Invisible Stories - #6 -"Los Angeles Homeless Man Produces Podcast with his Cellphone"

"I never woke up and said ... I want to live out here on the streets"

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 6th of the series: https://youtu.be/VixkQ6iu9_c

Theo Henderson's podcast =>   https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3dldGhldW5ob3VzZWQubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M?ved=0CAUQrrcFahcKEwightjc96LqAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQIg

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.

 

Mass.gov: In-home vaccinations are available

Mass.gov (@MassGov) tweeted on Sat, Jul 17, 2021:

"In-home vaccinations are available for anyone who is unable to travel to a vaccination location.

Learn how you can have a medical professional come to your preferred location and administer a vaccine here: https://t.co/JcPkpdvEJV #COVID19MA"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGov/status/1416491655738314756

Mass.gov: In-home vaccinations are available

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - July 21, 2021

1. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE CHAIR

a. 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. 

b. Chair to identify Council Members participating remotely

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

a. May 26, 2021
b. May 27, 2021
c. June 9, 2021
d. June 23, 2021

4. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

a. Retirement: Patti Wyllie, Treasurer-Collector's Department 
b. Retirement: Tommy Gundstrom, DPW 
c. Recognition: Ndoumbe Ndoye, Franklin High School, Commonwealth Heroines Award

5. APPOINTMENTS

None Scheduled

6. HEARINGS - 7:10pm

a. Zoning Bylaw Amendment 21-872: To Amend The Franklin Town Code At Chapter 185, Section 3, Definitions, Tasting Room 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10f._21-872_tasting_room.pdf

7. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

Dean College: New Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages License, Located at 135 Emmons Street, Franklin, MA.
Town Administrator Memo Summary;
Dean College Section 12 All Alcoholic Beverages license application; 
Town Council meeting minutes April 15, 2020, May 6, 2020;
Town Council Statement of Reason of denial; 
Dean College appeal to the ABCC;
ABCC Appeal decision.

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/7a._dean_college.pdf

8. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS

None Scheduled

9. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Capital Budget Subcommittee
b. Budget Subcommittee
c. Economic Development Subcommittee

10. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

10a. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-40: Gift acceptance - Franklin Public Library, $24,850 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-40 - Majority Vote)   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10a._21-40_library_gift.pdf

10b. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-41: Gift acceptance - Veterans Services Department, $700 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-41 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10b._vets_gift.pdf

10c. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-42: Gift acceptance - Franklin Police Department, $100 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-42 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10c._pd_gift.pdf

10d. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-43: Gift acceptance - Franklin Fire Department, $100 (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-43 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10d._21-43_fd_gift.pdf

10e. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Bylaw Amendment 21-870: Chapter 170, Vehicles And Traffic, Section 170-22, Subsection A, Location of Stop Signs - Second Reading (Motion to adopt Bylaw Amendment 21-870 - Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10e._21-870_stop_signs.pdf

10f. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Zoning Bylaw Amendment 21-872: To Amend The Franklin Town Code At Chapter 185, Section 3, Definitions, Tasting Room - Second Reading (Motion to adopt Zoning Bylaw Amendment 21-872 - Two Thirds Majority Roll Call Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10f._21-872_tasting_room_0.pdf

10g. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-44: Appropriating Funds by Borrowing and Transfer to Pay Costs of Land Acquisition: Land of Franklin LaBastie Family, LLC off Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-44 -Two Thirds Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10g_maple_hill.pdf

10h. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

Resolution 21-45: Town Of Franklin’s Exercise Of Town’s Chapter 61a, Section 14 First Refusal Option, Re: Land Of Franklin Labastie Family, LLC Off Maple Street (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-45 - Majority Vote)  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/mai/files/10g_maple_hill_0.pdf

11. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

13. COUNCIL COMMENTS

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Exception #2: Contract negotiations with non-union personnel, namely: Town Administrator

15. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Vote on approving Administrator contract, subject to Executive Session outcome
Legislation for action: 
Resolution 21-39: Approval of Town Administrator’s Contract (Motion to Approve Resolution 21-39 Majority Vote)

ADJOURN

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

The single PDF for the agenda and released documents

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2021-07-21_town_council_agenda.pdf

The agenda page with links to the individual documents

https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/july-21-town-council-agenda

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Agenda - July 21, 2021

Franklin TV - E Pluribus Unum–?

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director   07/18/2019

These days it feels a bit more like E Unibus Plurum. Out of one nation’s goal to achieve heard immunity and protection for all. There are many divisive opinions. So many opinions are sadly conflated by so much misinformation and myth. Yes, we are all entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts. Facts are facts.

Fact: The vaccines work – remarkably well.
Fact: They are up to 100 times safer than risking infection.

These next few weeks are mission critical for those who have yet to be vaccinated. Note that it takes 2 shots and 5 to 6 weeks to achieve full immunity. That puts any protection for the unvaccinated into late August – when health experts fear the rising worst wave through September and on. If you are not yet vaccinated, this should be tops on your to-do list.

It also means that masks will likely return as the new fall fashion.

Conversely, for those who still don’t wish to be vaccinated, if at the least, you wear a mask then you are doing the right thing for others while you exercise your right. Thank you.

E Pluribus Unum–?

However,

in our collective fight against the virus,

are you choosing to die on the field of battle?

Fight for yourself, your family, your friends. Take up arms (the left or right one) against the invisible enemy – the real enemy – the virus, and give it your best shot – or two.

I pledge allegiance to the mask and the United Safety of America.

And to the protection for which it stands.

One nation, invincible

with immunity and vaccines for all.

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

 

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/1Zj9HCSZlft2r_smyEpMD_qUnk8RnnPJ6/view?usp=sharing

"we need to reach a new level of public understanding about health, disease, risk and probability"

We’re soon going to have to make our own choices about social distancing, wearing masks and travel. When the legal enforcement of rules is lifted, the way in which each of us deals with the risk of Covid-19 will be down to personal judgment. But how well equipped are we to make these decisions?

Graphs and data can help explain things, but what’s also needed is a deep understanding of how science works, and, perhaps most important of all, a sense of how to weigh up the odds of coming down with the disease and how it might affect us. Not in an abstract way, but in our day-to-day lives. And what many people don’t realise is that COVID-19 is just the start. 

.... 

To equip us for all this, we need to reach a new level of public understanding about health, disease, risk and probability. Some of this should be taught in schools, colleges and universities, of course, but there needs to be more. During the pandemic, we have seen a huge increase in the number of scientists discussing their work in public. Now, as the UK government formally lifts restrictions, we must not retreat from this exposure. Rather, we must embrace science as a vital part of our culture even more than we do now. At stake is not just our health and wellbeing, but our sense of what it means to be human.

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jul/16/well-soon-know-more-about-our-bodies-than-ever-before-but-are-we-ready

Progress in human biology is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.’ Photograph: Yuri_Arcurs/Getty Images

The Guardian: "the dozen are responsible for 73% of all anti-vaccine content"

"The vast majority of COVID-19 anti-vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories originated from just 12 people, a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) cited by the White House this week found.

CCDH, a UK/US non-profit and non-governmental organization, found in March that these 12 online personalities they dubbed the “disinformation dozen” have a combined following of 59 million people across multiple social media platforms, with Facebook having the largest impact. CCDH analyzed 812,000 Facebook posts and tweets and found 65% came from the disinformation dozen. Vivek Murthy, US surgeon general, and Joe Biden focused on misinformation around vaccines this week as a driving force of the virus spreading.

On Facebook alone, the dozen are responsible for 73% of all anti-vaccine content, though the vaccines have been deemed safe and effective by the US government and its regulatory agencies. And 95% of the COVID misinformation reported on these platforms were not removed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/17/covid-misinformation-conspiracy-theories-ccdh-report

The CCDH report  https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/21011322/disinfo-dozen.pdf
   

On Facebook alone, the dozen are responsible for 73% of all anti-vaccine content, though the vaccines have been deemed safe and effective by the US government and its regulatory agencies. Photograph: Science Photo Library/Alamy Stock Photo

Movie night rescheduled for Friday, July 23

Movie Night, put on by Concerts on the Common, was rained out this past Friday and is now rescheduled for Friday, July 23

Spider Man into the Spider-Verse   8-10 PM    https://t.co/luWvNC2mVo

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FranklinRec/status/1414950813710098444

Movie night rescheduled for Friday, July 23

CommonWealth Magazine: "Baker signs budget, takes different tack on tax policy"

"GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Friday signed into law a $47.6 billion state budget for fiscal 2022, which began two weeks ago. 

While he let most of the budget become law, Baker, who has line-item veto power, had multiple disagreements with lawmakers over tax policy. He vetoed a delay in the implementation of a state tax deduction for charitable giving. He also vetoed lawmakers’ attempts to eliminate two tax credits aimed at specific types of businesses and haggled with them over the details of a new corporate tax benefit. "

Continue reading the article online 
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/state-government/baker-signs-budget-takes-different-tack-on-tax-policy

Boston Globe coverage

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/16/metro/9-things-you-should-know-about-state-budget-governor-charlie-baker-just-signed/ 

Gov Baker's press release  https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-charlie-baker-signs-fiscal-year-2022-budget

The full budget summary details  https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy22/

https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy22/

Library Book sale - 9 AM to noon; bag sale 1 to 4 PM today

The Franklin Public Library book sale has changed to a monthly format. Friday's from 1 - 5 PM, Saturday's from 9 - noon, and then the bag sale from 1 - 4 PM also on Saturday.

Visit the Franklin Public Library virtually for additional info
https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library

Library Book sale - 9 AM to noon; bag sale 1 to 4 PM today

"The total health and climate consequences of the American food system cost three times as much as the food itself"

"The true cost of food is even higher than you think, a new report out Thursday says.

The U.S. spends $1.1 trillion a year on food. But when the impacts of the food system on different parts of our society — including rising health care costs, climate change and biodiversity loss — are factored in, the bill is around three times that, according to a report by the Rockefeller Foundation, a private charity that funds medical and agricultural research.

Using government statistics, scientific literature and insights from experts across the food system, the researchers quantified things like the share of direct medical costs attributable to diet and food, as well as the productivity loss associated with those health problems. They also looked at how crop cultivation and ranching, and other aspects of U.S. food production impacted the environment. Focusing on the production, processing, distribution, retail and consumption stages of the food system (not including food service), they evaluated what it would cost to restore people’s health, wealth or environment back to an undamaged state, as well as the cost of preventing a recurrence of the problems."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/07/16/true-cost-of-american-food-system/

The Rockefeller Foundation report can be downloaded 

https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/True-Cost-of-Food-Full-Report-Final.pdf

The Rockefeller Foundation report

02038.com: "Home Prices Skyrocket In 2021"

"The median sale price of homes in Franklin, MA rose an extraordinary 27% in the first half of 2021, compared to 2020’s first-half median. That’s over a $120K increase in just one year!

At $585,000, the median sale price of single-family homes in Franklin, Massachusetts currently stands 19% above its prior all-time high of $489,900, set back in 2018.

It was a similar story for the overall real estate in Massachusetts: the median home sale price in the Bay State jumped 21% in the first half of the year."

Continue reading the update from Warren Reynolds
https://02038.com/2021/07/home-prices-skyrocket-in-2021/ 

02038.com: "Home Prices Skyrocket In 2021"

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