Grant allows NSCC to expand programs

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August 18, 2010

By Ethan Forman Staff writer The Salem News Wed Aug 18, 2010, 06:56 AM EDT

North Shore Community College will expand its Women in Transition and Challenges, Choices and Change programs thanks to a two-year, $6,000 grant from the Essex County Community Foundation.

The programs will now include mentoring, tutoring, leadership training, financial literacy and money to help students pay for transportation or other issues that may come up. The programs, which serve more than 60 women each year, serve those who have been away from school for long stretches or those who are new to college. Many arrive with stories of surviving poverty, abuse, addiction and homelessness.

Women in Transition operates part time in Danvers, and Challenges, Choices and Change runs full time in Lynn. The programs focus on giving women academic skills needed to succeed in college along with life skills. While Women in Transition students typically go on to earn liberal arts degrees, many Challenges, Choices and Change attendees gain work experience through internships.

"It's going to be fabulous," said Women in Transition Coordinator Dr. Margaret Figgins-Hill.

Think First announces new COO

Think First, a Danvers-based health care technology company, has announced that Dan DiPlacido is the company's new chief operating officer. DiPlacido will be responsible for the company's growth strategy while also overseeing Think First's corporate strategy, product and service development, and other business functions.

DiPlacido has 18 years' experience working with service firms and was most recently the director of operations for Navigant Consulting's clinical and operations improvement health care practice. DiPlacido formerly worked as chief operating officer of The Bard Group, which was acquired by Navigant Consulting in 2008.

CEO Chris George founded the company in 2005, and it is headquartered at redeveloped 75 Sylvan St. complex. Think First helps health care providers be more efficient and profitable, the company says.

Doe & Ingalls retains Danvers distribution facility after deal

Chemical service provider Doe & Ingalls Management LLC said it has acquired Medford-based Doe & Ingalls Inc.

Terms of the transaction were not announced in a press release. The acquisition would allow the company to expand its geographic presence, reach more life sciences and microelectronics clients, and offer a broader range of products and services to customers in the chemical raw materials sector, the company said.

As the companies come together, most of their functions will remain unchanged. The company's headquarters will be in Durham, N.C., with distribution facilities in Danvers; Medford; Jessup, Md.; Durham; Tampa, Fla.; and Riverside, Calif.

Doe & Ingalls Management is the parent company of Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina LLC. The private company is majority-owned by Poushine & Cook with an investment from Anchor Capital.

Danversbank collects backpacks and supplies for local charities

There's still time to participate in Danversbank's annual backpack and school supply drive this year to benefit Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) in Salem, Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless in Lynn.

Through Friday, you can drop off backpacks and supplies at Danversbank locations. The organizations say they need backpacks this year. Other school supplies that are needed include glue sticks, scissors, ballpoint pens, colored pencils, No. 2 pencils, erasers, crayons, highlighters, notebooks, pocket folders, construction paper, hand sanitizer, Scotch tape, rulers, tissues, Sharpie markers, Post-it notes and calculators. Danversbank plans to deliver the supplies midmonth, in time for school.

Danversbank drop-off locations on the North Shore include 240 Cabot St., 100 Cummings Center and 63 Dodge St. in Beverly; 1 Conant St., 3 Federal St. and 107 High St. in Danvers; 25 Railroad Ave. in Hamilton; 2 Central St. in Middleton; 2 N. Central St. in Peabody; 125 Canal St., 6 Paradise Road and 7 Traders Way in Salem; and 15 Main St. in Topsfield.

Malls offer family fun events as school looms

The Northshore and the Liberty Tree malls are hosting family events as school approaches.

On Saturday, Aug. 28, from noon to 3 p.m., Liberty Tree in Danvers will host an event called "Back At It!" in the Kohl's wing.

Back At It! will feature a look at back-to-school styles with some of the mall's retailers providing one-day offers. The event will also include a DJ, arts and crafts, the WODS 103.3 Street Team, demonstrations by Green Tea Yoga, and games and activities by the Peabody YMCA and the Danvers DARE program. The first 100 guests will get free drawstring bags with goodies and school supplies inside.

On Aug. 28 and 29, Northshore Mall in Peabody will host the Simon Kidgits Club's first Kidgits Fun Factory Tour, which will include activities, product sampling and giveaways.

The events are free, open to the public and for children of all ages. Both malls are owned and operated by Simon Property Group.

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Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or eforman@salemnews.com.