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BCI Directors Speak at ABAI Conference in San Diego

Two Directors at Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) throughout Central Massachusetts, will speak at the Association for Behavior Analysis International’s (ABAI) 44th Annual Convention which will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego and Marriott Marquis San Diego & Marina in San Diego, California, May 24–28, 2018.

Jill McGrale Maher, M.A., BCBA, LABA, Program Director at BCI’s Fitchburg location, will lead the workshop “Teaching Staff to Teach Social Skills Groups for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder” on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Maher will also speak on the topic of “Teaching Staff to Effectively Teach Groups of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder” (assisted by BCI’s Katelyn Moisan) and on the topic “Making Significant Staff and Client Behavior Change Using Basic Strategies” (assisted by BCI’s Katelyn Moisan) on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Maher, who is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA), has more than 35 years combined experience in special education and applied behavior analysis, leading programs for children with autism spectrum disorders. She has presented papers at numerous conferences and invited talks across the country and has several publications.

Maher joined BCI in 2017. She holds a master’s degree in human development and completed coursework towards her Ph.D. in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas. Maher is a state certified special education teacher as well as an adjunct professor at Endicott College and has previously taught at Worcester State University. She is a member of ABAI, the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT), and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).

Candice Colón-Kwedor, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, Director of Professional Development and Research at BCI’s Worcester location, will speak on the topic of “Response Interruption and Redirection Treatment Integrity Considerations” on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Dr. Colón-Kwedor specializes in the assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior in children and adolescents and has 13 years of experience providing consultative services and clinical services in the private school and residential setting. She joined BCI in 2017. Dr. Colón-Kwedor serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and previously held a similar position at Endicott College. More recently, she was elected to serve on the Board for the Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy (BABAT). Dr. Colón-Kwedor received her doctoral degree from Western New England University and obtained a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. She is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts.

She is a member of ABAI, BABAT, and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA). Dr. Colón-Kwedor’s research has been published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. She is also a contributing author to a BCBA supervision reference manual and has served as a guest reviewer for The Analysis of Verbal Behaviorand Behavioral Interventions.

To learn more about the ABAI conference, visit https://www.abainternational.org/events/annual-2018.aspx.

For more information about BCI, visit http://bciaba.com/.

About BCI

Behavioral Concepts (BCI) provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children with autism and their families in central Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. The organization was founded in 2002 by Dr. Jeffrey R. Robinson. Further information on BCI is available at http://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the Learn It family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at http://learnitsystems.com/family

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OCES’ 5K raises over $11,000 for Meals on Wheels program

More than $11,000 was raised for the Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) Meals on Wheels program that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout 23 communities in greater Plymouth County.

OCES held their third annual “Moving Heels for Meals on Wheels” 5K Road Race/Walk on April 29, 2018 at Silver Lake Regional Middle School in Kingston. The nonprofit agency nearly doubled the funds that were raised from last year’s race in support of their vital Meals on Wheels program, which is part of their Nutrition Program.

Race participants braved a few early morning showers which cleared by the end of the event.  They were treated to snacks, a swag bag filled with items, and cupcakes in celebration of OCES’ 44thanniversary.

OCES delivers 1,600 nutritious meals a day to recipients in their Southeastern Massachusetts service area. These Meals on Wheels are planned by a nutritionist, and with the help of hundreds of volunteers, are delivered either to individual homes or to Community Dining Sites.

Awards

The overall winner of the race was 13-year-old Cole Guiliani of Plymouth with a time of 21:17:97. Best time for a runner, female, was Jenny Raymond of Kingston at 27:30:65. Awards were presented that included overall first, second and third male and female runners as well as first place male and female in the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.  The full race results can be found at http://www.coolrunning.com/results/…/Apr29_3rdAnn_set1.shtml

Costume Contest

A prize was offered to the child whose costume best represented the Meals on Wheels program. Anna Fasci, chef in the making, was awarded first place and will receive a gift basket generously donated by Melissa Merritt, a Travel Specialist at Mickey Adventures.

Sponsors

OCES would like to thank the following 5K sponsors: MountainOne Bank, Lindley Food Services, BMC Health Net Plan/Well Sense Health Plan, National Grid, Senior Whole Health, Home Health Resources, Inc., AbbottCare, Greater Boston Home Health Care Services, Citrin Cooperman, Geriatric Home Health Care, S&M Transportation, Anodyne Homemaker Services, South Shore Bank, Paula M.P. Schlosser, Esq., Best of Care,  Brockton Adult Day Health/The Mentor Network, South Shore Community Action Council, and Old Colony Hospice.   In addition, Sullivan Tire and Mickey Adventures provided prizes for the event.

“We are so grateful for all our sponsors, volunteers, and participants for supporting our 5K and Meals on Wheels,” said Christine McLaren, OCES’ Community Programs Director. “In Massachusetts alone, this cost-effective program serves more than 75,000 older adults who otherwise may go without a nutritious meal. We are delighted with the turnout, and will see you for our fourth annual 5K on April 28, 2019.”

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Tips and Tricks on Generating new business with LinkedIn.

Having 500 LinkedIn connections is not enough to make the phone ring. The Leveraging LinkedIn seminar teaches attendees how to transform that passive channel into a robust, proactive lead generator.

Choose from two seminar dates and locations. The first date is Wednesday, May 23, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, 134 Court Street, Plymouth, MA or Wednesday, May 30, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at the Middleboro Chamber of Commerce, 9 Clayton Road, Middleborough, MA 02346. Cost is $49 per person.

The session will be led by Steve Dubin of PR Works, a full service Public Relations and Advertising firm based in Plymouth Center, MA, who has been trained by Linked University.

The sessions will review your LinkedIn profile and specify how to maximize it to be found and convert visitors; how to create a daily presence on LinkedIn through “alerts” and compelling profile postings; how to join, participate and lead LinkedIn group discussions; how to use LinkedIn’s advance search to create a prospect profile and segmented target audience by Industry, Title, Geography, etc.; how to develop a drip campaign and ask for five requests per day; the essence of a messaging system – including five messages to develop a know, like, trust relationship with the recipient; when to allow prospects to “marinate” and wait for a response; when to ask for telephone or coffee meeting; and how to export LinkedIn contacts to a spreadsheet and utilize that Email data for a monthly E-Newsletter.

To reserve a seat for the Plymouth workshop, click to https://goo.gl/CoZsNi; for Middleborough, click on https://goo.gl/E7QsC5 or contact Steve Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, SDubin@PRWorkzone.com.

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May LinkedIn Sales Funnel Workshops show the way to new business

Having 500 LinkedIn connections is not enough to make the phone ring. The Leveraging LinkedIn seminar teaches attendees how to transform that passive channel into a robust, proactive lead generator.

Steve Dubin of PR Works, a full-service Public Relations and Advertising firm based in Plymouth, MA will lead two LinkedIn Sales Funnel seminars in May:

May 23, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, 134 Court Street, Plymouth, MA, 8:30am to 10am;

May 30, Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce, 9 Clayton Road, Middleboro, MA on 8:30am to 10am.

Cost is $49 per person.

The session will include:

  • A review of your LinkedIn profile and how to maximize it to be found and convert visitors;
  • How to use LinkedIn’s advance search to create a prospect profile and segmented target audience by Industry, Title, Geography, etc.;
  • How to develop a drip campaign and ask for five connection requests per day; the essence of a messaging system – including five messages to develop a know, like, trust relationship with the recipient;
  • When to allow prospects to “marinate” and wait for a response;
  • When to ask for a telephone or coffee meeting;
  • How to harness discussion group to showcase your expertise;
  • How to leverage LinkedIn’s Pulse publishing to expand credibility;
  • When to add profile updates and use the gentle prod;
  • How to export LinkedIn contacts to a spreadsheet and utilize that e-mail data for a monthly e-newsletter.

Register for Plymouth Session on May 23

Register for Middleborough Session on May 30

To register, click on the link above or contact Steve Dubin at (781) 582-1061 or by email at SDubin@PRWorkzone.com.

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Gas Detection Experts Apollo Safety of Fall River Assist at Boston Marathon

John V. Carvalho III

Apollo Safety, Inc., experts in disaster prevention and providers of gas detection products and services for hospitals, universities, government operations and other organizations throughout New England, was contracted to provide hazardous gas detection equipment and monitoring services at the 122nd running of the Boston Marathon on April 16, 2018.

“As experts in disaster prevention, it was our honor to have been contracted to provide hazardous gas detection equipment and monitoring services at the Boston Marathon,” said John V. Carvalho, III, founder of Apollo Safety and a U.S. Army veteran.

Carvalho has been consulting with fire chiefs and building owners on gas detection and safety for more than two decades and is trusted by facilities managers, building owners, landlords, universities, hotels, institutions, government operations and others throughout the region.

Working with state and local agencies focused on safety and security, Apollo Safety was tasked with monitoring for gas/toxic leaks along the 26.2-mile course through eight cities and towns. Apollo Safety utilized Industrial Scientific’s state-of-the-art portable and wireless detection technologies which provided real-time hazardous gas level readings reporting to a central command center.

Most hazardous gases are virtually undetectable to human senses alone. Gas detection technologies and their utilization at an event of such magnitude are imperative for public safety. The detection systems are extremely sensitive and alarm at the first sign of hazardous gas or toxic leak.

Carvalho continued, “Although inclement weather added to the challenge for many race participants as well as for safety and security forces, we are very pleased to report a highly successful, smooth-running event of which we are very proud to have been a part.”

About Apollo Safety

As experts in disaster prevention, Apollo Safety, Inc. has grown to become the leading safety and technical services equipment provider in New England. Providing comprehensive gas/toxic leak prevention and detection products and services, Apollo Safety offers comprehensive services which include installation, regular maintenance and monitoring of the systems to ensure all systems are continually in optimal working order.

Apollo Safety provides portable, stationary and wireless gas detection systems, sales and support for most major brands of gas detection device manufacturers, as well as service in their state of the art in-house service center. The company also provides on-site support with factory-trained technicians for both portable and stationary gas detection systems.

Apollo Safety is a member of the National Safety Council, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Association (RIAFC) and the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM).

A Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Apollo Safety has locations in Boston and Fall River, Massachusetts. For more information, call 800-813-5408 or visit http://www.ApolloSafety.com.

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Lawn or Moss pit? Managing Moss tips.

Winter storms late in the season combined with cold temperatures lingering well into spring have created ideal conditions for an adversary of lawns everywhere: moss.

This year, soil became wet, compact, and loss much of its ability to drain under the weight of ice and snow. Because of the late timing of the snows and frozen soil, lawns have had less time than usual to bounce back into mid-season form.

Even normally resilient and regionally popular lawn grasses like Perennial Ryegrass grow poorly under such conditions. Conversely, moss thrives in such environments favoring shade, moisture, compacted soil, poor drainage, and even low nutrients. Fortunately, there are steps you can take now to eradicate the problem as well as help to thwart it later in the season and for years to come.

The first option in eradicating moss is doing so physically – in most cases with a rake. Once patches of moss are identified and removed you can start to consider ways you can alter the environment to favor grass over moss. Then you will add seed to your lawn – especially in places where moss once was. Some recommend using chemicals like dish-safe soap or bleach. This should be done only in extreme circumstances. Consult a lawn-care professional like the ones at Lawn Doctor of Hanover before you start spraying chemicals on your lawn.

Once the moss is physically removed, you can begin to trouble shoot areas of your lawn in which moss were thriving. Shade may be causing you to experiencing moss accumulation around planted trees.  You can remove the soil around the tree and add mulch to eliminate this issue. If you are experiencing moss in drainage areas, you may want to aerate or till the soil then reseed with grass.

It is also recommended to have a sample of your soil tested. In doing so you can determine if your lawn is lacking key nutrients to promote grass growth. You can also see if the PH of your soil is too low or acidic.

Tom Norton of Lawn Doctor suggests, “If low PH level is the culprit responsible for your moss issue, you can make your soil more alkaline by adding Calcitic Lime.” Of course creating the right PH and nutrient balance for your soil is best accomplished with the help of lawn care professionals.”

If your lawn’s soil seems to be overly compact, draining poorly and patchy all over you may want to consider reseeding by Power Seeding. This method will allow seed, soil, and water to come together in the right ratio to allow for germination and does not harm any existing healthy turf. This service will also help to loosen your soil, making it drain better, and reducing the chances moss will grow on it again. Lawn Doctor uses their proprietary Turf Tamer Power Seeder to accomplish this task.

Moss can be managed. Proactive care will make your lawn a season long showcase.

Lawn Doctor is focused on working in harmony with the science of nature. Every service is designed to boost natural growth. This goes beyond the use of simple, green products. The company’s proprietary technology allows its lawn professionals to precisely measure and apply the optimum blend of nutrients and weed control – doing the right thing for your lawn and the environment.

A healthy lawn creates oxygen, removes dust and dirt, and filters water passing through its roots leaving pollutants behind and many more benefits. Lawn Doctor of Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod is a local, family owned and operated business.

For more information about Lawn Doctor, visit www.LawnDoctor.com or call 800-831-1319.

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TIC Radio and Podcast Players Present “Strangers on a Train” on April 26th. Community Invited to Open Mic Night Prior to Show.

Talking Information CenterOn Thursday, April 26, 2018, the award-winning Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service broadcasting 24-hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state, is proud to present the live broadcast of “Strangers on a Train” radio drama.

Feature Presentation

TIC’s Radio and Podcast Players will be performing “Strangers on A Train”, Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of the 1950 psychological thriller by Patricia Highsmith, at 7:00 p.m. Tune in for an evening of suspense in a tale of two strangers who meet on a train and engage in a discussion about how they each could “get rid of someone” by way of swapping murders so no one is the wiser. But, one of them acts on the conversation.

The talented Radio and Podcast Players cast for “Strangers on A Train” is comprised of TIC volunteers who auditioned for parts. TIC’s radio dramas are produced by John Shea of TIC and Eric Joseph, Executive Director of The Bay Colony Shakespeare Company (BCSC).

TIC strives to bring live theater to those who might not have access to it otherwise due to accessibility, transportation or financial issues and to bring their audience of over 30,000 listeners fresh, new and exciting content. April’s radio drama is supported in part by a grant from the Marshfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Community Open Mic Night

A special Open Mic Night from 5 to 6:30 p.m. will be held in the TIC studio at 130 Enterprise Drive in Marshfield prior to the feature radio drama performance at 7 p.m. The public is invited to perform and/or attend and light food and refreshments will be served. Those interested are welcome to perform a skit or song, recite poetry or do a little stand-up comedy.

Seating and space for Open Mic Night and the radio drama production is limited, and all who wish to perform at Open Mic and/or attend “Strangers on a Train” performance should RSVP to Lorraine Bottelli at 781-834-4400 or email lbottelli@ticnetwork.org.

Unique Sponsor Messages

To support the Radio and Podcast Players drama series and to keep this unique programming free for listeners, unique underwriting messages, written by Eric Joseph with an “old time radio” effect, will be aired during the broadcast.

For more information about supporting TIC’s radio drama productions and to listen to previous shows, visit http://ticnetwork.org/donate/tic-radio-podcast-players/.

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

Based in Marshfield, MA, TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. The non-profit reading service operates with the help of more than 600 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. TIC’s newest programming includes the Radio and Podcast Players and Veterans Voice.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs oversees TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

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Google is going to make it harder to leave your website on a non-secure server. Amston, CT firm warns of July deadline. Solution offered.

From phishing to countless other online scams there is an ever increasing need for improving Internet security.

Google has put off the deadline several times but July 1, 2018 appears to be the date when they will finally implement a new listing ‘Not Secure’ in the address bar of all websites that have not obtained an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate.  This could strongly deter visitors from ‘Not Secure’ websites and impact commerce. It is estimated that as many as one third of all websites will receive this admonishment. Blarneystone Internet Services, based in Amston, CT and serving both local and national clients offers a compliance solution.

It is easy to tell if your website is on a secure server. Open your website in Chrome. In the address bar if it shows a locked padlock with the word “Secure”, your website is secure. If you see an exclamation point or “Not Secure”, your website is in need of a secure certificate.

The new security requirement coincides with the release of Google’s search engine Chrome version 68. The new regulation impacts all websites that include any kind of text input such as login panels, contact forms, search bars, etc.  SSL is standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and browser. The SSL link ensures that all data passed between the two remain private.

Blarneystone will obtain the SSL certificate for website owners. This service includes certifying the owner of a domain name; purchase of a certificate; activation of the certificate; installation of the certificate; and instructions on updating the website to use HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) the encryption used for protecting highly sensitive transactions like online banking and online shopping. Cost for the service is $150. Blarneystone will also update the certificate annually for $150.

“The SSL certificate is a deal breaker for many online shoppers and for good reason,” noted Jim Smith, founder and director of Blarneystone Internet Services.  “Internet shoppers not only crave a depth of product choice, great pricing and fast shipping, but armor-clad security. This is another solid step in that direction.”

About Blarneystone Internet Services

Blarneystone Internet Service, a web design and hosting shop, was created in 1993. The main studio office is in Amston, CT with another office in Hartford, CT.

Managing Director and webmaster, Jim Smith gives presentations on the Internet to local groups. Jim wrote a book for fellow web designers titled, “How to Start a Home-Based Web Design Business” which is currently in its 4th edition. He has since co-written a book for graphic designers, “How to Start a Home-Based Graphic Design Business”.

For more information, contact Blarneystone, LLC via www.Blarneystone.com or (800) 801-3996.

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TIC to Broadcast Atlantic Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale on April 28th

Talking Information CenterTalking Information Center (TIC), an award-winning, non-profit reading service broadcasting 24-hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state, announces the live broadcast of Atlantic Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale: Pops! on Saturday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m.

TIC will broadcast the performance live from Thayer Academy Center for the Arts in Braintree.

The evening will feature Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla Overture; Williams: Theme from Schindler’s List; Schönberg: Selections from Les Misérables; Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1; and Brahms: Hungarian Dances 5, 6 & 7. Tune in to listen to popular favorites and hits from Broadway to Hollywood, including their traditional version of Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

For more information about Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, visit https://atlanticsymphony.org.

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

Based in Marshfield, MA, TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. The non-profit reading service operates with the help of more than 600 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. TIC’s newest programming includes the Radio and Podcast Players and Veterans Voice.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs oversees TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

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