Worcester Magazine April 25 - May 1, 2019 by Worcester Magazine

APRIL 25 - MAY 1, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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For the record: The story of Worcester’s LGBTQ+ past

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in this issue A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019 • V O L U M E 44 I S S U E 35

the cover

For the record: The story of Worcester’s LGBTQ+ past Gay Pride parade in downtown Worcester June 22, 1975. Story on page 18 Photo by T&G Staff/Mitchell C. Abou-Adal Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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news Serious concerns raised about Queen Street homeless shelter C

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BILL SHANER

omplaints about poor living conditions in the Queen Street triage homeless shelter had councilors and the city manager on a back foot Tuesday night, defending the city’s record on homlessness issues, but promising to do more at the shelter. Supporting a petition filed by Ex-Prisoners and Prisoners Organizing for Community Advancement to investigate the shelter and consider building a new one, residents who said they had previously stayed at the Queen Street shelter complained about overcrowding, filthy beds, lack of proper sanitation, employees who sell drugs to the homeless and sexual assault. Justin Vega, a member of EPOCA who said he has stayed at Queen Street in the past, said health issues are rampant. “Today,” said Vega, “we request a full audit of the contractual obligation between SMOC and the city of Worcester.” The South Middlesex Opportunity Council, also known as SMOC, runs and staffs the shelter, which operates on a triage model and is not intended for long stays. Many have complained that the shelter is overcrowded and inadequate, particularly during cold nights.. Vega was one of several to mention that 26 unsheltered people died in Worcester in 2018. At-Large Councilor Khrystian King asked for a full report on the number. The city last year announced a large task force to work toward adopting a housing first model for sheltering the homeless. The model requires rapid rehousing into small units supported by wrap-around staff. City Manager Ed Augustus Jr., as well as several city councilors, said the city has been very aggressive on the issue of homelessness. “Have we solved the problem? No,” Augustus said. “But we are doing an awful lot.” At-Large Councilor Konnie Lukes said she took issue with some comments made by the public that the city doesn’t care. “To hear that we in city government are heartless and motivated by greed and don’t care is an absolute contradiction of everything we’ve done,” said Lukes. “Will we as a city ever cure that problem? Absolutely not. It hasn’t been cured for the past 2,000 years of civilization. It’s going to be ongoing but that doesn’t mean that we don’t care.” SMOC shelter on Queen Street. However, Lukes and other councilors said they were C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 8

WALTER BIRD JR

news

Lawsuit looks to save Mount Carmel Church from demolition

WALTER BIRD JR.

BILL SHANER

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note: An earlier version of this story first appeared online at worcestermag.com

he Mount Carmel Preservation Society has opened a new front in the fight to save Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church as the building faces imminent demolition. This time, the group is hoping for a win in Worcester Superior Court, having filed a lawsuit against the Worcester Diocese, the state Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance and F&D Truck Co. Inc. In the suit, the group is seeking an injunction to block the

Dioceses and its contractor, F&D Truck Co., from demolishing the building. The group is also asking the Superior Court for a judgment on what they feel is language in the deed which prevents the church from selling the land, and asking that the state enforce the deed restriction. In essence, the group is claiming the building should be reverted to state ownership because the Diocese violated a nearly century-old deed. The suit, filed by attorneys Hector Pineiro and Robert Scott, follows a long line of unsuccessful attempts by the Mount Carmel Preservation Society to save the historic structure. Most recently, the society made two ultimately unsuccess-

ful appeals to the high Catholic court in the Vatican. The group first went public with the deed restriction defense nearly a year ago. Last May, the group sent a letter to state and local officials to make them aware of the possible deed restriction issue. At the time, a lawyer hired by the group said the dispute could end up in court, but that they were holding out for other solutions. On the other side, a lawyer for the church argued that the restriction had legally expired some time ago and may have not even applied to the church building. Now, as the wrecking ball

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

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wanted

QUEEN STREET

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concerned by allegations raised about living conditions at the Queen Street shelter and urged the city manager to investigate it. At one point At-Large Councilor Gary Rosen and Augustus got into a tiff. Rosen pressed Augustus on how the city investigates and oversees the shelter currently. Augustus accused Rosen of “spotting” him. Rosen, as well as King, Lukes and At-Large Councilor Kate Toomey said the questions raised about Queen Street should be addressed. One aspect of EPOCA’s request that went largely unaddressed: the request to consider a new shelter. Kevin Lynch, EPOCA member, said a multi-purpose center to replace the SMOC triage center would help the area homeless. He suggested the community benefit agreement negotiation surrounding the Polar Park Project would be a good avenue to explore funds for it.

Instead, city officials defended the housing first effort, and called the problem one that is extremely complicated, requiring a myriad of interwoven policies. “It is not a problem that has an easy solution,” Augustus said.

“We’ve got a ways to go but we’ve gone a long way,” he said.

BODY CAMERAS

he Council also kicked off a body camera pilot program for the Police Department by accepting an in-kind donation from a body camera vendor of 20 cameras. Sargent said body ouncilors celebrated another largely positive report cameras will keep officers safe and keep false reports low, if adopted from Police Chief Steven after the pilot run. Sargent on crime throughKing said body cameras protect out 2018. lives on both sides. . Per the report, shooting inci“We’ve made sure the police dents were down 21 percent over department has the tools and last year, shooting victims down resources it needs,” King said. “This 20 percent, and robberies were down 17 percent. Arrests in general is a way to protect our officers, this dipped 12 percent. House break-in is a way to protect the integrity of engagement with our citizens, and incidents were down a whopping this is going to allow us to learn.” 35 percent. Sargent attributes the statistical dip to strong police community partnerships. Bill Shaner can be reached at Mayor Joe Petty said the results 508-767-9535 or at wshaner@ are encouraging, and speak to a gatehousemedia.com. Follow him on department using the right comTwitter @Bill_Shaner. munity policing strategy.

CRIME STATS

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news MOUNT CARMEL

1,001 words

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WALTER BIRD JR.

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hollow

looms, the dispute is going to court. The Diocese did not respond to a request for comment regarding the lawsuit. At a recent vigil outside the church, members of the preservation society vowed to continue the fight until the building came down. “This today, this is about our family coming together,” Mauro DePasquale, of the Mount Carmel Preservation Society, said at the vigil last week. “You come together for weddings, baptisms and funerals, and you share the grief. Today they removed the altar. So we’re here today to stand together to share the grief and the heartbreak.” Throughout last week — which advocates pointed out was Holy Week — crews worked to empty the church. Demolition was set for sometime after Easter. The Diocese has found a buyer for the Mount Carmel Church campus, but has not identified them. At the vigil, activists with the Mount Carmel Preservation Society

passed out leaflets with 12 points for why they feel the church was “arrogantly and unjustly closed.” Those points include an allegation the Diocese may have abandoned the use specified in the original deed with the state and that the Diocese refused to meet with a delegation of government officials to pursue avenues to save the structure. Rita Deluca of Worcester said she has no church to go to now. “I don’t go to church because I don’t have a church,” she said, gesturing from a parking lot to Mount Carmel. “That’s my church. They’re tearing it down, so I don’t go.” Shrewsbury’s Geri Arakelian spoke candidly about her feelings.. “They took away everything,” she said of the Diocese. “I feel as though they lied.” Meanwhile, Monsignor Stephen Pedone, sees the situation differently. He said efforts to preserve the church have not proved fruitful. Now, he said, it is unsafe and, even if money could be raised to repair it, long-term maintenance wasn’t feasible. The Diocese is on the verge of selling the church to a buyer, he said, and relics are being removed

news already. Stained glass windows are set to be removed next week. Sale of the roughly 5.3-acre property, which has been assessed by the city at about more than $7 million and includes the church, a baseball field, rectory, parking areas and the Gene J. DeFeudis Italian American Cultural Center, requires approval from the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Council. Many of the objects being removed from the 88-year-old church in preparation for the demolition are being moved to Our Lady of Loreto Church. The parishes of Our Lady of Loreto and Our Lady of Mount Carmel merged after its closing in 2016. Some objects may go to other area churches. “We’ve had offers from groups out of state [to buy some of the objects],” Pedone said, “but if there is a local Catholic church in the Diocese looking for something, we will sell it to them, as much as we can.” Pedone, who went to Mount Carmel as a youth, said it isn’t lost on him that he is the one charged

with closing the church and seeing it be torn down. “I’m going through a period of grieving, and have been for a while,” he said. “We tried in every way to save the parish. Even if someone came in with millions of dollars, it’s one thing to save the building, it’s also making the parish run, a staff, services. We don’t have the people that can support that.” As for claims by members of the Mount Carmel Preservation Society that the Diocese has not worked with them in good faith — some have flat out said the Diocese and Pedone have lied about some aspects, such as the safety of the Mount Carmel — Pedone said church officials tried to work with the group. “At the very outset of the issue,” he said, “They would approach the table with demands and say, ‘You must agree to this to make us happy.’ Pedone also said the group, which has claimed to have raised about $200,000 to help save the church, never turned over a penny. DePasquale said the money,

which has by now mostly been spent, wasn’t meant to be handed over unless the church was going to be kept open. As for the building’s safety, the Mount Carmel Preservation Society has said Worcester Building Commissioner John Kelly told them it was safe. Pedone said that is not true. He also said the parish spent over $400,000 to fix the facade of the church, after being instructed to do so by the city. As for a claim by the group that he would not allow their own engineer inside the building, Pedone said he was told by an architect and the city that no one is to be allowed into the church. “We’ve got to move on. It’s sad,” Pedone said. “I can’t make [the Mount Carmel Preservation Society] understand this is the way it is, and this is how much money it costs.” Walter Bird Jr. contributed to this story

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news

worcesteria

FULL STOP, DON’T SHOP: Kudos to all the union workers, activists

and generally good people who made the Worcester Stop & Shop a complete ghost town over the past few weeks. I’m sure you’ve already read about this, but the strike, which lasted 11 days, worked. A tentative agreement between the union and the store’s parent company reached a tentative deal, which union members across the country will vote on this week. Labor academics and experts across the land hailed it as one of the largest demonstrations of organized labor in decades. Here in Worcester, it appears the spirit of a union town is alive and well. Worcester has three Stop & Shops, and by all accounts, they all had a terrible couple weeks. Good! Worcester doesn’t cross picket lines. Love to see it.

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WHAT MAKES AN AMBASSADOR: The Downtown Business Improvement District, a newly-formed coalition of property owners downtown, is hiring “downtown ambassadors” which will start in May. They’re hiring them using essentially their own tax money. The Downtown BID, like BIDs everywhere, collect a tax surcharge off participating property owners to create their own little pool of money to spend on things that benefit them. So it’s almost like they’re their own little city government, and these ambassadors, it seems, are the first things they want. In the BID’s press release, the purpose of a “downtown ambassador” is a bit opaque. They will help with cleaning and maintenance, but will also “be a visible presence” and “assist with any problems” – sounds a bit like a private security force, dunnit? I checked out the website of the company that provides these ambassadors, StreetPlus, and found that private security functions are actually a pretty big part of what they do. They offer patrol services to “detect illegal and unwanted activity,” they employ electronic monitoring, they “interact” with “individuals committing ‘quality of life’ infractions.” All of this they keep data on, which they then report to the paying party, which in this case is the Downtown BID, to show outcomes. Call me crazy, but that sounds a lot like a private security company hired to shoo away bums – on ostensibly public streets and parks, and with no public oversight. Hmm. Well, as long as Hanover is happy, am I right? WHO COULD IT BE: You may or may not have seen an anonymous, full-page ad in the Telegram & Gazette in support of Superintendent Maureen Binienda amid calls for the School Committee to not renew her contract. You may be wondering who paid for and placed the ad – and so am I. But an email from School Committee member John Monfredo that I just so happened upon sheds a little light. In the email, he’s aiming to collect names for a list of signatures to either accompany the ad or support it in some capacity. Monfredo’s and several other names are listed in the ad as supporting the superintendent. CHECK YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS: Since it seemed to go so well last

time, I’m going to give this event a Worcesteria plug because I like the concept so much. The Worcester chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America are putting on their first brake light clinic of the year Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main South CDC. Show up and either get your brake lights checked and fixed, or help fix other people’s. The idea is to prevent unnecessary police stops, which lead to all sorts of bad things including unnecessary tickets, fines and court appearances. Don’t give ’em a reason to pull you over, folks. Oh, and for those handful of cranks that messaged me the last time I mentioned DSA asking who they were, here’s your answer: they’re reptilian space communists sent here by the Chinese to raise gas prices.

Bill Shaner, reporter Twitter: @Bill_Shaner

news

the beat

The American Antiquarian Society will celebrate the grand opening of its new three-story addition on May 4. The addition, a

$20-million project featured prominently on Park Avenue includes a learning lab, a conservation stuido and infrastructure improvements for climate control.

Good Chemistry, the Harrison Street medical cannabis dispensary, will open for full adult-use retail sale on May 1. Anyone 21 or older can visit the store and purchase legal cannabis of varying shapes, sizes and forms, but the first week of operation will include caps on customer numbers and police details for an expected surge in parking demand.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has partnered with the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece to offer training in fire safety

protection, especially for wild fires, after the country suffered a rash of them last year which killed 100 people.

While the water rate will not increase, city officials have identified a 37-cent increase in the sewer rate bill, leading to an overall 3-per-

cent increase in sewer and water bills. The average water bill would $641 under the new rate. If approved by Council, the new rate goes into effect July 1.

City officials are rezoning an industrial corridor of Madison Street,

adjacent the WooSox ballpark, from industrial to business/commercial. The rezoning would allow for more varied businesses to open along the street. While there are few, if any, residential properties within the zone, it abuts the Green Island neighborhood.

The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, a newly-

After banning recreational marijuana in 2018, some in Southbridge are trying to put the question back on the ballot, hoping for an overturn. Town Council talked about the process at length this week, according to the Telegram & Gazette. Some feel the ballot questions confused voters, with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? vote meaning legal cannabis would be banned.

$10-million project at the corner of Wall Street and Norfolk Street. Developer Rob Branca told the Worcester Business Journal the apartments would be a mix of one and two bedrooms at market rate. In honor of the old restaurant, the project has been called The El.

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A 72-unit apartment building project at the site of the former El Morocco restaurant is underway after years of delay. The

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formed organization of 90 downtown property owners, has hired an executive director. Evelyn Darling, a Clark graduate with community development experience in Dorchester, will take over the organization, which uses a tax surcharge from all participating property owners to invest in street-level improvements, as well as attracting businesses, visitors and residents. Previously, Darling ran the Fields Corner Main Street Program in Dorchester for almost a decade, and served as director of community development for the Vietnamese-American Initiative for Development in Dorchester.

opinion editorial

Body camera program presents opportunity

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n idea whose time has come is headed to Worcester. Finally, advocates may say. City councilors this week were expected to adopt a resolution accepting the donation of 20 body-worn cameras and accessories, valued at $33,174, to start a six-month pilot program in Worcester. The donation includes 20 spare cameras and 20 charging docks as well as various devices to mount the camera on police officers. The cameras are being donated from Axon, which also helped train police officers and will provide tech support through the program. The pilot program will involve 20 officers from the Worcester Police Department’s Operations, Neighborhood Response Team and Traffic divisions. Officials have not said exactly when the pilot program will start, and what happens when it concludes is anybody’s guess. There are costs and other issues associated with maintaining and operating a body-worn camera program for police, but it is an idea that gained widespread public support in the wake of the 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by a police officer in a controversial incident that sparked nationwide protests and calls for greater police accountability. Talk of a program in Worcester started under former Police Chief Gary Gemme, but it took years to come to fruition. In December,

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

City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. and the police union included a pilot body camera program in contract negotiations, which some saw as a positive. City councilors have generally been supportive of the program, with some saying an agreement between police and the city was better than a topdown edict from the city manager. An incident in Worcester last year at the Riviera Show Club led to renewed calls for body cameras on police. A viral video showed cops subduing a man they said was resisting arrest. Some, however, saw the video different, with social media commentators suggesting police brutality. Authorities said the video did not show all that transpired during the incident. Therein lies the reason why a pilot body camera program in Worcester is needed. Trust between the public and police has been eroded, and while fingers have been pointed and blame assessed each time an incident takes place, there has been a need for real advancement in bridging the divide between police and communities of color. Putting a camera on cops won’t erase a history of abuses of authority, mistrust and tension overnight. It won’t automatically fix a justice system badly in need of fixing. What it can do, however, is lend clarity to situations that might otherwise be left up to conjecture. It can also afford an opportunity for a police department like Worcester’s,

which has placed a premium on creating bonds between officers and the communities they serve — many of which are populated by people of so many different races and ethnicities — to further strengthen those ties. In short, it is a chance to build trust. There will no doubt be kinks to work out before such an initiative is implemented on a regular basis, and the pilot program affords that opportunity. There is still plenty we don’t know about the program, such as how exactly the cameras will be used. Augustus has mentioned the issue of when the cameras should be turned

Editor Walter Bird Jr. Culture Editor Joshua Lyford Reporter Bill Shaner

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on and off. The American Civil Liberties Union, while seeing the cameras as a way to build trust, has also expressed concern about their abuse. It may have taken longer than some would have liked for Worcester to implement a body camera program, but now it has a chance to do so much more than just create a video catalog of police activity. The city and its police department can use it to rebuild trust, to strengthen bonds, and, just as it will learn more about how to use the cameras, to learn more about the communities they serve. That is an opportunity all should embrace.

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Corrections In last week’s Worcester Magazine (Best of Worcester, April 18 - 24, 2019), we incorrectly listed two locations for Worcester Fitness. The correct address is 440 Grove St., Worcester. Also, Dr.Brittany Falcone no longer practices at Back to Health. She started her own practice earlier this year, Worcester Family Chiropractic. 218 Shrewsbury St. Suite 105 Worcester. 508-556-7566. worcesterfamilychiropractic.com

Advertising To place an order for display advertising or to inquire, please call 508.767.9530. WORCESTER MAGAZINE (ISSN 0191-4960) is a weekly publication of GateHouse Media. All contents copyright 2019 by GateHouse Media. All rights reserved. WORCESTER MAGAZINE is not liable for typographical errors in advertisements.

opinion Don’t quote me – or him. JANICE HARVEY

my presidency. I’m f**ked.” Now, as far as presidential quotes go, this baby will certainly hold up next to “We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” “ Ask not what your country can do…,” and “ Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall.” I sincerely hope it’s chiseled over his presidential library doors, though for the life of me I can’t figure out what would actually be included in a Trump presidential library. Framed print-outs of his Tweets? I hope the ones with the words “No Collusion” and “Bullsh*t” are on display, with videos of him saying “I love Wikileaks!” running in a continuous loop. When he’s gone — and he will be, one way or another — how will his presidency be memorialized? Perhaps audio of the p***y-grabbing “locker room talk” will be

playing as visitors enter his “library.” Will we be entertained with a funniest presidential bloopers reel? My personal favorites include his inability to pronounce “anonymous” and his countless gaffes while reading a teleprompter. I can’t get enough of him sacrificing the “furniture and future” of our children. Though it seems like 2020 won’t get here fast enough, in terms of time left on his presidential clock, it’s nearer the end than the beginning. At least that’s what I tell myself when I need consoling. I’m on Twitter often to see what he’s raging about, and his detractors are there in force. (I’ve been booted a few times for insulting Melania, though my insults were lukewarm, compared to things tweeted about her husband.) Some people get

better future for our children. But for too many people in Worcester these goals are becoming more oday, Worcester has elusive. Over the last few years, become a city on two students in my classes at Clark hills. One hill is mostly white, well-educated and have researched growing inequality in Worcester. Here are a few of relatively prosperous. The other is made up of working and poor fami- their findings. Income and Poverty: Accordlies, many of whom are people of ing to census data, 22.4 percent color and immigrants. In between live a diverse group of families who of households in Worcester live in are getting by today, but live in fear poverty and more than one in three families make less than $30,000. of a layoff, a health crisis or other This varies by race, and one-third misfortune that will push them of Hispanic and one-fourth of black into poverty. These divisions have families are poor, and the median always existed, but amid rising income for Hispanic households is inequities in our country, they are $26,800 versus $51,200 for whites. growing worse One in three Worcester children All of us in Worcester want are poor, but only 7 percent of the same things: good jobs, great schools, safe neighborhoods and a white children are, versus 41 per-

cent of Hispanic children. Disparities also exist by neighborhood. For example, the median income in Westwood Hills is $90,882 and 1 percent of the children are poor, as compared with a median of $19,984 and 55 percent of the kids on Belmont Hill. Homeownership: Today, 71.5 percent of white households own homes, but only 33 percent of blacks and 26 percent of Hispanics do. Homeownership rates also vary by neighborhood, with rates ranging from 70-82 percent on the west side and as low as 12 percent in parts of Main South. Education: Here in Worcester, 35 percent of white adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher, while only 26 percent of blacks and 11

haven’t written about Donald Trump since I predicted the Mueller report might not be the basket in which to place all of my eggs. I was right – and wrong. With the release of the report to AG William Barr, and Barr’s subsequent “summary” of it (apparently he took the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course advertised back in the day), I was deflated and disgusted, as were many frustrated Americans. However, the redacted version released on Holy Thursday (while Congress was out of town, how tricky!) was a real mood brightener. I dropped an egg or two back into my basket when I saw this chyron crawl across a TV screen while lunching in a restaurant: “This is the end of

quite heated over Trump and call for his heart to explode or a vein in his head to burst. Others have suggested he be taken out violently, though such threats are taken seriously and those tweeting such are permanently banned from Twitter ( and likely visited by the FBI.) I wish for none of these things to happen. I want Trump to survive his presidency, and remain healthy enough to spend time facing the Southern District of New York. I would never want him to be martyred by his base. They already think God sent him here – we don’t need to give them reasons to think he’s now seated at the right hand of the Lord. No, I want him to stick around to be voted out of office and dragged out, clinging to the gold drapery. I’m not sure if I want him impeached, to be honest.

That’s too easy. Just how will Donald Trump be remembered, and for what? For shtupping a porn star? For mocking a dead war hero? For throwing paper towels at hurricane victims? For providing the wealthy with a tax cut that crippled the rest of us? That soaring deficit may stick in our great grandkids’ memories. I’m torn between the need to erase him from memory like a bad boyfriend and the equally-important need to never forget the man whose entire presidency has been clouded by wildly-inappropriate and possibly criminal behavior, lest we make the same mistake twice. Janice Harvey

contributing writer

your turn Inequality in Worcester and what to do about it JOE O’BRIEN

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the whole west side. My students’ research has also identified many successful strategies to address these inequalities. First, Worcester should make a commitment to create a worldclass public education system because our research finds that providing a solid educational foundation is the best way to address income inequality. Quite simply, lifetime earnings are directly correlated with educational attainment. By lowering dropout rates and investing in adult education programs, we can also reduce the social costs that are related to educational failure (higher rates of teen pregnancy, drug use and incarceration).

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percent of Hispanics do. While Worcester’s schools have made progress in improving graduation and college entrance rates, persistent and significant gaps continue between white and non-white students in suspension and dropout rates as well as achievement levels. Crime: While Worcester is a very safe city, we have great disparities in where crime happens, how often and to whom. For example, my neighborhood in Main South had 778 crime incidents in the last three months, as compared to 15 in the Westwood Hills neighborhood. Violent crime is even more concentrated, with 151 violent incidents reported in the Union/ Vernon Hill area in the last three months, and only 25 incidents on

opinion

letter

Congress should address immigration laws YO U R T U R N

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A second priority should be to create ladders of opportunity for everyone by investing in expanded vocational training and apprentice programs, so workers can access higher paying jobs that our economy is creating. We can also link tax relief for new projects with rules that require workers who build the project and those that work there are paid a living wage. In addition, local government

to our country and become legal citizens, we do not need the influx of illegals that are gaming our convoluted laws and bypassing all We need our elected officials to those immigrants that are trying to stop playing games with total resistance and pay attention to the enter our country legally. The Federation for American deplorable immigration laws that Immigration Reform estimated are allowing the travesty on our that illegal immigration costs country’s southern border. taxpayers $115 billion annually and Between February and March, the Center for Immigration Studies over 170,000 illegal immigrants have crossed our border or claimed puts the costs at over twice that amnesty. To put this in perspective, amount. Some estimates of particular elements were $90 billion for this almost equals the population of Worcester. Although the United welfare, $29 billion on education, $22 billion on social services, $2.5 States needs immigrants to come

billion on Medicaid, $2.2 billion on food assistance. In addition, it was reported that illegal immigration costs $200 billion in suppressed American wages. Customs and Border Patrol also reported that in fiscal year 2018, illegal aliens were convicted of over 7,820 crimes ranging from assault and battery, domestic violence (506), burglary, robbery, theft (322), driving under the influence (1,062), homicide/ manslaughter (3), illegal drug possession/ trafficking (816), illegal weapons possession (98) and sexual offenses (78), among other

things. Last October, townhall.com reported the U.S. was spending more to cover the costs of illegal aliens having children here than for President Trump’s border wall. It’s time we elect representatives to Congress that work toward handling problems than creating gridlock.

to build more affordable housing. We also need a plan to build more housing for moderate- and low-wage workers. We also need more programs to help moderateincome people become homeowners, because our research finds this is one of the best ways to stabilize neighborhoods and help families build wealth. Finally, Worcester needs to support the efforts by our mayor and manager to celebrate our diversity and foster cooperation between our many ethnic, religious and cul-

tural communities. This is important because when people are left behind and left out, everyone pays a price in higher social costs and lost productivity. We are fortunate to have a mayor and city manager who understand this issue and are taking action to address issues of diversity and inclusion in our local government. They have allocated city resources for improvements to parks and schools renovations to help address past inequities. We are also fortunate to have a strong, progressive state delegation, an

engaged business community and remarkable neighborhood, business, labor and college leaders. We have the leadership and the resources needed to make Worcester a model for addressing the issue of inequality that can lead our nation. As our city grows, let’s work together to ensure a shared prosperity for all.

To the Editor:

can give priority in city hiring to Worcester residents and require them to live here. Third, Worcester needs to accelerate efforts to build more affordable housing and increase homeownership opportunities. While leaders celebrate new market-rate housing for young professional’s downtown, many existing working families face rising rent and a dwindling supply of affordable housing. Worcester could link downtown market-rate development with requirements

Thomas Corrigan Worcester

Joe O’Brien is executive director of the MPA Senior Leadership Program at Clark University in Worcester

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feature Gay Pride Parade in downtown Worcester June 22, 1975. T&G STAFF/MITCHELL C. ABOU-ADAL

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JOSHUA LYFORD

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For the record: The story of Worcesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LGBTQ+ past

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n the midst of a development renaissance, Worcester has found itself under a spotlight. Within this new sight line, a new focus on Worcester, its people and its culture has blossomed. Some history is more easily found than others, however, and in 2019, without a proper steward, there is a very real threat of losing important pieces of local community history forever.

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You may know, for example, that the smiley face was invented here by commercial artist Harvey Ball, or that Robert Goddard, long known as the father of modern rocketry, taught at Clark University. From birth control to the monkey wrench, Worcester has an interesting and celebrated history, but many integral components of Worcester’s social and community

history are buried much deeper. Area researchers have worked tirelessly over the past several years to bring an oft-forgotten history to the fore: Worcester’s engrossing LGBTQ+ past. Through a major exhibition called “LGBTQ+ WorcesterFor the Record,” opening at the Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Thursday, April 25, and

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Stephanie Yuhl, professor of history at Holy Cross, at the Worcester Historical Museum. Yuhl is helping to prepare an exhibit at the museum titled “LGBTQ+ Worcester - For the Record,” which documents the history of the Worcester LGBTQ+ community. MATTHEW HEALEY

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feature satellite exhibits at Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the College of the Holy Cross as well as an online database through Digital Worcester, residents will get a brand new glimpse of a deep community as exhibition researchers and organizers look to local residents to help fill in the blanks.

THE CEREAL AISLE

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he story behind what would become “LGBTQ+WorcesterFor the Record” and its associated college exhibits started simply enough in a Shaws grocery store on Gold Star Boule-

vard with an impromptu meeting between Worcester Historical Museum executive director William Wallace and Holy Cross professor Stephanie Yuhl. The catalyst for the conversation was the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the 1969 reaction from the Greenwich Village LGBT community against an early-morning police raid at the Stonewall Inn. The event is largely credited with kickstarting the gay liberation movement. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. “It happened in the cereal aisle,” laughed Wallace. “I ran into Stephanie and her husband. We had worked with Stephanie before and I was doing an exhibit plan, thinking about things like women’s rights and the women’s vote and the anniversary of United Way, and I was looking at Stonewall, and I said, ‘Let’s do this LGBTQ

Joseph Cullon, a professor at WPI, on the steps of 2 Wellington St. in Worcester. The building is the former site of the Worcester branch of the Metropolitan Community Church, which was one of the first in the area to welcome people from the LGBTQ community. MATTHEW HEALEY

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history of Worcester.’ They practically had to throw us out of the store we talked about it so late.” “I had curated the ‘Worcester in 50 Objects’ exhibit here a few years ago,” added Yuhl. “Bill and

would be an important project in this historical moment and also a community that has been very organized, but also hasn’t really had a moment to come together and plant itself in the historical

“These kinds of projects tend to happen around anniversaries. They are important in marking what we want to mark, but they can also be problematic in being purely celebratory. In this exhibit, we’re trying to celebrate, but also show the struggle, and showing the ongoing challenges and pressures outside and some internal within to be a fuller story.” - Holy Cross professor Stephanie Yuhl, on the “LGBTQ+Worcester-For the Record” exhibition.

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I were in the cereal aisle on Gold Star. We were talking about other projects. It was the anniversary of Stonewall. We thought this

records in this way. From the start, the purpose of the research and eventual exhibition was not to look at the past

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The Loft.

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Gay Pride Parade in downtown Worcester June 22, 1975. T&G STAFF/MITCHELL C. ABOU-ADAL

feature with rose-colored glasses, but to show Worcester’s LGBTQ+ history with as much clarity as the team could establish. “These kinds of projects tend to happen around anniversaries,” said Yuhl. “They are important in marking what we want to mark, but they can also be problematic in being purely celebratory. In this exhibit, we’re trying to celebrate, but also show the struggle, and showing the ongoing challenges and pressures outside and some internal within to be a fuller story.” The first step toward what would eventually become LGBTQ+Worcester-For the Record, and its associated exhibitions and website, was to assemble a research team. Yuhl and

which included additional help from students and area experts— uncovered was surprising, even to them. The initial tidbits of information were tantalizing, but as the area LGBTQ+ community started fleshing out the details, the depth of Worcester’s history became even more exciting. “I was aware of some of the details, I knew that the MB used to be the Male Box,” said Tobin. “I had come here in ‘08 and I knew that when I got here there was the MB and a dance place. I knew there were bits and pieces. I had no idea how active things had been at some point.” How active things were in Worcester would eventually prove to be an understatement and,

according to Tobin, the underlying tenet of the exhibits is that Worcester has a deep and colorful history. “We have an LGBTQ history here in Worcester that is much more interesting than people think, and it’s easy to imagine in a midsize city that you have to go to the bigger cities to get this cultural and sexual diversity,” Tobin said. “We have some stuff going

Wallace were joined by Joseph Cullon, associate teaching professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Robert Tobin, Henry J. Leir Chair in Language, Literature and Culture at Clark University. Tobin is a professor of literature specialising in gay and lesbian studies. Cullon, meanwhile, specializes in both history and digitally cataloguing history. The history that the team—

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MATTHEW HEALEY

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Robert Tobin, Ph.D., a professor of language at Clark, is helping to prepare “LGBTQ+ Worcester - For the Record,” which documents the history of the Worcester LGBTQ+ community.

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Items are prepared in the Worcester Historical Museum for the exhibit “LGBTQ+ Worcester - For the Record.” MATHEW HEALEY

on really early in the ’70s and some really radical stuff going on, especially back then. I think that’s the central thesis, there was a lot going on here, more than people realize, and hopefully we can bring back some of that spirit, or at the very least remember it with pride.”

JIM JACKMAN

GBTQ+Worcester-For the Record is the central piece of the exhibition as well as the most robust; however, Holy Cross, WPI and Clark each has held or will hold their own, with a stronger focus on their particular histories. When viewed as a whole, Worcester’s LGBTQ history becomes clear. “There was a guy who went by Jim Jackman — he spent quite a bit of time working on his name — he writes this glorious piece where he talks about how this bar had been created in the late ’50s when what he claimed was basically a version of Stonewall

[occurred],” said Tobin. “Previously, there had been a hotel on the commons called The Coronado. That’s where gay people used to kind of hang around. We have very little evidence of this, but we found one ad in Billboard for Vivacious Vicky. If you needed to find a female personator you contacted Vivacious Vicky. The male name was just as funny, Varsity Victor at the Coronado Hotel in Worcester, Massachusetts. This was 1950, there was some evidence there.” That Worcester had a bar known as a meeting spot for gay men in the 1950s is interesting on its own, but it is just the tip of the iceberg for the history of the city. Jackman, writing in Boston-based transgressive gay newspaper Fag Rag, in the 1970s wrote several times about gay life in Worcester post-World War II. Jackman lived and died in in the city. “He talks about the Coronado Hotel. He tells us how it was raided in 1951,” said Wallace. “We can’t get an actual date for it. It was serving a mixed clientele and was raided in the post-war pink scare. At that point, he said the homosexuals marched out

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to the Ports O’ Call. It was called the New Yorker, at the corner of Wellington Street. The New Yorker became Ports O’ Call, the first serious gay bar in Worcester. They go from there to Green Street, to Exit Two. That became the Male Box.” “We tell this story of claiming spaces from the standpoint of what were percieved as safe spaces for the gay and lesbian community,” he continued. “We talk about the floating dances – gay and lesbian dances that moved to floating locations. We talk about cruising spots for pick-ups, the Paris Theatre, we talk about those realities without naming names. We talk about the block, the library on Portland Street. We talk about spaces and we move into the MCC [Metropolitan Community Church], women’s book stores. It moves into demanding equality, the fight for gay rights.” That idea of claiming space goes beyond the literal interpretation and into the concept of asserting value. In putting together

“We have an LGBTQ history here in Worcester that is much more interesting than people think, and it’s easy to imagine in a midsize city that you have to go to the bigger cities to get this cultural and sexual diversity. We have some stuff going on really early in the ’70s and some really radical stuff going on, especially back then. I think that’s the central thesis. There was a lot going on here, more than people realize, and hopefully we can bring back some of that spirit, or at the very least remember it with pride.” – Robert Tobin, Henry J. Leir Chair in Language, Literature and Culture at Clark University. this history, the idea was always to flesh the story out as deeply as possible, and while the exhibition certainly highlights the achievements of the Worcester LGBTQ+ history, it doesn’t shy away from

the bumps and bruises. Cullon points back to the writings of Jackman as an example. “He’s missing the Ports ‘O Call, this early gay bar,” Cullon said. “It’s a really early account of how

gay men had to occupy a space in a city that wasn’t always receptive. What’s most appealing to me is how he turns the lens on the community, it’s not a celebration. For me, the article shows the real

penetrating introspection that was at the heart of the emergence of a movement. About 18 years later, he publishes an article in Worcester Magazine, an overview of life. He ends up dying on the tower on Main Street, by Webster Square. He reflects on what coming out was like for him at the time. It echoes his own distancing from sex itself. The dynamics of gay sex were not always what were personally felt.” “Everybody knows where Worcester is. It looks like a part of Brooklyn stuck in the middle of Massachusetts. It’s too big to ignore altogether, but up around Park Square, the word is that it’s ‘very fuckin’ tired.’ No apologies. It’s true if you’re a fag with money, but the rest of us, the stockboys, the dishwashers and the hairdressers, Worcester is like most other towns on earth where you have to take it any way you can get it. The Ports O Call was THE gay bar here for almost a quarter of a century. When I first came out, fifteen years ago, I had to adopt the customs that

The Coronado Hotel Aug. 29, 1959.

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feature prevailed there if I wanted the affair I dreamed about. “ -Jim Jackman, “The Ports O Call,” The Fag Rag, 1974

THE COLLEGE CONNECTION

orcester’s Clark University had one of the earliest gay student organizations in the country with the Clark Gay Alliance and reached even further. Worcester Polytechnic’s early gay student organization, the short-lived WPI Gay Alliance, used the Clark Gay Alliance’s mailbox, for example. The team’s research into The Scarlet, Clark’s student newspaper, offered a fascinating look at on-campus efforts and struggles at the time. “They had a column back then called Pissed Off, where you could complain, like, ‘Why is the granola so stale?

A couple greets a friend at the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Pride Parade June 1, 1996.

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T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

“I think it’s good for us to realize that we’ve been kind of a battlefield for this for so long. We can hold our heads up high. We’ve been dealing with these issues as long as anyone else.” – Robert Tobin, Henry J. Leir Chair in Language, Literature and Culture at Clark University. Why are these lights turned off ?’” said Tobin. “Once this group appears, they ask, ‘Why do most of the boys on campus have boyfriends? Why did the Gay Alliance get $440 for their budget?’ This guy has a very funny response. ‘Maybe because most of them are gay, boys are getting to know each other not as competitors, but as sensitive human beings and the girls are hung up about sex, which forces the boys to look at each other. We received this enormous chunk of money because we like parties and imported wine and not cheap stuff like Taylor’s.’”

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The university was also on the cutting edge of gay rights education. Professor William Koelsch taught a course called “The Gay Liberation Movement” back in 1975. According to Clark, at the time, one survey found “only six institutions in the nation with courses in gay studies; put another way, 97 percent of the surveyed colleges did not have courses devoted to the subject.” That same professor would begin writing a popular column for the Gay Community News under the pseudonym A. Nolder Gay. He would continue his writings another 15 years. Clark University would become one of the first large institutions in Central Massachusetts to introduce benefits like health insurance to partners of faculty and staff. Outside of campus life and the strides made there, Worcester was ahead of the curve in several other ways, including being part of the vanguard for LGBTQ rights. “What also surprised me was in ‘74, ‘75, we have all these gay pride parades,” said Tobin. “The

very first one in is New York in ‘70, one year after Stonewall. Boston is the year after that. It’s not at all shabby that we started in 1975, that’s right in the beginning. There is also an effort to get an antidiscrimination ordinance through City Hall. It fails, but it is striking. There is a lot of newspaper coverage of it. There was something called the Gay Political Union back then. You could be a card-carrying gay. We will have some of those cards in the exhibit. I had no idea we had that kind of activism going on here.”

‘THE BEGINNING STAGES’

etween the “LGBTQ+ Worcester-For the Record” exhibition, the satellite exhibits at Clark, Holy Cross and WPI, and the online data-

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Gay Political Union, Elaine Noble speaking, 1974. T&G STAFF PHOTO

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base at lgbtqinthewqoo.org, there is plenty for interested Worcester residents to absorb, but the team is conscious of the fact that this is just the beginning. “The exhibit ... will be a report out,” said Wallace. “We don’t see it as a final product because we’ll never stop recording history. People will have ‘a-ha moments’ and say, ‘You need to include this, or scan this photo.’” The exhibit, said Yuhl, is in a “state of collecting to this point,” a rough sketch of Worcester’s LGBTQ+ history and by no means complete. As the exhibitions and website roll out, the hope is that community members can point out blind spots or fill in details elsewhere. “I’m not looking for anything specific, because we are in the beginning stages,” said Yuhl. “There have been a couple of problems throughout. One has been lesbian history. There is a lot more in the public record about gay male spaces. That’s been a thread we’ve been able to untangle a little bit. The history of trans people. Each group tends to have a different level of publicness at a different historical moment. Those are chal-

lenges. We are calling it LGBTQ+, but there are all sorts of different entities and we’re aware of that. It’s an exciting and multidimensional history,” To date, the team has transcribed between 15-20 oral histories, amassed while inserting themselves in various communities and functions. They hope to continue gathering more oral histories as well as photos and artifacts, with lgbtqinthewoo.org being an obvious jump-off point. “We had some success drawing people out and getting materials,” said Cullon. “We want to provoke people to respond or talk back and share more. On the website, there is a page for talking back, where people can respond to the exhibit and that could be a community conversation right there. They can also communicate with us after the exhibit so we can be sure to get what they have. This is saying, “Here it is, let us know what you think.”

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Gay Pride Parade in downtown Worcester June 22, 1975.

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feature A STRONGER COMMUNITY

“L

GBTQ+ WorcesterFor the Record” opens Thursday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St. The exhibition runs through Oct. 12. Clark University’s “Queering Clark” exhibit will be

prompt for deeper, more nuanced stories. For those completely uninitiated in the subject as well as those familiar, the exhibitions are a powerful look at our past that can inform our present and future. “Worcester is a much more fascinating community than we realized two years ago,” said Wallace. “Here is yet another layer of the stories that make Worcester fascinating and relevant to all of us. By sharing something, what was yours become ours and when it becomes ours, Worcester becomes a stronger community.” “Every time someone makes a

decision about their sexual identity or how to express it, they are connected to this story,” added Cullon. While Worcester’s LGBTQ+ history is filled with as many challenges and difficulties as you might imagine, there are also

on display through September. Holy Cross’ exhibit has already run and WPI’s will be hung later in the year. Lgbtqinthewoo.org is an ongoing database project. The exhibitions serve as a reminder of Worcester’s deep LGBTQ+ history and, with luck, a

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– Jim Jackman, “The Ports O Call,” The Fag Rag, 1974

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“Everybody knows where Worcester is. It looks like a part of Brooklyn stuck in the middle of Massachusetts. It’s too big to ignore altogether, but up around Park Square, the word is that it’s ‘very fuckin’ tired.’ No apologies. It’s true if you’re a fag with money, but the rest of us, the stockboys, the dishwashers and the hairdressers, Worcester is like most other towns on earth where you have to take it any way you can get it. The Ports O Call was THE gay bar here for almost a quarter of a century. When I first came out, fifteen years ago, I had to adopt the customs that prevailed there if I wanted the affair I dreamed about.”

feature flashes of inspiration for the Heart of the Commonwealth. “I think it’s good for us to realize that we’ve been kind of a battlefield for this for so long,” said Tobin. “We can hold our heads up high. We’ve been dealing with these issues as long as anyone else.” You can find more information online at worcesterhistory.org. For the associated database, head to lgbtqinthewoo.org.

A handmade cake topper with two grooms is one of the many LGBTQ items in the exhibit “LGBTQ+ Worcester - For the Record.”

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MATTHEW HEALEY

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Alpaca yoga takes place Sundays at 11 a.m. all summer long at Plain View Farm in Hubbardston.

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Hockey season over, DCU Center gets ready to Paint the Ice JOSHUA LYFORD

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ou’ve probably been to the DCU Center. Maybe you caught a Worcester Railers HC game, or maybe a Luke Combs concert. Maybe it was for a comic con in the convention center. Whatever your DCU experiences

have been in the past, you probably weren’t nose down on the ice, furiously painting a massive George’s Coney Island hot dog. Until now, that is. On April 29, as a part of ArtWeek, the DCU Center at 50 Foster St. is introducing Paint the Ice, an interactive fan experience that welcomes

Worcester County to experience the DCU Center ice in an entirely new way. “A lot of people, because the Railers have their home games, people think of us as a sports venue,” said Veronica Van Jura, marketing coordinator for the DCU Center. “We are a concert arena first. There have been

years where there hasn’t been hockey or football, but music and art have been there the whole time.” The inspiration behind the event came during the application process for ArtWeek. “We created Paint the Ice because I saw the ArtWeek applications came out. We are a huge arts venue that

I feel like is sometimes forgotten,” Van Jura said. “A million arts things come here daily. Not just the arena, the convention center, 10-15 dance competitions a year. Those dancers are artists. We have our concerts, but we have Cirque du Soleil.” Part of the advantage of being a major venue in Central Massachu-

culture school concert choir in the world. A number of Worcester Public Schools participate in the event, which takes place this year on June 5. “It allows schoolchildren to come and experience the world’s largest

director.” While the evening may benefit a good cause, the purpose of the event is, first and foremost, fun. “It will be really cool to just observe. There will be all sorts of

Worcester history on the ice. Maybe that’s Coney Island, so they’ll paint a hot dog. Whatever it is for you, I want that on the ice.” Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit American Young Voices, a music education program that allows children to participate in the largest

school choir,” Van Jura said. ‘’Music teachers around Worcester County are given sheet music to teach their children throughout the year and they all sing together. It’s kind of like when you’re in school choir, but there are like 3,000 kids singing The Beatles in unison with a world-renowned

demographics, a family over here, a group of girlfriends over here, painting whatever it is that means something to them,” said Van Jura. “You can paint whatever. You want to paint ‘happy birthday’ to your girlfriend? Paint ‘happy birthday’ to your girlfriend. You want to paint your

dog? Go ahead. The idea was just to do something different, something nontraditional.” Tickets are available online in advance or the day of the event. For more information, head to dcucenter.com.

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Worcester Historical Museum. “They sat with us and gave us a lot of good inspiration and ideas,” Van Jura said. “What we’re really hoping will happen is that people will come and recreate their favorite pieces of

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setts is that it affords access to a larger network of resources in parent company SMG and they can tap those resources for information. “We have over 200 other arenas worldwide,” said Van Jura. “We have a lot of resources we can tap into. I had spoken to another arena who had done this. Detroit, at the Joe [Louis Arena], it’s closed now, but they were an SMG facility, they used Paint the Ice as a goodbye. They welcomed all the fans to say goodbye, come write your favorite memory right on the ice. They had a lot of great press coverage. They did it again at the Little Caesars Arena as a welcome.” That the management company chose a Paint the Ice event as a send-off for the NHL Detroit Red Wings as they departed the beloved Joe Louis Arena and made their way to the new space, says quite a bit about the expectations for ice painting events. Railers fans will likely feel right at home at Worcester’s Paint the Ice. “The Railers season is done now, but it’s a cool way for their fans to experience the ice in a different way,” said Van Jura. In fact, the paint may be familiar to longtime fans of Worcester hockey. “There’s a special kind of paint. It’s the same paint the blue and red lines get painted with,” said Van Jura. “It’s a little thicker than watercolor, but it’s still water-based. It dries very quickly. It allows a lot of free form, but because it dries so quickly you can really create something.” To ensure the event gets its Worcester feeling exactly right, Van Jura and the DCU team worked with another local institution, the

culture Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

I tend to shy away from lists, not because I think they can’t be fun, but because I’m a wordy, nasty old man and while I’ll give myself a bit of credit in the sense of humor department, I don’t think I’m all that witty. I’ve decided (right now, as I am typing) that this edition of the Lyford Files is going to be a list. A list of what you ask? Well, I’m not so sure, but this is the issue after Best of Worcester announcements have been made and we tend to see some thank you ads in these very pages, so let’s run with that. Here’s my thank you list. What will that mean? I honestly have no idea. I’m on a tight deadline (again), so I’m going to slam the rest of this mug of coffee, rub that yellow gritty stuff out of my eyes and see what pops out. Here we go! THANKS, BRISCO: Phew,

I bought myself some time. This one is easy. I have to thank my dog Brisco County Jr. Jr. for being my best friend with fur. He isn’t very kind, or gentle, or thoughtful, but he is a dash of frenetic fun, and as someone who lives with depression, sometimes I just need this little bastard to chomp on my toes or put his paws in my mouth while I’m asleep to get out of bed and get my shit together. You may bite my couch, but you’ve also taken a bite out of my heart.

THANKS, STREET HOCKEY PEOPLE:

Do you know how easy it is to burn off a full pint of Ben & Jerry’s at 34 years old? It isn’t easy. But, thanks to the misfits over at Beaver Brook, once a week (usually) I get to run around like an idiot and feel like I am less shitty than I was before.

THANKS, UBER: After getting hit by someone driving through

a stop sign (again, seriously), I have to take this time to thank the friendly people scooting me all over town. Without you, I would miss interviews and I would hardly ever be in the office. On second thought …

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THANKS, ARTISTS: This is a blanket statement and a total cop-

out. I could list everyone (and I should), but I have about 14 minutes to write this whole thing and I would inevitably miss someone and get in big trouble. So, just assume that YOU aren’t one of the people I could ever forget. Just a big ‘ol thanks to everyone who ( for the most part) have made me feel very welcome in a world that doesn’t always have a reputation for letting outsiders in. Six years in and I still feel like an outsider, but an outsider who can be confident someone will come and say hi. That’s a nice change of pace.

THANKS, HIGH COMMAND: The obvious reason being that they took me on tour with them, but that’s not why I’m going to thank them. I’m thanking them because now that I’m an old man, I very rarely get the urge to go off at shows. High Command’s riffs get the demon in me going wild, though, man. I think I’m still sore from their last show and that is sick. THANKS, WHITE MOUNTAINS: No one likes reporters.

Not you, not other readers, not the internet, not the president, not Republicans, not Democrats. Not even my own family. Hell, I don’t even like me. It can get a little, um, disheartening? Am I breaking the wall down too much here? Whatever, my skin is pretty damn thick these days, but it isn’t always easy, which is why I am so thankful that it only takes me a few hours to disappear into the forest without cell service – just a backpack, a tent, a dog and a dog bed that gets me some questionable looks (the hound won’t sleep on the tent floor, he is a real diva). It’s a national treasure and I am thrilled I’ve already been able to get up in those mountains and away from “I just want you to know you’re garbage” emails this year. Also, if you send those emails, thank YOU, because you inspire me to go and get Joshua Lyford some exercise. But not really, take a hike.

Culture editor @Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Redemption Rocks Redemption Rock Brewing is quickly

becoming a community gathering space for groups and organizations across Central Mass. During the month of April, RRB will donate all tips to Pathways for Change, a Worcester-based nonprofit that provides services to victims of Linda Chiarizio of Tangerini’s sexual assault and raises Spring Street Farm, Julia Auger awareness around sexual assault prevention and edu- of deadhorse hill, Sarah Connell cation. They have already of Worcester Magazine, and Phu raised more than $1,500. Mai of the state Department of Last week, I found my way Agricultural Resources gathered to RRB’s taproom at 333 Shrewsbury St. on Saturday at Redemption Rock Brewing for Central Mass Grown’s agritourism to celebrate Working 4 Worcester, on Sunday to panel last week. see Blue Light Bandits, and on Monday for Central Mass Grown’s Agritourism Panel. The latter event got me jazzed about an upcoming Lavender Farm Fest at SummitWynds from June 21-23, the bee keeping program at Douglas Orchard and Farm on April 27, and alpaca yoga at Plain View Farm on summer Sundays. “Third spaces” like cafes and breweries are important to unite thriving cities beyond the home or the workplace. RRB is not just enriching the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood, it’s also creating a cross section of the community by making everyone feel welcome.

Worcester is Thirsty

Pasta Party

The Rise of the Kombucha Cocktail

KraftTea Kombucha is collaborating with The Muse to roll out a full list of kombucha cocktails. Order the Embalmer, a kombuchafied corpse reviver made with overproof rum and apricot mango kombucha. In January, Scott Kearnan of Boston Magazine called kombucha “the hippie-chic fermented tea that’s suddenly on-trend with local bartenders.” Here’s your chance for a taste. The KrafTea brewery is also open on Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. in the same Harlow Street building that houses the SprinSarah Connell kler Factory. contributing writer

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Trust me, this is not your youth soccer spaghetti dinner. Greg Califano of Volturno will be showing off his traditional handmade pastas at deadhorse hill on Tuesday, April 30, 5-10 p.m., with a four-course prix fixe pasta dinner featuring locally-sourced produce and ingredients for $75. Grower producer Natural Italian Wines will provide wine pairings for an additional $35. I have enjoyed Califano’s wit and wisdom in during his hands-on pasta making workshop at Volturno. I blow kisses to the heavens at least once a week for bringing a restaurant of deadhorse hill’s caliber to my hometown. To see these worlds collide warrants an immediate reservation. Plus, there will be gelato.

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Four bartenders will represent Worcester in the final competition of this year’s Thirst Boston cocktail festival. Competitors include Tina Liberty of The Fix Burger Bar; Cat Corey of Volturno; Kat Reilly formerly of simjang and Silas Axtel of Armsby Abbey. In its five-year run, Thirst Boston has become synonymous with New England’s unique cocktail culture. The sixth annual Thirst Boston will take place April 26-28. The festival facilitates more than 30 different classes, seminars and tastings designed for hobbyists and professionals alike.

culture Z Café is Home of the Quintessential Power Lunch 389 Main St, Worcester • 508-304-1220 • zcafe.cafe SANDRA RAIN

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 25 - M AY 1, 2019

f you want to spot a downtown Worcester power broker nailing a deal during lunchtime, stop by Z Café. The smell of butter and grilled meat should be enough to coax you inside Main Street’s cafeteria. Long dark tables and boardroom-style chairs make for a smooth transition from the office to Z Cafe. If you’re having a no-nonsense lunch, this is the place to do it. If you didn’t bring a negotiation to the table, a lone TV set hangs over the mantle by Z Café’s glassy storefront offering up a window to the world outside of Worcester. The city of Worcester promises that in the next calendar year, Main Street will transition from waypoint to destination. Unfortunately, this reimagining of Main Street interferes with present access to Z Café. However, we trust that when the $11-million construction project in question is complete, downtown will reflect modern urban design philosophies enriched by placemaking and public art. The salad bar is especially popular for Worcester’s business set. To-go containers attract plenty of executives on the move. Most of the dining room is punctuated by a clean maroon carpet, but the salad stations themselves are built on rolling stainless carts that sit on bright hardwoods. Two large ferns peek out from the far wall, which is painted in geometric blocks of beige, peach and chestnut. Dark-stained tables hide the divots that mark Z Café’s long legacy in the neighborhood. A slate sign embossed with “Z Café” has exhibited eye-catching texture since a time long before Instagram. Square paper lanterns likewise beg for you to reach up and touch them. Guests order at the counter and pour their own soda from the fountain. They can sit in a row of red bucket chairs while they wait, but service is exceptionally speedy so it won’t be for long. Synthetic copper outfits the walls in 2-by-2 square panels. An owner circulates again and again, bussing tables and shaking hands. During the early shift, customers

favor the egg and cheese sandwich ($2.99) served on a bagel, English muffin or toast, with additions of bacon, sausage or ham for $1. The frittata ($7.48) is also popular, made with onion, roasted red pepper, tomato, spinach and mushroom.

The team at Z Café recommends their chicken salad melt to Worcester’s lunchtime crowd. At lunch, the staff recommends their paninis, favoring a chicken salad melt ($7.75) made with bacon and oozey muenster cheese. The white, wheat and whole grain breads are made in house then pressed in a searing combination of butter and heat. Z Café’s Italian veggie melt ($7.89) is punctuated by pesto and fresh mozzarella. Sandwiches come with chips, an apple, or red bliss potato salad. Choose the potato salad. Z Café is the home of Worcester’s power lunch. Eat a melt, make a deal, and high tail it back to the office. On my last lunch date at Z Cafe our total came to $26.22 with seltzers. Explanation of Stars: Ratings are from zero to five. Zero is not recommended. One is poor. Two is fair. Three is satisfactory. Four is good. Five is excellent. Food: HHH Ambience: HHH Service: HHH Value: HHH

culture

‘Endgame’ on JIM KEOGH

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a memorable villain (in this case, Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane) as a worthwhile sparring partner. Are Eric Bana and Ed Norton ( former Hulks) and Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield (who played Spider-Man) the Avengers version of Pete Best, the pre-Ringo drummer for The Beatles? Give Disney credit for the way they rolled out their “Endgame” trailers, gradually building anticipation, and then momentum. I particularly enjoyed the early teaser with Tony Stark stranded in outer space, hinting he’s out of miracles. Plenty of impressive women populate “Endgame,” from Captain Marvel to the Scarlet Witch. But for my money, scientist Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the toughest lady of all. Just consider, she survived alone for 30 years in the Quantum Realm, a subatomic world of lava lamp-like landscapes and strange creatures, and she has to pretend her husband, Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym, doesn’t give her the creeps. Jim Keogh contributing writer

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ame show icon James Holzhauer may be only a trivia superhero, but he has more than a passing familiarity with comic-book tough guys. Last week, Holzhauer — the Rainman of “Jeopardy” — was the only contestant to come up with the correct response to the final question concerning which superhero uses the secret identity “C. King.” I’m impressed that Holzhauer knew the answer (Aquaman), yet even more so that the Jeopardy research staff dipped into the DC Universe to find the question. Is anyone remotely thinking about the Justice League when Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” is preparing to rewrite the box office record books for superhero movies? While I am far more intrigued with James Holzhauer’s “Jeopardy” progress than I am in the fate of the Avengers, I do have a soft spot for them. If indeed this is an endgame for some of the actors involved — Man Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans have confessed their fatigue with the franchise — then I want to be there for the send-off. Sadly, I care. A few thoughts as the Avengers rise to fight again: Like any fan, I’m curious to see how the movie will resurrect the half of humanity (including many key Avengers) who were reduced to ashes in “Infinity War.” I’m sure the process will be ridiculously dramatic, but won’t the end result essentially be the equivalent of adding water to a Chia pet? My sincerest hope is that Thanos will take time out from pillaging the cosmos to appear on the PBS program “Finding Your Roots,” and while flipping through binders of old family photos with Henry Louis Gates Jr. will be surprised to learn he’s related to Jay Leno. The jaw don’t lie. Out of curiosity, I thought I’d count the number of production people listed on the “Endgame” IMDB page, just to see how many are required to pull off a special effects-laden event of this magnitude. Then I scrolled, and scrolled, and … well, you get the point. I abandoned the idea. Major military invasions have been executed with fewer bodies. All hail, Robert Downey Jr. Though the Hulk and Spider-Man already had been featured in stand-alone films, it was Downey who truly got the party

started 11 years ago with “Iron Man,” still the gold standard for Marvel movies. “Iron Man” established the MCU as we know it today, and also amplified the importance of having

sports p In season of change for Bravehearts, here’s what’s different for 2019 WALTER BIRD JR.

celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie “Ghostbusters” with special themed jerseys fans can bid on during the game. Proceeds will go toward the Worcester-based 365Z Foundation. On Friday, Aug. 2, the first 500 fans will receive a Ted Williams bobblehead commemorating his grand slam home run as a rookie in an exhibition game at Fitton Field 80 years ago.

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hen the Worcester Bravehearts take to the field inside the cozy confines of Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field for their season opener in late May, they will do so having seen plenty of changes around them – inside and outside the organization. From the pending arrival of a new baseball team in the city, to a new manager, to the Bravehearts’ ownership expanding their footprint in the Futures Collegiate League – plenty is different from when the team wrapped up its season last year with a championship win (they actually shared the title with the since-departed Martha’s Vineyard Sharks). Arguably the biggest change for the Bravehearts, now in their sixth season in the FCBL, is the 2021 arrival of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Perhaps you’ve heard something about that. The Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket Red Sox are getting set to play in a brand new ballpark, Polar Park, being built a hop, skip and a jump away from the HIP, just off Kelley Square in the Canal District. Yeah, the Bravehearts have heard about it, too. “There was never a game played last year where people knew there would be a Triple-A franchise [just down the street] from us,” General Manager Dave Peterson acknowledged. “People will come to the [opening] game May 30, and I guarantee one of the questions will be, ‘Where are you going to be in two years?’” The answer, according to Peterson, is right where they’ve been since they first started playing in 2014: at the foot of College Hill on the Holy Cross campus. “I think the biggest point to be made is we’re not going anywhere,” he said, referencing the team that preceded the Bravehearts in Worcester. “We’re dedicated to the city of Worcester. We’re dedicated to programs here. You can’t just get up and leave like the Tornadoes did. We’ve got programs that keep us engaged in the community year-round. Certainly, we have to consider the fact that there’s a Triple-A franchise

NEW COACHES

A Alex Dion moves from hitting to coach to head coaching duties for the Worcester Bravehearts in 2019. PHOTO SUBMITTED

coming in with more resources than us, that’s going to have a gorgeous stadium, and play a longer season, which means they can make more money. We’re making sure there are ways to differentiate our product from theirs.” For the Bravehearts, part of that means zeroing in on the fan experience, and that’s where other changes are coming this year. There will be more theme nights, more specialty promotions, just more to capture the fancy of fans this summer. Opening night will feature skydivers. Another game will pay respects to Kelley Square, which is being redesigned ahead of the PawSox’ arrival. “We’re having an Irish wake for Kelley Square,” Peterson said, adding there will be “RIP Kelley Square” tee-shirts designed to celebrate what has been ranked as among the most dangerous intersections in Massachusetts. On July 20, the team will celebrate the father of modern rocketry, Robert Goddard, with a themed jersey and

tee-shirts that “look like a space suit,” Peterson said. With the 20th anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage Fire being observed this year, the team will, at the end of the season, host a special “W6” jersey night to raise money for Ava Roy, the daughter of Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy, who died while battling a fire last December. The Worcester Six is a term for the six firefighters who died Dec. 3, 1999 while trapped inside the old Cold Storage building. On June 12, the team will celebrate the first perfect game ever thrown in Major League Baseball, a feat that happened right here in Worcester June 12, 1880. If the Bravehearts toss a perfect game that night, one lucky winner will go home with $50,000. In an interesting note, the Worcester Worcesters’ John Lee Richmond hurled the first perfect game against the Cleveland Blues. The Bravehearts on June 12 will be hosting the Bristol Blues. On Friday, June 28, the team will

nother big difference for the Bravehearts this year comes on the coaching staff. Alex Dion takes over managing duties from the departed J.P. Pyne, who guided the team for three years before taking the same job with Amherst College. Dion, who was the team’s hitting coach last year, knows the bar is set high for a Bravehearts team that has reached the championship series every year since entering the league in 2014. “I’m very fortunate the Creedons and Dave [Peterson] trust me to lead this baseball team,” Dion said. “The bar is obviously set very high, the expectations we have in Worcester, and that I’ve set for myself. The Bravehearts have given themselves an opportunity to win the championship every year they’ve been in the league.” With the team having settled for a co-championship last year, and the Sharks no longer circling them, Dion and the Bravehearts are hoping to win the title outright this year. Of course, first they have to get there. But the memory of last year’s bittersweet finish (the best-of-three championship series was called after two games because of foul weather, with both teams having won a game) lingers. “For myself and the guys coming back who were on that bus ride back from Martha’s Vineyard, to come out as co-champions, I don’t think anyone in this organization was satisfied with that,” Dion said. “It will certainly motivate us. It will probably be something I talk to the team about.” Joining Dion on the coaching staff

are Tyler Kelly and Adam Chase. Kelly, a graduate assistant coach for Springfield College’s baseball team, will replace Casey Cummins as pitching coach. Cummins, who had been with the Bravehearts all five years in the FCBL, left for a coaching gig in the Cape Cod League. Chase, currently an assistant coach at Franklin Pierce University, replaces Dion as hitting coach. Peterson said Chase is close to Zack Tower, a former Bravehearts slugger who also played at Franklin Pierce. Chase was Tower’s back-up when the two played there.

A NEW TEAM

he Bravehearts may not be going anywhere, but ownership is broadening its reach with the purchase of a second FCBL team, the Nashua Silver Knights. Bravehearts owner John Creedon Jr. is buying the team, a move he and Peterson say is modeled after Big Top Sports and Entertainment in Michigan, which owns four different summer college league franchises in the Northwoods League. One of those teams, the Madison Mallards, is considered among the most successful franchises in all of summer collegiate baseball. “They’ve done a great job taking their brand and making it exciting,” Peterson said. “It’s like going to a country fair every time you go to the ballpark. You walk up a road with inflatables on each side. You go in, there’s music playing and people on trampolines on the concourse, then the mascot ziplines in from right field. They attach him to a telephone pole, and he slides down a wire, and lands at home plate.” You hear that, Jake the Lion? Better sharpen those claws.

The Score

Massachusetts Pirates The Pirates (0-2), one week after losing their home opener to the Carolina Cobras, went on the road to Greensboro, N.C. to take on the Cobras (2-0) again, falling once more, 54-22.

culture

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

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Iris came to us from St. John in the Virgin Islands. She was surrendered after her owner passed away. She came in malnourished and in need of some TLC. Iris is very friendly and loves to meet new people. She loves her food, treats and toys, and likes to keep her goodies all to herself. Iris lived with another dog in her previous home, however she is picky about her dog friends and may not care for every dog’s company - and cats are out of the question! Iris is a very sweet, happy girl who cannot wait to have a fresh start and a new family. She is 5 years old and 40 pounds. If you would like more information about Iris or would like to meet her, ask WARL staff today.

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!

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.

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Can’t adopt, but still want to help? Here are some of WARL’s regular needs:

calendar

Thursday, April 25 Worcester State of the Trees: 10 years after Asian Longhorned Beetle

FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

Higgins University Center, Clark University, 950 Main St. What has happened in the 10 years since Asian Longhorned Beetle eradication efforts began? Come find out in a forum with the Worcester DPW and Worcester Tree Initiative.

KENDRACUNNINGHAM.COM

Friday, April 26 A Night of Comedy: A Benefit for the Ava Roy Fund

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A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St. Comedians Jimmy Dunn, Tony V, Chris Tabb and Kendra Cunningham (left) perform at the Hanover Theater. Presented by Worcester Fire Fighters Local 1009, with proceeds benefiting fallen firefighter Christopher Royâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Ava Roy.

Thursday, April 25 LGBTQ+ Worcester-For the Record opening Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St. The public opening of LGBTQ+-For the Record at the Worcester Historical Museum. For more, check out this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover story.

Through Saturday, April 27 PATTERNS

Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road The group exhibition continues through Saturday, April 27 with artists curated by Lisa Barthelson and Carrie Crane.

Saturday, April 27 Spring Gala-April in Paris

Great Hall at Apple Tree Arts, 1 Grafton Common, Grafton Vocalist and pianist Stephanie Sarkisian (right) will perform popular music and will be accompanied by trombonist Russell Jewell on a few numbers. Soprano Christina Pierro (left) will sing Broadway show tunes and join Sarkisian in a duet. Tickets available online at Appletreearts.org.

FITCHBURGARTMUSEUM.ORG

calendar

Thursday through Sunday April 25-28 Art in Bloom

Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg Fitchburg Art Museum and Laurelwood Garden Club team up to bring Art in Bloom, floral interpretation and accompaniment to the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection.

Friday and Saturday, April 26-27 Skating for Hope

Worcester Ice Center, 112 Harding St. The seventh annual Skating for Hope skating and hockey event returns, this time at the Worcester Ice Center. Special guests will be on hand as well as mascots, raffles, prizes and more. All for a good cause.

A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

Cinema 320, Clark University, 950 Main St. The 23rd annual Latino Festival, presented by Centro is free and open to the public. This year, the festival focuses on Ecuador.

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Friday and Saturday April 26-27 Latino Film Festival

games

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A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

J O N E S I N’ Across 1 “Buenos Aires” musical 6 A plus 11 “Power Is Power” singer born Solána Imani Rowe 14 Moses’ mountain 15 Renault vehicle marketed in the U.S. with a sorta-French name 16 Singer Benatar 17 It may be stunning 18 It’s put on when being courageous 20 Decays 22 “___ my case” 23 Cereal with a cuckoo mascot 26 Hercules’ stepmother 30 Social critter 31 Krypton, e.g. 32 Number of novels in “The Chronicles of Narnia” 33 First lady between Eleanor and Mamie 35 Ring arbiter 37 Epic that includes the Trojan Horse 38 Delivery person in a brown uniform 41 He played House 44 Reddit event full of questions 45 Early WWI river battle site 49 Dark-to-light hair coloring trend 50 Gp. led by Mahmoud Abbas 52 It may be a snap 53 Pre-”Happy Days” Ron Howard role 54 Host of “The Voice” 58 Make amends 60 It may come before overcast weather 61 Blockaded 65 PC platform with command lines 68 World Cup chant 69 Flash drives, memory cards, etc. 70 Some laptops 71 Ditch 72 Campus head, in headlines 73 Movie studio that the beginnings of the 5 theme answers have in common

“Start the Picture” – all featuring something in common. by Matt Jones

Down 1 Suffix with winning or best, slangily 2 By way of 3 Category for fleas, but not ticks 4 1990s cardio fad 5 Steering wheel safety device 6 Calgary’s prov. 7 It’s absent in the Impact font seen in many memes 8 Cold-weather wear 9 Roof overhangs 10 ___ leches cake 11 Hotel amenity 12 Efron of “17 Again” 13 Emulated Matt Stonie 19 Early Civil War battle site in Tenn. 21 Hardly packed 23 Ride around town, maybe 24 Undivided 25 Like thrift-shop goods 27 March 16, for St. Patrick’s Day (hey, someone tried it) 28 Big name in camping gear 29 As well as 32 “What’d I tell you?!” 34 Phantasmagoric 36 Address for a monk 37 “Elena of ___” (Disney Channel cartoon) 39 Diner order 40 Little demons

41 42 43 46 47 48 51 54 55 56 57 59 61 62 63 64 66 67

Place to go in England? Guitar store buy Where, in Latin Stretchy fabric Nigiri fish, maybe Singer LaMontagne Like most itineraries Software writer Battery terminal Do more repairs on Plural seen way more in Ancient Greek history than in the modern decathlon Short-term worker Took home Comedian Siddiq Superman foe’s name “King Kong” actress Wray “Let You Love Me” singer Rita Lithuania, once (abbr.)

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Last week's solution

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

Call 978-728-4302 or email cmaclassifieds@ gatehousemedia.com

A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

Public Auction Notice Notice is hereby given pursuant to the provisions of M.L.C. 225 sec. 39A, the following vehicles will be sold on 5/11/19 at a sale to satisfy our garage lien thereon for towing and storage charges and expenses of sale and notice: 2009 Nissan Versa VIN #3N1BC11E69L443398 2013 Nissan Altima VIN #1N4AL3AP8DC134967 The location of the sale will be at Earlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Park Avenue, Inc. 536 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA 01603

Sudoku Answers

last call Will Martin comedian W

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A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

atch the video of Will Martin performing at the Rockwell in Davis Square a few weeks after his brother passed away and you will see his show “Total Loss” taking shape in real time. He laughs, he copes, he sings a cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” It’s beautiful and it’s hilarious. “Total Loss” emerges as a show about cars and death. After a sold-out run in Boston, Martin is preparing to embark on a cross-country tour. Catch his act in Worcester before he leaves. Martin will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26 at Nick’s. He is also a member of the ImprovBoston National Touring Company, Face Off and All Access casts.

How did you find yourself working in comedy? I was on an improv team in college. I also started doing open mics and slowly but surely got booked on real shows. Now I produce my own show, Total Loss. What did improv teach you about stand-up? I like experiencing moments of discovery on stage. Every improv show is built on moments of discovery. Some of my favorite jokes come from someone’s reaction in the crowd. My best jokes are the ones I write ahead of time and then develop during my stand-up by leaving myself open to new ideas. Was your day job supportive of your secret life as a comic? They were. I told them early on. That is not advisable. A lot of people would call that a rookie mistake. Your colleagues start asking you to tell them jokes all the time. I told them they had to come to one of my shows if they wanted to hear a joke, and some of

PHOTO SUBMITTED

them did. My boss was very sweet and she would let me duck out early if I had to travel to a show in Portland, Maine or Burlington, Vt. It was certainly a good choice to have a day job starting off. I finally quit my job in December to become a full-time comic, but there are many asterisks to that. I spend a lot of nights couch surfing and sleeping in my parents’ basement. I built up my savings by living in a minivan for a time. When do you realize that something in your life is going to turn into a joke? Anytime I’m very emotional about something or anytime I look particularly foolish. It’s not as funny to be the smart one in a situation. It’s also fun to tell a story where I’m the one whose an idiot or riled up or sad. It’s an easy touchstone for an audience when the comedian is the vulnerable one in the story.

What can we expect from “Total Loss?” “Total Loss” is a solo comedy show. It’s not a fear piece, but it is storydriven. If you like Mike Birbiglia, it shares his story-telling style, and if you like Sarah Silverman it has her dark tone. I tell a lot of jokes about death. If the idea of spending a Friday night hearing jokes about death doesn’t immediately make you think, “That would be funny. I would like to laugh at that,” you might be surprised. I did the show in Maine once and for the first five minutes people were viscerally opposed to the concept. But that show ended with a better reaction from the audience than any other. What is the premise? I bought a Corolla and I left on a cross-country trip. My car died on day two of driving across the

country. On day three, my best friend Nick died. The Corolla became our family car. My little brother was driving it during an accident and died from that.

should write the story and think of every sentence as the setup to a new joke. Leave spaces in between each sentence in your story and that’s where the jokes go.

That sounds tragic. I really admire comedians who can tell a cohesive story about something inherently unfunny and still make me laugh. What comedians have modeled this style for you and what did you learn from them? Sarah Silverman is always taking you so close to the moment where you’re about to cry and then she pulls the rug out from under you. It’s always very empathetic. She’s dark, but very kind. That’s a goal in the show. I don’t want people to be shocked or to feel unpleasant. Mike Birbiglia always says anytime you write a story, you

Have you been to Worcester before? What was your perception? I love Worcester so much. I grew up in Franklin. I may not be homegrown Worcester, but I get the vibe. Shaun Connolly and Bryan O’Donnell have shown me how cool the town is. I’ve been on Shuan’s “Sort of Late Show” and “Hot Dog!” at George’s Coney Island. I have also performed in shows at Nick’s and WooHaHa. WooHaHa looks like a professional comedy club that you might find in any city. The incredible thing is how Worcester still has enough grit to give it character.

What’s next for you? I am touring Total Loss across the country. I’ll be traveling beginning in mid-June. I have shows booked so far in New York City, Philly, D.C., Chicago, and Butte, Mont. at a bar that I discuss in the show. Will it be an emotional experience to take another crosscountry trip? Yes, I think so. – Sarah Connell

A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

A P R I L 25 - M AY 1, 2019