"an invitation not to mistake difference for defect"

Maria Popova (@brainpicker) tweeted on Sat, Jan 02, 2021

"I have written a children's book. It is a true story — a love story, a science story, a story about the poetry of existence, about time and chance, genetics and gender, evolution and infinity, about diversity as nature's wellspring of resilience and beauty"

"Great children’s books move young hearts, yes, but they also move the great common heart that beats in the chest of humanity by articulating in the language of children, which is the language of simplicity and absolute sincerity, the elemental truths of being: what it means to love, what it means to be mortal, what it means to live with our fragilities and our frissons. As such, children’s books are miniature works of philosophy, works of wonder and wonderment that bypass our ordinary resistances and our cerebral modes of understanding, entering the backdoor of consciousness with their soft, surefooted gait to remind us who and what we are."

Direct link to Maria's book announcement:  https://t.co/Q8NTUxqEZN

Franklin radar picked up via Twitter: https://twitter.com/brainpicker/status/1345436684763222017

For those on Twitter, Maria is one whom I recommend to follow as being a valid source of a wealth of worthy info.

One of the several illustrations graciously shared by Maria in her announcement. Illustrations by "the uncommonly talented and sensitive Ping Zhu

Speaker Ron Mariano: Climate Conference Committee Report

Speaker Ron Mariano (@RonMariano) tweeted on Sun, Jan 03, 2021:

"The climate conference committee has filed its report.

I'm grateful for the work of the House conferees, @rephaddad, @RepBradJones & especially the House's lead negotiator, @tomtipagolden.

Read the full report here: https://t.co/JAWRHJPsog "

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/A0ARnCdkdG

Direct link to MA Legislature page  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S2995

 

The Boston Globe article:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/03/metro/state-lawmakers-announce-deal-climate-change-bill/

CommonWealth Magazine article:  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/energy/lawmakers-release-compromise-climate-change-bill/

 

 

Speaker Ron Mariano: Climate Conference Committee Report

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Monday - Jan 4 - remote learning day

 

"This is a reminder that tomorrow, Mon, Jan 4, 2021 will be a remote learning day for FPS students. We have been following our process for contact tracing upon learning of new cases since Dec 23, however we feel it safest to return to a remote learning day to allow for follow up."

"If your child tested positive for COVID-19 or has been identified as a close contact and you have not already done so, please report this information to FPS by completing this form: https://forms.gle/R2M675UiwyzjTE8P9 Thank you. Happy New Year!"

Shared from Twitter here 
https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1345887722888712197

and here: https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1345887723765248001

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Monday - Jan 4 - remote learning day

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon Channel 29.  This meeting may be recorded by others. 

2. CITIZEN COMMENTS

Citizens are welcome to express their views for up to five minutes on a matter that is not on the agenda. The Council will not engage in a dialogue or comment on a matter raised during Citizen Comments. The Town Council will give remarks appropriate consideration and may ask the Town Administrator to review the matter. 

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None Scheduled

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

None Scheduled

5. APPOINTMENTS

None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm

None Scheduled

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

None Scheduled

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

Hazard Mitigation Plan: Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development

Staff Memo’s & Materials

Proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan = (122 pages) https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/franklin_hazard_mitigation_plan_2020_update_-_pending_adoption.pdf

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee

b. Budget Subcommittee

c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-01: To Adopt The Town of Franklin Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 Update (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-01 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10a._hazard_mitigation_0.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-02: Authorizing the Borrowing of Money to Pay Costs of the Beaver Street Interceptor Replacement Project (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-02 - Two Thirds Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10b._21-02_beaver_street_interceptor.pdf

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-03: Gift acceptance - Fire Department, $85 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-03 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10c._gift_fd.pdf

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-04: Gift acceptance - Police Department, $5025 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-04 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10d._gift_pd.pdf

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-05: Gift Acceptance - Recreation Department, $49,806.69 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-05 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/mai/files/10e._gift_rec.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

COVID-19 Update

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None Scheduled 

ADJOURN

Note: 

• Two-Thirds Vote: requires 6 votes
• Majority Vote: requires majority of members present and voting

The agenda and released documents (except Hazard Mitigation Plan) can be found in one PDF

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/01-06-2021_town_council_agenda.pdf

The individual files can be found in the meeting folder:

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/january-6-town-council-agenda

Franklin, MA: Town Council  - Agenda - Jan 6, 2021

Welcome to 2021

Rarely has a new year been so anticipated. Rarely has the old year been so challenging.

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director  - 01/03/2021

2020, good riddance! That was the broadly shared sentiment on New Year’s Eve.

Midnight came. Midnight went. The ball dropped on an evacuated Times Square. That sorry visual summed up 2020. Confetti going nowhere. No cheering throngs. Ryan Seacrest was working overtime to gin up manic excitement from – nobody. (sound effect of crickets.)   The surreal scene unfolded like a bad dress rehearsal. This apocalyptic moment was 2020’s parting ‘gift’ to the world. 2020 threw a  going-away party – and nobody came.  (sound effect of one feeble party horn.)

I take a few minutes to watch the ball drop every year. Underneath the noise and hoopla there is a clock-tick at the stroke of midnight; one that I just don’t hear.

Can’t say the ‘moment’ ever hits home for me at midnight. My sense of a New Year happens when that very first glimmer of predawn light arrives the next morning. This hushed, solitary waking moment, separated from all that was, is when 2021 becomes real. It is my existential, experiential journey from first night to first light.

This is the light of hope and promise. It is mine.

Now we turn to hope for 2021 – more than usual. However, we also need resolve – more than usual. Steely resolve – for our journey from darkness.

Yes, it will be darkest before the promised dawn. But, by steely resolve that dawn will surely come. That resolve is simply to be kind and considerate to others around you, be they friend or stranger.

We are resolved to defeat covid19 in 2021. When it’s gone, we can party– like it’s 1999.

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

DelCarte on New Year's day

Get this week's program guide for Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  or for archive purposes  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10z6geRirkh-AuYuyu0O9tFiIb7hvdCrD/view?usp=sharing

“We have to give credit to the entire community for its help"

"It might be Bonnie and Mark Corso steering the ship, but the swell of enthusiasm from the Franklin community has supported their plans to open Fresh Start Market.

With more than 70 combined years of experience in the food industry—Mark in sales, distribution and grocery stores, and Bonnie in restaurants and food warehousing and distribution—an idea that was conceived nearly five years ago is now finally being realized. At first, they believed a stall at the now-popular Boston Public Market would be the right place to sell their curated selection of unique local products, but they were opposed to being in direct competition with the suppliers themselves, so they declined. With busy work lives and childrearing responsibilities to four, the over-extended Corsos decided to put their idea on hold.

Then the pandemic hit and the way of doing business in most industries, including the food industry, was turned upside down. Bonnie quickly realized that smaller local farms had inventory that needed distribution. “I saw that mom-and-pop farmstand sales were increasing, so I started to make calls to farmers directly. Not only was inventory available, but farmers told me they would adjust to meet our needs,” says Bonnie. So, Fresh Start Market took form."

Continue reading the article online 

https://www.naturalawakeningsboston.com/2020/12/30/340335/a-healthy-start-to-a-new-year-fresh-start-market-opening-in-franklin

Listen to the Franklin Matters Radio episode with Bonnie talking about the development of the Fresh Start Market  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/fm-425-fresh-start-market-121620-audio.html

Finian, their pet parrot, provided some background commentary during our remote recording session

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

HockomockSports.com provides a preview of the high school boys 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: 11-8-4
2019-2020 Finish: Reached Div. 1 South Semifinal
Coach: Anthony Sarno

Head coach Anthony Sarno can’t help but wonder what could have been for this season. Franklin had a strong group of returners back from last year’s squad and Sarno had a schedule filled with top teams from around the state ready to see how his Panthers stacked up to the elite talent. But now Franklin will focus on its 10-game Hockomock schedule with a chance to prove it’s the top team in the league. 

Franklin will rely on its senior class to lead the way. The Panthers will be very solid in the back, starting with senior goalie Jack Paterson. After serving in a backup capacity previously, Paterson steps into the starting role but is getting pushed in practice by classmate Gary Mandia. Along the blue line, Franklin has plenty of familiar names with the likes of Joe LeBlanc (nine points), Will Sheehan, Justin Abely, and Pat Dolan — all four are seniors with a good amount of varsity experience. 

Offensively, the Panthers have a good variety of attacking options led by last year’s HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year Dylan Marchand (13 points). Sarno is carrying 20 players and plans to use them all, rolling four lines offensively. JT Dwyer and Declan Lovett are both senior centers and have been strong in the face off circle so far. Sophomore Ben Jarosz should see an expanded role after getting some time last year. Franklin will look to expand on its puck possession after making the switch from a dump-and-chase team. 

“We were looking forward to playing against some of the best teams in the state but we’re going to make the most of this opportunity,” Sarno said. “We’re going to give it our all each game. We’ve going to practice as hard as we play in games, the energy the kids have brought has been contagious. We’re treating every game like a playoff game, that’s the type of energy we want to bring to each game.”

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

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

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