Great summary of the Solar Winds attack, not just on the US

Noted security expert Bruce Schneier writes: 

"Recent news articles have all been talking about the massive Russian cyberattack against the United States, but that’s wrong on two accounts. It wasn’t a cyberattack in international relations terms, it was espionage. And the victim wasn’t just the US, it was the entire world. But it was massive, and it is dangerous. 

Espionage is internationally allowed in peacetime. The problem is that both espionage and cyberattacks require the same computer and network intrusions, and the difference is only a few keystrokes. And since this Russian operation isn’t at all targeted, the entire world is at risk — and not just from Russia. Many countries carry out these sorts of operations, none more extensively than the US. The solution is to prioritize security and defense over espionage and attack. 

Here’s what we know: Orion is a network management product from a company named SolarWinds, with over 300,000 customers worldwide. Sometime before March, hackers working for the Russian SVR — previously known as the KGB — hacked into SolarWinds and slipped a backdoor into an Orion software update. (We don’t know how, but last year the company’s update server was protected by the password “solarwinds123” — something that speaks to a lack of security culture.) Users who downloaded and installed that corrupted update between March and June unwittingly gave SVR hackers access to their networks. 

This is called a supply-chain attack, because it targets a supplier to an organization rather than an organization itself — and can affect all of a supplier’s customers. It’s an increasingly common way to attack networks. Other examples of this sort of attack include fake apps in the Google Play store, and hacked replacement screens for your smartphone."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/12/russias-solarwinds-attack.html

screengrab of https://www.schneier.com/

Franklin Art Association: Demo Meeting - Wednesday, Jan 6 at 6:30 PM

Dear FAA Member,

***Happy New Year***!!  We hope you safely enjoyed the 2020 Holiday Season, and are looking forward to the first FAA Demo meeting of 2021 this Wednesday, Jan 6^th at 6:30pm. 

The 1/6/21 Demo Artist will be our very own Peg Munson, who is going to demo "Paint Pouring".   Peg describes her Paint Pouring or Poured Fluid Art: "Paint pouring involves combining various additives with acrylic paints, and using different techniques and tools the prepared paints are combined and poured onto a surface. The surface can then be tilted, spun, swiped and manipulated to achieve an endless variety of results.

By using some basic knowledge of color theory (color wheel) and learning what additives and techniques will give the desired results almost anyone can create a successful painting. It will require some practice and probably some 'failed' paintings along the way, but it is a lot of FUN."

 

Peg's background:  I have always been interested in art and have done watercolors, stained glass, pastels, alcohol inks and most recently paint pouring with acrylic paints. My interest in photography has been ongoing and is a great pairing with the other art mediums. I am mostly self-taught, but I took weekly pastel classes with Joanne Willoughby for two years and attended several pastel workshops. 

 

I have had several solo shows of my pastel paintings and have participated in several juried art shows in person and online.  As a member of the Franklin and Foxboro Art Associations I participated in many art shows and been pleased to win some ribbons. I recently started a Facebook art page "Margaret L. Munson Art". 

 

In pastel my focus has been landscapes, and since discovering alcohol inks and acrylic paint pouring, I have really enjoyed the abstract art form. I have discovered that paint pouring is a lot of fun and somewhat addictive!  

Peg Munson, who is going to demo "Paint Pouring"

"See you" all next Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 6:30 PM at the FAA Demo Meeting!! 

The Zoom link will be sent early in the week!

Public Hearing - New Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages License - Jan 20, 2021

Public Hearing- New Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages License

480 Franklin Village Drive

The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing on an application by PH Franklin d/b/a Public House, located at 480 Franklin Village Drive, Franklin, MA for a New All Alcoholic Beverages Restaurant License. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 at 7:10 PM. This hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion.

This meeting will be held remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town
Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

Submitted by,

Chrissy Whelton
Licensing Administrator

Shared from the Town of Franklin page   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-01-06_public_house_web_abutters_notification.pdf

Public Hearing - New Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages License - Jan 20, 2021

Reminder: Franklin Interact schedules Clothing Drive

Hello Everyone!

Franklin Interact is partnering up with Savers to collect donations of clothes, shoes, toys, and other household items this holiday season. We will be handing out bunches of flyers to each of our members so the members can then leave flyers in mailboxes around their neighborhood.  

Thank you, 

Franklin Interact 

Note: The clothing collection will be scheduled for Jan 2, 2021 through Feb 6, 2021

Here is the flyer:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KYpSFopnbl93gxl22-jmPA6VhwifFHbJ/view?usp=sharing

 

Reminder: Franklin Interact schedules Clothing Drive

CALL FOR ART deadline coming

LAST DAY to get 6 bonus months on a membership

Call for artists of all ages The Big Tent: HCA Members Show February 5 - March 16, 2021 Online artwork entry deadline: Sat., January 18, 11:59pm We invite you to enter your artwork into our The Big Tent members show. It will take place in-person and online. Artist Members young and old (we have student and senior memberships!) are invited to submit online applications containing 1 or 2 works of art no larger than 30" wide. All media are welcome, including painting, drawing, photography, and prints - and wall-hung sculpture if it does not protrude more than 10 inches, and the widest dimension is 30". All work must be wired for hanging, and all entries should be original artwork, not shown previously at HCA, and may be created by an HCA member of any age. One or two artworks will be chosen for this exhibition, depending on space considerations. Submission Fee: $0 for members. More about the show here!

Hopkinton Center for the Arts | 98 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 Try email marketing for free today!

"It’s come a long, long way from days of old"

Interesting read on the technology coming to the NHL this year embedded in new pucks to confirm if a goal was scored along with a host of other data produced during a game.

The hockey puck as it’s been known forever, that humble 6-ounce chunk of hard rubber patented decades ago by Bruins general manager/coach Art Ross, has left the building.

There’s a new kid in NHL rinks, and this is fitted with a tiny embedded battery, a circuit board roughly the size of a half-dollar, and 6-inch-long tubes that emit infrared light at 60 pulses per second — fast, yet still two beats behind Connor McDavid on a breakaway.

“Crazy, isn’t it?” said the NHL’s Dave Lehanski, an executive vice president who has helped steer the puck’s development the last 7-8 years. “It almost has a life of its own.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/02/sports/nhl-puck-is-going-high-tech/

The NHL logo can be seen here on a puck during a 2008 game during the Rangers and Islanders.BRUCE BENNETT/PHOTOGRAPHER: BRUCE BENNETT/GETT

New York Times: "A Canadian ‘Buy Local’ Effort Fights Amazon on Its Own Turf"

 

"The snow was falling outside Ali Haberstroh’s apartment in late November when the idea came to her. 

At the time, Canada was nearing a second lockdown to curb rising coronavirus cases. In anticipation, the owner of a vintage clothing store in Toronto who is a friend of Ms. Haberstroh’s had put together a list of other local vintage shops offering curbside pickup and deliveries in lieu of being able to open their doors. 

“It was a wake-up call,” Ms. Haberstroh, 27, said of the list, which reminded her how enormous retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon had thrived during the pandemic while many smaller, local businesses had been shut. “I thought if there is one tiny thing I can do to help, then I should get on it.” 

Inspired to build a more comprehensive list, Ms. Haberstroh promptly created an Instagram post, tagging independent businesses and shopkeepers across Toronto. Included was a new website, Not-Amazon.ca — a URL that she had bought for $2.99."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/02/business/not-amazon-canada.html

The Franklin Downtown Partnership has a similar listing of local Franklin businesses  https://www.franklindowntownpartnership.org/p/shop-dine-more.html

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce has two Facebook pages, one for restaurants and one for other businesses

• Restaurants = “Rally ‘round the Restaurants” page on Facebook and share your update for a restaurant https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Rally-round-the-Restaurants-109228560731634

• Businesses = "United Regional's Back to Business" page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/United-Regionals-Back-to-Business-106228444403838

Of course, consider using a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card for your local shopping

https://franklingiftcard.com/participating-businesses

consider using a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card for your local shopping

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Jan 2, 2021

Goodbye 2020 HELLO 2021!

   

Staying Connected

Link to the Senior Center - https://www.franklinma.gov/fsc

Link to the Senior Center Calendar -https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/day/2020-07-07

Link to Franklin Matters - https://www.franklinmatters.org/

Link to the Town's webpage - https://www.franklinma.gov/

Tips

Auld Lang Syne - A Dance for the New Year with Sherry Zak Morris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlme58BPPcA 

Seated exercises to strengthen the immune system

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n845nMQP0Y 

Beginner cardio for Seniors with Meredith (Suggested by a Member!  Thanks Peggy!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-zWRuMP9L8 

Music

Sounds of a glass armonica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEKlRUvk9zc 

100 year old self playing violin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs0mP2cOmJs 

James Blunt - Monsters - A hauntingly beautiful song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFbGcnl0po&feature=emb_logo 

Andre Bocelli - Believe - By the fireside 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPPPp3iJolc 

Just for Fun

The history of Franklin from 1870 to 1879 by Joe Landry - If you missed this in Franklin Matters you definitely want to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzo5fKIG4ws&feature=youtu.be 

Ode To Joy Flash Mob started by one little girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLbmnvMWM0 

The Train of Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZW8CzR_I_0&t=55s 

Humor

Never marry a crafty woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4eH-bak6sg&amp%3Bt=127s 

Orchestra plays the Windows Waltz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKwx-BFO0E 

Kindness Matters and Heartstring Pulls

Si and Tempy - Facing it together

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsSQHHS4gzo 

A beautiful and emotional tribute to a friend lost too soon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHiH1NytwjM 

Attached you will find:

1. Donna Fun filled activity pages https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KWA10idC7XmYiTO7zSJFBQY79j7GiRTH/view?usp=sharing

2. Calculation crisscross https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qW-CABFM0ZvBauGtaa8m3Nt4XH9WQCMb/view?usp=sharing

3. New Year's crossword https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s5XK1inEljxiTV4jhjLUjEQCrN3n6_Ou/view?usp=sharing

4. Wacky Wordies https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PiucJT6_Sij0GMumbifW-mJxjzyjtNH-/view?usp=sharing

Upcoming Events email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend unless noted otherwise.

*Monday Jan. 4th at 1pm Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Tuesday Jan. 5th at 5pm - Quarantini Time a virtual, social, cocktail hour.

*Tuesday Jan. 5th at 1pm - Low Vision Support group - email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. Jan. 6th at 1pm - Fireside Chat with the staff of the Senior Center- details below

*Wed. Jan. 6th at 4pm - Caregiver Support Group - email elaine.owens@verizon.net 

*Thursday Jan. 7th at 10am- Discussion Group - call to sign up

*Thursday Jan. 7th at 1pm - Tele Bingo call the Senior Center to play 508-520-4945

*Friday Jan. 8th at at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss - 1 hour of 

 games and socialization. Email adoggett@franklinma.gov to attend. VIA ZOOM

January 6th at 1pm - Mark your calendar for our first monthly Fireside Chat with the Franklin Senior Center Staff.  Join us via zoom as we talk about the upcoming events for the month and answer your questions.  Have you ever wondered what Paul's favorite color is, want to suggest a zoom event or menu item???  You get the chance to do  that plus more.  Call the Senior Center or email adoggett@franklinma.gov to sign up. 

Plus Exercise, Yoga, Discussion Groups and more.  Check out our newsletter or online calendar for a full list of all activities available https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-senior-center/pages/connection-newsletter

*Curbside Cafe - SPECIAL Meatloaf sandwich. order here https://www.franklinma.gov/Curb 

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  We are still here for you!  Please feel free to email Donna and I with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel & Donna

Please feel free to share this email with anyone you think might enjoy it.  If you want me to add someone to the email blast list just send me a message with their email in it. 

REMEMBER:

When searching for information about the Coronavirus, COVID-19 please use caution!  Unfortunately there are many false sites that contain viruses and malware that can threaten your computer.  Many look like real sites.  Your best bet is to go directly to the CDC, WHO or your local government page (links below).   

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

https://www.who.int/

https://www.franklinma.gov/home/urgent-alerts/coronavirus-information-portal-updates-here

MEMORY CAFE!

For those of you who attend our Memory Cafe events I invite you to learn more about attending a VIRTUAL Memory Cafe through Zoom!  There are many options to choose from.

https://www.memorycafedirectory.com/cafe-connect/

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

Franklin Senior Center:  Email Blast - HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Jan 2, 2021

Gov Baker signs health care legislation

"Today I signed health care legislation that boosts access to quality + affordable care, promotes telehealth, and protects access to #COVID19MA testing + treatment.

This law contains many priorities we proposed in 2019, and we're grateful to the Legislature for their partnership."

Shared from Tiwtter: https://twitter.com/MassGovernor/status/1345081157138964480?s=03

Press release: https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-health-care-legislation-increasing-access-to-quality-affordable-care

The Boston Globe article:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/01/metro/baker-signs-new-health-care-law-covering-telehealth-other-services/

CommonWealth Magazine article:  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health-care/baker-signs-health-care-bill-into-law/

Gov Baker signs health care legislation

FHS - 2020-2021 Girls Hockey Preview by HockomockSports.com

HockomockSports.com provides a preview of the high school girls hockey teams for the Hockomock League. We share the Franklin info here and provide the link to the page with all the other team previews. 

FRANKLIN
2019-2020 Record: 7-9-5
2019-2020 Finish: Reached D1 Preliminary Round
Coach: Margie Burke

"Last winter, Franklin pushed its league title defense right to the final game of the regular season and this year the Panthers will be hoping to reclaim the crown in what should be a typically competitive league campaign. Franklin will hope that a young defensive group can get up to speed right away to complement the experience that the Panthers have in attack.

The forward line should be a strength for Franklin this season. Senior Amanda Lewandowski is back to be the focal point after recording 21 points as a junior. Fellow seniors Libby Carter and Katelyn Brown will add experience and energy to the forward line, providing not only scoring punch but also helping out in the defensive zone as well. Sophomore Lyndsey Atkinson is coming off an impressive rookie season in which she led the team with 10 goals.

Defensively, Franklin graduated a group of players that had several years of varsity experience so it will be new faces that will have to step in this year. Junior Katie LeBlanc and sophomore Shaw Downing are two of the defenders back from last year’s squad. If teams get through the Franklin defense, senior goalie Gabby Colace is back to keep things difficult for opposing forwards. Colace was one of the league’s top shot stoppers last year, allowing fewer than two goals per game.

“We are very grateful to have the opportunity to get on the ice and compete,” said Franklin coach Margie Burke. “This year we expect to have a balanced squad. The Hock should be very competitive as always. ‘Play every game like it’s the last’ will be our motto.”

For all the previews of the girls hockey teams around the Hockomock League

https://hockomocksports.com/2020-2021-hockomock-girls-hockey-preview/

FHS - 2020-2021 Girls Hockey Preview by HockomockSports.com

FHS Update - new Wednesday schedule

FHS Update for the return to school

- link for survey https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSc2rBJqtd0.../viewform...

and

- new Wednesday schedule https://docs.google.com/.../15T5.../edit

Shared from the FHS PCC Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/groups/121835879824/permalink/10158277850384825/

FHS Update - new Wednesday schedule