🔨 ātac Lays Off Staff
Demo Coming to Ken’s Steakhouse | Keefe Tech Student Speech at Flag Day | Farmers’ Market Kicks Off | Juneteenth on Wednesday | Cheer on the Woo Sox | The Civic Week Ahead
Read for the heat wave, Framingham?
Framingham has a number of cooling centers open from today to Friday during regular hours.
Tuesday, June 18:
Main Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street
Christa McAuliffe Library branch, 746 Water Street
Callahan Center Senior Services, 535 Union Avenue
Wednesday, June 19:
Pelham Lifelong Learning Center, 103 Second Street, 11am-6pm (Due to Juneteenth all other municipal buildings are closed for the day.)
Thursday, June 20 & Friday, June 21:
Main Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street
Christa McAuliffe Library branch, 746 Water Street
Callahan Center Senior Services, 535 Union Avenue
Stay hydrated and cool! Be well!
Another jam packed issue this week with a number of community changes on the horizon…let’s get to it.
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ātac Lays Off Staff
Challenging environment: Downtown Framingham’s art and music venue ātac announced last week it is laying off all staff effective July 19. Executive Director Jannelle Codianni departs atac on Juky 12.
Why?: ātac has not been able to recover from the effects of the pandemic and rising operational costs, wrote Codianni in a letter to supporters. “It has become increasingly difficult to sustain operations financially despite deep cuts to expenses and other strategies. For the past several months, the board of directors has been considering and exploring various pathways to address our untenable position.”
Other moves: At a recent special membership meeting, it was voted to change the bylaws making the group a non-membership organization. The Board plans on sharing more changes before the end of the fiscal year at the end of August.
Longtime center for the arts: Formerly known as the Amazing Things Art Center, ātac was founded in 2005. It moved to its current home in the old Hollis Street firehouse in 2008. The building features performance space and an art gallery. Over the years ātac has been home to open mic nights with Centre Music House, comedy nights, plays, music events, and A Night at the Circus.
The old firehouse is owned by the City of Framingham and ātac has a 50 year lease. OUT MetroWest moved into the space at 160 Hollis Street in September 2021.
Vital but endangered: As they write on their website, “Venues like ātac are a vital but endangered resource for creative engagement and empowerment.” ātac has struggled over the years, including in 2021 when they canceled all shows and productions for the year, after losing nearly $45,000 in the first few months of the covid-19 pandemic.
The changes to ātac comes as the Sisitsky Administration explores other options for art centers, like the Memorial Building and the new community center.
Demo Coming to Ken’s Steakhouse
Out with the old: The Hanna Family, owners of the legendary Ken’s Steakhouse on Route 9, seek to replace the current building with a new one.
Is it historically significant?: The news broke at a recent Historical Commission meeting where the family was seeking a vote to allow demolition. Chris Eggers, representing the Hanna Family, said the design process is only beginning. Due to the historical nature of Ken’s, the Historical Commission reviewed whether or not the current building was historical.
History of the site: In 1941, Ken Hanna purchased McHale's Diner on Route 9. Originally called the 41 Cafe, the Fireplace Room was built in 1941. After World War II, the restaurant was enlarged with the addition of The Lamp Post Room. The Hickory Room with 100 seats was added in 1957 and the lounge renovated. In 1959, Cafe V opened.
Ken’s became the place to be during the Golden Mile heyday of the 1950s and 1960s, when Framingham was a center of entertainment. It was the days of the Monticello, The Carousel, the Meadows, and Chateau de Ville with nightclub acts, rock stars and celebrities. Framingham was cool. (MKF note: One day I will write a book about Framingham’s hip era.)
And then there is the salad dressing…
But over the years Ken’s has gone under many renovations and changes, and according to Eggers very little of the original structure exists today. None of the facade is original.
The future: Eggers said the new building will also feature an outdoor area and more parking. They hope to begin construction in fall 2024, with the current restaurant open while construction takes place.
What about the famous sign?: The neon sign is historic and will remain. That sign is the last existing piece of Framingham’s Golden Mile era.
The vote: The Historic Commission voted that the building itself is not historic. The Hanna Family can proceed with the next stages of their construction.
Keefe Tech Student Speech at Flag Day
Every year at the Flag Day parade and ceremony, a student from Keefe Technical Regional High School shares their winning essay about the flag. Matt Kelly, a recent Keefe grad, spoke for the last time as a student at this year’s event. I wanted to share his essay, so here it is published with Matt’s permission.
Last year, I spoke at this event with the goal of educating others, providing nuance and objectivity to history about flag day, and engaging the community with the actions of their government. And while I hope my message was clear, I must admit, echoing that demeanor would be tone deaf, and wrong. The attitude that we share as a nation is one that is ironic; proud to be an American, all the same displeased for what the nation has been doing.
I know this might sound hypocritical in a second, but please do not use anecdotal arguments when you have an opinion on something. Your personal experience does not make something objectively true. With that being said, I know the attitude of the nation because I have seen it. I have had the distinct privilege to travel this country as an elected representative for SkillsUSA Massachusetts, and let me tell you, your suspicions are correct; Massachusetts is unique. The culture of each state is unique. It’s not just from each state, from all walks of life, each individual brings a unique aspect of identity to the table. And unfortunately, some people still lose sight of the true strength of this great nation. And it’s understandable why, because there is validity to people’s concerns, there is always room to grow. But I ask you to take a step out of your echo chambers, and tune in to the people that surround you. As I look around now, the sky doesn’t seem like it’s falling to me.
In fact, Framingham is a beacon for what America can truly be. Just 2 weeks ago, Framingham was picked by Eversource as the location to install the first-ever utility-run community geothermal network in the country, which is now up and running. On June 3rd, The Framingham History Center was honored with the prestigious 2024 Mass History Commendation award by Mass Humanities. The city is also allotting 3 million dollars in funds through the Community Preservation Act to maintain two rental subsidy programs, a design study for ,construction of an accessible boardwalk on the Carol Getchell Nature Trail, fencing and storage at Pratt Street Community Garden, Reardon Park Construction, ecological restoration on the Cochituate Rail Trail, rehabilitation and preservation of Waushakum Lake, accessibility and restoration of the Academy Building, restoration of the South Wall at Village Hall, a design study for historic preservation of the Memorial Building and Edgell Grove Tomb House preservation, the list goes on.
So might I remind you, our flag, by the name of Old Glory, is a blanket of freedom that should be unfolded for all to see through diplomatic measures. Because we are a nation of good people, with good purpose, and a desire to continue to own the standard of what a compassionate society looks like.
You don’t need to be the leader of the free world to understand the powerful influence you wield. The real heroes of this nation are the laborers who built and maintained the communities we walk, the nurses and doctors who tend to family and friends, the teachers who educate the future generations, the first responders who selflessly answer the call in a time of need, the tradesman who build a better tomorrow, the students who learn from past mistakes and innovate the world in new ways, for it’s the common people of the country, building it piece by piece, citizen by citizen, hand in hand, that makes America what it is today.
America is strong, unwavering, and influential. So as I leave, I ask you one thing today. Lead in your life in the name of the flag, so that one day the flag can billow even higher in the name of the world we worked to build.
Farmers’ Market Kicks Off
Opening this week: The 2024 Farmers Market season starts this Thursday, June 20th at the Framingham Centre Common. The market starts at 3:00pm and runs runs to 7:00pm. Food trucks start rolling up at noon.
What can you expect this season: Great Harvest Bread is returning, along with a dozen bakeries. Heavens Harvest Organic Farm, the anchor farm for the market, has expanded to include cheese and fresh meats. New this year is Tangerini's Farm from Millis. There are two new fish vendors.
Speaking of food trucks: Cousin's Maine Lobster, Thee Taco Dude, Boston Events Kayem BBQ, Sabrosa Venezuela, Uncle Joey's Cannoli, Eastleigh Farm Ice Cream, Velma's Kettle Corn, Moo-Licious the Mooving Cookie Bakery and Kona Ice are all expected to be on site.
Special this week only: Techcycle Solutions will be on site with a *free* electronics recycling program. Take advantage of this free opportunity!
For more information: Stay up to date in the Farmers Market Facebook group.
Juneteenth on Wednesday
Juneteenth events: While June 19 is Juneteenth, Framingham will hold a flag raising ceremony at the Memorial Building at 11am on Tuesday, June 18. Municipal offices are closed on Wednesday in honor of Juneteenth.
Farm Pond Park: On Saturday, June 22 1:00-6:00pm join the community for a Juneteenth celebration along Farm Pond.
This event will feature vendors, games/activities, arts & crafts, picture booth, music, raffles, and guest speakers/performers. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for seating purposes.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the Civil War. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.
Cheer on the Woo Sox
Framingham Night at the WooSox!: Come to Polar Park as we celebrate an evening filled with baseball, fun, and Framingham pride. Game starts at 6:45pm against the Columbus Clippers.
Each ticket purchased through the link below and the QR code in the flyers will help the City of Framingham win the 2024 WooSox “Town Takeover” competition.
$5 for every ticket purchased will go to the MetroWest YMCA. Each ticket includes $2 in ballpark credit for concessions or merchandise.
Buy your tickets now: https://fevo.me/framingham24
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, June 17
Tuesday, June 18
Thursday, June 20
7:00pm: Planning Board Agenda
In Closing…
Thanks for the big response to last week’s issue with a list of volunteer opportunities, meetings and events. I heard from a lot of people who want to see that monthly. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll try to include an issue like that more regularly.
Stay cool,
Mary Kate