Reminder: 6th Annual Franklin Fives Road Race - May 14

6th Annual Franklin and Bellingham Franklin Fives Road Race

5 K Run, 5 Mile Run, 3.1 or 1.5 Mile Walk

Saturday May 14, 2016 at 10 AM

Help support our effort to develop the Southern New England Trunkline Trail into a multi-use path for Franklin and Bellingham

• Registration: 8:30 – 9:45 AM
• Start Time: 10:00 AM ( + or - )
• Start / Finish: 628 Washington St. Franklin, MA (Remington School)
• Run 5 K or 5 Mile courses through residential neighborhoods
• 1.5 or 3.1 mile mile walk through residential neighborhoods
• Entry Fee: $25 prior to race day, $30 day of the race, $15 Students

The SNETT is an abandoned rail bed running from Franklin to the CT line

Register online at: www.franklinbellinghamrailtrail.org/race

 6th Annual Franklin & Bellingham Franklin Fives Road Race - May 14

Franklin School For The Performing Arts Launches New FSPA Academy And FSPA Afterschool

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) launches the FSPA Academy, offered in collaboration with Massachusetts Virtual Academy (MAVA), and FSPA AfterSchool this fall. In partnering with MAVA, FSPA will provide the setting for a complete and creative academic education with a special emphasis on arts, language and culture. FSPA will also introduce FSPA AfterSchool, offering afterschool enrichment and supervision for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. FSPA Academy and FSPA AfterSchool will be open to any student who wishes to enroll; FSPA music, dance and drama classes are not required for participation. Learn more about these programs at back-to-back Informational Meetings for prospective students and families on Tuesday, May 3 at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The Information Meeting about FSPA AfterSchool will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a session about FSPA Academy at 7:00.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA)

The new FSPA AfterSchool enrichment program will offer supervised recreational experiences beginning this fall for the 2016-17 school year. Extend the school day in bright new classroom space next to FSPA’s 38 Main Street location. The program begins at the close of the regular school day and continues until 6 p.m., providing a safe environment and engaging community in which to belong. Kids will have the opportunity to work on homework or to participate in games, crafts and other creative arts activities. For students enrolled in FSPA classes, the afterschool option offers a supervised transition from the program to individual singing, dancing and acting classes.

In collaboration with MAVA, the FSPA Academy will offer a nurturing environment and academic home from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday with individually tailored academic schedules. The program will deliver MAVA’s Massachusetts State- and NCAA-approved curriculum leading to the MA State Diploma. Students will be guided by a full-time Learning Coach employed by FSPA. Field trips will enhance students’ performing arts and cultural interests, and master classes will be held on a variety of subjects for academy students. Music Theory will be taught, with elective credit being given by MAVA. Academy students will have access to FSPA Administration for career and college counseling.

FSPA provides extensive College Prep Services for high school students, including college list, essay, and application coaching, as well as performing arts audition preparation. Director Raye Lynn Mercer and her staff annually prepare high school seniors for college and conservatory auditions, with placement at such prestigious programs as Baldwin Wallace University, Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory, Boston University, Carnegie Mellon University, Connecticut College, Eastman School of Music, Elon University, Emerson College, Hartt School of Music, Ithaca College, James Madison University, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, Oberlin Conservatory, Oklahoma City University, Pace University, Pennsylvania State University, Princeton University, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (London), Syracuse University, UCLA, University of Miami, University of Southern California (USC), and Wagner College.

Massachusetts Virtual Academy (MAVA)

Founded in 1985 by Mercer, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. The school provides classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. MAVA offers immersive online learning for grades K through 12 and is the first diploma-granting virtual school in Massachusetts. For more information about MAVA, visit www.Mava.k12.com or call (866) 467-0843. To learn more about FSPA, visit www.FSPAonline.com, call (508) 528-8668, or email Hallie Wetzell at hwetzell@fspaonline.com.

"We've had no problems with people finding the location"

After closing on April 11, the Franklin Public Library re-opened at a temporary location Monday morning. 

That location - at 25 Kenwood Circle - will serve as the library's home while a yearlong, $10.5 million renovation takes place in its main building. 

About 55,000 items from the library's collection were moved to the new address, said Library Director Felicia Oti. Among them were the entire children's collection, all young adult books, DVDs, CDs, Blu-Rays and audiobooks.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160502/frankin-library-reopens-in-temporary-space

Realtor Warren Reynolds has a bunch of photos of the new temporary location on his posting.

New temporary location of Franklin Library

book racks set up and stocked with part of the full collection

Check out more photos in Warren's gallery
http://02038.com/2016/05/franklin-library-opens-at-temporary-home/


From the official Town of Franklin page

While the Public Library is at its temporary location at 25 Kenwood Circle, public transportation is available through GATRA for seniors over the age of 60 and persons with disabilities. Call toll free at 1-800-698-7676 to make a reservation.

http://www.gatra.org/

In the News: bee program at Stony Brook, Medway voters to decide on artificial turf

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

The Crowdsourcing Citizen Science to Protect Bees free program will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, 108 North St., Norfolk. 

The health and diversity of native bumblebees, which pollinate New England crops and flowers, will be the topic of a program. 

The speaker, Robert Gegear, of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, studies how bumblebees react to challenges in their habitat and how citizens can play a role in conservation and restoration of pollinators.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160502/stony-brook-to-host-bee-protection-program

Voters will decide on June 9 whether to adopt a three-year moratorium on artificial turf fields that use crumb rubber infill due to a resident petition that gathered enough signatures to call a Special Town Meeting. 

The date was set at the Board of Selectmen’s Monday meeting after a length conversation about the timing of the petition – just as town officials have started planning the improvement of several parks and recreational areas in town.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160502/medway-selectmen-set-turf-moratorium-vote

the new plush crumb rubber infill field at Franklin High School

Senator Ross: April 2016 State House Update

Senator Richard J. Ross, State House Update, April 2016 View this email in your browser Facebook Twitter Website LinkedIn State Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) proudly serving the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District. State House Room 419 Boston, MA 02133 Ph: 617-722-1555 Fax: 617-722-1054 Email:richard.ross@masenate.gov Dear Friends, April was all about giving back and celebrating the many organizations and volunteers who dedicate their time to others. I am so humbled to represent a district that is so selflessly devoted to their neighbors. Please read/share my newsletter for updates on all of the incredible volunteers throughout my district and what to expect in May. It is an honor to serve you. Sincerely, CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH April was Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month and I was honored to help kick it off with Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas, the CEO of New Hope, Inc. Marcia Szymanski, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center of Bristol County Michelle Loranger, and local Attleboro area officials. Prevention is possible through knowledge and awareness. If we work together we can foster a safe and supportive environment for all. If you would like more information or need to let your voice be heard, visit New Hope's website here: http://www.new-hope.org/ or the CAC website here: http://cacofbc.org/.

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To read the full edition, View this email in your browser

Franklin Downtown Partnership: May 5 - General Meeting Agenda, Guest Speaker

Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA  02038 (774) 571-3109   downtown.franklin@yahoo.com May 5 General Meeting Agenda Items:   Streetscape, Town News, Instagram, Strawberry Stroll, Sponsorship  Franklin Downtown Partnership  General Meeting Agenda Thursday, May 5, 2016 Dean College Campus Center  @ 8:30 am Golder Room I.         Open Meeting II.        Adoption of Agenda III.       Report from Executive Director - Lisa                 a.  Sponsorship  IV.      Report from Town and Streetscape                 Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, & Anthony Tavalone, MA DOT  V.       Report Strawberry Stroll Committee - Nicole  VI.     Guest Speaker: Caitlin Keller**                 Digital Learning Specialist (basic functions on using Instagram)  VII.    New Business  VIII.   Adjourn Progressive Dinner: Sunday, May 15th Beautification Day:  Saturday May 21st **  We are happy to welcome Guest Speaker, Caitlin Keller, Digital Learning Specialist at Franklin High School. Ms. Keller will share the following skills and knowledge during her presentation: Basic functions of using Instagram, including posting photos, adding captions, tagging locations, filters, and following users Connecting to other social media apps, such as Facebook Using hashtags Strategies for promoting products/business Come to the meeting with the Instagram app loaded on your technology device (phone or tablet) so you can jump right in and participate during the meeting. This way you can work on your own technology devices as Ms. Keller demonstrates different options and uses of Instagram. Ms. Keller comes highly qualified to lead this discussion. She has earned a Master's Degree, Learning Technologies, Drexel University, as well as a Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, Lebanon Valley College. Franklin Downtown Partnership | downtown.franklin@yahoo.com | 774-571-3109 | franklindowntownpartnership.org

Sent by downtown.franklin@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today

open auditions - Little Shop of Horrors

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will hold open auditions for the Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical Little Shop of Horrors on Saturday, May 14 at 38 Main Street in Franklin. Auditions begin at noon for adults and teens ages 15 and older. Please prepare 16-32 bars of a contemporary musical theater song in the style of the show. For more information, including a character breakdown, please visit www.FPAConline.com.

Part of FPAC’s 25th anniversary season, Little Shop of Horrors will be presented on June 10 and 11 at 7:30p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s home and performance venue in downtown Franklin. With book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, the popular comic rock musical delivers an uproariously good time. With catchy, early Motown-inspired tunes and a wacky tale, Little Shop of Horrors follows a down-and-out skid row floral assistant who becomes an overnight sensation after discovering an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, R and B singing carnivore – ultimately revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination.

Little Shop of Horrors is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). For more information, call (508) 528-3370.

Little Shop of Horrors