Thursday, November 29, 2012

Collecting Toys for North Shore Children



For the past several years I have worked in partnership with local radio station North Shore 104.9 FM to conduct a month long toy drive to benefit children of the North Shore, and on December 13th we will be broadcasting live from 6:00am-6:00pm throughout the North Shore for one final push to collect toys before the holidays.  This year we hope to collect more toys than we have in the past due to the increase in need.

Toys collected will all be provided to the charities in the communities from which they are donated.  Some of those charities include Toys for Tots, Beverly Bootstraps, Action, Inc., and others.  I’d like to encourage all of my constituents to stop by at one of the locations and join in on the festivities.  The day will include music, interviews of state and local officials, food, and special guests.  All are welcome to attend and to even take pictures with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus!

Posted below is the press release that I released today.  It contains a complete schedule and toy drop-off locations.  I hope to see you on the 13th!


NORTH SHORE 104.9 & SENATOR TARR HIT THE ROAD FOR 17th ANNUAL NORTH SHORE HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

North Shore Holiday Toy Drive expected to collect thousands of toys for North Shore Children in need

Once again North Shore 104.9 and State Senator Bruce Tarr will hit the road collecting toys for children on the North Shore and broadcasting live all day. This year’s Holiday Toy Drive will take place on Thursday, December 13th from 6:00am to 6:00pm from ten locations on the North Shore. The live broadcast will feature local entertainment, school choirs and bands, great food, interviews with local officials and even Santa Claus will be on the road helping the cause. The Paper Store has partnered once again with Senator Tarr and North Shore 104.9 to present the 17th annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive broadcast.

“People on the North Shore have powerful spirits of caring and giving, and our toy drive provides an opportunity to those spirits to translate into a real difference for kids in our area during the holidays.  I’m honored to partner with North Shore 104.9 to help make that difference, and truly appreciate the station’s ongoing commitment to public service now and throughout the year” said Tarr. This toy drive will be his 17th since being elected into the Massachusetts Senate in 1994.

North Shore 104.9 President Todd Tanger stated, “We are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event. The North Shore Holiday Toy Drive is such an exciting event that brings holiday joy to deserving children right here in the North Shore. We thank everyone for their overwhelming generosity and kind contributions, especially Bruce Tarr for his continued efforts and energy year after year. We appreciate listeners and clients allowing us to break from normal programming to broadcast this event and hope they help us bring some holiday joy to the lives of children on the North Shore this holiday season.”

The scheduled broadcast locations are as follows (times are subject to change):

6:00am Capitol Diner 431 Union Street, Lynn, MA
Toys being collected for: Toys for Tots- Coordinated by the Lynn English High School R.O.T.C.

7:30am Devereux House, Marblehead 39 Lafayette Street, Marblehead, MA
Toys being collected for: Making Ends Meet

8:15am The Paper Store, Swampscott 435 Paradise Road Swampscott, MA
Toys being collected for: Toys for Local Children (The Paper Store in Swampscott will only collect toys on December 13th.)

9:00am Flint Public Library, Middleton 1 South Main Street, Middleton, MA
Toys being collected for: Neighbors in Need

10:30am Dawson’s True Value Hardware 50 Enon Street, Beverly, MA
Toys being collected for: Beverly Bootstraps

12:00pm First Ipswich Bank 31 Market Street, Ipswich, MA
Toys being collected for: Action Inc./ Ipswich Caring

1:15pm Woodman’s of Essex 121 Main Street, Essex, MA
Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

2:00pm Manchester Athletic Club 8 Atwater Avenue, Manchester, MA
Toys being collected for: Pathways of Gloucester

3:30pm Tuck’s Candy 15 Main Street, Rockport, MA
Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

5:00pm Cape Ann Savings Bank 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA
Toys being collected for: Action Inc.

In addition to the above broadcast locations, the below locations are welcoming any and all donations for the Annual North Shore Holiday Toy Drive. Please note that North Shore 104.9 will not be broadcasting from the below locations:

Wenham Museum
Cape Ann Savings Bank, Manchester
Marblehead Community/Aging Center
Abbott House, Lynn
Rosewood, Peabody
NMTW Credit Union, Danvers
First Ipswich Bank: Essex, Rowley, Gloucester
Michaud Mitsubishi, Danvers
Honey Dew Donuts, Danvers
Delande Lighting, Salem
Beverly Chamber of Commerce
Millennium Spa and Hair Studio, Beverly
Additional toy donation locations listed at www.NorthShore1049.com.

Toys can be dropped off at any of these locations now through Tuesday, December 18th. For further information, please call JoAnn Gillette at North Shore 104.9 at 978-927-1049 extension 19 or Senator Bruce Tarr at 617-722-1600.

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Monday, November 26, 2012

A Thanksgiving in North Reading

On Sunday, November 18th I had the honor to once again co-host an annual Thanksgiving dinner for North Reading Seniors with House Minority Leader Brad Jones and his wife Linda. The event brought together hundreds of members of the community, giving us the opportunity to join in the spirit of thanks and appreciation. The dinner also featured the singing of Sgt. Dan Clark and his wife Mary Colarusso, and the Senior Echoes. Posted below are some photos from the dinner.



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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

“There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” -O. Henry

I would like to wish my constituents a Happy Thanksgiving and those who are currently serving our country overseas spending the holiday away from their families.  Through their sacrifices we have the opportunity to spend time with our loved ones because of the freedoms that they preserve.

May we all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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Monday, November 19, 2012

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25


Tonight at approximately 6:15pm I will be on the Fox 25 Evening News to discuss my thoughts regarding an initiative by Governor Patrick to allow illegal immigrants the benefit to receive instate tuition rates. Please tune in to see tonight’s discussion.

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Media Alert: On the Air with Fox 25

Tomorrow morning at approximately 8:50am I will be providing my thoughts regarding the controversy surrounding the New England Compounding Center (NECC), which is a pharmaceutical company located in Framingham, MA, and legislation that I cosponsored that would increase the penalties on a company that is convicted of corporate manslaughter. Please tune in to watch tomorrow morning’s lively segment.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Honoring Our Purple Heart Veterans

State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, the Gloucester Veteran Services Office and I would you to invite you to a dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 17th of the Cape Ann portion of Rt.128 that has legislatively been designated a Purple Heart Highway.  Saturday’s dedication will begin at 11:00AM and will be held at Gloucester City Hall, followed by a small reception at the Gloucester House Restaurant at 12:30PM.  Invited guests include local officials, Purple Heart recipients and other members of the veterans’ community.  During the ceremony the new signs designating the highway will be unveiled.
           
                        When:  Saturday, November 17th

                        Time:   11:00AM

                        Where: Gloucester City Hall
                                    9 Dale Avenue
                                    Gloucester, MA 01930

Earlier this year I filed legislation designating the portion of Rt.128 as a Purple Heart Highway as a result of a home rule petition passed by the Gloucester City Council and approved by Mayor Carolyn Kirk.  The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Representative Ferrante, was signed into law by Governor Patrick on August 16th.
 
The Cape Ann section of Rt.128, which begins at Grant Circle and extends to East Main Street, now joins with transportation elements in 45 states across the country that collectively comprise the National Purple Heart Trail System.  The name of the system stems from the Purple Heart Medal that honors members of the United States military who were wounded or killed in service to the nation.

Designating the Cape Ann portion of Rt.128 further honors them for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of this great nation. 

Saturday’s event is open to the public, and we hope to see you there!

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Get Out and Vote


Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country. -Franklin D. Roosevelt

With the polls opening today at 7:00am, Americans will cast their vote for president. This marks the 57th time, that as a nation, we have elected a leader of our great country through democracy.

Here in Massachusetts there are several important officials to be chosen, including President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Senator, State Representative, and Executive Council. We will also be voting on three statewide ballot questions. Question 1, aka the Right to Repair question, asks voters whether owners of vehicles should have access to repair manuals and diagnostic information for their vehicles. Question 2 asks voters whether a terminally ill patient may receive a prescribed medication from a doctor to end that patient’s life. Question 3 is regarding the legalization of medical marijuana.

It is expected that high volumes of people will be exercising their right to vote tomorrow, so it is important to make sure you give yourself plenty of time to do so before 8:00pm when the polls close. To learn more about who is on your ballot and the ballot questions please click here to visit the Secretary of State’s website. To find your polling place please click here.

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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Middleton Pumpkin Festival

For the past 28 years the Town of Middleton has hosted its Pumpkin Festival in the downtown area of the community. The annual event attracts hundreds of kids, members of the community and Halloween enthusiasts to this wonderful and fun filled event, and this year’s festival was no exception!

The Pumpkin Festival, which was held this year on Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21st, featured several events such as pumpkin carving, haunted hayrides, face painting, and even pictures with Glenda the Good Witch!

Congratulations to everyone who worked hard to make this year’s festival another successful one. The dedication and hard work of town officials, town merchants, numerous volunteers and many others was on full display. It was a real pleasure to be a part of the outdoor event, and posted below are some photos that I was able to capture during the festival.




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