Don’t miss next week’s webinar on AI and fact-checking!

Have you been fooled by AI? We can help.

Maybe you got a chuckle from a recent artificial intelligence-generated hoax — an image of Bigfoot towering over a man that was created using descriptive text. But what's less funny is that AI can develop sophisticated content in the blink of an eye that can deceive and do harm. AI has further muddied the waters of the misinformation landscape, making it harder than ever to tell what's real from what's fake. And bad actors are delighted to oblige. That's why we want to be sure you don't miss our free webinar How to fact-check in the AI age on Tuesday, Aug. 8. We will discuss the fundamentals of fact-checking and show you how to debunk false images and videos, both AI-generated and human-made. Please join us at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Aug. 8. The webinar will be led by the News Literacy Project's Dan Evon and DeMario Phipps-Smith. Dan writes for RumorGuard™, which uses examples of viral misinformation to help people learn to separate fact from fiction. He previously was a reporter for Snopes, the internet's oldest fact-checking site. DeMario leads news literacy training for adults around the country and has a background in digital media at various publications, including his hometown paper, the Chicago Sun-Times. Don't miss out – register now! For a future founded on facts, The News Literacy Project

Support news literacy by donating today.

Visit us at newslit.org, checkology.org, newslitnation.org and rumorguard.org. The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy. The News Literacy Project 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015

8 things the world must do to avoid the worst of #ClimateCrisis

Prof. Peter Strachan (@ProfStrachan) tweeted on Tue, Aug 01, 2023:

Eight things the world must do to avoid the worst of #ClimateCrisis
1. Stop methane emissions
2. Stop deforestation
3. Restore degraded land
4. Change what we eat
5. Go #RenewableEnergy
6. Use energy more efficiently
7. Stop burning #FossilFuels
8. #ActNow 

Read more about the steps and actions required ->   https://t.co/8wNURqsLfL

The IPCC updated report referenced ->  https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar6/

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/ProfStrachan/status/1686449318507462675

Wind turbines on a snowfield in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia. Photograph: VCG/Getty Images

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide is ready

Macaroni KID Franklin MA tweeted  on Mon, Jul 31, 2023:

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide has all the best deets re: local ways to play! 

From #grafton to #blackstone and in between, we rate and review the local parks and playgrounds so you can 'know before you go'!

Check it out here: https://t.co/P7juShHQ0P

Shared from -> https://t.co/kO1PVMYZFO

Note: It doesn't actually include a Franklin playground

https://twitter.com/MacKidFranklin/status/1686173982628745216

MacKid Franklin's Central MA Playground Guide is ready

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Wednesday, Aug 2, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio/FPS Voice – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features the 2nd of a 3 part series All About the Town of Franklin Sewer Services  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_02109748944.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer point.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi  interview interview  Sheila Donohue Founder and CEO of Vero Wines. Did you know that less than 1% of wines make it to US retailers' shelves? ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode-235.html   

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This slot features the recent "Making Sense of Climate" episode with Fire Chief James McLaughlin as we talk about emergency management  ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/08/making-sense-of-climate-ted-i-talk.html

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

7:30 am     It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

8:30 am     The Black Box: Electric Youth 2023

10:00 am ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Drink Responsibly: Flat Breads

1:00 pm     Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Safety on the Roads

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 12

4:00 pm Veterans' Call: John Milot

5:00 pm Concerts on the Common: Heather Deary & Carolyn Rae

7:30 pm     4th of July 2023: Padula Trio + One

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

7:00 am     Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am     Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: New Facility

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Bishop Guertin 05-23-23

2:30 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v Oliver Ames 04-04-23

5:30 pm     FHS Varsity Baseball: v Foxboro 04-10-23

9:00 pm Metrowest Symposium: Sharing Identity on Social Media

10:00 pm FHS Graduation 2023

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

8:00 am Town Council: 07-19-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee: 07-26-23

2:00 pm Town Council: 07-19-23

7:00 pm     Joint Budget Subcommittee:  LIVE, Chambers  836 4368 1839

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Making Sense of Climate: Ted & I talk emergency preparedness with Chief McLaughlin (audio)

FM #1030 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1030 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Ted McIntyre, Franklin resident and climate activist via the Zoom conference bridge Thursday, July 27, 2023.  

In this episode we welcome Town of Franklin (ToF) Fire Chief James McLaughlin. The Chief is also the ToF Emergency Management Director. Given the headlines and climate weather related emergencies around us, it was a good time to talk about Franklin’s planning efforts.  Links to the articles we talk of are located in a section below.  

This discussion continues our journey understanding the MA roadmap toward net zero and while it helps 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 42 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Ted McIntyre and Chief McLaughlin as we help ‘make sense of climate.’

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1030-making-sense-of-climate-29-07-27-23

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

  

Links to articles referenced:

Resources available on Town page https://www.franklinma.gov/fire-department/pages/emergency-preparedness 

Hazard mitigation plan https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/franklin_ma_hazard_mitigation_plan_2020_update_-_adopted_01-06-21.pdf 

Home emergency guide https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/home_emergency_guide_2018.pdf 

The Mass Emergency Mgt Agency (MEMA) posted a reminder on important docs to have ready in an emergency (good timing!)

Mass Emergency Mgt Agency (MEMA) posted a reminder on important docs to have ready in an emergency (good timing!)

Not to be left out, the Federal Emergency Mgt Agency (FEMA - they must have been listening to us) just released a planning guide for working on climate change emergencies -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19CHPJsmBN40DMKlBea9RKbqiE6lf_--G/view?usp=drive_link

** See the page that collects all the “Making Sense of Climate” episodes -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/making-sense-of-climate-collection.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 www.franklin.news/ or  www.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"

Making Sense of Climate: Ted & I talk emergency preparedness with Chief McLaughlin (audio)

Franklin residents: Why is it worth spending some time with the Joint Budget Subcommittee?

Hello fellow Franklin residents:

I'm reaching out because as some of you have heard and others should hear, Franklin Public Schools is (once again) approaching a fiscal cliff.  In other words, Franklin already doesn't have sufficient resources to competitively support our children's education and it's going to get worse unless we do something about it.

 A group of concerned Franklin residents have officially registered a ballot question committee called "One Franklin 2023" aka One Franklin.  We are piggy backing off of efforts originally started in 2019 after many saw 100+ Franklin teachers standing with pink slips on Route 140.  

I believe that federal funds received during the pandemic helped delay even deeper cuts to school resources in the interim.  Those funds are going away.  We have amazing services in town that are stretched thin, and we need to band together as a community to resolve this issue. 

I took notice earlier this year when my rising 8^th grader came home in tears when she was told that a beloved teacher could not be retained.  I attended a school finance committee meeting to try to understand where the funds were going. 

To my surprise, what I saw was a committee stuck making difficult choices to cut school resources most of us would consider essential because of insufficient funding.  My concern is that I see a funding shortfall that is quickly going to get worse despite the fact that we already trail the vast majority of school districts in Massachusetts.

**Note: 80% of districts in Massachusetts spend more on education, per pupil, than Franklin (as of 2021 - latest available data)

The One Franklin committee is a group of engaged citizens who are working with elected leaders to pass a tax override in Franklin to raise revenues to strengthen Franklin Public Services including the school system while broader funding reforms are investigated and implemented.

A Joint Budget Subcommittee (JBSC) Meeting is scheduled for August 2. Town Administrator Jamie Hellen will present a 5-year forecast of our town's budget for all departments. This is an important starting point that will allow committee members of the JBSC to begin working with town departments to identify specific line items they would request in an override.

Thank you for your time and for caring about Franklin,

Ken Ojukwu

Treasurer, One Franklin

 

What can you do?

1. Save the date:  Your attendance is requested at the Joint Budget Subcommittee Meeting on Wednesday August 2, 2023 @ 7 pm Municipal Building 2nd floor, Council Chambers 355 East Central Street.  I cannot stress enough that engagement at this meeting is essential to gain momentum for any effort to solve our town's financial issues. Please recruit everyone you know to attend, whether they are pro-override or not. All citizens need to be informed and this is a first step.  There will be opportunity for public comment toward the end of the committee's agenda discussions.
1. All citizens are welcome to attend public board and committee meetings in person. Meetings are also live-streamed (and archived) by Franklin TV on the Franklin Town Hall TV YouTube channel. ->   https://www.youtube.com/@franklintownhalltv8887/streams
2. Zoom Link contained in the agenda document 

2. Spread the word!  Please feel free to forward this email and start/continue conversations with other Franklin residents (parents or not) to help us continue to find ways to improve our schools and keep Franklin a preferred place to live and raise a family.

 

3. Consider joining One Franklin. The One Franklin committee is a group of engaged citizens who are working with elected leaders to pass a tax override in Franklin. One of the initiatives of One Franklin is to educate the community as to why we support an override. Please learn about and then consider joining our efforts! The email to get involved is OneFranklinVolunteers@gmail.com.  I've added more information below.  Also, let me know if you are interested in a One Franklin bumper magnet - it's the newest must-have car accessory!

Franklin Matters: What is the One Franklin group doing?

One Franklin Override Info Hub - What is an Override?

Franklin Senior Center: the Connection Newsletter for August 2023

Come and cool off at the Senior Center. Take a look at all the fun programs in August! 

Check out the August Newsletter here ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/uploads/august_2023_w_ads.pdf

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

Franklin Senior Center: the Connection Newsletter for August 2023

Franklin Public Library: Newsletter for August 2023 - chock full of activities!

Library Hours

The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours will resume after Labor Day.

Library News – Read popular magazines for free with Libby and Hoopla
Did you know that both Libby and Hoopla have magazine collections? When you register as a Hoopla user with your Minuteman Library card (Franklin residents only), you have access to a hoopla BingePass! A BingePass gives you the opportunity to borrow an entire collection with one checkout! Borrow all the most recent issues of popular magazines for 7 days of unlimited streaming.

With the Libby app and your library card, you have unlimited access to over 4,800 popular magazines, which are always available. No holds, no waiting! From the Minuteman Library Catalog, click on "Digital Cllection", then click on "Magazines".

Featured Database -> ConsumerLab

ConsumerLab.com is the leading provider of independent test results and information to help consumers and healthcare professionals identify the best quality health and nutrition products. It publishes results of its tests in comprehensive reports at www.consumerlab.com for its members. CL also conducts an annual Survey of Vitamin & Supplement Users. Since its founding in 1999, CL has tested more than 7,000 products, representing over 1,000 different brands and nearly every type of popular supplement for adults, children, and pets.  Access ConsumerLab through our alphabetical list of free online databases: https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/pages/free-online-databases

Museum Passes

Summer fun is almost done! L Now is a great time to reserve passes to the area's most popular museums, aquariums, and more! Passes are available to be reserved up to thirty days in advance.

New Materials

Check out the latest additions to the library's collection!

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, August 18, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, August 19, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!

Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, August 19, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!
 

Franklin Library ESL & Adult Literacy Program

Volunteer tutors needed! To volunteer please be at least 18 years old, have a High School diploma, & speak English clearly.  No prior teaching experience needed!  Volunteer tutors and students do not need to be Franklin residents. If interested, please fill out the registration form on the library's website.

Massachusetts Center for the Book 2023 Reading Challenge

August: A Book in Translation

Do you have a cozy reading corner you've been wanting to spend more time in? Do you have a group of friends who like to select books together? Maybe a little constraint helps you choose what to read next.

If you are looking for a fun, unique reading challenge to take on in 2023, Massachusetts Center for the Book has you covered.

Check it out today! https://www.massbook.org/readingchallenge

Check out the full newsletter (shortened for publication here) ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/august-2023-newsletter

Franklin Public Library: Newsletter for August 2023 - chock full of activities!

Dean College scholarship winners announced - Ethan Pflomm & Caleigh Brown

Dean College is pleased to announce that two local high school students have been awarded $38,000 scholarships to attend Dean: Ethan Pflomm received the Franklin High School Scholarship, and Caleigh Brown received the Hockomock YMCA Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded annually by the College to a deserving high school senior and are renewable each year the student attends Dean, provided they maintain a 2.7 GPA or higher.

To apply, a student must submit an essay about what prompted them to apply to Dean and how they hope to contribute to the Dean community. They must also include a letter of recommendation from a school administrator, counselor or teacher. After all materials are reviewed, applicants meet with the scholarship selection committee for an interview.

Continue reading the article on the Dean College page ->

https://www.dean.edu/news-events/story/dean-college-awards-38-000-scholarships-to-local-high-school-students/

Dean College scholarship winners announced - Ethan Pflomm & Caleigh Brown

Boston Globe Schools: "Franklin Post 75′s American Legion state champions"

"Alfred Mucciarone was not pleased with how the spring high school baseball season ended.

After Franklin lost in the state championship for the second year in a row, Mucciarone was left to decide how he would spend his final summer before playing in college at UMass-Lowell.

Why not play for his town one more time?

Mucciarone is one of a number of local seniors on the Franklin Post 75 Legion baseball team, which won its second straight state title Friday by defeating Shrewsbury Post 397, 6-5, at Mahan Field."

Continue reading the Bost Globe article (subscription may be required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/sports/franklin-post-75s-american-legion-state-champions-representing-their-town-one-more-time-meant-everything/

Shared via Boston Globe Schools (@GlobeSchools) tweet on Mon, Jul 31, 2023:

"For Franklin Post 75′s American Legion state champions, representing their town one more time meant everything https://t.co/5SwNrjrAt5"

Alfred Mucciarone and the Franklin High baseball team fell short this spring, but he and his teammates made up for it with another title-winning summer.MARK STOCKWELL FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

How late is the State budget? Really? What is in the state budget is the more important question!

Chris Lisinski (@ChrisLisinski) tweeted on Mon, Jul 31, 2023:

Just how late was the annual state budget lawmakers sent to Gov. Healey on Monday?

Only three other budgets since FY2000 have been completed later, one of which was in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic upended everything, per @masstaxpayersfd data. #mapoli  https://t.co/MjQF0gjlqs 

What is in the state budget is the more important question!

Shared from Twitter -> https://t.co/ypnCUKs33L

"Less than 24 hours after negotiators inked a compromise on a $56.2 billion annual spending plan, House and Senate lawmakers, with little debate, voted Monday to send the fiscal year 2024 package to Governor Maura Healey.

The chambers’ action on the budget legislation, representing a record level of spending, came nearly a month after the July 1 deadline for the start of the new fiscal year.

The budget is now in Healey’s hands for the next 10 days, and what happens next remains to be seen. Lawmakers used the governor’s budget proposal as a roadmap in crafting their own, but she could seek to further shape the spending plan, the first of her term in the corner office."

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

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/07/31/metro/massachusetts-budget-2024/

The Conference Committee report on the FY 2024 budget can be found ->

https://malegislature.gov/Budget/ConferenceCommittee

The link to the actual legislation document H 4040 ->    https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4040

The continuation legislation to fund August in lieu of the final budget. Signed by Gov Healey on July 31, 2023 -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H4022

Via MA Senate Twitter ->  https://twitter.com/MA_Senate/status/1685851177802403840

What is in the state budget is more important - 1

What is in the state budget is more important - 2

What is in the state budget is more important - 3

What is in the state budget is more important - 4

Watch "This is Earth in the next 100 years if we don't act on climate change | Ways to Change the World" on YouTube

The impact of human activity on climate is becoming more and more visible each year. If we do nothing to change our current way of life, this is what we can expect from our planet in 100 years.

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/

Vide link -> https://youtu.be/o-KyEYa3vuM

This is Earth in the next 100 years if we don't act on climate change

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Tuesday, Aug 1, 2023

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM  Jazz Journey – with Pamela Hines
2 hours. An insightful tour of Jazz Greats in a golden era

11:00 AM 2 PM and 8:00 PM SAFE Radio– Jim Derick and Dr. Anne Bergen Addressing issues of Drug Abuse Disorder 

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

7:00 am     FPAC: Broadway in Franklin 2022

8:30 am     Physician Focus: Alzheimer's

9:00 am     It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

10:00 am Frank Presents: Caron Grupposo

11:00 am Senior Connection: Council on Aging

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

1:00 pm     Pizzapalooza: Healthy Pizza Crusts

1:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 12

3:30 pm     Riffing on Main Street: Amy Adams

5:00 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Ingrid Grenon

8:00 pm 4th of July 2023: Padula Trio + One

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

7:00 am     Public School Event: FHS Pops Night 05-09-18

9:00 am     Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

11:00 am FHS Varsity Softball: v Oliver Ames 04-04-23

1:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 2

2:00 pm It Takes A Village: Danny Lagarce

3:00 pm Tri County Community Meeting 06-15-23

5:30 pm     Public School Event: Lifelong Music Pt. 2 05-13-19

7:00 pm     Critical Conversations: Student Wellbeing

9:30 pm     FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse v St. John's 05-11-23

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

8:00 am School Committee 07-25-23: 07-25-23

12:00 pm Davis Thayer Re-Use Advisory 07-18-23

2:00 pm School Committee 07-25-23: 07-25-23

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

The "All About Sewer" series

These three sessions of the radio show share my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent. 

We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St.

This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water & Sewer Division. During 2021, we did a 3-part series on the water supply. With the Beaver St interceptor project starting later this year, we decided to cover the sewer side of the business. A little more dirty talk although we do start out with some updates on water.

Part 1 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer.html 

Part 2 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_02109748944.html

Part 3 -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/07/all-about-town-of-franklin-sewer_0306615856.html

The 3 part water series can be found -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley

Construction of the Beaver Street Interceptor. The houses in background are West Central Street, Panther Way area.