Franklin Senior Center: Email Blast - July 16, 2021

Hello Everyone!

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 Franklin Observer - https://franklinobserver.town.news/ 

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

We need your help Celebrating and honoring Franklin's Oldest resident!  Mr. Walter Zinchuk, born on July 19, 1917 will be celebrating his 104th birthday.

Walter, along with his late wife Alta, purchased their Franklin home in 1958, where they raised four children. Mr. Zinchuk who is a World War II Veteran, served in New Guinea and Australia as a combat engineer. Walter received the Boston Post Cane which represents the oldest Franklin resident, and holds the title proudly! Walter is a very young 104, actively participating in various activities at Benchmark Senior Living.

To celebrate this amazing gentleman, a gathering is planned for Sunday, July 18th at 1:30 p.m. at Benchmark Senior Living, Forge Hill Road, Franklin. We are asking Franklin residents to "participate" in Mr. Zinchuk's birthday celebration by mailing a birthday card to:

Mr. Walter Zinchuk c/o Benchmark Senior Living

4 Forge Hill Road

Franklin, MA 02038

Our goal is for Walter to receive 104 birthday cards. Please help us make Walter's birthday a memorable one!!

Tips

Chair stretches to help eliminate back pain

https://www.healthline.com/health/back-pain/stretches-for-seniors#reach-back 

Daily SilverSneakers meditation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Uw0UscJyE 

20 minute indoor walking for seniors - boost your step count

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfdajt9lWFo 

Music

Beethoven's fifth symphony performed by body percussion!

https://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/fifth-symphony-body-percussion/?fbclid=IwAR02yVQp1YP6VOGeskoY5GTeUsiIz0keXMDADIJgXOGeVOde05xLK6GcXUs 

Typewriter Brandenburger Symphoniker (music starts at about 1.30 in)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW8dGwa2zRw 

Just for Fun

90 Year old figure skater

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0cxAvStBI 

 

"Solar kids" 2 brothers who suffer from paralysis when the sun goes down. 43 min documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfqKS5trngs 

 

Franklin, MA past and presented by Joe Landry through Franklin Matters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7sy7yY2B0w

Humor

Changing the hallway prank

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSP966QtUFg 

Kindness Matters

Girl thrives as an amputee gymnast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28rLl7OnoWU 

Housecalls to homeless people in Venice Beach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N2Ry_g15KA 

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

*Monday 

9:00 Hairdresser/Barber 

9:30 Italian Conversation 

9:30 Mexican Train Dominoes 

1:00 American MahJong 

1:00 Chair Volleyball 

1:15 Movie: "Indian Horse" 

6:00 Cribbage 

*Tuesday

9:00 Cribbage 

9:30 Busy Bees 

9:30 Low Impact w Shirley $3 

9:30 Hand & Foot Cards 

10:00 Virtual Chair w Judith 

10:00 Manicures $10 by appt. 

11:00 Cardio, Strength $3 1:00 Bingo 

1:00 Audio Book Club (Phone) 

1:00 Cribbage Instruction 

1:00 Quilting 

1:00 Chess 

1:00 Mindful Movements $3 

5:00 Quarantini Time zoom

*Wednesday 

8:30 Blood Pressure & Sugar 

9:30 SHINE 

9:45 Chair Yoga $3 

10:00 Knitting 

10:00 Scrabble 

10:00 Asian MahJong 

11:00 Zumba $3 

1:00 Chair Volleyball 

1:00 Line Dancing 

1:00 Senior Scribblers 

1:00 Bridge 

1:00 Hairdresser by appt. 

3:00 Exploring Nantucket RESCHEDULED new date TBD

4:00 Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group

*Thursday 

8:30 Blood Pressure & Sugar 

9:00 Cribbage 

9:30 Busy Bees 

9:30 Bocce Ball 

9:30 Low Impact w Shirley $3 

10:00 Virtual Chair w /Judith 

10:00 Discussion Group: with The Franklin Police Chief 

11:00 Cardio, Strength $3 

11:00 Balance Class w Trish 

12:30 Painting Space 

1:00 Medical Safety with Hypertension & Diabetes 

1:00 Bingo 

1:15 Tai Chi $3 

1:30 Franklin Matters Q&A with Steve Sherlock

*Friday  

9:30 Hand & Food Cards 

10:00 Woodcarving 

11:00 Sunshine Zoom Group 

12:00 T.O.P.S. 

1:00 Pokeno

Attached you will find: Donna's Fun filled activity pages

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LnSaw93kEjv2UkFgclfHV-BFz9SwrZLI/view?usp=sharing

Rain rain go away, we are ready for some sun again!

Ariel

--

Ariel Doggett

Virtual Program Coordinator

Respite Coordinator

Supportive Day Coordinator

"We rise by lifting others" - Robert Ingersoll

There is no act of kindness too small

MA Fish & Game: "Never thought you’d see a bear? Think again"

MA Fish & Game (@MassDFG) tweeted on Fri, Jul 16, 2021:

While communities in western Massachusetts have been coexisting with #BlackBears for years, a young bear recently made headlines in southeastern Massachusetts. As the bear range expands eastward, many residents are wondering what to do if they see a bear.

Continue reading for information  https://t.co/uORmiR42ex 

Shared from: https://twitter.com/MassDFG/status/1416156956813824003

MA Fish & Game:  "Never thought you’d see a bear? Think again"

Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District Commission

BOH Agenda - Norfolk County Mosquito Control Update

1:30 PM on Thursday July 22nd, 2021

1. Approval of the minutes of the June 24th, 2021 Commission Meeting
2. Budget Overview

a. Overview for end of FY 2021 / beginning of FY 2022

b. District website/IT update

3. Fieldwork Overview

a. Overview of 2021 year to date

b. Telematics review – battery situation

c. Tire recycling contract update

4. Surveillance/Virus update
5. Mosquito Control for the 21st Century Task Force update

The full agenda doc includes the Zoom info to join the meeting    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/boh_agenda_-_norfolk_county_mosquito_control_0.pdf

Norfolk County Mosquito Control District Commission

Franklin's Event Outlook: July 16 - July 22, 2021

The heat and humidity returns today but that won't prevent the Farmers Market this time. Concerts on the Common has two bands (one for the kids and one for all) and a movie night tonight!

Friday, July 16
1:00pm - Book Sale
2:00pm - Farmers Market
3:30pm - Kids craft activity by Library Youth Services
5:00pm - Concerts on the Common - "Bus 14"
6:00pm - Concerts on the Common: "Jesse Liam Band"
7:30pm - Fair, Yates, Betschart & McCrossan
8:00pm - Concerts on the Common: Movie Night

Saturday, July 17

10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)

Sunday, July 18

1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)

5:00pm - Food Truck and Live Music Festival

Tuesday, July 20
9:00am - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
12:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey
6:00pm - wfpr.fm: Pamela Hines – Jazz Journey

Wednesday, July 21

10:00am - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/ Kim
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "The Wonderful World of Wine" – Mark/Kim
7:30pm - Let’s Laugh Today is Free on ZOOM!

Thursday, July 22
10:00am - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
11:00am - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
1:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
2:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Talkin’ the Blues" – Jim/Todd
5:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
7:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Frank’s Music" – Frank Falvey
8:00pm - wfpr.fm: "Talkin' the Blues!" - Jim/Todd

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar

The School district meeting calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

 

Community Calendar

THE BLACK BOX: Food Truck and Live Music Festival - July 18

Sunday July 18th Schedule (Originally the Saturday May 29th lineup) 

(*Please note that Sunday’s event has been moved inside the theater. )

5:00 PM – Kaye Kelly
6:00 PM – Racky Thomas
7:00 PM – Ken DoRosario
8:30 PM – Diane Blue 

Tickets can be purchased online ->  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1458

THE BLACK BOX: Food Truck and Live Music Festival - July 18 

FHS softball and baseball Hockomock League All Stars

Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Softball All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

KELLEY-REX DIVISION CO-MVPS
Hanna Aldrich, Taunton
Kelsey White, Taunton

Honorable Mentions:
Molly Collins, Franklin

Below are the official 2021 Hockomock League Baseball All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

KELLEY-REX DIVISION MVP
Danny MacDougall, Taunton

KELLEY-REX DIVISION ALL STARS
Nathan Cooke, Franklin
Jake Fitzgibbons, Franklin
Alfred Mucciarone, Franklin

Honorable Mentions:

Jacob Jette, Franklin

For the complete listing 

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

For the complete listing 
https://hockomocksports.com/2021-hockomock-league-baseball-all-stars/ 

FHS softball and baseball Hockomock League All Stars

Hey middle schoolers! SAFE Coalition summer camp registration is open

SAFE COALITION SUMMER CAMP!

🌱 Are you a middle school student looking to make new friends, try yoga and mindfulness, explore ways to use your voice, and enhance your leadership skills? 

💁‍♀️ JOIN US! Please fill out the form below 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXgJ1OVpyKyQaM5TJD3YylSiIP6MCGkEF6T-bJr4J3j2ga-g/viewform 

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/725586407571568/posts/2288138047983055/

Hey middle schoolers! SAFE Coalition summer camp registration is open

FM #580 - Community Conversation on Housing & Race - 07/14/21 (audio)

FM #580 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 580 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares the Community Conversation virtual meeting on Housing and Race coordinated by the Franklin Area Against Racism group (FAAR) and held on Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Town Councilor Cobi Frongillo moderated the discussion with featured guests 

• Jim Johnston (longtime Franklin resident and historian) 

• Bryan Taberner (Franklin’s Director of Planning and Community Development)

• Jesse Kanson-Benanav (Executive Director of Abundant Housing MA) 

The discussion focused on how Franklin's housing policies and practices have fostered socio-economic inequities and worked to reduce diversity in the community over the years.

Franklin TV recorded and will be making available the video of this virtual meeting. When available, I’ll include the links here as well.

The audio recording runs about 1 hour and 20 minutes, so let’s listen to the Community Conversation on Housing and Race.

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0d0955ed-45fa-43e9-9d5e-1885531a109a

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Link to Director Taberner’s Housing presentation doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ahoL5YJElfGd4Qv4w4o9le_py9vCIX-l/view?usp=sharing 

Or at Slideshare ->

https://www.slideshare.net/shersteve/franklin-ma-housing-production-plan-presentation-20210714 

Link to the announcement of this Community Conversation

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/reminder-community-conversations.html 

Visit the Development and Community Planning page for additional info on the Master Plan, the Housing Production Plan, etc.  https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development 

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

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

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

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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!

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

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #580 - Community Conversation on Housing & Race - 07/14/21 (audio)

Invisible Stories - #5 - "Helping Homeless People During Coronavirus in Los Angeles"

"there are so many ways to help our unhoused community"

Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) tweeted on Sun, Jul 11, 2021:

Invisible Stories is a mini-doc series that goes beyond the rhetoric, statistics, political debates, and limitations of social services to examine poverty in America via a medium that audiences of all ages understand and can't ignore. 

Link to the 5th of the series: https://youtu.be/8pWTs9hxKls

Link to the series: https://t.co/Y0NRNIujar 

Shared from Twitter:    https://twitter.com/hardlynormal/status/1414284287034155020

Note: I met Mark at a social media conference many years ago and have been following his work. This series is very well done. Yes, the series is set in LA but homelessness is an issue all around us whether visible or not. 

MA Legislature Passes Bill Authorizing $350 Million in Funding for Transportation Infrastructure

 

 

Massachusetts Legislature Passes Bill Authorizing $350 Million in Funding for Transportation Infrastructure

The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that will invest $350 million in municipal transportation and selected statewide transportation infrastructure projects.

The bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million for municipal roads and bridges through the chapter 90 program and $150 million to support statewide projects to address congestion, support electric vehicle infrastructure, prioritize bus infrastructure, and improve public transit.

"As travel returns to pre-COVID levels, our transportation system has a vital role to play in getting us back to better," stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Chapter 90 proposal advanced by the Senate and House today authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges across our state and makes additional investments in emerging electric vehicle infrastructure which will greatly benefit the Commonwealth's residents. Passage of this legislation is critical to maintaining a transportation system that is sustainable, reliable, accessible and climate resilient. I am grateful to Senators Rodrigues, Boncore, and Feeney as well as Speaker Mariano, Rep. Michlewitz, Rep. Straus, Gregoire and their staffs for their collaboration."

"I would like to thank Chairs Michlewitz, Straus and Gregoire, as well as Senate President Spilka and her colleagues, for their work on the Chapter 90 bill," said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "This bill not only authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges but advances our priorities by investing in projects that municipalities will use to improve our transportation system, such as increased access to transit and specifically buses."

"As we continue building back to our new better, Chapter 90 funding remains an important mechanism through which the state can directly support cities and towns in Massachusetts," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D -Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "Thank you to Senate President Spilka and Senators Boncore and Feeney for their leadership, and to my colleagues in the Legislature for their urgency to direct funding to projects that will make a real difference in their communities and strengthen our local infrastructure across the Commonwealth." 

"These critical funds will ensure that our transportation needs are addressed all across the Commonwealth" said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). "I want to thank the Speaker, Chairs Straus and Gregoire, and our colleagues in the Senate for the hard work they put into this legislation, and for continuing to prioritize out transportation system". 

"Public transportation is a public good. The $350 million investment is among the largest Chapter 90 bond bills to date and represents the Legislature's commitment to safe roads, reliable bridges, and modernized transit infrastructure," said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop).  "In addition to funding shovel-ready projects, the Chapter 90 bond bill makes statewide investments support public transit, address traffic congestion, and advance electric vehicle infrastructure and fleets." 

"This legislation recognizes that in addition to the backlog of local roads in need of repair, there is an unmet need  for local projects that benefit all modes of transportation, and I am pleased that the legislature was able to provide municipal assistance for road work and expanded funding for towns and cities to advance public transit and reduce congestion," said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. 

"The funding provided through this critical legislation allows our cities and towns the ability to move forward on the necessary repairs and improvements to keep our roads, bridges and infrastructure safe for the residents of our communities," said Representative Gregoire, co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets . "I am grateful to Speaker Mariano for the opportunity to play a small part in its passage."

"Today's final enactment of $350 million in Chapter 90 bond authorizations is a smart investment for the Commonwealth," said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. "There is no question our local infrastructure is in dire need of repairs and upgrades. As we recover from the pandemic and businesses and offices re-open, more people are hitting the roads and commuting once again. This comprehensive investment in our transportation infrastructure will put people to work and allow our city and town officials to forge ahead with the critical projects necessary to keep our communities moving along safely."

"The members of the Senate Republican Caucus are pleased to join with our colleagues in passing Chapter 90 legislation that will provide valuable resources to our cities and towns to construct and maintain the roads and bridges all of us depend on every day. Road paving, bridge construction and repair, and similar projects are important to our economy, our safety, and our quality of life, but their costs can be a major challenge for municipal budgets," said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). "The spending authorizations contained in this bill will provide the resources and support needed urgently to respond to that challenge and make those projects possible this year."

"The long-standing state-municipal partnership established under the Chapter 90 program is critical to helping cities and towns meet their transportation infrastructure needs. Today's agreement continues the House and Senate's ongoing commitment to support this important road and bridge program. Combined with the funding increases for targeted municipal transit-related grants, this bond bill will allow cities and towns to focus on addressing some of their most critical transportation needs," stated House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The bill includes the following components:

• $200 million in chapter 90 funding for cities and towns for projects to maintain, improve, and repair roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and bikeways.

• $25 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Program to support replacement or preservation of structurally deficient local bridges critical to local communities and not eligible for existing federal aid programs.

• $25 million for the Local Bottleneck Program to address localized traffic bottlenecks and invest in infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and reduce idling and greenhouse gas emissions.

• $25 million for Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support municipalities and regional transit authorities in their efforts to install EV infrastructure and purchase EVs and zero-emission vehicles. 

• $25 million for Transit-Supportive Infrastructure to create dedicated bus lanes, enhance bus stops and train stations, support passenger safety, upgrade technology and modernize infrastructure to meet demand and increase frequency of public transit services, and improve access to public transit.

• $25 million for Bus Prioritization and Enhancement Projects to support municipalities in their efforts to create bus rapid transit lanes, construct catenary wires for electric trolley buses, purchase equipment for transit signal prioritization, and make improvements at bus stations and stops.

• $25 million for Enhancements at Transit and Commuter Rail Stations to support municipalities in their efforts to construct parking lots and structures, drop-off and pick-up zones, electric vehicle charging stations, park-and-ride locations, bicycle parking or bicycle cages, and accommodations for micro-mobility devices.

The bill also includes language clarifying that transportation infrastructure projects are an allowable use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, consistent with U.S. Treasury guidelines. Having been passed by the House and Senate, the legislation now goes to Governor Baker for his signature.

Reinvention Boot Camp: Thursday, August 26 -> 10-11:30 AM

The 50+ Jobseekers Networking Program and the Encore Boston Network are pleased to present:

REINVENTION BOOT CAMP: TALK TO THE PROS

Thursday, August 26, 10-11:30 AM

You've set a course to reinvent yourself and made some progress.
Maybe as a freelancer, a consultant, or a business startup.
But you could use some advice, ideas, connections or encouragement.
That's what the Reinvention Bootcamp is all about.
Join our panel of highly experienced Business Advisors for guidance & insight.
Then break into small groups with fellow "ReInventors" and one of our Advisors to get specific and practical input tailored to your questions.
You'll leave this workshop inspired and ready to jumpstart the next phase of your reinvention journey!

REGISTER: https://bit.ly/3i0btxq

Be sure to register and mark your calendar!

Download a flyer to share or remember by

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pTRSlD9tMN5WeQ9pnVfjTZEV1hkyBjuS/view?usp=sharing

Ed Lawrence

www.getstart-ed.com

Reinvention Boot Camp: Thursday, August 26 -> 10-11:30 AM

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