New England Weekend

BAMS Fest Founder Catherine T. Morris joins Nichole to talk about the history of the urban arts festival, the relationships organizers build with creators of color in the Boston area and beyond, and how the festival's dealing with the coronavirus. Boston Restaurant Talk's Marc Hurwitz returns to the show to talk with Nichole about struggles owners are dealing with as they try to re-open for both i...

Kathy Zagzebski, President and Executive Director at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, talks with Nichole about how the Center's keeping up its work to provide critical care for seals, turtles, and other animals brought in during the pandemic. Katherine Taylor, a photojournalist from Somerville, tells the story of her new project "Masks of Boston". Taylor photographs residents aroun...

Jason Talbot, co-founder and Deputy Director of Artists for Humanity, tells Nichole about the organization's work to employ underserved teens in the city, provide them the space to create, and teach them critical business skills. Martha Plaza, a board member of Boston Pride, talks about this year's events - many of which are moving online as we deal with COVID-19. She also talks about what Pride i...

Amina Edwards and Sarika Mendu from MBAs Fight COVID-19 have details on how their organization’s working to help connect MBAs with business owners, non-profits, and government agencies that need extra support to navigate the coronavirus pandemic. William Hu from Docemus Tutoring talks about how students at Boston Latin formed the non-profit to help provide free tutoring for other students in the G...

Medway Superintendent Armand Pires talks with Nichole about his district's new partnership with the Wheelock College at Boston University. Together, they're creating a module to help teenagers learn healthy ways to handle stress and anxiety, especially through the pandemic. Meghna Marjadi's a PhD candidate at UMass Amherst, and she's been working on a study to learn more about baby river herring -...

Chuck Eaton, the Chief Executive of the Boy Scouts Spirit of Adventure Council, talks with Nichole about efforts to keep Scouts all over Massachusetts engaged and learning amid the pandemic. He also details plans for the Council's summer activities. Mike Keiley, Director of Adoption Centers and Programs at MSPCA-Angell, has updates about adoptions, fostering, and resources available for pet parent...

++ CW: domestic violence, sexual assault ++ Stephanie Brown, the CEO of Casa Myrna in Boston, joins the show to talk about the state's "SafeLink" hotline program, which is powered by their advocates. She also provides information about what to look for when it comes to domestic violence, how advocates are handling the coronavirus crisis, and the resources available to help those in need. || SAFE-L...

Attorney Nicole M. Bluefort answers listener questions about landlord and tenant rights connected to the coronavirus crisis, and details new emergency assistance for renters and homeowners in Massachusetts. Bill Moore, President of Project New Hope in Worcester, provides details about the food drives the organization holds twice a month, helping veterans of all ages ensure they have the food and s...

Victoria Waterman, CEO of Girls Inc. in Worcester, talks about the organization's new program to help get critical hygiene supplies into the hands of teens who need them. Kim Szeto, Public Art Program Director for the New England Foundation for the Arts, has details on the foundation's "Public Art Learning Fund", and how artists all over the region can take advantage of funds to help them grow in...

CPA Katie Seekell joins Nichole to answer listener questions about the upcoming coronavirus stimulus payments, which are expected to arrive in the coming weeks from the federal government. Chad Bennett of Dark Monk in Charlestown explains how he and others at the makerspace made the decision to change course, and channel their efforts into getting health care workers personal protective equipment...

Thomas Wilkins, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's new Artistic Advisor for Education and Community Engagement, talks with Nichole about the "Concert for Our City" and the power of music in trying times. Audrey Conquergood, the Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Boston, has details on the group's new fund to ensure children in need all over Massachusetts have the essentials as unemployment soar...

Jean McMurray, the Executive Director of the Worcester County Food Bank, talks with Nichole about navigating the significant uptick in demand. She also touches on the status of local food pantries in her area, and how hoarding at grocery stores is cutting into the Bank's donations. Dr. David Brendel, a psychiatrist from Belmont, answers questions about how the coronavirus can affect your mental he...

Boston-area restaurant blogger Marc Hurwitz (Boston Restaurant Talk, Boston's Hidden Restaurants) talks with Nichole about the effects of coronavirus on the state's restaurant industry, and the thousands of workers losing their jobs because of restrictions in place. They also consider what the industry might look like after the virus threat subsides. How many of these restaurants that closed down...

Dr. David Hamer, Professor of Global Health and Medicine at the Boston University School of Public Health and School of Medicine, comes on the show to talk about the coronavirus pandemic. Nichole talks with him about how the virus presents, what to expect in the coming weeks, and how to take care of yourself. Plus, he answers listener questions! Ed Chase, the Director of CCRI at MassHousing, is al...

Playwright Lisa Rafferty joins Nichole to talk about her new work, "ONWARD - Votes for Women". The documentary play highlights some of the voices and perspectives of women who fought to secure the right to vote, and those who continue the fight for equal rights today. Ricky DeSisto of Cardinal Cushing Centers and Kathryn Prioli of South Shore Bank talk about their upcoming St. Patrick's Day fundra...

Dr. Aaron Schmidt, assistant professor of microbiology at the Harvard Medical School and Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard answers listener questions about coronavirus. He also talks with Nichole about what the virus is, how much risk we are really under, and ways people can take effective preventive measures. Michelle Loglisci with Massachusetts Residents Against Crumbling Concrete has the...

Boston City Councilors Michelle Wu and Ed Flynn talk about their interactions with constituents in neighborhoods directly affected by Coronavirus fears, including Chinatown and the South End. They also discuss the hit to businesses, and resources for Bostonians to get more information about the virus. Mikaela McSherry, the Senior Director of Program Operations at Cambridge Network, talks about Chi...

Bethany Coito, Youth Services Coordinator for the New Bedford Public Library, is on the show this week to talk about their new program called “Wash and Read”. The library’s stocking books in laundromats around the city to keep kids entertained and engaged while parents take care of their laundry. Yoichi Udagawa, conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, details the symphony’s upcoming concert t...

Rep. Chynah Tyler (D- Suffolk 7th) comes on the show to tell us about the Boston Black Restaurant Challenge. She talks with Nichole about the restaurants involved in the Challenge, how it was developed to honor Black History Month, and the extra set of hurdles Black business owners face - not just in Boston, but around the country. Genevra Morse, Director of Education and Online Programs for the N...

Janet Lipkin, the volunteer coordinator at the Sudbury Senior Center, talks with Nichole about their program dedicated to helping seniors access important medical equipment. Erosion's wearing away at a neighborhood in Eastham, on the Outer Cape, and Town Administrator Jacqueline Beebe details the town's plan to fight back against the waves. Plus, bonus stories from WBZ's Ben Parker, Carl Stevens a...

Nichole's joined by Marc Hurwitz, author of two well known Boston-area restaurant blogs – Boston’s Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk. We discuss the state of the Boston restaurant industry – why are so many of our favorites closing? He also gives us some recommendations, and we talk about road trip suggestions where you can get a great meal around New England. See omnystudio.com/listen...

Nichole speaks with four experts about all facets of postpartum depression, from the biology behind it to signs and symptoms. She also discusses resources for sufferers in New England and around the country, efforts to fight the stigma, and legislation from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill. She's joined by Jessie Colbert, the Executive Director of the Mass. PPD Fund; Dr. Leena Mittal, the Director of t...

Project Bread's Erin McAleer joins Nichole to talk about the state of food insecurity in Massachusetts, and what's being done to help everyone put food on the table. Mark Rousseau, a marine biologist with the Department of Marine Fisheries, talks about the Commonwealth's five artificial reefs off the coast, and how materials we discard can be turned into habitats for marine life. See omnystudio.co...

Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg tells Nichole about the state's new program to help families save for college from birth, Baby Steps. Julie Leven, Founder and Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston, talks about the group's performances in homeless shelters and rehab centers across the state, and their mission to help those going through a vulnerable time through music. See omnystudio...

Massachusetts' Deputy State Fire Marshal, Maribel Fournier, comes on the show to talk about all things fire safety as we get ready for the long winter ahead. Brooke Maher, the event director for Boston's First Night celebration, has all the details about the events scheduled to ring in the new year. WBZ reporters Kim Tunnicliffe, Carl Stevens, Karyn Regal and Kendall Buhl bring us stories from the...