Jessika Rozki has taken her lengthy career as a school bus driver and given it back as a resource to the community.
As “Rozki Rides,” Jessika assists parents and children alike in getting them to and from their needs and services in the region!
Jessika prides herself and her organization on placing your child’s well being and safety first!
Email: rozkirides@gmail.com • Web: www.rozkirides.com
At City Tire in Springfield, Sales and Marketing Manager Scott Leone notes a 20 percent increase in snow tire sales, perhaps due entirely to the first significant snow storm of the season!
All season tires or snow tires?
When to change them?
How to tell if they’re worn?
All this and more with Scott in this timely program!
Web: city-tire.com • Email: jessicabewsee@city-tire.com
A prominent advocate and political personality of the Latinx community in Western Mass. has passed away this week.
He is Miguel “Mike” Rivas.
From his distinguished service to our country in the Marine Corps, to his efforts on behalf of his community, Miguel Rivas is remembered as a strong and powerful voice for his people, and for all peoples of Western Mass.
In this program, Anthony Cignoli, who knew Miguel well, remembers him not only as a community organizer but as a trailblazer for the later successes enjoyed by figures such as Adam Gomez, Jose Tosado and others.
For nearly half a century, Kitchens & Baths by Curio of Springfield has been renovating kitchens and bathrooms throughout the Pioneer Valley with great success.
What keeps a business viable through the decades?
How are they doing through the pandemic?
What are the observations of home decor through the changing times?
All this and more is explored in an exclusive conversation with the man behind the establishment, Kitchens & Baths by Curio, Frank Nataloni.
Longmeadow granola purveyor Jeff Greim has been accorded the 2020 Microenterprise Business of the Year for Massachusetts from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Jeff’s Granola has long been supplying school systems with his well-received granola. He is proud of the fact that all of his granola sales are 100 percent non-profit.
In fact, the customer can designate the non-profit organization of their choice to receive any profits from the sale.
Jeff’s inspiration, history and experiences are detailed in this exclusive conversation.
Web: www.jeffsgranola.com • Email: info@jeffsgranola.com
Springfield’s Mayor Sarno saw fit to honor Springfield restaurateur Nadim Kashouh on the occasion of his 20th anniversary in business in downtown Springfield!
Through the tornado, the October storm, the upheaval caused by downtown construction, and now the pandemic… Nadim’s focus and conviction to serve Springfield and Western Mass. has remained rock solid.
Reflections on over 20 continuous years in business – and the secret to his success – are explored in this special program.
Web: www.nadims.com • Email: info@nadims.com
In Pioneer Valley Radio’s continuing narrative of how popular eateries in Western Mass. have faced the challenges of the COVID-19 era, PVR’s Lauren Brill spotlights the Frontera Grill and its owner, Federico Mendiola.
Federico’s story is a classic example of the manner in which a restaurant faces disruption and determines the necessary changes to a business model to accommodate the extreme limitations of the pandemic.
There is expert calibration in compassion for employees and solid and difficult choices to protect the future of a successful business.
Web: www.fronterafreshmex.com • Email: fronteragrillchicopee@gmail.com
John DeVoie’s Hot Table is a Western Mass. success and a high note in what is known as “fast casual” dining.
From one original location in Springfield to a total of 7, from Western Mass. to Central Mass. and into Connecticut, only the pandemic has slowed down Hot Table’s amazing growth.
In this program, John speaks candidly about the harrowing drop in revenue as a result of COVID-19, and his drive to continue his downtown Springfield Tower Square renovation.
Hot Table will reopen – and John’s optimism speaks for itself!
Email: info@hottable.com • Web: www.hottable.com
Sheila Coon made a sharp turn from a career in law to baking cookies!
With seven children, Sheila and her husband and business partner David have made HOT OVEN COOKIES a singular success in Springfield and Hadley!
It’s gratifying to Sheila to know that some folks are driving more than two and a half hours for cookies from her store!
You’ll hear in this program how her business has grown to two locations, with possibly more on the way!
Listen in – you’ll more than likely soon be “sharing the cookie love!”
Web: www.hotovencookies.com • Email: hotovencookies413@gmail.com
Springfield restaurateur Orlando Roberts has found success in adding Caribbean fare to the international cuisine mix in Western Mass.
Yaad Food brings Jamaican food to the region! Yaad is the Jamaican word for “home,” the theme of the cuisine!
Together with partner Alexis Mercure, Orlando discusses the idea and the creation of Yaad Food in Springfield, and now, in its second and brand new location, in Chicopee!
Email: yaadfoodjar@gmail.com
To Springfield’s Kelly Dobbins, SOS Means Serving Our Students.
Kelly Dobbins sat in his Springfield restaurant and pondered what he could do to make a difference and a contribution.
His thoughts turned to students and how to keep them from dropping out of school.
With that, SOS, or Serving Our Students, was born.
How does it work? How is the mission implemented?
Those questions and more are addressed in this passionate and energetic conversation!
Contact Serve Our Students • See us on Facebook • Telephone: 413-543-1718
Retired actor Bob Plasse talks about his acting career and his ultimate transition to human services in Western Massachusetts, including his current love and avocation, Westfield On Weekends, or W.O.W!
Bob is at the heart of the city’s concerts, musical offerings, theatrical entertainment and larger scale city events.
Hear the entire story, as well as W.O.W’s summer and fall events, in this exclusive conversation.
Web: westfieldonweekends.com • Email: events@westfieldonweekends.com
G. Michael Dobbs takes a look at the local races for mayor.
G. Michael Dobbs doesn’t smoke cannabis, and doesn’t see any harm in adults doing so. He does wonder if the current legal system is filling the need.
Rob Brogle’s career as Technical Director of Sales at Collins Pipe and Supply Company does not keep him from his avocation as the president of the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, CT.
The Connecticut Trolley Museum has over 70 pieces of rail equipment dating back to 1869.
When you visit, you can see historic passenger and freight trolley cars, interurban cars, elevated railway cars, passenger and freight railroad cars, service cars, locomotives, and a variety of other equipment from railways around Connecticut.
You will also find examples from Brooklyn, Boston, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Springfield, Lynchburg, Montreal, and even Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
The events and history of the trolleys from Springfield to Hartford come alive in this conversation with Rob.
Email: office@ceraweb.org • Web: www.ct-trolley.org
JetBlue offers special Atlanta flights for Superbowl!
Springfield School Committee and City Council announce school building renovation programs.
Fire departments remind you to clear snow away from hydrants.
Chicopee Police looking for man who vandalized a church.
Ware School Committee approves contract extension for Superintendent DiLeo.
National Grid fined for its performance in the October 2017 storm.
Concern for the homeless due to the extreme cold; agencies willing to help.
Dr. Lori Paige is the chair of the English Department at American International College in Springfield and teaches classes in British and vampire literature. Her new book, The Gothic Romance Wave: A Critical History of the Mass Market Novels, 1960-1993, (McFarland; September 2018), takes a close look at this popular genre’s place in the publishing industry. You can find out more about the book at McFarlandbooks.com.
Dr. Lori Paige is the chair of the English Department at American International College in Springfield and teaches classes in British and vampire literature. Her new book, The Gothic Romance Wave: A Critical History of the Mass Market Novels, 1960-1993, (McFarland; September 2018), takes a close look at this popular genre’s place in the publishing industry. You can find out more about the book at McFarlandbooks.com.
Free Christmas Day coffee at Cumby’s!
Two weeks left for Bright Nights.
White Lion Brewing moves into the former Spaghetti Freddie’s location at Tower Square.
2.4 million Mass. residents are on the move this year for the holidays!
New speed limits for Holyoke.
The Springfield Regional Chamber presents Jen Falcone on human trafficking and the business community at the MGM Training Room.
Special Christmas Concert in Agawam with Richie Mitnick – TODAY!
Bright Nights holiday schedule.
Springfield’s Ashley Tresoline, after being diagnosed with a serious illness, decided to find a new path toward healthy eating without compromising the enjoyment of traditional Italian dishes.
The result is her business – Bella Foodie!
It’s a celebration of good health and fine dining!
Classes, parties, special events, and a monthly menu created for pick-up or delivery for Western Mass. families on the go are all a part of the Bella Foodie experience!
You can hear about this and more, including Ashley’s very personal story, in this program with Brad Shepard.
Email: ashley@bellafoodie.net • Web: www.bellafoodie.net