Friday, January 21, 2022

Panther News: Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 (video)

Panther News: Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. At the end, there's a compilation of this week's Jazz Band performance!
https://t.co/nR10LMVgLS via @YouTube



“Imagine what we can learn”

"When talking with entrepreneurs Mariana Matus and Newsha Ghaeli about poop, things can veer into the philosophical.

“The behavior of a city is imprinted in its sewage,” Ghaeli says. “It’s like the fingerprints of our health.”

Their company, Biobot Analytics, has met the pandemic moment. What started as a research idea at MIT, focusing on how waste water data can help mitigate the spread of disease, has turned into something bigger. Now, it’s a fast-growing startup — with over 65 employees and millions in funding — that has contracted with over 700 towns, across every state in the country, to study their sewage and help policy makers predict how bad the coronavirus could get in their communities."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
Mariana Matus, cofounder and CEO of Biobot Analytics.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF
Mariana Matus, cofounder and CEO of Biobot Analytics.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF

Boston Globe: The need for substitute teachers; Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage

"When Toni Preston began substitute teaching for Cambridge Public Schools in November of 2019, she monitored the online job listings throughout the day to snap one up before others beat her to it.

Now, whenever Preston isn’t already signed up to work, she’s sure to wake up to an early morning robocall from the district, informing her of the many unfilled openings that day.

“When I’m on a job, I have teachers who may see me in the hall or even drop in the classroom, asking me if I can cover for them,” said Preston, 76. “That tells me that they really need a sub.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/20/metro/its-been-desperate-call-substitute-teachers-high-demand-districts-grapple-with-teaching-shortages/

"This is how long we have ignored warnings of a coming crisis:

It’s been more than half a century since a presidential panel under Lyndon Johnson found that fossil fuel emissions could be warming the earth.

It’s been 40 years since the National Academies of Sciences published a massive landmark study with similar conclusions.

And it’s been three decades — the span of an entire generation — since a NASA scientist named James Hansen sat before Congress and testified that human-caused global warming was not only real but “already happening now.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage
Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage


Register for Senator Becca Rausch's Town Hall - Monday, Jan 24


"You're invited! Join me for a virtual town hall on 1/24 to reflect on 2021 and share your priorities for 2022. 
This event will begin with a short briefing about my legislative work then open up for a Q+A with constituents. 
Register here: https://t.co/fhfj9jg3Py #mapoli "
Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeccaRauschMA/status/1484223530283810819

Register for Senator Becca Rausch's Town Hall - Monday, Jan 24
Register for Senator Becca Rausch's Town Hall - Monday, Jan 24



Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Friday, Jan 21, 2022

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Friday
9:00a/12:00p /6:00p Chapters – Jim Derick  Insightful, life-affirming stories and interviews

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p Music to Lift the Spirit - Jim Derick & Frank Falvey

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm Senior Story Hour – Senior Center Scribblers Group

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
8:29:00 am Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
9:00:00 am Frank Presents: Michael Walker-Jones
10:00 am Physician Focus: Concussions and Brain Injury
10:30:00 am SAFE Coalition: PSA
11:00:00 am Senior Connection: Sleep
11:30 am Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: Fire Safety
12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sandya: Pasta
1:00:00 pm Mass Department of Public Health: CO-VID 19
1:30:00 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm The Drummers Studio: 11th Anniversary Show Two
4:30 pm Whole Health Visions: Cheryl Bagangan
5:00 pm We The People January 6th Vigil
7:00 pm SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
8:00 pm Senior Connection: Sleep
8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Phil Ochs

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2019
8:30 am ArtWeek: Airme THURSDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2019
8:30 am ArtWeek: Airmen of Note
11:00 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 0-12-22
1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Milford 01-05-21
3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Hingham 01-12-22
5:00 pm Public School Concerts: Oak Street Music 2019
6:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 12-16-21


  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-13-22
11:00 am Finance Committee 01-12-22: 01-12-22
2:00 pm Zoning Board of Appeals: 01-13-22
5:00 pm Finance Committee 01-12-22: 01-12-22

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Watch "LGBTQ+ Discrimination Project (Franklin High School)" (video)

As mentioned during the Town Council meeting Wednesday., Jan 19, 2022
Direct video link -> https://youtu.be/q8bXTNxtTiw


Recap: Town Council gets a whole lot of info on DPW operations and budget issues

Quick recap:
  • Moment of silence in recognition of former Councilor Andy Bissanti
  • Recognition of two Police Department retirements (Sgt B Johnson, patrol Officer R Grover) and Clinical Social Worker (K Montagano) moving non to another role within Advocates. 
  • DPW overview of budget and operations, multiple issues raised, not all can be resolved with resources, or money
  • Approval of Council goals with citizen support for the net zero goal added per Councilor Frongillo
  • Introduction of new Senior Center Director and Deputy Director
  • Request for School Committee/School Dept appearance to address bullying at FHS and how the Council can help as it is a community and student safety issue

My Town Council meeting notes taken via Twitter and captured along with the photos shared from the meeting in one PDF document

The audio recording will be available in a day or so.

View the notes via the embedded document or via this link ->

Photos captured during the meetings (sone shared via Twitter, some not shared) can be found in one album ->  https://photos.app.goo.gl/p3VauHAymbHFxvBZ7



 

Recap: Town Council gets a whole lot of info on DPW operations and budget issues
Recap: Town Council gets a whole lot of info on DPW operations and budget issues


FHS boys hockey and wrestling teams post wins on Wednesday

Via HockomockSports.com, we share the results of the FHS winter sports action on Wednesday: 
 
Boys Hockey = Franklin, 7 @ Taunton, 1 – Final 
– Franklin scored three goals in each the first and second periods on its way to a league win on the road over Taunton. Christian Shabbick scored a hat trick for the Panhters, scoring with eight minutes left in the first (on an assist from Ben Paterson) to make it 3-0, again less then two minutes into the second (from Anthony Lampasona) to make it 4-0, and then completed the hat trick (on another assist from Paterson) to push the lead to 6-0. Dylan Marchand added a pair of goals, Ryan Sicchio scored on the power play in the first period, and Paterson lit the lamp once and had a total of three assists. Freshman Jack O’Connor made 16 saves for the win. Taunton sophomore Conner Goranson scored off of an assist from senior Nathan Fernandes in the third period. Freshman Cam Tomaszycki made 46 saves in net for the Tigers.

Girls Hockey = Franklin, 0 @ Medfield, 1 – Final (OT)
"1-0 OT loss. Gritty effort again Double exclamation mark Medfield scores on the power play - no comment on the penalty call.  Norwood up next Saturday at home."   https://twitter.com/FHSGirlsPuck/status/1483931718935621638

Wrestling = Mansfield, 21 @ Franklin, 49 – Final
"Astonishing win over Mansfield 49-24. Pins by Carlucci, Owen, Fracassa and Sheridan"   https://twitter.com/FHSWrestle/status/1483984554373402634

For other results around the Hockomock League


FHS Panthers
FHS Panthers

Franklin Historical Museum: "Love letters to Presidents" - Feb 13, 2022

This month's Second Sunday Speaker Series features State Rep Jeffrey Roy, with his timely presentation titled, "Love letters to Presidents". Over the past several years, Jeff has made it his mission and goal to travel the country visiting each Presidential Library. His travels, his impressions, and his stories will be shared in this educational and entertaining account of his quest. 

Join us Sunday, February 13 for "Love letters to Presidents". Doors open at 1:00, presentation starts at 1:15. Admission is always free, donations are always welcome.

Admission is always free. We are ADA compliant with an elevator access in the back of the building. Our gift shop is open year round. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non perishable food item, in the collection box in the front lobby, for the Franklin Food Pantry. Come in and find your history. 


While waiting for this event, you can listen to the Toward a More Perfect Union episode where Rep Jeff Roy talks about his trips to the Presidential libraries


Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St
Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St 

Franklin Public Schools: Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard - 01/18/22

Franklin Public Schools, MA (@FranklinPSNews) tweeted on Tue, Jan 18, 2022:
The FPS Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard is available to view on our Back to School webpage here: https://t.co/mJFgollw0z

Shared from Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1483569642912296960


Franklin Public Schools: Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard - 01/18/22

Community Preservation Committee: meeting Twitter thread doc and student doc

Quick Recap:

  • Second of two public hearings opened Tuesday, Jan 18, 2022. Residents made several suggestions for use of the CPA money to be available later this year. 

  • Vice-Chair David McNeill opens the meeting. Chair Chris Feeley joined along later

  • My notes captured during the meeting were shared via Twitter and the thread doc is available below

  • The student document shared with the Committee is also provided here for your reading and analysis

  • Audio for the meeting is available -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-702-community-preservation-cmte-public-hearing-2-01-18-22

Read a copy here or in the embedded doc below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/124zieglzk7CPBYqAJoXqwAuNRWLAhqT7/view?usp=sharing

 

EE 508 Final Project: An analysis of Franklin, MA CPA fund use for acquiring
new open space

Rose Determan
Boston University

EE 508: Data Science for Conservation Decisions
January 18, 2022

Read a copy here or in the embedded doc below


Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball, as well as monuments on Town Common (audio)
Recap: Community Preservation Committee hears more about pickleball,
as well as monuments on Town Common

It’s official: Get free COVID test kits at COVIDtests.gov




Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission

by Colleen Tressler, Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC

There's a new federal resource to get free FDA-authorized coronavirus test kits. At COVIDtests.gov, you'll find information about testing and a link to the U.S. Postal Service – special.usps.com/testkits – where you can order up to four rapid tests to be sent to your home address.

Read more -> https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2022/01/its-official-get-free-covid-test-kits-covidtestsgov?utm_source=govdelivery



It’s official: Get free COVID test kits at COVIDtests.gov
It’s official: Get free COVID test kits at COVIDtests.gov

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Thursday, Jan 20, 2022

  • wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Thursday

9:00a/12:00p/6:00p   A Priest, A Minister and a Rabbi

10:00a/1:00p/7:00p   Frank’s Music – Frank Falvey and Jim Derick

11:00a/2:00p/8:00pm   Frank Presents – Frank Falvey Presents 

  • Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = Thursday

7:30 am Cooking Thyme: Appetizers
8:00 am Veterans' Call: Matt Ching Pt. 2
9:00 am We The People January 6th Vigil
10:30 am SAFE Coalition: Kyle Brodeur
11:30:00 am SAFE Coalition: PSA
12:00:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Waffles
12:30 pm Sandya: Pasta
1:00 pm Physician Focus: Concussions and Brain Injury
1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Deep Dish
2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Fall 2019 Show 1
3:00 pm Arts Advocacy: Impact
3:30 pm Cooking Thyme: Appetizers
4:00 pm Once Upon A Town: The Post Office
4:30 pm Frank Presents: Michael Walker-Jones
5:30 pm The Only Cure Is Education
6:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Roberto Morbioli

  • Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = Thursday

7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2019
8:30 am ArtWeek: Airme THURSDAY
7:00 am Public School Concert: Horace Mann Winter Music 2019
8:30 am ArtWeek: Airmen of Note
11:00 am FHS Varsity Wrestling: v Taunton 0-12-22
1:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Basketball: v Milford 01-05-21
3:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Hockey: v Hingham 01-12-22
5:00 pm Public School Concerts: Oak Street Music 2019
6:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Mansfield 12-16-21

  • Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = Thursday

8:00 am Conservation Commission
11:00 am Community Preservation: 01-04-22
2:00 pm Conservation Commission
7:00 pm Conservation Commission, LIVE, Chambers


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf     

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)
Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thu, Jan 20, 7:00 PM

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Next Meeting: 
Thursday, January 20, 7:00 PM.

Hello to all once again from the 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node. Please mark your calendars for this week's Node meetingThursday, January 20, 7:00-9:00 PM. (We have a lot to discuss, but feel free to leave early if necessary.)  

Here are the Zoom details.
Join on Zoom
Meeting ID: 544 734 092  
Password: 350ma
Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

We welcome you to join us, whether or not you've attended previous meetings. We will review the status of climate bills at the State House and the actions we need to be taking. Here is the summary (with links) as sent out in the recent "Climate Weekly" email from Sam Payne at 350 Mass.

In order for climate bills to succeed in 2022, they must be reported favorably out of committee by February 3. With a record number of environmentally focused bills in this legislative session, we need to be clear and adamant about our priorities. Among the bills we are prioritizing in our legislative agenda are the Building justice with jobs bill, the Future of heat bill, and our first independently written bill, An Act relative to retiring high emissions vehicles. To learn how to lobby in favor of these bills, join our Lobbying Training webinar January 23, led by 350 Mass' very own Cabell Eames. 

Many of the bills we are prioritizing are centered around housing. Why? Roughly 40% of emissions in Massachusetts come from buildings, and housing closely ties environmental action with the related struggles of equity and justice. 350 Mass' current statewide campaign is Bringing the Green New Deal Home. Our Housing Working Group is running two actions next week (Monday 1/17 at 7 pm and Tuesday 1/18 TODAY! at 4 pm) to train you to lobby for our priority bills in anticipation of Mass Power Forward Lobby Week January 24-28.

We need to take action and keep up the pressure on elected officials in Washington and Boston, and on banks and insurers who enable fossil fuel infrastructure. We'll also continue our discussion about local activities and opportunities to engage town officials and residents.

If you'd like to chat or meet with one of us, please reply to this email and we will find a time to explore with you how you can get involved in our multi-faceted organization. Our Greater Franklin Node wants to collaborate with groups and individuals from the region who share the same concerns, so all our cities and towns can benefit. Please join us to learn and contribute. 

Visit the 350 Mass website to learn about opportunities to add your voice for a just transition for a climate-safe world.  Sign up for updates. 

We'll send a meeting reminder on Thursday. Thanks for your participation and support.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
781-784-3839 (h)
339-203-5017 (c)


350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thu, Jan 20, 7:00 PM
350 Mass Greater Franklin Node, Virtual Meeting, Thu, Jan 20, 7:00 PM

LiveARTS String Quartet performance postponed to TBD

As a result of the recent upsurge in the Omicron variant, First Universalist Society in Franklin is not permitting any gatherings in its Meetinghouse for the foreseeable future. 

Therefore, the LiveARTS concert scheduled for Sunday, January 30, will be postponed to a later date (TBD). 




LiveARTS String Quartet
LiveARTS String Quartet