Worcester Magazine March 7 - 13, 2019

MARCH 7 - 13, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

The Changing Drumbeat of Live Music in Worcester

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in this issue M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019 • V O L U M E 44 I S S U E 28

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The Changing Drumbeat of Live Music in Worcester Story on page 12 Clockwise from top: A crowd surfer at Sir Morgan’s Cove (file photo); Vincent’s (Matthew Healey); Tornado Alley (submitted photo).

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news

Augustus, councilors agree on 5-year contract extension BILL SHANER

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When it was extended in 2016, the vote was 9-2, with Councilor Konnie Lukes and then-Councilor Mike Gaffney in opposition.

On Tuesday, Lukes voted for the contract extension. Afterward, she made a motion that salary negotiations align with the official evaluation process, which typically occurs in June. In a past meeting, she complained the evaluation and salary negotiations are too disjointed and take place too far apart from each other.

he City Council and City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. on Tuesday agreed to a five-year contract exten-

sion.

The extension locks Augustus in until October 2025. Per the terms of the extension, Augustus will continue receiving annual 2-percent raises as well as a number of benefits. The agreement includes an increased amount of sick days as well as increased payment for disability and life insurance, per District 1 Councilor Sean Rose, head of the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations, which negotiated the contract.

Augustus’ contract was set to expire in October 2020. Under his current contract, which was extended in 2016 before it expired in 2017, he earns a base salary of $209,141. Per the contract, the pay increases every year by 2 percent. By July 2020, he is slated to make $217,590. By 2025, Augustus is slated to make about $245,000 in base pay.

“I think it’s great for the city, great for the manager and team, great for the council,” said Rose.

This contract extension was a recognition of the manager’s last evaluation.

Augustus received a glowing evaluation in June, and Rose said he personally heard from developers who had nothing but praise for the manager.

“Hearing how much they applauded the city manager, it got me thinking a lot about alleviating their anxiety about him ever

TRASH

O Ed Augustus Jr. FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

going anywhere,” said Rose.

Mayor Joe Petty echoed Rose’s sentiment about Augustus’ knack for securing development.

“The manager deserves this contract extension. It solidifies him in the city for future developers so people can be confident the city manager is going to be around in 2025,” said Petty.

For his part, Augustus said he is appreciative of the support and confidence of the council.

“I look forward to continuing to work with them and all the city employees to make Worcester’s

future strong,” he said.

The new contract also ups Augustus’ sick days from 10 to 15, and increases life insurance and disability payments by $500.

Augustus’ monthly auto stipend increases from $1,100 to $1,300.

The contract comes on the heels of a strong evaluation last June, in which he received perfect scores from six of the 11 councilors.

The vote to extend the contract was unanimous, which was not the case the first time Augustus’ contract was extended.

tious issue for some, including Russell, who chairs the Standing Committee on Public Works, which still has the proposal, and may revise it before sending it back to the full council for a vote.

Sticking on the trash front, At-Large Councilor Konnie Lukes pressed the administration to take the goal of bringing the city to zero waste by 2040 more seriously.

“Climate change has been preoccupying publicity nation wide and this zero waste is part of the process,” she said.

She asked the manager assemble a task force on zero waste.

Augustus countered by saying he has formed an environmental oversight task force comprised of community members and environmental activists, who will oversee the city on green initiatives.

“That’s good to hear,” said Lukes. “But we should brag about it more and show it in a more structured manner. So far, that message has not been getting out.”

n the issue of whether to adopt the new trash and recycling plan, District 3 Councilor George Russell raised the question of whether a new contract could be negotiated with Casella to ensure recycling truck operators pick up loose garbage that falls from bins. The issue will continue to be one that leads to pollution whether or not the city moves from bins to plastic bags, he said.

“If a dog rips it for whatever Bill Shaner can be reached at reason, or someone comes along 508-767-9535 or at wshaner@ to take something out of it, it’s still going to be an issue,” he said. gatehousemedia.com. Follow him He cautioned that his remarks on Twitter @Bill_Shaner. weren’t an indictment of the workers themselves, but rather the contract, which specifies that waste that falls from bins is not the workers’ responsibility.

He asked for a report on what it would cost to include in the contract that Casella workers pick up fallen recycling.

The potential move to plastic recycling bags has been a conten-

news

25 pull election papers on first day BILL SHANER

race could trigger a preliminary election.

On Tuesday, the first day s nominations for the November municipal elec- to formally withdraw election papers, every incumbent save for tions opened this week, Kate Toomey withdrew election 25 candidates for School Committee and City Council took papers. Six challengers withdrew papers: former District 1 Counout papers on the first day they were available this week. Based on cilor Tony Economou, former School Committee member the pool of potential candidates Donna Colorio, Evan Corrigan, on opening day, School CommitOwura Kwaku Poku Sarkodieh, tee and at-large council appear Jonathan Rodriguez and Etel set up for a heated challenge Haxhiaj. Another candidate, Paul come November.

DePalo, announced his candidacy For at-large council seats, this week. seven challengers have indicated For School Committee, five they’re running for the seat, either challengers have officially deby taking papers out or pubclared for the six seats, and every licly announcing. None of the six incumbent took out nomination incumbent at-large councilors have indicated they plan to retire papers Tuesday. The five challengfrom the board. With 13 potential ers are Cara Berg Powers, Laura candidates and about a month for Clancey, Chantel Bethea, Jermoh C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6 new candidates to announce, the

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The City Clerk’s Office.

BILL SHANER

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news ELECTION

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5

Kamara and John Trobaugh. Trobaugh was the only of the five to not withdraw election papers on the first day.

Candidates must return nomination papers with the required signatures by May 14. Per city rules, a preliminary contest will be called if there are more than 12 candidates in either at-large or School Committee, and if there are more than three in any of the district races. The preliminary election would take place Sept. 10 if triggered.

The field as it stands now is a sharp departure from the 2017 election, in which the district council seats saw the most heated contests, and the School Committee and at-large seats saw only a few challengers.

In 2017, only the District 1 and District 5 council seats – the only two open seats – saw preliminary challenges. For at-large, Gary Rosen and Ben Straight were the only challengers. For School Committee, Dante Comparetto was the sole challenger, knocking off

Donna Colorio, who is now running for at-large council.

On the School Committee side, most of the challengers appear prepared to run to the left of the School Committee, and the issue of sex education has emerged as a central issue for at least four candidates after the School Committee balked on two proposed curricula earlier this year.

For at-large council, the field is more ambiguous. Donna Colorio is running from the right.

She is chairwoman of the City Republican Committee. Haxhiaj and DePalo brand themselves as progressive candidates. Economou and Corrigan represent more moderate positions. Sarkodieh and Rodriguez could not be reached for comment, and neither have issued a public statement on their intention.

Last election, Lukes, Bergman and King had the three lowest vote counts of the six winners, at 7,103, 8,210 and 8,703, respectively.

By vote count, Petty appears safest, as he netted 10,041 votes.

Behind him was Kate Toomey, with 9,562 votes and Gary Rosen

with 8,977.

Lukes was the only at-large candidate to challenge Petty for mayor. In that contest, she lost, 11,119-4,640. Every at-large candidate is technically running for mayor until they withdraw themselves from consideration.

This year, Sarkodieh filed his candidacy with the state as one for mayor, and Lukes has not yet indicated whether she will go for mayor.

On School Committee, the more vulnerable incumbents based on the vote count from the last election are Dianna Biancheria, who received 7,534 votes; Dante Comparetto, 7,824; and Molly McCullough, 8,105.

Brian O’Connell was the top vote earner, with 9,097 votes; followed by Jack Foley, 8,628; and John Monfredo, 8,504.

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-767-9535 or at wshaner@ gatehousemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner.

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Let us feature your artwork in Worcester Magazine’s Artist spotlight! Contact Joshua Lyford at jlyford@gatehousemedia.com for more information!

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worcesteria

MAIN SOUTH DIF: Now this is an interesting idea, and one brought

up by former Mayor Joe O’Brien at a meeting in Main South the other day. Per the Telegram & Gazette’s reporting, O’Brien said store owners along the Main South drag are reticent to invest in the exterior of their properties, lest the valuations increase and they have to pay more in taxes. He suggested a solution might be a sort of collective tax break, like ones offered to wealthy out-of-town developers to build downtown.

CitySquare, which features 145 Front Street, the AC Marriott hotel and whatever goes up where the Notre Dame Des Canadiens Church sat, is an example of that. What if the city afforded the same tax incentive to the retail corridor along Main South? I think it would go a long way toward showing the city cares as much for its home-grown businesses as it does outside investors.

AIDAN GOES TO CPAC: Now that Aidan Kearney is, for some reason (wink), loud and proud about his ownership of Turtleboy Sports, it looks like we’re going to reliably get a funny first-person post every few months. First, there was that book with the MS Paint cover, then the hilariously petty mailer that Kearney called the FBI over. Now, the man tells on himself yet again when he posted a long travel diary-style post about his trip to CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) – the annual national gathering of lanyard/bow tie-wearing conservative types, to meet friends in high places and push his book on them (while using a free press pass to do so, by his own admission). He tried to push his book on a lot of people, even Ted Cruz, it seems. He posed with the Texas senator holding a copy of said book. He also called him “Beautiful Ted Cruz,” which is amazing. Anyway, after the CPAC post, in which he predictably gushed about Candace Owens, a complete moron, he got back to work.

A new favorite target of Kearney and Co., the website has featured at least two articles this week bashing trans people, because that’s just how they roll. As I’m writing this, I’m picturing how many copies of his book are on a flatbed headed for a landfill after they were promptly thrown in CPAC trash bins. Makes me smile.

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FLIGHT OF THE BRAVEHEARTS? There’s either a lot to glean or nothing

at all from the news that Worcester Bravehearts owner John Creedon Jr. has purchased another Futures Collegiate Baseball League franchise in Nashua, N.H. called the Silver Knights. He said he plans to own both teams, and said he doesn’t plan to ditch the Bravehearts. But pair this news with the harshly anti-WooSox tone Creedon and others in the Braveheart organization adopted after the big announcement, and it’s hard to not see some writing on the wall.

THE TOP PANCAKE PRIZE: Now for some good news, Worcester 6-yearold Brody Simoncini was awarded a key to the city by Mayor Joe Petty this week after winning the IHOP Kid Chef contest with his Oreo Oh My Goodness pancake creation. He topped a field of 70 kids to take the honor – one of the highest in all breakfast sport, we’re told. The Worcester Arts Magnet School student accepted the award in Los Angeles in February. If ever the Simoncini family wants to demonstrate to us locals Brody’s pancake prowess, sign me up.

C’MON NESTOR: I was digging the recent Kelley Square write-up by the Boston Globe’s Nestor Ramos. It had personality and viewed the redesign with a slightly critical lens. But then I got to this line, and the age-old problem of Boston media condescension reared its ugly head: “At the same time, the redesign will make the area more walkable, and provide space for bicycles. That’s always important, but especially so for Worcester, which is suddenly . . . kind of cool?”

Shudders. Flashbacks to that WGBH headline “Worcester is hip? Really?” Said it before, say it again: Boston is not cool. It is a boring, pretend city. Worcester, on the other hand – been cool.

The more we look like Bill Shaner, reporter Boston, the less cool Twitter: @Bill_Shaner we get.

news

the beat

The Department of Public Works will hold a forum on the quality of Worcester’s water ways today at 6 p.m. at the Blackstone Heritage

Corridor Visitor Center. Worcester’s more than 20 lakes and ponds are valuable assets for recreation and economic development. This program will present the latest results of a Department of Public Works & Parks monitoring program as well as an opportunity to learn about exciting initiatives for improving water quality and bringing positive attention to these resources, the city said in a release. In addition, representatives from 10 local water quality-focused organizations will speak about their own projects as well as opportunities to get involved.

Assumption College is taking the necessary steps to become a university. The Board of Trustees has approved the administration’s request

to rebrand and reorganize departments, according to the Worcester Business Journal. The move still requires approval from the state Board of Higher Education.

Worcester Red Sox baseball jerseys, as seen on city officials and Red Sox greats at the Polar Park announcement last summer, are now on sale to the general public at PolarPark.com. The jerseys feature “Worcester” across the front, and are $99, about the price of an official Red Sox jersey.

A crowd of several hundred gathered at the PNI Club to hear from activists in Nashville and

Buffalo on the benefits of community benefits agreements. The event came as Worcester organizers are working to secure a CBA with City Hall for the Worcester Red Sox ballpark project. In the CBA, they’re seeking six specific demands from the project: responsible construction practices, jobs for Worcester residents and racial equity in hiring, neighborhood stability and affordability, environmental justice, job readiness programs for the homeless, and purchasing from local vendors. The activists from Nasvhille and Buffalo urged Worcester organizers to dig in for a tough fight.

man on a bicycle, and a Worcester resident for most of his life. The exhibit will be open to the public, and was unveiled at a press conference last week which also highlighted a state investment into affordable housing.

3cross, the city’s only cooperativelyowned brewery, is closing its location

FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

Worcester native Howard Lucas is launching the STEM School Bus, a

roving after-school program that will will provide additional math and science education to Worcester students. The bus will start making stops at city schools in early March. For more information, visit stemschoolbus.org.

Next Monday, Clark University will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Goddard Library. The event will also commemorate the

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library’s namesake, Richard Goddard, a Clark alum, seen widely as the grandfather of modern rocketry. The event takes place at 7 p.m. in Clark’s Tilton Hall, 950 Main St.

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3cross owner Dave Howland

on Knowlton Avenue, per its Facebook page. The brewery is looking for a new home, and will continue to distribute its product in the meantime.

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

The Old Worcester Courthouse, set for a 117-unit housing development, will also feature an exhibit on Major Taylor, at one time the fastest

opinion editorial

Cop at Claremont - or neighborhood patrol?

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ritics of a suggestion to put a school resource officer at Claremont Academy have fuel in the words of the very person making the case.

“It’s more to do with the neighborhood issues,” Principal Angela Plant is quoted in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette about her request for a what would be the district’s eighth full-time school resource officer. It is not, according to the Feb. 25 article, the result of any issues at the school.

Instead, according to the story, incidents outside school walls, such as a student being hit by a car, prompted the request.

Mind you, of course, Claremont is in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, which has long been saddled with a negative reputation. As School Superintendent Maureen Binienda put it in the T&G story, “There’s quite a lot of crime going on” in that area.

So that would necessitate a request for beefed up beat patrols, right? According to Plant and Binienda, it warrants a cop in the school.

There is currently one SRO each at Burncoat, Doherty, North, South and Worcester Technical high schools. Two additional officers split their time at other schools, including Claremont. City and school officials increased police presence at schools in the 2014-2015 school year, the result of a number of high-profile safety incidents at Burncoat, North and Worcester Tech. The issues, and the move to expand resource offi-

cers — the city had four resource officers covering every school in the district at the start of the 2014 school year — came with much controversy and criticism, and was widely covered by the local media.

One of the most vocal critics among the press was T&G columnist Clive McFarlane, a watchdog on racial equality and other social issues. He has been particularly critical of Worcester police. Then, in February last year, he penned a column in which he acknowledged that, after more police were put in schools, suspensions and other disciplinary issues had gone down. He did not credit the SRO program alone for the positive development, but it signaled a significant shift from his previous assessments.

In a column earlier this week, McFarlane was not as kind when it came to the proposal to add a full-time resource officer at Claremont. He is not alone. City Councilor Sarai Rivera, whose District 4 includes the Main South area, first aired her objections in a statement released last week to Worcester Magazine. Rivera knows well the perceptions of that end of the city. Drugs, prostitution and other challenges have been well chronicled.

But those are neighborhood issues, which Rivera referenced in her statement.

“To read in the newspaper that problems in the neighborhood were the impetus behind the need to hire a police officer Editor Walter Bird Jr. Culture Editor Joshua Lyford Reporter Bill Shaner

100 Front St., Fifth Floor Worcester, MA 01608 worcestermag.com Editorial 508.767.9527 WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com Sales 508.767.9530 WMSales@gatehousemedia.com President Paul M. Provost Publisher Kathleen Real-Benoit

Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell, Janice Harvey, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Kristina Reardon Director of Creative Services Don Cloutier Creative Director Kimberly Vasseur Multi Media Sales Executives Diane Galipeau, Helen Linnehan

at Claremont School came as a complete surprise to myself and to everyone with whom I work,” she said.

Rivera took a shot at the school district’s oft-mentioned fiscal constraints.

“If the Worcester Public School finances are so tight currently, it begs the question, why are we now all of a sudden able to afford a police officer whose primary task will be to police the school’s

neighborhood?” she said.

It is a valid question. Again, it is worth noting the stated reason behind the request for a resource officer at Claremont. It was not to help foster relationships between police and students. It was not because of concerns about student behavior or issues inside the school, or even on school property. If school officials can make that case, let it be made.

If, however, the main concern is

about activity in the neighborhood — understanding, of course, those issues can impact students — wouldn’t the logical request be for increased cruiser patrols, or foot patrols when the weather improves?

Based on the reasons laid out

by Binienda and Plant, it is hard to lend strong support to the idea of a police officer inside Claremont Academy.

WORCESTER MAGAZINE is an independent news weekly covering Central Massachusetts. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. The Publisher has the right to refuse any advertisement.

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opinion

letter

City Council indulging, not educating, public To the Editor: A recent issue of Worcester Magazine included an article about PILOT contributions by local nonprofit institutions, such as colleges (‘Fair Play: Are Worcester’s Large Nonprofits Paying Their Share?”

Feb. 28).

This issue, along with Worcester’s dual property tax rate, can be counted on to resurface whenever the populist demagogues (aka city councilors) cast about for additional revenue, without the incon-

venience of aggrieved voters. The common thread connecting both of these schemes is the fact that both businesses and nonprofits are tempting targets that can easily be depicted as freeloaders flush with money and other valuable assets.

Those who promote, and those who fall for, such schemes generally ignore the fact that property taxes are levied to fund municipal services. The lion’s share of those services are enjoyed by residents.

Indeed, most of the city’s budget is allocated to the public school system, to trash collection, to recreational facilities and to libraries.

Businesses and nonprofits seldom use these services. Even though they benefit from infrastructure or police and fire protection, such amenities serve the needs of residents first and foremost, and would doubtlessly still exist even if there was little or no commercial

or tax-exempt property in the city.

It’s an open secret that Worcester residents, like urban populations everywhere, want ample public services, but hope to fob off much of the cost onto somebody else. They seem to forget they need businesses and nonprofits more than those entities need a Worcester address. Witness how easily businesses can relocate to the suburbs with no evident disadvantages. As of now we have a City Council that would rather indulge than educate the public.

John J. Foley Jr. Worcester

Letters to the Editor Policy Letters to the editor are a great way to share your thoughts and opinions with thousands of readers and online viewers each week. There is no word limit, but we reserve the right to edit for length. If handwritten, write legibly - if we cannot read it, we are not running it. A full name and town or city of residence are required. Please include an email address or phone number for verification purposes only. That information will not be published. Make sure your letter makes it into Worcester Magazine in a timely fashion — send it in by the Monday of the next issue. Please note that letters will run as space allows. Send them to Worcester Magazine, 100 Front St., 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 or by email to WMeditor@ gatehousemedia.com.

CLARIFICATION: In a column in Worcester Magazine by

Janice Harvey (“Rubbed the Wrong Way,” Feb. 28), John Childs was referred to as CEO of J.W. Childs Associates. The firm has identified him as founder and now retired chairman.

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feature

A crowd surfer at Sir Morgan’s Cove 1997.

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FILE PHOTO

The Changing Drumbeat of Live Music in Worcester JIM PERRY

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ig changes are afoot in Worcester and they are being felt almost everywhere. The music scene has been feeling it for quite some time, long before words like “renaissance” and “resurgence” were being used. Indeed, in the place some call Wormtown, some call Woo and folks of all kinds call home, the drumbeat of change has replaced the drumbeat of live music.

In Worcester, music has always been a big part of the social scene.

In its heyday, patrons would pile into countless nightclubs, enjoying an abundance of excellent local music, mixed in with national acts making a stop in town. All of Worcester County, it seemed, vibrated with the sound of amplifiers, drum kits and screaming lead singers. Devoted keyboard players lugged their heavy equipment from club to club, chasing the unique high that comes from playing in front of a live audience.

So many clubs. The Red Barn, Plantation Club, Last Chance Saloon, Tammany Hall, McGillicuddy’s, Gilrein’s and The Firehouse Café, to name but a few.

For the past few decades, there had already been a slow erosion of sorts happening. Two things powered the thinning of the local live music scene. The obvious was the change in the drinking age from 18 to 21. The other was the coming of the digital age and its effect on the

feature recording industry and culture in general.

Nothing lasts forever, and we found that out. What seemed like it might never end started to slowly disappear.

The December 2018 closing of the old Sir Morgan’s Cove on Green Street symbolized the end of a golden era for Worcester area music clubs. As we turn the page to a new phase, which will surely ride the wave of Worcester’s renaissance, now is a good time to ask the question: what does the future hold for live music in our community?

In trying to understand the trends, this week we look back, focusing on what created such a successful run. Then we look ahead and see what it portends.

‘THE COVE’

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n September 1969, a new club opened its doors on Green Street in Worcester. For the next half century, Sir Morgan’s Cove — aka Friends, The Lucky Dog Music Hall, finally The Cove Music Hall — anchored the local music scene.

In the early years, weeklong stays by music acts at Sir Morgan’s Cove were common. Blues and jazz were the order of the day, and the biggest stars were booked.

Steve LeClaire, local musician, remembers going to the original location at 139 Green St. “I remember going down the stairs, the place was kinda claustrophobic,” he said.

Back then, many major artists came through the doors. The year 1973 was a particularly fertile time for what many simply called The Cove, as blues titan Muddy Waters and jazz legend Cannonball Adderley both parked there for a week.

Buddy Rich came through for a series of shows. Stan Getz, the pioneering saxophonist, recorded one of the shows during his weeklong stay in March of ’73. That recording is floating around somewhere on the internet.

The ’70s also brought in local rock acts. At the time in the late ’70s, I was in the band Albatross, and we did stints at The Cove every few months.

Once the ’80s rolled in, MTV and FM radio enhanced the music scene. Bob Goodell, regional vice president for Cumulus Radio, had many experiences over the years promoting shows for various local venues, including the Cove.

Long View Farm founder Gil Markle (left), Bill Wyman and Mick Jagger face the press in the summer of 1981.

FILE/COURTESY OF GIL MARKLE

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FILE/COURTESY OF BOB GOODELL_WAAF

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way to get off the stage and out.”

The escape route was important, especially since it was still not that long — less than a year — after Lennon’s murder. Former Cove lighting director Barney Peloquin recalled the basement layout.

“It was a secret that there was a bulkhead door at the rear of the building,” he said. “This allowed the Stones to get to the stage without walking through the crowd.”

That bulkhead was a big selling point. After checking out Ralph’s Diner, which Goodell claims the band also liked, the Rolling Stones contacted Faucher and started negotiating. A meeting was arranged with Goodell, Mick Jagger and Ian Stewart.

“I think it was at the old Paxton Inn,” Goodell said. “We cut a deal.”

The radio station staff was given the comp tickets, and the rest Stewart handed out around town.

Stewart approached Faucher with the proposal that he give the band the bar receipts to cover expenses.

Faucher said no.

“He said, ‘Look, I have to pay for

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The Rolling Stones on stage at Sir Morgan’s Cove in 1981.

One of the earliest shows Goodell booked at The Cove was comedian Jay Leno for two shows, with Lenny Clarke opening. At the time, Leno was already hosting “The Tonight Show” part time.

“I don’t know how we got him, but we did,” said Goodell, who ate at Green Street Pizza with the two comedians between shows.

Not long after that, Joe Faucher took over the reins at the club, just in time for the legendary Rolling Stones show in September 1981. The band was rehearsing at North Brookfield’s Long View Farm. Goodell, then only 21 and in his second year at WAAF, was at the epicenter of the event. Studio owner Gil Markel cut an exclusive deal with station program director Rob Barnett, who had heard whispers of the plan. The station was promised 25 tickets, provided they did not breathe a word about it.

Goodell continued the story: “They send pianist Ian Stewart out with another guy, and they’re scouting clubs, looking for one with a high stage, low ceiling and a

feature police, I’ll need additional sound, I’m just a small business guy,’” Goodell recalled.

In the end, he won out. Goodell calls that a “Joe Faucher classic.”

THE RADIO CONNECTION

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he first half of the ’80s was the golden age of live music in Worcester. All the stars were aligned. The drinking age was still low, the baby boomers were at a ripe age for night clubbing and the MTV mania was just kicking into gear. Bands were everywhere and most of them were very good.

Goodell and radio station WAAF played a major role in shining a light on the scene. They would cook up promotional gimmicks, and tie in an appearance by a national or regional act that was looking for media exposure.

One such gimmick were the $1.07 concerts.

“That was when the record labels would subsidize the bands, and we would get the $1.07 admission that would help pay for part of the sound,” Goodell said.

JC’s, another club right around the corner from the radio station, hosted WAAF shows featuring hot acts such as John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band and Robert Hazard. Some of these were simulcast on the air.

“At JC’s, MCM studios was upstairs,” Goodell said, “so I had [owner] Paul Martin drop a line down so that we could broadcast the shows live.”

The teamwork bought them great results.

“We literally ran a wire from building to building, so that we could do them live,” Goodell said.

Goodell’s other brainchild was the classic “Rally In the Alley” series, literally in the alley behind JC’s.

The first one, also simulcast and videotaped, featured Charlie Farren and the Enemy, along with my band at the time, The Reflectors. It was an experience I won’t soon forget.

Other shows in the series featured The Stompers and Tornado Alley.

Jay Berman managed Sir Morgan’s Cove, now closed behind him, from 1989-99.

Goodell laughs as he remembers the sight of wall-to-wall people.

MATTHEW HEALEY

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

“We put 1,500 people in that alley,” he said.

The good times continued on through the decade, albeit with the drinking age having been raised in 1985. It was the beginning of the slow deterioration of what was a remarkable run for the local scene.

THE ’90s AND BEYOND

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The Reflectors FILE PHOTO/ BARRY A. DONAHUE

uring the ’90s, a broad range of music appeared at The Cove and elsewhere. A new generation of young people had their own sets of demands musically. This was the beginning of the age of tribute bands, still going strong now. Hard core was big. Blues was still king down in Main South at Gilrein’s.

Jay Berman, who managed The Cove from 1989 to 1999, emphasized the extensive planning behind the scenes to get the shows up and happening.

“People don’t realize how much work goes into these places before the doors open,” he said.

Berman recalled the first time he ever saw a mosh pit.

“I was gonna go over and stop it,” he said with a laugh. “My buddy said to let it go, it will control itself.”

Berman experimented with allages shows. The liquor bottles and beer taps were covered with bags, which obviously cut deep into the profits. But it was a popular way to build a following.

Erick Godin, who was already booking acts, took over the management after Berman left in 1999. As with the previous owners, Godin experimented with different ways to attract crowds. A big one was to book four or five bands, and each one would carve out their own invitee list. When people came through the door, they would

feature be asked which band they were coming to see. That was how the musicians were paid, based on their personal list.

The tribute bands continued to be a major draw as well, with audiences hungry for the music of their idols for a full night.

On any given evening throughout those last years of The Cove’s existence, there would be multiple acts listed on the marquee. From the beginning until its last day, The Cove brought joy and energy — and great music — to the Worcester music scene.

OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS

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he Plantation Club, sitting up on the street of the same name, captured lightning in a bottle for a while, hosting

Lennie Peterson and Ray Silva toast the new Plantation Club.

FILE PHOTO/ COLIN FURZE

some of the most exciting music around. People could have dinner in the front room, and swing around to the back for a night of entertainment.

The room was perfect for live

music. It was rectangular, with a raised stage. Local guitarist/singer Doug Moore, who helped establish and played in local bands such as Wilbur & the Dukes, Tornado Alley and Big Dawg, recalled the room’s vibe.

“The place really felt like a

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Worcester neighborhood bar, and it’s impossible to forget the remarkable stage artwork courtesy of trombonist and artist Lenny Peterson,” Moore said.

The Plantation Club had its heyday in the ’90s, Moore said and Big Dawg was at the epicenter.

“We played many New Year’s Eves there as I recall,” Moore said.

“I also recall several ‘final’ shows there on our way to retirement.”

Gilrein’s, the legendary blues club in Main South, also holds many memories for Moore.

“Gilrein’s had it all. The local bands and jam sessions, and the national and regional acts,” he said. “ I also remember the superlative men’s room graffiti.”

There was a sense of purpose and community there, said Moore, recalling classic jam sessions, massive benefits, and an overall feeling of good will and fun.

The club, which closed a few years back, was truly a classic blues roadhouse.

STILL GOING

V

incent Hemmeter, owner of Ralph’s, Vincent’s and Nick’s nightclubs, has watched many of the changes that have happened over the years.

“When I first started out, people went out three or four times a week, there were a lot more bands,” he said.

The fact that there were so many establishments hosting live music then meant there was plenty for everyone.

“We could hire one band, and they could play all night,” Hemmeter said. “Now most groups come in with basically one set of music, so you need multiple bands to keep music flowing from 9:30 until close to 2 in the morning.”

Hemmeter referred to changes Above, Big Dawg on the local music scene as a “generational” thing, pointing out the young have so many different Below, longtime Worcester area musician Doug Moore distractions now.

“There’s a lot more options for

FILE PHOTO

MATTHEW HEALEY

people to do things,” he said.

He also mentioned online dating as a major factor that affected night clubbing, noting, “You don’t have to go out to a bar to meet someone anymore.”

Those factors, he said, are “chipping away” at the local club scene.

“It took, like, 10 or 15 years to finally take its toll,” Hemmeter said.

Add to that the tsunami of the drinking age change, and there was bound to be a major ebb in business. Young musicians look for clubs to offer 18-plus shows in order to attract their friends who are not yet 21. Frank Inangelo, manager of Vincent’s Bar, mentioned the underground “basement” shows as a source for those bands that are still too young for liquor establishments.

“There’s no liquor, and that’s pretty much how a club survives,” Inangelo said.

As far as managing Vincent’s and booking the music, Inangelo said it took a while to gauge what would make the club tick.

“The acts were either playing clubs or styles that didn’t quite fit the bar,” he said. “Booking weekends was difficult. Now I’m booked out four to five months in advance.”

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Left, Frank Inangelo, music booker at Vincent’s PHOTOS/MAT THEW HEALEY

It’s all part of being able to read trends, said Inangelo.

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out here in Worcester,” LeClaire said. “That’s the current business model.”

Pat George, booking agent and owner of The Entertainment Agency in Spencer, believes restaurants hosting live music is, ultimately, a losing bet despite some of the successes.

“A restaurant has to decide if they’re in the food business or in the music business,” George said.

“It’s tough to serve two masters.”

And with the average age of club goers rising, he sees the colleges as a golden opportunity for a successful business model moving forward, even with the drinking age being 21. But with the amount of campuses around Worcester, that still accounts for a very large demographic.

“What’s the college enrollment in Worcester? It’s got to be, what, 20,000 right? Even at just 20 percent of them, you’re talking 4,000 kids,” George said.

If it could be coordinated, he envisions a thriving music scene.

Worcester, according to George,

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“I’m not pessimistic,” he said. “I don’t think it will go away.”

Instead, he thinks we were a bit spoiled with the way it was.

“For a while there,” he said, “there were so many places with live music, it seemed like it was everywhere.”

Now things have leveled off.

“It ebbs and flows,” Hemmeter said. “We’re doing all right.”

Inangelo shares that confidence.

The Bull Mansion, in downtown Worcester, is offering some live shows in an upstairs room that has potential, and the same owners are also enjoying some success with their hookah bar, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St. The famed Hotel Vernon in Worcester’s Kelley Square still hosts lives shows as well.

Besides the restaurant/bar model, there are other choices.

LeClaire believes what Worcester needs is a small, 500-seat theater.

The late Fine Arts Cinema at Pleasant and Main streets would have fit the bill, he said.

“It would have been the perfect place for those kind of shows,” he said. “The city needs a small venue with that amount of seating.”

While it would seat a little fewer than 300, the planned black box theater at the Worcester PopUP at 20 Franklin St. is also expected to host live music.

LeClaire’s current band, Mike Girard’s Big Swinging Thing, is doing most of their bookings at theaters of that sort.

“Somebody’s got to figure it

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here, then, does the music scene in Worcester go? Will live music thrive, or just survive? Will karaoke rule the day? Is the age of the music hall over? Hemmeter, for one, feels pretty good about the future.

Park Ave. in Worcester, The Kas Bar on Route 20 in Worcester and JJ’s Sports Bar on Route 20 in Northborough, to name a few.

“Things are thinning out,” he said. “Somewhere between 10 or 15 years from now, it’s gonna stop.”

For now, Nicolas has been able to sustain a base of customers. But the median age keeps getting older.

He sees nobody in their 20s coming through the doors.

“We’re still surviving, but it’s not what it was,” he said.

Still, even a liquor/food establishment has the potential to be a winning model. In recent years, it was attempted at Viva Bene on Commercial Street across from the DCU Center. For a few years, the establishment hosted first-class touring acts, mostly blues, and offered a fine menu. Then, a few years ago, they suddenly closed.

Just one year ago, JJ’s in Northboro sold to new owners who remodeled it to be a showcase-type restaurant. That ended in a flurry of code violations and the sudden shutting of its doors.

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THE FUTURE

“I definitely think it’ll survive,” he said. “It’s just morphed into something that’s different from when I started.”

Inangelo sees a trend toward smaller acts.

“There are more places to play now if you’re a solo act or small combo,” he said. “Larger bands or rock/metal bands, not as many places for them.”

LeClaire believes the key to sustained success for live music is to find alternatives to liquor establishments.

“People will go out and have one drink, not wanting to drive home drunk,” he said.

Still, there are restaurants with liquor licenses and bars that are making it work. Greendales Pub has been featuring live music for a few decades now. Owner Ken Nicolas sees trends changing.

“Younger people want DJs,” he said. “Unless the bands are dance bands, they’re not as interested.”

Nicolas rattled off the names of clubs that have closed in recent years, including Sakura Tokyo on

feature suffers from “the continuing inability to integrate college students into the city. That’s the vitality of the city.” These, he said, are the people who would go out consistently, maintaining a guaranteed customer base. The older generation, on the other hand, will only go out on occasion, maybe as little as once a month.

The plan could be promoted successfully if care was put into it. If

“The scene has changed so much, I hardly recognize it,” he said. “… the technology, the economics, the promotion, distribution of music, etc.”

Moore claims he is having difficulty finding outlets for his projects due to the changes in the business.

Veterans of the music scene, in general, are having to change their approach in order to keep in the game on some level.

consider myself easily impressed.

You need to feel good about live music. You can see it in their eyes, and when they play, hear it in the notes.”

After hearing the various opinions of those who have lived through it, there is an underlying confidence that, as the city morphs into its new persona, live music will somehow work itself into the fabric of Worcester’s nightlife. Will

Above, the owner of McGillicuddy’s. Below, Duke Levine performs at Gilrein’s.

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Ken Nicolas, owner of Greendale’s Pub on West Boylston Street, Worcester MATTHEW HEALEY

all the campuses worked together, George said, sharing shuttle buses and designated drivers, as well as promotional gimmicks to keep the interest at peak level, there is enormous potential.

Would the colleges themselves be on board for promoting such a plan? George is not sure they would be receptive to, as he puts it, “letting ‘em loose.” The threat of an incident of some sort could give the campuses cold feet. ‘ “One bad situation,” he said, “and they would pull all the kids back and cancel everything.”

Moore, who dropped out of the local music scene in 2000, has reemerged with some new musical projects.

Still, Moore, who has two young children pursuing music, is hopeful and excited.

“As I get out and about, there are more good bands around than ever,” he said.

His daughter, a college freshman, is in a band, and his son, a few years younger, has a band of his own Moore is thrilled about. As the director of the Paxton Summer Jam, he is exposed to many of the youngsters that are just getting started. He concedes there are fewer bands around than when he was young. He sees quality, not quantity.

“I’ve been really surprised by the high quality of the local bands I’ve seen,” Moore said, “and I don’t

it ever be like it was in the golden years? Perhaps not. But the pulse of live music is still strong, and the need for it still deep. The city will find ways to entertain itself musically. And maybe things haven’t changed as much as it seems.

Moore certainly sees it.

“They have their Strats and their Les Pauls, and they will not be denied,” he said of area musicians.

As for the iconic Cove, which once sowed the seeds for Worcester’s music scene? Berman suggested we should not count it out until the building is torn down.

“Who knows,” he said, “maybe someone will reopen it.”

culture

hotographer Ron Rosenstock needs little introduction. The Central Massachusetts talent has shown his work all over the world. While his imagery takes center stage, the man has spent 50 years bringing photography travel groups to faraway places like Ireland, Iceland and Italy. With the opening of his Sacred Places exhibit at the Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Saturday, March 30, Rosenstock’s work comes home.

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JOSHUA LYFORD

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Photographer Ron Rosenstock’s Sacred Places

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Photographer Ron Rosenstock on the Stones of Callinish, Scotland: “Every time I visit the stones of Callinish, the message becomes more vivid. It’s the unspoken word that communicates the loudest. All the universe has to cooperate to create an image. My camera becomes the conduit while I look on in awe.”

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culture Rosenstock’s exhibits tend toward a specific locale-theme, centering around areas he has spent time photographing like Italy, Iceland, or the British Isles. This time, Rosenstock invites Sprinkler Factory guests to experience the “exquisite structures where people gather to pray, and to seek inspiration and answers to our deepest questions.”

“There’s a feeling that I get from being in these places that makes me feel really connected to something much more powerful,” Rosenstock said from his Holden home.

He described a group photography trip to a mosque in Morocco.

“You can feel the vibrations when you’re inside the mosque. You can feel the residue of all the people who have prayed there,” he said.

“It captures something very vibrant about human nature. It makes me feel like I’m part of something so much bigger. It’s hard to put into words, perhaps that’s why I photograph. I feel important, like I’m a part of it, we’re all a part of it. I photograph those places where I feel it’s the strongest.”

While Rosenstock has spent much of his life traveling the world taking photographs, he has had a few staple areas he returns to often. No matter how many times he visits, however, he can always find something new to appreciate.

“I still find it very exciting,” he said. “It’s like visiting old friends. As I get older, things change. A very familiar forest, I’ll see some trees that blew over during the winter storms and new trees growing up, the light is always different. Sometimes it’s very misty, foggy.

Sometimes the sun is streaming through the trees … I’m very aware of how the ocean can sculpt the land. Big rocks get torn out of the earth and thrown somewhere else. It’s constantly changing every time I’m there.”

One such locale is Westport, a town in County Mayo, Ireland.

Rosenstock has returned numerous times and is an honorary citizen of the town.

“Even the town of Westport, the only regret I have in all the years I’ve been doing this, back in 1970, I didn’t take the time to photograph the town,” he said. “At the time, I thought, this is the town. It was never on my radar that it could look so much different. There is nothing original left in the town. Everything is fancy restaurants and gift shops, it’s geared toward tourism. When I went there originally, there wasn’t tourism here. That’s why they made me an honorary citizen, in fact. I was bringing seven or eight different tours a year. I was almost commuting back and forth from Ireland to Holden.”

For Rosenstock, that constant need to travel is more about the individual experiences of learning about a place than it is about travel for travel’s sake. He learns something new on every expedition.

“I feel our world is getting smaller and smaller,” said Rosenstock.

“There are a lot of people that will do one, maybe two trips to Europe and feel like they’ve seen it. Every time I go, I make new discoveries. I love going to Greenland, we live in an Inuit village.

Nobody has heard of Tasiilaq, people have been living there for thousands of years. It opens my horizons, it opens my eyes to other ways of life. We have a certain lifestyle here, we take it for granted in a way, but we’re just one of so many different kinds of peoples and cultures all over the world. I love having friends all over the world. Very few people get three or four emails a day from far away, distant places as if they’re next door. Nothing is remote, we’re all close, we’re all part of a human family. I get to experience that. To me, it’s part of my life in a big way and I love every aspect of it. It’s great to have friends all over the world and being able to see places that other people don’t know exist.”

Rosenstock will take viewers on a journey of his Sacred Places at the Sprinkler Factory March 30-April 21.

“I’m opening people’s eyes to the beauty of how wonderful our world really is,” he said. “Especially Now, were all a little bit crazy about this political situation. This too will pass. When I take people away and we don’t watch television, we’re out there experiencing the beauty of the world. It’s like a breath of fresh air.”

Duomo Terrace, Milan, Italy: “A Photograph waiting to be made,” Rosenstock said. ”Because of a one-day strike by the airline, Alitalia, I had to spend a day in Milan.

I found myself on the Terrace of the Duomo looking at the ground glass of my camera! Long ago I’ve learned not to question why certain events happen, but to give thanks.”

culture

Making the case for Robert Goddard JOSHUA LYFORD

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or years Charles Slatkin has “wowed” clients with emerging technology through his role as president of Worcester’s WOW Inc., a creative digital team, but his fascination in that new tech came from a deeper passion for science and technology. With Slatkin’s latest project, The Wonder Mission, he hopes to spark a new generation of science and technology enthusiasts, and part of the answer may come from a historical figure that may not be getting his due, at least locally: Dr. Robert Goddard, a pioneer in modern rocketry.

Goddard, who launched the first liquid-cooled rocket at his aunt’s farm in Auburn and both taught and researched out of Worcester

Polytechnic Institute and Clark University. Internationally recognized for his contributions to science and rocketry, with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., there isn’t much in the way of appreciation in Central Massachusetts.

“He’s the father of space exploration, in my view,” said Slatkin. “He’s one of the pioneers who struggled, and basically, if you look at his history, he did most of his stuff himself and with an assistant. He built the rockets himself, he didn’t have 100 people working on an assembly line.

To me, Goddard was the Wright brothers of space travel. He was a cranky New Englender, he was feisty, tough, he had a vision. In his time he was as famous as Einstein and Lindbergh. Some of it was his own fault.

He was sometimes a little protective of his invention and his genius, he didn’t like to share. Somehow he got lost in the shuffle.”

Slatkin said developing a more acute local level appreciation of the man — and in a larger sense, science and technology in general — could inspire a whole new generation of young people with a sense of wonder at what the future could hold.

“I think he becomes another American homespun hero,” Slatkin said. “He’s a feisty guy who had a dream, went into the physics basement and banged some stuff together, and tried something new that could have been dangerous, could have failed. I think it could inspire some ingenuity, give us a new American hero. Thomas Edison, Nathaniel Morse, Graham Bell, the

Wright brothers, every school kid knows about them. They’re taught that. If we could have a new hero, that’s maybe slightly more current, that might inspire us to pursue more sciences.”

Slatkin is passionate, because his own interest in science, technology and space came from similar inspiration.

Raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Worcester to work and later teach at Clark University, Slatkin was aware of Robert Goddard at a young age. When he was a teenager, his antique book-collecting mother gave him a miniature book from Worcester publisher Achille St. Onge on the father of modern rocketry. The same title would find itself as the first book on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission.

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COURTESY OF CHARLES SLATKIN

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A 6-year-old Charles Slatkin with a toy rocket.

“I first came to Clark the year the Goddard Library opened,” Slatkin recalled. “At that time, there was a Goddard archive. There was a Goddard exhibit. Outside of the doorway was a time capsule that was installed. I started to put the pieces together that this book I had read, holy mackerel, here I am at ground central. It was kind of like putting the pieces together. Worcester didn’t really say much about it or do much about it. It was kind of a slow burn.

It was sort of sacred ground in many ways. We had just gone to the moon, maybe that was the key. In ‘69 we went to the moon, in ‘70 I came to Clark and realized this guy was one of the fathers of modern rocketry.

This was ground central. It should be hallowed ground.”

Slatkin hopes that, through an appreciation of Goddard and the sciences, others can be inspired the way he was at the wonder of possibility.

“I grew up in the space race period, when going into space was a ‘maybe.’ Maybe a possibility,” he said. “You watch the United States respond to the Russian challenge of Sputnik, it was an aspirational thing.

I grew up in an era with launch after launch and achievement after achievement. It gave you a sense of hope, while the rest of the world was kind of in chaos. Kennedy had been killed, there were race riots, there was a recession. It was during the Cold War. Growing up in Brooklyn, we were doing the duck and cover exercises. You weren’t sure there was a future there. It was exciting, it was hopeful, it was positive, it seemed unachievable. Watching those achievements happen, it made you feel like everything could be okay.”

While locally, the answer could be Goddard and a worthy monument, display or other form of memorial, Slatkin wants The Wonder Mission to make a splash in a larger arena.

While currently in the process of becoming a nonprofit and looking to acquire funding, Slatkin sees The Wonder Mission as a way to once again “wow” people in the realm of science and technology with bleeding-edge interactive exhibits and augmented reality. Still in its infancy, The Wonder Mission is a passion project for the man.

culture Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

PATTERNS: I just shoveled for several hours, so I’m not feeling incredibly inspired with my subheads this week, I’m going to be real with you. So, while I try to guzzle this coffee and get into my weekly responsibilities, you’re just going to have to take what you can get. I do, however, have the wherewithal to recognize a cool ass show when I see one. A group exhibition (called Patterns, hence the title here) is opening at the Worcester Center for Crafts Friday, March 15. While it will run through April 27, the exhibition is best enjoyed on opening night, so you can grab some snacks and gab with friends. The group show is curated by Lisa Barthelson and Carrie Crane (both of whom you may recognize from this very page), and features contemporary artists Sam Cape, Christiane Corcelle, Elizabeth Duffy, Judy Haberl, Nancy Hayes, Erica Licea-Kane, Julia Talcott, Lynda Schlosberg, Toby Sisson and Jessica Straus. If that sounds up your alley, mark your calendars now before you forget like a fool (making this note for myself, really).

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IT’S PRONOUNCED DAY-PRAY: I’ve known Louie Despres for quite some time and I didn’t know the proper pronunciation until much later. The man’s got a sense of humor, luckily, so his show is (naturally) titled “It’s Pronounced Day-Pray,” so you’ve got no excuse to screw it up. The show will be at The Sprinkler Factory, March 30-April 21, with an opening reception Saturday, March 30.

While I plan on doing a full story in here soon, mark this thing down for yourself, eh? If you’ve ever been given a tiny tantalizing peek into his collection of photos, or seen him snapping some out on the town, then you know why this is so exciting. I’ll save the rest of the details for the big boy write up, but just-so-you-know.

HAVE HEART: If you knew what this was about after reading the subhead, then I don’t need to explain much to you. The prolific straight edge hardcore act Have Heart (if you survived the early 2000s hardcore scene, then you probably own one of their shirts. If you were a smart young capitalist, then you’ve already made your fortune selling those shirts on Depop) have announced four reunion shows after breaking up 10 years ago, in 2009. I’m not here to rag on Have Heart, I enjoyed their music quite a bit and they still pop into my playlist every now and again. They did a lot to push the scene and the video of them performing at a South African school still makes me emotional. This show likely means a lot to a lot of people, both older fans that are interested in a chance to catch them again and young fans that never got the chance. The four shows are in California at Sound and Fury Fest (I haven’t been since 2011, where I was let down by the amount of nearby burrito options); in Leeds, U.K.; Cologne, Germany; and “Boston.” Why is Boston in quotes? Well, because it isn’t in Boston. It’s at the Worcester Palladium. I’m going to gloss over my irritation at a Boston band playing in “Boston” when it’s actually in Worcester, and I’m not going to focus on the ticket purchasing controversy (it’s not the bands fault, we live in a ticket-purchasing bot era that reeeeeally needs to be figured out soon). I will make a couple negative notes here, though.

One, boy would it have been nice to a Worcester hardcore band on the bill (of which there are many and plenty of talented ones) and two, this has really made my Instagram inbox annoying as hell. No, I can’t get your band on the bill (I have nothing to do with booking this show, which should be clear to everyone) and my dudes, I can only have so many people crash at my place at once.

This is a real missed opportunity by the city to advertise their NEW AND WONDERFUL HOTELS. Now, get on the Joshua Lyford computer and chew me Culture editor out, okay? @Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Strength, Scholarship, Character and Service Nativity School of Worcester’s 14th Annual Spring Auction is less than a month away. The event will take place at Nativity on Friday, April 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds will allow Nativity Worcester to provide small class sizes, an extended school year and a mandatory extended school day. Guillermo Creamer Jr. will receive the Cura Personalis Award. Creamer is a 2008 graduate of Nativity, a 2017 graduate of American University, and the co-founder and deputy director of Pay Our Interns in Washington D.C. – a bipartisan nonprofit that advocates for an increase in the amount of paid internships within government. Creamer believes a young adult’s socioeconomic status should not be a barrier to getting real-world work experience.

Guillermo Creamer Jr. will receive the Cura Personalis Award at Nativity School of Worcester’s Annual Spring Auction.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

A Healthy and Distinct Dining Experience

The Alzheimer’s Association’s first “eat. drink. end alz.” event is also right around the corner, scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 6-9 p.m., at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester. Everyone’s favorite Red Sox historian, Dr. Charles Steinberg, will play host for the evening. Participating chefs include Tim Russo of Lock 50, Buddy Bartlett of Maddi’s, Elaine Cowan of UXLocale, Zac Cave of Asylum Popatorium, George Sakhat of El Basha, Kevin Layton of Worcester Tech and Robert Facteau of BirchTree Bread Co. State Sen. Harriette L. Chandler will be honored for championing the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. I had a chance to sit down with Senator Chandler for an extended interview on the March 6 episode of the Pop It podcast.

Time for Something New

Family Friendly and French Flicks Come Worcester’s Way

Forging a Gender Balanced World On Friday March 8, Girls Inc. of Worcester is celebrating International Women’s Day with a tribute to inspiring and empowering women throughout history. A community potluck will commence at 6:30 p.m. followed by a formal presentation of the Worcester Women’s History Project.

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Sarah Connell contributing writer

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Cinema Worcester is screening the family friendly Oscar nom “Mirai” on Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Park View Room. The English-dubbed masterpiece spans sibling rivalry, time travel, and a soaring adventure. (Speaking of time warps, have you seen “Russian Doll” yet on Netflix? Natasha Lyonne is a force.) Later this spring, Cinema Worcester will screen four films from the French New Wave at the Acoustic Java’s Brussels Street Roastery. Film buff Jared Wagner will introduce and lead discussions for the duration of the series.

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You’ve got three days left to take advantage of restaurant week, which affords guests three-courses for $25.19 at more than 35 local establishments.

Take advantage of the deal, but remember, chefs sign on for this madness in hopes that you will come back. If you dare to enjoy a meal at a place that typically falls outside of your comfort zone, consider adding it to your shortlist for a return visit. Intriguing participants include the Worcester Restaurant Group, Armsby Abbey, deadhorse hill, El Basha, Joey’s, Lakeside, Lock 50, Mare E Monti, Piccolo’s, simjang and Willy’s Steakhouse.

culture Oxfords Casual Dining Wages War on Apostrophes 2 Millbury Blvd., Oxford • 508-987-1567 • oxfordscasualdining.com SANDRA RAIN

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asual is quite literally the name of the game, so don’t you dare scoff at my glass of the “Zack Brown Pinot Noir” ($10) from the Oxfords Casual Dining wine list.

This is where things get a little confusing. Yes, the Zac Brown Band frontman has launched his own line of wines. Yes, that’s how the server at Oxfords Casual Dining convinced me to order it. No, Zac Brown does not spell his name with a -k as noted on Oxfords Casual Dining

literature. And no, they do not care to include a possessive apostrophe in the name of their establishment.

Relax. As Zac(k) would say, “home, you know, is sweet tea, pecan pie and homemade wine – where the peaches grow ... and a little bit of chicken fried.”

If you are still with me, then Oxfords Casual Dining is probably for you. And, the deep-fried Louisiana chicken strips ($8) are quite good, tossed in a tangy cayenne sauce and served with creamy gorgonzola.

Cold, chewy bread will arrive too, along with a round plate drizzled in herbaceous extra virgin olive oil.

You can trust the servers here.

Some of them are even second generation, with parents who worked at Oxfords Casual Dining back when it was just half the size it is now. If they don’t like something, they have a reason and they’ll tell you why.

And if the surface area is too small for your order, they can extend the table leaf with a snap of their fingers; it’s an age-old trick passed down through generations.

The Baharat bistro ($18) comes

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W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z I N E . C O M M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

Oxfords Casual Dining’s cinnamon bread pudding is a highlight. highly recommended and it is the first steak in ages that I have written about for this column that arrived properly cooked. The meat is char grilled to medium and seasoned with a Middle Eastern rub that casts off rich aromas of cumin and coriander. I could live without the unseasoned mashed potatoes, but the steak itself is the real deal.

The “Chefs Specials” also rebel against a possessive apostrophe against my better judgement. Still, the tortellini bolognese ($16) is hearty and warming. Freshly ground pancetta, pork and beef arrive simmered with fresh tomatoes and a subtle cream sauce. Eating the whole bowl would border on excess; however, in the immortal words of Mr. Brown, “Life is good today. Life is good today.” So, eat up Oxfordians.

Promise me one thing. Don’t skip out on the cinnamon bread pudding ($6). Dive into that scrumptious and sweet custard like it is a plate of grandma’s French toast.

The signage outside is contemporary, although the decor within Oxfords Casual Dining has aged.

The walls and partitions are painted in a faux marbled pattern that only serves to remind guests they have

not stumbled into an Italian villa.

The upholstery features tiny green diamonds that speak to the synthetic greens dangling from a pergola at one end of the restaurant. Bottles of rose are inexplicably displayed on every flat surface throughout the dining room. Stained glass up-lighting gives the space a romantic glow.

If I find myself in Oxford (looking for something other than deliciously greasy diner fare) Oxfords Casual Dining is a viable option with fun live music on the weekends, but I’m not sure I would ever make a special trip.

On our last dinner for two, our total came to $81.32.

Explanation of Stars: Ratings are from zero to five. Zero is not recommended.

One is poor. Two is fair. Three is satisfactory. Four is good. Five is excellent.

Food: HHH Ambience: HH Service: HHH Value: HH

culture Green books and white saviors JIM KEOGH

A

bunch of thoughts composed on a snowy March weekend: Get on YouTube and check out Seth Meyers’ mock trailer for the movie “White Savior,” which skewers Hollywood’s favorite notion of white characters taking the lead on issues of race — including the obligatory scene of a white guy punching out a racist who’s harassing a helpless African-American.

Some of the clichés were crystallized in “Green Book,” whose Oscar win for best picture practically drove a seething Spike Lee from the room when the award was announced.

There is something particularly twisted about the scene in which the thuggish white chauffeur (played

by Viggo Mortensen) introduces his refined black passenger (Mahershala Ali) to the joys of fried chicken.

Steven Spielberg is apparently pushing for a rule that would prohibit movies debuting on a streaming service from earning Academy Award consideration. This comes after Alfonso Cuarón’s intimate family drama “Roma,” which streams on Netflix and had only a perfunctory theatrical release, was nominated for best picture. My first response is to chide Spielberg for yelling at Netflix to get off his lawn: A new normal has been ascending for some time, which means legitimate Oscar-contending movies can be watched on a 60-foot screen or on your phone. But I do have sympathy for the legendary director. Big-screen movies are his medium, and he’s earned the right to espouse a purist’s view seeking the retention of the old ways, even if he does sound like Bob Costas lamenting baseball’s designated hitter.

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Jim Keogh contributing writer

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

I finally caught up with Olivia Colman’s Oscar-winning performance as the ailing Queen Anne in “The Favourite.” She’s tremendous. Colman depicts the queen as bundle of raging insecurities and needle-sharp wit

as she howls for relief from her inflamed legs. Colman delivered Oscar night’s warmest acceptance speech, gently warning her children to enjoy their mother’s victory because “it is not going to happen again.” I wouldn’t take that bet.

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

Channel surfing recently, I stumbled onto “Thirteen Days,” the political thriller about the 1962 showdown between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba. It’s been some time since I’d seen this one, and I was pleasantly surprised by the performances of Bruce Greenwood and Steven Culp as John and Robert Kennedy.

The actors remain controlled as international tensions seethe, and, blessedly, they keep the Boston Brahmin accents to a tolerable minimum.

Not so Kevin Costner, who plays White House aide Kenny O’Donnell.

Costner’s Boston squawk is the most god awful I’ve ever heard in a film, and entirely unnecessary since O’Donnell was from Worcester, not Southie. And just to clear the decks on this topic, it also bugs me to land on “The Post” during its rotation on HBO and hear Tom Hanks voicing Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee like he’s a program hawker at Fenway Park. Bradlee was raised in Boston, but didn’t retain the distinctive vocal stylings in any significant way. This, and Hanks’ other bungling of Bostonese in “Catch Me if You Can,” prove the Hub accent remains the ultimate Venus flytrap for actors, even two-time Oscar winners.

— with perhaps a touch of madness — encased in a body insistent on betraying her. If you’ve ever known someone who suffers from gout, you can appreciate her onscreen agony

Adoption option

Welcome to Adoption Option, a partnership with the Worcester Animal Rescue League, highlighting their adoptable pets. Check this space often to meet all of the great pets at WARL in need of homes.WARL is open seven days a week, noon-4 p.m., 139 Holden St. Check them out online at Worcesterarl.org, or call at 508-853-0030.

EAST DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Mia and Musha are middle-aged sisters. Their owner

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moved to a place that doesn’t allow pets. Like many cats, the girls don’t like to be picked up, but they are affectionate. The owner said Mia is more standoffish, but slept at the foot of her bed every night. Musha is more of a lap cat; she sat with her owner to watch TV. The girls loved their ritual with their owner: morning yummies before breakfast, window viewing, naps, supper, TV and bed. Mia and Musha must be adopted together for a reduced fee of $250 for both cats.

Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Here are some of WARL’s regular needs: Pet Supplies: Dog and cat food (both canned and dry). Purina brand preferred. Please no grainfree; Non-clumping kitty litter; Bedding, comforters, blankets and towels (not pillows & sheets); Kuranda Beds; martingale collars.

against; For dogs: Kongs, Ruff Wear, Jolly Balls, Tuffies, tennis balls.

Office Supplies: Copy paper (white and colors), postage stamps, pink and blue post-its, etc. Staples gift cards are always welcomed!

Pet Toys – For cats: furry mice and balls with bells, stuffed animals for orphaned kittens to snuggle

Computers, Laptops, Printers: Newer models or gently used models are welcomed.

Medical Supplies: Latex gloves, gauze, anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, popsicle sticks, Dixie cups, One Touch Test Strips.

depend on the heartfelt outpouring of people like you. Donations can be given online, mailed, or given in person at WARL.

Monetary Donations: WARL is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donations of money, time, supplies, homes, and love are vital to our cause and the lives of the animals in our care. The animals

Cleaning Supplies: Paper towels, 33-gallon trash bags, sponges, bleach, dish soap, “HE” (high efficiency) laundry detergent, Lemon Joy soap.

Amazon Wish List: Can’t stop in?

Do you like the ease of shopping online? Visit our Amazon Wish List, and the items will be shipped directly to WARL!

calendar

Friday, March 8 Mirai

Park View Room, 230 Park Ave. Cinema-Worcester presents Mirai, from director Mamoru Hosoda, the story of 4-year-old Kun and his newborn sister, who turns his world “upside down.”

Thursday, March 7 Carlos Odria Trio

Redemption Rock Brewing Co., 333 Shrewsbury St. A unique blend of jazz, latin and international music in the Redemption Rock Brewing Co. taproom.

Friday, March 8 Piff the Magic Dragon: The Lucky Dragon Tour

Friday, March 8 Ralph Breaks the Internet Matinee

Worcester Public Library Roosevelt Branch, Burncoat Branch, Goddard Branch, Tatnuck Branch The computer-animated, family-friendly film comes to the Worcester Public Libraries. All ages welcome, refreshments provided.

Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St. Piff the Magic Dragon, star of NBC’s America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, heads to the Hanover Theatre with his signature dragon suit, his “magic performing chihuahua” and his unique dragon suit magic show.

Saturday, March 9 Seeing the Light: Workshop with Eric Nichols

Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Rd. Learn how to design your own lighting scenarios with photographer Eric Nichols.

Saturday, March 9 The Decibel Tour featuring Morbid Angel The Palladium, 261 Main St. Morbid Angel is joined by Immolation, Necrot and Blood Incantation.

Saturday, March 9 Summit Lounge Comedy

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Queensryche is joined by Fates Warning and The Cringe at the Worcester Palladium.

The Score

Round-Up

The National Arena League, whose season

kicks off Saturday, April 13, has announced its 2019 season schedule, which includes an opening week tilt between the defending NAL champion Carolina Cobras and the Massachusetts Pirates at the DCU Center in Worcester. Two new teams-the New York Streets and the Orlando Predators join the league this year. The Pirates’ season schedule is as follows: April 13 at home vs. the Cobras, April 20 at the Cobras, April 27 at home vs. the Predators, May 4 at home

vs. the Jacksonville Sharks, May 11 at the Columbus Lions, May 19 at the Streets, June 1 at home vs. the Streets, June 15 at the Predators, June 22 at home vs. the Columbus Lions, June 29 at the Lions, July 5 at the Streets, July 13 at home vs. the Sharks, July 20 at the Sharks, and July 27 at home vs. the Streets.

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Worcester Railers Wednesday, Feb. 27 The Railers (24-22-54) lost, 4-3, to the Manchester Monarchs, finishing up a seven-game road trip.

Sunday, March 3 Back at home, the Railers (25-22-5-4) downed the Adirondack Thunder, 4-2.

(Upcoming: The Railers were on the

road Wednesday night to take on the Adirondack Thunder, and stay there for another tilt with the Thunder Friday night.

The Railers return home Saturday, March 9 to host the Norfolk Admirals and Sunday, March 10 to host the South Carolina Stingrays.)

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Sunday, March 10 Queensryche: The Verdict Tour

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

The Summit Lounge, 116 Water St. The private, members- and guests-only, cannabis lounge welcomes the return of Summit Lounge Comedy with host Jesse Burlingame and comedians Shaun Connolly, Mairead Dickinson, David Tyler, Ken Higaonna, Cliff Mula, James Firth and Aviel Stern. Bring your own cannabis and enjoy!

games

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J O N E S I N’ Across 1 Biblical fratricide victim 5 Ragged peak 9 Passing lines 13 “3 Feet High and Rising” group ___ Soul 14 Pick up 16 Controversial director Riefenstahl 17 Current U.S. Secretary of Transportation 19 Cheap bar 20 Calico pony 21 Vaccination 23 Patch of grass 24 Holiday in Hanoi 25 Suffix for novel 28 In a genial manner 30 1992 song by The Cure that goes through the week 33 Airline from Stockholm 34 Likely 35 Fanning of “Maleficent” 36 Magazine for teens since 1965 40 “___ Is Us” 42 Charged-up particle 43 Settings for med. dramas 46 Thought experiment featured in an episode of “The Good Place” 50 Meat dish with a filling 51 Mop & ___ (floor cleaner brand) 52 French possessive meaning “your” 54 Contribute 55 Thailand, formerly 57 “Inconceivable!”

59 “Cool, man” 61 TV host with a “Neighborhood of MakeBelieve” (where the starts of the theme answers were found) 64 Letterman rival, once 65 Meditation teachers 66 “Language” of “haxored” and “pwn’d” 67 Agitated state 68 Word before or after break 69 Airport data, for short

“In the Neighborhood” – along with the owl and the pussycat.

by Matt Jones

Down 1 Not so klutzy 2 Philosophy 3 2019 Hyundai model 4 Café au ___ 5 A.L. Central team, on a scoreboard 6 Tape deck button 7 Oohs’ followers 8 S’mores flavor component 9 Antiquarian 10 Diamond game, in Santo Domingo 11 Make use of 12 Create a colorful T-shirt 15 Swedish actress Rapace of the “Millennium” series 18 Domino’s ad character, once 22 ___ pedis (athlete’s foot) 26 ___ paneer (Indian spinach dish) 27 Do some keyboarding 29 2008 Verizon acquisition that once had naming rights to Jacksonville’s stadium 31 “And ___ don’t know what’s going on!”

32 “Let ___!” (“Go ahead”) 37 Cuba y Puerto Rico, por ejemplo 38 “Star Trek” collective

39 Compound with a double bond 40 Walked on 41 Harry who died on Halloween 44 Amplify a certain message 45 Spoke ill of 46 Hiker’s routes 47 Inform 48 ___ the Pig (2019) 49 “With or Without You” singer 53 Complex orgs.

56 Prefix with byte or hertz 58 Stare at in a gross manner 60 “I ___ You Babe” 62 Talk smack about 63 Q-U filler

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Last week's solution

Call 978-728-4302 or email cmaclassifieds@ gatehousemedia.com today to place your ad here! ©2019 Jonesin’ Crosswords (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #926

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

Friends ask where I find such cool stuff and helpful services...

My secret is CLASSIFIEDS!

Over 90,000 Readers! 978-728-4302 • cmaclassifieds@gatehousemedia.com

Sudoku Answers

NOVENA

LEGAL

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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WORCESTER HOUSING AUTHORITY ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS SEALED PROPOSALS shall be received at the Purchasing Office, 69 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

RFPs may be picked up at the location above or may be downloaded from our website: www.worcesterha.org, or call (508) 635-3202/3203, TDD (508) 798-4530. Proposers are responsible for ensuring they have received Any/all addenda prior to submitting a proposal.

Separate awards will be made for each RFP. WHA reserves the right to reject any or all responses, in whole or in part, deemed to be in their best interest. Award of all contracts is subject to the approval of the WHA Executive Director or Board of Commissioners. The Operating Agency shall indemnify and hold harmless the WHA and its officers or agents from any and all third party claims arising from activities under these Agreements as set forth in MGL c.258, section 2 as amended.

Project Title Bid Opening Bid No. Release Date 19-05 3/8/2019 Purchase or Lease 2:00 PM April 5, 2019 of Office Space Jackson Restrepo, Chief Procurement Officer

Invitation for Bids The Worcester Housing Authority invites sealed bids for Entry Door Replacement MA 12-3 Mill Pond & MA 12-7 Mill Pond Extension WHA Job No. 2017-26 in accordance with the documents prepared by GAROFALO DESIGN ASSOCIATES, INC. The work is estimated to cost $195,684.45 including Alternates. Project consists of but is not limited to: Entry Door Replacement and Asbestos Abatement. General Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday March 27, 2019 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. A pre-bid conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday March 13, 2019 at the Mill Pond Apartment Community Room, 5 Mill Pond Rd. Worcester, MA 01602, at which time bidders will be invited to visit the project site with the Worcester Housing Authority representative. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. Bids are subject to M.G.L c149 §44A-J and Davis Bacon wage rates as well as other applicable laws. General Bidders must be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) in the following category of work: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid deposit in the amount of 5% of the bid price in the form of a Bid Bond, issued by a responsible surety company licensed to do business in Massachusetts, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority by bidders for the greatest possible bid amount. Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on March 6, 2019 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 and thereafter, Monday thru Friday 8:00 A.M. through 4:30 P. M. Copies of the contract documents may be obtained by depositing $50.00 in the form of a company check, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority, for each set of documents so obtained. The amount of the deposit will be refunded to each person who returns the plans, specifications and other documents in good condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Bidders requesting contract documents to be mailed to them should include a separate check in the amount of $40.00 for each set payable to the Worcester Housing Authority to cover mailing and handling costs. The contract documents may be seen, but not removed at: 1. Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 2. F.W. Dodge, 24 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02173 3. Reed Construction Data, 30 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092 4. Project Dog, 18 Graf Road Unit #8 Plan Room, Newburyport, MA 01950 Attention is called to the following: 1. Provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity; 2. Provisions for payment of not less than the minimum wages as set forth in the Specifications; 3. Provisions of Chapter 14, Acts of 1966, Imposing a Temporary Sales Tax, Section 1, Subsection 6 (d) and (k) exempting the Authority from the operation of such a chapter; 4. Requirement to furnish and pay for a Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Bond as set forth in the specifications, 5. Insurance certificate indicating coverage for public liability, property damage and workers compensation, in accordance with the contract requirements, must be filed by the successful bidder upon signing of the contract.

The contract will be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder with the lowest proposed contract price including the dollar amount of all accepted alternates. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 72 hours prior to opening and emailed to ModBids@worcesterha.org. Reference the WHA Job Number: 2017-26 only in the subject line.

Worcester Housing Authority, Joseph P. Carlson, Chairperson

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Worcester Probate and Family Court 225 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 Docket No. WO19P0643GD CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR INCAPACITATED PERSON PURSUANT TO G.L. c. 190B, §5-304 In the matter of: Brittany A Furman Of: Lenox, MA RESPONDENT Alleged Incapacitated Person To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Department of Developmental of Worcester, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Brittany A Furman is in need of a Guardian and requesting that Kandi E Schmidt of Worcester, MA, David W Schmidt of Worcester, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve Without Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is incapacitated, that the appointment of a Guardian is necessary, and that the proposed Guardian is appropriate.

The petition is on file with this court and may contain a request for certain specific authority. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 03/26/2019. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer.

Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person.

If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. WITNESS, Hon. Leilah A Keamy, First Justice of this Court. Date: February 26, 2019 Stephanie K. Fattman, Register of Probate 03/07/2019 WM

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019, 2019

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin (Never known to fail) O most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity, O Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are my mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity, (make request). There are none that can withstand your power, O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and you must publish it and your request will be granted to you.

DMH

LEGAL

LEGAL

last call Mike Hendrickson photographer M ike Hendrickson is the talent behind the trusted photography brand Unity Mike. Hendrickson is extraordinarily generous with his time and resources to promote local artists, comedians, podcasters, nonprofits and nightlife organizers. He is also a highly sought after wedding photographer across the region. You can follow him on Instagram @unitymike.

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How did you end up in Worcester? Well, I’m from Boylston originally, so I was always going into Worcester as a kid for trips to The Centrum to see the old WWF wrestling shows. My first concert was Green Day at The Centrum.

As an adult, I’ve moved around the city from Shrewsbury Street to the Greendale area and Indian Lake.

I’ve gotten to know so many different people and Worcester feels like home for me.

When did you get into photography? Someone asked me to shoot a wedding. This was like 12 years ago. I said, “I don’t have the right equipment to do this.” I estimated I would need at least $1,000 worth of new gear, and so I told them no. Then, later that week, I went out and bought everything I needed and I went back and I said, “Yes!” I’ve been shooting weddings ever since. I keep rolling the money back into the business and it keeps getting bigger and bigger.

What did you think about photographing Michael Bublé last week? Have you ever done that kind of work before? I’ve done a little bit of everything. Veronica Van Jura from The DCU Center reached out to ask if I could shoot the concert and I agreed. I’m typically more than happy to give my time for things that showcase the community. I make enough on weddings that anything else I

want to do, I try to give very fair prices. I do a lot of food photography, portraits and headshots on the side. I almost always say yes if I don’t have a wedding. Concerts are shot in natural light or available light. There’s no flash because it’s distracting to the artist. Traditionally, you get in for the first three songs. That’s how it’s always been because they’re not sweaty. They look their best at the start of the show. You get great photos during the first song or two and then they pause and say something like, “Thank you Wor-chester!”

How would you describe your style? Everyone wants to say their work is “candid” or “journalistic” and make it sound all artsy.

I shoot a lot of candids. People hanging around, smiling, having fun and being natural. But I also do the stuffy formal photography when you line everyone up. Those are the pictures most people are going to hang on the wall. Pictures of the family, the parents with the bridal party, the bride and groom, his parents, her parents, the food, and also the beautiful dramatic shots of the couple in a meadow or on a covered bridge.

How do you feel about Instagram? Right now, everyone wants to put a filter over their photos.

I’m guilty of that. I try to use the same filter on all of my posts for consistency. But what happens in 20 years or even five years when you look at that photo and you’re like, “Oh, that’s kind of a gross filter that I haven’t used in so long?”

I capture shots naturally with the correct color, the correct mood, the proper exposure. I refuse to alter photos too much. I appreciate that social media gets people interested in photography. It creates photographers, which makes me grow, but it also inspires me

and sometimes it actually creates business. An amateur Instagram photographer will sometimes shoot a wedding and charge $500. They are the ones who create the horror stories, which makes their friends go out and hire a professional like me.

MALA SANTIAGO

What has your experience on social media been as a business owner? Good marketing requires throwing stuff at the wall and recognizing what sticks. Keeping the story alive is important right now. It changes the algorithm. Whether I’m posting food pictures or fun pictures, if my followers slow down to look at it, I become more relevant. Every time you slow down, it changes the algorithm.

Then, all of a sudden when I post my professional content, you’re seeing my wedding photos at the top of your feed.

What is your best advice for couples planning a wedding?

The pictures are one of the big things you just have to invest in. The photographer is one of the top feeders in the wedding food chain. It’s important to spend money on the venue and the photographer. We happen to be one of the more expensive things, because you come back to the photos again and again.

If the food sucked, you’re not going to remember it. If the DJ was whatever, you’re just going to think back and say, “A lot of people still danced.” But if you’re going to keep those epic pictures of you outside with your bridal party, or with your aunt and uncle who you hadn’t seen in years, or your little cousins who are now 6-foot-5—that’s the sort of stuff you’ll always remember.

Do a lot of research on your photographer and make sure you vibe

with them. If you get a bad vibe about them, go with someone else.

What do you do in your off time on the rare occasion you’re not shooting? I like to travel. I like to go down to New York just to do little spa days for myself at the

Russian Turkish Bathhouse. Self care is important. Every other year I try to get to Europe. I’ve visited 18 countries so far. But most of the time, I like hiking and working on my house.

– Sarah Connell

2019 Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Line-up CEAD MILE FAILTE! WORCESTER MAGAZINE FILE PHOTOS/STEVEN KING

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DIVISION IA 1 Melha Shriners DIVISION II 1 Naval Jr. ROTC Unit of Oxford HighColor Guard & All Services Honor Guard

2**

Tantasqua Regional High School Warrior Marching Band Sponsored by State Rep John Mahoney 3 State Rep John Mahoney & Marchers 4 Jesse Burkett Little League 5 Float Carpenter’s Local Union #107 6 Float I.B.E.W Local #96 7 Worcester Rugby 8 Worcester GAA Hurling Club 9** Southbridge High School March Band Sponsored by O’Connor’s Restaurant and Bar 10 Worcester Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team 11 Irish Wolfhound Association of New England 12 Heart of New England Council, BSA 13 Cub Scouts Pack #37 13a** Troop 54 Boys Scouts 13b Float Murphy’s Dance Academy 14 Worcester Cadet Squadron Civil Air Patrol Color Guard & Unit 15 Worcester Pride 15a** Blues Brothers Review 16 Letter Carriers NALC Branch #12 & USPS 17 Latin American Health Alliance 18 Float Every Day Miracles 19 Float Cupcakes Anonymous 20 Worcester Roller Derby 20a Float Serrato Signs 21 Uncle Sam 22** Al Youngman Band 23 Be Like Brit Foundation 24 Worcester Renegades Youth Street Hockey 24a Miss Central Mass Beauty Pageant 25 Float Joann Warren Studio 26 Float VIP Landscaping, LLC 27 Float Mass Trail Riders ATV+UTV Club 28 Float Building Block’s Play Center 29 Worcester Pilots Football Team 30 Donate Life New England 31 Liberty Tax 32 Float Revival Academy Dance 33 Float Worcester County Chimney & Masonry 34 Ridge Valley Stables, Inc 35 D.C.U.- Digital Federal Credit Union & Marchers 36 National Grid Truck 37 Hot 96.9 Boston 38 WROR 105.7 39 Direnzo Towing - Event Sponsor THE END

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SLAN AGUS BEANNACHT!

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0 1 H C R A UE M , Y VEN A D SUN PARK A

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Float Odd Fellows Home of Massachusetts, Inc. – Limited Corporate Sponsor” 28 South High School Air Force Jr. ROTC 29 Float Fraternal Order of the Eagles Worcester Aerie #4311 30 Fallon Health - Limited Corporate Sponsor 30a Blackstone Valley Detachment #911 Marine Corps League - Color Guard 30b Float Vietnam Veterans for the Community 30c American Legion Vernon Hill Post #435 - Fire Truck 30d Float Vietnam Veterans Chapter of Central Mass 31 Worcester Girl Scouts 32a Stilt Walkers 32b** New Magnolia Jazz Band Sponsored by the Emerald Club of Worcester County 33 The Emerald Club of Worcester County & The Mercy Centre 34 Dodge Park Rest Home and Oasis at Dodge Park 35 Early’s on Park Avenue 35a North High School Navy Jr. ROTC and Color Guard 36** Douglas High School Band Sponsored by Congressman Jim McGovern 37 Congressman Jim McGovern & Marchers 38 Float McInerney School of Irish Dance Sponsored by Mayor Joe Petty 39 Mayor Joe Petty & Marchers 40 Woo Sox 41 Float Friendly House Contingent 42 Quinsigamond Community College Police Academy 43 Autism Learning Partners - Limited Corporate Sponsor (44, 45, 46 Not used) 47 Float Perro’s House of Flowers 48 Ameripride Services - Division Sponsor 49 Atlas Distributors - Limited Corporate Sponsor 50 Wachusett Brewing Company 51 Float Worcester Bravehearts Baseball Club 52 Float Wormtown Brewery 53 Float Teamsters Union Local Union #170

M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019

DIVISION I 1 St. Patrick’s Banner 1a Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Banner 2 Worcester Police Color Guard 3** Police Pipes & Drums of Worcester Sponsored by Greater Worcester Police Emerald Society 4 Grand Marshal Banner 5 Grand Marshal & Unit 6 Grand Marshal Float 7 Worcester Police Department Most Reverend Bishop Daniel P. Reilly 9 Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade Chairperson Mary Ellen Murphy 10 Holy Cross Naval ROTC Crusader Battalion Color Guard 11** South High Community School Band Sponsored by Mass College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University 12 Mass. College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences University 13 Float St. Peter’s Central Catholic School 14** Clinton Public School Bands Sponsored by AOH & LAOH Division #36 Worcester 15 Mayor of the St. Patrick’s Parade Beth Doyle and Past Mayors of the Parade 16 Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #36 17 Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #36 17a Ar d’Teanga Fein 17b Past Grand Marshals 18 Worcester Fire Department Color Guard 18a** Worcester Fire Brigade Pipe & Drums Sponsored by Worcester Fire Department 19 Worcester Fire Department Color Guard 20 Worcester Fire Department 21 UMass Memorial - Worcester EMS 22 Clinton Fire Fighters Local #3189 22 Fire Fighters Representing Auburn, Clinton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury & W. Boylston” 23a** Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band 24 Sponsored by the City of Worcester Elected Officials 24a City of Worcester Elected Officials 24b City of Worcester Human Rights Commission 25a Float Knights of Columbus Alhambra #88 25b Float Knights of Columbus St. Bernard’s 26 Float Our Lady of the Angels School

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M A R C H 7 - 13, 2019