Fall River hosted a great event that kicked off its Fitness Challenge and had wonderful, fun activities for the whole family.  It was the perfect day to visit CD Rec, Battleship Cove, the carousel, and so much more!

I was very enthusiastic when the Fall River Herald News asked me to be their first participant in a segment called “Ten from the Line”.  Local celebrities are being asked to shoot 10 freethrows, and as Miss Massachusetts 2006 and a former Varsity Captain for B.M.C. Durfee High School, they thought I might like to kick off the fun.

Now, I haven’t shot a basketball in many years, and while I used to be great from the free throw line, it definitely isn’t like riding a bike.  I was REALLY nervous to be back on the basketball court, nevermind being videotaped!  But, it was a great time, and I had a blast!  Also, very importantly, it was so great to take a step back into the sport I have always enjoyed so much.

Check out the video to see how many I made!

The Herald News – Ten from the Line: Click in

I’m so proud of our Miss Massachusetts 2009, Amanda Kelly, as she prepares to leave for the Miss America pageant.  Her send-off was a wonderful party of friends, family, and fans.  Good luck, Amanda!

I was grateful to be a part of supporting our troops who are leaving from Massachusetts to serve in Afghanistan.  This past weekend held a huge sendoff at TD BankNorth Garden in Boston where Governor Patrick wished our 600+ soldiers farewell.  The event was followed this week by our own Fall River soldiers saying good-bye for 12 months.  My thoughts are prayers are with all of our heroes…we are all so proud of you.  Lou, Brian, and Nick, we will be waiting for your safe return.

The weather was rainy, but the Christmas spirit was bright! 

I had a great time walking in the parade with Spencer Borden Elementary School, and it was a fun and unexpected surprise to be face-to-face with the Boston Celtics’ Championship trophy! Fall River put on an amazing parade!!
 

It was wonderful to visit the Katie Brown Educational Program’s new space on Purchase Street in Fall River, MA.  KBEP  is dedicated to the recognition and prevention of relationship violence through innovative, interactive educational initiatives. KBEP promotes respectful relationships and provides alternatives to violent behaviors.

Photo by David Weed

To learn more about the Katie Brown Educational Program:  Click In

Fall River’s Mayor-Elect, Will Flanagan, has asked me to be part of his transition team as he prepares to take office on January 4, 2010.  I will sit as a proud member of the Community Development Team with many other wonderful community leaders.  A press conference was held to today to announce the team, and I am very grateful for this opportunity to serve the city.

It was wonderful to see my old friend, Frank Devlyn, Past President of Rotary International, at this event.  Traveling from his home in Mexico, Frank was the honored keynote speaker at this prestigious event, and we were able to recall our great memories working together for Heartbeat International.

Many local Rotary Clubs’ accomplishments were honored on this evening, and I had the pleasure of singing the National Anthem at the event held at Venus de Milo in Swansea, MA.

I had a fantastic night celebrating with the two soccer teams I coached this fall soccer season!  It was an honor to sing the national anthem to the 1,500 participants in the night’s event.  Fall River Youth Soccer did an amazing job organizing this event, and I look forward to it in the years to come.  What a great league!

I was asked to return again to this year’s Fall River Police Ball to sing the national anthem and enjoy a wonderful evening honoring our city’s finest.  I was especially proud of my friend, John Lapointe, who earned the title of Police Officer of the Year.

I was selected to be a judge to choose the King and Queen for Somerset’s Musictown Festival.  Contestants consisted of outstanding, motivated high school students from Somerset High School who are not only dedicated to music, but were also well-rounded, intelligent, and committed to great community work.  The Musictown Festival is a huge, amazing event dedicated to music that includes a parade and numerous concerts.

Winners were announced last night at the Musictown Festival Ball… Congratulations to the new king and queen, Zachary St. Ours and Carley Przystac!!

What’s Your Massachusetts? A Forum for Young Adults

How do we make this the place we where you want to LIVE, WORK, & PLAY?

I was honored to be asked to sit on a 5 member panel representing young professionals in Massachusetts who call this state home and plan to stay rooted here.  The state’s Labor and Workforce Development Secretary, Suzanne Bump, lead the panel at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in a similar discussion that is being held across the state.  Ideas were shared from the panelists and the audience members about issues our state is having with keeping our young adults here.  Various struggles and successes were shared by all, and it was an enlightening discussion that helped state and local officials gain a new perspective on the matter.

Check out an article on the event: Click In

I was invited to sing the national anthem at the annual We Love Children Sunday Brunch, an amazing fundraiser and function.  We Love Children helps needy parents in the Greater Fall River, MA  area, supporting those whose children are being treated for serious and/or life-threatening medical conditions.   Our Fall River Chief of Police, John M. Souza, was honored at the event for the champion he is of our children and our community.

I am a chosen member of the 2010 Leadership SouthCoast class. which consists of a diverse group of leaders from the SouthCoast area of Massachusetts.  The mission of this community leadership program is to develop a greater understanding of our home and commit to addressing various local issues.  Our retreat kicked off the 10-month program, and I look forward to our future sessions!

To learn more about Leadership SouthCoast: Click In

photos by David Weed

Click in below for more articles on Leadership SouthCoast’s retreat!

Leadership SouthCoast Enters Sixth Year

Healthy City Fall River: Leadership SouthCoast

After a week of rain delay, Fall River Youth Soccer has finally kicked off!!

I am coaching two teams this year: Under 6 Ireland and Under 8 Argentina.  Games take place on Saturdays at Silvia School on Meridian Street.  It promises to be another fun year of soccer for all!!

We have also added TopSoccer to our league this year, a national outreach program that gives children with various diabilities the chance to play organized community soccer.  Being a member of the TopSoccer Committee has been an eye-opening experience to the need that exists for these children in our city and beyond.

Check out more information on the Fall River Youth Soccer Association: Click In

I was able to provide CPR/AED training and certification today to the American Heart Assocition staff at their Framingham, Massachusetts office.  It was a fun day of 2 great trainings and wonderful people!

20+ teachers and staff of Spencer Borden Elementary School in Fall River, MA were trained by me in CPR and AED usage today.  Those trained volunteered to attend this certification class that would allow them to assist in a life-threatening Sudden Cardiac Arrest emergency.  It was a beautiful start to national CPR/AED Awareness Week!

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Longwood Medical Area ICD Support Group (made up of mainly Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Brigham and Women’s Hospital patients) Spring Fling!  It was an informative and supportive half day ICD patient workshop at the Shapiro Clinical Center in Boston.  Local physicians and device companies gave great presentations for ICD patients, and the day ended with Samuel F. Sears, PhD, speaking about ICD patients and their partners.  It was a great oppotunity to explore beyond the physical side of having an ICD and into the psychological implications and the goals that should be set to overcome the resulting challenges, both for a patient and his or her family.  It was an amazing presentation! I was able to hand out American Heart Association literature to other patients as well…great job to Marianne Daoust, RN and Julie Shea, MS, RNCS, FHRS, and Dorthy Williams for their dedicated work to pull this together!

The last couple weeks have been a blast training the Fall River Youth Soccer spring soccer coaches.  I have been their instructor in learning CPR and using an AED.  Our recent AED fundraiser was able to provide the funds for the trainings to take place, and it has been a wonderful time to teach the coaches how to keep our kids safe!

For more information on Fall River Youth Soccer Association, click in.

What a great afternoon!  I was asked to emcee the 1st Annual Limelight Magazine Music Awards, honoring some of the greatest bands and musicians from New England.  There were room-shaking performances and a fantastic energy that just can’t be described.  Learn more about Limelight Magazine and music in New England at http://www.limelightmagazineonline.com/.