Lifelong Community Learning: 2020 Winter/Spring Registration Opens Dec. 2

Preview the courses today!

REGISTRATION OPENS ON DECEMBER 2nd BUT THE PREVIEW IS ON! Click here to download the full brochure https://files.constantcontact.com/5600e112101/89e0e193-3b7b-4dfb-b5b9-b54d934ea4c1.pdf For additional details visit: www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com

Lifelong Community Learning - Franklin Public Schools | 218 Oak Street, Room 137, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by lcl@franklinps.net in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Library: Renaissance V Brass Quintet - Holiday Concert - Sunday, Dec 1

The Renaissance V Brass Quintet will play a Holiday Concert, at the Franklin Public Library on Sunday, December 1, 2:00 PM.

Renaissance V Brass Quintet - Holiday Concert - Sunday, Dec 1

This was shared from the Franklin Library page
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2019/11/renaissance-v-brass-quintet-holiday.html

“comprehensive, nationwide policy on this would be much more effective than doing it one state at a time”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts on Wednesday became the first state in the country to prohibit retail sales of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes.

Gov. Charlie Baker also announced that the state’s temporary ban on vaping product sales will now end on Dec. 11, when public health officials are set to adopt a new set of permanent vaping regulations. The sale of flavored tobacco vaping products will still be prohibited on that date under the new law signed by Baker.

Pitched as a way to help protect children from the dangers of nicotine addiction but criticized by adult e-cigarette users, retailers and lawmakers from border communities, the legislation also imposes a 75% excise tax on vaping products.

“We are grateful for this landmark legislation and know it will go a long way forward in addressing this epidemic, specifically in aiding our response to this epidemic for our youth and young people, with the simple goal of not allowing another generation to become addicted to nicotine,” Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said after Baker signed the bill. “As a physician and commissioner of the Department of Public Health, I will continue to recommend that people not use any vaping or e-cigarette products. These products are not safe.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191127/mass-is-first-state-to-ban-flavored-tobacco

Recent post on the Legislative action to ban flavored tobacco products
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/ma-senate-passes-landmark-legislation.html

Governor Baker's press release
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-announces-plan-to-keep-vaping-product-ban-in-place-until-december-11th-signs

Governor Baler's twitter photo on the legislation signing

"Despite Gov Charlie Baker’s announcement Wednesday that a state ban on all vape products will end on Dec. 11, as the state works on additional regulations, at least one vape shop owner says the damage has already been done.

David Bershad, co-owner of Vape Daddy’s, which has stores in Framingham and Newton, said he’s lost $500,000 since the four-month ban started on Sept. 24. Bershad said he’s waiting to see if there’s a class-action lawsuit against Baker by businesses looking to recoup their losses.

If there is, Bershad said he’ll join it.

″(Baker) hasn’t solved any problems. People are still going to die,” Bershad said, referencing the three deaths in Massachusetts that are linked to vaping. “A fourth victim is going to happen.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191127/merchants-early-end-to-vape-ban-doesnt-help

School Committee Actions Taken/Superintendent's Report from meeting held 11/26/19

School Committee Actions Taken 11/26/19

From the School Committee "Actions Taken" document we share:

The Chair announced subcommittee/liaison assignments as follows:

• Ad Hoc Supt. Evaluation – Anne Bergen (chair), Elise Stokes, Jennifer D’Angelo 
• Ad Hoc Facilities Analysis – Elise Stokes (chair), Judith Pond-Pfeffer, MJ Scofield
• Budget – Anne Bergen (chair), Tim Keenan, Denise Spencer
• Community Relations/Public Schools Advocacy – Denise Spencer (chair), Judith Pond-Pfeffer, Anne Bergen
• Policy – MJ Scofield (chair), Elise Stokes, Denise Spencer
• Transportation – Tim Keenan
• Joint PCC – Judith Pond-Pfeffer (Anne Bergen –alternate)
• Substance Abuse Task Force – Anne Bergen (Jennifer D’Angelo –alternate)
• School Wellness Advisory Council – Denise Spencer, Elise Stokes

The full doc can be found here
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/news/scagenda_11-26-19_actions_taken.pdf

Superintendent’s Report to School Committee

The full contents of the Superintendents Report can be found
https://www.franklinps.net/sites/franklinmaps/files/uploads/superintendents_report_to_school_committee_novmeber_26_2019.pdf

School Committee Actions Taken/Superintendent's Report from meeting held 11/26/19

Note: I was out of town and missed this meeting. Will try and catch up to it when the video replay is available.

FHS football plays at KP today at 10:00 AM

• Football = Franklin @ King Philip, 10:00AM

Other games around the Hockomock League
https://hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-11-28-19/

 

FHS football plays at KP today at 10:00 AM

Franklin Newcomers and Friends - Yankee Swap - Dec 11

Come join your Franklin friends and neighbors at the Franklin Newcomers and Friends annual Yankee Swap and Holiday Party. Meet us upstairs at "3" Restaurant on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30. To participate in the swap, bring a wrapped gift ($20 limit) and get one in return during the swap - you never know what you'll get! No need to RSVP, just join us!

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us at "3" Restaurant, 461 West Central Street, Franklin. Complimentary appetizers and beverages are provided and a cash bar is available. We meet upstairs at 7:30 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. We run our meetings September through May. Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year.

For more information, please visit our website www.franklinnewcomers.com or our Facebook page, Franklin Newcomers & Friends Club.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends - Yankee Swap - Dec 11

FTC Consumer Alert: Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise

Scams telling you to pay with Bitcoin on the rise by Cristina Miranda, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC At first, scammers tried to get you to wire them money. Then, they demanded payment with gift cards. Now, scammers are luring people into paying them with Bitcoin – a type of digital money or cryptocurrency.  Read on to learn how to spot and avoid some of the top ways scammers are trying to get you to pay with Bitcoin. Read more https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/11/scams-telling-you-pay-bitcoin-rise?utm_source=govdelivery  This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Happy Thanksgiving....from Enbridge and FERC

Dear Greater Franklin node friends,

We've received some unfortunate news from our hard-fighting ally, the Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS) in Weymouth.  They have been stalwartly fighting this battle against an Enbridge compressor station for five years as of next month.  They are not giving up and neither can we.  

The compressor station would emit greenhouse gases equivalent to half the vehicles driven in Massachusetts and make it nearly impossible to reach carbon emission reduction goals in the state.  And that's saying nothing about spewed toxic chemicals that would poison residents, leading to even higher rates of cancer, respiratory and heart disease in the community--already among the highest in the state.

While there some actions only they can take (e.g., lawsuits), we can support them as an ally by filling out the pledge form below to help in various ways, including spreading the word to and engaging neighbors and friends, making calls and other actions, and donating to their legal fund (this working community has already spent $1.75 million in legal costs).  Please see the linked form and sign up to do what you can!

Please hold your family and friends close this holiday season as we all need to help each other.

In solidarity,

Carolyn Barthel

Greater Franklin Node Coordinator

508-473-3305 H

View this email in your browser Dear Friend of FRRACS, It's the beginning of the Holiday Season for most of us, and as per usual, Enbridge and FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) have been busy preparing presents for all of us!   On Monday, Enbridge filed the Final Release Abatement Measure along with some very unsatisfactory answers to all of our comments. This Final RAM allows them to start digging in the arsenic and oil laden soil.  The DEP did not even make them answer to the questions of asbestos in the soil due to the decomposing furnace bricks.  Enbridge filed a notice with the Conservation Commission of the Town of Weymouth to begin digging this coming Tuesday, December 3!  You can read the RAM here--all 1692 pages of it.  This morning, FERC granted Enbridge the Notice to Proceed (NTP) construction on the compressor station.  While this was not unexpected, it comes over the objections of all of us, our Federal delegation, our state legislators, the Town of Weymouth, our allies, and pretty much everyone you can think of except for Gov. Baker.  While the contracts for the gas dry up, FERC is abdicating its role as overseeing "necessity" for gas and gas infrastructure.  They are an agency that has always been in the pocket of the fossil fuel industry, but now they are just allowing the gas companies to do whatever they want without proving need for the gas.  And, guess what?  We will all pay for the folly of Enbridge and FERC through our utility bills.  National Grid and Eversource say they don't need more gas and they don't need the Weymouth compressor station.  NG New England (Canadian company) is trying to sell their contracts back to National Grid.  Irving (Canadian as well) has entered into new agreements to get the gas they were to receive from this pipeline from Canadian sources.  No need for the gas.  No need for the compressor.  But Enbridge wants it, so FERC provides...with your money. We really did not want to ruin your Thanksgiving, but we want you to know that we are still in the fight.  With your help--your time, your treasure, and your talent--we are not giving up this fight.  We will work to stop this by all means available.  And we need you to stay focused, stay strong, and stay with us as a community.   How are we fighting?  We are: Fighting in court on the Air Quality permit and the Waterways permit. We are also looking for appellate relief on the Coastal Zone Management determination. Working with our local governments and our state delegation to keep the heat on FERC and Enbridge for this unnecessary compressor in our Environmental Justice neighborhoods. Working with our federal delegation to change FERC and their mandate to push fossil fuel. Working with our allies to organize actions on the ground. Working with all of you to keep you informed, organized, and strong. Will you join us?  If you have not signed the pledge yet, please go here to sign up to help on the ground wherever you can.  https://www.nocompressor.com/ To the Trolls who are likely on this email site, know that we are not going to give up or give in.  Those who seek to destroy our coastal home and our planet will ultimately lose this war.  Let's hope that it is sooner than later, as every day we get closer to planetary destruction.  All because the few refuse to join the many to save us all.  We wish you a change of heart and attitude over this season. We invite you to join our side. Just one more thing--FRRACS is committed to non-violence in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.  We will continue non-violent civil disobedience trainings throughout this battle.  If you have not attended a training, please check our Facebook page or the website for upcoming times.   We were reminded this morning by Dr. Curt Nordgaard of a poem by Maya Angelou. "You may trod me in the very dirt. But still, like dust, I'll rise."   We wil rise.   In Peace and Solidarity, The FRRACS Team  https://www.nocompressor.com/ Visit NoCompressor.com

Winterbloom - Dec 7 at Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

Four beautiful voices together again

View this email in your browser WINTERBLOOM (Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson, & Natalia Zukerman) December 7th 8PM $25 Add some joy to the holiday season with the wonderful music of Winterbloom.  This female supergroup performs at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse Holiday Show on Saturday, December 7, at 8 PM.  Winter is a time for gathering – and sometimes it's even more fun to gather with friends than family!  It's in this spirit that a new holiday tradition has emerged – a tradition of friendship and music.  Every few years four successful, internationally touring singer-songwriters Antje Duvekot, Anne Heaton, Meg Hutchinson and Natalia Zukerman will tour as "Winterbloom" with diverse reflections and experiences to share for the holidays. It started with one magical show in December 2008 that led these four women to record and tour together as "Winterbloom".  Since then they reunite in the dark days of winter to bring the gift of gorgeous melody to us all.  This holiday season Winterbloom returns to the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse for their only northeast concert. Join Winterbloom this holiday season for an evening of warmth, friendship, sarcasm and surprises. The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are presented in a smoke free and alcohol free environment at the Society's handicapped accessible Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St. in Franklin, and begin at 8:00 PM; doors open at 7:30 PM. Beverages and gourmet desserts will be available.  Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org/ to purchase tickets or for more information. Upcoming Shows Jan 4         Cheryl Wheeler with special guest Samantha Tracy Feb 8         Small Potatoes Feb 29       Pesky J Nixon presents Tribal Mischief Mar 14       The Squeezebox Stompers Apr 4          Tom Rush Apr 18        Matt Nakoa May 9         Red Molly

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Franklin Public Library - December 2019 - News & Events for adults

Franklin Public Library - December 2019 News & Events

Library Hours
The Franklin Public Library will close at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 24th, and will be closed Wednesday, December 25th for Christmas Day. The Library will be closing at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st, and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st. The Library's regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 1:30-5:00 p.m.

Patriots Hall of Fame Pass Now Available
The Patriots Hall of Fame pass is once again available to be reserved. This pass gives free admission to two people. For more information, please visit https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/links/museum-passes-0 .

Al Testa Renaissance V Brass Quintet Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 1, 2:00 p.m.
Get in the holiday spirit with Al Testa's Renaissance V Brass Quintet! They will play a selection of holiday favorites for all to enjoy. This performance is free and open to the public.

The Importance of LinkedIn, Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.
 Did you know that there are over 340 million LinkedIn users worldwide? Two people join every second of every day.  We will review best practices as they relate to online profile creation and managing one's account.  We will also discuss the many additional usages of LinkedIn including the importance of joining groups and getting others to offer testimonials.
Presenter: Gary Gekow.  Mr. Gekow has over 20 years of employment consulting and recruiting experience in the Boston marketplace.  He also works with individuals throughout New England assisting them with job search strategies. This program is free and open to the public.

Snowman Paint-Along Class for Adults, Saturday, December 7, 2:00 p.m.
Paint along with artist Denise Palmieri, and create an adorable snowman! This class is for adults, and is limited to twenty participants. Please register with Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net or by calling 508-520-4941.

Krissy E Christmas Trivia Night, Monday, December 9, 6:30 p.m.
It's time for Christmas Trivia at the Franklin Public Library hosted by Krissy E! Test your knowledge of all things Christmas – television, movies, music, literature, history, tradition, and more. This program is free and open to the public.

Foreign Film Night, Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m.
Black Orpheus. Portuguese (1959)
Winner of both the Academy Award for best foreign-language film and the Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or, Marcel Camus' Black Orpheus brings the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to the twentieth-century madness of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
With its eye-popping photography and ravishing, epochal soundtrack, Black Orpheus was an international cultural event, and it kicked off the bossa nova craze that set hi-fis across America spinning. This showing is free and open to the public.

Julian Gerstin Sextet, Wednesday, December 11, 7:00 p.m.
The Julian Gerstin Sextet reimagines Caribbean musical traditions for a border-crossing world. Rhythmic drive from a battery of unusual percussion instruments combines with lyrical melodies and jazz sophistication. To see videos of the group, please visitwww.juliangerstin.com/music.
Now in its fifth year, the Sextet has performed throughout New England. We have released two CDs, described as "uproarious and jubilant … sweet and strong like sugarcane" (DeeDee McNeil, musicalmemoirs.com) and "dynamic and lively" (Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews). Our 2018 CD release, The Old City, received extensive radio airplay in Latin America and on US college radio (Top 100, 2018).

Julian Gerstin (PhD, MFA) is an ethnomusicologist, percussionist and composer. He has performed Caribbean music for over forty years, conducted research in Martinique and Cuba, published numerous academic articles, and taught at Wesleyan, Clark, and San José State Universities. He is President of the Board of Directors of the Vermont Jazz Center.
The Sextet's other members live in southeastern Vermont and Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley, and include Anna Patton, clarinet; Don Anderson, trumpet; Eugene Uman, piano; Wes Brown, bass; and Ben James, drum set. Between them they have worked with a stellar array of musicians: Bo Diddley, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Sheila Jordan, Olatunji, Bobby Sanabria, Wadada Leo Smith, Anthony Davis, Marilyn Crispell, Ed Blackwell, Sonny Fortune, and many others.
The Julian Gerstin Sextet is a member of Creative Ground, New England Foundation for the Arts' select list of regional touring performance groups, and Julian is registered with NEFA as a teacher and workshop leader.

Technology Help, Saturday, December 15, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Staff from Nerds To Go Computer Service will be available to assist patrons with common technology issues such as email access, password reset/recovery, cell phone feature usage, getting onto public Wi-Fi, and accessing information on line. This service is free and is on a first come, first serve basis.

Franklin Public Library Book Club, Tuesday, December 17, 7:00 p.m.
The book for discussion is Becoming, by Michelle Obama. A limited number of copies of the book will be available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net .

Library Tech Help, Thursdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Need help downloading ebooks to your Kindle? Trouble downloading the Libby or Minuteman apps? Curious about hoopla, Kanopy, or the many databases available to Franklin residents? Stop by or make an appointment during Tech Time now available on Thursdays 2:00-3:00 p.m. Can't make that time? Don't worry, technology assistance is always available at the Reference Desk. Please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala or Reference Librarian Vicki Earls for more information.

Proctoring Services
The Franklin Public Library will now be offering proctoring services to its patrons. Proctoring will be free of charge, and by appointment only. See Library Director Felicia Oti or Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala for more information. 

Knitting Group, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Community Room on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, December 13, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, December 14, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, December 14, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

Franklin Public Library - December 2019 - News & Events for adults

“It is our future, so it has to be a priority”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Massachusetts will invest an additional $1.5 billion in K-12 public education over the next seven years after Gov. Charlie Baker signed a funding reform bill, touted by supporters as a generational change, into law Tuesday.

The legislation directs the bulk of new funding toward districts weighed down by cost drivers, aiming to close opportunity gaps that for years have led to disparate educational outcomes across the state.

“We want all of our children to have the same opportunities to achieve,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in an interview later Tuesday during a visit to the Daily News, noting a “persistent” achievement gap in many school districts. “The talent is the same across the state. The opportunities, unfortunately, have not been the same.”

The law comes four years after a commission warned that Massachusetts was underestimating the actual cost of education by $1 billion annually and more than a year after the last attempt to update the system fell short. Now the focus shifts to a different challenge: following through on the commitment to ramp up funding for schools starting next year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20191126/baker-signs-15b-ed-funding-bill

Recent posting on Student Opportunity Act
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2019/11/massachusetts-legislature-votes-to.html

Governor Baker's press release can be found
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-education-funding-bill-providing-investments-in-public-schools-across-the

The text of the legislation S 2412 can be found
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2412

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Holiday Happenings!

Fun events this holiday season

There are lots of fun events happening in Franklin this holiday season. The Franklin Downtown Partnership has put together this list of our members' events during the holidays. You can also view the events in Google calendar form here. or here https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Holiday-Happenings---.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=L3KFvsGUbR0 Anglican Church of the Redeemer, 31 Hayward Street, Franklin Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Music of the Promise - evening of fellowship, music, and message reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. Dessert reception at 5:30 p.m. precedes the program at 6:30 p.m. Free admission. Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Bernon Family Branch - Franklin YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Rd, Franklin Dec. 7, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Breakfast with Santa - Cost is $6 for family-type memberships and $8 for all others per person. Children under 1-free. Register at the YMCA Member Service Desk or at www.hockymca.org. This was shortened for publication here, to review the full listing https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Holiday-Happenings---.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=L3KFvsGUbR0