UPDATED: 5 Things You Need To Know Today in Framingham: February 10

1. Today is Ash Wednesday. For many in western Christianity, it is the first day of Lent.

It is called Ash Wednesday due to the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of churchgoers. The ashes used typically are from palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned. Lent is celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and some Baptists.

2. Framingham Selectmen appointed Gerald Blanchette to the Framingham Veterans Council by a unanimous vote Tuesday night.

A former U.S. Marine, Blanchette is the Exalted Ruler at the Framingham Elks, where he has been a member for 16 years. He has served as the Exalted Ruler three times and also served two years as the District Deputy Grand exalted Ruler.

3. The Framingham Library is sponsoring a folk concert tonight at 7 in the Memorial Building. Andy and Judy in Concert will be held at the Blumer room. The event is free.

4. FLYERS in action:

• Framingham High boys basketball team defeated Wellesley Tuesday night to go 8-8 on the season.
• Girls ice hockey has a game against Wellesley at Loring Arena. Puck drops at 4 p.m.
• Girls basketball lost to Wellesley Tuesday night. The team is struggling at 2-17 on the season.
• Wrestling team has a meet against Natick at 6:15 on the road.
• Boys ice hockey travels to Wellesley for a 7:45 p.m. game against the Raiders.

MUSTANGS in action:

• Combined Marian High/Keefe Technical ice hockey team has a game at the New England Sports Center at 4 p.m.
• Girls basketball hosts St. Mary’s at 6:30 p.m.

5. Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin told Selectmen Tuesday night that a retaining wall collapsed on Main Street, just prior to the Route 9 intersection near Framingham State University.

“A new wall had been under design by the DPW and the division had recently blocked off the sidewalk having the concern that it could collapse,” explained Halpin. “Unfortunately, the foundation for the adjacent house is less than 6 feet away and it is constructed of loose stone that appears to have been bowing out towards the wall and the street for a long time.”

BONUS: The Town Moderator Teri Banerjee will be holding a Warrant Review Session in the Ablondi Room on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. for the upcoming Town Meeting on Feb. 23. Article sponsors will be attending an participating as well CFO Mary Ellen Kelley, Town Manager Bob Halpin, Supt. Stacey Scott and Amanda Loomis, from the Planning Department.

Updated with photo of Blanchette at 7:07 p.m.