“You Are Mine” words and music by David Haas. Sung by Carol Vassar. Recorded at St. Isidore and Maria Parish, St. Paul’s Church, Glastonbury, CT on Sunday, August 25, 2019.
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Cars have never been quite so complicated. They have sensors everywhere. Some practically drive themselves. But, so far, they can’t fix themselves. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics says auto technicians will be increasingly in demand over the next decade. But in the age of automobile computerization, it’s hard to find places where the next generation can get its hands dirty and learn the basics of car repair. It turns out, vintage cars may hold the key. Reporter Carol Vassar has more.
AIR DATE: Monday, August 26, 2019
COPYRIGHT: Marketplace/American Public Media
For 52 years, this has been the family homestead. While my mother still owns it, no one lives here anymore. The memories are strong, the future uncertain, and my feelings about it are mixed.
Comments closedWTIC NewsTalk 1080 aircheck from August 31, 1998.
Originally published on August 8, 2018 on the Hartford HealthCare Health News Hub at https://healthnewshub.org/health-news-hub/healthy-living/the-heart-of-a-runner/
It’s a life on the run for Larry Allen, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Larry’s dedication to the sport of long distance running earned him a coveted spot in the Maine Running Hall of Fame. Yet as he rose the ranks, he always kept pace with another top performer: sports cardiologist Dr. Paul Thompson.
“His name as a top class regional runner in New England was always there, and I was always impressed, and I just remembered it,” Larry said.
And it’s a good thing he did.
On January 12, 2016, Larry had trouble finishing what was a typical workout: a seven-mile run. An emergency visit to a New York City hospital discovered a near-complete heart blockage, requiring he undergo immediate surgery to implant a pacemaker.
The surgery, however, was only partially successful. While Larry felt better, but still wasn’t able to run. He needed to find a trusted cardiologist who could help him get to the bottom of the issue.
“Suddenly the bell went off in my head one afternoon, and I remembered Dr. Thompson,” Larry said.
He tracked down Dr. Thompson, who as now the co-physician-in-chief of the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.
“No matter whether a person is as famous as Larry is or as good a runner or they’re just a jogger, we give them the absolute best we can so that they can return to the life that they want to live,” said Dr. Thompson, who agreed to take on Larry’s case.
After looking over the case, Dr. Thompson brought in Hartford Hospital electrophysiologist Dr. Steven Zweibel to take a closer look at Larry’s pacemaker.
“I had a feeling there was something about how the pacemaker was programmed that was limiting his function,” said Dr. Zweibel. “I committed to him that I would work with him for as long as it took.”
In this case, timing was everything.
“Turning off that algorithm actually fixed his heart, and got (Larry) back to his normal state of running,” said Dr. Zweibel.
Learn more about the Hartford HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institutehere.
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My 88-year-old mother is a darling of a person. Funny, smart, beautiful, caring, supportive and easy-going.
She is also woefully unclear as to what a “podcast” is. Not that it matters, really. She’s lived all this time without them, right? But given that she has always had a keen interest in her children’s careers, and that I’ve taken the plunge into full-time podcast producing, I figured she needed a primer.
In association with #ShareYourBudsSunday (no marijuana was consumed), I decided to share a couple of podcasts with her. She didn’t know in advance what was on the playlist, but it includesThe Purrcast (Mom loves cats) and Sex Talk with My Mom. Her reaction delighted me. Her laugh is the best!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 15, 2012
CONTACT: Heather Tindall, Marketing Director, Rushford
PHONE: 203.555.1212
Rushford Names Public Relations and Marketing Manager
(Meriden, CT). — Carol A. Vassar has been named to the new position of Public Relations and Marketing Manager at Rushford, a Hartford HealthCare partner providing addiction and mental health treatment programs for children, teens and adults at sites across Connecticut
“Carol comes to Rushford with a strong background in public health, media relations and education,” said Heather Tindall, Director of Marketing for Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network. “She will be working on projects ranging from social media to publications, all with a focus of educating the public on issues associated with addiction and mental illness and the services Rushford provides to individuals and their families who are dealing with disease in their lives.”
Vassar was previously employed for two years at Capital Community College in Hartford, where in addition to teaching health information technology she worked on public relations and course development for the school’s Division of Continuing Education. From 2005 until 2011, she was Executive Assistant to the Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), tackling media relations, public education and research on varied topics including stem cell research, chronic and infectious diseases, mental health transformation, provider licensing and school based health centers. Previous to that assignment, Vassar worked as Communications Manager for the American Red Cross Blood Services, Connecticut Region and as a news anchor/reporter and Public Service Director for WTIC Radio. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in music from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Science in Interactive Communications and Media from Quinnipiac University.
“As an advocate for mental health and addiction prevention, I’m delighted to be working in a field about which I am passionate,” Vassar said. “I’ve seen the effect of both addiction and mental illness in the lives of friends and family, and I understand that more needs to be done to open a dialogue and erase fear and misunderstanding.”
Vassar is also an avid bicyclist and spends time hiking, reading, playing soccer or simply enjoying her three children and three dogs. She will be based at Rushford’s Meriden office.
Rushford, a Hartford HealthCare partner, provides inpatient and outpatient substance abuse and mental health services to thousands of children, adolescents, adults and families each year. For more than 35 years, Rushford has been offering proven, individualized and compassionate care to its clients throughout Connecticut and beyond.
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Comments closedFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 1, 2013
CONTACT: Carol Vassar, PR & Marketing Manager, Rushford
PHONE: 203.238.6856
Public Invited to Forum in Glastonbury on Youth Mental Health
(Glastonbury, CT). — Rushford, a Hartford HealthCare partner, working with the Glastonbury Alcohol & Drug Council, is sponsoring a public forum on youth and mental health. The forum takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles St., Glastonbury. This event is free and open to the public.
“It is important to discuss openly and honestly the mental health issues that affect young people,” said Rushford President & CEO Jeff Walter. “We invite participation from parents and grandparents, teachers and other school staff, coaches, healthcare providers and caregivers, social workers, parole and public safety officers – anyone with an interest in the mental well-being of children, adolescents and young adults.”
This forum is part of the commitment of Hartford HealthCare affiliates to improve public understanding of mental health issues by holding open discussions on the topic throughout the region. This youth-centered forum will concentrate on issues such as anxiety and depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, self-injury, eating disorders and alcohol and drug use as well as stigma, risk factors for mental illness, navigating the mental health system and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Panelists include psychiatrist J. Craig Allen, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Rushford; psychologist Barbara-Ward Zimmerman, Ph.D; college student and youth consumer Meagan Allen; and Rushford Prevention Services Manager Sheryl Sprague.
Intercommunity Mental Health of East Hartford is also a partner on this event, and will have an informational table regarding their services.
For more information or to RSVP to this event, contact Carol Vassar at carol.vassar@hhchealth.org, or 203-238-6856.
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https://healthnewshub.org/health-news-hub/top-news/neil-diamond-ride-good-good-good-thanks/
Just two days before his 77th birthday, musician Neil Diamond canceled the third leg of his 50th anniversary concert tour Monday and announced his retirement from the road following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
“The onset of the disease has made it difficult to travel and perform on a large scale basis but will allow Mr. Diamond to continue his writing, recording and development of new projects,” said a press release posted to Diamond’s official website.
“It is with great reluctance and disappointment that I announce my retirement from concert touring. I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” said Diamond in the release.”My sincerest apologies to everyone who purchased tickets and were planning to come to the upcoming shows.”
What, exactly, is Parkinson’s disease?
“Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic disorder, characterized by slowness of movement, tremors, rigidity of the muscles, and balance difficulties,” said Dr. J. Antonelle de Marcaida, director of the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center. “It’s caused by a part of the brain degenerating. There’s a dopamine deficiency that leads to lack of mobility. So this limitation of mobility may be what is causing him to have trouble doing a world tour.”
For those with a Parkinson’s diagnosis — including Diamond — advances in treatment are reasons to provide hope.
“We have 24 medications for Parkinson’s disease,” she said. “Research is strong in Parkinson’s disease and at Hartford HealthCare we just launched our surgical program – deep brain stimulation – which almost turns back the clock and allows (patients) to continue to do all these things that are important to them.”
Diamond plans to continue as a working musician, though not in a touring capacity. Diamond said he’s grateful to his fans for half a century of support.
“My thanks goes out to my loyal and devoted audiences around the world,” he said. “You will always have my appreciation for your support and encouragement. This ride has been ‘So good, So good, So good’ thanks to you.”
Learn more about the Chase Family Movement Disorders Center here.
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