The Mac Deli is open for business!

After a brief closed period for additional staff training, the Mac Deli is open again!

Mac Deli is open and excited to serve delicious Macaroni and Cheese, Awesome Sandwiches and Fresh Salads. 

We are currently still hiring super people to be part of our amazing team. Please contact Eric at 508-346-3219 if you are interested in working - we are looking for counter help and sandwich makers. Mother's hours available, part and full time shifts available.

The Mac Deli - 13 W Central St

You can find them on Facebook here
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mac-Deli/927409410612158

or on the web here   http://www.themacdeli.com/

#shopFranklin has folks taking action

Approx 20 folks gathered at The Cake Bar Wednesday night energized around #shopFranklin. Ideas were brought up and captureed on the wall. Some were discussed in detail, some started getting solved, some started getting combined with other ideas as the conversation flowed.

It was a good meeting. Lots of the folks were recognizing each other from their Facebook profile. Meeting in real life for the first time, picking up where they left off on line.

A combined ad. A quarterly mailer. Exploring collaborative marketing efforts. Use WMRC 1490 radio. Do a progressive event. Do a cash mob. What is a cash mob? Maybe a #shopFranklin keychain tag.

Discussion around the relationship with the Downtown Partnership. The Partnership is funded by their memberships and from the events they run. have gronw to about 200 members. Membership is reasonable. Forms available at meeting and on partnership website. They are interested in the energy of this group. This is not an us versus them, this is about what is good for Franklin and what is good for businesses in Franklin.

#shopFranklin - supporting small business

Discussion about #shopFranklin page. Still forming and figuring out how it will work. Seeming to be a consumer based place to discuss and collabroate wth local businesses.

What will the construction downtown do to the Harvest Festival? Will it disrupt the Festival this year? Maybe a trade show? How about a passport? Could tie it to fund raising effort for a non-profit. Rockland Trust has a couple of tables for business with accounts at the bank that can be used for helping to spread the word about that business for a month.

Maybe a speaker series. There are topics that small businesses need help with. Improviing health care options? How to prepare for the new sick time law coming into effect in July?  Womens Success Network has an event coming up March 4th. PDF of the info to be sent to a number of folks.

Need to be able to communicate among the group. Set up a Google group. It acts as a distribution listing and provides some thing Facebook doesn't do; it will get the messsage to everyone in the list. Can use the group to confirm additional topics. Can use the group to spread the listing of ideas.

Some of the ideas resulted in action items with assignments. March 11th targeted for next meeting also at the Cake Bar beginning at 7:00 PM.

It was good to see a bunch of folks energized about #shopFranklin and willing to do something about it. This is a good start!

Senior Center: A new edition of The Franklin Connection is available

A new edition of The Franklin Connection has been published on the Town of Franklin web site.

Click the link below to read the latest edition.

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Senior/Mar15connection.pdf

Franklin Senior Center

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You are subscribed to the The Franklin Connection - Senior Newsletter mailing list.

Organizational Meeting: Franklin Small Business Marketing Co-Op

Reminder: What was canceled due to the weather last week is on (finally) for tonight!

Forming a Franklin small business marketing Co-Op was agreed to in yesterday's Franklin Downtown Partnership meeting, and many folks indicated they would participate in a brainstorming working session next week on WEDNESDAY, February 18th from 7:00PM to 8:30PM at The Cake Bar. 

For those small business owners, as well as Franklin consumers that are interested in attending, we'd welcome as many as we can get! I've attached a flyer that you can feel free to circulate to anybody and everybody that may be interested. The more the merrier!

#shopFranklin

FHS winter sports results for Tuesday, Feb 17

From Hockomock Sports we can share the results of Tuesday's winter sports competitions

Boys Basketball

Franklin, 51 vs. Newton North, 47 - Final - Marcus Giese scored 16 points on his way to Comcast Tournament MVP honors. Dylan Reno added 17 points and played strong defense on Newton North's Tommy Mobley.

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

Franklin, 60 vs. Shepherd Hill, 31 - Final - Lexi Martin led Franklin with 15 points, Jillian Spolidoro added nine points and Caroline Maguire chipped in with eight points. The Panthers will play in the championship of the Westboro Tournament on Thursday against Acton-Boxboro.

Boys Hockey

Franklin, 8 @ Taunton, 0 - Final

Girls Hockey

Franklin, 2 @ Westwood, 5 - Final

For all the results of the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-021715

Ribbon Cutting March 3 in Franklin: REAL LIVING REALTY GROUP

REAL LIVING REALTY GROUP TO HOLD RIBBON CUTTING

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the new office of Real Living Realty Group, 55 West Central St., Franklin, on March 3 at 1 p.m.

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, business support organization serving the communities of Attleboro, Bellingham, Blackstone, Foxborough, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Plainville, Rehoboth, Seekonk, and Wrentham.

new location, new sign - Real Living Realty Group (Facebook page image)

MBTA: Update - Commuter Rail schedule changes through Friday, Feb 20th

All Commuter Rail Lines will operate a modified weekday schedule through Friday, February 20. Schedules for each line are at www.mbta.com/winter. Passengers should expect significant delays and several canceled trips. Providence/Stoughton Line trains will not serve TF Green and Wickford and all service will begin and end in Providence. Kingston/Plymouth Line trains will not service Plymouth and all service will begin and end in Kingston. Greenbush Line trains will not service Weymouth Landing. Last updated: Feb 17 2015 08:41 PM Sent by the MBTA.  Franklin Line following trains will NOT operate 2/18/2015.6701,702,703,790,706,710,733,732,793,734,709,716,715,737,736,721,725,726. Train 719 will make all stops. Last updated: Feb 18 2015 05:58 AM Franklin/Dean Station

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

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

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

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

the new tot lot is getting buried deeper and deeper in 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

a monster icicle at Clark Cutler on Fisher St

The train hadn't gone to Forge Park yet that morning

the wind has added its influence to the snow piles

Wachusett St is shining in the sunlight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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