Worcester Magazine May 31 - June 6, 2018 by Worcester Magazine

MAY 31 - JUNE 6, 2018 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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TOWN TRIPPIN’: Worcester Story on page 12

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news A student mourned, his murder the first of 2018 in Worcester S WALTER BIRD JR.

idney Krow Jr. had the unfortunate and tragic distinction of being the first murder victim in Worcester this year. The 16-year-old is being remembered as a good kid, goofy and fun – not at all the sort you’d expect to fall to gun violence, as he did when he succumbed to gunshots late Saturday night, May 26. Meanwhile, police this week were continuing to investigate Krow’s murder, Sidney Krow Jr. FACEBOOK IMAGE as the city endured its first homicide of the year and, according to police, its first shooting death since September 2016. The city had gone almost 20 months without a gun-related fatality, and while that may seem impressive, “one’s too many,” Police Chief Steve Sargent said. Krow was shot and killed in the area of Main and Holland streets around 11:20 p.m. Saturday. As of earlier this week, the circumstances surrounding Krow’s murder remained a mystery to police. He was found in the area of 1232 Main St. near Holland Street. Police had responded to reports of gunfire, which, according to some reports, neighbors initially thought were fireworks. The victim, later identified to Worcester Magazine by sources as Krow, was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly before midnight. Police had no hard leads on suspects as of a couple days ago. According to a spokesperson, police did not have a lot to go on immediately after the shooting, although Sargent said

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The intersection of 1232 Main St. and Holland Street in Worcester. ELIZABETH BROOKS

new tapes from area video cameras had been obtained at the start of the week. The weekend had made it difficult to obtain some evidence, he said. Acknowledging chatter in the city about whether the incident was gang related, a police spokesperson said Krow may not have been in a gang, but all possibilities were being investigated. “We’re not ruling anything out,” Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said on Tuesday, acknowledging the investigation at that point was still in its

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

early stages. “It doesn’t appear he was in a gang, but we’re ruling nothing out. We’re looking into absolutely everything to make sure we’re being complete and thorough.” In the immediate aftermath of Krow’s murder, friends attempted to head off any speculation that he was involved in gangs, with news reports quoting some as saying he was not affiliated with any gangs. One source, not with police, told Worcester Magazine some are saying Krow was simply “with the wrong people at the wrong time in

the wrong place.” Meanwhile, Krow was recalled fondly by one of his teachers. “Sid was just a goofy kid,” the teacher, who asked not to be identified, said. “He was polite, happy, did well academically and was truly the last kid I would ever expect to meet a violent end. His teachers are devastated.” School Superintendent Maureen Binienda said she did not know Krow, but had his sister C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

news

Middle school sports budgeted for next school year A BILL SHANER

fter saying earlier there was no money in the budget for a full middle school sports program, Superintendent Maureen Binienda said at a City Council budget hearing this week her administration will roll out a proposal for a district-wide program next year. She said school officials were able to find funding earlier this week, to the tune of about $70,000, for coaching and supplies, by finding another funding source for a position. Tentatively, the proposal, which is headed for the School Committee next week, is for three seasons of middle school sports, two sports per season, at every middle school in the district. Binienda made the announcement in response to a question from Councilor-AtLarge Khrystian King, who asked whether the schools could find more money to support and expand a pilot middle school basketball program started this year, called City Hoops. “It’s really been a great activity for our students,” said Binienda. The school administration is still trying to field private donations, and will hold the first meeting of a committee comprised of school principals and other players from around the city next week. The proposal is headed to the School Committee, which earlier this month

Players take part in City Hoops, a middle school pilot basketball program. ELIZABETH BROOKS

voted in favor of an order to explore the option, at the meeting next week. When the pilot season of the City Hoops middle school basketball program launched this year, the idea was to rectify a problem that, at its heart, spoke to inequities in public education between large, urban districts and the suburban districts that orbit it. Several weeks ago Worcester Magazine’s, cover story, “The Case for Middle School Sports,” explored the issue. We found Worcester was the only public school district within a half-hour drive that does not offer a program to all students. A review of MIAA records found that participation rates in high school sports in Worcester was relatively low compared to surrounding towns. But a few miles to the north, Fitchburg, another large urban district with similar demographics and funding challenges, adopted middle school sports several years ago to great success. Since that story, the issue has been written about in several local publications, and School Committee member Dante Comparetto filed an order requesting the superintendent look at expanding the middle school sports program. The order received unanimous support from the committee. Previously, Binienda had said on the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

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news STUDENT MOURNED

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4

as a student in the past. “It’s a terrible loss to our WPS family,” she said. A relative reached by phone earlier this week declined to comment about the incident. A gofundme page had been set up earlier this week to raise money for Krow’s funeral, and had raised more than $2,000 of a $10,000

goal as of Wednesday. A message posted on the page read: “Sidney was a bright and intelligent kid who always had a smile on his face. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and positive attitude. Even though he was taken from us early he will live on forever in our memories. To honor his memory we are asking for donations to cover his funeral expenses. For those of you who wish to donate, we appreciate anything you have to offer.” Krow’s murder came on what was a violent

Memorial Day weekend in Worcester, which saw two stabbings and another shooting all on the same day Krow was shot. Asked whether it could mark a turning point where the city’s recent low crime stats start swinging the other way, particularly with summer approaching, Sargent said, “There’s no indication whatsoever.” The chief said police officials were “knocking on wood” at a recent crime analysis meeting because all of the crime numbers had been

trending downward. Police resources will continue to be used where they are needed, Sargent said, noting the start of the department’s Summer Impact Division in a couple weeks. “We’re on top of it,” he said, acknowledging the stabbings and shootings last weekend, adding of Krow’s death, “One homicide is too many.”

S C H O O L S PO RT S

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

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Worcester Magazine Radio Hour on Unity Radio that funding remained an issue, and that there wasn’t any way to get a program into the budget. On Tuesday, after the budget hearing Tuesday, Binienda told Worcester Magazine she made it a priority to find funding in part as a response to the desires of the community. “The community was asking for it and we clearly heard that,” said Binienda. “We want the community to realize their tax dollars are at work for something they want.” She added that the pilot programs started this year, including City Hoops, for basketball, as well as softball and field hockey runs, proved to be successful. The City Hoops program was the result of public-private partnership between the schools, the RecWorcester program and local donor John Moynihan. King has made the issue a project of his on the City Council, putting it to vote in March and also participating in the program himself. While the program gave hundreds of kids the opportunity to play basketball after school, it was still limited, he said, and a main concern to emerge since the program is equal opportunity across the district. “Certain sectors have access to certain sports, but other sectors don’t,” he said. “Some of that is impacted by socio-economic status.” King thanked Binienda for finding a way to roll the program out district-wide, and said he has seen the benefits firsthand. Several weeks ago, after leaving a meeting at City Hall, he said he saw two boys involved in the City Hoops program riding their bikes in the middle of the road, popping wheelies. He said he approached them, told them to stop and the kids listened. “They were receptive,” he said. “They’re learning in that environment, how to behave, how to act, and they were receptive to me.” It is that population of students, King said, that finds themselves in trouble as they grow older, if they’re not afforded access to opportunities like sports and the arts through school. Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-749-3166 x324 or at wshaner@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner.

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we’re heading for another one next week. But it seems like that one, scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., may be the last. The Council got through every department budget Tuesday night, save for a few they held, including the DCU center. Still, no strong sense from these hearings they’re going to move to cut anything, which they traditionally do. While the hearing Tuesday night was mostly a waste of time (Kudos to Konnie Luke for using her temporary chairmanship to cut short Gary Rosen’s protracted and entirely un-budget-related tangent on bike helmets ((That wasn’t the only conversation that deserved the ax))), some interesting developments emerged. For one, it seems the entire Council is as frustrated with this budget process as I am, save for a different reason. District 3 Councilor George Russell complained that councilors are given the budget book only a few weeks before the hearings start, and, as part-time councilors, don’t have the time and resources to dig through the 600-page document he kept calling a “double phone book.” The consensus on the Council is that they’d like a finance person in or around the City Council office that can help them dig through the budget. More than half the councilors expressed support for the idea. But Petty said that move would show the Council doesn’t trust the city manager. No one liked that comment. And Councilor-At-Large Khrystian King even said Petty was out of order. After a little more back and forth, Petty shelved the discussion, saying he didn’t quite understand what the other councilors wanted. And the beat goes on.

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M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

THE BIG DIG: Love to see a fellow alt-weekly pick up what I’m putting down. Jason Pramas at the Weekly Dig (Boston’s WoMag, more or less), in his Townie column last week (love that name), advocated for moving more state offices to Worcester for many reasons, including the fact that our inability as a species to deal with a warming planet will inevitably put Boston under water. Worcester, though? Seven hills, baby. And no river really, either. It’ll be us and Denver in the end. I know, I know, it seems silly to plan for a whole city sinking into the sea ... but is it? THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN WORCESTER: Haven’t heard much about our little Breitbart Turtleboy Sports in a while. And honestly, that’s all well and good. But I can’t pass up the opportunity to write about this article from last week, appearing on a website called MarketWatch, about Turtleboy’s troubles with Facebook. Get this: Aidan Kearney, the owner and operator of Turtleboy Sports who denies writing for it every chance he gets, is quoted openly in the story, both as the founder, the owner, and – drum roll, please – a writer! Yes, according to the MarketWatch story, written by Tim Mullaney (who says in the story he’s Aidan’s uncle), Aidan Kearney writes for Turtleboy. There it is. Here’s the line: “Its obsession with Black Lives Matter and Social Justice Warriors flirts, heavily, with lines of polite conversation, both when Kearney writes and when the blog’s conversation is driven, he says, by his freelancers.” Emphasis added. So, I guess the question now becomes, is Kearney ready to give up this charade? As I’m writing this, the 2015 MassLive story about him going to the race relations meeting to clear his name comes to mind. “How many times do I have to say it?” he’s quoted as telling activists in the parking lot. “It’s not me.” NO WAY, NOT THE AUD: You should have seen the look on School Superintendent Maureen

Binienda’s face when Councilor-At-Large Gary Rosen proposed the idea of putting the new Doherty High School inside the old Memorial Auditorium. It was the perfect mix between confusion and pure why-do-I-do-this-to-myself exasperation. “Oh, well, I guess so,” she said in response, before rattling off like five reasons why it wouldn’t work. So, there goes that idea. But she didn’t rule out the possibility of looking at opening a new high school there, one that’s smaller and more specialized, perhaps.

BUT MAYBE WE’LL SUE THE STATE: Rosen also pressed the superintendent on the possibility of entering a lawsuit with Brockton against the state for education funding owed but not paid. Mayor Joe Petty put an end to that quickly, saying the School Committee is still in executive session discussing it. But – and this is a bit of news for close followers of this story – he gave a big Stay Tuned. The School Committee will be able to say something about that in June, he said. Also, the irony isn’t lost on me that I’ve bashed the councilors for asking non-budget questions at these hearings for two weeks now, Bill Shaner, reporter but here I am, writing with inwshaner@worcestermag.com terest about those very quesTwitter: @Bill_Shaner tions. I contain multitudes.

news

the beat Concerned the summer could be a bad one for mosquitoes, Worcester joined the Central

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The Worcester Cultural Coalition will use a $200,000 state grant to help build out a black box theater on Franklin Street, which officials hope will spark activity at a newly-dubbed theater district in the area.

Table Talk Pies, Worcester’s finest pie mass producer, won first place at the 24th annual American Pie Council National Pie Championships, in Orlando Florida, in the commercial edition. The company won the prize with its caramel apple, bumbleberry, pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato flavors.

The Massachusetts Historical Association awarded the 2018 Preservation Award to the former Fire Alarm and Telegraph Building, which now houses Cornerstone Bank, on Park Ave. The association touted the city and Preservation’s work to restore the English Tudorstyle building and find a new use in 2011. Clutch your pearls, because Worcester is creeping into Princeton. The city bought a 48-acre property on the Quinapoxet Reservoir in Princeton to protect the city’s water supply. The land purchase was $360,000, and the idea is to keep the land intact as open space to protect the body of water from pollutants.

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editorial

opinion

Letter

A violent reminder in Worcester Thinks health

or more than a year, Worcester had gone without a murder by gun. And for the first four-plus months of 2018, the city did not have a murder victim. On Saturday night, Sidney Krow Jr. sadly became the first of both. The 16-year-old was a student at the Gerald Creamer Center, an alternative program in Worcester Public Schools. Police were still searching for a suspect earlier this week. Memorial Day Weekend was a violent one in Worcester, with Krow’s murder standing out as the first time since 2016 a shooting victim died in the city. He was shot around 11:20 Saturday night. Earlier that night, around 8:40, police responded to reports of a man shot on Vernon Street. It turned out the man had allegedly held a knife to a woman inside the No Name grocery store, prompting the store clerk to shoot him. Before that incident, police had responded to Sever Street, where a man had been stabbed several times. And early Saturday morning, a man was stabbed outside the Shangri-La restaurant on Front Street. Much has been made of the city’s efforts to curb violence. Gang violence, in particular, seemed to have quieted in recent times. There have been no official reports that Krow’s murder was gang-related. In fact, according to news reports, those who knew him say he was in no way affiliated with any gang, nor was he involved with violence. Still, memories of 2014, when gang shootings and other violent episodes grabbed headlines, persist. There were

reported 47 shooting victims in 2014. Last year, that number was almost cut in half, with a reported 25 victims. None of them died. In fact, the number of shooting victims in Worcester has declined each year since 2014. There were, according to reports, 40 in 2015 and 30 in 2016. No one wants a return to four years ago, and with summer almost upon us, it is worth noting the city’s commitment to public safety and efforts to direct youth to other activities. City Manager Ed Augustus Jr.’s $650-million fiscal 2019 budget proposal includes $92.9 million for public safety, a 3.5-percent increase over the current year. He also is beefing up RecWorcester, by offering swimming lessons and expanding offerings in city parks. Fending off violence requires a multifaceted approach. That means not just making sure police have the tools and manpower they need, including the Worcester Police Department’s Summer Impact Division, which starts in a couple weeks, but also ensuring our city’s youth have opportunities that might keep them from gravitating toward less desirable activities. That won’t stop violence, but it will help. The city should mourn Sidney Krow Jr., and it should lament and decry violence any time it happens within its limits. It can do that by acknowledging it, condemning it and continuing efforts to stem the tide. Worcester got a reminder over Memorial Day Weekend that, while gains have been made, the work is never done to keep its residents — all of them — safe. Photographer Elizabeth Brooks x323 Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell, Janice Harvey, Jim Keogh, Jessica Picard, Jim Perry, Corlyn Voorhees Editorial Interns Samantha Bratkon, Sophia Laperle

72 Shrewsbury St. Worcester, MA 01604 worcestermagazine.com Editorial 508.749.3166 x322 editor@worcestermagazine.com Sales 508.749.3166 x333 sales@worcestermagazine.com President Paul M. Provost Publisher Kathleen Real-Benoit x331 Editor Walter Bird Jr. x322 Culture Editor Joshua Lyford x325 Reporter Bill Shaner x324 10 W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Director of Creative Services Don Cloutier x141 Creative Director Kimberly Vasseur x142 Creative Services Department Becky Gill, Stephanie Mallard, Wendy Watkins Ad Director Helen Linnehan x333 Media Consultants Diane Galipeau x335, Cheryl Robinson x336, Sarah Perez x334 Media Coordinator Madison Friend x332 Classified Media Consultant Rachel Cloutier x433

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

board chair is ‘disingenuous’ To the Editor: In Walter Bird Jr.’s recent article (“Worcester health board chair: Flavored tobacco ban unlikely to change,” May 18, Worcester Magazine), Worcester Board of Health Chairman David Fort claims the decision to ban flavored tobacco from convenience stores is based on

the board’s obligation to protect public health, not commercial considerations like favoring one form of retailer over another. Mr. Fort is being disingenuous, if well-intentioned. More importantly, he is advancing bad public health policy that has failed across the state, while refusing to adopt policies that will better address the problem both he and retailers seek to solve, because the anti-tobacco crowd doesn’t want to lose their ability to say they are “protecting kids.” There is zero evidence that the ban Mr. Fort and the Board of Health supports in any way cuts off youth access to tobacco any more than liquor stores cut off youth access

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

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opinion

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to alcohol. The public health facts, according to the state, are that 34 percent of Massachusetts’s high school students currently consume alcohol, with 13 percent having used it before the age of 13. This is despite alcohol being overwhelmingly sold in liquor-only stores, and youth possession and use prohibited by law. The comparative numbers for youth smoking are much lower at 16 percent and 4 percent, respectively. Does that mean we shouldn’t care about teens and tobacco? Of course not. It only means that prohibition and single-source retailers don’t keep youth from obtaining adult-only products. Therefore, not allowing them to possess and use adult-only products becomes a critical tool. Here are some other inconvenient facts for Mr. Fort’s colleagues who are hiding behind unfounded public health claims: While not the case with alcohol or marijuana, it is perfectly legal for kids of any age in the Commonwealth to purchase, possess and use all tobacco and nicotine products; Worcester convenience store retailers’ 96-percent compliance rate with existing tobacco laws has forced the Board of Health to admit kids are getting tobacco from friends and the Internet, not our shops; and finally, even the FDA recognizes

legal flavored vape products can help adult smokers move away from traditional combustible tobacco use thereby reducing harm. So, making these products harder for legal-aged adults to get defeats the public health benefits. Convenience store retailers called on the Board of Health to immediately adopt policies to close the purchase and possession loopholes for youth and tobacco, and retailers have asked them to focus their efforts on cutting off the Internet and social sources, rather than attacking local businesses that are doing their part to keep tobacco out of the hands of kids, but they have not. Those of us that are dead serious about preventing minors from accessing and using all tobacco products, must applaud City Councilor (Moe) Bergman for having the courage to speak to the truth about the deficiencies of the Board of Health’s flavor ban. We hope the City Council and the Board of Health recognize they didn’t take the time to listen to all parties the first time around, and will rectify that oversight with this new opportunity.

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feature

TOWN TRIPPIN’

WORCESTER Known as the “Heart of the Commonwealth,” Worcester was incorporated as a city in 1848, after three settlement attempts. It is the second largest city in the Commonwealth in the state, after Boston, and today is experiencing what many have called a “renaissance” – a time when the city is flourishing, run-down areas are being rehabilitated and important projects are moving forward. In 1673, Worcester was first settled under the Indian name of Quinsigamond, but it was abandoned when King Philip’s War began. At the second settlement attempt, which was abandoned in 1701, the name Worcester (meaning “war castle”) was adopted. Finally, in 1713, the third and permanent settlement was established, leading to Worcester being incorporated as a town in 1722 and as a city in 1848. An industrial and manufacturing town at first, Worcester became a hotbed for inventions and prominent people. After a period of declining population and industry, the city is now teeming with biotechnology, healthcare and higher education institution and facilities and continues to chart its way toward the future with new schools, pad-ready sites, booming businesses, an increasing arts and food scene, and downtown revitalization.

POPULATION: 184,509/37.4 SQUARE MILES

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M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

feature INSTITUTIONS C.C. Lowell 455 Pleasant St. 508-757-7713 cclowell.com Although it has moved locations and changed hands numerous times, C.C. Lowell is a true piece of Worcester history. Founded in 1852 by O.C. White, it is the oldest art supply store in the United States, according to owner Kristen Sciascia. The paint and art supply store was later sold to one of White’s employees, Charles C. Lowell. It had homes on Pearl Street and Mechanic Street and remained in the Lowell family until the mid-1960s, after which time it was owned by different partnerships of three to seven people. In 1987, located on Park Avenue, the store was sold to the Koenig Corp. and then to Worcester resident Bill Cavanagh. Sciascia bought the business in October 2012, after already having served as general manager for 18 years. “I’ve watched kids grow up right in the store,” Sciascia says. “We have people come in and they remember the store downtown. It’s really cool.” Part of the reason for C.C. Lowell’s longevity is that visiting the store is “an experience,

and not just selling to them,” says Sciascia. “Everyone who works here is vested in the store. They’re all artists. They get the community; they’re cheerleaders for the city. They go to every art opening. The employees are amazing.” EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way 508-929-2701 ecotarium.org Spread out over 55 acres is a place like no other in Worcester – the EcoTarium, an

indoor-outdoor museum of science and nature that focuses on hands-on exhibits that allow kids to explore, learn and discover. Founded in 1825 as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History, it was incorporated in 1884 as the Worcester Natural History Society. Many may recall that, until 1998, the museum was known as the New England Science Center; along with the name change came a major capital development program that has helped transformed the EcoTarium into what it is today. “The second oldest institution of its type in the country, Worcester Natural History Society dba EcoTarium remains dedicated to its near-200-year-old role as a science and nature museum, today serving a growing audience of more than 175,000,” according to EcoTarium’s marketing department. EcoTarium collaborates with universities, schools, cultural and philanthropic organizations to “inspire a pas-

sion for science and nature in communities both local and national.” Its STEM-focused exhibits combine with a 55,000-item natural history collection, wildlife habitats, walking trails and educational programming that both kids and adults enjoy. Always a favorite is the Explorer Express Train that takes passengers on a 12-minute scenic ride through the EcoTarium’s grounds. On exhibit through Sept. 2 is “Attack of the Bloodsuckers,” devoted to discovering why mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and leeches are important to the ecosystem, with nearly 20 different activities. See close-up photos of bloodsuckers, view live mosquitoes and leeches, and take a photo with a giant inflatable tick, Ms. Phillipa Tick. George’s Coney Island 158 Southbridge St. 508-753-4362 coneyislandlunch.com In Boston, the famous Citgo sign will light the way, but in Worcester, it’s the neon George’s Coney Island sign that lets you know you’ve arrived in the city. “Coney Island is a destination or landmark that’s representative of the people in C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 14

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 14

Worcester,” says owner Kathryn Tsandikos. “To me, it defines ‘community’ – and the community of Worcester. Everybody comes here.” Whether it’s for the hot dogs, or the secret sauce,or the atmosphere that’s largely remained unchanged, people have been coming to George’s Coney Island for 100 years. Tsandikos’ grandparents, George and Catherine Tsagarelis, bought the restaurant in the late 1920s from a woman who had opened it in 1918. Back then, the hot dogs cost 5 cents each. Later, Tsandikos’ father, who married into the family, ran the business, and now it is in third-generation hands. Tsandikos, who is compiling a centennial book of memories, has seen generations come through the doors of George’s Coney Island. Many return because it’s a familiar place. For newcomers, it has the sense of bringing them to a different time, she said. “My grandmother used to say, she was smart, ‘Don’t ever change Coney Island,’” Tsandikos recalled. “By keeping it the same, that’s what adds to the appeal.”

free concerts and theater programs for kids and schools, the Worcester Organ Concerts series, and numerous other performances. It also is a prime venue for galas, weddings, business meetings, graduations and proms. In addition, because of the hall’s acoustics, “we’re very well known for being a premier recording studio,” said Vice Director and Chief Development Officer Kathleen M. Gagne. Originally built by the Worcester County Mechanics Association – the founders of the country’s Industrial Revolution – the venue is a “community hall that’s also world-renowned,” Gagne said, adding that 65 percent of the building’s use is by nonprofit organizations. “That’s part of our mission,” she said, “that the entire community be able to use it.” And because Mechanics Hall is a nonprofit organization itself, said Gagne, “We’re always conscious of maintaining the building so the community can continue to support and be proud of it.”

Polar Beverages 1001 Southbridge St. 1-800-734-9800 polarbev.com Polar may be a big corporation, but its atMechanics Hall titude is decidedly un-corporate. 321 Main St. “We are Worcester guys. So many people 508-752-5608 live and work here,” said Executive Vice Presimechanicshall.org dent Chris Crowley. “It’s really all family here.” Although buildings have been demolished With approximately 1,600 employees, and others built in their places through30 percent of those have a family member out the years, changing the landscape of who also works for the company, according Worcester, one that has remained constant is to Crowley. And many have been longtime Mechanics Hall, a marvel from the 1850s that employees; one has been with Polar almost has been a premier concert hall and event 59 years, he said. venue. “We have so many who have been here In fact, when it became apparent that Me- 30, 40 years. We have so much collaborative chanics Hall needed to be either demolished experience,” he said, adding, “You can’t say or revitalized, after years of neglect and misenough to how devoted these guys are about use, it was saved from a wrecking ball when making us successful.” the city and its people came together to raise Successful it has been. In business since $5 million to restore the building. Rededicat- 1882, Polar is now the largest independent ed in 1977, it is said to be the finest pre-Civil bottler in the country for its own brands and War performance hall in the country. has national brand partnerships for bottling Celebrating its 160th year, Mechanics and distribution. According to Crowley, the Hall hosts its Brown Bag Concert series, company distributes and manufactures 4,000

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Ralph’s Rock Diner is a classic in every sense, from its music to the building in which it is housed. Celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, Ralph’s has become an institution in Worcester for live music, great burgers and good times.

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different items, and is completing a yearlong project to install a new can line that will double the plant’s capacity. As for Polar itself, the company’s most popular offerings are its ginger ale, line of seltzers and “dry” products. Crowley has a company recipe from 1934 that contains the same recipe used today for ginger ale, which has four times more ginger and 20-percent less sugar than other brands. The new Pink Grapefruit Dry has become a big seller, and when the company introduced a limitededition Unicorn Kisses seltzer, it quickly sold out everywhere. “There’s a lot of camaraderie in coming up with the flavors,” Crowley said. “I think we’re good at identifying what tastes great.” The “steady ones,” such as the seltzers and Orange Dry, continue to sell the best, he said, adding the company and its employees are “very passionate about our seltzers and the simplicity of our formulations and the simplicity of our soda lines.” “Hopefully,” Crowley said, “we’re the hometown favorite. We’re here to stay and here to be part of the hometown community.”

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Owner Nick Hemmeter began working at Ralph’s as a bartender when he was 21 after a five-month trip to Europe. When thenowner Ralph Moberley decided to sell after many years in the business, Hemmeter, who was involved in numerous aspects of Ralph’s operations by then, decided to buy it. “More of a rock club,” Ralph’s has seen a diverse lineup of local, national and international musicians play on its stage – including Alice in Chains, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Tommy Ramone and more. Live entertainment ranges from classic rock and alternative to metal, punk, pop and more. “The crowd depends on the band that’s playing,” said Hemmeter. Since 2009, Ralph’s has hosted the popular Dirty Gerund Poetry Show and, during the summer, also holds vintage car and motorcycle shows, projects movies on the outside patio and sponsors a juried short film festival. Even a few movies have used Ralph’s as a location for filming. As for the building itself, Ralph’s is the original Chadwick Street Diner, built by the Worcester Lunch Car Co. in 1930, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Later, it was moved to the present location and attached to a 19th-century two-story brick building that was once a fire station. Table Talk Pies Headquarters: 120 Washington St., 508-798-8811 Table Talk Pie Outlet: 135 Green St. tabletalkpies.com The history of Table Talk Pies is a true story of opportunity created, lost and regained, from its humble beginnings to its modernday success. Through it all, since 1924, it has been located right here in the city, baking its popular 4-inch pies for people across the country to enjoy. “Worcester has been so important to us,” said President Harry Kokkinis, whose grandfather, Theodore Tonna, founded the company, along with Angelo Costidas. C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 16

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feature NOTABLE POLITICIANS Sen. Harriette Chandler Worcester’s own Harriette Chandler has a lengthy list of achievements – not only does she hold the 1st Worcester District seat, but she also is the first woman from the city ever to be elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. Currently, she serves as Senate president and is the second woman ever in Massachusetts history to be majority leader. As for what she feels are her biggest accomplishments, Chandler said, “Helping to facilitate the merger between UMass Medical Center and Memorial Hospital has transformed central Massachusetts. And I am also very proud of helping to secure the millions of dollars necessary to build the Worcester Courthouse. “But the small things,” she added, “are what I am most proud of, like delivering toothbrushes and backpacks to Worcester Public Schools students. That is when you really see the impact of your work.” Currently, Chandler is helping the Worcester Regional Transit Authority get the funds it needs to operate properly. “In this year’s Senate budget,” she said, “we make sure to fund regional transit authorities to the levels that they require to ensure the best possible rides. The WRTA is a lifeline for the city, and I am excited that we have been able to provide funding to help maintain the transit services that Worcester residents deserve.” Like many others, Chandler has a positive outlook for the future of Worcester. “The Worcester renaissance is real, and with our leaders in the business, government and activist community pushing for a better city, the renaissance is here to stay,” she said. “We are a center for biotech and higher education, for food and culture, and we are a home for senior citizens and post-graduates alike. Worcester is a community for everyone, and its success is made possible by the passion and advocacy of its residents. As we look forward and consider policies like modernized regional rail, Worcester will only continue to grow as a business, residential and cultural hub in the heart of the Commonwealth.” Jordan Levy Jordan Levy has spent much of life in politics as a “hobby,” he said. Even so, he has made his mark on the city, as City Council member, mayor and radio show host. “I never wanted to serve full-time. I always

took it as a part-time job,” he said. “I did my best to serve people. When I accomplished what I needed to accomplish, I left.” Levy served on City Council for nearly 20 years, starting in the mid-1970s, and was mayor from 1980 to 1981 - and then again from 1988 to 1993. The statewide Proposition 2 ½ tax cap was passed during his first term as mayor, and as a result, in Worcester, employees were laid off, schools were closed and streetlights were shut off. It was, Levy recalled, a time that was very difficult and traumatic, “putting the community through that, but pulling the community through it.” While serving on the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Levy and a fellow board member, the late Christy Mihos, called attention to cost overruns, project mismanagement and faulty construction of Boston’s Big Dig project. “I’m proud of the fact that I blew the whistle on the Big Dig and got fired by (Gov. Jane) Swift,” said Levy, who later was reinstated by the Supreme Judicial Court. Though retired, Levy still is in the thick of politics, through his long-running radio program, “The Jordan Levy Show,” airing weekdays at 3 p.m. on WTAG (580 AM/94.9 FM), particularly when it comes to the city of Worcester. “There’s a whole new energy we haven’t had. There’s a can-do attitude in Worcester. The ‘woe-is-me’ attitude seems to have disappeared,” he said. “The city really has gone through a metamorphosis.” Konstantina Lukes In her 15th year as a councilor-at-large, former Mayor Konstantina “Konnie” Lukes has had a long-standing career of serving the city of Worcester. Lukes began her public service as the first chair of the Worcester City Manager’s Commission on the Status of Women. For four terms, she was a member of the Worcester School Committee and at one point was its vice chair. A private practice attorney, she was mayor of Worcester from 2007-09. Most recently, she challenged current Mayor Joe Petty in the 2017 election. It was the ninth time she had run for mayor. Ray Mariano Retired since 2016 as the executive director of the Housing Authority and a former mayor of the city, Ray Mariano has helped Worcester in many ways. While he served as director, the Housing Authority cleaned up a large percentage of properties in the city, and “We dramatically reduced crime in all our neigh-

borhoods,” said Mariano, who also served on the School Committee and the City Council early on in his political career. In addition, the Authority adopted the A Better Life program, which requires those receiving public housing to work or attend school. “It has had an enormously positive impact on helping people find jobs and go to school,” Mariano said. “The results really improve lives.” During his time as mayor, from 1993 to 2001, Mariano helped secure grants to refurbish Union Station and oversaw the convention center addition to the DCU Center and the nearby parking garage. As for the future of Worcester, Mariano said, “Worcester has changed a lot, but it really hasn’t. Worcester has always been a great place to raise a family – good schools, good colleges, a safe community – and it continues to be those things. “You hope that the character of the city stays the same,” he added. “We don’t want to become Boston or Providence or Springfield. Worcester should be happy with what it is.” U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern When U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern speaks at college commencement or other events, he is often told by students they want to stay in Worcester after graduating – but that wasn’t always the case. Students would leave for other cities, for other jobs, but now those opportunities are right in Worcester, he says. “People who have not driven into the city for a few years are amazed. There’s a renaissance going on,” he said. McGovern – who was born in Worcester and lives in the city today – has had a direct hand in that, as the U.S. representative to the 2nd Congressional District of Massachusetts. Through his time in office, starting in 1996, he has helped Worcester with such projects as the Union Station renovation; the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Visitor Center, set to open this summer; revitalization of the Canal District; the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project; and the Gateway Park project collaboration with WPI, which turned a blighted area into a threebuilding center for research, commerce and academic programs. “Twenty years ago, Union Station was a shell. Twenty years ago, the airport was on the decline. We’ve come a long way,” McGovern said. “There’s been a lot of development over the past two decades, and I’m proud of it.” He pointed out, however, that for all these projects and others, he has worked with local leaders, community groups and concerned citizens. “I’m a firm believer there’s no ‘I’ in ‘team.’ Everything we do, we do together,” he said, adding, “Worcester is a first-class city. I think more and more people outside of our city are recognizing that. When I look at the future, M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

I see a great city becoming a greater city. I see people coming together to make things happen.” Tim Murray Worcester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Murray has seen his share of projects that have helped better the city – many of them while under his leadership. Murray was a member of the City Council from 1998 to 2001, and then as mayor from 2002 from 2007, when he became lieutenant governor with Gov. Deval Patrick. He served until May 2013, when took his current job at the Chamber. Some of his accomplishments have been working on the WPI Gateway Park project, expansion of the commuter rail service and redevelopment of the City Square project. Through it all, he said, he has tried to “bring a sense of optimism – a can-do approach to the work – as city councilor, mayor and lieutenant governor and now at the Chamber.” Murray, who grew up in the city, recalled that both his grandfathers were steelworkers when manufacturing was the dominant workforce in Worcester. Although manufacturing still is evident in the city, the “plus is that the economy has diversified,” he said. The healthcare industry, the nine higher education institutes, plus projects such as 150 Blackstone River Road – which turned the vacant U.S. Steel Factory site into a major distribution center – all help contribute to a more stable economy, he said. “It’s important that this positive and collaborative approach to economic development takes place. When you have businesses, communities, governments and other groups working together, you can get good things done,” Murray said. “Hopefully,” he added, “the momentum can continue.” Joseph M. Petty Current Mayor Joe Petty, now serving his fourth term, has concentrated on continuing the momentum of economic growth in the city, while spearheading some of the largest and most influential projects in Worcester. Since taking office, Petty has helped pushed forward a new Doherty High School, with the project recently accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s feasibility study period, and is proud of Nelson Place School, an energy-efficient building that opened last year. He points out the Elm Park renovations, along with the $40 million invested into the C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 16 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

feature INSTITUTIONS

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Tonna and Costidas came to the United States from Greece and met while working at a bakery in Woonsocket, R.I. They later decided to open their own business in Worcester because of the large Greek population living there, first focusing on breads and pastries, then on pies. Although the company does make dessert-size pies, Table Talk is largely known for its 4-inch snack pies. “My grandfather wanted to make a junior, just like a big pie, but smaller, that could be put in people’s lunchboxes,” said Kokkinis. “We sell fresh pies from Maine down to Virginia and as far west as Ohio. With improvements in technology, we can sell frozen pies across the country. They unthaw it, and you can’t tell the difference.” Table Talk has been in the family for three generations, except for a time when the company was sold to Beech-Nut in the 1960s. In 1984, Table Talk closed, but two years later, Tonna’s son-in-law and Kokkinis’ father, Christo Cocaine, bought the company at auction and began building it back up. Today, Table Talk is not only extremely successful, but is also expanding. It recently opened a new plant on Southgate Street and, in January 2017, a retail store on Green Street. Southgate is the company’s third bakery – the headquarters on Washington Street is the original plant, and another is located in Shrewsbury. Solely devoted to making the 4-inch sizes, Southgate produces 10,000 pies an hour on just one line and more than a million a week. A second pie line should be operational in the future. Kokkinis attributes Table Talk’s success to the company’s commitment to “making the best quality pies we can,” he said. “My grandfather laid the foundation for success.” Tonna was also a firm believer in being charitable, and that tradition continues today. “We donate so many pies to organizations and events in the city. We need to give back to the community we prosper in,” Kokkinis said. “We do have a great team here at Table Talk making pies,” he added, “and the loyalty and

POLITICIANS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 15

city’s parks over the last several years, and the ongoing downtown improvements. Petty also cites the appointment of City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. as one of his accomplishments. “He’s really brought the city to a new level,” Petty said. “People trust him, and they like him. He works hard.” The mayor said he has “set the tone for the city, with discussion instead of division.” The approach seems to have worked, he said. “People like coming to the city,” the mayor said, “and especially in the last 20 years, people have been optimistic about the city

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love from our customers have helped make us great. It’s a great relationship. That love has come forth, and we really appreciate it.”

That’s Entertainment 244 Park Ave. 508-755-4207 thatse.com That’s Entertainment may have started as a small comic book store, but in its nearly four decades of business, it has grown to include all things reminiscent of its name. From vinyl records and vintage video games to board games demonstrations and Magic the Gathering events, the staff at That’s Entertainment are experts. “We’re a pop culture store that has a little bit of something for everyone,” said Sorana Gatej, marketing and event coordinator. “We run events that have created communities.” The store attracts a range of customers, from collectors to those who want to gather with others who share their hobbies, such as Magic the Gathering and HeroClix, to retirement-age folks who are looking for something to occupy their time. Board games, which have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, have also attracted customers to the store. What sets the store apart from others, Gatej said, is “we have all people who are specialists in their departments. You’ll get recinstead of being critical.” The arts community, the food scene and its safeness – there were no murders by gun last year – have all helped change the makeup of the community, Petty said. “People are staying here and moving here because of the atmosphere,” he said. “Keeping the young people is important.” Beyond the city borders, “People have taken note outside of Worcester,” he said. “People want to invest in Worcester. People are inquiring, and I think there’s more to come. “The city is rising to a new level. It’s our time. We’ve worked so hard to get there over the last 20 years. It’s taken time, but it will pay dividends.” M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

ommendations from us. We’re happy to help.” She herself is a board game specialist who researches and studies board games and strategies, and then is able to pass that knowledge on to the store’s clientele. “We really care about our customers,” she said. Owner Paul Howley – who has loved comic books since his youth and even created his own, “Insect Man” – opened the store in 1980, originally on the corner of Queen and Chandler streets. In 1992, it moved to the corner of Park Avenue and what was then known as Marvin Place, but was later changed to – appropriately enough – Lois Lane. It continues to be a landmark for the city, as last year, That’s Entertainment celebrated its 25th anniversary in its current location. Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury St. 508-799-4406 www.worcesterart.org

Until June 3, the Worcester Art Museum has on display an exhibit called, “The Mystery of Worcester’s Leonardo,” which showcases two early Italian panel paintings that were once part of the same altar in Italy until being separated. The fact that one of the pieces, “The Annunciation,” is on loan from the Musée du

Louvre in Paris is not even the most fascinating part of this exhibit. It’s that the other piece, “Miracle of San Donato” – which was originally credited to Lorenzo di Credi, but is now believed to be the work of both that painter and Leonardo da Vinci – has already been in the Worcester Art Museum’s collection for quite some time. In fact, the museum is one of only two in the country that has a painting by da Vinci, according to Julieane Frost, senior manager of marketing communications and design; the other is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1896 by Stephen Salisbury III and 50 Worcester citizens, the museum opened to the public two years later. When Salisbury died in 1905, he left his art collection to the museum, along with $3 million to acquire new collections. Since then, the museum was one of the first to exhibit photography as fine art, was the first museum in the nation to purchase works by Claude Monet and was one of the first to exhibit architecture. “The Worcester Art Museum is what’s called an encyclopedic museum of art. We have artwork from around the world spanning 51 centuries of art,” said Frost, adding the museum’s mission is to “connect people and communities and cultures through the experience of art.” And what an experience it is – right in Worcester. Although the majority of visitors are from the local area, a growing number travel from the Metrowest area and Boston. On a recent day, the admissions log showed visitors from Minnesota and China. Upcoming exhibits include “Radiance Rediscovered: Stained Glass by Tiffany and La Farge,” opening June 30, and “The Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes,” on display in September. “There’s always something new going on here. There’s always something new to learn,” said Frost.

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feature THE ISSUES Affordable housing The former Worcester County Courthouse building on Highland and Main streets has been vacant more than a decade, but soon, work will begin to transform it into both market-rate and affordable housing. Trinity Financial, a private developer in Boston, was selected in June 2017 by the city to develop the property, in a project expected to cost more than $50 million. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the courthouse was built in 1843, with several additions since then. The courthouse is just one of many affordable housing projects the city has taken on through the years. “The city has done more than our share,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., noting that although the Chapter 40B law mandates that municipalities provide at least 10 percent affordable housing, Worcester has closer to 15 percent. “With our limited funds, we are finding ways to provide affordable housing,” he said. Attracting/losing businesses The cycle of attracting businesses to the city and losing companies to other communi-

ties is a “natural ebb and flow,” Augustus said. That has been no different for the current year, but, he added, “We’re creating a safer city, a more attractive city. We’re doing a lot to attract businesses to relocate here.” Some of the moves are beyond the city’s immediate control. For example, Allegro MicroSystems is reorganizing and moving its headquarters to New Hampshire, where it already has a location. And Primetals Technologies is building a new facility in Sutton, where it will move relocate next year. Augustus said Primetals needed a certain number of acres by a certain timeframe, and Worcester didn’t have the space necessary. Recent additions, however, such as the Worcester Railers ECHL ice hockey team and the Massachusetts Pirates arena football team, help add to the vitality of the city, the city manager said. “There continues to be a number of new opportunities we’re looking at,” he said. “We’re anticipating $6 million in new revenue that is new growth.”

That’s because state aid doesn’t necessarily capture the cost in today’s world of educating students, particularly those who are at a disadvantage, Augustus explained. State aid, known as Chapter 70, is provided to school districts based on set formulas that takes into account a district’s foundation budget and local contributions (a minimum amount each school district is expected to pay). “The Legislature had a commission that looked at the formula, and it was suggested that communities like Worcester were at a disadvantage with how the formula was calculated,” Augustus said. According to Augustus, the Senate version of Chapter 70 funds does allow for an increase to Worcester, but whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen. Pot shops

Chapter 70 Funds Over the years, many communities have found their school budgets under-funded, even with aid from the state. And some municipalities, including Worcester, have been at even more of a disadvantage.

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This year, four medical marijuana dispensaries are scheduled to open in the city: Good City at 9 Harrison St., Medical Alternatives at 1191 Millbury St., Mission Massachusetts at 640 Lincoln St. and Prime Wellness at 0 Pullman St. “They have indicated to us they will exercise their right to co-locate with recreational marijuana,” according to Augustus. However, he said, “City Council, at my recommenda-

tion, voted to put a cap on the number of recreational dispensaries at 15.” Currently, the City Council is in the process of determining regulatory parameters for the recreational facilities, according to Augustus. The four already approved will count toward the total number, so only 11 more will be allowed in the city. “We’ve been inundated with calls from interested parties,” said Augustus, adding there may be more interest than spots available. That could work in the city’s favor, however. “There’ll be some opportunity to be discerning about potential operators,” Augustus said. Taxes/tax rate In 2015, the mayor’s Tax Policy Committee met for about a year and produced a report on a series of discussed topics, including ways to change the revenue streams of the city. Although not an endorsement, one of the recommendations was to change multiunit housing complexes from the residential rate to the higher commercial rate. “Worcester has had, for about 30 years, a dual tax rate where we tax commercial at a much higher rate than we do residential,” said Augustus. Currently, for fiscal 2018, the residential tax rate is $18.91 and the commercial rate $34.03 per $1,000 assessed valuation. Of the overall tax base, 73 percent is residential, with homeowners funding 60 percent of the city’s levy. The issue is when multi-units pay the residential rate, even though many are commercial endeavors. But by reclassifying all properties with five or more units at the commercial tax rate instead, it would help change the revenue streams for the city. The city is discussing this further; however, any revenue-creating changes would require legislation ratified by the state legislature. Triple-deckers The triple-deckers of the city have seen generations live within its walls, but many are old, have code violations and are not energyefficient. In the near future, the city hopes to

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feature unveil a plan to help restore these buildings. Currently, there are 5,044 triple-deckers in Worcester. At one time, more than 50 percent of the city’s residents lived in a triple-decker, some of which were built in the 1800s. The youngest triple-decker in the city, from 1920, is approaching 100 years old. As a result, many of the buildings still have parlor heat, lead paint and other severe code violations, and inefficient boilers, roofs and windows. In his inaugural address, Mayor Joseph Petty talked about wanting “to preserve that iconic Worcester housing stock,” according to Augustus. Since then, state Sen. Harriette Chandler was able to get funds set aside for a study to see how these buildings could be renovated and what that would entail. The city hopes to reveal publicly any plans or proposals sometime in the coming months.

as to why Worcester would make a good home for them.” Augustus cited increased vitality with the Canal District, the “explosion” of food options in the city, the fact that Worcester embraces arts and culture, and its central

location. Not only is Worcester central Massachusetts, but also central New England – and right in the middle of Red Sox Nation, he pointed out. “Strategically,” Augustus said, “it’s a good location.”

PawSox Although the city and the Pawtucket Red Sox have discussed bringing the Triple-A team to Worcester from its current home location at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island, nothing has been determined as of yet. “We continue to talk to them and find a way to get them to choose Worcester,” said Augustus, adding that even though the Red Sox affiliate has been in Pawtucket for 40plus years, “we feel we have a powerful case

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LOCAL GEMS Joe’s Albums 317 Main St. 508-796-5352 joesalbums.com What goes around comes around is definitely true at Joe’s Albums, where vinyl is always in style. Owner Joe Demers opened the store – first online eight years ago, followed by his brick-and-mortar shop shortly after – after taking a trip one day down to his basement, where all his record albums had been kept for some time. He pulled everything out of storage, hooked up his record player, and “I fell in love with it again,” Demers recalled. Many of his customers are people like himself who grew up listening to records, but these days – with even popular artists releasing their music on vinyl – it’s also not uncommon to see a group of teens in the store picking up their latest favorites. International Record Store Day, held every third Saturday in April, also helps promote music on vinyl. Vinyl “never fully went away, but from the mid-‘90s to 2010-ish, for that 15-year period, it was very slight. There were not many records at all,” Demers said. But it’s a popular choice for music due to its sound quality and the tangible aspects of albums. “You have to put it on and actually flip it. You can’t just put it on random in the background for five hours,” Demers pointed out. Even as other stores are decreasing CD stock, record stores are a steady business – Joe’s included. “Part of the reason we do pretty well is there aren’t many stores around, and not where vinyl is the sole focus. The customer recognizes that,” Demers said. “We have customers from Boson and western Mass., and they’re regular customers.” The Sole Proprietor 118 Highland St. 508-798-3474 thesole.com The Sole Proprietor has been the catch of Worcester for nearly 40 years and with good reason – it’s been the only full-service, seafood-focused restaurant in the city ever since it opened. Not only that, but “We’ve earned a good reputation for consistent high quality, food and atmosphere. To be around that long,

for such a purpose, as well as Green Hill Park, nearly 500 acres with a golf course, playing fields, an animal farm and arboretum, not to mention the state Vietnam Memorial. Altogether, the city has nearly 1,300 acres of open space for enjoyment. Colonial Bowling 248 Mill St. 508-754-7645 Candlepin bowling was invented in 1880 right in Worcester, but today there’s only one bowling alley left in the city. That’s the Colonial Bowling Center, a step back into time when candlepin was in its heyday and waiting for a lane was common. Retro in atmosphere, Colonial is still a fun place to take the kids or bowl a string yourself.

you have to take care of those things, and we do that every day when we come to work,” said Robb Ahlquist, who, with his wife Madeleine, owns the Sole as well as 111 Chop House and VIA Italian Table as part of the Worcester Restaurant Group. Customers have an expectation when dining, and “the experience has to be up to that expectation,” Ahlquist said, adding, “You can get them in the door once, but you have to earn them a second time.” The Sole Proprietor has been doing exactly that, as it celebrates its 39th year in business. The restaurant has consistently won “best of” awards in local reader polls and was also named one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in the country. Currently, the restaurant – which has always been located on Highland Street – is prepping for a major renovation project of the property. “We’re happy with the facility, but we also know we have to keep up with the times. We’re pretty excited about the project,” Ahlquist said. “We like the neighborhood, we like the city, we have great customers.” Belmont Vegetarian 157 Belmont St 508-798-8898 At Belmont Vegetarian, the menu changes every day, but one thing doesn’t: the restaurant’s commitment to its meat-free, non-dairy menu. Fill up a medium or large plate with American-style and Jamaicaninspired dinners, and experience what is

Da-Lat 425 Park Ave. 508-753-6036 For authentic Vietnamese food, Da-Lat is the go-to in Worcester. Since the mid-‘90s, this restaurant has been serving up its classic dishes in a family-style setting. The homemade peanut sauce and vermicelli with pork are house favorites.

called the restaurant’s “savory soulful Belmont twist.” Belmont Vegetarian has also made appearances at New England VegFest at the DCU and last year was named one of the best vegan- and vegetarianfriendly restaurants in Massachusetts by Best of AmericanTowns. It was runner-up in the Vegetarian/Vegan category in Worces- Eggroll Lady & Fish Shack 609 West Boylston St. ter Magazine’s “Best of Worcester 2018.” 508-755-4451 theeggrolllady.com The Cascades Open just three days a week – Thursday gwlt.org/lands-and-trails/four-townthrough Saturday – Eggroll Lady & Fish worcester-greenway/cascades/ Maintained by the Greater Worcester Land Shack is known not just for its Vietnamese egg rolls and special apple-cinnamon duck Trust, the Cascades is a series of connectsauce, but also the fresh fried seafood. The ing parklands with a large trail network. At tartar sauce and coleslaw are homemade, the eastern edge, near Cascades Park, is and even fried dough is available for desCascading Waters, a peaceful and serene look at nature right in Worcester. It’s found sert. Featured on the “Phantom Gourmet” and NESN’s “Wicked Bites,” this takeout at 135 Olean St. The Cascades is open joint has seating for up to 12 people inside, year-round for hiking, dog-walking and with two picnic tables outside. habitat-viewing. Parking is available at the Boynton Park lot, Silver Spring Road/HowHacienda Don Juan ard Street frontage, a lot off Olean Street 875B Main St. and Cataract Street frontage. 508-756-2076 haciendadonjuan.com City Parks Authentic Salvadorian and Mexican cuisine worcesterma.gov/parks/city-parks is available right in downtown Worcester Large sections of open space are someat Hacienda Don Juan, where the pupusas times a rarity in cities, but Worcester has get rave reviews from customers. Chips 60-plus parks and playgrounds for hiking, and salsa are free with meal purchase at walking, playing, relaxing or any activity. this small restaurant, open until 10 p.m. Some of the spaces are more well-known every day. Free delivery is also available. than others, like Elm Park, purchased in 1854, making Worcester one of the first cities in the country to use public funds M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

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feature WHAT’S NEW IN WORCESTER 145 Front at CitySquare The new apartments at 145 Front St. are not merely apartments – they’re homes. With open-floor plans, contemporary kitchens, designer finishes, technological conveniences and professional alarm systems, these luxury spaces are located right in downtown Worcester and are a major component of the CitySquare redevelopment. Open since February, the complex has studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. When a second building opens later this year, it will offer 365 apartments in total. AC Hotel Worcester by Marriott Stunning in design, the AC Hotel Worcester opened April 19, bringing a sense of sophistication to the downtown area, CitySquare and Front Street, where it is located. The AC, a fusion of Spanish roots and European style and catering to modern travel-

site of the former PresMet Corp. The private recreational facility has twin ice rinks and is used by Worcester State University, Becker College, WPI, Worcester Academy, St. Peter Marian, the Junior Railers and Junior Crusaders/Lady Crusaders hockey programs. Public skate is offered seven days a week, along with learn-to-skate programs. Two restaurants, Nonna’s Pizza + Pasta and the Steam Energy Café, are also located inside the facility. Fooda Bored with just sandwiches for lunch? Fooda, recently opened in the Mercantile Center at 100 Front St., brings in different lunch options from local restaurants every day. Available in major cities across the country, Fooda’s newest location is being called “The Vault” because it’s located in what was once a bank. Employees who work in the area can now get an ever-rotating menu, from Chinese one day to chicken the next and Thai on another. town in 1994, and the New England Surge (Continental Indoor Football League) played here from 2007-08. The Pirates’ home arena is the DCU Center, and the current season runs until Aug. 4, with a home game against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. South Worcester Industrial Park Once a site of blighted buildings and brownfields, the South Worcester Industrial Park is becoming a thriving section of the city after efforts began numerous years ago to clean up the area. Table Talk Pies’ new manufacturing plant on Southgate Street is now operational, producing the company’s famous pies at record speeds, and all of the other parcels in the city’s possession have been sold or are under agreement. The project has been part of the city’s desire to develop padready sites for companies that want to locate in Worcester.

ers, is a six-floor hotel that offers 160 rooms, 10 suites and five meeting rooms. Upscale but minimalist, it was built on property formerly occupied by the Worcester Common Outlets. Construction began in 2006. Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center The Worcester Railers’ practice rink, the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center on Harding Street, opened last September at the

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Massachusetts Pirates After a decade-long hiatus, arena football has returned to Worcester, with the Massachusetts Pirates playing their first game at the DCU Center on April 7 against the Maine Mammoths and winning 51-24. Established in 2017, the team is part of the National Arena League and is the third one to be based in Worcester. The Massachusetts Marauders (Arena Football League) were in M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

Worcester PopUp The Worcester PopUp, a creative collaborative space for local artists, opened April 25 in a 3,400-square-foot facility at 20 Franklin St. The venue will have rotating art exhibitions, live performances in the black box theater, workshops, hands-on activities, pop-up retail and food tastings. PopUp is a program of Worcester Cultural Coalition, established in 1999 between the city and local cultural organizations. Worcester Railers HC The Worcester Railers HC, an ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, concluded its inaugural season last month with a 37-27 record, playing 72 games on the road and at home at the DCU Center. The team replaces the Worcester Sharks

(AHL), now called the San Jose Barracuda and located in California since 2015. Prior to that, the Worcester IceCats (AHL) spent more than 10 years in the city, from 1994 to 2005, before being moved to Peoria, Ill., and renamed the Peoria Rivermen. The Railers’ second season starts on the road Oct. 13 against the Reading Royals, with their home opener Saturday, Oct. 20, against the Maine Mariners. Worcester Regional Airport flight expansion After years of scant airline service, in 2013 JetBlue started offering daily flights to Orlando from Worcester Regional Airport. It was the first mainline service from the city in more than a decade, in fact, after other carriers had severed agreement with the airport or filed for bankruptcy. Now, JetBlue has expanded services, and the first of its daily nonstop flights from Worcester to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City occurred earlier this month. Just days before the new flights, local and state officials and Massport celebrated the 500,000th passenger serviced by JetBlue. Massport has owned the airport since 2010. This October, American Airlines will follow suit, with non-stop flights from Worcester to Philadelphia. The company, the largest airline in the world, made the announcement in April. Although officially nothing has been confirmed, there is talk of another major airline coming to the airport as well, with speculation turning to Delta Airlines offering flights to Detroit, Mich.

feature COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Assumption College 500 Salisbury St. 508-767-7000 www.assumption.edu Situated on 185 acres in Worcester, Assumption College was founded by the Augustinians of the Assumption in 1904 with a mission to educate not only academically, but also teach the whole person. That philosophy is still evident today, with Assumption students going beyond their academics by volunteering an average of 120,000 hours each year and performing more than 1,700 acts of community service. “Graduates pursue a career and life in which they are encouraged to use their talents to better the world around them,” said Michael K. Guilfoyle, director of communications at Assumption. “That approach begins

in Worcester, where students become part of the community. Embedded in them are the values of caring for the least among us and to be generous with one’s time, talent and treasure.” Throughout the years, Assumption students have helped enhance grounds and common areas of public housing facilities and city parks, interned with local nonprofits and city agencies, provided a voice for refugees, prepared tax returns free of charge for those having financial hardship and volunteered in elementary schools, among other activities. “Such a commitment to ‘compassionate service’ defines Assumption not only as an institution of higher learning, but as a proud community partner,” said Guilfoyle. The college itself also has contributed to the city by providing space for free to many nonprofit organizations, such as the Worcester Children’s Chorus and the Worcester

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Institute for Senior Education, as well as sponsoring a number of events that are open to the public with complimentary admission. Becker College 61 Sever St. 877-523-2537 www.becker.edu Visit any hospital or veterinary clinic in Worcester, and you’re likely to find a Becker College graduate on staff or gaining practical skills at an internship or externship. That’s because Becker’s nationally renowned programs in nursing and animal studies provide a vast pool of job-ready talent, says Director of Media Relations Patricia Alulema. The vet technology program is the thirdlargest producer of undergraduate degrees among four-year private institutions, while the Lenfest Animal Health Center teaching clinic has been part of the campus for more than 30 years. As one of the only college

programs that offers a working clinic, it is open to the public and sees more than 1,000 clients each year. Other programs at Becker provide services to the city of Worcester and the general public as well – the Counselor Training Clinic, which offers outpatient counseling services by those pursuing a master’s degree in mental health counseling; the nursing simulation lab, resembling a hospital room; and the John Dorsey Crime Scene Lab, which teaches students the basics of hair and fiber analysis, fingerprint detection and crime scene sketching. “It is the experiential learning that our oncampus clinics and labs offer that truly sets us apart,” Alulema said. “Our students put theory to practice and gain valuable, handson experience at these on-site facilities, and the real-world practical skills they acquire C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 24

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there sets them apart from other graduates in the field.” In addition, the Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (Mass DiGi) at Becker brings students from around the world and video game industry professionals to work together. And the Princeton Review named Becker one of the best schools in the world to study Game Design for the eighth year in a row. “Through MassDiGi, Becker is helping feed the innovation talent pipeline in Worcester and beyond,” Alulema said. “Since its establishment in 2011, Mass DiGi has been cultivating innovation on campus and nurturing new technology ventures that are aiding in the creation of new jobs in the sector and contributing to local economic growth.” Students also participate in characterbuilding programs, and through the Yunus Social Business Centre at Becker, they work with organizations such as Be Like Brit and its orphanage, where each year a college team goes on a service trip.

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Clark University 950 Main St. 508-793-7711 www.clarku.edu Clark has been known for its philanthropic efforts and revitalization work, both by the university itself and by its students, whether it is working to better the neighborhood or helping students earn a college education. Clark is a founding member and partner of the Main South Community Development Corporation, established in 1986 to maintain and enhance the neighborhood, support the area’s businesses and to create safe and affordable housing for low- to moderateincome families. Through this partnership, 71 first-time homebuyers have been able to buy their own houses, which has helped with the neighborhood’s stabilization and safety, according to Jack Foley, vice president for Government and Community Affairs and Campus Services at Clark. The university also has impacted the city through its support for public education, specifically targeted to families and students who live in the area, Foley said. The University Park Campus School, a partnership between Clark and Worcester Public Schools, opened in 1997 for students in grades 7-12 who live in the immediate area. “These kids reflect the neighborhood,” said Foley, adding the school has had outstanding academic performance. “It’s really a great boon to the neighborhood. It gives them a real scaffolding to be successful.” The partnership doesn’t end, however, when high school graduation rolls around. Through the University Park Partnership Scholarship, students who have lived in the target area for at least five years can attend Clark tuition-free. Since 1995, more than 100 students have benefited from this program, according to Foley. Clark students themselves “have a deep commitment to the city and neighborhood,” Foley said. For example, the All Kinds of Girls program, funded by the United Way, partners young women ages 9-15 with Clark undergraduate mentors on Saturday mornings to foster self-confidence and develop leadership skills. “A lot of students who come to Clark have a real social conscience,” said Foley. “Clark is immersed in the neighborhood. When you come here, you can’t help but be in the neighborhood.” College of the Holy Cross 1 College St. 508-793-2011 www.holycross.edu Holy Cross and its students are dedicated to helping others, based on the college’s Catho-

lic Jesuit traditions, through work-study employment, internships, tutoring and volunteering. In fact, in 2016-2017, Holy Cross had nearly 1,500 student volunteers, and of the 68,000-plus volunteer hours, more than a third were for Worcester schools, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. “As a mission-based college, Holy Cross seeks to educate men and women who, as leaders in business, professional and civic life, live by the highest intellectual and ethical standards and serve others in their communities, American society and the wider world,” according to the Holy Cross Office of Government and Community Relations. The college itself – named one of the most beautiful colleges in Massachusetts by “Travel + Leisure” – maintains a strong commitment to the city as well. For the fifth consecutive year, Holy Cross donated $80,000 to support Libby, the Worcester Public Library’s mobile library and has pledged an additional $240,000 to be distributed over the next three years. Since 2012, the college has been a sponsor of Recreation Worcester, a free, year-round youth program run by the city, by donating $10,000 each year. For the fourth time, a $10,000 contribution was made to support the Worcester Common Oval skating rink. And, in fiscal year 2017, 73 Worcester residents received college-funded grants and scholarships – in total, $2.9 million. “From community outreach to activities that support local economic development,” said the Holy Cross Office of Government and Relations, “Holy Cross is proud to play an active and positive role in our home of Worcester.” Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 19 Foster St. 508-373-5607 www.mcphs.edu A university focused on healthcare programs, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has access to prestigious hospitals and facilities right in Worcester, giving its students ample opportunities to practice what they learn. In the school, as well, opportunities abound – from the sonography lab with 17 ultrasound units equipped with 3D/4D equipment to MCPHS’ working pharmacy. Its dental hygiene clinic, the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene, offers services to the public and has been recognized as one of the most comprehensive oral healthcare clinics in New England. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 10 years after enrolling at MCPHS, students earn $112,700, making them top earners in New England.

feature Quinsigamond Community College 670 West Boylston St. 508-853-2300 www.qcc.edu By offering the lowest tuition in the region, local students and beyond are able to get an advanced education in the most economical way. And through some innovative programs, QCC also is bringing higher education to local communities that have been historically underserved. The college admissions van, the Wyvernmobile, offers increased visibility and access to QCC. Next month, a pilot initiative of community-based learning hubs will open in QCC Downtown, Great Brook Valley and Catholic Charities Worcester County, which will provide convenient spaces for the college’s students to study and access Wi-Fi, computers and printers. “QCC goes a step further by delivering mentorship and support services, such as the college’s general academic, math and writing tutoring centers and free Math Boot Camp, which gives students the tools they need to succeed,” said Director of Institutional Communications Josh Martin. “This fall the college will be expanding its mentorship programs to increase community involvement.” QCC goes beyond its academic commitment to help businesses and entrepreneurs through innovative training methods, including through the FAB Lab, an MIT-developed workspace on campus – the only one located at any college in Worcester Country and at any community college in Massachusetts. At the FAB Lab, the public can access tools and equipment to design anything they want. After their time at college, “QCC alumni stay in the area and contribute greatly to the workforce and vitality of Worcester,” Martin said, adding that, of the 31,294 living alumni, approximately one-third live in the city. “In fact, the majority of healthcare, firefighters and police in Worcester have touched QCC at some point. Additionally, QCC is also one of the largest employers in Central Massachusetts, with over 1,000 full- and part-time faculty, administration and staff, making a major economic impact to the city of Worcester.” UMass Medical School 55 Lake Avenue North 508-856-8989 umassmed.edu Inside and outside its classrooms, UMass Medical School has been a partner of the city for more than 45 years, whether contributing funds or providing much-needed services. In 2013, according to the recently released Community Report, UMMS pledged to donate $875,000 over five years to

support Worcester Technical High School’s health and biomedical science programs, one of the few such programs in the state. The funds helped purchase supplies and equipment, provided for a mini-coach to coordinate student internships at UMMS and subsidized the cost of science-related field trips and excursions. UMMSS students and employees raised nearly $60,000 for the North Quadrant Support Services, a program launched in 2017 with a grant from the Remillard family. Through this program, which helps address socioeconomic barriers to academic success that affect some students in the North Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools, UMMS employees built and stocked a food pantry at North High, supplied washers and dryers to five schools, and provided 700 backpacks with school supplies to elementary students. UMMS students get in on the action as well. Graduate School of Nursing students organize a clothing drive for the homeless every year, and students at the School of Medicine volunteer at the Worcester Free Clinic Coalition. In addition, students from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences have visited the Nativity School of Worcester to talk about their scientific research. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road 508-831-5000 wpi.edu Founded in 1865, WPI was among the first universities in the country to incorporate project-based learning in its undergraduate curriculum. That vision is still part of WPI’s core, requiring students to apply their learned skills and abilities to help develop solutions for real-world problems through their Interactive Qualifying Project. At home, WPI students work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, refugee and immigration organizations, Park Spirit of Worcester, Abby’s House, the Boys & Girls Club and more. But WPI is not just in Worcester, it’s beyond the city as well. Its Global Projects Program puts students across the world, with 40-plus centers in large international cities and small mountainside villages, on six different campuses. And beginning with the Class of 2022, all students will be given a $5,000 Global Scholarship to complete a project at one of these centers. The Princeton Review named the Global Projects Program one of most popular study abroad programs for 2017-2018. Earlier this year, the school also opened WPI Seaport in Boston.

Worcester State University 486 Chandler St. 508-929-8000 worcester.edu In more ways than one, Worcester State University contributes to its hometown. Not only is it the sole public four-year degreegranting university in the city, it also helps supply the workforce with a constant pool of employees, as many of the graduates often stay to live and work here. University spokesperson Renae Lias Claffey said, “A recent survey of 2017 graduates show that nearly 20 percent of them work in Worcester. Thousands of WSU grads live and work in the city. Of our 29,000 active alumni of all ages, about 5,300 of them live in the city of Worcester. About half of Worcester’s public school teachers have earned one, and often two, degrees from Worcester State University.” Part of the university’s public mission also is to partner with city institutions to offer students opportunities for internships and classroom experiences at places such as the Worcester Art Museum and other cultural institutions. M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

Recently named Best College/University in Worcester Magazine’s “2018 Best of Worcester,” Worcester State has been consistently ranked as a best regional university, first tier, by U.S. News and World Report. And for the past 14 years, the Princeton Review has ranked Worcester State as one of the best colleges in the Northeast region of the United States – the only one of the nine Massachusetts state universities to receive this designation. “Worcester State University has been in Worcester for more than 140 years,” Lias Claffey said, “and expects to be providing bachelor’s and master’s degrees to students from Massachusetts and beyond for the next 140 years.”

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feature HOT SPOTS Canal District Once a declining section of the city, the Canal District has become a mecca for restaurants, shops and more all along Green, Water, Millbury and adjoining streets in a true transformation and collaborative effort of concerned citizens and business owners. In a neighborhood that has been known as the Island and then Green Island but now referred to as the Canal District, businesses are opening here – because they want to be located in this part of Worcester. The Canal District Business Association continues to promote the area, and another affiliation group, the Canal District Alliance, meets every Wednesday at noon at the Hotel Vernon, where the “dreamers in the Canal District meet and hatch ideas,” said owner Bob Largess, who says he was the one who motioned to change the area’s name to its current one. In addition to all the district’s restaurants, the year-long Canal District Farmers Market runs every Saturday,9 a.m. to noon. The district has also hosted the annual Blackstone

Canal Fest, the Canal Diggers 5K road race, the Worcester Irish Music Festival and the Snails Pace Antique Auto Race. Just recently, ground was broken on the Harding Green project, a large-scale development that will feature residential units, a restaurant and a public food market spearheaded by Allen Fletcher. “The Canal District is growing,” said Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “It’s really going to be a showcase for the city.” Of course, the biggest get so far could come in the form of Minor League Baseball if the city is successful in landing the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Talks, as City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. has made a standard refrain are “ongoing.” The ballpark would be built off Madison Street, near the old Wyman-Gordon complex. DCU Center The DCU Center has had quite a history, from its opening night in September 1982, when it was known as the Worcester Centrum, with a Frank Sinatra performance, to former President Barack Obama speaking to Worcester Technical High School graduates in June 2014, to its newest addition of the

an SMG-managed facility owned by the city. “The DCU Center has hundreds of thousands of visitors each year – many from the city, the region, New England and beyond. What we hear most often from individuals who are new to the city is that we are a hidden jewel with warm and welcoming people.” First known as the Centrum and then later

Massachusetts Pirates arena football team. Throughout the years, the building has remained humble in its hometown of Worcester – and it is proud to be in the downtown area. “The city of Worcester is known for its wonderful neighborhoods, and we see downtown as being the entire city’s and the greater region’s neighborhood,” said Sandy Dunn, general manager for the DCU, which is

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 28

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M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

feature GONE (OR ALMOST) BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Sir Morgan’s Cove 89 Green St. Some may remember the Green Street music venue as Sir Morgan’s Cove. Others may remember seeing a show there when it was known as the Lucky Dog Music Hall. These days, it has a new owner, Ted Kistner, and new name, The Cove Music Hall, but it has always been a landmark live entertainment destination for local, regional and national talent. The venue’s stage has seen The Rolling Stones back in 1981, as well as Godsmack and Korn and thousands of other musical acts since it opened. Kistner bought the business from Erick Godin, who had run it as the Lucky Dog until October 2015. Kistner had spent nearly 20 years working as an audio engineer and touring with well-known heavy metal bands before moving back to Massachusetts and working at his family’s business, Drafters, in Dudley. When he bought the Lucky Dog, he wanted to pay homage to the previous businesses, and so, the Cove Music Hall is a combination of the two other names. “I didn’t want people to think that I was coming in and changing everything,” Kistner said. “It needed some updates, but I wanted to keep the nostalgia of the place because it does have history. It’s still going to be what it’s always been, but a little new.” Wednesdays is Open Decks Night, when DJs battle it out, and Thursdays is Live Rockin’ Karaoke, letting aspiring singers belt out tunes accompanied by a full band, instead of just recorded music. Friday and Saturday nights feature a continual lineup of live music. “We try to bring in the best local, regional and national talent that we can,” Kistner said. “I try to run the show like you were going to a big venue – big arena feel in a small club.” Diners Here and there in Worcester, and outside of the city as well, are little museums in the form of working diners. Once a staple of city life, many of these diners have lived on through the years, some relocating to other towns and still others in the same original locations. The Worcester Lunch Car and Carriage Manufacturing Co. was founded in 1906 in Worcester, producing more than 600 diners between then and 1957, when operations ceased. The diners were built entirely in the factories with all equipment included, according to the Worcester Historical Museum. Wheels were attached so the diners could be moved from factory to site; many of the Worcester diners still have wheels hidden

underneath. The Boulevard Diner, built in 1936, is still in operation and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Miss Worcester Diner, from 1948, is in its original location across the street from the former Worcester Lunch Car factory. The Chadwick Square Diner, although moved from its original location, is now Ralph’s Rock Diner. Gilrein’s In its heyday, anyone who was anyone in the and blues and jazz music genre stopped off at Gilrein’s, which had been located at 802 Main St. for years and was popular not only locally, but nationally as well.

“It became a club of national importance,” said Chet Williamson, who organized the Sunday Blues Jam for years, along with Steve Going of Wilbur & The Dukes, a band that played many a night at Gilrein’s. “Everyone on the circuit played there.” Said Going, “For many years, it was pretty much a place where you could find me.” Originally, Gilrein’s was a renowned steak house: “It used to be famous for its open steak sandwiches and cheap drinks,” William-

son recalled. Eventually, it began offering live music, and Gilrein’s became legendary as a blues club. It was, said Shakey Steve Prunier, “absolutely, true to form, a blues roadhouse, real rough around the edges. There was nothing fancy about Gilrein’s.” But people didn’t go to Gilrein’s for the décor, they went for the music. According to Prunier, whose band, Shakey Steve and The Bluecats, often gigged at Gilrein’s, “Some of the finest acts in the country played there.” Musicians such as Roomful of Blues, the Charlie Musselwhite Band, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Long John Hunter & The Walking Catfish, The Duke Robillard Band, Jimmy Thackery and Shirley King played gigs there. Local bands could be found there as well. “Lots of young bands came out of there, lots of great musicians,” Williamson said. Gilrein’s had several owners over the years, and changes in the live music scene and the neighborhood at the time forced the club to close in the early 2000s. With crime increasing in the area, “the neighborhood was the destruction of Gilrein’s,” Prunier said. By 2007, a revamped, remodeled Gilrein’s had opened under new ownership, but was short-lived and finally closed for good. The music plays on – in other places now – but there hasn’t been a club like Gilrein’s since. Said Going, “Musically, there’s so much history in this area, it’s phenomenal. This area could use a good, old-fashioned Gilrein’s.”

Vivian M. Pagan Ortiz, building manager and booking director. The four-story, L-shaped building opened in 1931 as The Museum of Steel and Armor to house the collection of John Woodman Higgins, who owned the Worcester Pressed Steel Company. In 1975, it was renamed the John W. Higgins Armory and was open until December 2013, when it closed for financial reasons. A year later, the building – believed to be the first in the country constructed entirely of steel and glass – was purchased by Brian Thibeault. In addition to the office space, the Great Hall can be rented for wedding or other functions, and Pagan Ortiz hopes to schedule building tours and sponsor events for the community, like the magician who hosted a show for kids over school vacation. “A lot of generations have come through. They have sentimental memories,” Pagan Ortiz said. “We want to be able to keep the doors open for the community. Maybe you worked here as a kid, and now you can get married here. We want to let the public know we’re open, providing services, so they can make new memories.”

Locobazooka Back in the ’90s, some big-name rock and metal bands were playing on the Locobazooka stage, and for years, it was happening right in Worcester’s Green Hill Park. Locobazooka, a summer outdoor concert run by native Dan Hartwell and his 3-D Entertainment company, started with booking some regional and local bands, and the event took off from there. “The event was really growing well. I had a sponsorship with WAAF radio station. The bands wanted to play at some big crowd outdoors at a festival-like atmosphere,” said Hartwell, who himself for years sang with numerous bands as Danimal at other venues. Through the years, Locobazooka hosted System of a Down, Black Sabbath, Staind, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Static-X, Powerman John W. Higgins Armory LLC 5000, Days of the New and Queensrӱche, 100 Barber Ave. among others. Hartwell recalls Kid Rock 774-420-7150 showing up at the main gate by himself, after johnwhigginsarmoryllc.com driving in from Chicago, as his bandmates Though the extensive arms and were all trying to find parking spots. Alice in armor collection is now housed Chains debuted their new singer at Locobaat the Worcester Art Museum, zooka after their frontman died, and “Alice the Higgins lives on through private ownerCooper certainly wowed the crowd,” he said. ship and as one of the city’s new locations for And Godsmack, a Massachusetts-based band events and office space. that was relatively new to the scene at the Officially known as the John W. Higgins time, used Locobazooka for their first MTV Armory LLC Event Center, Art Gallery and video of their song, “Whatever.” Office Facility, it currently leases spaces to 16 The first 1,000 attendees in line would business, including a photographer, insurance get a “Bazooka bag,” which was full of CDs, agency, software company and the Worcester merchandise and more. Kiltie Pipe Band. Many of them are start“At one point, we had 5,000 kids in line ups that, all within the past month, chose C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 28 the Higgins for their business location, says M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

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feature HOT SPOTS

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 26

the Worcester Centrum Centre, the facility entered into an agreement in October 2004 with DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union that officially changed the name to DCU Center. Through the years, the venue has had numerous highlights: U2’s first U.S. arena show in 1983, the band Boston’s nine shows becoming a facility record for Highest Attended Multi-Day Event in 1987, the 10 millionth person attending an event in 1994, the convention center opening in 1997, and the basketball court being featured in an AT&T commercial for March Madness/NCAA in 2012. Some mainstays have come and gone – the Worcester IceCats and Sharks hockey teams and Massachusetts Marauders arena football league team – but have taken on new life through the Worcester Railers HC (ECHL), which played its first game in October 2017, and the Massachusetts Pirates (NAL), which debuted in April. With numerous improvements and upgrades over the years, the DCU continues to be a culturally significant piece of Worcester’s history. Said Duncan, “Many of our events are annual, and each year the attendees continue to remark on the progress that is made year to year – from new restaurants and nightclubs, to beautiful streetscapes, to the bike share program, to festivals and farmers markets, to the new hotels, and so much more – the downtown just keeps getting more welcoming.” The Hanover Theatre Elegant and beautiful, the historic Hanover Theatre has a long history in Worcester and today brings in top-name performers, touring Broadway productions and more. But that doesn’t mean the theater experience is only for the elite of the city – quite the opposite is true. “It has become a place where audiences of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds come together to make memories and share the joy of both creating and enjoying all aspects of the performing arts,” said Lisa Condit, director of marketing and public relations. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Hanover opened as the Franklin Square Theatre in the early 1900s, and was later sold to showman Sylvester Poli. Through the years, it also operated as the Loew’s Poli, Showcase Cinemas and finally as National Amusements until 2002, when it closed. After an extensive fundraising work and renovation work, the Hanover opened in 2008. Since then, Condit said, “The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory has become both a cultural destination and a catalyst for the

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surrounding communities as one of Pollstar’s Top Theatres in the World.” In addition, the Hanover “is the anchor for the new Theatre District and has been recognized as one of the drivers for economic as well as cultural growth in our community.” The Hanover attracts not only local patrons, but also those as far as Maine and New York, depending on the show. “Thanks to the quality and variety of our programming, combined with a vibrant restaurant scene, accommodations and cultural partners, Worcester has become a destination,” Condit said, “and The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory is proud to be part of the attraction.” The Palladium After a recent $1.2 million renovation, The Palladium is ready to enter its newest phase of welcoming listeners of all genres of music. The 2,500-person venue has mainly been known for hosting metal and hardcore bands, but recently it has welcomed its first country artist, indie acts, jam bands and other genres that had typically shied away from Palladium’s stage in the past. The building, designed by architect Arlan W. Johnson, originally opened in 1928 as The Plymouth Theatre for movies, stage acts, comedians and live music, according to Palladium staff. In 1980, it was renamed the E.M. Loew’s Center for the Performing Arts, and by 1990, it had become the Palladium. It is currently owned by John Peters, who runs MassConcerts, and Cliff Rucker, owner of the Worcester Railers, the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center and other properties. The recent renovations included replacing the wooden balcony seats were cushioned seats; adding priority seating in the front mezzanine section; removing the seating in the main room and replacing it with an open floor plan; installing digital screens, new stage lights and a sound system; and refinishing the stage floor, which is an old basketball court from Madison Square Garden. Soon, renovations will begin on the building’s exterior, while taking care to restore its art deco designs, in hopes to return The Palladium back to the “Mecca of Music,” as it was in the past, according to staff members. The Palladium has been able to offer events without big-ticket prices, making it an ideal facility for Worcester and its many patrons. Because of its size, it can host events that may be too small for the DCU and also books local bands, giving them a chance to perform in front of still sizable audiences. This summer, The Palladium will sponsor an outdoor festival, The Cranking and Shanking Fest, featuring The Mighty Bosstones. Fall events include Helloween, Streetlight Manifesto, Modest Mouse, Descendents and the 15th Rock & Shock. M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

NOT FORGOT TEN

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 27

at 8 a.m. in Green Hill Park,” said Hartwell. And even after that, thousands more always attended. Locobazooka ran in Worcester until 2002, and then for three years at the Fitchburg Municipal Airport. It celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2006 at the Tweeter Center, where it remained for a few years until Hartwell sold it to Worldwide Entertainment, which was, at the time, the third largest company of its kind. Hartwell now resides in Florida. Sh-Booms In November 1986, a place called Sh-Booms opened at 215 Main St., and for 24 years it was the premier nightclub in Worcester. Never mind that a similar club, New York City Jukebox, opened shortly afterward – Sh-Booms had it all: good music and a good crowd that outlasted its rival and other establishments as well. Sh-Booms had a retro, casual feel, with jukeboxes that management didn’t mind if you used as coasters for your drinks. “I’d have to fix them probably once a month,” said Dave Domenick, who was the club’s general manager and later a partner in the business. “We were more of a hands-on, blue-collar type of place. It didn’t matter if you were a CEO or a $10-an-hour laborer. Everybody came here.”

The nightclub was open seven days a week in its heyday and then, from the ‘90s on, still five days a week. Several of the staff members met their significant others through working at Sh-Booms, and many of the clubgoers did as well. But when the Sh-Booms property and others nearby were taken by eminent domain to build Worcester’s new courthouse, the nightclub moved to 30 Major Taylor Blvd., where it remained open for five years. Although ShBooms still was a popular hangout, “it didn’t have the same comfort level,” Domenick says. In 2010, it closed, and, he said, if Sh-Booms hadn’t been forced to move, “I’m absolutely convinced the club would be there in some form.” Other bars and clubs along that same stretch of Main Street where Sh-Booms originally was – like the Irish Times – followed in closing their doors, as the entertainment scene shifted. “Now, it’s being revitalized, but it’s 10 years later” – and it’s in a different location, the Canal District area, said Domenick. These days, Domenick owns the Compass Tavern in the Canal District, but he fondly recalls his time with Sh-Booms. “It was probably the best time of my adult life,” he said. “It was a very fun and special place, and it probably will never come around again.”

Median age: 34.9 Ethnicity (Percent): White 56, Black 3, Asian 6, Hispanic 21, two or more 2 Median household income: $44,020 Percent below poverty line: 19.3 Median house value: $216,000 Number of students: 25,306 Dollar spent per student: $14,492.18 (2016) School budget: $388 million (fiscal 2018)

Take an extended trip online with more on Worcester at worcestermag.com.

culture Mike “Razzle” Bonetti, the promoter of Black Transmission Presents: Goth Dance Party Vol 1., upstairs at Ralph’s Diner. See story on page 31. ELIZABETH BROOKS

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

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ChamberFest puts a summer twist on classical music

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JOSHUA LYFORD

really different than orchestra. Orchestra, you’ve got someone with a stick saying, ‘Do this do that, or 12 years, the Worcester Chamber Music do your part better.’ Chamber music, you are creating the music together with your teammates. Society has performed its small-ensemble classical music for Worcester fans. For just It’s a team. It’s not one person.” Chamber music, said Kraus, can, in some as long the group has delivered chamber ways, be compared to performing in a rock band. music camp opportunities to interested area “Unless there is one diva in the band that musicians with ChamberFest, an all-ages music camp that takes place at Clark University July 2-6 calls all the shots, it’s a lot like playing in a band,” she said. “It’s all about teamwork and playing and July 9-13. With sign-ups coming to an end, together.” the only thing left is for the musicians to come Practicing with a group and great musicians is together to learn, improve and, most importantly, just one component of ChamberFest. In addition have fun. to the opportunity to learn and improve, those “It’s just fun, any of us that have been to a involved participate in faculty concerts. music camp, they’ll tell you, it’s work, but it’s “ChamberFest also involves concerts,” said summer and it’s fun,” explained Tracy Kraus, executive director of the Worcester Chamber Music Kraus. “We have two concerts that the faculty play and it’s also open to the public. It’s a great Society. “You’re with like-minded people, which is fun. Oftentimes, with kids especially, they tend way for the campers to see their coaches in action. Our campers participate, they’re the ushers, to play alone. They go to their private lesson and they man the reception and it’s just a really nice once a week they may play with their orchestra, or they may not. For the most part they’re playing element to the camp.” Those attending the camp come from a wide alone, that’s how the interest drops off. It’s not variety of backgrounds, but the commonality is so fun to be practicing in your room by yourself an interest in classical music. all the time. You’re really sharing your passion “We do have a wide variety of economic with your friends. It’s a great thing to do in the diversity. We offer quite a bit of scholarship opsummer.” The opportunity to play classical music with a portunity for kids,” said Kraus. “What they have group does not always present itself and, particu- in common is a love of classical music. They all larly with chamber music, playing with others is a have that love of classical music in common. Occasionally, we’ll get someone else. We had a big part of the fun. recent sign-up that was an adult fiddle player “When do you get that experience? Most people that play classical instruments, amateurs, that primarily plays fiddle. He reads music and is interested in chamber music. He has been playthey have an opportunity occasionally to play with other people,” said Kraus. “Chamber music is ing music long enough that our camp director

felt like it would be a good fit.” While amateurs are encouraged to sign up, the camp should not be mistaken for private lessons for beginners. Kraus said that intermediate and above is the range that will get the most out of the ChamberFest experience. “Chamber music is playing music with people, so if the levels are too skewed, it just makes it really challenging and uncomfortable for the beginner,” she said. “Each participant is in two groups, it’s about three hours of coaching a day. We send out the music about three weeks in advance and what’s really amazing is that they learn their part and are able to play a concert in the course of about three weeks.” With the Worcester Chamber Music Society’s focus on offering these experiences to area musicians, it is no surprise that the group’s love of chamber music was the inspiration for the organization’s inception. “We formed this society because we wanted

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to play chamber music and there was very little going on 13 years ago,” said Kraus. “We thought, ‘Well, if we want to play, we better make it happen,’ so that’s what we did. It started with four concerts in 2006. We’re very focused on Worcester. We don’t tour, if we play outside of the area it’s a one-off, it’s not something we seek to do. We really want to focus on the worcester community and we feel like that’s why we’ve been successful, because we care about the community and the community cares about us in return.” That focus on the Worcester community manifests itself in concerts throughout the area at locations like Tuckerman Hall, Mechanics Hall and their yearly concert at Nuovo on Shrewsbury Street as well as their Neighborhood Strings Program for at-risk youth in the area and community concerts. For more information, head to Worcesterchambermusic.org. The faculty concerts

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M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

culture Dressed in black: Ralph’s goes goth with dancy party JOSHUA LYFORD

hursday nights at Ralph’s Diner, 148 Grove St., have historically been reserved for the now-legendary weekly Metal Thursday shows, but every so often the stars align and allow for some experimentation with the format. Enter Goth Dance Party Vol. 1, presented by Black Transmission, Thursday, May 31. If you think about it, Thursday nights at Ralph’s could be the perfect home for a black-clad evening of unironically-downcast fun, and while Worcester seems like the perfect locale for an event of this kind, you’d be hard-pressed to find one. “It was always something that had been around,” said promoter and Ralph’s employee

Mike “Razzle” Bonetti. “I remember going to clubs in Providence years ago, going to punk shows out there, like [the now-closed] Club Hell, places like that. They were really big on the goth night and they were always packed. We were trying to think of something new to do here and I was looking around and I couldn’t really find a ton of new wave goth nights or anything like that. Not in Worcester.” Since there was no show booked on May 31, it was the perfect time to give a Worcester goth night a shot. “I think the Ralph’s Thursday night crowd will take well to it,” said Razzle. “I think whether they’d admit it or not, they like that type of music and everyone I’ve talked to about it seems to be into it. They say it sounds fun and they say, ‘Oh, I can wear this outfit I bought that I have nowhere else to wear.’ I think that it will be a similar crowd to Metal Thursday, or the Ralph’s regular crowd, and hopefully new people will come too. It will be cool to just have fun and people can dance and have a good time.” There will be the requisite DJ playing goth, new wave and post-punk songs, but it being Ralph’s, a live music component is a huge part of the evening, with Sisters of Shaddowwe, House of Harm and Variable Man performing. That House of Harm’s last show at Ralph’s got people talking

was not lost on the promoter. “The Oracle played here and House of Harm played with them,” recalled Razzle. “I was working downstairs, so I didn’t get to see the show, but everybody that came downstairs said something about that band. They either said, ‘Wow they’re really cool,’ or ‘They’re really different,’ or ‘That band fucking sucked.’ Everybody said something. I said, ‘We need to try and get them back.’ I’m sure people will come out. It’s the perfect style for what we’re going for. Same with Sisters of Shaddowwe. They’ve been playing more and more shows and they’re a perfect fit.” The show marks the debut of Worcester’s new wave act, Variable Man, and like the others, there is a strong punk, hardcore and metal connection, as members of the band play or have played with Face Paint, Truth Decay, High Command, Mountain Man and others. “It’s kind of the same scene. It’s not stuck to any one kind of music anymore,” said Razzle. “People are branching out. Nobody wants to play in the same kind of band for 10 years. They’re trying shit. The community is supportive of that, of people trying new things and incorporating new styles of music. No one wants to see the same show seven times a week. It’s not just a strictly punk show, or strictly metal show, or stoner doom. It’s cool that those same people are

involved with trying something new. “Hopefully, someone will go to the show and say, ‘I could do that,’ and start a band with their friends and we can book them as an opening act next time. That’s the idea.” Anyone that has spent time at Ralph’s Diner knows the bar is filled with interesting knickknacks, taxidermy and hidden points of interest. Combining the longstanding and unique Ralph’s aesthetic with some new touches is a big part of the plan for the dance party. “There’s a lot of cool shit in Ralph’s that you never notice. You look around and say, ‘Hey look at that.’ Like the eyeball over there,” said Razzle, pointing to a massive eye with lids, that moves and blinks. “Over the last couple weeks I’ve been trying to find cool shit. There are some disco balls at the back of the stage that we’re getting working. I got some laser light club-style lights off eBay, just to try and make it look different in here. Everyone’s been here a million times. I want it to look a little bit different so when you walk up it’s a whole different, new vibe than Ralphs has ever really had before.” You can find more information on Black Transmission Presents: Goth Dance Party Vol. 1 on Facebook and for more information about Ralph’s Diner, head to Ralphsrockdiner.com.

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I’m certainly not prepared to stop that now, so with that in mind, my job (I mean my title here. I’m a journalist at a small paper, so my job is really whatever needs to be done that I’m close enough to something resembling capable of doing. (I read this in Bilbo Baggins’ voice, so it’s only fair to quote the whole thing: “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”)) is to provide up to date information in the world of entertainment: arts, music, nightlife, et al. With many of the more unique events, I don’t catch wind of them until the last minute. With the Memorial Day weekend, I get a short deadline to make it to press, meaning there will be a number of things I missed, it’s just the nature of the game, so before you email me telling me what a jabroni I am, just know, I know what a jabroni I am already and save your twiddling one-finger typing for someone else, please. It’s also important to bear in mind that when you read this, Memorial Day will have passed days ago. Well, I am typing this on Thursday, May 24, so I am, again, a time-traveler here. So, don’t mess around or I will change the past, sending a ripple through the future and mannnn who knows what mischief I could get into with that.

LAST CALL: Well, not really. I think this is the first call I’ve made here in the column, but since I’m rambling from the distant past (last Thursday), let’s run it. Have you noticed the Artist Spotlight feature in the paper lately? Unfortunately, we don’t have one this week. My well has run a bit dry. If you’ve never seen it, here is what it’s all about. A full page devoted to a unique artist each week, one piece, full color, the page is devoted to the work, with a brief bio and information on where to see more. It’s pretty straightforward and something I am really proud of being able to add to the paper for the redesign a few months back. We’ve included artists such as Melinda Goodhue, Don Hartmann, Clifton Hunt, Victor Pacheco, Sue Dion and Sam Harnois and more. So, while I’m sure there are a few people that would turn their nose up at the entire concept, for the rest of you, email me at Jlyford@worcestermagazine.com and keep me informed, I would like to keep this thing running into the future. DOGS VS PIES: You’ve probably seen it online already, or argued about it over a beer at

one of the many fine watering holes around town, but if not, here is an update. The Worcester Bravehearts are running a little voting competition and it really cuts to the core of Worcester pride: George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs versus Table Talk Pies. Central Mass folks, hit up Surveymonkey.com to vote (I am not writing out the whole URL, this is 2018, Google it) and the winner is immortalized ( for one night) in a jersey the Bravehearts will wear on the field. Both jerseys look absolutely amazing, but that’s not the most important part. Holy shit, do I love pitting people against each other like this. You know how I found out about this? By being bullied at Smackdown at the DCU Center last week into voting for Coney Island. I don’t even eat meat, but I have to admit those jerseys look incredible. Anyway, you probably already have an opinion about this ,and you’re probably already pissed that I publicly admitted to not eating Coney Island dogs while simultaneously living in Worcester (hey, I don’t like desserts either, sorry Table Talk) and want to freak out. Well, freak out with that mousepad and vote, baby.

A GEMME OF A TALE: Psst, former Worcester Police Chief Gary Gemme wrote a romance novel called “Margaret’s Dove.” I have to walk, drive and ride these streets, so I’ll keep my comments to myself. Just thought you’d want to know about it. Maybe.

Joshua Lyford Culture editor @Joshachusetts

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

culture Unity Radio is a new radio station in Worcester with local Talk, Music, Sports & Weather.

Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Ready, Set, Let’s Roll

The seventh annual Worcester Food Truck and Beer Festival returns June 2 at the Worcester Common Oval. Tickets will be available at the gate for $10. Cuisine includes irresistible offerings from Zinneken’s Waffles, The Rice Truck, Say Cheese!, Homegrown & Co., Anzio’s Pizza and 20 other vendors. Breweries will include Jack’s Abby, Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, 21st Amendment, Unita Brewing and more. If you can’t make it to the festival, you’re in luck. Nashoba Valley Winery Food Truck Fridays are here. The Friday food truck ritual begins June 1, 4-7 p.m. More than 13 trucks will visit the winery over a span of 18 fridays, featuring one new truck each week. Admission is always free. Keep an eye out for the Shuckin’ Truck, Open Season (specializing in wild game), Sabor Latino and StrEat Food Rx.

Collected

In autumn 2011, I taught the book”Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life,” by Wendy Mass – a young adult novel in which each of the main characters scours flea markets and yard sales to feed their personal collections. I asked my students to keep collections of their own for the remainder of the school year to help them better understand how the objects we surround ourselves with can define us. What resulted were lockers filled with fortune cookies, state quarters, guitar picks, and Snapple caps. My favorite was the girl who brought in a cooler full of snowballs she had saved from each of the blizzards that year, carefully catalogued by date and forecast. Naturally, I was thrilled to find that, on June 2, the Worcester Historical Museum is doing its part to help you find your own meaningful objects. The WHM Yard Sale is set to take place place 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and there are sure to be treasures among the vintage kitchen items, framed Worcester photos, and classic clothing. The sale will take place at Salisbury Mansion, the former living quarters and store of Stephen Salisbury that dates back to 1772. What do you collect and what does it say about your character?

Go the Distance

Most of the races I sign up for are 5 kilometers (although, I did just register for the NYC Marathon and I need all the training tips I can get.) The Worcester Fire Department’s 6k pushes us out of our element by tacking on an extra

kilometer, for good reason. Worcester’s favorite 6k is about more than just going the distance. It’s about remembering the lives of six valued members of our community. The WFD 6k begins in Institute Park June 3 at 11:30 a.m. with a performance by the Worcester Firefighter Pipes and Drums. Runners cross the start and finish lines beneath two aerial ladder trucks adorned with the American flag. The event was designed to memorialize six firefighters lost in the Worcester Cold Storage Fire on Dec. 3, 1999. A unique sense of community built around this race makes it unlike any other, giving the day a block party feel on a big city scale. Festivities benefit NEADS, dogs for deaf and disabled Americans, Genesis Club, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Community Harvest Project. Come out rain or shine for an excellent event.

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June, July and August. Explore the formal gardens and then head to the beer garden where a rotating selection of eight seasonal craft beers will be available each week. Tower Hill’s views of the Wachusett Reservoir along with the Wild Rumpus stickwork exhibit make it the perfect spot for picnicking and lawn games. Yoga will take place from 6-7:15 p.m., along with valuable community conversations. If you’re looking for a reduced fare during Tower Hill’s regular hours, head to the Worcester Public Library first and make use of the library pass program. Sarah Connell contributing writer

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My Take on Mai Tai SANDRA RAIN

69 Green St., Worcester 508-751-5900

will admit that until very recently, I had only visited Mai Tai Bar & Sushi Restaurant after midnight. This sushi spot possesses one of Worcester’s rare late night kitchens and draws a hefty crowd come witching hour. Armed with my own flimsy knowledge of a half dozen last-stop excursions, I have frequently jumped to Ma Tai’s defense when inquiring minds express doubt. Furthermore, I have long suspected the restaurant is capable of more than just 1 a.m. caterpillar makis. To confirm my suspicions that Mai Tai, is in fact, an after-hours haunt with primetime ambitions, I made plans to visit in the light of day.

It’s true that the cherry red glitter top bar loses a bit of its luster in the sunshine. The same could be said of the electric blue, backlit vodka bottles behind the bar. Perhaps the most serious thing about Mai Tai is the sushi chef himself, austere in his movement and stature. Or maybe he’s just cold. Inside 69 Green St., it is perpetually frigid. Tile floors and drop ceilings don’t do justice to the patience of his craft – then again, some of Japan’s best sushi spots are tucked away in Metro Stations. Red lights illuminate a series of pillars, and even before sundown, a DJ sets up his equipment to prepare for the eidolons who will float in after dark. Mai Tai’s storefront offers impressive floor-

length windows that open to the street. Bar customers will appreciate the purse hooks. The bartenders are assertive and relish their regulars. Come service, they have 86’ed the hamachi kama ($13) and are out of the radishes for kinuta maki ($9.) Staff is confident in making suggestions for alternatives. A Gekkeikan sake dispenser bows to 2,000-year-old traditions, embodying the brand’s crown of laurel as a formal pledge of excellence. The namesake mai tai ($7.01) is severe, willing customers to soak up the booze with a sushi roll or two. The drinks have descriptions that are amusing, but entirely unhelpful. Take for instance, Dr. Funk ($6.54), “a strange, mysterious drink... thoroughly delicious and a delightful tropical drink, topped with Pernod.” Live a little. You don’t have to eat seaweed if you’re a pu-pu kind of guy (or gal.) The pu-pu platter for two ($18) is a cursory order – a quick-fix. Still, the beef teriyaki, egg rolls, chicken wings, tempura, and rangoons might act as gateway fodder for half-hearted guests. There is also beginner sushi, like the Green Street maki ($13) assembled with crab stick tempura, mango, avocado, unagi sauce, spicy mayo and crunchy bits. Edible flowers and shredded beets adorn the plates. All the soy sauce is reportedly low sodium, despite consistently orange pourers. There are also prideful expressions on the menu, like the unaju dinner ($19), broiled freshwater eel with an egg over a bed of rice. The precision of the chef ’s naruto maki ($8) is impressive in its bright coil of thinly-sliced cucumber layered with crab stick, avocado and tiny beads of flying fish roe. Mai Tai doesn’t have to limit itself to creatures of the night, but if they aim to impress a dinner crowd in the future, the kitchen will need to keep better inventory. I applaud the staff ’s spirit notwithstanding my pet peeve of servers and bartenders scrolling through their phones while a shift is slow. There’s always side work to be done; polishing glassware reads infinitely more professional than bulking up your Instagram story. Leave the posting to the late night crowd. On my last visit for sushi and drinks, our total came to $38.01.

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culture

A Fordless Solo JIM KEOGH

n a galaxy close, close to home, a critic watched yet another “Star Wars” movie, threw up his hands, and said “Enough!” These films are beginning to resemble an inside joke, and I’m left conspicuously outside the inner circle. “Solo: A Star Wars Story” feels made for fanboys, an opportunity to ensure every molecule of the Universe-that-George-Built is reexamined, every breath of the mythology re-exhaled. It also feels wholly unnecessary. Han Solo, the roguish smuggler with the reluctant good-guy streak, was Harrison Ford’s supreme invention. We watched Ford play him from a cocky young man to a cloaked old-timer grappling with his destiny — a character arc that craved no embellishment. So why this origin story? Money, clearly. Disney owns the franchise now and “Solo” is released into the cinematic mainstream a mere five months after “The Last Jedi.” The studio ap-

parently believed if we’ll sit still through multiple retellings of the murder of Batman’s parents, the infant Superman’s escape from Krypton, and Peter Parker’s radioactive snake bite, surely we’re aching to experience Han as a mere pup. The smuggler himself can respect a blatant cash grab. The movie is not a disaster, as some had predicted it would be when director Ron Howard was summoned to rescue the troubled production. His patch job is not great art either. The movie bounces from one frenetic set piece to another — dogfights, shootouts, endless chases, and a train heist, which seems odd to be taking place in a time when people travel on intergalactic spaceships. Who needs tracks? As biography goes, “Solo” is Han’s Highlight Reel, a montage of his greatest hits. If this one had chapter headings, they’d be something like: • How I met Chewbacca • My dinner with Lando • The Millennium Falcon and me • The day I heard of Jabba the Hutt You get the idea. Alden Ehrenreich’s casting as Han befuddles me. He looks nothing like Harrison Ford, stands a foot shorter, and lacks the vocal timber. Ehrenreich knows his way around a one-liner and can smirk a little, otherwise he’s just not in the same stratosphere as his forebear.

We learn Han grew up on a crappy planet in Oliver Twist-like circumstances while plotting his escape with girlfriend Qi’ra (Emelia Clarke). Just as they’re about to make their break, she’s captured and forced into servitude, while Han becomes a soldier, then an outlaw. If you don’t

think they will reunite, watch more movies. The central narrative involves Han and Chewbacca joining a band of thieves led by Beckett (Woody Harrelson, who deserves a Chili’s gift card for appearing in his one-millionth movie) to steal precious coaxium fuel and deliver it to the criminal overlord, Dryden (Paul Bettany, who seems not to belong in this movie, like he parachuted onto the set thinking his target was an indy picture). To make it happen, Han pairs up with fellow rogue Lando Calrissian, played by Donald Glover, who executes a passable Billy Dee Williams imitation, but has little impact. For me, the whole thing was a big “meh.” Obviously, I’ve grown agnostic about “Star Wars” movies, which may be heresy to the true believers, though I suspect our numbers are expanding. Early box office returns for “Solo” reveal it performing below expectations, which may suggest “Star Wars” fatigue is setting in. Oh, the film will make its mega-millions, but it’s no cultural phenomenon. It’s only a blip. Jim Keogh contributing writer

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culture

Saturday, June 2 The Vivisectors

Starlite, 39 Hamilton St., Southbridge The Vivisectors return to Central Mas-

Saturday, June 2 Worcester Film Wars

Ralph’s Diner, 148 Grove St. Watch the fruits of Worcester’s only three-day film competition at Ralph’s Diner, broadcast on the big screen. Filmmakers had just three days to write, film and edit a short film, now they battle it out and you cast the votes. The event is free and 18-plus.

Sunday, June 3 Worcester Bravehearts versus Pittsfield Sun

Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, 1 College St. The Worcester Bravehearts get summer underway when they take on the Pittsfield Sun at Fitton Field. First pitch is at 4:05 and this marks “Kids Club Sunday.”

Friday-Sunday, June 1-3 2018 Grecian Festival

Saturday, June 2 Seventh Annual Worcester Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

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Worcester City Hall and Common, 455 Main St. Food Truck Festivals of America returns with their seventh annual food truck and craft beer festival from noon-2 p.m. on June 2. Vendors include Shuckin’ Truck, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Melt, Sun Kim Bop, Home Grown & Co., The Whoopie Wagon and many more. Craft brewers include Jack’s Abby, Lord Hobo, Down the Road, 21st Amendment Brewing and more.

sachusetts with Thee Sonomatics on June 2. The Russian surf punk trio recently relocated to New York and they will have a filmmaker in tow filming for a documentary on the Vivisectors and the Antipov family.

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culture Tuesday, June 5 Alzheimer’s-Every Minute Counts

Shrewsbury Public Library, 609 Main St., Shrewsbury A documentary screening of “Alzheimer’s-Every Minute Counts” at the Shrewsbury Public Library. Registration and refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m., film screening held at 6 and discussion following. Pre-registration with the Alzheimer’s Association is requested, call 1-800-272-3900.

Thursday, June 7 The Wonder Years

Worcester Palladium, 261 Main St. Pop-punk stalwarts The Wonder Years return to Worcester in support of their new “Sister Cities” album. They will be joined by Tigers Jaw, Tiny Moving Parts and Worries. Tickets available at the door or online.

Thursday, June 7 Plant Identification Hike at Cook’s Canyon

Mass Audubon’s Cook’s Canyon Wildlife Sanctuary, South St., Barre Folk herbalist Amber Kennedy from Bohéme Botanika Herbals guides participants on an evening hike at Cook’s Canyon wildlife sanctuary, where guests learn how to properly ID plants, use a plant ID guide, learn plant facts and folklore and more. Hikes are rain or shine, bring water, pencil, notebook, camera and wear sun and insect protection. Groups are kept small, pre-register by emailing bohemebotanika@gmail.com.

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sports p For Bravehearts coach, special start to third year WALTER BIRD JR.

.P. Pyne fully expected to be in the dugout when the Worcester Bravehearts kicked off their 2018 season Wednesday night at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field in Worcester. Next Wednesday? Now that could be a different story altogether. Pyne and his wife are expecting their second child, a boy, June 6. The Bravehearts, now in their fifth year with the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, have a 10:30 a.m. home game with the Bristol Blues that day. The good news is the team has the next day off. “I told my wife if she can hold off until around 3 o’clock [Wednesday], we’ll be good to go from there,” Pyne said with a laugh recently. The baby, he acknowledged, may have other ideas. Pyne, who also has a 3-year-old daughter, isn’t the only one on the staff expecting a special delivery. Assistant coach Casey Cummins’s wife, is due withing a couple days of Pyne’s wife, the coach said. “It’s going to be interesting starting the season for me,” said Pyne, who is also the head baseball coach at Clark University.

was such an amazing group the entire summer.” The Bravehearts finished 37-18 in 2016, capturing first place in the West Division with ease. They lost to the Nashua Silver Knights, with whom Pyne had spent two years and won a

championship as an assistant. Last year was almost the exact opposite. The Bravehearts finished in last place, 25-29. The team managed to upset the East Division-leading Brockton Rox in the playoffs, however, sending themselves back into the championship. Once again, they faced the Silver Knights. Once again, they came up short. For Pyne, however, the season was not a loss. “It was probably the more gratifying of the two years in the sense that, in year one, it was almost like I could pick my lineup out of a hat and we were going to win,” said Pyne. “It was a matter of by how many. We had such a pronounced lead, we could play everybody and kind of go from there.” In 2017, not so much. The team lost several players during the season for various reasons, in-

cluding Tom Walraven to injury. The Bravehearts had to win their last game of the regular season just to get into the playoffs. “As much of a struggle as it was at times … we had to cobble it together,” Pyne said. “For us to go on the road against a Brockton team, the number one team in the entire league, and sweep them, them limp into the finals, to be playing on the last day with a chance to win the championship, I’ve very proud of the players from last year’s team and my coaching staff to have done that. “I’m sure this year will have its own identity. I hope it’s kind of more like the first year, but we’ll see.”

C O N T I N U E D O N N E XT PA G E

THIRD YEAR AT HELM

he arrival of a new baby aside, Pyne is in his third year as head coach of the Bravehearts, a team that has reached the championship series in each of its first four years in the FCBL. Having won the title outright in 2014 and 2015, the team has yet to bring the trophy home under Pyne, but he is hopeful that changes this year. “I’m excited,” Pyne said of the 2018 season, taking time to briefly reflect on his first two campaigns. “My first two years have been two really, drastically-different years. Year one, we were, wire-to-wire, in first place, double-digit leads. It

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

J.P. Pyne, left, head coach of the Worcester Bravehearts with former Braveheart John Friday, is now in his third year with the team. ALEXIS THOMPSON PHOTO

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

sports Join Us! PYNE

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P R E V I O U S PA G E

HOLY CROSS RETURNS

yne is especally excited to have Holy Cross players returning to the team after having none last year. Most notably, relief pitcher Danny Barlock is coming back after playing for Pyne and the Bravehearts two years ago. “We sort of highlighted him as a guy we wanted back and sort of wish-listed it, thinking it wouldn’t happen,” Pyne said of the right-hander. “Thankfully, it did work out that we did get him.” Also joining the team from Holy Cross this year are left-handed pitcher Rob Stone and infielders Chris Rinaldi and Alex Gionis. Rinaldi was the Crusaders’ team MVP last year and, along with Barlock, was named first team AllPatriot League. “They’re getting some really good players,” Holy Cross baseball coach Greg DiCenzo said.

The Score

Massachusetts Pirates May 26 The Pirates fell prey to the Jacksonville Sharks, 47-42, at the DCU Center. The loss dropped the Pirates to 5-3 in the National Arena League. The team had also fallen to the Carolina Cobras a week earlier, 72-65. (Upcoming: The Pirates go on the road Saturday, June 2 to do battle with the Maine Mammoths, whom they have already twice beaten this year - both at home. Worcester Smiles May 26 The Worcester Smiles won their first game of

“They’re getting the best shortstop in our conference, and I think the best reliever in our conference. You’re probably getting the most versatile utility guy in the Patriot League in Alex Gionis. Rob Stone’s a developmental guy.” Pyne, calling last year’s absence of Holy Cross players on his roster “one of those things,” said the team is “really excited about our reconnection with Holy Cross.” DiCenzo said different factors may have led to no Crusaders playing for the Bravehearts in 2017, including the team not liking players that were available or players wanting to play in a different league. Some, he said, play 40-50 games on the Holy Cross campus and may not want to continue playing there during the summer. “This year worked out well,” DiCenzo said. “A few guys had internships in the area and knew they could get playing time. I think last year, that’s kind of the perfect storm. [The team] is looking for guys and those players have already committed elsewhere, and it just didn’t work out. I think that’s for every team in baseball.”

the season in United Women’s Soccer, with a 1-0 win at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium over the New England Mutiny. (Upcoming: The Smiles go on the road Saturday, June 2 for a rematch with the Mutiny at Agawam High School.)

Round-Up

The Massachusetts Pirates have named Monica O’Connell as coach of the dance team. O’Connell has performed in dance concerts and musical reviews in the U.S., Spain, France and Sicily.

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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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games “Uh...”--an uncomfortable pause. by Matt Jones

JONESIN’ Across 1 6 11 14 15

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

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World book? Steakhouse order Hominy holder “Rocky IV” nemesis Ivan “What the Butler Saw” playwright Joe 16 Moron’s start? 17 Question from one possibly out of earshot 19 Pizzeria order 20 “The Treasure of the ___ Madre” 21 Sammy Hagar album with “I Can’t Drive 55” 22 Rapidly 23 Edible pod 24 Sketchy craft 26 Nicholas I or II, e.g. 28 “The World Is Yours” rapper 29 Pomade alternative 30 Picturesque views 33 “Taxi” actress with a series of health and wellness books 35 Bundle of wheat 38 Hunk of goo 39 Oven protectors 40 2004 Stephen Chow comedy martial arts film 43 “That really wore me out” 44 Ending for bow or brew 45 River blocker 48 Newspaper dist. no. 49 Pig’s enclosure 50 Top-of-the-line 51 Pump, e.g. 53 Back muscle 55 Org. that goes around a lot 57 Schticky joke ender 58 Requesting versions of items at a restaurant that aren’t on the list 60 “Breaking Bad” network 61 Jouster’s weapon 62 Piñata part 63 Minigolf’s lack 64 Out of money 65 Golfing great Sam Down 1 2

Compounds Three-horse team, Russian for “a set of three”

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 22 25 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 41 42

Onion features 45 Tamed Ancient Greek marketplace 46 Key disciple of Buddha Like some gummy candy 47 Went from two lanes to one Nail site 49 Unmovable B, in the NATO phonetic 50 Be hospitable to alphabet 51 Little argument Other, in Oviedo 52 Philosopher David Barely competition (for) 54 Domini preceder Paris-to-Warsaw dir. 56 Shakespearean quintet? One with shared custody, maybe 58 Pirates’ org. Planet’s turning point 59 “___ Haw” Putin putoff? Actor Rutger of “Blade Runner” Last week's solution ___ Mae Set of steps? Fitting Movie crew electrician Group within a group Out of business, for short They consist of four qtrs. Noisy bird Velvet Underground singer Reed Runner on soft surfaces Fridge sound Settle securely Vague ©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) Endeavoring to, much less Reference puzzle #886 formally

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The Worcester Housing Authority invites sealed bids for Backflow Preventer Installation at MA 12-13,15 Webster Square Towers West and East in accordance with the documents prepared by Garofalo Design Associates, Inc. The work is estimated to cost $43,000. Project consists of but is not limited to: installing back flow preventers in two high-rise buildings. General Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 20, 2018 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Two pre-bid conferences will be held, one at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 6, 2018, the second at 2:00 p.m. on Monday June 11, 2018 in the front lobby at 1050 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603. The Worcester Housing Authority strongly recommends attending at least one, at which time bidders will visit the project site(s) with a Worcester Housing Authority representative. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. Bids are subject to M.G.L c149 §44A-J and Davis Bacon wage rates as well as other applicable laws. Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid deposit in the amount of 5% of the bid price in the form of a Bid Bond, issued by a responsible surety company licensed to do business in Massachusetts, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority by bidders for the greatest possible bid amount. Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on Wednesday May 23, 2018 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 and thereafter, Monday thru Friday 8:00 A.M. through 4:30 P. M. Copies of the contract documents may be obtained by depositing $50.00 in the form of a company check, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority, for each set of documents so obtained. The amount of the deposit will be refunded to each person who returns the plans, specifications and other documents in good condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Bidders requesting contract documents to be mailed to them should include a separate check in the amount of $40.00 for each set payable to the Worcester Housing Authority to cover mailing and handling costs. The contract documents may be seen, but not removed at: 1. Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 2. F.W. Dodge, 24 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02173 3. Reed Construction Data, 30 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, GA 30092 4. Project Dog, 18 Graf Road Unit #8 Plan Room, Newburyport, MA 01950 Attention is called to the following: 1. Provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity; 2. Provisions for payment of not less than the minimum wages as set forth in the Specifications; 3. Provisions of Chapter 14, Acts of 1966, Imposing a Temporary Sales Tax, Section 1, Subsection 6 (d) and (k) exempting the Authority from the operation of such a chapter; 4. Requirement to furnish and pay for a Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Bond as set forth in the specifications, 5. Insurance certificate indicating coverage for public liability, property damage and workers compensation, in accordance with the contract requirements, must be filed by the successful bidder upon signing of the contract. The contract will be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder with the lowest proposed contract price including the dollar amount of all accepted alternates. The Worcester Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or to waive any formalities in the bidding if it be in the public interest to do so. No bid of a General Bidder shall be withdrawn, after opening thereof, prior to thirty (30) days, Saturday, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, without the consent of the Worcester Housing Authority. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 1 week prior to opening by noon time and emailed to Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org Reference the WHA Job Number only in the subject line. Worcester Housing Authority Joseph P. Carlson, Chairman DATE: MAY 23, 2018

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last call Ryan Matson exemplar R

yan Matson works for the Small Business Insurance Agency, an organization of Carroll Enterprises that places great value on the role that community development plays in economic growth. As a recent graduate of Leadership Worcester, chair of the Chamber Ambassadors and organizer of Paulsen’s Putt Against Parkinson’s Golf Tournament, Matson is an eager exemplar for up-and-comers in the city of Worcester.

tion? Yes, it was an honor to be recognized for my efforts and involvement on behalf of the Worcester Regional Chamber. The award was for Chamber Advocate of the year. I am chair of the Chamber Ambassadors and I am involved with a few different programs through the Chamber. When speaking with business owners or people looking to grow their business, I just look to make them aware of all the Chamber has to offer from support

ELIZABETH BROOKS

What is your history with the city of Worcester? Well, I grew up in Sutton, and going to St. John’s High School I had many friends that grew up in the area and the city as well. I always had family or participated in different programs through church in the city in those years. I remember it being an exciting experience to come 20 minutes “up the road” to visit the “Outlets” or “Foothills.” I graduated from Assumption College in 2008 and then worked at The WB Mason Company of Worcester for eight years after graduation. I got involved with the Worcester Chamber almost four years ago and really became passionate about where the city was and the potential it has. I think I was tired of people from the Boston area saying, “Why Worcester?” or listening to their preconceived notions.I love that today we can all be excited and passionate about this city we call home. I moved here a year and a half ago and have been working for the Small Business Insurance Agency located at 38 Austin St. As a member of the 2018 Leadership Worcester class, what was your most memorable experience? There were many memorable moments and great experiences. I think the most memorable takeaway is a feeling of excitement. It was great to look around the room and see fellow “young” people excited about the city and where it is headed. I drew inspiration from those in the class, as they were all so driven and passionate. It gives me excitement about the future of Worcester. Though challenges lie ahead I am proud and confident to be a part of a group of emerging leaders like those with whom I shared the experience.

programs to provide guidance, increasing sales or connecting them with another professional through the chamber that can help their business. In my mind, being a business professional in the area goes hand and hand with being a member of the Chamber.

I understand you just received an award from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. What led to that recogni-

Tell us how your annual golf tournament got started. In November 2016 my brother called me and said he wanted to do some sort

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of fundraiser for my grandfather Bob Paulsen, who has suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for 20-plus years. I immediately said I was “in” and our thoughts started small and settled on a golf tournament. We got some family involved and started brainstorming. We finally launched a web page and reached out to friends and family about the tournament in April last year. It quickly grew into something special. Through the stress of the next

M AY 31 - J U N E 6, 2018

few months and a first-year tournament, we were able to raise $27,000 to fight Parkinson’s disease for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. We had 132 golfers and 170 people at dinner in July of 2017. After the success of year one, we felt an obligation to keep it rolling, as we felt this could turn into something special to help defeat a disease that is often overlooked. Now the Paulsen’s Putt Against Parkinson’s Golf Tournament prepares for its second year at

Highfields Golf and Country Club in Grafton July 13. What charitable cause will you be supporting this year? This year we are keeping the money local and it will be going to UMass Medical School. After the tournament last year, we were connected with the team at UMass, and in turn introduced to the three different programs that work around the disease. We chose two of those programs to contribute to. One is the Movement Disorders Fellowship in the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center. This fellowship is one that has been supported for the last two years by Dr. Marty Martel in honor of his late wife. This fellowship through research and patient care directly affects 600 Parkinson’s patients here in the local community. The second program that we are supporting is a vaccine that Dr. Gary Ostroff, a Parkinson’s patient himself, is in the process of developing. The vaccine in its earliest stages has showed great promise, as he was most recently published back in November 2017. We are so excited about working with UMass and the team this year, and to see the money raised make a true impact in the Parkinson’s community at a grassroots level. How can our readers help your efforts to be as successful as possible? Well, we are always looking for donations and golfers for the tournament. We have many levels of sponsorship that local companies and individuals can get involved with. You can see the levels of sponsorship opportunities, register and donate on our website, www.ppapgolf. com. If anyone has questions about sponsorship, registration or raffle donations you can email us at paulsengolftourney@gmail.com. Our goal this year is to double what we did last year to $50,000 which may be aggressive, but I am confident in our plan of action. If you would like to get involved in our committee, I am seeking a team of people in the local community to help us raise money and get golfer sponsors. If you have questions about the tournament, or have questions about anything we discussed today, I can be reached directly by email at rmatson@sbia.com. – Sarah Connell

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