MIAA updates guidelines

MIAA (@MIAA033) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

Read how updated @MassEEA guidelines impacts #MIAA sports ⬇️

🔗https://t.co/1VXiuzaiv1   or http://miaa.net/contentm/easy_pages/view.php?sid=38&page_id=291

#OneTeamOneMIAA #maskupMIAA😷  @MSSADA9 @MSAA_33 @PVIAC @RpearsonMIAA_MS @sbryantMIAA @Napa13 @LeagueBoston 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MIAA033/status/1374073460629114890

 

 

@MassEEA guidelines: 

https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-standards-for-youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-phase-iv-step-1-effective-32221/download

 

 

https://twitter.com/MIAA033

Polar Park will not be Fenway

"Before they built Polar Park, the Worcester Red Sox hosted 21 fan meetings and jotted down 877 ideas. One thing was crystal clear: Worcester didn’t want its new stadium to be Fenway Park.

“Worcester wanted something different. They didn’t want to be Fenway green,” says Dr. Charles Steinberg, Worcester Red Sox president. So most everything will be blue; from the understated industrial corrugated metal exterior to the blue seats and 22-foot blue Worcester Wall in right field with seats and a fan deck.

No Green Monster in left?

“There was a naturalness to the Green Monster that we didn’t want to force,” says chairman and principal owner Larry Lucchino. “And there was a hill in right field that we needed to build a wall in front of.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/22/sports/worcesters-new-stadium-polar-opposite-fenway-park/

There was still snow at Polar Park in early March as construction continued.Stan Grossfeld/Globe staff

50+ Session on LinkedIn Profiles - Starts Tuesday - Mar 23, 2021

Interactive Workshop Series: Session #6

Creating a Robust LinkedIn Profile

Offered: Tue Mar 23^rd 10-12N; Fri Mar 26^th 1-3pm;
 and Mon Apr 5^th 6:30-8:30pm

Virtual Doors open 15 minutes before session begins.

Workshops begin promptly at the listed start time.

Facilitators: Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

 

During the 6th session in our 12-part Interactive Workshop Series, we discuss LinkedIn, specifically the elements for a powerful profile.

 

Join us---Learn the elements that will turn your passive profile into an active one. Just having a LinkedIn isn't enough---It's expected.

 

This session is the first of two sessions that focus using LinkedIn effectively during your job-search.

 

This session isn't just a one-way presentation; it's interactive; poses questions; presents real-time exercises; and challenges your mindset. In addition, it provides time for you to network with other 50+ Job Seekers.

If you have previously attended a 50+ session, to attend this LinkedIn session, use the link we sent you previously to join one of the resume sessions. 

 

--------------------------------------------------

 

New to the program? Registration is Required:
https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

FHS' Boys and Girls Hockomock League Swimming All Stars - 2021

We share the official 2021 Hockomock League Boys and Girls Swimming All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league. Here are the Franklin selections and the links to each of the boys and girls list for the complete Hockomock League  list.

** Boys All Stars

 

Kelley-Rex Division MVP
Timothy Luc, Taunton

Kelley-Rex Division All Stars
Bleddyn Titmuss, Franklin
Brendan Lapuma, Franklin
Luke Cashin, Franklin

** Girls All Stars

 

Kelley-Rex Division MVP

Megan Campbell, King Philip

 

Kelley-Rex Division All Stars

Madison Lawlor, Franklin

Sydney Bourgeois, Franklin

Christine Tang, Franklin

Alyssa LaPuma, Franklin

Emma Ferreira, Franklin

Linnea Remillard, Franklin

Kathryn Chew, Franklin

For the complete listings

https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-boys-swimming-all-stars/

https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-girls-swimming-all-stars/

 

FHS' Boys and Girls Hockomock League Swimming All Stars - 2021

MA State News: unemployment insurance bill; cannabis local impact fee questioned

"Lawmakers find common ground on unemployment insurance bill"

"TIME-SENSITIVE LEGISLATION aimed at stabilizing the state’s unemployment system, providing targeted tax relief to employers and workers, and creating a COVID-19 emergency sick leave program requires one final vote in each chamber after the House and Senate reached agreement on the bill’s details Monday.

After hours of talks, lawmakers ironed out differences between the underlying versions of the bill  to produce a compromise without a formal conference committee, teeing up the roughly $351 million bill and its $7 billion borrowing authorization to reach Gov. Charlie Baker as soon as Thursday.

The branches agreed on most aspects of the bill in their respective versions, but took different approaches to tax breaks on unemployment benefits, a commission studying the unemployment system, and length of the special obligation bonds that will be issued to help the state cover massive demands on its benefits system."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/economy/lawmakers-find-common-ground-on-unemployment-insurance-bill/

"3% cannabis impact fee covers costs that don’t exist"

"IN 2017, Massachusetts lawmakers revised the cannabis legalization ballot measure approved by voters the year before.  They made improvements, such as expanding the Cannabis Control Commission from three members to five, and increasing the local tax option from 2 percent to 3 percent.

They also made mistakes, including mandating host community agreements between municipalities and cannabis operators that allowed towns to collect an additional 3 percent of gross sales.  This stream of funds was meant to offset costs imposed upon the municipality “by the operation of the marijuana establishment.”

After more than two years of legal cannabis sales, it’s hard to make a case that towns have incurred any such costs.  There have been no reported incidents of sales to minors, no reports of increased crime around cannabis stores, no reported increase in cannabis-intoxicated driving arrests, no reported impacts on nearby businesses or neighborhoods, and no reported staffing or budget increases in police, fire, or health departments attributable to cannabis stores."

Continue reading the article online 

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/3-cannabis-impact-fee-covers-costs-that-dont-exist/

 

The Hill: "Enemy within: Experts warn US not learning from past pandemic mistakes"

 

"When it comes to combating COVID-19, experts and officials warn the U.S. is its own worst enemy as governors across the country lift restrictions and the public grows increasingly weary of pandemic life.

The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned Monday that the U.S. is at “a fork in the road” on the pandemic, with the two extremes perhaps best illustrated by spring breakers partying in Florida over the weekend while about 1,000 people are dying of COVID-19 every day.

Despite an aggressive pace of vaccination, the number of new infections across the country is rising in states across the Northeast and Upper Midwest and has essentially plateaued nationally. "

Continue reading the article online

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/544427-enemy-within-experts-warn-us-not-learning-from-past-pandemic-mistakes

 

 

MA State Library: old Boston photos found and digitized

MA State Library (@mastatelibrary) tweeted on Mon, Mar 22, 2021:

During a major cataloging project at the State Library, the staff rediscovered many beautiful collections, including an album of photographs of old Boston, which was digitized and we invite you to view here:  https://t.co/xhrDKv4xKN   or https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastatelibrary/albums/72157709811009401

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastatelibrary/status/1373998270620520453

MA State Library: old Boston photos found and digitized

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

The local businesses have their circle of friends so to speak with the Franklin Downtown Partnership, or the United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The local cultural organizations also have a circle of friends through the Cultural District. 

How about the non-profit organizations? 

Therefore, on March 29, 2021, we'll gather together the non-profit organizations serving Franklin, MA to 

1. create awareness of the work and services being provided by each org 
2. to improve the referral capability for each org 
3. to share best practices among the orgs

The group will be called the Franklin Area Non-profit Network, or FANN, and hence it will be a fanntastic group!

Sign up for the virtual meeting link at the Facebook event  https://www.facebook.com/events/1045786169244815/

The notes for my Citizens Comment at the Town Council meeting March 17

Monday, Mar 29, 7 PM

Kick off session to gather the non-profit organizations serving Franklin for a couple of reasons

1 - to create awareness about the work and services being provided by each organization 

2 - to improve the referral  capability of each org

3 - to share best practices between organizations 

The Franklin Area Non-profit Network or FANN  will be a fanntastic organization  

What to remember  

If you manage or operate a non-profit, consider joining the kickoff. At least follow us to see what we do 

If you volunteer for one of the more than one hundred non-profits based here, thank you for volunteering. Mention the next time you do volunteer that you heard about this and see if they are participating  

While I mentioned 'based' here, we know there are other organizations serving Franklin based elsewhere,  they are also welcome 

You hear more about this as the 29th gets closer. There is a Facebook event you can find and share. There will be additional news spreading through the social channels but we wanted this group and viewers to hear it. 

Any questions,  feel free to reach out to me for now, we will have a web page and other pieces coming soon

The non-profits serving Franklin do a whole lot of good, this gathering we believe should help them do what they do

March 29, 7 pm

Franklin Area Non-profit Network - Mar 29, 2021 - 7:00 PM

Franklin Library reopens for in person hours on limited basis - Mar 22, 2021

We are pleased to announce that the Franklin Public Library will be re-opening for in-person hours beginning on Monday, March 22nd! 

 

Our hours will be as follows:
  -  Monday: 1 - 4 pm
  -  Tuesday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Wednesday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Thursday: 4 - 8 pm (Senior hour 3 - 4 pm)
  -  Friday 1 - 4 pm
  -  Saturday 1 - 4pm

Curbside services will continue with pick up hours as follows:
 -   Monday - Thursday 10am - 8pm
 -   Friday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

All returns still must be placed in the outside book drop prior to entering the building. Items will continue to be quarantined for three days before they are checked in.

No donations are being accepted at this time. Please do not place them in the return bins, outside or inside the Library.

What's available:
 -   Browsing the stacks. Please limit your visit to 30 minutes maximum.
 -   Checking out items (Please use the self-check app or self-check computers)
 -   Logging into your account to pay late fees and lost materials with your credit card. Staff will not be handling cash at this time.
 -   WIFI access
 -   Public computer workstations (May be used for up to 60 minutes only)
 -   Printing, scanning, faxing, and photocopying. Please bring exact change. Staff will not be making change or handling cash.
 -   Museum passes (Please check with the museum prior to your visit. Further action may be necessary)

What is not available:
 -   Study rooms
 -   Meeting rooms
 -   Toys
 -   Children's play area
 -   Local history collection
 -   Restrooms. Please plan your visit accordingly.

Health & Safety Practices

All patrons entering the library will be required to do the following:
 -   Wear face coverings covering their nose and mouth at all times inside the Library
 -   Use remote services – phone, email, and curbside –if you cannot wear face coverings for medical reasons.
 -   Sanitize hands upon entering and complete the contact tracing form
 -   Practice social distancing
 -   Please remember to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from other patrons and staff

Library Programming
 - All programming will continue to be either virtual or take-and-make kits.
 

If you have any questions, please contact the Franklin Public Library at 508-520-4941 or at frkill@minlib.net .

 

Shared from Town of Franklin Library page:

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/events/314506

Franklin Library reopens for in person hours on limited basis

Franklin (MA) School Committee - FY 2022 - Budget Hearing - Mar 23, 2021

The document scheduled for presentation and discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, March 23, 2021 for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget.

Franklin (MA) Public Schools - Budget Hearing - 03/23/21 from Franklin Matters

The full agenda and documents released for this meeting can be found on the Schools page  https://www.franklinps.net/district/meeting-packets/pages/march-23-2021-school-committee-meeting-packet

FY 2022 - Budget Hearing - Mar 23, 2021

FHS A World of Difference - Women's History Month video on Megan Markle

FHS A World of Difference (@Franklin_AWOD) tweeted on Sun, Mar 21, 2021:

"In honor of Women's History Month, check out this short video about Megan Markle!" https://t.co/ITuSs9S3pl

 

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/Franklin_AWOD/status/1373687855919284227

In honor of Women's History Month, check out this short video about Megan Markle! pic.twitter.com/ITuSs9S3pl

— FHS A World of Difference (@Franklin_AWOD) March 21, 2021

 

 

FHS' White, Lupien, Randolph and Woelfel selected as All Stars

The official 2021 Hockomock League Gymnastics All Stars were selected by the coaches in the league. We shared the FHS selections and provide the link to the overall listing

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE MVP
Erin Hurley, Mansfield

HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS

• Emma White, Franklin
• Lexi Lupien, Franklin
• Kate Rudolph, Franklin
• Caroline Woelfel, Franklin 

For the complete listing

https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-gymnastics-all-stars/

FHS' White, Lupien, Randolph and Woelfel selected as All Stars

Good Deeds: Women of Norfolk County

Aly Raisman

Sunita Williams

Abigail Adams

The month of March we take the time to recognize the impact and importance women have in our society with Women’s History Month.  All of us should be well aware of the importance of women to society, to the shaping of the country we all live in and in our history.  Norfolk County which dates back to 1793 when Governor John Hancock, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, signed legislation establishing the county, has been the home to many remarkable women.  I would like to share with you some of the stories found as a result of researching records here at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds.

Abigail Adams the second First Lady of the United States was born right here in Norfolk County.  She was born in Weymouth in 1744.  She married John Adams in 1764.  She was President Adam’s confidant and took an active role in politics and what was happening in the country.  She was an abolitionist and believed in women’s rights to education and for women to have power and decision over their own lives.  Abigail Adams’s son John Quincy Adams would become the sixth President of the United States.  She is buried with her husband in Quincy.

Deborah Sampson lived in the Norfolk County town of Sharon.  Born in 1760 she attempted to enlist as a man in an Army Unit.  Although discovered and sent home Ms. Sampson later enlisted again and joined the 4th Massachusetts Regiment.  She was wounded in battle fighting in the American Revolutionary War and received an honorable discharge.

A more modern warrior who I had the pleasure of meeting down at the Falmouth Road Race is American astronaut Sunita Williams.  Sunita grew up and graduated high school in Needham in 1983.  She went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy.  She has had a lengthy and successful career with NASA and formerly performed the most spacewalks by a woman.  Ms. Williams also completed the first marathon run in space.  In 2017 the Needham School Committee voted to name the new elementary school the Sunita L. Williams Elementary School.

Speaking of Falmouth, Katherine Lee Bates was born there in 1857 but did you know she lived in Wellesley.  Ms. Bates was a noted author whose inspiration for “America the Beautiful” was the beauty she saw atop Pike’s Peak when hiking in Colorado.  These words were later adapted to a hymn that was the runner up in selecting the National Anthem.

Helen Keller was an advocate for the disabled and a suffragette.  At a young age she contracted an illness that left her blind and deaf.  When you think of Helen Keller you also think of her magnificent teacher and champion Anne Sullivan.  Both of these great and strong women lived in the Norfolk County town of Wrentham.  Helen Keller’s autobiography “The Story of My Life” and later the movie “The Miracle Worker” give great insight into overcoming struggles, compassion and the brilliance of these two women.

Norfolk County is full of women who everyday make our communities a great place to live.  For instance, Doctor Helen P. Cleary who joined the United States Marines in 1942 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel became the first woman to be elected to the Town of Norfolk’s Board of Selectman. This happened in 1965 and the journey of electing women to leadership positions continues today with the first woman Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.

Norfolk County has been the home to other inspiring and impactful women.  Harriet L. Hemenway from Canton co-founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896.  Audie Cornish a journalist and National Public Radio news anchor grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts.  Norfolk County can claim entertainers from actress Mindy Kaling via Wellesley who also produced the show “The Office” to noted Broadway and film star in the 1960’s and 70’s Lee Remick who was born and lived in Quincy.  The strength and grace of Needham’s Aly Raisman to be an Olympian Captain and to win numerous Olympic medals is inspirational enough.  Yet Ms. Raisman’s bravery and eloquence speaking out as a survivor to stop sexual abuse which led her to be a recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award should be a shining example to all of us.

It is great to recognize and be mindful of the women in our society and all that they have accomplished.  Let us take a moment to thank all women who have had impacts in our communities and in our lives.  Our lives, our communities, our county and our country would not be what it is without all of you. 

HMEA may have a position for you! Check out the virtual job fair Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021

HMEA Inc (@hmeatweets) tweeted on Sun, Mar 21, 2021:

If you want to make a difference in your work, here's your opportunity. We're looking to fill a variety of positions, including direct care staff, residential managers, and more. 

Email jobs@hmea.org to sign up for our first of three career fairs on Tuesday, March 23rd. https://t.co/wVs6hY4sLd

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/hmeatweets/status/1373756324538941442

HMEA may have a position for you! Check out the virtual job fair Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021

MA News: "be mindful that our behavior affects the entire community"

"An outbreak of COVID-19 cases among Swampscott High School students following a recent off-campus event is having a widespread impact on the town, prompting officials to switch the school to remote learning and urging unvaccinated residents to get tested for the virus as soon as possible.

On Saturday, town and state public health experts were working to determine the scope of the outbreak, which Superintendent Pamela Angelakis has deemed Swampscott’s largest since the pandemic began. The high school will be limited to remote learning until April 5, she said.

An estimated 100 residents were exposed to COVID-19 as a result of the new outbreak, said Sean Fitzgerald, the town administrator, though that figure could change as the town’s contact tracing continues."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/20/metro/after-significant-outbreak-covid-cases-among-swampscott-students-officials-urge-unvaccinated-residents-get-tested/