After a turbulent couple of years, the Boston City Council is now in the hands of new leadership. At-Large Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, the first Haitian-American to serve on the council, took over the role of President in January. Council President Louijeune joins Nichole this week to reflect on her inauguration and path to the presidency, talk about current events and her plans to bring integrity and accountability to the Council, and lay out what her priorities are for her term.

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The Girl Scouts have been a fixture across America for more than 100 years, and here in Massachusetts, dozens of troops help bring girls together each and every day to make memories. Barb Fortier, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, joins Nichole this week to talk about all the ways Girl Scouting can help young women make friends, learn critical life skills, enrich their self-esteem, and give back to their community. She'll also discuss her upcoming retirement after nearly a quarter-century of service, and a discussion on Girl Scout cookies is also on the agenda!

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With the wet, snowy, gray, dreary weather we've been having lately, a session in a steamy sauna would be the perfect thing to warm up! Unfortunately, access to saunas can be out of reach for many, but CultureHouse in Somerville's changing that with its new pop-up Winter City Sauna on Boston's City Hall Plaza, which is open until early March. Aaron Greiner of CultureHouse has all the details about the sauna, other projects CultureHouse is involved in around Boston, and their mission to help residents of the Boston area connect.

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Usually, when you hear of treatments for substance abuse, you think of rehab, therapy, and support groups, and you don't think of the dentist. However, many people who are struggling with addiction are also dealing with a major hurdle to recovery: poor dental health that's caused by the use of substances like drugs or alcohol. Dr. Hugh Silk and his team at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester just received a new grant to work directly with those battling addiction in the Worcester area, helping them restore their dental health and develop more self-confidence. Dr. Silk joins Nichole this week to talk about why oral health is so important and his plans for this new grant.

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Have you been walking through downtown Boston lately and noticed a few things that seem... out of place? A girl on a swing, hovering over an alley? Two massive clown heads wedged between two buildings? How about a unicorn in a box? It's all part of a brand new public art exhibit called WINTERACTIVE, a partnership between the city of Boston and artists in Quebec, Canada. Michael J. Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, talks about all the exhibit has to offer and why he believes this will encourage more people to visit the Hub.

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After years in business, Jim Stevens realized it was time to make a massive career change, a change that would lead to thousands of children on the South Coast of Massachusetts getting assistance they desperately needed. He's the founder and CEO of Gifts to Give, an organization that relies on community volunteers of all ages to process and donate much-needed hygiene items, clothing, outerwear, and much more. The warehouse in Acushnet is always buzzing with activity, but the need is greater than ever, and Jim joins Nichole this week to talk about how you can help them help others.

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Get ready, chocolate lovers! The Chocolate Expo is coming into town, and no matter how you like your chocolate, they promise you'll find something you can't get enough of. Not only will there be dozens of vendors offering tastes of chocolate-laced products and special giveaways, but attendees will also have a chance to meet some Hollywood stars from the original Wonka movie. Larry Rosenberg, Associate Producer of The Chocolate Expo and owner of Bacon Bites, talks with Nichole this week about all the sugary joy they have to offer during their upcoming event in Wilmington.

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Each year for almost two decades, members of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra's Intensive Community Program have collaborated with the Museum of African-American History to hold a special tribute to civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The ensemble performs spiritual and classical pieces which complement readings of some of Dr. King's powerful speeches and thoughts. This year's event is taking place at MIT in Cambridge. Catherine Weiskel, President and CEO of the BYSO, and Dr. Noelle Trent, President of the Museum of African-American History, join the show this week to talk about the upcoming concert and the influence of Dr. King's teachings on young people, even today.

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Recently, Connie Merigo from the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay joined the show to talk about a little seal named Cuyahoga that was in terrible shape, struggling with parasites, lice, digestive issues, and many other maladies. Connie returns to the show with a big update on Cuyahoga, and the two also talk about how the back-to-back winter storms we're struggling with are impacting marine animals, especially young seals and sea turtles.

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Winter has arrived, and even though much of the region is about to get a fresh blanket of snow, the greenhouses at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston are still full of lush, green plants! The garden has opportunities for you to embrace nature all year long, no matter the weather, on their 170+ acres of manicured grounds. Grace Elton, CEO of the Garden, talks with Nichole about all the activities the Garden has planned for the winter months, including the upcoming "Orchids After Dark" event!

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