Hurricane Franklin continues out in the Atlantic

Via the National Hurricane Center -> https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at3.shtml?start#contents   as of 5 AM, Sunday, August 27, 2023

Hurricane Franklin continues out in the Atlantic

Wind Speed Probabilities for Hurricane Franklin

Tropical Storm Franklin moving slowly

The latest weather forecast from NOAA's Hurricane Center show the following:

Tropical Storm Franklin Discussion Number  19
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL082023
500 AM AST Fri Aug 25 2023

Franklin has generally changed little during the past several hours. 

The storm remains strongly sheared with the low-level center 
partially exposed near the western edge of the main area of deep 
convection.  Cloud tops are quite cold on the system's east side, 
but the storm continues to lack convective symmetry.  The initial 
intensity remains 50 kt based on the earlier Air Force 
reconnaissance data, which is a little above the current satellite 
intensity estimates.

The storm is moving slowly to the east-northeast at about 5 kt in 
weak steering currents near the base of a broad mid- to upper-level 
trough.  A north to north-northwest motion is expected to commence 
tonight or early Saturday as ridging builds to the east of Franklin 
over the central Atlantic.  This motion should bring the core of the 
system to the west of Bermuda on Monday and Tuesday.  The storm is 
likely to turn northeastward and accelerate by the middle of next 
week when it should move in the faster flow between the ridge and a 
mid- to upper-level trough over eastern Canada and the northeast 
U.S.  In general, the models have shifted westward this cycle, and 
the NHC track forecast has been nudged in that direction.

Continued moderate to strong westerly vertical wind shear should 
limit strengthening during the next 12 to 24 hours.  However, more 
significant strengthening seems likely in a day or two when the 
shear decreases while Franklin remains over warm water and in a 
relatively moist environment.  Franklin is expected to become a 
hurricane over the weekend and should reach a peak intensity near 
major hurricane strength early next week.  The strengthening trend 
should end around day 4, at which time the storm is forecast to 
begin moving over cooler waters and into an environment of stronger 
shear. The intensity models are in fairly good agreement, and this 
forecast is quite similar to the previous one. 

 https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT3+shtml/250841.shtml?

Tropical Storm Franklin moving slowly

Shared from -> https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/084425.shtml?cone

Franklin's first participation in the national annual @janeswalk, in honor of the late social activist Jane Jacobs - May 6, 10:30 AM

You are invited to join Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo & I as we walk and talk about Franklin, zoning, interesting tidbits, etc. We'll meet at the High St side of the Town Common and leave at 10:30 AM Saturday morning, May 6, 2023.

The route as proposed is just over 3 miles (or 5 K) that will bring us back to the Common. We should return to the Common by about noon.

• Dress for the weather whatever it is or forecasted to be for Saturday. 
• Bring along water (talking makes one thirsty). 
• Wheels and paws are welcome to come along.

Photo of the walking route (Counter clockwise)

Interactive Maps (via MapMyWalk) 

Counter clockwise  https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/5511189451

Clockwise  -> https://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/5518318138/ 

Franklin's first participation in the national annual @janeswalk, in honor of the late social activist Jane Jacobs - May 6, 10:30 AM

Franklin Q&A Wednesday; Town Officials Coffee Hour Thursday

Two opportunities to get your Franklin questions answered this week.

#1

What is going on with .... ?

What happened to ....?

How come .... ?

Join Steve Sherlock, Franklin Matters & wfpr.fm Community Information Director, for an informal and informative Q&A session. 

What is the session about?

• Steve provides some updates on what's happened in the past month in the first 10-15 minutes, then opens the floor to answer whatever questions you have

When: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Franklin Senior Center (2nd floor conf room) and via Zoom

If you want the Zoom link, please use this form or check with the Senior Center front desk:      https://forms.gle/FHEWSu3XjYXwhLjZ8 

Download this flyer as a reminder -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pA3PC7mfzdvn0gJ1pU2JEylr518IGwIm/view?usp=share_link

#2 

Please join our Town Administrator, State Rep, and Town Council Member for coffee and open office hours on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

When: Thursday, April 20, 2023 - 8:30 AM

Where: Franklin Senior Center (cafeteria)

 

Franklin Q&A Wednesday; Town Officials Coffee Hour Thursday

Franklin Art Association October 5 meeting features Kendra Bidwell Ferreira

The Franklin Art Association monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 5th at 6:30 pm at the Franklin Senior Center. The program will feature a discussion and demonstration of methods and techniques by Kendra Bidwell Ferreira. Kendra’s work is mainly contemporary colored pencil using ordinary subjects and compositions to portray them in an extraordinary way. Colored pencils allow her to combine the expressiveness of painting with the control of drawing. A recording of her demo will later be posted to the Franklin Art Association's YouTube channel and at www.franklinart.org.

Kendra received a good foundation in drawing in high school, then went on to earn her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art with a concentration in printmaking. She is a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and holds a second signature status (CPX) in exploratory mediums with colored pencil. Kendra is also a Fellow Member of the American Artists’ Professional League, and an artist member of Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and Providence Art Club. Kendra’s work has been included in many national and international art exhibitions and she has received numerous awards for her work.

All meetings are free and open to the public. The Art Association is supported in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural District.

Franklin Art Association October 5 meeting features Kendra Bidwell Ferreira

Franklin vs Worcester housing production by permit since 2000

"Worcester is looking at inclusionary zoning to add affordable homes. This chart shows how slow housing development has been last +10 yrs, even as city's population grew.  

For more graphics like this, check out http://mhp.net/datatown"

Worcester data:

housing development has been last +10 yrs in Worcester, MA

What does Franklin's data look like? 

Note: please be careful with the visual comparison. The volume scale for Franklin (300-200-100) is significantly less than Worcester's (600-400-200).

 

The chart depicts how many new housing permits that Franklin has issued for each year of the data collection (net of demolitions), broken out by type of building

Check out more data from the Mass Housing Project's Datatown source

https://mhpcenterforhousingdata.shinyapps.io/DataTown/#

The Datatown query does allow for comparisons with communities so I did manage to put the Franklin and Worcester data together to see the info on the same scale:

Franklin and Worcester data together to see the info on the same scale

Sparked by the MHP tweet - https://twitter.com/mhpdata/status/1551662361110630401

Get your Franklin sports apparel at the FYSA Pop Up Shop - Dec 18

POP-UP SHOP HOURS for Franklin sports wear

Saturday - 12/18, 9 AM-12 Noon

#shoplocalshopsmall #shopFranklin #supportlocal

Shared from Facebook => https://www.facebook.com/1429136403974302/posts/2990787047809222/

Where? 256 Cottage St, Franklin

Google map ->  https://goo.gl/maps/FQsB1Tsm7WjCSNENA

Get your Franklin sports apparel at the FYSA Pop Up Shop - Dec 18

Notable People from Franklin, MA: Bobby Santos III

"Bobby Santos III is a racer at heart. 

Long before the third-generation driver out of Franklin, Mass., became the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, Santos quite literally had motorsports in his blood thanks to his grandfather, Bob Santos, as well as his dad, Bob Santos Jr., who both were wheelmen in their own rights. 

His grandfather, Bob Santos, was a modified racer across New England, while Santos Jr. raced in other classes at local tracks like Thompson Speedway, Seekonk Speedway and Stafford Motor Speedway. 

By the time Santos III came into the picture, there was no doubt his future was likely going to be behind a steering wheel."

Continue reading the article online at NASCAR ->  https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/09/03/santos-preps-for-whelen-modified-tour-trophy-hunting-starting-at-oswego/ 

Bobby Santos III has his own wikipedia page ->   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Santos_III

Bobby Santos III will return to NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour action this weekend at Oswego Speedway driving for Tinio Motorsports. (Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine updates, including Franklin's vaccine stats - a quick recap

1 - Maura George (@maurageorgemd) tweeted Fri, Aug 27, 2021:

As a mom of 3 little boys, I am desperate to get my kids' childhood back to normal. As a doctor, I want data to know that what we're doing is actually effective. I was floored when I graphed these numbers from ATL schools this week. #maskmandate https://t.co/7prNuI7XAQ

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/maurageorgemd/status/1431368291948302347?s=03

Georgia Dept. of Public Health data -> https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report

COVID-19 cases in Atlanta students, mask mandate

2. "Children’s hospitals around the country are seeing a surge in Covid-19 patients"

"As the Delta variant grips the country, children who are not yet eligible for vaccination are at higher risk of being infected — especially in places where the virus is surging. A New Orleans children’s hospital had so many Covid-19 patients that a federal “surge team” was called in to bolster an exhausted staff.

Children under 12 may have to wait until the end of the year to get vaccinated. Half of the adolescents in the U.S. have now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the White House said on Friday."

Via the New York Times Friday highlights->    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/briefing/kabul-evictions-candyman.html

The full article and heart rendering photos can be found ->

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/us/children-covid-delta.html

3 -  "Why Provincetown’s Response to Its COVID Outbreak Was So Effective"

"Source investigation complements standard contact tracing; it’s not a substitute. When outbreaks are detected, people need to be informed immediately, so they can get tested and ensure they are not unknowingly spreading the virus. Once a cluster is detected, venues should re-evaluate their COVID mitigation measures and ensure that staff are vaccinated and ventilation systems refresh indoor air at least four to six times per hour. High-risk venues should keep lists of patrons, and outreach to customers through social media can be very effective. Mandating that customers are vaccinated, as New York, San Francisco and New Orleans have done, may not suffice to prevent outbreaks. Some European countries are requiring evidence of a negative coronavirus test for unvaccinated people entering indoor entertainment venues.

The Provincetown outbreak occurred as thousands of people arrived to celebrate the Fourth of July, believing their vaccinations would protect them against infection. When infected people began feeling ill, some didn’t immediately attribute their symptoms to COVID-19 because of the widespread belief that breakthrough infections were almost impossible. After the cases emerged, the local health department’s investigation was undoubtedly helped by strong word-of-mouth communication, as many infections affected members of the gay community, a group that for decades has witnessed the effects of the AIDS pandemic. Since then, many local businesses have reassessed their COVID mitigation measures, the town reinstituted an indoor mask mandate and new cases have leveled off."

Also from the New York Times, where the full article can be found ->  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/27/opinion/provincetown-covid-contact-tracing.html

4 -CNN’s Leana Wen: ‘Public health is now under attack in a way that it has not been before’

An excerpt from the full interview (which is definitely worth reading to get the full context:

"Yeah. It’s the height of American exceptionalism that we are where we are. I have family in other parts of the world where health-care workers and vulnerable elderly people are begging to get the vaccine. And here, we’re sitting on stockpiles and begging people to take the vaccine.

I think how we got here is complicated, right? I agree with the surgeon general in issuing the advisory about misinformation and disinformation — certainly that plays a big role here. There are individuals out there who are knowingly spreading misinformation. There are others who are clicking and then, unfortunately, sharing misinformation that’s leading to question that and the efficacy of vaccines. That misinformation is taking away people’s freedom to make decisions for themselves and their families.

And I think the Biden administration needs to take some responsibility here, also, for their miscalculation and misjudgment in being so uneasy about vaccine verification and relying on the honor code. Come on. Did they really think that the honor system was going to work during a pandemic when many people behaved so dishonorably? The honor system did not work. And, of course, the unvaccinated are now running around living their lives as if they are vaccinated. And that’s led to the surge that we are now seeing. We lost the powerful incentive to increase vaccines in that really important window."

Read the full interview on the Washington Post page (subscription maybe required)  
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/cnns-leana-wen-public-health-is-now-under-attack-in-a-way-that-it-has-not-been-before/2021/08/19/42c76184-ef0b-11eb-a452-4da5fe48582d_story.html

5 - Via the MA.gov DPH weekly updates, here is the vaccine statistics by age group for Franklin, Not that the population up to 11 years old is excluded as the vaccine is not yet authorized for them.

Boston Globe article with their coverage on this week's data

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

My downloaded copy filtered for Franklin data (as of 8/26/21)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YTnqmKTprkfFDGkBEoM678QlxqbvNgP9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101938843903614700481&rtpof=true&sd=true

The full data file can be found on the MA Gov page

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-municipality-vaccination-report-august-26-2021/download

Franklin's vaccine stats as of 8/26/21

audio from the Franklin Matters Q&A session held on July 22, 2021

FM #587 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 587 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Franklin Matters Question and Answer (Q&A) session held on July 22, 2021. The session was coordinated with Ariel Doggett of the Franklin Senior Center and conducted via Zoom. 

This is the audio recording of the brief presentation and then the Q&A discussion we had. A copy of the presentation document is linked below. 

We did have an interruption in the recording (at approx. 18 mins)  as my network connection hung up. Ariel provides a brief recap of what was discussed while I was trying to reconnect. We managed to continue without another interruption.

The August session scheduled for Aug 28, 2021 will be hybrid. I plan on being in a room at the Senior Center and make the Zoom link available for folks to participate virtually.

The recording runs about 48 minutes, so let’s listen to the Franklin Matters Question and Answer (Q&A) session.

Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/faf2ba27-a404-4223-bbd2-ed41f0ec7fa8

-------

Presentation link -> https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-matters-qa-july-22-2021 

Demographics study by FPS ->  https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/2-25-20_demographics_presetation_0.pdf 

Building study by FPS ->  https://www.franklinps.net/district/davis-thayer-facilities-analysis/files/facilities-assessment-report 

Wfpr.fm podcast collection -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/franklin-matters-radio.html

Franklin Senior Center ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc 

-------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm). 

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!

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

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

audio from the Franklin Matters Q&A session held on July 22, 2021

Link to presentation doc used during the session

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-matters-qa-july-22-2021

 

Franklin Matters Q&A - July 22, 2021 from Franklin Matters

Q&A on Franklin Matters - June 17 at 1:30 PM

Get your Franklin questions answered on Thursday, June 17 at 1:30 PM. 

This is a virtual event coordinated with the Senior Center = "Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock"

email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend

Q&A on Franklin Matters - June 17 at 1:30 PM

Joe Landry shares "town pool" memories

This video highlights the Joseph G. Ray Swimming Pool, better known as "the town pool."

Video link => https://youtu.be/HCKADURmr44

Shared from Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/506785703069434/permalink/1250480945366569/

Hey Franklin, you can help with this request

"Hi there. I'm wondering if you can help me. 

My father in law just passed away and one of his last requests was for us to be sure to tell a man named Ed Beksha from Franklin, used to own the Uptowne Pub. I found a land line for him, but it was disconnected. 

I don't see anyone by his name on Facebook. I'm hoping since you're from Franklin, hopefully you're a "townie" and may either know this man or know how I can get in touch with him? 

Apparently he and my father in law were army buddies, and very good friends. my father in law said Ed Beksha would want to know when he passed. thank you in advance. By the way, my father in law is Karl Backlund Sr.   

In kindness,  

Wendy Backlund"

If anyone does have information for Wendy, let me know. I have contact information for her

Hey Franklin, you can help with this request

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

The local businesses have their circle of friends so to speak with the Franklin Downtown Partnership, or the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The local cultural organizations also have a circle of friends through the Cultural District. 

How about the non-profit organizations? 

Therefore, on March 29, 2021, we'll gather together the non-profit organizations serving Franklin, MA to 

1. create awareness of the work and services being provided by each org 
2. to improve the referral capability for each org 
3. to share best practices among the orgs

The group will be called the Franklin Area Non-profit Network, or FANN, and hence it will be a fanntastic group!

Sign up for the virtual meeting link at the Facebook event  https://www.facebook.com/events/1045786169244815/

The notes for my Citizens Comment at the Town Council meeting March 17

Monday, Mar 29, 7 PM

Kick off session to gather the non-profit organizations serving Franklin for a couple of reasons

1 - to create awareness about the work and services being provided by each organization 

2 - to improve the referral  capability of each org

3 - to share best practices between organizations 

The Franklin Area Non-profit Network or FANN  will be a fanntastic organization  

What to remember  

If you manage or operate a non-profit, consider joining the kickoff. At least follow us to see what we do 

If you volunteer for one of the more than one hundred non-profits based here, thank you for volunteering. Mention the next time you do volunteer that you heard about this and see if they are participating  

While I mentioned 'based' here, we know there are other organizations serving Franklin based elsewhere,  they are also welcome 

You hear more about this as the 29th gets closer. There is a Facebook event you can find and share. There will be additional news spreading through the social channels but we wanted this group and viewers to hear it. 

Any questions,  feel free to reach out to me for now, we will have a web page and other pieces coming soon

The non-profits serving Franklin do a whole lot of good, this gathering we believe should help them do what they do

March 29, 7 pm

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Franklin Information Q&A - Two opportunities on Dec 17

Two opportunities to find out more about what is going on here in Franklin. 

Thursday morning at 8:30 AM (pre-registration required)

• Join in on a virtual coffee hour with State & Local officials

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-senior-center-virtual-coffee.html

Thursday afternoon at 1:00 PM (email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend)

• Talk Franklin Matters = Steve Sherlock answers questions and provides insights on what he reports on in and around Franklin

virtual coffee hour with State & Local officials

FM #361 "Frank Presents" - Election2020 - 9/30/20 (audio)

FM #361 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 361 in the series.

This shares the recording of “Frank Presents” hosted by Frank Falvey. In this segment Frank talks with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, Town Clerk Nancy Danello, and myself to review the details in preparation for the Nov 3, 2020 general election.

The recorded conversation runs just about 43 minutes, so let’s listen to “Frank Presents” discussing the Franklin election process for 2020.  

Audio file =  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H1bHHtBK

-----------

The Town Clerk page  https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Ballot Tracker  https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx


--------------
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/
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"

 

FM #361 Frank Presents Election2020 - 9/30/20 (audio)

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter - March 2020

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter

March 2020 Edition

The March edition of the Town of Franklin E-Newsletter can be found here http://bit.ly/TOFmarch

Town of Franklin E-Newsletter - March 2020

You can also subscribe to receive your copy directly via email   https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe


March 2020 e-Newsletter
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/tof_newsletter_march_2020.pdf

Community Forum to Address Preparedness For Climate Impacts And Hazard Mitigation Plan

On March 2, 2020 the Town of Franklin will host a Community Forum to discuss the impacts of climate change on Franklin and actions the town can take to prepare for those impacts. The community forum will be held at 6:00 PM at the Franklin Municipal Building. All Franklin residents, businesses, and civic organizations are invited and encouraged to participate.

The Community Forum will present the results of a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Workshop that was held on November 20, 2019 jointly by the Towns of Franklin and Bellingham. The MVP Workshop brought together Town Board and Committee members, municipal staff, local businesses, institutions, and civic organizations to identify how Franklin and Bellingham may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as well as the towns’ strengths and actions they may take to increase their resilience.

The forum will also summarize the 2020 Update of the Town of Franklin’s Hazard Mitigation Plan which is currently being prepared by Franklin with the assistance of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC).

Franklin residents, business owners, civic organizations and institutions are invited to attend the forum and provide their input as part of this on-going effort to plan for the Town’s future.


Monday, March 2, 2020, 6:00 PM 

Franklin Municipal Building, Council Chambers
355 East Central Street Franklin, MA

MAPC is the regional planning agency for 101 communities in the metropolitan Boston area, promoting smart growth and regional collaboration. More information about MAPC is available at www.mapc.org.

Community Forum to Address Preparedness For Climate Impacts And Hazard Mitigation Plan