Rep Roy's recap of Franklin Historical Museum reopening

State Representative Jeff Roy writes: 

"Delighted to be a part of the grand re-opening of the Franklin Historical Museum last week. The re-opening brought back to life our local laboratory for history and culture and offered residents a chance to see Franklin over the years since 1778.  

It was also a treat to hear James Johnston describe the new federal parlor display and hear Jamie Barrett sing his ode to Davis Thayer (brief video included below). Check out the newly re-opened and expanded museum. Thank you Mary Olsson for making it all happen."

Shared from Facebook: https://facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165185454565034&id=534850033

ribbon cutting of the Franklin Historical Museum reopening

The YouTube link to Jamie Barrett's Ode to Davis Thayer  https://youtu.be/L3uC1EsoT6M

Franklin to get a piece of the MassTrails Grant Program announced

Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) tweeted on Thu, Jul 22, 2021:

Glad to join state + local officials today in Sandwich to award nearly $4M in MassTrails Grant Program funding to 52 trail projects to support construction, maintenance + improvement of public trails across the Commonwealth.

Full press release ->  🏞️ https://t.co/unNjArHfE5
Press conference video -> 📺 https://t.co/KLqiv94S9H  or https://youtu.be/XDZLGTAZVBE

Shared via Twitter -> https://t.co/K648WQiQhU

The 52 project awards can be viewed in this PDF ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XhuW_9x0qXMPB7r44oNBt8aJxiXW3tYw/view?usp=sharing

On the first page we find:

Community: Foxboro, Wrentham, & Franklin

Organization: Department of Conservation and Recreation

Project Title: F. Gilbert Hills/Wrentham/Franklin OHV Trail Repair and Improvements

Brief Project Description:

"This project builds off previous trail repair work aimed to protect wetland and soil resources, repair poor trail conditions, and enhance user experience for all visitors. Years of repeated motorized use with a lack of substantial trail repair have resulted in a trail which is up to fifteen feet wide in various locations. Fall line trails with poor drainage potential have left some areas eroded to almost two feet below the original trail surface. Conditions addressed as part of the project include braided hill climbs, mud pits with standing water, and needed trail relocation"

MassTrails Grant Program

Invisible Stories - #10 - "Homelessness is NOT a Choice (featuring LAHSA)"

"In CA, there are only 22 affordable housing units for every hundred extremely low income households" - in Franklin, the wait list for state provided affordable housing is multiple years long.

Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) tweeted on Sun, Jul 11, 2021:

Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand and can't ignore. 

Link to the 10th and last episode of the series:  https://youtu.be/nEpaCA9tlEQ

More about the Shower of Hope = https://theshowerofhope.org/

Link to the series: https://t.co/Y0NRNIujar 

Shared from Twitter:    https://twitter.com/hardlynormal/status/1414284287034155020

Note: I met Mark at a social media conference many years ago and have been following his work. This series is very well done. Yes, the series is set in LA but homelessness is an issue all around us whether visible or not.

MA News: Gov Baker says no changes; BPS says masks for students; MA House passes sports betting

Gov Baker: No plans to change COVID policies 

"ALTHOUGH COVID-19 CASE numbers are rising in Massachusetts and nationally, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that he does not intend to reinstate any statewide COVID-related rules. 

“We’re not looking at changing any of our existing rules or policies,” Baker said, speaking at a press conference in Sandwich."

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/baker-no-plans-to-change-covid-policies/

"In one of the first signs the resurgence of COVID infections is causing concern among officials, Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Thursday said all public school students in the city will be required to wear face masks when they return to classes in September. 

Already this week, officials in Cambridge, Provincetown, and Nantucket urged residents and visitors to wear masks in indoor public spaces as new outbreaks have been reported; Cambridge, for example, said that 42 percent of the 83 confirmed and probable infections in July so far are “breakthrough” cases involving people who are fully vaccinated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/22/metro/janey-says-bps-students-must-wear-masks-baker-says-he-plans-no-changes-covid-19-policies/

MA House passes sports betting

"THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY approved a bill to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts on Thursday evening, but even before the vote, the question of whether to allow wagers on college sports emerged as a major sticking point between the House and Senate."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/gambling/house-approves-sports-betting-again-with-bipartisan-vote/

"The state House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would legalize sports betting in Massachusetts, allowing people 21 and older to place wagers on professional and collegiate athletic events.

The House endorsed the measure 156-3, sending it to the state Senate, which has been less enthusiastic about legalizing the practice."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/22/metro/mass-house-passes-bill-legalizing-sports-betting/ 

Toys for Tots Festival => July 24

3rd Annual Toys For Tots Festival. More details as the we get closer to the event. More vendors and more raffles, with special guests.

As of now (July 19) here is Christmas in July setlist. (*Subject to change if need be)

• Eventmusicpros
• JohnnyMac Productions
• Run'N Wild Band
• JJ Jones & AJ Hapenny
• Street45band

Event will be CA$H only No Credit Cards at bar!!! ATM inside as well as across the street at Big Y.

% of sales goes to Toys For Tots

Where: The Alumni Restaurant and Bar

For additional updates follow the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/256879422661382/

Toys for Tots Festival => July 24 

Let's keep it going Franklin

"The Department of Public Health released new town-by-town data for coronavirus cases on Thursday, the latest set of such data showing how the virus has impacted individual communities throughout Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

 

only 10 positive cases in this report

THE BLACK BOX Summer Series: Exit 17 and The Zajac Brothers Band

Friday, July 23

EXIT 17 is a four piece Classic Rock Band based in Franklin, MA, Playing all the hits you know and love, from Aerosmith to U2!

Tickets can be purchased online  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1476&month=07&year=2021

Saturday, July 24

The Zajac Brother’s band specializes in psychedelic blues rock music, influenced by the counterculture movement of the 60’s and 70’s. Tyler Zajac on Vocals and Keys, Luke Okerlund on Guitar, Ryan Philipps on Bass, and Matt Zajac on Drums.

The Zajac Brothers Band will be performing songs by both The Beatles and The Grateful Dead. These two juggernaut bands are major influences to the Zajac brothers. Join us at THE BLACK BOX while they pay homage to their heroes by performing this tribute night featuring creative medleys, improvisational jams and deep cuts from The Beatles and The Grateful Dead.

Tickets can be purchased online

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1489&month=07&year=2021

In case of inclement weather these events will be moved inside. 

THE BLACK BOX Summer Series: Exit 17 and The Zajac Brothers Band