50+ Jobseekers Program Special Event: Mindfulness - Nov 18

Special Event: Mindfulness & Stress Mngt

Thursday November 18th: 2 - 4 pm

Unemployment, the job search, and career pivoting are exhausting for most of us. The constant rejection, lack of feedback, and self-imposed pressure take a toll.

Come join us and learn methods for sustaining your morale.

 

Special Guest: Megan McDonough

Founder and CEO of the Wholebeing Institute and

award-winning author of Infinity In a Box and A Minute for Me

Please join us on November 18th when Megan McDonough will reveal the one critical key to your job-seeking experience, making it either exhausting or energizing—where you focus your attention.

We'll explore the science of attention, and how you can direct it in three specific ways, building a helpful and constructive response to your circumstances, instead of destructive responses that create anxiety, sadness, and frustration.

Megan is an expert in positive psychology and mindfulness, and is the founder of the Wholebeing Institute, an organization that teaches the science of human flourishing, teaching students from all over the world.

You don't want to miss this!

Job loss research has proven this to be one of the highest times of stress in our lives.

Mindfulness and Positive Psychology have evidence based impacts on people's lives.

Mindfulness supports us in stress reduction and sustaining a healthy state of mind and body.

Positive Psychology and the evidence based research behind it - supports us to flourish and live our lives fully, presently and in a fully integrated way.

We hope you can join us next Thursday, November 18 from 2:00 – 4:00.

Pre-registration is required for this special event:
https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/ - in the menu enroll for the Guest Speaker Series

This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder

https://drive.google.com/file/d/173vPu_UgUcCd0tUU3QOb1ItVyFYNBdU4/view?usp=sharing

50+ Jobseekers Program Special Event: Mindfulness - Nov 18

How to save money heating your home this winter

How to save money heating your home this winter by Colleen Tressler Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC The days are getting cooler — in fact, some parts of the U.S. have already seen snow. Experts report it's going to be an expensive winter to heat your home, but there are things you can do now to cut your energy costs. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2021/11/how-save-money-heating-your-home-winter?utm_source=govdelivery

How to save money heating your home this winter

The Guardian: "COVID cases are surging in Europe. America is in denial about what lies in store for it"

"It’s deja vu, yet again. The pandemic first hit Europe in March 2020, and Americans were in denial, thinking it wouldn’t happen here. Then, later in the year, the Alpha variant wave took hold in the United Kingdom and the United States was unprepared. This recurred with Delta in the summer of 2021. 

Now, in the fall of 2021, Europe is the outlier continent on the rise with COVID, with approximately 350 cases per 100,000 people and many countries are soaring to new records. This not only involves eastern and central Europe, where there are some countries with low vaccination rates (such as Georgia, only 24% fully vaccinated) and caseloads as high as 160/100,000 (Slovenia), but also western Europe, such as Austria, Belgium, Ireland and several others. 

Indeed, in Germany, leading virologist Christian Drosten recently warned their death toll could be doubled if more aggressive mitigation and vaccination strategies were not quickly adopted.

.... 

We are already seeing signs that the US is destined to succumb to more COVID spread, with more than three weeks sitting at a plateau of ~75,000 new cases per day, now there’s been a 10% rise in the past week. We are miles from any semblance of COVID containment, facing winter and the increased reliance of being indoors with inadequate ventilation and air filtration, along with the imminent holiday gatherings."

Continue reading the article online (Subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/12/covid-cases-surging-europe-america-denial

MA COVID-19 deaths in 2021 are rising again 

Register O'Donnell Announces 2021 Holiday Food Drive November 22 through December 29

Register O'Donnell Announces 2021 Holiday Food Drive

November 22 through December 29

Noting that some Norfolk County families are more worried about putting food on the table this holiday season, Register of Deeds William O'Donnell is asking people to contribute to the Annual Registry of Deeds Food Drive, starting Monday, November 22 and running through Friday, December 29, 2021.
 
"There is no doubt that Norfolk County is a destination place to live and to work. However, there are people throughout the county that are truly hurting. Just looking at our monthly foreclosure numbers, we at the Registry of Deeds can see firsthand how people are being adversely impacted. Misfortune can strike anyone in a number of ways, from a job loss to a medical catastrophe to an elderly person on a fixed income."
 
Today, according to the latest Project Bread statistics, 1 out of every 10 households in Massachusetts is considered food insecure. Furthermore 1 out of every 7 children in the state is also considered food insecure.   In fiscal year 2017 Project Bread received more than 28,000 calls for food assistance.
 
Register O'Donnell noted. "As we near the holiday season, there is definitely a need for more food assistance. Household expenses are higher due to the cost of home heating fuel and also food bills are higher with kids home during school vacation.  Let us be mindful during this Thanksgiving season that others may be in need of our help."
 
Non-perishable food items can be brought directly to the Registry of Deeds which is located at 649 High Street in Dedham. A donation bin will be set-up in the Registry's lobby and food can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8:00AM to 4:30PM. Suggested donations include canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, sauces, toiletries and paper products.
 
If you can't get to the Registry to drop off food, you can check their website.at www.norfolkdeeds.org for a pantry location in your community. "Working together, we can truly make a huge difference this holiday season," concluded Register O'Donnell.
 
To learn more about these and other Registry of Deeds events and initiatives, "like" us on facebook.com/norfolkdeeds, follow us on twitter and instagram @norfolkdeeds.
 
The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds, located at 649 High St., Dedham, is the principal office for real property in Norfolk County. The Registry is a resource for homeowners, title examiners, mortgage lenders, municipalities and others with a need for secure, accurate, accessible land record information. All land record research information can be found on the Registry's website www.norfolkdeeds.org. Residents in need of assistance can contact the Registry of Deeds Customer Service Center at (781) 461-6101, or email us at registerodonnell@norfolkdeeds.org.
 

2021 Holiday Food Drive  November 22 through December 29

Franklin's Event Outlook: Nov 12 - Nov 18, 2021

A wet Friday in the forecast with a light listing of events this weekend.  FHS students perform Mamma Mia this weekend. The Big Band Brunch returns to THE BLACK BOX on Sunday. St Mary's Women's Faith Formation group meets and the annual pie sale takes orders after all the masses this weekend.

This 'seeming to never end' pandemic has caused the cancelation of the Art Wall reception on Sunday at the First Universalist Church. A new outbreak among that community has set artist Chris Blue Lamb Toubeau back for the 2nd time. You may recall her art display was scheduled for a show at FUSF back in March of 2020 when the COVID-19 shutdown hit. And now it has done it again.

Friday, November 12
7:00pm - FHS presents "Mama Mia!"

Saturday, November 13
Thanksgiving Pie Sale at St Mary's after all Masses
9:30am - St Mary's Women's Faith Formation
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm - FHS presents "Mama Mia!"
3:00pm - New England Chapel - Open House
7:00pm - FHS presents "Mama Mia!"

Sunday, November 14
Thanksgiving Pie Sale at St Mary's after all Masses
11:30am - CANCELED - Art Wall Reception
11:45am - Kenny Hadley Big Band Brunch
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar

Recap: Town Council reorganizes (sort of); hears about open meeting law, etc. appoints 4 to Cultural Council; closes with Executive Session

Quick Recap:

• Town Clerk Nancy Danello sworn in (2nd time, first time on election night), then she swears in the Town Council
• Council reorganizes by nomination and vote to retain Mercer, Dellorco, and Jones as Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk respectfully; so while they have officially re-organized, there is no change in the leadership at this time
• Appointments of four individuals to Cultural Council approved
• Overview of Open Meeting, Law, Ethics, etc. provided by Attny Mark Cerel. As many times as I have seen this overview (8 times, I think?), it is good to review, something different catches my attention each time.
• Council entered Executive Session to discuss the latest on the Prospect St property situation and did not return to open session

----

As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter. I participated in the meeting in the Council Chambers. 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #tc1110

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tc1110&src=typeahead_click 

Agenda document -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html

• getting ready for the Town Council meeting to begin shortly - agenda doc and remote connection info -> https://franklinmatters.org/2021/11/franklin-ma-town-council-meeting-agenda.html…  #tc1110
• Motion to nominate Mercer as Chair, seconded, approved 9-0; motion to nominate Dellorco as Vice-Chair; seconded, approved 9-0 motion to nominate Jones, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1110
• motion to adopt procedure manual -> ADOPTION OF TOWN COUNCIL PROCEDURE MANUAL: Resolution 21-67       https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/3._21-67_adoption_of_council_procedures.pdf…  #tc1110  subcommittee will review and propose revisions possible  -  seconded, passes 9-0
• meeting protocol statement read by Chair Mercer; meeting options, Zoom, cable Verizon/Comcast, and live stream - Citizen comments; Rev Juncker and Rabbi Alpert step forward to make Interfaith Council as they did at #schCom1109 meeting  #tc1110
• statement on #LoveFranklin can be found -> https://franklinmatters.org/2021/10/a-call-to-our-community-lovefranklin.html…  #tc1110 (BTW - I am a signer of this statement, one of the 365 community members)
• J Callaway-Tripp after an atrocious election, congratulations, I hope you do wonderful things #tc1110
• approval of minutes from 10/06/21 meeting, motion, seconded, passes 9-0  #tc1110
• APPOINTMENTS a. Franklin Cultural Council: Venus Senjam - motion, seconded, passes 9-0  #tc1110 Cormier-Leger, Frongillo, Jones - thanks to these candidates, good candidates
• APPOINTMENTS b. Franklin Cultural Council: Patrick Kinner#tc1110 - motion, seconded, passes 9-0 c. Franklin Cultural Council: Shelley Green - motion, seconded, passes 9-0d. Franklin Cultural Council: Jacob Juncker - motion, seconded, passes 9-0
• LICENSE TRANSACTIONS a. Residence Inn Boston Franklin, License Modification, Change of Manager, Officers/Directors/ LLC Managers & Change of ownership Interest, 4 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA 02038  #tc1110  motion to approve, seconded, passes 9-0
• License modification -> b. Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc. d/b/a Shaw's, License Modification, Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, 255 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038  #tc1110 motion, seconded, passes 9-0
• license modification - c. 99 Restaurants of Boston, LLC d/b/a The Ninety-Nine, License Modification, Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, 847 West Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038  #tc1110 motion, seconded, passes 9-0
• Farmers Market license - D. La Cantina Winery Company, Farmer-Winery, Farmer’s Market License, 355 Union Street, Franklin, MA 02038 #tc1110 motion, seconded, passes 9-0 3rd time for the Market at Fairmount Fruit Farm (11/20/21)
• Presentation: Open Meeting Law, Public Records, Ethics and Conducting a Public Meeting - Mark Cerel, Town Attorney Memo - > https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Ft8UZqacUKK2AT_rieHgQl4NFNR0-Xu/view?usp=sharing…  Presentation Doc - >   https://drive.google.com/file/d/15KP9W1fQTC5rOiiO_OBi6HFZv_PHtG0t/view?usp=sharing…  #tc1110
• starting with page 11 of the presentation doc - this is the short story version - each of these topics could take more time to review thoroughly #tc1110 applicable for open meeting law when a quorum is together;
• in open meeting law, public has right to be present but not an absolute right to participate, subject to the chair of the public body; there are consequences for enforcement #tc1110 no blanket immunity for speech, potential liability for any comments if derogatory, threatening
• shifting to public records law - includes all forms of documents including electronic  - the document itself is the public record regardless of the device it located on; i.e. a personal device. #tc1110 there are town business email accounts for Town Council/School Committee …
• to help with the separation of the town business and personal business. There are public records officers defined within Municipal operations, most requests are from outside for some other purpose - we don't have a lot of requests as the website is so stocked with docs. #tc1110
• the easiest answer; if you are thinking about posting it, don't; #tc1110 shifting to ethics - this is a criminal statue  - Town Council members are considered "municipal employees" and covered by all "statutory prohibitions and restrictions"
• identify the potential conflict sooner than later and recuse yourself at the outset. #tc1110 Ethics Commission can be helpful and then be an investigator and hearing leading to decisions for civil and criminal as required
• next up - conducting public hearings - #tc1110 differences in liability between legislative role (most resolutions) and administrative (i.e. alcohol license or violations) - be careful about what you do
• a. Resolution 21-65: Cable Funds in Support of PEG Service and Programming per MGL Ch. 44, §53F3/4 - $18,500.22 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-65 - Majority Vote) - motion, seconded, passes 9-0 #tc1110
• b. Resolution 21-66: Gift Acceptance: Veterans Service Department ($3,295.00) and Fire Department ($965.00) (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-66- Majority Vote) #tc1110 motion, seconded, passes 9-0
• Town Administrator's Report - thanks and congratulations to the successful candidates; cafe will be closed at Senior Center, deep cleaning to be done, also expanding tax workoff to include the cafe; #tc1110  Nov 18, at FHS auditorium also Zoom feature
• future agenda items; accessory dwelling units for Economic Development; Civil discourse pledge should be taken up; Housing Authority coming Nov 17 as the feature presentation; #tc1110 Councilor Comments - grade 6 youth football game coming this weekend, best wishes
• need to leaf pickup to assist other seniors to help them with taking the leaves to the transfer station/Beaver St #tc1110 vandalism at FHS bathrooms, work closely with Superintendent and their staff, etc. incidents are taken seriously. dealing with minors and legal process …
• mental health related issues, a lot of grief and difficulty out there today, not completely surprised. #tc1110 Frongillo touting talk on Mon on "Strong Towns" (info to be shared later) 9:30 AM
• thanks to the voters; Pellegri tapping on to the Chandler comments about the vandalism; has suggestions on how to stop it; #tc1110 Jones touting Mamma Mia performances this weekend (Fir/Sat) (see the community calendar for details)
• Thanks to the voters, awesome to see all the folks come out; wish the veterans the best; Nov 18 is an important event, #tc1110 good story on an issue raised last night, SAFE Coalition has a plan underway for the individual today; congratulate all the newly elected
• thanks also to all those who stepped up to run, even if they were not successful, there are other opportunities to stay involved #tc1110 do need to enter Executive Session - prospect St - not to return to open meeting ; vote to enter, vote via roll call - passes 9-0

 

Audio recording of meeting to be available in couple of days

Town Clerk Nancy Danello sworn in by justice of the peace

More Perfect Union - WFPR: 037 - Sara Ahern (audio)

"In this episode, the group is joined by Franklin's Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Ahern, to discuss the her time here as a superintendent during COVID, the actions made to handle the pandemic, and the work the schools are doing towards the future."

Audio file ->  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/81c4c010-f22a-4859-9160-4baf0228d7f8

The 'regular group' = Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Natalia Linos, and Jeff Roy host a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States. 

For other episodes of More Perfect Union visit ->

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9tb3JlLXBlcmZlY3QtdW5pb24uY2FwdGl2YXRlLmZtL3Jzc2ZlZWQ?

You can subscribe to this podcast in most podcast apps by searching for "More Perfect Union - WFPR"

More Perfect Union - WFPR: 037 - Sara Ahern (audio)