Saturday, November 23, 2019

FM #183 - Parent Information Session on adolescent sleep

FM #183

This internet radio show or podcast is number 183 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Parent Information Session on adolescent sleep held in the Franklin High School lecture hall on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.

Dr Sara Ahern, School Superintendent for Franklin PUblic Schools provided the welcome to the group and introduced Dr Judith Owens who presented “The Universe of Adolescent Sleep.” As Dr Owens, finished her slide presentation and talk, Superintendent Ahern facilitated questions from the audience.

PantherTV did record the session as well and it will readied for sharing. When the video is available, we’ll share that.

The recording of the discussion itself runs approx 92 minutes. Be sure to follow through to the show notes where Dr Owens’ presentation can be found so you can follow along with her.




Without further ado, here is the session on adolescent sleep
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HV9hm04X



-------------


FM #183 - Parent Information Session on adolescent sleep
FM #183 - Parent Information Session on adolescent sleep


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help? Overall:
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors.
  • If you don't like this, please let me know.

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!


------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"



search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Your input is needed for this Short Housing Survey

Short Housing Survey

1 - Please take a few moments to respond to our short housing survey. You can find it HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11ntyxG2AYmXct2kvHRct1r_UioDqQjh6KQrAV2LKmjs/viewform?


2 - In addition, if you have not yet responded to our Economic Development Survey, please find it HERE: https://forms.gle/6SJpXeWPvg2H37A96

Both surveys close on December 13.

Thank you in advance for your time and input!

 
Your input is needed for this Short Housing Survey
Your input is needed for this Short Housing Survey

"Neonicotinoids aren’t the only threat that the legislation addresses"

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

"Legislation designed to restrict the use of a popular pesticide that is harming the state’s bee population is moving forward after a successful Statehouse hearing.

The Legislature’s Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture voted this week to advance “An Act to Protect Pollinators” following the hearing last week.

Legislation was introduced in January and is sponsored by state Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston. One key feature of the bill is more restrictions on neonicotinoid use, especially by those who are not professionals.

Neonicotinoids, or neonics, are insecticides that are chemically related to nicotine and are applied either to the soil or sprayed on plants. The insecticide gained traction due to its effectiveness, as well as the low toxicity to vertebrates."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191122/dykema-bill-to-protect-mass-pollinators-advances


And from December 2016, some may recall this post:

via Ed Szymanski
"Collapse", the Chronicle show about honey bees (yes, I'm in it) will be re-aired this Friday night, Ch. 5, 7:30 PM. 
It's a great show talking about the troubles bees face and what is being done. 
Not just saying that because I'm part of it."
Part 1

https://www.wcvb.com/article/chronicle-why-are-the-bees-dying/8110549

Part 2

https://www.wcvb.com/article/chronicle-theyll-take-care-of-your-backyard-bees/8110634

Part 3

https://www.wcvb.com/article/chronicle-make-your-garden-bee-friendly/8110590

Part 4

https://www.wcvb.com/article/chronicle-eat-candy-save-the-bees/8110476

screen grab of the Chronicle intro
screen grab of the Chronicle intro
 

MBTA - Shuttle for Franklin Line on Weekends through Dec 22

Weekends = September 7 – December 22

Shuttle buses will replace Franklin Line service between Forge Park/495 and Readville Stations while we upgrade the signal system as part of Positive Train Control (PTC) work. Also during this work, connecting train service between Readville and South Station will be on the Fairmount Line. There will be no Franklin Line service at Ruggles or Back Bay.

Learn about Positive Train Control

See all Franklin Line service changes

Note: the shuttle had been scheduled to end in October, then November, now moved out to December.

MBTA - Shuttle for Franklin Line on Weekends through Dec 22
MBTA - Shuttle for Franklin Line on Weekends through Dec 22

MyFM in the Morning: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen

"MyFM in the Morning On Demand Audio - Friday November 22nd, 2019 - Franklin Town Administrator Jamie Hellen calls in for his monthly visit to talk about the holiday season in Franklin."

https://soundcloud.com/…/myfm-in-the-morning-jamie-hellen-1…




Shared from Ray Auger's Facebook post
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1551606135109407/permalink/2458977614372250/

MyFM in the Morning: Town Administrator Jamie Hellen
Downtown Franklin with the holiday lights

Friday, November 22, 2019

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Nov 22 to THU - Nov 28

Friday, November 22
9:00am
 Babywearing Dance Party!
10:00am
 Knitting Group
10:30am
 Happy Feet
7:00pm
 Footlighters Performance
7:00pm
 Franklin Middle School Footlighters present "THE WIZARD OF OZ"
7:00pm
 Harlem Wizards basketball fundraiser
7:30pm
 Dean College Presents: "Wonderful Town"
Saturday, November 23
10:00am
 Winter Farmers Market
10:00am
 Franklin Historical Museum (Always free)
1:00pm
 Girls Who Code
2:00pm
 Dean College Presents: "Wonderful Town"
7:00pm
 Almost Maine - FHS Drama Production
7:00pm
 Footlighters Performance
7:00pm
 Franklin Middle School Footlighters present "THE WIZARD OF OZ"
7:30pm
 Dean College Presents: "Wonderful Town"
Sunday, November 24
1:00pm
 Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm
 Dean College Presents: "Wonderful Town"
2:00pm
 Almost Maine - FHS Drama Production
7:00pm
 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 25
10:30am
 Move Along
3:30pm
 D&D for Kids
7:00pm
 Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 26
9:30am
 Cool Cruisers
10:30am
 Get Ready for Kindergarten
7:00pm
 School Committee meeting
7:00pm
 Franklin Public Library Book Club
Wednesday, November 27
10:30am
 Terrific Toddlers
2:00pm
 Library Closing
6:30pm
 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
7:00pm
 Town Council Meeting (Tax Rate Hearing) (actually Dec 4)
8:00pm
 Karate Show and Long Shadow Sheep
Thursday, November 28
 Library Closed
 Thanksgiving Day
8:00am
 5K Turkey Trot to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry
 

For the interactive version, please visit
For the Town of Franklin Public Meeting Calendar
https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

Submit an event for the Community Calendar, please use this link

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Nov 22 to THU - Nov 28
Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA: FRI - Nov 22 to THU - Nov 28

FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"

FM #182

This internet radio show or podcast is number 182 in the series for Franklin Matters.

This recording shares the Franklin High School PCC meeting on Monday, November 18, 2019. A panel discussion on vaping was on the agenda and recorded for sharing with the community who could not participate in person. 

Franklin TV did record the session as well and it will be shared on the local cable channels. When the schedule is confirmed for those re-broadcasts, we’ll share that.

The panel members were
  • Jennifer Knight-Levine, President of the SAFE Coalition
  • Lieutenant Mark Manocchio, Franklin Police Dept
  • James J. Ledwith Jr., MD, FAAFP

The recording of the discussion itself runs approx xx minutes. The PCC meeting portion was edited out of this broadcast.

Without further ado, here is the vaping panel discussion
https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HstVTxsX



Resources mentioned by Jennifer:

Resources that Dr Ledwith mentioned:
  • MCPAP” is the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project. It provides consultation between the PCP and an expert in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry within 30 minutes of a phone call, Monday through Friday. In 2003 a pilot program was developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Enthusiastically received, in 2004 the Department of Mental Health and Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership adapted the model to be implemented statewide. Over 30 states have since developed similar programs based on the MCPAP model. https://www.mcpap.com/About/OverviewVisionHistory.aspx
  • MCSTAP” is the Massachusetts Consultation Service on Treatment of Addiction and Pain, set in action in January 2019. It provides similar consultations for physicians on the management of addictions and complex pain conditions based on the MCPAP model. Consultants are on call to advise treating physicians on effective treatment approaches and to provide resources for ongoing care of their patients. https://www.mcstap.com/About/About.aspx
  • The newest service is “ASAP-MCPAP” is the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program within MCPAP. The program will specifically provide guidance on the management of substance use concerns in teenagers. The program will be formally announced in the next few weeks but the MCPAP office is already gearing up to assist health care providers.
  • MBHP” is the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, an organization funded by contracts and grants from the state and insurance plans to develop and manage these programs.

Institute for Health and Recovery  http://www.healthrecovery.org/

FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"
FM #182 - FHS PCC - "Everything You Need to Know"

-------------


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can always use your help.

How can you help?

Overall:
  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
  • If you don't like this, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements.
Thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------


You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FTC Consumer Alert: “Pass it On” at the holidays




FTC Consumer Alert: “Pass it On” at the holidays
by Lisa Weintraub Schifferle
Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education


Holidays often mean time with family and friends. If you're looking for conversation starters that avoid tricky topics – like who should've won the World Series – why not chat about scams?

Pass it On, an FTC education campaign, gives you new ways to talk about scams and how to prevent them.

Read more
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/pass-it-holidays?utm_source=govdelivery

This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.


https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it

https://youtu.be/T7SiEQWzbAU



Reminder: Help the Franklin Turkey Trot support the Franklin Food Pantry

Franklin Turkey Trot Registration is OPEN and waiting for you! Running or walking (I will be walking) gives you a worthy excuse to have that extra piece of pie later Thanksgiving Day.

Please visit www.franklinturkeytrot.org for race information and registration.

If you have any questions, please email franklinturkeytrot@gmail.com.

See you at the race! If you can't run or walk, you can donate to the Franklin Food Pantry online at  https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/

Franklin TURKEY TROT Registration Open
Franklin TURKEY TROT Registration Open

Governor Baker has some reading to do

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"A ban on flavored tobacco and tax on e-cigarettes, a $1.5 billion public education funding overhaul, and a new attempt to crack down on distracted driving all landed on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk as lawmakers wrapped up their formal business of the year.

His immediate response to all three proposals: no major objections but he wants to read the bills.

Baker has supported parts of each bill or filed his own similar versions, but it remains unclear whether the governor will sign any of the legislation sent to him, return something with a proposed amendment or veto a proposal. In separate public comments Thursday, Baker declined to outline his plans explicitly."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191121/baker-no-major-objection-to-bills


The Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Distracted Driving
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-passes.html

Flavored Tobacco Ban
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/ma-senate-passes-landmark-legislation.html

The Senate also passed a plastic bag ban on their last day of work in this session but it still needs to be reconciled with the House version before going to the Governor.

MA Senate Passes Landmark Legislation To Ban Flavored Tobacco, Protect Young People From Nicotine Addiction

The Massachusetts State Senate early Thursday morning gave final approval to landmark legislation to reduce youth access to tobacco and nicotine products. In the wake of widespread increases in youth vaping, this bill offers a comprehensive approach to protecting young people from nicotine use and addiction. An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol; institutes a 75 percent excise tax on e- cigarettes and e-liquids; and expands health coverage for tobacco-use cessation products and counseling.

“I would like to thank Senator John Keenan for his diligent work on moving this issue forward, including his tireless efforts to educate his Senate colleagues and members of the public,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D – Ashland). “While we continue to learn more about the dangers of vaping, it is absolutely our responsibility to prevent marketing of vaping products, which we know to be harmful, to our children. We must also make it less appealing for young people to take up smoking, which often leads to a lifetime of addiction, serious health consequences, and death. By increasing access to smoking cessation programs, the Senate is reaffirming its commitment to our residents in their efforts to quit smoking and tobacco products altogether.”

“For far too long, Big Tobacco has targeted our kids with flavored products,” said Senator John Keenan (D – Quincy), lead sponsor of the legislation to ban flavored tobacco products. “By banning the sale of the flavored products that attract young people, implementing a 75 percent excise tax on e-cigarettes, and expanding coverage of cessation treatment, we are telling Big Tobacco their days of hooking kids in Massachusetts are over. Hopefully, this effort will serve as

a roadmap for the rest of the country. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature in passing this landmark legislation.”

"Senator Keenan led the way in the Senate on this issue, and the result is a very strong bill that addresses vaping and tobacco use in the Commonwealth as the public health crisis that it is,” said Senator Joanne Comerford (D – Northampton), Senate Chair of the Committee on Public Health. “Among the recent deaths from vaping was a woman from my district. The data has shown us just how to tackle this issue head on. We know that 81 percent of young people report that their first tobacco product was flavored. Today the Senate is meeting this epidemic with bold legislation, ensuring that the next generation can breathe easier."

“Across the communities in our Commonwealth and especially in our high schools, youth vaping has reached epidemic levels, and it’s vital for the protection of our youth and of our public health that we ban the sale of flavored cigarettes and vaping products,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D – Winchester), Senate Chair of the Education Committee and past Chair of the Public Health Committee. “The predatory tobacco industry uses ‘fun’ flavors like mango and cotton candy, cheap prices and hip social media marketing to target our youth and hook them with a lifelong addiction to their harmful products.”

“When I was young, there was a concerted and twisted effort to hook as many young people as possible on cigarettes. I see that effort reborn today: different, but all too similar,” said Senator Harriette L. Chandler (D – Worcester), Senate President Emerita. “I am proud that the Massachusetts Senate has taken a stand for the public health of our youngest constituents. We will not allow our children to be abused by nefarious attempts to addict entire new generations to nicotine.”

“Massachusetts has led the way on tobacco use cessation for decades, but that success suffered a setback in recent years thanks to the emergence of vaping, leading to rising rates of nicotine addiction in young people,” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D – Truro), Chair of the Committee on Substance Use, Mental Health, and Recovery. “The legislation we passed today puts the Commonwealth in the vanguard by banning the very flavored tobacco products designed by Big Tobacco to addict a new generation on nicotine. As someone who’s spent much of my career in public health, I am proud of the Senate’s leadership to prevent our youngest residents from ever getting hooked.”

While the Commonwealth has made significant progress in preventing youth smoking rates in the last two decades, youth use of e-cigarettes and vaping products has increased dramatically. The 2017 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey reported over 20 percent of high school students were currently vaping–a rate six times that of adult use. More recent reports put estimates on youth e- cigarette use closer to 27 percent.

An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control specifically targets the sale of flavored tobacco products because they have historically been used to attract young people. Flavored cigarettes were banned by the federal government in 2009 as part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. However, that law did not apply to other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, which come

in over 8,000 flavors with youth appeal such as ‘gummy bear,’ cotton candy, fruit punch, mint and menthol.

The legislation bans the sale of all flavors, including menthol, for all tobacco products including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, pipe tobacco, and snuff. Youth smokers remain the age group most likely to smoke mentholated cigarettes, and menthol smoking prevalence now exceeds non-menthol smoking prevalence among both young and young adult smokers.

“We applaud the Massachusetts Senate for taking an important step in protecting future generations of Massachusetts residents from a lifetime of tobacco addiction,” said Allyson Perron Drag, Government Relations Director for the American Heart Association in Massachusetts. “The easy availability of menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, flavored hookah and kid-friendly, e- cigarette flavors is causing an increase in youth tobacco use of epic proportion. The removal of all flavors from all tobacco products is essential for reducing their appeal to our children. We thank Senate President Spilka, Senator Keenan, Senator Chandler, Senator Cyr, Senator Lewis, and Senator Comerford for their leadership in protecting all kids in the Commonwealth.”

“While Massachusetts has long been at the forefront in this area, thanks to the Senate’s action today, we are poised to lead the nation by passing legislation that would prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products, keeping these deadly products out of the hands of our kids,” said Marc Hymovitz, Director Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Massachusetts. “ACS CAN commends Senate President Karen Spilka, Senator John Keenan, Senator Harriette Chandler, Senator Julian Cyr, Senator Jason Lewis and their colleagues for taking this historic vote that will truly save lives.”

The bill also institutes a 75 percent excise tax on both e-cigarettes and e-liquids. Taxing tobacco products is a proven method of decreasing youth use and this bill will bring the sales price of e- cigarettes to near parity with cigarette prices.

The bill will expand health insurance coverage for tobacco cessation so that people have access to the products and counseling necessary to quit nicotine. The bill requires coverage of at least one cessation product without prior authorization for MassHealth, Group Insurance Commission, and private insurance members.

Further provisions regarding e-cigarettes and vape products were included in the bill to regulate this growing market, including: expanding oversight of the Department of Revenue to include e- cigarette retailers; limiting the sale of e-cigarette products with nicotine content higher than 20 milligrams per milliliter to adult-only stores; and establishing penalties for the illegal distribution of e-cigarettes.

Tobacco use and nicotine addiction remain the leading causes of preventable illness and premature death in Massachusetts. Each year, more than 9,300 people die from tobacco use across the state and smoking-related illnesses are responsible for more than $4 billion in annual healthcare costs to the Commonwealth.

After reconciling similar legislation passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, a final compromise bill now advances to the Governor’s desk.