Wednesday, November 10, 2021

IRS: Get ready for taxes - Easy steps to take now to make tax filing easier in 2022

The Internal Revenue Service today (11/08/21) encouraged taxpayers, including those who received stimulus payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments, to take important steps this fall to help them file their federal tax returns in 2022.

Planning ahead can help people file an accurate return and avoid processing delays that can slow tax refunds.

This is the first in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A special page, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take now to prepare to file a 2021 tax return next year.

Gather and organize tax records

Organized tax records make preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier. It helps avoid errors that lead to processing and refund delays. Individuals should have all their tax information available before filing to ensure the return is complete and accurate. They should notify the IRS if their address changes and notify the Social Security Administration of a legal name change.

Remember, most income is taxable. Recordkeeping for individuals includes:

Income documents can help individuals determine if they're eligible for deductions or credits. Additionally, people who need to reconcile their advance payments of the Child Tax Credit and Premium Tax Credit will need their related 2021 information. Those who received third Economic Impact Payments and think they qualify for an additional amount will need their stimulus payment and plus-up amounts to figure and claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit.



IRS: Get ready for taxes - Easy steps to take now to make tax filing easier in 2022
IRS: Get ready for taxes - Easy steps to take now to make tax filing easier in 2022


Tuesday, November 9, 2021

FHS Playoff Action Means a Trifecta for Tuesday Night Sports on Franklin TV

The plan for Tuesday's Franklin High School fall sport playoff events is to broadcast all three games LIVE. Luckily we have three channels to go live from, our All-Access channel, our Educational channel, and our Government channel. 

1 - Field Hockey will be shown on our GOV channel, which is Channel 11 for Comcast and 29 for Verizon.  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)
This channel assignment is important because Field Hockey rarely goes beyond an hour and a half for total run time. By having Field Hockey on the GOV channel, there's less of a risk of Field Hockey going too far beyond the allotted time should it do so.
 
There is a School Committee meeting scheduled for 7PM on the GOV channel tomorrow, so the hope is that Field Hockey is done by 6:30 at the latest, otherwise we'll show Field Hockey until School Committee goes live.
Field Hockey will be shown on our GOV channel, which is Channel 11 for Comcast and 29 for Verizon.  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)
Field Hockey will be shown on our GOV channel, which is Channel 11 for Comcast and 29 for Verizon.  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

2 - Volleyball will be broadcast on the Education/ Pride channel - Channel 96 for Comcast and 28 for Verizon  
(11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

Volleyball will be broadcast on the Education/ Pride channel - Channel 96 for Comcast and 28 for Verizon  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)
Volleyball will be broadcast on the Education/ Pride channel - Channel 96 for Comcast and 28 for Verizon  (11/09/21 - 5:00 PM)

3 - Girls Soccer will play on the All Access Channel - Channel 8 for Comcast and 26 for Verizon.   (11/09/21 - 6:00 PM)

All three games will also be recorded for later playback as well. If there is a problem with the live feed, at least the recordings should be available for replay later.


Girls Soccer will play on the All Access Channel - Channel 8 for Comcast and 26 for Verizon.   (11/09/21 - 6:00 PM)
Girls Soccer will play on the All Access Channel - Channel 8 for Comcast and 26 for Verizon.   (11/09/21 - 6:00 PM)


Director Chris Flynn, hanging in there in a remote broadcast studio
Director Chris Flynn in a remote broadcast studio

Veterans Day Discounts and Deals for Veterans

VETERANS' DAY DISCOUNTS AND DEALS

Veterans' Day is Thursday, November 11, 2021

HAPPY VETERANS' DAY and THANK YOU to all who have served our country!

In honor of Veterans' Day 2021, many establishments and restaurants will be offering discounts to veterans (with proof of military service) on Veterans' Day, Thursday, November 11, 2021

See the Massachusetts businesses below and go to this link for more discounts, sales and deals:

https://militarybenefits.info/local-area-veterans-day-deals-for-veterans/

Massachusetts

Beauport Hotel – Gloucester, MA
The hotel is giving away 10 complimentary city-view rooms to any veterans who would like to come and have a little getaway. Once those 10 rooms are booked, any veteran can receive 30% off a room booked on Nov. 9 through Nov. 12.

Boston Duck Tours – Boston, MA
Military veterans, active military and first responders can ride a World War II-style amphibious landing vehicle from Nov. 9-13. Their dependents can receive a discounted ride for $10 plus a Convention Center Financing surcharge.

Buttonwood Park Zoo – New Bedford, MA
All veterans can enjoy free admission on Nov 11.

Dockside Restaurants – Malden, Wakefield, MA
Veterans eat free on Veterans Day.

Evviva Trattoria – Westford, MA
On Nov. 11, all military veterans and active military can each receive a complimentary small pizza. The restaurant is raising money for Clear Path for Veterans. Dine and donate $10 or more to the charity and receive a $10 voucher for a future visit.

The Farmer's Daughter – North Easton, MA
On Nov. 11, there is a complimentary regular coffee available for each veteran with valid military ID.

Firefly's BBQ – Marlboro, MA
Show your active or retired military ID and get a free pulled-pork or pulled-chicken sandwich on Nov. 11.

Hot Table Panini – Hadley, Marlborough, Springfield, Worcester, MA
Receive a free medium panini when you show a military or veterans' ID on Nov. 11.

Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant – Middleboro, MA
Enjoy a free meal for veterans on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

New England Aquarium – Boston, MA
A military discount is offered to all veterans. There is a 10% discount in the gift shop.

Persy's Place – Falmouth, Hyannis, Kingston, Mashpee, Middleboro, North Dartmouth, MA. Receive a complimentary meal and drink on Nov. 11.

Pinz Milford – Hadley, Kingston, Milford, MA
All military veterans and members can head over to Pinz on Nov. 11 for free bowling passes and shoe rentals.

ScrubaDub Car Wash – Boston, Marlboro, Natick, Shrewsbury, Worcester, MA
This Veterans Day, all active military and military veterans can each get a car wash for free at any ScrubaDub tunnel location in New England.

Steamship Authority – Woods Hole, MV, NT, MA
Veterans can each enjoy a free trip to or from Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket on Nov. 11.

Tuscan Kitchen – Boston, Burlington, MA
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11, all veterans and active military personnel each get a free lunch.


Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/veterans-day-discounts-and-deals


Veterans Day Discounts and Deals for Veterans
Veterans Day Discounts and Deals for Veterans

VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal



 



VIDEO: Auchincloss: BIF A Big Deal

 

This morning (11/08/21), Jake joined "Way Too Early" on MSNBC to discuss passage of the historic bipartisan infrastructure package, what comes next for the Build Back Better Act, and how Democrats can sell a winning progressive agenda through the Midterms and beyond. Happy Infrastructure Week (for real this time)!  

 

WATCH: https://youtu.be/AdFOroQOXjc

 

KEY EXCERPTS: 


On BIF: "A Big Deal":

"It is a big win for Democrats. More importantly, it's a big win for the United States. We have just made long overdue investments in this country's infrastructure and our economic competitiveness. We are upgrading our roads and our bridges and our public transportation system; we are ensuring that every family has access to clean water; and we are providing high-speed internet to rural, suburban, and urban cities and counties throughout the country – the 21st Century version of electricity. And, by the way, we're also upgrading the electoral grid as well. This is about core, physical infrastructure. This is about allowing the United States to compete on the world stage against China, and it's also about boosting the earning potential of working and middle class families. It's a big deal.  

 

On Next Steps to Passing Build Back Better:  

"I'm confident we'll pass [the Build Back Better Act] and as you said, there's going to be twists and turns along the way. We're trying to do big things with small margins, so that's going to require intense negotiations. That's important, better policy comes out the other end of a good, vigorous back-and-forth of ideas. It's the exact opposite of what we see from the Republican Party under Donald Trump where they are really a cult of personality in lock-step with whatever their leader Tweets. Here in the Democratic Party, we want to debate ideas. And we have fashioned a Build Back Better agenda that really meets the moment. 


"It is going to provide Social Security for kids. That means expanded tax allowance for working and middle class families with kids, so they have more disposable income to spend on high-quality nutrition and other needs. That means guaranteed three and four year old early education for every kid in the country, and that means more affordable childcare for families in all fifty states. This is improving outcomes for kids across America and it's going to be historic. 


"We are also taking a big bite out of healthcare costs – what people pay at the counter for prescription drugs, what seniors pay for long term care, what Americans in states without access to Obamacare pay to get coverage. 


"And finally, we are finally going to take the big, bold action necessary to meet the climate emergency with clean energy tax credits and a host of other climate resiliency measures. The Build Back Better agenda is historic, it's necessary, and we are going to get it done."  


On Selling the Progressive Agenda: 

"[Passing this legislation is] critical. Americans need to feel, not just hear, about the legislation that Democrats are enacting. I'm from Massachusetts as you mentioned, right next to Boston. And we just saw on Election Night my friend Michelle Wu become the next Mayor of Boston. Michelle ran on a progressive platform, but with a 'get it done' attitude and agenda. And I think that is the balance that Democrats are going to want to strike nationally. We are going to be unapologetic, be big and bold about what we're trying to accomplish for this country, whether it is ensuring voting rights, whether it is investing in our infrastructure, whether it is improving outcomes for kids. But we're going to do it in a way that is concrete and really lets people feel the deliverables that we're enacting."



To learn more about  Jake Auchincloss, visit https://jakeforma.com or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube 



Did you miss these stories in Pantherbook?

Registration is open for this year's Food Elves Program
Registration is officially open for the 2021 Food Elf program with the Franklin Food Pantry. The Food Elf program is the Franklin Food Pantry’s largest fundraiser, which was made to help those in need in the Franklin community around the holidays.   https://franklinpanthers.us/feature/2021/11/06/registration-now-open-for-the-2021-food-elf-program/

History of Franklin: Historical Museum
"The town of Franklin has been around for nearly 250 years since its inception in 1776. Throughout that time, both Franklin and the world around it have shifted in monumental ways to transform into the modern age of today. Since Franklin was founded: electricity has been invented, cars were created, we went to the moon, and over 100,000 people have resided in the town."   https://franklinpanthers.us/entertainment/2021/11/05/history-of-franklin-franklin-historical-museum/

FHS' Theater Company produces Mamma Mia!
“Typical, isn’t it?” So here comes the FHS Theatre Company producing yet another iconic production, a fan favorite: Mamma Mia! If you didn’t already know, Mamma Mia overlooks the story of Donna and Sophie, a fun-loving mother-daughter relationship amid Sophie’s wedding. However, as Donna and her friends tirelessly plan the occasion, the bride-to-be has other intentions. On the hunt for her birth father, Sophie invites three men from her mother’s past to the ceremony in hopes that her real dad will be revealed and can walk her down the aisle on the big day!"   https://franklinpanthers.us/top-stories/2021/11/04/fhs-theatre-company-presents-mamma-mia/


Visit Pantherbook for these and other stories about Franklin High School:   https://franklinpanthers.us/

Did you miss these stories in Pantherbook?
Did you miss these stories in Pantherbook?

MASC-School Committee Resolutions all passed at the conference

The 9 MASC resolutions discussed at the last School Committee meeting were all approved at the MASC conference held recently.


Via Denise Spencer, Franklin School Committee, and MASC representative tweeted on Saturday, Nov 6, 2021:

Nothing I would rather be doing today than representing @FranklinPSNews at the annual MASC Delegate Conference. Thank you @MASCSchoolComm for the hybrid method this year!  #MASCMASS21   https://twitter.com/DSpencerFSC/status/1456975802990354437 


D Spencer remotely participating in MASC Conference
D Spencer remotely participating in MASC Conference



The MASC twitter account posted the following updates on the resolutions:

Resolution 9, supporting Senate bill 294, which calls for regulations prohibiting the use of Native American mascots, passes the Delegate Assembly (note following:)

https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456997554537775105 


Resolution 9, supporting Senate bill 294
Resolution 9, supporting Senate bill 294

Resolution 8 supporting petitioning Congress for $30B to improve the electrical supply infrastructure and providing electric school buses and charging stations passes the Delegate Assembly https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456994055905218565 


Resolution 5 supporting legislation encouraging “the use of restorative, therapeutic and educational approaches to incidents whenever possible over the use of zero-tolerance policies” passes the Delegate Assembly  https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456989004126117888 


Resolution 4 supporting 20 minutes of recess which cannot be excluded from the structured learning time and cannot increase the total number of hours required in the school year passes the Delegate Assembly

https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456985996575260673 


Resolution 2 supporting legislation for free broadband for preK (amended from K)-12 students and further support federal initiatives and legislation expanding such access passes the Delegate Assembly

https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456984455499898883


Resolution 1 calling for dedicated funding for school-based health clinics passes the MASC Delegate Assembly  https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456984032370171905 


Passed without further deliberation by the 2021 MASC Delegate Assembly:

Resolution 3, calling for full funding of IDEA

https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456981114321522693 


Resolution 6, calling for a commission to research and analyze for an alternative to MCAS 

Resolution 7, calling for restoration of school committee oversight in receivership districts

https://twitter.com/MASCSchoolComm/status/1456981115550457857 



"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"

"Parents certainly have rights, but they do not have the right to stand in the way of justice, truth, or democracy. 

In the wake of Glenn Youngkin's victory in the Virginia governor's race, many savvy political analysts are pointing to his gameplan of talking up schools and "parents' rights." They see this as a way to stoke backlash to Democratic overreach. Sure enough, many journalists have swung behind this narrative, interviewing parents who say they are swayed by the Republican arguments - those parents invariably happen to be, as far as I have seen, almost exclusively white. 

Nevermind that the specifics of Youngkin's supposedly pro-school agenda are about as thin as a sheet of tissue paper. More funding? Better teacher pay? Innovative classrooms? A focus on science and technology? Better college counseling? Pre-K opportunities? He wasn't talking about that kind of school stuff. Instead, his "appeals" to voters on education amounted to a dog whistle - the all-out protection against the teaching of so-called "critical race theory," which he never really defined and of course isn't taught in Virginia's schools. 

You don't have to be an educator or historian to understand what's really at play. This is about stoking the fears of parents. Now to be fair, some of the current parental concern and dissatisfaction around schools is deserved and widespread, particularly around closings and COVID. But Youngkin was also tapping into something much deeper, and darker - racism and the fear from some white parents that their children will be presented with a history of America that they don't want them to learn. "

Continue reading the Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner post on Steady (subscription maybe required)  https://steady.substack.com/p/parents-do-not-have-a-right-to-deny?

"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"
"Parents Do Not Have A Right To Deny History"


Interfaith Thanksgiving Service scheduled for Nov 21

The Franklin Interfaith Council announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service for the community. Everyone is welcome! Please join us on Sunday, November 21 at 7 PM at St Mary’s Catholic Parish, 1 Church Square (masks required) and live streamed at stmarysfranklin.org, then  click Live-stream Masses.

This year, the service features preacher Rev. Dr. Marylayna Schmidt, Interim Minister at Franklin Federated Church, and live performance by the Interfaith Choir, directed by Mary Diehl of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The collection will benefit Gilly’s House addiction treatment center in Wrentham (gillyshouse.com).

The Franklin Interfaith Council is an organization whose membership is composed of faith communities in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts. It addresses the various needs of its community by recognizing the power of faith as defined by the individual spiritual traditions.  However, it is these same traditions that unite us in the common goal to initiate and sponsor activities that enrich and challenge the citizens of Franklin. 

The intent of the council is to sensitize the Franklin community to issues of deprivation and social injustice, and to promote tolerance and understanding through shared worship, programs, performances, and publications, and to bring the understanding of our faith traditions to bear on these issues. Additionally, through these same devices, the council seeks to acknowledge and celebrate both the diversity and the common values existing within the community. The council is a nonprofit organization that has as its primary purpose the betterment of the community it serves.

Participating Houses of Worship :

      First Universalist Society in Franklin

      St. John’s Episcopal Church

      Temple Etz Chaim

      St. Mary’s Catholic Parish

      Franklin Federated Church

      Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

       Franklin United Methodist Church

For more information, go to www.FranklinInterfaith.org or on Facebook:  Franklin Interfaith Council. 

Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21
Franklin Interfaith Council schedules Thanksgiving Service - Nov 21

DPW reminders on avoiding frozen pipes

From Franklin's DPW - Important information as the temperatures start to drop.

DPW reminders on avoiding frozen pipes
DPW reminders on avoiding frozen pipes



"Could long COVID unlock clues to chronic fatigue and other poorly understood conditions?"

Via The Washington Post

"In early 2020, Alison Sbrana watched the coronavirus skip from China across continents with a sense of impending doom. Sbrana, plagued by fatigue and brain fog since being diagnosed with mononucleosis six years earlier, was convinced that the pernicious new virus would wreak similar havoc in some of those who contracted it.

Her intuition proved prescient. Some people who had suffered even mild cases of covid-19 began complaining of problems that Sbrana knew too well, including muscle pain and drop-dead exhaustion. Now, as millions of people nationwide are suffering from long-haul COVID, Sbrana and an army of patient advocates are cautiously hopeful that new research may unlock clues to other conditions that appear to crop up after infections, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, known as ME/CFS.

“I think there is potential,” said Sbrana, who suffers from ME/CFS.

COVID long-haulers inherited many of the challenges that have faced people like Sbrana for years, including a lack of understanding of the mechanisms that triggered their disabilities — leaving some doctors to view their symptoms as largely psychosomatic."
Continue reading the article online. (Subscription maybe required)

Alison Sbrana, who struggles with fatigue and brain fog after having mono several years ago, sits on a screened-in patio at her home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Nov. 3. (Stephen Speranza/for The Washington Post)
Alison Sbrana, who struggles with fatigue and brain fog after having mono several years ago, sits on a screened-in patio at her home in Fort Collins, Colo., on Nov. 3. (Stephen Speranza/for The Washington Post)


Monday, November 8, 2021

Happy anniversary Franklin Matters! Goodbye Facebook! (audio)

Let’s celebrate your readership (and growing numbers of readers) as we enter November 2021. 


It was only in November 2007 that FranklinMatters.org came into existence. I had started reporting on Franklin about two years prior, and as the override vote became a reality, during 2007 my reporting increased to cover it. There had been talk of getting it on the ballot and then all the informational meetings began to prepare for the vote when it was set for May 22, 2007.


After the vote passed, I continued to report on what was happening and my ‘regular’ readers began complaining about ‘this Franklin stuff’ that was taking me away from other topics I had been writing about. Hence, plans began for a new page. As the 2007 local election was also scheduled for November, I decided to make the switch after the election and begin preparing the new page for that introduction.


The Facebook page was added in 2010 and will be deleted at the end of November 2021. There was life before Facebook, and there will be life after the Franklin Matters page goes away from Facebook. 


So to be clear, while the Franklin Matters feed to Facebook will go away, Franklin Matters will not.


My commitment will continue to be providing timely and accurate information to all interested. I will continue to ‘follow the money’ focusing on the School Committee, Finance Committee, and Town Council meetings. In my current retirement lifestyle, some of the extra time I have, can then be applied to expanding my reporting to include the quality of life items that ‘following the money’ provides for us.


The content will continue to be text based with appropriate links to the supporting or source documents. Audio will be made available when practical. Photos will be shared. Multiple social media channels will help spread the information to where you can find it. Except that Facebook will not be part of our journey forward.


Email is the best source. One email daily with all that matters. 


Twitter will continue to be used for sharing the individual items as well as for capturing my notes during meetings or events. The podcast will share the audio files of meetings and interviews.


Integration with Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will continue. Someday, not too far away, there will be one page with three views to “Watch, Listen, and Read” all of Franklin’s information. 

  1. Franklin TV and the three channels will be the “Watch” view

  2. Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) will be the “Listen” 

  3. last but not least, to help tie them all together will be Franklin Matters as the “Read’ view


It does take two to tango, so you have a role to play as we take this journey together to keep informed on what matters in Franklin.  What do you need to do? I am glad you asked.

  • 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 reading, listening, and asking questions.


My ‘radar’ is pretty good but not perfect. So if you want to know something, don’t be bashful. Ask. Send me an email, or use Twitter. You can also use Facebook messenger. I will still participate on Facebook primarily to keep up with family connections so you can use that if you choose.


I also host a monthly “Franklin Matters Q&A” event. It is usually hybrid. I’ll be in person at the Senior Center with a Zoom link to enable remote participation. It provides some time for a quick overview of what’s current and time for in depth Q&A to answer your questions.


Let me close with this is my public service effort for Franklin because I believe Franklin matters. If you do too, then we are on this journey together.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/28cb4f2e-5832-4c3e-b588-b927519bff91


---------

If you need or want help setting up one of the options to remain 'in the know' , sign up here ->   https://forms.gle/x4gWma8PgrmDD1i66


You can find all the archives for the Override Vote in 2007 on my personal blog  https://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/04/franklin-override-collection.html  


All the posts for the Election Collection in 2007 are also there

https://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2007/11/franklin-election-2007.html 


Fall house cleaning

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/10/welcome-little-fall-house-cleaning-is.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 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"


the monthly “Franklin Matters Q&A” event is usually hybrid
the monthly “Franklin Matters Q&A” event is usually hybrid