Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Veteran's Memorial Walkway Update

The spring brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway will be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Please stay tuned for updates

The Veterans Walkway in the rain Monday, March 29, 2020

"50+ Job-seeker" sessions go virtual

Hi, most of you know me, but given how many people have been laid off recently, many of you probably do not.

To members of the Acton Networkers Group (ANG):

My name is Ed Lawrence; long-time ANG member; laid off 5 times during my hi-tech career. I've presented at ANG; worked for a State career center, and at the Boston University Center for Career Development. I'm currently a group leader (Hopkinton; Franklin) for the 50+ Job-seeker Program that was offered in 17 towns.

A short while ago, I shared the message from our director explaining how the 50+ program is going virtual. This is a great (and FREE) program with a proven track-record of success helping job-seekers.

I'm writing to promote the virtual program and suggest that you sign up.

I've attached a promo for you to share or print, but since Yahoo seems to drop attachments these days, I'm going to point out some info we need you to know:

1. Money drives everything. If you've been laid off recently, you totally understand. So, I need to point out how in order for the MCOA to keep this program going, it needs to show the State (and maybe Feds) that people are attending---SO WE NEED YOU TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM.

Register at: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

2. Once you register, we add you to a list. For example, I keep a spreadsheet that I use for mailings to people who attend Hopkinton and Franklin sessions. Those mailings include the meeting dates and topics and invitations to join online sessions. You don't pre-register; you don't receive the info for the sessions.

3. Once you've registered for the program, you can register for any of the online sessions. Please understand, this two-step process is our attempt to prevent the general public and strangers from joining the meetings.

4. We have some participant guidelines for the online sessions; they boil down to simple courtesy.

I have the honor of facilitating the first virtual session --- Hopkinton virtual session is:  1pm - 4pm Monday April 6th (Franklin on 4/10 will be 9 am - Noon)
Three hours may seem like a long-time, but our in-person sessions were 3-hours (check-in and network for a half-hour; two-hour presentation; half-hour post-session-networking). And I think we will keep you entertained. (And will we even need three hours? You'll let us know!)

I have two special guests lined up for Monday:
1. Diane Darling, a nationally known networking and social networking expert.
2. Kara Cohen, of the AARP, who will talk about how AARP can help you.

In addition, we plan to take advantage of Zoom features, such as breakout rooms, to enable networking in small virtual groups.

Please note---Every participating town Group Leader will offer virtual sessions. So, if you have a favorite group leader or friends you used to meet at the in-person sessions, you can sign up to see them (virtually) again.

I hope this note explained what you need to know, without boring you.
Best wishes to you all. Be safe.


Ed Lawrence
Group Leader, Hopkinton and Franklin
www.50plusjobseekers.org

Hopkinton session flyer

Participant guideline
Monday April 6th "50+ Job-seeker" session
Monday April 6th "50+ Job-seeker" session

Monday, March 30, 2020

Wake Up With Mr. Barrett - 8 AM

Wake Up With Mr. Barrett TOMORROW morning- TuNesday! - @ 8:00 a.m.!
Click HERE for the concert: https://youtu.be/sgGotObCGF0
Hope to see you there!!! 

Wake Up With Mr. Barrett - 8 AM
Wake Up With Mr. Barrett - 8 AM

FM #231 Franklin (MA) DPW Director Robert (Brutus) Cantoreggi 3/26/20 (audio)

FM #231 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 231 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin (MA) DPW Director Robert “Brutus” Cantoreggi. We did a conference all to adhere to the ‘social distance’ requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brutus reviews with us how his department had adjusted operations to maintain services during this COVID-19 pandemic period.

The conversation runs about 14 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Brutus.  https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/H6fpNgMX




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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

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/
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"

construction alert for King St and Washington St intersection
construction alert for King St and Washington St intersection


What Small Businesses Need Now

"A month ago, if you had told me that schools and colleges would be closed, graduations postponed, all NCAA and pro sports cancelled, restaurants and bars forcibly shuttered, non-‘essential’ businesses closed down, and gatherings of more than 10 persons forbidden, I would have thought you were cooking up an elaborate April Fool’s joke. If you had added that it would be impossible to purchase chicken, beef, eggs, or toilet paper, I would have asked what you were smoking.

Sigh. If only.

We’re living in some deeply weird times, which are presenting some unique challenges, none more so than for small businesses. Restaurants- my heart just breaks for them. Pubs and diners may be able to-barely-scrape by with takeout, but fine dining restaurants are not set up for that. Many of them will simply not survive this.

What Small Businesses Need Now
What Small Businesses Need Now
And what about other businesses that have been forced to close? Clothing stores, toy stores, book stores, nail and hair salons…yeah, way too many to name. Small businesses are fragile. More than 50% of new small businesses fail in the first year-in normal circumstances. Being forced to close your doors is not a normal circumstance. No money coming in, while rent, utilities, insurance, and other liabilities still need to be paid? That’s a small business nightmare.

The coronavirus relief bill that (finally) passed Congress will help, but will it be in time, and will it be enough? Honestly, we all need to do our part to ensure that the small businesses that keep our communities vital can hang on until this is over.

So please, if you can, order takeout from a local restaurant. Contact services you usually use (hair, nails, massage, etc) and buy a gift certificate. They’ll get the money now, you can use the service later. Before buying something from Amazon, see if a local merchant would be willing to deliver that item to you. If a shop is still open, but you don’t want to enter a public space, ask if they’ll do curbside pickup for you. Each of these is a small gesture, but a multitude of small gestures just may save these businesses.

Eventually, this too shall pass. Let’s help make sure our treasured small businesses survive to see that day."

Ann Williams - Pour Richard's Wine and Spirits  https://pourrichardswine.com/

Shared with permission
https://pourrichardswine.com/whats-new/what-small-businesses-need-now/

Attention Franklin: Parks, playgrounds, fields are closed

Parks, playgrounds, fields are closed

All Town & Public Schools grounds, playgrounds, turf fields, grass fields, and the track are closed until further notice. 

Trails are still open. https://www.franklinma.gov/recreation-department/files/fields-playgrounds

Please practice social distancing and avoid groups.

sign at the King St fields
sign at the King St fields

COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation Program


"The Baker-Polito Administration announced an online portal where individuals and companies can easily donate or sell personal protective equipment (PPE) and volunteer to support the COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts. This effort will ensure that front line responders get the protective equipment they need to stay and push for more trained volunteers to join the response.

“Massachusetts has already received generous donations from countless organizations, and by launching this portal we’ll make it easier to streamline these offers and quickly distribute supplies to those in need,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We also need more volunteers to help support our response to this unprecedented public health emergency, and urge people to sign up to lend a hand. Our administration will continue making every effort to secure supplies from all possible resources to support our front line workers during these tough times.”

The Commonwealth’s COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation Program creates an easy portal allowing companies and organizations to sell or donate protective equipment that is in short supply given the global demands for such items."
For additional info
https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-launches-online-portal-for-personal-protective-equipment

Visit the COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation web page
https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-ppe-procurement-and-donation-program

Shared via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1244287599881191429

COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation Program
COVID-19 PPE Procurement and Donation Program