommend acceptance of a check for $2,260.26 from O’Connor Portraiture, Inc. for supplemental curriculum materials at Keller Elementary School.
e. I recommend acceptance of a check for $250.00 from the RMS PCC for field trips.
f. I recommend acceptance of six checks for FHS totaling $3,914.67:

1. $175.29 from PBC
2. $459.38 from All American Publishing
3. $1,800.00 from Franklin Music Boosters
4. $250.00 from Maura Schaeffer Jobin
5. $243.00 from various parents
6. $987.00 from various parents

g. I recommend acceptance of two checks totaling $1,481.20 ($1,186.20 & $295.00) from Parmenter PCC for field trips.
h. I recommend acceptance of the donation of computer monitors from Sy Tech Inc. for the Technology Department. (approximate value $100.00)
i. I recommend approval of the Capital plan as presented.
j. I recommend approval of the request of Brad Sidwell for the Boys Ice Hockey team to travel to Barnstable, MA on 2/18-19/15 for a Hockey Competition.
k. I recommend acceptance of a check for $3,300.00 from the Music Boosters for district-wide extra-curricular music.

5. Information Matters

Superintendent’s Report
School Committee Sub-Committee Reports
School Committee Liaison Reports

6. New Business

To discuss future business that may be brought before the School Committee.

7. Executive Session

Personnel Update

8. Adjourn

FPS: Special Education Update

The presentation released for discussion at the Franklin (MA) School Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015.




The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan.html

screen grab of Pupil Services page

For additional information on the Pupil Personnel Services, you can visit their webpage here
http://franklindistrict.vt-s.net/Pages/FranklinDistrict_PupilServices/index

FPS: School Calendar for 2015 - 2016 DRAFT Only

One of the documents released for the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2015 is the draft calendar for the next school year.

You can view the calendar here

community entrance to Franklin High School

The full agenda for the School Committee meeting can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/01/franklin-ma-school-committee-agenda-jan.html

FHS boys basketball tops Mansfield at TD Garden

The FHS basketball and hockey teams had games on Saturday. The girls hockey team lost while the other three teams won according to the results from Hockomock Sports. 

While most Franklinites were likely watching the Patriots, the FHS boys basketball team beat Mansfield on the parquet floor at the TD Garden.

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 58 @ New Bedford, 19 - Final

Boys Hockey

Foxboro, 1 @ Franklin, 10 - Final - Foxboro's Gus Herlihy scored the Warriors' lone goal.

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Medway, 3 - Final

FHS benchreactsto the game - Hockomock Sports photo by Josh Perry

Additional results from Hockomock League action on Saturday can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-011015

Game of the Week - Boys Basketball

Mansfield, 54 vs. Franklin, 57- Final (@ TD Garden) - Dylan Reno scored nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to help Franklin come back from 49-44 to go on a 13-2 run to take control in the final minutes. Tim Prunier led the Panthers with 17 points and had four assists, Shawn Hanley had 13 points, and Marcus Geise finished with 10 points and nine rebounds. Mansfield was led by Ryan Boulter with 13 points (nine in the third) and seven rebounds. Michael Boen had 12 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, and Nicholas Baskin scored 11 points.

An extended write up of the game against Mansfield can be found here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/late-run-helps-franklin-edge-mansfield-at-td-garden

Including Hockomock Sports photos of the game here
http://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/Franklin-Mansfield-Boys/

You can volunteer to help run Franklin

The Town of Franklin is looking for Members for the following committees: If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete the attached form and return the Town Administrator's Office.

Conservation    Conservation Commission 

Cultural Council        Cultural Council 

Disabilities Commission 

Municipal Affordable Housing Trust - Contact Maxine Kinhart 508-520-4949 

Zoning Board of Appeals - Associate Member      ZBA

screen grab of Franklin webpage with town committee openings

The application form can be found here
http://www.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/01E3B9EF-000F8513.0/TOWN%20OF%20FRANKLIN%20VOLUNTEER%20FORM.pdf

BFCCPS Information Sessions Scheduled

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School (BFCCPS) has scheduled two events at the school

• one on January 22nd from 6-8pm 
• one on February 7th from 10am to noon 

Both events at BFCCPS will include building tours and an arts showcase


They will also offer information sessions 

• at the Bellingham Public Library on January 27th from 6-8pm 
• at the Milford Town Library on February 5th from 6-8pm

BFCCPS school sign

The BFCCPS brochure can be reviewed and downloaded from here

Hockomock Y: Winter Wonderland - Jan 16

The Hockomock Area YMCA invites area families to enjoy a free Winter Wonderland evening event on Friday, January 16th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at its Bernon Family Branch (45 Forge Hill Road, Franklin), Invensys Foxboro Branch (67 Mechanic Street, Foxboro) and North Attleboro Branch (300 Elmwood Street, North Attleboro). 

This free family community event offers lots of interactive winter games, activities and crafts for members and non-members alike. Some of the activities at our North Attleboro Branch include ‘snowman dress’ relays, S’more making, and Face Painting as well a dinner option for a nominal cost. 

Some of the Bernon Family Branch activities will include Ana’s Hot Chocolate station, winter freeze dance party, and journey through the ice tower. Some of the activities at our Invensys Foxboro Branch will include a bouncy house, winter games, music, crafts, and a dinner option for a nominal cost. 

These are just a few of the fun activities planned at our annual Winter Wonderland, an event sure to express the beauty and magic of winter.  

For more information, call 508-695-7001 (North Attleboro Branch); 508-543-2523 (Foxboro Branch); and 508-528-8707 (Franklin Branch) or visit our website at www.hockymca.org.

Winter Wonderland - Jan 16

About the Hockomock Area YMCA

We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. That’s why, at the Y, strengthening community is our cause. Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors in our community to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Reach Out for Youth & Families is our annual support campaign to provide a YMCA experience to more than 15,000 local children and families in need.

Representative Roy Host’s Franklin Economic Development Meeting

On Tuesday, January 10, 2015 Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D - Franklin) hosted a Life Sciences Development Meeting in Franklin, MA. Local biotechnology companies, Franklin town officials and members of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center joined the discussion about the opportunities within the Life Sciences Industry, the potential for future development within the region and what Franklin has already done to successfully attract and retain life science companies. 

Cornerstones of Life Sciences Industry range from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to diagnostics and biotechnology. Thanks to its world-class academic institutions and medical centers, its talented and innovated workforce and its industry-sector leading companies, Massachusetts has firmly established itself as a global leader in the Life Sciences and has fully committed the state's economic well-being to the development and advancement of these Industries. 

"Franklin has positioned itself well to attract life science businesses to the area," said Representative Roy "In 2014 its BioReady ranking was elevated from Gold to Platinum signifying Franklin's readiness to work with biotechnology companies interested in locating in the area. On top of that, it has great schools and reasonable housing prices, making it a great place to live, work and raise a family." 

"Franklin has been the perfect community for growing my start up business to the point of having close to a hundred employees," said Dr. Gregory Chiklis, President and CEO of Franklin's ZeptoMetrix Corporation. "It has been due to the support and resources available to me in Franklin that we have been able to grow ZeptoMetrix." 

"The Life Sciences are the fastest growing industry sectors in Massachusetts," said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the agency charged with implementing the state's ten-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. 

"All regions across the state and workers at all skill levels are benefiting as the life sciences ecosystem continues to grow and thrive. We are excited about Representative Roy's efforts to bring leaders together to discuss strategies for regional life sciences growth in and around Franklin, and we look forward to a continued partnership in those efforts." 

 "I am very excited that Rep. Roy brought together this group of educators, government officials and industry leaders to shine a light on all that Franklin has to offer to biotech and other businesses," said Attorney Michael Doherty of Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to encourage businesses to locate to one of our industrial parks in Franklin."  Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan & Cannon, P.C.  is a firm that represents local business in Franklin and surrounding communities." 

"As Chief Medical Officer of a well-established Boston biotechnology company, I believe that Franklin offers all the attributes and ingredients to create a dynamic and vibrant environment for the development of innovative treatments to address unmet medical needs of patients," said Dr. Michael Sabolinski, founder of Sabolinski, LLC.  

"Among these are access to medical centers of excellence, key opinion leaders in multiple therapeutic areas, and experts in clinical research. I look forward to the growth of biotechnology in Franklin, and am excited about the opportunities that the town presents for both start up and well established Companies." 

"It was wonderful that Representative Roy brought the players to the table to help jumpstart Franklin's efforts in economic development and the life sciences," said Jeff Nutting, Franklin Town Administrator. 

"I would like to thank Rep. Roy for putting together the life sciences meeting. He and our Town Administrator Jeff Nutting are doers and put together an excellent program," said Robert Vallee, Franklin Town Council's Chair. "I look forward to getting the entire Town Council involved in the discussion and pursuing this issue as hard as we can." 

"Franklin has done much to attract a higher level of commercial and industrial investment to our industrial areas, including creation of priority development sites and economic development areas, and streamlining of permitting processes for biotechnology uses," said Bryan Taberner, Franklin's Director of Planning and Community Development. "The Town currently contains a cluster of life sciences companies, including bio-storage, robotics, medical devices and instrumentation, and biotechnology.  I look forward to working with Representative Roy to attract additional life science companies to this great community." 

"What sets Franklin apart from many communities is the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders," said Maureen Sabolinski, Superintendent of Schools "Our elected and town officials work in concert with business and higher education to meet the needs of our community members and always strive to improve all public services. The shared sense of community enables stakeholder to establish a shared vision and mission." 

With Massachusetts as a foundation, Franklin's attractiveness for business development has created a unique opportunity to provide positive economic growth, help advance the development of the Life Sciences and benefit the global community.

Franklin Police: B&E Suspect Looked For

If you recognize this person please call Franklin Police Dept.

screen grab of wanted poster

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If you would like to subscribe, follow this link 
http://www.franklin.ma.us/subscriber-news

Benjamin Franklin's Birthday Party - Jan 18th - Historical Museum

Printer, author, scientist, musician, inventor, diplomat and revolutionary.

On Sunday, January 18th the museum will be celebrating the birthday of our town's namesake, Benjamin Franklin, born January 17, 1706.

The town of Franklin was originally to be named Exeter. As our forefathers made their way to Dedham to establish the charter of incorporation, word of Ben's success in establishing the French alliance with Louis XVI had made it's way to the Colonies. 

And, as noted in the History of Franklin by Mortimer Blake, a last minute decision was made, '... and it was with graceful tribute to the successful diplomatist, Franklin, that the town, just at that date applying for incorporation, should bear his name.'

As a special treat, Vera Meyer will return to the museum to perform on the glass harmonica, a unique instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin.

Vera Meyer and Town Clerk Debbie Pellegri in 2011

About the instrument:

The glass harmonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. The instrument enjoyed wide popularity in Europe (where Franklin was living at the time) for about 40 years until it was banned by German police around 1830. 

It was feared by people and thought to cause insanity, nervous disorders, convulsions in dogs and cats, marital disputes, and even wake people from the dead. 

It is possible that the lead in the glasses used at the time caused a neurological problem for people. However, maybe it was the haunting tones of the instrument, or maybe it was because Anton Mesmer used the instrument to hypnotize his patients. 

We have discovered about 300 compositions originally written for glass harmonica, including works by Mozart and Beethoven.

Prior posts:

Ben's birthday in 2013
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/01/the-glass-harmonica.html

in 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/01/historical-museum-photo-essay-jan-29.html

in 2011
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/01/vera-meyer-glass-harmonica.html