THE BLACK BOX Sings...Frozen - Aug 6

THE BLACK BOX will present a concert celebrating the music of the highest-grossing animated film of all time: Disney’s Frozen. The concert will feature a narrated telling of Elsa and Anna’s story with live performances of the film’s songs as well as new music written for the current Broadway production. 

Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert on Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for teens, $10 for youth 6-12, and $5 for kids 5 and under.

Katie Gray and Ali Funkhouser of New York, NY will sing the roles of Elsa and Anna respectively. Katie Gray graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s Integrated Conservatory. Originally from Milford, MA, she has toured France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and the U.K. with Electric Youth through the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. Her credits include Legally Blonde (Paulette), The Addams Family (Wednesday), Grease (Marty), and Fiddler on the Roof (Fruma Sarah). 

Katie Gray and Ali Funkhouser

Ali Funkhouser, originally from Franklin, has been seen in the national tours of Joseph...Dreamcoat and Evita. Her other credits include Disney’s Newsies (Katherine), Legally Blonde (Margot, u/s Elle), Puccini’s Suor Angelica (La Novizia), and more. She has a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University.

THE BLACK BOX Sings...Frozen will also feature Aaron Frongillo as Hans, Griffin Wilkins as Kristoff, Jason Barney as Olaf, Aida DiChiara as Young Anna, Laney Dragsbaek as Young Elsa, with narration by Nick Paone. The theater features a full bar and Franklin’s Intermission Cafe will be serving ice cream treats for the August 6 concert.

Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX Sings… series celebrates the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites.

For tickets and more information, call the box office at (508) 528-3370 or visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.

Franklin HIstorical Museum: Fashions of Downton Abbey - Aug 11

We're excited to bring you The Fashions of Downton Abby as our August Second Sunday Speaker Series presentation. Our guest is Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Karen returns to the museum with one of her most popular presentations. 

Are you a fan of Downton Abbey? Would you love to know more about the fashions of the period? If so, join us for an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. Travel with us through time while we explore the styles of 1912, represented in Season 1 of Downton Abbey, through the 1920s, when major changes occurred both in fashion and in society. 

Immerse yourself in Downton Abbey, where we will explore all of the changing fashions of this intriguing period. Karen received her Masters Degree in textiles, fashion merchandising and design. With a concentration in historic costumes from RISD. Karen pours her passion for fashion to this presentation which includes a slide show, clips from the show, costumes and accessories from the Edwardian Era through the 1920s. 

This special presentation is on Sunday, August 11th at 1:10 PM. Arrive on time, seating is limited. The Second Sunday Speaker Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum.

Our summer exhibit, VICTORIAN SECRETS, a look at Victorian era undergarments from corsets to petticoats, is available for viewing through Saturday August 10. Come in and learn about the many layers that well dressed Victorian ladies wore to help shape and conform their figures to support the beautiful fashions of the day.

Stop by our gift shop for that perfect gift for anyone who loves Franklin or who is new to town. We have 3 editions of the Cat's Meow collectables, the Brick School, the town Library and the Train Station for $18.00 each. We have re-stocked our supply of Town Common Gazebo Christmas ornaments which sold out quickly last year. Get yours before the Christmas rush.

Do you love Franklin and our History? We're looking for locals interested in hosting at the museum once a month. Training would be provided and schedules are flexible. If you're interested or know someone who might be, email us at franklinmuseum1778@gmail.com.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street. We are ADA compliant and admission is always free. Hours of operation are Saturdays 10 AM-1 PM, Sundays 1 PM-4 PM and Thursday evenings 5 PM-8 PM. Come in and discover your history.

VICTORIAN SECRETS, a look at Victorian era undergarments from corsets to petticoats, is available for viewing through Saturday August 10

Girls Who Code is Coming to Franklin Public Library this Fall

Girls Who Code is Coming to Franklin Public Library!

"We are already hard at work on the fall schedule and we want your input!

For Girls going into Grades 6 - 12, Girls Who Code is a special club all about building up girls in technology! This club will meet on Saturdays 15 times over the course of the school year to create coding projects that inspire Bravery, Resilience, Creativity, & Purpose!

Before we get sign ups rolling, please answer these quick questions to help us make this the best club we can from day one!

If you have questions please go to: https://girlswhocode.com/ or ask at the end of the survey form!"

Girls Who Code is Coming to Franklin Public Library!

Girls Who Code Survey

 

Respond to the survey here
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOGanH2k-PlGs4Xe4IHAxumRh2ovU6h_gObd5nM9PmKlJGqg/viewform

Learn more about the I-90 Allston Project’s Impacts on MetroWest - Thursday, July 18

Commute Times, Cost, Public Tranist, Congestion, Impact on MetroWest

I hope you will join me MassDOT Public Information Meeting I-90 Allston Multimodal Project Date: Thursday, July 18, 2019 Time: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Location: Framingham City Hall Blumer Room 150 Concord Street, Framingham As your legislator and a long time toll-paying resident of MetroWest, I invite you to join me this Thursday, July 18, to learn more about the state's plan to overhaul a portion of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Allston and its potential impact on our region. According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the project will include straightening a portion of Interstate 90 and other changes to accommodate development in Allston/Brighton. We deserve to know more about what this means for our region, our commutes, our public transportation system and, most importantly, how much it is going to cost and who will be expected to pay for it. Your voice is important to help ensure our commutes experience the least amount of disruption. I hope you will join me.  Please contact my office at 617-722-1500 if you have any questions. More info: Allston Multimodal Project Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | 617-722-1500 | Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov www.karenspilka.com

Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka | Massachusetts State House, Room 332, Boston, MA 02133 Sent by karen.spilka@masenate.gov in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

In the News: electronics and appliances recycle day; maybe MA budget next week

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

"An electronics and appliances recycle day will be held at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School, 201 Main St., Franklin on Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Residents of Franklin and all surrounding towns are welcome to participate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20190716/electronics-appliances-recycle-day-set-in-franklin

"It’s only Tuesday and hopes are already fading for a deal this week on the overdue state budget.

Breaking a two-week pattern, the House adjourned Tuesday morning without plans to meet on Wednesday. Since July 1, the budget’s due date, both branches have been holding near-daily sessions while they await a report from the six lawmakers charged in early June with coming up with the final fiscal 2020 spending plan.

A day after he expressed hope for a budget “by the end of this week,” Second Assistant Majority Leader Paul Donato, who presided over Tuesday’s session, pushed out expectations another seven days.

“You know [conferees are] going to work the weekend, so we might as well just let them do their thing, come back, tell us when, and hopefully we can meet formally one day next week and put this budget to bed,” Donato told the News Service. There’s “no sense” in continuing daily sessions when it’s “kind of obvious” there will be no imminent report, he said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190716/budget-deadline-now-hopefully-next-week

THE BLACK BOX: Jazz in July Series - Lauren Kinhan with The Mark Poniatowski Trio - July 19

Continuing THE BLACK BOX Jazz in July series on Friday, July 19 at 8 PM is Lauren Kinhan with The Mark Poniatowski Trio. Jazz vocalist Lauren Kinhan possesses a rare and beautiful instrument, tough and tender, clear and fine-grained in every register, whether she’s dipping down into husky chest tones, or ascending into silvery head voice. 

The Mark Poniatowski Trio, is led by bassist, composer, arranger, and resident musician at THE BLACK BOX Mark Poniatowski, with Mark Shilansky (Piano) and Mike Connor (Drums). Mark Poniatowski’s extensive experience includes performances with the Bruce Katz Band, Toni Lynn Washington Band, Kenny Hadley Big Band, Soul Kitchen, Floyd Dixon, Sid Caesar, Rita Moreno, Bob Newhart, Junior Watson, Janiva Magness, and Kid Ramos.

Jazz in July Series - Lauren Kinhan

Other July programming at THE BLACK BOX will include the acclaimed Kenny Hadley Big Band (Jazz in July) and musical theatre comedian Ali Funkhouser (BLACK BOX Cabaret). 

Visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call 508-528-3370 for more information. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA. 

Lifelong Community Learning Announces Classes - Registration Open

Registration is now open for the fall semester at Lifelong Community Learning. Classes begin in early September. Participation is open to individuals, organizations, and businesses alike in Franklin and the surrounding region towns. 

This fall, participants can choose from a very interesting variety of options. Our newly revamped class categories include Arts & Crafts; Exercise & Wellness; Lifestyle & Culture – our Food & Wine, Language, and Dance section, the ever popular Kids’ Corner; Team Sports; Workshops & Special Events; and Online Learning. 

We are very excited about our new partnership with the Franklin YMCA. Together we will be offering Babies & Toddler Swim Lessons, Babysitter Certification, and CPR & First Aid Certification for Adults. 

We will also introduce you to Ballroom Dancing, Wine Tasting & Education, you can learn to Cook & Bake with Fresh Herbs – a class with Franklin Public Schools’ very own Chef Colin Boisvert, you can join us for a Mediumship Experience and explore the world of Nature Photography Made Easy – an outdoor, Saturday morning workshop.

Our Kids’ Corner program, a place where fun and learning meet, has been expanded again and will include another Parent & Child Painting Night in October. In addition, you will find Beginner French, Italian, Spanish, and Intermediate Italian. Kids’ Cooking classes are back along with a Saturday morning Kids’ Creative Cupcake class, and so much more! 

You won't want to miss our Public Safety / Personal Awareness classes offered in partnership with the Franklin Police Department. Once again we will have Women’s Self-Defense classes and Home Safety and Security for Kids.

This fall you will also find more exercise and sports programs than ever including Hatha Yoga and Yoga For Anyone, Zumba, Tai Chi and Community Walking. Badminton is back this fall along with two nights of Men’s Basketball. Intermediate and Advanced Volleyball classes round out the field. 

We wrap up our fall programs with a Sunday Holiday Tour of the Newport Mansions just in time to see their beautiful decorations. The tour will include transportation and a luncheon at one of Newport’s many restaurants. This is just a sampling. There is so much more to see and do!

Visit www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com for full course details and to register. You may also call Lifelong Community Learning at 508-613-1480 for more information.

Lifelong Community Learning is a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences for residents in the Town of Franklin and surrounding communities.

Lifelong Community Learning Announces Classes - Registration Open

Franklin Youth & Open Track & Field Meets - July 18

Open track and field meet coming up on Thursday, July 18, July 25 and August 1. 

Check in and field events start at 5:00 PM. Running events start at 6:00 PM.

All events take place at Franklin High School. $5 entry fee (unlimited events)




Via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/FHS_girlsXC/status/1147978975421050881

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczNXUtbHpSMEw2eEtRWjdnem55eTFRbmU4dFhr/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Youth & Open Track & Field Meets - July 18

In the News: Dancing on Dean; Interim budget for MA consideration

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

"Kevin R. Goffe, president and CEO of Dean Bank, announces that Dean Bank will continue Dancing on Dean, its free summer concert series, for the second year on Friday.

Dancing on Dean is a “block party-style” event taking place in the bank’s 21 Main St. back parking lot, complete with live music, beer and wine, local restaurants offering food for purchase and fun. It’s something Goffe has dreamed of doing in downtown for years.

“Through the efforts and cooperation of town officials, the Franklin Downtown Partnership, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, other local businesses and our employees, we’re excited to be able to announce that the next Dancing on Dean will take place on Friday July 19 from 6-9 p.m.,” he said.

Each Dancing on Dean features a live band throughout the evening and dancing is encouraged. Goffe hopes local bands will become interested in playing in front of a hometown crowd, in a family-friendly environment as the event gains momentum."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/dean-bank-to-host-dancing-on-dean-in-franklin

Dancing on Dean - Old Town - July 19, 2019

"With the annual state budget now 15 days late and negotiators acknowledging still-unresolved issues, House Speaker Robert DeLeo indicated on Monday that a compromise might not be within reach this month and said the governor should file legislation that would ensure government continues to operate into August.

The speaker’s statement on Monday came just hours after he publicly hinted that legislative leaders may have to consider “other options” for resolving a fiscal year 2020 budget if talks continue to drag later into July, a month in which state spending is covered by an interim $5 billion appropriation with no exact date for when funding will run dry.

“Based on the current status of the negotiations, the Speaker feels it would be prudent for the Governor to file a 1/12th budget for August to ensure the Commonwealth’s fiscal obligations are met,” DeLeo spokeswoman Catherine Williams told the News Service in a statement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/seeking-other-options-deleo-calls-for-interim-august-budget

In the News: Dean switches athletic conference; gambling expansion hearings; brewers-distributors don't agree

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

"The Great Northeast Athletic Conference has announced the addition of Dean College as its newest full core member institution beginning with the 2020-21 academic year, as recently announced by GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh.

Dean College is currently a member of the New England Collegiate Conference for all sports excluding football.

In all, 14 of Dean’s 15 varsity sport programs will compete initially in the GNAC: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and men’s and women’s volleyball."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/stronggreat-northeast-athletic-conference-adds-dean-college-strong

Dean's mascot "Boomer" out on the lawn recently

"Eight years after Massachusetts legalized casino gambling and while lawmakers are weighing further expansions of gaming, a Hopkinton couple told lawmakers the story of how “the spread of commercialized gambling” has turned their lives and business upside down, and warned lawmakers against further promoting gambling.

Sara and Jeff Austin, who own and operate a sound engineering firm in Framingham, noticed a few unauthorized transactions on a bank statement in December 2018. Their bookkeeper, Antonis Mallios, assured them it was an accounting error and would be rectified in no time.

But as the Austins sorted through seven years of records, they and law enforcement realized Mallios had allegedly stolen $885,000 from the company and another $470,000 from a Methuen health center where he also kept the books."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/hopkinton-couple-victims-of-alleged-embezzler-slams-push-for-plainridge-table-games

"Brewers and beer distributors are renewing the effort to create new pathways out of their business partnerships, but a “compromise” bill put forward by distributors has already been rejected by brewers, who are offering a plan they said would be “painful” for them but still preferable to the distributors’ option.

“We’re not trying to make it easy for us to leave our wholesalers,” said Boston Beer Company founder Jim Koch. “We’re willing to make it very painful in order to get something done. We’d love it differently, but it’s not going to happen. We have to make it painful for us.”

Under current law, once a beer supplier has worked with a particular distributor for six months, that distributor has indefinite rights to the products it has already distributed, and a supplier can only terminate the contract if the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission determines that the distributor has violated one of five statutorily-defined conditions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190715/brewers-distributors-renew-quarrel-over-exclusive-contracts

[Residents] Police Business Line Service Restored

The Franklin Police business line service has been restored. Please call 508-528-1212 for all non-emergency Police services. 

Franklin Police Business Line Service Restored

 

[Residents] Franklin Police Business Line experiencing an outage

Please be advised we are experiencing outages with our 508-528-1212 business line. 

Any non emergency or emergency police services please call the Metacomet Emergency Community Center 911 line. 

Franklin Police Business Line experiencing an outage

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul 25th Annual Backpack Collection

The St. Mary's Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is excited to announce its 25th annual collection of back-to-school supplies to help children prepare for a wonderful school year. 

If you would like to participate, please buy a school backpack, and fill it with back to school supplies. Please label the backpack either Grades K-3, Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8, or Grades 9-12. 

The backpacks should not be specific for either a boy or a girl. The backpacks may be dropped by the food boxes near the prayer wall on the weekend of August 17/18 and on Monday, (August 19th) until noon. 

Backpacks will be available for pick-up on August 19, 20 and 21 from 9 to 4. We will also have them available for pick-up on Tuesday, August 20th from 5 -7. We are also hoping to have enough backpacks to offer them to families living in area shelters. 

Last year, 162 children and teens benefited from your generosity. It is so important for children and youth to see the goodness in the world. If you are needing a backpack. please call us at 508-918-2291 to have your name put on our distribution list.

Suggestions for supplies may be found on our website. Lists are also available at the front doors of the church. Thank you in advance for your participation in this year’s drive!

St. Mary’s St. Vincent de Paul
25th Annual Backpack Collection

 

Franklin’s Concerts on the Common - Wednesdays

Enjoy Franklin’s Summer Concerts Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.
There are also fun programs for the kiddies from 6:00 to 6:30 PM.

7/17 The Frank Padula band
    - Jamie Barrett at 6:00


7/24 Electric Youth
7/31 DJ Mike Rutkowski
8/07 Matt Zajac & Friends
8/21 The Elastic Five

Franklin’s Concerts on the Common - Wednesdays

Zoning Board of Appeals - Public Hearing Notices for Aug 1 meeting

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has three new public hearings scheduled for their meeting August 1, 2019. The full agenda for the meeting is not yet published.


At: 7:30 PM
Applicant: Paul D’Amelio
Address of Subject Property: 349 East Central Street(Map & Lot: 240-198-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to site a propane refilling station. The use is denied without a Variance from the ZBA.

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/349_east_central_street_legal_ad_0.pdf

At: 7:35 PM
Applicant: Richard and Doreen Johnson
Address of Subject Property: 394 Coronation Drive(Map & Lot: 240-160-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a garage addition that is 36.5’ from the front setback where 40’ is required. The building permit is denied without a Variance from the ZBA

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/394_coronation_drive_legal_ad.pdf

At: 7:40 PM
Applicant: James Thornhill/Trooper Inc.
Address of Subject Property: 13 Brookfield Road (Map & Lot: 240-198-000-000)
Petition Type: Variance
To Allow: Applicant is seeking to construct a 16’ X 16’ addition that is 13.1’ from the left side yard setback where 25’ is required and to construct a covered porch that is 8.4’ from the right side yard setback where 25’ is required. The building permit is denied without a Variance from the ZBA.

Public Hearing Notice
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/agendas/13_brookfield_road_legal_ad.pdf

Zoning Board of Appeals - Public Hearing Notices for Aug 1 meeting