Springfield

Radio Show # 151 – Maestro Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra

From fifteen different countries, and fifty different orchestras, internationally famous Maestro Kevin Rhodes makes Springfield his home, as the seventeen-year Music Director and Conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Come inside the SSO as Kevin talks at length about his fascinating career spanning concerts, opera and ballet.

Find out what it is like to conduct orchestras in Springfield, Michigan and Boston!

Listen as Kevin talks about the joy in weaving pop culture music with the symphony’s more established fare.

Hear his exciting plans for this season and the next!

Radio Show #145 – School Safety and Preventing Violence with Chicopee Superintendent of Schools Richard Rege

The rise in violence in American schools, as well as the threat of violence, is a national issue.

It is here in the Pioneer Valley as well, as threats within the last couple of weeks have occurred in Springfield, Holyoke, and  in Chicopee.

In Chicopee, this issue is taken seriously.

In this program, Chicopee Schools Superintendent Richard Rege responds to Brad Shepard’s questions and in great detail outlines a series of protocols designed to ensure student safety and prevent violence.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, January 31, 2018

UMass/Amherst dining bans Philadelphia Cream Cheese during the Big Game!
The Harlem Globetrotters return to Springfield.
East Longmeadow sees wave of residential break-ins.
Baystate Health Systems needs to notify some 49 patients of dirty surgical instrument
Western Mass. $200k lottery winner!
Flu cases still plague the Commonwealth, halfway through flu season.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday, December 22, 2017

Parking bans.
Steak thief!
Help Lorraine’s Kitchen!
Mass. DOT has free coffee for Christmas travelers!
A man fires a gun in front of a state trooper.
A new image campaign for Springfield!
The deadline to buy health insurance through the connector!

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday December 13, 2017

I-291 gaping pot hole repaired!
Opening night at the Majestic Theater West Springfield for “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”
Merriam-Webster’s Word of The Year!
Inside New England’s largest postal packaging facility.
Thirteen states sue Massachusetts.
New Culinary Education Center for Springfield.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, November 6, 2017

I’m back!
Finding humanity in the dark.
The Springfield Symphony has a new Executive Director!
Springfield Police Commissioner John Barbieri will be the top balloon cop!
Yanking out the old toll booths – right on schedule!
People are leaving the Berkshires!
Sidewalk reconstruction begins today in Springfield – listen in and find out where!
Parking changes in Amherst!
“This is Your Court Day” at the Springfield courts.

Radio Show #107 – Anthony Cignoli, Political Analyst

“Hail fellow, well met,” are the perfect words to describe Anthony Cignoli, a man located at the heart and nerve center of Western Mass., state and national politics.

His political analysis is highly sought by most media outlets – both nationally and internationally,

Tony dropped by to say “hello” to Michael and Brad at the Cocchi Picnic.

In this thorough, energetic,  and unedited conversation, you will hear Tony at his best on the subject of Springfield, Holyoke, the region’s players, high speed rail, the economy, real estate, and other hot topics!

Radio Show #74 – Attorney
Christopher S. Todd

Attorney Todd started his own law practice in Springfield  in 2003, after graduating from Western New England College (now University) School of Law. His office handles criminal, personal injury and general litigation matters. Matthew B. Harrison discusses Attorney Todd’s practice, the rebirth of Springfield, and a few extra points of civic pride.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, December 7th, 2017.

The two UMASS girls did WHAT to the Amherst Boy Scout Troop?
Pearl Harbor Day acknowledged in Springfield and also at Bright Nights.
Special guest Carolyn Paine brings you the updated and ultra hip “Nutcracker Suite and Spicy” coming to Hartford.

 

Expert Neighbor: How to ride on the PVTA

In this installment, we will talk about how one goes about riding on the PVTA buses or vans, some information about whom they are and whom they service, and some tips for making it easy.

The Kateri Walsh Show: Michael Gordon, Photographer

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Kateri Walsh (l) interviews Michael Gordon (r), area photographer and award-winning photojournalist.

Be sure to visit a career retrospective of his photographs on view at the Jewish Community Center in Springfield from Oct. 26 through Nov. 11.

At Large with G. Michael Dobbs:
Brian Hale of the Bing Arts Center

Brian Hale is the executive director of the Bing Arts Center located at 716 Sumner Avenue in Springfield’s Forest Park neighborhood. The Bing Arts Center is a multi-use hub for community cultural and artistic activity. The former Bing Theater opened in 1950 and served several generations of area residents until 1999 when it was taken by the City of Springfield for non-payment of taxes. The X Main Street Corporation a non-profit, purchased the property from the City in 2004 to create a catalyst for economic development and improved quality of life. The adaptive re-use of the building has created a place to enable citizens of Springfield and the Pioneer Valley to actively participate in a variety of artistic expressions.

G. Michael Dobbs is Managing Editor of The Reminder.

Expert Neighbor: 311 and Voting

Attorney Matthew B. Harrison explains how to best contact local government agencies for non emergent situations along with how to create or update your voter registration profile.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend April 1, 2016

Westfield;

  • Stolen cab-ride
  • school bus stuck in the mud

Northampton moose on the loose

Scare-a-Con New England coming to MM Center

Springfield power outage

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE !

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend, February 5, 2016

  • The Return of Winter
  • Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day
  • Ludlow election deadline
  • Monson may seize property for overdue taxes
  • The President says West Springfield PD must give their two grenade launchers back to the DoD

Weekend Happenings;

  • AVENUE Q in Broad Brook, CT,
  • Greenfield Winter Carnival
  • Wilbraham Chili Cook-Off,
  • Merrill Shepard back at The Fort

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday January 13, 2016

  • Farewell, Hu Ke Lau
  • Cosby’s lawyers want his sexual history kept out of public eye
  • Weather, and Powerball
  • Gas down again…far down!
  • Agawam/Springfield/Wilbraham tire thieves

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday January 12, 2016

  • IRS phone scams on the rise (hear an actual phone call!)
  • Jordan Goodman reviews Springfield’s economy
  • The Red Rose expands!
  • Anthony Wilson voted in and confirmed as Springfield’s new City Clerk
  • Retired Springfield police officer charged with theft of nearly $400,000.00

Brad Shepard Today! Monday January 11, 2016

  • Wind and rain, and power outages, and downed trees
  • Ludlow High School students making “No Sew blankets” for those in need
  • Westfield’s Julie Leavitt collecting hats, gloves, and mittens for winter needs
  • Demolition on the former Zanetti School to begin
  • Powerball jackpot

Brad Shepard Today! Monday November 16, 2015

  • Westfield State University holds vigil for Paris
  • Local family raises awareness for lung cancer with Light In White for Lung Cancer Awareness with special guest; Amy Liptak Caruso
  • Heroin overdoses in Amherst, Ludlow and Springfield
  • Deadly Heroin batch in Western Mass
  • Inside the “green room” at Man Of La Mancha in Broad Brook, CT with special guest, Erica Romeo

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday November 5, 2015

  • Mike Roeder-the new Mayor of Westfield…for ten minutes–
  • Newly minted city councilors are a bit dazed but happy
  • Bissonnette arraigned
  • Springfield’s’ aggressive panhandlers problem
  • THE ODD COUPLE comes to Wilbraham
  • Panera Bread sets the hens free–Starbucks not far behind