Franklin's Event Outlook: June 17, 2022 to June 23, 2022

School students are getting closer to the last day and their summer reading kick off occurs today at the Library and the Farmers Market. Concerts at THE BLACK BOX and Library add some variety to the relatively quiet weekend (compared to the busyness of last week's ArtWEEK and Strawberry Stroll events).

If you have heard about the history enshrined in our state seal and flag, you might be concerned about changing it. An event on Tuesday will help share info on the efforts underway to do so.

Friday, June 17

Downtown StoryWalk!

2:00pm - Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)  

3:00pm - Summer Reading Kickoff (Franklin Town Common)

6:00pm - Anna Freitas Trio  (live music at 67 Degrees Brewery)

7:00pm - Three Day Weekend & Motorboat (Electric Youth 'funraiser' at THE BLACK BOX, ticketed event)  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1575

Saturday, June 18

Downtown StoryWalk!

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

12:00pm - Caribbean Music Concert with PanNeubean Steel!  (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Critical Mass (live music at 67 Degrees Brewery)

Sunday, June 19

Downtown StoryWalk!

Father's Day & Juneteenth

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

Monday, June 20

Downtown StoryWalk!

Juneteenth (celebrated)

Town offices & library closed, no school

Tuesday, June 21

7:00pm - Change the MA Flag: History and Need for Change (Franklin Public Library)

Wednesday, June 22

6:00pm - Alt Prom for Teens  (Franklin Public Library)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

On the Climate front: gas companies say more gas is the answer; researchers finally calculate the cost in lives by acting now

Boston Globe:  "As gas companies plan for a climate future, their vision: more gas "

"Up on the fourth floor of Westin Copley Place this week, hundreds of natural gas representatives mingled among glossy posters and tables littered with branded baseball hats and Oreos. Among the niceties and exchanges of business cards it became quickly clear — the climate crisis is very much on people’s minds. Another thing became clear, too. The solution, as they see it, is more gas.

“Additional natural gas pipelines are the answer to many of the questions we face today,” Amy Andryszak, chief executive of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, told a panel audience Tuesday.

It was the 27th annual gathering of the Northeast LDC Gas Forum — nicknamed the “Best Deal-Making Conference” in the industry, according to the organizers, and seemingly as good a place as any to get the gas industry’s view of the climate crisis as it is lived every day in the executive suites, field sites, and maintenance trucks of the scores of companies that operate in New England."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/16/science/gas-companies-plan-climate-future-their-vision-more-gas/

The Guardian: "How millions of lives can be saved if the US acts now on climate"

"The rapidly shrinking window of opportunity for the US to pass significant climate legislation will have mortal, as well as political, stakes. Millions of lives around the world will be saved, or lost, depending on whether America manages to propel itself towards a future without planet-heating emissions.

For the first time, researchers have calculated exactly how many people the US could save by acting on the climate crisis. A total of 7.4 million lives around the world will be saved over this century if the US manages to cut its emissions to net zero by 2050, according to the analysis.

The financial savings would be enormous, too, with a net zero America able to save the world $3.7tn in costs to adapt to the rising heat. As the world’s second largest polluter of greenhouse gases, the US and its political vagaries will in large part decide how many people in faraway countries will be subjected to deadly heat, as well as endure punishing storms, floods, drought and other consequences of the climate emergency."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/16/us-climate-crisis-millions-lives-saved

Just 10 US states could save 3.7 million lives worldwide by cutting their emissions to net zero. Photograph: Iuliia Bondar/Getty Images

Making Sense of Climate #11 - Steve talks with Ted McIntyre - 06/09/22 (audio)

FM #817 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 817 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist. We recorded this via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, May 19, 2022.  

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while helping me “make sense of climate”, we hope it helps with your understanding as well. 

If you have climate questions or Franklin specific climate questions, send them in and we’ll try to answer them in a future session.  

The conversation runs about 44 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-817-making-sense-of-climate-11-06-09-22

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

Articles referenced are collected in one PDF

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rczYh14x-r6emEQM7QXSHIkKIKHD7hQ6/view?usp=sharing 

See the page that collects the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.html 

Conference committee members (3 from MA House & 3 from MA Senate)

House of Representatives: 

• Roy - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/JNR1 

• Chan - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/T_C1 

• Jones - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/BHJ1 

 

MA Senate: 

• Barrett - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/MJB0 

• Creem - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/CSC0 

• Tarr - https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/BET0 

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

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"

Making Sense of Climate #11 - Steve talks with Ted McIntyre - 06/09/22 (audio)

Sheriff's Summer Safety Fest - Quincy - Merrymount Beach - Jun 18

 A family fun day for all ages with games, activities, giveaways, informational tables, and a Touch-A-Truck! 

Food donations accepted to benefit the United Way through the Norfolk County Central Labor Council. 

Made possible through a generous grant from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

 When: June 18, from 10 - 1 PM

Sheriff's Summer Safety Fest - Quincy - Merrymount Beach - Jun 18

Download a copy of the Flyer as a reminder ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xBRhvumsaPD7ILKol-gdqnR-p1Z4XShv/view?usp=sharing

"Sharing gives meaning to life" (video)

"Life is for service." Those are the words Rollins College valedictorian Elizabeth Bonker lives by -- words that inspired Rollins' most famous graduate, Mr. Fred Rogers. Bonker, who is nonspeaking and has autism, gave a remarkable address during her school's recent commencement ceremony in Winter Park, Florida. 

Clad in a cap and gown decorated with flowers, Bonker explained, through a text-to-speech program, how she typed her remarks using a single finger with the help of a communication aide. People with nonspeaking autism have trouble developing speech, and in Bonker's case, neuromotor issues inhibit her communication and her ability to do some other basic tasks. 

Learning to type changed everything. 

"That one critical intervention unlocked my mind from its silent cage," she said during her address."

Continue reading the article on Elizabeth Bonker online

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/13/us/autism-graduate-nonspeaking-commencement-rollins-college-cec/index.html

Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/8g5aJExZQwg

Drought Status level increases to 2; water conservation measures remain in effect

Today (6/15/22), a Significant Drought was Declared for Southeast and Northeast Regions in MA!!

Reminder Water Conservation Measures Have Been In Effect Since, Thursday, May 12, 2022.

With Massachusetts continuing to experience dry conditions in much of the state over the course of the last several months, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card today declared a Level 2-Signficant Drought in both the Northeast and Southeast Regions of the Commonwealth.

The declaration of a Level 2 drought continues to reinforce the Town's Water Conservation restrictions as required per our Water Management Act permit through MassDEP. Therefore, the following Water Conservation Measures continue to be in effect.

One day per week outdoor watering. Outdoor watering using sprinklers or automated irrigation systems is restricted to the water user's trash day. If the user does not have Town trash service, the user should water on the same day as the nearest Town trash customer.

Outdoor watering is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Please see our website for more information: https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/water-conservation

Thank you for your cooperation!

Additional info can be found at Drought.gov -> https://www.drought.gov/states/massachusetts/county/norfolk

Additional maps can be found on the Drought Monitor -> https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx

Drought Status level increases to 2; water conservation measures remain in effect

S. 2924 "An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security" on Gov Baker's desk

"The House today passed a compromise election reform bill that was approved by the Senate last week and has now been sent to the governor for his consideration.

The bill (S. 2924) would make many pandemic-related election changes permanent, expanding some voting opportunities in time for the next statewide election in September. The bill does not include same-day voter registration, a sticking point between the House and Senate in earlier versions of the bills.

The compromise bill would change the voter registration deadline from 20 days before an election to 10 days.

The bill would also allow mail-in ballots for presidential, state and municipal elections, while allowing municipalities to opt out of mail-in voting for elections that are not held on the same day as a state or federal election. Municipalities could, however, allow in-person early voting for those elections if desired."

Continue reading the article on the MMA page

https://www.mma.org/voting-and-election-reform-bill-sent-to-governor/

The legislation is not yet visible in the Governor's "On the Desk" page but should be shortly  https://www.mass.gov/service-details/on-the-governors-desk

The text of the legislation itself as amended and approved by both Senate and House   https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2924

The legislation downloaded as a  PDF can also be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rG8Ab_msPFB_dR2O4n1sMQqDn_fG8TEk/view?usp=sharing

S. 2924 "An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security" on Gov Baker's desk

Sign up for Open Mic at Franklin's first Pride Day - June 26 - 12 to 4 PM

"The Franklin LGBTQ Alliance is seeking Franklin performers willing to share their talents as part of a celebration of Pride Month (June 26th, 12-4)!

Performances can take a variety of forms (music, song, dance, story-telling, poetry, art, acting, etc.) but should be limited to 7 MINUTES. Stage and microphone will be provided; we kindly request that performers bring any other needed materials, as possible. All performances should be FAMILY-FRIENDLY.

A performer may submit for multiple performances and/or collaborate with other performers. The Alliance reserves the right to select whichever performances they see fit. You may be asked to share more about your proposed performance with the Alliance prior to the event.

Have a question? Contact us at FranklinLGBTQAlliance@gmail.com"

Use the form to sign up ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuadQWw8eMWLjuIciDHiEIkUmCjCNbX4JOu03aSeAJoZR3bg/viewform

Celebrate with Pride - June 26, 2022

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, June 17, 2022

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday

9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:30 am Memorial Day Breakfast 2022 

9:00 am Frank Presents: Danielle Hopkins 

10:00 am Physician Focus: Too Much Medicine? 

11:00 am Senior Connection: Ben Franklin 

11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Narcan Availability 

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Taquitos 

12:30 pm Sandhya: Eclairs 

1:00:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19 

1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza 

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Show 

3 3:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Woody Geissman 

4:00 pm Senior Connection: Ben Franklin 

4:30 pm FHS: Senior Awards Night 2022

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am All-Town Showcase: Chorus and Orchestra 

8:30 am It Takes A Village: Philip Hulbig 

9:30 am FHS Boys Varsity Tennis: v Attleboro 06-10-21 

11:30 am FHS Varsity Softball v Newton North 06-04-22 

1:30 pm Public School Concert: FHS Spring Jazz '22 

3:00 pm Let's Talk Sports: Episode 3 

5:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Framingham 06-06-22 

9:30 pm FHS Varsity Baseball: v Chelmsford 06-08-22

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-19-22 

2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 05-19-22

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Juneteenth Celebration - June 18 - 2 PM

An open mic event. Community members of all ages welcome. Come learn, listen, and engage.

At the Franklin Public Library, Saturday, June 18 at 2 PM.

Juneteenth Celebration - June 18 - 2 PM

Shared from the Franklin Public Library page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/bulletins/juneteenth-celebration-open-mic-event

PanNeubean Steel Concert - Saturday, June 18 at 12:00 PM

Caribbean Music Concert with PanNeubean Steel! 

Saturday June 18 at 12:00 PM

Families and music fans of all ages! Join us for a joyful celebration of June and summer with PanNeubean Steel! 

PanNeubean Steel is a Steelpan lead caribbean band that specializes in showcasing the beautiful sounds of the Islands, performing a Soulful Blend of Reggae, Soca and Calypso.

This program is free and open to the public.

Shared from FPL page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/383206  & Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce0-4YJu_B9

PanNeubean Steel Concert - Saturday, June 18 at 12:00 PM

"EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals"

"The Environmental Protection Agency is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds found in drinking water are more dangerous than previously thought — and pose health risks even at levels so low they cannot currently be detected. 

The two compounds, known as PFOA and PFOS, have been voluntarily phased out by US manufacturers, but there are a limited number of ongoing uses and the chemicals remain in the environment because they do not degrade over time. The compounds are part of a larger cluster of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that have been used in consumer products and industry since the 1940s. 

The EPA on Wednesday issued nonbinding health advisories that set health risk thresholds for PFOA and PFOS to near zero, replacing 2016 guidelines that had set them at 70 parts per trillion. The chemicals are found in products including cardboard packaging, carpets, and firefighting foam."

Continue reading the Boston Globe coverage (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/15/business/epa-forever-chemicals-pose-risk-even-very-low-levels/

The EPA press release ->  https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-new-drinking-water-health-advisories-pfas-chemicals-1-billion-bipartisan 

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Michael Regan speaks at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in Greensboro, N.C., April 14, 2022. The EPA is warning that two nonstick and stain-resistant compounds in drinking water pose health risks at levels below the government's ability to detect them.CAROLYN KASTER/ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAFE Coalition announces their 2022 PEER Scholarship Award winner: Conor Kucich

"Another year - and another fabulous PEERS scholarship winner! We are SO PROUD of the work Connor Kucich has put in over the last three years. Connor has been diligent in attending our peer to peer program, is an advocate for teen mental wellness, and is an ally in the mission to provide support to anyone impacted by substance use disorder. 

We are THRILLED to share the 2022 PEERS scholarship award in the amount of $5,000 to Connor Kucich. 

👏🏻 Good luck next year at UMASS Amherst!"

Shared from Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce07-avO8Fm/ 

L-R: Mr Kucich?, Conor, SAFE Exec Dir Jen Knight-Levine

Supreme Judicial Court decides 2 ballots questions: approves health care question; rejects ride share question

"THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT on Tuesday threw out a ballot question that would classify ride-share drivers as independent contractors, putting a sudden end to what was primed to be an enormously expensive ballot campaign that was already gaining national attention. 

In a 31-page unanimous decision written by Justice Scott Kafker, the court concluded that the ballot question improperly contains “at least two substantively distinct policy decisions, one of which is buried in obscure language at the end of the petitions.” 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/sjc-throws-out-uber-lyft-ballot-question/

Boston Globe coverage on the ride share question (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/14/business/mass-high-court-blocks-gig-worker-question-november-ballot

"THE NOVEMBER BALLOT is coming into focus  as the Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday ruled that a question regulating dental insurance can proceed to the ballot.  

The ballot question would require dental insurers to spend at least 83 percent of premiums on clinical costs and quality improvements, rather than administrative costs. This is referred to as a medical loss ratio, and is similar to an existing rule for health insurance, which was put in place by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. "

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/sjc-lets-dental-insurance-question-proceed-to-ballot/

SJC throws out Uber-Lyft ballot question

"We can no longer afford to ignore the health and climate impacts of fossil fuels"

"TAKE A DEEP breath. And exhale. Most of us don’t think about breathing. But that is not the case for one in eight children in the Commonwealth who have asthma. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Boston and Springfield are in the top 20 so-called “asthma capitals” in the US.  

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses among US children and costs families and society hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Air pollution, in the form of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and ozone are associated with the development of asthma and exacerbations of existing asthma. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides are emitted every time we turn on our gas stoves or heat our homes with a gas boiler or furnace. When sunlight shines onto nitrogen oxides and mixes with other pollutants, it can form ground level ozone, a key component of smog."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/why-do-we-accept-asthma-with-our-natural-gas/

"We can no longer afford to ignore the health and climate impacts of fossil fuels"

New June Workshops for 50+Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

Hello Job Seeker!

We have an exciting line-up of 50+ Job Seekers events and workshops for the rest of June!

Thurs, June 16th, 2 pm - 4 pm: Job Search Jeopardy!

Special Event

Join us as we celebrate another season of helping mature job seekers and career switchers. It’s time for some fun; so, Let’s Play Jeopardy!!!

Teams of 3 or 4 will compete, with each member of the winning team receiving a free 30-minute coaching session!

Following the Jeopardy game, we can all participate in some classic networking.

·       Review material from previous workshops

·       Ask questions

·       Obtain help

·       Network with other job seekers

Why You Should Attend

·       You’ll have fun!

·       You’ll work with a team and have fun!

·       Job Search Jeopardy is a fun way to review job search methods.

·       You can network with other attendees, and studies show 90% of jobs are found through networking

Do you think you have the smarts to be a Jeopardy champion? 

Please register in advance for this event: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAuduusrDsqH9DwJWculImkiBPEerP3Rrf1

Thurs, June 23rd, 11 am - 12 pm: MRC Services

Savvy Seeker Series with Julie Proud Ray and Amanda D’Alessio!

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) helps individuals with disabilities achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals. MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living, and Disability Determination for federal benefit programs.

Please join us to hear Julie Proud Ray and Amanda D’Alessio present information about MRC Vocational Rehabilitation services, including job placement services. 

Please register in advance for this event:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvce2upz4qHNTglSnifS4Mj84fgpXLNoR4

Tues, June 28th, 10 am - 12 pm: Job Success & Leadership

Interactive Workshop

Companies hire for future success; not just your ability to perform a given job. How do you ensure that future success?

The short answer is by mastering soft skills and showing leadership qualities that have been proven to lead to job success. Come join as we discuss:

·      How to behave at work

·      How to ask for help properly

·      The importance of listening

·      Time management

·      Problem-solving... and more!

Why you need to know about this: Career success requires skills that enable you to display leadership, no matter your role or level in the organization. Master these skills and your career could achieve heights you never thought possible. (SEE ZOOM DETAIL BELOW)

Thurs, June 30th, 11:00 am - 12 pm: Franchising

Savvy Seeker Series with Harris Gubin!

Join us, as Harris Gubin, a franchise subject matter expert, helps you explore franchising as a potential opportunity for the next chapter in your life – one that offers the autonomy, financial stability, and the flexibility to do all the things you’re passionate about in life.

Have you dreamed about running your own business?

It’s easy to dream about being your own boss and controlling your own destiny. The tough part is making it happen. Franchising is one path to making your dream come true – and it’s never been more advantageous and possible than it is now. You’ve probably asked yourself:

·       Could I actually own my own business?

·       How do I determine the right path for me?

·       What are the pros and cons of owning a franchise?

Franchising is so much more than just fast-food. There are thousands of businesses in many industries—from Accounting to Travel-- that offer franchising opportunities.

Please register in advance for this event: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwvd-qrqTkiH9emhQbl-jBWgF5cJ3dNVwfp

Questions: Email us at 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Join Zoom Meeting – USE THIS LINK FOR ALL PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE REGISTRATION DETAILS

https://zoom.us/j/97530553439?pwd=cW1lamFwL3o4RmVORnhMcW9zQXljdz09

Meeting ID: 975 3055 3439

Passcode: 828132

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,97530553439#,,,,*828132# US (Chicago)

+16465588656,,97530553439#,,,,*828132# US (New York)

New June Workshops for 50+Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Advancing Equity

"World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) serves as a reminder about the factors surrounding abuse and neglect of older persons. The pandemic highlighted the disproportionate impact of tragedy on underserved communities, including seniors, who faced high rates of elder abuse, fraud, and nursing homes deaths."

Continue reading this article at the Social Security Administration blog:

https://blog.ssa.gov/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-advancing-equity/

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Advancing Equity