Worcester Magazine January 4 - 10, 2018

JANUARY 4 - 10, 2018

ation c u d E WinterSeries 6 Page 1

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

inside stories news

Looking back: 17 things in 2017 Page 4

NEWS • ARTS • DINING • NIGHTLIFE

FREE arts

The Best of Night & Day Page 18

dining Kenichi’s marvels Page 38

UNEXCUSED:

Chronic absenteeism rises in Worcester COMING AWAY WinsloW Homer & england Through February 4

WORCESTER ART MUSEUM

Winslow Homer, Hark the Lark!, detail, Layton Art Collection Inc., Gift of Frederick Layton, at the Milwaukee Art Museum, L99.

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018

insidestories

Kirk A. Davis President Kathleen Real-Benoit Publisher x331 Walter Bird Jr. Editor x322 Elizabeth Brooks x323 Photographer Joshua Lyford x325 Reporter Bill Shaner x324 Reporter Sarah Connell, Janice Harvey, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Jessica Picard, Corlyn Vooorhees, Contributing Writers Donald Cloutier Director of Creative Services x141 Kimberly Vasseur Creative Director/Assistant Director of Creative Services x142 Becky Gill, Stephanie Mallard, Colleen Mulligan, Wendy Watkins Creative Services Department Helen Linnehan Ad Director x333 Diane Galipeau x335, Sarah Perez x334, Cheryl Robinson x336, Media Consultants Kathryn Connolly Media Coordinator x332 Michelle Purdie Classified Sales Specialist x433 Worcester Magazine is an independent news weekly covering Central Massachusetts. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. The Publisher has the right to refuse any advertisement.

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This Week’s Cover Story Unexcused: Chronic absenteeism on rise in Worcester

ELIZABETH BROOKS

T

o round out this year’s education series, we as a newsroom wanted to take a deep look at what you might call a systemic problem – one that bleeds into and affects other aspects of student life in Worcester schools. Time and time again, school officials and observers have thrown around the term, “chronic absenteeism.” What the term means is that there’s a certain percentage of students in each school who missed at least 18 days last year. That’s 18 out of 180. If school were a job, they would be fired. When we learned that, behind the scenes, educators were taking a serious look at this issue - and that, for the past several years, the number has been on the rise we found our systemic issue. Here’s a look at a problem affecting large, urban school districts across the country, Worcester included.

— Bill Shaner, reporter

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4 City Desk 8 Worcesteria 10 Editorial 10 Harvey 10 1,001 Words 11 That’s What They Said 12 Cover Story 16 Education 18 Night & Day 22 Film 23 Krave 25 Listings 28 Crossword 30 2 minutes with…

About the cover Photo by Elizabeth Brooks Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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citydesk January 4 - 10, 2018 n Volume 43, Number 19

Looking Back: 17 Things in 2017 JANUARY 12 - 18,

Walter Bird Jr.

2017

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WORCESTERMAGAZIN

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City Council tionists Mount Carmel preserva Page 4

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NEWS • ARTS •

arts

The art of Dan Rochette Page 19

LIFE DINING • NIGHT

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diningat A Vintage thrill Vintage Grille Page 23

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CAMERAS ON COPS

Not an easy issue, this he year 2017 is one, but the idea of holdofficially in the ing both the police and rearview mirror, but public more accountable that doesn’t mean we’re holds some appeal. There done with it quite yet. are storage costs, union As we get ready to dive concerns and other chalfull-on into 2018 and all lenges, as City Manager its possibilities and unEd Augustus Jr. spelled certainties, we first look out a few weeks ago on back on the 365 days of The Worcester Magazine RC ES TE R WO asses ART MUSEUM the prior year. Around Radio Hour, including Studio Ar t Cl this time last year, this privacy issues. The city space laid out 17 things did install 69 cameras in the police we hoped to see happen department and in its transport vehicles for in the city. Some things were tied directly to arrests, which bump up the overall grade.

City Hall, others had nothing to do with city Heading into this new year, however, cameras government or politics. So, how did the city on police remain missing. fare? Let’s find out, shall we?

GRADE:

T

sorship, top three in the league). The team’s success can be measured in other ways. Owner Cliff Rucker, recently named as Worcester Magazine’s Person of the Year, has been gobbling up real estate at a dizzying pace. He

has shown a commitment to Worcester that, particularly for an “outsider,” has been most impressive.

GRADE:

A

ELIZABETH BROOKS

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COPS ON HORSES

This one depends on your point of view, but since it was our list — and this space was in favor of it — the grade is a good one. We were told the Worcester Police Department would trot out a mounted unit in 2017. They did. It’s not our fault one of the mounted police ended up taking more of the limelight for a reported romance with Rosie O’Donnell. Cops on horses in Worcester may not solve all its problems – but it did nothing to hurt it, either. It also gave police one more tool to help bond with youths at a vulnerable age.

GRADE:

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SUCCESS FOR THE WORCESTER RAILERS

Their win-loss record isn’t where the club would like it to be, no doubt, but it is hard not to acknowledge the impact the team and its owner have had on Worcester. Fans certainly seem to be buying into the on-ice product.

Some innovative theme nights have helped, as has a team that, while not always operating on all cylinders, never appears to give up.

Some numbers: 1,675 (as in season tickets sold), 4,574 (per-game fan attendance, ninth in the ECHL) and $1.5 million-plus (in spon-

The Railers’ Jeff Kubiak celebrates Frankie DiChiara’s third-period goal that ultimately proved the game-winner in their first-ever game as a member of the ECHL Oct. 14, 2017.

WOO-TOWN INDE X A weekly quality of life check-in of Worcester

It was cold really, really cold - but nice to see a New Year’s Eve celebration in Worcester. +2

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Crime is down in Worcester, but year ends on a bad note with man charged in death of his mother at Bailey Street home. -6

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018

Props to City Hall’s Che Anderson, who was spotted leaving packages of hand warmers on the cold benches outside the ice skating Oval on New Year’s Eve. +3

This is nothing new in Index, but some roads in city absolutely require sequenced traffic signals. -2

-2

Total for this week:

City councilors and school committee members sworn in. Time to get down to business. +1

Big kudos to the heroes who helped save two men who fell through the ice on Lake Quinsigamond. +6

Sub-freezing temperatures put the region in a big chill.

Did you stay warm?

-3

Would love to meet the road designers responsible for off-ramps like Route 146 South/ Mass Pike. -3

{ citydesk }

JESSICA PICARD

A REVAMPED FIRST NIGHT WORCESTER

Before it was announced early last year that First Night Worcester as folks had known it for years would be no longer, this space put out a call for a new-look event. As it turned out, it was an entirely new look, with the Chamber of Commerce, Discover Central Massachusetts and City Hall stepping in to ensure at least some sort of First Night fun for families. It was not extensive, and it was not spread around the city — thankfully. But it was free (except for skating) and, while the city could have skipped a year and planned something bigger for 2019, it did step up to provide an option to those who could not afford or did not desire to go outside the city for a New Year’s Eve celebration.

GRADE:

A-

BOXING AT THE DCU

Well, that didn’t take long. OK, so it wasn’t in the main arena, but boxing did return to the DCU Center. Jose Antonio Rivera and his son hosted two cards at the DCU in 2017.

Their first show of the new year will be at

FILE PHOTO

2018. Last year, there was little new non-food retail development. In fact, the downtown area lost retail with the closing of the Elwood Adams hardware and Shack’s clothing stores on Main Street. This may be the year for new non-edible retail, but 2017 was not.

comes to retail. In this case, planners are pegging their hopes on bodies coming downtown to live in the new rental housing in the form of the new AC Hotel by Marriott, the new Roseland complex, a renovated Central Building that goes under construction in the spring and planned new housing at the old courthouse in Lincoln Square. City officials are hoping the thousands of expected new bodies will spur retail development. But that’s in

GRADE:

D

continued on page 6

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The Palladium, but chances are boxing will once again return to the former Centrum, where Rivera once boxed. Rival promoter Jimmy Burchfield out of Rhode Island has been hinting at a big show in Worcester at some point, so who knows? In any case, with sports making a major splash last year – what with the Railers skating into town, an ABA team playing at the Boys & Girls Club and an arena football team announced for Worcester, to name a few positive developments – it was great to see a return of the sweet science to the DCU.

A+

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{ citydesk } continued from page 5

POW! WOW! WORCESTER REDUX

POW! WOW! Worcester returned for a second year in 2017 with a twist, adding murals to some city schools. This time around, the

RECYCLING SOLUTION

There is no permanent solution to the recycling conundrum in Worcester yet, but it appears close. The city manager late last year recommended a clear bag recycling program ELIZABETH BROOKS

A CHIEF THAT STICKS AROUND

When this item was put on the list at the start of last year, Mike Lavoie hadn’t yet been tapped as the new permanent fire chief. It happened mere days later. As we pin a new calendar to the wall, Lavoie remains in the job, and by all accounts he has more than fit the bill. Former Fire Chief Geoffrey Gardell was a short-term hire, following the retirement of longtime Chief Gerry Dio, lending some importance to whom Augustus chose to succeed him. It’s still relatively early, but indications are the city manager made the right call.

GRADE:

A

A CARNIVAL ON CITY COMMON

OK, this one was a bit of a throw-in on last year’s list, but it would be pretty cool to see a carnival on City Common. Given Augustus’s desire to cram as many events as possible in one calendar year onto the Common, why not try a carnival? The hope here was maybe a New Year’s Eve-type thing. Well, there’s always 2018. Still, it’s hard to be too tough, given the many great events that were held on the Common throughout the year.

GRADE: POW!WOW! murals in progress by Patch Whiskey and Stash on the side of Elm Park Community School. world-renowned event was void of some of the complaints that dampened the excitement of the original. Worcester has crafted a welldeserved reputation as a center for the arts.

Boston, eat your art out.

GRADE:

A+

A CITYWIDE MASTER PLAN

Ask and ye shall receive. The city manager is moving ahead with a master plan – Worcester’s first in 30 years. It couldn’t come at a better time. With so much forward movement, Augustus is spot-on when he says it’s time now for a plan that reflects input from the entire community. The master plan, which the city manager said should be a go before the end of the year, will help city leaders understand housing needs; where growth is taking place; and what changes, if any, are needed to zoning ordinances, among other things. The key, of course, is “input.” Residents must make the time to show up at meetings to discuss the master plan – and the city must take pains to ensure all residents are reached. That means multi-lingual flyers and promotional materials as well as reaching out to community leaders in all neighborhoods. That’s the hard part. For now, kudos to the city for moving ahead with a master plan.

GRADE:

6

A+

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM • JANUARY 4, 2018

to city councilors. A pilot program proved successful, meaning the city could make the switch from the plastic bins that have caused so much grief for many folks (recyclables blowing away on windy days, multiple trips to put the bins out and retrieve them, etc.) to clear bags. Of course, they’ll cost you, which will no doubt upset some folks. It most likely means the city’s trash bag fee, which hasn’t been hiked in about 10 years, according to Augustus, will go up. Still, folks asked for a solution and the city appears poised to deliver this year. We’ll see.

GRADE:

B+

MORE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER

Yeah, well that didn’t happen. In fact, just the opposite occurred. In the Nov. 7 municipal election, 16,323, or 15.3 percent of all registered voters, cast ballots. That represented a decrease of 3,631 voters from the 2015 municipal election. It wasn’t quite the low-water mark, but it was paltry nonetheless. There are various opinions over why so few folks are showing up to the polls. The latest is that voters were turned off by a general nastiness from some councilors – OK, one councilor.

He’s no longer on the council, however, so let’s see if things trend upward in 2019. Of course, we’ll have to wait a year.

GRADE:

F

B-

SELL THE COURTHOUSE AND THE AUD

One out of two ain’t bad - and the second could come in 2018. But first things first.

While a deal for the old courthouse fell through in 2016, a new developer stepped up last year. Trinity Worcester Development closed on its deal for 114 units of mixedincome rental housing last week. That leaves The Aud, which has been in the hands of the Heritage Architectural Foundation for a feasibility study on turning the building into a cultural facility. That report is due to the city manager this month. It was always known The Aud would be a tougher sell, but maybe this is the year. No “A” on this one, only because the future of The Aud remains on hold.

GRADE:

B+

NO MORE DYING ON LINCOLN STREET

This one, it turns out, was a little too narrow in scope, because while long a pedestrian nightmare, Lincoln Street is not alone.

Shrewsbury and Belmont Streets are death traps unto themselves when it comes to trying to cross to the other side. Still, we have seen attempts at trying to make the roads safer for two-legged commuters. There was a recent pedestrian accident on lower Lincoln Street that, thankfully, did not result in a fatality. Still, the road remains a perilous one, given the sheer volume of traffic – motor vehicle, bike and pedestrian. There have been too many close calls to ignore the obvious: like some

other streets in Worcester, Lincoln is no place for pedestrians. Hopefully, the new Complete Streets program, combined with more cops in the police department’s traffic unit, will spark a turnaround. The city does not appear to be ignoring the problem.

GRADE:

C

MORE WIND BENEATH THE WINGS OF WORCESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT

The hope here was for some major announcements of more service at Worcester’s airport.

We got some good news in 2017. Rectrix Aviation, which the year before had announced Worcester-to-Baltimore flights, unveiled a shuttle flight from Worcester to Hyannis. But the clear winner in the “big news” category was JetBlue’s announcement of flights to New York’s JFK Airport. They start this year. Officials have played it coy when talking about the potential arrival of a new major airline.

Hints have been dropped, but will it happen?

Given the broad focus from local, state and federal officials in the airport, there’s reason to think more good things are to come.

A

GRADE:

DOG PARKS

Well, it took a while, but the city in 2017 finally unleashed two dog parks. Vernon Hill and Beaver Brook both saw their parks go to the dogs - and it was about time. A third dog park is expected to open early this year.

This space was skeptical last year, even after councilors had okayed the new dog parks. But hey, they came through.

A+

GRADE:

A BASEBALL TROPHY BACK IN WORCESTER

Color us spoiled, but when the Worcester Bravehearts came up short in their bid for a third straight Futures Collegiate Baseball League Championship, we kind of expected them to be back standing in the winner’s circle last year. Alas, that didn’t happen. So, we’ve had two straight championship seasons, followed by back-to-back runner-up campaigns. That’s right: in each of their first four years of existence, the Bravehearts have advanced to the championship series. It’s hard to go too hard on them, given that track record.

While they didn’t bring home the trophy, they put themselves in a position to do so. With a solid coach in J.P. Pyne, and the league’s hardest-working general manager, Dave Peterson, teamed up with owner John Creedon Jr. (whose family brought summer ball back to the Woo), it’s not hard to imagine another march to a championship.

C+

GRADE:

{ citydesk } SWORN IN: Elected city officials were sworn into their positions Tuesday night, Jan. 2, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. The ceremony was followed by a dinner, where several City Council and School Committee members were joined by friends and family.

Clockwise from top left, Mayor Joe Petty delivers his inaugural address; city councilors Gary Rosen, Kate Toomey, Sean Rose, Candy Mero-Carlson and George Russell sit on the stage; the National Anthem is sung prior to the inauguration; master of ceremonies Tony Vigliotti kicks off the inaugural celebration.

PHOTOS/ELIZABETH BROOKS

JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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{ worcesteria }

Bill Shaner

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The city’s new website is live. It looks great, but came after some delay, which I think I may have been the only person paying attention to. But who cares about the delay now, we have the final product. And it launched on New Year’s Day, which is pretty fitting. The final product is a good one. Here are some of the things that got drastically better with this new design.

The public meeting calendar, which was, frankly, a disaster with the old website, is now sleek, accessible from the home page, and loads quickly.

I went on to get the agenda for the License Commission meeting this morning and it took only three clicks. The “I want to” tab, to “municipal calendar,” to the “license commission” item and a button for the agenda was right there. A huge improvement to the separate page approach of the old website. All the online payment options are consolidated under one tab. The customer service bucket is intuitive, and each department gets its own sub-home page. The records databases are supposedly improved, but I haven’t had the time to dig through those yet. I hope they are, because that will save us journos and the folks who have to look for records a lot of work. Overall, this new website design achieves exactly what they were going for and it’s a good look for the city. As part of the launch, city officials are saying the redesign work isn’t over, so if you find something you don’t like about it, send them a line. Also, kudos to the staff that worked on this, especially Jake Sanders, as this was a ton of work.

HOCHKEPPEL’S GOODBYE:

Christine Hochkeppel, a photographer at the Telegram and Gazette, left the paper over the weekend, but not before writing a scathing letter that excoriates the management style of GateHouse Media, a company that owns hundreds of papers around the country, including the Telegram and MetroWest Daily News, where I used to work. Without editorializing at all, and I so badly want to, the letter speaks to a certain frustration found among the ranks at GateHouse papers, which have notoriously tight budgets. Here are some of the highlights, as published by media reporter Dan Kennedy on his blog, (dankennedy.net). “It has been incredibly frustrating to have worked the majority of my career for a company that has never given me a raise, despite my excellent work ethic and accolades.” And then this: “I cannot dedicate anymore of my professional time to a company that will not invest in my future success or any of my talented colleagues.” And, wow, this: “After all of the hard work I have done for this company, I am forced to give up a career that I am passionate about so that I can make a better future for myself. GateHouse has been taking advantage of passionate journalists and dismantling quality community journalism with continued staff reductions and lackluster outsourced design.” This line is the grand hurrah: “It’s disheartening that when our political and economic climate needs journalists so desperately, that this company has turned so many excellent people away from the industry.” Read the whole letter on Dan’s blog, I implore you.

THE LAMPOON IS BACK: The Worcester Lampoon, a satirical blog by the This Week In Worcester folks, is back after a two-month hiatus - a hiatus they called in a Facebook post brief and having to do with restructuring, whatever that means. Since, they’ve published two articles, one about the New England Patriots and one about Worcester guys that wear tank tops in restaurants. So, they’ve got their ear on ground here. I have hope for this outfit yet.

VICE-CHAIR FOLEY: At the swearing-in ceremony for Worcester Elected officials Tuesday, Jack Foley was elected unanimously by the School Committee members as vice chair under Mayor Joe Petty, who’s the default chairman. They took the vote right up there on stage at Mechanics Hall, and it was unanimous. Even Jack voted for Jack. Had it not been unanimous, the vote could have taken on a real pro wrestling type vibe up there in front of everyone. But that’s just me wishing.

TEXTS FROM THE DA: On Monday night we published a bit of news that advanced the

Alli Bibaud State Police arrest report story and – as could only happen in the Worcester media market – we were criticized for it because the documents we obtained did not show any directive from the district attorney’s office and the State Police. No, because there was no there there, we were literally called “pro-state media” or some nonsense. It’s either bad news literacy or willful twisting of the work, and it happened in both Turtleboy Sports and the New Boston Post,

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a conservative outfit that sometimes reports on the travails of our own little Breitbart. Another interesting nugget from the story: Turtleboy told the New Boston Post that in December, the blog had lost more than $10,000 in revenue since its Facebook page and many back-ups started coming down in late November. So, that’s interesting.

PETTY’S ADDRESS: Mayor Joe Petty gave a long and ultimately optimistic address at the

inauguration Tuesday night. Within the message, which predictably was built on the frame of Worcester’s development renaissance, he pushed for a few new priorities in 2018 and beyond.

He called for a renewed focus on investing in the city’s triple decker neighborhoods and on home ownership. He pushed for more amenities in the city’s parks and waterways, especially Green Hill Park. He advocated for required and comprehensive sex ed in Worcester Public Schools, as teen birth rates in Worcester are twice the state average. He said, essentially, it does our young mothers, and all of our students, a disservice to send them out into the world without proper sex and health education. And this great line: “I will not allow our students to go out into the world ill-equipped because we are too embarrassed to have a tough conversation.”

Very happy and, frankly, surprised that Petty is pushing this issue. Here’s to a new year in Worcester politics.

A MARGOLIS LOOK-BACK: Dan Margolis, a political activist in Worcester who took a

whole heap of abuse in 2017, published a look back on the year that was in local politics. He categorized it as seeing a rising tide of right-wing extremism, led by former City Councilor Mike Gaffney, that was ultimately beaten, half by counter-action and half by self-immolation. The post is worth a read, go check it out (danmargolis.org, print readers).

WHAT’S UP NORTH HIGH: Tracy Novick last week waived an interesting red flag in the

discussion around management problems at North High. Russell Johnston, a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education official, apparently referenced North High specifically recently, saying he wants the school to show some improvement. Novick’s analysis, and this is way outside my realm of expertise, is that when DESE speaks up about a certain school, that school is in trouble. If this leads to anything, it might be a change in the school’s accountability level. It’s currently a 3 out of 5. It could shift to a 4. Or it couldn’t. We’ll see.

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THE BAKER DOSSIER: If you thought Worcester’s decision to spend about $11,000 on the Amazon bid was a little excessive, consider this: Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration apparently put together dossiers on each of the Amazon executives they might be dealing with, according to the Boston Herald. And get this: The dossier compilation is called Project Rufus.

The Amazon bidding war was serious business for these city and state leaders, and Baker was taking it especially seriously.

COURTHOUSE DEAL: If you missed it last week, the old courthouse building on Main Street

officially changed hands to Trinity Financial, which means two things: the 114-unit housing project is now officially going to happen and Trinity is paying taxes on the property, making it the first time in the city’s history. Trinity officials believe the work will start at around the fall 2018, and will take about 18 months to complete, but those targets are always moving. Once it’s done, the space will be geared toward artists, with 50 percent of the units deemed affordable. Curious to see what rents will actually look like. “Affordable” is not always affordable.

A LUGE DEAL: The U.S. Olympic luge team will return to the Worcester Common on Jan. 5 for a meet and greet and a luge demonstration. So get your luge on, courtesy of Saint-Gobain, from 5 to 8 p.m. And don’t forget, ice skating is still a thing at the common. Go do it.

BROOMBALL: Speaking of the Worcester Common, speaking of Friday, the press is

scheduled to face off against city officials in the semi-annual broomball competition. My colleague, Josh Lyford, holds the medal for most goals scored from 2015, but I just want to publicly state that I’m coming for him. Also, city officials are going down. There’s simply no question about that. The real question is who will score more goals, me or Lyford? Also, it’s supposed to be like minus-50 degrees. But that shouldn’t matter. Don’t you reschedule, city.

Don’t do it.

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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JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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slants/rants C

ity councilors and School Committee members had the holiday weeks off, but if you paid attention to council meetings before then, you know they shelved any substantial business — save for the annual tax classification hearing — for the new year.

Well, here we are. This week, councilors and School Committee members were sworn in at a ceremony at Mechanics Hall. With that, it’s back to work for the city’s elected leaders - and there is plenty of work to be done.

For the School Committee, with one new member, the challenges include a North High School that is staring down a potential Level 4 designation. School Superintendent Maureen Binienda has taken the reins as principal for now, but that is not a sustainable course of action. What she does with the principal there — and what protocols are put in place to ensure the school’s success — will certainly have School Committee members paying close attention. Financially, of course, there are constraints, and while it is easy to harp on councilors for not planning ahead of setting the tax rate, the school department, too, must remain diligent in knowing its limitations financially and providing the best services possible. The city and state will do their part in helping to pay for new high schools, including South High, which means taxpayers, too, will feel the pinch. The school district’s strategic plan continues to be shaped and with some of the controversy stripped away, now that it has been pointed out that the committee is not operating illegally, it will be interesting to see the progress made toward charting a viable course for the future of education in Worcester.

Councilors have the chore of welcoming two new members into the fold and finding a synergy that allows them to get the business of the city done. They will not always see eye to eye, but what hopefully will be left in the past is the rancor that set in over the past couple years.

Councilors should have their hands full trying to find ways to encourage and stimulate business development, outside of the tax increment financing agreements often seen as the only tool in their arsenal. They must get creative. They also must finally settle on a philosophy when it comes to setting the tax rate. Do they want to move to a single tax rate? That does not appear to be the case, although the two newest councilors appear somewhat more amenable to that option. Do they at least want to change direction and start narrowing the gap between residential and commercial property tax rates? What suggestions from the mayor’s tax policy task force will they pursue? Other issues will arise, of course, but primarily, they should craft a clear set of directives both for themselves and for their top employee: the city manager.

A new year is upon us. For our elected leaders, it brings with it new opportunities and challenges. This space offers its congratulations to the newest members of City Council and School Committee on their election. The voters put their trust in your. Now it is time to deliver.

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• JANUARY 4, 2018

The mother and child reunion Janice Harvey

Trying to sum up 2017 in 650 words is like trying to describe Donald Trump’s hair to a blind person. Floods, hurricanes, wildfires, a “Will & Grace” revival - just one disaster after another.

The year 2017 really began in November of 2016, and will continue to linger, as Ebenezer Scrooge put it, like “a bit of undigested beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of underdone potato.” The ghost of 2016 did indeed haunt us through ’17, and brought with it a “squeezing, wrenching, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner.” (Boy, that Charles Dickens fella sure could turn a phrase.)

I can’t bring myself to drag out the crimes, outrages and horrors of the year. Staring at the timeline, typed out on my screen, just might send me into a state of depression that will require medical attention or a quart of Tito’s. Instead, I will share with readers a feel-good story, one that continues to instill in me hope for a better world than the one transformed by corruption, collusion and craziness.

“Miss, can I talk with you a minute?” He speaks with a politeness rarely encountered when dealing with teens. I will call him “Ali.” He speaks with a lingering accent borne of his Arabic roots, though English has been his language since first grade. Ali exhibits a deference to me that can only be taught at home.

“I’m so nervous,” he tells me. What about? I wonder. MCAS retest? Credit recovery?

“My mother is coming!”

For Ali, this news is life-altering. When he was 6 years old,

1,001 words

to business

Harvey

By Elizabeth Brooks

Editorial Getting back

commentary | opinions

focused

his father whisked the boy away from their home in Iraq. Having lost favor as an interpreter, the father became a target. Ali’s mother and brothers sought refuge in Dubai, while Ali and his father traveled to the United States. For 12 years, his father has worked diligently to gain permission for his wife and children to join them. He has visited them several times, but Ali wasn’t able to accompany him. Just as he was about to abandon all hope of securing their passage, word came they were in a Turkish airport, bound for New York. Ali hasn’t seen his mother since he left Iraq.

“That’s wonderful news!” I cry, but I can see Ali is feeling something other than joy.

“I don’t remember her, Miss.”

His fears tumble out now: “What if she tries to hug me?

Should I hug her back? I speak very little Arabic now and she speaks no English. Will she try to boss me around? Will she think I’m too American?”

Ali pulls out his cell phone. He shows me a picture of his mother and one of his four brothers, taken at the Turkish airport.

I see his eyes in hers.

“When you see your mother, she will throw her arms around you. She’ll hold you so close, you won’t be able to breathe,” I say. “Many things trigger memories, but one of the strongest is smell. You will smell your mother, and remember her embrace.”

“Your mother,” I continue, “has held you in her heart since the day you left. There’s not a moment that has passed, not a single day, when she hasn’t wondered and worried about you, missed you terribly.” He listens. continued on next page

That’s What They Said

“We’re low for gateway cities, but were still too high for what we’re trying to accomplish.” - John Monfredo, School Committee member, on student absenteeism rates in Worcester Public Schools.

“The work we do is slow, it is methodical and it’s [as] long as our city’s history.

Today, and every day forward, we must build the city we want to leave to our children and our grandchildren.” - Mayor Joe Petty, in his fourth inaugural address during a ceremony at Mechanics Hall.

“Thanks, but honestly I could care less about what he says.” - Worcester County District Attorney Joe Early Jr., in a text exchange about the Alli Bibaud case, with one of his spokespersons, Tim Connolly, regarding a post by a local blog.

HARVEY continued from previous page

“I have never seen my father so happy. He says that someday, when I am a man with a wife and children, I will understand his happiness. It’s funny to see him like this.”

Ali’s family is expected to arrive on a Saturday. On Friday, he is a bundle of nerves.

On Monday, he pokes his head into my classroom.

“They’re here!” he exclaims with a smile.

“She keeps hugging me!” I can’t help it. I feel the tears well up in my eyes.

“Now we must find a bigger apartment.

Seven of us are sleeping everywhere in two bedrooms,” he says, “but my father is already looking.

“Miss, you know what? Oh my God, the food! My dad and I have been eating pizza and stuff like that since forever! She’s cooking real food for us!”

I grab a Post-It and scribble the words, “Ed Hyder’s Market, Pleasant St.” on it.

“Take her here,” I say. “ She’ll go crazy buying what she needs to feed you guys.”

A few days later, Ali pops in again.

“My mother says to tell my teacher ‘thank you’ for the information. She’s never seen such a market.”

“So you understand each other?“ I ask. He thinks for a moment as he lowers his eyes.

“You know, Miss? I guess I remembered more than I knew.”

commentary | opinions

Understanding the ArabIsraeli Conflict

{slants/rants}

Letter

To the Editor: There has been much local interest regarding the recent U.S. announcement on the status of Jerusalem and the plan to move the embassy there. This is occurring in the context of renewed concern about the future for a two-state solution. Let us look more closely at decisions made by Palestinian representatives and perhaps we will see why there aren’t two states.

There have been many opportunities for peace and statehood. On five separate occasions [in 1937, 1947, 1967, 2000, 2008] peace proposals and statehood initiatives were presented. Each time, leaders representing the Palestinians rejected the proposals [the Israeli side accepted]. These peace rejectionists have derailed every negotiation, every opportunity for the creation of Palestine. Their refusal reflects a societal belief that Israel is illegitimate.

Pew studies reveal that the vast majority of the region believes all of Israel, includ-

tor

di E e h t to

ing cities like Beersheba, Haifa and Tel Aviv are settlements - no different in their eyes from settlements in the West Bank. One simply has to listen to the leadership of Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Iran or even the local street vendor to understand the conflict. This information is readily available, just search Google or YouTube.

And the region’s political and religious leaders don’t talk to their people about building a Palestinian state, they talk about [violently] liberating Palestine - meaning pre-1967 Israel.

Fundamentally, they do not accept Israel. Until there is willingness to do so, how will there be peace?

Perhaps the recent declarations made by the United States regarding Jerusalem show that decades of refusal to negotiate and refusal to accept reasonable compromise won’t be tolerated. Let’s hope for negotiated peace in 2018.

STEVEN SC HIMMEL, executive director, Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts Shrewsbury

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{ coverstory }

Unexcused: Chronic absenteeism rises in Worcester

Bill Shaner

Worcester, like most large urban districts, struggles with student attendance, especially what educators call chronic absenteeism.

Since the 2012-2013 school year, the percentage of students deemed chronically absent ­— meaning they’ve missed 18 or more days of school a year — has steadily climbed, from 12.4 percent district-wide to 16.9. While the

“It’s interesting because, when you talk to employers, we’ve been trying to get kids internships, and the number one thing they say is, ‘I want to see their attendance records.’

That’s their number one question,” Binienda said recently, sitting in the conference room of her office, a stack of attendance data across from her and an example attendance report card in her hand.

“We say that to kids,” she continued. “They want to know your attendance. They want to know that you’re going to come to work every day.”

ELIZABETH BROOKS

rate is lower than that of other large, urban districts in the state, the rise has worried education officials, who earlier this year put together a committee and a plan to address the issue.

Poor attendance is one of those issues that bleeds into other problems. It can be a predictor of poor performance, even withdrawal from school entirely. It’s a problem that, increasingly, educators are pointing to as one that needs careful attention and dedicated resources. And, in Worcester Public Schools, rates of chronic absenteeism are on the rise.

Since last year, there has been some cause for hope. Year-to-date numbers for the 20172018 school year show a marked decrease in the rate of absences across all grade levels.

The numbers suggest that a new plan to address the issue, which has been a focal point of Superintendent Maureen Binienda’s administration, may be working.

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WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL In one study of Chicago Public Schools in 2008, the number of absences in the eighth grade proved eight times as effective in predicting ninthgrade course failures than eighth-grade test scores, according to a July report from the Brookings Institute.

In Baltimore, a study found that chronic absenteeism in the sixth grade was the strongest predictor of failure to graduate high school.

Though the research shows a strong connection between chronic absenteeism and

• JANUARY 4, 2018

poor education outcome, there’s been little that shows direct correlation, according to the report. Students may miss school because of poor performance, or because of outside factors like unreliable transportation.

“Nonetheless,” the report read, “the intuitive connection between school attendance and learning — coupled with the strong patterns of association between absenteeism and performance — suggests that chronic absenteeism is a problem worth addressing.”

Across the nation, Black students are most likely to be chronically absent, followed by Hispanic and then White students. Asian students, at a rate of just 6 percent, are the least likely. By gender, the rates are pretty much even. Students with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to be chronically absent than their peers, but those in English Language Learners programs are 1.2 less likely to be chronically absent than peers.

By grade, chronic absenteeism is highest nationwide in kindergarten (which in many states is not mandatory), dips lowest in middle school and steadily climbs through high school.

The reasons for poor attendance vary dramatically, but researchers generally work off four categories: student-specific factors, family-specific factors, school-specific factors and community-specific factors. A studentspecific factor may be teenage motherhood, or bullying. A family-specific factor could be unstable housing or stressful family events.

School-specific factors include poor conditions at schools, teacher shortages and student boredom. Community-specific factors include lack of support services or unsafe neighborhoods, according to the report.

Chronic absenteeism can be a particular problem for large urban school districts. Other districts in Massachusetts, such as Boston and Springfield, have rates higher than Worcester.

Across the country, some cities have staggering rates: By the most recent numbers, 57.3 percent of students in the Detroit Public School System are chronically absent, according to the report. Nationally, Detroit tops the list with 57.3 percent of students chronically absent.

Over the past 20 years, according to the report, there has been little progress on the issue nationally, but programs in districts across the country have led to marked reductions, and shown that getting kids to come to school is not a lost cause.

BINIENDA’S PLAN

In Worcester, education officials have worked over the past year to build a robust, centralized approach to poor attendance. Binienda created a special task force on absenteeism, which works with attendance teams in each school. The attendance teams, which consist of administrators and student support staff, have been in place for years, a holdover from past efforts to tackle the issue.

One of the hallmarks of the plan put together by the absenteeism task force are attendance report cards that are sent to students and families every five weeks. “Did you know,” the report card reads, “that missing 10 percent of school puts students at risk of academic failure?” The report card shows how many days of school the individual student missed, versus how many they missed last year and the year before. It also shows the average number of absences and the student’s overall attendance rate.

In her office, Binienda chuckled as she likened the report to the neighborhood energy use data National Grid sends with its electric bills.

Along with the report cards, she said, students now sit down with teachers every five weeks to go over goals, including attendance.

On Oct. 1, every school in the district was required to do some sort of kick-off assembly on the issue of attendance, and every school is required to send a list to central administration of efforts they’re taking within the building to combat the issue.

“It’s so important, because if they’re not in school they fall farther behind,” said Binienda.

The policies have been bolstered by some added staffing. At the middle school level, the district added two counselors who focus on attendance, analyzing data trends but also working with individual students.

The district has also launched some small but innovative programs that rely on outside partnerships. The laundry machine program implemented over the summer with the help

{ coverstory }

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Worcester public Schools Chronic Absentee rate

By High School, 2016/2017 School Year

25

CLAREMONT

20

SOUTH HIGH

15

BURNCOAT

NORTH HIGH DOHERTY

10

UNIVERSITY PARK WORCESTER TECH

5

District wide, 2016/2017 School Year

20

15

7

6

6/1 201

5/1 201

5 4/1 201

4 3/1 201

3 201 2/1

2 1/1 201

0/1 1 201

9/1 0 200

200 8/0 9

10

JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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{ coverstory }

of UMass Medical School has been a smash hit in some schools, and Binienda said she’s continuing to push for the program’s expansion. Lack of clean clothes, Binienda said, is one of the many reasons students are chronically absent. The washers and dryers serve two purposes, in the context of chronic absenteeism: they give kids an opportunity to keep clean, and they offer a valuable point of contact for educators to talk to students and their parents about school performance.

“It also gets families in to talk about their student’s performance,” Binienda said.

Another program called Skate to Success has also been valuable. Launched this year with the help of Worcester Railers owner Cliff Rucker, the program rewards fourth-grade students with good attendance records with skate lessons at the Worcester Ice Center from Railers players.

Kindergarten is also a special focus. There, student can have high levels of absenteeism simply because kindergarten is not mandatory in Massachusetts, and parents don’t take it seriously enough. But attendance in kindergarten is important, Binienda said, because in-

creasingly, the lessons that used to be taught in first grade are now taught in kindergarten.

Students who don’t participate are at risk of falling even further behind their peers.

“So just think,” Binienda said, “if students aren’t going to kindergarten every day and they show up for first grade, there’s already that gap. So we’re really trying to have kids be prepared when they start school so they don’t already feel like they’re falling behind.

To combat the issue, the administration has put a screening process in place in which attendance was stressed to families before

enrollment. The district also tweaked a quirk in the system that set some students up for falling behind. Worcester is one of the few districts in the state in which 4-year-olds can enroll in kindergarten. A 4-year-old kindergarten student starts every year much younger than other students, and it can lead to feelings of disenfranchisement, said Binienda.

This year, the district launched what amounts to an overflow class for 4-year-old kindergarten students to take it another year, if they don’t feel ready to move on.

As Binienda laid out the district’s attendance plan during an interview with Worcester Magazine, Maura Mahoney, the district’s manager of social and emotional learning, entered the office with a thick stack of papers – the year-to-date attendance numbers, fresh off the printer. At a glance, the numbers look encouraging. From September to December, average attendance rates at every level were up from the 2016/2017 school year. The district as a whole climbed from 94.6 to 95.1 percent, elementary schools from 95.6 to 96.2, middle school from 94.8 to 95.1 and high schools from 92.8 to 93.1.

Mahoney attributed the early gains to the two-pronged approach of the attendance task force: rewarding students with good records and focusing on chronically-absent students on a case-by-case basis.

“We’re going to continue to promote everyone going and look at those kids who aren’t going,” Mahoney said.

Part of the plan is also a system of rewards that vary by grade level for students with great or perfect attendance. The reward programs vary from school to school as well, but ultimately the goal is an inclusionary environment.

“I think the most important thing is that children feel like they’re welcomed in school buildings so activities that make a positive school climate, students feel like they’re really missing something if they don’t come to school every day, like they’re wanted there, that that’s the place where they feel comfortable,” said Binienda.

A NEW FACTOR

The district’s focus on absent students comes in good time. Just last month, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education made chronic absenteeism part of the metric it uses to assess and score districts.

The change was part of several added to the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan, which states update annually and submit to federal education officials.

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• JANUARY 4, 2018

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Maura Mahoney, manager of social emotional learning for Worcester Public Schools, reviews student absentee rates.

The change means that a high rate of chronically absent students, or a low rate, can factor into the ranking of a school. Though it’s mixed in with a host of other factors – standardized test scores weigh heavily – it could make the difference for some schools that teeter on the line of dropping or moving up a level.

For the district’s high schools, this change to the accountability formula poses the

biggest problem, as some have the highest chronically-absent rates across the district.

Claremont Academy has the highest, at 20.8 percent, and North High and South High schools are both up there, at 15.5 and 16.7, respectively.

The reasons for high absenteeism rates, especially in high school, are varied. Some students have medical issues, some are homeless and others are pulled out of school by

{ coverstory }

families who take vacations.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for students who have high absenteeism rates, said Binienda.

“I think the solution is for each school to make that connection with students and their families,” she said.

But Worcester officials also want to see a change to the state’s accounting of absences, as some are more legitimate than others. John Monfredo, a school committee member who sits on the absenteeism task force, said some absences shouldn’t be counted.

“On the state level, they need to be a little more realistic too when they ask for information,” he said.

High school students who visit colleges during the week, for instance, are still counted as absent. Students who are chronically ill and need to miss class for medical trips are also counted the same as any other absence.

“We need to also address those types of things. That’s not what we’re after. We’re after the kids who take off two days here, two days there, and it adds up,” he said.

RELATIVELY BETTER

Still, it’s worth noting that Worcester’s absenteeism rates

are much better than other large districts in the state.

Of the five largest districts – Boston, then Springfield, Worcester, Brockton and Lynn – Worcester’s is the lowest rate. Lynn’s is the second lowest, at 19.2 percent. Boston and Springfield are the highest, at 25.8 and 24 percent respectively.

School officials credit the relatively low rate to the personalized-by-student approach.

“I think the personalized approach, where we are actually tracking, purposefully tracking students, and making home visits and making those relationships with families makes that difference,” said Binienda.

Monfredo agreed that outreach has been part of the success, but said he’s not satisfied yet. Some parents, he said, aren’t taking the issue seriously enough, and the district should do more to stress the importance.

“We’re low for gateway cities, but were still too high for what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said.

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-7493166 x324 or at wshaner@worcestermag.com.

Follow him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner.

WHERE YOUR EDUCATION AND CAREER CONNECT Learn more about graduate programs at worcester.edu/focus

JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

15

Winter Education Series Walter Bird Jr.

A different path to continuing education

N

ot everyone follows the traditional education path of going right from high school to college. Some take a so-called “gap year.” Maybe full-time employment is too enticing. Or maybe other factors comes into play. A year off can afford time to reassess one’s education goals. Sometimes, however, that year can become two, then three, maybe four. Before you know it, years may have passed. That doesn’t mean the window on college has slammed shut.

Dante Comparetto did not follow the usual route of high school to college. In fact, as he gets ready to turn 35 in March, his journey is still ongoing.

Comparetto, citing a teenage addiction to heroin as one challenge, did not finish high school in the traditional manner, instead earning his GED. Roughly two years later, around 2002, after working full-time and saving up tuition, he went to Quinsigamond Community College – sparingly.

“I was going very part-time,” he acknowledged. “I’d been there several years. Over time, as I started really getting in tune with

what my passions are and what my interests in life are, I started finding out about the urban studies program at Worcester State University.”

Saying he became “obsessed” with the program, Comparetto eventually transferred from QCC to Worcester State. Once more, however, he did not follow the road most traveled.

“I did Worcester State very parttime,” he said, noting he finally graduated in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and political science.

Just recently, he learned he had been accepted to a master’s program at Clark University, where he plans to study public administration. Classes, he said, start this month. Like his other college experiences, this one will not be a solo venture. Comparetto this week was sworn in as a member of the School Committee in Worcester.

For Comparetto, completing his

him decide to continue his education.

“I really didn’t think about college until after I sobered up and decided I had other things I wanted to accomplish,” Comparetto said. “Most of my friends are either dead or in jail. It was expected in that community that you wouldn’t live past 30, so why would you think about college, right?”

As for his upcoming studies at Clark, Comparetto said he had several options, including law school, community development, urban studies and public administration.

“I was going to wait until the results of this last election to really decide what specific program I was going to get into,” he said. “Now that I’m on the School Committee, I figured it made sense to apply Dante Comparetto at the entryway to Clark University, for public administration, pubwhere he is pursuing his master’s degree. lic policy, because that, after all, is what I’d be working on.” education is important, but he has faced life His long-term goal, Comparetto said, is to challenges as well as his own personal combecome a teacher, following in the footsteps mitments. Money, too, has been a factor. of his friend, former Mayor Joe O’Brien, who “Economics plays a big part of it,” he said. now teaches at Clark.

“I’ve been pretty destitute and college is not “I’m really hoping to be as informed as I cheap. I’ve always had to work while going to can in how governing works,” Comparetto college. I’ve had a family to maintain. Also, said. in that period of time it took me to finish As for his non-traditional path to continucollege, I had a daughter. And, over the span ing education, Comparetto said, “I think if I of being in college, I started two nonprofits … had gone right from high school to college, That took tons of my time.”

I think I might be like the majority of other Comparetto was also just finishing WorcesAmericans who realize that wasn’t necester State University when he opened a busisarily the best idea. The fact I was able to ness, Pure Juz. take time off and reflect on what my real life “I’m always involved in a million things,” goals were, that was really helpful in making Comparetto said, noting his need to stay busy the wisest investments when it comes to my has been a key to his sobriety. education.”

It was, after all, being sober that helped

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• JANUARY 4, 2018

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Simplifying the college application process Joshua Lyford

48 states and Washington D.C. and utilized by more than 947,000 students as of 2015-16, of which 33 percent were first-generation college students.

The Common Application process can be guided by an opt-in “Virtual Counselor” program that includes tips and videos for students on application preparation, resources, college search aggregation as well as other points of interest. Of the 947,000 students that used the app, 140,000 opted into the mentoring program.

“The Common Application and its comprehensive website are best bets for easing the way into and through the college research application process,” Forbes Magazine contributor Willard Dix wrote n June 2017.

With 20.4 million students expected to attend American colleges and universities in fall 2017, according to the NCES, now is a better time than ever to find streamlined ways to enroll in college.

Reporter Joshua Lyford can be reached at 508-749-3166, ext. 325, or by email at Jlyford@worcestermagazine.com. Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshachusetts and on Instagram @Joshualyford.

A

Common Application submissions, with WPI having the highest enrollment (as of 2015) of area colleges, with just under 5,000 enrolled.

A simplified — and uniform — college application process could be integral in continuing to foster a college-educated Worcester. In 2015 (WRRB’s most recent numbers, based on the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau findings), of the roughly 118,000 Worcester residents 25 years of age and older, 8.1 percent (9,578) attained an associate’s degree, 18.5 percent (21,755) attained a bachelor’s degree and 11.1 percent (13,087) earned a graduate or professional degree. That leaves 29.7 percent (34,910) with a high diploma or equivalent, 8.6 percent (10,118) with no diploma and 7.2 percent (8,564) with less than a ninth-grade education.

The Common Application has been used in

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pplying to college can be challenging, to say the least. Many students begin to apply before entering their senior year, and while expectations are often high, having an educational path set to lead a student to the determination of their future career is a tall order all on its own. With college enrollment at an all-time high through the teens of the 2000s at record highs, applying is more important now than ever.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to the United States, 69.2 percent of high school graduates will immediately enroll in college.

According to the NCES, between 49,839,40051,165,200 students are enrolled in public schools in the U.S., with a massive number of them moving onto further education. Massachusetts accounts for just under one million of those students, and according to the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, 25,479 of those students were enrolled in Worcester Public Schools in 2016. Many of those students will be staring down the college application process.

A system developed to simplify the process, the not-for-profit Common Application, started 40 years ago. The idea was for students to fill out one application that would work for a number of colleges. To date, the program has been used to submit four million applications, and includes 700 colleges and universities the world over.

Worcester has nine colleges, 10 if you include Paxton’s Anna Maria College. According to the WRRB, Greater Worcester full-time college enrollment (including Anna Maria, Dudley’s Nichols College and Grafton’s Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine) was 27,714 in 2015.

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J A N U A R Y 4 , 2 0 1 8 • W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z12/28/17 I N E . C O M9:4917 PM

art | dining | nightlife | January 4 - 10, 2018

The Best of

night day2017 &

ELIZABETH BROOKS

FAST HANDS, FAST BEATS

May 25, 2017 Tim Hetu is a prolific drummer. It would take a good chunk of my word count to include all of the bands he has played in, performed with or helped in one way or another, but it was another of his passions that made it into the paper: his drumming lessons and why teaching is important to him. “Kids naturally like hitting stuff and being rhythmic,” said Hetu from E.L. Music’s drum lesson booth. “When you see their enthusiasm grow as they learn to do things and learn control to do things … they never imagined how that could happen. I like seeing their enthusiasm grow.”

Tim Hetu plays at E.L. Music, where he teaches drum lessons.

LYFORD FILES SUPER LITE ALPHA + EDITION

PHOTO COURTESY OF OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

June 15, 2017 I considered not including anything from The Lyford Files, but on this I had to make an

ANDREW BEAUPRE

A wild Lyford in his natural habitat. exception. It was a few days before I took a few days off and things really went off the rails.

My favorite columns generally turn out to be those that I have very little time to work on and the stream of consciousness reaches a manic coffee-induced fury. This is one such edition. A few days before vacation, a trip to the Worcester Center for Crafts, some Tolkien and Rothfuss references and harrumphing some online “best cities” lists, ah.

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

• JANUARY 4, 2018

I’ve been the arts and entertainment reporter at Worcester Magazine for three years and I freelanced for the paper for a few years before that.

As far as I know, in that time, we’ve never done a “Best of Night and Day” piece to ring in the New Year. Well, 2018, that period has come to an end. I looked back over the past 12 months and picked out stories I thought made the cut. Here are what I thought were some of the most interesting (or fun, or silly) Night & Day stories from 2017.

— Joshua Lyford

The Return of POW! WOW! Worcester

Aug. 17, 2014 It’s no secret POW! WOW! Worcester is a favorite of mine. The public art festival returned last year with a new emphasis on large-scale public art on Worcester Public Schools. Taking an already great idea – large-scale public art – and adding the public school component was brilliant and with even more murals than in 2016, the event was a rousing success.

Here’s to 2018!

ELIZABETH BROOKS

‘BIG RIVER’ A DELIGHT AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE June 16, 2017 I don’t review things often and there is a reason why: that’s not really what I do. Still, when I get the chance, I tend to have a lot of fun with it. I love musicals and I’m an easy emotional mark, so “Big River” at OSV wasn’t a tough sell. I was mocked by coworkers for having a tear in my eye during production and I got to see “rollicking boy-adventure” in press materials.

Pennsylvania muralist Nosego works on his mural at Elm Park Community School.

TAILS WAGGING FOR WORCESTER’S FIRST DOG PARK Aug. 24, 2017

ELIZABETH BROOKS

As a dog owner, the severaldecades’ wait for an official dog park in Worcester was a long one. This year, however, we had the delight of attending the ribbon-cuttings of two, one on Providence Street and one on Mann Street. The dogs are always enjoying themselves and while I still don’t understand the joys of howling into a recentlydug hole, that’s a big deal for a city on the move.

Brisco scampers through Worcester’s first-ever dog park on Providence Street.

DIKEPTOR’S REVENGE BILL SHANER

Sept. 7, 2017 What was slated to be a several weeks-long journey down the east coast with Worcester crossover thrash act High Command ended up being a brief long-weekend adventure to New York and Philadelphia. Bill Shaner and I enjoyed loud music, plenty of beer and an evening each on rooftops in both Philly and NYC. There was little sleep, a little puke and a knighting ceremony packed in. Next time, we write about the whole adventure.

night day &

ELIZABETH BROOKS

WORCESTER MEN OF SONG: SEVEN DECADES OF SINGING

Nov. 9, 2017 I don’t often work hard news stories. I’m the A&E guy and personal stories are my business. So, when the opportunity came to meet the gentlemen behind the Worcester Men of Song barbershopping group, I jumped at the chance. I wouldn’t regret that decision, and the story turned out to be the most fun and wholesome story I think I’ve ever written (besides Champy Pants, naturally). I don’t think I’ll ever get “owls go by and they give me the eye – walking my baby back home” out of my head.

Worcester Men of Song’s Don Hewey talks barbershop.

BECOMING JOHN PAGANO

Nov. 20, 2017 In August 2015 I got to write about a Worcester painter named John Pagano. He became one of my favorite Worcester artists and I would have to wait two years until his next exhibit, On Becoming, came to the Sprinkler Factory. Pagano is incredibly talented on canvas and absolutely enlightening to speak with. I look forward to speaking with him again in 24 months.

John Pagano stands in his studio before a massive painting.

THE ORACLE: ONCE, I HAD IT ALL

RYAN MARTIN

A typical scene, the members of high Command load their van in Providence, R.I. as reporter Lyford looks on aimlessly.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Nov. 30, 2017 I don’t know much about electronic music, but I am learning.

Prolific hardPatrick Murphy, core drummer The Oracle, in his Patrick Murphy Sunday best. knows a bit and is eager to share his dark vision with music aficionados following The Oracle’s latest release, “Once, I had it all.” It’s not often the eerie glow of a muted “Ancient Aliens” illuminates an interview, but here we are.

‘NO PRESSURE, RIGHT?’ RAILERS SET TO TAKE TO THE ICE IN WORCESTER

Nick Saracino faces off against the Manchester Monarchs’ Cory Ward in the team’s first exhibition game at the Worcester Ice Center.

STEPHEN DIRADO

Oct. 13, 2017 It was finally going to happen. After months of planning, the Worcester Railers hockey team was about to hit the DCU Center Ice. Puck drop came the day after the cover story, which involved some of my favorite things: hanging out at Railers training camp, drinking a lot of coffee and being out of the office, and as it turned out opening night was absolutely perfect. A sell-out crowd, lots of energy and a storybook comeback victory for the home team. Approximately two years after the departure of the Sharks, hockey is back in Worcester.

THE DAY WE LOST PET

Dec. 14, 2017 This story is recent, but hey, you can’t pencil “awesome” into your calendar. Clinton author Chuck Young wrote a children’s book discussing death. That alone is interesting USED WITH PERMISSION FROM PENNY CANDY BOOKS

A “The Day we lost Pet” illustration

by Aniela Sobieski. and it’s a topic rarely broached with kids in mind, but the story behind the story – of a father figuring out how to explain the death of a hermit crab, of God farts and the disappearance of an illustrator – is just as fascinating. Young is an interview favorite; colorful, smart and a ton of fun.

Reporter Joshua Lyford can be reached at 508-749-3166, ext. 325, or by email at Jlyford@worcestermagazine.com. Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshachusetts and on Instagram @Joshualyford.

JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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night day &

THE

Lyford F iles

Joshua Lyford

RING IN THE NEW YEAR: We made it!

Well, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. We’re operating on short holiday deadlines, so while you may be reading this in the early weeks of 2018, I’m writing this from the foggy recent past of 2017. Kind of weird if you think of it, this is past Josh speaking to you. A lot could happen between now and when I catch up to the future, but I’d like to assume I’ll still be here, having just rung in the New Year over some champagne (I’m just kidding, it will be trashy bottom-tier beer). Regardless of whether past Josh catches up to you, future reader, here’s to an excellent 2018 full of adventure and enlightenment.

! y t r ’s Pa

Let

MECHANICS HALL

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 With the hub bub of the holidays behind and the winter doldrums knocking at your door, the Winter Soirée is a night for friendship, family, and fun! A great opportunity for office parties and family and school reunions.

5:00pm Cocktail Reception in Washburn Hall 6:00pm Dinner & Dancing in the Great Hall to the big band sounds of Dan Gabel & the Abletones!

Tickets: $48.00 per person Please purchase tickets by Friday, January 12, 2018 Everyone 18+ is welcome.

For Information:

M E C H A N I C S H A L L Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester, MA WORCESTER, MA 1857 - 2017

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

508-752-0888 • www.mechanicshall.org • JANUARY 4, 2018

EAT THE PRESS: I don’t have the best memory on the planet, between the ratty beer con-

sumption, late nights and BMX and stage-diving related concussions, I work with what I have.

Still, I started full time at Worcester Magazine in early January 2015 after a few blissful years of freelance work (PS: happy third anniversary to me!). The five people reading this understand, I’m sure, that Worcester’s political landscape is a unique one. So, I was surprised when just two weeks after I began in proper when we were invited to play in media vs. City Hall broomball LOUIE DESPRES tournament. While my favorite memory has to be the media’s absolute domination (and my subsequent “Rosie Ruiz Award”given to the individual that “scored so many goals they must be cheating), a close second was mayor Joe Petty walking down the City Hall stairs with hockey gear and his official “Beat The Press” tee shirt on – with the “B” taped over. Eat the Press. It was fun-

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night day &

ny and the entire event was quirky and I’m not sure Telegram reporter Brad Petrishen’s back will ever truly recover. Well, after a few other sporting events, Broomball returns to 2018’s Beat the Press event.

The stakes are high and while the media is full of gritty, hungry bulldogs that aren’t afraid to get into the dirty areas, City Hall has the odds in their favor – as well as several notable hockey players on staff.

Can it translate? Will City Hall try and force us to play with push brooms again? Find out for yourself on Friday, Jan. 19 at the Worcester Common Oval.

ICY RECAP: As I mentioned previously, I don’t

know what the future holds, but past Josh is writECOTARIUM.ORG ing from a frigid winter wonderland on Shrewsbury Street. If you’ll recall, we just had a little baby snowstorm and in the world I currently live in, it is 10:30 a.m. And 5 degrees. Yesterday was a similar temp and it is expected to be cold through the weekend. The positive of all this? The ice is nice.

Looking to play some pond hockey? Elm Park is always a sure-choice for players of all levels. The Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center has open ice time, if that’s more your speed. Buffone Arena on Lake Ave. is a favorite spot of mine for free skating and they do puck time as well.

Looking for some holiday lights while you skate (sans stick and puck)? The Worcester Common Oval is open for business. Bundle up, unless the future is warm.

CENTRAL MASS IMAGINARIUM: Is the name of a book I wish someone would write. Alas.

If you missed it, the Tower Hill Botanic Garden has been hosting “Winter Reimagined”

JUNE 17, 2:30PM

Steven Stills and Judy Collins

since late-November and it will continue through Jan. 7. For the regular admission price, check out Boylston’s botanic garden, now featuring fancy lights and illuminated pathways. I can hear you ooh-ing and ahh-ing as you read this.

DINO-DUMP: I really wanted to use the “that’s one

big pile of shit” quote from Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum), but it didn’t seem appropriate. While a kid in the grocery store may – by random chance – see this page and its bold subheads, it’s unlikely that they’ll read the content. The EcoTarium’s “Did Dinosaurs Poop?” exhibit is almost wrapped up. You’ve got until Jan. 7 to scope it out. It’s a “digestion journey!” Visitors embark on the most exciting journey: following food from “tooth to tush.” I can’t stop laughing. Great exhibit, but “tush” is a really funny word.

Reporter Joshua Lyford can be reached at 508-749-3166, ext. 325,by waking up and realizing, woah, it’s nearly 2018 and your – very reasonable – annual goals have been a mixed bag of achievement, and while it is a bit upsetting that we never got hoverboards (I’m not counting those light-up wheeled things), couldn’t we at least be wearing neon space onesies? Fly locally in a saucer? Where is the future tech? Must have something to do with that SpaceX rocket launch I read so much about last week, or by email at Jlyford@worcestermagazine.com. Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshachusetts and on Instagram @Joshualyford.

On Sale Now! 888-266-1200 • tanglewood.org JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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baystateparent’s

KidsCon & CAMP EXPO 2nd Annual

Saturday, January 27 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center, Marlborough

night day &

{ film }

Quality time with Maria, Ted and Frank Jim Keogh

Having the week off between Christmas and New Year’s was a bit of sublime fortune, a necessary breather after what seemed like months spent on a hamster wheel. I’d assumed I would devote my days and nights to productive pursuits — working on household projects, getting into shape, tending to the sick. Instead, I spent a grotesque amount of time in front of the television, catching up on shows and movies — or are we just calling it “content” now? — that I hadn’t gotten around to seeing. Three observations from my week on the couch: “Lady Dynamite” is a show you need to consider carefully before recommending to someone in your life, because it’s either com-

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

• JANUARY 4, 2018

edy dynamite or a damp wick depending on your sensibilities. Comedian Maria Bamford has taken all the jagged pieces of her life — dating misadventures, career mishaps, f****dup family relations, her struggle with mental illness — and imagined a comic universe bordering on the surreal. No, forget the “border”

part — it is surreal. Bamford makes me laugh, she makes me nervous; she’s a manic genius.

At least I’m pretty sure she is.

Two years ago, critic Sean Burns wrote one of the all-time greatest takedowns of a movie. His review of “Patriots Day” skewered Mark Wahlberg for centering the story of the Boston Marathon bombings on his heroic character, beat cop Tommy Saunders, who does not exist in real life. Burns’ review was knocking around in my head as I bingewatched the Discovery Channel’s eight-part “Manhunt: Unabomber,” which chronicles the FBI’s hunt for the notorious domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski through the eyes of Agent Jim Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald is an actual person, a linguistics expert who mined clues to Kazcynski’s identity in the killer’s manifesto, which was published in The Washington Post. The series, starring Sam Worthington as Fitzgerald and Paul Bettany as Kazcynski, would have you believe Fitzgerald was the linchpin to the entire investigation. A little googling confirms he was not — not even close. In fact, “Manhunt” fabricates jailhouse meetings between Fitzgerald and Kaczynski, and creates phony characters, like a brilliant, beautiful linguist engaged in a will-they-or-won’t-they flirtation with Jim. I understand the temptation to do some tinkering to enhance the drama, but this trend of presenting historical fiction as fact is troubling. Give me a well-done documentary anytime, like …

“Wormwood.” Filmmaker Errol Morris has crafted a compelling saga about a son’s quest to uncover the truth about his father’s fatal fall from a New York hotel room in 1953. The victim was Frank Olson, an Army scientist who became a pawn in the CIA’s drug experiments. Did Frank commit suicide? Did he accidentally stumble out the window? Was he murdered by his own government? Morris goes heavy on the dramatic reenactments — his stock in trade — and at six parts, the story tends to feel strained and padded.

Still, when it comes to recapturing historic events through the memories and perspectives of a lone wolf, Morris has triumphed by involving Frank’s son, Eric Olson. The man is obsessed with uncovering the truth, a quest that earned him an apology from President Gerald Ford, yet also has robbed him of any chance at a normal life. Olson is clearly brilliant, and tortured (he’s got a bit of Ted Kaczynski in him, without the violent expression). The extended conversations between him and Morris are the best parts of “Wormwood” — the rare occasion when a talking head has something worth talking about.

night day

Kenichi

&

{ dining}

SANDRA RAIN

FOOD HHH AMBIENCE HHH SERVICE HHH VALUE HHH

krave

270 Shrewsbury St., Worcester • 508-926-8622 • kenichibistro.com

Kenichi’s marvels Sandra Rain

The most magnificent part of a visit to Kenichi Asian Bistro is a requisite dramatic reading of the $5.75 exotic cocktail menu, which grows more ambiguous and amusing with every introduction.

Take, for example, the Zombie, described simply as, “a real dirty stinker.” Not to be outdone by the vague explanation of Dr. Funk: “a strange and mysterious drink, thoroughly delicious a delightful tropical drink.” Or, of course, Suffering Bastard, which reads, “not too tall, not too short, but this large quantity of delectable potion might put you ‘down under.’” I hope you live within

walking distance, because one Mai Tai may very well send you spinning. I typically find it best to share a small scorpion bowl ($7). Embracing the kitsch is what Kenichi is all about.

The establishment’s name itself is questionable, referred to in various places as Kenichi Bistro, Kenichi Fusion and Kenichi Restaurant. Don’t think too hard. Order a Polynesian Love Potion from the master mixologist and let the evening slip away.

The dining room is particularly beige, a neutral illusion fostered by oatmeal-colored panels on the walls, bamboo window shades and camel-toned floor tiles. Red plastic fish decals stick to the facade above each booth, where lanterns reminiscent of jellyfish hang overhead. Two Oscar statuettes (or are they Dundies?) are perched behind the bar. Perhaps they wait to be awarded for the best dramatic reading of the Sharp Tooth from the drink list: “If the first does not bite you, the second will!

A concoction of fine rum, sloe gin, and island nectar.” How captivating!

The crowd is sporty. A long center table can easily accommodate big groups prepared to discuss Terry Francona’s managerial merits

in the dead of winter. Don’t let the fantasy baseball fans fool you, this sushi bar has a reputation for turning out some of Worcester’s top talent. Many a chef has spent a stint at 270 Shrewsbury St. The special rolls are Americanized and simple, but ultimately fresh. Safe bets include the angel maki ($14), made with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, cucumber, crabstick, Japanese spicy mayo, eel sauce and fish roe; rainbow maki ($11), made with crab stick, avocado, cucumber, fish roe, tuna, salmon, white fish, and shrimp; and mirai maki ($13), ​ made with tuna tempura, cucumber, Japanese hot chili, shrimp and mango. For the purist, four pieces of maguro nigiri ($11.90 ) will offer oblong balls of sticky sushi rice topped with masterfully-sliced pieces of tuna.

Kenichi also puts out a mean Nabeyaki Udon ($13), a thick Japanese noodle dish served in an elephantine kettle. The hot pot is filled with a light fish broth, chicken, mushrooms and a fried egg. While I feel the egg would better serve this dish if it came soft or poached, the hearty noodles offer a welcome chew, like long strings of hand-rolled pasta, beckoning me to return to this dish again and again. For less adventurous eaters, the sirloin teriyaki teppanyaki ($17) provides

Angel maki, rainbow maki, mirai maki and four pieces of maguro nigiri. a sizzling platter of saucy steak served over a pile of sauteed broccoli and onions.

The servers at Kenichi are routinely efficient and sometimes rushed in their exchanges with customers. Asking for recommendations will elicit a look of exhaustion from some, while others will comply sans eye roll. It’s more a bar than a family spot, though children are welcome as long as you keep the naughty drink descriptions out of reach. Then again, I suggest you hire a babysitter before ordering a round of Blue Hawaiis, made from an elixir referred to on the menu as “joy juice.” It’s bound to be a wild night.

On my last visit, our party of three rang up a tab of $99.14 for dinner and drinks.

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Wine Dinner Thurs. January 25 • 6 pm 7 Course Tapas-Style Dinner with Wine Pairings $50/Person $90/Couple

Live Music Saturday Nights 8 pm Check out our website for upcoming events!

thegraftoninnma.com • 25 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

23

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krave

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{ dining}

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Bite SIzed:

THE VOYAGE TO VOLTURNO

Leisure, Libations, and Local Fare Sarah Connell

THE MEDITERRANEAN MERRY-GO-ROUND

A representative from The Grid has confirmed that, come spring, Techni Mediterranean Grill will be replaced by a new concept called The Missing Link Kitchen to coincide with the launch of a much-anticipated beer garden located between 64 and 66 Franklin streets. The Missing Link Kitchen will focus on homemade sausages and “Wicked” pretzels, catering to the 500-seat, year-round Brew Beer Garden, which will include a pavillion for entertainment and an outdoor pergola. Accordingly, international franchise Taste of Mediterranean is nearing completion at 20 Franklin St. to fulfill the falafel needs Techni will leave in its wake. For the record, I am a Shawarma Palace loyalist, but I welcome Taste of Mediterranean to the neighborhood nonetheless.

Burger Bar is proud to host Dogfish Head for a

four-course paired dinner priced at $65 per guest. The evening will feature the SeaQuench Ale, brewed with black limes and sea salt, as well as the Midas Touch, brewed from a 2,700-year-old recipe.

Volturno’s bar manager, Carlos Martinez, has made

his glorious return from Italy, an experience boldly reflected on the restaurant’s latest cocktail menu. After staging in Rome, Martinez traveled to London, where he visited some of the finest bars in the world. “I’m trying to use what I learned out there to influence the bar with Italian techniques, spirits and liqueurs,” he said. Highlights of the cocktail menu include The Antidote: Beefeater gin, green tea syrup, lemon and ginger bitters served in a yunomi, or clay tea bowl; and Martinez’s favorite, Guns of Barolo: Monkey Shoulder blended malt, Barolo Chinato, black walnut and roasted star anise pod. “Reintroducing a classic like the Rob Roy with some quality ingredients is exciting to me,” Martinez said. “Barolo Chinato might be my favorite thing to drink in the world!” Guests are likewise encouraged to opt for “We Choose, You Booze,” a chance for the highly trained bar staff to highlight their talents based on your preferences.

DOGFISH HEAD HEADS FOR THE FIX

Dogfish Head began as Delaware’s first brewpub in 1995 and went on to launch a craft beer movement that arrived in Worcester a decade later. On Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., The Fix

BOWLS FOR BOOKWORMS

Volturno’s bar manager, Carlos Martinez, has returned from his stage in Rome, an experience boldly reflected on the restaurant’s new cocktail menu.

Growing up, my dad and I would visit the Worcester Public Library nearly every Saturday to check out a book and a movie. (I would likewise look forward to the weekly trip as an opportunity to pick up the latest edition of Worcester Magazine.) As I’ve gotten older, WPL has grown with me by offering appealing programming geared toward teens and adults, like the complementary Vegan Cooking Class hosted by VegWorcester Saturday, Jan. 6, 2-3:30 p.m. Plant-based chef Colin McCullough will instruct attendees on making bowl meals, combining a mix of healthy foods with a delicious sauce. The upcoming class will address bowl-building basics as well as three great sauces that promise to make healthy food addicting. Interested parties can register online.

The class will take place in the Banx Room.

Worcester’s Best Chef Competition

11TH ANNIVERSARY

YOU VOTE

MECHANICS HALL | 321 MAIN ST., WORCESTER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2018 | 5-8:30PM

Worcester’s Best Chef Competition is the premier culinary event throughout Central New England and boasts the most exclusive, creative and finest epicurean masterpieces to be found anywhere. This event showcases the highest level of culinary talent in the region, and also assists students of the culinary arts.

Come eat, drink and vote your palate in the People’s Choice competition — taste through specialty cocktail tastings, selections from prestigious wineries & craft beer brewers, experience the thrill of a live Iron Chef competition, and be part of the landmark event to crown Worcester’s Best Chef!

Individual Entrance Times & Ticket Prices Vary Please Go Online To Reserve Your Arrival 2017 “Best of the Best” Iron Chef champion Chef William Nemeroff

No Tickets Will be Available At The Door •

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

• JANUARY 4, 2018

WorcestersBestChef.com

PHOTO CREDIT JOE SANTA MARIA/KILL THE BALL MEDIA

PRESENTED BY

music >Thursday 4

Karaoke. 8-1 a.m. Greendale’s Pub, 404 W Boylston St. 508-853-1350.

Mauro DePasquale and the Jazzed Up Trio. No CoverReservations Suggested. 6-9 p.m. The UXLocale, 510 Hartford Ave West, Uxbridge. 508-779-7515 or theuxlocale.com Open Mic Most Thursdays @ Barbers North. To check the schedules and open slots visit: Bill McCarthy’s Open Mic World on Facebook. Bill McCarthy (originator of the “Half-Hour Sets!”) is your host at another great Open Mic Night! Email Bill McCarthy to reserve it at: openmcc@verizon.net (make sure you put “open mic” in the email’s “subject box”) To check the schedules and open slots visit Facebook. Any slot marked as “open” usually is! Free! 6:30-9:30 p.m. Barbers Crossing (North), 175 Leominster Road, Sterling. 978-422-8438.

Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell. 7-10:30 p.m. The Monument Tap, Leominster. 978-798-1242.

Hip Swayers Deluxe. Sway Yr Way to B-Man’s For Hip Happenin’ Tunes! Free. 7-10 p.m. B-Man’s 140 Tavern, 348 Redemption Rock Trail, Sterling. 978-422-9763.

Brian Twohey. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St. 508-459-2025.

Fred Ellsworth. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Blueprint New American Bar & Grill, 9 Village Square, Westminster. 978-668-5580.

Open Mic Night With David Bazin. Acoustic Style, bring your acoustic instrument down and or sing and share your talent! No Cover.

8-11 p.m. Belfont Hotel, 11 South Main St., Millbury. 508-917-8128.

TC Polk. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The GazBar Sports Grill, 1045 Central St., Leominster.

Center Stage Karaoke. Come on down and take center stage. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Beatnik’s, 433 Park Ave. 508-926-8877.

Jim Devlin. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Michael’s Cigar Bar, 1 Exchange Place.

508-459-9035.

night day &

Karaoke Party with Matty J! 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Padavano’s Place, 358 Shrewsbury St. 774-823-3022.

OTW with The Hot Chocheys at Electric Haze. OTW: Our first MA stop on our Winter Tour! 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St. 508-799-0629 or find them on Facebook.

DJ Cuzn Kev. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. DJ 21+Canal. Thursday is college night @ the Canal. 10:30 p.m.1:45 a.m. Canal Restaurant & Bar, 65 Water St. 508-926-8353.

DJ X Kaliber Performs at Loft at 11. 11-11:59 p.m. Loft 266 Bar & Lounge, 266 Park Ave. 508-796-5177.

>Friday 5

Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat! Start your weekend with Nat Needle.

Thank Friday It’s Dr. Nat (TFIDN) is an unfettered romp through Nat’s musical imagination backed up by his hefty piano chops and hip vocals!

5:30-7:30 p.m. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, Cabaret, 124 Millbury St. 508-753-4030 or find them on Facebook.

Alex Tuohey. 7-10 p.m. Compass Tavern, 90 Harding St. 508-3046044.

Bill McCarthy Every Friday at Barbers Crossing North.

Now catch Bill McCarthy playing his heart out every Friday at Barbers North (Sterling, MA) @6:30pm Visit: BillMcCarthyMusic.com for info.

Free! 7-10 p.m. Barbers Crossing (North), 175 Leominster Road, Sterling.

978-422-8438.

Mike Melendez. 7-10 p.m. Medusa Brewing Company, 111 Main St. Hudson Ma, Hudson. 978-310-1933.

Mychael David & Howie Sweet. If you like country music with a bit of rock tossed in, you should get here early to make sure you get a table. 7-10 p.m. Canal Restaurant & Bar, Bar / Lounge, 65 Water St. 508-926-8353 or find them on Facebook.

Amanda Cote. 7:30-11 p.m. Happy Jack’s, 785 North Main St., Leominster. 978-466-3433.

Scott Babineau. 7:30-11 p.m. The Monument Tap, Leominster.

978-798-1242.

Drunken Uncles Performs at Loft, Friday at 8. 8-11:59 p.m.

Loft 266 Bar & Lounge, 266 Park Ave. 508-796-5177.

FM Live. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The Mill 185, 185 West Boylston St., West Boylston. 774-261-8585.

Jim Weeks. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The GazBar Sports Grill, 1045 Central St., Leominster.

Josh Briggs. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St. 508-459-2025.

Live Music. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The Blacksheep Tavern, 261 Leominster Road, Sterling. 978-422-0255.

Michael Spaulding. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Blueprint New American Bar & Grill, 9 Village Square, Westminster. 978-668-5580.

Playing Dead at Electric Haze. 21 + / Doors open 6pm / Curfew 2am Playing Dead is a Grateful Dead tribute. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St. 508-799-0629 or find them on Facebook.

The Middlemen. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Tavern on Central, 3 Central St., Ashburnham. 978-827-1272.

Every Friday Karaoke. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wong Dynasty and Yankee Grill, 176 Reservoir St., Holden. 508-829-2188.

Jean Mancini Gough Jazz Vocalist. 8:30 p.m.-midnight Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, Cabaret, 124 Millbury St. 508-753-4030.

Live Music. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Gardner. 978-669-0122.

Sean Daley. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. South Side Grille & Margarita Factory, 242 West Broadway, Gardner. 978-632-1057.

Bittersuite. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Michael’s Cigar Bar, 1 Exchange Place.

508-459-9035.

Ed ‘n’ da ve w/Tee & friends. Classic/acoustic rock, folk, blues, dead, and more! First Fridays, monthly! $5. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Greendale’s Pub, 404 W Boylston St. 508-853-1350 or edndav.com Guest and House DJ’S. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. 508-799-4521 or mblounge.com

{ listings}

Hip Swayers Deluxe. 1st Friday 2018 RocknRoll Show! Free. 9 p.m.-midnight Vincent’s Bar, 49 Suffolk St. 508-752-9439.

Johnny Bluehorn & Jim Perry Duo. 9 p.m.-midnight Padavano’s Place, 358 Shrewsbury St. 774-823-3022.

Karaoke. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Partner’s Pub, 970 South St., Fitchburg. 978345-5051.

Karaoke Fridays at Three G’s Sportsbar. Join Magic Mike Entertainment every Friday night for Karaoke! Free! 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Three G’s Sports Bar, 152 Millbury St. magicmikeentertainment.com OTB. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. Riff Raff. Classic Rock’n Roll 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge, Commercial Road, Leominster.

Synergy - Live Music at JJ’s. 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill, 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough. 508-842-8420.

DJ Tec Threat. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. DJ’s. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Compass Tavern, 90 Harding St. 508-304-6044.

DJ 21+Canal. 10:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Canal Restaurant & Bar, 65 Water St. 508-926-8353.

>Saturday 6

Chris Reddy Apre Ski Party. 3-5 p.m. The Outlook Restaurant, 79 Powers Road, Westford.

Rick Hamel Live Acoustic Hits. Rick Hamel plays Classic Rock, Pop and Country hits. 6-9 p.m. Park Grill and Spirits, 257 Park Ave. Open Mic! Come join our weekly open mic night! Hosted by Stephen Wright. All family friendly performers welcome. Show up and add your name to the list. Look forward to having you! 6:30-9 p.m. Nu Cafe, 335 Chandler St. 508-926-8800 or nucafe.com Alias. Talented and engaging classic rock duo. 7-10 p.m. Canal

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night day &

{ listings}

Restaurant & Bar, Bar/Lounge, 65 Water St. 508-926-8353 or Facebook.

Scott Babineau. 7-10 p.m. Medusa Brewing Company, 111 Main St. Hudson Ma, Hudson. 978-310-1933.

Arthur James. 7:30-11 p.m. The Monument Tap, Leominster. 978798-1242.

Jazzed Up featuring vocalist/pianist Mauro DePasquale. jazzedup.net No Cover. 7:30-10:30 p.m. Cheng Du, 157 Turnpike Road, Westborough. 508-366-7489.

Lizzy Marquis. 7:30-11 p.m. Happy Jack’s, 785 North Main St., Leominster. 978-466-3433.

Acoustic Shoes. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The Mill 185, 185 West Boylston St., West Boylston. 774-261-8585.

Chris Terp. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Barbers Crossing (North), 175 Leominster Road, Sterling. 978-422-8438.

Color Killer / The Prozacs / Marko and the Bruisers / FU’s & Kit. Show starts at 8:00...Punk Rock / Pop Punk $5. 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Beatnik’s, 433 Park Ave. 508-926-8877 or find them on Facebook.

Disc Jam Presents! SoDown ~ Brightside + Outlet $12 advance $15 day of show. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St. 508-799-0629 or find them on Facebook.

Dustin Brideau. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The GazBar Sports Grill, 1045 Central St., Leominster.

Gar Girouard. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Blueprint New American Bar & Grill, 9 Village Square, Westminster. 978-668-5580.

HiFi Wards electric blues, featuring Sugar Ray Norcia.

Peter Ward, Bob Berry, Hank Walther, George Dellomo, and special guest Sugar Ray cover charge. 8 p.m.-midnight Chans fine oriental dining, 267 Main St, Woonsocket. 401-765-1900.

Live Music. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. The Blacksheep Tavern, 261 Leominster Road, Sterling. 978-422-0255.

Sam James. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St. 508-459-2025.

Backseat Zero. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. South Side Grille & Margarita Factory, 242 West Broadway, Gardner. 978-632-1057.

Live Music. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Gardner. 978-669-0122.

Brooks Milgate live at Nick’s. Expect to hear Jazz, Blues, New Orleans style piano and even some Pop tunes. No Cover. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St. 508-753-4030 or find them on Facebook.

Guest and House DJ’S. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. 508-799-4521 or mblounge.com Josh Briggs & Bongo Mike. 9 p.m.-midnight Padavano’s Place, 358 Shrewsbury St. 774-823-3022.

Riff Raff. Classic Rock’n Roll 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge, Commercial Road, Leominster.

The Brumbletones. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Michael’s Cigar Bar, 1 Exchange Place. 508-459-9035.

Tom Petty Tribute: Petty Larceny Band performance. Free.

9 p.m.-1 a.m. Club KasBar, 234 Southwest Cutoff. 508-414-5015 or find them on Facebook.

Travelling Wanna B’s. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. Dj KG. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. DJ’s. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Compass Tavern, 90 Harding St. 508-304-6044.

DJ 21+Canal. Live Dj pushing out all the latest hits for you’re listening and dancing pleasure! 10:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Canal Restaurant & Bar, 65 Water St. 508-926-8353.

>Sunday 7

Jazz Brunch. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Gardner. 978-669-0122.

Bluegrass Brunch at Bull Mansion. Every Sunday At The Bull Mansion you can now enjoy a spectacular brunch and some down-home picking and a plucking provided by a rotating roster of bluegrass rock

Out of this world selections, down to earth prices - Tatuaje - Padrón - General Cigar - Rocky Patel - DrewEstate, Liga Privada, T52 & Unico - A. Fuente Opus X

stars. Free W/ Brunch. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bistro, Bull Mansion, 55 Pearl St. 508-755-6070 or find them on Facebook.

To Market w/ the Hip Swayers Trio. Hips are swaying at this year-round community farmers market in the heart of Princeton! 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Congregational Church of Princeton, 14 Mountain Road, Princeton.

Open Mic Sundays. To check the schedules and open slots visit: Bill McCarthy’s Open Mic World on Facebook. Bill McCarthy (originator of the “Half-Hour Sets!”) is your host at another great Open Mic Night! Email Bill McCarthy to reserve it at: openmcc@verizon.net (make sure you put “open mic” in the email’s “subject box”) To check the schedules and open slots visit Facebook. Any slot marked as “open” usually is! Free! 6-9 p.m. Park Grill and Spirits, 257 Park Ave. Brian Twohey. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St. 508-459-2025.

Karaoke. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Club KasBar, 234 Southwest Cutoff. 508-7988385.

Karaoke - DJ Soup. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. Rick Hamel. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Michael’s Cigar Bar, 1 Exchange Place.

508-459-9035.

>Monday 8

Industry Night With Keith. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. 508-799-4521.

Blue Mondays - Live Blues. 7-11 p.m. Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Gardner. 978-669-0122.

Jazz Night - Live at JJ’s. $10. 7-10 p.m. JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill, 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough. 508-842-8420 or jjsnorthboro.com Karaoke. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Club KasBar, 234 Southwest Cutoff. 508-7988385.

>Tuesday 9

Rodgers and Hammerstein with Jack Craig. Jack Craig will trace the work and friendship of two musicians considered the greatest

collaborative pair in American musical theater. From Oklahoma to The Sound of Music, their musicals became legendary hits. Free and Open to the Public. 11 a.m.-noon Briarwood Continuing Care Retirement Community: Birches Auditorium, 65 Briarwood Circle. 508-852-9007.

Tuesday Open Mic Night @ Greendale’s Pub with Bill McCarthy Local Musicians Showcase! To check the schedules and open slots visit: Bill McCarthy’s Open Mic World on Facebook. Bill McCarthy (originator of the “Half-Hour Sets!”) is your host at another great Open Mic Night! Email Bill McCarthy to reserve it at: openmcc@ verizon.net (make sure you put “open mic” in the email’s “subject box”) To check the schedules and open slots visit Facebook. Any slot marked as “open” usually is! Free! 7:30-11:30 p.m. Greendale’s Pub, 404 W Boylston St. 508-853-1350 or find them on Facebook.

The Insincere Gentlemen at Nick’s. Like Mad Men? You’ll dig this Jazz / Avant Garde trio. Playing 50’s/60’s music. Free. 8:30-11:30 p.m. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St. 508-753-4030 or find them on Facebook.

Boogie Chillin’. Bluesy, bluegrassy, jazzy, americana, dead, and more.

Jon Bonner - Guitar & Vocals Dan Villani - Violin/fiddle Fernando Perez - Percussion Joining us sometimes are Zack Slik on mandolin, Chris Houston, Scott Sheehan or Matt McManamon on bass, and other special guests. Free! (Tips are appreciated if you appreciate us.) 9-11:59 p.m.

Vincent’s Bar, 49 Suffolk St. 508-752-9439 or find them on Facebook.

Karaoke. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Club KasBar, 234 Southwest Cutoff. 508-7988385.

Karaoke Tuesdays at 9:30. 9:30-11:59 p.m. Loft 266 Bar & Lounge, 266 Park Ave. 508-796-5177.

>Wednesday 10

Open Mic Wednesdays at CJ’s Steak Loft in Northborough. To check the schedules and open slots visit: Bill McCarthy’s Open Mic World on Facebook. Bill McCarthy (originator of the “Half-Hour Sets!”) is your host at another great Open Mic Night! Email Bill McCarthy to reserve it at: openmcc@verizon.net (make sure you

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night day &

put “open mic” in the email’s “subject box”) To check the schedules and open slots visit Facebook. Any slot marked as “open” usually is! Free! 6-9 p.m. CJs Steakloft, 369 W. Main St. (route 20), Northborough. 508-3938134 or find them on Facebook.

Thaddeus Bell Jazz Pianist and Classical Singer Live in the Cabaret. Thaddeus Bell is an emerging artist with a rich warm baritone tone and a commanding stage presence. He quite often amuses audiences with his comedic sensibilities and moves them emotionally with his sensitivity as a musician and a performer. 7-11 p.m. Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St. 508-753-4030 or Facebook.

Brett Brumby. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Quinn’s Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St. 508-459-2025.

Open Mic. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. The Raven, 258 Pleasant St. 508-304-8133.

Wednesday Night Mayhem. The last bastion of democracy: an open, live-writing competition in character, where the audience dances, throws things, and votes for the winner! $5. 8 p.m.-midnight Beatnik’s, 433 Park Ave. 508-926-8877 or find them on Facebook.

Karaoke. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Club KasBar, 234 Southwest Cutoff. 508-7988385.

Karaoke - DJ Soup. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Whiskey on Water, 97 Water St. Karaoke with Mikey Mic’s. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. MB Lounge, 40 Grafton St. 508-799-4521.

Walkway, Explorer Express Train, planetarium programs & other special event. 222 Harrington Way. 508-929-2700 or ecotarium.org Fisher Museum Harvard Forest, 324 N. Main St., Petersham.

978-724-3302 or harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu Fitchburg Art Museum, Hours: noon-4 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday, noon-4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. 25 Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg. 978-345-4207 or fitchburgartmuseum.org Fitchburg Historical Society, Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, closed Thursday - Saturday. Admission: Free. 781 Main St., Fitchburg. 978-345-1157 or fitchburghistoricalsociety.org Gallery of African Art, Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission: Donations accepted. 62 High St., Clinton. 978-265-4345 or 978-598-5000x12 or galleryofafricanart.org Museum of Russian Icons, Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday. Admission: Adults $10; Seniors (59 +), $7; Students, $5; Children 3-17, $5; Children <3, free. 203 Union St., Clinton. 978-5985000 or 978-598-5000 or museumofrussianicons.org Old Sturbridge Village, Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday - Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday - Saturday. $28 Adults, $26 Seniors (55+), $14 Youths (4-17), free for Children 3 & Under, $14 College Students with valid college ID. 1 Old Sturbridge ArtsWorcester, Hours: closed Sunday - Monday, 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Village Road, Sturbridge. 800-733-1830/508-347-3362 or osv.org 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday - Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission: Park Hill Gallery, Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday Free. 660 Main St. 508-755-5142 or artsworcester.org Friday, closed Saturday. 387 Park Ave. 774-696-0909.

Asa Waters Mansion, Admission: $3 for guided tour $7-10 for tea. Post Road Art Center, Hours: closed Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 123 Elm St., Millbury. 508-865-0855 or asawaters.org p.m. Monday - Saturday. 1 Boston Post Road, Marlborough. 508-485Booklovers’ Gourmet, For the Love of Animals - Art Exhibit by Janet 2580 or postroadartcenter.com Aleid, Through Jan. 31. Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Preservation Worcester, Hours: closed Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday - Friday, closed Saturday. 10 Cedar St. 508-754-8760 or 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 55 preservationworcester.org East Main St., Webster. 508-949-6232 or bookloversgourmet.com Quinebaug Valley Council for the Arts & Humanities, the Clark University: University Gallery, Hours: noon-5 p.m.

Sunday, closed Monday - Tuesday, noon-8 p.m. Wednesday, noon-5 p.m. Arts Center, Hours: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday - Friday, 2-4 p.m. Saturday. 111 Main St., Southbridge. 508-346-3341 or qvcah.org Thursday - Saturday. 950 Main St. 508-793-7349 or 508-793-7113 or Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St. sprinklerfactory.com clarku.edu The Foster Gallery, 51 Union St. 508-397-7139 or thefostergallery.

Clark’s Cafe and Art On Rotation Gallery, Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday - Saturday. Admission: Free for gallery. 310 High St., Clinton. com Top Fun Aviation Toy Museum, Hours: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 978-549-5822 or 978-365-7772 or aorgallery.com closed Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. 21 Prichard College of the Holy Cross: Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday, 2-5 St., Fitchburg. 978-342-2809 or 978-297-4337 or topfunaviation.com Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, p.m. Saturday. 1 College St. 508-793-3356 or holycross.edu closed Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Admission: $12 Danforth Museum of Art, Hours: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Adults, $9 Seniors & $7 Youth, free to Members & Children under. 11 Monday - Tuesday, noon-5 p.m. Wednesday - Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 French Drive, Boylston. 508-869-6111 or towerhillbg.org p.m. Friday - Saturday. 123 Union Ave., Framingham. 508-620-0050 or Worcester Art Museum, Coming Away: Winslow Homer and danforthmuseum.org England, Through Feb. 4; Jeppson Idea Lab: Master Vases from Ancient EcoTarium, Hours: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday, 10 a.m. to Greece, Through April 8; Last Defense: The Genius of Japanese Meiji 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. Admission: $15.00 adults; $10 for children Metalwork, Through Sept. 2; Rediscovering an American Community ages 2-18, college students with ID & senior citizens. Children under 2 of Color: The Photographs of William Bullard, Through Feb. 25. Hours: & EcoTarium members free. Additional charges apply for Tree Canopy

arts

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday - Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission: Free for members, $14 adults, $12 seniors, free for youth 17 and under. Free for all first Saturdays of each month, 10am-noon. 55 Salisbury St. 508-799-4406 or worcesterart.org Worcester Center for Crafts, Hours: closed Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday. 25 Sagamore Road. 508-753-8183 or worcestercraftcenter.org Worcester Historical Museum, Hours: closed Sunday - Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday. 30 Elm St. 508-753-8278 or worcesterhistory.org

theater/ comedy

Dick’s Beantown Comedy Escape. Friday 9pm-Saturdays 8pm -$20pp Reservations Recommended at 800-401-2221 Prices: $20 Fri/ Sat pp except Special Events Drinks and Appetizers available in the show room Full Dinner Available before Show in Restaurant Give the Gift of Laughter! dickdoherty.com. $5off with College ID and Reservations 2 for 1 Active Military or Veterans and Reservations $4 off with Dinner Receipt and Reservations. Fri & Sat Jan 5th & 6th Dennis Fogg Peter Martin and Friends Fri & Sat Jan 12th & 13th Mike McDonald Sarah Martin and Friends Fri & Sat Jan 19th & 20th Shawn Carter Maya Manion and Friends. Dick Doherty’s Beantown Comedy Escape at Park Grill & Spirits 257 Park Ave, Worcester. Make Reservations Early at 800-401-2221 or online at dickdoherty.com

college sports Men’s Basketball

Anna Maria Jan. 6 vs. Johnson & Wales, 12 p.m.

Assumption Jan. 8 vs. New Haven, 3:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 @ NYIT, Barclays Center, New York, Brooklyn, 1:30 Becker Jan. 9 @ Lesley, 8 p.m.

Clark Jan. 6 vs. Emerson, 1 p.m.

Jan. 10 @ Springfield College, 12 p.m.

Holy Cross Jan. 5 @ Lehigh, Bethlehem, Pa., 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs. Loyola (Maryland), 7:05 p.m.

Nichols Jan. 4 @ University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, 6 p.m.

Worcester State Jan. 4 vs. Sage, 7 p.m.

Jan. 6 vs. Salem State, 3 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Framingham State, 8 p.m.

{ listings}

Women’s Basketball

Anna Maria Jan. 4 vs. Fitchburg State, 5 p.m.

Assumption Jan. 8 vs. Haven, 1:30 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 5:30 p.m.

Becker Jan. 5 @ MCLA, 6 p.m.

Clark Jan. 6 vs. MIT, 3 p.m.

Jan. 9 @ WPI, 7 p.m.

Holy Cross Jan. 5 vs. Lehigh, 6:05 p.m.

Jan. 8 @ Loyola (Maryland) Loyola, Maryland, 7 p.m.

Nichols Jan. 4 @ University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, 11 a.m.

Worcester State Jan. 6 vs. Salem State, 1 p.m.

Jan. 8 vs. Tufts, 12 p.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Framingham State, 6 p.m.

WPI Jan. 9 vs. Clark, 7 p.m.

Men’s Ice Hockey

Becker Jan. 4 vs. Westfield State, 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 @ Southern New Hampshire, 7:30 p.m.

Holy Cross Jan. 6 @ American International, Springfield, 7:05 p.m.

Nichols Jan. 5 vs. St. Thomas (Minnesota), Warrior Ice Arena, Boston, 6:15 p.m.

Worcester State Jan. 6 vs. Plymouth State, 6 p.m.

Women’s Ice Hockey Becker Jan. 5 @ University of New England, 4 p.m.

Holy Cross Jan. 5 vs. Post, Lady Crusader Night, 7:05 p.m.

Men’s Track & Field Worcester State Jan. 7 @ Dartmouth Relays

Wrestling

WPI Jan. 6 vs. Roger Williams @ Hartford, Conn., 11 a.m.

Jan. 10 vs. Coast Guard, Harrington Auditorium, 7 p.m.

LIVE & LOCAL Jim Polito 5-9 am

WTAG.COM

Jordan Levy 3-6 pm

JANUARY 4, 2018 • WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

27

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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!

5 Boredom 47 Bear-ly?

6 Util. measured in kWh 48 Clementine coats 7 Part of DOS, for short 50 Industrial city of Japan 8 Charlie Parker's genre 51 Home Depot competitor 9 Menzel who sang in "Frozen" 52 "The Ant and the Grasshopper" storyteller 10 Soviet org. dissolved in 1991 55 "Get on it!"

11 Sushi selection 56 Setting for "Julius Caesar" 12 Beats by ___ (headphones brand) 13 ___ cum laude (with highest honors) 57 Part of MIT 58 Dallas player, briefly 20 Protect, as with plastic 59 Overwhelming wonder 21 Ceases to exist 60 Gearwheel tooth 25 Scythes through the underbrush, perhaps 26 "Dear ___ Hansen" Last week's solution 27 Pirate executed in 1701 29 "I think somebody needs ___" 30 Turtle-ish enemy in Super Mario Bros.

31 Prefix meaning "all" 34 John of "Entertainment Tonight" and new age music 35 He followed a trail of breadcrumbs 36 First South Korean president Syngman ___ 37 Certain GIs 38 Laugh-out-loud type 42 6'11", say ©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) 43 Dessert made with pecans or Reference puzzle #860 almonds, maybe

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By Amanda Collins

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Athle te of the

Holden, Massac

Two Anna Maria College stude nts killed in wrong crash on Route-way 495

husetts • October

27, 2016 •

theland mark.c

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Two Anna were killed in Maria College students Middleborougha crash on Route 495 in on The students, Monday, Oct. 24.

20-year-old Diggs and 19-year-old Kraig A. Jordan Jutras, were among five peopleJ. Galvinin tragic a wrong-way who died accident on northbound 495 . The Monday morning,crash happened early near Exit 3.

Diggs was driving a 2003 Mercury that was hit Sable a by from Fall River, a 31-year-old woman was traveling Valantein V. Burson, who the wrong way

By Rebecca Humphrey Infiniti G37. in a 2011 Burson was HOLDEN — rhumphrey@th also killed in crash, along A psychic elandmark.com the with all three medium of over through the in Diggs’ car: of physical death Susan Northrop 30 years, Galvin-Jutra the passengers process,” said Jordan J. Fisher, s, 19-year-old upcoming local the nationally ghosts and she doesn’t see and 18-year-old recognized professional Licata. is $49. Proceeds appearance Cory P. disease. from the dead...can’t rise Elvis medium, author, event, organized from the The four young radio and she can connect but she said Whether you

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Fisher, who job is to pass Northrop is “I make connections hailed well known on messages from Harwich, to educate and works Licata, of West for (from the deceased , or I would say and support Babylon, New “The Afterlife” her TV show people with to their students at Becker York, were and her book loved ones) connections they make lupus, promote "Everything as they come College in Worcester. with me — awareness and Happens For through. people who Reason.”

A have gone research that fund scientific So what does will lead Continued on The cost to attend to better treatments 12 for those who this mean her and might attend ultimately a one of her events? cure for the “Think of it as stream of| energy,” 50 centssaid and economic life | TheGraftonNews.com

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29

Nikki Bell

More than 15 years ago, probation officers Maureen Chamberlain and Kerry Coakley recognized Worcester was not doing justice by simply arresting, charging, incarcerating and releasing prostituted women. They partnered with the YWCA and created a program for women charged with prostitution, which included survivor testimonies. In 2012, the Worcester Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation was formed, spearheaded by District 4 City Councilor Sarai Rivera and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. The Greater Worcester Health Foundation awarded Spectrum Health Systems a grant called the Ray Of Light Training to present training led by both a facilitator and a compensated survivor. In November 2014, Nikki Bell formed Living In Freedom Together. As the founder of LIFT, Bell maintains working relationships with a variety of partners including the Probation Department, the District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Public Health.

Can you describe the origin of your survivorled organization? LIFT originated initially

as a support group for survivors, run by survivors. It gave us a place to voice some of our challenges without fear of judgement and stigmatization. We recognized early on that the women who truly needed our support were not going to come to a support group, so we brought the support to them. I partnered with a local faithbased organization that had been involved with WAASE. LIFT initially started as a pot of coffee with clothes from our closets.

We began as simply a safe place to be for a few hours a night – a place where women on the streets could feel safe, supported, have something to eat and get some clean clothes. We weren’t forcing treatment on anyone. We were providing basic needs and harm reduction tools, and simply loving and accepting them for where they were in their lives. The beautiful piece of it was that the majority of our volunteers were survivors in recovery. So, without forcing what we thought they needed, we were already providing hope that there was a way out just by “being.” We wanted them to know that they were loved, we were there to support them, and they began to trust that if they wanted help in that moment we would help them, whatever that help might look like. LIFT is still survivor-led in every aspect of its being.

We have survivors chairing our board of directors, providing our training, volunteering at our drop-in and facilitating our

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ELIZABETH BROOKS

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physical and sexual. Many are homeless, many have substance use disorders. The brutal reality is that most want to exit, but feel as if they have no other options due to their criminal history, shame and other barriers.

Please share some the services provided

by LIFT for women in this community. LIFT

provides outreach to women involved in street-level prostitution. We host a dropsupport groups within programs and at the in center, where women can access basic needs like food, clothing, hygiene prodjail. I think it is important to recognize that we are part of a global movement and ucts and shoes. Also, at the drop-in center, not working in isolation within Worcester. we provide HIV & STI testing and Narcan training in partnership with AIDS Project The movement to end sexual exploitation Worcester. We provide case management, and human trafficking is a survivor-led referrals to treatment and peer mentoring. movement around the world – survivors We also run support groups within subwho have exited the sex trade and found their voices and refuse to sit quietly about stance use treatment programs and within the inherent harm that prostitution causes. the community. And, we are graduating our third class of the LIFT program at the Who knows better than those that have Hampden County House Of Correction this experienced it? week, where Worcester women are incarWhat are some of the biggest misconceptions cerated. We also provide support to women around women in the sex industry? I think while they are transitioning back into the that there is this belief that this is what community and help them connect to the these women want to be doing, when that support in the community that they want, is the furthest thing from the truth. I have be it accessing MAT, needing shelter or yet to meet a woman, and maybe there is day treatment. LIFT also provides training one somewhere, who says being a prostiand education to community partners on tuted woman was her childhood dream. how to identify and support victims and Most women in the sex trade have experi- survivors of the commercial sex industry. enced significant trauma as children; most We have provided training to medical have been involved in prostitution before professionals, law enforcement, local colthey were even old enough to consent to leges, treatment providers and many social sex, never mind to be sold for sex. Many service agencies. LIFT is working to begin have come out of systems, be it the child to provide temporary housing for surviwelfare system or the Department of Youth vors and our long-term goal is to open a Services system. Many have experienced survivor specific residential program for severe childhood neglect. It is not the survivors with substance use disorder. picture Hollywood paints of some college student paying her tuition by prostituting. Is there a strong relationship between the opioid epidemic and the sex industry in I think there is also a misconception that Worcester? There is absolutely a strong this is an enjoyable “profession,” when correlation between the opioid epithat is absolutely ridiculous. Prostituted women are victims of brutal assaults, both demic and the commercial sex industry in Worcester. Substance use disorder is

something that makes women extremely vulnerable to being exploited and/or trafficked. Over 95 percent of the survivors we work with have some type of substance use disorder. We have perpetrators, and I am not simply talking about traffickers or pimps, but those who fuel the commercial sex industry – the buyers, or Johns, who look for women who are vulnerable due to their addictions and exploit, and use these victims for one sided sexual pleasure. They are keeping these women trapped in not only their addictions, but in the commercial sex industry as well. They are the ones who need to be held accountable. Without the demand, these women may seek treatment or other exit strategies because they no longer have the money to continue to misuse drugs. No buyer, no business.

What can your fellow women of Worcester do to support LIFT’s important work? Women

of Worcester can support policies in our community to hold buyers accountable and help get survivors the support they need. Community voices are powerful and we need yours advocating for this issue as well. LIFT is also partnering with the Central Mass Coalition to End Human Trafficking on a policy to mandate all hotels in the city of Worcester need take a training on how to identify and respond to human trafficking. We could use community voices to help City Council know how important that is. LIFT is always in need of volunteers and donations, both material and monetary. We are trying to get our temporary housing program running and could use financial support to make that happen. LIFT is a nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

All donations go directly to improving the lives of survivors in our community. You can also visit our website, liftworcester. org.

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