Breaking the chains of ignorance and cruelty
Massachusetts is another place where Dogs Deserve Better

As published in Pets! Magazine, January, 2007 (www.petspub.com)

In the ‘70s, many of us cried when we read Alex Haley’s “Roots” and saw the mini-series later that decade. Scenes of Africans chained in the dark cubes of that boat are haunting. It is blatantly obvious to most that it is wrong, and disturbing that it wasn’t considered “wrong” at one time.

Someday, we might find that same reaction to witnessing a caged or chained animal on the screen. Dogs Deserve Better sure hopes so.

All of us have seen or heard about a dog that spends his days on two feet of chain, his dirty dishes on the pavement in the driveway. His owners space out to the TV inside while the dog paces in circles, maybe dreaming of running with a pack through the woods. He might just dream of playing, walking or sitting next to his owners while they watch that TV. Excessive chaining and caging is a huge problem in this country; we’ve all had neighbors who thoughtlessly chain their dog outside for countless hours. “Oh, he’s fine out there. He loves the air.” Perhaps it was the relentless barking that brought them to that interestingly convenient conclusion.

Tammy Grimes started Dogs Deserve Better in August of 2002 to combat this important issue, establishing it with the strong belief that dogs don’t deserve to be treated like prisoners. They long to be pets. Since this non-profit advocacy organization has mushroomed, there are now representatives throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and France. Read more..

As published in Worcester Magazine on Jan. 20, 2005

During a sticky hot summer in 1989, Richard “Rick” LaFortune thought he was the Messiah. “Jesus” descended on the park in downtown Leominster, where, to begin saving the world, he stripped naked, and folded his clothes neatly in a pile. The local police spotted him, pulled a fast U-ey, swooped him into a blanket and off to jail.

LaFortune had been under a lot of stress, coaching at the Special Olympics, and was getting sloppy about the small dose of medication he was supposed to take. Stress and med changes preceded many of his breakdowns, which had initially started to rear in 1968, when he was 16 attending high school in Fitchburg. Read more..

In Worcester Magazine, March, 2005

If you can manage “The Sleeper,” that will ultimately lead to bigger and better tricks. Beginners master that, along with stuff called the “UFO,” “Rock The Baby,” “The Jamaican Flag” and “Creeper.” If you’ve got those down, it’s time for dazzlers like the “Ripcord,” “Drop in the Bucket” and “Atomic Bomb.” The advanced can handle the “Plastic Whip” or the “Leg Wrap Trap,” but an expert can show him up with “Seasick.”

It’s all part of the climb to greatness in the world of yo-yoing.

And there is a growing segment of people, especially kids, intent on climbing this ladder. Read more..

In Worcester Magazine, September 2004

Public speaking scares the bejeebies out of most people. To a certain degree, the idea of standing in front of a group of people, their eyes piercing what feels like their very soul, is enough to make a stomach do a triple flip.

Toastmasters was established to erase that fear. A national group, the Central Massachusetts branch is based in Worcester and holds its meetings Wednesdays at the Regency Suites Condos.

“I heard about it on a commercial,” says Omar Williams, who joined in 2003 and does PR for the group, “and I wanted to work on my public speaking and learn to deal with people one on one.” Read more..

Part of the “Images” series published by JCC Communications for various Chamber of Commerce Publications across the country

Boulder is fortunate in many ways, including having a well-diversified economy. Long a hub for entrepreneurial activity, the city and surrounding areas have high tech firms in bioscience, software and data storage as well as non-tech companies in natural foods, outdoor products and creative class pursuits. Mixed with federal laboratories and the University of Colorado, Boulder bubbles with business.

With the help of the University of Colorado, the Chamber of Commerce and the city, the Boulder Economic Council hopes to create a Boulder Innovation Center (BIC). Considered a “virtual business incubator,” it is one of the steps toward building an economic vitality plan to promote and recruit new businesses, ultimately bolstering a healthier economy for Boulder.

“The BIC will provide training, mentoring and other forms of assistance to start-up companies,” says Sean Maher, director of the Boulder Economic Council, “as well as later stage ventures who need help growing their business.”

Like a Big Brother program, this center will pair experienced CEOs with new entrepreneurs – the CEOs sharing their expertise with hungry new business people. It will also help companies raise early stage capital, assist them in finding affordable space and guide fresh businesses through the process of the oft-dreaded business plan.

For it to work, the city, EDC and the Chamber fuse their strengths, each bringing to the project the nuts and bolts to build and facilitate this plan successfully. The Chamber brings dollars and its broad brush of support to the business community. The BEC has access to leaders in banking, law, marketing and businesses, as well as funding. And the city cooperates with its departments, which businesses deal with on a regular basis. The city, too, has funding.

“Boulder has always been a hub for entrepreneurial activity,” says Maher. “These efforts will bring together all the resources available in the community and give entrepreneurs an easy way to tap into them. The elements of this plan have been extremely well received throughout the business community. “