Night Owl Farm: Farm Fact Friday - Tatsoi Flowers

View this email in your browser ✨Farm Fact Friday✨ Tatsoi Flowers! Oh my gosh these are delicious. Tatsoi usually looks like a mini spinach leaf, and cooks just like it! The greens taste like a mix between spinach and Bok Choy. Many of you have tried tatsoi and have come back for more! We have had tatsoi in our greenhouse all winter (also called "overwintering") and we've been able to harvest about every 2-4 weeks. Now that the days are getting longer, the plant's natural response is to bolt (grow flowers) and try to produce offspring. Usually for other crops (lettuce in particular) bolting means it's no longer good as it turns extremely bitter and unappetizing. Lucky for us, however, tatsoi flowers are DELICIOUS. Like a sweet, tender broccoli. We will have a limited supply at the market tomorrow, so you have a chance to try this limited time crop! These are so yummy that cooking is unnecessary, but if you are not a fan of raw veggies, then a *quick* sauté will do it! Think of it kind of like broccolini. The flowers can be open or closed, they are equally tasty. Copyright (C) 2023 Night Owl Farm, LLC. All rights reserved.

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar 10, 2023 to Mar 16, 2023

It is a Winter Farmers Market weekend along with the opening of the FPAC performance of "Something Rotten!" and time for the Second Sunday speaker series to continue at the Historical Museum with a talk on the stories behind the graveyard plots in the cemetery. 

Friday, March 10

4:30pm - Papalias Wood-Fired Pizza (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

5:30pm - The McCrites (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Something Rotten! (ticketed event) (FPAC at THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, March 11

10:00am - Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

12:00pm - Battuto  (food truck) (67 Degrees Brewery)

12:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food truck) (La Cantina Winery)

3:00pm - Irish in America Concert (free concert)  (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm - Anna Freitas Trio  (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)

7:30pm - Something Rotten! (ticketed event) (FPAC at THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, March 12 - Daylight Saving Time starts

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm - Something Rotten! (ticketed event) (FPAC at THE BLACK BOX)

3:00pm - LiveARTS: Artistry! (ticketed event) (LiveARTS at FUSF)

Tuesday, March 14

7:00pm - FBRTC Meeting (monthly meeting) 

7:00pm - Yankee Quilters (Emma’s Quilt & Cupboard)

7:00pm - An America Divided (virtual event) (Franklin Public Library)

Wednesday, March 15

12:00pm - Historical Sites of Massachusetts Series - Boston African American National Historic Site (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin TV Studio)

7:00pm - Navigating College Admissions in 2023 (virtual event) (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, March 16

8:30am - Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

10:00am - Writer's Quiet Space (Escape Into Fiction)

7:00pm - St. Patrick's Day Paint Night (ticketed event) (67 Degrees Brewery)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

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

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

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 calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin's Event Outlook: Mar  10, 2023 to Mar 16, 2023

Senate Passes $368.7 Million Supplemental Budget; now to Reconcile Cmte before going to Governor Healey

Bill funds essential services relied on by vulnerable populations, extends COVID-era measures, authorizes public works bonding to support cities and towns

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed a $368.7 million supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). The legislation funds vital services that support vulnerable populations and address food insecurity, housing instability, the state's long-term COVID-19 response, economic development, essential support services for incoming immigrants and refugees, and more. Notably, the bill extends initiatives first implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as outdoor dining, remote public meeting access, and support for assisted living residences. The bill further authorizes $814.3 in bonding to bolster the Commonwealth's clean water and other public works projects for cities and towns, as well as to support the Commonwealth's ability to compete for competitive federal grant funds. 

"This supplemental budget ensures that our Commonwealth continues to support the most vulnerable among us while also building on the lessons we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "I'm proud to say that this body has proven once again that it has the courage to chart a course that leaves no place or person in the Commonwealth behind. As I have said since the start of the pandemic, we must go 'back to better,' not 'back to normal.' With today's supplemental budget, I am pleased to see the Senate take one more step toward this goal. I would like to thank my colleagues, especially Chair Rodrigues and his dedicated team at Senate Ways and Means, for their hard work and contributions to this supplemental budget."

"As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, the Legislature has taken the necessary steps to keep the economy of the Commonwealth on a firm footing. The passage of this supplemental budget today utilizes robust tax revenues to its fullest effect, making substantial investments in economic development, housing, education, and the social service safety net. Those investments, along with a forward-thinking long-term bond authorization, will keep Massachusetts as a leader in the key economic sectors for decades to come," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "Thanks to the strong leadership of Senate President Spilka, and the commitment of my colleagues in the Senate, we sent a clear message to the people that we will always look to protect our marginalized communities, support our education and health care workforce, and invest in local infrastructure as the Commonwealth continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic."

The bill invests $368.7 million to address several time sensitive needs for an array of programs relied on by some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth, including $130 million for SNAP food assistance benefits to provide a glide path for families who were receiving enhanced SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, $68 million for the Early Education C3 stabilization grant program, $65 million for the continuation of free school meals, $45 million for emergency shelter assistance, and over $40 million to support affordable housing for immigrants and refugees. Other measures funded in the bill include:

• $8.3 million for judgments, settlements, and legal fees
• $7 million for coordinated wraparound services for incoming immigrants and refugees
• $2 million for the reimbursement of SNAP benefits for victims of benefit theft
• $2 million for the preparation and execution of the 114th National NAACP conference, which is taking place in Massachusetts in 2023, which was adopted via an amendment from Senator Liz Miranda
• $1 million for a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the misleading tactics of so-called crisis pregnancy centers and their lack of medical services
• $250,000 for Reproductive Equity Now's free abortion-related legal hotline

The bill also authorizes $814.3 billion in capital expenditures to support economic development projects. Notably, these include $400 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides grants to cities, towns, and other public entities for infrastructure projects, and $200 million for state matching funds to compete for federal grant opportunities, including those funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, which encourage innovation in Massachusetts. Other bonding items authorized by the bill include:

• $104 million for the Clean Water Trust Fund
• $34 million for a program to revitalize underutilized properties
• $30 million for state matching funds to compete for federal broadband expansion grants and improve state broadband infrastructure
• $15 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative, which supports innovation within the state's manufacturing industry, including by offering technical assistance to manufacturers and attracting talent from outside of the state
• $14 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program
• $9.3 million for broadband middle mile supports
• $8 million for the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund

Reorganizing the societal shifts that have taken place during the pandemic, the bill also addresses several pandemic-era related measures, including:

• Permanently allowing public corporations and nonprofits to hold meetings by means of remote communication
• Permanently allowing notaries public to conduct remote online notarization using communication technology
• Extending the ability of graduates and students in their last semester of nursing education programs to practice nursing in accordance with guidance from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
• Extending the ability of municipalities to allow outdoor dining services
• Extending the ability of public bodies to allow remote participation by members in public meetings
• Extending flexibilities given to cities and towns that allow for town meetings to be held in hybrid or fully remote capacities and that ease the threshold for a quorum
• Extending the ability of nurses employed by assisted living residences to provide skilled nursing care in accordance with valid medical orders, provided the nurse holds a valid license to provide such care

Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston) and Senator Robyn K. Kennedy (D-Worcester) both gave their inaugural Senate speeches during consideration of the supplemental budget. Senator Miranda spoke on behalf of her amendment for $2 million to support the NAACP's 114^th national conference, which will be taking place in Massachusetts in 2023. The amendment was subsequently unanimously adopted. Senator Kennedy highlighted how the supplemental budget's $68 million investment in C3 early education grants will provide crucial stability to the early education sector.

As a previous version of this legislation has passed the House of Representatives, the two branches will now reconcile the differences between the bills.

As near as I can tell, the House version is H.58 -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H58

and the Senate version (as per this press release) is S.23 ->  https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S23

Senate Passes $368.7 Million Supplemental Budget

Panther News for March 10, 2023 (video)

"On this week's Panther News: Our robotics team in action, winter sports wind down, and where to buy treats for your four-legged friends! 

@FranklinPSNews @FHSSports @FranklinMatters @FranklinHS @FHSPantherbook 

https://t.co/f7cVqyh74X via @YouTube"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhspanthertv/status/1633916331304136706

   

Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

The Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Arts and Cultural Initiatives is seeking input from residents and community stakeholders on all things arts and culture. Take the survey today: https://buff.ly/3mEA7Kh 

Access event details here: https://buff.ly/3F9YoOv

Shared from Twitter- > https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1633603520065863680 

Arts & Culture Listening Tour Updated; Your feedback is needed

What is Behind Wright Old School Chocolate

What Drives Wright Old School Chocolate? I hope this email finds you well and indulging in some delicious chocolate. I like talking with you at the markets and I wanted to answer some of the questions What Drives Wright Old School Chocolate? I hope this email finds you well and indulging in some delicious chocolate. I like talking with you at the markets and I wanted to answer some of the questions starting with taking a moment to share the story behind Wright Old School Chocolate, a passion project that started with my love for the taste of chocolate. It all started with my daughter introducing me to TCHO and Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco. She already had a good sense that I had the chocolate bug. I was hooked and couldn't get enough fine chocolate, and after devouring a book about Dandelion's journey, I decided to give making my own chocolate a try. With the help of my daughter and her husband, I found the perfect name and logo while surfing in Hawaii. I named the company after my middle name, Wright, and the "Old School" nickname I picked up while coaching basketball. It also represents my care and passion for the traditional methods of making chocolate and applies my chemistry and quality background. I sourced high-quality cocoa beans from over 26 farms, eventually settling on three to build my inventory. And with encouragement from my family, I continued to perfect my craft and bring my chocolate to you and others. Today, Wright Old School Chocolate is available online, in stores, and at markets. I take great pride in my process and the joy my chocolate brings to those who taste it. Thank you for supporting my journey, and I look forward to sharing more of my story with you soon. Best Regards, Peter W. Carlson, Founder  GET IN TOUCH  Wright Old School Chocolate 127 Old West Street Walpole, MA, 02081 United States Powered by Squarespace

Franklin Downtown Partnership: Newsletter for March 2023

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To review the full set of content, follow this link ->   https://myemail.constantcontact.com/FDP-Newsletter--March-2023.html?soid=1120641810412&aid=CUVFJApa7mE

Support Franklin Businesses

March 2023 Newsletter View as Webpage Franklin Downtown Partnership  9 E. Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 (774) 571-3109 • downtown.franklin@yahoo.com  Visit our Website Keep It Local - Support Franklin Businesses Ladybug Trail Spring Walk The FDP's 1st Annual Ladybug Trail Spring Walk is schedule for Sat., April 15 (rain date April 16). Celebrate spring by coming to downtown Franklin and walking the Ladybug Cultural & Historical Trail. Stop by the Franklin Historical Museum or Escape Into Fiction for a Ladybug trail map and ladybug merchandise. We are excited to have the community come out and see some of the new murals by local artists that are along the trail and enjoy the local businesses. The museum and bookstore will have free ladybug give aways as well as unique ladybug merchandise for sale.   FDP Evening Networking Event Join us for the FDP's After Hours Networking Event on March 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Escape Into Fiction. LaCantina will be there with wine and beer. And everyone will have a chance to see the art gallery and see the new book selection. Beautification and Strawberry Stroll Sponsors Needed Sponsors are needed for our Beautification Efforts in addition to the Strawberry Stroll. View the sponsorship form and opportunities. Breakfast Networking Join us Fri., March 17, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the dining room of the Dean College Campus Center for a bite to eat and the opportunity to network with other FDP members! Franklin Downtown Partnership | 774-571-3109 IMPORTANT LINKS Member Discounts Sponsorship Opportunities Membership Application

Franklin Downtown Partnership | 9 E. Central St., Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by franklindowntownpartnership@gmail.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Sleep Awareness Week

It's National Sleep Awareness Week! 

Lack of sleep can lead to chronic disease and conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. 

Learn more at: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep

Franklin Health Department: Wellness Update - Sleep Awareness Week