Worcester Magazine April 18 - 24, 2019

APRIL 18 - 24, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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in this issue A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019 • V O L U M E 44 I S S U E 34

the cover

Best of Worcester 2019 Winners revealed starting on page 14 Ford Hometown Services owner Chris Ford with Lucille the ball python and Draco the bearded dragon.

Photo by T&G Staff/Allan Jung Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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news Clear bags remain source of debate over trash, recycling plan T

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BILL SHANER

he city manager’s proposal to overhaul trash and recycling may go into effect minus one key, and controversial, element: the switch from bins to clear plastic bags for recycling.

District 3 Councilor George Russell, chairman of the Standing Committee on Public Works, filed a chairman’s order for the next City Council meeting (there was no meeting this week because of school vacation) in which he asks the manager to move ahead with the trash program minus the clear bags. The idea, he said, is to make sure the rest of the program gets into the upcoming budget while his subcommittee continues to evaluate the switch to plastic bags.

The switch to clear plastic bags is one of the key elements of City Manager Ed Augustus’ Clean City Program, but it was only one part of several. The program also includes expanded hours at the Millbury Street transfer station, a Clean Team consisting of city workers for rapid trash response, additional nuisance inspectors, an education and outreach campaign, public trash bins in some commercial districts, a textile collection service and grants for neighborhood clean-ups. Minus the plastic bags, Russell said the program is a good one.

“The clear bags is where the discussion continues to be,” Russell said.

The plastic bags were also tied to a cost increase in the price of a roll of trash bags. Per the program as it stands, the cost would increase 50 cents per bag. Without the clear bags, Russell said the overall cost

Some city councilors in Worcester are opposed to a switch from recycling containers to clear plastic bags, like those shown above.

FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

increase for trash bags could be reduced to 25 cents per bag. While he maintains increasing the cost of trash and recycling dissuades people from doing the right thing, he said he would be “willing to go along” with a 25-cent increase.

Russell described the subcommittee process of evaluating the

plastic bags as a near never-ending series of questions. Committee members are still concerned about the size of the bags, whether there are other ways they can be distributed, and whether the bags handcuff the city in terms of bidding for recycling service.

“It just keeps going on and on,”

he said.

Meanwhile, according to Russell, business associations and neighborhoods could use some extra help with litter, the city needs more nuisance officers and the DPW Clean Team.

Opinions on the plastic bags among city councilors are mixed.

Some, including Mayor Joe Petty, support the switch to bags, saying the open bins lead to trash blowing around city streets, making the problem of roadside litter worse.

Bags, they argue, would prevent the problem from happening. But Russell is one of several councilors C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 8

news

New hotel for Washington Square; ballpark property acquisitions to start First Bristol Corporation, which operates a Homewood Suites Hotel on property at the left of this image of washington Sqaure, across from Union Station, is set to build a second hotel on the property to the right.

FILE PHOTO

similar to that of the Hilton Homewood Suites development, which they said has been “well received throughout the region.”

The Worcester Redevelopment Authority, which manages Union

Station and the land around it, approved the sale last week, issuing a terms of conveyance agreement to First Bristol.

James Karam, president of First Bristol Corporation, said he’s pleased to move forward on a second Washington Square hotel.

“We believe the location being directly across the street from Union Station and at the foot of Shrewsbury Street with an eclectic variety of restaurants and entertainment, as is the case with the Homewood Suites, is a great feature for our guests to enjoy within downtown Worcester,” Karam said in a statement.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 8

BILL SHANER

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared online at worcestermag.com

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orcester has entered into an agreement with the First Bristol Corporation, which owns the newlyconstructed Homewood Suites hotel at Washington Square, for another hotel along the roundabout.

A 110-room, $22-million hotel is slated for an acre of space across Summer Street from Bristol’s current hotel. The land was previously owned by the city and the company purchased it for $400,000, of which $100,000 will go to the Worcester Jobs Fund toward a goal of making 50 percent of the workforce at the hotel permanent Worcester residents. The hotel is expected to employ at least 50 people, according to a release from the city.

The hotel will be six stories tall, including a level of parking under the building. As the hotel is only partially designed, a full amenity package has not been made available, according to a news release.

According to the city, First Bristol Corporation envisions a hotel

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ALLAN JUNG

who have been outspoken about the bags, echoing voices from the community who have panned the potential switch.

“It’s no secret I’ve had issues about the clear bags,” Russell said.

Those opposed fear the bag program effectively charges people for recycling weekly, instead of the one-time cost of bins. Charging for recycling, they say, will dissuade people from recycling. Some have also argued that if bags were ripped or torn, it would negate the litter reduction benefit.

While city officials said lidded bins would be very effective for some neighborhoods, others – including those on steep hills and with lots of on-street parking – are ill-suited for large lidded bins. The plastic bag

H OT E L/B A L L PA R K

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 7

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City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. said the city’s development strategy isn’t only about land, but about “fostering meaningful relationships with developers.

“That is evident today in the partnership with Jim Karam and First Bristol Corporation,” he said.

“Their investment in Worcester and in building a second hotel property in Washington Square will boost the city’s available room count, help attract more events and visitors and bring added vitality to the area.”

A timeline for construction has not yet been made available.

First Bristol’s initial Washington Square hotel, the Homewood Suites, opened in July 2017. Similarly, company officials said at the time that Union Station and the restaurant scene on Shrewsbury Street were key draws for the hotel location.

WOOSOX PROPERTY

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he WRA voted on Friday to take three of the properties necessary to move forward with the WooSox ballpark property. By unanimous vote, the board took 50 Washington St., 127 Washington St. and 134 Madison St. While 50 Washington St. has reached an agreement, the other two properties have not. The pair declined city offers for the property.

City Chief Development Officer Mike Traynor said the city is still in negotiations with the two remain-

recycling program was piloted in such a neighborhood several years ago. In 2013, a small pilot run of clear bags found a reduction of litter on city streets and a generally favorable opinion among city residents.

In 2010, the city ran a similar pilot of the large bins, and found that recycling increased, but so did the amount of non-recyclables found in recycling bins.

Russell’s order is on for the April 23 City Council meeting, and comes as city staff are putting together a fiscal 2020 budget. At the last public works subcommittee meeting, Russell as well as members Candy MeroCarlson and Matt Wally left with unanswered questions.

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508767-9535 or at wshaner@gatehousemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ Bill_Shaner. ing properties after offering what he called the high end of the appraised value.

“Neither party decided to say yes, to accept that total,” Traynor said at the meeting. “We’ll see what happens as we move forward.”

Board member David Minasian asked whether there has been communication with the two that did not accept. One is represented by counsel, Traynor said, and they haven’t closed the door on a possible sale.

“For now,” he said, “we’re just moving forward,” If a sale is not reached, the city may use eminent domain to take the properties.

The sale comes as the project has fallen slightly behind schedule.

According to the Worcester Business Journal, the contract between the city and the team stipulates the city must have the parcel of land together

by April, and start demolition by June. Given two of the three properties have not yet agreed to city sale, the long and often fraught process of eminent domain is now pitted against a tight timeline to complete the project. The city hopes to have the ballpark built by 2021.

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508767-9535 or at wshaner@gatehousemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ Bill_Shaner.

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EYES ON THE 17th, AGAIN: Looks like newly-elected Democratic state Rep. David LeBoeuf of the 17th Worcester District is due for a 2020 challenge. A gander at the Office of Campaign and Political Finance website shows Republican Kate Campanale may be showing interest in her old seat. The former 17th Worcester state rep left the seat last year to run an ultimately unsuccessful campaign for Register of Deeds. Recently, she filed with the OCPF to change her campaign’s purpose from register to the 17th Worcester state rep seat. Now, that doesn’t mean she’s actually running, but it means she’s thinking about it. LeBoeuf connected the news in a Facebook post to the state Republican Party’s most recent campaign against him, in which the party urged supporters to pressure LeBoeuf into taking his name off an “infanticide bill.” “I haven’t been in office 100 days and special interests already have a candidate they want to see run against me,” he wrote. On and on spins the wheel.

RACE DIALOGUE: Let’s take a little trip down “comparing the culture of two school districts” lane. An article from Zane Razzaq at the MetroWest Daily News about Framingham was making the rounds in Worcester over the past week, as it served as a staunch – almost damning – juxtaposition to the situation in Worcester. Last week, Framingham held a forum on how race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity shape a student’s experience at Framingham High School.

This, from the story: “District administrators, staff, and school leaders as well as some legislators listened to about a dozen students speak at a diversity forum organized by the high school’s Black Student Union, the Student Immigration Movement Club, and the Gender and Sexuality Alliance. For over an hour, students had the stage to parse their stories among peers.” The event was put on and run by students, and they found in the administration a receptive audience. Now to Worcester, where School Committee member John Monfredo resigned from the Mayor’s Latino Commission on Advancement and Education in part because of a presentation of data compiled by the Youth Civics Union, a group of Worcester Public Schools students, on how racial diversity among the ranks of teachers impacts students of color. This is what he had to say about it, as reported by Walter Bird Jr. for Worcester Magazine last week: “After going to several meetings, especially the last two meetings, all they were doing was playing the blame game, blaming racism in the school department, the superintendent wasn’t doing her job, and bringing in kids as pawns in the whole process.” In Worcester, officials perceive students as pawns in a political game if they deign to bring up race issues. In Framingham, they let the students have it out for an hour, and they sit there and listen. Enough, as they say, is enough. Worcester can do so much better if – and the “if ” is key – it wants to.

SPEAKING OF: The YCU hosted a forum on Tuesday, or at least they planned to. I’m writing this column on Monday morning, my palms sweaty from the pressure of a completely insane deadline due to the Best of Worcester awards we dole out every year like stale bread to so many peasants. OK, I’m just bitter I didn’t win best columnist and this insane deadline has me ripping off The Lyford Files in tone and substance. Is this how the magic happens? Josh is right next to me, but I’m asking you all for some reason. Back to the YCU. The YCU has put up a Change.org petition to support their position that Superintendent Maureen Binienda has been bad on race issues and needs to go. In its first few hours Monday, the petition, titled “Stand in Solidarity With Worcester Public School Students of Color,” picked up about 150 signatures. No telling where it will be when you all (y’all) read this on Thursday.

Bill Shaner, reporter Twitter: @Bill_Shaner

news

the beat

Changes abound on Water Street. Weintraub’s Deli, one of the last remaining Jewish delis in the state, closed on Sunday after 99 years in its location. A crepe store will open in its place. Down the street, the former Canal Restaurant and Bar will be replaced by Russo, a restaurant

by Lock 50 owner Ed Russo. The space formerly occupied by Kummerspeck has the interest of an Indian restaurant. Both Russo and the Indian restaurant, Maa Chintapurnia, are seeking License Commission approval later this week.

Holy Cross campus police are investigating potential criminal harrasment tied to an anonymous

Instagram account credited with sparking a months-long struggle between administration and students over sexual assault claims. The Instagram account, called “Sexual Assault on the Hill,” posts stories of sexual assault and harassment on campus.

The account received 10 messages with direct threats against one senior student, according to MassLive. In one message, the person encouraged the student to commit suicide. While campus police are investigating, they have not yet pressed any charges.

Leicester-based Cultivate continues to aggressively pursue legal cannabis in Central Mass. The company has already begun negotia-

A Boston developer has put forward a proposal to turn the Mission Chapel into residential housing. The church building on Summer Street has been vacant for decades. Traggorth Companies received Historical Commission approval to seek historic tax credits from the state to renovate the building. The company is early in the process, and has not yet received the approval of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority for its plans.

artists culture

ight

Artist spotl

The Cherry Valley and Rochdale Water District Commission in Leicester

will conduct a rate study six months ahead of time after some public outcry.

The commission voted last week amid complaints water bills have risen to $500 for some families, according to the Telegram & Gazette.

The state Ethics Commission has accused former Brookfield selectman Stephen Comtois of violating the state conflict of interest law. The

diate and Span to bring the Photoshop from the imme camera and to provide “an escape a spin on the laws of biliHarnois seeksin,” and his work “places endless possi ces them with appears upbeat world we live ery world and repla the physical ” While some of his imag viewer to continue s. ntly has ties of dream hopes they will force the curre Harnois he and happy, t them as time goes on.

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commission filed an order of show cause against Comtois, saying he used his public position to privately purchase land an elderly man had offered to the town as a donation. Comtois bought the land for about $40,000 less than its assessed value, according to the commission, and retaliated against a part-time employee who publicly confronted him about the purchase of the property.

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

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

PVMOUTSIDE - COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

tions for an expansion of their location in Leicester, one of the first in the state to open, and is now pursuing a facility in Uxbridge. The company presented its plans to the Uxbridge Board of Selectmen last week for a cultivation and manufacturing facility up to 130,000 square feet along Route 146. The board voted unanimously to negotiate with the company, according to the Worcester Business Journal.

opinion editorial

A time for cooler heads to prevail

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t may be a difficult meeting to have, but it is high time for Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Maureen Binienda to sit down with those who have been calling for her job. It is also important for some of those who blame Binienda and her director of public safety, Rob Pezzella, who they also say needs to go, to tone down the rhetoric, and focus on what is most important: the students.

Let this space be clear: there must be full and complete transparency on the part of the school department when it comes to information on discipline rates and other data and information relating to students of color, most notably Latinos.

Binienda maintains the suspension numbers she released recently are the real deal. Not everyone agrees. Members of the Coalition for Education Equity point to Binienda’s numbers as being centered on the number of incidents. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, they say, goes by students. While Binienda’s numbers showed a dramatic, across-the-board decline in suspensions of all students, including Latinos, members of the Coalition and others have raised some eyebrows.

There exists a huge divide between the school administration and members of the Latino

community. Can it be fixed?

That’s up to all involved, but dueling press releases and public statements make it hard to envision a solution that satisfies all involved.

Concerns have been raised that need to be addressed, and dismissing them as “uninformed,” as Binienda did initially, does nothing to bring folks to the table. Now she finds herself the target of loud calls from the Coalition, and even some students, to not have her contract renewed.

The public demonstrations and back-and-forth may only be causing folks on all sides to further dig in their heels. It is also showing a passion that should not be ignored. And make no mistake, as passionate as those who disagree with her are, Binienda is just as passionate about her work as superintendent. In a recent appearance on The Worcester Magazine Radio Hour on Radio Worcester, she indicated she has no intention of not pursuing a new contract and finishing what she started three years ago. Binienda believes much good has been accomplished, but much remains to be done. Many would agree with that.

It is hard to believe all those involved — from the superintendent, to the public safety director, to principals, to teachers, to School Committee members, Editor Walter Bird Jr. Culture Editor Joshua Lyford Reporter Bill Shaner

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

Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell, Janice Harvey, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Kristina Reardon Director of Creative Services Don Cloutier Creative Director Kimberly Vasseur Multi Media Sales Executives Diane Galipeau, Helen Linnehan

to leaders in the communities of color, business sphere and city at large — don’t want what’s best for the students. But what some may have thought was best 20 or 30 years ago, may not be what others think is best now. At the same time, it is hard to look at someone with decades of experience as an educator in Worcester, who has worked at one of the most diverse schools in the city with some of its most needy and vul-

nerable students, as an enemy.

Have lines of communication broken down? Clearly. Has Binienda listened and welcomed dissenting opinions and suggestions, even those with which she vehemently disagrees? Her critics say no. What is happening now did not have to get to this point, and Binienda should accept any role the system she leads played in that.

Those who would gladly usher her out the door, meanwhile,

may want to hold it shut a while longer, and see if this school administration, and this School Committee, can take its lumps and still extend an inviting hand in the spirit of addressing the problems that exist.

After all, it is all about the children, right?

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opinion

letters

How did newspaper obtain private correspondence?

To the Editor:

Mary Mullaney Worcester

Come together to support our youth AMY EBBESON

to evaluate experiences of racism. health, please believe them.

That is injustice.

Research conclusively shows There is so much data, both the response you get when you s the clinical director of (Editor’s Note: Worcester Magazine qualitative and quantitative to Worcester Addresses Child- disclose your trauma is the single obtained copies of emails related to show that students of color are hood Trauma, or Worcester most important determinant of the discussion of a sexual education having different experiences in our your recovery. Someone is telling ACTs, I am spending the curriculum in Worcester via a public majority of my time thinking, learn- you because you have power and public schools than their white records request through the city of counterparts. The vast majority they trust you to restore theirs. If ing and teaching about trauma. In Worcester.) of school leadership is white. It’s I go to someone with power and addition to my academic cresay this bad thing has happened to so important for students of color dentials and professional experime, and they say, “No it didn’t,” that to see themselves reflected in the ence, I come to this work with faculty, staff and administration is soul crushing. It’s the ultimate personal experiences of trauma, of their community school. This is form of invalidation. Actually, “It both in childhood and adulthood. must have been your fault, there is equally important for white stuThis offers me a comprehensive something wrong with you, maybe dents. When white students don’t understanding of the lifelong implications from multiple vantage you’re the problem” is much worse. see leaders of color, their biases are reinforced. Students of all races are points. Through this lens, I offer my But to say, “I did not experience it, watching this play out and learnthoughts on the current controver- so it could not have happened” is another level of being victimized. It ing about who has value and who sy in Worcester Public Schools. doesn’t in our community. adds insult to injury.

The first principle of this work I humbly request that as a We can all make sense of the is to understand that experiences idea that there are bad people that community we come together to of trauma are personal. Every insupport our youth and make this hurt others for their own gain. dividual and situation is unique. A right. Let’s move into the space of Disney has been teaching us that car accident can range from a mireconciliation. Healing happens in nor inconvenience, to a life-altering lesson for decades. What is much harder is when the people we trust community, and I wholeheartedly experience of terror. Individual To the Editor: believe in the power of ours. factors like age, race, gender, sexual to help, betray that trust by ignoring our pain and make it about orientation, socioeconomic and/or In the editorial about the WorcesAmy Ebbeson resides in Rutland. disability status will all impact how them with a defensive response. ter Public Schools last week (“A Their reaction shows you who you much power you have at baseline boiling point in Worcester Public are in this world, and how you are and how you make sense of what Schools,” Worcester Magazine, valued. It impacts your ability to has happened.

April 4), the editor stated that Sutrust for the rest of your days.

Because reality is so subjective, perintendent Maureen Binienda’s Trauma is about power. Racism when someone tells you they have defensive initial response to the Worcester Coalition for Education experienced something traumatic, is about power. We live in a culture that has assigned power to some at Equity’s accusations was “perhaps they have. Believe them. In this the expense of others on the basis moment, your job is not to quesunderstandabl[e].” of characteristics and circumtion and doubt, not to get to the I disagree. Over and over again, stances over which the individual bottom of it, not to figure out who I have heard stories about the usually has no control. The concept is to blame – it is only to offer superintendent in which she has of white supremacy is that white support.

Those other things can been rude, disrespectful, and/or be addressed later, but for now, for people have the power to frame the dismissive in response to comissue and are given the authority munications that brought forward the sake of the individual’s mental unpleasant topics.

Defensive responses are the hallmark of authoritarian leadership.

We have only to look at the current U.S. president for a prime example. Letters to the editor are a great way to share your thoughts and opinions with thousands of If Superintendent Binienda cannot readers and online viewers each week. There is no word limit, but we reserve the right to edit lead respectfully, she should not be for length. If handwritten, write legibly - if we cannot read it, we are not running it. A full name the superintendent of the Worces- and town or city of residence are required. Please include an email address or phone number for ter School District. Her ego should verification purposes only. That information will not be published. Make sure your letter makes it not be our concern.

A

Superintendent’s response was not ‘understandable’

into Worcester Magazine in a timely fashion — send it in by the Monday of the next issue. Please note that letters will run as space allows. Send them to Worcester Magazine, 100 Front St., 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 or by email to WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com.

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Alex Rogai Worcester

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Letters to the Editor Policy

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

When I wrote emails to various public officials, I did so with the knowledge that they might be read by someone else, i.e. [Worcester Magazine]. I wrote with care and precision and I stand by what I wrote.

Truth be told, dozens of people were writing to the superintendent and the mayor at that same time on that same topic. I’m curious, amused and flattered that you zeroed in on my missives and not those of others (“How Sex Ed Really Died: What Went on Behind the Scenes in Worcester,” Worcester Magazine, April 4). I am not that important a person and I have very little influence.

I was simply exercising my First Amendment right to petition the government. More people should do that. In fact, it is very difficult to get people interested and excited enough about public issues that they would take the time to write or call an elected or appointed official. I wish more folks would be involved.

I wonder, however, how you came into possession of private correspondence between Dorothy Hargrove and me. Neither she nor I are public personae and our communications are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Both Dottie, a former colleague and friend, and I deny having given you access to our emails.

How did you get them? You certainly did not have my permission to publish what was a private message between me and a friend.

I am sure Dottie is as shocked as I.

Were we hacked? Curious minds want to know.

your turn

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Best of Worcester

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t has all come down to this. It all kicked off in February with nominations. For much of March, we asked you to vote on the finalists, and here we are: the Best Of Worcester for 2019. We hesitate to call it Worcester Magazine’s Best Of, because, really, you made the call. You nominated the finalists, then you picked the winners, roughly 160 of them. Some won in multiple categories. You’ll have to flip through the pages (or scroll down your computer or cell phone) to find out who’s the best, but there are a few surprises, some new faces, shall we say. There were even some upsets. Without further ado, here are your picks for the Best Of Worcester.

The staff of the Pampered Pet and their pets: from left is owner, Susan Zecco with Tara, Melanie with Jenny and Clara, Angela with Louis, Laura with Bonnie, Amy with Gertie, Kelly with Kovu, Bethany with Simone, and Rose. Austin & Olivia, pictured in front.

T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

Best of

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Best of

City Life Art Gallery

Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury St., Worcester 508-799-4406 worcesterart.org Runner-up: The Sprinkler Factory 38 Harlow St., Worcester sprinklerfactory.com

Bar Patio

Wormtown Brewery 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 774-239-1555 wormtownbrewery.com

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Runner-up: The Dive Bar 34 Green St., Worcester

Cheap Date Location

George’s Coney Island 158 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-753-4362 coneyislandlunch.com Runner-up: El Patron 192 Harding St., Worcester 508-757-8000

Cigar Bar

Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange St., Worcester 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com Runner-up: Victory Bar & Cigar

Best Art Gallery goes to Worcester Art Museum FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

Best of 56 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-756-4747 victorycigarbar.com

College Bar

The Boynton Restaurant 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: The Blarney Stone 79 Maywood St., Worcester 508-753-3410

College/ University

Worcester State University 486 Chandler St., Worcester 508-929-8000 worcester.edu Runner-up: WPI 100 Institute Road, Worcester 508-831-5000 wpi.edu

Dance Club Whiskey On Water 97 Water St., Worcester 508-757-2200 Whiskeyonwater.com

Runner-up: The Compass Tavern 90 Harding St., Worcester 508-304-6044 Compasstavern.com

Farmers’ Market Canal District Farmers’ Market 138 Green St., Worcester 508-753-7303 canaldistrictfarmersmarket.com Runner-up: Grafton Farmers’ Market 28 Grafton Common, Grafton Graftonfarmersmarket.com

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FILE PHOTO/STEVEN KING

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Best College/University: Worcester State University

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Best of Festival

stART on the Street Startonthestreet.org Runner-up: Italian Festival mtcarmelfestival.org

Fun Place to Take the Kids

Davis Farmland 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling 978-422-6666 davisfarmland.com Runner-up: EcoTarium 222 Harrington Way, Worcester 508-929-2700 ecotarium.org

Fundraising Event

UMass Medicine Cancer Walk umassmed.edu/cancerwalk/ Runner-up: Be Like Brit Foundation Gala belikebrit.org

Golf Course

Wachusett Country Club 187 Prospect St., West Boylston 508-835-4484 wachusettcc.com Runner-up: Cyprian Keyes Golf Club 284 E. Temple St., Boylston 508-869-9900 cypriankeyes.com

Hookah Bar

Electric Haze 26 Millbury St., Worcester 508-848-0133 thehaze.com/electric Runner-up: Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange St., Worcester 508-459-9035 michaelscigar.com

Indoor Adventure

Apex Entertainment 21 Apex Drive, Marlborough 508-251-8666 apexentertainmentcenter.com

Runner-up: Central Rock Gym 299 Barber Ave., Worcester 508-852-7625 centralrockgym.com/worcester

Live Music Venue

DCU Center 50 Foster St., Worcester 508-755-6800 dcucenter.com Runner-up: The Palladium 261 Main St., Worcester 508-797-9696 thepalladium.net

Live Theatre

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts 2 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-831-0800 thehanovertheatre.org Woo HaHa 50 Franklin St., Worcester thewoohaha.com

A golfer hits from a hazard at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston.

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Best of Local News Source Telegram and Gazette telegram.com Runner-up: Worcester Magazine worcestermag.com

Staff members at the Worcester Animal Rescue League. WRAL was named best nonprofit.

T&G STAFF/ASHLEY GREEN

Museum

Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury St., Worcester 508-799-4406 worcesterart.org Runner-up: Old Sturbridge Village 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge 800-733-1830 osv.org

Neighborhood Bar The Boynton Restaurant & Spirits 119 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com

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Best of

Winner of Best Sports Bar: Quinn’s Irish Pub, on West Boylston Street, Worcester.

T&G STAFF/STEVE LANAVA

Runner-up: Quinn’s Irish Pub 715 W Boylston St., Worcester 508-459-2025 quinnsirishpub.com

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Nonprofit

Worcester Animal Rescue League 139 Holden St., Worcester 508-853-0030 worcesterarl.org Runner-up: Abby’s House 52 High St., Worcester 508-756-5486 abbyshouse.org

Nursing Home Jewish Healthcare Center 629 Salisbury St., Worcester 508-798-8653

Runner-up: Notre Dame Health Care 555-559 Plantation St., Worcester 508-852-5800 notredamehealthcare.org

Orchard

Tougas Family Farm 234 Ball St., Northborough

508-393-6406 tougasfamilyfarm.com Runner-up: Brookfield Orchards 12 Lincoln Road, North Brookfield 508-867-6858 brookfieldorchardsonline.com

Place to Do Karaoke

Yong Shing Restaurant 90 Auburn St., Auburn 508-832-0622 yongshing.com Runner-up: Ralph’s Rock Diner 48 Grove St., Worcester 508-753-9543 ralphsrockdiner.com

Place to Get Outside

Tower Hill Botanic Garden 11 French Drive, Boylston 508-869-6111 Towerhillbg.org Runner-up: Elm Park

Best of

Private Secondary School Saint John’s High School 378 Main St., Shrewsbury 508-842-8934 Stjohnshigh.org Runner-up: Notre Dame Academy 425 Salisbury St., Worcester 508-757-6200 Nda-worc.org

Radio Station Country 102.5

Runner-up: WAAF 107.3

Sports Bar Quinn’s Irish Pub 715 W Boylston St., Worcester 508-459-2025 Quinnsirishpub.com

Runner-up: Railers Sports Tavern 90 Commercial St., Worcester 774-420-7636 Railerssportstavern.com

Wedding Venue Tower Hill Botanic Garden 11 French Drive, Boylston 508-869-6111 towerhillbg.org

Runner-up: Zukas Hilltop Barn 89 Smithville Road, Spencer 508-885-5320 zukas.com

Feeling Fit ’n Looking Good Audiologist’s Office Reliant Medical Group 123 Summer St., Worcester 508-852-0600 reliantmedicalgroup.org Runner-up: Audiology Associates of Worcester 33 Oak Ave., Worcester 508-792-9293 hearingworcester.com

Barber Shop

D’Iorio’s 335 Plantation St., Worcester 508-756-7791 dioriossalon.com

Goodfellas 1124 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-796-5522

Body Piercing Shop

Piercing Emporium & Tattoo 205 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-754-0564 piercingemporium.com Runner-up: Miraculous Creations Tattoo 387 Park Ave., Worcester 508-755-1379 miraculouscreations.com

Chiropractor

Dr. Francis DeFalco DeFalco Family Chiropractic 567 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-407-8809 defalcochiropractic.com Dr. Brittany Falcone Back to Health Chiropractic 82 Park Ave., Worcester 508-752-7521 backtohealthchiro.net

Crossfit

Crossfit Worcester 456 Grove St., Worcester 508-854-1343 crossfitworcester.com

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Best of

Scott Koningswood uses the elliptical at the Greendale YMCA, winner of best Gym/Health Club.

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T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

Best of

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Best of CrossFit Centermass 333 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-796-5566 crossfitcentermass.com

Dance Studio Murphy Academy of Irish Dance 1 Grafton Common, Grafton 774-276-1771 murphyacademy.com

Runner up: Charlotte Klein Dance Centers 1122 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-753-6110 ckdancecenters.com

Dentist

Lahair and Gallagher Pediatric Dentistry 102 Shore Drive, Suite 302 Worcester 508-854-9994 fightingdecay.com Worcester Dental 88 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-798-0627 worcesterdental.net

Gym/Health Club

Greendale Family Branch YMCA 75 Shore Drive, Worcester 508-852-6694 ymcaofcm.org Runner-up: Worcester Fitness 440 Grove St., Worcester 508-852-8209 123 Summer St., Worcester 508-363-7000 worcesterfitness.com

Hair Salon

D’Iorio’s 335 Plantation St., Worcester 508-756-7791 dioriossalon.com Runner-up: Salon Exquisite 395 Chandler St., Worcester 508-755-7200 salonexquisite.net

Holistic Care Center

Hot Power Yoga Center 1438 Grafton St., Worcester 508-353-8363 hotpoweryogacenter.com Runner-Up: Body Therapeutics 102 Shore Drive, Worcester 508-853-7500 body-therapeutics.com

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Hospital

UMass Memorial Medical Center 55 N. Lake Ave., Worcester 508-334-1000 umassmemorialhealthcare.org Runner-up: Saint Vincent Hospital 123 Summer St., Worcester 508-363-5000 stvincenthospital.com

Martial Arts

Team Link Muay Thai 121 Water St., Worcester 774-413-0388 worcester-kickboxing.com Runner-Up: Hanmi Tae Kwon Do Center 98 W Boylston St., Worcester 508-770-1187 hanmitaekwondo.com

Optician

Atchue Opticians 1464 Grafton Road, Millbury 508-755-5253

atchueopticians.com Runner-up: Bello Opticians 348 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-798-2421 belloopticians.com

Plastic Surgeon Dr. Trung Le Saint Vincent Hospital 123 Summer St., Worcester 508-363-5000 stvincenthospital.com

Runner-up: Dr. Frank Fechner Bentkover Facial Plastic Surgery & Laser Center 428 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-754-4000 drfechner.com

Spa

Tu Moda Spa and Salon 574 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-754-1513 tumodaspa.com Runner-Up: Truth. Organic Spa & Wellness Center 55 N. Main St, North Grafton 508-839-6466 truthorganicspa.com

Tattoo Parlor

Zaza Ink 287 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-6559 zazaink.com Runner-up: Piercing Emporium & Tattoo 400 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-754-0564 piercingemporium.com

Threading

Go Bare 14 E. Worcester St. #120, Worcester 508-799-8833 gobarestudio.business.site Runner-up: Jacques Day Spa 385 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-5544

Yoga/ Holistic Hot Power Yoga Center 1438 Grafton St., Worcester 508-353-8363 hotpoweryogacenter.com

Runner-up: Central Mass Yoga & Wellness 45 Sterling St. #28, West Boylston 508-835-1176 centralmassyoga.com

Best of

Flavor Favorites Asian Buffet

Nancy Chang Restaurant 372 Chandler St., Worcester 508-752-8899 nancychang.com Runner-up: Jasmine Restaurant 711 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-8868 jasmineauburn.com

Asian/Fusion Baba Sushi 309 Park Ave., Worcester 508-752-8822 babasushi.com

Runner-up: Nancy Chang Restaurant 372 Chandler St., Worcester 508-752-8899 nancychang.com

Bagels

Bagel Time 194B Park Ave., Worcester 508-798-0440 Bageltimeusa.com

Gerardo Sarli of Gerardo’s Italian Bakery, winner of Best Bakery and Best Dessert, with staff at the West Boylston location.

T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

Runner-up: Birchtree Bread Company 1138 Green St., Worcester 774-243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com

Bakery

Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 339 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-2200 gerardositalianbakery.com Runner-up: The Queen’s Cups 56 Water St., Worcester 508-459-9600 thequeenscups.com

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Best of

Patio view of Tree House Brewing, winners of Best Brewery.

FILE PHOTO/T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

Best of Barbecue

B.T.’s Smokehouse 392 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-3188 btsmokehouse.com Runner-up: Smokestack Urban Barbecue 139 Green St., Worcester 508-363-1111 bbqstack.com

Bread

BirchTree Bread Company 138 Green St., #5, Worcester 774-243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com Runner-up: Crust 118 Main St., Worcester 774-823-3355 crustbakeshop.com

Breakfast

Lou Roc’s Diner 1074 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-852-6888

Runner-up: Miss Worcester Diner 300 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-753-5600

Brian Treitman of BT’s Smokehouse. BT’s wins Best Barbecue.

FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

Brewery

Tree House Brewing 129 Sturbridge Road, Charlton 413-523-2367 treehousebrew.com Runner-up: Wormtown Brewery 72 Shrewsbury St., #4, Worcester 774-239-1555 wormtownbrewery.com

Burgers The Fix Burger Bar 108 Grove St., Worcester 774-823-3327 thefixburgerbar.com Runner-up: Wild Willy’s Burgers 317 W Boylston St., Worcester 508-459-2088 wildwillysburgers.com

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Best of

Bean Counter Bakery at 113 Highland St. returns to the list on top for Best Coffee.

BRIT TANY VERMILYEA

Best of Burrito

El Patron Mexican Restaurant 192 Harding St., Worcester 508-757-8000 Runner-up: Mezcal Tequila Cantina 30 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester 508-926-8307 20 Central St., Leominster 978-728-4084 mezcalcantina.com

Butcher Shop Fairway Beef 48 Grafton St., Worcester 508-556-1329 fairwaybeef.com

Runner-up: Emerald Meats 347 Chandler St., Worcester 508-756-2700 emeraldmeats.com

BYOB Establishment Dacosta’s Pizza Bakery 40 Millbrook St., Worcester

774-530-6166 dacostaspizzabakery.com Runner-up: La Cucina Italiana 294 Hamilton St., Worcester 508-797-3354 lacucinaworcester.com

Café

BirchTree Bread Company 138 Green St., #5, Worcester 774-243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com Runner-up: NU Kitchen 335 Chandler St., Worcester 508-926-8800

Catering

Struck Catering 130 Hamilton St., Worcester 508-755-5953 struckcatering.com Runner-up: Pepper’s Artful Events 43 Hudson St., Northborough 508-393-6844 pepperscatering.com

Chinese

Nancy Chang Restaurant 372 Chandler St., Worcester 508-752-8899 nancychang.com Runner-up: Jasmine Restaurant 711 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-8868 jasmineauburn.com

Cocktails

Armsby Abbey 144 Main St., Worcester 508-795-1012 armsbyabbey.com Runner-up: Lock 50 50 Water St., Worcester 508-379-3400 lock50.com

Coffee

Bean Counter Bakery 113 Highland St., Worcester 508-754-3125 288 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-754-0505 beancounterbakery.com

Runner-up: BirchTree Bread Company 138 Green St., #5, Worcester 774-243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com

Craft Beer Selection

Restaurant or Bar Armsby Abbey 144 Main St., Worcester 508-795-1012 armsbyabbey.com

Runner-up: The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com

Cupcakes

The Queen’s Cups 56 Water St., Worcester 508-459-9600 thequeenscups.com Runner-up: Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 339 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-2200 gerardositalianbakery.com

Dessert

Gerardo’s Italian Bakery 339 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-2200 gerardositalianbakery.com Runner-up: The Queen’s Cups 56 Water St., Worcester 508-459-9600 thequeenscups.com

Diner

Lou Roc’s Diner 1074 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-852-6888 Runner-up: Miss Worcester Diner 300 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-753-5600

Farm to Table Restaurant Armsby Abbey 144 Main St., Worcester 508-795-1012 armsbyabbey.com

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Best of

Kathryn Tsandikos, granddaughter of George’s Coney Island founders, is the third generation to oversee Worcester’s most iconic eatery. Coney Island wins Best Hot Dogs for 29th time.

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Best of Runner-up: deadhorse hill 281 Main St., Worcester 774-420-7107 deadhorsehill.com

Fish Tacos

Mezcal Tequila Cantina 30 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester 508-926-8307 20 Central St., Leominster 978-728-4084 mezcalcantina.com Runner-up: El Patron Mexican Restaurant 192 Harding St., Worcester 508-757-8000

Fried Seafood

CANAL DISTRICT

Ronnie’s Seafood and Ice Cream 871 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-9068 Runner-up: The Sole Proprietor 118 Highland St., Worcester 508-798-3474 thesole.com

Grinders

Regatta Deli 28 Lake Ave., Worcester 508-756-6916 regattadeli.com

George’s Coney Island 158 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-753-4362 coneyislandlunch.com Runner-up: Hot Dog Annie’s 244 Paxton St., Leicester 508-892-9059

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Hot Dogs

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Runner-up: Bushel N’ Peck Deli 643 Chandler St., Worcester 508-799-6305 17 E. Mountain St., Worcester 508-856-0516 8 Worcester St., Grafton 508-839-3005 72 MA-30, Westborough 508-616-9729 180 Union St., Clinton 978-368-9012 bushelnpeckdeli.com

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Best of Lock 50 wins for Best Outdoor Dining

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Best of Ice Cream

Meola’s Wayside Ice Cream 165 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 508-835-9747 110 Leominster Road, Sterling 978-422-3900 1134 Main St., Holden meolasicecream.com Runner-up: Rota Spring Farm 117 Chace Hill Road, Sterling 978-365-9710 rotaspringfarm.com

Indian

Bollywood Grill 97 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-793-9888 bollywoodgrill.com

Lunch Spot

The Boynton Restaurant 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: BirchTree Bread Company 138 Green St., #5, Worcester 774-243-6944 birchtreebreadcompany.com

Mexican

El Patron Mexican Restaurant 192 Harding St., Worcester 508-757-8000

Runner-up: Udupi Bhavan 378 Maple Ave., Shrewsbury 508-459-5099 theudupi.com

Runner-up: Mezcal Tequila Cantina 30 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester 508-926-8307 20 Leominster St., Leominster 978-728-4084 Mezcalcantina.com

Italian

Middle Eastern

VIA Italian Table 89 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-754-4842 viaitaliantable.com Runner-up: Mare E Monti Trattoria 19 Wall St, Worcester 508-767-1800 mareemontitrattoria.com

Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Runner-up: O’Connor’s Restaurant 1160 West Boylston St., Worcester 508-853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com

Bocado Tapas Wine Bar 82 Winter St., Worcester 508-797-1011 bocadotapasbar.com

Runner-up: Café Reyes 421 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-762-9900 cafereyes.org

Nachos

The Boynton Restaurant 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: Mezcal Tequila Cantina Mezcal Tequila Cantina 30 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester 508-926-8307 20 Leominster St., Leominster 978-728-4084 mezcalcantina.com

New Restaurant open after 4/1/18

Maddi’s Cookery & TapHouse 64 Water St., Worcester 508-459-1080 maddiscookery.com

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Latin / South American

Runner-up: Wraps N Bowls 667 West Boylston St., Worcester 508-304-1822 wrapsnbowls.com A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

The Boynton Restaurant 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com

El Basha 256 Park Ave., Worcester 508-795-0222 424 Belmont St., Worcester 508-797-0884 2 Connector Road, Westborough 508-366-2455 elbasharestaurant.com

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Best of Runner-Up: Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar 62 Green St., Worcester 508-304-9170 bucksworcester.com

Outdoor Dining Lock 50 50 Water St., Worcester 508-379-3400 lock50.com

Runner-up: Flying Rhino Cafe & Watering Hole 278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-757-1450 flyingrhinocafe.com

Pho

Pho Sure 114 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-425-3314 phosureshrewsbury.com.com

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Runner-up: Pho Dakao 593 Park Ave., Worcester 508-756-7555 phodakao.com

Pizza

Antonio’s Pizza 286 Chandler St., Worcester 774-530-6000 antoniospizza.com Runner-up: Volturno Pizza 72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-756-8658 volturnopizza.com

Place to forfeit your diet The Queen’s Cups 56 Water St., Worcester 508-459-9600 Thequeenscups.com Runner-up: B.T.’s Smokehouse 392 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-3188 Btsmokehouse.com

Restaurant

The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458

boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar 1160 West Boylston St., Worcester 508-853-0789 oconnorsrestaurant.com

Restaurant Chain

110 Grill 123 Front St., Worcester 774-420-2733 110grill.com/pages/worcester-ma Runner-up: Texas Roadhouse Lincoln Plaza, 525 Lincoln St., Worcester 508-853-7266 texasroadhouse.com/restaurantlocations/massachusetts/worcester

Ribs

B.T.’s Smokehouse 392 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-3188 btsmokehouse.com

Runner-up: Smokestack Urban Barbecue 139 Green St., Worcester 508-363-1111 bbqstack.com

Romantic Dinner

111 Chop House 111 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-799-4111 111chophouse.com Runner-up: Bocado Tapas Wine Bar 82 Winter St., Worcester 508-797-1011

Seafood

The Sole Proprietor 118 Highland St., Worcester 508-798-3474 thesole.com Runner-up: Ronnie’s Seafood & Ice Cream 871 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-9068

Steak

111 Chop House 111 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-799-4111 111chophouse.com Runner-up: Willy’s Steakhouse Grill & Sushi Bar 2 Grafton St., Shrewsbury 508-842-7220 willyssteakhouse.com

Sunday Brunch Livia’s Dish 1394 Main St., Worcester 508-926-8861 liviasdish.com

Runner-up: Armsby Abbey 144 Main St., Worcester 508-795-1012 armsbyabbey.com

Sushi

Baba Sushi 309 Park Ave., Worcester 508-752-8822 babasushi.com

Alexis Condon serves up Sunday brunch at Livia’s Dish on Main Street.

Best of

T&G STAFF/CHRISTINE PETERSON

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Best of Runner-up: Kyoto Bar & Grill 535 Lincoln St., Worcester 508-852-5788 695 Main St., Holden

508-210-0060 185 Church St., Whitinsville 508-372-9516 kyotobarandgrill.com

Takeout

Ciao Bella Restaurant, Pizza & Catering 402 Grove St., Worcester 508-756-2426 ciaobellarestaurant.biz Runner-up: Oli’s Italian Eatery 339 W. Boylston St., #A, West Boylston 508-854-1500 oliseatery.com

Vegetarian/ Vegan

Nu Kitchen 335 Chandler St., Worcester 508-926-8800 Runner-up: Belmont Vegetarian 157 Belmont St., Worcester 508-798-8898 Belmontvegetarian.com

Wings

Wings Over Worcester 1 Kelley Square, Worcester 508-421-9464 wingsover.com/locations/wingsover-worcester Runner-up: Wicked Wing Co. 321 W. Boylston St., Worcester 774-243-7336 wickedwingco.com

Pets Animal Hospital

Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic 1 Skyline Drive, Worcester 508-751-7670 vetmed.tufts.edu/tufts-at-tech/ Runner-up: Second Chance Animal Services 372 N. Main St., North Brookfield 508-637-1333 Secondchanceanimals.org

Boarding

The Barkwood Inn Pet Resort 462 Worcester Road, Charlton 508-248-7474 thebarkwoodinn.com Runner-up: Woof Pet Resort 394 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-842-9663 Woof-petresort.com

Dog Breed Golden Retriever

Runner-up: Labrador Retriever

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Dog Groomer

Pampered Pet Dog Grooming Shop 711 Pleasant St., Paxton 508-799-6176 Thepamperedpetpaxtonma.com Runner-up: Woof Pet Resort 394 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-842-9663 Woof-petresort.com

Dog Park

Boynton Park Boynton Parkway, Worcester Runner-up: Tufts Farm Field 107 Nourse St., Westborough 508-839-5303 vet.tufts.edu/farm-field

Doggie Daycare/Pet Sitter

Woof Pet Resort 394 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-842-9663 Woof-petresort.com

Runner-up: Gibson’s Natural Pet 994 Grafton St., Worcester 508-926-8628 gibsonsnaturalpet.com

Pet Supply

Gibson’s Natural Pet 994 Grafton St., Worcester 508-926-8628 gibsonsnaturalpet.com Runner-up: Quite Fetching Barkery and Pet Boutique 1 Grafton Common, Grafton 305-304-6139 quitefetchingllc.com

Shelter

Worcester Animal Rescue League 139 Holden St., Worcester 508-853-0030 worcesterarl.org Runner-up: Second Chance Animal Shelter 372 N. Main St., North Brookfield 508-637-1333 Secondchanceanimals.org

Veterinarian

Dr. Grace Park, Second Chance Animal Shelter 372 N. Main St., North Brookfield 508-637-1333 Secondchanceanimals.org Runner-up: Dr. Anita Trom, Westside Animal Clinic 262 Mill St., Worcester 508-756-4411 westsideanimalclinic.vetstreet.com

Best of

Services Assisted Living Jewish Healthcare/Eisenberg Assisted Living 631 Salisbury St., Worcester 508-757-0981 jewishhealthcarecenter.com Runner-up: Christopher Heights 20 Mary Scano Drive, Worcester 508-792-1456 christopherheights.com

Auto Detailing Haddad Auto Detail 466 Harding St., Worcester 508-755-5250 haddadautodetail.com

Runner-up: Fuller’s Automotive 505 Washington St., Auburn 508-832-0900 fullerautomotive.com

Bank

Webster Five Savings 266 Chandler St., Worcester 800-696-9401 web5.com Runner-up: Bay State Savings Bank 28 Franklin St., Worcester 378 Burncoat St., Worcester 275 Mill St., Worcester 799 Grafton St., Worcester 628 Main St., Holden 123 Auburn St., Auburn baystatesavingsbank.com

Car Wash

Ernie’s Auto Wash 888 Southbridge St., Auburn 1 Meadow Road, Spencer 114 W. Boylston St., West Boylston 215 Grove St., Worcester 579 Millbury St., Worcester erniescarwash.com

Runner-up: Fitzy’s Car Wash 85 Worcester St., North Grafton 508-839-5252

Credit Union

Digital Federal Credit Union 220 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough 508-263-6700 dcu.org Runner-up: Webster First Federal Credit Union 275 Greenwood St., Worcester 508-671-5170 websterfirst.com

Dry Cleaner

Dooley Cleaners 812 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-798-2400 dooleys-cleaners.com

Runner-up: Jefferson Cleaners 1406 Main St., Holden 508-829-4577 jeffersondry cleaners.net

Financial Services

Digital Federal Credit Union 220 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough 508-263-6700 dcu.org Runner-up: Fidelity Bank 153 Front St., Worcester 508-749-4555 fidelitybankonline.com

Funeral Home

Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel 370 Plantation St., Worcester 508-754-0468

mercadantefunreal.com Runner-up: Miles Funeral Home 1158 Main St., Holden 508-829-4434 100 Worcester Road, Route 12, Sterling 978-422-0100 milesfuneralhome.com

Heating Company

Peterson Oil Service 75 Crescent St., Worcester 508-368-1000 petersonoil.com Runner-up: CK Smith Superior 99 Crescent St., Worcester 508-753-1475 cksmithsuperior.com

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Best of Herlihy Insurance tops the list for the first time.

BRITTANY VERMILYEA

Insurance Agency

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Herlihy Insurance Group 51 Pullman St., Worcester 508-756-5159 herlihygroup.com Runner-up: TJ Woods Insurance 20 Park Ave., Worcester 508-755-5944 woodsinsurance.com

Landscaping Services Perrone Landscaping 876 Salisbury St., Holden 508-735-9814 perronelandscaping.com

Runner-up: VIP Landscaping 14 Marshfield St., Worcester 508-769-3015 viplandscapes.com

Limo Rental

Joey’s Limousine Service 76 W. Mountain St., Worcester 508-754-9575 joeyslimousine.com

Runner-up: AA Transportation 605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury 508-791-9100 aatransportation.com

Oil Change

Linder’s, Inc. 211 Granite St., Worcester 508-756-5125 lindersinc.com Runner-up: Fuller’s Automotive 505 Washington St., Auburn 508-832-0900 fullerautomotive.com

Pest Control

Ford’s Hometown Services 549 Grove St., Worcester 508-649-9992 fordshometown.com Runner-up: Dave’s Pest Control 541 Main St., Fiskdale 800-400-6009 davespestcontrol.net

Realty Company RE/MAX Vision 1 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-595-9900 remaxvisionhomes.com

Best of

Runner-up: Castinetti Realty Group 745 Main St., Shrewsbury 508-719-8804 homesbycrg.com

Travel Agency AAA 25 Mountain St. E, Worcester 508-853-7000 aaa.com

Runner-up: Sturbridge Travel

Bike Shop

Runner-up: Whitco Sales 140 Main St., Spencer 508-885-9343 whitcosales.com

Runner-up: Barney’s Bicycle 582 Park Ave., Worcester 508-799-2453 barneysbicycle.com

Percy’s TV & Appliance 19 Glennie St., Worcester 508-438-6800 percys.com

Fritz’s Bicycle Shop 328 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-853-1799 Fritzsbicycleshop.blogspot.com

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Appliances

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Shop ’til you drop

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Best of

Bridal Salon

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Carbonneau Bridal & Formalwear 292 W. Boylston St., Worcester 508-595-0400 mydress4less.com Runner-up: Elizabeth Ann’s Bridal Boutique 275 Oxford St., N. Auburn 508-832-8188 elizabethannsbridal.com

Clothing Boutique

The Habberdash 138 Green St., Worcester 77 Main St., Hudson haberdashhudson.com Runner-up: Jenny Boston 193 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-365-1344 jennyboston.com

Consignment Shop

Grime New & Used Clothing 356 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-755-5055 grimeworcester.com

Runner-up: Sweet Jane’s Designer Consignment 120 Main St., Worcester 774-243-6000

Custom Picture Framing C.C. Lowell Art Supply Store 455 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-757-7713 cclowell.com

Runner-up: Framed in Tatnuck 1099 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-770-1270 framedintatnuck.com

Ethnic Market Ed Hyder’s Mediterranean Market 408 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-755-0258 edhyders.com

Runner-up: Bahnan’s International Marketplace 344 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-796-5365 bahnans.com

Best of Haberdash owner Amy Chase stands behind the counter of her Green Street location in Worcester.

BRITTANY VERMILYEA

artists culture

ight

Artist spotl

Flower Shop Perro’s Flowers 284 Grafton St., Worcester 508-755-7744 perrosflowers.com

138 Green St., Worcester 508-753-7303 cromptoncollective.com

Gift Shop

Crompton Collective 138 Green St., Worcester 508-753-7303 cromptoncollective.com

Furniture

Runner-up: Seed to Stem 138 Green St., Worcester 508-890-0933 seedtostemstyle.com

Rotman’s 725 Southbridge St., Worcester 800-768-6267 rotmans.com

Hardware Store Barrows Hardware 15 Webster St., Worcester

tion ing communica

r study uses his nois is a senio rsity. Harnois Sam Har to reality. ester State Unive impossible ish at Worc

diate and Span to bring the Photoshop from the imme camera and to provide “an escape a spin on the laws of biliHarnois seeksin,” and his work “places endless possi ces them with appears upbeat world we live ery world and repla the physical ” While some of his imag viewer to continue s. ntly has ties of dream hopes they will force the curre ois Harn he ows and happy, t them as time goes on.

Worcester Wind ter abou town ing down orces think display in the shown in several ArtsW e at a photo on rth,” and has ’s work onlin exhibit, “Rebi find more of the artist can shows. You .

Samharnois.com

- 11, 201 8 APRIL 5

Jewelry Store Sharfmans Jewelers 19 Glennie St., Worcester 508-791-2211 sharfmansjewelers.com

Runner-up: Sachs Jewelers 180 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-792-2300 sachsjewelers.com

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

wanted

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Runner-up: Crompton Collective

Runner-up: Jed’s 450 Main St., Holden 508-829-4321 jedsonline.com

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

Runner-up: La Jolie Fleur 24 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-752-2272 Lajoliefleur.com

508-752-7191 barrowshardware.com

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Best of FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

Liquor Store

Austin Liquors 117 Gold Star Blvd., Worcester 508-853-8953 370 Park Ave., Worcester 508-754-0149 20 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-755-8100 austinliquors.com Runner-up: Yankee Spirits 376 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-2231 yankeespirits.com

New Car Dealer

Herb Chambers 809 Washington St., Auburn 508-832-8000 herbchamberstoyotaofauburn.com

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Runner-up: Patrick Motors Subaru 3 Elm St., Shrewsbury 888-266-3979 patrickmotors.com

Best of New Retail Business

Open after 4/1/2018 Redemption Rock Brewery 333 Shrewsbury St., Worcester Redemptionrock.beer

Runner-up: Bedlam Book Café 138 Green St., Worcester 508-459-1400 bedlambookcafe.com

Nursery/ Garden Center The Farmer’s Daughter at Hillcrest Farm 153 Millbury St., Auburn 508-832-2995 farmersdaughterauburn.com

Runner-up: Bemis Farms Nursery 29 North Brookfield Road, Spencer 508-885-4247 bemisfarmsnursery.com

Pawn Shop

Thrift Store

Tobacconist

Vape Shop

Runner-up: Pleasant Pawn Shop 334 Pleasant St., Worcester 508-798-3333 pleasantpawn.com

Runner-up: Abby’s House Thrift Shop 52 High St., Worcester 508-756-5486 abbyshouse.org

Runner-up: Michael’s Cigar Bar 1 Exchange St., Worcester 508-459-9035 Michaelscigar.com

Runner-up: Madvapes 867 Grafton St. #8, Worcester 508-860-2090 madvapes.com

Salvage Yard

Tire Store

Used Car Dealer

retail

The Cash Exchange 130 West Boylston St., Worcester 508-853-1800 cashexchangeonline.com

Linder’s, Inc. Sam’s Pull-a-Part 211 Granite St., Worcester 508-756-5125 lindersinc.com

Runner-up: Standard Auto Wrecking 257 Granite St., Worcester 508-755-8631 standardautoinc.com

Savers 490 Lincoln St., Worcester 508-853-3653 Savers.com

C&R Tire Company 111 Randolph Road, Worcester 508-852-6464 649 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-2124 crtire.com Runner-up: Pete’s Tire Barns 407 Hartford Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-754-9876 petestire.com

The Owl Shop 416 Main St., Worcester 508-753-0423 owlshop.com

Linder’s, Inc. 211 Granite St., Worcester 508-756-5125 lindersinc.com Runner-up: North End Motor Sales 927 W Boylston St., Worcester 508-853-7665 northendmotorsales.com

Worcester Vapor 649 West Boylston St., Worcester 774-823-3733 worcestervapor.weebly.com

Wine Selection Austin Liquors 117 Gold Star Blvd., Worcester 508-853-8953 370 Park Ave., Worcester 508-754-0149 20 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury 508-755-8100 austinliquors.com Runner-up: Yankee Spirits 376 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-2231 yankeespirits.com

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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SHREWSBURY

STREET

Best of

Redemption Rock Brewing Co. CEO Dani Babineau and head brewer Greg Carlson stand behind the bar.

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FILE PHOTO/MATTHEW TOTA

People Bartender

Ryan McArdle, The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: Ricky Nelson, Dive Bar 34 Green St., Worcester

Chef

Bill Bourbeau, The Boynton 117 Highland St., Worcester 508-756-8458 boyntonrestaurant.com Runner-up: Buddy Bartlett, Maddi’s Cookery and TapHouse 64 Water St., Worcester 508-459-1080 Maddiscookery.com

Best of

Columnist

Sarah Connell Worcester Magazine Worcestermag.com Runner-up: Clive McFarlane Telegram & Gazette telegram.com

Councilor Kate Toomey

Runner-up: Sean Rose

Hair Stylist

Miss Worcester Diner owner and head cook Kim Kniskern takes the top spot for Best Short-Order Cook for the second year in a row.

FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH BROOKS

Ashly Barrows, D’Iorio’s 335 Plantation St., Worcester 508-756-7791 dioriossalon.com Runner-up: Tyler Ingersoll, Orange Salon 70 Worcester-Providence Tpke., Millbury 508-865-5599 orangesalon.com

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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Best of Lawyer

Richard J. Rafferty 238 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-210-1416 Edenrafferty.com Runner-up: Michael H. Erlich 47 Harvard St., Worcester 508-791-9001 criminaldefenceworcester.com

Massage Therapist

Julie Bovenzi Truth Organic Spa 55 N. Main St., North Grafton 508-839-6466 Truthorganicspa.com Runner-up: Marlena Balzer, NKD 1 Kelley Square, Worcester 508-757-1000 nkdworcester.com

Personal Trainer

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Elyce Roy - CrossFit Center Mass 333 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-796-5566 crossfitcentermass.com Runner-up: Matt Carroll - MC Strength and Conditioning 386 Shrewsbury St., Worcester 508-735-3032 mcstrengthandconditioning.com

Radio Personality Jen Carter - WXLO wxlo.com

Runner-up: Molly O’Connor & Sarah Connell Pop It Worcester

Realtor

Sarah Kelleher - Coldwell Banker 6 Park Ave., Worcester 508-795-7500 Runner-up: Andrea Castinetti Castinetti Realty Group Homesbycrg.com

Worcester Magazine columnist Sarah Connell, winner of Best Columnist, at the Wordsmith mural on the Worcester Public Library. How fitting.

T&G STAFF/RICK CINCLAIR

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Best of School Committee Molly McCullough

Runner-up: Jack Foley

Server

Jenny Pacillo Joey’s Bar & Grill 344 Chandler St., Worcester 508-797-3800 joeysbarandgrill.com Runner-up: Samantha White, Maddi’s Cookery & TapHouse 64 Water St, Worcester 508-459-1080 Maddiscookery.com

Short Order Cook

Kim Kniskern Miss Worcester Diner 300 Southbridge St., Worcester 508-753-5600 Runner-up: Devin Gamache, BT’s Smokehouse 392 Main St., Sturbridge 508-347-3188 Btsmokehouse.com

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Wedding Photographer

Samantha Turco Samantha Turco Photography samanthaturco.com Runner-up: Michael Hendrickson unitymike.com

Best Bartender Ryan McArdle, left, and Best Chef Bill Bourbeau of The Boynton in Worcerster.

T&G STAFF/ALLAN JUNG

culture

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Angela Ales, Disintegration of My Reality. Oil on Canvas

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culture

‘Gravity: The Weight of Now’ challenges perspectives at the Sprinkler Factory JOSHUA LYFORD

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

I

t is no secret that today’s society is in a contentious space.

Violence, political strife and social upheaval are all common trends. Throughout human history, art has paralleled social unrest, often as an outlet or a voice for those unable to project their words over the general cacophony of the modern age.

“Gravity: The Weight of Now” is a group exhibition of contemporary art that intends to offer a loudspeaker for a diverse set of artistic voices at The Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Worcester, from May 4-26.

“There were two things that made [the show] naturally become about gravity,” esaid Roneld Lores, an artist-organizer of “Gravity.”

“One is the current state of the world. Everything that is happening is of extreme gravity, but also the idea that we have a whole bunch of connections and friends and they might be whole different art styles, but we felt that art must have substance and a message, or at least that is a commonality that we all share. We wanted to put a show together that is visually disparate, possibly, but the common theme was substance. The word that ultimately ended up being the cornerstone was ‘gravity.’ I think ultimately, that honed in on what we were trying to do. Not to separate, but to shine a light on the fact that it’s important that you have something to say. If you want to elicit a strong response, it has to come from a place of depth.”

That thought — that the entire group exhibition would come from a place of substance — was echoed by each of the show’s three organizers.

“I feel that a lot of the artwork that I see in New England is very safe and traditional, the lighthouse, the marinas, that kind of thing,” fellow artist-organizer Angela Ales said. “For me, it was more educational. Let’s show what art can be. It needs to have some mesC O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 5 6 Kishor Haulenbeek, Absence. Oil on Canvas

culture

Earthward brings riffs ‘By The Pound’ JOSHUA LYFORD

J

ust a few short weeks ago, on April Fools Day, Central Massachusetts riff-makers Earthward dropped their latest EP “By The Pound” and those in the know turned the volume on their collective headphones up.

“By The Pound” is the third release from Earthward, and includes a self-titled release in 2016 and two tracks recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks in Boston in 2017 under the on-the-nose title “High Volume.”

Earthward’s sound is at once hard to place and easily identifiable.

There is an obvious lean toward classic rock stylings steeped in guitar-heavy gusto, but modernized without character-dampening sterilization.

“I’d say we take influences of classic rock in the modern time and make it loud,” said Earthward drummer Connor Houle. “Something

about that feels much better.”

The trio is seated in a practice space on Webster Street, surrounded by guitar equipment. The aforementioned Houle is seated in a dilapidated reclining chair, bassist and vocalist Alex LeClaire is leaning forward in an equally decrepit sofa, while guitar player Ethan Hall slowly rotates on a drum throne.

“It’s hard rock, but it’s riffy hard rock,” Hall laughed over the sound of rough practice in a nearby room.

“Riffy” is a term that comes up often throughout the interview, and upon listening to “By The Pound,” the reason why is clear. The band shreds, and while the EP’s recording at Big Nice Studios in Lincoln, R.I.

by Chaimes Parker certainly does the sound justice, it is in seeing a live performance that the band’s identity becomes pronounced.

“When we play live, we make C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 56

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Summer Guide

2019

sage, some sort of essence. It’s more than copying. It has to be visceral.”

In order to help facilitate that mentality across the board, show curator and artist Robb Sandagata kept an eye on inclusiveness, ensuring the substance of “Gravity” would come from as diverse a group of artists as possible.

“It’s a very diverse show in terms of artists from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds,” he said. “Too many art shows are mostly white people over 40, this show is not that.

We also have some artists under 30, artists who are over 60 who are also making very relevant work. It’s interesting how all of those perspectives blend together over this theme.”

Sandagata has experience curating shows in both Worcester and Lowell, and was not shy in his outlook in maintaining a diverse artist set in a group exhibition setting.

“In 2019, if you’re going to do a group exhibition that’s all white people, or all people of a similar gender, you’re not doing your job,” he

said. “There’s a lot more people who are making art, and representation is something that is really important to me. I am a white man, but I can use whatever advantages I have to bring more people into the picture.

It did mostly happen organically because art is diverse, people are diverse. If you see a show that is not diverse, it’s not really reflective of the art world. This is what it’s really about, not the picture that you sometimes get.”

With that diversity in artists, subject matter as well as medium, comes a distinct difficulty that is more operational than you might expect: the show layout.

“You can’t really plan ahead very well,” said Sandagata. “You have to just get there and get in the space and start moving things around until things feel right. It’s not scientific.

I think it’s more of an instinctive process. The challenge of this show is that we have several installation artists. Once they set up their work, we won’t be able to move it. It’s always an interesting challenge and it’s always different. Like a lot of artistic processes, there’s a part that’s

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exciting in the beginning, and there’s a part in the middle where you hate it and feel like it’s not going to work, and then it all comes together.”

After all the planning — and once the show itself is hung — for Ales, Lores and Sandagata, the most important part is that it has some effect on the viewers.

“I hope everybody will find something that they are excited about or something that gives them something to think about or consider that they hadn’t thought about before,” said Sandagata. “Something they can think about in a new way or with a new perspective. We want people to come and engage and have an experience. Sometimes, people come and don’t like something and I think that’s still an experience.

Hating it is just as good as liking it. What you really don’t want is apathy. You don’t want people to be indifferent about the show.”

Gravity opens at The Sprinkler Factory on Saturday, May 4 and runs through May 26. For more information on the show and gallery, head to sprinklerfactory.com.

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 55

our presence known, I think,” said Houle. “A lot of people say, ‘You really floored us because you just punch them in the gut with that Marshall stack.’”

Marshall — long the flagship for loud rock — gets more than their share of facetime as Hall utilizes a cabinet on either side of the stage to allow for more dynamic changes during the set. As the only guitar player in a three-piece band, it is an interesting way to thicken up the guitar section.

“Part of playing music live is not just playing loud,” said Hall. “You have to EQ yourself. Connor plays loud.”

“Ethan gets a smile on his face when he turns that guitar up,” Houle interjected.

Hall laughs at the sentiment, but doesn’t disagree. The band agrees Houle “plays loud,” and in turn the band turns up the volume to stay on the same page.

While the volume certainly has plenty in common with Central Massachusetts’ dominant heavy music scene, the songs themselves don’t. That is not a dig, it is obvious the first time you listen to Earthward that they are confidently in their own space.

“We’re not heavy enough to play metal shows, but we’re also not light enough to play pop-type shows,” explained Hall. “At least in this area, it can be a little tough to find.”

Finding shows with a genre makeup conducive to a receptive crowd for the modern harbingers of loud classic rock riffs may be

difficult, but once there, Earthward has the ability to fit with a broad swathe of bands. They stand out in any environment they find themselves placed in.

Bassist and vocalist LeClaire writes the majority of the lyrics in the band and the melodies are unique. The words LeClaire sings tend closer to mysterious than abstruse.

“I like my lyrics to be more esoteric. I like the Nirvana or Pixies style of writing,” he said. “It doesn’t even have to make sense in the English language as long as the words sound good together. Melodies are more fun for me. Listening to the song over and over and humming to myself is more fun.”

Of course, with song titles like “Mood Spoon,” one has to pry a bit for an explanation.

“It’s a Kool-Aid spoon,” laughed LeClaire. “You’d put the Kool-Aid spoon in the water and it would change color. Connor had it. There’s no super deep meaning to it, it’s actually pretty literal.”

“The spoon actually has the Kool-Aid man’s face on it,” added Houle.

When the band stops laughing about the Kool-Aid man mood spoon, Houle sits up in the ruined old chair.

“I think for a lot of the songs on this record, Alex and I spent a lot of time in our canoe going down the Blackstone River fishing, appreciating nature and being in the water,” he said. “I think that came through.”

For more information on Earthward, including By The Pound download information, head to Earthwardenterprise.com.

Inserted in: Worcester Magazine, The Landmark, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, Leominster Champion, The Grafton News, The Gardner News, The Item and The Telegram & Gazette Contact your media consultant today!

508-767-9574 or via email at WMSales@gatehousemedia.com

Streaming live, 24-hours a day at worcestermag.com

culture

Artist spotlight

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

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Terry Lamacchia is a retired school teacher working with mixed media, creating two panel pieces that combine abstract painting and digital photo canvases. The work presented here is part of Lamacchia’s DRIVE series, inspired by her move from upstate New York back to Massachusetts and her constant Mass Pike travel.

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EVERYTHING MUST GO: I think I’ve harped on it quite enough, but the Worcester Railers failed to make the ECHL playoffs this year and their postseason hopes have been dashed. That, of course, is a bummer and I think we’d all be a bit happier if we were catching playoff hockey at the DCU. They did end the season on a positive note, crushing the first-place Newfoundland Growlers and second-place Adirondack Thunder. Additionally, they had flashes of brilliance throughout the season, so I am happy to give ’er a smile and get pumped for the ’19-’20 season. As a side note, a hearty tap of the pads to Tyler Barnes as he has announced his retirement from professional hockey. Barnes had 58 points and 28 goals in this last season, which is quite a feat. Good luck out there. my friend. But finally, here is the juice of the post: the annual equipment sale is taking place Saturday, April 27 at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. The team sells off all their stuff like helmets, gloves, sticks, lockerroom nameplates, etc. I have zero context to add to this, I’ve never been.

I don’t even know what sort of price points we’re talking here, so if you’re just looking for some hockey equipment to use for yourself on the cheap, I’m not sure this will be helpful for you. Merch at the Rail Shop will be discounted, which is nice, and the team will be collecting books to donate to their book drive for kids. Maybe it’s not a best-of-seven victory, but it’s still pretty cool.

A STEAM ESCAPE: I stared at those words for a solid 5 minutes, wondering how to turn this into a bit about steampunk, maybe Will Smith and “Wild Wild West,” big spiders. It never came to fruition, so apologies to all reading. Sometimes, you get an email about an event that just needs to be given some love. Case in point: Live Action Escapes, the escape game setup over on Exchange Street, has announced they will be opening a youth escape room with STEAM learning in mind. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) as a conduit for puzzle-solving fun?

Boy howdy, what a rollicking good time. That probably read as sarcasm, but I assure you it wasn’t. The room is called Cartoon Takeover! and will use the five core principles of STEAM as guidelines for the room’s puzzles. I’ve done a couple escape rooms in my day and have only successfully escaped one, so I’m not the expert here. You need someone to figure out how many Dr. McGillicuddy’s nips to bring to a Bruins playoff game party? I’ve got you covered. Sidenote, I couldn’t spell McGillicuddy correctly, so I Google searched it and found one Dr. Gerald T. McGillicuddy located right here in Worcester. He has received some great reviews; if I had health insurance I’d give him a call. I really, really got off on a pointless tangent. We’ve got an early deadline for Best of Worcester and it’s Friday, I have about a dozen interviews lined up and honestly, man, I’m pretty tired. Whatever, just keep the STEAM-based escape room in mind this spring and I’m calling it now: MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS! I DO ENJOY THINGS THAT AREN’T HOCKEY:

It’s true, but this week seems a little heavy. I don’t know if people have stopped sending me press releases, or what, but just a quick heads up: the Seventh Annual Skating for Hope event is coming to the Worcester Ice Center Friday, April 26, and while I hope to get a bigger story together a little bit closer to run time, here is the gist: the event raises money for UMass Memorial Cancer Center and is a ton of fun. It is a 24-hour skating marathon (maybe marathon isn’t exactly the right word, but you get the idea) with a charity hockey game. On hand is Dr. Hook from “Slap Shot,” “Goon” author Doug Smith, Arthur from the Massachusetts Pirates and Trax from the Railers, as well as the always-amazing 501st Star Wars Garrison (they are very cool, trust me).

To date, the squad has raised over $75,000, so you can have fun and lord it over everyone else that when YOU enjoy yourself, people benefit.

Joshua Lyford Culture editor @Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Why so cruel?

This week, I convinced my handsome fiancé to dress up like the Ryan Phillippe to my Sarah Michelle Gellar. This is not an overshare. We were promoting Cruel Intentions: The RB McGee, Molly O’Connor, Musical, which takes the stage Morgan Vines, Jake Sanders, at Hanover Theater on May 4 Anna MacInnis and Sarah Conat 8 p.m. But you can join the nell teamed up to promote Secret Society without dipping Cruel Intentions: the Musical into the costume closet. Simply at Hanover Theater. use promo code: SECRET for MIKE HENDRICKSON $45 tickets, a 90’s nostalgia candy pack, and a special photo op with the whole cast. Check it out at thehanovertheatre.org/cruelintentions.

You Need Groceries

On Thursday, April 18. from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Whole Foods of Shrewsbury is donating 5 percent of net sales to the Regional Environmental Council in support of youth employment and urban agriculture. Don’t put off your trip to the market any longer. You can improve access to healthy food for all simply by filling your cart.

What’s your favorite children’ book?

If I’m doing my job right, @worcesterpubliclibraryfdn has already popped up on your instagram feed. I’m taking over the Worcester Public Library Foundation’s account for the month of April in order to shine a light on children’s literacy. DM me the title of your favorite kid’s book with a photo of yourself and I’ll take care of the rest. I’m amazed how easy it is to find direct connections between Worcesterites and the stories they loved to read as young people. Did you know Hank Von Hellion grew up reading “The Celery Stalks at Midnight?” And Dr. Shirley Konneh loved “The Little Engine That Could?” The books we read as adolescents shape our future selves. That’s what Worcester Public Library is all about.

Do you Brew Woo?

Is that your Easter best?

How did they know?

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Did you know that teenage girls are the greatest predictor of cultural trends?

It’s no surprise that Worcester’s youth are a tenacious and talented crew. See for yourself on April 30, from 6-8 p.m., at the Worcester PopUp with performances by musicians, dancers, poets, actors and artists ages 13-17. Visual art will be on display and in honor of ArtWeek, Main IDEA will offer an interactive arts activity for families. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Main IDEA Youth & Arts, a local nonprofit that provides arts programs for under-resourced youth in Worcester. Tickets are available for $10 and can be purchased at the door.

Sarah Connell contributing writer

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

All tired out from that helicopter egg drop? (No, really. Lifesong Church is pitching 15,000 plastic eggs in Worcester, Sutton and Sturbridge on April 21.)

Ditch the bunny baskets and head to Brew City, where they will be serving a brunch buffet on Easter Sunday for the first time in 20 years. The buffet costs $25.99 for adults and $11.99 for children 12 and under. It includes Belgian waffles, a roast beef carving station, hickory smoked bacon, and much more.

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

2019 marks the ninth year of Brew Woo, Worcester’s original craft beer festival. Plenty of old favorites will be pouring from pioneer craft breweries like Dogfish Head, Great Divide and Firestone. Local offerings include Greater Good, Wormtown and Wachusett. It’s hard to believe that Wachusett was founded in 1994 by three WPI guys and now it is one of the largest breweries in the Northeast. Stop by Wachusett’s booth and ask about Wally, their custom Airstream beer trailer. Sessions begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. BT’s Smokehouse will be on hand for sustenance, along with a handful of other vendors.

culture

Yong Shing Sizzles

90 Auburn St., Auburn • 508-832-0622 • yongshingma.com SANDRA RAIN

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to be cooked to a crisp, designed for hearty sustenance. There’s nothing delicate about them.

I recommend a smorgasbord of appetizers. The fried chicken wings ($7.70) are surprisingly light and tender. The barbequed spare ribs are sticky ($9.70) enough to quench an old craving. The scallion pie ($4.70) is easy to share with friends.

As for the typical Chinese-Amer-

eep it simple. Yong Shing is not built for adventurous eaters, it’s built for adventurous karaoke singers. The Chinese-American menu speaks to families and fried food enthusiasts.

Lo-mein lovers and Singapore Sling drinkers. Sizzling steak stunners and proud pork strippers. Yong Shing is Auburn’s parlor room. Everyone is meant to feel comfortable, including the smokers who enjoy a special vestibule for semi-indoor relief on raw days.

From the parking lot, Yong Shing looks like a series of descending cubes Yong Shing is a popular with a large red Chinese-American restaurant in portal erupting Auburn known for karaoke. from its center.

SANDRA RAIN Enter the deep void to meet a ican fair, the chicken lo mein ($7.25) holding room full of hosts, eager to and the General Gau’s chicken direct you to a table or the bar. ($11.95) are popular, but I warn you The decor gets sloppy from here.

With plenty of teriyaki and egg drop there is very little chicken involved in either. The General Gau’s, in soup sloshing around, drips and particular, consists of endless orbs dollops cover the tableside walls.

Red accent tones are bound to make of deep fried water chestnut flour swimming in spicy sweet ginger you hungry regardless. The carpet is more difficult to rationalize. With sauce.

Service at the bar is slow, but tasoy sauce and duck sauce splishbleside hospitality is kind and agile. splashing around, it must be near Yong Shing is the place to meet large impossible to keep the rug clean.

But Yong Shing is not about curating groups ready to get rowdy or young families bound to make a mess. a spotless evening – it’s about scorThere’s not much of an in between. pion bowls ($7 for a single and $16 On my last visit for dinner with a for two). Heck, order a Blue Hawaii friend, our total came to $37.90. ($6.54), known as “joy juice” by the locals. Just beware of those Mai Tais Explanation of Stars: Ratings are ($7) because they get the messiest of from zero to five. Zero is not recomall. You have been warned. mended. One is poor. Two is fair.

The word “sizzling” actually appears five times on the menu. We’ve Three is satisfactory. Four is good. Five got the steak Fiji ($14.95) served on a is excellent. sizzling hot platter, the sizzling seafood platter ($17.45), the house spe- Food: HH 1/2 Ambience: HH cial combo sizzling platter ($13.95), the seafood sizzling rice soup ($8.75) Service: HHH Value: HHH and the sizzling steak and scallops ($13.95). These dishes are intended

culture

Mass.-ive love for locals JIM KEOGH

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Jim Keogh contributing writer

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

his magazine’s “Best Of Worcester” issue always stirs nostalgia in me. I’d read it for years until, during my stint as editor, I had to produce it. Fortunately, by then we’d gone to digital polling. I’ve heard horror stories about the days of counting paper ballots. Some things should remain in the past.

In the spirit of this year’s contest, I consulted the Massachusetts Film Office website to learn who from Central Massachusetts has earned recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which annually conducts its own version of a “Best Of ” contest.

Long before she cast mischievous spells as the high-maintenance mother-in-law on the sitcom “Bewitched,” Clinton’s own Agnes Moorehead was one of Hollywood’s most respected performers, earning three Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress during the 1940s (“The Magnificent Ambersons,” “Mrs. Parkington” and “Johnny Belinda”) and another in 1964 for “Hush … Hush, Sweet Charlotte.” A charter member of Orson Welles’ famed Mercury Theatre, Moorehead made her film debut in no less than “Citizen Kane,” playing the young Charles Foster Kane’s mother, and one of the few who could have ever known what he meant when he whispered, “Rosebud.”

Like Moorehead, Worcester’s Arthur Kennedy got his start on stage, originating the role of Biff in Elia Kazan’s legendary Broadway production of “Death of a Salesman.”

But it was in film where he made his name, earning five Academy Award nominations from the 1940s through the 1960s. Kennedy was a character actor supreme (is that a product of being from Worcester, which is more a character than a location?). He played the dissolute brother, Tom, in “The Glass Menagerie,” chronicled the exploits of T.E. Lawrence in “Lawrence of Arabia,” and exposed Burt Lancaster’s religious hucksterism in “Elmer Gantry.” You need to be of a certain age to have any awareness of Arthur Kennedy today, but he crafted an enviable career playing men who could charm, humor and menace in equal measure.

Another Worcester native, Scott Silver, earned a 2011 Best Original Screenplay nomination for “The Fighter,” the saga of Lowell boxer Micky Ward and his colorful family.

Silver has continued to enjoy a successful career — his next screenplay, the much-anticipated “Joker,” traces the origins of Batman’s nemesis, with Joaquin Phoenix in the starring role.

The Silver screenplay that never got made is the one I’ve always most wanted to see. In 2004, Silver wrote “Cold Storage,” about the 1999 fire that claimed the lives of six Worcester firefighters. The script had been optioned by Imagine Entertainment, an A-list cast had been assembled, and Danny Boyle (at the time best known for “Trainspotting”) was set to direct. But the tragedy proved too raw for too many in the firefighting community, and the project was shelved. “Nothing that made this story so powerful 10 years ago has lessened throughout the years,” Silver told me in 2009 on the 10th anniversary of the fire. “It continues to move people.”

A few more notables: Athol native Shawn Patterson scored a 2015 Best Original Song nomination for “Everything is Awesome” in “The Lego Movie.”

Clinton native Clarence Brown was nominated in 1946 for directing the Elizabeth Taylor classic “National Velvet.” His other directing nominations included “Romance,” (1930), “Anna Christie” (1930), “A Free Soul” (1931), “The Human Comedy” (1943), films that had him working with the most famous actresses of the day, including the eternal Greta Garbo.

Lewis Stone of Worcester was nominated for a 1930 Best Supporting Actor in “The Patriot.”

Coincidentally, Clarence Brown directed Stone in eight pictures.

Did they swap Central Mass stories on set?

calendar Thursday, April 18 Sylar: The Seasons Tour

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Sylar heads to The Palladium on the Seasons 2019 Tour with special guests Varials and GroundCulture.

Thursday, April 18 Forge A Railroad Spike

The WorcShop, 233 Stafford St. Learn the basic techniques of making a blade using a railroad spike. Students will learn how to make a knife and will make own of their own.

Friday, April 19 Bread and Puppet Theater

Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St. Bread and Puppet Theater returns to Worcester’s Sprinkler Factory to perform “Diagonal Life: Theory and Praxis.”

Friday, April 19 Whitechapel-Chaos & Carnage 2019

Friday, April 19 Inquiring Nuns

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Whitechapel heads to the Palladium with Dying Fetus, Revocation, Fallujah, Spite, Uncured and Buried Above Ground.

Park View Room, 230 Park Ave. Cinema-Worcester presents Inquiring Nuns, a cinéma vérité film following Sisters Marie Arné and Mary Campion as they ask Chicago residents: are you happy?

Friday, April 19 Khatia Buniatishvili

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Tuckerman Hall, 10 Tuckerman St. Music Worcester presents international piano superstar Khatia Buniatishvili making her Worcester debut at Tuckerman Hall.

calendar Saturday, April 20 Veil of Maya

The Palladium, 261 Main St. Veil of Maya and Intervals are joined by Strawberry Girls and Cryptodira at the Palladium.

Saturday, April 20 Brew Woo

DCU Center, 50 Foster St. Wachusett Brewing Co. and Yankee Spirits present the ninth annual Brew Woo at the DCU Center. Vendors, music, food and more accompany tastings from over 80 breweries.

Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St. The public pre-opening reception for LGBTQ+ Worcester-For the Record.

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

Thursday, April 25 LGBTQ+ Worcester-For the Record opening

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culture

Adoption option

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

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Say hello to Jackson, AGAIN! Jackson was featured in the December issue. This guy is SUCH a catch, we can’t fathom why this hunk is still here.

Jackson is a volunteer and staff favorite. He goes on walks and jogs AND enjoys field trips to get ice cream and cheeseburgers! Jackson recently made his TV debut on WBZ’s “Pet Parade,” but he hasn’t let stardom get to his head. Jackson is well-behaved in the car and loves sitting shotgun. This handsome fella will make a great companion and couch buddy for some lucky person. Jackson is looking forward to a home without young kids where he would be your one and only pet to love. Jackson enjoys playing with some other dogs, but likes to have the house to himself. Jackson is 6 years old, neutered and current with his vaccines. His adoption fee is $225.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Wish List: Can’t stop in?

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

sports p Their season over, it’s wait ’til next year for Railers WALTER BIRD JR.

F

The Score

Round-Up

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year. I thought our work ethic and the scoring chances we generated were very high, but we weren’t able to finish a lot of hockey games. We allowed teams to hang around.”

With 28 goals, Barnes set a franchise record. Alas, he has retired at the age of 29.

Sorkin notched a career-high 15 goals, while captain Mike Cornell had a “career year, offensively,” according to Russell. Worcester Railers coach Jamie Russell addresses the team.

Cornell ( five goals, COURTESY OF WORCESTER RAILERS 25 assists) totaled the situation, I’m going to give the that could have gone either way.

30 points, good for a best I have every day.”

“I was really proud of our group. sixth-place tie on the team with Josh The Railers, Myers said, will be They demonstrated the character Holmstrom. looking to improve in “all facets of we had in those last two games.

Goaltending seemed like a tale of the game” as they prepare for their They were tough games to play and two halves. Over the first half of the third season next year. had no meaning in the standings. season, it was “lights out,” accord“At the end of the day,” he said, Newfoundland played their roster ing to Russell. Mitch Gillam earned “we came up a little short in a tough … Both games, we were trailing and an ECHL All-Star nod. Buitenhuis fought our way back. That last home division. We’re already looking at shined brightly at times, adjusting how we can get better for next year. game, it was very important for us from Division 3 college play to the How we approach the game, how we pros, then went down with an injury. to thank our fans, the community, work in the off-season and identify and the support we had at the DCU In terms of players, there were players, and making sure we get the has been incredible, so that was our some disappointments. Fan favorite motivation going into that last game right people in the doors. It’s easy to Woody Hudson, whose first name say you want to find more scoring, at home. We were down 3-1, and fans cheered repeatedly every time it doesn’t really work that way. We’re he took the ice, scored 19 goals in 67 ended up winning 4-3. It was a great games and made the All-Star team in way to finish the last [home] game of trying to find ways to create the right chemistry and work with the Islandthe season.” his rookie year with the Railers. This ers to make sure we get some of the The team now sets its sights year, through 42 games, Hudson had right horses to come into the race.” on the off-season and next year. notched just five goals. In February, Hudson and the Railers parted ways Whether Russell, who has one year when he was traded to the Indy Fuel remaining on a four-year contract, returns as coach remains to be seen. for defenseman Robert Powers.

When fans talked about the team The subject, he said, didn’t come up Massachusetts Pirates in a roughly two-and-a-half-hour exit The Pirates, playing in the National Arena during the year, “inconsistency” was interview with Myers and owner Cliff League dropped their season opener at a word sometimes used to describe Rucker. home, losing, 54-22, to the visiting the play of the Railers. Russell, howCarolina Cobras.

Asked whether he felt his job was ever, disagrees.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said, citing in jeopardy, Russell said, “If you’re the playoff-killing, eight-game losing coaching that way, or thinking that streak. “We played some great games. way, you’re not going to be successful. I have a high work ethic, a Whether the goalie we were facing The Pirates signed Defensive Lineman made some huge saves, and the other passion for coaching, a passion for Lourde-Quincy Vasser and Offensive Linehockey. I care about the players we team got some good bounces, there man Brandon Hodges, both of whom once have in the room. It doesn’t matter were some very close games games played with the Texas Longhorns.

A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019

ortunes can change on a dime in sports. On top of the heap one day, stung by the agony of defeat the next. The Worcester Railers know it well. On March 16, the team, playing the Maine Mariners at home, won its seventh in eight games, was tied for third place and was looking a playoff berth square in the face. The next day, the Railers ran out of steam in mounting a come-from-behind effort against the Manchester Monarchs, falling, 7-4, in another game at the DCU Center.

Few probably could have predicted what happened next. The Railers, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders, went on an eight-game losing streak to see their playoff star explode in stunning fashion. Perhaps fittingly, it was the Mariners who handed Worcester a 4-2 loss on April 5 in Maine that put damp fingers to the flickering flame that was the Railers’ playoff hopes.

There were two games left in the season, meaningless to the Railers and their opponents, both of whom had already clinched playoff spots. But if playing for pride means anything, Worcester won both those contests, knocking off the North Division-leading Newfoundland Growlers, 4-3, at home, then going on the road and downing the secondplace Adirondack Thunder, 5-4, in overtime.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but swallow it the Railers must, one year after making their inaugural bow in the ECHL. They made the playoffs last year, even if their postseason run was short, with the Thunder winning the first-round series. Still, there was plenty of reason for optimism coming into this season.

“We were in third place on a Friday, fifth place on Sunday, and sixth place on a Wednesday,” Railers President Mike Myers said last week, days after the season had ended. “It was a tough division to play in. It was a game of musical chairs, and the music stopped a little early for us, or

a little late, depending on how you look at it.”

Such is life in the ECHL, particularly in a competitive North Division that featured two new teams in the Growlers and Mariners. Both finished ahead of Railers in the standings. Worcester ended up in last place in the division.

“The margin for error was very small,” General Manager and Coach Jamie Russell said. “Certainly, we had some losing streaks. We had a losing streak at the start of the year … At the end of the day, the responsibility for the success of the team falls on my shoulders. As GM, I need to put the lineup on the ice. As head coach, I have to get results.”

You’d be hard-pressed to get excuses from the braintrust, but a number of breaks didn’t go the Railers’ way this year, including injuries.

The Railers lost 146 man games to injury this year. Whether long-term or season-ending, several players spent a significant amount of time off the ice. Among the missing, for various lengths of time, were forwards Tommy Kelley and Yanick Turcotte, defensemen Tommy Panico, Alex Vanier and Connor Doherty, and goalie Evan Buitenhuis.

“Our trainer goes through and tracks everything, what you may call non-preventable injuries, preventable injuries and illness,” Russell said of tracking injuries. “When you take a slapshot to the thumb and it breaks your thumb, or you blow out a knee and tear your ACL, those aren’t things you can prevent through training. A large bulk of those man games lost were to non-preventable injuries. We had a number of players with season-ending injuries and season-ending surgeries.”

Offense was another enemy for the Railers at times this year. While the offseason saw them bring in players like Tyler Barnes and Nick Sorkin to help light up the lamp, it wasn’t always a flurry of pucks zinging into the opposing net.

“We were challenged to score goals,” Russell said. “I think that trend continued over the course of the

games

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J O N E S I N’ Across 1 ___ out a living (got by) 5 KFC drumsticks, basically 9 Half a cartoon duo with a platypus 13 Matt’s “Wild Things” costar 14 Didn’t do it right 16 Actor Omar of “Almost Christmas” 17 Form an opinion 18 Pupil, in Paris 19 Handbook info 20 “Finding Dory” star 23 “Dr. Mario” and “Duck Hunt” platform 24 Quattro minus uno 25 School tasks using Scantrons 28 Big buy for suds 31 K-pop group with a 2019 Grammy nomination 33 “Lucky Man” prog rock trio, for short 34 “Tommy” song on day two of Woodstock 39 “___ Griffin’s Crosswords” (2007-2008 show) 41 Gallup poll finding 42 TV cook Paula 43 HOF Brooklyn shortstop with uniform no. 1 46 Physics unit of work 47 “Chicago” lyricist 48 Promgoing kids, for short 49 Poly finish 51 21___ (Shaq’s foot stat) 53 180˚ from WSW 54 Hashtag post that’s always apt 62 WWF’s “Hitman” Hart 63 War of 1812 pact city 64 Raison d’___ 65 “Wordplay” and “Simpsons” crossword guy with Will 66 Bob who did “Hollywood Nights” 67 Russo of “Tin Cup” 68 “Comp·s” point 69 In ___ (actually) 70 Toboggan

Down 1 Conclusion, in Koln 2 Boat bottom 3 Bus-jumping stunt cyclist,

“E’s Here!” — grid only, though.

by Matt Jones

casually 4 Folk/country musician Iris 5 City not far from Kingston upon Hull 6 Oil tycoon Halliburton 7 “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” kid 8 Golf pro who won post-Fuzzy 9 Dug around, with “out” 10 Olympics sword 11 D&D and similar campaign pursuits 12 Flimflams, for short 15 Auto body flaw 21 Loch for cryptozoologists 22 Kathryn of “Oz” and “L&O: C.I.” 25 Mall Santa job or sub at work, say 26 Robt. ___ (Civil War fig.)

27 Buying outing 28 TV cook Graham and family 29 Abu Dhabi VIP (var.)

30 Mutation factors 32 Bad driving condition 35 July and August, to Balzac 36 Gps. that assist putting out conflagrations 37 Nothing but 38 RPI grad’s abbr.

40 Car also known as a Bug 44 Hairstylist known for cowboy hats

45 Throat doc that also works in ophthalmology 50 Conduits found in “TMNT” 52 Ovoids in a carton 53 ___ nous 54 “So ___ to you, FuzzyWuzzy” (Kipling) 55 Not horiz.

56 Syngman ___ of 1950s Asian politics 57 Brain activity monitors 58 Suffix for carbon compounds, plural 59 Child star who was Damian in “Millions” 60 Grayish-brown aquatic bird 61 Angry, with “off” 62 MIT study topic including hospitals, diagnostics and MRIs

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Last week's solution

Call 978-728-4302 or email cmaclassifieds@ gatehousemedia.com today to place your ad here! ©2019 Jonesin’ Crosswords (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #932

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A P R I L 18 - 24, 2019 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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Sudoku Answers

67

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Worcester Probate and Family Court 225 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 Docket No. WO16P2019GI1 CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR RESIGNATION OF A GUARDIAN OF AN INCAPACITATED PERSON In the Interests of: Brianna M LaFrennie Of: Worcester, MA RESPONDENT Incapacitated Person/Protected Person To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Lynne Smithwood of Concord, MA in the above captioned matter requesting that the court: Accept the Resignation of the Guardian of the Respondent. The petition asks the court to make a determination that the Guardian and/or Conservator should be allowed to resign; or should be removed for good cause; or that the Guardianship and/or Conservatorship is no longer necessary and therefore should be terminated. The original petition is on file with the court. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 04/30/2019. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer.

Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person.

If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense.

WITNESS, Hon. Leilah A Keamy, First Justice of this Court.

Date: April 04, 2019 Stephanie K. Fattman, Register of Probate 04/18/2019 WM

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Worcester Probate and Family Court 225 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 Docket No. WO19P1123GD CITATION GIVING NOTICE OF PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR INCAPACITATED PERSON PURSUANT TO G.L. c. 190B, §5-304 In the matter of: Brianna M LaFrennie Of: Worcester, MA RESPONDENT Alleged Incapacitated Person To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Department of Developmental of Worcester, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Brianna M LaFrennie is in need of a Guardian and requesting that TLC Trust Inc by Gayle Greene of Fitchburg, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve Without Surety on the bond. The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is incapacitated, that the appointment of a Guardian is necessary, and that the proposed Guardian is appropriate.

The petition is on file with this court and may contain a request for certain specific authority. You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 04/30/2019. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date. IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer.

Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person.

If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense. WITNESS, Hon. Leilah A Keamy, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 03, 2019 Stephanie K. Fattman, Register of Probate 04/18/2019 WM

last call Evie Joy Indie Singer Songwriter E

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vie Joy is a New York-based musician who performs across the Northeast. She studied opera for 12 years before pursuing a career as a musical comedian.

basically they needed me to stay focused.

Did you stay? When I was in the practice room I would hear the other pianists practicing and the dean basically said to me, “We found out that, recently, you So how did you get hooked up have not been paying attention with Worcester? I went to Sofar in your lessons.” And it wasn’t Sounds In Worcester and I met one of the organizers, Bob Oborne. that I wasn’t paying attention, it was just that I like listening to Bob has been getting me more everything. Anyways, I ended up shows in Worcester and in the going to Italy, and I met people Boston area. So it’s been really who told me about Oklahoma City easy.

University, and some of them had gone there and were alumni, and Where are you from originally and what has your career trajec- they told me, “You have to go.” So I wrote emails and emails, and they tory looked like? I grew up on wrote emails, and I really tried to a farm in Griswold, Conn., near get into OCU. The lady at the front Providence. It’s about an hour from here. The only teacher in our desk would always say, “Stop sendtown was a small-time opera sing- ing these in. You’re not going to get in. There’s no way that you’re going er who was really disgruntled. I remember when I was 10 she sang to get in, but you keep sending two things for me: a pop selection us things. We already accepted people way back in November.” I and an operatic selection. She asked me which I liked better and kept writing and then finally I got in a month before school started.

I said I liked the pop better. Then she told me she couldn’t teach me It was the best decision I made.

Somebody there had worked for because I was too stubborn and headstrong. She told my mom, and Oprah has an arranger in the past.

His name is Lendell Black. He my mom said, “You will teach her helped me. He heard me perform and she will learn.” So I studied and was like, “I think you’re opera with that woman until really talented.” I was much later. And then I ended up taking lessons at Connecticut Col- studying opera there lege with another opera teacher.

I started putting out auditions for different schools. I ended up going to SUNY Purchase College. It was really cool, but the problem was they have a very specific technique and they wouldn’t let me write my own music.

They told me that the walls have ears. I was there DYLAN AZARI for opera, and

and then I switched to musical theater. He took me to Nashville and introduced me to people in Nashville, and that’s where I recorded.

How do you include comedy in your work? I like to use word play to link different phrases together so that you turn the phrase in a way that people don’t expect, which is a lot easier for me in a song format than it is a stand up comedy format. It’s been going pretty well.

Can you give us one example?

Well, I write some inappropriate songs. Like, one of them is about if you were to be in love with a priest. There’s a rap breakdown in the middle of the song and the rest of the song is looped.

I start with a bass, and then I bring in a shaker, and then I use my voice to

make harmonies that are in the background, like a little tiny choir.

The rap breakdown is: “I swear it would be different if you weren’t such a hottie, but sharing bread has me thinking about sharing your body. I know you’re married to God, but he lives in the sky. So I’m wondering if maybe the zip code rule could apply. Or maybe you could just, you know, make an exception. Worst case you claim the immaculate conception. Or you’re getting inside to exercise my demons and secretly we’ll call it exercising your semen.”

That is wild. I also read that you like to perform kind deeds in a skunk costume. Is that true?

My friend and I are the kind of people who say, “How far can we take this?” We did kind deeds in the costumes once and then we just kept doing them. We did things like help people shovel

while we were in the costume. It was just so funny because New York is hard, so sometimes it’s fun to just see what you can get away with because no one will look at you, and literally they will avoid making eye contact with you; it is just ridiculous. We just had a good time seeing what we could do with this skunk costume.

What is your impression of Worcester so far? Everybody’s willing to come out to live music here more than they are in other places. Not that people don’t go out in New York, but there’s just so much going on in New York.

Everybody’s nice here and the bars pay you well. It makes sense to come out here and do shows.

What do you have coming up?

I have been performing a lot at Redemption Rock. Let’s see, I’m opening for Sheryl Crow in May at a black tie gala. I also have a Kickstarter coming out soon and I have some of my more inappropriate comedy coming out soon.

I was told not to put it online, but it’s going out anyway. I’m playing a show at a secret weed speakeasy on April 20.

– Sarah Connell

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