Calendar

FOR AGES 55+ -- HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS: CARY GRANT-- Cary Grant was Hollywood's most suave, elegant and sophisticated movie star. Equally adept at comedy and drama, Cary Grant's film career spanned over 30 years. Full of charm and physical agility, Grant defined sophistication for generations of moviegoers. Join us as presenter Frank Mandosa reflects on the life and career of this cinematic icon. Frank Mandosa is a full-time high school English and film teacher with a lifelong love of literature and cinema. As a film historian, Mandosa has given talks on a wide variety of film-related topics since 2012. He also hosts a cable program, Reel Life, on Stoughton Media Access Center. Call the Callahan Ctr. by 5/10 to register: 508-532-5980 ext. 0 This program is supported in part by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by the Friends of Callahan.

Most people carry some debt, such as a credit card balance, a car loan, or a home mortgage, but relying on credit cards to help you pay off your debt can snowball. Join the Framingham Public Library and Sue Katz to learn how to manage your debt by understanding how credit works. She’ll also talk about the importance of understanding your credit score and history. To register go to bit.ly/FPL-Events.

The Mayor's Cable Advisory Committee will hold a public hearing on May 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held virtually via Zoom Meeting. The purpose of the public hearing is to determine whether to issue a cable television renewal license to Verizon New England, Inc. Members of the public are invited to attend and be heard on the topic: (a) whether Verizon is in full compliance with its currently-existing cable license; and (b) what are the City’s future community cable-related needs. You can access the hearing at this Internet address: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85175918455?pwd=U3hPSXRVZHp1SlRxK29CeFgySVRPZz09 or this telephone number: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York). If you would prefer to submit your comments in writing, please address them to FraminghamCAC@gmail.com.

For ages 55+ -- STOLEN: FIVE FREE BOYS KIDNAPPED INTO SLAVERY AND THEIR ASTONISHING ODYSSEY HOME -- Professor Richard Bell returns to Callahan to discuss his new book, Stolen. Stolen tells the incredible story of five boys whose courage forever changed the fight against slavery in America. Their ordeal shines a glaring spotlight on the Reverse Underground Railroad, a black-market network of human traffickers who stole away thousands of legally free African Americans to fuel slavery’s rapid expansion in the decades before the Civil War. Richard Bell is Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He has held major research fellowships at Yale, Cambridge, and the Library of Congress and is the recipient of the National Endowment of the Humanities Public Scholar award. Call the Callahan Ctr. to register for the Zoom code: 508-532-5980, ext. 0.

FOR AGES 55+ -- GREAT AMERICAN WRITERS: WALT WHITMAN -- Walt Whitman is one of the most influential poets in American literature. In his lifetime he was called "the father of free verse" and the "voice of democracy." But his major work, Leaves of Grass, was extremely controversial in its time, described by conservative readers as obscene, primarily because Whitman believed all human experience was sacred, especially love of all kinds. Larry Lowenthal received an M.A. in English Lit. from Northwestern and Ph.D. in Drama from NYU. He has taught at colleges and universities in the U.S and abroad. Since retiring, Lowenthal has provided over 100 lectures a year on the subjects of film, literature and current events. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by the Friends of Callahan.

FOR AGES 55+ -- EXPLORING OPERA: LA BOHÈME -- La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini is perhaps the greatest and most tragic love story in theater. We are captivated by Mimi and Rodolfo’s youthful passion, only to be in despair over Mimi’s untimely death. Learn about the background and story and enjoy some brief video excerpts subtitled in English. This is an enthralling performance not to be missed. Presenter Helen Sagan is a retired music teacher and a member of Boston’s Chorus pro Musica, one of the great choruses of New England known for innovative programming. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by the Friends of Callahan.

Join Leslie Gabriele of With Love and Gratitude on the third Thursday of each month for a half hour of guided meditation and other opportunities for carefree relaxation.Leslie will teach valuable techniques to help you learn to release, relax and reinvigorate your mind. With Love and Gratitude is a nonprofit organization dedicated to service and education. To register to receive an invitation to the Zoom session, please go to http://bit.ly/FPL-Events by 9am on May 20.

Mason Jar Meals: Creating Simple on the Go lunches. Whether you love to cook or need new ideas, join Heidi for some cooking tips.  She will demonstrate how to prepare simple, nutritious and delicious recipes that will satisfy everyone's cravings.  Learn how to eat well and still have time for summertime fun. To register and receive an invitation to the Zoom session, please go to http://bit.ly/FPL-Events by 9am on May21.

FOR AGES 55+ -- FRENCH CABARET MUSIC, Presented by: Dr. Brett Abigaña -- Sipping Beaujolais in a café in Montmartre. Strolling the Montparnasse marketplace. Enjoying pain au chocolat in Luxembourg Garden. With the end of a New England winter comes thoughts of a Parisian summer, and even if getting to France is difficult, there’s no reason you can’t indulge in joie de vivre from afar! Back by popular demand, join Dr. Brett Abigaña for another foray into the world of French Cabaret Music, including the work of Maurice Chevalier (by request), Juliette Gréco, Barbara, and more! Brett Abigaña is a composer whose music has been performed throughout the world. He has written a wide variety of music including chamber music for strings and winds, song cycles, and numerous pieces for orchestra and symphonic band. He has gained a reputation for writing expressive, triadic music, and is much in demand as a guest lecturer, clinician, and conductor.

FOR AGES 55+ - CRIME OF THE CENTURY: THE GREAT BRINKS ROBBERY - On January 17, 1950, seven masked men entered the Brinks headquarters in Boston’s North End. In under 20 minutes they stole more than $1.5 million. The robbery appeared to be professionally executed, and it captured the imagination of the nation. The robbers left only a few clues. Nearly six years later and before the state statute of limitations ran out, a member of the gang ratted out the others. Author Stephanie Schorow takes us back to the “scene of the crime” by reliving the robbery with photos, maps and other material, based on her book, The Crime of the Century: How the Brink’s Robbers Stole Millions and the Heart of Boston. Schorow is the author or editor of seven other books on Boston history. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Framingham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and in part by the Friends of Callahan.

FOR AGES 55+ -- PUSHING THE ENVELOPE: A HISTORY OF THE US POST OFFICE, Presented by Henry Lukas, Spellman Museum -- Learn about the history of the US Post Office from the first letters carried on the Boston Post Road to the current postal controversies. Hear about the expansion of the Post Office after the Revolution, the introduction of home delivery, the short-lived Pony Express, the start of zip codes, the impact of email on the PO’s financial situation, and more. See images of the many creative ways mail has been carried including rockets, dog sleds, camels, and mules. This program is presented by Henry Lukas, Education Director at the Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History at Regis College in Weston.

Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer will be joined by Framingham's Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley to discuss the City's FY22 budget. Attendees will be able to pose questions during the hour via Zoom's Chat function. If people cannot attend and have questions, please email kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov with the subject line: May 11 Community Hour. A video recording of the Zoom will be available following for those who cannot attend.