Panther News: Friday, February 3, 2023
@FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook @FranklinMatters
https://t.co/Vx70pNjJgX via @YouTube
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Friday, February 3, 2023
Panther TV: Panther News for Friday, February 3, 2023 (video)
Franklin Downtown Partnership shares schedule of major events for 2023
- Strawberry Stroll - Friday, June 9, rain date Saturday, June 10
- Harvest Festival - Saturday, Sep 30, rain date Sunday, Oct 1
- FDP Partnership General Meetings - April 6, June 1, Sep 7 and Nov 2
- Spring/Summer Beautification Day - Saturday, May 20
- Autumn/Winter Beautification Day - Saturday, Nov 18
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| Franklin Downtown Partnership shares schedule of major events for 2023 |
"Pours for The Pantry" - Fund raising for the Franklin Food Pantry at Pour Richard's - Feb 16
Join us at Pour Richard's in Franklin for a great night out tasting wine, socializing with friends, and supporting the Franklin Food Pantry! This fundraiser will directly support expanded programs and services in our new home at 341 West Central St.
Tickets are $25 each and includes the wine tasting and light appetizers. Our co-host, Pour Richard's, will generously donate 5% of all purchases made during the event to the Franklin Food Pantry!
Purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/3RpHDnwShared from Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/events/1333222577456133/
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| "Pours for The Pantry" - Fund raising for the Franklin Food Pantry at Pour Richard's - Feb 16 |
CommonWealth Magazine: "Advocates file federal civil rights complaint over vocational school admission policies"
"MORE THAN FIVE YEARS after sounding the alarm over admission policies at the state’s vocational high schools that they say are locking out students who would benefit most from hands-on education, advocates are taking their case to the US Department of Education, filing a federal civil rights complaint aimed at forcing the state to revamp the admissions system at the schools.In a filing Thursday with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, lawyers say the state is allowing the use of selective admission criteria to award seats at vocational schools that “disproportionately and unjustifiably exclude students from vulnerable populations” who are “protected from discrimination under federal law.” The complaint calls for the withholding of federal funds to Massachusetts vocational schools until they come into compliance with civil rights laws."
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| Students at New Bedford's high-performing regional vocational technical high school. (Photograph by Mark Ostow) |
Happy World Wetlands Day, Franklin!
Happy World Wetlands Day, Franklin!
We admit that every day is World Wetlands Day over here at Franklin Conservation. It's all we talk about! And why wouldn't we? Wetlands provide us humans with a myriad of benefits including, but definitely not limited to:
- Dissipating stream energy for flood control
- Producing wetland products (e.g., cranberries)
- Sequestering sediment, contaminants, and nutrients (e.g., pollution)
- Providing habitat to support biodiversity
- Providing aesthetic services and recreational opportunities
- Replenishing groundwater
- Providing long-term carbon and water storage (important for climate change resilience!)
Franklin Conservation wishes you a very happy World Wetlands Day and encourages you to go outside - at some point, perhaps not today - and visit one our many waterbodies. We have plenty - just look at the map below!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/happy-world-wetlands-day-franklin
non-MBTA team assigned to examine the production issues in Springfield
"GOV. MAURA HEALEY said on Thursday that she is putting together a team of non-MBTA technical and legal experts to review the troubling situation at the Chinese-owned Springfield assembly plant for new Red and Orange Line trains.Healey said she learned about the problems in Springfield a couple weeks ago, apparently at roughly the same time the public learned about them in detail from a presentation by acting General Manager Jeffrey Gonneville to the MBTA board of directors.On Monday, Healey seemed shaky on details of the situation in Springfield. On Thursday, she seemed much more up to speed.“The project is way behind schedule. Some alarming details have emerged about the quality of the production process,” Healey said."
Grove-Washington Street Shared Use Path - Notice of Intent - Conservation
Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Feb 3, 2023
- wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
- Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY
- Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY
- Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = FRIDAY
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| Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) |
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you!
Town Volunteer Opportunities
Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee, Master Plan, Police Station and more!
Have you ever desired to volunteer for a town board or committee to enhance the great quality of life in Franklin? Below is a list of open vacancies on town boards and committees, including three new committees that have recently been established on major community-defining projects in town.
| Board/ Committee | # of Vacancies |
|---|---|
The Davis-Thayer Citizens committee will explore options for reuse of the former school. | 5 |
Applicants should expect a 12-18 month process to develop a ten-year vision for the community, including town facilities, arts and cultural development, housing, infrastructure, open space and economic development and much more. Read the current town-wide Master Plan. | 6 |
Applicants must have a background in engineering or in construction management. The committee will evaluate and plan a Police Station. | 2 |
The Committee promotes arts and cultural development in the district as part of the Town's certification with the Commonwealth. | 3 |
| 1 (Associate) | |
The Cultural Council awards grants to local arts organizations every year and assists in sponsoring major events like the Cultural Festival And Annual Arts Symposium. | 2 |
To apply, submit a Volunteer Application Form. Deadline to apply is March 3, 2023.
Paper copy forms and prospective applicants may also visit in person or call the Town Administrator's Office at 508-520-4949 and speak with Executive Assistant, Julie McCann. The staff are willing to assist anyone submitting an application by not using the online application portal.
Shared from the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-volunteer-opportunities
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| Town of Franklin has a number of Volunteer Opportunities - one of these could be a good fit for you! |
Talking about the importance of art with Amy Saltamacchia - 01/26/23 (audio)
FM #931 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 931 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation at the Creative Corner Art Studio with owner Amy Saltamacchia. We talk about the role of art in daily life and in particular in this post pandemic time as we all find a new normal.
The audio recording runs 25 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Amy
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-931-creative-corner-art-studio-01-26-23--------------
Creative Corner Art Studio web page -> https://www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com/
Registration page -> https://www.creativecornerartstudiofranklin.com/elementaryclasses
Find Create Corner on Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087442720678
Follow them on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/creativecornerartstudio/
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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"
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