Kris Russell and I talk about the 15th Anniversary of The Drummers Studio (audio)

FM #1461 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1461 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation about the 15th Anniversary of The Drummers Studio. I talk with Kris Russell, owner, operator, and drummer extraordinaire. We recorded this conversation in the “Honeycomb Hive” or “Chemistry Lab” on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. 

We cover the following in our conversation

• Kris’ journey to Franklin

• Creation of The Drummers Studio

• Educational approach

• 15th Anniversary celebration June 21 at Bellingham High

• Kris gives us about a 2 minute musical sample, the drum track to David Bowie's Let’s Dance song.

The recording runs about 53 minutes

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1461-15th-anniversary-of-the-drummers-studio-05-2825/

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The Drummers Studio -> https://thedrummersstudio.com/ 

Info on the 15th Anniversary celebration at Bellingham High on June 21

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/05/the-drummers-studio-15th-anniversary.html

Kris plays the drum part of David Bowie’s Let’s Dance, about 2 minutes worth …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbD_kBJc_gI 

Links to some of the items mentioned during our conversation 

• 

  The Drummers' Studio 15th Anniversary Celebration - June 21

  The California based drum corp -> https://muiralumnidrumcorp.org/  (Note: link may not work in all browsers, must be some host based security setting at issue)

• Recent guest to the Studio -> https://www.carlitomendoza.com/ 

• The eclectic drum kits referenced -> https://www.roland.com/us/categories/drums_percussion/v-drums_kits/ 

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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 out. 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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Voices of Franklin: Aaron Gouveia on keeping Franklin "safe and educated"

If you could pay $300 to keep your community safe and educated, would you?

When you strip away all the rhetoric and misinformation and extraneous partisan noise from the override issue, that's the question at the heart of everything.

Either you think it's worth it to pay an extra $300 to maintain the level of public safety and education we currently have in Franklin, or you don't and you're willing to cut both in order to avoid increased taxes.

For the record, I am an unenrolled voter who doesn't belong to either party and I've only been in Franklin eight years. I'm not a townie, I'm not connected, and I'm not lifelong friends with the public officials here.

So when opponents of the override started talking about the town not managing its finances well, I started poking around.

Let's be clear, a system built by humans run by humans and composed of humans will ALWAYS have human error and some stuff that doesn't pass the bs sniff test. Franklin is no exception in this regard.

But override opponents (many of them falling into the "Professional Againsters" category because they say no to everything as a default) want you to believe these isolated incidents are widespread conspiracies, and that if we just cleaned things up we'd have enough to bridge the financial gap created when revenue can't keep up with rising expenses.

This is not the case. And I don't say that as a matter of opinion, I say it as fact.

S&P Global Ratings gave Franklin a AAA bond rating for the third straight year. Think of them as a company that gives a credit score, but for municipalities instead of individuals. This is the highest possible score a city or town can achieve, and denotes sound financial practices and a commitment to long-term financial stability.

Simply put, if Franklin officials were mismanaging funds as badly as the "No" contingent says, we would absolutely not hold the highest possible bond rating.

"But what about the revenue from the apartments???"

I'm glad you asked. The revenue is there, but it's not enough. Why? Because for every dollar of property tax revenue generated by an apartment complex, you create even more money in expenses.

The people who live in those apartments have to be educated, drive on roads, consume water, require public safety calls, rely on social service programs, etc. So the increased property tax revenue that comes in is already spent paying for the people who will reside on that property.

Now, you want to talk about the wisdom of building so many apartments? I'm with you. It seems pretty excessive here in Franklin, especially since we're above our 10% affordable housing threshold. But to me, that's a separate issue from the override and should be dealt with at the ballot box (if you can get apathetic voters to show up for local elections).

Meanwhile, teachers are in unions that have contractually obligated raises and are entitled to cost of living increases, at the very least. Same with police, fire, and other municipal workers. Not to mention the ever-increasing cost of health insurance. So even though you don't add anything new to last year's budget, it's going to cost you even more just to get the same level of services.

This isn't due to mismanagement or ineptitude, it's just the world in which we live.

A world, I might add, that has seen all manner of cuts and death by a thousand papercuts since the last successful Prop 2-1/2 override in 2007.

A world in which middle school bands were conspicuously absent in this year's Memorial Day parade because we cut the band teachers last year. A world in which art and music are dangerously close to the chopping block. A world in which it will now cost parents $1,000 to play certain sports, and hundreds just to ride the bus. A world with fewer AP courses and a degraded public education experience. A world where fewer officers and firefighters (and one fewer ambulance) means less safety for residents.

I don't want to live in that world. While I certainly don't want to pay more in taxes (who does??), I think $300 is a small price to pay to make sure we don't backslide any further.

When all is said and done, a "no" vote on June 3 constitutes intentionally making Franklin a worse place to live. So I hope you'll join me in voting yes because, despite all signs pointing to a continued divide, I like to think we can all agree that quality education and ample public safety resources represent common ground.

Aaron Gouveia 

Franklin resident

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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: Aaron Gouveia on keeping Franklin "safe and educated"

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW): Episode 290 - An Italian Wine Journey with Alessia Botturi (audio)

Hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi explore all things wine with you!

The Wonderful World of Wine: An Italian Wine Journey with Alessia Botturi

Episode Summary:

Hosts Kim and Mark welcome Alessia Botturi, a distinguished Italian wine educator, sommelier, co-founder of the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), and partner at www.yourpartnersinwine.com for an in-depth exploration of the world of Italian wine.

The conversation begins with Alessia sharing her fascinating journey into the wine industry, detailing her experiences both in the United States and her native Italy. She explains her deep passion for Italian wines and what motivated her to focus on educating others about their unique characteristics and rich history. Alessia also provides insights into her own rigorous Italian sommelier training, offering listeners a glimpse into the dedication and knowledge required to achieve this prestigious certification.

A portion of the interview is dedicated to the Italian Wine Specialist program previously offered by the North American Sommelier Association. 

Alessia Botturi

Listeners will also learn about Alessia's valuable free guide to Italian wine, as she outlines the key information and resources included in this downloadable asset for wine enthusiasts.

Moving on to her latest educational endeavor, Alessia introduces her new Italian Wine History and Laws program. She expertly breaks down the complexities of Italian wine laws, offering a clear understanding of the Italian wine classification pyramid.

For those looking to navigate the often-overwhelming world of Italian wine shopping, Alessia provides practical and insightful wine buying tips, empowering consumers to make informed choices.

The discussion then shifts to the burgeoning trend of non-alcoholic wines in Italy, with Alessia sharing the latest developments and consumer preferences in this category.

Finally, Kim and Mark delve into what one might typically find on Italian wine shelves and pose some of the most frequently asked questions about Italian wine. Notably, Alessia addresses the common query about why some people report experiencing fewer headaches when drinking wine in Italy, offering potential explanations rooted in winemaking practices and regulations.

This episode of The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW ) offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Italian wine, guided by the expertise and passion of Alessia Botturi. It's a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their appreciation and understanding of Italy's diverse and captivating wine landscape.

For more information about Alessia she can be found on Instagram @learnitalianwineonline Website = www.yourpartnersinwine.com

Cheers 

Kim and Mark

www.thewww.wine

🍷🍷🍷

#wine #thewonderfulworldofwine #italy #wineeducation 

https://soundcloud.com/user-492543397/episode-290-alessia-botturi-interview

The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) · Episode 290-Alessia Botturi Interview

School of Rock in Franklin, MA - scheduled to open later this year

School of Rock in Franklin, MA

Looking for Local Events to Sponsor, Set Up a Booth, and Help Promote! 🎉

My name is Philip Regan, and I'm the proud owner of the School of Rock in Franklin, MA — a rock-n-roll music school opening later this year!

I am currently looking for in-person community events where I can:

✅ Sponsor or support your event to our growing local audience

✅ Set up a booth with fun, music-themed activities for kids and families

✅ Pay for booth/vendor space (I'm not asking for freebies — I'm here to contribute!)

If you're organizing a fair, festival, concert, open market, or family-focused gathering, let’s chat. I would love to be part of what makes your event special — and bring some rock & roll energy to the day!

I've already done events at the Holliston Holiday Stroll, Hopedale Winter Stroll, Tri-County Chamber of Commerce Family Fest and Home Show, and will be doing more at the Franklin Strawberry Stroll, and the Hopedale Fairy Walk!

📩 Drop me a message or tag someone who’s planning an event in the following towns: Bellingham, Blackstone, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Millville, Northbridge, Upton, Wrentham

I really appreciate any leads you send my way!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EfPdH54uz/

Voices of Franklin: One Franklin "Shared Values Lead to a Common Goal"

One Franklin (Ballot Question Committee) is proud to stand with educators and grateful for the support of the teachers who serve our community every day. 

We share the mission to advocate for quality public education in an environment in which lifelong learning can flourish. 

All campaign finance reporting requirements are being fully followed. Any materials paid for by outside organizations will be clearly disclosed, and we are in compliance with all state laws.

One Franklin and our town’s educators share a deep concern about what will happen to the Franklin Public Schools and our town services if the override does not pass.

We often hear the saying “It takes a village”. In Franklin’s case, the village that supports our students, and all of us, includes the town police officers who keep our town safe and who keep our students feeling secure, the town fire personnel who show up for us when we need emergency assistance, the town’s outstanding senior center and library that offer socialization and support for senior and young people alike, and the DPW that takes care of our buildings, roads, and open spaces. All of these departments and all of you, the people in our community, working together, make up Franklin's village.

This is a pivotal moment for Franklin, and by coming together to support our public safety, public services, and public schools, we can preserve this wonderful community that we all share.

Please consider voting Yes on June 3rd for our Town of Franklin!

With gratitude,

Jenna Cohen and One Franklin Team

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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:  One Franklin "Shared Values Lead to a Common Goal"

Franklin, MA: Finance Committee Agenda for 1st Budget hearing, Mon, Apr 28 (education)

Finance Committee Meeting 

Agenda & Meeting Packet 

Monday, April 28, 2025

Agenda 

1. Call to Order 

2. Public Comments 

3. Approval of Minutes 

a. January 15, 2025 

4. FY26 Town Administrator Operating Budget Hearing FY26 

Town Administrator Budget Materials website ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=500

FPS FY26 Budget Book

a. Public Education : 

i. 395 Norfolk County Agricultural School 

ii. 390 Tri-County Regional Vocational School District 

iii. 300 Franklin Public School District 

1. FPS FY26 Budget Book -> 

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4780/FPSD/5269967/-FY26_Franklin_Budget_Book_.docx_-_Google_Docs_1_.pdf

5. Adjourn

Agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04282025-1700

Boston Globe : "‘The pandemic broke us’: Mass. superintendents see long road to recovery for students"

"It’s a generation permanently scarred.

Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Massachusetts students remain far behind where they were when the global health catastrophe struck and school leaders undertook the drastic step of shutting in-person learning down for months.

This is despite billions of dollars in federal aid to redress the damage done by prolonged school closures. Math skills have stagnated and reading achievement has worsened. Children who were not yet in high school when schools closed their doors have graduated, less equipped to navigate the world than those who came before.

Dozens of Massachusetts superintendents surveyed by the Globe said it will be years before students catch up. While a minority said their students have already matched pre-pandemic scores or will by the end of next year — six years after schools closed — most said it will take longer."

Continue reading the article online -> https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/24/metro/mass-education-covid-pandemic-learning-loss/? 

How to access the Globe articles via the Franklin Library with your library card

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/02/how-to-access-online-resources-with.html

Mental Health: Diane Plouffe & Jamie Barrett (video)

Dr Anne Bergen: 

"Welcome to Mental Health, the crisis of our time. 

My name is Anne Bergen. I am the host of this series of programs brought to you by Franklin TV whose mission is really to bring important topics relevant to the community out so we can inform the residents aware of issues that are very very important. 

The issue we have to address is mental health."

Video link -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF0EhkQQZD8

Mental Health: Diane Plouffe & Jamie Barrett (video)

Economic blackout day today, first of several planned

WHEN:

Thursday February 27th from Midnight till Friday The 28th Midnight 

(A full 24 hours of the 28th)  12:00 AM to 12:00 AM

WHAT NOT TO DO:

Do not make any purchases

Do not shop online, or in-store

No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy

Nowhere!

Do not spend money on:

Fast Food

Gas

Major Retailers

Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary 

(Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)

If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

Talk about it, post about it, and document your actions that day!

WHY THIS MATTERS!

~ Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.

~ If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.

~ If they don't listen (they wont) we make the next blackout longer (We will)

Go directly to the organizer's web age ->  https://thepeoplesunionusa.com/

Economic blackout day today, first of several planned

BEN's Bulletin: Senior Village and the Crossing

Moving forward (with a Master Plan in hand!)

BEN's Bulletin (02/24/25)   New year, new Plan! Thanks in part to the consistent support of BEN, the 2025 Master Plan Update unanimously passed the Planning Board & Town Council last month. The Plan lays out a strong vision for a Franklin with complete, inter-connected neighborhoods that balance the Town's environmental, economic, and housing needs. As always, feel free to join our monthly meeting (every third Thursday at 7pm) at Franklin TV or virtually at the following link: meet.ben4franklin.org. Key Agenda Items We return to our regularly-scheduled programming of providing BEN's Take on upcoming meetings of interest. Click HERE for live links to the agenda items. What We're Consuming Can luxury housing do anything for homelessness? (Justine Underhill) Donald Shoup had a major impact on cities (Congress for the New Urbanism) Nook and Cranny Urbanism: How To Maximize Every Inch of Space (Strong Towns) 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, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin, MA Send free email today