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Pilgrim 14 to Appear in Plymouth District Court Wednesday

PLYMOUTH, MASS.

The 14 citizens arrested on May 20 for protesting the ongoing operation and destruction caused by the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station will appear in Plymouth District Court tomorrow for a pre-trial hearing.

The “Pilgrim 14” were arrested May 20 at a rally and demonstration outside the Pilgrim station, which is operated by Entergy Nuclear Generating Corporation of Louisiana. The group was demonstrating in opposition of Entergy-Louisiana’s application for a 20-year operating license, which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved on May 25.

The Pilgrim 14 were arrested and charged with trespassing when they attempted to deliver a letter to Entergy-Louisiana. The arrest was peaceful and those charged cooperated with police.

“There is unity among the defendants and we want to send a very clear message to Entergy-Louisiana: the NRC wrongly issued you a license to operate and it’s time to stop your assault upon Plymouth and Massachusetts,” said David Agnew of Cape Downwinders. “We also want citizens to contact their state officials and let them know the NRC’s relicensing was reckless, irresponsible and unacceptable without resolving all the environmental and public safety contentions.”

The Pilgrim 14 will appear in Plymouth District Court, 52 Obery Street, Plymouth tomorrow at 8:30 a.m.

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South Coast Improvement Completes Construction and Renovation at Willow Creek Rehab and Care Center – Twice

South Coast Improvement, one of the largest design, construction and management companies in the Northeast, completed construction and renovation on Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center, a 180 bed skilled nursing center located in Somerset, NJ. South Coast Improvement completed the project twice – before and after Hurricane Irene.

In early 2011, South Coast Improvement was contracted to provide a full renovation to Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center. They successfully completed the job on time and within budget. The project scope included: the creation of STAR (Specialized Therapy and Rehabilitation) Wing within the facility; the addition of a dedicated entrance to the STAR Wing with porte-cochere; the creation of an enlarged OT/PT Gym; new construction of a 600 square foot Spa/Hydrotherapy room; construction of a new STAR Dining Room with custom millwork, solid surfaces and a Presentation Cooking Space; construction of new Staff Lounge/Locker Rooms; full renovation of all common areas and Administrative Offices; full upgrade of 168 rooms; construction of two custom nurses stations and new patient rooms from underutilized floor space; construction of a new Cyber Café and numerous building envelope improvements.

In the summer of 2011, Hurricane Irene devastated Willow Creek Rehabilitation and Care Center‘s entire facility, leaving it submerged in three feet of water. South Coast Improvement renovated the entire facility again, installing new walls, finishes, flooring, fixtures, millwork and HVAC. South Coast Improvement designed a functioning temporary egress plan and worked with town officials to secure permission to open 30 percent of the facility (The Traumatic Brain Injury Unit) in 30 days while the remainder of the facility was being renovated. The company mobilized crews to work seven days a week with multiple shifts to ensure the project‘s successful completion within 110 days.

Once construction was concluded, Willow Creek Rehabilitation’s owner hosted a grand Appreciation Lunch for South Coast Improvement and all the subcontractors for facilitating the center’s reopening in a timely manner.

Occupied and Operational Environments are SCI’s Niche

When it comes to complex renovation projects within occupied and operational environments, South Coast Improvement are the experts. The company provides new construction, full renovations, capital improvements, building envelope improvements and interior renovations.

The company has successfully completed significant projects for healthcare facilities, educational institutions, commercial properties, assisted living facilities, senior living and residential communities throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. Their portfolio of healthcare and senior occupied renovation projects includes numerous projects for Atria, Benchmark and Welch Health Care & Retirement Group, to name a few. They have just completed their 23rd major renovation for Revera Health.

South Coast Improvement utilizes Special Building Practices to ensure the comfort and safety of special needs residents and patients who occupy the spaces that are being renovated. Their experience, high standards of compliance, overall quality and their ability to complete projects on time and on budget, sets them apart from their competitors.

About South Coast Improvement

South Coast Improvement offers an extensive range of design, construction and construction management services regionally in the Northeast and across the U.S. With decades of experience, the company is renowned for high quality, efficiency and high standards of compliance which sets them apart from their competitors. They are are engaged in projects across sectors that include healthcare, institutional, commercial, hospitality and planned communities/residential. The company offers pre-construction analysis, construction management, general contracting, design/build services, capital improvement, building envelope improvements and interior renovations.

South Coast Improvement maintains memberships and professional affiliations with the

Assisted Living Facility Association, the American Society of Interior Designers, the International Facility Managers Association, the Community Associations Institute, as well as International Real Estate Managers and the Greater New Bedford Chamber of Commerce.

South Coast Improvement is headquartered at 208 Wareham Road in Marion, MA 02738.

For more information, contact (508) 748-6545; email Information@southcoastimprovement.com or visit the website at www.southcoastimprovement.com

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Shannon Thompson, D.P.M. Joins Boston Common Podiatry

Shannon Thompson D.P.M.

Shannon Thompson, D.P.M., an established podiatrist, has recently joined Boston Common Podiatry and is now accepting new patients.

Dr. Thompson holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences and a Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine from Barry University in Florida. Previous to joining the practice, Dr. Thompson treated podiatry patients in a private sports medicine-oriented practice as well as a private podiatry practice. Previous to that, she was on staff at HealthDrive, an in-home healthcare service, where she provided geriatric podiatry care at several Boston area nursing homes.

“Dr. Thompson is a highly regarded, compassionate podiatrist and we’re delighted to have her on staff,” noted Jordana Szpiro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., the practice’s founder.

Dr. Thompson is a Massachusetts native and Milton Academy alumnus.

About Boston Common Podiatry

Boston Common Podiatry specializes in the treatment of foot conditions including pain, fractures and sports-related injuries; complicated foot conditions caused by diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular disease; pediatric podiatry and molded orthotics. Boston Common Podiatry is one of the only providers in the Boston area using the powerful and innovative GenesisPlus Nd:YAG laser by Cutera, the most powerful FDA-cleared laser for the treatment of warts, fungus, scars and thermal resurfacing.

From athletes and dancers to marathon runners and high-heeled fashionistas to seniors and children, the renowned Boston Common Podiatry cares for patients from the greater Boston and Cape Cod areas.

Boston Common Podiatry physicians are Partner’s Healthcare affiliated physicians as well as on staff at several area hospitals including Mt. Auburn, a Harvard teaching hospital, and hospitals affiliated with the Cambridge Health Alliance. The practice is led by established Boston podiatrist, Jordana Szpiro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S. Boston Common Podiatry is located at 264 Beacon Street, Second Floor, Boston, MA. For more information contact 617.262.2266 or visit bostoncommonpodiatry.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces A Matter of Balance Program

Old Colony Elder Services’ (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, will be helping residents living in Plymouth Housing Authority sites learn skills to improve their balance. OCES will be holding A Matter of Balance Program at the Plymouth Housing site High Cliff. The first session will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2012.

A Matter of Balance is an eight-week program that will meet once a week for two hours. The program is designed to train seniors how to exercise for better balance and prevent falls.

Seniors learn how to view falls as controllable, make changes to reduce the risk of falls in their own homes and increase strength and balance through exercises.

This program is ideal for seniors who have previously fallen; are interested in preventing falls while improving balance and strength; and have restricted activities because of falling concerns.

Matter of Balance is offered by OCES. There is no cost to attend. For more information and to register, contact Donna Forand, Outreach and Education Specialist at OCES (508) 584-1561 ext. 237.

A Matter of Balance

A Matter of Balance Volunteer Lay Leader Model and MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging are used and adapted by permission of Boston University.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Rodman & Rodman’s Kathy Parker Cites Challenges of Tax Incentive Complexities at Massachusetts Solar Summit 2012

(L to R) Massachusetts Solar Summit panelists Craig Huntley, Principal at Solect Energy, a major Massachusetts-based solar developer and Kathy Parker, CPA, MST, Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C, and a member of the accounting firm’s “Green Team” Renewable Energy and Cleantech Practice.

“While IRS Section 1603 Tax credits, combined with Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECS), created a boom in the Massachusetts Solar Industry, many solar companies are sitting on an inventory of solar panels and other materials for projects that have not begun construction by the end of the 2011 eligibility period,” Kathy Parker, CPA told a standing room only audience at the 2012 Solar Summit in Marlborough, MA, on June 13, 2012. Parker is a Partner at Rodman & Rodman, P.C, and a member of the accounting firm’s “Green Team” Renewable Energy and Cleantech Practice.

“Although the 1603 tax code provides ‘Safe Harbor’ provisions, qualifying for this protection can be a tricky process” said Parker. “Much of the tax code is vague, and qualification will depend on how materials purchases were accounted for and assigned to specific projects,” explained Parker. “Qualification is often based on subjective decisions by IRS examiners”, noted fellow “Financial Side Panel” member Craig Huntley, Principal at Solect Energy, a major Massachusetts-based solar developer.

Parker went on to explain that as 1603 grants expire and solar projects begin to get larger, financing will become more complicated. Where smaller projects were often financed by individuals and S Corporations with passive income that could take advantage of tax credits, it will become a challenge to find investors with enough of a tax appetite to invest in larger projects. Project and partner structuring to take advantage of tax incentives will become increasingly important, noted Parker.

“Commercial lenders are becoming more comfortable evaluating solar projects as reasonable risks, but as projects get bigger they become more complicated as the number of products and participants grows,” noted David Costello, Senior VP – Commercial Lending at Commerce Bank & Trust Company. “Banks will demand full disclosure on all parties involved in a project,” said Costello.

Panel moderator, Vincent Devito, Partner at law firm Bowditch & Dewey, explained that the solar industry in Massachusetts remains vibrant, but the industry will continue to rely on state and federal subsidies to attract investors. “These subsidies provide accelerated payback that can be as short as three years,” said Devito.

Summit keynote speaker, Ann Berwick, Chair – MA Department of Public Utilities, pegged present installed solar power capacity at 110 MW, citing state goals to bring capacity to 250 MW by 2017 and 400 MW by 2020.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961 and listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. that serves “green” clients throughout the U.S. The company is Green Business Certified and in 2010 and 2011 was named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, email info@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Old Colony Elder Services Announces Lower Sodium Workshop on July 12th

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers throughout greater Brockton and Plymouth County, is offering a Sodium and Its Effect on Blood Pressure workshop on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the Plymouth Council on Aging (COA), 10 Cordage Park Circle, Suite #108 in Plymouth.

This free workshop will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Plymouth COA.

Sodium and Its Effect on Blood Pressure workshops teach individuals:

· About sodium and its effects on blood pressure.

· About high blood pressure, what it is and its causes.

· Which food sources are high in sodium.

· How to understand food labels.

· 20 ways to lower sodium in their diet.

“We held a Sodium and Its Effect on Blood Pressure workshop at the East Bridgewater COA in June and it was very well attended. This is one of our most popular workshops,” noted Donna Forand at OCES.

To learn more about the program, contact Donna Forand at OCES (508) 584-1561. To RSVP for the program, contact the Plymouth COA at (508) 830-4230.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is a private, non-profit corporation designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts: Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Operating at full capacity. 2012 Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), to be held July 18-19 in Denver, CO, sells out.

Evan Hackel
Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting will be a featured speaker at Franchise OPS, July 18 & 19 at the Westin Hotel in Denver, CO

DENVER, COLORADO…

The Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), the only franchise executive conference dedicated to performance operations excellence, recently announced the July 18-19 event was a sellout.

“Clearly we’re thrilled with the response to this year’s Franchise OPS in Denver. One of the thoughts in putting together this year’s OPS and the one we held last year in Atlanta is that there is very little out there in terms of conferences for franchise operations executives. The sellout of this session bears that out ,” said Evan Hackel, founder of Ingage Consulting, one of the event’s sponsors. “Fortunately for those who weren’t able to attend this session, we’re planning another session with updated operations material for later in the year.”

To be held at the Westin Hotel in downtown Denver, Franchise OPS includes two days of workshops conducted by a number of franchise operations experts. In addition to Hackel, those franchise operations experts include: Deb Binder of Ingage Consulting, Stacey Ruth of Actio Marketing, Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review, Keith Gerson of FranConnect, Rupert M. Barkoff of Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton, Barth Getto of BizUnite and Bill Gauthier of CCA Global Partners.

“The strength of OPS is our roster of speakers. It includes some of the preeminent authorities on franchise operations in the country,” said Hackel. “In addition, we’re going to be covering material that’s critical to franchise operations and attendees will leave with an actual action plan they can begin to implement from Day One of their return to their franchise.”

A sampling of the workshops being held at Franchise OPS includes:

  • Real World Franchise Compliance
  • Impactful, Substantive and Effective Conventions/Conferences 
  • Turning a Survey into a Powerful Management Tool
  • Maximizing the Benefits of an Online University
  • Supercharging Operational Excellence with Web 2.0 Technology
  • Making the Most of Franchise System Buying Services

In addition to the educational benefits, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities with C-level franchise executives, the Franchise OPS offers the added bonus of being approved for 300 CFE credits by the International Franchise Association.

Franchise OPS is sponsored by Franchise Business Review, Kilpatrick Townsend, Actio Marketing, BizUnite and Ingage Consulting. For complete information on Franchise OPS, including announcements on future Franchise OPS conferences, please visit http://www.franchiseoperationssummit.com.

About Ingage Consulting

Ingage Consulting is a management consulting firm that works with cooperatives and cooperative councils and leadership to improve the organization’s culture which in turn increases sales and satisfaction; improves growth and retention and boosts loyalty and profits.

Ingage Consulting provides solutions that drive the cooperation, commitment, passion and loyalty of cooperative members.  They offer unique services that help solve the problems of cooperatives in a number of ways.  Working closely with clients, the Ingage Consulting team quickly and thoughtfully assesses, understands and devises solutions to a cooperative organization’s challenges.  Leaders come away with ideas for improvement, including methods for maximizing collaboration among co-op members and a clear strategy and execution plan for change, customized to meet organizational objectives.  Ingage Consulting’s proven techniques to increase collaboration brings about greater productivity and success on many levels. In short, Ingage Consulting makes cooperatives more successful.

Ingage Consulting is located at 400 Trade Center, Suite 5900 in Woburn, MA.  For more information, contact (781) 569-5900 or visit the website www.ingage.net.

 

 

Operating at full capacity. 2012 Franchise Operations Performance Summit (OPS), to be held July 18-19 in Denver, CO, sells out.Read More

Citizen groups joins Union at rally calling on Governor Patrick to ask NRC to close Pilgrim Nuclear during union lock-out

BOSTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA –

Today a statewide coalition of public health, nuclear safety, social justice, and environmental groups joined members of the Utility Workers of America Union Local 369 in a rally at the State House requesting Governor Deval Patrick requesting to ask the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to close the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station because the plant’s owner has locked out its regular workforce from the Union. A letter making a similar request was delivered to the Governor on Friday, June 22, http://www.capecodbaywatch.org/2012/06/supplement-to-2-206-enforcement-petition-regarding-labor-dispute-at-pilgrim/.

“It is unreasonable in this current economic climate for a company like Entergy to continue to demand give backs in the wake of record profits.  The CEO is not being asked for a cut in benefits, why should these workers? Instead he is risking the well being of the entire community by having replacement workers do the job of the experienced people that earned him those profits,” said Jennifer Doe, Organizer, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice.

Entergy Nuclear Generating Corporation of Louisiana, owner of Pilgrim nuclear, locked out the union work force on June 5, and has been using replacement workers. The groups say the replacement workers lack the necessary training and expertise to run Pilgrim safely.

When the labor dispute began in mid-May, local groups Pilgrim Watch and Jones River Watershed Association filed a legal petition asking the NRC to close Pilgrim until the regular workforce is back on the job. Pilgrim Watch has filed five supplemental requests based on new facts and events they say show Entergy is violating its NRC operating license. The groups say Entergy is not providing reasonable protection for the public’s health and safety. This includes cancelling an emergency response and safety drill on June 13 because the replacement workers are not trained in security or general emergency response procedures, and on June 20, failing to complete an emergency response drill.

On June 20, 2012, Local 369 voted by a two-thirds margin to reject Entergy’s latest contract offer, and the groups say Entergy’s failure to reach an agreement with the union jeopardizes the safety of the region.

The groups asking the Governor to take action are Pilgrim Watch, Jones River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Jobs With Justice, Clean Water Action, Cape Codders for Peace and Justice, Pilgrim: Make Us Safe Today, Cape Downwinders, and Toxics Action Center Campaigns, Suffolk University Center for Women’s Health and Human Rights, Union of Minority Neighborhoods, New England Jewish Labor Committee, LaCommunidad of Everett, and Environmental Massachusetts.

Citizen groups joins Union at rally calling on Governor Patrick to ask NRC to close Pilgrim Nuclear during union lock-outRead More