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ROLLING OUT ELLIOT MERCIER

Curbside pickup services for popular retail stores such as Wal-Mart and the Home Depot have generated an absurd amount of money over the last six months, becoming the default for many when it comes to buying anything. Seventy three billion dollars is said to be accumulated from both of these stores combined, including the frequent deliveries made by the latter for contractors and the DIY folk. It is of no surprise then that green plant retailers have been doing the same measures during this extended stay in quarantine and partial shutdown. While no official numbers have been released, it's fair to assume that profits are being made at a consistent rate enough to keep the shops open, and even give the up-and-comers a chance at a lukewarm welcome, at the very least.

The next step then is allowing dispensaries to make deliveries, which now seems like an attainable goal after a regulation change was made in Massachusetts on Sept. 24. Delivery being something simple and commonplace nowadays, it seems inevitable and like it should have existed already.

Just like how there are licenses and permits attached to growing and distributing cannabis and similar products, there’s another piece of paperwork to go along with delivering the green to make green. Projected costs for this additional service are 1,500 dollars for application and 10,000 dollars for annual licensing.

The interesting facet of this story, however, is that this isn’t a statewide, all-inclusive practice. This delivery allowance is deliberately being used to benefit economic empowerment and social equity applicants, which is just fancy talk for small business owners that inhabit an area regrettably plagued by crime and frequent incarceration spikes. This process has a three year duration, with the goal of making a vast amount of profit and bolstering the presence of these smaller market options.

While 2020 won’t be remembered as an especially great year for profits for almost any humble industry, it seems like the history books might remember it for the steps communities have taken to avoid the mistakes of the more eccentric year prior. 2019 was fair, even with ludicrous expectations from the men in suits, but it was also plagued with controversies and scares. The most notable scare concerned the corrosive materials found in vape pens. Companies such as Temescal Wellness have planned on destroying merchandise made before and during the prior year, throwing away almost three million dollars worth of cartridges. Before this decision was made, Governor Charlie Baker took action last September by holding 600,000 vape units and having companies strictly supervise resumed production in December. Sale and distribution of vape has only resumed as of August due to financial concern.

Part of the dumping initiative this year was fueled by a concern that dormant oil in the cartridges would leach lead from the container. Results of this hypothesis are currently inconclusive.

NAVIGATING FAMILY DYNAMICS IN AN ELECTION YEAR

GIULIANO D’ORAZIO

It’s 2020, an election year that I would argue is a defining moment for our nation, our society, our culture. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I will be honest, I’m scared. I’m scared for myself as well as for my loved ones, friends, family, and fellow humans who are part of marginalized identities. Speaking for myself, I’m lucky to have the full support of my immediate family. My parents are fierce allies who have always prioritized listening to other’s voices and experiences. I feel exponentially more grateful that their support not only extends to myself, but to the queer siblings, in my chosen family and beyond. With the gratitude I feel for this privilege, I also feel a sense of “survivor’s remorse” as I witness other LGBTQ+ folks in my life struggle to navigate relationships with their families.

Election years always seem to be high-stress when it comes to family drama. I mean, the election is in November, right before Thanksgiving! For queer people, throw in the fact that your very identity and presence, and gender expression at the table is politicized. There’s so many dynamics here, and there’s no way in my 500 word column to possibly sum up the nuance of experience from person-to-person. I definitely grew up in a liberal household, and funny enough, it usually seems that liberal households are a little more open about discussing politics. My extended family aren’t all quite as progressive as my folks. Four years ago, we had a significant falling out with some family members after my mother, sweetheart that she is, merely suggested that a vote for libertarian candidate Gary Johnson was “a vote for Trump”. Well that was just too much, apparently, because, “we don’t talk politics, it tears families apart, how dare you ask me about my voting habits or hold me accountable for the views I support, why does it matter anyway as long as we can continue our happy normal successful suburban lifestyle?” Does this sound familiar?

What is particularly frustrating is trying to communicate the very real-life consequence politics has on marginalized folks. BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ community - especially trans women of color, Women, non-Christian people of faith, immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees -- all of these groups, over the past four years, have witnessed an emboldening of hatred harbored against them. Certainly, the oppression, the systems that fuel inequality, have existed since this country’s founding; since the moment African bodies were brought ashore and sold into slavery in 1619. It is a history we have too often ignored, been mis-educated about, and continue to outright deny. The Trump administration has doubled down on this denial and issued in a new, dangerous era of white nationalism and American exceptionalism, wherein anyone that challenges the American status quo is immediately labeled: unamerican, Socialist, (typically people who use this pejoratively have no grasp on the difference between Socialism and Communism) in other words, a traitor. Too often, LGBTQ+ folks find ourselves in conversations defending our rights to our family members who vote against us. Too often, we are met with “But I love you. I would defend you against anyone or anything who’d do you harm”. It’s similar to the response you get when you try to call out their passive support of systemic racism: “But we don’t hate anyone, we’re nice people, I even have a few (insert racial minority here) friends.'' Friends, life is politics. It’s not a sport. We can disagree about policy, but not human rights.

America has reached a reckoning where she is being forced to either live up to the promise of our bill of rights, or admit that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness really doesn't apply unless you fall in line to their version of “earning it”. My message to conservative folks struggling to reconcile your voting habits with your queer familiy member: While stating your personal support of me is nice, it doesn’t help make this country a safer place for me. Politics does affect my wellbeing and safety, and true support, dare I say, love, means you cannot spend your civic duty electing folks who don’t support my rights, my safety.

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STYLE Savvy

STYLE SAVVY APRIL GODDARD

We are living in a world that has changed significantly from this time last year in many ways. The pandemic has reshaped the way that we see and understand fashion and trends, mainly due to the fact that our needs for attire pre-pandemic and post pandemic have changed a great deal. The name of the game going into winter 2021? Comfort, and nothing but.

Whilst living in a world where most things can be done from home (work, school, even grocery shopping!) we have all come to reevaluate what exactly needs to go into our closets, and how much use we will really get out of it. With sweats, matching lounge sets and athleisure becoming a day uniform for many, we look to the changes in what we, as the consumer, need in the accessory department. Specifically speaking, having a wide range of shoes has never become more unnecessary.

Instead of dress shoes, high heels, and booties, many are looking to acquire something to go with the new casual lifestyle that we have all seemingly acquired overnight. The answer for many is as follows: a few pairs of quality sneakers, and LOTS of slippers.

SNEAKERS

Why you need a pair: sneakers are one of the easiest pairs of footwear to throw on with any of the outfits that have become popular over the past year. They go particularly well with athleisure, and can take you from running errands, to your workout and everything in between. Most importantly, they are super comfortable and allow for ease of movement to get anything you need done quickly. With so many shapes, styles and colors, you will surely find something appropriate for any outfit. Some current favorites are anything sleek and neutral with a lot of support for long walks and doing home improvements projects. Think tones of beige, white and black if you only want to limit your sneakers to a few pairs, so that you can easily match them to what you already have in your closet.

SLIPPER

Why you’ll love them: slippers are just the best. I mean, who doesn’t love cozying up at the end of the day in loungewear and ultrasoft slippers to keep you warm? Slippers also come in a large range of styles, with some of my personal favorites being slip-ons and for those warmer days, new, trendy and fluffy sandal slippers. Favorites for slippers include any that are outrageously fluffy (because why not?) and new and exciting colors made to draw the eye to them and make you happy that you are wearing them. Some great colors are vibrant pinks, multicolor patterns, and for something a bit more traditional, soft beiges.

While we all adjust to our new way of life, take advantage of the little positive things that come with it- a more relaxed lifestyle in regards to general attire and an excuse to wear only the most cozy and comfortable footwear for the time being.

SPORTS & SPORTS & FITNESS FITNESS

MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES HAVE OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR 2021 MOLLY PRIOR

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted almost everything, with sports and entertainment being some of the industries that have been hit particularly hard. Sports games used to be a big cause for crowds. For years, fans would come to cheer on their favorite teams with their friends and make a night out of it. Now, audiences are wondering what will happen in the next few months, and into 2021 for favorite American pastime games such as football and baseball. For the Massachusetts Pirates, Worcester’s very own indoor league football team, this means moving forward and focusing on their future performance.

Over the summer and quarantine period, they strived to remain active in the local community. Some of the players were assisting in running safe, socially distanced football camps for children. They also volunteered at UMASS hospital in Marlborough to provide donations to frontline workers when the pandemic was at a peak in Massachusetts. They have recently signed players, and have now switched leagues to become part of the Indoor Football League. Though the team does not officially come back together for practice until February, 2021, the president and general manager of the team, Jawad Yatim, is confident that the Pirates will be back and better than ever.

“Having to cancel the 2020 season was definitely a huge disappointment since we had already made so much great progress,” Yatim said. “But we are focusing on moving forward and being the best that we can be for next years’ season.”

Yatim also talked about the team’s recent move to the Indoor Football League. Since their previous three-year league deal with the National Arena League had expired, the team was on the lookout for a new sponsorship deal and the Pirates then became the first East Coast-based team to join the league. He spoke about how fans will have a lot to look forward to in the 2021 season with this new deal. “We feel that moving to the Indoor Football League will be the best opportunity for the team to thrive,” Yatim explained. “The market is overall stronger there and we have new and exciting deals coming, such as a new merchandise online pro shop and new teams that will be playing next season.”

In preparation for the 2021 season, which begins officially in March, the team has resigned many players and obtained new players. Two of the re-signed players include the two quarterbacks; Sean Brackett, who played college football for Columbia University, and Alejandro Benninfield. Both Brackett and Benningfield have a history with the Pirates, being part of their first season in 2018. Yatim talked about his excitement for having the two on the team, and has high hopes for what they will bring to the playing field.

“I have so much respect for Sean [Brackett],” Yatim said. “He is an extremely hard worker and great leader for the team.”

Though quarterbacks are generally known as the glue holding the team together, all of the different players and parts of the team appear to be crucial to success. Other members of the team that have been re-signed include three defensive linemen; J.D. Griggs, R.J. Roberts and Youhanna Ghafain. Additionally, one of the coaches, Jerry Snay has also been re-signed for this season.

Season tickets and individual game tickets for the Pirates 2021 season are on sale now. All home games are held at the DCU Center. For more information on the upcoming season schedule and how to purchase tickets, you can visit their website at Masspiratesfootball.com.

FALL AND WINTER AYURVEDIC EATING

JENNIFER RUSSO

I may have mentioned ayurvedic eating lifestyle before, but it’s even more important to consider in the fall and winter months so let’s touch base on this from a seasonal perspective. As a reminder, Ayurveda originated in India thousands of years ago and is a holistic health practice that is based on the belief that you must balance mind, spirit and body to be well. It is understanding your body’s energy and doing things to promote wellness specific to this to cultivate good health.

It is widely believed by those who practice this lifestyle, that seasonal change is one factor that can impact this balance. Now, whether or not you believe in any form of alternative medicine, you might notice that people do tend to get sick more often in the colder and darker months, in both their physical and mental health. A lot of this is due to the sudden dry air, the lack of sun and vitamin D and simply being colder. All of this leads to our bodies stiffening, especially in our joints. It leads to our skin experiencing dryness, and our sinuses to throw up welcome signs for bacteria and viruses.

Winter, or what the Indian culture calls the “vata” (wind), season, begins in November and ends in February. A major factor of this eating lifestyle is to eat seasonally. It is believed that nature provides us everything we need in the areas we live in with specific harvests throughout the year to help prevent and alleviate illness.

The foods that we harvest in the fall here in New England include squashes and root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and beets. These foods naturally include more nutrients and fiber, antioxidants and certain vitamins that can help us remain healthy during the colder months. It is also important to eat more protein at this time of year, whether that be from meat and fish or things like seeds, nuts, eggs, or protein powders. This will aid our bones and skin in repairing themselves more effectively.

It is also thought that eating denser fruits such as avocados, bananas, apples and pears are helpful in this transition time, and all of these are easy to find through November. Kicking up our intake of grains like rice, oats and wheat also will give us the fiber we need to better digest our food, giving us more energy overall, and introducing more warm spices like cinnamon, ginger and clove can help boost our immunity.

Whether you do a little research and go all in with this eating practice or just want to give it a try by having a nice cup of chai tea and some oatmeal with brown sugar and pumpkin spice a few times this week, it can certainly be a tasty experiment. May you be well. Namaste.

COMPASSION. LOYALTY. SUPPORT.

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We financially support low-income, underserved women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. We assist women whether they choose traditional or holistic treatment, from chemotherapy to acupuncture. We are the only organization that continues to help these women up to 6 months after treatment has ended. 90% of your donations go directly to the needs of the women that we are supporting in our community. Thank you for empowering us to help local women with breast cancer get the best support options based on their specific needs.

Barbara Mayer (left), the organization's first grant recipient, with Michelle Power (right), founder of Pawsitively 4 Pink.