Saturday, June 18, 2022

Franklin Historical Museum: July Second Sunday Speaker talks about Edward W Brooke

July's Second Sunday Speaker Series will be a special presentation recognizing a man who made history in Massachusetts. Edward W. Brooke, the first black ever elected to the US Senate, represented Massachusetts on Capitol Hill from 1967 to 1979, earning praise as a national leader as well as an important figure in the struggle for civil rights. 

In our "Juneteenth Plus" presentation, local historian Alan Earls will describe Brooke's rise from a childhood in a segregated Washington DC, to service in a segregated Army regiment that trained at Massachusetts Fort Devens. In his service in Italy he endured blatant racism yet won praise for his leadership and bravery -- and won the heart of an Italian girl whom he later married. A law degree from BU followed with an improbable rise through the tough political world of Massachusetts. 

Learn more about this fascinating, forgotten figure and his impact on our state and nation (and even our town!) Join us Sunday July 10th, doors open at 1:00PM

Learn and Share: Hosting volunteer opportunities available at the Franklin Historical Museum. If you can give 3-4 hours a month to host on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, contact Mary @ franklinmuseum1778@gmail.com

Admission is always free and we are ADA accessible. 

Be sure to visit our gift shop which is run by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. 

WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands

"Today's (06/16/22) the day, folks. I'd like you to meet the WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands. The trail is divided into four sections that are accessible by public transit. Here's where the trail will take you.... "
Follow the trail through Boston in the Twitter thread here

Visit the website ->  https://www.bostontrails.org/

 #walkingcitytrail

WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands
WALKING CITY TRAIL: a 25-mile hike through Boston's parks and urban woodlands

Take the Stormwater Survey for a chance to win a compost bin!

Interested in winning a new compost bin? Fill out our Stormwater Survey for a chance to win!  
Submissions will be accepted by the Franklin Department of Public Works now through June 30th!  
Take it here: buff.ly/3NVOLp7 
Take the Stormwater Survey for a chance to win a compost bin!
Take the Stormwater Survey for a chance to win a compost bin!

Shared from Town of Franklin Twitter account

FHS baseball faces Taunton in today's D1 title game at 6 PM

"LeLacheur Park plays host to three #MIAA 2022 State Championship Baseball games Saturday, June 18!  
Enjoy a day at the park while watching some great ball! Good luck to all! #gameonMIAA #OneTeamOneMIAA  "

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1537830676778582020 

FHS and Taunton split their two meetings during the Hockomock regular season. Taunton took the first game 7-5  (4/11/22) , FHS came back to take the second game 7-1 (5/11/22). FHS finished #1 in the Hockomock League, Taunton #2. Both teams were seeded that way for the MIAA tournament. 


FHS baseball faces Taunton in today's D1 title game at 6 PM
FHS baseball faces Taunton in today's D1 title game at 6 PM

Reminder: Simple Recycling program changes

 
"Reminder regarding updates made to Franklin Department of Public Works Simple Recycling program!"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1537485918805692416 

Reminder: Simple Recycling program changes
Reminder: Simple Recycling program changes

Franklin Interact's Clothing Drive sale - July 9

Hey Everyone! Don't forget about Franklin Interact's Clothing Drive sale on July 9th. We are also asking for any backpacks that are in new to usable condition that will be donated to foster kids. 
Please register with this link: https://forms.gle/yvdP1K3YKgHfeKSw8
and answer every question can please. 
Thanks!


Franklin Interact's Clothing Drive sale - July 9
Franklin Interact's Clothing Drive sale - July 9

There is NO Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for July; next one Aug 3, 2022

NO JULY COFFEE SOCIAL!

Join us at the next Social - Wednesday, August 3 - 10:00 AM

There is NO Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for July; next one Aug 3, 2022
There is NO Veterans Coffee Social scheduled for July; next one Aug 3, 2022

Town of Franklin & Franklin Public Schools - COVID-19 Dashboard updates as of June 16, 2022

The weekly FPS COVID-19 dashboard is available to view here: buff.ly/3pQh91e

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1537550341805416450 

weekly FPS COVID-19 Dashboard
weekly FPS COVID-19 Dashboard

Boston Globe article with weekly reporting

The Town of Franklin COVID-19 portal & dashboard...

Town of Franklin COVID-19 Dashboard updates as of June 16, 2022
Town of Franklin COVID-19 Dashboard updates as of June 16, 2022

Friday, June 17, 2022

Franklin's Event Outlook: June 17, 2022 to June 23, 2022

School students are getting closer to the last day and their summer reading kick off occurs today at the Library and the Farmers Market. Concerts at THE BLACK BOX and Library add some variety to the relatively quiet weekend (compared to the busyness of last week's ArtWEEK and Strawberry Stroll events).

If you have heard about the history enshrined in our state seal and flag, you might be concerned about changing it. An event on Tuesday will help share info on the efforts underway to do so.


Friday, June 17
Downtown StoryWalk!
2:00pm - Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)  
3:00pm - Summer Reading Kickoff (Franklin Town Common)
6:00pm - Anna Freitas Trio  (live music at 67 Degrees Brewery)
7:00pm - Three Day Weekend & Motorboat (Electric Youth 'funraiser' at THE BLACK BOX, ticketed event)  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1575

Saturday, June 18
Downtown StoryWalk!
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
12:00pm - Caribbean Music Concert with PanNeubean Steel!  (Franklin Public Library)
6:00pm - Critical Mass (live music at 67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, June 19
Downtown StoryWalk!
Father's Day & Juneteenth
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, June 20
Downtown StoryWalk!
Juneteenth (celebrated)
Town offices & library closed, no school

Tuesday, June 21
7:00pm - Change the MA Flag: History and Need for Change (Franklin Public Library)

Wednesday, June 22
6:00pm - Alt Prom for Teens  (Franklin Public Library)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26



Community Calendar
Community Calendar

On the Climate front: gas companies say more gas is the answer; researchers finally calculate the cost in lives by acting now

Boston Globe:  "As gas companies plan for a climate future, their vision: more gas "
"Up on the fourth floor of Westin Copley Place this week, hundreds of natural gas representatives mingled among glossy posters and tables littered with branded baseball hats and Oreos. Among the niceties and exchanges of business cards it became quickly clear — the climate crisis is very much on people’s minds. Another thing became clear, too. The solution, as they see it, is more gas.

“Additional natural gas pipelines are the answer to many of the questions we face today,” Amy Andryszak, chief executive of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, told a panel audience Tuesday.

It was the 27th annual gathering of the Northeast LDC Gas Forum — nicknamed the “Best Deal-Making Conference” in the industry, according to the organizers, and seemingly as good a place as any to get the gas industry’s view of the climate crisis as it is lived every day in the executive suites, field sites, and maintenance trucks of the scores of companies that operate in New England."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

The Guardian: "How millions of lives can be saved if the US acts now on climate"
"The rapidly shrinking window of opportunity for the US to pass significant climate legislation will have mortal, as well as political, stakes. Millions of lives around the world will be saved, or lost, depending on whether America manages to propel itself towards a future without planet-heating emissions.

For the first time, researchers have calculated exactly how many people the US could save by acting on the climate crisis. A total of 7.4 million lives around the world will be saved over this century if the US manages to cut its emissions to net zero by 2050, according to the analysis.

The financial savings would be enormous, too, with a net zero America able to save the world $3.7tn in costs to adapt to the rising heat. As the world’s second largest polluter of greenhouse gases, the US and its political vagaries will in large part decide how many people in faraway countries will be subjected to deadly heat, as well as endure punishing storms, floods, drought and other consequences of the climate emergency."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Just 10 US states could save 3.7 million lives worldwide by cutting their emissions to net zero. Photograph: Iuliia Bondar/Getty Images
Just 10 US states could save 3.7 million lives worldwide by cutting their emissions to net zero. Photograph: Iuliia Bondar/Getty Images

Making Sense of Climate #11 - Steve talks with Ted McIntyre - 06/09/22 (audio)

FM #817 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 817 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, May 19, 2022.  

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while helping me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.


Audio file -> 
https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-817-making-sense-of-climate-11-06-09-22


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


Articles referenced are collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rczYh14x-r6emEQM7QXSHIkKIKHD7hQ6/view?usp=sharing 


See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

Conference committee members (3 from MA House & 3 from MA Senate)

House of Representatives: 

 

MA Senate: 


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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


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


How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


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


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


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"


Making Sense of Climate #11 - Steve talks with Ted McIntyre - 06/09/22 (audio)
Making Sense of Climate #11 - Steve talks with Ted McIntyre - 06/09/22 (audio)


Sheriff's Summer Safety Fest - Quincy - Merrymount Beach - Jun 18

 A family fun day for all ages with games, activities, giveaways, informational tables, and a Touch-A-Truck! 
Food donations accepted to benefit the United Way through the Norfolk County Central Labor Council. 
Made possible through a generous grant from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

 When: June 18, from 10 - 1 PM

Sheriff's Summer Safety Fest - Quincy - Merrymount Beach - Jun 18
Sheriff's Summer Safety Fest - Quincy - Merrymount Beach - Jun 18

Download a copy of the Flyer as a reminder ->

"Sharing gives meaning to life" (video)

"Life is for service." Those are the words Rollins College valedictorian Elizabeth Bonker lives by -- words that inspired Rollins' most famous graduate, Mr. Fred Rogers. Bonker, who is nonspeaking and has autism, gave a remarkable address during her school's recent commencement ceremony in Winter Park, Florida. 
Clad in a cap and gown decorated with flowers, Bonker explained, through a text-to-speech program, how she typed her remarks using a single finger with the help of a communication aide. People with nonspeaking autism have trouble developing speech, and in Bonker's case, neuromotor issues inhibit her communication and her ability to do some other basic tasks. 
Learning to type changed everything. 
"That one critical intervention unlocked my mind from its silent cage," she said during her address."
Continue reading the article on Elizabeth Bonker online

Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/8g5aJExZQwg

Drought Status level increases to 2; water conservation measures remain in effect

Today (6/15/22), a Significant Drought was Declared for Southeast and Northeast Regions in MA!!
Reminder Water Conservation Measures Have Been In Effect Since, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
With Massachusetts continuing to experience dry conditions in much of the state over the course of the last several months, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared a Level 2-Signficant Drought in both the Northeast and Southeast Regions of the Commonwealth.
The declaration of a Level 2 drought continues to reinforce the Town's Water Conservation restrictions as required per our Water Management Act permit through MassDEP. Therefore, the following Water Conservation Measures continue to be in effect.
One day per week outdoor watering. Outdoor watering using sprinklers or automated irrigation systems is restricted to the water user's trash day. If the user does not have Town trash service, the user should water on the same day as the nearest Town trash customer.

Outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Thank you for your cooperation!

Additional info can be found at Drought.gov -> https://www.drought.gov/states/massachusetts/county/norfolk

Additional maps can be found on the Drought Monitor -> https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx


Drought Status level increases to 2; water conservation measures remain in effect
Drought Status level increases to 2; water conservation measures remain in effect


S. 2924 "An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security" on Gov Baker's desk

"The House today passed a compromise election reform bill that was approved by the Senate last week and has now been sent to the governor for his consideration.

The bill (S. 2924) would make many pandemic-related election changes permanent, expanding some voting opportunities in time for the next statewide election in September. The bill does not include same-day voter registration, a sticking point between the House and Senate in earlier versions of the bills.

The compromise bill would change the voter registration deadline from 20 days before an election to 10 days.

The bill would also allow mail-in ballots for presidential, state and municipal elections, while allowing municipalities to opt out of mail-in voting for elections that are not held on the same day as a state or federal election. Municipalities could, however, allow in-person early voting for those elections if desired."
Continue reading the article on the MMA page

The legislation is not yet visible in the Governor's "On the Desk" page but should be shortly  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/on-the-governors-desk

The text of the legislation itself as amended and approved by both Senate and House   https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2924

The legislation downloaded as a  PDF can also be found here

S. 2924 "An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security" on Gov Baker's desk
S. 2924 "An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security" on Gov Baker's desk

Sign up for Open Mic at Franklin's first Pride Day - June 26 - 12 to 4 PM

"The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance is seeking Franklin performers willing to share their talents as part of a celebration of Pride Month (June 26th, 12-4)!

Performances can take a variety of forms (music, song, dance, story-telling, poetry, art, acting, etc.) but should be limited to 7 MINUTES. Stage and microphone will be provided; we kindly request that performers bring any other needed materials, as possible. All performances should be FAMILY-FRIENDLY.

A performer may submit for multiple performances and/or collaborate with other performers. The Alliance reserves the right to select whichever performances they see fit. You may be asked to share more about your proposed performance with the Alliance prior to the event.

Have a question? Contact us at FranklinLGBTQAlliance@gmail.com"

Use the form to sign up ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuadQWw8eMWLjuIciDHiEIkUmCjCNbX4JOu03aSeAJoZR3bg/viewform

Celebrate with Pride - June 26, 2022
Celebrate with Pride - June 26, 2022

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 17, 2022

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY


7:30 am Memorial Day Breakfast 2022 

9:00 am Frank Presents: Danielle Hopkins 

10:00 am Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine? 

11:00 am Senior Connection: Ben Franklin 

11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Narcan Availability 

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos 

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs 

1:00:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19 

1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza 

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 

3 3:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman 

4:00 pm Senior Connection: Ben Franklin 

4:30 pm FHS: Senior Awards Night 2022


  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am All-Town Showcase: Chorus and Orchestra 

8:30 am It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig 

9:30 am FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Attleboro 06-10-21 

11:30 am FHS Varsity Softball v Newton North 06-04-22 

1:30 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22 

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 3 

5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Framingham 06-06-22 

9:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Chelmsford 06-08-22


  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY


8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-19-22 

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-19-22

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)