Herbert Weiss
Herbert "Herb" P. Weiss (born June 25, 1954) is an American author and journalist. He is best known for his work as a writer and as an arts and cultural ambassador for the city of Pawtucket.
Herbert Weiss | |
|---|---|
| Born | Herbert P. Weiss June 25, 1954 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Hillcrest High School University of Texas at Austin North Texas State University University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | Patricia S. Zacks (D'Angelo) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Frank Weiss Sally Weiss |
Early life and education edit
Weiss was born on June 25, 1954, in Dallas,[1] Texas to the late Frank and Sally Weiss.[2]
In 1972 he graduated from Hillcrest High School[3] and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a social work certificate from the University of Texas in 1977.[4] Later he received a master’s degree in 1979 from North Texas State University.[5] Weiss also completed 24 credits of a doctorate in public policy and aging from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Journalistic career edit
Weiss published his first article in 1980 on aging.[6] and worked as a journalist for the next 40 years. He has authored or co-authored more than 1,059 articles on aging, health care and medical issues. Weiss’ columns regularly appear in newspapers throughout Rhode Island[7][8][9][10] and news blogs.[11][12][13] He writes a weekly “Age Beat” commentary covering issues that impact America’s baby boomers and seniors, published in the Pawtucket Times[14] and Woonsocket Call.[15]
The American College of Health Care Administrators recognized his work with 1994 and 1999 National Journalism Awards.[16] He received the 1998 Distinguished Alumnus award from the Department of Applied Gerontology at the University of North Texas in 1998, and the AARP Rhode Island’s 2004 Vision Award.[17]
Weiss has served on the editorial advisory boards of the following publications covering long-term care: The Brown LTC Quality Letter (1993); McKnight’s LTC News (1992–2000); Aging Network News (1991–1993); The Journal of Long Term Care Administrators (1985–1995); and Contemporary Long Term Care (1983–1990). In January 1997, McKnight’s LTC News named Weiss one of its “100 Most Influential People” in the Long-Term Care industry.[18]
Since 2018, Weiss has been a member of the Order of the Occult Hand.
Weiss oversaw editorial content for seven nationally published trade newsletters and newspapers. These include Founding Editor of Aging Network News (1985 to 1988); editor of three medical-related national newsletters on CPT and CPR coding, as well as Medicare reimbursement issues for physicians (1988 to 1990); editor of Senior Law Report and Marketing to Seniors (1990-1991); managing editor of Brown LTQ Quality Letter (1993); the Blackstone Valley beat for the Providence Journal (1994) and Founding Editor of Senior Living, now called Prime Time (1997 to 1998).
Weiss also covered Capitol Hill writing the Capitol Report for The Journal of Long Term Care Administration (later renamed Balance) from 1990 to 1998, and Washington Report for Contemporary Long Term Care from 1986 to 1987. As a journalist, he was accredited by the House Press Gallery (1987, 1988, 1990, 1991) to cover Congress. A collection of his articles resides at the Adams Library Special Collections in Rhode IslandAdams Library.
Books edit
In 2014, Weiss co-edited an e-book with Dr. Nancy Carriuolo, then president of Rhode Island College, detailing the emails of Richard Walton, a well-known Rhode Island social activist.
In 2016, Weiss published a collection of his articles for seniors called Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly.[19][20]
Weiss published an additional anthology of his collected articles and columns in 2021 called Taking Charge, Volume 2: More Stories on Aging Boldly[21]
Municipal career edit
On January 4, 1999, Weiss was charged by Pawtucket, RI Mayor James E. Doyle[22] with oversight of the city of Pawtucket’s newly established 307-acre Arts and Entertainment District. Over the years, he has been a driver of Pawtucket’s arts-oriented development strategy.[23][24][25][26][27] In particular, his efforts to bring artists to the city’s historic mill buildings have attracted national attention.[28][29][30] Weiss was among those featured by filmmaker Jason Caminiti in Pawtucket Rising, a 2008 documentary.
Weiss was part of the group that created the month-long Pawtucket Arts Festival (PAF) in 1999, and later received its inaugural Medal of Excellence Award in 2015.[31][32]
Weiss was the first recipient of the non-profit Pawtucket Foundation’s Person of the Year award.[33] In 2005, the All Children’s Theatre awarded him the Advocacy in the Arts Action Award, and in 2013 he was recognized with an Excellence in Arts and Business award from the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.[34]
Weiss also serves as the liaison between the city and filmmakers wanting to use Pawtucket as a location in movies, television shows and commercials. For his advocacy and support of the film industry, the non-profit Rhode Island Film Collaborative gave Weiss its first Excellence Award in 2010.[35] In 2016, the Rhode Island International Film Festival recognized his efforts to promote the Rhode Island film industry by awarding him its Producer’s Circle Award.[36]
Weiss was also invited by other municipalities around the region to discuss Pawtucket’s arts policy and its economic impact on the city. These invitations took him to: Maine - Portland; Pennsylvania – Philadelphia and Oil City: Rhode Island – Providence, Cranston, Newport, and Woonsocket; New York - New York City; New Jersey - Camden and Millville; Massachusetts - New Bedford, Fall River and Rockport.[37][38][39][40][41][42]
In September 2022 Weiss was appointed Deputy Director of Senior Services at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center.[43]
State appointments edit
Weiss was appointed by five governors to serve on the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Aging. The appointments were made by Governors Bruce Sundlun (1994), Lincoln Almond (1999, 2000), Donald L. Carcieri (2005), Gina Raimondo (2016), and Daniel J. McKee (2022).
Weiss was appointed by Rhode Island Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio in November 2021 to serve on the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Treatment.[44]
Professional licenses / Certifications edit
Weiss was licensed as a nursing home administrator in Washington, DC, from 1981 to 1987 and from 1993 to 1999 in Rhode Island.
Weiss is a 2012 graduate of the Theta II Class of Leadership Rhode Island.
Personal life edit
Weiss is married to Patricia S. Zacks (D’Angelo) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and has two step children, Ben (born 1983) and Samantha (born 1981).[45] He has lived in Pawtucket since 1995.
References edit
- ^ "Power Player". GoLocalProv.
- ^ "obituary". Dallas News.
- ^ "Hillcrest Highschool". Yearbook.
- ^ "U Texas Graduates". North Texas University.
- ^ "Government Advocate to Help Grow Arts". Providence Business News.
- ^ "An AIT's View of the Word". Contemporary Administrator for Long Term Care (September 1980): 2. September 1980.
- ^ "Herb Weiss". Warwick Beacon.
- ^ "Herb Weiss". Cranston Herald.
- ^ "Herb Weiss". Senior Digest News.
- ^ ""Ammachi: Holy Woman Draws Hundreds to Bryant," August 6, 1995 Cover Story in the Sunday Brunch Section, Providence Journal; "Arts Districts Cost Effective Way to Enhance Economy," April 22, 2008, Providence Journal, "My Turn: Ballpark Changes Equation for Pawtucket," April 7, 2018, Providence Journal; "Buy Locally: Keep Cash in the Economy," December 22, 2010, Providence Journal". Providence Journal.
- ^ Weiss, Herb (June 11, 2019). "Herb Weiss: Religious groups urge House to combat antisemitism and racism".
- ^ "Herb Weiss".
- ^ "You searched for herb weiss". RINewsToday.com.
- ^ "Herb Weiss". Pawtucket Times.
- ^ "Herb Weiss". Woonsocket Call.
- ^ "Herb Weiss" (PDF).
- ^ "2004 Vision Award". AARP Connections Rhode Island. Winter 2004: 1.
- ^ "100 Most Influential People". McKnight's LTC News. 18: 14. January 1997.
- ^ "Columnist Weiss Pens Book". Pawtucket Times.
- ^ "East Siders in the Know October 2016". East Side Monthly.
- ^ "On getting older, he wrote the book". Pawtucket Times. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
- ^ "City of Pawtucket". Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ Kari, Kline. "They Make Art for Pawtucket's Sake". The Slater Trader. June 2004: 1.
- ^ "Go Local Providence". Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- ^ Donnis, Ian (October 10, 2003). "The Sparkplug: Herb Weiss Has Helped to Remake Pawtucket as a More Artist Friend Community". No. October 10, 2003, P. 28. The Providence Phoenix.
- ^ Dionne, Nicole (June 4, 2007). "Pawtucket's Revival Coming Together 'Like a Mosaic'". No. June 4–10, 2007, P. 4. Providence Business News.
- ^ "Editorial: Pawtucket's Success is not an Accident". No. June 4–10, 2007, P. 36. Providence Business News. June 4, 2007.
- ^ Harless, William (December 1, 2013). "Rhode Island Drops Sales Tax on Original Art" – via www.wsj.com.
- ^ "Where have Boston's artists gone? - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
- ^ Abbott, Elizabeth (2016-09-27). "Old Mills Remade in Pawtucket". The New York Times.
- ^ "Pawtucket Arts Festival to honor Weiss". Pawtucket Times.
- ^ "Pawtucket Arts Festival fundraiser will honor Herb Weiss". The Valley Breeze.
- ^ "PBN on Weiss". Providence Business News.
- ^ "Weiss to be Honored by Blackstone Valley Tourism Council". Pawtucket Times.
- ^ "RI Film Collaborative's Black and White in Space Bash". Go Local Providence.
- ^ "Flickers Names Award Winners". Providence Business News. 2016-08-19.
- ^ Powers/correspondent, Keith. "seARTS meeting explores districts devoted to arts communities". Wicked Local.
- ^ "2010 Annual Conference :: Providence, RI :: Alliance of Artists Communities". www.artistcommunities.org.
- ^ "Muskie CE Report" (PDF).
- ^ "Pawtucket: Rhode Island's Creative Community | NEFA". www.nefa.org.
- ^ "Art In Ruins News Archive". www.artinruins.com.
- ^ "MW3 Arts as Economic Development in Pawtucket, Rhode Island". American Planning Association.
- ^ "Weiss to join staff at Mathieu Senior Center". Pawtucket Times.
- ^ "Herb Weiss - aging boldly!". RINewsToday.com. 2021-11-06. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
- ^ "Weiss Wedding". Pawtucket Times.