Archives - December 4, 2008 - January 1, 2009

Ring in the New Year Subterranean Style

December 30, 2008 - Rock and ring in the New Year with The Subterranean Cafe' Band on New Year's Eve at Steve's Backstage Pass in Taunton.

The soft rock sounds and jazzy riffs that spring from the bands repertoire are a perfect compliment to New Year's festivities and dancing. The club offers a safe and sociable playground to all New Year's revelers.

Only 100 tickets available. Cover is $20.
For reservations, or more information email: stevesbackstagepass@verizon.net or call 508-824-3436

Doors open at 7:00 PM. Show starts at 9:00 PM.

Steve's Backstage Pass
15 School St Taunton MA
Coffee, tea, cold soda, water, desserts, light food & spirits served

Check the RaynhamWeb Calendar for more Local Events!

The Subterranean Cafe' Band will be performing on New Year's Eve at Steve's Backstage Pass. (Left to right) Rob Kirkwood (drums), Mary Cooke (vocals and percussion), Bob Bartlett (lead guitar), Brian Borges (guitar and vocals), John Perry(keyboard), Brian Marvel (bass and vocals)

He's On His Way

Track Santa - Click Here

Spreading Holiday Cheer

Aèropostale Donates Teddy Bears to Morton

Aèropostale, a clothing retailer at the Silver City Galleria Mall brought some holiday cheer to pediatric patients at Morton Hospital and Medical Center with a donation of 48 plush teddy bears. This donation is part of the retailer’s corporate giving program. Each store selects an organization to receive the donation and this is the second year the Hospital has been a recipient. Aèropostale Manager Jim Payette delivered the bears to the Emergency Department, Pediatric Department and the Outpatient laboratory. "We are just thrilled to be able to give a child one of these adorable bears and offer some comfort during a difficult time," said Julie Lizotte, Director of Public Affairs at Morton.

Left: Martha Furtado, a pediatric nurse, is seen here with patient Brayden Perry after Brayden received an Aèropostale bear.

Below: L to R: Aèropostale Manager, Jim Payette; Jill Cabral, Medical Assistant; and Aèropostale employee Juan Rodriques pose with the donated teddy bears in the ED.

True Spirit of the Season

Boston, MA – December 22, 2008 – Just in time for the holiday season, Massachusetts drivers can now give the gift of their organs via the Internet.

Massachusetts RMW Registrar, Rachel Kaprielian, announced today a new RMV service that gives customers a convenient way to register to become organ and tissue donors with the New England Organ Bank on www.Mass.Gov/RMV.

There are more than 1.9 million Massachusetts residents with the heart symbol on their driver's license, the symbol of legal consent to donate life.

Ann Linehan knows first hand of the need for donor transplants. Her mission to raise awareness for the cause began following the death of her daughter Laura. The 20 year-old Melrose girl died on the day a new liver became available. She did not survive the transplant surgery.

"As a parent all you wan to do is protect your child," said Linehan. "If there is something that can save her life, you desperately want to get your hands on it. I remember before Laura died that we had lots of hope. That's what the Donor Registry offers people in our situation - hope."

Alan Grossman of Brookline spent an agonizing year and a half waiting for a new heart. "There are only two ways to get off the donor waiting list--with a transplant or without one. I am one of the lucky ones and I am so grateful to people who become donors. I am living proof of the courageous decision they made."

When Fall River's Rose Mary Saraiva's 23 year-old daughter died, her organs saved the lives of three people. "I remember when Rachel renewed her driver's license; she was so excited to sign up for the Donor Registry. It's an amazing gift that continues to give and helps us to know our loved ones continue on."

Out of Massachusetts' 4.6 million drivers, 39 percent are registered organ donors. The goal of the RMV and NEOB is to increase Donor Registry membership to 70 percent of all licensed drivers.

Snowy Saturday

User submitted photo by Lisa H. Send your wintry and holiday display photos to: news@raynhamweb.com

Friday, December 19, 2008

Based on the recommendation of local public safety officials, there is no school in the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District on Friday, December 19, 2008.

All before and after school activities are cancelled.

State Police Offer Winter Driving Safety Tips

The Massachusetts State Police urge motorists to be safe on the roads of the Commonwealth this winter. If possible, do not travel, or keep travel to a minimum during periods of winter weather in order to allow snow removal crews to clear the roadway. For those who need to drive in adverse winter weather conditions, the State Police recommend the following winter driving safety tips:

Take Note of the Local Forecast: The State Police encourage motorists to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Massachusetts Highways.

Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving.

Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road.

Reduce Speed: Most winter weather related crashes are caused by “spin-outs” and vehicles sliding off the road due to excessive speeds for the road and weather conditions. Speed Limits are set for driving under optimal, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are adverse, it may be more reasonable and proper to operate at a speed that is well below the posted limit.

Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under optimal driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are adverse, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.

Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 and report their location and the nature of the emergency. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.

Lactation Consultant Receives Recognition from Morton Hospital

Morton Hospital was recently recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for "Improving the health of the Commonwealth’s mothers and infants by actively engaging in the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding Program" and by eliminating the distribution of formula company-sponsored discharge bags for new mothers. The Hospital received two achievement awards from DPH as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Deborah Lannon, RN, IBCLC.

Ms. Lannon, a former Morton lactation consultant, founded the Lactation Program at Morton Hospital and taught countless mothers on how to breastfeed their babies. Her protocols and the advancement of the Lactation Program continue today and have resulted in a well educated Maternity Department offering new mothers support and encouragement to successfully breastfeed their newborns.

Ms. Lannon also founded the Morton Hospital Outpatient Breastfeeding Clinic allowing new mothers to meet with a Certified Lactation Consultant on an individual basis.

According to Hospital President, Thomas Porter, "We owe Deb a sincere debt of gratitude for providing quality care to patients and their families and for the wonderful work she put into developing a lactation program of prominence."

Deborah Lannon, RN, IBCLC