FM #236 Karen Alves - Senior Center Pandemic Updates 4/03/20 (audio)

FM #236 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 236 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Karen Alves, Director of the Franklin Senior Center. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about food services, “Meals on Wheels” can use volunteers, GATRA’s “Dial-a-Ride” has waived fees for seniors, the 50+ networking group is going virtual, an Earth Day lecture was recorded and the video will be posted to the Senior Center page on Apr 22.

Additional details on topics of our conversation can be found in the April issue of “The Franklin Connection” newsletter https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/apr20connection_-_copy_1.pdf

Two quick updates to add to our conversation that Karen realized we missed discussing:

• For reassurance calls: "The Senior Center staff offers a weekly reassurance call for those who would like to receive one. Please call the Center at 508 520-4945 and leave a message."
• For the mental health clinician: "A mental health clinician is available by telephone for elders needing assistance. Please call Gail at: (774) 307-3524 or (508) 657-2791." This program is available through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

This conversation runs about 20 minutes, so listen to my conversation with Karen and hear what the Senior Center is doing during this pandemic period.

https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HrsfSY07



  --------------

Tri-Valley, Inc delivering “Meals on Wheels” can use volunteers, please contact Gail Hamilton by calling 508-520-1422

Franklin Senior Center = https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc and specific updates for this pandemic period https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/senior-center-resources-and-support

The April issue of “The Franklin Connection” newsletter.
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/apr20connection_-_copy_1.pdf

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

FM #236 Karen Alves - Senior Center Pandemic Updates 4/03/20 (audio)

wfpr.fm Weekly Schedule

Our weekly wfpr●fm program schedule lists interviews and musical programs of interest hosted by Franklin residents. Our current slate of programs runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Programs repeat at 9 AM, Noon, and 6 PM, and Saturdays, starting at 9 AM.

Wednesday:
9:00a/12:00p /6:00p FPS Voice – Anne Marie Tracey - All about Franklin Public Schools

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone - All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points 

11:00a/2:00p/8:00p Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock - Franklin and its local government, services and events

Thursday:
9:00a/12:00p/6:00p The Tabernacle Choir - from Salt Lake City 

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey - Frank explores a range of music genres and artists 

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick - Exploring the music of the great Blues tradition

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 - An hour of uplifting music for all 

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group - Original short stories presented by the authors

Weekdays:
3:00p Music of the Swingin’ Big Band Era
4:00p Starlight Songs from the Great American Songbook

Listen each week on the air at 102●9 fm, and online at our website, wfpr●fm as we bring more of our community – to community radio.

Find the complete Franklin TV and wfpr.fm program guide online  http://franklin.tv/
 

wfpr.fm Weekly Schedule

Once Upon a Town: Felix Cataldo Block & Dana Block - Downtown Franklin

Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to "Find out the history of the Felix Cataldo Block, a landmark of downtown Franklin and host to numerous notable businesses. Also, the Dana Block."

Video link = https://youtu.be/GtLkaIk5cQU

Franklin Public Schools: Remote Learning Presentation

April 6, 2020

Dear Franklin Families,

Remote Learning Presentation

We would like to thank those who could join us last night as we presented the FPS Remote Learning Plan and answered questions. A recorded version of the presentation can now be found on our YouTube channel at the following link: https://youtu.be/zTFW_Vpqnhk

We apologize for our technological difficulties and appreciate the patience everyone exhibited.

Chromebook Borrowing

We appreciate that everyone is adjusting to the remote learning framework this week. As noted, we will seek feedback to monitor the roll out.

We anticipate that there will be requests for Chromebooks. We would like to allow for a few more days of adjustment as everyone gets used to this new framework. We will be back in touch with further information about another round of Chromebook borrowing.


Kindly,

Franklin Public Schools

Franklin PUblic Schools: Remote Learning Presentation

Franklin Recreation Sports and Art Contest

The Franklin Recreation Department is hosting the following challenges and contests to ALL residents during this stay at home quarantine. 

PRIZES will be awarded to the top winners and all winning videos and/or photographs will be posted on our website and social media.

 **REMEMBER these contests are to be done following the guidelines of social distancing. They are not to be done with a group of friends.**

Prizes include:

1st Place- $100 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
2nd Place - $50 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
3rd Place - $25 Franklin Recreation Gift Certificate
Honorable Mention - Franklin Recreation T-Shirt

SPORTS AT HOME Contest:
The Franklin Recreation Department challenges you to send us a picture or video of how YOU play sports at home. Email your photos or videos to franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov. Categories include:

1) Most Creative
2) Best use of a small space
3) Best Obstacle Course
4) Best Goalie

RECREATE A WORK OF ART Contest:
The Franklin Recreation Department challenges you to recreate a work of art with objects (and people) in your home. Choose your favorite artwork from the choices provided below. Find things lying around your house and recreate the artwork with those items. Email your photos to franklinrecreation@franklinma.gov.

ART WORK:
1- Frida Kahlo- self portrait with Braid

2-Yayoi Kusama- Dreams in Technicolor

3-Keith Haring- untitled Family

4- Norman Rockwell- 4 Boys on a Sled

5- Salvador Dali-The Persistence of Memory 

Franklin Recreation Sports and Art Contest

If you want to work with individual images rather than this collection, the images can be found in one PowerPoint doc here
 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zMRx4WaBCmaC2RPAsUEINHOu1UpjyAp6/view?usp=sharing

A Message from the Attorney General's Office

As the “People’s Law Firm,” the Office of the Attorney General is committed to serving all residents of the Commonwealth, especially during the current pandemic we are experiencing. We are working diligently to ensure that our dedicated staff has the resources and direction needed to adjust to the new normal and continue operating at the highest level possible.

Our goal is to continue protecting all residents of the Commonwealth during the on- going and unpredictable COVID-19 crisis on a wide-range of issues. Please contact me with any questions, including about earned sick time and workers’ rights, price gouging of critical goods and services, charitable donations, harmful debt collection practices, student loans and consumer scams. 

Some basic information is available
here: https://www.mass.gov/news/ags-office-issues-guidance-on-coronavirus-resources-warns-of-consumer-scams.

A helpful digital tool available through our office (https://www.mass.gov/news/ags-office-issues-guidance-on-coronavirus-resources-warns-of-consumer-scams) addresses the many resources we are providing that may be valuable for the Veterans residing in your respective towns and cities. I have also attached a PDF of the 2018 Resources Guide for Veterans and Servicemembers (below).

The Office and I are committed to working with each of you to honor the deserved rights and well-being of Veterans during this crisis. Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any question you might have.


Steven Pfister
Senior Investigator; Medicaid Fraud Division Veterans Affairs Coordinator
MA Office of the Attorney General (617) 963-2699

The doc referenced can be found on the MA Gov site
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/11/09/vets-guide-110818_0.pdf

Franklin 50+ job-seeker program: Using LinkedIn as a Powerful Job Search Tool

Using LinkedIn as a Powerful Job Search Tool

Navigating Your Way to a New Career!

Facilitator: Edward Lawrence; Career Coach
Co-facilitator: Erin Rogers; Social Services Coordinator

Once you have a LinkedIn (LI) profile, it is essential to use LI as a research tool to identify target companies you may want to work for; jobs you may want to apply for; and people you may want to network with, because they may be able to assist during in your search.

Reviewing the LinkedIn profiles of people working in the desired field or in the desired job will help you enhance your own LI profile and provide guidance on types of jobs and companies that should be part of your search.

Guest Speaker: Kara Cohen, AARP Massachusetts

Guest Speaker: Janice Heller, who offers solution-based career development guidance as well as insightful, results-oriented work and life coaching. Her website is https://janicehellercareercoach.com

Program Pre-Registration (once per town location) is required:
https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

Registration is required for this specific online meeting:

• After you register for the 50+ Program, we will place you on a list to receive promos that contain a meeting’s registration information.
• If you have registered previously with the town that virtually hosts the session, there is no need for you to register again.

Note: 50+ Virtual sessions offered via Zoom are recorded; so, they may be available for later viewing by program participants.

For additional information about this program, please contact Erin Rogers; Social Services Coordinator, Franklin Senior Center; erogers@franklinma.gov; (508) 520-4945.

A copy of the flyer can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_1XHwjhKN8g-SDJOC0t25RRpbCC1VXpa/view?usp=sharing
 

Franklin 50+ job-seeker program: Using LinkedIn as a Powerful Job Search Tool