Showing posts with label senator Thomas P. Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label senator Thomas P. Kennedy. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Message About Senate Bill 1111, Relative to Food and Refreshments at Funeral Homes

Today, at a hearing on the Joint Committee on Public Health, Senate Bill 1111, An Act Relative to Funerals, will be heard. It is a bill that has garnered much media attention as of late, and I wanted to let the public know a little bit more about the bill.

This bill, which I have filed for the last several years, seeks to allow licensed funeral establishments to provide food and liquid refreshments during hours of operation. In the past, it has been said that a health hazard would exist should food and drink be allowed in the same vicinity as a corpse. In light of the fact that a great number of funeral homes across the Commonwealth are also private residences, however, I find this argument to be less than persuasive. Obviously, should this bill be passed, reasonably prudent steps would be taken in order to ensure complete public safety and security relative to the separation of areas where food and beverages would be served from any dangerous chemical substances used in the course of business.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Massachusetts Announces Recovery-Funded Projects at Massasoit Community College and with RD Matthews Construction Company, Inc.

(Below is a press release issued on March 24, 2011 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)

Patrick-Murray Administration Celebrates 78 Stimulus-Funded Clean Energy Projects in Southeastern Massachusetts

Marking the two-year anniversary of the federal Recovery Act, Brockton event highlights energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in 41 cities and towns

BROCKTON - The Patrick-Murray Administration today marked the two-year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) by highlighting investments of nearly $10 million in 78 clean energy projects in cities and towns throughout southeastern Massachusetts. The Administration's investments in the region are financing projects that have employed over 200 people and are expected to yield approximately 8.4 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity, saving enough energy to power and heat more than 1,300 homes.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2011 Brockton Mayor's Youth Summit Information Now Available

(Message from the Brockton Mayor’s Office)

Mayor Linda M. Balzotti is proud to announce that the 11th Annual Mayor’s Youth Summit will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Massasoit Community College, 8AM-4:00PM.  Each year, the Summit brings over 400 youth together to discuss the issues that they are facing as a young person growing up in Brockton.  It offers youth participants a chance to gain leadership, empowerment, and support for their efforts to make Brockton a better, safer, and supportive city to grow up in; and every year, over 40 volunteers dedicate their time and energy to promote this opportunity.  This year, we are hoping to increase our youth participation numbers and we need YOUR help to do that!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Recruits Sought for 2011 Police Officer and Transit Police Officer Exam

A recruitment campaign is under way for the upcoming entry-level Civil Service Examination for Police Officer, cities and towns and Transit Police Officer, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The examination will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011.  The Massachusetts Human Resource Division is looking to fulfill the commitment of recruiting a qualified and diverse applicant pool for this important public safety examination.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Community Rowing Inc and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Partner to offer Innovative Exercise Program for Community with Disabilities

(This post is a product of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network)

CONTACT:
Tim Sullivan, Communications and Media Relations
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Office (617) 573-2918, Cell (617) 501-5985 tsullivan11@partners.org

Tom Palmer, Tom Palmer Communication
Community Rowing Inc
tompalmer@rcn.com (Cell) 617.755.7250

Community Rowing Inc and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Partner to offer Innovative Exercise Program for Community with Disabilities

FES Rowing has shown significant cardiovascular and bone improvement for persons with disabilities in research studies.

Boston, MA- As the twin epidemics of obesity and inactivity grow to encompass almost two thirds of adults, one high risk population has received little attention; persons with disabilities, specifically those with some form of spinal cord injuries. Services available for this high risk group have been limited despite the significant incidence of cardiovascular health issues.

Recent research conducted by Dr. Andrew Taylor at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital combining functional electrical stimulation (FES) and the sport of rowing achieved impressive results for this population. Based on this success, Spaulding established the Exercise for Persons with Disabilities (ExPD) program at its main facility to high demand. To provide greater access to this innovative technology, the ExPD program partnered with Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) to add another location at CRI. Recently Spaulding, CRI and the ExPD program celebrated the installation of two more FES rowing machines at the CRI Boathouse in Brighton.

“The goal of the program is to provide effective methods of exercise to increase overall health and wellness to an under-served and at risk population, the community with disabilities. The installation of these machines at CRI will enable the program to expand its ability to reach this population in the Boston area in an engaging and active environment,” said Dr. Andrew Taylor, Director, Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Since the ExPD program’s initial launch over a year ago the program has grown to have over 40 participants. Many participants not only report increased cardiovascular health but improved muscle definition in their legs and improved quality of life.

“As a quad, I was so pleased to hear about Spaulding’s partnership with Community Rowing Inc.  Their joint venture is testament to both organizations’ commitment to enhancing the life experiences of persons of all abilities, and I am excited about the possibility of entering the program myself someday,” said State Senator Thomas P. Kennedy.

The FES is a technology allows paralyzed muscles to contribute to whole body exercise. In this way both the paralyzed legs and innervated arms are under voluntary control and higher exercise intensities can be reached and sustained. In fact, some FES-rowers have achieved unprecedented work rates comparable to those of able-bodied rowers.

“Spaulding is proud to play a role in bringing important evidence based programs like this to the broader community. As a leader in rehabilitative care, we feel strongly that our role is to continue to push for novel ways to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve. This partnership with CRI is another way we will be able to do that,” said David E. Storto, President, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

"Embedding a major rehabilitation initiative in the community is an exciting and powerful addition to Community Rowing's programs and mission, which is making rowing accessible to everyone. We're delighted to partner with Spaulding and lead the way with this new technology," said Bruce Smith, CRI Director.

Participants in the ExPD program must be at least 18 years of age and have had a spinal cord injury. Participation in the program involves a full assessment and a nominal equipment rental and exercise fee. Locations for the program are at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital main campus on Nashua Street and the CRI Boathouse. For more information contact Glen Picard via phone 617 573 2786, email expd@partners.org or visit spauldingrehab.org/expd.

About the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network

A member of Partners HealthCare, The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital its main campus, a 196-bed facility, located in Boston, as well as Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, two long term care facilities Spaulding Hospital Cambridge and Spaulding Hospital North Shore and two skilled nursing facilities, as well as twenty three outpatient sites throughout the Greater Boston area. Spaulding is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School as well as the official rehabilitation hospital of the New England Patriots. Spaulding is the only rehabilitation hospital in New England continually ranked since 1995 by U.S. News and World Report in its Best Hospitals survey with a #4 ranking in 2010. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.   

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