Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts

Monday, February 17, 2025

You're Invited to the Community Conversation on the role of arts in supporting health & well being

The Town of Franklin is excited to welcome Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Emily Devlin, LICSW, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Clinical Innovation at Art Pharmacy, for a Community Conversation on how the arts can play a vital role in supporting health and well-being in Franklin.


With funding from the Town opioid settlement funds, Franklin is launching Art Pharmacy—a nationally recognized program that connects individuals to arts and cultural engagements as a tool for healing, social connection, and overall wellness. The Town is rpiloting a program in Franklin specifically for substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support.


You're Invited to the Community Conversation on the role of arts in supporting health & well being
You're Invited to the Community Conversation on the role of arts in supporting health & well being


We are seeking partners from across Franklin’s arts, culture, and social services sectors to help bring these programs to life. Whether you’re part of a cultural organization, a wellness or mental health provider, a social services agency, or a business focused on community well-being, this is an opportunity to collaborate and make a difference.


Wednesday, March 5 12 - 2 PM; At the Blackbox Theater, 15 W Central Street, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038


Join us to learn more about:

  • How Art Pharmacy programs will positively impact Franklin
  • Opportunities for local arts & culture organizations, social service providers, and community-focused businesses to become program partners
  • The role of arts and culture in strengthening mental health, wellness, and social connection


Click here to RSVP to the conversation.


This community conversation is free and open to the public. Parking available onsite. For accessibility needs, please reach out to Cory Shea.


Friday, February 14, 2025

Jamie leads the group on 5 hot topics in this "Talk Franklin" episode (audio)

FM #1382 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1382 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares our “Talk Franklin” discussion with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen in the Municipal Building on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.  


Several folks joined in this roundtable discussion on a variety of hot topics around development. Joining the discussion 

  • Breeka Li Goodlander, Conservation Director

  • Cathleen Liberty, Health Director

  • Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning & Community Development

  • Joel D’Errico, Franklin resident & developer

  • Joe Halligan, Franklin resident & developer

  • Brad Chaffee, Franklin resident & developer for Camford Property Group  

  • Gus Brown, Building Commissioner


Key topics

  • Main development issue, change

  • Then 5 things that are top complaints

    • Traffic

    • Density

    • Environmental concerns

    • Too many school children

    • Character of the Town


The recording runs about 1 Hour & 40 minutes. Let’s listen to this conversation on Franklin’s development hot topics. Audio link -> https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/letstalkfranklin/episodes/Talk-Franklin---A-Podcast-from-the-Town-Administrators-Office-e2f34do/a-aatdjc7



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Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/ 


Community calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar 


Master Plan (as approved by Planning Board & Town Council)

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4018/Final-Report 


Jimmy McMillen, founder of the “Rent is too Damn High Party”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_Is_Too_Damn_High_Party


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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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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"


Jamie leads the group on 5 hot topics in this "Talk Franklin" episode (audio)
Jamie leads the group on 5 hot topics in this "Talk Franklin" episode (audio)

Saturday, February 8, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 8, 2025 ???

Saturday, February 8
9:00am Women's Faith Formation (St. Mary's Parish)
10
:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)
10
:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10
:00am Lunar New Year Celebration! (Franklin Public Library)
10:30am 6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch (Central Park Terrace)
12
:00pm Monday Night Jazz Band EE Regional (Endicott College)
4
:00pm Galentine's Candle Party (ticketed event) (Greco Design)
6:30pm Galentines Night Out, Annual Fundraiser (ticketed event) (Fiori and Fern)
7
:00pm FREE Community Concert - The Padula Trio (Franklin United Methodist Church)
7:30pm Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry (live music) (Circle of friends Coffeehouse)
8
:00pm Karaoke Night (Raillery Public House)
 
 
 
**   NO  Town Meetings today   **


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Why are there multiple calendars?
What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link
The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false


Sunday, February 2, 2025

US Surgeon General's advice "We have to rethink what defines success and a good life"

Catching up to the message from the departing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
"Today (Jan 7, 2025) , I am issuing my Parting Prescription for America—my final reflections as I complete my time as U.S. Surgeon General. It addresses a foundational—and urgent—question I have grappled with: what are the root causes of the pain and unhappiness so many are experiencing?

US Surgeon General's advice "We have to rethink what defines success and a good life"
"We have to rethink what defines success and a good life"
In addition to more commonly discussed challenges such as economic hardship, mental health struggles, and uncertainty about the future, there is something else that has been missing for many people that is a critical driver of health and well-being: community.

The three critical components of community are relationships, service, and purpose. They comprise the triad of fulfillment.

Yet half of young people and a third of adults struggle with loneliness; formal and informal service have remained low; and an alarmingly high number of young adults say they have low or no meaning or purpose in their lives.

Rebuilding community will require a cultural shift to recenter our lives around the triad of fulfillment: relationships, purpose, and service. We have to rethink what defines success and a good life—and build our individual lives, institutions, and policies around that.

My Parting Prescription for America lays out a pathway for how we can make this critical shift. Community is a force for health and fulfillment. It is an antidote to division and despair. We need it more than ever. 
Read the full Parting Prescription at Surgeongeneral.gov/community"

You can find a copy of the full PDF message in the Franklin Matters archives

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Reminder: National Community Survey for Franklin, MA is out for those randomly selected. Please respond

Franklin has launched the National Community Survey - We want to hear from you! 

Reminder: National Community Survey for Franklin, MA is out for those randomly selected. Please respond
Reminder: National Community Survey
We need your input to help us make upcoming planning and budgeting decisions. Invitations have been sent to randomly selected households asking for feedback via The National Community Survey. 

In a few weeks, we'll open the survey to all residents. If you would like to receive an email notification for this community-wide survey, register now to become a part of Franklin's digital sounding board: polco.us/n/res/signup


Thank you for sharing your voice! 



Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Colleen lets us know about “Bacchus Buster” and plans for the grand reopening of Pour RIchard's Feb 8 (audio)

FM #1358 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1358 in the series. 


This session shares my conversation with Colleen Bunnewith on Monday, January 20, 2025 in the Pour Richard’s Wine store. The store interior is being renovated with new colors and layout. Colleen is co-owner with her husband Corey.


We talk about

How they got to opening Pour Richard’s under their ownership

Plans for beer, wine, and provisions

Plans for an expanded beer section

Plans for bringing in cheese & prepared foods, charcuterie boards, etc.

Events, “Pennywise” rebranded as “Bacchus Buster”

Grand re-opening set for Feb 8


The recording runs 20 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1358-pour-richards-reopening-01-20-25/



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Web page (under revision as of 1/22/25) -> https://pourrichardswine.com/ 

On Facebook at -> https://www.facebook.com/pourrichardswine 

On instagram at -> https://www.instagram.com/pourrichardswinema/ 



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

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

  • And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do


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"


Colleen lets us know about “Bacchus Buster” and plans for the grand reopening of Pour RIchard's Feb 8 (audio)
Colleen lets us know about “Bacchus Buster” and plans for the grand reopening of Pour RIchard's Feb 8 (audio)

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Reminder! - The National Community Survey has Launched!

Reminder! - The National Community Survey has Launched!

Reminder! - The National Community Survey has Launched!
National Community Survey

Franklin has launched the National Community Survey - what would you like Franklin to focus on? 

We need your input to help us make upcoming planning and budgeting decisions. Invitations have been sent to randomly selected households asking for feedback via The National Community Survey. In a few weeks, we'll open the survey to all residents. If you would like to receive an email notification for this community-wide survey, register now to become a part of Franklin's digital sounding board: polco.us/n/res/signup

For more information, follow this link: https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/national-community-survey

Thank you for sharing your voice! 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/reminder-national-community-survey-has-launched

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Survey says: more than half don’t watch Franklin TV

Survey says: more than half don’t watch Franklin TV.


That factoid helps to explain why it seems some social media postings seem to come from folks who appeared to be surprised about a 'new' topic when it has usually been talked about in some circles, for some time.  Clearly, not a circle the poster had participated in.


We are best served when we can assess objective facts and issues with our own eyes and ears, and think for ourselves.  You can become part of the informed circle with one web portal and subscribe to one daily email.


Franklin TV, Franklin Public Radio, and Franklin Matters are working together to advance the greater good, bringing us together as a community so that our focus is not on what divides us, but what brings us together.


* Watch: the standard public, education & government (PEG) channels or our three PEG YouTube Channels.

* Listen: Stream Franklin Public Radio anywhere, anytime online at wfpr.fm,

or tune in to our local Franklin public radio station wfpr.fm on 102.9 FM.

* Read: Franklin Matters to find the daily TV, Radio, and community event schedule along with the news that matters published to the internet, a daily newsletter, and then to key social media channels.  


All this to enable you to engage in the informed circle of the Franklin community - visit or subscribe at www.franklin.news


Survey says: more than half don’t watch Franklin TV
Survey says: more than half don’t watch Franklin TV

Town of Franklin Seeks Input from Residents in Community-Wide Survey

The Town of Franklin will launch The National Community Survey (NCS) on January 8, 2025 to gather resident input for strategic planning initiatives and to align goals around the community’s top priorities.
The Town of Franklin announced they will be launching a community survey to gather resident feedback on a wide array of topics, including economy, mobility, community design, utilities, safety, natural environment, inclusivity, engagement, and other elements of Franklin's overall livability. The survey results will provide the Town with valuable data to incorporate into future policy discussions and strategic planning.

Town of Franklin Seeks Input from Residents in Community-Wide Survey
National Community Survey (NCS)
The National Community Survey (The NCS) was developed by National Research Center at Polco. The results will show Franklin’s strengths, areas in need of improvement, and what matters most to residents. The Town will also be able to see how its performance compares to other communities across the country.

“The National Community Survey provides a fantastic opportunity for residents of Franklin to impact and enhance the quality of life in the Town of Franklin. The feedback received from the survey will give Town staff and officials critical insight into how residents feel about life in Franklin today, and what can be done to make it an even better community in the future. We encourage all residents to complete the survey and help to shape the future of Franklin”, stated Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen.

Five-thousand randomly selected households will receive mailed survey invitations over the next few weeks. Households that receive an invitation are asked to follow the enclosed instructions and complete the survey. Residents who are not included in the random selection will be able to complete the community-wide version of the survey when it is released in early February 2025. To receive notification when this survey is released and to register for a Polco profile, follow this link: polco.us/n/res/signup. The random selection survey and community-wide survey will both close on February 19, 2025.

For more information or questions regarding the survey, contact the Project Manager, Kate Hinckley, Director of GIS at (508) 553-5534 or visit our website at https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/webforms/national-community-survey

About Polco: 
Polco brings people and data together to help build stronger, healthier communities. With award-winning community engagement tools and services, Polco allows leaders to engage residents around their most important topics, align goals, and strengthen public trust. Polco is committed to a strict privacy policy, designed to keep participants’ responses confidential and protect personal data.
Learn more at info.polco.us.