Tuesday, February 17, 2015

THE BLACK BOX Sets The Stage For Culinary Cabaret Signature Food And Wine Event


The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents Culinary Cabaret 2015 on Friday, March 6, from 7-11 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, in downtown Franklin. The fourth annual signature food and wine event showcases the culinary and performing arts, featuring masterful dishes and gourmet specialties. A culinary-themed silent auction will feature quality cookware, wine and experiences for the food lover. The evening includes music and entertainment by FPAC special guest artists and Electric Youth.

FPAC is pleased to partner with exceptional area chefs and restaurants to present an innovative evening of inspired cuisine. Savor fine wines, craft beer, and delicious appetizers, desserts and dishes from Annie’s Just Desserts, The Cake Bar, Campania Ristorante, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Genji Sushi, Incontro, J & L Catering, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, Salt & Olive, Tavolino, Twelve Fine Food & Spirits, Whole Foods Market, 3 Restaurant and more. THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue, provides a dynamic setting to eat, drink, learn and celebrate.
Pictured from Franklin's 3 Restaurant are Executive Chef Chad Terry and General Manager Brian Ravella
Pictured from Franklin's 3 Restaurant are
Executive Chef Chad Terry and General Manager Brian Ravella

With the return of Culinary Cabaret 2015, FPAC is proud to once again spotlight some of the finest culinary talent in Boston’s MetroWest region, pairing food and art of outstanding creative caliber, with an impressive roster of vendors.

This year’s event welcomes back several founding partners, including Davio’s, Tavolino and Whole Foods Market. Led by General Manager Tom Perruna and Executive Chef Greg Galano, Tavolino treated guests to seared Ahi tuna and braised calamari at Culinary Cabaret's launch in 2012. This year, the team will prepare pan-seared scallops, crushed cashews and local seaweed salad, as well as duck confit ravioli served with a toasted walnut risotto and a port wine reduction. Davio’s Executive Chef Paul King will serve up prime beef short rib and butternut squash purée, garnished with crispy leeks. Among the 2015 new event partners, Incontro will present guests with several selections, including pork rillette with pickles, mustard, herbs and micro greens with crusty bread, as well as house-made lemon ricotta and grilled asparagus.
Culinary Cabaret
Culinary Cabaret

Pour Richard’s will partner restaurant stations with representatives from wineries and distributors, who will pour wines specifically chosen to complement the chef-prepared specialties. Reflecting Pour Richard’s “Never Drink Ordinary” motto, beverages will feature small producers, high quality and eclectic selection, including wines from Carol Shelton Vineyards, Sine Metu, Wente Vineyards, Pedroncelli Vineyards, Tiefenbrunner and many more, as well as craft beer, Irish Whiskey, Coole Swan Irish Cream and a signature cocktail created by Ipswich's own Privateer Rum. Pour Richard’s will also feature a single cask, single malt Scotch tasting, led by Scotch Master Charlie Tower, representing Douglas of Drumlanrig, Old Malt Cask and Malt Man selections. These are rare and delicious whiskies, many produced in lots of only 150 total bottles.

Tickets for Culinary Cabaret are $75 and fully inclusive of the evening’s food, wine, beer and entertainment. Purchase tickets online at www.theblackboxonline.com or by phone at 508-528-3370. Event proceeds support Electric Youth’s 2015 European summer concert tour and EY’s mission to give back through musical performance, education and ambassadorship. Culinary Cabaret 2015 media sponsors are The Milford Daily News and WMRC.

The direct link for tickets via THE BLACK BOX is here

Franklin in Snow

Even I'll admit that the snow is getting tiresome. It is pretty and we have been very fortunate not to lose power through all these storms (and I hope this doesn't jinx us). But it is also disrupting life. I stuck to mostly the sideroads as the side walks are buried while making my morning exercise walk around Franklin on Monday. 

cars are now hidden in driveways with the snow piling up so high on either side
cars are now hidden in driveways with the snow piling up so high on either side
Be careful driving on side streets and expecially coming out from the side streets on to the main roads. What you used to be able to see may not allow you that view today

fortunately school is out this week so DPW has time to catch up to clearing them
fortunately school is out this week so DPW has time to catch up to clearing them
the new tot lot is getting buried deeper and deeper in the snow

even the sign at Dean is getting hidden by the snow
even the sign at Dean is getting hidden by the snow
While the sign gets buried, the Library stands tall above the snow
While the sign gets buried, the Library stands tall above the snow
a monster icicle at Clark Cutler on Fisher St
a monster icicle at Clark Cutler on Fisher St
The train hadn't gone to Forge Park yet that morning
The train hadn't gone to Forge Park yet that morning
the wind has added its influence to the snow piles
the wind has added its influence to the snow piles
Wachusett St is shining in the sunlight
Wachusett St is shining in the sunlight
the wind creates its own sculptures
the wind creates its own sculptures

FHS winter team results Monday, Feb 16

From Hockomock Sports we share the results of the FHS teams on Monday, Presidents' Day

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 66 vs. Andover, 60 - Final - Senior Markus Bohmiller connected on 70% of his three pointers, hitting seven of them on his way to a team-best 28 points. Senior Marcus Giese added 16 points and junior Tim Prunier added 13 points.
FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 69 vs. St. Bernard's, 28 - Final - All 13 Franklin players scored in the win, led by Jillian Spolidoro's 11 points. Julianne Pisani and Lexi Martin each added nine points and Lauren Rudolph had eight points. Franklin will play Shepard Hill in the semifinals on Tuesday.


Girls Hockey

Franklin, 0 @ Whitman-Hanson, 7 - Final


For the remainder of the Hockomock League results check this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021615


Franklin Library: Winter Carnival - Feb 18th

Take the kids to the Winter Carnival at the Franklin Library on Wednesday.

Games, music, prizes, face painting balloons and more from 10:30 AM to noon.

Winter Carnival - Feb 18th
Winter Carnival - Feb 18th

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/winter-carnival.html

MBTA: Tuesday (Feb 17) Commuter Rail schedule changes



All Commuter Rail Lines will operate a modified weekday schedule on Tuesday, February 17. 

Schedules details for each line are at www.mbta.com/winter.

Passengers should expect significant delays and several canceled trips.

Note that Providence/Stoughton Line trains will not serve TF Green and Wickford and all service will begin and end in Providence. 

On the Kingston/Plymouth Line, trains will not service Plymouth and all service will begin and end in Kingston.


Last updated: Feb 16 2015 09:23 PM
Sent by the MBTA.


not hard to see why the MBTA is having trouble running trains on time given the state of the tracks covered with snow
not hard to see why the MBTA is having trouble running trains on time given the state of the tracks covered with snow


Monday, February 16, 2015

Party - Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday - March 1

The Franklin Historical Commission will celebrate our town's birthday with a party at the Museum on Sunday March 1st.

The public is invited and encouraged to join the Commission for cake and refreshments as we commemorate the Town of Franklin's 237th Birthday.

Originally to be named Exeter when the charter was filed on March 2, 1778, our town took the name Franklin after the famous diplomat and revolutionary, Benjamin Franklin
.
Local residents who were born on March 2nd have received an invitation from Historical Commission Chairperson, Debbie Pellegri, inviting them to the museum to celebrate their shared birthday with the town. 

From young children to seniors, as many as 88 town residents have a March 2nd birthday. All invitees in attendance born on March 2nd, will be entered in a free raffle for a $100 prize!

Sunday March 1st, 1:00PM, Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, Franklin.

The Franklin Historical Museum in warmer times
The Franklin Historical Museum in warmer times

For additional information on the Museum and exhibts, visit their webpage
http://franklinhistoricalmuseum.org/


FPAC - “My Violin Journey” Sunday, February 22


Franklin Performing Arts Company’s annual, free Family Concert Series continues this season with “My Violin Journey” on Sunday, February 22 at 1 p.m., featuring violinist Irina Fainkichen, with piano accompaniment by Kitty Cheung Evans. The performance will take place at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. 
violinist Irina Fainkichen
violinist Irina Fainkichen
Family Concert Series events are especially geared to children in length and format and provide young audiences with a fun introduction to the world of live music. The performances feature talented, professional musicians and present music of many genres in an entertaining and interactive way. Audience participation is encouraged.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen received degrees from Rachmaninoff Music College, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, Russia, and Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. She is a busy freelance violinist in the Greater Boston area. Irina was concertmaster of San Francisco’s Russian Chamber Orchestra for many years, appearing as soloist numerous times. Currently, she is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra, and a co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including Jazz, Klezmer, and classic American tunes.

For the FPAC Family Concert Series program, Irina has chosen songs that have significance from her early childhood. These include works by Mozart and Beethoven, pieces that Irina first played at the age of 5 and that she now likes to teach to her own violin students. Additionally, Irina will perform two pieces, Weber’s “Hunter’s Chorus” and Baklanova’s “Mazurka,” that she played at her first public performance at age 6, and F. Schubert’s “The Bee,” which she performed at age 10 for her first national TV appearance. The program will also include “At the Zoo,” by Cofalik and Twardowski, among the many engaging and accessible pieces of repertoire by noted composers.

A treasured FPAC tradition for more than two decades, FPAC’s Family Concert Series concludes on April 12 with Alice in Wonderland, an opera for children featuring sopranos Mariko Matsumura and Shauna Martin. FPAC’s 2015 Family Concert Series is sponsored by Berry Insurance. A distinctive, non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, FPAC presents quality performances with a focus on youth development and live music, while offering opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts to work together in a collaborative and creative environment. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.fpaconline.com and www.theblackboxonline.com.

Religious School Open House - Mar 15, May 3

Temple Etz Chaim, Franklin, is hosting two Religious School Open House events. Families interested in Religious School for their school-aged children from Pre-K through High School are welcome to join us Sunday, March 15, 2015 or Sunday, May 3, 2015 from 9:15 to 11:00 am at the Medway High School, 88 Summer Street, Medway. 
Each event will include a tour of the school and participation in the activities of the day, opportunities to meet with the Rabbi, the Education Director and representatives from the Membership Committee as well as time for coffee and schmoozing with temple families. 
There is no cost for attending. RSVP by email to Hana Berman at directorofeducation@temple-etzchaim.org or call the temple office (508) 528-5337 to RSVP or for additional information.

screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage
screen grab of Temple Etz Chaim webpage

For additional information on the Temple Etz Chaim, please visit their webpage
http://www.temple-etzchaim.org/

Sunday, February 15, 2015

MBTA: Commuter Rail schedule change for Presidents' Day



All Commuter Rail lines will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday, February 16.

Commuter Rail service is expected to have delays due to switch and signal issues and mechanical issues with locomotives. Cancelled train trips are also likely.

--------

Limited Rail and Bus service will be available on Presidents' Day, Monday, February 16. Details are available at www.mbta.com/winter.


Photo of commuter rail train leaving Franklin Dean Station
Photo of commuter rail train leaving Franklin Dean Station


Last updated: Feb 15 2015 07:11 PM
Sent by the MBTA.

FM #109 - The Delegate Ladybug Lands in Franklin

The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.

Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.

As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

Listen here:






The Delegate Ladybug
The Delegate Ladybug

Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Council
Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Council

Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug
Left to right: Sen Ross, Rep Roy, Sen Spilka and Delegate Ladybug

Rep Roy speaking about the Ladybug story
Rep Roy speaking about the Ladybug story


Session Notes: - FM #109


The Franklin Delegate ladybug landed on Tuesday, Feb 10th. There was a brief ceremony to acknowledge the landing. Claire Griffin and Kai Olsson of the Franklin Cultural Committee kick off the event.


Franklin delegates to Beacon Hill: Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Jeff Roy and Senator Richard Ross each take a turn to acknowledge this event.


As the recording ends, the group is gathering for a photo. The photos from the event have been posted to Flickr and Facebook for you to view and enjoy.

What was the ladybug project and how did this ladybug land here?
Claire and Beth Simon spearheaded the Ladybug Committee to obtain the 25 ladybugs, solicit sponsors and artists for each of them, coordinate their showing on the Town Common in August, and at the Harvest Festival in October.

The delegate ladybug will now be on display at the Municipal Building to remind us of the story of the ladybug being selected as the state bug for MA.

Money from the fundraising portion of this community art project will be used eventually for a fitting memorial for Palma Johnson, the Kennedy School teacher whose class developed the proposal and successfully petitioned to the State 40 years ago.

This was quite an accomplishment 40 years ago, and equally a good accomplishment during 2014 for the Ladybug project.

Without further ado, here is the recording of the brief ceremony on Tuesday, Feb 10, 2015 at the Franklin Municipal Building.

(recording)



----

As I close this special session, let me remind you that


  • If you like what I am doing here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don’t like something, please tell me

It is through this feedback loop that you can help me improve the information I provide for you.


Thank you for listening!

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark and Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission

I hope you enjoy!


You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


  • The Ladybug story can be found on the Kennedy School webpage




  • Copies of the Ladybug story are also available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s page
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cis/ciskid/kidlbs/lbsidx2.htm

  • The collection of photos of the ladybugs from the showing on the Town Common in August 2014 can be found here

  • The same collection of photos can also be found on Facebook here

Clebrating Presidents' Day in MA

If the weather cooperates, something from this list of historic sites provided by MA.GOV would be good to take in on Presidents' Day. Adams National Park and the Coolidge Library are still on my own list of places to visit.

I have visited the Kennedy Library a couple of times and there is always something to learn there.

quote from President Kennedy's 1st Inaugural Address
quote from President Kennedy's 1st Inaugural Address
"All of this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in the our lifetime on this planet. But let it begin."

The recent record-breaking snowfall has affected hours of operation and parking availability for many of these sites. Make sure to call ahead before visiting.
  • Take a tour of the Adams National Historical Park and explore the birthplace of our second and sixth U.S. presidents, John Adams and his son, John Quincy Adams. The Adams National Historic Park includes a visitor center, a bookstore, a short film, a trolley ride, and tours of each president’s birthplace.
    • Located in Quincy, the park grounds are open year-round and the historic homes reopen this season on April 19. The Visitor Center is open year-round Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for federal holidays.
    • Admission is $5 for adults. Children 16 and under can explore for free.
  • Visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and learn about the life of our 35th president. Although the main exhibit halls are closed for renovations until mid-March, the special exhibit “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” is currently open to the public.
    • The museum is located on Boston’s waterfront and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $10 for veterans and teenagers 13 to 17. Museum members, active duty servicemembers, and children 12 and under are admitted for free.
Make this Presidents’ Day fun-filled and educational. Join Massachusetts as we remember and honor our past presidents, who helped shape our great nation under their leadership.

Shared from the MA GOV page here

FHS Wrestling finishes Second in D1 Central meet

From Hockomock Sports we can share the results of the D1 Central Wrestling sectional meet where Franklin finished second!

FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

D1 Central
Team Rankings
2. Franklin 184.5

106
2. Mike Racca, Franklin

113
2. Nick Narducci, Franklin

120
1. Mike Copolla, Franklin

126
1. Dan Pisani, Franklin

132
3. Pat Glynn, Franklin

145
6. Nate Bakalars, Franklin

160
1. Bilal Khan, Franklin

285
2. John Miller, Franklin



For the results of the other Hockomock teams in D2 South follow this link
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-wrestling-sectionals-hockomock-results

Franklin Library: Liquid Nitrogen Demonstrations

School vacation week, what to do with the kids? Check out the library. In addition to plenty of books there are events scheduled almost every day.

Chris Towle will perform some liquid nitrogen demonstrations on Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Good for kids K and older.

Liquid nitrogen demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM
Liquid nitrogen demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday at 1:00 PM

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/02/liquid-nitrogen-demonstrations.html

Saturday, February 14, 2015

FHS Winter Sports Results for Friday, Feb 13th


Boys Hockey

Franklin, 2 @ Malden Catholic, 6 - Final - Ryan Spillane gave Franklin a 1-0 lead and Joe Bourque made it 2-1 in favor of the Panthers late in the first period. This is an exclusion game for Franklin and won't count towards playoff seeding.


Girls Basketball

Mansfield, 37 @ Franklin, 44 - Final - Julianne Pisani led the Panthers with 10 points. Jillian Spolidoro had nine points for the Panthers, who had nine players score in the game. Mansfield was led by Jen Peel with 14 points. Jess Stoyle and Alyssa Kelley each added seven points.


Game of the Week - Boys Basketball

Franklin, 51 @ Mansfield, 61 - Final - Junior Nick Baskin had a game-high 18 points for the Hornets, who outscored Franklin by 14 in the second half and won their third straight Kelley-Rex division title. Ryan Boulter added 15 points, five boards and three assists, Michael Boen had a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and sophomore Matt Ehrlich had seven points, seven boards and three assists. Marcus Giese had a team-high 12 points for Franklin and added nine rebounds, Shawn Hanley had 11 points, Markus Bohmiller had 10 points and Tim Prunier had nine points, six rebounds and four assists.
Mansfield's Michael Boen is guarded by Franklin's Dylan Reno in the second half. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
Mansfield's Michael Boen is guarded by Franklin's Dylan Reno in the second half.
 (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

For additonal results around the Hockomock League Friday night
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021315

For the 'game of the week' write up
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/mansfield-wears-franklin-down-wins-kelley-rex-title

For the girls Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-girls-indoor-track-championships-hock-results

For the boys Hockomock teams' results in the MIAA indoor track meet
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/miaa-boys-indoor-track-championships-hock-results


April Hall - rescheduled to April 24


Please Note:  

April Hall has been rescheduled to April 24 due to the impending snow storm on Valentines's Day!

April Hall
April Hall


Ticket info at THE BLACK BOX Theater can be found here
http://www.theblackboxonline.com/event-2015-01-12-mon-jan/?lang=en