508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panel is EPOCA.
[display_podcast]
Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed
Video: Downloads and other formats
[0:34] After years of struggle, CORI reform passed in Massachusetts; the governor signed the bill into law today. The ex-prisoners of EPOCA talk about this. (I haven’t found a really good article on this to link to–please let me know if you find something.)
[9:06] PharmaSphere, one-time dream tenant for the South Worcester Industrial Park, will be licensing technology to grow marijuana in Rhode Island (via Bill Randell). Supposedly their SWIP plans are still happening, too.
[10:14] The public hearing on anti-pit bull laws will be August 10. The Worcester Animal Rescue League voices their opposition in this video (which just went online, so I haven’t watched it).
[10:25] More about CORI reform.
[20:38] Jack Stewart wrote in to suggest that people donate blood in the name of recent blood recipient and sometime 508 panelist Jeff Barnard. I am totally doing this.
[21:07] Bunch of art in Elm Park worth checking out.
[21:39] CORI wrap-up.
I would like to recommend platelet donation (in lieu of straight blood donation). I donated whole blood quite a few times and found the aftereffects to be a bit unpleasant. I then switched to platelet donation, which I find much less annoying (since I don’t get as weak afterwards).
Platelets are donated via apheresis, which means that you have blood drawn from your arm and processed through a machine for about 65-75 minutes. The machine removes about 20% of your platelets (which regenerate in about three or so days) and returns everything else back to you.
Platelets are part of what helps your blood to clot and are extremely useful for patients going through certain kinds of chemotherapy (as I understand it) and for others who have clotting issues.
I’ve been tempted to take some pictures of the procedure the next time I donate and do a short post. Perhaps this will be the motivation.
The Governor’s press release re criminal offender records information system (CORI) reform is here: http://www.webcitation.org/5rnfW2N9b
Re anti-pit bull law, see the English experience: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_Dogs_Act_1991#Criticism_of_the_Act
The legislation as passed does not seem to be on the Legislature’s website yet. Here is the text of the CORI reform Bill as filed by the Governor: http://www.webcitation.org/5rnkN0R1w