Saturday's Walk about Franklin (photo essay)

The 5th Grade Spring Cleanup was in full swing at Parmenter School. I made a loop around town coming back to Parmenter to check on the baseball field at the end of the walk.

car wash

DPW hydrant flushing

DPW rolling the real turf at Fletcher Field

feeder stream to Mine Brook

the big tree at Dean College

The Library on a sunny breezy day

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

how are the new sidewalks going to be ADA compliant?

home plate on Saturday at Parmenter still had ice (it was gone Sunday)

Upcoming Distracted Driving Episode Features Folk Singer/Songwriter Ellis Paul

Distracted Driving, a locally-produced web series, is happy to announce a very special upcoming episode of the talk show-based program.  On Sunday April 12^th, the hosts of Distracted Driving, Ray Auger, Tim Rice and Jay Pillarella, filmed an episode with local folk music legend Ellis Paul.  The show is scheduled to be released this Wednesday, April 15th at 7:00pm on the show's YouTube channel and will air in the near future on Milford TV and Amherst Media where the show is featured weekly.

Ellis Paul with Distracted Driving

"I've been such a big fan of Ellis' work since the early 90s" says Co-Host Tim Rice.  "To have him the back seat of our mobile studio was an honor, not to mention just a fun time all around."

On the show, which clocks in at just under an hour, Ray, Tim and Jay talk with Ellis about his roots, the current folk scene, the traveling life of working folk artist and more.  

Ellis even performs two songs from his latest album release.  Plus Distracted Driving got a special improvised theme song written for them on the spot.

Tune in on the Distracted Driving YouTube page starting Wednesday at 7:00pm for the fun!

Twitter – DDTheShow

Facebook – DistractedDrivingTheShow

YouTube – DistractedDrivingWS

www.distracteddrivingtheshow.com

About Distracted Driving

Distracting Driving is a web series hosted by Ray Auger, Jay Pillarella and Tim Rice.  It combines the late night talk show format and aimless driving.  Each week Ray, Jay and Tim chat about movies, TV, comics and life in general. The show features special guests, music, audience mail and fun surprises. Buckle up and take a ride with Distracted Driving, you never know where we'll be going!  Distracted Driving can be seen on YouTube, Milford TV and Amherst Media.

About Ellis Paul

Ellis Paul is an American singer-songwriter and folk musician. Born in Aroostook County, Maine, Paul is a key figure in what has become known as the Boston school of songwriting, a literate, provocative and urbanely romantic folk-pop style that helped ignite the folk revival of the 1990s. His pop music songs have appeared in movies and on television, bridging the gap between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.

Ellis Paul has frequently appeared at the Circle of Friends Coffeehouse in Franklin

FHS spring sports results from Monday, Apr 13

Hockomock Sports provides the results around the Hockomock League for all the spring sports action on Monday, Apr 13. Franklin had a busy and successful day with only the baseball team dropping their game.

FHS Panthers

Baseball

Franklin, 6 @ Saint Peter Marian, 11 - Final - Senior Nick Burgos went 1-2 with three walks and three runs scored, sophomore Tyler Gomes was 2-4 with a pair of doubles, one run scored and one RBI and senior Ben Chaffee was 2-2 with two walks and an RBI.

Softball

Franklin, 15 @ Oliver Ames, 3 - Final (5 innings) - Franklin pitcher Sabrina LoMonaco struck out nine batters and was perfect at the plate herself, going 4-4 with six RBI including a home run, a double and a pair of singles. Alicia Donovan went 2-3 with an RBI and Olivia DiGiacomo had a two-run double. For Oliver Ames, freshman Caroline Mahoney knocked in a pair of runs early in the game while Mattea Sarnecki knocked in the third run for the Tigers.

Boys Lacrosse

Sharon, 5 @ Franklin, 13 - Final - For Sharon, Josh Rotman scored a hat trick and Mark Bloom, Spencer Aubin and Kevin Chen each registered a point. Sharon freshman Johnny Greenberg came into play goalie with three minutes left in the first quarter and finished with 12 saves.

Girls Lacrosse

Sharon, 1 @ Franklin, 17 - Final - Franklin had 11 different players find the back of the net, led by MacKenzie Pleshaw and Julia Jette, who both recorded hat tricks. Freshman Grace MacCallum scored her first varsity goal in the win for the Panthers.

Boys Tennis

Franklin, 4 @ Oliver Ames, 1 - Final

For all the results across the Hockomock League on Monday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/blog/hockomock-schedule-scoreboard-041315

Do you love cats? Calico Nook might be the place for you!

Do you love cats? 

Last month, co-partners Marissa Massucco and Kristi Mahoney opened up a not-for-profit for cat lovers called Calico Nook (58 E. Central Street in downtown Franklin). Calico Nook is a progressive, upscale, warm and relaxing community space where cats roam free and feline fanatics can get their fill. Calico Nook has a few resident rescue cats and are in the process of partnering with local animal shelters to foster some of their cats. Since Calico Nook is not-for-profit, funding comes from a $5 admission at the door. Some people come to hang out or play with cats. Some people come to read, relax, use the wi-fi, see local art or buy a variety of eclectic cat-centric retail items. So far the community has been very supportive!

Calico Nook is also planning on having many special events, from acoustic music nights to kids craft events to pet info sessions. They have two upcoming events in April:

Pet Info Session: Saturday, April 18th with Dr. Bart Massucco 10:30am and 1pm

Dr. Bart, the owner of Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Wrentham, will be giving a fun pet informational session at 10:30am and 1pm. Dr. Bart can answer any pet related questions you may have. Fun for all ages (5 and up.) Bring your pet-related questions and he will answer them and learn fun cat facts from a seasoned pro. Standard $5 admission applies.

Kids School Vacation Event: Tuesday, April 21st from 3-4pm

Kids 5 and up can come and do a variety of cat centric games from word searches and word scrambles to puzzles and cat bingo. We have a prize basket brimming with prizes waiting to be won. Children must be accompanied, supervised by an adult at all times, and adhere to all cat rules. Standard $5 admission applies to each child and adult.

screen grab of Calico Nook webpage

For more information on Calico Nook, please visit their website at www.caliconook.com or like them on Facebook for up-to-date information.

RIP - Howard Crawford

Driving by the Akin-Bak Farm on Friday, it was closed and that was unual for this time of year. I heard later that Howard had passed that day which explained why they were closed. Driving by on Saturday, the flag was lowered.

Akin-Bak Farm closed in honor of Howard Crawford

Franklin has lost one of their treasured gentlemen!

Howard A. Crawford 91, of Franklin, died peacefully, surrounded by his family at home Friday April 10, 2015 following an illness. He was the beloved husband of Santina E. (Accorsi) Crawford. 

Born in Bristol, Connecticut on July 17, 1923 a son of the late James E. and Alice M. (McGuire) Crawford, he was a former resident of Sherman Mills, Maine before moving to Franklin in 1950.

... his funeral service Wednesday April 15th, at 10AM at the Franklin United Methodist Church 82 West Central St. Franklin. Interment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. 

Calling hours are Tuesday from 4-8PM at the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin.

Howard's full obituary can be found on the Oteri page here
http://oterifuneralhome.tributes.com/obituary/show/Howard-A.-Crawford-102371517

FM #111 - Finance Committee meeting Apr 7, 2015 (audio)

This is the recording of the Finance Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 7, 2015. I was originally planning to attend the School Committee. That was scheduled for the Council Chambers and thereby to be broadcast and recorded by Franklin TV.

The FinCom meeting I thought was scheduled for Weds the 8th but walking into the municipal building I found out it was actually Tuesday night. Hence, my plans changed and I recorded the FinCom meeting.

There is a round of introductions as the meeting starts so you should be able to align the voices and names. You can follow along with my notes (see the links below.)

The hand out is copied and available for download. The one map mentioned is part of a the larger capital budget package that I also have linked to here (see below.)

If you want to skip around to particular sections you can use the follow as a guide

• Intro and Recreation Dept building up to ~ 23 minutes
• Capital budget then begins with an overview at ~ 23
• Police Dept starts at ~28
• DPW starts at ~53
• Enterprise accounts - Water - begins ~ 1:07
• Enterprise accounts - Sewer - begins ~ 1:19
• The FY 2016 budget planning being about ~1:26 and runs to the close

First part meeting notes (through the vote to recommend purchase/renovation of 275 Beaver St)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-finance-commmittee-apr-7.html

Second part

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/live-reporting-fincom-continued-capital.html

Documents for the purchase and renovation of 275 Beaver St

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/beaver-st-building-proposed-as-new-home.html

The April 1 memo to the FinCom on the Capital Budget can be found here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczczI3aTRoUG1reFk/view?usp=sharing

The 'original' capital plan dated Feb 1, 2015.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczbE9STVk1SjZVMlVNR0FLUGJ2bmJ2S0tacGgw/view?usp=sharing

view from sidewalk of 275 Beaver St

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but I can't do it alone. I can use your help.

How can you help?

If you like this, please tell a neighbor.
If you don't like this, please tell me.

Through this feedback loop, I can continue to provide good information for you

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 East of Shirley. The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their  permission.

You can also subscribe and listen to the audio on iTunes = search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters on iTunes

Boston Rocks!

26.2 Bead Blue cable necklace- nearly weightless! Boston Strong bead The Boston Marathon Update Show your support for the 26.2 Foundation, and take your part in building the International Marathon Museum! This April 20th is Marathon Monday and Patriots' Day, which commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord that were fought near Boston in 1775. We're going to be at the Boston Marathon start at the common in Hopkinton MA on the 18th, 19th and on Marathon Monday with limited editions of the Boston Strong and 26.2 beads, runner tech tees and other neat stuff for our Marathon runners and their supporters! Proceeds will go to the 26.2 Foundation as they work to raise funds for the International Marathon Center. Click on any of the pics to order yours now! Boston Strong Chick tech tee Made to honor the memory of Boston Mayor Tom Menino, the MY WAY Boston bead raises funds for the many important charities that The Boston Foundation supports. Sponsored by Technology for Autism Now Boston Strong Chick tech tank Facebook Twitter Website Pinterest Share Tweet Forward +1 Copyright © 2015 Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to our newsletter list either through Back to Business or Confidence Beads. If you'd prefer to unsubscribe, no worries! Just click on the unsubscribe link, below. We don't like to bug people! Our mailing address is: Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause 43 Main St, Suite 246 Franklin, Ma 02038

Confidence Beads/Back to Business/ Beads for a Cause · 43 Main St, Suite 246 · Franklin, Ma 02038 · USA

In addition to the beads shown here, there is also a Franklin Pride bead. A portion of the sale price from the Franklin Pride bead goes to the Franklin Food Pantry. On behalf of the Food Pantry, I thank Linda for this wonderful collaboration!

Franklin Pride - view of a single bead, all angles

You can view these and additional items and place your order via this link

#shopFranklin

Franklin Library: Doggie Tales returns Apr 15

Doggies Tales returns to the Franklin Public Library on Wednesday, Apr 15th. 

Please call the library to register in advance. 

Good for young readers in grade 2 and up. The reader spends 15 minutes reading aloud to a therapy dog.

Doggie Tales - Apr 15

This was shared from the Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/04/doggie-tales.html

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Apr 15, 2015

A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This session will not be recorded by Franklin Matters

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS

E. APPOINTMENTS
Zoning Board of Appeals - David J. Lamberto

F. HEARINGS

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

» Hamra Noodles, LLC, D/B/A Noodles & Company – New License
» Gill N Sidhu,LLC – Chinese Mirch - Change of DBA
» Maguro House- New Officer and Director, Transfer of Stock and New Stockholder

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Curbside Collection – Brutus Cantoreggi

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 15-15:Appropriation and Authorization to Borrow for Purchase and Renovation of Improved Property for Franklin Recreation Department
2. Resolution 15-16:Purchase of Property at 275 Beaver Street for Franklin Recreation Department’s Use
3. Bylaw Amendment 15-746: Chapter 181, Wetlands Protection – 2nd Reading

275 Beaver St - street view

275 Beaver St - back building

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS

M. NEW BUSINESS

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION

P. ADJOURN

The full set of documents released for this meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2015%20Complete%20With%20Documents/04152015.pdf

Pantherbook Roundup: PARCC, human rights club, Trivia Bee

Pantherbook has been publishing more frequently so there are several good items to share. Pantherbook is the student effort reporting on FHS and Franklin providing a great opportunity to practice writing while using the various publishing and social medai tools available today.

1 - What do the students think about PARCC?

The newly introduced PARCC test has caused confusion and server failure for students and some staff at Franklin High School (FHS). Information from the administration can elucidate the background, purpose, and future of PARCC. 

First, PARCC is not yet a done deal. The question of whether or not it will be implemented will be voted on in early September by the Board of Education and the State. 

This new form of state testing is meant to judge a student’s college and career readiness. It tests application of skills as opposed to recitation of memorized information.

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/04/05/a-walk-in-the-parcc/

2 - FHS students getting active discussing human rights

Young activists are welcome to come discuss social issues both within the school and beyond at Franklin High School’s Human Rights Club. 

Junior Olivia Pavao started the club in early January. She attended a Summer at Brown where she met students who had human rights clubs at their own schools, and was inspired to bring one to Franklin High School. 

“We have the GSA, we have Anti-Bullying. Combining those and making them more inclusive of a lot of different people would better our school,” said Pavao.

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/student-life/2015/04/08/discussion-and-activism-at-the-human-rights-club/

A shot from the FEF Trivia Bee (Abigail Weinberg)

3 - they reported on the recent Trivia Bee

On Wednesday, April 8, the Franklin Education Foundation held its 18th annual Trivia Bee at the Horace Mann Auditorium. Many members of the community participated, including several FHS students. The event raised thousands of dollars that go directly toward helping our town’s educational system. 

According to their Facebook page, the FEF is “an independent, non-profit, community-based organization developed to support to innovation and excellence in education… by funding grants for teachers and other staff within the Franklin public school system.” 

The Trivia Bee is an event that helps carry out this mission. Each year, students, parents, local business owners, teachers, and other school faculty members can participate in a trivia competition consisting of several rounds. This year’s trivia theme was movie trivia.

Continue reading the article here
http://pantherbook.org/top-stories/2015/04/09/franklin-community-shows-skill-in-trivia-bee/

Yard Waste Pickup re-scheduled to 4/27/15

If you subscribed to the news alerts, you should have received a voice message (or phone call) from DPW Director Robert Cantoreggi announcing that the yard waste pickup has been delayed two weeks. 

Instead of the schedule for this occurring the week of 4/13/15, it will now take place beginning the week of 4/27/15.

screen grab indicating change in the schedule for yard waste pickup

The full updated curbside schedule can be found on the Franklin DPW page here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Recycling/Curbside_Index

PC Handyman: Encryption malware —"Ransomware"— Is your data protected?

Recently, The Boston Globe and other news media reported that a file server at the Tewksbury Police Department was infected with a strain of malware, which had encrypted all of the files stored on this server. These files were arrest and incident records. When someone tried to access these records, they found that the files could not be opened because they were corrupted. Then they found a document that explained that the files had been encrypted and gave instructions on how they could pay $500 to get the encryption key to recover their files. 

PC  Handyman

After several days of trying to recover the files, with the aid of federal and state computer experts and 2 outside IT firms, they finally paid the $500, using an electronic form of payment called Bitcoin, and got the data back.   

This sort of thing has been happening for a while now to all sorts of businesses and individuals—this got media attention because public money was used to pay the ransom, so it became public information. Payment forms like Bitcoin and MoneyPak are used because the payment is not traceable to the recipient.
 Can it happen to you? Yes! 

This malware is usually installed through an email attachment, often in an email supposedly from FedEx or UPS about a package being delivered. There is also evidence that it can be installed by a hacker getting into a server through a remote connection. Sometimes the encrypted data is recoverable through Windows, and sometimes with a 3rd party application. Usually, the malware turns off features like System Restore and Volume Shadow Copy so that these recovery methods are no longer available.  I'm sure that the Tewksbury people tried everything.

Another scary thing—if the infected PC is connected to mapped network drives, such as on a file server, those files can be encrypted too. And if a backup drive is connected to the PC, doing automatic or periodic backups, the files on the backup drive will be overwritten with the encrypted versions, since the files have been changed to newer versions. Cloud-based backup services may save previous versions of backed up files—you should ask your backup service. 

The best strategy against this issue seems to be keeping a periodic manual backup to a drive that is disconnected after the backup is completed. Frequency of the backups determines how much data is at risk. I can set this up for you, including providing the drive. I can come in to your business on a regular basis and run the backups too.  Let me know if you need help. 

Is your data protected? 

The PC Handyman, 508 346-3502 info@pchman.com

Franklin SEPAC - "The Movement of Imperfection"

From the Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC): 

We are very excited to welcome Gina Gallagher and Patricia Terrasi, authors of the book, Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, and founders of the Imperfect Movement! Full of heart and humor, these amazing sisters share their own experiences in raising imperfect children in a society that values perfection. Come and join us for a great night! 

This workshop will be held in the Horace Mann Auditorium, located at 224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA. 

As always this workshop is free and open to the public. 

Spread the word!

The Movement of Imperfection

For more about the "Shut Up Sisters" visit their webpage here  http://www.shutupabout.com/