FM #481 - Town Council "Quarterbacking" - 03/04/21 (audio)

FM #481 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 481 in the series. 

This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer. This is one of a series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior Council meeting. Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England,  this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting: ok, what just happened? What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?

The show notes include links to the meeting agenda and associated documents.

Our conversation runs about 25 minutes, so let’s listen in to my quarterbacking session with Tom Mercer.  Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/72e1df51-f768-44c7-8b98-b768880320ad

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Agenda document (and released supporting materials in one PDF) 
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/march-3-town-council-agenda  

My notes from the meeting
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/03/recap-of-town-council-meeting-mar-3.html 

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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
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Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

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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FM #481 - Town Council "Quarterbacking" - 03/04/21 (audio)

"authority to force districts to reopen their schools full-time"

 

"BREAKING: Massachusetts education officials plan to postpone this spring's MCAS testing in an effort to ensure a smooth reopening of schools."

https://t.co/MrgYlWjeeI

"Massachusetts education officials announced on Friday they will postpone this spring’s MCAS testing in an effort to ensure a smooth reopening of schools, a move that was criticized by some teachers unions but lauded by other education advocates.

The decision came hours before the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to give Commissioner Jeffrey Riley the authority to force districts to reopen their schools full-time.

The return of students to five days a week of in-person learning will begin with students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5 on April 5 — the same date that MCAS testing was previously scheduled to begin."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/05/metro/massachusetts-school-officials-postpone-spring-mcas-testing/

And CommonWealth Magazine coverage on this topic - Read the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/ed-board-gives-riley-power-to-force-school-reopenings/

Pantherbook: Mock Trial Team advances to Sweet 16

"Congrats to the Mock Trial team for their victory over a brilliant Wayland team yesterday, 105-104. Both schools' coaches called it the most epic battle either had ever seen. With the win, Franklin advanced to the statewide Sweet 16 of the Mock Trial Tournament's "March Madness."

"The following Mock Trial students earned exemplary scores yesterday: Nipun Goel, Akash Shetty, Pratusha Nouduri, Erin McCaffrey, Nihara Lijan, Paris Arffa, Charlene Peng, and Matthew Parrella."

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1367891063533404165

and here => https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1367891124782850050

Pantherbook: Mock Trial Team advances to Sweet 16

5 FHS Music Students to perform with the MA All State Orchestra and Jazz Band

Massachusetts Music Educators Association is holding the 2021 All-State Music Festival virtually this year. Five students from the Franklin High School music program were selected for an ensemble and will participate in a virtual concert some time later this spring.

Students first attended a two hour master class on March 6th with the conductors of their ensembles.  Following this class, students will study their music and video record themselves performing their parts. These videos will be submitted by March 20th and will be professionally edited to create a virtual performance which will be presented to the public as a YouTube Premiere later this spring.

The Franklin High School students selected to the All-State Orchestra are: Christopher Broyles - Viola, Chai Harsha - Viola and Grace Newton - Violin.   Colin Manocchio - Trombone and Ian Richardson - Electric Bass were both selected to perform with the Jazz Band.

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In addition to performing with the Massachusetts All State Orchestra, Christopher Broyles and Chai Harsha were also selected to perform virtually with the All Eastern Honor Orchestra.  This festival will be presented in a similar format.  These are incredible accomplishments for our student musicians.  

Download a copy of this announcement
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GCqYwzPK_k5eHtURystnZfxP3MtzBtw3/view?usp=sharing

Left to Right: Ian Richardson - Bass, Colin Manocchio - Trombone, Chai Harsha - Viola, Christopher Broyles - Viola and Grace Newton - Violin

Pantherbook: "FHS Athletes' Perspectives on Fall II "

Take a look at FHS Athletes' Perspectives on Fall II 

@FranklinHS @FHSSports
https://t.co/crucFqJunJ

Direct link to Pantherbook

https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2021/03/04/athletes-perspectives-on-fall-ii/#

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSPantherbook/status/1367625056428437505

The football field is partially covered in a snowbank and the track is slightly wet from the weather.

Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast March 5, 2021

Hello Everyone!

Thirty-one years ago, Bruce McCandless II became the first person to conduct an untethered spacewalk. This iconic image was captured during a subsequent untethered EVA on Feb. 11, by NASA astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson. Photo Credit: NASA

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 

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

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

Link to Mass.Gov COVID - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information 

March 7, 2021, 3pm: Virtual Concert with percussionist Fabio Pirozzolo as part of the Friends of the Robbins Library Concert Series.  This will be a Facebook live event.  Go to:https://friendsofrobbinslibrary.org/harpbeat-celtic-harp-percussion-duo-sunday-march-7-300-pm/   or you can go directly to the Robbins Library facebook page. 

Tips

7 helpful hand exercises - For Parkinson's and to improve flexibility and dexterity 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez2GeaMa4c8  

Morning Qi Gong - 10 minute morning exercise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac08kMK-dyI 

Beginners Ballet for Balance and flexibility for Seniors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn-L69Ho8m8 

Music

2Cellos - Thunderstruck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk 

Automatica - robots vs. Music - Nigel Stanford

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

The very first woodwind instrument dates back to more than 43,000 years ago. The first woodwind instrument was a flute carved from the thigh bone of a bear. ... Bone was a natural choice for a flute because after the marrow is extracted, the length of the bone is hollow.

Just for Fun

The Evolution of Dance 1920-2000's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqHt2VeYJN4 

The Mars helicopter!!  Now on Mars!

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

Mind bending optical illusions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IWk5NkxQF8 

Humor

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator - Tim Urban

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arj7oStGLkU 

Carol Burnett Show Outtakes - Tim Conway's Elephant Story (one of my personal favorites)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qqE_WmagjY 

Kindness Matters

The speech that brought the entire student body to tears - Motivational

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u2qggffbYM 

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

*Monday at 1pm - Tele-bingo a call in bingo game.  Call the senior center for details

*Monday at 1pm - Meet the Sheriff - zoom

*Tuesday at 10am - Sen. Rausch - zoom

*Tuesday at 2pm - Palette Knife Class -you must be registered to attend

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

*Tuesday at 1pm - Audio Book Club- email mgunderson@franklinma.gov 

*Wed. At 10am - Writers Group -zoom

*Wed. At 4pm - Caregivers Support Group - email elaine.owens@verizon.net to attend

*Thursday at 6:30pm- NAME THAT TUNE! - email adoggett@franklinma.gov to play

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

*Thursday at 10am - Discussion Group - zoom

*Friday at 11am - Sunshine Zoom - for members with memory loss. 1 hour of socialization,

 Games, exercise and activities.

Attached you will find Donna's fun filled activity pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ezrKdX_pFa39nGKps9EJN36DXsgaVYy1/view?usp=sharing

Love, virtual hugs and good health to you all!  Please feel free to email me with questions, concerns or just to check in!

Ariel 

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

"Some have found ways to juggle work, child care and virtual schooling"

"Around 10 million U.S. mothers living with their own school-age children were not actively working in January — 1.4 million more than during the same month last year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on employment overall but especially on mothers’ paid labor. The 10 million not working accounted for over one-third of all mothers living with school-age children in the United States, according to the Current Population Survey."

Continue reading from the Census Bureau:

https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/moms-work-and-the-pandemic.html

 

Some have found ways to juggle work, child care and virtual schooling