Worcester Magazine Sept. 27 - Oct. 3, 2018 by Worcester Magazine

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The Spirits Beneath Worcester City Common

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On the fringe: Shawna Shea Film Festival keeps growing: The four-day film festival takes place throughout Central Massachusetts, with venues in both Worcester and Southbridge, from Oct. 3-6. 18 Comic Karaoke: We are finally in the midst of WOOtenanny. Organizers Shaun Connolly and Bryan O’Donnell have been tirelessly promoting Worcester’s only comedy festival all summer long in preparation for a week of sketch, improv and stand up. 21

in this issue S E P T. 2 7 - O C T. 3 , 2 0 1 8 • V O L U M E 4 4 I S S U E 5

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The Spirits Beneath Worcester City Common Story on page 12 Photo by Elizabeth Brooks, Design by Kimberly Vasseur

Wanted: Something truly sharp: This is a precarious time for me. I’m preparing to enter into a long-term relationship, one I hope will provide meaning and joy, inspire and entertain me. 23

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City Council backs DACA immigration policy BILL SHANER

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he City Council this week voted to send a resolution to federal officials demanding people here under immigration protections on the Trump Administration chopping block be protected. The resolution, put on the agenda by Mayor Joe Petty, urges Congress to pass legislation to keep immigrants with temporary protected status in the country, as well as legislation that gives immigrants here under the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, permanent citizenship status. The measure also called for better asylum laws, especially for women. Several speakers in the audience Tuesday night, including at least one DACA recipient, spoke to the need for immigration reform as the Trump Administration threatens mass deportations and the removal of protections like DACA and TPS. Kevin Porchello, a Worcester resident and DACA recipient, said he spoke to support the cause. DACA, he said, afforded him the right to stay in the country, pursue higher education and land a job in the information technology sector. “Like many others, I arrived to this country by my parents, who brought me over here for a better life and a better opp and safety,” he said. “We wanted to do our best, we went to school.” The resolution passed, 10-1, after a long discussion that centered, for the most part, around Councilor Konnie Lukes’ opposition. Initially, several weeks ago, Lukes pushed the order out to the meeting this week. At the meeting, she put her own order on the agenda, asking

Mayor Joe Petty FILE PHOTO

for a legal opinion on whether or not voting on the resolution violated Council rules. Lukes opposition centered around two points: One, the fact the City Council did not entertain a resolution put forward by the group Act Now Worcester against the Patriot Act years ago. The group was notable for the silent protests in orange jumpsuits of Worcester City Council and individual councilors. Two, the order, she felt, played into the dysfunction on the federal level. Congress, she said, can’t pass immigration

reform, even though it is obviously needed. So, under the Obama Administration, officials passed the DACA protections as an executive order, one that could be easily revoked. The circumnavigation of the legislative process brings the federal government toward a constitutional crisis, she said. The Worcester City Council wading into that only makes the problem worse, she said, if it matters at all. “They don’t care what the City of Worcester says, let’s be honest,” she said. “They are well aware of the problems with the country’s

immigration laws and they are well aware of the steps needed to correct it.” But Lukes was the only councilor who saw it that way. Others pitched the order as a way to send a message to the city’s immigrants that city government is doing what it can to help them through this situation, where the Trump Administration has put them squarely in the focus. “We as a body here will always be loyal to the people of Worcester. We’re elected to represent folks on the voting rolls, off the voting rolls,”

said Councilor Khrystian King. “It’s extremely important we do what we can to advocate and let people know here in the city of Worcester that we advocate and take into account the best interests for all.” District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera’s remarks were a bit more pointed. She asked Lukes directly why she has no problem with another resolution on the agenda supporting a statewide effort to defend trans rights, but has an issue with DACA and TPS holders. Those people, she said, are predominately people of color. In a country with a legacy of enslavement, colonization of natives, change often came one municipality at a time, she said. Her remarks caused a ripple through the Council chambers and Lukes was heard complaining. Rivera looked at her as she said, “Can I have some respect when I’m speaking, same as I gave you.” Petty had to bang the gavel to quiet the exchange. District 3 Councilor George Russell went at Lukes’ criticism of the order violating Council rules. He said he was on the rules committee when the rule about resolutions was passed. Resolutions such as Petty’s are allowed when the person who filed it can demonstrate it affects Worcester residents directly. “No question this item before us today does affect hundreds and hundreds of people in Worcester,” Russell said. “The folks in the jumpsuits failed to show that there were specific folks in Worcester who were affected by items they were advocated for. I feel this is a completely different item.” Bill Shaner can be reached at 508767-9535 or at wshaner@worcestermag.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner.

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State expands college grant program to part-time students BILL SHANER

n an effort to make graduation easier for students at risk of dropping out of college, especially community college, state officials announced what they’re calling the largest expansion of the MassGrants program in decades at Quinsigamond Community College earlier this week. Called the new MassGrant Plus program, the roughly $7.5-million investment expands the

MassGrant program to part-time community college students for the first time. “For us it was important to use this program to not just expand it on traditional terms, but also make it available to part time students, because it’s very clear to us, if you just look at higher education trends in general, they show us that more and more and more of the folks that are in higher ed are also working or they have other C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 7

Gov. Charlie Baker announces the expansion of the MassGrants program for community college students at Quinsigamond Community College. To his left, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Secretary of Education James Peyser, Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago and Quinsigamond Community College President Luis Pedraja.

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

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-749-3166 x324 or at wshaner@ worcestermag.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner.

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Grants expansion is an effort to help remove barriers, she said, and allow more people who may be struggling to follow through on the process. Oftentimes, Polito said, people drop out of school not because they aren’t keeping up academically, but because the math doesn’t work out, and other costs like transportation and housing keep students from pursuing more classes. “We’ve learned that so many start in this process but don’t finish because they don’t have the resources,” she said. Before the event, school officials put on a roundtable discussion between three students – two single mothers and a new immigrant – and state officials to discuss the challenges of staying on track for a degree while managing work, children and cultural barriers. The students spoke to frustration with accessing and keeping financial aid. Student Shantel Rutherford said many students drop out if they lose scholarship money due to subpar academic performance. “Sometimes,” she said, “it’s a big discouragement.” College president Luis Pedraja said that for the students who have already received the MassGrants money, it can be “a game changer” for them. At the press conference, state Secretary of Education James Peyser said investing in community colleges around the state is critical, because they bring more people in to pursuing four year degrees, and offer higher education to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to pursue it. “The bottom line is that community colleges transform lives,” Peyser said. But, he said, costs of college, including community college, is rising. “We need to do more,” he said, “and that’s what MassGrant Plus is all about. It’s trying to fill those holes, provide those last dollar supports to ensure that all students who are willing and able and interested in pursuing a community college education can do that.”

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obligations they need to deal with,” Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday, Sept. 24 at Quinsigamond Community College, where he was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and others. The MassGrant program, administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, provides money to students depending on need to meeting tuition and fees cost. The grant amounts vary from student to student and from year to year. Students apply each year. The program is only offered to Massachusetts residents. QCC President Luis Pedraja said the program would help about 1,000 students at Quinsig. “In particular, I want to thank you for putting in this money that will benefit our students here,” Pedraja said. “When we have students that come to our classes hungry, dealing with food insecurity, or students who are homeless or students who are working multiple jobs, single parents trying to cobble together an education, this is a game changer.” The governor chose Quinsig to make the announcement, he said, becaus e the grant expansion is meant to target community college, and especially part-time college students. Quinsig has been “playing big in this space,” Baker said. “We look forward to working with them on a go-forward basis,” he said. Education trends show more and more people are working or taking up other obligations as they go to school, and many are going to school later in life, he said. “It’s not the runway that was sort of predefined that it once was, and we need to make our programs accommodating for people who are pursuing a number of different paths,” he said. Polito spoke to personal experience, saying she was of the first generation in her family to graduate college. “The idea is the next generation, the one after that, would stand on the shoulders of those who had come before you and do more,” she said. But, she said, there are significant barriers in the way of achieving that goal, especially for new immigrants and single mothers, and women and communities of color more generally. The Mass-

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worcesteria

THE NÜ WORCESTER: I swear, you get a job in Boston media and

a horrible spell is cast upon you which makes the state outside the Route 128 ring literally invisible. When you look at a map, it’s just a black abyss full of question marks suspended in the ether. When you drive far enough west on the Mass. Pike, a sheet of white fog comes across your line of vision, and you’re immediately teleported back to the newsroom with no recollection you were ever gone. You just can’t see Central Mass., and the pain of that is so great you just try to forget it’s there. Unfortunately for most of us, it seems the WooSox announcement has, at least temporarily, lifted the effect of that magic spell, and a whole gaggle of Boston media types are looking at the Heart of the Commonwealth with fresh eyes. Some of it is well done. Boston 25 News, the local Fox station, dedicated a 20-minute segment to the narrative of a city on the rise. And it’s actually good, taking an in-depth – for cable news, mind you – longview with the interesting starting point of the construction of the UMass Medical School campus in the 1970s. Then there are takes like this gem on WGBH’s website – by the executive producer and editor, not some schlub – titled “Worcester is hip? Really?” As the Worcesteria author before me (hey, Tom) rightly pointed out on Twitter, that is a super condescending headline. But it gets better. While going through a surface-level recap of the city’s “Renaissance” marketing pitch to developers, they manage to call the City Hall Common “City Square Park,” give Boston credit for Worcester’s success by saying it’s the high prices of rent are “in part fueling Worcester’s resurgence,” and, before it was changed, included a “Wooster” spelling. Now, this is all better than the New York Times swooping in every couple years when they need an example of how horrible the Rust Belt is, but it’s still not great.

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HOT FOR TEACHERS: Might not seem especially top-of-mind, given

the stretch of cold, rainy weather we’ve had. But when teachers and students at Worcester Public Schools started the school year, there were a few weeks of utter agony for those without air conditioning, of which there are many. The stretch of unseasonably hot weather – teachers were posting pictures of thermometers in their classrooms reaching the mid 90s – killed productivity and caused some drama within the school department ranks. Well, since those hot, miserable days, a group of teachers have banned together to organize around fixing the issue. They’re holding a meeting at the Education Association of Worcester office Tuesday, Oct. 2, 4-5:30 p.m., and then they’re speaking in front of the School Committee Thursday, Oct. 4. The message: WPS need a plan for extreme heat, especially since freak weather events, rapid temperature shifts and unseasonably hot weather seem to be the new normal.

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WAY: The City Council on Tuesday passed off

a petition from a group of youth on Kilby Street to change the name, which has long been associated with gangs and the drugs and violence that gangs tend to bring. As District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera put it, the name change is an effort to bring kids into the decision making process and give them some agency. What the kids came up with: Boys and Girls Club Way. I personally think these kids should have the right to change it to whatever they well please. That whole area is turning a remarkable corner right now, after being unfairly panned as the worst part of the city for decades, and the residents deserve to put their own own stamp on the transformation. But this item provoked some argument in the office this morning, which I really wasn’t expecting. A colleague argued “Kilby Street” is history, and you can’t just change history because you don’t like it. That argument sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Anyway, keep an eye out for the Planning Board meeting on this. Should be interesting. Bill Shaner, reporter wshaner@worcestermag.com Twitter: @Bill_Shaner

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the beat Fallon Health announced on Monday they’re a corporate sponsor of

the new WooSox team, expected to start play in 2021. They’re the first Worcester business to say so, though there are rumored to be many more. The company did not disclose their financial contribution.

Former Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme held a book signing this week for “Margaret’s Dove,” his first romance novel, which he self published. The book is set in Worcester and on Cape Cod. The signing took place Tuesday night at the Worcester Public Library.

With a waiting list for public housing about 6,000 people long,

the Worcester Housing Authority is considering building more public housing. The authority is launching a feasibility study, and may either purchase new units or build new buildings. If implemented, the increase in housing would be the first since the 1990s.

After some criticism from within the ranks, Superintendent Maureen Binienda confirmed the annual school kickoff rally held before the first day of school is here to stay. A hallmark of her tenure since taking over in 2016, the rallies at the DCU Center are intended to be a motivational moment for teachers and students starting the year. They’re also mandatory, and some have complained the day before school starts is time better spent preparing.

UMass Memorial Medical Center has hired a chief opioid officer

and launched an Opioid Crisis Task Force to look at the hospitals role in the ongoing opioid crisis. Among the reasons for launching the task force is the fact Worcester County bucked the trend in 2017. Though most counties saw a drop in opioid overdose deaths, the figure in Worcester rose. SEVENHILLSFOUNDATION.ORG

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Worcester native Ed Daly received the one of the most prestigious awards for civilians, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his work in an

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The Seven Hills Foundation held its fourth annual Ability Fest over the weekend,

which included a 5k race, a walk, a festival and other activities. The fest is intended to emphasize inclusive activities for the disabled, as well as promote wellness and fun for those of all abilities.

agency that preceded the CIA during World War II. Congressman Jim McGovern presented the medal at a ceremony this week at the Southgate Shrewsbury Retirement Community, where Daly lives.

Blackstone Tap, a Canal District business shuttered and seized by

federal officials in a money laundering case, again has an owner. Jefferson Mararian, a buisnessman who used to own it, took over the Water Street building, but hasn’t yet decided on a use. Mararian opened the business in 2004 and sold it to Kevin Perry in 2016. Perry was sentenced earlier this year to 14 years in federal prison for laundering money made selling drugs.

opinion editorial

Boston media gets it right, wrong with Worcester

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h, Boston, we love ya. The Boston media tries, they really do. Still, when it comes to giving Worcester and Central Mass some love, it’s often hit or miss from the Boston media. Oftentimes, it seems, the big city TV and print types only head west of I-495 when something bad happens. Body found in trunk of car? Get out to Sturbridge! Child run over by car? Head to Worcester! That’s simply how it works. Salacious sells. Tragedy is tops when it comes to news coverage. Recently, however, Worcester has started to turn the tide. Lately, the Boston media have been daring to venture this far outside their cozy confines for (gasp!) positive news. Of course, it’s hard to ignore when the second largest city in New England lands the top Minor League team of the Boston Red Sox. That announcement has drawn media folks from far and wide. It was elbow room only in the hallway outside City Hall’s

Levi Lincoln Chambers after an outdoor celebration earlier this month that featured a number of Boston Red Sox legends and notables. The Boston media were duly represented. The attention is starting to come in droves. Last week, Boston 25 News (they dropped the “Fox” in their name) devoted an entire 30 minutes, minus commercials, to “The New Worcester.” It was, largely, a well-done and enjoyable recognition of some of what’s going on in Worcester. A booming restaurant scene, top-notch colleges and universities, a bustling biotech industry all got their due. And they found a way to get a dog into the mix, too, featuring two Worcester Polytechnic Institute students training a guide dog. Worcester is getting its moment in the sun, and it clearly enjoys the attention of its big sister city. It’s almost as if adoration from the Boston media provides some sort of validation for a city that long has been portrayed from the same types

as a place best avoided. The term “gritty mill town” has been used ad nauseam. Of course, it wouldn’t be the Boston media if they didn’t mess things up now and again. This week, wgbh.org, attempted to get in on the Worcester thing with a story titled “Worcester is hip? Really?” Right off the bat, the little city that could got some tough treatment when,

in the third paragraph, it was called “Wooster.” Or something like that. The error has since been corrected. What it hadn’t corrected as of earlier this week was the reference to City Common as “City Square Park.” Apparently, the city has invested heavily in that. But, we quibble. The undeniable fact is the Boston media is showering Worcester with

attention - and not just because of a double homicide or multivehicle pile-up on the Mass Pike. This is honest-to-goodness, look-what-they’re-doing-outtheir stuff. Truth is, the city deserves it, even if at times it feels a bit patronizing. And just for future reference, all you Boston media types, it’s “Worcester” and “City Common.” Keep the love coming.

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opinion One step forward JANICE HARVEY

“During carpet time, my classmates would put their two feet on the floor and stand up,” he said. “I hen Anthony Marti had to find somewhere my hands opened the door of his could feel sturdy enough to push Barclay Street apartmy lower bodyweight up, to stand. ment, I nearly lost my When I tried to get up from sitting footing – and my composure. in low chairs, I had to get my butt Standing in the doorway was my former student, now a young man to the edge of the chair and put my hands on the back of the chair to of 21, his smile as blinding and push myself up.” big as it ever was. And though At first, Anthony’s mom thought the smile was as welcoming as I perhaps he was being lazy, a “maremembered, it was the fact he ma’s boy.” She saw no evidence of was standing that nearly knocked me off my own feet: Anthony Marti physical weakness in her son, who had developed normally, reaching was in a wheelchair when last we all early childhood milestones. met. Anthony was diagnosed at age 5 Anthony’s persistent teacher with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type nagged his mother until she spoke with his doctor. So began his life as III, better known as SMA – not a kid who was “different.” Despite that it’s “better known” to many. his family’s support and protecOften misdiagnosed as Muscular tion, Anthony fought the image of Dystrophy, SMA has its own set himself as weak. of confounding set of symptoms. “I remember in second grade, Anthony was correctly diagnosed playing on a playground that had only after much prodding by an a steep hill … my legs got tired, alert preschool teacher, who took note of Anthony’s difficulties in the and didn’t have much strength, but I did it … I kept climbing like classroom.

everyone else.” That same determined boy came into my classroom years later, first with two canes clasped to his forearms, and later in a wheelchair. I watched as his condition deteriorated, although his sunny disposition never changed. His classwork was stellar as always, but he began coming to class a few minutes earlier and leaving a few minutes after the bell to avoid the crush in the corridor. We did not speak of it - until now. “You noticed?” he asked me, as we sat at his kitchen table last week. How could I not? His day was mapped out from beginning to end. “Even today I plan everything out,” he said. When Anthony told me he planned to walk across the stage for his diploma from North High, I had to hide my tears. I didn’t hide them when he achieved his goal. Soon after, he returned to his wheelchair, but change was on

the horizon for him. It came in the form of an injection – a brand new drug only recently approved by the FDA, called Spinraza. Anthony receives the powerful drug every four months. Its side effects — which include migraine headaches — have diminished since beginning the treatments. “I still use canes, and when I’m in the airport I use my wheelchair,” he said. “My progress is monitored each time I get an injection.” Anthony’s healthcare team has noted marked improvement in his condition. And while it offers no cure for SMA, Spinraza has made a noticeable difference in his life, enough so that he has become the drug’s ambassador. Anthony travels frequently to speak with others afflicted with SMA, and in the year since his first injection, he has told his story of hope and perseverance across the country, compensated by Biogen, the drug company that manufactures Spinraza. On hold are his studies in phlebotomy at

Quinsigamond Community College. Speaking engagements in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas have energized Anthony, who recently learned that, as the only Spinraza ambassador of Hispanic descent, he may soon be telling his story in Spanish-speaking countries. In a corner of the kitchen stood the wheelchair I recalled. Its seat was filled with boxes; it’s now a catch-all, used only needed, and not nearly as often as it once was. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that brilliant smile, wide and genuine. He walked me to the door, hugged me and waved as I crossed Barclay Street to my car. From now on, standing tall in his doorway smiling is the way I will think of Anthony Marti.

Janice Harvey contributing writer

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feature The Spirits Beneath Worcester City Common JOSHUA LYFORD

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eneath the Worcester Common lies a secret. While the rolling green grass provides a surface for weekly events, like the Out to Lunch concert series, and the trees provide shade for those looking to relax on the benches, for many years deceased Worcester residents made their final resting place just beneath our feet. A number of headstones remain, surrounding a tall gothic memorial to Revolutionary War Col. Timothy Bigelow. Bigelow himself led the Worcester Minutemen, the local militia “ready at a moment’s notice,” just before the the start of the American Revolution. The tombstones surrounding the monument are shrouded in mystery, at least to much of the general public. While detailed records are scarce, the burying ground beneath the Common began use as far back as 1729, with the final burial taking place in 1824. What remains today is just a small piece of the graveyard that belies the size and scope of the old burying ground significantly. Before railroad tracks crisscrossed the common in the 1800s — and long before the monuments, benches, fountains and outdoor ice skating rink Worcester residents would recognize today — the Common played host to the dead. The story of the graves — and the ongoing path toward modernization the city has undertaken for years — is a long and interesting one. With the help of the Worcester Historical Museum and a 1994 archaeological report presented by the University of Massachusetts from the Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks, we take a look at the history of the old burying ground beneath the Worcester City Common.

feature

AN UNCOMMON BURIAL GROUND

oday, Worcester is touted as the second largest city in New England. Its development renaissance has been heralded in all corners ad nauseam and downtown itself is undergoing a transformation as new buildings are erected and old buildings are torn down. Worcester has long been on a path toward change, with major moves being met with mixed results. From the railroad industry to failed malls, meeting houses to bus stations, the city has not shied away from consistent revision. But back in 1673, Worcester looked a lot different when English settlers John Eliot and Daniel Gooken stumbled onto the location known as Quinsigamond. The area in the heart of Massachusetts wouldn’t be incorporated as a town until June 14, 1722 and wouldn’t grow into a city until Feb. 29, 1848. The Common’s burial ground is the city’s oldest surviving space of its kind. It is thought that the burial ground began use in the early-mid 1700s. The body of Jonas Rice, the city’s first permanent settler, was located in the Common burial ground. The first public-use burial ground in Worcester had ground broken on Thomas and Summer streets, with the burial ground on the Common coming shortly thereafter, a stone’s throw away from the meeting house where town meetings and religious ceremonies took place. The Worcester Common had a significantly-different appearance in the early days of the town. Today, pedestrians crisscross the paved paths behind City Hall, but back then, town operators did not take the long view we associate with the future plans of a city. The burial ground was conveniently located, and it wouldn’t be until much later, in the middle of the 1800s, that city officials would begin to look at alternatives for the space. It was when the city started to take a long view into the trajectory of Worcester and its future that the space would come into focus. What to do with a massive tract of graves and tombstones located in what would typically be the beating heart of a major city?

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feature REMOVING THE GRAVES

n March 22, 1850, The Worcester Daily Spy editorialized about the burial ground, positing that change had to be made in order to keep up with the overall growth of the city: “No man owning a house lot in the central parts of this city has made himself poorer by constructing a sidewalk and ornamenting it with shade trees along the line of his premises … Worcester unquestionably is a beautiful and flourishing inland city; but yet there is but one park or common within the city proper, and that containing less

Map of the village of Worcester, 1829, by Ed E. Phelps.

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PROVIDED BY WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

than three acres of land. Add to this several burial places, a pound for the accommodation of wayfaring cattle, schoolhouse lots, and possibly there may be, all told, five acres of public grounds within the city.” The time had come to do something about the gravesites under the common and the tombstones that memorialize those beneath, but what to do with the approximated 400 graves below? In 1850, a proposal was made to remove the graves from the Common. Another policy came forward, which was eventually followed through on: lay the gravestones flat and cover them by at least 12 inches of soil. Just like that, the old burying ground on the Common had disappeared. From sight, at least.

FINDING PROOF

n 1875, the railroad tracks crossing the Worcester Common ceased activity. In 1887, the old Meeting House was torn down. A new City Hall was erected in 1898 and the Common became a public park, very similar — in concept at least — to the space residents would recognize today. In the 1960s, Daniel Farber, a photographer and businessman from Worcester, was seeking out gravestones to photograph. Farber followed in the footsteps of Worcester’s Harriette Merrifield Forbes, a historian and photographer who changed the way people looked at grave markers forever. Her book, “Early New England Gravestones and the Men Who Made Them,” published in 1927, is responsible for setting the pace in American graveston study. Farber was looking for fresh markers after photographing many cemeteries, graveyards and burial grounds throughout New England. Ivan Sandrof, previously an editor at the Worcester Telegram, clued Farber in on the burials beneath the common. The photographer teamed up with

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Above, remains are found beneath the Common during Charles Bouley and Daniel Farber’s survey. Left, Abigail Johnson’s remains, found during the 1994 Archaeological Survey PROVIDED BY THE WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM.

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still remain beneath the ground. On Sept. 30, 1994, archaeological monitoring started in the southeastern area of the Common. Construction workers uncovered several gravestones while digging into the earth to build a bus shelter. The shelter was constructed as a part of the Downtown Worcester Beautification Project and workers were understandably shaken by their unexpected discovery. Construction was immediately halted as at least five additional monuments were uncovered. The Massachusetts Historical Commission and senior archaeologist Edward Bell began to survey the area under-construction: “From the information provided to the MHC, it was believed that the stones were in a disturbed context, and that the associated burials have been exhumed,” Bell said. “Hence, the monitoring [along Front Street on the southeast section of the common] was 1) to ensure that gravestone fragments would be recovered and documented using professional archaeological methods; and 2) to monitor for the presence of human remains in compliance with the

Mass Unmarked Burial Law.” A component of the overall survey was reconnaissance. The authors of the Worcester Common Burial Ground report were interested in who the people buried in the second burying ground were - their ethnicity, social standing and burial practices; whether the sites aligned with the Valentine, and later Bouley and Farber, maps; whether there were unmarked graves; and the integrity of the space. The gravestones themselves tell an interesting, if nebulous story. “Reader - Death is a debt to nature due Which I have paid and so must you.” So read the epitaph on the marker of Thomas Brown, who was born in 1736 and died in 1776. Other stones were not so well kept, like that of Elizabeth Brown, who was born in 1766 and died in 1776. Only four lines were legible to discoverers. “She often made our hearts for to rejoice, Her pleasant nature and her cheerful voice, But god…” Regardless of the legibility of the

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historian and genealogist Charles Bouley to gather as much information as possible on the burial site. They began their study on Oct. 8, 1965. The two men used the copy of a map, created by Gill Valentine in 1853 and provided by the thenWorcester Society of Antiquity (now the Historical Museum), to try and map the locations of the graves. The pair set out to prove the stones were still there, beneath the surface, to establish their exact location (by triangulating from knownpoints using the Valentine map) and to ensure the relics wouldn’t be lost or destroyed. They received permission to dig, but could not immediately find a gravestone. Finally, some time later, they uncovered the headstone of Deacon Jacob Chamberlain close to the Bigelow Monument, followed by the head and footstones of Elizabeth Jennison and Thomas Sterne, who were buried in the mid-late 1700s. Years of grading in the area made digging difficult to plan, as some were dozens of feet beneath the ground. In 1966, the discovery of Jonas Rice’s headstone led redevelopment officials to start planning for the creation of a new burial ground. While dozens more graves were uncovered in the coming months, Albert B. Southwick, a writer for the Worcester Evening Gazette and Worcester Telegram, editorialized on the site in May of 1968. “There is no question whatever that the stones being unearthed at the eastern end of the common are a treasure trove – a priceless heritage for our city,” he wrote. “For in them we have what no amount of money could buy – an authentic link to our past.” By 1968, Farber, Bouley and their team had uncovered 125 burials, far more than anticipated based on the Valentine map. They chose the remains of 17 individuals to be located in a new, historic burial ground. The headstones used were chosen solely based on aesthetics; those that looked interesting and remained in good condition. The remains of all other individual graves found were relocated to Hope Cemetery in 1969 or buried with a memorial. Other burial sites

feature markers, much was learned about the way early Worcester citizens handled death and funerary practices. Some of which is directly referenced in the 1994 report: “The individuals whose graves were disinterred from the Second burying Ground in the fall of 1994 were not buried in fancy clothes, but rather in shrouds. They were placed in simple pine boxes. This suggests that the attitudes and practices surrounding the burial of Abigail Jenison at the close of the eighteenth century did not entail elaborate ceremonialism; there is little to indicate that her family and mourners sentimentalized death and ascribed to the various tenets of the beautification of death movement that were increasingly taking hold elsewhere.”

SECRETS REMAIN

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he archaeological survey came away with a few major points and recommendations for the city of Worcester. The team concluded

you are tapping your feet to a live band on the common, skating with friends and family on the ice skating rink, or leaning back on the grass staring upward to the sky: “One might confidently infer that unmarked graves exist throughout the entire area. These graves may have once been associated with gravestones, gravestones which were subsequently removed ca. 1853 with the grading of the landscape, or they may have been unmarked graves from the time of interment. It is not unusual for individuals of lower economic class to be buried in unmarked graves. Any future project plans regarding construction on the part of the City of Worcester should take into consideration the need for excavation, analysis and reburial or storage of said skeletal remains.” It is true, then, that the centerGil Valentine’s map, circa 1853, from the 1994 Archaeological Survey. point for the oft-lauded Worcester development renaissance hides a PROVIDED BY WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM. secret, or, more accurately, dozens that the 1960s mapping and grave pears to have been some confusion discern the presence or location of or even hundreds of secrets. Beremoval was “not as systemic as it as to how many and which marked unmarked graves.” neath the foundation of City Hall could have been. Human burials graves were removed.” The final point made in the 1994 and across the Worcester Comremain in shallow graves in the Additionally, they concluded the archaeological study is perhaps the mon lie the spirits of Worcester’s bus shelter area, especially in the Gill Valentine map only recorded most curious – and an important forebears – the settlers, officials eastern section. Also, there apmarked graves and was “unable to one to remember the next time and plain folks of the day.

culture HOT DOG!

George’s Coney Island, a Worcester institution famed for its hot dogs, celebrates 100 years with a block party Sunday, Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy raffles, face painting and more, including local favs such as Polar Seltzer, the Worcester Bravehearts, Table Talk Pies, Kayem Hot Dogs, Ben and Jerry’s Wachusett Potato Chips and Wormtown Brewery. The fun is free, the memories priceless. ELIZABETH BROOKS

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culture

On the fringe: Shawna Shea Film Festival keeps growing JOSHUA LYFORD

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he Shawna Shea Film Festival is entering its seventh year and has seen significant growth since its inception. The independent festival has a distinct focus and, in holding with the memory of its namesake, will always remain in the fringe. The four-day film festival takes place throughout Central Massachusetts, with venues in both Worcester and Southbridge, from Oct. 3-6. “It all goes back to honoring Shawna,” explained organizer and founder Skip Shea, whose daughter was the impetus for the festival. Shawna Shea died in a car accident in 1999 when she was 16. “Expanding the arts definitely and the fact that regardless of the larger films, this remains fringe. That’s where she was. She hung out on the sides. There’s no way I am going anyplace else. It’s where we belong, it’s where we are comfortable. We are a fringe festival.” Shea is seated in the back of a Worcester Starbucks. Though the festival is fast-approaching, there is still work to be done. “This takes a lot of time and we’re still doing it. I just did another blast of ticket sales,” he said. “It starts with asking for submission, then we have a close date. We have to watch all the movies and send out what’s accepted and rejected, which is always hard to do. This year, because of the two venues in Southbridge and Bull Mansion, we’re showing 68 movies.” Shea is a busy man. Following his interview, he is off to work on a folk-horror film he wrote and is in the process of directing, called “Seeds,” featuring “The Strangers” actor Kip Weeks and “Suspiria” actress Barbara Magnolfi. In spite of this, Shea can’t help but be excited for the festival created in memory of his daughter. “We’re at four days, three locations. That is insane,” he said. “That’s very big. One is in Worcester, the Bull Mansion, the others are in Southbridge. They’re unbelievably supportive.” The festival kicks off Oct. 3 at Worcester’s Bull Mansion, with a screening of Jenn Wexler’s “The Ranger,” about a group of punk teens trying to survive a brutal park ranger. “‘The Ranger’ opened this year at South by Southwest,” explained Shea. “It played Fantasia in Montreal. It just played Fright Fest in London. These are the world’s largest genre festivals and it’s selling out at them.” Wexler’s film is one of many made by women to be featured at the Central Massachusetts film festival, a point that is in the spirit of the Shawna Shea Memorial Foundation’s mission statement. “Fifty-two percent of them are made by women,” said Shea. “I think it’s because it seems to be what we’re known for. I also think that a lof the complaints I’ve heard, not many, or maybe just one film was shown by a woman at the Venice Film Festival. They say that women make fewer movies, but obviously, they don’t. We did a spring festival, just a oneday thing of shorts, and over 60 percent were made by women. It was amazing. That’s kind of what we want. Expand our mission to go beyond film to support women in all of the arts.”

Skip Shea, organizer and founder of The Shawna Shea Film Festival ELIZABETH BROOKS

culture

On Oct. 4-6, the hosting duties are shared by two Southbridge venues: Starlite Gallery, 39 Hamilton St., and the Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts and Humanities, 111 Main St. On Oct. 4, The Starlite Gallery will hold a program of shorts, feature “The Graveyard Gang,” with an educational program held at the QVCAH, followed by a feature film screening of “Good Day” and “Do it Man: The Story of the Celebrity Club.”

“We have some really interesting documentaries this year,” said Shea. “One has a local tie, the story of the Celebrity Club. Apparently, in the ’50s, there was a jazz club in Providence that was interracial. This was like the only club. The bands would play for a week, and sometimes they didn’t have all of their musicians with them and these local guys would fill in. Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington. No one really knows

this story. That’s another local film and it’s great.” On Friday, Oct. 5, the Starlite will host a program of shorts followed by “Hablar Con Los Muertos,” a horror feature, and “The God Inside My Ear.” QVCAH will host a selection of shorts, followed by a program of short documentary films. Saturday, Oct. 6 will feature a significant amount of programing, with family time at noon at Starlite, fol-

lowed by Luigi Cozz’s “The Little Wizards of Oz,” a collection of shorts, and “Survival of the Film Freaks,” followed by more short films. The QVCAH will host a block of experimental shorts and the feature film “Bent on Somnolence” by local filmmakers. “Bull Mansion, Starlite, The Art Center, these aren’t traditional venues to show films and we want to keep it that way,” said Shea. “In a way, it makes the art of film more

accessible and opens people’s minds to different ways of seeing things. People are getting entertainment in different ways now. I think we can do more. To have a horror block at a place like Starlight, or upstairs at Bull Mansion, these are funky places to show art.” For more information, head to shawnasheaff.org, shawnafoundation. org. To buy tickets, visit filmfreeway. com.

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culture Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

WHY I HATE LISTS: Lists are the bane of any reporter’s exis-

tence. Whether it’s a career that devolves into a never-ending wormhole of listicles, à la my largely-internet based colleagues, or having to do annual listings, à la myself, they are a nightmare, no way around it. In my memory, I have never created a list that generated any positive feedback. At best, folks see it, nod and roll on past. At worst, there is something wrong with the list and, boy, do you hear about it. Unfortunately, these lists additionally provide me with one more stab in the back: I made them, so the mistakes are mine to own. What does this mean exactly? Well, it means I have to indulge in one of my least favorite activities: accepting responsibility. When making the music listings in this month’s Fall Arts Preview, I overlooked a number of things. Hey, I’m still on the hook for weekly, online and feature stories, what can I say? My actual reporting gig takes precedence. There was, however, one particularly egregious oversight on my behalf: the Worcester Chamber Music Society. So, without further ado, here is my mini-makeup list. And, before you ask, I think I have hit my limit for selfdeprecating apology columns, so if you read this and say “Hey! You forgot me too!,” just do what everyone else does and email me how friggin’ crappy I am.

LOVE AND VENGEANCE: That’s a pretty damn hard title for

an event, eh? I mean, if you’re going to come in hot with a title for a concert, you could sure do a lot worse. Here’s the skinny: The Chamber Society recently presented “Love and Vengeance,” the annual Tom Keil Memorial Concert, at Mechanics Hall. If the title didn’t sell you, read this from their official description: “In a cascade of Czech sounds and colors, this program celebrates the visionary romanticism of the Czech spirit. From eclectic and endearing Martinu, to Janacek’s tale of jealous passion that leads to the ultimate revenge.” Daaaaamn.

CLASSICAL CAFE: Alright, so “Love and Vengeance” went way

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concert series featuring musicians and friends of the Worcester Chamber music Society in non-traditional neighborhood venue, the Worcester PopUp. These bad boys are free, so you can save your quarters for parking. Hit the downtown Friday, Nov. 16.

ODE TO JOY: And, well, other songs, too. WCMS musicians and

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harder, title-wise, but I think we can agree the content has some gusto on this one. On Thursday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 14, Nuovo Restaurant will play host to “Classical Cafe.” What is classical cafe, you ask? Or, more accurately, you didn’t because you either aren’t reading this (95 percent) or because the title pretty much gives away the ending (the other five percent). Anyways, guzzle a fistful of mimosas and chill out to Ferdinand Reis, Franz Joseph Haydn and some other talented individuals. They’ll be absolutely shredding flute quartet in D minor and symphony quintetto (No. 14, Chamber arrangement). Hey, not EVERY title has to be punchy. the Worcester Chorus come together in an EPIC SHOWDOWN. Just kidding, they’re not at odds. Yet. Extra just kidding. Honoring the Worcester Chorus’ conductor, Christopher Shepard, folks will be softly undulating against your eardrums Sunday, Oct. 28 with Appalachian Spring for 13 instruments, presenting new work by the Chamber ensemble and chorus, Zadok the Priest (I feel like I buried the lead here. Did this just take a wild left-turn into fantasy territory? My FAVORITE territory?), Chorale Fantasy (nailed it) and “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9.

MUSIC ON MAIN: Buckle up you crazy freaks, it’s a community

CHRISTMAS CONCERTO: I’ve

run out of coffee, so you’re stuck with what ya got on this one. On Thursday, Nov. 29, the society will rip a seasonal concert at the Worcester Historical Museum. Suite in A minor for flute and strings, Cello Concerto in G major, Viola Concerto in G major, Concerto for Two Violins in A minor and Concerto Grosso in F major. If that doesn’t jingle your bells, Joshua Lyford you should probably find a Culture editor friskier reindeer.

@Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Comic Karaoke

We are finally in the midst of WOOtenanny. Organizers Shaun Connolly and Bryan O’Donnell have been tirelessly promoting Worcester’s only comedy festival all summer long in preparation for a week of sketch, improv, and stand up. “Not to give ourselves too much credit, but we nailed it this year,” O’Donnell told me From left, comics Shaun earlier this month during an interview for 102.9 FM WUTY. Connolly, Bryan O’Donnell On Thursday, Sept. 27, attendees and Mairead Dickinson procan head to BirchTree Bread moting WOOtenanny on 102.9 Company for “Pick a Side Stupid,” a comedy debate show FM WUTY earlier this month. SARAH CONNELL hosted by Shawn Carter (no, not that Shawn Carter.) Friday marks the Dan Boulger showcase at Ralph’s Rock Diner. Saturday’s show will take place at the PopUp on Franklin Street, enticing comics to pair a short set with their favorite karaoke tune. I plan to be behind the bar on Saturday starting at 7 p.m., providing you with plenty of liquid courage.

Steins On the House

Thursday, Sept. 27, The Fix is kicking off Oktoberfest with Jack’s Abby and the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner, beginning at 5 p.m. The event promises three featured beers from each producer, along with an Oktoberfest-inspired menu.The first two dozen guests to order a featured beer will walk away with a free stein.

Beers and Bounds

Beginning this week, Greater Good’s running group will cross the starting line at 6 p.m. every Thursday evening for a weekly 3-mile jaunt from the brewery. All abilities are welcome and participants are encouraged to stay for a libation following the workout.

Clue$ & Brew$

Flan, Mead, and Magic

Higgins Armory will host a fall festival with live performances, crafts

Chalkboard Chill

There’s nothing I love seeing more at a fast-casual establishment or local marketplace than great chalkboarding. On Saturday, Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m., you will have a chance to learn this unique art form from a PaintNite professional at El Basha restaurant on Park Ave. This is your chance to take chalkboarding to the next level and lend some card-carrying craft to your eatery’s ambience.

Sarah Connell contributing writer

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and a handmade marketplace on Sunday. Tasty treats will include doughnuts, cheese fritters, empanadas, cake pops, rice crisps, chocolate covered strawberries, apple pies, pumpkin, cookies, flan, cotton candy and popcorn, along with a special mead tasting. A live performance roster will feature The Dance Space (belly dancing), The Magic of Steve Charette, Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band (bagpipes), Tumbao Latin Dance (salsa), as well as clowns and characters. The fun starts at noon Sunday, Sept. 30. Entry is free.

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Trivia enthusiasts from around the land will throw down for Clues & Brews Friday, Sept. 28, 7-10 p.m. at Mechanics Hall. Teams of four and six will compete for a total of $5,000 in cash prizes. First place in the trivia event will take home $2,500. Teams are encouraged to register ahead of time at a cost of $30 per player. Mechanics Hall will host a cash bar; the food is free. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Unity Radio 102.9 FM in Worcester. This event is sponsored by Bay State Bank & Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare.

culture Keeping it in the Fan Zone

Railers Sports Tavern • 90 Commercial St., Worcester 774-420-7636 • railerssportstavern.com SANDRA RAIN

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ery few things are more beautiful to me than an abbreviated menu. A clean, one-page layout invites comfortable levels of choice while still providing enough options. This is something Railers Sports Tavern has under complete control. Railers Sports Tavern is built for fans, ergo the packaged crowd pleasers. Airstream trailer bar: check. Tater tots: check. Exposed brick: check. “Miracle on Ice” memorabilia: check. What’s not to love? The gunmetal façade behind the bar lends depth to Railers Sports Tavern’s long and skinny space. Windows open out to the street, allowing a refreshing breeze to ruffle cocktail napkins across the dark wooden bar top. Most of the seats in Railers Sports Tavern are elevated, but a comfortable bar rail provides a place for the vertically challenged to rest their feet. Families are welcome. Televisions run rampant. Niche Hospitality Group paints in broad strokes on Commercial Street and it’s hard to fault them for it. It’s the hospitality that takes a hit. Do not confuse this bit of criticism with the personnel. The staff at Railers Sports Tavern has far more character than what I have come to expect from Niche’s polished establishments and I fully appreciate that. This team has blue hair, tattoos and a commendable affection for simple beers. (Check out the limited edition PBR unicorn tap handle for reference.) What’s missing is adequate training to decrease the amount of labor guests must Philly tater totchos undertake throughout their stay. The staff should grow accustomed to unstacking plates, wiping down tables and wrapping leftovers as opposed to putting the onus on diners. The point of hospitality, after all, is to make us feel like guests rather than customers as soon as we walk through the door. The food is an elevated version of what you might find at the arena across the street during a sporting event and it represents a wide range of American favorites. Railers Sports Tavern takes a risk in attributing some of its dishes to their cities of origin. Philly tater totchos ($13) are dripping with white cheese sauce, shaved bits of steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms and scallions. A Nashville hot chicken sandwich ($11) makes an appearance served with pickles and American cheese, drenched in buttermilk ranch on a potato roll. The burn is slow and gentle. Railers Sports Tavern is built for fan favorites. The menu does not bend to showcase technique, nor should it. Niche knows its audience here. Fried mac and cheese ($7.50) is topped with crumbled bacon and barbeque sriracha. The chili cheese dog ($11) weighs in at a quarter pound, and it’s served on French bread. The chef ’s special is a half rack of barbeque ribs ($12) served with fries and slaw. It is possible to cook decent ribs in the oven, but patience is paramount and time is of the essence at Railers Sports Tavern. Do not arrive at Railers Sports Tavern expecting responsibly-sourced ingredients or local produce – you just won’t find it. Do come if you’re hoping to make it to the game on time; the food arrives fast and the fries are hand cut. These fans are no frills, and they know what they like. On our last dinner for two, the bill came to $67.95. 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: HHH1/2 Service: HHH Value: HHH

culture Wanted: Something truly sharp JIM KEOGH

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his is a precarious time for me. I’m preparing to enter into a long-term relationship, one I hope will provide meaning and joy, inspire and entertain me. Now all I have to do is find a partner. This is how I feel every time I get ready to binge-watch a new show. The idea of committing to a series fills me with angst, even though the stakes are amazingly low (the remote does have an “Off ” button after all). I dread jumping into something and growing bored halfway through, but not having the nerve to break it off. On the flip side, I could become so smitten, that when the series ends I feel like I’ve been dumped. First World problems, yes. I’m not apologizing. I hesitate to step out with a new show because I’ve been burned before. Most recently, I devoted quality time to “Sharp Objects,” the HBO limitedseries adaptation of the Gillian Flynn novel about a journalist, played by Amy Adams, who returns to her hometown to report on the murders of two teenage girls. The story was a Southern-gothic cliché casserole, whose ingredients included an insufferably-mannered and mean Mama, Confederacy worship, quiet alcoholism, Munchausen’s by proxy (good freakin’ grief !), and narcoleptic pacing cuz it’s Missouri in the dead of summer. What should have been a two-hour movie was padded into an eight-hour mini-series, and I was the sucker who sat still for all of it. Crime stories are my weakness. In fact, I fell in love with the HBO dark comedy, “Barry,” featuring Bill Hader’s Emmy-winning performance as a burnt-out hitman yearning for a normal life. Henry Winkler, also an Emmy winner, may have delivered the funniest extended performance of the year as a pretentious acting teacher whose ardent romantic pursuit of a police detective would be broadly classified as stalking if she wasn’t way tougher than he and didn’t also carry a gun. Netflix has been my go-to source for true crime: “Making a Murderer,” “The Staircase” and “The Keepers,” a horrifying account of the murder of a nun and the abuse suffered by students at an all-girls Catholic high school in Baltimore. On the fictional side, “Broadchurch” kept me enthralled for all its three seasons, dealing with the murder of a boy and the aftermath, in the titular seaside town. I can’t recall the subject of grief ever being handled so deftly yet forcefully. For fun, I’ve gone through “The IT Crowd,” “Doc Martin,” “Lady Dynamite,” and I am working my way through “BoJack Horseman,” though I’m late to the party. I bailed on “Orange Is the New Black” when it turned preachy, and “Stranger Things” because the kids annoy me. The return of “Arrested Development” was a huge disappointment, but I stayed with it because we once had a good thing together and, you know, memories. So what now? The amount of content available to us has become a demon. Of course, I want to choose wisely, but the recommendations are flying at me from all corners. You gotta see “Ozark,” I’m told. No, go right to “Maniac,” someone else says. What do you mean you haven’t seen “Smilf ”? See it! If you’ve got a suggestion, send it my way. I’ll add it to the pile, make a decision, get down on one knee in front of my TV and propose — then hope things work out for the best. Jim Keogh contributing writer

culture

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.

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EAST DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

We all have something missing in our lives. Guinea Pigs, like this lovely trio of little ladies (Rosie, Delilah, & Daisy) are high on the list of things that can fill this void. The dulcet trilling and chirping of guinea pigs is a lovely way to start a morning, and since they will be demanding fruit, they may also improve your breakfast routine (we see you bacon lovers). Or your lunch routine, since they will be asking for salad (bacon bits, you are not fooling anyone). For dinner a nice carrot to go with dinner (we all know bacon is for dinner too). These three girls are ready to start in a new home where there will be veggies, petting and space to romp. Trust us, you will love them. And bacon lovers: bacon does not romp, because even bacon is not perfect. The combined fee is $45, and they must be adopted together. (Rosie is pictured).

sports p Wildcats continue march into postseason WALTER BIRD JR.

ot that their season wasn’t already going well, but with the Worcester Wildcats back home where they belong at a revamped Foley Stadium, their winning ways have

made even more so given some of the obstacles. “The season’s been fantastic so far, you know,” he said. “We’ve had our struggles, of course, like any team would. Your challenges of trying to organize a semi-professional game where, at the end of the day,

New Haven Venom, 37-6 and 32-0. The Wildcats exacted a measure of revenge against the Warriors, with a 28-14 win at home, followed by a 43-15 rout of the Vermont Ravens, also at home. Saturday’s win over the Nightmare continued the winning streak.

Worcester Wildcats running back Zander Givens-Perry looks for room to run. PHOTO SUBMITTED

The Worcester Railers, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders, have announced four contracted players are taking part in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ AHL training camp, which started this week. A total of 11 players with Railers ties are participating in the camp. Contracted players for 2018-19 at the camp include forwards Dylan Willick, Woody Hudson and Nick Sorkin, and defenseman Tommy Panico. Players who appeared in games for the Railers last year, and are on contract with the Sound Tigers this season, include forwards Matt Gaudreau, Jeff Kubiak, Yanick Turcotte and Josh Holmstrom; defensemen Mike Cornell and Ryan MacKinnon; and goalie Mitch Gillam. The Railers report to training camp at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center Monday, Oct. 1. The complete training camp schedule, along with the camp roster, will be announced at a later date. The team’s home opener is Saturday, Oct. 20 vs. the Maine Mariners. For season memberships, flex packages, and group tickets contact the Railers HC front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting RailersHC.com. The Worcester Blades, a professional women’s ice hockey team in the Canadian Hockey League, hold a training camp session Thursday night, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Fidelity Bank Ice Center, 122 Harding St., Worcester. The team plays two preseason games against the Shenzhen KRS Vanke Rays Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30. Saturday’s game is at 6 p.m. at the Ice Center. Sunday’s tilt starts at 2 p.m. at the New England Sports Center, 121 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough. Tickets for both games are available at worcester. thecwhl.com. The team also hosts Media Day Thursday night, Sept. 27, at 5:30 p.m., at the Ice Center.

With this weekend’s matchup with the Riptide, the Wildcats will have played the last four games of the season at home. And they will stay there for at least the first game of the playoffs. Faulkner is glad to be playing back at Foley Stadium. The team was on the road the first four games of the season, before playing their first “home” game at Leominster’s Doyle Field. Rehab work at Foley Stadium that started earlier this year kept the team from playing there during the first half of the season. “We were hoping to be able to get (back home) for the second game of the season,” the coach said, “but that quickly changed very early on.” Improvements at Foley Stadium included turf replacement and a

Round-Up

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you still very much prioritize men being men, and being able to take care of their responsibilities at home and at work. “Playing in a league where you’re not financially compensated … it’s been a challenge, no doubt, for coaches. Everyone’s just trying to take care of their families and take care of their home life. I get it. As coaches, we’re left trying to piece together everything on our own to hopefully keep winning.” The wins have kept coming. The Wildcats started off the season 2-0, with victories over the Nightmare, 28-0, and Riptide, 32-12, before suffering their only loss of the year, 40-21, against the Mass Warriors. Then came five straight wins. They blanked the Green Valley Blackhawks, 30-0, then won two straight over the

bridge High alum Robert Norris “holds down the fort” at left tackle, Faulkner said, while another local product, Tim Budgell, who played for Worcester Tech, also plays defensive tackle. As for the Wildcats’ postseason prospects, Faulkner knows the road to the championship is a long one, but feels good about where his team is headed. “It’s a tough conversation, for sure,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of competition, for sure. I think we’ve got a great team, [a team] that is able to dig deep when the game matters the most. [Coming into the last game] I like our chances.” The Wildcats host the Riptide Saturday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., at Foley Stadium.

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continued. Now 8-1, the team clinched first place in the North Atlantic Conference Saturday, Sept. 22 with a big-time, 28-13, win over New London Nightmare, ensuring themselves of hosting the first playoff game at home. The two squads were tied for first place heading into the contest. On Saturday, the Wildcats will finish the regular season at home against the 2-7 Rhode Island Riptide. The team hosts the first playoff game Saturday, Oct. 6, and if they win, the championship a week later on Saturday, Oct. 13. For head coach Dennis Faulkner, whose team made it to the New England Football League championship in 2015 and lost in the second round of the playoffs last year, it has been an enjoyable ride,

new scoreboard and sound system. They have made a huge difference, according to Faulkner. “It’s been phenomenal being back,” he said, adding it has been particularly satisfying coaching many players who played their high school games at Foley. “We’ve been very fortunate to be able to stay there.” Speaking of players, the Wildcats have plenty on both sides of the ball who have made some noise, starting with quarterback Tim Bushey. The Doherty High alum is the leading scorer in the division and, said Faulkner, “has been instrumental in making us the number one offense in our division.” Calling him “poised” and “calm,” Faulkner said Bushey is a great leader whose players are willing to follow him. “He’s been a great asset for this team, for sure,” the coach said. Running back Trevor Choruzek, a Leicester High product, has been a force in the backfield, particularly over the first stretch of the season after fellow RB Zander GivensPerry went out with a separated shoulder. The latter has since returned, and just in time, as Choruzek was injured in the Ravens game and did not play against the Nightmare. Given-Perry returned against the Warriors and racked up two touchdowns. He scored two more against the Ravens, according to Faulkner. Running back Marcus Price has provided a reliable change of pace on third downs, at times jumping into the slot position. Down the field, Justin Sundara, an all-star the last three years, has been a playmaker as well as the team’s leading offensive scorer. The Bartlett High grad played for a spell at Worcester State. “We were fortunate enough to land him with us,” Faulkner said of Sundara, who along with Bushey serves as an offensive captain. Defensively, another Doherty High product, middle linebacker Al Price, serves as captain. “He has been an anchor on the defensive side, our shot caller, our guy who’s been able to help coaching in terms of making adjustments,” Faulkner said. “He’s an impactful player on the defensive side.” Defensive tackle and South-

Krave? What do you

Coming October 25!

calendar

For advertising information, contact Helen Linnehan at 508-767-9530 or at hlinnehan@worcestermag.com Reservation deadline: Sept. 28

Friday, Sept. 28 Tony Bennett: 10th Anniversary Performance and Gala

The Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St. The absolute legend, Tony Bennett, heads to The Hanover Theatre to help celebrate the venueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th anniversary.

Saturday, Sept. 29 WOOtenanny presents: live at the PopUp! Worcester PopUp, 20 Franklin St. As part of the weeklong WOOtenanny comedy festival, Live at the PopUp! brings some of the best comedians from the area and beyond, followed by a comedy and karaoke show hosted by Bryan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell.

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S E P T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018

Saturday, Sept. 29 9th Annual BBQFest

Wachusett Mountain, 499 Mountain Road. The yearly event returns to Wachusett Mountain with live music, beer, a pig roast, farmers market, skyride and more.

Friday, Sept. 28 Clues and Brews

Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. Presented by: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Bay State Savings Bank, Mechanics Hall and Creedon and Co. Clues and Brews is a pub trivia challenge at Mechanics hall with huge cash prizes. Money raised goes to nonprofit, Unity Radio MA.

calendar Thursday-Sunday, Friday, Saturday Sept. 27-30, Oct. 5-6 Manhattan Short Film Festival The Park View Room, 230 Park Ave. Worcester Cinema fans have the chance to join enthusiasts all over the world in voting for the best short film in this international festival.

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Saturday, Sept. 29 Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience Featuring Ramin Djawadi DCU Center, 50 Foster St. The world of Westeros comes to Worcester. Show composer Ramin Djawadi sucks fans in with this immersive live music experience.

Sunday, Sept. 30 Coney Island 100 Year Celebration Block Party

Thursday, Oct. 4 The Harvey Ball

Friday, Oct. 5 Modest Mouse

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Modest Mouse heads to The Palladium. More information online at Thepalladium.net.

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The Palladium, 261 Main St. The Worcester Historical Museum will present this year’s Harvey Ball Smiley Award to Cliff Rucker, owner of the Worcester Railers hockey club.

S E P T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018

George’s Coney Island, 158 Southbridge St. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Coney Island celebrates 100 years. Face painting, raffles and other activities will be available. Event is free to attend.

games

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S E P T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018

JONESIN’ Across 1 Bela Fleck’s instrument 6 Buca di ___ (Italian restaurant chain) 11 “Spring forward” clock abbr. 14 Dizzy 15 Open, as a toothpaste tube 16 Egypt’s org. from 1961 to 1971 17 Natural furniture that’s only good for serving stew, thanks to some spoons? 20 “That’s funny” 21 Group within a group 22 Country home 23 Air quality index issue 25 Gather wool from 27 Overlook 28 Moves on 30 Some baseball stats 32 Law professor Hill 34 Laborious way to open an envelope 36 Distress signal 39 Starting note for an underwater orchestra, thanks to some forks? 42 Highland Games wear 43 Pass, as a law 44 Keep away from 45 “The King ___” 46 “Rhinestone Cowboy” singer Campbell 47 Rook’s cousin 50 Bring joy to 53 Neighbor of Wyo. 56 “The Bathers” artist Pierre-Auguste 58 Microsoft MP3 player discontinued in 2012 60 Latin for “where” (or prefix for “soft” in a video game publisher name) 61 Writing implement that’s realer than margarine, thanks to some knives? 64 Tikkanen who won the Stanley Cup five times 65 World’s smallest island nation 66 “___, c’est moi!” (Louis XIV claim) 67 “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” hero 68 Actor Lew of “All Quiet on the Western Front” 69 Dispatched, Biblical-style

“Silverwhere?”--check your place setting. by Matt Jones

Down 1 Scolds, with “out” 2 “___ of One’s Own” (Virginia Woolf work) 3 Addition to the dictionary 4 Buddy’s “Beverly Hillbillies” role 5 Some World Cup cheers 6 Brewery founder Adolphus 7 Quick Internet message, back at the beginning of the Internet 8 1994 campus comedy with a cameo by George Clinton 9 Groceries holder 10 Makes a decision 11 City with the world’s tallest man-made structure 12 Adds seasoning to 13 Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic ___” 18 Capone’s nemesis 19 They rarely give ones 24 Noel Fielding’s character on “The IT Crowd,” e.g. 26 “___ You Glad You’re You?” 29 All finished 31 Push forward 32 At the back of the boat 33 Actress Vardalos 34 Epitome of slowness 35 Nervous twitch 36 Confront 37 Monk’s condition

38 “___ Will Be Loved” (possible song at the next Super Bowl halftime show) 40 In progress 41 “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” narrator Burl 45 Off-base designation 46 Courteous fellow 47 Jon of “Two and a Half Men” 48 Actress Witherspoon 49 Dental crown alternative 51 Bright blue shade 52 Ballet outfits 54 Without missing ___ 55 “Roots” family surname 57 Macbeth’s burial isle 59 Long swimmers 62 Clinger on a hiker’s sock 63 “Bang and Blame” band

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!

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S E P T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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S E P T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018

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ADVERTISEMENT The Worcester Housing Authority, the Awarding Authority, invites sealed bids from Contractors for the Egress Deck Repairs at 667-2 Greenwood Gardens #348140 (WHA Job No. 2017-14) for the Worcester Housing Authority in Worcester, Massachusetts, in accordance with the documents prepared by Allen and Major. The Project consists of: Pressure washing existing exterior wood deck framing at Clusters One through Four. Removal and replacement of all decking and stair treads, and deteriorated exterior deck framing, and rail caps. Repainting of entire exterior wood deck allowing residents to exist their dwellings. Project completion time shall be 130 consecutive calendar days. The work is estimated to cost $ 86,107 (including Alternates) Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A-J & to minimum wage rates as required by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H inclusive. General Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Thursday October 4, 2018 and publicly opened, forthwith. All bids should be delivered to: Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 and received no later than the date & time specified above. General bids shall be accompanied by a bid deposit that is not less than five (5%) of the greatest possible bid amount (considering all alternates), and made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority. 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 September 19, 2018 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. General bidders must agree to contract with minority and women business enterprises as certified by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO), formerly known as SOMWBA. The combined participation goal reserved for such enterprises shall not be less than 10.4% of the final contract price including accepted alternates. See Contract Documents - Article 3 of the Instructions to Bidders. A pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday September 25, 2018 at Greenwood Gardens - Community Room @ 337 Greenwood St., Worcester, MA 01607 at which time bidders will be invited to visit the project site(s) with the a Worcester Housing Authority representative. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. 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 Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 72 hours prior to opening and emailed to Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org. Reference the WHA Job Number only in the subject line.

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 HANDYMAN 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

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PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF M.L.C. 225 SEC. 39A THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 AT A SALE TO SATISFY OUR GARAGE LIEN THEREON FOR TOWING AND STORAGE CHARGES AND EXPENSES OF SALE AND NOTICE. 2006 HONDA CR-V VIN# JHLRD78896C010597 2003 HONDA CR-V VIN# SHSRD78893U144935 2009 LINCOLN MKZ VIN# 3LNHM28T89R615292 2007 ACURA TL VIN# 19UUA66287A029200 2005 HONDA ACCORD VIN# 1HGCM56475A049322 SALE LOCATION : EARLY’S ON PARK AVE. INC 536 PARK AVENUE WORCESTER, MA 01603

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wood Gardens #348140Say (WHA Job in No. the Worcester the2017-14) form of afor company check, ma hands (three times). this Housing Authority in Worcester, Massachusetts, ineach accordance with the Authority, for set of documents prayer for three consecutive days documents prepared byitAllen and Major. posit will be refunded to each perso and you must publish and your The Project of: Pressure washing existing exterior wood deck and other documents in good condit request willconsists be granted to you. framing at Clusters One through Four. ing. Removal andrequesting replacement of all doc Bidders contract DMH decking and stair treads, and deteriorated exterior deck framing, include a separate check inand the rail amo caps. Repainting of entire exterior wood allowing residents to existto thedeck Worcester Housing Authority their dwellings. Project completion time shall be 130 consecutive General bidders must agreecalendar to contr days. AUCTION NOTICE enterprises as certified by the Suppl PUBLIC The work is estimated to PURcost $ 86,107known (including Alternates) as SOMWBA. The combined p NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN Bids are to M.G.L. c.149 & to minimum wage ratesthan as reshall not be less 10.4% SUANT TOsubject THE PROVISIONS OF §44A-Jterprises quired225 by M.G.L. c.149 to 27H inclusive. accepted alternates. See Contract M.L.C. SEC. 39A THE§§26 FOLLOWGeneral Bids will received p.m., Thursday October 4, 2018 to Bidders. ING VEHICLES WILLbeBE SOLD until 2:00structions and publicly29, opened, SEPTEMBER 2018 forthwith. AT A SALE TO A pre-bid conference will be held at CAMPERS TRAILERS All bids should be & delivered Housing Authority,Gardens Depart 25, 2018 at Greenwood SATISFY OUR GARAGE LIEN to: Worcester ment of FOR Modernization, Tacoma Street, wood St.,Worcester, Worcester,MA MA01605 01607 THEREON TOWING AND 81 STORand CHARGES received no later than the date & time specified visit the projectabove. site(s) with the a Wo AGE AND EXPENSES General bids shall be accompanied by tive. a bidFailure deposittothat is not attend or less visit than the pre OF SALE AND NOTICE. five (5%) of the greatest all alternates), perform(considering contract terms. 2006 HONDA CR-V VIN#possible bid amount and made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority. The contract documents may be see JHLRD78896C010597 Bid forms andCR-V Contract available on the Worces-D Worcester Housing Authority, 2003 HONDA VIN#Documents will1.be made ter Housing Authority website Tacoma Street, Worceste SHSRD78893U144935 (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html at no cost. Hard copies 2. F.W.) Dodge, 24 Hartwell Ave., L 2009 LINCOLN MKZ VIN# will be made available on September3.19, 2018 at the Worcester Housing Reed Construction Data, 30 Tec 3LNHM28T89R615292 ADVERTI Authority, Department Tacoma Street, Worcester, 30092 2007 ACURA TL VIN# of Modernization, The81 Worcester Housing Authority,MA th 01605 and thereafter, Monday thru Friday A.M. through 4:30 P. M. 4. Project Dog, 18 Graf Road Unit 19UUA66287A029200 bids 8:00 from Contractors for the Egress 01950 Copies of theACCORD contractVIN# documents maywood be obtained by #348140 depositing $50.00 2005 HONDA Gardens (WHA Job this project sha in the form of a company check, madeQuestions payableAuthority toregarding the Worcester Housing 1HGCM56475A049322 Housing in Worcester, Mas or to opening andamount emailed Authority, for each set of documents obtained. The oftothe de-M SALE LOCATION : EARLY’S ON PARK so documents prepared by Allen and positINC will536 be refunded to each person who returnsconsists the plans, Refere Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org. AVE. PARK AVENUE The Project of: specifications Pressure was and other documents within ten (10) days bid Four. open WORCESTER, MA 01603in good condition the subject line. framing at Clusters Oneafter through ing. Bidders requesting contract documents toand be mailed to them decking stair treads, and should deteriora include a separate check in the amount of $40.00 for each set exterior payable to caps. Repainting of entire NOVENA LIKE US ONwoo the Worcester Housing Authority to cover andProject handling costs. theirmailing dwellings. completion FACEBOOK!tim General bidders must agree to contractdays. with minority and women business Prayer to as the Blessed enterprises certified byVirgin the SupplierThe Diversity (SDO), work isOffice estimated toformerly cost $ 86,10 (Neverasknown to fail) O combined most known SOMWBA. The participation goal reserved for such en Bids are subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44Abeautiful flower terprises shall not of beMt. lessCarmel, than 10.4% of the final contract price including quired by M.G.L. c.149 §§26 to 27H fruitful vine, splendor of Contract Heaven, Documents - Article 3 of the In-inc accepted alternates. See Blessed Mother of the Son of General Bids will be received until 2:00 structions to Bidders. and publicly opened, forthwith. Virgin, assist A God, pre-bidImmaculate conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday September me in this my necessity, O Star of All bids should be delivered to: Worc 25, 2018 at Greenwood Gardens - Community Room @ 337 Greenthe Sea, help me and show me ment of Modernization, 81 Tacom wood St., Worcester, MA 01607 at and which time bidders received no later will thanbe theinvited date &to where you are my mother. O visit the project site(s) with the a Worcester Housing Authority representaHoly Mary, Mother of God, Queen General bids shall be accompanied by tive. Failure to attend or visit the premises shallofbe defense in failure thenogreatest possible bidto a of Heaven and Earth, I humbly five (5%) Sudoku Answers perform contract terms. and made payable to the Worcester beseech thee from the bottom of The contract documents may be seen,Bid butforms not removed at: Documents wi and Contract my heart to succor me in my ne1. Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Authority Modernization, ter Housing website81 cessity, (make request). There Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 are none that can withstand your (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentb 2. F.W. Dodge, 24 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02173 power, O Mary, conceived with- will be made available on September 3. Reed Construction Data, 30 Technology Parkway South,ofNorcross, GA Authority, Department Modernizatio out sin, pray for us who have re30092 course to thee (three times). Holy 01605 and thereafter, Monday thru Fri 4. Project Dog, 18 Graf Road Unit #8Copies Plan Room, MA ma of theNewburyport, contract documents Mary, I place this cause in your 01950 hands (three times). Say this in the form of a company check, made Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 72 hours priprayer for three consecutive days Authority, for each set of documents s or to opening and emailed to posit will be refunded to each person and you must publish it and your the WHA Job Number only in Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org. Reference request will be granted to you. and other documents in good conditio the subject line. ing. Bidders requesting contract docum DMH include a separate check in the amoun the Worcester Housing Authority to co General bidders must agree to contrac enterprises as certified by the Supplier PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE known as SOMWBA. The combined pa NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURterprises shall not be less than 10.4% SUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF accepted alternates. See Contract D M.L.C. 225 SEC. 39A THE FOLLOWstructions to Bidders. ING VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD SEPTEMBER 29, 2018 AT A SALE TO A pre-bid conference will be held at 10 25, 2018 at Greenwood Gardens SATISFY OUR GARAGE LIEN wood St., Worcester, MA 01607 at THEREON FOR TOWING AND STORvisit the project site(s) with the a Worc AGE CHARGES AND EXPENSES tive. Failure to attend or visit the prem OF SALE AND NOTICE. perform contract terms. 2006 HONDA CR-V VIN# The contract documents may be seen JHLRD78896C010597 1. Worcester Housing Authority, De 2003 HONDA CR-V VIN# Tacoma Street, Worcester, SHSRD78893U144935 2. F.W. Dodge, 24 Hartwell Ave., Lex 2009 LINCOLN MKZ VIN# 3. Reed Construction Data, 30 Tech 3LNHM28T89R615292 30092 2007 ACURA TL VIN# 4. Project Dog, 18 Graf Road Unit #8 19UUA66287A029200 01950 2005 HONDA ACCORD VIN# Questions regarding this project shall b 1HGCM56475A049322 SALE LOCATION : EARLY’S ON PARK or to opening and emailed to

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last call

Danson hip hop artist D

ELIZABETH BROOKS

anny Ortiz co-founded his Worcester-based startup, The 21st, with local artists Josh Vazquez and Emile Hilaire. The 21st presently outsources photography, animation, design and audio engineering for some of the most exciting names in hip hop. Ortiz releases his own tracks under the moniker “Danson,” including a 2018 standout album called “Art Show.” At just 23 years old, Ortiz is changing the way New England’s second largest city thinks about the music industry.

able to do something with music. That’s when I started working with Josh and Emile on The 21st, we laid it down, tried to set a foundation of some sort.

Who are your influences? Lyrically, I like to take a lot from the older heads, just because my dad listened to that growing up and I really respected their work ethic toward the craft of wordsmithing. Sonically, I enjoy a lot of the new generation’s stuff. I wouldn’t say I have a particular sound, but I try to stick towards more of an R&B and hip-hop feel. I really like to keep my stuff low if I can, but

What has been your most successful track? “Aint Enough.” The stats never stay too consistent, though, unless you keep putting something new out. What does your writing process look like? I have a stack of notebooks where I’ll just write lyrics to practice and, you know, after maybe 30 tries practicing, I’ll have one good set of 16, one good set of 32. Sometimes, I’ll lay them down over a beat I hear that fits it. Sometimes, we’ll try and make a beat around the lyrics I write. The best ones come out when I’m really feeling it and it’s just nonstop. Emile and Josh are constantly sending me stuff, and if I hear something I like, the studio is right there. Can you tell me about filming the video for “By Storm?” It was filmed right over here on Main

Street. We came out in the middle of the blizzard when there were no other cars out, so it was perfect because we could stand right in the middle of the street. That one was fun. It got us a few mentions. Do you have any songs that are Worcester-inspired? There is one, but it’s not out just yet. It’s on Lang Lo’s outro track and it’s specifically called, “For the Woo.” Do you perform live? Yeah. I always feel like, after I make a project, there’s this period when I really love it and I can’t wait to perform it as much as possible. And then, after a few weeks, I already hate it and I want to make something new. Where can we listen to your music? My album “Art Show” is available on every platform: iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, even TIDAL. I’m on Instagram at @21_danson. – Sarah Connell

What was your shop at Worcester Tech? I actually studied hospitality and business management. I did not know what I wanted to do. I landed myself there and I met a very interesting individual there, Wayne Staltare. He turned me into a person with more focus. If I mouthed off, he would always be

Do you still create visual art? Yes, I direct music videos. My art is more conceptual. I still paint and draw some full pieces, but most of my visual art right now lies in storyboarding.

if I want to turn it up, I can get it higher when I need to.

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How did you know one another? Josh, Emile and I all grew up right in the same neighborhood. And here we are, we’re all doing little things. You know, Emile has a song with Joyner [Lucas] coming up. That’s pretty exciting. He’s working with another one in Joyner’s camp named IZZO. We’re bringing in more and more clients to come in and record their own music. We professionally engineer their stuff at really competitive rates.

patient and try to help me figure out what I wanted to do. He let me explore my art, just draw and create. He got me an internship at the Worcester Art Museum. That helped me get grants for school. It was really nice having a mentor there to help me out during my high school time.

S P E T. 27 - O C T. 3, 2018

What is your history with the city of Worcester? I grew up in Lincoln Village for the majority of my life. I lived in Plumley for a little bit, but I stayed inside most of the time because my mom didn’t want me messing around. That was how I got good at art. I started looking for ways to get out. I went to camp. I got involved in a lot of sports. I loved playing basketball, baseball and football. I went to Norrback Elementary, and then Seven Hills Charter, where I was a punk kid. Then, I ended up at Worcester Tech and that was where a lot of things started coming together for me with art and music. I was writing a lot back then, but my parents were like, “That’s not a career. That’s not going to turn into anything serious.” So, I just wrote my stories and wrote little songs on the side. Around that time, my friend Josh was already making beats and trying to do something on his own. We’d make a track every now and then, and it wasn’t even serious until I started performing them at my school. I tried to do talent shows here and there. When I left Worcester and started going to college in Newton, my music began taking on a different shape. People heard my stuff and heard me rhyme. I had a portable speaker, called the G-Boom. We’d bring it out, set it up, put on some beats, and me and my boys would start freestyling to see who would come around and join or just watch. Anything, really. But that’s when I realized people actually liked what I could do, and that if I took it seriously, I might be

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