New England Weekend

Families all over the country, including right here in Massachusetts, are struggling to find proper beds for their children to sleep in each night. Almost 15 years after helping a neighbor in his home state of Idaho, Luke Mickelson vowed to ensure as many children as possible would be able to sleep comfortably at night, and he's teamed up with volunteers around the country to build hundreds of thousands of beds. However, he says they need more help here in New England. He joins Nichole this week to tell his story, talk about their efforts, and share information about how you can start a chapter to help kids sleep soundly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may live in a city or town that has those red fire boxes in place, where you can walk up to them and pull the lever if you need help and a phone isn't available. Those systems were state-of-the-art many years ago, but now, with modern technology in place, city officials in Salem say the system is becoming more problematic than helpful. Fire Chief Alan Dionne joins the show to talk with Nichole about the history of the boxes, the decision to retire them this summer, and what this means for residents who rely on the system for safety. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flu cases keep surging here in Massachusetts as we make our way through the first weeks of winter, and emergency rooms are strained trying to keep up with the demand. Health care costs are on the way up, too, and primary care doctors can be hard to find if you don't already have one. Dr. Dustin Cotliar at South Shore Health stops by the show to talk about options patients have, including utilizing urgent care, as they try to navigate the season of sniffles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An accomplished young musician is about to make her way to Detroit to represent New England in a major music competition! 12-year-old Sofia Hernandez-Williams is a rising star in the cello world, and she's made her way to the top with the help of Project STEP in Boston, which works with young musicians in under-represented communities to offer them opportunities. Project STEP Executive Director Élider DiPaula talks about their mission and work on this week's episode, and Sofia's mom, Caroline Reiner-Williams, joins her daughter to share details about this big opportunity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

40 years ago this month, Americans of all ages were watching their TV's in suspense, following the nation's first ever "Teacher in Space", Christa McAuliffe, and six other crew members on the Challenger as it rocketed to space. Tragedy struck just seconds after lift-off, killing all seven on board, but the lessons and legacy of the Challenger crew live on, even today. Melissa Edwards, Executive Director of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH, joins Nichole this week to talk about their upcoming exhibit and events to mark this important anniversary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to volunteer in your community more often, Boston Cares says it might have a great place for you to start! They're hosting a special day of service on January 19 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with activities ranging from assembling hygiene kits to making decorations for seniors. Executive Director Sara Hamilton joins Nichole this week with all the details about the event and information for those who want to make volunteering a frequent activity! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Middle and low-income families are feeling the financial pressure when it comes to housing here in Massachusetts. With such low stock and prices skyrocketing, experts say the Commonwealth is in a housing crisis. The "Legalize Starter Homes" campaign has been pushing to get a question on the upcoming November ballot that they say will make it easier to build housing, while also making it more accessible to own. Housing policy researcher Andrew Mikula, a member of the campaign, joins Nichole this week to discuss their ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does it seem like everyone you know is getting sick these days? What's not helping is the fact that those of us living here in the New England states are contending with the worst flu season we've seen in years, and health experts say it's going to be weeks before it starts to get any better. Dr. Larry Madoff, the Medical Director of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, discusses this current wave of cases, the best ways to treat the virus, and what's helping this year's flu strain deliver that extra painful punch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Now that we're officially getting into the coldest months of the year, you're likely ensuring you have everything you need in place to stay warm and safe through the worst elements. That also counts for your vehicle! Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson at AAA Northeast in Providence, returns to the show to share all the information you need to make sure your vehicle can handle whatever Mother Nature decides to subject us to this winter in New England. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent data shows one out of every four American adults are providing some sort of unpaid caregiving for a loved one, be it a parent, child, or someone else they know with a chronic illness or disability. Caregiving can require a lot of physical, emotional and mental energy, but there's a lot of love there, too - and there is assistance out there to ensure you don't burn out. Nichole talks with Kate Granigan, CEO of Alder in Newton, about the balance that's needed to ensure caregivers can take care of themselves, and resources that can help lighten the load. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While getting an annual mammogram is pretty commonplace for many women, the testing isn't always accessible for many reasons: language barriers, a lack of insurance or being underinsured, the inability to get to a clinic, and childcare issues, just to name a few. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Mammography Van has a solution for that. The hospital has packed up a full mammography suite into a van, making stops around Greater Boston to ensure everyone can get a scan who needs it. Tia Goodman, the Program Director for the Mammography Van, joins the show this week with details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Roxbury, the team at the National Center for Afro-American Artists has been busy, pulling together this year's rendition of "Black Nativity", the iconic Christmas performance penned by Langston Hughes. The Center is also under new leadership, with Akiba Abaka taking over to bring their creativity and work into a new era. She talks with Nichole about this year's "Black Nativity" production at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, the history and guardians that led NCAAA to where it is today, and her vision for the Center's future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes it just takes a bit of self-care to help lift your spirits, and for many women, a little lipstick, mascara, or blush can do just the trick. Unfortunately, good makeup isn't cheap, and when you're struggling to get by, it's far from a priority. Needham's Circle of Hope and Westborough's Give 'N Glow are teaming up with donors, influencers, and beauty companies to help women in need get a boost of dignity and confidence this holiday season. Ari Barbanell, Executive Director of Circle of Hope, joins Give 'N Glow Founder Samantha Asprelli on the show to talk about their efforts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to classic Christmas albums, Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack often ranks up there near the top! You can hear it live this coming week at Watertown's Mosesian Center for the Arts, performed by the Eric Mintel Quartet on December 9. It's just one of many different winter programs that the Center is putting on this year, including educational opportunities for residents of all ages. Executive Director Aliana de la Guardia joins Nichole with all the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts has been working out of temporary offices as they carried out their mission to support Black business owners around the Commonwealth. Now, their dream to find a special place to settle down and create a permanent home for their work has been realized, with the purchase of a new "Sustainability Hub" in Roxbury. Executive Director Nicole Obi returns to the show to talk about the importance of this move, their plans for the space, and the resources they offer Black entrepreneurs and business owners here in Massachusetts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a huge weekend for holiday shopping, with big box stores, online chains, and small businesses alike offering up deep discounts. New data from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts shows our Main Street businesses could really use some holiday love in order to keep them thriving into 2026 and beyond. Jon Hurst, President and CEO of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about the state of our small businesses this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society's annual Festival of Trees is underway in Wellesley. From sparkling holiday trees to model trains, there's a little something for everyone, even down to the hot chocolate and s'mores keeping you warm as you wander through the Garden at Elm Bank! Allison Dush, the Director of Programs and Education at the Society, talks with Nichole about this family-friendly holiday event that serves as the Society's biggest fundraiser of the year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Massachusetts State Lottery is no stranger to games - they've got lots of them! This time of year, they're also getting involved with board games, plushies, sports equipment, and other toys for local kids in need. The Lottery's 10th annual Holiday Toy Drive is underway, and they need your help to make sure it's a fun, joy-filled season for every child in the Commonwealth. Rachel Guerra, Deputy Director of Communications at the Lottery, joins Nichole this week to share all the info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a veteran, or happen to know one, you might be familiar with the work of DAV - Disabled American Veterans. One of the major missions that they focus on is connecting veterans with work, especially as we deal with rising unemployment around the country. They've got a nationwide virtual job fair coming up later on this month, and Dan Clare, DAV's Chief Communications and Outreach Officer, joins the show with the details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A little bit of spice or seasoning can turn a humdrum meal into something nutritious, tasty, and filling. With Massachusetts in the throes of a food insecurity crisis, people who find themselves needing to utilize food banks and pantries may not always be able to access the spices and seasonings that help them connect to their culture and feel the dignity they deserve by cooking a complete meal. The Boston Public Library's Spice Bank is working to supplement pantries with these seasonings, but they need your help to do it. Allie Hahn, Children's Librarian at the BPL Brighton Center branch, joins Nichole to talk about the importance of the project and how you can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.