Strong Towns Event @ THE BLACK BOX - 11/15/21 (audio)

FM #661 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 661 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Strong Towns Town Hall event with Congressman Jake Auchincloss, State Rep Jeff Roy, Franklin Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo, and Charles Marohn from Strong Towns. 

The event was held at THE BLACK BOX and broadcast via Franklin TV and Zoom. 

After a round of opening remarks, there is a question and answer period with audience participation. Each question asker identifies themselves so you should be able to follow along.

 

The recording runs about 1  hour and 14 minutes, so let’s listen to the Strong Towns Event on Nov 15, 2021. Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/9af1799e-c16d-4b73-8329-74515b343b2f

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My notes from the session

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-strong-towns-event-fostering.html 

More about Strong Towns can be found online -> https://www.strongtowns.org/

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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!

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

 

Earth Day conversation starters for Franklin

Via Cobi Frongillo: 

"Some thoughts on this Earth Day to get our brain's turning on opportunities for local advocacy..."

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreaterFranklin350Mass/permalink/4217769938274226/

What's currently being done?

Possible next steps

Paper or Plastic? (video)

With the holiday and three day weekend, I'll do the food shopping today. The choice of paper or plastic is actually the wrong question according to Leyla especially since we have so many options for re-usable bags to bring home the groceries with. While she doesn't get into re-usable bags, she does get into the real problem:

"... at the end of the day, everything we design and produce in the economy or buy as consumers is done so for function. We want something, therefore we buy it. So breaking things back down and delivering smartly, elegantly, sophisticated solutions that take into consideration the entire system and the entire life of the thing, everything, all the way back to the extraction through to the end of life, we can start to actually find really innovative solutions."

Find a comfy spot, have your morning or favorite beverage at hand and watch this 18 minute video. It is time to "rethink environmental folklore"








For more about Leyla and the design work she does, visit her page on the TED site here
http://www.ted.com/speakers/leyla_acaroglu.html

Food recycling as a climate issue (audio)

Why is food recycling a climate issue?

Recently the U.S. joined the U.N. in launching programs to combat food waste. Fortunately, right here in Arlington we already have a great model for doing just that. Our guest on this edition of the Climate Hawk Companion is DeAnne Dupont, has been walking the talk, and was instrumental in establishing the Minuteman Food Recovery Project as a collaboration between the Minuteman High School Parent’s Association and Sustainable Arlington. 

The project collects from Panera Breads, Trader Joe’s and other local businesses in the Arlington, Massachusetts area and distributes it to people who need this food. This makes for a better community and fewer greenhouse gases. Listen to the podcast to catch up on how it all works.

Other organizations mentioned during this podcast are:
Loving Spoonfuls Boston  http://www.lovinspoonfulsinc.org/

What is happening here in Franklin?
The Franklin Food Pantry coordinates pickups from many local businesses to support the clients the Food Pantry serves. Periodic pickups from Panera Bread, BJ Warehouse, Trader Joe's, Stop and Shop, The Cake Bar, etc. are coordinated and conducted by Food Pantry volunteers. If the pickup is of a quantity that the Food Pantry can't use within the window for the item, the Food Pantry does share with the Senior Center and other places where the items can be used.

The anaerobic digestion process was proposed for the former sewer facility in Franklin based upon the new state regulations. If you haven't heard about the regulations, you can find out more here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/07/a-solution-that-meets-multiple-economic.html

For more about the anaerobic digestion proposal discussed at the Town Council meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-tabled-in-franklin.html

For more about the anaerobic digestion proposal discussed at the Planning Board meeting
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/06/anaerobic-digestion-is-not-recommended.html

This was cross posted to
http://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/2013/07/food-recycling-as-climate-issue-audio.html

SEMINAR ON BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a seminar entitled Business Sustainability for the Real World: Bringing Economic Wellbeing to Our Business Community on Sept. 14. 

Learn ways to increase your market share, opportunities that sustainability can bring you, how it can help reduce operating costs, and much more. 

The event will be held at Living Waters Conference Center, 15 John L. Dietsch Blvd., North Attleborough from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The registration cost is $25. The price includes lunch. Call the Chamber at 508-222-0801 to reserve your place.

Franklin Democratic Town Committee: Clean Air presentation

FRANKLIN DEMOCRATS TO TACKLE CLEAN ENERGY

The wild weather patterns of the last several months will provide a unique backdrop for a presentation on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Plan in Franklin. When the Franklin Democratic Town Committee meets on Monday, September 12 at 7 pm, local physicist Ted McIntyre will give a presentation on the plan which was launched in December 2010. The Franklin Committee welcomes anyone who is interested in this topic to attend the meeting.  

The 136-page Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 contains a "portfolio" of established and new measures that reduce energy waste, save money, and stimulate the adoption of clean energy technologies, thereby creating jobs at the same time that they reduce GHG emissions. It is estimated that 42,000 to 48,000 jobs would result from full implementation of the plan in 2020, both jobs that fill every niche in the clean energy supply chain – electricians, installers, researchers, architects, manufacturers, plumbers, energy auditors, technicians, and scientists – and jobs throughout the economy as lower fossil-fuel energy expenses lead to more spending on in-state goods and services. 

"There are many excellent reasons to support the plan, but here is one jaw-dropping reason to back it: $22 billion dollars," noted McIntyre.  "That is how much money leaves Massachusetts each year to pay for the coal, natural gas and petroleum we use." 

McIntyre is the President of the Mass Climate Action Network (MCAN) and presents frequently on the topic.  In addition to his work with MCAN, McIntyre helped establish the Franklin Area Climate Team. As a physicist, McIntyre is currently working to develop advanced equipment for use in the manufacture of computer chips. He holds seven patents and has authored more than twenty technical publications.  

The clean energy plan "lays out an ambitious but practical framework to continue – and accelerate – the Commonwealth's transition to clean energy," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs-designate Rick Sullivan. "I look forward to maintaining this momentum as our state distinguishes itself as the national leader on clean energy and greenhouse gas emissions reductions." 

The Global Warming Solutions Act (GWSA), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in August 2008, mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, and requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to set a legally enforceable GHG emissions limit for 2020 of between 10 percent and 25 percent below 1990 levels by January 1, 2011, and to issue a plan for achieving those reductions while growing the clean energy economy. 

"Massachusetts has already taken great strides in energy innovation, sparking a clean energy revolution in the Commonwealth and getting us two-thirds of the way toward 25 percent lower emissions by 2020," said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles. "I am confident we will meet the 25 percent limit I set today with a portfolio of policies that build on reforms made to date, launch practical new initiatives on a pilot basis, and generate cost savings and jobs." 

In other business, the Franklin Democrats will continue reaching out to Franklin residents who are interested in running for one of the 35 positions on the town committee next March.  Nomination papers will be available for signing at the September 12 meeting.  The committee will also discuss the upcoming Senate race in Massachusetts and the current slate of candidates who are poised to take on Scott Brown in 2012. 

The Franklin committee normally meets on the second Monday of the month in the training room on the third floor of the Franklin Municipal Building. For more information on the Democratic Party or any of their meetings, please contact Jeffrey Roy at jroy@ravechroy.com or check out the FDTC website at www.franklindemocrats.com. 

To learn more about the Clean Air plan, go to http://www.mass.gov/green/cleanenergyclimateplan or http://massclimateaction.wordpress.com/.

"a global fishing crisis that is masked by sparkling blue waters"

Revenga suggests that sometimes supporting policies that may be unpopular in the short term will be beneficial to all in the long term, such as catch shares/limits, no-take zones and fishing gear modifications. She notes that supporting local fisherman and fishing communities is also important. International cooperation is also essential, since more than 80 percent of U.S. seafood is imported and the FDA inspects a small fraction of it. 

Consumers' choices are important. Revenga says, "Consumers need to ask questions and be informed. They can ask their stores and restaurants, not only where the fish is from, but how it was caught....The closer to home the better and the less impact the fishing method the better." 

Environmentally responsible methods of fishing include: hook and line, trolling, traps and pots, and harpooning larger fish. Products that carry the Marine Stewardship Council label ensure that the fish were caught sustainably (www.msc.org). Responsibly caught seafood tends to be more expensive, but the price will be much higher if we do not take steps now to support conscientious fishing practices. 

 Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x948303120/Down-to-Earth-Look-for-sustainable-seafood-options#ixzz1Wsy6jQ5F

Business Sustainability Seminar

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The United Regional Chamber of Commerce

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Sustainable restaurant?

Can there be a sustainable restaurant?
Arthur Potts Dawson in the UK is trying. He has one with a tree theme and one with a water theme. Fascinating!

"So nature doesn't create waste doesn't create waste as such. Everything in nature is used up in a closed continuous cycle with waste being the end of the beginning."

With the news about more fast food restaurants coming to the 140 corridor, let's see how much they can do to be sustainable.

We do need tax revenues. We can have choices for food. Wendy's is either in Milford, North Attleboro or Mansfield.

How much can they do to help the environment they will be part of here in Franklin should be the focus of the discussion.

What do you think?



Franklin, MA

Food, Inc. Sunday Jan 10th - 7:00 PM

A series of films on sustainable living called "The Green Reel" will be held Sunday evenings in North Attleboro. The films are presented free of charge. Some refreshments are available. Discussion about the film is encouraged.

Food, Inc. will be shown Jan 10th at 7:00 PM

The flyer for the full series can be seen here:

Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

Sustainable Farming event rescheduled

Metacomet Land Trust has re-scheduled its program on Sustainable Farming due to the after effects of Wednesday's snow storm...

Please join us Wednesday, December 16th, at the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence Street, Mendon for this program with Carolyn and Rob Nicholson of Sweetwilliam Farm (Upton). Rob and Carolyn will discuss Sustainable Farming in our region.

Come hear the perspective of a practicing farmer when Rob and Caroline present our Annual Meeting program. We'll also discuss the important connection our land preservation efforts have to supporting agriculture in the region.

Metacomet's short annual meeting will begin at 6:30, followed by the program with Carolyn and Rob at 7:00. Please stay for refreshments and conversation after the program.

This program is free; a small donation is requested at the door.

"make it with off-the-shelf, mature technology"

By Michael Morton/Daily News staff

GHS

Posted Mar 28, 2009 @ 11:42 PM

---

Armed with an open-ended 55-gallon drum and a used boat propeller from eBay, Northborough inventor Richard Burton plans to bring hydroelectric power to the masses, no dam required.

"Anywhere you get flow you can throw it in," the 67-year-old said of his Hydrokinetic Cogenerator prototype. The device is designed for an alternative energy market he predicts will surge when fuel prices rocket back up. "People are going to be screaming for green power."

While the majority of hydroelectric power in the country comes from dams, critics contend that the structures harm rivers and wildlife, with new applications facing numerous regulatory hurdles.

In contrast, Burton said, his device is not only easily removed, but also low-impact: Simply toss the Cogenerator into an average river and plug it into the grid.

Read more about this interesting concept to create hydropower in the Milford Daily News here

The Green Reel: "Renewal"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Renewal"

When: 7:00 PM on March 1, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Renewal" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

Greenbusters

Digging around the SustainLane web site initially found here, I find there is a series of posts on greenbusters. Recall the popular Discovery Channel show - Mythbusters; these are focused on green myths and you get the full scoop on each. For example:

Myth: It's best never to touch your thermostat. Read More »

Myth: It's okay to throw something away as long as it's biodegradable. Read More »

Myth: Washing laundry in hot water is the only way to kill bacteria and get things really clean—just like my mom told me. Read More »

Myth: Dog poop is natural, so it’s okay to leave it behind. Read More »

Myth: It takes more energy to turn a light off and back on than it does to keep it running. Read More »

Check out all the Greenbusters here

The Green Reel: "Renewal"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Renewal"

When: 7:00 PM on March 1, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Renewal" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

The Green Reel: "The Next Industrial Revolution"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: The Next Industrial Revolution"

When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

The Green Reel: "The Next Industrial Revolution"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: The Next Industrial Revolution"

When: 7:00 PM on February 22, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "The Next Industrial Revolution" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

Ideas to save money this winter

A local video show (produced in Arlington, MA) outlines some great ideas for saving money on heat and electricity.


Public Square -- Saving Energy from Josh Lobel on Vimeo.

The new episode of "The Public Square" provides viewers with tangible ways to save energy this winter and throughout the year. You can watch the show on line whenever you like by visiting

http://vimeo.com/3075985.

We interview local residents Ryan Katofsky, Martin Lamonica, Glenn Koenig, and Marc Breslow to learn how they have reduced their carbon footprint and saved money. The interviews take place in each person’s home, giving viewers a first-hand look at the improvements they’ve made. Our guests share some simple, low-cost steps that every family can take to save energy. You'll also hear about ideas that require a larger investment, including installing solar energy systems.

To learn more about "The Public Square," please visit www.publicsquaretv.com.

Do you have something that you are doing that was not covered in this video?

The Green Reel: "Everything's Cool"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Everything's Cool"

When: 7:00 PM on February 8, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Everything's Cool" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro

The Green Reel: "Everything's Cool"

The Green Reel: a series of films for sustainable living will be shown on Sunday evenings this winter.

What: "Everything's Cool"

When: 7:00 PM on February 8, 2009

Where: Agudas Achim, 901 North Main St, Attleboro or directions here

Free and open to the public.
For more info: 508-695-2389

read more about the file "Everything's Cool" here

Sponsors:

Agudas Achim
Crystal Spring Center
Simply Keep It Local
Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary
Citizens for a Sustainable Local Economy
Murray Unitarian Universalist Church
Green Committee of First Universalist Society of Franklin
New Dawn Earth Center
Oake Knoll Ayrshires
Franklin Area Climate Team
White Barn Farm
St Mark's Episcopal Church-Foxboro