Day: October 15, 2018

GREENFIELD — In the midst of the opioid crisis, and in a world in which many other diseases can be traced to addictive behavior, PBS’s NOVA investigates how addiction works, and how to resolve this dire social and medical issue, in Addiction, a film airing on PBS on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m.

Prior to the national premiere broadcast, local public television station WGBY will present a free public advance screening today, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Greenfield Community College in Greenfield. The screening is free and open to the public, and is being conducted in partnership with the college and the Franklin County Opioid Task Force. Details are available at wgby.org/addiction.

NOVA joins scientists and sufferers alike as they probe the mysteries of addiction. They are discovering that addiction is not simply a lack of willpower; drug abuse produces significant chemical changes in the brain — changes that are hard to control and hard to reverse. And it is not just drugs; alcohol, sugar, caffeine, and even exercise can incite addictive behaviors.

Julia Cort, NOVA’s deputy executive director will moderate a community conversation with panelists following the film. Panelists include Franklin County Sheriff Christopher Donelan, internist Dr. Paul Carlan of Valley Medical Group in Greenfield, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Re-entry Coordinator Ken Chartrand, and Julia Crawford, co-producer of Addiction.

BOSTON — Richard Lord, who built Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) into one of the most far-reaching business associations in the commonwealth, will retire next year after leading the organization for almost 20 years.

Lord, a North Adams native and Williams College graduate who took the top job at AIM in 1999, will remain as president and CEO while the AIM board of directors chooses a successor.

“Rick Lord has built AIM into an organization of more than 4,000 employers from all sectors of the economy who believe that business should be a positive force for creating a better, more prosperous world. He has led the organization through a period of unprecedented growth and change, and created tremendous upward momentum for our next leader,” said Dan Kenary, chair of the AIM board of directors and CEO of Harpoon Brewery in Boston.

Lord made the 103-year-old former manufacturing association the voice of all Massachusetts employers on generational economic issues such as the cost of health insurance, taxation, education, worker training, and energy. At the same time, he expanded the membership of AIM into developing areas of the state economy such as services, technology, biosciences, and robotics.

His accomplishments range from representing the views of employers during the landmark 2006 Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law and subsequent 2012 Health Cost-Containment Law to expanding the AIM HR Solutions business to help employers both large and small manage complicated human-resources issues.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts for almost two decades. It’s now time for me to set out on a new adventure while AIM finds a leader who will build on this strong foundation for the future,” Lord said. “I’m most proud of leaving AIM with the most talented team of professionals I have ever had the opportunity to work with. The primary asset of a business association is its people, and the staff of AIM enjoys an enviable level of credibility and respect among employers, elected officials, and key decision makers.”

Inquiries about the CEO position should, for the moment, be made to Christopher Geehern, AIM’s executive vice president of Public Affairs and Communications, at [email protected] or (617) 834-4414.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University students joined Girls Inc. of Holyoke at the university’s Empsall Hall last week to launch public service announcements (PSAs) in honor of International Day of the Girl Child, a celebration designated by the United Nations on Oct. 11. The PSAs, created by students in the Communications program, reflected different perspectives on how to encourage and empower girls of all ages and backgrounds.

“By creating PSAs for International Day of the Girl Child that they really believe in, our students are not only building their skills in communication, they’re using curiosity to solve problems and inspire others, and it speaks volumes to their commitment to being strong, smart, and bold,” said Janine Fondon, chair of Undergraduate Communications. “In the Communications program, we are celebrating our ability to join together as a community to raise our positive voices for change, challenge, and opportunity. We’re glad that we had this opportunity with leaders and guests from the community to have the conversation needed for girls and women to be inspired, engaged, and curious.”

The event featured a ‘COMMversation,’ where university students and local panelists, including Girls Inc. Executive Director Suzanne Parker, Women’s Fund of Western Mass CEO Donna Haghighat, Springfield School Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor, Open Pixel Studios co-founder and animator Kathryn Taccone, and author and Bay Path Professor Maria Luisa Arroyo, engaged in conversations about how to create a world where girls can feel safe as they explore their individual paths to success. Bay Path students of all disciplines used their storytelling skills to focus on what they feel are currently the biggest challenges, as well as opportunities for girls and women. A walk-through gallery of their PSAs was displayed, prompting discussion among guests, faculty, staff, and other students.

“To be among Bay Path University students, staff, and faculty, and other panelists from the community, was a wonderful way to start International Day of the Girl Child,” Parker said. “Talking about women’s leadership is something we are passionate about at Girls Inc., where we work to inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold, so it was an honor to be here.”

Naomi Naylor, daughter of LaTonia Monroe Naylor, attended the event as a local student ambassador. She showcased and described a work of art she painted called “Colors of Acceptance.” Following the event, she donated this piece to Bay Path University through Fondon. Arroyo, who was Springfield’s inaugural poet laureate, signed her book at the event. The ongoing partnership between Girls Inc. and Bay Path University for International Day of the Girl Child was further highlighted in the afternoon as Fondon offered a presentation of her research for “The Intersection: Women of Color On the Move.”

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) announced that Condé Nast Traveler released the results of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with Bradley International Airport recognized as the third-best airport in the U.S. 

“We are very honored to be recognized among some of our nation’s best airports,” said Tony Sheridan, chair of the CAA board of directors. “Recognition like this elevates our brand not only regionally, but also nationally and internationally, and I’d like to thank the entire CAA staff for everything they do to make Bradley International Airport one of the very best in the country.”

Travelers gave the airport high marks for “convenient on-site parking, plentiful charging stations and free wi-fi, decent restaurant options, and an overall relaxed atmosphere.”

“We are thankful that the support of Bradley’s loyal, growing passenger base has again earned us a spot in the list of top ten U.S. airports, and we’re especially pleased with the improved ranking this year,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “This prestigious recognition is a testament to our continuous commitment to enhancing the travel experience at Bradley International Airport. We’re very proud of our efforts to make Bradley Airport the best it can be for our passengers, and we thank them for their vote of confidence.”

The CAA has initiated major terminal enhancements at Bradley over the last couple of years aimed at elevating the travel experience. Recent upgrades include the addition of Two Roads Tap Room, Escape Lounge, a Phillips Seafood restaurant, a duty-free shop, and a mother’s nursing room — and more improvements are underway. Additionally, the expansion of the airport’s route network continues to be a priority, with the airport most recently celebrating the launch of its latest non-stop service to St. Louis.