Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to learn about the Metcalf Block, Butman Building, and Franklin Diner on Main Street.
https://youtu.be/11_7zClTM8Y
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
FPAC Presents “Great Performances...At Home” on Facebook
The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) launched “Great Performances...At Home,” a nightly Facebook Live performance series on Facebook in March. Every night at 7:30 PM EST, a special guest goes live on the Franklin Performing Arts Company Facebook page for a mini-performance.
Guests to date have included Broadway’s Kara Lindsay (Newsies, WICKED, Beautiful), Emily Koch (WICKED, Waitress), Christopher Rice (currently on the tour of Hamilton), Clay Thomson (Newsies, Matilda, KING KONG), Kevin Massey (Tarzan, Gentleman’s Guide), Ben Cameron (WICKED, Footloose), Jim Hogan (tours of Waitress, Spring Awakening, Phantom of the Opera), and Liz Byrne (Baby It’s You!) as well as resident FPAC favorites Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, Irina Fainkichen, Shauna Martin, Ali Funkhouser, and Katie Gray.
FPAC Director Raye Lynn Mercer comments, “The arts community, locally and globally, has been significantly impacted, yet artists have been the first to share their talents with the world in any way possible. It is the hope of the FPAC Board of Directors that the Metro-West community will reciprocate when venues open and performers are able to go back to work. Unlike large venues that are supported by endowments and major donors, smaller organizations like FPAC and smaller venues like THE BLACK BOX, will face an enormous financial challenge on the other side of this crisis.”
When the theater is open once again, patrons can look forward to a busy calendar of shows, concerts, and fundraising events. Currently, all are invited to join an FPAC Annual Circle in support of the company and THE BLACK BOX. For more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.
To tune in to these special live performances and view past videos, “like” Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook. Audiences can also follow FPAC on Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co) and Twitter (@fpac_online)
Guests to date have included Broadway’s Kara Lindsay (Newsies, WICKED, Beautiful), Emily Koch (WICKED, Waitress), Christopher Rice (currently on the tour of Hamilton), Clay Thomson (Newsies, Matilda, KING KONG), Kevin Massey (Tarzan, Gentleman’s Guide), Ben Cameron (WICKED, Footloose), Jim Hogan (tours of Waitress, Spring Awakening, Phantom of the Opera), and Liz Byrne (Baby It’s You!) as well as resident FPAC favorites Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, Irina Fainkichen, Shauna Martin, Ali Funkhouser, and Katie Gray.
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| Ben Cameron |
FPAC Director Raye Lynn Mercer comments, “The arts community, locally and globally, has been significantly impacted, yet artists have been the first to share their talents with the world in any way possible. It is the hope of the FPAC Board of Directors that the Metro-West community will reciprocate when venues open and performers are able to go back to work. Unlike large venues that are supported by endowments and major donors, smaller organizations like FPAC and smaller venues like THE BLACK BOX, will face an enormous financial challenge on the other side of this crisis.”
When the theater is open once again, patrons can look forward to a busy calendar of shows, concerts, and fundraising events. Currently, all are invited to join an FPAC Annual Circle in support of the company and THE BLACK BOX. For more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com.
To tune in to these special live performances and view past videos, “like” Franklin Performing Arts Company on Facebook. Audiences can also follow FPAC on Instagram (@franklin.performing.arts.co) and Twitter (@fpac_online)
COVID-19 data visualizations
World Health Org data https://covid19.who.int/
Data visualizations for COVID-19
https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/
John Hopkins Interactive map (selected for MA and Norfolk County)
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/us-map
Data visualizations for COVID-19
https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/
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| Data visualizations for COVID-19 |
John Hopkins Interactive map (selected for MA and Norfolk County)
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/us-map
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| John Hopkins Interactive map (selected for MA and Norfolk County) |
WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown
Via NPR from the World Health Organization
Read the full doc here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJCBEbSSej4Va2Yh_0n4RElSBNq10eEI/view?usp=sharing
The strategy documents from the CDC and the White House were released last week and can be found here:
Article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/15/834021103/who-sets-6-conditions-for-ending-a-coronavirus-lockdown
"One of the main things we’ve learned is that the faster all cases are found, tested and isolated, the harder we make it for this virus to spread. This principle will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic."
Read the full doc here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJCBEbSSej4Va2Yh_0n4RElSBNq10eEI/view?usp=sharing
The strategy documents from the CDC and the White House were released last week and can be found here:
- CDC "Work for America" plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KFiHXRQvTXCScL9J450JIfkdqbEYXGwg/view?usp=sharing
- White House "Opening Up America Again" Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jt_nLvQAfmMVh2_X0mU5ASQYn40iWcLG/view?usp=sharing
Article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/15/834021103/who-sets-6-conditions-for-ending-a-coronavirus-lockdown
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| WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown |
United Chamber: Up-to-Date Information and Resources
Good Afternoon All,
During these crazy times we know most of you are working remotely and/or working from home. Your Chamber team is in the office every day and we want to be able to be an information resource for you and your business.
We want to be provide all of our members the most up-to-date information and resources available. At this time we do not have the staff or the talent to update our website as often as the information is being sent to us so we have been posting all of the information, links, etc. to our Facebook page.
Please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnitedRegional/ to keep up-to-date with the information we receive from the local, State and Federal resources.
Thank you and we hope everyone stays self and healthy.
Jack
Jack Lank, IOM
President and CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org "People Do Business With People They Know"
During these crazy times we know most of you are working remotely and/or working from home. Your Chamber team is in the office every day and we want to be able to be an information resource for you and your business.
We want to be provide all of our members the most up-to-date information and resources available. At this time we do not have the staff or the talent to update our website as often as the information is being sent to us so we have been posting all of the information, links, etc. to our Facebook page.
Please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnitedRegional/ to keep up-to-date with the information we receive from the local, State and Federal resources.
Thank you and we hope everyone stays self and healthy.
Jack
Jack Lank, IOM
President and CEO
The United Regional Chamber of Commerce
310 South Street
Plainville, MA 02762
Phone: 508-316-0861
www.unitedregionalchamber.org "People Do Business With People They Know"
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| United Chamber: Up-to-Date Information and Resources |
Intermission Cafe presents Virtual Coffee Houses
During this time of social distancing, Intermission Cafe is collaborating with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) to offer virtual entertainment and community. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 4:00 PM on Intermission’s Facebook page, Intermission will host a “Virtual Coffee House” featuring live music by the talented students and alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.
Intermission has previously hosted FSPA students and alumni to present pop, rock, folk, and contemporary musical theater songs in a coffee house format at the cafe itself. Intermission is opening its doors virtually to entertain customers in an interactive and engaging format of popular songs. Performers will converse with their audience sharing interesting facts and stories about the music and original artists they have chosen to perform.
To view the live and past Virtual Coffee House performances, follow Intermission on Facebook. Patrons can also follow Intermission on Instagram (@intermissioncafe). The cafe is located at 36 Main Street (rear) in downtown Franklin.
Intermission has previously hosted FSPA students and alumni to present pop, rock, folk, and contemporary musical theater songs in a coffee house format at the cafe itself. Intermission is opening its doors virtually to entertain customers in an interactive and engaging format of popular songs. Performers will converse with their audience sharing interesting facts and stories about the music and original artists they have chosen to perform.
To view the live and past Virtual Coffee House performances, follow Intermission on Facebook. Patrons can also follow Intermission on Instagram (@intermissioncafe). The cafe is located at 36 Main Street (rear) in downtown Franklin.
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| FSPA alum Griffin Wilkins and current FSPA student Caroline Wilkins |
50+ Job Seekers Session - Networking while Virtual - Friday - April 24
The topic for this Friday's session will be Networking.
I'll review the general theories of networking and we will discuss how to network while most people are stuck at home.
We will use the Zoom breakout rooms to allow networking in "tables."
If you are interested in attending and have not yet registered for the 50+ Jobseekers program, please register at https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/
Once you register, my co-facilitator and I will be notified, and we will add you to our mailing list for invitations to specific virtual sessions.
Ed Lawrence
50+ Group Leader for Franklin and Hopkinton
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3PvptBpd269fGVIz39lj9O7uknYeODQ/view?usp=sharing
I'll review the general theories of networking and we will discuss how to network while most people are stuck at home.
We will use the Zoom breakout rooms to allow networking in "tables."
If you are interested in attending and have not yet registered for the 50+ Jobseekers program, please register at https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/
Once you register, my co-facilitator and I will be notified, and we will add you to our mailing list for invitations to specific virtual sessions.
Ed Lawrence
50+ Group Leader for Franklin and Hopkinton
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R3PvptBpd269fGVIz39lj9O7uknYeODQ/view?usp=sharing
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| 50+ Job Seekers Session - Friday - April 24 |
Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul
Act Now – Go to IRS.gov
A Message from Social Security Commissioner
Andrew Saul
Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department soon.
People receiving benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual payment. They should immediately go to the IRS’s webpage and visit the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here section to provide their information.
Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability insurance beneficiaries with dependent children and who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes need to act by Wednesday, April 22, in order to receive additional payments for their eligible children quickly.
SSI recipients need to take this action by later this month; a specific date will be available soon.Continue reading →
https://blog.ssa.gov/act-now-go-to-irs-gov-a-message-from-social-security-commissioner-andrew-saul/
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| Act Now – Go to IRS.gov – A Message from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul |
Monday, April 20, 2020
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today (4/20/20)
Good morning:
We are happy to announce that claimants will be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today.
They can do so by applying at: www.mass.gov/pua
PUA is a program open to the following individuals:
As PUA is a separate program from regular unemployment insurance, we ask that you send constituent inquiries to Jennifer Lavin at PUAconstituentservices@detma.org
The DUA constituent service team (like Mavis Smith, for example) does not have access to the PUA platform, so they will not be able to help you with these claims. If you have policy questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessica.muradian@mass.gov.
Thank you,
Jessica Muradian
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy
Office: (617) 626-7123
Jessica.Muradian@State.ma.us
We are happy to announce that claimants will be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today.
They can do so by applying at: www.mass.gov/pua
PUA is a program open to the following individuals:
- Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
- Those seeking part-time employment
- Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
- And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law
As PUA is a separate program from regular unemployment insurance, we ask that you send constituent inquiries to Jennifer Lavin at PUAconstituentservices@detma.org
The DUA constituent service team (like Mavis Smith, for example) does not have access to the PUA platform, so they will not be able to help you with these claims. If you have policy questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Jessica.muradian@mass.gov.
Thank you,
Jessica Muradian
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Legislative Affairs and Policy
Office: (617) 626-7123
Jessica.Muradian@State.ma.us
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| Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning at 8:30 AM today (4/20/20) |
Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census
We have reached 65.5% Franklin, there is still time to go beyond 80% (actually did 79.9% in the 2010 Census)
https://2020census.gov/en.html
Visit the 2020 Census response rate map https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html
The current (as of Sunday, April 19, 2020) results for Franklin:
https://public.tableau.com/shared/6NJX6JC3B?:tabs=n&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link&:embed=y
"The 2020 Census is underway and more households across America are responding every day. Over 70 million households have responded to date, representing 48.1% of all households in America. Make sure that you and your friends and family are included in this once-a-decade count.
Help us spread the word: Everyone can respond to the 2020 Census online in one of 13 languages, with assistance available in many more.
Please note: About 64 million households across the nation will receive a paper questionnaire in the coming days. If you receive mail after you have responded, you should disregard it. It was sent before we received your response."
https://2020census.gov/en.html
Visit the 2020 Census response rate map https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html
The current (as of Sunday, April 19, 2020) results for Franklin:
https://public.tableau.com/shared/6NJX6JC3B?:tabs=n&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link&:embed=y
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| Please Respond Today to the 2020 Census |
Have you checked out the Coronavirus Information Portal Updates
Have you visited the Town of Franklin portal to see the updates?
In the Current News & Alerts section
In the Town of Franklin News section
In the Community Resources and Support section
Visit the Town of Franklin portal:
In the Current News & Alerts section
- COVID-19 MEMA Update for April 16, 2020 - Updated Daily M-F NEW
- DPH COVID-19 Count and Rate by Town - Updated weekly on Wednesdays NEW
- MEMA COVID-19 Response Dashboard and Interactive Map NEW
In the Town of Franklin News section
In the Community Resources and Support section
- Department of Children and Families guidance for reporting abuse and neglect NEW
- Families with loved ones in nursing homes in Massachusetts can use this new hotline to get information and resources, coordinated across state agencies. Call anytime, 9am-5pm, 7 days a week at 617-660-5399 NEW
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| https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=9ef7ef55e4644af29e9ca07bfe6a509f |
Visit the Town of Franklin portal:
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| https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/coronavirus-information-portal |
Once Upon A Town: Gas Stations & Dealers - Franklin MA
Join Eamon McCarthy Earls and Joe Landry to learn about Gas Stations and Dealers Video link: https://youtu.be/EyVswPKw7Lk
Visit the Franklin Business Gift Card portal
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is inviting residents to visit the FDP website to buy gift cards and to view updates from our local businesses.
We have set up a special portal for residents to easily purchase gift cards.
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/gift-card-portal.html
We have set up a special portal for residents to easily purchase gift cards.
https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/gift-card-portal.html
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Gift Card Portal |
“We’re hoping this underlines a strong recovery, but that recovery remains uncertain”
From the Mass Municipal Association we share this:
https://www.mma.org/state-budget-writers-hear-dire-forecasts-during-economic-roundtable-with-key-experts/
• Link to the Legislature’s website for a recording of the hearing
• Mass. Taxpayers Foundation Revised FY21 Tax Revenue Forecast – COVID-19 Pandemic (1.3M PDF)
"State budget writers today (Tuesday, Apr 14, 2020) held an economic roundtable with key experts to discuss the economic disruption and fiscal implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Commonwealth.Continue reading the article online
One of the panelists, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, projected that tax collections in fiscal 2021 will drop by $4.4 billion, or 14.1 percent below the benchmark that top budget officials agreed to back in January.
The report from the foundation states that sudden and massive layoffs are pushing the unemployment rate up to nearly 18 percent in the current quarter, with 570,000 jobs expected to be lost in just three months, including many in the leisure and hospitality sectors."
https://www.mma.org/state-budget-writers-hear-dire-forecasts-during-economic-roundtable-with-key-experts/
• Link to the Legislature’s website for a recording of the hearing
• Mass. Taxpayers Foundation Revised FY21 Tax Revenue Forecast – COVID-19 Pandemic (1.3M PDF)
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| Rep. Michlewitz, Sen. Rodrigues and Administration and Finance Sec. Heffernan during a virtual budget hearing on April 14. (Photo: State House News Service) |
In the News: MA is now at center of national coronavirus outbreak; spring real estate market slows
From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
MA is now at center of national coronavirus outbreak
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200419/massachusetts-is-now-at-center-of-national-coronavirus-outbreak-gov-baker-appears-on-cbss-face-nation
Coronavirus outbreak slows typically robust spring real estate market
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200419/coronavirus-outbreak-slows-typically-robust-spring-real-estate-market
MA is now at center of national coronavirus outbreak
"On the heels of the two deadliest days so far in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker said Sunday morning that “we’re right in the middle of the surge now” and a top White House official highlighted the state as an area where the continued spread of COVID-19 is a concern.Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
Massachusetts reported 156 deaths on Saturday and a single-day high of 159 fatalities on Friday, bringing the COVID-19 death toll here to 1,560 people. Nearly 2,000 new cases of infection reported Saturday brought the total number of cases in Massachusetts to 36,372 as the state continues to deal with an influx of cases.
“We’re still very much focused on Boston and across Massachusetts where the epidemic continues to spread across Massachusetts as well as in Boston, and we’re watching very closely Chicago,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said on CBS’s Face the Nation. “And then we watch every single outbreak that occurs in different states around the Untied States including the most recent one in Ohio.”
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200419/massachusetts-is-now-at-center-of-national-coronavirus-outbreak-gov-baker-appears-on-cbss-face-nation
Coronavirus outbreak slows typically robust spring real estate market
"Real estate agents are turning to virutal showings of homes to ensure social distancing practices and prevent the spread of the virus.
Ashley Levitre and her husband spent the winter months preparing to put their Hudson condo up for sale in time for the normally robust spring real estate market.
The couple – expecting their first child in July – has wanted to sell their third-floor garden-style condo and purchase a home for a while.
“We wanted to find something that was more homey,” said Levitre."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200419/coronavirus-outbreak-slows-typically-robust-spring-real-estate-market
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