Thursday, July 23, 2020

COVID-19 Immunology 101 for Non-immunologists.(video)

"In collaboration with BioRender, Akiko Iwasaki, Ph.D., Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine, explores COVID-19 Immunology 101 for Non-immunologists."

About BioRender:
BioRender is the easy-to-use science illustration tool that’s quickly becoming a staple in academic institutions and labs around the world! You can access the program for free at https://biorender.com/

Video link =https://youtu.be/jeN8v5I5VNA



Wednesday, July 22, 2020

July 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Postponed

Town Council Meeting Postponed

Good evening Franklin,

Unfortunately tonight's (July 22, 2020) Town Council meeting will need to be postponed until next Wednesday July 29th, due to technical difficulties with the live stream. We apologize for any inconvenience. We feel postponing was the best option to allow for citizens engagement. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.

July 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Postponed
July 22, 2020 Town Council Meeting Postponed

Sidewalk Sale! Franklin Federated Church Friday, July 24, 12-5

Franklin Federated Church at 171 Main Street is in the process of renovating and upgrading its dining room and kitchen. On Friday, July 24 from 12-5, as a result of intense cleaning and purging of the cabinets, church members will set up tables at the church containing silverware, utensils, dishes, glassware, etc.

The public is invited to peruse the items, take what they want, and make a goodwill donation. 

  • No pricing, no money exchanging hands. 
  • No direct social contact needed but some masked, friendly conversation always welcome.


Sidewalk Sale! Franklin Federated Church Friday, July 24, 12-5
Sidewalk Sale! Franklin Federated Church Friday, July 24, 12-5

THE BLACK BOX: Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh - July 23

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh sponsored by Dean Bank on Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 pm!

Join Ali Funkhouser, pianist Raye Lynn Mercer & violinist Irina Fainkichen for an evening of musical shenanigans with music from Sondheim to Whitney Houston!

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students/Alumni/Seniors.

Get tickets online
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1375&month=07&year=2020

THE BLACK BOX: Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh - July 23
THE BLACK BOX: Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh - July 23

Concerts on the Common: Friday, July 24

The Franklin Farmers Market update:
"Franklin's Concerts on the Common start this Friday! This week's concert starts at 5 PM so come early and do some shopping at the market."

Friday, July 24
5 - 6:30 PM = "Pub Kings"
6:30 - 8:00 PM = "Frank Padula Band"
8:15 PM - Movie Night = "Toy Story #4"

Follow the Franklin Farmers Market on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/FranklinFarmersMarketMA/photos/a.562064507186871/3379373718789255/?type=3&theater

Concerts on the Common: Friday, July 24
Concerts on the Common: Friday, July 24

In the News: cocktails to go legislation signed; police chiefs object to police reform drafts in House/Senate

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday afternoon signed a pair of bills that will update the state’s approach to mosquito control and allow restaurants to sell sealed containers of mixed drinks with their takeout and delivery food orders. 
Lawmakers sent Baker those two bills on Thursday, along with a $1 billion supplemental budget that focuses on spending related to the state’s COVID-19 response. That spending bill (H 4808) remains on Baker’s desk, and he has until Sunday to act on it. 
“While many mom and pop establishments have been able to slowly reopen in recent weeks, they still face significant challenges in their efforts to retain employees and pay their bills,” said State Sen. Diana DiZoglio, who filed the legislation. “According to our local, family owned and operated restaurants, these measures could help them generate thousands of dollars a month and would greatly assist them in paying utility bills and rent.” 
The new to-go cocktails law (S 2812) is aimed at helping restaurants generate additional revenue while their operations are restricted amid the COVID-19 crisis. It follows an April law that allowed restaurants to sell beer and wine alongside takeout and delivery, and restaurants will now be able to sell limited quantities of beer, wine and mixed drinks for off-premises consumption through February 2021 or until the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted, whichever comes later."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200721/cocktails-to-go-and-mosquito-bills-become-law-in-massachusetts?rssfeed=true


"For years, Massachusetts police chiefs say, they’ve been ignored by state lawmakers. Now, police say legislators are threatening their safety - and the safety of the public — through proposed police reform measures. 
“Law enforcement in Massachusetts is under attack by a liberal element that wants to bring shame (to police officers) that none of us understand,” said Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth, president of the Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association, on Tuesday. Massachusetts police have been leading the way in model police standards in the United States for years – but those efforts haven’t been acknowledged by legislators, he said. 
“As leaders, we can stand here today and tell you, the legislation will not make us safer,” Farnsworth said. 
Farnsworth was joined by nearly 100 of the state’s 351 police chiefs Tuesday morning in Framingham to criticize two police reform bills that were recently moved by the Senate and House. The chiefs urged Gov. Charlie Baker and state legislators to work with police on the legislation instead of cutting them out of the conversation."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200721/mass-police-chiefs-criticize-lawmakers-on-rushing-police-reform-bills?rssfeed=true

Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17

From the Boston Globe, an article of interest for Franklin:
"As concerns mount about a potential wave of evictions this fall, Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday extended the state’s ban on evictions and foreclosures into mid-October, citing the ongoing health and economic crisis set off by the pandemic. 
The ban, which was set to expire Aug. 18, will remain in effect until Oct. 17, buying time for tenants as the state slowly starts to recover economically from the impact of COVID-19-related shutdowns. The measure blocks nearly all eviction cases from being filed in the state’s housing courts. 
“The extension I am declaring today will provide residents of the Commonwealth with continued housing security as businesses cautiously re-open, more people return to work, and we collectively move toward a new normal,” Baker wrote to the Legislature."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/21/metro/gov-baker-extends-eviction-moratorium-until-oct-17/

Link to Press Release  https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-extends-moratorium-on-evictions-and-foreclosures-to-october-17

PDF of the extension letter  https://www.mass.gov/doc/foreclosures-and-evictions-moratorium-extension-july-21-2020/download


Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17
Baker-Polito Administration Extends Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures to October 17