📰 BEN's Bulletin: New Format, MBTA Communities

Key meetings, events, and resources!

BEN's Bulletin (07/08/24)   We've launched and now we're shaping up! This is the new format of our newsletter, where we'll be sharing information on key meetings, events, and resources. Please feel free to provide feedback. As always, we meet every THIRD THURSDAY at Franklin TV (unless otherwise noted). Our next meeting is July 18 at 7 PM. All are welcome! Our agenda and previous minutes will be shared in advance of the meeting. Key Agenda Items It'll be a relatively quiet season for meetings, but BEN's keeping an eye on MBTA Communities Act compliance and the Master Plan.  For live links and photos, see the items on our Google Doc. What We're Reading Starter homes begin with starter lots (Commonwealth Beacon) How Creative Design Can Turn Strict Zoning Codes Into Success Stories (Strong Towns) The senior struggle to age in community (Commonwealth Beacon) Reach out with any comments or questions. Thanks! The BEN Brigade Know someone else who may be interested in this content? Please share! Newsletter Sign Up Ben 4 Franklin, https://ben4franklin.org/ Send free email today

Watch "How the US Is Destroying Young People’s Future | Scott Galloway | TED" on YouTube

Via TED Talks  

"In a scorching talk, marketing professor and podcaster Scott Galloway dissects the data showing that, by many measures, young people in the US are worse off financially than ever before. He unpacks the root causes and effects of this "great intergenerational theft," asking why we let it continue and showing how we could make it end. (Note: This talk contains mature language.)"

Video link -> https://youtu.be/qEJ4hkpQW8E?si=2jV_uweZKbYrNctM

For a more in depth version (albeit five years ago), Scott covers many of the same topics in this 30 minute version.

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brp9DpJsEi4

For more about Scott, visit his TED profile page -> 

https://www.ted.com/talks/scott_galloway_how_the_us_is_destroying_young_people_s_future

Note: given the timed delivery nature of TED Talks, it is better to watch them multiple times, or stop after a point is made and think about it. Time is needed to digest the impact of the ideas presented.

Bonus link (a 14 minute talk Followed by a Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson) ->   https://www.ted.com/talks/scott_galloway_how_amazon_apple_facebook_and_google_manipulate_our_emotions?subtitle=en

Watch "Dear Franklin, (A Message from Franklin Educators)" on YouTube (video)

Dear Franklin,

As proud members of the Franklin Education Association, we are asking you to come out in support of our schools on June 11 and vote Yes for Franklin. 

 

This initiative is not just an investment in our schools - the override vote is an investment in our community's future.

If you are a family with children in school, a "Yes" vote will directly support your child’s education. The funds from this override will allow schools to:

• Keep class sizes low
• Continue to offer a variety of AP courses and electives
• Bring back middle school extracurricular activities.

Just to name a few.

But research shows that supporting our schools is beneficial to everyone in town, not just families with children. Good schools are a cornerstone of a thriving community, leading to:

• High property values as young families continue to see Franklin schools as the strongest schools in the area.
• A safer, more engaged community.
• A stronger local economy as well-educated graduates enter the workforce.

We are proud to be educators in this amazing town. 

 

We are all deeply committed to supporting this community every day. 

 

On June 11 we are asking for your support.  

We all want the best for Franklin. A vote for the tax override is a vote for a brighter future in Franklin. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. Please remember to vote YES on June 11.

Thank you.

Final note- FEA members have a right to their own opinions on this issue.  This video is not intended to be representative of the entire FEA, but limited to the members who participate.

Video link -> https://youtu.be/E0QNbXeV0ws

Building Equitable Neighborhoods for Franklin (BEN 4 Franklin) schedules launch events - Friday, May 10 & Saturday, May 11

BEN 4 Franklin is pleased to invite anyone who lives or works in Franklin to our two public launch events: 

launch party - May 10

On Friday, May 10, 2024, Ben 4 Franklin will host a launch party at 7:00 PM at the Franklin TV Studio, 23 Hutchinson Street. In addition to a short speaking program with featured speaker Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts, this interactive event will be a place where attendees can share memories of Franklin from the past and envision Franklin in the future through discussion, storytelling and artistic expression. Light refreshments will be provided.  

Jane Jacobs Walk - May 11

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, there will be a second BEN 4 Franklin launch event: Cobi Frongillo and Franklin Matters’ Steve Sherlock will be leading a 90-minute Jane Jacobs Walk (rain or shine!) at 10:30 AM starting from the Franklin TV Studio, to explore the history, physical structure and architecture of Franklin’s built downtown environment. The community walk-and-talk will be one of thousands of Jane Jacobs Walks that take place every May in honor of the late social activist and placemaker. The walk will be accessible to wheels and paws, and participants are invited to gather afterwards at La Cantina Winery to share thoughts and observations. 

For more information and to RSVP for either or both of the two launch events, or to sign up for BEN 4 Franklin’s mailing list, please visit: tinyurl.com/ben4franklin

Visit the web page for more information -> https://ben4franklin.org/

Voices of Franklin: Gretchen Donohue - "supporting the necessary override for public school funding"

To whom it may concern:

As members of this vibrant and caring community, we are faced with a significant decision- asking the taxpayers for an override– that will shape the future of our town and, most importantly, the education of the present and future children of Franklin. Today, I write to you not just as a concerned citizen, or as a public school educator (in a neighboring district), but also as a voice advocating for investing in the vitality and prosperity of our public schools, and recognizing the integral role the schools play in the lives of all of the residents of Franklin.

Our schools are the heart of our community; they educate, inspire, and empower our children, preparing them to become the thought leaders, creative innovators, and engaged citizens of tomorrow. At its core, a school budget is more than just a financial plan; it is a moral document that reflects our values and priorities as a community. The budget is a statement of what we choose to support and what we commit to investing in. By adequately funding our public schools, we demonstrate our commitment to our children. As a result of the current budget, our schools are forced to make difficult decisions (cutting programs, increasing class sizes, reducing resources-, especially in the areas of supporting students’ emotional health).

Some critics misunderstand that any additional cuts will fundamentally change the ability of the Franklin schools to educate all of its students; other critics have praised the Franklin teachers for “doing so much with so little,” but why are they continually given “so little” to work with? Recently critics have noted that there is a “need for a measured approach that affords every taxpayer the opportunity to understand the full financial landscape,”1 but I contend there have been numerous opportunities with information and presentations all readily available to the public.

Now is the time for us to come together as a community and reaffirm our commitment to education. By supporting an override, we can ensure that our schools have the needed resources that they need to not only survive, but thrive. We would do well to remember that our actions in the present will shape the future of our community for generations to come, and I hope we can stand together and invest in our children, knowing that our children’s success is the foundation of our shared prosperity.

When we invest in education, we invest in the potential of every child, regardless of their background, circumstances, race or creed. I reiterate that a budget is a moral document that reflects our values; I urge you to join me in putting our values into action by supporting the necessary override for public school funding.

Together, we can ensure that our schools remain beacons of excellence and opportunity for all.

Thank you for your consideration and your commitment to the future of our community; I appreciate your dedication to the citizens of Franklin.

Sincerely,

Gretchen M. Coyle Donohue, 

7 Padden Road, Franklin, MA 02038

1   https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/249604/opinion-rushed-override-wrong-votenofranklin

If you have something to say, you can find the guidelines here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/03/introducing-voices-of-franklin.html

Voices of Franklin: Gretchen Donohue -  "supporting the necessary override for public school funding"

"Lean In Girls" starts April 22 - Learn more and register today!

"Here at Children's Museum of Franklin, we're passionate about the importance of empowering girls.  

The Lean In Girls curriculum, a subset of Sheryl Sandberg's original Lean In program, was established in 2023 as a “leadership program that helps girls see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they’re not.”

Over the course of the program, through strength-building activities and discussion, participants will learn resilience, confidence, and inclusivity.

This is a free program!"

Learn more & register -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/lean-in-girls

"Lean In Girls" starts April 22 - Learn more and register today!

Watch "The Anxious Generation Art Project" on YouTube (video)

"Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt believes childhood itself has gone missing. And he and artist Dave Cicirelli are teaming up to tell that story at the scenes of the crime.

Haidt argues that for a little over a decade, we’ve been raising children in an environment hostile to human development. Kids are spending upwards of eight to nine hours a day on their phones and very little time playing in the real world with other kids. Their mental health has suffered and their real-world childhood has been taken away from them.

Based on the essential findings of Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, we're blanketing the centers of media, government, and tech in provocative images and installations that remove the filters from the phone-based coming of age.  

This guerilla art takeover is anchored by a ten-foot-tall “Missing Childhood” milk cartons in prominent public spaces. These cartons will not just tell the tragic story of youth’s mental health decline but also be a forum for passerbyers to share their personal experiences with this dramatic shift in childhood."

Video link -> https://youtu.be/Ztm8Hna4SBU

The Boston Globe has a Q&A with Jonathan Haidt on the Anxious Generation ->   https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/24/opinion/jonathan-haidt-the-anxious-generation/

Explore your options at the Post High School Fair on April 4 from 6 to 8 PM

Post High School Fair

Are you unsure about what you want to do after high school? 

Do you think you might want to learn a trade instead of college? 

Or, maybe you think you might need some additional support after high school and in college? 

Then you should attend the Post High School Fair on April 4th in the FHS cafeteria from 6-8 PM. 

There will be over 20 programs and colleges represented: Gould Construction Institute, Curry College, as well as, Metrowest Center for Independent Living to just name a few. Click on the QR code to get the updated list of colleges and programs.

In case the QR Code doesn't work for you, try this link -> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DH_hdRrvz7iZ4Ff9hm9hKLUGsnc_yBndSymYR5N16jQ/edit?usp=sharing

The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

FM #1136 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1136 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with the founders of the forthcoming Children’s Museum of Franklin; Meg Hagen and Erin Gallagher. 

Meg and Erin fill us in on their Franklin story, the idea for the museum, starting as a pop up or mobile museum for now to help build interest and community excitement.

There are opportunities to help volunteer and contribute in other ways as well as financially. The show notes contain links to their web page with their pop up schedule and contact and contribution forms.

Let’s listen to my conversation with Meg and Erin

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1136-childrens-museum-franklin-starts-with-popups-01-10-24

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Franklin Children’s Museum -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/ 

Events -> https://www.childrensmuseumfranklin.org/events 

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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"

The Children’s Museum of Franklin to start with pop ups (audio)

Register for the Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program Today

Registration Open Until February 29, 2024

The Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program is an interactive program for Franklin residents and business owners to design and create a native, biologically diverse habitat at their property. The BEE Program consists of five themed workshops and one field day giving residents and business owners the skills to:

• Attract wildlife and plant life to their habitat;
• Support their habitat through climate change and other ecological stressors;
• Plan and design their backyard habitat with professional practitioners; and
• Be considered a Backyard Ecosystem Advocate

Upon successful completion and attendance of the BEE Program, participants will be considered a "Backyard Ecosystem Advocate" and their habitats, once established, will have the opportunity to become "Certified Wildlife Habitats" through the National Wildlife Federation. Register with the QR code above or by visiting https://BIT.LY/BEEPROGRAM. 

Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration closes February 29, 2024. Registration is available to all residents regardless of ownership/rental status or living situation, all Franklin business owners, and up to five FPS high school students. The Conservation Department is currently collaborating with FPS - STEM to excuse up to five students for the scheduled field day, so students - please apply if you are interested! 

Workshop descriptions are listed below. Questions? Email bgoodlander@franklinma.gov.

Workshop Title	Date, Time, and Location	Description
Wildlife	Wednesday, April 3, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn common wildlife species that they may find in their backyard habitats and/or how to attract these wildlife species to their habitats.
Plant Life	Wednesday, April 10, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn common native and wildlife friendly plants and common invasive plants they may plant and/or find in their backyard habitats.
Landscapes and Regional Context	Wednesday, April 17, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn to identify what landscape they live in, its regional context, and how to design a habitat suitable for their surroundings.
Climate and Other Ecological Stressors	Wednesday, April 24, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn how to plan their habitat for climate change, design their habitat considering climate resilience, and mitigate future environmental stressors and disturbance events.
Planning and Design	Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will be able to sit down in small groups with professional practitioners to design their own specific backyard habitat applying all lessons learned in previous workshops.
Field Day and Graduation Luncheon	Friday, May 10 10a - 2p Location TBD	Residents will be bussed around Town for a tour of raingardens, biodiversity areas, turtle nesting habitats, regenerative forests, gardens, and more. Lunch and a graduation ceremony will be provided.

 

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/register-backyard-ecosystem-education-bee-program-today

Register for the Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program Today

What I listened to on a podcast, led to my reading the book

While walking around town, I am frequently listening to a book on tape, or to a podcast, or on busy roads, music. One podcast in the regular queue is with Adam Grant. 

"Your brain on art" with authors Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen on the WorkLife with Adam Grant

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/your-brain-on-art-with-ivy-ross-and-susan-magsamen/id1346314086?i=1000638235681  I don't have an Apple device as the podcast is usually available via multiple podcast apps.  

The podcast episode was so good, I went to get the Audible book. The book is much more detailed (of course) and worth it.

https://www.audible.com/pd/Your-Brain-on-Art-Audiobook/B0B646D6X7

What I listened to on a podcast, led to my reading the book

Join the Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program in 2024

Registration Opens January 2, 2024 - Closes February 29, 2024

The Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program is an interactive program for Franklin residents and business owners to design and create a native, biologically diverse habitat at their property. The BEE Program consists of five themed workshops and one field day giving residents and business owners the skills to:

• Attract wildlife and plant life to their habitat;
• Support their habitat through climate change and other ecological stressors;
• Plan and design their backyard habitat with professional practitioners; and
• Be considered a Backyard Ecosystem Advocate

Upon successful completion and attendance of the BEE Program, participants will be considered a "Backyard Ecosystem Advocate" and their habitats, once established, will have the opportunity to become "Certified Wildlife Habitats" through the National Wildlife Federation.

Registration opens January 2, 2024 and is on a first come, first serve basis. Registration closes February 29, 2024. Registration is available to all residents regardless of ownership/rental status or living situation, all Franklin business owners, and up to five FPS high school students. The Conservation Department is currently collaborating with FPS - STEM to excuse up to five students for the scheduled field day, so students - please apply if you are interested! 

Workshop descriptions are listed below. Questions? Email bgoodlander@franklinma.gov.

Workshop Title	Date, Time, and Location	Description
Wildlife	Wednesday, April 3, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn common wildlife species that they may find in their backyard habitats and/or how to attract these wildlife species to their habitats.
Plant Life	Wednesday, April 10, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn common native and wildlife friendly plants and common invasive plants they may plant and/or find in their backyard habitats.
Landscapes and Regional Context	Wednesday, April 17, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn to identify what landscape they live in, its regional context, and how to design a habitat suitable for their surroundings.
Climate and Other Ecological Stressors	Wednesday, April 24, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will learn how to plan their habitat for climate change, design their habitat considering climate resilience, and mitigate future environmental stressors and disturbance events.
Planning and Design	Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4p - 6p Location TBD	Residents will be able to sit down in small groups with professional practitioners to design their own specific backyard habitat applying all lessons learned in previous workshops.
Field Day and Graduation Luncheon	Friday, May 10 10a - 2p Location TBD	Residents will be bussed around Town for a tour of raingardens, biodiversity areas, turtle nesting habitats, regenerative forests, gardens, and more. Lunch and a graduation ceremony will be provided.

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/join-backyard-ecosystem-education-bee-program-2024

Join the Backyard Ecosystem Education (BEE) Program in 2024

Higher Education Investments: Supporting Our Economy and Future Generations

The latest from MassBudget

Public higher education is critically important to the success of Massachusetts' economy, but state support has lagged in recent decades. At its best, the public higher education system in Massachusetts can be an engine for academic, career, and personal growth for students, as well as a pipeline for the next generation of workers and civically-engaged residents. Elected leaders have a once-in-a-generation chance to build on recent Fair Share-funded higher ed investments. Exciting proposals that re-imagine higher education accessibility have been put forward - all aiming to make the Commonwealth more affordable and more competitive. In MassBudget's newest report, Higher Education Investments: Supporting Our Economy and Future Generations, Senior Policy Analyst Colin Jones provides analysis and cost estimates for two of the leading proposals: The CHERISH Act would broadly enable students to attend without incurring debt, including generous scholarships and provide other support to faculty and campus infrastructure, at an estimated cost of $790 million.  The Debt-Free Public Higher Education Act would waive tuition and fees for all students while providing additional support for low-income students, at an estimated cost of $1.05 billion. Read the full report The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) is a leading think tank advancing policy solutions to create an inclusive, thriving Commonwealth for all. Support our work today!

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 1 State Street, Suite 1250 , Boston, MA 02109 Sent by jdas@massbudget.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!