Franklin Cultural District: silent movie, Master Plan Open House, Ballet Franklin and more as #artshappenhere

Wednesday, March 20

5:30pm Femita Ayanbeku (Dean College)

Thursday, March 21

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

6:30pm Bringing the stars Indoors (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Community Coffee Conversations: One Franklin (Birchwood Bakery)

Saturday, March 23

10:00am Easter Bunny (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Grieving Hearts Workshop (Franklin High School)

11:00am Beyond the Palmer Method – Learn about calligraphy (Franklin Historical Museum)

11:00am Master Plan Open House (Dean College)

1:00pm Kids Paint Party (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm `Cinema 80’ Feature Films "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari"  (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)

Sunday, March 24

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)

3:00pm LiveARTS Concert: Romanul Duo (First Universalist Society of Franklin - FUSF)

5:30pm Ballet Franklin presents Cinderella (THE BLACK BOX)

Tuesday, March 26

2:30pm Rainbow Café (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Raillery Public House)

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

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event 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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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 Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

LOVEfranklin // EA Shelter Humanitarian Aid UPDATE (rev.20240319)

Dear friends, community members, and all who #LOVEfranklin,

I want to start by offering my apologies for being so long in updating you on the Franklin Interfaith Council's efforts to support the families placed at the EA Shelter in Franklin. The population at the shelter is relatively stable and most services and supports put in place by the state are operating pretty smooth. Work permits are being issued and families are becoming more integrated into the community we all love so much. Regular meetings of stakeholders, convened both by the Town of Franklin and by the Franklin Interfaith Council, have ceased and are meeting only as needed.

As I have mentioned in past posts, our support is evolving. Due to changing needs, and the challenge of securing volunteers, we have discontinued the After-School Program. Many thanks are due Rev. Kathy McAdams and her team of volunteers for rapidly getting this program off the ground and filling an important need at the shelter. For those individuals looking to volunteer in a similar way, we encourage you to consider volunteering with the ESL classes and other outreach being offered through the Franklin Public Library.

As we move from winter into spring, and as most of the families are receiving supplemental income, the mass distribution of emergency clothing will be evolving. The need for clothing persists beyond the shelter. The effort facilitated by the Franklin Interfaith Council will be continuing but under the umbrella of the Franklin United Methodist Church. This new ministry is tentatively being called the Community Closet @FranklinUMC. Regular hours are being established for all community members, not only those living at the EA Shelter, to come and pick out the clothing they need, free of charge. As we make this transition, I am looking for volunteers to help sort and fold donations. We are no longer looking for donations of winter items, but would welcome spring/summer clothing. If you'd like to signup to help with the sorting, click the dates/links below:

• Friday, March 22, 10-11:30a
• Tuesday, March 26, 10-11:30a
• Tuesday, April 2, 10-11:30a
• Tuesday, April 9, 10-11:30a
• Tuesday, April 23, 10-11:30a
• Tuesday, April 30, 10-11:30a

As we evolve into this new community ministry, the Franklin United Methodist Church (FranklinUMC) will continue looking for volunteers to help. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at jacob@franklinumc.org. You will be able to find updates and opportunities to volunteer with this effort at franklinumc.org.

The Franklin Interfaith Council is continuing to look for ways of supporting our new community members. As new opportunities arise, we will do our best to keep you updated. We have several things "in the works" so "stay tuned" for those announcements.

Thank you all for the many ways in which you have supported our work over these last (almost) six months. The work we have done together in support of the families at the EA shelter has been nothing short of miraculous and life-transforming. Personally, I am humbled by your generosity and compassion and immensely proud of you and this community for the ways in which we sought, and continue to seek, to welcome these new members of our community. Thank you, from the deepest part of my heart, for the many ways you have and will continue to #LOVEfranklin.

Peace.

Rev. Dr. Jacob W. Juncker

President, Franklin Interfaith Council

Pastor, Franklin United Methodist Church

To sign up for one of the volunteer options, follow this link ->

https://franklininterfaith.org/lovefranklin-ea-shelter-humanitarian-aid-update-rev-20240319/

LOVEfranklin // EA Shelter Humanitarian Aid UPDATE (rev.20240319)

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (video)

The School Committee met as scheduled for their regular session on Tuesday, March 19 which extended to just after 10 PM as they dwelt on their FY 2025 budget proposal which included a public hearing.

School Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Business Manager Dr Bob Dutch presented their overview assisted by Asst Superintendents Dr Tina Rogers and Paula Marano.

The Franklin TV video recording is available for replay ->   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YXw4dnXUqk

Quick recap: 

FY25 Budget Open Hearing 

(presentation doc not posted but the full budget book is available ->    https://www.franklinps.net/sites/g/files/vyhlif4431/f/uploads/fy25_complete_budget_book.pdf)

2 quick points from School Committee member Paul Griffith during the Q&A for the presentation, I paraphrased here but go listen to what he said:

• Great clarification questions from Cmte member Griffith Go back and listen (via the YouTube link) for his points on the class size as well as the support services (i.e. personnel titles) some legally required if not morally to provide the proper education for each student

• If we are looking at the bare minimum of level services across the Town and schools, given the Town expected revenue, it is not whether there should be an override, it really should be a discussion on how much of an override we can afford (great point!)

Discussion/Action Items

A. Student Opportunity Act Plan Approval

B. Policy First Reading

C. Policy Second Reading/Adoption

D. ACCEPT Collaborative Agreement

all these items passed by a 7-0 vote

My notes captured via Twitter were collected in a single PDF -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-1dD9wIUOeE_0ZS76jJsRgnKgtkScxAE/view?usp=drive_link

Photos of the slides shown can be found in one album ->

https://photos.app.goo.gl/raH5wfZR6pU7yths6

School Committee gets the details on the multiple budget scenarios facing them for a vote in April (video)

Honoring Our Franklin Veterans Who Died In Service to Our Country

The Town of Franklin has one of the most beautiful Veteran’s Memorial areas in the state.  If you haven’t been there recently, it is worth a visit.  There are monuments for all wars centered in front of the WWI “Doughboy” monument.  At the rear of the monument area is the Veterans’ Memorial Walkway which currently honors 1866 veterans who have served America.

Perhaps the most moving part of the Memorial area are the 45 granite posts which line the Veterans’ Walkway. Each one of these posts is dedicated to a Franklin veteran who gave his life, defending our freedom. These columns are beautifully done, marked with bronze plaques and a flag. During the holidays, each is also decorated with a beautiful wreath.

Over the past few months, Franklin’s Veterans’ organizations, the Edward L. Grant American Legion Post 75, and the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3402, under the auspices of the Town’s Veterans Council, have developed a program to further honor those who died for our nation, to ensure they are remembered, and their stories are kept alive.

This program will include the placing of a Memorial Wreath for the day, the playing of Taps, a salute from those present, and a reading of whatever history we may have on that veteran. This is a way of keeping the memory of that veteran alive.

This event will happen 45 times during the coming year.  Some months, like January, only one ceremony will be held. Other months will have multiple ceremonies, such as February with 4 and June with 7.   On March 10, April 9, July 18, and September 21, there will be dual ceremonies as we lost two veterans on the same day.

Families of the veterans, if known, will be invited to attend the ceremony.

The public is invited to attend these ceremonies to honor those who gave their lives.

Franklin’s military organizations support numerous veterans’ activities  and encourage all veterans in town to join them.

The current schedule (note as additional info is gathered and confirmed this schedule may be updated)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/114IR6REsc-Ts_GLlfmgynjyD5IS595RA/view?usp=drive_link

 Honoring Our Franklin Veterans Who Died In Service to Our Country

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node: Meeting, Thursday, March 21, 2024

The 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node will hold our next meeting this Thursday, March 21, 7:00-9:00 pm.  Please add it to your calendar. 

We will send more details about the meeting on Wednesday/Thursday. 

350 Mass Greater Franklin Node

The meeting will be on Zoom:  

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81930304274?pwd=Tm9VdGxYcDFaVTVDUkwyT3YvUnlFdz09

Meeting ID: 819 3030 4274    Passcode: 350ma

Dial-in +1 646 876 9923

You may be interested in an online program, this Wednesday, March 20, 7-8:30 pm. Presentation on Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change: Communities and individuals must develop strategies to deal with the effects of climate change as they happen. Join Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, for a presentation and Q&A and learn how you can make your community safer and more secure in the face of our changing climate. Sign up here. Wed, Mar 20, 7-8:30 pm.

Please sign up for the Climate Weekly email if you are not yet receiving it. 

Check out upcoming events on our website. 

 

Please try to join us for Thursday's meeting. We will maintain our schedule of meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. 

Thank you.

Thank you.

Node Co-coordinators,
Carolyn Barthel
Ralph Halpern

Ralph Halpern
ralph.halpern@comcast.net
781-784-3839 (h)

339-203-5017   

Reminder: Beyond the Palmer Method – Learn about calligraphy - March 23

Learn about this useful artform and get an introduction to creating calligraphy. 

Meet our resident expert in penmanship, cursive writing methods, and calligraphy, Krishna Swain! 

"Words written in calligraphy have defined thousands of years of our history. In this program, we will dive into the history of the art form, particularly in America, and learn how to create beautiful calligraphy."

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, Franklin. The museum is open Saturday mornings from 10 AM - 1 PM and Sunday afternoons from 1 PM - 4 PM. 

When visiting the museum, please consider donating a non-perishable item for the Franklin Food Pantry. Check their current needs listing here ->   https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-involved/pantry-needs/

Visit the Museum online at https://www.franklinmuseum1778.com

Beyond the Palmer Method – Learn about calligraphy March 23

Congressman Auchincloss: An Update For the prior 2 weeks (as of 3/19/24)

LAST 2 WEEKS IN REVIEW I'm your representative in Congress and I write to keep you informed. Introducing legislation to hold social media corporations accountable for youth mental health Supporting TikTok's divestment State of the Union recap Lowering drug prices Ukraine aid update Bay State students in Washington           —  Biotech conversation with European consuls general Talking taxes with Citizens for Citizens Visiting Mansfield Delivering funds for bridges, clean water, and after-school activities On the Hill Introducing legislation to hold social media corporations accountable for youth mental health: I was excited to welcome Myrieme Nadri-Churchill, one of my constituents from Brookline, as my guest for President Biden's State of the Union. Myrieme is the Executive Director of Parents for Peace, a non-profit that empowers families, friends, and communities to prevent teens from falling victim to radicalization, violence, and extremism online using a public health approach. With the help of Myrieme's invaluable counsel, I recently introduced legislation to hold social media companies accountable for their effects on American youth. The Verifying Kids Online Privacy Act would build on the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 2000 (COPPA) by 1) increasing the internet age of adulthood from 13 to 16, and 2) requiring social media companies to verify the ages of their users in a privacy-protected manner. As the youngest Democratic parent in Congress, I am intent on ensuring that parents don't have to fight the Big Tech companies alone. Congress must protect our children's well-being from the greed of social media platforms that productize our children's attention spans for the benefit of advertisers.  Supporting TikTok's divestment: Last week, I voted to force TikTok to separate from its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, as the first step in a comprehensive policy to support youth mental health and de-platform disinformation. Under Chinese law, TikTok is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.  There are three steps Congress should take:  Step 1: Force TikTok to answer to Congress, not the Chinese Communist Party. Step 2: Pass my legislation to raise the age of internet adulthood from 13 to 16. Step 3: Hold social media corporations accountable for illegal actions committed on their platforms, through Section 230 reform.  State of the Union recap: I joined MSNBC following President Biden's State of the Union address to share my key takeaways on the sharp contrasts the president laid out between Democrats' and Republicans' positions on reproductive freedom, affordable healthcare, addressing gun violence, and defending our allies against dictators. The enduring legacy of Obamacare is just one example. For over a decade, Democrats have been fighting on behalf of the American patient to protect those with pre-existing conditions, and we're going to continue that fight against insurance companies to lower prescription drug costs.  The president opened the speech by directly linking January 6th with the Ukraine war: both are examples of authoritarians trampling on the rule of law. Russians didn't get a free and fair vote for their president in 2024; but Americans do. We must consider which vision of the American future to believe in – possibilities and progress or anger and regression.  Lowering prescription drug pricing: I joined The Hill for a fireside chat focused on lowering prescription drug pricing. I discussed my plan to rein in pharmacy benefit managers, which are drug-pricing middlemen owned by Fortune 50 health insurance companies. In particular, I advocated bipartisan legislation I helped introduce in the House, the Protecting Patients Against PBM Abuses Act, which would sever the link between PBM compensation and the cost of medications. After decades of aggressive lobbying by the likes of UnitedHealthcare, Congress must get serious about holding these drug-pricing middlemen accountable. In his State of the Union speech, President Biden highlighted how Democrats were able to come together to take on the health insurance companies and pass Obamacare in the 2010s. This decade's fight against the insurance lobby must include lowering drug costs through PBM reform. Ukraine aid update: I spoke with CNN's Kasie Hunt about the immediate need for Congress to authorize additional military assistance for our allies in Ukraine. I signed a discharge petition filed by Congressman McGovern to force a vote on Ukraine aid in the House. Congress has the votes to fund Ukraine in its fight for freedom, but Speaker Johnson refuses to allow an up-or-down vote on the floor. I encourage all my Democratic colleagues – and those Republican Members who quote Reagan in their campaign ads – to join me and sign the discharge petition. MA-04 students in Washington: I welcomed groups from Dexter-Southfield, Dover-Sherborn, and my own alma mater, Newton North, over the last two weeks during their annual trips to D.C. With our nation's Capitol as the backdrop, I talked to students about the importance of social media regulations (they didn't always agree), supporting Ukraine, and defending democracy at home and abroad. They asked questions about a typical day in the life of a Congressman and how I got the job. I advised them to be willing to take risks in pursuit of their curiosity. I'm always impressed by how thoughtful and engaged Bay State students are. Make your voice heard → I want to hear from you.  Do you support forcing TikTok to be owned by a U.S. company? Around the Fourth Biotech conversation with European consuls general: I met with consuls general from Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Italy to discuss how the life sciences in Massachusetts factor into the global biotech enterprise. In the wide-ranging conversation, we discussed the importance of immigration, medical research, IP laws, and commercialization policies that reward makers, not takers. A booming biotech sector has propelled the Bay State's economy for over twenty years, but policymakers should not allow our success to justify complacency. Other states and countries–friends and foes alike–are competing hard.  In my recent op-ed on the subject in the Boston Globe, I explain how Congress should support progress:  "Rationalizing the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology, as recently advised by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, is one opportunity to reward biotech makers and discourage snake-oil salesmen, by simultaneously streamlining and toughening regulations. Another example is regulating pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen of the drug supply chain who decide on behalf of insurance companies which drugs patients can access. The PBMs take billions in profits that should be directed to lowering patients' out-of-pocket costs. In addition to supporting talent and passing pro-maker policy, policymakers should also provide infrastructure and standards for the life sciences. Clinical trials are the most expensive phase of biomedical innovation and are getting costlier. Improving the efficiency and diversity of clinical trials would be a rising tide to lift all biomedical boats, and the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which I helped site in Massachusetts, should make it a priority. Another way to lift all boats is standardization, especially across bio-manufacturing, a growth sector for Massachusetts. Standardization of conventions, measures, and data reduces friction and amplifies U.S. soft power in international industry, as it did for telecommunications." Talking taxes with CFC: I met with Citizens for Citizens (CFC), a Massachusetts Community Action Agency that assists over 30,000 individuals in the Greater Fall River and Taunton areas each year to provide short-and long-term services for low-income individuals and families. CFC provided information about free tax prep services offered through the Massachusetts Association for Community Action.  The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services for qualifying taxpayers. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years and provides free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their tax returns, including: People who generally make $64,000 or less Persons with disabilities Limited English-speaking taxpayers Our district has five VITA locations: CAN-DO in Newton, Citizens for Citizens in Fall River, Franklin Public Library in Franklin, and High Street Veterans Family Learning Center and Trustman Family Learning Center in Brookline. You can find the one nearest to you using the IRS locator tool: Find a Location for Free Tax Prep. Visiting Mansfield: I kicked off a full day in Mansfield by meeting with seniors at the Village at Willow Crossing, a senior living community that over 200 seniors call home. I toured the neighborhood and main lodge, which features 24-hour healthcare support that includes expert mind and memory care developed with Alzheimer's specialists. We discussed Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices and the lowering of Part D costs for millions. Now, Congress must ensure that health insurance companies are passing on further negotiated prescription drug savings to patients. Next, I joined seniors for the town's annual St. Patrick's Day Lunch at the Mansfield Council On Aging, where we continued the conversation on the future of Medicare. Many also asked about Social Security, and I emphasized my commitment to protecting those earned benefits as well as my continued support of the Social Security Fairness Act and the Social Security 2100 Act. Then, alongside Rep. Adam Scanlon and Town Manager Kevin Dumas, I toured the Cate Springs PFAS treatment plant, which was funded in part by the American Rescue Plan. Cate Springs is one of several local PFAS treatment facilities supported by federal funds. Clean drinking water is a human right, and since taking office I have directed millions of dollars to local PFAS remediation. Finally, I wrapped up the day at the Mansfield BioIncubator to meet with the startup Aclarity, which electrochemically destroys PFAS using technology invented in Massachusetts. Tougher EPA regulations are rightfully pushing industry, landfills, and treatment plants to eliminate PFAS rather than cycle it. Delivering wins for the MA-04: I am excited to announce that my office was able to secure $14,000,000 in Community Project Funding for important infrastructure projects across the district. We focused on bridges, clean water, and affordable housing. Onwards, Jake WASHINGTON 15 Independence Avenue SE 1524 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5931 NEWTON 29 Crafts Street Suite 375 Newton, MA 02458 Phone: (617) 332-3333 ATTLEBORO 8 North Main Steet Suite 200 Attleboro, MA 02703 Phone: (508) 431-1110 Contact

6th Art Exhibit of the Franklin Art Association Opens March 16, Reception scheduled for March 28

6th Art Exhibit of the Franklin Art Association

The Franklin Art Association invites all to visit the 6th Exhibit at the FAA Gallery in Escape into Fiction Bookstore in downtown Franklin.  

The Opening will be held Thursday, March 28th from 6-8 PM, come see the fresh work and fresh faces in the gallery through June!

New tech support scammers want your life savings

New tech support scammers want your life savings By Amy Hebert As we continue our deep dive into imposter scams, we're taking a look at a new twist on tech support scams. Ever deal with a tech support scam?  A warning pops up on your computer. It says your computer has a virus and gives you a number to call for help. You often end up paying hundreds of dollars to a scammer who pretends to deal with the fake virus.  Now scammers are upping the stakes — instead of hundreds of dollars, people are unknowingly handing over tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to tech support scammers. Here's how. Read more ->  https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/new-tech-support-scammers-want-your-life-savings

New tech support scammers want your life savings

Franklin TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) schedule for Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024

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

9:00 AM 12:00 Noon and 6:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock
Franklin and its local government, services and events  (repeats Saturday at 9 AM)

• This slot features "Making Sense of Climate" episode #40 with Ted McIntyre ->     https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/jalapeno-enhances-flavors-and-starts.html

10:00 AM 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM  The Wonderful World of Wine – Mark Lenzi, Kim Simone    All about wine, its culture, lore and finer point.

• In this episode hosts Kim Simone and Mark Lenzi talk with  Kathy McCabe-PBS Dream of Italy ->   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/the-wonderful-world-of-wine-www-episode.html

11:00 AM 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM Franklin Matters Radio – Steve Sherlock

Franklin and its local government, services and events (repeats Saturday at 3 PM)

• This slot features a recap of the Joint Budget Mtg with Tom Mercer, George Conley and David McNeill -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2024/03/tom-george-david-recap-joint-budget.html

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 6, Verizon 26) = WEDNESDAY

7:30 am Mental Health: Amy Frigulietti

8:30 am Martin Luther King: Music and Spoken Word

10:00 am Jim Johnston: Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

11:30 am Cooking Thyme: Grillin'

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin: Brownies

12:30 pm Second Sunday Speaker Series: Valentine Cards

1:00 pm Norfolk County Prevention Coalition: L. E. A. P.

1:30 pm Pizzapalooza: Meat-Lovers Pt. 1

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 5

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Spring 2019 Show 2

3:30 pm Veterans' Call: Dave Hencke

4:30 pm The Millis Berfield Band

8:30 pm Circle of Friends: Joe Jencks

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

8:30 am Public School Event: Remington Winter Music 2022

10:00 am SAFE Coalition: The Hamlins

11:00 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Districts

12:30 pm FHS Girls Varsity Hockey v Notre Dame Academy Hingham 02-28-24

2:30 pm Franklin Rec Basketball" 6th - 8th Grade Girls Championship

5:00 pm Hockomock League Swimming Championship 2024 Day 2

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

8:00 am Town Council 03-13-24

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee 03-06-24

2:00 pm Town Council 03-13-24

6:30 pm  Master Plan Committee  LIVE, Chambers  842 9690 3396

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

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