Worcester Magazine July 19 - 25, 2018

JULY 19 - 25, 2018 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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DEATH of

WORCIDE

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Human trafficking hotel policy moves forward in Worcester: As activists pressed that time is of the essence, the City Council this week moved a policy proposal to curb sex trafficking in Worcester to public hearings. 4 A Hot Night in the City: On Friday, July 20, the Worcester Center for Crafts once again hosts its annual “Hot Night in the City” event. 18 Worcester’s George Street Bike Challenge: Returning for its 16th iteration this year, the George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor promises to be quite the spectacle. 18

in this issue J U LY 19 - 25, 2018 • V O L U M E 43 I S S U E 47

the cover

The Death of Worcide A skatepark destroyed, a push to make it right Chris Matthews, skateboarder and volunteer, holds the brim of his hat in the empty tunnel that used to house Worcide Skatepark.

Story on page 13 Photo by Elizabeth Brooks, Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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26 Find us on Facebook.com/worcestermag Twitter @worcestermag Instagram: Worcestermag

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news

Council backs plan to end chronic homelessness BILL SHANER

T

he City Council is on board with a roughly $6-million plan to end chronic homelessness once and for all.

Councilors lauded the plan as a thorough approach with the necessary accountability measures to sustain effectiveness.

“This is not a Band Aid. We’re looking at this systematically,” said District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera.

A task force created by the city manager released details of the plan on Friday. With a focus on getting the homeless into housing as opposed to shelters, the plan calls for developing more than 100 new units of small, efficiency housing for single adults, increased social services and a renters insurance fund, among other policy steps.

City Manager Ed Augustus, Jr., who chaired the 28-person Task Force on Housing First Solutions, said Tuesday he’s ready to follow through on the findings.

“My administration is completely committed to making sure the recommendations in that report become a reality,” said Augustus.

At a briefing Wednesday afternoon, officials involved laid out some of the details: they’re eyeing a $4-$6 million investment in housing options, from a variety of sources; better mechanisms to track the homeless population and the city’s efforts; and more counseling and support for those in need. It’s all in the name of adopting a “housing first” model, which seeks to rapidly place the homeless in apartments as opposed to filling shelters, and providing them the support needed to keep them there.

“The goal is to be as nimble as the problem itself,” said Augustus at the briefing.

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The report comes as chronic homelessness — those who have gone months or years without permanent shelter — has slowly crept back from a low in 2011, when the number hit an effective zero and city officials declared the problem of homelessness over.

Currently, officials estimate there are about

100 people, up from 60 last year, who meet the criteria for chronically homeless in Worcester, though the number is constantly in flux. The homelessness population in general is estimated at 1,111, of which 392 are adults without children, 207 are families and 37 are unaccompanied youth, ages 18 to 24, according to a city study published last year. An estimated 115 are estimated to be veterans. One fourth of the population is estimated to be single women, a number that is on the rise.

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The Task Force for Sustaining Housing First Solutions, assembled by City Manager Ed Augustus Jr., will deliver 26 specific recommendations to City Hall to curb homelessness. The recommendations are expected to focus on implementing models of one-on-one counseling, rapid rehousing in apartments, case management and data systems to help measure and sustain progress.

The problem, Augustus said, was due to a number of factors: a lack of affordable one bedroom apartments, federal stimulus money for homeless prevention which dried up, a shortage in behavioral health staffing due to the opioid crisis, and under-utilized medicaid benefits for housing.

The new plan has an emphasis on sustainability, accountability and monitoring, Augustus said, to make sure homelessness goes down and stays down.

The city manager appointed the task force earlier this year, and it got to work in March. A team of 28 members representing nonprofits, service agencies and government agencies from around the area was split into three working groups. One worked on gathering data about the issue as it stands in Worcester, another worked on housing, the third on case management.

With a $25,000 grant from the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, the task force also retained a heavy-hitting consultant on the issue. Barbara Poppe, former executive director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and a nationally-renowned expert on the issue, was brought on to help the task force assemble the report.

The recommendations are expected to focus

on five key areas: crisis response, housing supply and rental assistance, support services, housing stabilization and data-driven decision-making.

The recommendations come after two wellattended public forums where residents gave suggestions for what they wanted to see the city, nonprofits and other agencies do. For the residents struggling with homelessness, high rents and the lack of affordable housing were common grievances, as were the lack of quality addiction treatment and temporary shelter.

Landlords and property managers also spoke, saying they’d like to build more small, affordable apartments, but state building codes can make it cost prohibitive to do so.

A representative of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce asked the task force to look at panhandling, and an employee at the Worcester Public Library said the main branch downtown could be a useful resource if funded properly.

Among the draft recommendations released by the task force in June, after the public meetings, were about 100 more housing units over the next year, including donating city property and targeting properties where the number of units could be expanded. It also included a “crisis response” component to catch people falling into homelessness before it becomes chronic. That, according to the draft recommendations, would include a homelessness prevention fund, a diversion system and a “rapid rehousing” model, that passes over shelter stays in favor of apartments. To help the homeless into privately-owned apartments, the task force recommends a tenant-landlord insurance fund, which would reduce the perception of risk for property owners. Helping the homeless access state services like health insurance, SNAP benefits and social security is also a focus.

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

Presents

THE 16th ANNUAL GEORGE STREET

BIKE CHALLENGE See how fast you can pedal up George Street one of the steepest hills in the city.

It’s all for fun and novices are welcome on any type of bike. Medals are awarded for Men and Women in 5 different age groups.

SUNDAY JULY 22ND 10AM-12PM DOWNTOWN WORCESTER Visit majortaylorassociation.org for all race and registration details.

WORCESTER ’S OLD BIKE SHOP. EST IKE SHOP VOTED BEST B LAST IN WORCESTER OW R 3 YEARS IN-A-

COME JOIN THE CROWDS AND WATCH THE CYCLISTS STRUGGLE TO CONQUER THE CLIMB Peter Howard, owner of Barney’s Bicycle and co-founder of the George Street Challenge (He races too!)

Honoring Major Taylor, our own home town hero and 1899 world cycling champion, who trained on this very hill.

Worcester’s Public Library Statue Honoring Major Taylor

582 Park Ave. Worcester • barneysbicycle.com • 799-BIKE (2453) J U LY 1 9 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 8

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news

Human trafficking hotel policy moves forward in Worcester A ings.

“We really need to keep pushing the issue,” said activist Robin Currie, “As we delay, lives are being lost. The longer this takes to go through, the more people are going to be trafficked and stuck in these hotels and other areas of the city.”

The proposal, initially put forward by local activists with the Central Massachusetts Freedom Coalition and fine-tuned by the city legal department, would require all hotels in Worcester to train their employees on how to spot and properly report suspected sex trafficking.

After discussion on the merits, the City Council moved to send the proposal to the Standing Committee on Public Health, where members will hold public hearings before determining whether to send it back to Council for a vote.

District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera, who chairs the Public Health Committee, said she has been encouraged by the number of hotels to already adopt human trafficking policies. But she said the issue still persists, and committed to holding a hearing on the proposal within a month.

“This is something in general I’ve been very passionate about,” said Rivera.

The draft ordinance, submitted by City Solicitor David Moore and titled “An Ordinance Relative to the Recognition and Elimination of Human Trafficking,” has five components.

Perhaps the most significant, the city will require any hotel to open in Worcester to adopt the policy itself. It also requires city employees be trained in spotting human trafficking, and bars the city from doing business with any entity found to participate in human trafficking, either directly or indirectly. Per the draft policy, each city department will display information about the policy in their offices, as well as tips on how to spot human trafficking.

The training involves an overview of human trafficking, tips on how to recognize victims and activities related to trafficking, and what

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The problem is one experts believe is worsening. The trafficking industry is estimated at $150 billion annually for labor, sex or organs, and disproportionately impacts young girls. As of September 2017, 24.9 million victims were estimated to be trapped in a cycle of trafficking, according to statistics kept by the aid group Human Rights First.

In the U.S., the problem is particularly bad along the East Coast, as dense populations and abundance of highways and She also warned the problem of sex trafroadside hotels make for ideal conditions for ficking could become worse. She cited news re- moving trafficked people, according to the ports of drug cartels expanding their business Polaris Project. to human trafficking.

“That is going to be a major problem in this Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-749-3166 country,” Lukes said. “ To recognize it now and x324 or at wshaner@worcestermag.com. Follow to take aggressive action to stop it, I think it’s him on Twitter @Bill_Shaner. the least the city can do.”

ELIZABETH BROOKS

s activists pressed that time is of the essence, the City Council this week moved a policy proposal to curb sex trafficking in Worcester to public hear-

to do if suspicious.

The policy would require the city to keep data on hotels, AirBnB and other places for temporary stay on compliance with the human trafficking policy.

The human trafficking policy, modeled after a statewide measure in Connecticut that passed in 2016, has been working its way through city government for months. It first saw the City Council floor last December, when the Council voted to move it to the Public Health Committee a first time. From there, it moved to a legal review in February. Now it moves back to Public Health.

Councilor-At-Large Konnie Lukes praised the tenacity of the activists, some of whom have been on the issue for years and is now “finally seeing some results.”

1,001 words

BILL SHANER

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news Hot Night City

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worcesteria

THIS IS THE END: It appears the reign of Sen. Pres. Harriette Chandler, Worcester’s own, is set to come to an end. According to a Boston Business Journal Report, Ashland State Sen. Karen Spilka is set to take over by the end of the legislative session (end of the month). She has the votes and she’s just going to do it, and that’s that. Now, I know a lot of people around here are unhappy about this display of political gamesmanship. But these are politicians, this is what they do. Rather than bemoan the loss of regional power at the head of the senate, let’s take a look at some of the things still at stake as Chandler tries to steer this ship toward end of session. Most important for Worcester, probably, is the difference in funding between the Senate and House budgets for the WRTA. The Senate throws $8 million more at the RTA network. The House only offers $2 million. And Gov. Charlie Baker, obviously, offers $0. Should Chandler’s budget prevail, we may see the brutal bus austerity slow. Also at stake are pretty dramatic differences in funding for English Language Learners and special education between the House and Senate. This also hugely impacts Gateway Cities like Worcester. Should Chandler prevail on both those fronts, she would have done more than enough for Worcester during her short reign.

CIRCLE THE WAGONS: Don’t think it went unnoticed among political observers the hoops the mayor and others jumped through Tuesday night to give Candy Mero-Carlson a win on this Worcide issue – which she did not handle well at the onset. It was absurd. And it definitely doesn’t have anything to do with the fact she’s chair of the Worcester Dems. No way.

Let me try to explain this wagon circling as simply as I can. On Friday, while the rest of the city recoiled in horror at what was clearly a SNAFU, Mero-Carlson gave a few hot “who cares” quotes to both us and the Telegram. This left her out on her own as a clear villain in the story.

Now, flash forward to Tuesday night, and who is out front on the issue, saying the city is going to make it right? Candy Mero-Carlson. There were a few tells this was orchestrated. First, Mayor Joe Petty asked as the public speaker section started, if anyone wanted to “waive the rules” to allow people to speak on items not on the agenda, something in my year and a half here I have never heard him say. No one took the bait, despite his leaving it hanging there for a few seconds. So there was some miscommunication there. Then, before the first skater got up to speak, Petty interrupted, saying Mero-Carlson had something to say first, another thing I’ve never seen happen on this Council. She then motioned to waive the rules to “allow” the skaters to speak. After two skaters spoke, Mero-Carlson again took the floor, an uncommon move (possibly against the rules, as it was during the public speaking portion, though I’m unsure), to speak at length about how the city made a mistake. This is all separate and aside from the city’s general handling of the situation, which has been decent – so long as it is followed through on. But as we went over in the first item of this column, politicians play games.

You know the saying: “Never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.” Petty and MeroCarlson may as well have yelled, “This could bite us in 2019” between two theatrical coughs.

GIVE HIM A DEBATE: Blake Rubin wants to take the stage against Joe Early Jr. before the

November election. Will it happen? Early said he’s not opposed, but it’s not like he’s going out of his way to organize it either. Personally, I’m hoping we see a debate, and for one very important reason: we don’t really know Blake Rubin, and there are two trains of thought out there on what kind of candidate Rubin is. A debate could go a long way in shoring up whether Rubin is a for-real progressive reform candidate aligned with the national What Difference A DA Makes campaign, or if he is, as some believe, running on the Alli Bibaud scandal to knock out a generally well-respected Democratic DA. Based on what I know about the man, I am more inclined to believe he’s running on the national criminal justice reform wave. But also, honestly, I might just want to believe that, and the other scenario is just as likely. Moral of the story, we know who Early is – a sturdy and connected Democrat.

We do not know who Rubin is. A debate would go a long way toward sorting that out.

Bill Shaner, reporter wshaner@worcestermag.com Twitter: @Bill_Shaner

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The Worcester branch of the Democratic Socialists of America will host a clinic to replace broken brake lights for area residents for free. The program takes

place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Main South Community Development Corporation parking lot (875 Main St.). The brake light repairs are intended to prevent unnecessary police stops, tickets and court appearances.

These stops, according to the DSA, disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.

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In order to sustain the newly-formed middle school sports program at Worcester Public Schools, officials are

seeking private funds. The School Committee is set to discuss a proposal to court private investment to sustain the program at their meeting tonight.

FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

The Save Notre Dame Alliance, the group whose fight to preserve the Notre Dame Des Canadiens church has led them often to City Council and even

to court, are proposing a compromise. They’ll offer to drop their lawsuit against Hanover Insurance, the property owner, if the company agrees to a plan that would keep the structure of the building in place and build a community garden around it.

Private streets have long been a vexing problem for property owners and the city.

The city isn’t technically responsible for maintaining them, but they do plow them.

Sometimes those plows cause damage. For that and many other reasons, private streets throughout the city have fallen into disrepair. On Tuesday, the Department of Public Works offered a compromise solution to the City Council. They’ll make gravel and recycled asphalt available to private road owners to be used to repair potholes.

Much of the recent development in Worcester has been comprised of hotel projects, most notably the AC Marriott

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and Hilton Garden Suites downtown. The building may seem extreme, and unique to Worcester, but it’s not, according to a Wicked Local study. As demand outpaces supply, hotel developments have cropped up across the state, and an additional 1,332 hotel rooms are expected across the state in 2019.

The Boston area and Cape Cod are seeing the bulk of the action.

As controversy over the Valley Green Grow cultivation center continues to roil Charlton, another recreational

pot company hopes to open their doors in the small town.

Four Score has proposed a cultivation and retail center on Route 20. The 20,000 square foot, a roughly $6-million investment if approved, would also include manufacturing.

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editorial

opinion

Skating forward after Worcide

F

or those who poured their time and energy — and money — into the skate park known as Worcide, a makeshift, DIY venture at the end of Washington Street near Worcester’s Canal District, its unceremonious destruction was a bitter pill to swallow. No warning. No courtesy call to the organizers behind it. Just some industrial equipment and, swoosh, gone in an instant was the skating area toward which the city, for about a decade, had turned a blind eye.

Now, however, saying it had essentially become a clear and present public safety hazard, the city moved in. Without question, the area had become home not just to a skating community looking for a place to do their thing, but to drug users and homeless who brought with them filth and trash. To hear Deputy Fire Chief Martin Dyer describe it, as he did recently on The Worcester Magazine Radio Hour, the space was littered human feces and flammable objects such as mattresses and tires. By Dyer’s estimate, there were about 100 tires at Worcide when officials went there last week after a reported outdoor fire.

The park runs, in part, under railroad tracks, and emergency officials believed it had become a disaster waiting to happen. Few knew exactly what kind of blowback there would be when City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. gave the go-ahead to tear down the skate park. To call it backlash is an understatement.

The outrage was as furious as it was immediate. The park came down on a Friday. By the following Monday, skate park organizers were meeting with city officials at City Hall, including Augustus, Mayor Joe Petty, Fire Chief Mike Lavoie, Police Chief Steve Sargent and Dyer.

As a result, an agreement apparently was reached to move toward a new skate park.

And therein lies the real frustration. City officials have been well aware of the interest in and need for a skate park in Worcester. Just two years ago, several youths showed up at a Council meeting and did just that. Yes, there is a skate park up by Worcester Technical High School, but hardcore skaters say it’s not enough. Plus, it’s on the outskirts of the city.

Worcester needs a centrally-located, carefully-planned and well-appointed skate park that satisfies the needs of a community that, frankly, has too long been ignored.

Augustus is absolutely right when he points to the city’s efforts to beef up recreation. His administration has done a tremendous job in that regard. This space has great faith that his office will step up in this instance.

When a new skate park is built, the city would do well to make it as much of a grassroots effort as possible. Let the skateboard community lead the way. Some of the best accomplishments are made when government knows when to stand aside. Yes, public funding and other support may be needed, but the city would be wise to allow those who know best to do the planning, to get their hands dirty, just as they did with Worcide.

That skate park is gone. Feelings have been hurt, although some have no doubt been smoothed over by city efforts after the fact. Now comes a chance for the Worcester Renaissance to include even more people.

They didn’t ask for it, but they sure as heck deserve it.

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

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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

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Look for the union label JANICE HARVEY

neighborhood school dismissed about 90 minutes earlier. My youngest was a spitfire who would never have listened to his sister — wenty-six years ago, I was in a pickle. she never broke a rule, he never followed one I was a single mom, working as an instructional assistant for the Worcester — and visions of disastrous consequences Public Schools. At the time I was working filled my head.

I was making about $16,000 a year in those for a principal — long-since retired — who had days, and paying a babysitter wasn’t an option. a reputation as a bully. His word was the only I was already playing “Let’s Make a Deal” with word, and he scared the bejeezus out of me, the electric light company and Com Gas. The which is why I became a union representative. offer — which included no pay raise — was not All of my life, I’d heard my father, a Worcester an option I could consider. cop, praise unions as the only defense against “I’m grateful that you thought of me for unfair treatment. He wasn’t wrong. your program,” I stammered, “However, I have The boss I butted heads with called me to decline.” into his office. He said he wanted me to join I gave my reasons why. the staff of a unique program on the drawing “I don’t think you understand,” he replied. boards. He lavished me with praise over my work with special needs students, as he held in “I’m telling you this is what I want to happen.”

I thought for a moment, and before I left his my hand my last evaluation, completed by the office, I said: “Thank you for affording me the teacher I assisted. It was exemplary. opportunity to pretend I had a choice. But I “I’m putting together a very special staff. I still can’t work those hours.” want you on board,” he said.

I attended a School Committee meeting the I was flattered. Who wouldn’t be? The following Tuesday, simply to remain informed Catch-22 was the schedule. for the IAs I represented. At that meeting I “This program will have extended-day spoke briefly outside chambers with the Eduhours,” he told me.

At the time, I was a newly-divorced parent cation Association of Worcester’s executive secretary, Lou Cornacchioli, since retired. The with two kids, ages 11 and 7. They would be arriving home to an empty house, since their next day I was called into the principal’s office.

T

opinion My boss pulled no punches.

“I understand you were seen talking to Lou Cornacchioli last night,” he said.

I said nothing.

“I’ve got some advice for you: stay away from Lou,” he warned.

Eventually others were assigned to his pet project. When it was time for my next evaluation, it was written by one of his assistants instead of the teacher with whom I worked every day, side by side. The assistant never observed me in the classroom, yet turned in a scathing review of my work, stating that I “lacked initiative.” Only a few months earlier, the Worcester School Committee had honored me for painting children’s murals on all three floors of the school.

The School Committee members seemed to consider this undertaking a fair example of “initiative.” I refused to sign the evaluation without adding my comment that it was retaliation for my refusal to join the new program, and for my work as a union representative. When he read my comments, his balding pate turned crimson.

That afternoon, I called the union.

I won my grievance, after Cornacchioli presented an impassioned statement to then-Superintendent Jim Garvey. Garvey took one look at my comments after Lou was done doing his best Clarence Darrow, and immediately ordered

the bogus evaluation be removed from my files.

Garvey glared at my boss the way my mother looked at me when I said something really stupid as a kid. It was a “wait till I get you home” face if ever I saw one. After all, it was Garvey who had presented me with a framed certificate of appreciation for painting the murals.

I tell this story for a reason. The Supreme Court recently dealt a harsh blow to labor unions by prohibiting them from automatically collecting fees from public workers who decline union membership. The push is on to recruit new members to make up the deficit.

Younger public workers are vastly undereducated as to the history and importance of unions, and they need to understand the benefits of union protection against unscrupulous administrators who can fire or harass employees at will. It happens every day, in every department, whether the target is a teacher, a custodian, a police officer or a firefighter. But union representation can mean putting an end to this behavior and saving livelihoods.

The push is on.

Janice Harvey contributing writer

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PHOTO/JOSHUA LYFORD

A skatepark destroyed, a push to make it right

The

DEATH of

WORCIDE

JOSHUA LYFORD

O

n Friday, July 13 the beloved Worcide DIY Community Skatepark was demolished. Without fanfare and without ceremony, the backhoes and bulldozers arrived early, shocking the local skateboarding community. For 10 years, the skatepark had existed in a gray area, with neither the city, nor the CSX train company seeming to care enough to step in and claim ownership of the space.

Last Friday, that gray area was a wash of construction-yellow and the burst of shattered

graffiti as concrete - earned through donations, fundraisers and personal funds - exploded under the steel of machinery.

Without warning, the community space that had taken hold in the blighted area beneath a CSX train bridge, at the the end of Washington Street, just behind Green Street, was gone.

It took more than 10 years to build Worcide and just a few short days to tear it down. But it was the hours following that would mean the most, as the skateboarding community and the arts, music and public-forward communities came together to find a solution.

As the public desperately searched for

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

answers - who ordered this demolition? Why after all the years of unofficial pats on the back was it happening now? Why no advance notice? - the city itself looked inward for the root cause. t was early morning Friday that word got After a week of late nights and grassroots out, the skatepark was being demolished. organizing, the city has a chance to make this Many woke up to Instagram feeds of right. demolition videos, their first indication They have committed to doing exactly that, that Worcide was being destroyed. Prior to the but only time will tell if promises are kept and demolition, there was no indication it would Worcide - or whatever a new skatepark may be take place, outside of a few quiet “no trespasscalled - can live and thrive once again. ing� signs being added to the road leading to the bridge.

The area was long known as a hangout for

I

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PHOTO SUBMITTED/AUDRIS GUERCE PHOTO SUBMITTED/THOMAS CONROY

FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

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drug users and the transient population.

From its tent city heights in the late ‘90s through today. Local business owners had largely been pleased with the Worcide construction, as it kept the user population away, at least during daylight hours.

According to city manager Ed Augustus Jr.’s office, who would claim responsibility over the demolition late Friday afternoon, problems had spiked recently, prompting the city to take action.

“I was told that things had reached a crisis point,” said Augustus. “It had been largely taken over by the homeless population and others. I didn’t want to get rid of a skatepark, I had a recommendation that it was a public safety issue. We did it because we didn’t want to be in a situation where somebody got stabbed or a train exploded. It’s one of those lose-lose situations.”

Augustus met with advisors from the fire department, police department and the city’s building commissioner, John Kelly, who alleged that a trash fire on Tuesday, July 10 prompted the demolition.

“There is really no ill intent here toward anyone,” said Assistant Fire Chief Martin Dyer.

“This isn’t a statement about how we feel about the skater community.

Several people in our department have been involved in that community and we respect it. But it’s the greater public safety we are required to be concerned with.”

The concrete ramps, the Fire Department said, made it dangerous to get to the back of the bridge, where tires and other combustibles had been stacked by drug users utilizing the space.

The skateboarding community had effectively been punished without warning for the behavior of others.

“It’s not like the junkies are there to skateboard,” said an anonymous Worcide volunteer.

“The homeless and addict population has increased on its own, they just needed somewhere to go. Since the city doesn’t police this

PHOTO SUBMITTED/NICOLE MELONE

encampment and the city has repeatedly gone in there to help and move them and find them housing,” she said. “That, at this point, has not worked. It became more of a life safety issue. That’s when the city made the decision.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED/AUDRIS GUERCE

land (which they would not claim until today), we have no option but to ask nicely and go about our business.”

District 2 City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson said the “illegal skatepark” had become a “life safety issue” and that a fence will be placed to blockade the entrance to the bridge.

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‘THEY’RE STILL WRONG’

A

fter a weekend of furious organizing between Worcide organizers and the community at large, a Monday morning meeting was arranged between the skatepark volunteers and city representatives, including Augustus, Mayor Joe Petty, Kelly, Fire Chief Mike Lavoie, Dyer, Police Chief Steve Sargent, the Quality of Life Task Force,

Assistant Parks Commissioner Rob Antonelli and more. The early signs were positive and, according to those inside the room, progress was made toward righting the city’s wrong. In the meeting, city officials committed to creating a committee that would include Worcide organizers, focused on giving the skaters autonomy to build, and, most importantly, finding a new space.

On Tuesday afternoon Worcide volunteers held a funeral for the skatepark at the end of Washington Street. A heavy rain fell as skateboarders shared memories of the space, cracked jokes and bemoaned what had taken place. They organized a march to City Hall, where they would address the City Council.

Initial comments to the crowd were interrupted as a truck removed a roll off filled with the concrete rubble, all that remained after years of sweat equity.

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“The idea is that presence is number one,” said skateboarder and Worcide volunteer Chris Matthews.

“Showing up is important on behalf of skateboarding. They didn’t know who we were before. I think they’re off balance with the support they’ve seen so far. We had a great meeting, but they’re still wrong. They did something wrong and we want to let them know.”

At the Council meeting, MeroCarlson asked mayor Petty to suspend the usual rules to allow Worcide organizers to speak on behalf of the devastated skateboarding community, which was allowed.

Generally, an item must be added to the council’s meeting the prior Friday, an act made impossible by the sudden demolition.

The upper gallery of the Council chambers was packed with skateboarders and those supportive of the skatepark.

“We’re burying so much more than a sum of its parts.

FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING Thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours of unpaid labor and one sad little acre of land,” Worcide volunteer John Powers said to the Council. “One thing we aren’t going to bury today is this community.

We aren’t going to leave it underground. The passion I’ve seen for this cause rivals that of any parent for any child. Or anyone here feels for their community. Ten years of hard work is gone, but there is so much more work to do. It’s irreplaceable, but I think we can do our best to try.”

Organizer Meghan Dube pointed upward to the packed gallery.

“Those guys up there, along with countless other citizens in your community, have not only donated thousands, at least $20,000, that was destroyed with no notice on Friday,” she said. “They’ve donated their time, they’ve learned business skills, they’ve learned how to crowdsource, how to fundraise. They’ve learned how to fundraise in their communities, they’ve learned how to build partnerships where the local businesses saw us coming in and spending our dollars. They saw us bringing people from around this country to Worcester.”

Along with its national reputation, the park filled an important local role: teaching youth

PHOTO SUBMITTED/DOYLE MACNAMERA

valuable life lessons via maintenance of the park.

“They mentor each other. You don’t come here and skate unless you pick up a shovel,” Dube continued. “You dont go out and gangbang or sell drugs if you want to get on your skateboard here. That wasn’t done by the city.

That was done by those guys. You owe a huge debt of gratitude to them. You did the opposite, you kicked them in the face and said what you did means nothing.”

Following a round of applause throughout the chambers, Petty said, “A committee will be formed, including some of yourselves [Worcide volunteers], some city workers.”

“We know that what took place was absolutely devastating,” Carlson added. “Certainly, mistakes were made, to say the least. All of us found out about this after the fact. Transparency certainly is something that would have been absolutely helpful in this case. However, after countless phone calls, that the meeting took place on Monday. I know the manager made a commitment that we would make this right. I want to stand up and say that this is something that we all want to make right.”

The Worcide volunteers and organizers J U LY 1 9 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 8

Above, Worcide organizer John Powers gave a short eulogy for the skate park on City Council floor this week.

BILL SHANER

The city has a chance to make the demolihave a productive meeting with the city under tion of Worcide DIY Community Skatepark their belt, a strong City Council presence, an upcoming organizational meeting on Thursday right. Now, that community is calling on them to follow through. at 6 p.m. at WooBerry on Highland Street and a future follow-up meeting with city representatives penciled in.

Reporter Bill Shaner contributed to this story.

culture

In addition to Worcester Center for Craft’s outdoor event “Hot Night in the City,” the Krikorian Gallery inside will offer a chance to see Tess Barbato’s newest solo exhibition.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

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culture

A Hot Night in the City JOSHUA LYFORD

F

or 10 years, the Worcester Center for Crafts at 25 Sagamore Road has hosted its annual “Hot Night in the City” event, allowing the surrounding communities to help celebrate its more combustible making traditions. On Friday, July 20, the Center once again brings the public to its doors, to experience its craft-making block party as the sun sets over Sagamore Road.

“It’s our opportunity to show the public exactly what we do, from the inside out,” said Jennifer Wong, the craft center’s registrar.

The event’s center pieces are the glassblowing, raku firing, wheel throwing, flame working, blacksmithing and more. The evening serves as a welcome point for those who may be unfamiliar with the Worcester Center for Crafts’ mission to offer instruction in craft-making skills.

“It’s really to expand the public’s knowledge of

craft,” said Wong. “It’s a worthwhile pursuit and not everyone does it these days. It brings public knowledge to a valuable mission.”

The flames of the craft-making illuminate the early evening dusk, as the event kicks off at 6 and runs through 9. The artists, crafters and fans of making are joined by food trucks, music and a beer tasting provided by Down the Road Brewery.

“It’s not intimidating with it being outside,” said Candace Casey, the craft center’s director of the Krikorian Gallery and Gallery Store. “It’s low stress.”

That low-stress environment is important, particularly to newcomers and interested members of the neighboring communities as the center welcomes new students into their space.

The flames of the craft and block-party feel of the event lend themselves well to inspiring new patrons to visiting the space and learning about the craft center’s role in the community.

“We still hear people say that they had no idea we existed,” said Casey. “So it’s nice to get to show what we’re doing.”

The event is offering several new experiences this year, with one of the most exciting being the center’s head of ceramics, Tom O’Malley, spearheading a totem project alongside with other area crafters. The group will be making individual totem pieces to display on a pole in front of the building.

In addition to the outdoor event, the Krikorian Gallery inside will offer a chance to see Tess Barbato’s newest solo exhibition.

Worcester Center for Crafts Gallery Director, Candace Casey, talks about the event Hot Night.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Worcester’s George Street Bike Challenge to feature speed cyclist

Street, but Mueller-Korenek’s coach, John Howard, views the George Street Bike Challenge as “just the sort of short, explosive training” she needs as she works toward breaking the overall paced cycling speed record of 166.9 mph.

Does Mueller-Korenek’s speed cycling exploits help her conquer George Street and hoist a medal?

“I can’t wait to find out,” race organizer and Major Taylor Association President Lynne Tolman said, noting the fastest women’s times on George Street are around 30 seconds. “Not all the fast climbers on George Street are racers, and not all the racers are fast climbers. Many different kinds of riders prove to have the right combinaWALTER BIRD JR. tion of motivation and strength to conquer that hill, and [Mueller-Korenek] certainly has both of eturning for its 16th iteration this year, those qualities in abundance. We’re always trying the George Street Bike Challenge for to get more women and girls to participate, and Major Taylor promises to be quite the I think [Mueller-Korenek] will inspire people to spectacle. More than 100 riders (the take the challenge.” event usually attracts 120 or more) will show up The George Street Bike Challenge, which is Sunday, July 22 with their bicycles to ascend the open to cyclists ages 12 and up, benefits the steep, 500-foot-long hill that stretches two blocks.

Major Taylor Association, so named for famed Among them is expected to be Denise Muellercyclist Major Taylor, “The Worcester Whirlwind.”

Korenek of Southern California, the women’s The race, presented by the Seven Hills Wheelrecord holder for paced bicycling at a speed of men and Barney’s Bicycle, starts at 10 a.m. at the 147.7 mph reached Sept. 12, 2016 on the Bonnevbase of George Street on Main Street. The entry ille Salt Flats in Utah. fee is $2o, and registration can be done online at She won’t reach speeds that high on George bikereg.com by noon Friday or on-site Sunday,

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Denise Mueller-Korenek of Southern California, the women’s record holder for paced cycling, is among those expected to compete in the George Street Bike Challenge in Worcester on Sunday.

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between 8:30-9:45 a.m. Meals are awarded to male and female riders in various age categories.

The Garden Fresh Courthouse Cafe at 204 Main St. will be open during the event, and each rider will receive a breakfast coupon, courtesy of the Worcester Railers.

The race itself is challenging, Tolman concedes, although she has done it herself previously.

Will she do it this year?’

“I’m still debating whether I’m going to enter this year,” she said. “It’s tough. You feel it. You’re gassing at the end. It’s an all-out sprint … but it’s doable. Almost everybody makes it to the top.”

culture

Adoption option

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

Taylor (big male) and Swift (small female) are probably siblings. They were abandoned in carriers outside an apartment building. Bless the man who rescued them and held them for a day until WARL had room for them. It took him hours to get her out from behind the washing machine. Taylor is a laid-back guy; nothing bothers him. He was neutered sometime ago, but Swift was spayed after she arrived at WARL. She is reticent; she studies people and things before coming forward. She relies on Taylor to look out for her. This bonded pair must be adopted together for a reduced rate of $250 for both cats.

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Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

“It’s the Liquor Talking”

508-854-1704

culture

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SAYING GOODBYE: I swore last week, after my Maryland newsroom shooting editorial, that I wouldn’t get serious in here for awhile. Well, kick me in the face and call me Ash Campbell, I just can’t abide by that right now. If you are one of the few who read my column every week, then I would imagine you have heard about the demolition of the Worcide DIY Community Skatepark by now. If you haven’t, well it’s this week’s cover story, so feel free to get updated and return here when you’re done. Long story short, an incredible community project at the end of Washington Street, just behind Green Street, was destroyed by the city last Friday. The park had existed for 10 years and been built solely by funds raised by the skaters and the tangential communities surrounding them. I’ll get this out of the way quick: I don’t skateboard. I do, however, ride BMX and have known many of the Worcide volunteers for years (some even since high school). I have booked benefit shows for the park and I’ve played several more with my band. Here’s the thing: I’m not saying that to prove I was somehow involved with their project. I say it to demonstrate how farreaching that community was. Artists, musicians, area businesses and more had a close relationship to the space. Here’s another thing: I am an old man now and have gained the ability to see multiple sides of a story, even one I am closely tied to. I suppose that could be attributed to being a reporter, who knows. There is no way that the city could have spun the demolition of the park as a positive to those involved, there were, however, several ways to keep it from being so utterly shocking and heartbreaking. If I were working for the city, maybe I’d approach the Worcide volunteers and say, “Hey, look, we’re hearing from our advisors at the police and fire department that this space is a liability. We might have this baseball team coming in here and we need the space. We hate to have to do this to you guys after all you’ve done for this area in the city, but it’s an inevitability. To make it right, we’re giving you a heads up so you can hold a final jam down there and raise some money for a new space. Additionally, we’re prepared to help you locate a new space in the city.” That didn’t happen. There was no heads up. Just a sad Friday visit to space so expertly crafted to find bulldozers tearing up all the hard work. From what I’ve heard of closed door meetings (this column’s deadline is earlier than my cover story’s, so there may well be new information you won’t find here), the conversations have been productive and we may well see something positive come from this mess.

If I have one word of advice to my friends over at Worcide and those surrounding communities that care about what happened last Friday it is this: being respectful is important, but don’t let the fire die down. It is a hot-button issue, but until something is in writing, nothing is certain. I can still remember when the town of Rutland shook all of our hands and said we would have a new skatepark a few years later. Well, thousands of dollars were raised, the community was organized and I still don’t see a skatepark. Worcester, I am hoping for better from you.

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A FUNERAL FOR A GATOR:

Alright, I am brain dead at this point. We have been working around the clock all weekend and we’re right back at it on deadline. If you see me this week, sorry in advance. I am in a chaos portal. So with that, yeah, this subhead was pretty brutal. Whatever. I’m not feeling super advanced today. With that, Central Mass. hardcore act Gator King will be playing their final show at Drafter’s Sports Cafe in Dudley Saturday, July 21 with Cringe, Meth Mouth, Before I had Wings and Death Row. Steve and the Gator King crew have always been great with helping my band out with shows and have become friends over the years.

It’s sad to see them go, but I am happy that they are getting a proper send-off. Good luck in your future endeavors gentlemen.

Joshua Lyford Culture editor @Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Pop It.

Molly O’Connor and I regularly spend our lunch breaks together, tuning into the Worcester Magazine Radio Hour on 102.9 FM. We appre-

ciate the daily insight about what is taking place in our community through Unity Radio’s clever lens. With that, we have both independently made the observation that the station could use a few more female voices. We are proud to announce our new show, “Pop It,” which will debut on Tuesday, July 24 from 1-2 p.m. We’ll talk about everything from pop culture to popping

Now Introducing: North Main Provisions

Speaking of Sweet Jane’s, the designer consignment shop has a brand new neighbor: North Main Provisions. Located at 122 Main St., North Main Provisions brings a cheese, wine and grocery shop launched by the same proprietors who brought you Crust Artisan Bakeshop (118 Main St.) This comes at a pivotal moment when downtown Worcester is making the transition to family friendly neighborhood. North Main Provisions will fill the food void for anticipated residents of Trinity Financial’s $55-million investment, which is intended to convert the former

Worcester County Courthouse into apartments.

What’s Cookin’ Good Lookin’?

The Beats and Barbecue Festival

is back for its second year, rain or shine, on the Worcester Common. The lineup includes Styles P, Skyzoo, Ralph Weah, Mike Mcfly, Hustle Graffiti Fresh, Jafet and Pop questions, pop bottles, pop culture. Sarah Connell Relle Roulette. Live and Molly O’Connor’s new radio show “Pop It” premiers music starts at noon, July 24 at 1 p.m. on 102.9 FM Unity Radio.

July 21 and extends PHOTO JUSTIN HALL throughout the day until 8 p.m. Tickets are still available on the question. (I would like to add that with some Eventbrite. Food vendors will be on site for your special assistance from Creative Director Kim bbq needs.

Vasseur, my freshly-minted fiancé just popped the question with a Worcester Magazine issue ’Tis the Season of his own. Tune in for details.) We’ve noticed Pulse’s Sunset in the City event is getting jolly that there is no comprehensive resource for this go around with a Christmas in July theme Worcester wedding culture and “Pop It” plans fit for a Clause. Flying to be that for you. More than anything, Molly Rhino will provide the and I are excited to showcase the creativity and eats while Wormtown entrepreneurship of our amazing friends, beginpours one out for Jacob ning with a project spearheaded by AJ Setaro of Sweet Jane’s and local photographer Justin Hall. Marley. Here’s hoping that DJ Dupe leads a rousing Setaro let me cradle a Birkin bag like a newborn Mariah Carey singalong. babe and parade around the city in Louboutins.

What more could I ever ask for? (Perhaps, a radio Tickets are $20 at the door.

Sunset in the City will take show.) Our first guest will be local legend Ricky Nelson, who will discuss his hot takes on Bruce place on the roof of Union Springsteen, share the truth about “seltzer time,” Station’s garage on July 21, 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. and relive his close encounter with DMX. Eventive wedding planner Charlotte Holberry and Sarah Connell Creative Hub co-founder Laura Marotta will contributing writer follow in subsequent weeks.

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Tobacco Ingredients: Tobacco & Water

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CIGARETTES ©2018 SFNTC (3) *Website restricted to age 21+ smokers J U LY 1 9 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 8

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culture The Boynton’s Eternal Bash 119 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com SANDRA RAIN

T

he Boynton’s fabled barroom has drawn Worcester Polytechnic Institute students to its flame since the 1930s, when it was just a small tavern. The Boynton’s namesake is John Boynton, a well-to-do tinware manufacturer who established WPI with his life savings (a hundred thousand big ones) in 1865.

Fifty years later, The Boynton’s owners purchased a neighboring dress shop to extend their offerings with a full kitchen and enough seats to fit the entire frat house in one sitting. In 2004, an additional expansion meant the whole Bioinformatics & Computational Biology department could squeeze in too. A perennial ripper was born.

Most of the bartenders have worked at The Boynton for a decade, at least. These are the officers of Phi Beta Boynton and they want you to feel welcome. Come in more than once and they’re apt to commit your regular order to memory. With over 50 beers on tap, the kegs

never runneth dry. Offerings from Anderson Valley, Cigar City and Allagash placate the nerds, while locavores find kinship in 3Cross, Flying Dreams and Wormtown.

The Boynton is more than just a WPI hangout.

It is the holy trinity of taverns: college bar, sports bar and neighborhood bar. God bless you if you wander in on a snow day to discover droves of local school teachers run amok. Or worse, if the Eagles are playing. At any rate, you’re just as likely to see sports fans and neighborhood residents at The Boynton as you are the university set.

The menu includes enough fried items to rival the Florida State Fair, which is exactly the sort of fare I expect you’re in the mood for while watching Belgium v England. Embrace the boom boom platter ($15.99) in all its might, anchored by lobster rangoon, fried brussel sprouts, ribs, thick pickle chips, tempura onion rings and spicy buffalo wings. Plus, in a climate where every eatery across the Eastern seaboard seems to be banning straws, the Boynton will happily serve you batched cocktails out of a branded bucket. We hope you’ll agree that a straw splurge is circumvented by the eco-friendly practice of sharing one single vessel in place of individual glassware. Genius.

You probably didn’t select The Boynton for its greens. Or, if you did, it’s because you’re a creature of habit. The Boynton’s “From the Garden” menu has looked the same since the days when John Boynton was peddling tin carts. Garden salad.

Caesar salad. Spinach salad. Greek salad. Add six shrimp? A chicken breast? The Boynton’s salad

Rock, meet building

I

don’t recall the specific grade I received in high school physics, but I can safely acknowledge I’m no expert on the possibilities when a body hurtles through a void. Yet, even this science dummy must consider what Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson accomplishes in his new action-adventure and say, “Come … on.”

Here’s the scene: Johnson scales a massive crane 90-plus stories above the street in about 30 to 40 seconds. He then races the length of the crane’s boom, while dodging automatic-weapon fire, launches himself 30 feet through the air, and crash lands in the adjacent building.

And he does this all on one leg.

It is among the most preposterous leaps in human history — Bob Beamon in Mexico City preposterous, Butch and Sundance evading the posse preposterous, Papillon escaping Devil’s Island preposterous. But the Rock transcends time and space, so in a strange way The Leap is the perfect expression of his existential brand of heroism.

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SANDRA RAIN

menu is a missed opportunity; I believe that it’s possible to change up dishes without breaking the Boynton’s backbone. This is preventative Botox, not plastic surgery.

The specials, on the other hand, stay hip, this week’s Dusseldorf burger ($13.99) serving as a prime example of dressing up an old favorite. The Boynton’s famous half pound burger was char grilled and topped with kielbasa, sauerkraut, beer “Skyscraper” is “Die Hard” cross-pollinated with “The Towering Inferno,” with an ending out of “The Lady from Shanghai.” Johnson plays Will Sawyer, a former FBI tactical officer who lost a leg during a bombing incident (he wears a prosthetic) and now works as a security specialist.

He’s brought to Hong Kong to assess the safety protocols for the world’s tallest building, known as The Pearl.

Soon, the building is set afire by a band of Eurotrash terrorists led by the spectacularly humorless and panache-free Kores Botha (somewhere, Alan Rickman weeps). They’ve targeted The Pearl’s owner for nefarious reasons that take so long to explain, by the time the criminals’ motivation reveals itself you’re onto other important things, like what’s for dinner. Sadly for the bad guys, Will’s wife and two children are trapped inside the building, which means the gang will encounter 250 pounds of desperate, angry — and muscular — father.

“Skyscraper” includes some astounding CGIdriven set pieces, including the dreaded walk across a plank as the fires of hell burn just below.

Will eludes sure death half a dozen times, thanks to superior upper-body strength that helps him compensate for the missing limb and defy gravity whenever gravity-defiance is called for.

The film sustains the basic traditions of the Irwin Allen disaster pictures from the 1970s, though without the omnibus cast of “big” stars.

JIM KEOGH

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For the Dusseldorf Burger: a chargrilled, half pound burger, topped with kielbasa, sauerkraut, beer mustard, swiss cheese and pickles served on a warm pretzel roll.

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mustard, swiss cheese and pickles, then served on a warm pretzel roll. Fermentation is a serious food focus these days and sauerkraut is at the forefront; BBC even reported the probiotics in sauerkraut may reduce the risk of depression and Alzheimer’s. You can have your Dusseldorf and eat it too.

Order a Boynton bomber, served on a toasted Italian loaf with French fried potato wedges. The chicken bomber ($9.99) combines shaved chicken steak grilled with sautéed onions, then tops off with American cheese and mayo. Is there a better way to watch the Rugby World Cup Sevens?

I tend to object to carpeted dining rooms, but The Boynton stays relatively clean. The space is familiar territory for dorm dwellers, both dim and cavelike. In addition, there is nowhere I’d rather watch a sporting event. Just be prepared to run into someone you know. The Boynton is Worcester’s perpetual block party and everyone’s invited.

On my last date at the Boynton, our total came to $52.97.

Explanation of Stars: Ratings are from zero to five. Zero is not recommended. One is poor. Two is fair. Three is satisfactory. Four is good. Five is excellent.

Food: HHH Ambience: HHH Service: HHHH Value: HHH1/2 Aside from Johnson, Neve Campbell is the most recognizable performer, playing Will’s wife, Sarah — a former Navy surgeon who apparently has mastered most of the essential martial arts. Despite being the spouse of a macho supersoldier, it’s Sarah who lands the most memorable blow.

As brainless summer thrillers go, “Skyscraper” is fully lobotomized. Whether or not that’s a bad thing depends on your mood heading into it. If you can accept that the movie deals with two fundamental concepts — “skyscraper” and “Rock” — and all their permutations, then you’ll have a decent time. The film exemplifies the notion “it is what it is.”

Still, it could have been much more. Writer-director Rawson Marshall-Thurber moves from one scenario to the next with such deadly seriousness that he forgets the fun and the funny. Bruce Willis pulled off some amazing feats in “Die Hard,” but the wisecracks are what made his career. Johnson can do high-rise comedy, too. He just needed to be given the chance. If you’re going to shatter the laws of physics, you’ve gotta lighten the load.

Jim Keogh contributing writer

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calendar Friday, July 20 Hot Night in the City

Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road The Worcester Center for Crafts brings artists and demonstrators with glassblowing, raku firing, wheel throwing, flame-working, blacksmithing and more. Hands on fun for those who desire it.

Saturday, July 21 Summer Slaughter Tour

The Worcester Palladium, 261 Main St. Featuring Between the Buried and Me (pictured), Born of Osiris, Veil of Maya, The Agony Scene and many more.

Thursday, July 26 Out to Lunch 2018: Whitney Doucet

Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St. The Whitney Doucet and Moonshine Band join local vendors, food trucks and more in celebrating the summer downtown.

Friday, July 27 Food Truck & Wellness Festival

Release Well-being Center, 201 Turnpike Road, Westborough The Wellness Center brings food trucks, live music, dancing, yoga, pop-up massages, raffles, vendors and more.

Sunday, July 22 George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor George Street, Worcester In its 16th iteration, the George Street Bike Challenge tasks cycling aficionados (of all styles) with climbing the treacherously steep hill off of Main Street.

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sports p Basketball part of life lessons for area youth WALTER BIRD JR.

T

he sound of bouncing basketballs and music blaring from speakers filled the gymnasium at Holy Name Junior/Senior High School. It was a sunny Friday afternoon.

Some parents stood or sat in chairs alongside the folded up bleachers as their kids took part in drills on the court.

Making his way from group to group — often from child to child — was Diago McClain. It is his program, part of a larger effort he started almost 10 years ago, one that has grown to a year-round undertaking that provides an outlet to area youth. Currently, McClain is overseeing the spring/summer basketball league.

On this particular day, he was working with players taking part in Amateur Athletic Union, or AAU, basketball. In just a few days, they will head to Orlando, Fla. for a national AAU tournament.

For many of them, it is a once-in a lifetime opportunity. McClain has four teams - fifth-grade, sixth-grade and ninth-grade boys and 10th-grade girls - set to take part.

The group leaves for Florida Sunday, July 22, McClain said, with the girls scheduled to play July 23-25, the boys July 26-29. It costs about $1,000 per child, including lodging and flight costs, he said, and while some money has been raised, donations are being accepted. They can be made at mtmstrong.com.

It is basketball that has brought the kids

The Score

Worcester Bravehearts July 11 The Bravehearts rallied for a come-from-behind, 8-7, walk-off win over the Pittsfield Suns at home, improving to 20-14 on the year.

July 12 On the road, the Bravehearts scored a 7-3 win over the North Shore Navigators for their fourth straight victory.

July 13 Winning their fifth straight, and 10th of their last 11 games, the Bravehearts cruised to a 14-3 win over the Nashua Silver Knights.

July 15 Heading into the All-Star break, the Bravehearts

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tices and collect money to help keep the program ers. The went 44-2 this season and won all their together, but really it is so much more than that. running. She is taking four of the players, whose tournaments.

And to McClain, it is decidedly personal. parents cannot go with them, to Florida. Mc“I like how it’s like a family,” Edmonds said of “I love the city and I wanted to give back,” Clain, she said, runs a program that focuses on the basketball camp. “We’re always together. No said McClain, a former Division 1 prospect and much more than basketball. matter what, we pick each other up.” standout hoopster at Holy Name.

“He teaches these kids more than basketThe girls team, according to Sam O’Gara, is In 2009, McClain started the Pay It Forward ball,” O’Gara said. “He’s teaching the life lessons program. It stemmed from the gang-related mur- particularly worthy of recognition this year. every day, social skills, how to make der of his brother several years friends, how to make memories, to earlier in 1992. His brother was keep your grades up. He makes this 17 when he died. McClain was a gift, something you have to earn.

16 at the time.

If you’re not getting an ‘A’ or a ‘B,’ he “I started seeing these kids takes it away from you.” getting recruited by gangs,” the Ruby Aponte’s son, Juan — he lifelong Worcester resident said. goes by “Junior” — has been with “I started a summer league to McClain’s program since February try to keep them off the street.

I use basketball as a tool to get 2017, she said. Aponte, who is among them to stay busy. From there, the parents who shows up to most the program grew.” practices and games, became a team McClain also runs MTM Inc., mom. She will be staying with kids or McLain’s Training Method, from the fifth-grade team when they 350 West Boylston St., Worcesvisit Florida. ter.

Like O’Gara, Aponte said it is McClain said there are now about much more than basketball. more than 1,000 kids par“Even when we’re not here, the ticipating in different programs boys are always together,” she said. throughout the year. He cited “Every weekend you’ll find a team of sponsorships from District boys at a hoop somewhere, or in my Attorney Joe Early Jr., local back yard, or going to the movies, attorney Howard Stempler and going to dinner, that sort of thing Energy Monster as key in allow… Basketball is what brings them Diago McClain, CEO of Pay It Forward and MTM Inc., front ing many youngsters to take together, but it’s so much bigger than part in his programs and camps. left, with several members of teams headed to Orlando, basketball. It really is family.”

Fla. to take part in an AAU basketball tournament. At far Many of the participants Though is brother’s murder was a hail from Worcester, but they tragedy, what has resulted, McClain right is assistant coach Jorge Fernandez. come from other towns as well. said, is a blessing.

WALTER BIRD JR. PHOTO Eleven-year-old Jacob LeBeau “What happened to him changed is one of them. He resides in me,” he said. “I could have went that Northborough and plays on way. With the city back then, there “Them going to Florida, especially for them, the fifth-grade AAU team. It is his first year, and was no mentorship when I was growing up. I LeBeau said he enjoys the program because “they is well-deserved,” said O’Gara, herself a basketchanged my life, came here, played basketball, ball player heading into her senior year at Clark teach us new skills we don’t know.” just took off and said I wanted to try to help University, where she said she is about 60 or so Holy Name’s Jaini Edmonds, who will be a kids. I hear it in the city. A lot of gangs are trying points shy of 1,000 for her career. “They should be to recruit these kids at a young age. I started a junior this fall, plays for the girls team, which known for everything they do.” heads to Florida having already enjoyed sucsummer league, got them in here, started a book O’Gara, who met McClain when she was play- reading contest. It just blew up from there.” cess in the AAU locally. The team plays in the 10th-grade division, but has only one 10th grader ing in the St. Peter’s Church basketball league, helps coach the girls team as well as run prac(Edmonds). The rest are eighth- and ninth-gradwon their sixth game in a row with an 11-7 victory at home over the Navigators.

(Upcoming: Coming off All-Star break, the Bravehearts will host the Brockton Rox Thursday, July 19, the Nashua Silver Knights Friday, July 20 and the Suns Saturday, July 21. The team heads to Pittsfield to play the Suns Sunday, July 22, before returning home against the Rox Monday, July 23 and the Navigators Tuesday, July 24.

The Bravehearts play the Navigators again on the road Wednesday, July 25 )

MASSACHUSETTS PIRATES (Upcoming: With no game last week, The Pirates host the Carolina Cobras at the DCU Center Saturday, July 21.)

WORCESTER SMILES July 15 The Smiles fell, 5-0, to the Connecticut Fusion at Worcester State University.

Round-Up

Three Massachusetts Pirates players swept Player of the Week Honors in the National Arena League last week.

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Bones Bagaunte, a wide receiver, was named Offensive Player of the Week. Kiante Northington, a defensive back, was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Foxboro native Ali Mourtada, a kicker, was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Pirates have added former NFL draft picks Khalid Wooten, a defensive back, and Sam Montgomery, a defensive end, to their roster. The team placed wide receiver Lamont Bryant and DB Demetruce McNeal on injured reserve, and released defensive lineman Darryl Render.

The Worcester Railers have re-signed defenseman Tommy Panico for the 2018-19 season.

games “Urban Sprawl”--this town needs more room!

by Matt Jones

JONESIN’ Across 1 6 11 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 28 29 30 31 33 36 40

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Childhood illness with swollen glands Goes on and on Some NFL All-Pros Actor Ulrich Tibet’s neighbor Questionable Twitter poster, perhaps They read a lot of stories out loud Historical division French vineyard classification Feeling not-so-great Be blustery Ruler who lost her head in 1793 St. crosser Cone or Cat preceder Ripken of the Orioles Stamp for an incoming pkg.

Football broadcaster Collinsworth Purplish flower Food and wine publication that went completely online in 2009 Cosmetician Lauder Orange-roofed chain, familiarly Nefarious Genesis craft “You’ve Got Mail” company Addams Family cousin Phrase often seen after a married or professional name Passable Battery option Nest egg, initially Cleveland player, for short Got out, or followed the same path as the theme answers?

Gibbon, for one Tooth type Spine-tingling Pot top Goes after flies Bottom-of-the-bottle stuff

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Long looks 47 Onetime capital of Poland Party org. gathering last held in 49 Domineered, with “over” 2016 in Philadelphia 51 Like the main point 7 Take another swing at 52 Giraffe relative with striped legs 8 Speed skater ___ Anton Ohno 53 Was delirious 9 Flavor for some knots?

54 Undefeated boxer Ali 10 Mercedes roadsters 55 Pester with barks 11 Orange character from the ‘80s 56 Word after smart or mineral who appears in “Wreck-It Ralph” 61 Text type 12 Sacha Baron Cohen character 62 7, on a rotary phone 13 Music festival area 63 Cinnabar, e.g.

18 Subtle meaning 64 Costume shop purchase 22 English-speaking country of 65 “Castlevania” platform Central America 23 Selma’s sister Last week's solution 24 Some Chevy hatchbacks 25 Director’s option 26 Part of WNW 27 “The Lion King” heroine 32 Fanciful 34 “As I see it,” in a text 35 He cohosts “America’s Game” 37 Bon Jovi’s “___ on a Prayer” 38 Novelist Loos 39 Boston team, briefly 41 Paltry 42 Any of the kids searching for One-Eyed Willy in a 1985 flick ©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) Reference puzzle #893

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Project Title Bid Opening IFB - Installation of VCT Floor Tiles 2:00 PM August 10, 2018 Pre-Bid Conference at Purchasing Dept, 69 Tacoma Street 10:00 AM July 30, 2018 2:00 PM September 13, 2018 RFP - Feasibility Study Services Pre-Bid Conference at Executive Office, 40 Belmont Street 10:00 AM August 8, 2018

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last call Catherine Leary development officer C ELIZABETH BROOKS

atherine Leary is a development officer for the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter.

Leary is proud to represent an association that provides critical international leadership and funding to advance research toward methods of treatment, prevention, and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer’s. As the staff partner for the Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Leary helps to oversee 32 volunteers on the Walk Planning Committee.

David Price of BrightStar Care Milford-Worcester is the official Event Chair. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, with a mission to “Eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.” The Central Regional Office is located at 100 North Parkway in Worcester, where Leary provides resources available through the Alzheimer’s Association, including reliable information and support for people with memory loss, caregivers, health care professionals and the public.

What is your history with Central Mass? I moved to Worcester two years ago for family and now own a home here in the city. I was born and raised in Lebanon, N.H., then went to Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. for a year before transferring to the Denver campus. I lived in Colorado for eight years, where I picked up the sport of triathlon, and since have finished two Ironman events and Escape from Alcatraz. As much as I loved Colorado, it just wasn’t home and I wanted to be closer to my family. I moved back to the East Coast, but still wanted the city life so I lived in Boston’s North End, then made my way to Huron Village in Cambridge before settling in Worcester and calling this place my forever home.

Can you describe your career trajectory? I studied sports entertainment and event management in my undergrad and continued my career path in hospitality and events. I’m now the development officer for the Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer’s and will be

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planning an Alzheimer’s Association dinner event in the spring of 2019 that will be hosted here in Worcester County.

How many people in Massachusetts are impacted by Alzheimer’s? There are currently 130,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease in Massachusetts [and that is] expected to rise to 150,000 by 2025. There are also 337,000 caregivers in our state.

Have you been immediately impacted by Alzheimer’s? Fortunately, at this time my immediate family hasn’t been affected by Alzheimer’s; however, my extended family has been. I’ve seen first-hand the toll it took on my family to offer in home care and to lose loved ones to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. I know how serious this disease is and will work hard to build awareness and funds so that we can offer more care and support within our local community as well as J U LY 1 9 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 8

educational programs and advance research to find a cure.

What is your organization doing to eliminate this disease? The Alzheimer’s Association is the third-largest private funder of Alzheimer’s research in the world behind only the governments of the United States and China. However, until we have disease-modifying preventative measures, treatments, or ultimately a cure, we are committed to providing care and support for individuals and families bravely navigating the disease.

Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest underrecognized public health crisis.

What are the biggest misconceptions about Alzheimer’s? The biggest misconception is that Alzheimer’s disease only affects the elderly. We have seen cases of individuals in their 40s and 50s who have developed Alzheimer’s. Additionally, caregivers have

no age minimum, and as we have seen many times, teenagers and young adults can be the primary caregiver. Caregiving can be an emotionally-, physically- and financially-draining role. Approximately two-thirds of caregivers are women; more specifically, over one-third of dementia caregivers are daughters.

How can we get involved in your upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s? There are several ways to get involved, through volunteering, starting a team or sponsoring. The Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a three-quartermile walk hosted Sunday, Sept.

23 at Quinsigamond Community College. What makes this event so special is that we honor those living with this disease through our promise garden, walkers carry flowers representing why they walk. We hosted our 2018 Kickoff Event Tuesday at Greater Good Brewery in Worcester and had over 100 people in attendance.

It was a great way to kick off our walk season. If you’re interested in learning more about the Walk or the Alzheimer’s Association, please visit act.alz.org/worcester.

When you aren’t hard at work, how do you like to spend your free time in Central Mass.? First, I have to say I absolutely love Central Mass. There is so much to do here during all four seasons. In my opinion, it’s the best place to live in the state. During the summer months I enjoy going to farm stands for fresh produce, shopping antiques and vintage markets for hidden gems, checking out local breweries and wineries with friends. I also volunteer with the Junior League of Worcester, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism and developing the potential of women as well as improving and enriching the quality of life for women and children.

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