Worcester Magazine April 11 - 17, 2019

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news

What’s next for Midtown Mall? 30 days could tell BILL SHANER

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story appeared online at worcestermag.com

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fter a contentious public hearing that put the Midtown Mall client and customer base at odds with nearby property owners, the Worcester Redevelopment Authority has given Dean Marcus, the property owner, a month window to provide a development plan, or else.

The hearing last week is one of several key steps the WRA has taken in the past several months toward acquiring the mall at 20 Front St. via eminent domain.

While Marcus, some of the tenants and customers maintain the mall is a viable incubator for small upstart businesses, nearby property owners complain the mall drags down their investments.

At the hearing, Marcus promised to improve the appearance of the building by adding lighting and improving the signage on Front Street. He also committed to a fresh coat of paint on the exterior, depending on what is allowed by the Historical Commission, he said. Developers are interested in the third, fourth and fifth floors, he said. When asked, Marcus would not say who the developers were – a sticking point for WRA members. Chairman Vinnie edone pressed Marcus for specific plans, and Marcus said he was unwilling to go into specifics on a timeline or potential developers.

“This is not quite the meeting

The Midtown Mall is in the city’s crosshairs, seen by some city officials and area business leaders and developers as rundown and underdeveloped. The owner and tenants, meanwhile, maintain it is a “village” whose affordable rent helps entrepreneurs, many of them immigrants, start their business.

FILE PHOTO/WALTER BIRD JR.

for me to lay that out. We can schedule one privately,” he said.

Rumors of a potential buyer have abounded in the past several weeks, but if Marcus has someone in mind, he has kept it close to

the vest.

WRA member Michael Angelini pressed Marcus for a detailed development plan in writing within 30 days. Marcus asked to meet privately with WRA members,

but Angelini pressed for a written response.

“I would be aided by that. I think this board would be aided by that,” said Angelini. “I think it’s essential we see in writing what

you propose to do, as we would insist in writing what anyone else would propose to do with this property if it was taken by eminent domain.”

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news

Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs – and fines WALTER BIRD JR.

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Inspectional Services Commissioner John Kelly addresses councilors Tuesday night WALTER BIRD JR

t is hard not to notice, as you drive along Main Street through Worcester’s Main South community, the number of active businesses: convenience stores, ethnic markets, restaurants, to name some. It is also hard to ignore something else: the signs covering a large part of the windows on those businesses.

City officials certainly have noticed.

A recent survey of businesses from Federal Square through Webster Square completed by the city’s Department of Inspec-

tional Services found multiple violations of Worcester’s sign ordinance, which prohibits signs from covering more than half the window area of a business. Conducted in November and December last year, the survey resulted in 14 violation orders, 19 tickets and a preliminary injunction.

According to Inspectional Services Commissioner John Kelly, the ongoing survey is an effort to enforce the city’s sign ordinance.

“I think it’s important,” said District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera, whose district includes the Main South corridor. “The signage has come up over and over again [in neighborhood meetings].”

Rivera said the survey and resulting fines should not be seen as a ticket-first mentality.

Referencing a report from Kelly to councilors Tuesday night, Rivera said, “Sometimes, you can read the beginning of this and say, ‘They’re just out there giving tickets,’ but I know they’re out there talking to people. We’re not there to ticket everyone. We are trying to say, ‘I know this might be a form of advertisement, but we’re trying to keep within the ordinance.’ In Worcester, there’s enforcement because there’s already been a discussion.”

Apparently, some businesses weren’t hearing the message.

According to Kelly, the area was inspected on foot several blocks at a time. When an inspector saw signs in windows that appeared close to the 50-percent limit, they measured and calculated the window and door areas, along with the corresponding sign areas. The inspector also used Google street view, which revealed photographs of previous signage, which were then compared to permit records. Signs that were found to be unpermitted were cited, Kelly said.

“Some owners,” he wrote in his report, “took three rounds of C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 7

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news MIDTOWN MALL

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Marcus promised “some of the answers to your questions” within 30 days, and Angelini insisted on a document. Pedone said the plan should include financing, the developers and a timeline.

Marcus said he’s “not 100 percent sure he can give you all that.”

Pedone asked for as much detail as he could, including vision and a timeline.

As far as public comment goes, the hearing last Thursday saw a room split in half. Well-heeled owners of nearby properties composed the bulk of those in favor of the city taking the mall. On the other side, small business owners, tenants of the mall and customers pleaded that the mall be allowed to go on under its current ownership.

Nearby business owners and a representative of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce cast the building at 20 Front St. as unsafe and unfit for business.

Craig Blais, president and CEO of the Worcester Business Development Corporation, said the building is the site of code violations and frequent police calls.

“Walking by that property,” he said, “you do not feel safe.”

However, a customer of the mall, Althea O’Donnell, said she was there Thursday. She said she spent $40 dollars, and it was fine.

“I am a woman in my mid 60s,” O’Donnell said. “I have arthritis, I use a cane. There are places I do not go to because I do not find them safe. The Midtown Mall is not one of them.”

Nearby business owners said they want to see an investment in the property, however it has to happen, as the state of the Midtown Mall drags down their investment.

Developer Chip Norton, president and owner of Franklin Realty Advisors, whose Worcester properties include 100 Front St., just down the street from the mall, was among those who spoke at the hearing. This week, he told Worcester Magazine, while he

does not have any specific ideas as to what could be done with the property, and that he is not interested in acquiring it, he would like to see improvements made.

“The point is it does need to be upgraded and maintained,” Norton said of the mall. “We would like our neighbors to have a clean, safe environment, so our tenants walking to and from our building, and from downtown, are safe.

I think that’s really my biggest focus.”

Asked whether the Midtown Mall has affected downtown development in any way, Norton said, “We’ve been pretty successful in the three and a half years we’ve owned our property. We’ve leased over 200,000-plus square feet of office space, done one retail space, and that’s what we’ve got left to focus on, our first-floor retail, some of which abuts or is adjacent to [the Midtown Mall.]

“So, yes, our success in finding the right tenant for those spaces is contingent on our neighbors and what’s around us. It is important those buildings are maintained in

a safe and clean environment.”

Tenants, customers and Marcus, meanwhile, say the mall as it stands serves the community, has 40 tenants, and is one of the only places self-made entrepreneurs can afford a rent to launch their business.

The WRA may take the building by eminent domain, per the downtown urban renewal plan, though there has been no official word of a buyer. The hearing was a necessary step in the long and difficult process of taking a building by eminent domain, Tempers occasionally flared at the public hearing last week.

While Marcus made his case, Angelini interrupted him, asking to focus his remarks on his vision for the future of the building. Marcus asked for more time, saying he spent a lot of time on his remarks.

Pedone doubled down, and AtLarge City Councilor Khrystian King intervened, walking to the mic in front of Marcus.

“Let him speak,” he said. “Let the man speak.”

The intervention worked, and

Marcus carried on a long and impassioned speech about the building and the tenants therein.

He stressed the various churches which rent space.

“If you want to come down and see an active building, come down on a Sunday,” he said. “The music will rock you.”

Several city councilors, including King, made comments addressing the need to both improve the building and take care of the tenants. District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera said something has to happen to improve the building, but shouldn’t come at the expense of the tenants.

“I want to make sure this is done collectively for this community,” she said. “We need to make sure that if there’s a renaissance, it’s a renaissance for all people.”

news adopt, amend or refer. It would still have a lower precedence than C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 motions to adjourn, recess, leave to withdraw, table and postpone fines to be inspired to make the to a date certain. needed corrections.”

Pretty procedural stuff, but Violations were found at 664, something councilors see as 703, 704, 802, 817, 819, 820, 831, 868B, 877, 897, 1000, 1014 and 1049 important, although they do not want to stifle debate. At-Large Main St. Councilor Moe Bergman worried Citations were issued at 703, 802, 868B, 877, 897, 1000 and 1014 that, under the revised rule, a motion to call the previous question, Main St. That seemed to work, with Kelly which he referred to as “moving an item along,” would cut off debate. pointing out all but one owner had complied. The Department of Under the new rule, a motion to call the previous question could Inspectional Services has a prebe made at any time an agenda liminary injunction order against item is under debate, and would the one holdout. be decided on a two-thirds roll call At-Large Councilor Konnie vote.

Lukes used the issue to call at-

SIGNS

“Some owners took three rounds of fines to be inspired to make the needed corrections.”

- Inspectional Services Commissioner John Kelly.

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“What’s happened in the past,” Bergman said, “is we started a discussion and somebody’s raised a hand and said, ‘Let’s move the item along,” and we’ve seen hands still raised and not able to comment on an item. I personally think it’s much more democratic, if we’re going to move an item along, it should be done before the Council begins debate.

“The problem I see, the way it’s worded now … it cuts off debate, with only a few people being allowed to have a discussion about it. Either it should be cut off completely, or everybody should be able to weigh in.”

The proposed change next moves to the Council’s Standing Committee on Rules and Legislative Affairs, where Lukes hopes transparency and debate are considered.

Lukes, who has sometimes been criticized for holding items under privilege, which puts them off to the next meeting, noted such a motion doesn’t eliminate discussion.

“When I read [the rule], there’s too many ways to eliminate debate, to avoid the issue of transparency,” Lukes said. “When it goes to committee, I hope we’re sensitive to that issue.”

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tention to home businesses that circumvent zoning rules. She wondered whether the sign ordinance is applied in those cases.

“I’d like to include that in any future surveys,” she said.

District 3 Councilor Geore Russell said he’d like to see the city’s efforts extended to other areas.

“I’ve made numerous calls to Inspectional Services about places in District 3,” he said, “where some of the covering of the windows, and not only that, the bright lights, shining right at cars. Some things that maybe the administration would consider sending inspectors out at night.”

Also at their Tuesday meeting, which sailed by at a brisk 30 or so minutes, councilors considered a procedural change to the City Council rule on precedence of motions that would afford a higher priority to a motion to file, which effectively kills an item. If you’ve followed Council meetings over the years, you’ve heard dozens upon dozens of such motions.

Under the current rule, a motion to file is last on the list. Under the revised set brought forth by the city’s legal department, the motion would move up to sixth, giving it priority over motions to

news

worcesteria

C’MON DIANNA: Say what you want about the tenants of Jim Polito, at least it’s an ethos. School Committee member Dianna Biancheria called into Jim Polito’s show last week spouting platitudes so vague and confused Polito could twist them any way he wanted to, and he sure did.

The result of that conversation – which I had the great misfortune of listening to, and others went through the great pain of transcribing – is this headline on Polito’s website: “Dianna Biancheria is “Woke” to the Democratic destruction of Worcester.” As I joked on Twitter, this is like a random computer generation of the worst possible political strategy.

Take for instance this passage: Polito is explaining to Biancheria that the Democrats are the real evil and that the issue of racial disparities in Worcester Public Schools is “the monster that’s been created.” “That’s what’s happening, Dianna,” he said. Biancheria, in response, continues on the completely irrelevant train of defending School Safety Director Rob Pezzella amid calls for his termination. She said “…responsibility for it, is stand up and stop the finger-pointing at the wrong people.” Polito, in response, thanks her for “standing up and going against the party” and then doubles down on his claim that the suspension rate disparity between Latino and white students is not the result of racist policies. “I want kids suspended and I want them out of school,” he said, before claiming that the school-to-prison pipeline is something Democrats made up. Instead of combating these bold, ugly and obviously bad-faith claims, Biancheria continues her nearly inscrutable defense of Pezella and Superintendent Maureen Binienda, calling on state public officials to “get involved in this” – whatever that means. Good grief. Biancheria explained toward the end of the interview she felt obligated to call Polito because she had called Hank Stolz and Jordan Levy earlier. This is what you get, Dianna, when you feel any obligation to Jim Polito. Ill advised in all instances.

WHAT A WEEK: Looking like this is going to be a 100-percent School Committee-focused Worcesteria, as I was far away from here Tuesday and Wednesday, and the week of April 1-7 may go down as one of the most insane for any political body in Worcester, let alone the School Committee. Let’s retrace our steps.

MONDAY: The Worcester Interfaith Coalition called for the School

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Committee to not renew the contract of Superintendent Maureen Binienda and fire School Safety Director Rob Pezzella due to perceived inaction on the issue of racial disparities in discipline and outcomes.

TUESDAY: Mayor Joe Petty comes out with a plan to “do better” on Latino concerns and Biancheria places the above-referenced call to Jim Polito.

THURSDAY: A group of students called the Youth Civics Union joined the Interfaith Coalition’s call for Binienda’s resignation, and later that night School Committee member John Monfredo resigns from the Mayor’s Latino Commission on Advancement and Education, in part because of a presentation said group of students gave the week prior at a commission meeting. But there was another part. Monfredo was very upset that he was getting brutally dragged online with a meme-style picture of his face next to the recent claim he made that he’s “never seen racism as an issue” in his 40-year career in Worcester Public Schools. The statement is, in my opinion, easy to pillory and speaks to a wider attempt by more conservative members of the School Committee to downplay the very real issues of racism in Worcester Public Schools.

FRIDAY: Former School Committee member

Mary Mullaney pulled papers to run for School Committee, an almost surreal turn of events.

But by Monday morning, she had changed her mind. She’s not running I guess. What a week.

If this is what this election season is going to be like, honestly… bring it Bill Shaner, reporter on. Like Lord Petyr BaelTwitter: @Bill_Shaner ish, I thrive in chaos.

news

the beat

artists

The city Department of Inspectional Services issued 14 tickets for

violation of the city’s sign bylaw, a rule preventing temporary window signs for covering more than half of the window area of a business. The tickets were issued in November and December along the Main South corridor, according to John Kelly, Commission of Inspectional Services.

Though some owners “took three rounds of fines to be inspired to make the needed corrections,” all but one store owner have complied, Kelly said in a memo.

culture

Artist spotlight

The Nativity School of Worcester

reached a $10.5-million fundraising goal in the works for six years. The money came from more than 500 individuals, businesses and charitable foundations.

The money will go toward an endowment, paying off long-term debt, operations costs and maintenance.

The School Standing Committee on Finance and Operations will hold a

public hearing on the fiscal 2020 budget later this month. The hearing, which takes place Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. in the Durkin Administration Building, will allow for public comment on the budget and priorities within.

Plans for a new Beal Elementary School in Shrewsbury have been

solidified after the state transferred land it owns to the town. The Irving A. Glavin Regional Cente used to occupy the 214 Lake St. property. Lt. Gov Karyn Polito called the transaction a win win for the city and state, according to the telegram. The school required a $92.8-million debt exclusion, approved by Town Meeting last fall.

Sam Harnois is a senior studying communication and Spanish at Worcester State University. Harnois uses his camera and Photoshop to bring the impossible to reality.

Harnois seeks to provide “an escape from the immediate world we live in,” and his work “places a spin on the laws of the physical world and replaces them with endless possibilities of dreams.” While some of his imagery appears upbeat and happy, he hopes they will force the viewer to continue thinking about them as time goes on. Harnois currently has a photo on display in the downtown Worcester Windows exhibit, “Rebirth,” and has shown in several ArtsWorcester shows. You can find more of the artist’s work online at Samharnois.com.

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

wanted

The city of Worcester launched a census committee last week in an

Earlier this week the City of Worcester hosted a recognition event

It’s almost college commencement season. This week, Clark

University announced its date, May 19, and its speaker, Jeffrey Lurie, a Clark graduate from ’73, who now owns the Philadelphia Eagles. Lurie is also a film producer, with credits on the documentaries “Inside Job” and “Inocente.”

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

for the more than 300 volunteers who served the city over the past year.

The event was held at City Hall Tuesday in honor of National Volunteer Week. Volunteers helped the city on boards and commissions, in the public library, in city parks, in the senior center, on sports fields, cleaning and removing snow in neighborhoods, assisting city offices in administrative functions, and cleaning and maintaining community gardens, according to a news release from the city manager.

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effort to ensure that the 2020 census demonstrates a complete counting of Worcester’s population and demographics. The committee is comprised of state, local and federal officials as well as local non-profits and community organizations. The committee will perform outreach, advertise census jobs and distribute key information ahead of the 2020 count.

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opinion editorial

your turn

New life on way for North Main Street? The Time Draws Nigh …

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O

K, so the ongoing work along the North end of Main Street in Worcester has generated some nasty headaches for motorists, pedestrians and, perhaps most of all, business owners.

There is the promise that, when the inconvenience passes, the redesigned road and sidewalks will help create a new vitality downtown.

That will be especially important if development in that area comes to fruition. There is already reason for optimism when it comes to the Lincoln Square end of Main Street, most notably the planned conversion of the old Worcester County Courthouse into 117 apartments.

Just across the way, the old Worcester Auditorium continues to languish, but there have been teases about new life for the building. Remember, City Manager Ed Augustus Jr., whose high school graduation was held in the Aud, is on record as saying it will not come down on his watch. He says he’ll be bringing “recommendations to City Council soon to try to continue positive movement on the Auditorium.” The Bostonbased Architectural Heritage Foundation holds exclusive rights to study the building’s possible repurpose—rights that have been extended more than once—and Augustus is hinting the long period of exclusivity

may soon pay off.

Don’t forget the old Boys and Girls Club, where the city manager says papers may soon be exchanged with WinnDevelopment Company to transform the building into a school for highfunctioning autistic students.

On Tuesday, councilors adopted a resolution that includes a tax increment exemption for the owner of the former Elwood Adams Hardware Store on the North end of Main St., That property will include 13 onebedroom apartments as well as retail space.

Those developments will no doubt help the businesses already enjoying success on a stretch of Main Street that is also populated by empty storefronts. Places like Armsby Abbey have helped keep that part of downtown from slipping into an outright coma. The Palladium is reinventing itself, and there are many other businesses — some new, some whose roots run deeper — giving it a go on that end of Main Street.

On the other side of Lincoln Square, there’s Gateway Park.

Not far from there, The Fix restaurant.

The debate over whether the city is concentrating too much on downtown development will no doubt rage on. Still, if the downtown core of the city is its heartbeat, it must beat strong in order to pump lifeblood to Editor Walter Bird Jr. Culture Editor Joshua Lyford Reporter Bill Shaner

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the other neighborhoods. Some of those areas, such as the Canal District, have done quite nicely for themselves, and that’s without the planned new Polar Park for Worcester’s incoming Triple-A Minor League Baseball team. But having a vibrant center is crucial, and it is heartening to see positive momentum on properties whose future has long been a source of worry.

Now, can we talk about a new Worcester Police Station?

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DOUG ARBETTER

religious conservatives, and thus are no longer deserving of their offices. Binienda and her co-conhe time draws nigh for spirators on the School Commitan electoral purge of the Worcester School Commit- tee, intentionally prohibited public discussion on an issue because the tee and the ousting of WPS Superintendent Maureen Binienda. religious right felt it didn’t even deserve a debate. How utterly In light of the recent article by Bill shameful and disgusting.

Shaner (“How Sex Ed Really Died: As an alumnus of the Worcester What Went on Behind the Scenes Public Schools, grades 3-12, and a in Worcester,” April 4, Worcester former high school student under Magazine), it is apparent that our former School Committee memelected officials, primarily Brian ber Mary Mullaney, I decided to O’Connell, John Monfredo and directly respond to her claims that Molly McCullough, have been C O N T I N U E D O N N E XT PA G E compromised by radically-right,

T

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opinion The birds, the bees and condoms

punch, she surprised me.

“I have to be honest with you,” she said, “I haven’t read the story.

Why I’m being made out to be so important is really a mystery. I’m not the only person who objected to that curriculum, after all, but I no longer expect fairness.”

Returning to the topic of holding office, Mullaney was adamant that we haven’t heard the last of her.

“These issues and others are near and dear to my heart,” she said.

“Not running doesn’t mean that I’m forfeiting my right to be heard.”

No one can argue that kids need the guidance and love that Mullaney insists they are lacking, but they need comprehensive sex ed yesterday. Mullaney’s campaign against MPC — with the help of School Committee members Brian O’Connell, John Monfredo and two Catholic priests — has been successful in stalling the implementation of sex education in the middle schools. If Mullaney & Co. are correct about MPC being too graphic — and it may very well be, I haven’t seen it — then let’s find something informative that doesn’t horrify moms, enrage religious groups or insult immigrants. I only know we need to find something – and fast.

YO U R T U R N

sexual relationships is antithetical to our values? Of course it isn’t. This is an ignorant and lackluster assertion to curtain her insidious intention of defending archaic Catholic beliefs about sexual abstinence before marriage, and imposing those beliefs on those who don’t share them. Science says abstinence-only education does harm to children, and I believe science.

What may be her most perplexing accusation, is, while concurrently calling comprehensive sex ed “morally abhorrent,” her assertion that the people behind comprehensive sex ed are also behind the attacks on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Kavana-

ugh literally represents one of the reasons we need comprehensive sex ed. How does someone actually expect people to regard them as a standard bearer of “moral values” when that same person has no moral issues with defending a sexual predator?

The most shocking detail of this scandal isn’t that Mullaney was behind a great disservice to our youth. That was known and expected. What is most shocking is the credence given to her arguments and the secretive back-door politicking by members of the School Committee and Binienda.

O’Connell and Monfredo are a disgrace to the office they hold,

and a disgrace to our community.

Personally, I am disappointed in McCullough, for I have voted for her and supported her in the past. If all it takes is one Catholic guilt trip about her mother being a middle school educator to convince her on policy, then I don’t think I want her making decisions that affect our students.

It’s time to do right by our youth, and get these people out of policy-making positions.

L

mals, and thus no student in the C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 10 middle schools should be taught how to have safe sex, or about consent, because that won’t heal have surfaced. loneliness in the urban kids’ hearts.

In her emails, Mullaney asserts What in the world? Well, on behalf that if we adopt a comprehensive of mostly everyone, especially my sex ed curriculum, the “situapeers at Forest Grove who were tion” will be the same in five years provided episodes of “Degrassi” because “urban kids,” a racist to guide us through our sexual asdog-whistle for non-white, don’t have fathers, good moral upbring- cendance, Mullaney’s racist views do not represent our values or the ings and belief in God, while values of Worcester. concurrently reducing the entire Mullaney continuously asserted evidence-based comprehensive in her emails that comprehenpolicy to just “condoms.” She says condoms won’t solve the loneliness sive sex ed is against the values of Worcester? So ensuring our in their hearts. So she basically students have the knowledge necesclaims all students of color are fatherless, Godless, raised like ani- sary to have safe and respectful

Janice Harvey contributing writer

Doug Arbetter resides in Worcester

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“Thomas Wolfe was right about not being able to go home again,” Mullaney said. “I started thinking about spending my Thursday nights in meetings, and I realized my time there has passed.”

I had a couple of questions for Mullaney regarding the issue of sex ed. Would any curriculum she gave the stamp of approval have to be abstinence-based? Her answer was an emphatic “No.” Scratch that from my list of things to hold against her. In fact, her own kids had sex ed and she never yanked any of the seven out of class in protest.

“Given your disdain for Planned Parenthood, would a curriculum you approved of have to exclude mention of abortion as a safe and legal choice?” she was asked.

Mullaney hesitated.

“I can’t think of a curriculum that included it,” she said. “But I wouldn’t want Planned Parenthood to set up shop and give out calling cards.”

Less emphatic. I haven’t erased that item from my cranky list.

Mullaney’s missives have waxed poetic, sorta.

“They need love, guidance, support, alternatives to the crap they see around them,” she wrote.

My first thought was “don’t forget the unicorns,” but when I asked her if she felt, as I’d heard for other sources, she was misrepresented in the Worcester Magazine cover story and that her emails were cherry-picked for maximum

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

of Worcester Impact on Sexual Health (WISH.) MPC has been deemed too graphic by some School Committee members. She has been pummeling everyone from the mayor on down with her belief that “urban kids ... need fathers in the homes and faith in a higher power.” Mullaney thinks “condoms will not save their soul or solve the loneliness in their hearts.” I agree, but they could save their lives. I’d never spoken to Mary Mullaney before reading about the sex ed controversy.

I’ll admit I had a preconceived notion about her, having heard through the years that she was a religious zealot, a staunch Catholic conservative bent on having things her way or the highway. I wrote a column that took her to task for sabotaging sex ed in the schools, especially after hearing that she had pulled papers with the intention of running for School Committee again. I was primed to pounce.

I had to scrap most of it after talking to Mrs. Mullaney.

“I did pull papers,” she told me.

“But I’m not running.”

Come again?

“I pulled them in a fit of anger over three things: being accused of belonging to a hate group, for Maureen Binienda being called a racist, and for John Monfredo being called a white supremacist,” she said.

Why isn’t she running?

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working in high schools for more than a decade: the middle schools need sex education desperately. aid up with a hideous stomach flu that sent me de- I’ve had kids ask me the scariest questions about sex you might hydrated to the ER, I had a chance to catch up on read- imagine, and I say “scary” because they’re already sexually active and ing that didn’t involve Bill Barr’s have been since seventh grade. book report, Trump’s eternallyThey’re playing a dangerous game audited taxes or Lori Loughlin’s wasted half-mil to send her bratty blindfolded.

Having a good rapport with kids kids to college. I picked up a copy sometimes means they trust me of this newspaper while shivering in the ER waiting room, a place not with questions they can’t ask at unlike the waiting room in “Beetle- home, or have no one else to ask. If they don’t ask me, they might ask juice” minus the ambiance.

On everybody’s wagging tongue each other, which is truly scary.

This results in the blind leading is the current brouhaha involvthe infected. I’ll omit some of the ing accusations of racism in the Worcester Public Schools – claims more graphic questions, but I’ve been asked what herpes is by kids leveled by School Committee already having unprotected sex, member Dante Comparetto and and they are stunned when they Worcester Interfaith. I’ve been asked repeatedly if I plan to write a learn it’s a life sentence. Some column on the subject. The answer think AIDS has been eradicated.

I’ve been asked if oral sex can is “No.” Do I have an opinion? lead to pregnancy. I’ve been asked Yes. Ask me again in 2022, a few months after I retire from the WPS. by a pregnant girl if it’s true that giving birth hurts, and it’s not at The only clue I will offer is this: I all unusual for kids to tell me their can no longer vote in Worcester first sexual encounter occurred since moving to Oxford. Dante before the age of 13. Don’t tell me Comparetto should be relieved to middle school is too soon to start learn that fact. this conversation – that train left The cover story of Worcester the station, dearie.

Magazine’s April 4-10 edition is Former School Committee something on which I will comment, because frankly it makes me member Mary Mullaney has been flexing her muscles with letters a little nutty. “How Sex Ed Really of righteous opposition to the Died” digs into the foot-dragging implementation of Making Proud attempts to keep our students Choices, a curriculum evaluated uninformed about their own bodand accepted by 14 members ies. This much I can tell you from

JANICE HARVEY

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ts fig h

In e g e c o ll an d y r g hun y t i t food insecur

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MATTHEW HEALEY

ALEX MACDOUGALL

very food insecurity makes up 34 percent of our student body. That was definitely very alarming when we saw that.”

The report, titled “Hunger and Homelessness at Worcester State University” and written by students and faculty, breaks down the issue of food insecurity at the university in a variety of other ways. For instance, 27 percent of students surveyed said they could not afford to eat a balanced meal over the past month, while 20 percent reported having to skip meals due to lack of money. Twenty-five percent of the food they bought did not last the month and they couldn’t afford more, according to the report. In addition, 15 percent of students sur-

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done by HOPE Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When looking at students at community colleges, the percentage climbs even higher, with HOPE Lab surveys ranging from 43 percent to as high as 56 percent.

Colleges in Worcester are no exception.

“We used some of the HOPE Lab survey questions, which come from the Department of Agriculture, for assessing food insecurity,” said Adam Saltsman, director of the Urban Action Institute at Worcester State University, which recently released a report regarding food and housing insecurity at the school. “If you look at overall distribution all together, low and

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

College students face many challenges during their time in school – from struggling to achieve good grades and a high GPA, to trying to fit in and form lasting social connections.

For a high number of college students, there’s an entirely different kind of challenge: the struggle to obtain enough to eat.

Food insecurity, defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an “economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” currently affects one in eight, or around 40 million Americans in the United States. In Worcester County, the percentage is somewhat smaller, with one in 11, or around 80,000 people, facing food insecurity, according to the Worcester Food Bank.

For college and university students, that percentage spikes to 36 percent, or one in three students, according to a nationwide survey

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“When we talk about food insecurity, and this is coming from the Department of Agriculture, it refers to access to quantities of nutritious food,” said Worcester State Assistant Professor of Urban Studies Adam Saltsman. “So if you eat 10 packets of ramen, that wouldn’t count as a balanced meal.”

feature veyed were considered to be housing insecure, meaning they were at risk of facing homelessness.

The report also shows a drastic racial disparity regarding food insecurity: 48 percent of blacks surveyed said they had low or very low food security, as did 47 percent of Hispanics and 51 percent of Asians, contrasted with about 30 percent of whites. Another vulnerable group was military veterans, with a shockingly-high 67 percent reported as food insecure.

While part of the cultural idea of the college student has always included the image of living off of packs of ramen, the report also notes such meals are devoid of proper nutrition, an important aspect of determining food insecurity.

“When we talk about food insecurity, and this is coming from the Department of Agriculture, it refers to access to quantities of nutritious food,” said Saltsman.

“So if you eat 10 packets of ramen,

that wouldn’t count as a balanced meal.”

The statistics can seem particularly damning in the wake of the recent college admissions scandal, with children of rich families admitted to elite universities after their parents paid a consultant hundreds of thousands of dollars to doctor exam scores and fabricate athletic abilities. It paints a picture of the children of the rich being admitted comfortably despite underwhelming academic

achievement, while those from lower income strata, despite academic ability, struggle to meet basic nutrition requirements and need to work extra jobs.

Regarding the fact that one in three students overall at WSU is hungry or can’t eat nutritiously, the report bluntly states, “A figure like that should signal that we have a crisis at Worcester State University, like many schools across the country.”

‘NOT EASY TO SAY YOU NEED HELP’

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o what is causing such a large number of students to fail at meeting such a basic necessity? The cost of college, for one: while tuition prices for universities have skyrocketed since the 1970s, wages have MATTHEW HEALEY

“[Food insecurity is] a big problem nationally, but we need to know what the statistics are here.”

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- Monica Sager, a sophomore at Clark University, and advocacy chair for Challah forHunger

feature Distribution of food security among WSU students Very Low Food Security

Low Food Security

16%

18%

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High Food Security 66%

SOURCE: HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AT WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY

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the undergrad student council, is one such student who identifies as food insecure. Despite being a resident advisor whose room and board is provided by the school, she said she cannot afford to upgrade past her current meal plan of five meals per week and $200 for dining expenses per semester, an amount she said is often far too low to provide an adequate supply of food. Even after getting a second on-campus job, Dollette still has to cut back on food expenses to pay for tuition.

“I still find myself having to eat only one or two meals per day, and having to schedule when I eat those meals, so I can function for the entire day,” said Dollette. “As much as I would like to dedicate my time to work as an RA and not worry about my financials, getting this second job has been something that’s been a necessity to sustain myself.”

And while Dollette said she has enjoyed her time as an RA and is eligible to reapply next year, the burden of food insecurity, combined with the responsibility of supporting as much as 25 other

The Landmark • Leominster Champion The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle • The Grafton News Worcester Magazine • The Item The Telegram & Gazette • baystateparent

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remained relatively stagnant. For students from low-income households, traveling or leaving the campus during vacations may not be an option, and they have to try to afford food while the cafeteria is closed. For students who are paying their own tuition, it may mean skipping meals in order to make ends meet.

Furthermore, despite students’ heavy workloads and busy fulltime schedules, they often are unable to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP, or food stamps), as it requires 20 hours per week, and college courses don’t count as work.

As students take on extra work and try to secure tuition payments and food, they pay less attention to their GPA. The Worcester State study showed 60 percent of students who had a “D” average were described as having low or very low food security, while only 27 percent who had an “A” fit that same description.

Eunice Dollette, a sophomore at Clark University who majors in political science and also sits on

Comprehensive training provided.

feature Percentage of Responses per Question In the last 30 days, were you ever hungry but didn’t eat because there wasn’t enought money for food?

In the last 30 days, were you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn’t enough money for food?

In the last 30 days, did you skip more than two meals?

In the last 30 days, did you ever cut the size of your meal or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food?

I couldn’t afford to eat a balanced meal.

The food that I bought just didn’t last and I didn’t have the money to get more.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

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SOURCE: HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS AT WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY

students in a residence hall, is too much to bear.

“When you are food insecure, and when you have to juggle all of these commitments on top of jobs and needing to pay for things to sustain yourself, it becomes really difficult to want to continue with opportunities like this,” she said.

She also said many other RAs like herself take the position to save on costs, but have a hard time balancing their role with staying on top of food.

Eric Barrese, another Clark student who majors in history and geography and serves as the president of the undergrad student body, also identifies as food insecure. He said there’s a sense of embarrassment that comes with being food insecure, as well as an increased sense of stress and anxiety among students, and a decreased participation in student affairs.

“When students are food insecure, when you have financial issues, balancing it all becomes difficult, and student advocacy declines,” said Barrese. “It’s not easy

to say you need help with things like this.”

Barrese said he relies on friends to help him deal with food insecurity, but also notes, “Not everybody has friends. Not everybody has enough friends to keep them going, and sometimes your friends are also food insecure, so it really shouldn’t be your friends who are saving you.”

“A university,” he added, “is supposed to provide resources and it seems like food isn’t necessarily seen as a resource that should be provided.”

While Worcester is home to several food pantries and services, such as the Worcester Food Bank and Mustard Seed, both Dollette and Barrese said going to such places as a student is not seen as an attractive option, due to the possibility of being embarrassed in public and the fact they see their situation as less severe as food insecurity among the homeless, who more frequently need to rely on a food pantry.

The students also said, despite the extra work, they lag behind

in gaining experience necessary to further their careers, due to their inability to take on unpaid internships.

“It would look a lot better than having just Starbucks on my record,” said Barrese.

Clark University does not have much on campus to assist with food insecure students, save for a community garden which, due to the weather in New England, is not an option for most of the school year. However, there is an ongoing movement to address these needs by the campus.

Monica Sager, a sophomore at Clark, serves as advocacy chair of Challah for Hunger, a nationwide Jewish student organization that donates to social justice causes by baking and selling challah, a traditional type of Jewish knotted bread. She advocates for a survey to find out the statistics of food insecurity at Clark, and a Food Aid Plan that would give food insecure students an additional five meals per week throughout the semester, as well as allowing students to donate their unused food swipes.

“We’ve never done a survey at Clark to figure out how many students are food insecure here, so we’ve just been relying on the [HOPE Lab] statistics that say that one in three students are food insecure,” said Sager. “It’s a big problem nationally, but we need to know what the statistics are here.”

Sager’s initiative has drawn support from Barrese and Dollete, who have used their roles in the student body and student council to bring the issue to light.

“This is something that would have definitely supported me as a food insecure student,” said Barrese, who in his role as student body president supports Sager’s initiative, as does Dollette, who is the financial chair of the student council.

“We’re calling on the university to take on a bigger responsibility to supporting students, even if it means matching the student council on this initial trial period and following up in subsequent years about how they can better compensate students who are in

these very important positions who support other students on campus,” Dollette said.

A key part of Sager’s proposal is being able to protect the privacy of students, out of concern that students may be too embarrassed to admit they are food insecure.

Due to this, any and all information regarding the plan would be directly put on the student’s OneCard, which is used to pay for dining services, among other things. In addition, students who donate unused guest swipes don’t know who the swipes are going to, keeping the food insecure student’s anonymity intact.

“I didn’t want to do a food pantry, because then someone would have to man it, then someone would see you go in,” said Sager.

“With this initiative, the only people that know are the business office because they have to put it into the system, so you look like a normal student with a normal food plan.”

While the initiative at Clark does not include a food pantry, Worcester State has already im-

feature plemented one, while taking steps to make the process as discreet as possible.

‘ONE PIECE OF THE SOLUTION’

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Worcester State University junior Serena Jaskolka works at the school’s food pantry on campus MATTHEW HEALEY

ucked away in a remote corner on the third floor of WSU’s student center, the food pantry at Worcester State is a small, nondescript room, big enough to fit a reception desk, a scale for weighing food and five rows of shelves against the wall containing a variety of foodstuffs, such as Barilla pasta, canned vegetables, Goya beans, Kraft mac n’ cheese, Campbell’s soup and ramen.

Called Thea’s Pantry, it was named after Thea Aschkenase, a Holocaust survivor and alumna of WSU who dedicated her life to advocating against hunger. It was the product of different organizations on campus coming together, such as the Urban Studies Club, the Enactus Club, the Hunger Outreach Team and the Student

Government Association (SGA), which provided the funding for the pantry.

“Personally,” Saltsman said of the pantry, “I was ambivalent about setting up a food pantry at all, but it was the students who came to the Urban Action Institute saying that they wanted to make this happen. They’re the ones who went out and collected the data. Those students have graduated, but since then different generations have come back to us, so we’re trying to keep the momentum going.”

One of the students working the food pantry is Serena Jaskolka, a junior at Worcester State who majors in communication science and disorders. She first heard about the pantry after taking a practicum course for credit about hunger advocacy and was inspired to join. She is one of two students who are employed at the pantry,

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feature SNAP benefits, so as to get a job where they no longer need to rely on it.

“If you want to be a nurse, then you get a degree in nursing,” he said. “You obviously have to go to school for that, but then when you get out you’ll be hired immediately because there’s a need for nurses, then you’ll be able to live a financially-secure life. You won’t have to rely on government assistance to be able to put food on the table. So it’s making sure in the long-term that people get the skills that they need so they can thrive in the workforce.”

Regarding food insecurity in general, McGovern said it is an issue more people, especially politicians, should pay attention to.

“We have 40 million Americans who are food insecure and hungry,” he said. “They don’t know where their next meal is coming from, yet we live in the richest country in the history of the world. There’s something wrong with that. The president talks a lot about the jobs that have been created, but the problem is that a lot of those jobs don’t pay a livable wage.”

College administrators are also beginning to take note of the issue of food insecurity on their campuses. McGovern said he has met with several college presidents, Worcester State University student Gail Johnston places some donated food goods on the shelves of Thea’s Pantry, including Worcester State University President Barry Maloney the school’s food pantry. and Quinsigamond Community MATTHEW HEALEY College President Luis Pedraja, to discuss food insecurity, among gram (HIP) in Massachusetts, for part of the solution to combat rity, along with issues pertaining with the positions funded by the other issues. He also praised instance, where people with SNAP food insecurity on campus. to Title IX. SGA at Worcester State. several initiatives at other colleges “We look at this food pantry of Jaymi-Lyn Souza, a sophomore benefits are able to spend more “Anyone with a OneCard can in Massachusetts, such as UMassjust one piece of the solution,” he at Worcester State and chairwom- to buy fruits and vegetables from come in, and if they haven’t been Amherst (originally founded as an an of the Student Senate, was one local farmer’s markets. before I ask them to fill out a form said. “It doesn’t fit the needs of In a recent telephone interview, agricultural school) for their existall of the students, because how of the students who attended. about what services they already ing programs to meet the chal“I had helped plan a conference McGovern said he is working received,” said Jaskolka. “They ba- many students have kitchens on lenges of food-insecure students. campus? How many students are last year at Worcester State called on new legislation to be able to sically go grocery shopping. They Gov. Charlie Baker also recently expand SNAP benefits to college going to want to create a meal out Voices of Hunger, which is how I usually chat with me and I try to announced a plan for housing of food in cans? There are other first became involved,” said Souza. students, allowing them to bypass make it feel normal.” insecure students to receive room the 20-hour work requirement. issues that need to be addressed.” “I just like being involved, so I Individuals are allowed to as well as a meal plan for housing “I think people always assume joined the SGA, and I was elected obtain up to 35 pounds of food, insecure students. that if you’re in college, that you as the chair. It was through that I while those with families are “We need to work with creative have enough money to pay for heard about the D.C. Program.” allotted up to 50 pounds. Informaminds on college and university school and that you’re all set,” the Worcester students can take tion on how much food is given campuses across the country to congressman said. “But somecomfort in the fact they have a out is sent back to the Worcester figure out what are the best practimes people have to rely on finanpowerful ally in the delegation: County Food Bank, with whom tices, and how to do this in a way U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern, cial aid packages that just barely the school recently finalized a to solve the problem,” McGovern he search for other cover the cost of education, and D-Worcester. McGovern is the partnership. Food is also donated said. “I still think the issue needs solutions is in part what they don’t have enough for food senior ranking Democrat on the from staff and faculty, and the more attention, but it’s beginning led 14 WSU students to House Committee on Agriculture, or rent or other things that are pantry last month raised $8,000 to feel like things are changing a visit Washington, D.C. essential.” and has been a tireless advocate as part of a “March Madness” over spring break to meet with He also said college is seen as a little bit.” for combating hunger in the U.S. fundraiser. the Massachusetts Congressional since his days working as a college stepping stone for upward social However, Saltsman takes care Delegation as part of a program mobility, and students who attend intern. He has been a supporter to point out the food pantry through the president’s office, to college should be able to receive of the Healthy Incentives Proshould be considered just one discuss the issue of food insecu-

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culture

Bread and Puppet Theater returns to Sprinkler Factory with Diagonal Life JOSHUA LYFORD

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A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

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t’s been nearly a year since Bread and Puppet Theater performed its unique blend of puppetry, politics, messaging and entertainment with “Cantastorias from the Possibilitarian Arsenal.”

The sung-story concept came just a month after Bread and Puppet had their Worcester debut of “The Basic Bye-Bye Show.”

Now, the Vermont-based troupe returns with a brand new show, “Diagonal Life: Theory and Praxis,” which will be performed at The Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Friday, April 19.

“We’re so pleased to be coming back to Worcester with this new show that is going to be totally different than the two shows that we brought last year,” said Joshua Krugman, a puppeteer and member of Bread and Puppet Theater.

“Worcester has treated us very well and Louis [Fraire] and Birgit [Straehle] have treated us very well,” he said of the managers of the gallery. “We love what they’re doing with The Sprinkler Factory and they’re very generous hosts and we’re really honored to be able to visit them again.”

Krugman was speaking from Bread and Puppet’s home base in Glover, Vt. The team has been hard at work rehearsing “Diagonal Life,” and even now, this late in rehearsal, they are uncovering new concepts and ideas for the performances.

“We’re almost midway through rehearsal period for the show,” said Krugman. “We have a lot of material on the table and we know a little bit about how it’s going to go together, but there is still some mystery. Usually, we start with composing images using puppets and objects and paintings, painted by Peter Schumann, and often those images have sound systems accompanying them, drumming or ratchets or a string quartet or a choral piece. Then, often those

images seem to have some text, usually written by Peter Schumann.

The text is often the last thing that comes in, but sometimes it’s the first thing. We work from both directions.

Peter gave us some short scenes and told us to work very literally from the text. We create little demonstrations for what the text is saying.”

Schumann started Bread and

being close to collapse, yet always capable of rising past that.”

The group has been politicallyminded since its start and the contents of their performances include straightforward messaging as well as subtext.

“We are a theater company that dedicates itself to promoting uprising, promoting revolution against

Puppet Theater back in 1963 in New York City, before moving to Vermont in 1974. He continues with Bread and Puppet to this day, and the group’s execution of his visions manifest themselves in interesting ways.

“I have short scenes about the University of Tricks and the seven tricks that they teach you at the University of Tricks,” explained Krugman. “The stage of the show is a starry sky, it’s sort of a pun between the universe and the university. The theme of the show in general is the diagonal life, which I think Peter thinks is our common condition of

the intolerable status quo,” said Krugman. “We take inspiration from all the people who are rising up in various ways. This show uses text from Greta Thunberg, the Swedish 15-year-old leader of the student strikes to force their societies to act on climate change. We are using some of her text, setting her text to music, she is an inspiring figure.”

While many of the topics involved in Bread and Puppet’s performances are heavy, it doesn’t mean the shows are not a good time. Skirting that line is part of the fun.

“It takes a different form every

tour around the perimeter of the lower 48 states, with a few stops in Canada in the fall. We finished just before Christmas in New York City.

This winter we had a residency in El Salvadore making street theater with activists, theater that dealt with women’s rights, water privatization and contamination, and another show that dealt with the legacy of the civil war and healing from PHOTO SUBMITTED that. We stay active.”

While the messages behind the group’s performances are an intrinsic part of the experience, the hope, according to Krugman, is they can also be helpful for like-minded individuals as well.

“I think that it can be lonely and draining sometime to be resisting injustice or fighting injustice as an activist, or as a regular resident of such a hurting society,” he said, “and we hope that our shows can enlighten and inspire and entertain people and help people go on with the good work that they’re doing, give people the energy to go on with the work that they’re doing.”

If you’ve made it to this point and wondered about the theater company’s name, it is a straightforward extension of the group’s ethos. During theater performances, the team shares fresh bread with the audience.

“Our view is that food and Puppet, the group has been busy. and art, bread and puppets, are Their tour schedule is rigorous and both essential to human life,” said includes a significant amount of time Krugman.” They should both be on the road, both nationally and available to everyone in sufficient internationally. quantity and for free. We try to make “We’re usually either on the road, our shows available by donation, so or rehearsing, or in-residence either that no one is turned away for lack here or somewhere else,” Krugman of ability to pay. People can contribsaid. “We also book all of our own ute what they are able to, to see the tours and handle our own promoshow. Because we are constrained— tion. That and rehearsing keeps as cheaply as we live, we still need us really busy when we’re home. money to go on—we always give the Since we visited you last spring, we bread away for free. That pairing of were in residence in Glover, Vt., our the theater with the bread demonhometown for the summer. Then we strates our view of the necessity of went on a three-and-a-half-month these two things.” time,” said Krugman. “Some of our shows are more elegiac, bemoaning some tragedy. Some shows are more rambunctious and hopeful and promoting some sort of resistance or transformation. I think this show has a bit of both, but it tends toward the inspiring transformation side of things.”

Since Worcester last saw Bread

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Artist spotlight

After a brief hiatus, Artist Spotlight is back! We can only run Artist Spotlight if we have artists to spotlight. See how that works? So, if you are an artist, or know of a local artist then email Joshua Lyford at jlyford@gatehousemedia.com. Fair warning, in order to publish your work, you’ll need to provide a small bio and high resolution digital copies of some of your art. We reserve the right to choose what will run, based on resolution and what will reproduce best on newsprint.

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

You may need to do a double take when looking at Dennis Yost’s hyperrealistic portraits. No, those are not photographs, they are crafted from pastel. Yost is inspired by his longtime loving feline companion, Asia. Yost says that he wants “to showcase my cat artwork as each centerpiece reflects the spirit and relationship that inspires me to create my work.”

Yost won Best in Show out of 230 artists at the Worcester Art Museum’s “Meow” Community Exhibition in 2016.

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culture Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

SO LONG, FAREWELL: It happened. Mercifully, it happened.

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The Worcester Railers Hockey Club has been eliminated from playoff contention. Why mercifully you ask? Well, I (like many people) tend to dramatize my internal thoughts in any area bringing me personal joy. Was that a pretentious way to put this? Yeah, sure, but I’m typing left handed and there is no way I rewrite anything from here on out. Right up until the actual elimination occurred, I believed they would squeak their way into the playoffs. If you read my column, then you are probably wondering, “But Josh, you fantastically handsome ginger genius [you thought it, come on], you wrote multiple times that you thought they wouldn’t make the cut!” Yes, I did, but that was reporter hat Josh looking at numbers and probabilities, Busch Light Josh (ha!) probably watched Disney’s “Miracle” a little too recently. Listen, I’ve said it before, I am in an interesting position when writing about the Railers. I am a reporter and I write about my community, but I am also a fan, and I was genuinely hoping for a postseason run.

Alas, that is not to be and the question now is, what next? Unfortunately, I have no idea, but you have to imagine some pretty major changes are coming down the pipeline. Hockey can be a cruel environment when it comes to coaching changes, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see some changes there. Will administration be looking for some pretty massive changes in the locker room as well?

I’d bet my entire container of cranberries, almonds and peanuts that they will. Either way, it will be interesting and, with luck, next season will go a little better and, hey, at least this opens up plenty of time to watch the Boston Bruins take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If you see me Friday, following Game One on Thursday evening, I am sorry in advance.

BATTLE OF THE BARS: Maybe you missed my article on the Battle of the Bars hockey tournament a few months back, maybe you didn’t, but either way, it happened last weekend. I’ll break down the wall here, I wasn’t there, and I am waiting on the full results of the tournament, but in the meantime, Breen’s Cafe has won the Stanley Keg for the second year running. They are clearly the favorites here and someone needs to step up and give the champs a real run for their money next year. I’ve got some ideas, but I’ll keep them to myself for the time being. Until then, see you at Breen’s for some playoffs games.

A LIL’ DIFFERENT: I’ve written about CINEMA-WORCESTER a few times in this crazy little paper because I think they do cool stuff in a space that is lacking in the area (I didn’t have to finish that sentence right?

Cinema, that is the space I’m talking about). If that is something of interest to you, then there will be an informational meeting Saturday, April 13 at the Worcester Pop Up, 20 Franklin St., from 4-5:30 p.m. The gist: what is CINEMA-WORCESTER? Where is it at and what can it become? Of course, they are also looking for motivated (not me) folks to help out along the way. If this is up your alley, get over there.

A FINAL NOTE: Yeah, here it is: the

next car to drive by me while walking my dog at 50 mph on Mann Street is getting a brick thrown through their windshield. I may not be the hero this city deserves, but I hear you get three square meals a day in prison and that beats eating whatever slop I come across oneand-a-half times a day, so Joshua Lyford slow it the hell down you Culture editor lunatics.

@Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Who’s Your Pulp Daddy?

Greater Good’s Pulp Daddy

DIPA surpassed 47 rival IPA’s from across Massachusetts to take home the championship belt in Mass Brew Bros’ 2019 blind tasting tournament. The competition was a March Madness style throwdown designed to let IPA’s speak for themselves.

The tournament stood as a powerful reminder for casual Greater Good’s front of house consumers and beer nerds alike manager Melissa Sherry. to question the hype machines MIKE HENDRICKSON and trust their taste buds.

Greater Good came out on top. I had a chance to sit down with beer and brand specialist JT Ethier, bartender Katie Mahoney, and front-of-house manager Melissa Sherry on last week’s episode of the Pop It podcast. One thing was clear, empowered employees are the juiciest ingredient when it comes to a brewery’s longevity and success.

Another One

The Kaplan brothers have done it again. The same family that brought you Lakeside Bar & Grille in Shrewsbury and Herbie’s Bar in Worcester has opened a new eatery in the town of Rutland. Center Tree Bar & Grill is located at 249 Main St. The spacious dining room includes a fireside lounge and a modern-rustic aesthetic. Rutland has never seen a Korean short rib taco like this, drizzled with gochujang aioli and served on a fresh corn tortilla.

Strong, Smart, Bold

Artist Alice Mizrachi and her assistant Jasmine Milletti make progress on the “Strong, Smart, Bold” mural at Girls Inc. of Worcester SARAH CONNELL

Hindsight

Timberyard is making the rounds in Worcester this week, beginning at Ed Hyder’s for a collaboration with Glazy Susan on Thursday, April 11 at 5 a.m. The East Brookfield brewery is excited to share Hindsight, their 6-percent offering which boasts restrained bitterness and plenty of hop flavor and aroma.

Earth Day the Julio’s Way

Julio’s Liquors is hosting an “Eco-Friendly Wine Fair” in honor of Earth Day on Saturday, April 13. Attendees will learn about sus-

tainable winemaking and sample organic and biodynamic wines. Billy Wilson will host a free “cocktail conversation” beginning at 1 p.m. Wilson is the Assistant Winemaker at Greenvale Vineyards. The Grand Tasting kicks off at 2 p.m., and features more than 20 tables of green wines from around the world. General passes are $5 or $10 for “luxury pours.” All proceeds will benefit the Mass Audubon Broad Meadow

Sarah Connell contributing writer

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Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

p.m. Timberyard will also link up with the herb farm and garden enterprise

Boheme Botanika at North Main Provisions on Saturday, April 13 at 11

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

New York-based artist Alice Mizrachi unveiled her mural for Girls Inc. of Worcester on Tuesday, April 9. Mizrachi has completed two other Central Mass walls in the last four years, including the “Mother, Maiden, and Crone” at YWCA in Worcester and “Gaia” at Swanson Road Intermediate School in Auburn. Her latest work was inspired by girls’ interpretations of what it means to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc.’s own Jasmine Milletti served as Mizrachi’s assistant on the project.

Milletti hopes to attend art school in the fall.

culture WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Find Excellent East African Cuisine at Fatima’s 43 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-762-9797 fatimascafe.com

before giving way to yellow curry, soft peas, savory potatoes, spicy lentils and light citrus notes. They are impossible not to finish, even if you promise yourself to save room SANDRA RAIN for your entrée course.

The chicken sandwich ($6.50) atima Mohamed started should become a part of your weekly volunteering at her children’s rotation. Spiced curry chicken, green school for parent-lunches peppers and sweet onions will spill many years ago. Everyone from the charred wrap like precious praised her East African cuisine treasure from a chest. Leave no and it wasn’t long before the other morsels behind. parents, most notably her husband, The chef ’s favorite dish is the ugali began encouraging her to open a with sukuma, a traditional Kenyan meal ($10.25) for which cornmeal-based ugali is topped with sautéed collard greens, onions, green peppers and spinach. Ugali is a starchy base, similar to polenta.

The restaurant’s patriarch explains that in Kenya, meatless dishes like ugali are thought of as poor man’s meals to get a family to their next paycheck. ConseFatima’s Cafe is known throughout quently, ugali is quite healthy. “I never realthe region for their samosas. ized I was eating vegan SANDRA RAIN until we opened this restaurant,” he tells customers who routinely restaurant. Fatima’s Cafe on West come from as far as Providence and Bolyston Street is now approaching Boston for supreme vegan cuisine. a half-decade in business and the Service is attentive and personal. dishes continue to reflect recipes of If the back of house runs out of lamb Mohamed’s aunts and grandmother or Nutella, they may offer to run to with love and purity. the market. Guests feel like a part of The space is sterile, but clean. the family. After the busy lunch rush, Wildlife art prints hang for sale an eerie quiet comes over Fatima’s, on every wall. A dozen or so shiny punctuated by a timer in the kitchen. tables are organized in haphazNo music plays, aside from the ard rows, leaving no choice but to hum of the cooler. There is peace in interact with other guests including silence. neighbors, UMass Medical students Over the last five years, Fatima’s and vegan visitors. A display case has gained a massive following under the counter is empty, save for through word of mouth. Catering the Tootsie Pops that sit at its peak. business has grown at the same rate, Large picture windows look out allowing locals to share incredibly afto the street, revealing distinctive fordable and delicious dishes with all masonry on Fatima’s façade. of their friends and family. I cannot Start with a mug of hot Kenyan chai ($2) brewed with freshly-ground recommend Fatima’s highly enough.

On my last visit for lunch, the spices. Steamed milk and cinnamon total came to $16.18. offer the same aromatic hints of a

F

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NEXT WEEK!

bowl of oatmeal. Fatima’s fruit juice ($3.25) is also popular, a fresh-made blend of tropical fruits and berries.

The mango lassie ($3.75) is the most eye catching of all of the beverages.

You cannot visit Fatima’s without sampling all three samosa varieties (three for $5.75). Each perfect triangle begins with a dry, flaky crunch

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

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

Food: HHHH Ambience: HH Service: HHHH Value: HHHH

culture

The scandal is real JIM KEOGH

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he college admissions cheating scandal runs wide and deep. Imagine the audacity of paying off coaches and officials to get your underperforming child into a prominent institution of higher learning, sometimes by faking their participation in a sport they’ve never played. I’ll never understand the tactic. If you’ve got the money, why not go the old-fashioned route and simply buy the school a building? It’s worked for generations of parents embarrassed by their SATchallenged spawn; there’s no reason to believe the arrangement has lost any of its luster over time.

But enough about that. Let’s get to the important question: Who will play Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman in the movie? Because you know there will be a movie, and it will be glorious.

I suspect the Lifetime network will be first out of the box with a

film because they seize on rippedfrom-the-headlines events quicker than any “Law & Order” franchise and are unrestrained by fear they will broadcast a terrible product.

While the bribery scheme fails to check several of the typical boxes for a Lifetime picture — the murderous ex-boyfriend, the sleeping-with-thebabysitter husband, the murderous stalker with a history of sleeping with babysitters — nothing short of a world-ending supervirus apocalypse will prevent Lifetime from blasting us with “Cheating 101” or, if one or both of the actresses gets prison time, “College Confidential.” You get the idea.

HBO will be later to the game, with a high-end documentary or a made-for-cable movie with stars well beyond the reach of a Lifetime budget. For instance, Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer were excellent as Bernie and Ruth Madoff in HBO’s “The Wizard of Lies,” tracing the rise and fall of the notorious Wall

Lawrence will be portraying Street Ponzi schemer.

Elizabeth Holmes in “Bad For a scandal-themed Blood,” whose release date has documentary, the not been announced. network pulled a big win I’m thinking Felicity Huffwith Alex Gibney’s “The man will skate. Her investInventor: Out for Blood ment in her child’s fraudulent in Silicon Valley,” about future was reportedly $15,000, “self-made billionaire” a relatively low reading on the Elizabeth Holmes, whose Felicity Huffman, left, and Lori Loughlin revolutionary blood-testIMDB.COM outrage scale. Yet Lori Loughlin allegedly was in for $500,000, ing system proved to be and her daughter boasted a house of cards. Either “Makes no sense.”) openly on social media about how way, HBO does infamy very well.

Theatrical filmmakers can’t be as little she cares Whether the admissions outrage nimble as their television counfor college bemerits a theatrical release depends terparts – it can take years, even yond tailgating. on how the story ends. Huffman decades before a scandal movie As I write this, and Loughlin were only recently in is released. But they have impact. court, and they may wind up being Consider some of the great ones, like a casting agent at Lifetime peripheral players as other lurid “Spotlight” (child sex abuse in the details emerge – like the parent who Catholic Church), “All the President’s surely is scouring through bought the Harvard fencing coach’s Men” (the uncovering of Nixon’s head shots and house for nearly half a million dollars role in Watergate), “The Insider” barking at her over market value and whose son (the whistleblower who fought Big underlings, “Get earned a spot on the Harvard team.

Tobacco), “Quiz Show” (1950s TV (According to The Boston Globe quiz show cheating), and “Eight Men me a Loughlin!” story, the Needham assessor wrote Out” (the Chicago White Sox tanking Jim Keogh in his notes at the time of the sale, of the 1919 World Series). Jennifer contributing writer

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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calendar Thursday, April 11 One Last Night at Weintraub’s

Weintraub’s Jewish Delicatessen & Restaurant, 126 Water St. A goodbye celebration at Weintraub’s Delicatessen.

Fridays, April 12, 19, 26 Friday’s at Ground Effect with Say Cheese

Ground Effect Brewing Co., 312 Main St., Hudson Beloved food truck Say Cheese will be cooking up delicious gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches every Friday in April at Ground Effect Brewing Co. in Hudson.

Friday, April 12 Worcester Chamber Music Society Censored Identity at Curtis Hall

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A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

Jeanne Y. Curtis Hall, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury St. Presented by the Worcester Chamber Music Society, enjoy concert programming including Gubaidulina’s “In the Garden of Joys and Sorrows for flute, viola and harp,” Mendelssohn’s “Piano trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49” and Korngold’s “Piano Quintet in E Major, Op. 15.”

Friday, April 12 Zack Slik live at Redemption Rock Brewing Co.

Redemption Rock Brewing Co., 333 Shrewsbury St. Zack Slik is back at the Redemption rock Taproom with ragtime and bluegrass jams.

Thursday, April 18 Defeating Dementia: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Late Life and in Early Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Association Worcester Office, 100 North Parkway Dr. Jennifer Gatchel reviews common psychiatric symptoms in late life and in early Alzheimer’s disease. She will also discuss clinical research aimed at understanding the neurobiology of these symptoms and current approaches to their treatment.

Saturday, April 13 Touché Amoré, Pianos Become the Teeth

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Touché Amoré performs “...To the Beat of a Dead Horse” and Pianos Become the Teeth performs “Old Pride” with special guests, Philadelphia’s Soul Glo.

Thursday, April 18 Walk the Streets of Revolutionary Worcester

Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St. It wasn’t just Boston, Lexington and Concord that played an important role in the American Revolution, Worcester did, too. Join the Worcester Historical Museum on a one hour walking tour visiting historical sites here in the city.

calendar FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

Thursday, April 18 Drink & Draw sketchbook fusion with Scott Boilard

Wormtown Brewery, 72 Shrewsbury St. The Worcester PopUp and Wormtown Brewery host resident artist Scott Boilard for a night of drawing and sketching.

Bring your sketchbook and drawing materials (Boilard will have some additional tools on hand) and enjoy some beer with an art fusion session. Each participant passes their work on and everyone ends up with collaborative works of art in their sketchbooks.

Massachusetts Pirates head into Season 2: Here’s What’s New

T

he Massachusetts Pirates kick of the second season in the National Arena League Saturday night with a home game at the DCU Center against defending league champs, the Carolina Cobras.

The Pirates didn’t fare too poorly in their inaugural campaign last year, going 11-5, making the playoffs and boasting the league MVP in Quarterback Sean Brackett. Their since-departed first coach, Ameer Ismail, was named coach of the year, too.

All in all, not a bad first showing.

As the Pirates set sail toward what they hope is a deeper run in the playoffs, maybe even a championship of their own, there are a lot of new things in store. Here’s some of what’s different for the Pirates this year.

A new head coach. Actually, there’s a couple new things wrapped up in one right here. Anthony Payton is the Pirates’ new head coach, their second in as many years as he takes over for Ismael. It is also Payton’s first head coaching gig in 26 years of coaching. Last year with the

Pirates, he was associate head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Says Patyon of his new job: “I welcome it. I really didn’t look to be the head coach … but I feel like I’m ready.” We’ll certainly find out.

The entire coaching staff. In addition to Payton, there’s Defensive Coordinator Tim Shelley, Defensive Line Coach Pierre Chatman and Offensive Line Coach Steve Cully.

All defensive backs. Lawrence Austin, Lubern Figaro, Al LouisJean, Jason Matovu and Chucky

The Score

Worcester Railers Wednesday, April 3 The Railers (30-28-74) dropped their seventh straight game, losing, 4-3, in overtime to the Manchester Monarchs at home.

Friday, April 5 The Railers’ slim chance of making the postseason disappeared in a 4-2 loss on the road to the Maine Mariners.

Saturday, April 6 Shut out from the playoffs, the Railers (31-29-7-4) took out their frustrations on the North Division-leading Newfoundland Growlers, 4-3, an exciting, come-from-behind win in their last home game of the season.

Sunday, April 7 In their last game of the season, the Railers beat another playoffbound team, the Adirondack Thunder, winning, 5-4, in a come-from-behind, overtime thriller.

Round-Up

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Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Keith Foulke, who helped break “The Curse” in 2004 when the Sox won the World Series, will help the Worcester Bravehearts kick off their sixth season in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League with an appearance at the team’s annual Fan Fest and Spree Day Saturday, April 20.

The Railers announced last week they had nominated Connor Doherty for the ECHL’s Community Service Award.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

FILE PHOTO

and Lavon Pearson; Defensive Lineman/Linebacker Tavarus Dantzler; Defensive Lineman JD Griggs; and Linebacker Shawn Loiseau. The latter hails from Shrewsbury.

The Pirates’ season opener is Saturday night, April 13, 7 p.m. at the DCU Center against the Carolina Cobras. Buy tickets at masspiratesfootball.com.

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

New Head Coach Anthony Payton, shown last year as quarterback coach with QB Sean Brackett.

Williams will be making their inaugural bow with the Pirates.

Sixteen new players. In addition to the DBs, you’ve got QB Alejandro Bennifield, defensive linemen Joshua Augusta, Dajaun Drennon and Du’Vonta Lampkin; Fullback Quayvon Hicks; offensive linemen Kenny Lacy and Brandon Washington; Linebacker David Juafatasaga; wide receivers Tavares Martin Jr. and Thomas Owens; and Kicker Tyler Rausa.

A new team. Well, for two players, anyway. Hicks and Rausa both played for the Columbus Lions last year.

Not everything is new on the team, this year. Brackett, the otherworldly QB who tossed for 3,170 yards and 74 touchdowns with just 18 interceptions, returns to lead the Pirates.

What makes Brackett’s 2018 campaign all the more remarkable is he missed almost three games because of a Canadian Football League tryout and a season-ending leg injury. He still managed to earn a second team All-NAL offensive honor. He also led the league in total offense (234.4 yards per game), 7.4 yards per play, 226.4 passing yards per game and 7.6 yards per passing attempt.

The QB says he’s good to go for the new season.

“I’m good,” he said. “The offseason is going well, my rehab is going well, so I am excited for the new year. Now we can pick up where we left off. I think we have some unfinished business going into the new season.”

Eight other players are coming back with Brackett, including offensive lineman Mitchell Bell and Thomas Claiborne; wide receivers Devonn Brown, Mardy Gilyard

culture SHERI BREADY PET PHOTOGRAPHY

Adoption option

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

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W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z I N E . C O M A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

Meet Crystal! This beautiful girl was found during a snowstorm in January. A good Samaritan found her huddled next to a dumpster trying to keep warm. She was scared and shy and it took some coaxing to get her to come over and hop into the finder’s car.

Once in his car, Crystal jumped all over him kissing him and thanking him for stopping! She warmed up to staff quickly. It wasn’t long before we figured out how smart this little girl is! She knows how to sit, give paw, lay down and roll over. Crystal can be shy still when meeting new people, but it won’t be long before she’s rolling on her back for much deserved belly rubs. Crystal would do best in a home without other pets and without young children. Crystal is a sweet and soft soul in need of a new family and a fresh start. She is five years old, housebroken, spayed and ready to go home today!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Wish List: Can’t stop in?

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

games J O N E S I N’

“Normcore” – parse that carefully.

by Matt Jones

Across

52 53 57 58 60 62

Natural vantage point Thought transference Pet you water Director Roth Passes on a present Fester’s family Mariner’s set of rules Pressed sandwiches Be covetous of Like some D&D characters Awaken Honeycomb components On an even ___ Piece of mind?

Sugar suffix Rent out

Last week's solution

©2019 Jonesin’ Crosswords (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #931

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Down 1 Humvee forerunner

40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 49 51

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2 Promising words 3 Claudia once married to David Copperfield 4 Roxette hit of 1989 5 Dot-___ bubble 6 Acid used in soapmaking 7 “Shine” instrument 8 Per ___ (yearly) 9 “Law & Order: ___” (spinoff that will break a record for longevity) 10 Lego series with its own 2017 movie 11 Straighten, as a hose 12 Writing credit 13 Comes down in icy drops 18 Shakespearean king 22 Work on ___ 25 Inc., in Australia 26 Back muscle 27 Nightmare street of film 28 Greens ___ 32 Have a picnic, e.g.

33 Monk’s title 34 Mattress filler 37 Unadjusted stat 38 Actress Longoria 39 “Who ___” (Cincinnati Bengals chant)

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

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

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

1 “Weekend Update” co-anchor Colin 5 Barry Manilow’s club 9 Cold shoulders 14 Apiece 15 “Chocolat” actress Lena 16 Records, informally 17 Lucy’s neighbor with a nasty attitude?

19 Rico, to Napoleon Dynamite 20 Lover of suffixes?

21 “___ I Believe” (2018 song by Clean Bandit) 23 ___ de vivre 24 “It sucks being a young horse,” e.g.?

27 Sweat equity concept 29 “Hotel California” band 30 Big scallion 31 In actuality 35 “La ___” (Debussy composition) 36 NPR host Shapiro 37 Color in a Patriots uniform 40 10,000 square meters 44 All-night party 45 Like a venomous snake 48 Room for negotiation 50 Studs and labrets that are a bargain?

54 Pioneer Boone, folksily 55 Hand sanitizer additive 56 Actress Lawrence of “The Cool Kids” 59 Bush Supreme Court appointee 61 Completely stocked with enemies?

63 Hands, in Spanish 64 Small spot of land 65 It may have rings and needles 66 Dating app motion 67 Falcons’ home?

68 “Gone Girl” actress Ward

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Sudoku Answers

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

A P R I L 11 - 17, 2019

SERVICE DIRECTORY

last call Team Mexico R.A.P.F.A.I.R. Champions the injustice and oppression they faced. The competition provided students with a platform to share their research in a culturally relevant way. Stern’s hip-hopbased education approach centers around countries that represent the demographics of UPCS’s ninth grade. CC Lowell and the League of JustUS also facilitated activities at the event. Team Mexico emerged victorious.

What are your names, how old are you and where are you from?

VF: Vanessa Fenner. I’m 14 and from Worcester.

MA: Michael Atchue. I’m 14 and I’m from Worcester.

HH: Haydee Henriquez. I’m 15 and I’m from Worcester.

CVR: Carelisse Vega Rodriguez.

I’m 14 and I’m from Puerto Rico.

What career path do you see yourself following after high school?

HH: I want to start my own business with clothes.

MA: I want to make beats and music and stuff, but I also want to be a car mechanic.

CVR: I don’t know, I don’t really think about that. I think maybe I want to be a surgeon.

VF: I don’t know, because most people tell me I have a talent for rapping. Most people tell me I have a talent for sports too, so I don’t know. Something to do with those two things.

– Sarah Connell

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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Can you share the line that made you the proudest from your rap?

VF: “Hidalgo defeated held hostage and killed the Spanish, so twisted enjoying the thrill even though their jobs completely fulfilled, Mexico’s hopes of freedom were over, it’s worse than a drunk man tryna be sober.”

MA: “Y’all think Mexico lost?

That’s wrong, we won with the sauce, winning mad battles we fought like a boss, Miguel Hidalgo you know I fight for my cause.”

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How did hip hop help you to find your voices in an educational setting?

VF: I’m really into writing and I listen to music a lot. When I heard that we had to do a rapping From left, Vanessa Fenner, Haydee Henriquez, Michael Atchue and project, at first I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t think it was Carelisse Vega Rodriguez PHOTO SUBMITTED going to be fun, but then as we started getting closer and closer his semester, the Hiatt “There is nothing more imporand self-rule. Students prepared to the date of the R.A.P.F.A.I.R., it Center teamed up with Max tant to the future of our country for the competition by studying became more fun, and I started Stern’s ninth-grade U.S. His- than the education of our young moments in history when Eurofeeling more comfortable with it. tory class to host the second people.” R.A.P.F.A.I.R. is an acropeans and Americans extracted Then, I actually got to rap and I annual R.A.P.F.A.I.R. at Clark Uni- nym for Revolutions And Protests natural resources and imposed was like, ‘Oh, OK!’ and it was mad versity. The Hiatt Center at Clark that Fought Against Imperial their cultural values on others. fun, so yeah. I rap and write songs.

University promotes a culture of Rule. Stern teaches at University Stern’s curriculum included the I write poems on a daily basis so I learning and teaching that enPark Campus School, where an Partition of Africa, the rubber ter- would way rather do a project like gages youth from all backgrounds emphasis on college readiness ror in the Congo, French colonial- that than to write an essay and fosters the growth of active challenges students to think ism of Indochina, the Opium Wars MA: For me, my favorite part of members of a more just society. critically. Competitors performed in China, the Spanish-American winning was each winning the The Hiatt Center works to forge original rap and slam poetry for War and United States imperial$50 prize at the end. I don’t like connections between scholars, a panel of judges in an effort to ism in Latin America. writing essays, it’s too much prespractitioners and youth to bridge showcase student work examining The R.A.P. F.A.I.R. performances sure on myself. Writing raps just schools, local neighborhoods and the histories of people who fought emphasized native and indigfeels more calming. networks. Worcester philanthroagainst oppression, exploitation enous people of these regions who pist Jacob Hiatt famously stated, and imperialism for independence were not silent and passive about

What would you like our readers to understand about the oppression of native and indigenous people?

HH: The people in Mexico really had a tough time because they were just trying to do what was best for them. They had a really tough struggle. People need to stop being racist and treating people differently than you treat your family. Think about what you do and say before you act.

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