Franklin, MA: Library News & Events - August 2021

August 2021 Library News & Events

Library News for August 2021

The Library's summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Book Sale

Franklin Library Book Sale
Friday, August 20, 1:00-5:00 p.m.  Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon.
All books are just one dollar!
Bag Sale - $5 A Bag—Saturday, August 21, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can!

 

Programs for Children and Teens

 

Weekly Events for Families!

Animal Guess Who! Monday-Friday

Join us all summer long for a fun guessing game of name that animal! Clues will be posted daily Monday-Friday, and at the end of each week all the correct guesses will be entered into a raffle!

Move Along! Mondays @ 10:30AM

This thirty minute program features music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy!

Dungeons & Dragons! Mondays @ 3:30PM on Discord/Roll20

Kids ages 7-15! Join us each week for virtual D&D on Roll20.net! Then join a community of gamers for fun on FPL's own Discord Server! "Chairs" are open for New Players and Dungeon Masters are always in demand! Email mgousie@minlib.net to get involved!

Cool Cruisers! Tuesdays @ 9:30AM

Babies who have graduated from tummy time and are scooting all over the place are welcome to this playgroup just for them! We recognize that fun age of exploring is very different from their first few months, so join us for a special playgroup just for this exciting time!

Toe-Tapping Tuesdays! Tuesdays @ 4:00PM

Let's play some music and get those little toes moving! We will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence.

Tummy Time! Thursdays @ 9:30AM

Babies and caregivers: join us each Thursday morning for Tummy Time! Nurture your baby's development with gentle music, movement, and sensory play at the library! Please bring a small blanket or towel for your baby's comfort!

Bookworm Bounce! Thursdays @ 4:00PM

Join us for an afternoon story time full of music, movement, stories, and other interactive activities to encourage social skills and promote early literacy!

Happy Feet! *SOME* Fridays @ 10:30AM

Let's play some music and get those little toes moving! We will have fun learning to move to the music while building coordination and confidence.

Summer Secret Coders *SOME* Fridays @11:00AM

Make projects, cool crafts, and play games based on The Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang

Farmers Market Fun! Fridays @ 3:30PM

Join us in a special collaboration with the Franklin Farmer's market! Enjoy special themed events each week, from story times, to scavenger hunts, to craft projects and beyond!

 

Special Events for Kids & Families in August!

 

Take & Make: Rock Photo Holders!

Starting Monday August 2nd stop by the library to pick up your very own rock photo holder kit! Kits include supplies and instructions for making your very own photo keepsake! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis!

Rainforest Reptiles - Desert Animals! - Wednesday, August 4th @ 1:00PM

Since we can't go to the desert, we're bringing the desert to you! Join us for a special Rainforest Reptile Show featuring reptiles and amphibians that live in some of the harshest conditions in the world! IDEAL FOR KIDS IN GRADE 2 AND UP

August StoryWalk at DelCarte Park!

Starting Saturday, August 7th, the Franklin Recreation Department and the Franklin Public Library are teaming up again for a summer series of StoryWalks on the trail! The StoryWalk will be up until September, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the story, while social distancing!

Read & Draw with Scott Magoon! Saturday, August 7th @ 10:30AM

We are celebrating our August StoryWalk with a special, first-time visit from author and illustrator Scott Magoon!! We'll listen as he reads a story and learn how to draw Misunderstood Shark from the illustrator himself!

Coastie the Tugboat! Wednesday, August 11th @ 1:00PM

Coastie is a hilarious tugboat, with navigation, searchlights, a rotating beacon, a siren, an air horn, and eyes and eyelids that move meaningfully. He talks, plays music, and interacts with kids while teaching all about staying safe in the water! This is guaranteed to be the most fun your kids have ever had learning about water safety!

Shark Seek-N-Find! Saturday, August 14th @ 10:00AM

Where in Franklin is Miss Caleigh and her under-the-sea friend? Join the fun for a Social Distancing Seek-N-Find! Follow the clues posted in the Facebook event and come say hello!

Digeridoo Down Under Live Virtual Performance! Wednesday, August 18th @ 1:00PM ON ZOOM

Join us virtually for a fun, energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, storytelling and audience movement and participation! Learn all about Australian animals and wildlife, and take part in some zany interactive storytelling! To register please email ckeating@minlib.net!

Outback Olympics! Saturday, August 21st @ 10:30AM

Join us for games and activities that will test your Outback Animal skills and more!!

Make with Miss Mitzi: Macramé! Saturday, August 21st @ 1:00PM

Calling all Makers! Miss Mitzi is on a mission to make a new crazy craft project every month! Sign up & Tune in as we MAKE our way through the year! To register email Mitzi at mgousie@minlib.net

Mythical Creatures Drawing Class! Wednesday, August 25th @ 1:00PM ON ZOOM

Join us as we welcome illustrator Corinne Roberts for a fun and fantastical drawing class! Learn to use basic shape construction and simple line techniques to create imaginative Mythical Creatures! No prior drawing experience needed in this follow-along program. Supplies needed: a pencil, paper and eraser.

To register please email Bree at bcomeau@minlib.net. Ideal for kids ages 6+

Unicorn Seek-N-Find! Saturday, August 28 @ 10:00AM

Where in Franklin is Miss Caleigh and her magical friend? Join the fun for a Social Distancing Seek-N-Find! Follow the clues posted in the Facebook event and come say hello!

 

Weekly / monthly Events for Teens

 

PLEASE NOTE: Weekly and Special events are currently scheduled to be in-person, outdoor programs at the library unless otherwise noted!

Dungeons & Dragons! Mondays @ 3:30PM on Discord/Roll20

Kids ages 7-15! Join us each week for virtual D&D on Roll20.net! Then join a community of gamers for fun on FPL's own Discord Server! "Chairs" are open for New Players and Dungeon Masters are always in demand! Email mgousie@minlib.net to get involved!

Teen Al Fresco Book Bites! Wednesdays @ 4:30PM

Teens! Bring along a picnic meal and a blanket, and join us outside on the grass outside the library for a casual chat about what we're all reading!

Teen Advisory Board! 2nd Wednesday of the Month @ 6:30PM

Join us each month for Teen Advisory Board! The Teen Advisory Board is a GREAT opportunity to get involved here at the library! You'll help plan events and programs, create displays and decorate the teen space, and help drive decisions around the kinds of materials we bring to the YA collection, from books and beyond, all while eating snacks and getting volunteer hours! It's a win-win-win!

 

Special Events for Teens in August!

 

Teen Take & Make: Air Plant Terrariums!

Starting Monday, August 2nd stop by the library to pick up your very own terrarium kit! Kits include supplies and instructions! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis!

Teen Take & Make: Enchanter Paper Rose!

Starting Monday, August 16th stop by the library to pick up your very own paper rose kit! Kits include supplies and instructions! SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED! Kits will be distributed on a first come first serve basis!

Teen Mystery Party! Wednesday, August 18th @ 5:30PM

What caused everyone in Wonderland to go so incredibly mad? It's up to you to find out! Travel back down the rabbit hole, question the suspects, and solve the Mystery in Wonderland!

Make with Miss Mitzi: Macramé! Saturday, August 21st @ 1:00PM

Calling all Makers! Miss Mitzi is on a mission to make a new crazy craft project every month! Sign up & Tune in as we MAKE our way through the year! To register email Mitzi at mgousie@minlib.net

 

Events for Adults

Take and Make Craft for Adults: Applique and Embroidery

In a collaboration with the Franklin Mill Store, the Franklin Public Library is now offering Take-And-Make craft kits for adults! This month, explore the art of applique and embroidery! Kits are available to the first 35 Franklin residents to sign up. To register, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at 508-520-4941, or email kshipala@minlib.net . Kits will be available  for pickup at the Circulation Desk starting August 2nd.

Yoga with Bethany, Tuesdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 6:30 p.m.

Join Yoga Instructor Bethany Amatucci for a series of free yoga classes in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room. Participants are required to bring their own yoga mats. Blocks, a pillow, and a blanket are optional. No registration is required! For more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala kshipala@minlib.net .

Spark Joy, Franklin!
Live Q&A, Wednesday, August 18, 7:00 p.m.

Certified Silver level Konmari Consultant Shannon Honeycutt will be bringing the life-changing magic of tidying to you through her Spark Joy Progam. Find out what it means to lead a life that Sparks Joy. You will learn the KonMari philosophy and guiding principles needed to tidy once and for all and leave you feeling motivated to Spark Joy in your home, office, and life! Be sure to have a standard t-shirt and a pair of pants ready for the folding activity as you will be learning the famous KonMari Vertical folding technique.

The pre-recorded program will be available to view at https://sparkjoycharlotte.com/franklin Tuesday, August 17, 7:00 a.m. through Thursday, August 19, 7:00 a.m. The live question and answer session is Wednesday, August 18 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Shannon Huneycutt is the founder of Spark Joy Charlotte and trained by tidying expert Marie Kondo. Marie is the author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and the creator of the KonMari MethodTM, which is a style of tidying focusing on decluttering and organizing your space by keeping only those items you love.

Franklin Public Library Book Club, Tuesday, August 24, 7:00 p.m.

The book for discussion is The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd.

The story follows Hetty "Handful" Grimke, a Charleston slave, and Sarah, the daughter of the wealthy Grimke family. The novel begins on Sarah's eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership over Handful, who is to be her handmaid. "The Invention of Wings" follows the next thirty-five years of their lives. Inspired in part by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke (a feminist, suffragist and, importantly, an abolitionist), Kidd allows herself to go beyond the record to flesh out the inner lives of all the characters, both real and imagined-- Provided by publisher.

To reserve a copy of the book or for more information, please contact Assistant Library Director Kim Shipala at kshipala@minlib.net . Book Club is now being held in-person outside, weather permitting. In case of rain, it will be held in the Friends of the Franklin Library Room.

Knitting Group, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Love to knit or crochet? Join our group of local fiber artists who will be meeting in the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room on Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Shared from the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/august-2021-library-news-events

Franklin, MA: Library News & Events - August 2021 

Town of Franklin, MA: Charles River Flood Model released

The Town of Franklin, in partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and 14 other communities in the upper and middle Charles River watershed, is excited to announce the release of the Charles River Flood Model (CRFM). https://t.co/kv0FnrCMZu

Shared from Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1420403438169513987

Press release document

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/news/crfm_press_release.pdf

The Town of Franklin, in partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and 14 other communities in the upper and middle Charles River watershed, is excited to announce the release of the Charles River Flood Model (CRFM). Funded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs FY21 MVP Action Grant Program, and developed by Weston & Sampson, this flood model can help communities protect vulnerable populations and property from flooding.

The Charles River Flood Model visualizes the impacts of increasingly severe storm events that will become more common with climate change, then shows what happens if we invest in nature-based solutions such as land conservation, green stormwater infrastructure, and/or reducing impervious surfaces.

This model comes at an important time. Our region has seen approximately 9.5” of rain so far this month, an astounding 9” more than average for early July. Following Tropical Storm Elsa and subsequent rains; the Charles River remained above flood stage in Dover from July 12th to 17th according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Charles River Flood Model found that without intervention, a projected 2070 100-year storm will impact more than 50 critical facilities and flood up to 12,500 acres of land within the watershed. This exceeds the estimated 10,400 acres of flooding during the severe rains of March 2010, which is the most recent significant flooding event caused by rainfall to affect the region. These intense rain events will put many residents at risk, especially vulnerable populations such as low-income residents, the elderly, and those who suffer from physical or mental illness.

 

The model was also used to test the impact of developing land that is currently undeveloped but vulnerable to future development. Developing half of the watershed’s remaining undeveloped and unprotected land without flood control measures would result in a 33% increase in flooded area in the present day 10-yr storm, and a 20% increase in flooded area in the 2070 10-yr storm. Allowing undeveloped land to be developed without considerable flood protection will cause downstream flooding and directly impact vulnerable residents.

“CRWA is excited to have led this regional effort,” said Julie Wood, deputy director with the Charles River Watershed Association. “This is a critical step to taking action as a region to effectively mitigate the expected flooding impacts of climate change. The model provides valuable information that will allow communities to make informed decisions about policy changes and on the ground interventions”.

Investing in nature-based solutions brings other important co-benefits as well, including improvements in water quality in the Charles River, reduced heat island effect, cleaner air, increased biodiversity, and more.

Flooding does not follow political boundaries, and this tool will help create stronger regional collaboration between communities in the watershed to better understand and address flooding due to climate change. Participating communities include Arlington, Dedham, Franklin, Holliston, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Sherborn, Watertown, Wellesley, Weston, and Wrentham.

Charles River Watershed Association uses science, advocacy, and law to promote resilient communities and a healthy river ecosystem. CRWA was formed in 1965 in response to public concern about the declining condition of the Charles River. Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has figured prominently in major clean-up and watershed protection efforts that have dramatically improved the health of the Charles.

Contacts:

Julie Wood Deputy Director

Charles River Watershed Association 617-356-5060

jwood@crwa.org

Julia Hopkins

Communications and Outreach Manager Charles River Watershed Association 781-788-0007

jhopkins@crwa.org

Storm water modeling ->   https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5e214750da174c46bf6a8b8da12630e9

https://www.franklinma.gov/conservation/news/charles-river-flood-model

Charles River Flood Model released

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

Join for "coffee with a cop" at Franklin Nutrition, 5 West Central St on Friday, Aug 6 from 9 AM - Noon

Shared from Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/162770995915/posts/10157736051160916/

Coffee with a cop - Franklin Police and State Police - Aug 6

"Baker did acknowledge he is considering new mask rules for schools"

"Baker says Mass. is different as other states impose COVID-19 protocols" 

"Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he sees no need for Massachusetts to reinstate restrictions in response to rising COVID-19 cases, striking a contrast with President Biden, who is urging Americans to mask up again and requiring many federal workers to get vaccinated. 

“Massachusetts is in a much better position than the vast majority of the states in this country with respect to how we deal with and how we’re prepared to deal with COVID,” Baker said, speaking at an environmental funding event. 

But Baker, who tussled with the state’s largest teachers unions over COVID-19 vaccination and safety measures, did say that he is considering mandating masks in public schools this fall."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/28/nation/baker-says-mass-is-different-other-states-impose-covid-19-protocols/ 

"Baker did acknowledge he is considering new mask rules for schools"

Your privacy and data protection: "If you have lots of data, you can turn that into money"

"Why should you care about protecting your privacy online? Tech critic Carissa Véliz says it’s not just a matter of personal preference: It’s a civic duty.

Véliz, associate professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, is the author of “Privacy Is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data,” which blends philosophical insight and practical advice. Véliz says that guarding your privacy promotes something akin to digital herd immunity. Many companies claim that the more data they have, the better their products will be, but Véliz argues that this personal data ultimately gets transformed into something toxic, which society should regulate much like asbestos. Last year The Economist called “Privacy Is Power” one of the best books of the year, on any subject."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/28/opinion/why-its-good-you-if-i-protect-my-privacy/

Amazon link for book "Privacy is Power"  https://www.amazon.com/Privacy-Power-Should-Take-Control/dp/1787634043

Whether using either Google or Firefox as my browser, I use DuckDuckGo to help prevent the tracking codes from gathering the data  https://duckduckgo.com/
   

https://duckduckgo.com/about

Redistricting Data: What to Expect and When? Written by Dr. Ron Jarmin, U.S. Census Bureau Acting Director Since releasing the apportionment results in April, we've had several teams working hard on the next set of 2020 Census data — the redistricting data. These data play an important role in our democracy and will begin to illuminate the changes to the local and demographic makeup of our nation over the last decade. These data include the first sub-state population counts and demographic characteristics from the census, information that states typically use for redistricting — the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries based on where their populations have increased or decreased.  Although redistricting is a state function, the U.S. Census Bureau performs an important role in the process — providing quality data to the states from the census that states may choose to use in redistricting.  Continue reading the article ->  https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/director/2021/07/redistricting-data.html Video: What is Redistricting? Video link -> https://youtu.be/O0MhAue2Tuk Hear from the Census Bureau's James Whitehorne, chief of the redistricting and voting rights data office, and Nicholas Jones, director and senior advisor of race and ethnicity research and outreach, as they answer common questions about the upcoming 2020 Census data release.  We serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy. The Census Bureau is the federal government's largest statistical agency. We are a scientific organization focused on data. Policy-makers, businesses, and the public use our information to make far-reaching decisions.

Medical Experts Urge Governor Baker To Require Masks In MA Schools

Two sign-on letters from Massachusetts physicians and public health experts urge masking to preserve in-person learning and avoid future COVID-19 outbreaks 

This evening, two coalitions totaling over 200 public health and medical experts sent sign-on letters to Governor Baker and Commissioner Jeffrey Riley, head of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, urging the administration to implement universal indoor masking in Massachusetts schools for the 2021-2022 school year. This broad support for masking comes on the heels of today’s updated CDC guidance and the American Academy of Pediatrics' interim guidance on COVID-19 safety in schools, both of which encourage in-person learning with mandatory mask-wearing indoors and vaccinations for all eligible students, staff, and faculty.  

This push by medical professionals comes in the wake of recent pressure on the Baker Administration from elected officials and public health experts. On July 21, a coalition of legislators led by Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham) called on Governor Baker to require masks indoors in early education programs and grades K-6 for the upcoming school year. While Governor Baker publicly rejected any change to masking guidance, Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced on July 22 that all Boston Public School students will be required to wear masks at school in the fall. 

"Schools and school-supported programs are fundamental to children’s development and well-being, and we must take all available measures to keep children at school in person," said one letter, penned by Dr. Regina LaRocque, an infectious disease physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "The rapid, ongoing spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant in Massachusetts represents a serious risk as the 2021-2022 school year begins. Young children lack protection from disease, and vaccination rates among adolescents are insufficient to prevent outbreaks in school communities." 

The second letter, written by Dr. Natalya Davis, a Quincy pediatrician, notes that mask-optional schooling is not viable for multiple reasons, including increased risk for illness and quarantine for students, families, and staff; peer pressure and bullying due to individual mask decisions; and the creation of separate groups based on parental preferences. 

"Our goal should be to keep children at school and learning. We cannot prevent every illness, but we can certainly mitigate the risks with a simple mask,” said Dr. Davis in the letter. “This change will be beneficial, helping keep our children in school, without hybrid learning or long quarantines – but only if masks are mandatory." 

"As a mother of two young children, I understand firsthand the fear of navigating our post-lockdown world without the protection of a vaccine," said Senator Becca Rausch. "Medical and public health experts in Massachusetts and nationwide are saying it loud and clear: masks work.  Our children and families should not be forced to risk illness and future school closures due to any delay in implementing necessary public health measures." 

Prior to today's updated CDC guidance on mask wearing, large American cities including Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York City, and Chicago already announced mask mandates for the upcoming school year. 

Copy of letter from (attached)

• Dr. Regina LaRocque, an infectious disease physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hbKhoqih2rtCqi85vZnUCvA5zqX-LH9O/view?usp=sharing
• Dr. Natalya Davis, a pediatrician in Quincy    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wPU_sstpjm7x2n4V6Q-Kf9wbhEXz7i7i/view?usp=sharing
• PDF copy of this press release from Senator Becca Rausch's office    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DRbot4oZwUbmg8Fw_yRfKH7qgF9R_iOT/view?usp=sharing

Medical Experts Urge Governor Baker To Require Masks In MA Schools

TBB Summer Series: Jerry Garcia's Birthday Celebration - Aug 1

THE BLACK BOX Summer Series presents Eddy’s Shoe and the Peacheaters: An Allman Brothers Experience for a special event to celebrate Jerry Garcia’s Birthday! The night will include a set of Grateful Dead tunes followed by a set of Allman Brothers Music!

About the Peacheaters: Fueled by admiration and passion for the music of the Allman Brothers Band, The Peacheaters have been rocking audiences for over 15 years. The Boston Globe, WZLX, Boston's Classic Rock Radio, and many other media outlets have raved about the authenticity of the band's performances. The band's dedication to this music, and to “hitting the note” every night, has helped them build an loyal and ever-growing fan base. The “Peach” has won multiple “Best Tribute Band” awards, and shared stages with legends such as The Outlaws, Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Matt Abts (Gov’t Mule), The Zen Tricksters, and James Montgomery.

About Eddy’s Shoe: Eddy's Shoe Plays Original Music (Contemporary Blues Rock, extended Jams with a Grateful Dead Meets Frank Zappa Feel) & Jam Band Favorites which include a Heavy Dose of Some Good O'l Grateful Dead Music.

When August 1 at 4 PM.  For tickets and other information   https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1492

TBB Summer Series: Jerry Garcia's Birthday Celebration - Aug 1

 

FHS' DeFillipo, Fracassa, Owen, and Carlucci selected as Hockomock Wrestling All Stars

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

KELLEY-REX DIVISION MVP
CJ Glaropoulos, Mansfield

KELLEY-REX DIVISION ALL STARS

• Drew DeFillipo, Franklin
• Mike Fracassa, Franklin
• Johnathan Owen, Franklin
• Jake Carlucci, Franklin 

For the complete listing

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

FHS' DeFillipo, Fracassa, Owen, and Carlucci selected as Hockomock Wrestling All Stars

Veterans Coffee Social - Aug 4, 2021 - 10 AM

Veterans Coffee Social

Wednesday ● August 4, 2021 ● 10:00 AM 

Franklin Senior Center Café 

Come And Chat With Other Vets 

Coffee And Pastry Will Be Provided 

All Vets Are Invited!

For More Information, Contact The Veterans’ Services Office At: (508) 613-1315

Veterans Coffee Social - Aug 4, 2021 - 10 AM

Lions Heart drive a success

"Thank you Franklin Chapter for collecting 36 bags of clothing and 16 boxes of books for Cradles To Crayons. They picked up donations today and we’re very happy."

Shared from Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/634019520060152/permalink/4043289512466452/

Lions Heart drive a success

"stressed the importance of focusing on equity and addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities"

"NEARLY 70 PERCENT of White households in Massachusetts own a home. Only 37.4 percent of non-White households own a home. That gives Massachusetts the seventh highest racial homeownership gap in the country.  

Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kinnealy told legislators at a public hearing Tuesday that for Black families trying to buy their own home, “the cards are stacked against them.”  

As lawmakers are determining how to spend $5.3 billion in federal money that the state will get from the American Rescue Plan Act, Baker administration officials are pushing their plan to spend $1 billion on housing programs as a way to help close that racial gap. "

Continue reading the article online
https://commonwealthmagazine.org/housing/baker-official-pitches-housing-plan-to-close-racial-homeownership-gap/ 

Condos under construction in 2018 on Washington Street in Dorchester. (Photo by Michael Jonas)

Current draft of the Housing Production Plan

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/franklin_housing_production_plan_-_may_2021_public_draft.pdf

Current Master Plan  https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-community-development/pages/master-plan

The most recent virtual meeting on Housing took place July 14, 2021 and the audio recording is available here  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/07/fm-580-community-conversation-on.html

Milford Daily News: "Did you find a painted whelk in Franklin?"

"For three years, Katie Loder, 63, was reminded by doctors that she would probably die soon. 

But they also didn’t know exactly what was wrong with her — and still don’t, said Loder, who also previously had esophageal cancer. 

The Wareham resident wasn’t allowed to go outside or near anyone, not even to the mailbox. But eventually, doctors said she could go alone to the beach. More often than not it was Onset Beach. It’s where she would often find an array of whelk shells -- from the larger knobbed whelks to smoother channeled and waved whelks, to smaller Stimson’s whelks -- and started collecting them. 

Today, you can find more than 300 of those shells scattered across Franklin -on benches, outside the window sills of storefronts and sometimes even in random front yards when she tosses them from her moving car while driving by. "

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://milforddailynews-ma.newsmemory.com?selDate=20210728&goTo=A07

August at the Franklin Historical Museum

The first event as we renew our Second Sunday Speaker Series will be Sunday, August 8. The presentation will be on the history of the Whiting and Davis Company and a look at Charles A Whiting, his family, his gardens and beautiful home, which once stood majestically on West Central Street. 

Many people from Franklin once worked for Whiting and Davis, or had family members who worked for them. The company is now under new ownership and we will hear from the current owner. The presentation on the Whiting Family & home will be from a private collection of glass plate negatives, from Franklin photographer Nathan Wales circa 1912. 

Doors will open at 1:00 and the presentation will start at 1:15. 

August at the Franklin Historical Museum

In September, we will have a special guest, Franklin native Paul Faenza, retired NYPD, who will share his 9-11 experience and his two weeks at Ground Zero. Scheduled for Sunday, September 12.

The Davis Thayer School Retrospective exhibit will be on display through the end of the summer.

While visiting the museum please stop in to our newly revamped gift shop for many unique Franklin items.

We are now back to our pre-COVID hours, Thursday evenings 5PM-7PM, Saturday mornings 10am-1pm and Sunday afternoons 1pm-4pm.  Admission is always free. We are wheelchair accessible. Come in and discover your history.

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

FM #586 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 586 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin residents Aaron and MJ Gouveia. You may recall that Aaron and I talked about his first book outdoors on the Town Common in May of 2020. 

We had this conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St.  MJ joined us for this session as she is co-author of their new book Men and Miscarriage. A key quote from the intro to the new book: “When it comes to men and how they are impacted by these issues, it’s almost complete radio silence.”

We had a great conversation to help break the ‘radio silence’ (yes, pun intended) on this topic of miscarriage and how it affects both members of the relationship. My kudos to both of them for starting the conversation on this tough topic. The statistics show that one in four women do experience a miscarriage.  “Half the battle is knowing you are not alone.”

In some of my conversations after our recording session, it has been enlightening to find out how many folks I talk with who reveal that they have had one or more miscarriages in their immediate or extended family. One key take away you’ll hear about is to ask someone; “How are you doing?”

The show notes include links to the Amazon book page, Aaron’s Daddy Files book web page. MJ tends to avoid social media and occasionally writes on Aaron’s page.

The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with MJ and Aaron.

Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/382fc625-e1ac-4f3a-90b0-cfb4c0d9d256

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Men and Miscarriage: A Dad's Guide to Grief, Relationships, and Healing After Loss – published July 6, 2021  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510763600/

Link to the CNN article mentioned  https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/15/health/miscarriage-men-grief-loss-wellness/index.html

A discussion at the Franklin Public Library scheduled for Sep 1.

MJ's post as discussed during the conversation: https://www.daddyfiles.com/mj-speaks-out-2/

First book links: 

• The DaddyFiles page  https://www.daddyfiles.com/

• The Amazon link   https://www.amazon.com/dp/1510749411?tag=duckduckgo-ffab-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

• Aaron’s Amazon author link  https://www.amazon.com/Aaron-Gouveia/e/B08127Z6JN

• Follow Aaron on Twitter  https://twitter.com/daddyfiles

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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

• 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!

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

 

FM #586 - Breaking 'radio silence' on  "Men & Miscarriage" - 07/21/21 (audio)

Reminder: Open Meet this Wednesday at FHS

Coach Bailey (@FranklinHSXC) tweeted on Mon, Jul 26, 2021:

Just a reminder about the Open Track & Field Meet this Wednesday at FHS. Registration and field events start at 5 PM and running events begin at 6 PM.

Volunteers should get to the track around 4:45 so we can give people assignments.

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinHSXC/status/1419781408248172549

MassConsumer: "Eviction Moratorium to Expire This Month" - resources available

"Throughout the pandemic, state and federal governments developed policies to protect residents facing job loss and other COVID-19 related hardships. Among those orders were moratoriums placed on home evictions. When the state’s pause on evictions expired on October 17, 2020, the federal moratorium established by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) became effective in Massachusetts.

The CDC order, which has been extended several times, prohibits residential landlords nationwide from evicting certain tenants through July 31, 2021. Over the past year while the moratorium has been in place, courts have accepted filings, processed cases, and in some cases even entered judgments; however, no orders of execution (a court order that allows a landlord to evict a tenant) have been permitted. The CDC has said there will be no additional extensions on the eviction moratorium which means these cases can move forward. "

Continue reading the article online

http://blog.mass.gov/consumer/massconsumer/eviction-moratorium-to-expire-this-month/

 "Eviction Moratorium to Expire This Month" - resources available