Issue link: http://southshoremagazine.uberflip.com/i/205938
a month, they host a local State Representative or Senator in their State House Report segment. Tocci feels that it's important to keep listeners in touch with those who represent them. As experienced political reporters, he and Rossi can help explain "the mechanism of what's happening on Beacon Hill." Recent non-political guests have included TV's Dr. Drew Pinsky, automotive expert and columnist Junior Damato, Christie Coombs, and psychologist Dr. Kate Roberts. Most of the show's segments are available on podcast, which can be accessed through the station's website. Tocci also encourages listeners to go the show's Facebook page and give him feedback and suggestions for future shows. He said since the show began almost 3 years ago, "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback. I try to keep it as local as possible. I welcome suggestions for topics." One very serious topic that has been in local headlines more and more is the issue of substance abuse. Wednesday night's Common Ground at 9pm, hosted by Jim Hall, focuses on this growing epidemic through education and support of those struggling, those in recovery, and their loved ones. Hall's show has guests ranging from law enforcement personnel to treatment experts to those who discuss aftercare and recovery. The show is sponsored by well-respected treatment centers Gosnold Cape Cod in Falmouth (www.gosnold.org) and the Caron Treatment Center of PA (www.caron.org - their regional office is in Norwell). Hall has known many people who have struggled with addiction, so "the disease of addiction is very close and personal to me." Many of those friends suggested the idea of the show to him. Since the show began in May of 2011, he said, "I've learned so much about addiction and recovery! People in that field are wonderful and so passionate about helping others." The show's content is geared 70% toward family and loved ones, 25% toward those in recovery, 58 and 5% toward active addicts. He points out that in Massachusetts, two people a day die from opiates alone. This means that opium addiction affects all of us because of the demand on emergency and medical personnel and the costs involved. Hall said when he originally approached Ed Perry with the idea for the show, Perry "fell in love with it. He wanted the station to own the show!" In a very tangible sense, Common Ground is that lifeline to listeners that Ed Perry strives for at WATD. The 1980's were arguably the heyday for alternative rock music on the radio in Boston, fueled by the active club scene and the many colleges in the area. Most colleges had their own stations, and that led to the growth of more mainstream stations like WBCN and WFNX. Those hungry for that music today need look no further than WATD on Friday nights from 6:15pm – 10pm Chris Atwood, erstwhile 80's college DJ, plays hits and deep cuts from the likes of The Ramones, Human League, Depeche Mode, The Atlantics, and of course, The Clash. Atwood describes the show as "classic 'BCN meets classic "FNX," where you're likely to hear the songs you loved in college and some you probably forgot. A public relations professional by day, Chris said "I have always kept a foot in radio since my college days. The radio bug never left me. To be able to be here at WATD and play the music that I grew up with and love is an honor." The show began as a monthly offering on Friday nights in March 2012. Its mix of 70's Punk, 80's New Wave, and 90's Brit Pop quickly became popular, and a few months later it became a weekly show. Atwood believes "there is a market for this type of programming, and WATD fills that gap." Once in a while, The Alternative will feature interviews with artists. Coming up soon is Atwood's chat with Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses. The show does get preempted for high school