Starting with a bicycle story, we shift gears to cover climate topics around the region and cycle back to a key report (audio)

FM #1102 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1102 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, November 13, 2023.  

In this episode we cover multiple topics from the release of the Hopper Report, we run through a series of articles from around New England, and then back to MA, covering what has been happening recently to close with some quotes from the Hopper Report.

Links to the many articles we talk of are collected in one PDF doc linked to below.   

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps 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 47 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted as we help ‘make sense of climate.’ Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1102-making-sense-of-climate-35-11-13-23

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Links to articles referenced for this episode are collected in one PDF -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fYRQvznj3SB1YU4NqXOR7NslMPM2gArf/view?usp=drive_link

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

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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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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!

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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"

Starting with a bicycle story, we shift gears to cover climate topics around the region and cycle back to a key report (audio)

Master Plan Bike Tour - November 5th - starts at 9 AM at Horace Mann Middle School

Master Plan Bike Tour - November 5th

All are welcome!   

Bike Tour hosted by the Master Plan Update Committee and Community Services, Facilities & Circulation.  

We will visit Franklin's streets, schools, public works, emergency services and library.

Sunday, November 5th ~ 9 AM ~ Starting at Horace Mann Middle School 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/master-plan-bike-tour-november-5th

Master Plan Bike Tour - November 5th - starts at 9 AM at Horace Mann Middle School

First Monday, gas pipeline expansion, bikes & batteries are covered in this Making Sense of Climate episode #33 (audio)

FM #1072 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1072 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Monday, October 2, 2023.  

In this episode we cover the following topics

• First Monday in October

• Gas pipeline expansion

• Bikes and batteries

Links to the articles we talk of are collected below.   

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps 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 49 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted as we help ‘make sense of climate.’ Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1072-making-sense-of-climate-33-10-02-23

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Links to articles referenced:

First Monday.in October…SCOTUS may rule on Chevron Deference… Thomas is bought?

https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-secretly-attended-koch-brothers-donor-events-scotus

I hope to get these guys on a podcast, but we can tease the topic.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/09/29/opinion/hanscom-airport-jet-expansion-massport/

Gas Pipeline expansion… 11/2029…goes very close to Franklin

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/09/22/enbridge-weymouth-compressor-natural-gas-fossil-fuel-climate-change-pipeline-expansion

Wasser on podcast

https://www.wbur.org/the-common/2023/09/28/enbridge-pipeline-expansion-natural-gas-ferc

Franklin Matters archives have quite a few references to the Atlantic Bridge project

https://www.franklinmatters.org/search?q=atlantic+bridge 

Bikes and batteries

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/09/20/this-french-company-has-designed-the-first-e-bike-that-doesnt-need-a-battery

Role of batteries is growing..

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/energy-storage/grid-batteries-have-never-been-more-abundant-or-more-useful

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

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

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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

First Monday, gas pipeline expansion, bikes & batteries are covered in this Making Sense of Climate episode #33 (audio)

Get Ready to Ride in the Franklin PMC Kids Ride - June 4th (Or donate to this worthy cause!)

The 16th annual Franklin PMC Kids Ride will be held on Sunday, June 4 from 8 AM to 12 PM. The Franklin ride is one of more than 20 PMC Kids Rides throughout the New England area. The Franklin ride usually attracts 200 young cyclists between the ages of 3 and 14, who ride between 3 and 10 miles. The ride raises money for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Altogether, the PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $9 million since their first ride in 1998. This year's goal is $50,000.

This ride is a unique event that motivates kids to learn about the importance of giving back, introduces them volunteerism and fundraising, and offers a way for children to become part of the PMC mission in a safe and athletic way. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These donations benefit research, treatment, and care for children and families impacted by cancer.

The Franklin PMC Kids Ride will will start and end at the Jefferson School, located at 628 Washington Street in Franklin. Kids can select from a 3, 6, or 10-mile course. They will also enjoy an after-ride celebration with music, games, food, and more. Younger participants, not yet on two wheels, can partake in the Tikes and Trikes course in a contained area at the school. This area has several fun stations and activities for the little ones, including a car wash, gas station, snack stand, craft table, face painting, and more. There is a $20 registration fee which includes a tee shirt and goodie bag. There is also a $40 fundraising minimum for all riders.

Riders and volunteers can register, and donations can be made online at www.kids.pmc.org/franklin. 

All local communities are encouraged to participate. For more information about the ride or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net

Many kids. One mission. Cure cancer

Get Ready to Ride in the Franklin PMC Kids Ride - June 4th (Or donate to this worthy cause!)

Get Ready to Ride in the Franklin PMC Kids Ride - June 4

The 16th annual Franklin PMC Kids Ride will be held on Sunday, June 4 from 8 AM to 12 PM. The Franklin ride is one of more than 20 PMC Kids Rides throughout the New England area. The Franklin ride usually attracts 200 young cyclists between the ages of 3 and 14, who ride between 3 and 10 miles. The ride raises money for cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Altogether, the PMC Kids Rides program has raised more than $9 million since their first ride in 1998. This year's goal is $50,000.

This ride is a unique event that motivates kids to learn about the importance of giving back, introduces them volunteerism and fundraising, and offers a way for children to become part of the PMC mission in a safe and athletic way. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes directly to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. These donations benefit research, treatment, and care for children and families impacted by cancer.

The Franklin PMC Kids Ride will will start and end at the Jefferson School, located at 628 Washington Street in Franklin. Kids can select from a 3, 6, or 10-mile course. They will also enjoy an after-ride celebration with music, games, food, and more. Younger participants, not yet on two wheels, can partake in the Tikes and Trikes course in a contained area at the school. This area has several fun stations and activities for the little ones, including a car wash, gas station, snack stand, craft table, face painting, and more. There is a $20 registration fee which includes a tee shirt and goodie bag. There is also a $40 fundraising minimum for all riders.

Riders and volunteers can register, and donations can be made online at www.kids.pmc.org/franklin. 

All local communities are encouraged to participate. For more information about the ride or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Marchioni at lisabxyz@verizon.net

Many kids. One mission. Cure cancer

Get Ready to Ride in the Franklin PMC Kids Ride - June 4

MA Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day - May 4

"MA Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is only ONE week away! Schools: “Gear” up for this event on Wednesday, May 4th (which also happens to be Star Wars Day) by registering here https://tinyurl.com/3m7xm75w" 

@MassDOT

MA Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day - May 4

What's with Complete Streets?

The memo to the Franklin, MA Town Council and the "Complete Streets" presentation document scheduled for discussion at the Feb 17, 2021 meeting.

Link to the doc on the Town of Franklin page

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/8a._complete_streets_web.pdf

Full agenda for the Town Council meeting Feb 17, 2021

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/february-17-town-council-agenda

 

MA Complete Streets Program - Overview for Town Council from Franklin Matters

What's with Complete Streets?

Bicycle recycling Event - Oct 24

Here’s an opportunity to get rid of those unwanted bicycles cluttering up your garage or shed: donate them for a good cause at the charity bike drive being held Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Franklin Recreation Department Headquarters located at 275 Beaver Street in Franklin, MA. 

The bike drive is being held by Franklin High School senior Alex Gardenier, who is an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 99. He is conducting the bike drive to benefit the charitable organization Bikes Not Bombs (https://bikesnotbombs.org/about). 

For more details on what, when, etc.  https://02038.com/2020/10/charity-bike-drive-in-franklin-oct-24/

Bicycle recycling Event - Oct 24

 

 

Electronics Recycling - Nov 16

As many are aware, I do a lot of walking around Franklin and that helps me to find out what is going on. Sometimes I am in the right place at the right time (think train stuck on the Union St. tracks this week). Sometimes, I find something that is filed for future use or more research. I call all this activity  "reporting by walking around."

One such walk found the signs set up around the former Charter School (former St Mary's School) announcing the electronics recycling event scheduled for November 16. This event will also recycle bicycles.

When: Saturday, November 16 from 9 AM to 2 PM
Where: school parking lot at corner of Main and Pleasant Streets

Electronics Recycling - Nov 16

"It’s really giving people another option to getting around"

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

"Transportation officials outlined several initiates to increase cycling and walking in its final State Bicycle Transportation Plan and State Pedestrian Transportation Plan released last week.

Constructing safer bike networks, increasing bike share programs and improving maintenance of trails are some initiatives state transportation officials are eyeing to get more cyclists on the roads.

The state Department of Transportation last week released its final Bicycle Transportation Plan and Pedestrian Transportation Plan highlighting initiatives to make streets safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. The bike plan was last updated in 2008 and the pedestrian plan in the late 1990s. There have been several advances in technology, research and design during that period.

“The transportation sector is evolving so rapidly,” said Jackie DeWolfe, DOT director of sustainable mobility."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190725/state-transportation-leaders-release-plans-to-increase-bicycle-pedestrian-traffic

view the bicycle plan - https://www.mass.gov/service-details/bicycle-plan
view the pedestrian plan - https://www.mass.gov/service-details/pedestrian-plan

view the bicycle plan

“They’re unbelievable - they’re bikes with a boost”

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

"Whipping around a series of orange cones in the Franklin Police Department parking lot, Sgt. Jason Reilly sped up inches away from two cones placed side by side to create a barrier before gripping his front and rear brakes.

A radar gun clocked the Franklin police sergeant’s speed at 26 mph.

“That’s the fastest we’ve had right there – nice job, Sarge!” said Sgt. Jeff Watson of the Medway police, standing beside one of the $3,600 Trek electric bikes used by Reilly. They are brand-new to the Medway, Franklin and Millis police departments.

“This style of bike is the ultimate police bike,” said Watson, a mountain bike instructor for the past 24 years and owner of Police Mountain Bike Training New England."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190704/franklin-medway-and-millis-police-take-to-electric-bikes

“They’re unbelievable - they’re bikes with a boost”

US Census: Younger Workers in Cities More Likely to Bike to Work

Roughly 870,000 people report commuting by bicycle — many of them young and urban residents.

America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers Younger Workers in Cities More Likely  to Bike to Work May 17 is National Bike to Work Day and events are held around the country to encourage people to commute by bicycle. The most recent American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates covering the years 2013-2017 show that about 872,000 people, or 0.6% of all workers in the United States (Table S0801), bike to work. The ACS asks workers about their primary method of transportation to work. This provides data about national commuting patterns, including biking to work.  https://census.gov/library/stories/2019/05/younger-workers-in-cities-more-likely-to-bike-to-work.html? About America Counts America Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as families, housing, employment, business, education, the economy, emergency preparedness, and population. Contact our Public Information Office for media inquiries or interviews.

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This is an official email from the U.S. Census Bureau. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us (http://www.census.gov/about/contact-us.html)

Indoor Cycling Fundraiser - Apr 28

What: A three hour cycling fundraiser for the Pan Mass Challenge with New England Patriots Captain Matthew Slater. Matthew will be signing autographs and taking pictures with all riders. 100% of all monies raised will go directly to the Pan Mass Challenge/Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The event will be led by six fun and talented instructors!

Where: The Adirondack Club, 800 Chestnut St, Franklin, MA 02038

When: Sunday, April 28th from 1:00pm-4:00pm

How to Register: Registration should be done in person at the front desk of the Adirondack Club. Riders can register for a one, two or three hour ride. Non members are welcome!

Donation: It costs $100.00 for one hour, $200.00 for two hours, or $300.00 for three hours. Once you are registered, please follow the information below to make your donation. Donations must be made within 24 hours of registration and be received prior to the event. There will be prizes for the biggest fundraisers.

How to Pay: Payment can be done online by following the directions below:

1. Go to PMC website at www.pmc.org
2. Click on red Donate icon on right top of page.
3. Under “Enter a Rider’s name or EgiftID below”, enter “Team Phil’s Phriends”
4. Click on “Find a Rider”.
5. Click on “Team Phil’s Phriends, Needham, MA”
6. Enter donation amount

If you would prefer to pay by check, please make checks payable to the PMC/Phil’s Phriends and mail them to Carolyn Bohmiller, 205 Jordan Rd, Franklin, MA 02038.

If you have friends or family who would like to donate before or after the event, please provide them the instructions above to donate online, mail their checks to the above address, or bring their checks made out to the PMC/Phil’s Phriends with you on the day of the ride. If they are donating online, have them mention the rider’s name in the comment section.

Remember to bring some cash with you to try to win some great raffle items! The raffle will be open on Saturday, April 27 from 7:00-11:00 AM and again on Sunday, April 28 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Food and drinks will be available for all riders.

Please contact Deb Simpson at dsimpson@adirondackclub.com or Carolyn Bohmiller at cbohmiller@yahoo.com if you have any further questions.
We look forward to seeing you on the 28th!

Indoor Cycling Fundraiser - Apr 28