COVID-19 Find Your Power!

Knowledge is Power. Connectedness is Community. 
by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 03/22/2020

"They say nature abhors a vacuum. Fear often fills a vacuum – of understanding. When we don’t know what to expect in trying times, we often fear the worst. The adage, ‘Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst’, is sound advice, but when the worst is unclear, unformed, unknown – preparing becomes more difficult, and whatever comfort and solace that effort might provide becomes more elusive.

Seek two things: Knowledge and Connectedness. Knowledge is where you begin to fight back. These are trusted world, federal, state, and local sources of knowledge.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

https://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20200306/franklin-to-sanitize-public-buildings-over-weekend

And, most importantly, here at home:
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here


Connectedness. We are all stronger together than apart. Connect frequently with family and friends – even distant ones. Remember those times when you meant to contact – follow up – and didn’t because your busy day was filled. While you are at home being socially distant, (and smart) this is that opportunity to connect – and reach out to others who matter to you.

Beyond washing them often, what better way to spend all that time on your hands? 

If the Internet is one thing, it is connectedness.

Beyond social media, there is text, email and – Virtual Visits Via Video. That’s – Victory.

And – as always –
Thank you for listening to wfpr●fm. And, thank you for watching."

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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 9am, Noon, and 6pm, and Saturdays, starting at 9am.

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.

Weekend radio is big. We’ve been fine-tuning our weekend radio programming. It’s a reprise of all our weekday shows that some folks don’t get to hear at work. 

Here’s what’s up for the weekend – on the air on 102.9 and online at wfpr●fm.

Saturday:
9:00a FPS Voice – Anne Marie Tracey All about Franklin Public Schools 
10:00a Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey Frank explores a range of music genres and artists 
11:00a Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey An hour of uplifting music for all 
12:00p The Tabernacle Choir from Salt Lake City
1:00p The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone All about wine, its culture, lore and finer points
2:00p Chapters – Jim Derick Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews 
4:00p Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group Original short stories presented by the authors 
5:00p Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick Exploring the music of the great Blues tradition.

Sunday:
9:00a The Tabernacle Choir from Salt Lake City
10:00a Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey An hour of uplifting music for all
11:00a Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey Frank explores a range of music genres and artists 
1:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey An hour of uplifting music for all

Questions? Call us at 508–528–9377. That’s 508–528–wfpr.

The full program guide to Franklin.TV and Franklin PUblic Radio can be found
http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf

COVID-19  Find Your Power!

Wake up with Mr Barrett - TuNesday - 8 AM (YouTube)

"Mr. Barrett is ready to start your morning off right!

Please join us THIS TuNesday at 8:00 AM for a half hour of fun music! This will be another Live YouTube Stream concert."

https://youtu.be/YE9drcLLtLc

Follow the Facebook event for updates:  https://www.facebook.com/events/201236874501695/

Shades IN Place: This wasn't the plan! (3/22/20)

Keeping you up to date on the latest...

The Blind Spot March 2020 I hope that you are safe and well during this crazy time. Like me, I bet you did not plan to stay put in your own home this Spring. In fact, I was scheduled to head down to Charlote, NC for a national convention this coming week. But sometimes, life throws a curvy ball at us, doesn't it? We are living an unprecedented time and a global crisis that no one ever considered be possible (other than Hollywood movies) Every business and every person / family will get a punch. Some will feel it harder than others, but nobody is out of the woods.  I am sure that my shade business is not your top priority at this moment. I get that, but please consider supporting the local small businesses in your neighborhood. They have a smaller financial cushion than large corporations. Order food from local restaurants, keep your house cleaner schedule and why not get your shades from a local shady guy? My hope is that since you are spending extra time inside your home, you will notice those twenty-year old mini-blinds must go. All jokes aside, I wish that you and your family stay safe, wash your hands often and consider social distancing to slow the spread of the virus. We are a strong nation and UNITED STATES to fight this pandemic. God Bless America and the World. Roger Magalhaes started in the window coverings industry in 2006 as a part-time installer for a national chain. After only two months, he was asked to leave for "standing out." Clients continuously requested him over the other installers and this didn't sit well with his colleagues. He knew he was on to something! Following this experience, Roger traveled to many parts of the country, acquiring formal training and receiving certifications from respected vendors such as Somfy, Hunter Douglas, Norman Shutters and Lutron. He also attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy for formal installation training focusing on drapery and other soft treatments. Roger is the owner of Shades IN Place, Inc., located in the Boston area. He has done installations in seven states, as well as Cape Cod and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. He is the founder of the Facebook group Free Speech Window Covering Pros, a regular columnist for Window Fashion VISION magazine, a presenter at the International Window Coverings Expo and the installation instructor for the Window Fashion Certified Professional FastTRACK program. Learn more 508-520-6700   roger@shadesinplace.com   www.shadesinplace.com   ‌ ‌

Shades IN Place Inc. | 76 Grove St, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by roger@shadesinplace.com in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

“there is no such thing as ... ‘flushable wipes’”

From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:

"#nowipesinthepipes. Despite the seriousness of the problem, public works departments have an appreciation of the humor behind the underlying topic. A few have taken to social media to spread the message. With an appreciation for a good poop joke, the hashtags abound.

In the pitch dark of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Hopkinton Department of Public Works employees found themselves struggling against an unexpected side effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

Clogged pipes.

The culprit? Sanitary wipes labeled “flushable.”

“They’re not made to go through the sewer systems,” Hopkinton Water and Sewer Superintendent Eric Carty said. “They just bind all together, and just make a giant clog. It literally shuts the pump down.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200322/amidst-perceived-toilet-paper-shortage-due-to-coronavirus-dpw-officials-see-spike-in-wipes-clogging-sewer-systems

The Franklin DPW flyer on "What not to Flush!"
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GJrzqnr0t8Nuv-LzOBmHzucwKiGVAWSn/view?usp=sharing

from an April 2013 DPW presentation on pumps stuck with non-flushable swipes

99 ToGo is ready for your order!

"For years, #TheNines has been committed to supporting our local hometown communities, and we’re here for you today. 

Like all of you, we have to adapt during these times, and we are doing so. 

We look forward to continuing to serve you via Curbside To Go Service: https://bit.ly/99OrderOnline

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/84449432507/posts/10157864231132508/

The family meal deals seem scrumptious

99 ToGo is ready for your order!

First positive case of COVID-19 confirmed in Franklin, MA

March 22, 2020

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified the Franklin Board of Health today, March 22, 2020, that the Town has a positive COVID-19 case. The patient is in isolation. 

This is a reminder that COVID-19 is highly contagious, and the residents of the town should remain diligent following CDC Guidelines:

● Wash Hands Frequently. Protecting yourself by following public health advice about keeping your hands clean and covering coughs and sneezes.
● Illness. Stay home if you are sick. If you need to consult a healthcare provider, call ahead first or use telehealth services.
● Social Distancing. Protect others who are most at risk of COVID-19 by keeping your distance from people (at least 6 feet away from others), especially those who are older, and people living with chronic health conditions.
● Avoid crowds. If you are outside, avoid crowds. Don’t shake hands or hug.
● Loved ones. Stay connected to friends and loved ones by phone or through other technology. Take care of your emotional health and help others do the same.

If you need emotional support during these stressful times, call 2-1-1 and choose the “CALL2TALK” option.

Residents should continue to follow www.franklinma.gov for all of the latest information locally. Or See Mass.gov or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for all information pertaining to COVID-19.

Cathleen Liberty, MPH Board of Health
Bridget Sweet, Chair Director of Public Health 

First positive case of COVID-19 confirmed in Franklin, MA

Shared from the Town of Franklin press release
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y9TeWCfx1g8NzJuFTH0E181yY5Ux557X/view?usp=sharing

FM #227 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - COVID-19 updates

FM #227 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 227 in the series.

This session of the radio show was recorded virtually. The three of us connected via conference bridge, and aside from a couple of brief bits of background noise, the conversation recording went very well at this new ‘social distance’.

As you’ll hear, I was joined by Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communication Specialist Anne Marie Tracey.

Anne Marie provided updates from Superintendent Sara Ahern. Among the updates:

• Distance learning underway
• School grounds closing
• Food service (breakfast and lunch) available for children in Franklin who are not FPS students; pick up at the high school
• More details on school closing and what it means will be coming from the Superintendent
• All communications translated into multiple languages and posted on web page

Jamie was scheduled to get out for a walk later Friday (we recorded at noon time) because he had been so busy this week, he had not been able to do so. He provided multiple updates on:

• Town of Franklin business still being conducted
• Pointing to the portal for updates and details, please check at least daily
• Please follow recommendations to maintain social distancing, washing hands, etc.
• Town Council, School Committee and board/committee meetings going forward - how to conduct them remotely is being worked out
• The budget timeline has been rescheduled; Finance Committee meetings after Memorial Day, Town Council budget hearings in June

There were other topics along the way in this conversation but this should be enough of a teaser to have you spend a few minutes to listen. The audio segment runs about 40 minutes, so please listen in to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie   https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HWHSsjcX



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The Town of Franklin Coronavirus Information Portal https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

Link to the Superintendents’ messages in multiple languages
https://www.franklinps.net/district/superintendent/pages/messages-superintendent-regarding-coronavirus

The link to the main Franklin Public schools (FPS) page https://www.franklinps.net/

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!

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

FM #227 - Town Administrator Jamie Hellen - COVID-19 updates