Franklin Downtown Partnership presents the Holiday Gift Guide for 2023

The Holiday Gift Guide is too long to share here so you can find the full set of content in on PDF file ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j7JAyTsmduZYjgLjkKn6vy59MMRjSz-K/view?usp=drive_link

One item left off the gift guide to consider is the Think Franklin First gift cards

https://franklingiftcard.com/   Introduced in Dec 2020, you can find the FAQ on the gift cards -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/faqs-for-thinkfranklinfirst-gift-cards.html

https://franklingiftcard.com/

Buy Local

Keep It Local Support Franklin Businesses Thank You to the Sponsors of this Holiday Newsletter: GOLD SPONSORS: Camford Property Group, Inc., D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, The Enclave of Franklin BRONZE SPONSORS: DCU Mary's Holiday Lights Light Up Downtown Franklin and Beyond   Franklin Downtown Partnership 9 E. Central St., Franklin | 774-571-3109

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

Rausch Report: Sharing Light This Holiday Season (November 2023)

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser Dear Friend, I hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving. The holiday season is a chance to spend time with the people we love, eat nourishing food, reflect on the year behind us, and look ahead with full hearts.   These last 8 weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for so many of us. I decided over the course of these many days that I needed to do something with these emotions and use my platform to address what we've seen unfold since October 7. In my last newsletter, I shared that I co-authored the Massachusetts Senate resolution supporting the people of Israel, the victims of Hamas's terrorist attack, and those who are being held hostage. Since then, I have continued to vocally denounce and condemn antisemitism in our communities, our Commonwealth, and our nation. I also led a bipartisan nationwide open letter to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and all Members of Congress signed by nearly 300 state lawmakers from more than half the states in the country denouncing antisemitism and Islamophobia and committing to further educational efforts to expose and reduce anti-Jewish prejudice and extremism. In addition, I hosted an open community space for people impacted by the terrorism and violence in Israel and the attendant antisemitism, communicated with all the superintendents in our district about the drastic rise in antisemitism, collaborated with our partners in the Healey-Driscoll Administration to secure the near-immediate remediation of antisemitic graffiti on the Mass Pike, and have been in conversation with local, national, and international leaders including Israel's Special Envoy for Combatting Antisemitism about productive next steps for this critical work.  We have much more to do to address the stark rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia and combat hatred in all its forms. I will continue these efforts in many ways, including my service as a member of the Hate Crimes Task Force. (In that capacity, I was honored to join the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and statewide leaders in equity and inclusion as Governor Healey announced new strategies for addressing identity-based incidents of hatred. One of these strategies is the creation of the "Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team" (HART), which is tasked with improving statewide data collection efforts to identify patterns and trends, developing training with the Municipal Police Training Committee, and improving coordination across all levels of law enforcement. As we experience record levels of hatred and bigotry, these strategies are both timely and sorely needed. Read more here.)  This month's Rausch Report includes legislative updates, a roundup of district events, joyful events happening in our communities, and more.   For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.    Wishing you and yours a happy, safe, and joyful holiday season.  Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch    In Committee As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, we held two hearings this month about animals, fishing, hunting, and trapping. Our committee has now held ten public hearings, all of which were hybrid for easier public access, and we have heard testimony on a whopping 348 bills. I look forward to working with my House Co-chair Dan Cahill to advance important environmental protection and preservation legislation.  Also this month, I testified on five bills I filed as part of my legislative portfolio. These bills would expand abortion access (S.1114), protect people from doxing (S.1116), safeguard the freedom of the press (S.1115), prevent minors from overdosing on dextromethorphan (S.1456), and modernize birth certificates (S.1459).     On the Floor Earlier this month, I voted yes alongside my Senate colleagues to pass two important pieces of legislation before the winter recess: An Act Relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs, and Transparency (the PACT Act) and the Supplemental Budget to close out Fiscal Year 2023.     Improving Pharmaceutical Access, Cost, and Transparency  The bipartisan PACT Act would make urgent and much-needed reforms to the pharmaceutical system in the state by lowering the cost of drugs at the pharmacy counter and improving oversight of the pharmaceutical industry. It also creates more equitable access to life-saving medications by providing a free, no-cost sharing option for certain drugs used to treat chronic illnesses. I secured two successful amendments to enhance transparency and accountability. This legislation now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.    Supplemental Close-Out Budget  The Senate's supplemental close-out budget totaled $2.81 billion and contained several provisions to support the ongoing operations of programs and services that benefit the residents of the Commonwealth, including $250 million to address the ongoing need for emergency housing. I joined my colleagues on a successful amendment to improve oversight, transparency, and accountability for contract compliance among emergency housing providers. The supplemental budget also included:  $75 million for school districts impacted by special education tuition rate increases;  $15 million for disaster relief for municipalities impacted by storms and naturals disasters that occurred in 2023;  Funding to implement collective bargaining agreements; and  $500,000 for the Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Youth.  I filed a single amendment to the Senate close-out budget that would have permanently fixed our state primary scheduling problem. As I said in my remarks on the floor, the statutorily dictated state primary date is so bad that the Legislature has had to change it every election cycle since 2012. Once again, this close-out budget moves the state primary date, and once again, it will be held on the day after Labor Day, yielding a host of problems for access to the ballot, engagement among candidates and voters, and logistics for our local clerks. Our current statutory law governing the scheduling of our last-in-the-nation state primary is a detriment to democracy and must be changed. While this amendment was unsuccessful, I will keep pushing for this necessary shift to align our state primary with the overwhelming majority of similar state primaries in the nation, which are held in late Spring. I've filed legislation to generate this change as well (S.435 and S.439).   I am pleased to report that earlier today, after advocacy from me and many of my colleagues, an agreement was reached between the two chambers on a compromise bill. I look forward to its adoption in both the House and the Senate so collective bargaining agreements and other matters may be funded and finalized and the state comptroller can close the books on Fiscal Year 2023. Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 215 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133  Note this newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content, follow this link -> https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17586993

Weekly Wellness Update from the Franklin Health Department - Diabetes Awareness Month

Via the Franklin Health Dept

"November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S. 

You can prevent type 2 diabetes by making lifestyle changes to build health habits! "

Learn more today:  https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/lcp-details.html 

Weekly Wellness Update from the Franklin Health Department - Diabetes Awareness Month

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Friday, Dec 1, 2023

• 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 6, Verizon 26) = FRIDAY

9:00 am Frank Presents: Daniela Masters Pt 2

10:00 am Riffin' on Main Street: Raye Lynn Mercer

11:00 am Senior Connection: Joe Landry

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Meatballs

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Theater in the Open

1:00 pm Physician Focus: Winter is Coming

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Margherita Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 6

3:00 pm Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

4:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Alice Wallace

5:00 pm Franklin Interfaith Thanksgiving 2023

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Seth Glier

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel        (Comcast 8, Verizon 28) = FRIDAY

7:00 am Public School Concert: MICCA Showcase Pt. 2 03-14-18

8:30 am Mental Health: Raeleen Gallivan

10:00 am FHS Varsity Field Hockey: v Walpole 11-15-23

12:30 pm ArtWeek: Ed Iannuccilli

1:30 pm Public School Event: Annie Sullivan Winter Music 2022

3:00 pm FHS Theater Company: Cinderella

5:30 pm FHS Varsity Swimming: v Taunton 01-13-22

8:30 pm FHS Boys Varsity Soccer: v Needham 11-11-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 9, Verizon 29) =  FRIDAY

8:00 am  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-09-23

11:00 am  Economic Development: 11-02-23

2:00 pm  Zoning Board of Appeals 11-09-23

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

Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

"Diary of a Dreamer" kicks off exciting activities at the Library during December 2023 (audio)

FM #1106 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1106 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Mitzi Gousie, Programming and Outreach Librarian with the Franklin Public Library. We had our discussion at the Franklin TV Studios on Wednesday, November 22, 2023.

 

We talk about 

• Reviewed the regular open hours, and month ending holiday times

• Library events for December 2023

• All ages

• Kiddos, or “littles”

• Teens

• Adults

• Explains the need for volunteers for

• The English as Second Language tutoring program

• Assisting with simple tax preparation forms

• Training is provided for both of these programs for those who volunteer

The show notes include links to the Library page and to the calendar of events where registration for some of the events is required/recommended..

The recording runs about 28 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1106-franklin-public-library-dec-2023-highlights-11-22-23

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

Event highlights we covered in this conversation

https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library/news/december-2023-franklin-library-news-events

Franklin Public Library page ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/franklin-public-library 

Library Calendar of Events ->  http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/F/FRANKLIN/ekp.cfm 

"Diary of a Dreamer" info -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/11/diary-of-dreamer-by-fatima-wojohat-dec.html

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

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

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

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

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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

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

"Diary of a Dreamer" kicks off exciting activities at the Library during December 2023 (audio)

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Franklin SEPAC & SAFE Coalition present a workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness and Prevention.

Learn from a SAFE Coalition Social Worker about:

• How to speak with your children about mental health

• Social media and bullying

• Tools, resources, and information about suicide awareness and drug use

This is an in-person event.  

Register here: https://forms.gle/wuMmwjzQK5ik7q9L8… Please note: this is open to all community members - your child does not need to be receiving special education for you to participate.

When: December 5, 2023  from 6:30 PM - 8 PM

Where: Town Hall/Central Office

355 E. Central St, Franklin, MA   3rd Floor Training Room

www.safecoalition.org

www.franklinsepac.org

 

Workshop for parents and caregivers of teens and tweens on Mental Health, Suicide Awareness & Prevention - Dec 5

Shared from -> https://twitter.com/DStokes2447/status/1729679294605963324

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! Dec 16 & 17

FPAC Holiday Productions will close its December season with the return of Humbug! December 16 and 17. 

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Ebenezer Scrooge. With musical hits of every genre and live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians, Humbug! transports audiences from Dickensian England to contemporary America as the novel’s iconic characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely – and timeless – message.

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! Dec 16 & 17

The FPAC original features sets of parents and their children, siblings, and friends that are like family as part of a large ensemble cast of over 100 professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. “Live theater creates a space where we can come together and have a collective experience,” says Mireille Eastman, mother of two “Humbug!” student cast members Ameline and Emmett Eastman. She has previously also performed in the production along with her husband, Charley Eastman, and all three of their children. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in 'Humbug!' as a family. Sharing our passion for live theater with our children has brought us all closer together.”

The show also features mother/daughter pairs Kylie and Edna Bodiya, Kim and Baree Frigon, Lindsay and Lila Hartman, Kristin and Polly Palson, and Robin and Zoey Tucker. Siblings Christopher and Owen Charles, Katie and Helena Cornwell, Jenna and Anna Cusano, Julia and DJ Ormond, Brodie and Devin DeAngelis, Aida and Julian DiChiara, Kayla and Macie Hoben, Liam and Grayson Kerrigan, Matthew and Shane Packard, and Charlotte and Katherine Weldon all perform together as well as married couples Tim and Liz Ayres-Kerr and Greg Leach and Michele Webster. 

Youth development in the arts is a special focus of FPAC, founded in 1991 by Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. Productions provide ongoing opportunities for families to connect through the arts, with multiple generations sharing rehearsals and time on stage together.

Humbug! is presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium. For tickets and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Master Plan Update Cmte discusses, Inventory Report, Survey, Outreach efforts, & approves Meeting schedule for 2024 (video)

The Master Plan Update Committee met as scheduled on Wednesday, Nov 28 at 6:30 PM. 

The Franklin TV video is available for replay on YouTube ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnMfCfe-RnI

The agenda:

1. Meeting Minutes: September 13 & 27, 2023 & October 25, 2023

2. Subcommittee Updates

3. Existing Conditions & Inventory Draft Report - Discussion

4. Tabling and outreach for Survey

5. 2024 Meeting Dates

The agenda doc ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/master_plan_agenda_-november_29_2023_0.pdf 

My notes captured via Twitter in one PDF ->    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Gl1LBNE_LqXQiMuCNFdhqwZu6sinTkDZ/view?usp=drive_link

Master Plan Update Cmte discusses, Inventory Report, Survey, Outreach efforts, & approves Meeting schedule for 2024 (video)

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for custodians, heavy equipment operator, and a Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email. 

Junior Building Custodian - Facilities Department

Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy - Office of the Town Administrator 

Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

Part Time and Substitute Custodians - Facilities Department 

Updated 11/29/2023

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here .

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/human-resources/pages/job-opportunities

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities for custodians, heavy equipment operator, and a Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Franklin Police Station - Sunday, Dec 3 from 9 AM to noon

Via Franklin Police Dept: 

"Looks like Santa and Mrs. Claus are trading in the sleigh for a squad car this year! Watch out, naughty list - the Franklin Police Department just got a festive upgrade! 

This Sunday, December 3 from 9 AM to 12 PM, Santa and Mrs. Claus will take over the Chief’s Office. 

This event is free, however we do ask for a toy donation (new and unwrapped). Toys collected through our toy drive go back to the children in our community who need a little extra Christmas cheer."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C0PCGJGMuZl/

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Franklin Police Station - Sunday, Dec 3 from 9 AM to noon