Worcester Magazine August 23 - 29, 2018

AUGUST 23 - 29, 2018 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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in this issue A U G U S T 23 - 29, 2018 • V O L U M E 43 I S S U E 52

the cover

Worcide organizers eye smaller neighborhood skate parks: Organizers of the Worcide Community Skatepark have their eyes on a new location, but it may take longer than they’d like. 4

The unofficial Worcester Red Sox hat in Kelley Square.

Story on page 10 Photo by Elizabeth Brooks Design by Kimberly Vasseur

On the hunt with the Hotdog Safari: There are experiences that come to define a city: climbing Paris’s Eiffel Tower, overlooking the River Thames on the London Eye, riding a gondola through Venice. 19

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news Worcide organizers eye smaller neighborhood skate parks O

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BILL SHANER

rganizers of the Worcide Community Skatepark have their eyes on a new location, but it may take longer than they’d like.

They’re not at liberty to share the location, not yet, because it involves land they don’t yet have state permission to use, but it looks like they won’t have the ability to build until early 2020 at the earliest.

In the meantime, organizers have opened up a new front in the effort to keep skating alive in Worcester: smaller, cheaper community parks around the city.

The first location they’ve targeted is Crompton Park, a 12.4-acre plot featuring a playground, the city’s only public pool and a ball field, on Quinsigamond Ave. “What we’re hoping is that, since the timeline on a big rebuild is probably longer than we want, [we can] do some sort of neighborhood skate park there in the meantime,” said Meghan Dube, one of the Worcide organizers.

There, they hope to build a small park with minimal features for less than $10,000, which they hope the city will pay for, and they plan to build it themselves.

The Worcide team has talked to the city about the idea. Crompton Park came up as a possible first location because the city zoned a portion of it for a skatepark in 2012, but never acted on it.

They hope to build at least four before the main park is ready for skating.

“We want to look at small community parks, with the idea being,

Excavators remove the demolished concrete skate ramps that made up Worcide skate park. The park was dismantled last month.

FILE/ELIZABETH BROOKS

eventually, to kind of connect all the neighborhoods through a skatepark system,” said Dube.

They hope to have the Crompton Park skatepark constructed by spring 2019. Ideally, they’d like to

do it themselves, as they did Worcide over the course of a decade.

When the city demolished Worcide in July, they effectively erased 10 years of labor carried out and funded by the community,

organically. The demolition cost about $40,000, and Dube is hoping the city can invest that amount of money back into four community parks, built by Worcide organizers.

“We think that would be a good

thing for the city,” she said.

When asked about the push for a new park, a city spokesman said the two groups continue to meet, but a new site has not yet been selected. Organizers have a desired

news location, he said, and the city is “researching the feasibility of that site.”

Meanwhile, Worcide organizers have been actively fundraising for the new park. They’re holding a fundraising event at Ralph’s Rock Diner Sunday, Sept. 30, featuring bands, vendors and other attractions, and are soliciting donations for a raffle. They’re hosting a booth at stART On the Street, and have launched an online fundraiser on GoFundMe that has since raised a little more than $1,000.

Because of its location – a lot off Washington Street squarely within the boundaries of the proposed PawSox ballpark – many have speculated the skate park was demolished to make way for the proposal. City officials have passionately denied that claim, instead saying the park was a public safety hazard.

Acting at the direction of the

ting close enough to the back side of the park.

Since, city officials have promised to work with the Worcide organizers, and have held a series of meetings with the team since the demolition. Che Anderson, an assistant to the city manager, has been heading up the effort.

Worcide organizers said Anderson has been great to work with, and described the tenor of the meetings so far as a learning process for both the city and the skaters.

“He’s been great at being pretty candid with us,” Dube said. “I think that right now we’re trying to get — Meghan Dube, a Worcide organizer past what happened. I mean, it’s never going to be forgotten, but we want to look for something positive and get back to building community instead of just talking The skatepark features had to be about destroying it.” the city’s plan were no trespassing of trash at the far end of the park, demolished, Dyer told Worcester where drug users and homeless signs placed at the property a few Magazine at the time, because people sometimes took refuge, days prior. they blocked fire trucks from getcaught on fire. The park is under After, city officials, including City Manager’s Office, a crew demolished the park on July 13, starting early in the morning and without notice given to Worcide organizers. The only indication of

City Manager Ed Augustus, Jr. and Deputy Fire Chief Martin Dyer, said the park needed to come down because it posed an immediate public safety risk. A collection

two railroad bridges used by CSX, and both officials argued a fire could either damage the bridge or trains, which sometimes carry hazardous material.

“What we’re hoping is that, since the timeline on a big rebuild is probably longer than we want, [we can] do some sort of neighborhood skate park there in the meantime.”

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worcesteria

S-S-S-S-SUE THE STATE: Take a good look at the School Committee agenda for tonight’s meeting, and you may happen upon a short little item that’ll get your Sue The State senses tingling. Tucked in the agenda is a posting for executive session (“private meeting,” for those of you lucky enough to not have to know what that means) on a variety of topics including [drum roll] “a potential lawsuit against the Commonwealth for the purpose of fully funding the State’s Foundation Formula Budget.”

Woohoo! That, for those who don’t know, is the lawsuit effort headed up

by Brockton to sue for more state funding for urban school districts.

The formula for funding, officials in Brockton, Worcester and other large urban districts say, short-changes larger, poorer districts while shoveling money to the wealthier, whiter suburban ones. If you look at the data, which I don’t have enough space to get into, the disparities are pretty astonishing. So let’s get in this lawsuit game and, at the very least, force the Legislature to do something.

LuCHEENO: This may be my shortest entry ever, but there’s not a whole lot to say except a press conference watched by people across the state and country was not the best time to mispronounce PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino’s last name, Councilor Candy-Mero Carlson. It’s LOUKENO, not LOU-CHEENO.

MAYOR OF 145 FRONT STREET: Another short one for ya, but this

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unsubstantiated and completely insignificant rumor is too good to pass up. Apparently, former mayor and current radio personality Jordan Levy has thrown his lot in with the hip young millenials moving in to the luxury apartments at 145 Front Street. Good for him. Took a tour recently at the grand opening, and I think I can picture Mr. Levy chillin’ poolside or taking a swing at the indoor golf simulator. Hey, it’s a different way to live, for sure, and it has polarized the city.

HOGG INCOMING: Someone close to Jim Polito should give him a call, make sure he’s OK and advise he check his blood pressure, because David Hogg, the young Parkland shooting survivor turned gun control activist, will be in town this weekend. All of conservative media has pretty much decided to make this kid out to be some sort of pariah – an evil deep state operative or a sniveling whiny baby, depending on your brand of conservatism. I happen to think he and his friends are pretty cool, and have done remarkable things to cross the no-man’s land of the national gun control debate. Starting today at Worcester City Hall, gun control activists, including Hogg and Manuel Oliver, the father of a victim of the Parkland shooting, will march 50 miles to the Smith & Wesson factory in Springfield over several days, calling on the company to stop manufacturing guns that are illegal in Massachusetts.

THE ROAD TO NOVEMBER: State Rep. Kate Campanale, who is seeking the Worcester Register of Deeds seat, is apparently ramping up the campaign spending ahead of her Sept. 4 primary against fellow Republican Kevin Kuros. If you drive north on Route 146, you may notice Campanale took out a massive billboard spot just before the on ramp to I-290. Pretty good spot, especially for those stuck in the morning commute, and I bet it wasn’t cheap. Meanwhile, District Attorney Joe Early’s challenger Blake Rubin has continued attacking Early on the fact they haven’t had a debate. Most recently, Rubin made a post to his candidate Facebook page featuring a picture of him next to a picture of Early’s campaign information table unmanned. “Sneak preview of the DEBATE for Worcester County District Attorney,” he wrote. “BLAKE RUBIN vs JOE NO SHOW.” A challenger needling an incumbent for not debating them seems like a standard move in Massachusetts politics. Tito Jackson’s challenge to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh immediately comes to mind. But Bill Shaner, reporter it feels like the incumbent always gets wshaner@worcestermag.com away with pretty much just ignoring it.

Twitter: @Bill_Shaner

news

the beat While the first pot-related proposal to hit Charlton is tied up in a legal battle headed

by residents, a second is hoping to take up shop.

Selectmen approved Four Score Holdings last week to negotiate a host community agreement with town officials to open a cultivation center on Route 20, near the popular Tree House Brewery.

A 4-year-old boy was hit and killed by a passing car in Plumley Village Sunday. The boy was with his father, visiting his grandmother. The boy, Jesiah Rivera, was riding a small bike on the sidewalk, but according to the reports he fell off the curb and was hit by a family friend.

Recreation Worcester, the summer program offering free family fun to Worcester residents while simultaneously employing city youth, came to a close last week. The program is lauded by both city officials and community leaders. The summer was the third for the program and is often seen as a hallmark of City Manager Ed Augustus Jr.’s administration.

Netflix is coming to Central Mass.

According to the Sentinel and Enterprise, the company, which increasingly films its own productions, will shoot scenes for an undisclosed series in Lancaster, even going so far as to request Historical Commission approval to build a gazebo on a plot of land downtown. No word yet on what series they may be filming for.

The Worcester Community Action Council is slated to receive a

$57,000 grant to support its Head Start program, which feeds breakfasts daily to area children from low-income families. The grand comes from MAPFRE, a car insurance provider, through its charity arm, Fundacion.

The program serves hundreds of children from around the area.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Worcester City Common Saturday afternoon. The 28th annual iteration of the event featured live music, food and family-friendly programming.

Amid all the PawSox buzz of late, the Worcester

tornado that struck in the downtown area. The American Red Cross donated $12,000, but said it couldn’t disburse the money itself, so the Board of Selectmen voted to send money to each of the nine households displaced and to two others that were destroyed.

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Officials in Webster are still at work cleaning up the mess left by a rare

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JOE SANTA MARIA/KILL THE BALL MEDIA

Bravehearts are quietly thriving. The 2018 average attendance, at 2,502 fans per game, was the sixth highest collegiate league figure in the country, and the best in the northeast. The number has also been rising.

The first year, the team only netted 1,749 fans per game.

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Organizers held a wet, but well-attended Annual Latin American festival on the

opinion editorial

PawSox to Worcester a game changer

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ews that the Pawtucket Red Sox want to make Worcester their new home is, unquestionably, a game changer for the city. On many levels, bringing the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A minor league affiliate will forever change the city.

From the direct impact on the Canal District neighborhood it will call home — including the redesign of the iconic Kelley Square intersection, as well as on local businesses and residents — to the overall renaissance (some call it a resurgence) of the city, to the effect on other local sports, perhaps most notably the Worcester Bravehearts, and more – this is a monumental happening in Worcester.

First things first. City councilors, who have already voiced their overwhelming support by directing City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. to do whatever he could reasonably do to convince the PawSox to come here, must approve the deal. So, too, must Minor League Baseball. Councilors started their

process this week. The proposal now heads to committee for public hearings and a complete vetting.

While Mayor Joe Petty, in breaking the news last week, said the PawSox were coming to Worcester, councilors still must sign off themselves. They would be making a mistake to shrug off any concerns and criticism bound to be expressed.

On paper, the agreement Augustus and PawSox Larry Lucchino signed appears to be a good one.

The deal calls for no current tax revenue to pay for the planned new ballpark. Instead, revenue from anticipated spinoff development, which is slated to include, hotels, housing and retail, is expected to pay the city’s debt on what will be called Polar Park.

Still, there are bound to be those who complain that other services, such as education, are being ignored. Some will complain that PawSox ownership consists of multi-millionaires who surely could afford this project

entirely on their own. Some will cite studies that show minor league ballparks are not sound financial investments in the longterm. They will point to dwindling attendance overall in the minor and major leagues.

In short, there will be critics. A certain city councilor is already being eyed as likely to oppose the deal.

What is appealing about this project is that it isn’t just about a ballpark. It’s about the Canal

District and city as a whole. It is about making the area a destination by adding hotels and new business. It is a near certainty that, over the first five to 10 years, Polar Park will be at or near capacity. People most definitely will come. The concern some may have is, what about 15-20 or 2025 years from now? That’s where the “more than just a ballpark” part comes in. If over the next several years, the Canal District and Worcester continue their

resurgence, and the city enjoys the anticipated spinoff development, there should be many more attractions by then than just the stadium. Don’t forget the ongoing development of CitySquare.

Yes, there are issues to be addressed (ahem, Bravehearts) and there is some level of uncertainty attached to a project of this scope.

Anyway you slice it, however, the PawSox coming to Worcester is a game changer.

Media Coordinator Madison Friend

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opinion

letter

Clarifying college aid To the Editor:

progress, according to the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Federal Direct PLUS loans, which parents borrow for their child’s college education, are credit based, causing a hit on the parent’s credit record, and may require a co-signer.

Last, The MassTransfer program offers three options: Gen Foundation, MassTransfer A2B and MassTransfer A2B + ComCom. With the exception of the Gen

Foundation option, through which students are only taking and transferring general education course credit, students will receive both an associate degree from the community college and a baccalaureate degree from the Massachusetts state college or University of Massachusetts campus to which they transferred and completed their four-year degree.

Yes, college costs are rising and can be daunting for students and

families. However, as I counsel my college planning clients, Massachusetts state higher education institutions continue to offer excellent academic programs and innovative programs, like MassTransfer, for state residents working to achieve their educational and career goals.

Sharon McLaughlin, owner, McLaughlin Education Consulting Worcester

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As a private college planning consultant, I must comment on the recent article, “Resources available to help pay for college” (Worcester Magazine, Aug. 16). There were several misleading, incomplete and incorrect statements made by the author, Samantha Bratkon.

First, the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the application for applying for federal, state and institutional aid. The FAFSA does not award aid. It is used to calculate the student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

Colleges and universities award aid base on campus-based availability of federal, state and institutional funds, as well as, the student’s assessed need. The information gathered on the FAFSA is not school specific, as the questions were created by and approved by Congress. Schools can not tailor FAFSA questions to their institutional needs, unlike the College Board’s CSS Profile financial aid form. The Profile (solely an on-line application) has core questions that replicate the FAFSA; however, it allows colleges to augment the application with institutionallyspecific questions. All students needing federal and state financial aid must complete a FAFSA yearly.

Private colleges and some large state universities may also require the Profile to award their own institutional funds.

Second, the student loan program that LCU and DCU participate in is the private, national Credit Union Student Choice loan program, which is a credit-based line of credit loan for four years, which for most undergraduate borrowers would require a co-signer.

Third, Miss Bratkon stated, “Federal Student aid is available to those who apply without the need of a co-signer. Federal aid comes in two forms: subsidized and unsubsidized loans.” In fact, federal aid requires a FAFSA application completed by a student and, for dependent students, a parent as well. Federal aid consists of grants

(PELL and SEOG, for example), work-study and not just loans.

Federal direct student loans do not require co-signers, but do require references (as a tracking mechanism once the student is in repayment). Students are not automatically awarded direct student loans.

They must meet eligibility criteria, such as acceptance in a degree or certificate program, enrollment on at least a half-time basis and be making satisfactory academic

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BY WALTER BIRD JR. AND BILL SHANER

PawSox, Worcester team up for winning play hen Worcester and PawSox officials announced at a highly anticipated and packed press conference last week that the team plans to move to Worcester, the feeling in the room was one of ecstasy. Talk of the move dominated print, cable and radio news coverage across the state.

The deal unveiled is an ambitious one: a 10,000-seat ballpark, two hotels, a 250-unit apartment

building and retail and restaurant space in the long-vacant Wyman Gordon parcels off Madison Street.

It also included a state-funded redesign of neighboring Kelley Square.

The deal does not come free. The city, which will own the park, plans to take out a $100.8-million loan to pay for construction and other costs, but they say revenue generated from the park will more than cover the debt payments, making the project revenue neutral. But

that prospect is not without risk.

Regardless of the revenue generated by the park, the city owes on the loan.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday, councilors praised the deal in their first crack at it, before sending it to public hearings in the coming weeks.

The Council is not the only body taking a look. In order for the deal to go through, the Council and Major League Baseball need to approve the deal, and the Worces-

The road ahead — to opening day ter Redevelopment Authority needs to acquire several key pieces in 2021 — is a long one, and there remain many unanswered quesof land to complete the vision for tions and potential pitfalls. the park.

Councilors on Tuesday lauded At the press conference Friday, the deal as one that will bring Aug. 17 officials talked at length revenue, development and pride to about the pride this deal brings the city.

Worcester. They described it as a “This brings the city to a new testament to the city’s ongoing relevel. I think the risk is well worth naissance, and promised it would it. I think it can be done. I’m lookbring prosperity and stature.

Friday was a day for celebration, ing really forward to this project,” said Petty. but now city officials are tasked with executing on the proposal.

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shortly before meeting with the press Friday.

“This has been an arduous process to get to today and it really didn’t end until about 11 o’clock yesterday morning,” Lucchino said.

“There is a team effort here in Massachusetts and in Worcester that really is a delight to deal with.

It was present from the beginning,” said Lucchino, crediting the Canal District Alliance and their letter campaign from as far back as 2015.

About the team’s decades-long home in Rhode Island, Lucchino said the news comes with “disappointment and sadness.”

“We are sorry it’s come to this,

apartment building and 65,000 square feet of retail space — made the deal an attractive one, both for the city and for the Canal District, which she said has been neglected by the city for decades.

“It’s a major development in that part of the city,” she said.

Lukes did press Augustus on what, if anything, the Council could do to change the deal, as

some things concerned her. Augustus said any alterations to the deal could have a cascading effect, and might undo the years of work it took to negotiate a deal. He said the Council could either accept or reject the proposal. Lukes quickly snapped back.

“So what you’re saying is take it or leave it? We’re a rubber stamp?” she said.

but we made our best efforts for about three years to get something done in Rhode Island,” he said.

The deal is better for the club than the $83-million funding proposal the Rhode Island state government offered earlier this summer. The offer came after years of negotiations with the club, and included last-minute tweaks that shifted financial responsibility from the state to the PawSox. The deal required $23 million from the state and $15 million from the city.

Worcester officials promise no existing city tax revenue will be used to fund the ballpark project.

Instead, the city will create a DisAugustus said the Council is the ultimate authority, and can vote to accept or reject it.

But that was the only talk among councilors of possibly rejecting the deal.

After every councilor spoke besides District 5 Councilor Matt Wally, who recused himself without explanation, the mayor sent the proposal to the Economic

trict Improvement Financing District around the park and ancillary development. According to a fact sheet on the new park, new taxes and other revenue from within the district will pay for financing.

In 2022, the first full fiscal year of operation, Worcester official project they will owe $2.9 million on an overall $100.8-million loan. But they’re anticipating $3.7 million in revenue from the development, operating at a surplus of $741,000.

On the revenue side, state tax gains are projected at about $2 million annually from income tax, and food, beverage and hotel taxes.

Development Subcommittee. Two public hearings are scheduled: Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Crompton Collective White Room, 138 Green St., and Wednesday, Sept. 5 at City Hall. Both meetings start at 5:30 p.m.

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Even Councilor-at-Large Konnie Lukes, a fiscally-conservative member pegged by political observers as being the most likely to oppose the deal, had positive things to say.

She said she wouldn’t have been supportive of the deal if it was just for a ballpark, but the ancillary development — for two hotels, an

a first-class, I think a standalone ballpark here in the city of Worcester, in the Canal District,” said City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. in a meeting with Worcester media before the press conference.

He added that the development will be by and for the City of Worcester, fitting in to the character of the neighborhood and city as a whole. The development will also include a community park and a program offering one free ticket per season to every child residing in Worcester.

Augustus and PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino signed an agreement called a letter of intent

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A rendering of the ballpark view, looking north.

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fter months of secret negotiations, Worcester and PawSox officials have made public the deal to move the team from its decadeslong home in Pawtucket to Worcester. The deal includes a new ballpark in the Canal District, in a 6-acre lot off Madison Street. It will also include 250 market-rate apartments, a 150-room hotel, a second, smaller boutique hotel overlooking the ballpark and about 65,000 feet of retail and restaurant space.

“I’m just so proud of the city of Worcester right now,” said Mayor Joe Petty.

The ballpark comes at a cost of $86-$90 million. The city will borrow and use lease payments, property taxes from within the development, fees and parking from new development to pay the bond.

The state will contribute $35 million over the next several years, to support infrastructure work, new housing in the area and a 350-500 space parking garage to support the development. The team will be paying 36 percent of the financing, and the state and city will contribute 64 percent.

At the press conference, PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino said the ballpark would be called “Polar Park” after Polar Seltzer, and a nod to the PawSox polar bear logo.

The team will play its first season in Worcester, pending approval, in 2021. The roughly 10,000-seat park will be owned by the city, but managed by the Red Sox organization, and the park will be used for community events as well as games. The city is projecting holding eight events a year, and offering the space for 10 community events. Potential events include road races, large-scale concerts, college and high school sporting events, and fireworks.

“We look forward to building

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feature he standing-room only announcement at City Hall last week that the Pawtucket Red Sox, after decades playing one state over in Rhode Island, have agreed on a plan to build a new ballpark and start playing here in 2021 drew several rounds of applause and had everyone present clapping and cheering.

He wasn’t there for the announcement – and John Creedon Jr. wasn’t clapping or cheering, either. In fact, just the opposite.

The news, he said, had knocked the wind out of him.

For the past five years, his family has run the Worcester Bravehearts baseball team at Fitton Field, at the base of College Hill on the campus of Holy Cross.

It is a hop, skip and a jump from where the PawSox – or is that the WooSox? – plan to build a roughly $86-$90-million ballpark.

In three years, assuming the deal is approved by city councilors here

and the league the PawSox play in – and assuming construction goes smoothly – that stadium, which includes plans for new hotels, housing and retail, will be ready for fans.

Where, it has been asked, does that leave the Bravehearts?

Creedon appears to be wondering that as well. His team brought baseball back to Worcester and has been a smashing success, packing in thousands of fans each summer, while advancing to the league championship series all five years since conception. They have won it outright twice and were named co-champs this year just last week.

After all the fanfare surrounding one of the worst-kept secrets at least in recent Worcester history, Creedon did not hide his disappointment and frustration with a deal that, while seen as a boon for the city, could well spell the end of what his family started five years ago.

“I understand and appreciate the euphoric excitement that most, if not all, people in Central Massachusetts feel with the announcement that the Pawtucket Red Sox are relocating to Worcester,” Creedon said in a prepared statement. “I hope that people can understand and pardon my family and me for respectfully not sharing in the elation at this time where the impact of all this on the Worcester Bravehearts’ business operation remains to be seen.

“Over the last five years, my family, along with Bravehearts’ General Manager Dave Peterson, and our entire staff have worked tirelessly to create a baseball team and build a brand that the community of Worcester and families of Central Massachusetts would be proud of and enjoy. By all measures, we have exceeded everyone’s expectations, including our own, and have operated in a way that I gladly sign my name to.”

“In short,” Creedon continued,

elley Square is deeply woven into Worcester’s fabric – the seven-way intersection is so perilous it has spurred bumper stickers (“This car survived Kelley Square”) and serves, in a contorted way, as a testament to Worcester’s image of itself. It’s a mess from the outside, but if you drive it enough, you learn it’s actually fine.

But it’s also dangerous, and as part of the deal, the state is going to try to change that.

The state Department of Transportation is going to give Kelley Square a makeover, and they’re going to start next year.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito promised major work for dangerous intersection as part of the overall development package. She said MassDOT has invested $25 million in the Canal District over the past decade, but “there’s just one more project left to do,” for the moment, anyway.

“The one we really need to focus on is the fix for Kelley Square,” Polito said at the press conference.

“We are going to take that project and put it on that fast track.”

The line elicited applause from the packed chamber, even a gasp.

But the scope of work remains unclear.

A MassDOT spokeswoman called the project a “redesign” in a statement sent to Worcester Magazine, and said the agency

plans to put the project out to bid in July 2019 and have the work finished in 2021. The agency did not release any information on what the redesign might look like.

The state, she said, is engaging with the city to address public

From left, Worcester Bravehearts General Manager Dave Peterson and owner John Creedon Jr. ELIZABETH BROOKS

“the Bravehearts have been wildly successful on the field, in the stands, and around the community, developing into a quintessential Worcester brand providing wholesome, affordable family fun and high caliber baseball. Since our inception, it has been a true privilege for my family and me, along with Dave Peterson, to be stewards of the national pastime

safety and traffic concerns in the area.

The project is being expedited to better serve the new development at and around the ballpark, Polito said.

In a meeting with reporters before the press conference, Polito called Kelley Square the most dangerous

here in our hometown. None of the Bravehearts’ success or positive impact would have been possible without the enthusiastic support from our ballpark guests, host families, corporate partners, nonprofit partners, media partners, and community leaders. For all of your support, we are truly grateful. We do not take any of it for granted.”

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

intersection in Massachusetts, saying it’s hazardous for cars, pedestrians and cyclists. She said the Governor’s Office and MassDOT are moving with urgency to come up with a design and a scope of work for the infrastructure project.

At a post-announcement event at the Ballot Box, Chamber of Commerce President Tim Murray said Kelley Square works in its own special way, but work to improve the intersection will help development in the Canal District.

He also said that, in the meantime, people should consider making better use of Quinsigamond Ave., which he called a new gateway into the city of Worcester for people coming from the south.

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Murray, a former mayor of Worcester and ex-lieutentant governor, talks about the Pawtucket Red Sox’ planned move to Worcester.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

feature B RAV E H E A RT S

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 12

A U G U S T 23 - 29, 2018 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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The PawSox announcement, he said, “knocks the wind out of us and pauses the magical momentum we have generated over the last five years. It will be hard for our small, family-owned & operated baseball team to compete with the prestige and resources of the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. However, we do not shrink from adversity or back down from a challenge. That is not what Worcester people do.”

Creedon said his organization continues to communicate “in good faith” with PawSox Chairman Larry Lucchino, but said more work remains to be done. He also questioned some of the public statements made by city officials about the Bravehearts.

“I remain hopeful that the words of our city leaders over the past year in support of the Bravehearts as part of the deal to relocate the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate to Worcester will ring true before too long,” Creedon said. “That has not happened yet, and it has not been for lack of effort, attention, or willingness on the part of the Bravehearts.”

In the meantime, though,” he continued, “you can rest assured that the Worcester Bravehearts will continue to operate with vim and vigor, and continue to play with zest and zeal at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field next summer and beyond.”

As for what the future holds, should the new ballpark be ready in 2021 or perhaps 2022, Creedon said the Bravehearts “are not going away.”

“As we see it, the families of this incredible community deserve to have a baseball team they can spend their summers with in 2019, 2020, and perhaps beyond – namely, the Worcester Bravehearts,” Creedon said. “Plus – between you and me – our loveable mascot, Jake the Lion, needs the work. No one wants to see him panhandling in Lincoln Square.”

The Bravehearts and PawSox have had discussions about the future, but the exact nature of them has been kept private. Speaking after the announcement Friday, PawSox Executive Vice President and General Manager Dan Rea III said the team is “excited to keep talking with [the Bravehearts] and

having continuing the conversation.”

Asked to describe the tone of the talks already held, Rea said, “I think we’ve been sharing thoughts and sharing perspectives. They’ve helped educate us in the marketplace. And we’ve tried to share our perspective as an affiliated team.

We’ve had an open, honest, good, productive dialogue. We want to see now where it goes. We have a lot of respect for what they’ve done and accomplished here in Worcester.”

One of the Bravehearts biggest boosters, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Murray, said the Bravehearts are owed “an enormous debt of gratitude.” He said he hopes for a successful outcome to discussions between the organization and the PawSox. “It’s a great Worcester story and they’ve done well,” Murray said. “The parties are talking and in negotiations and I think we’re all hopeful a success negotiation can be completed that’s fair to the Creedons and what they’ve done and allows baseball momentum to continue in a positive way.”

feature

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hen they met years ago in a golf tournament, it is unlikely either man envisioned what happened at last week’s press conference at City Hall.

Standing at a podium where he was announcing his team had agreed to move from Rhode Island to Worcester, Pawtucket Red Sox Chairman Larry Lucchino reached down to grab a drink. When he raised his hand, he was holding a can of Polar seltzer. He then called for Ralph Crowley to come forward, and that’s when perhaps the only real surprise of the afternoon was revealed: the new stadium for the yet-to-be-named, future Worcester Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox would be called Polar Park.

Crowley is president and CEO of Polar Beverages, which he runs with his brother, Chris. He said it only made sense to attach the iconic Worcester business’s name to the ballpark, which will be built

or many in Worcester, the thought of landing the Pawtucket Red Sox has long been a pipe dream, especially to community stakeholders in the Canal District.

Years before city government got involved, the Canal District Alliance organized a grassroots letter campaign, sending the Pawtucket Red Sox ownership thousands of notes, postcards and letters. The campaign started in 2015.

But for most, the prospect of the Red Sox moving from Pawtucket, where they’d kept their Triple A team for decades, felt impossible.

It felt that way even as several iterations of a deal to build a new ballpark to replace McCoy Stadium – first in Providence, then in Pawtucket — languished in the Rhode Island Legislature.

It wasn’t until last July, when the PawSox announced their intentions to start looking elsewhere, that the prospect started to seem plausible. The PawSox ownership

in the city’s Canal District – minutes from Polar headquarters.

For starters, both Polar and the PawSox have a polar bear as their mascot.

“We’re just honored to be part of it,” Crowley said with a nod to the other companies whose names might also have had a nice ring to it on a ballpark. “Worcester is our hometown. It’s where our family lives, our employees live. We’ve been here 135 years, and so it’s just terribly logical for us to make the commitment to put our name on it.”

“There’s so many great companies around here,” he said, ticking off Table Talk Pies and Coney Island Hot Dogs, to name a couple.

Getting the deal done, the terms of which were not immediately released, did not take much time.

“We reached an agreement pretty quickly,” Crowley said, adding, “It’s a lot easier to cut a deal with a family-owned company than it is with the city.”

did so after the Rhode Island Legislature failed to act on a roughly $83-million funding package before the close of the 2016-2017 legislative session.

Shortly after, in August, the Worcester City Council voted

Polar Beverages President and CEO Ralph Crowley Jr., left, and Pawtucket Red Sox Chair Larry Lucchino announced the new ballpark in Worcester will be called Polar Park.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Lucchino said the deal was completed about a week ago.

He said he met Crowley years ago at a Pro Am golf tourna-

ment, and that City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. “put us together here because we it a very fitting name if we could get them interested.”

politicians and business leaders.

In the months that followed, Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration signaled its support for the city’s effort. In November, Jay Ash, Baker’s economic development secretary, was spotted meeting with Worcester officials, and several weeks later, Baker said at a Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce event that the state was ready to offer what it could to make the deal.

Lucchino and others from the PawSox administration were spotted several times, as recently as earlier this month, having conversations with Worcester officials.

Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, the $83-million funding deal for a ballpark in Pawtucket passed in to have the city manager try to the state Senate with little opposinegotiate a deal. Shortly before the tion. In the House of Representavote, City Manager Ed Augustus, Jr. tives, however, the deal languished sent PawSox Chairman Larry Luc- as key figures like House Speaker chino a letter touting Worcester Nick Mattiello spoke out against as the best fit for a new ballpark. the deal, saying it was too favorThe letter was signed by 107 local able to the Red Sox and too bur-

A couple “friendly meetings” later, Lucchino said, and it a Polar-Paw/WooSox partnership was born.

densome on taxpayers.

In June, about six months after the Senate passed its version, the House voted to OK a slightly augmented version of the deal, which shifted more of the financial risk to the organization.

All the while, both the PawSox brass and city officials offered little in the way of details about the negotiations. The only aspect know, or at least assumed, about the proposal, was the location. The Wyman-Gordon lot off Madison Street was identified early on as the likely location of a ballpark, should the organization move. The owners of the lot told Worcester Magazine in July 2017 they were open to offers on the lot and thought a minor league ballpark would be a good use.

Now, after roughly a year of intense negotiations, Worcester and the Red Sox have their work cut out for them. Opening day 2021 is just about two and a half years away.

feature is city reeling from news that the Pawtucket Red Sox, who have played in Pawtucket, R.I. at McCoy Stadium for more than four decades, are planning to move to Worcester, Mayor Don Grebien held a press conference this week in response. Gov. Gina Raimondo was expected to attend the press conference, which was held Wednesday. Grebien did, however, have something to say in the wake of the announcement, which came Friday afternoon inside a packed third-floor room at City Hall in Worcester – and his message was a sharp one.

“The PawSox do not make Pawtucket,” Grebien said in a statement. “Pawtucket made the PawSox. “The city I am proud and honored to represent is made great

by our resilient community and, no matter what challenge we face, Pawtucket will continue to move forward toward an even brighter future. I know many of my neighbors in Pawtucket and throughout Rhode Island are struggling today with the sudden news of this treasured piece of the fabric of our community being ripped out of its rightful home.”

The Pawtucket community, Grebien said, “has a strong history of persevering. And, together, we will forge ahead to a brighter tomorrow.”

If, in fact, the deal in Massachusetts goes through, he said, “Pawtucket will pursue other innovative ways to invest in our quality of life, as a community and with our fellow Rhode Islanders.”

Grebien said Pawtucket and Rhode Island officials had been

working to keep the PawSox there up until as late as Thursday night, Aug. 16. According to both Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. and PawSox Chair Larry Lucchino, the two sides had reached an agreement that morning.

“Sadly,” Grebien said, “we had to learn through media reports, like everyone else, that the ownership group had decided to take our team and move it to Worcester in light of substantial subsidies provided by Worcester and the State of Massachusetts.”

According to Lucchino, he had spoken with Grebien at a PawSox game at McCoy Stadium Thursday night. He did not say what was discussed. Friday morning, he said, the team delivered a two-page letter to Grebien’s office informing him of their decision. Grebien

was not there when the letter was delivered, Lucchino said.

Lucchino said he also left a phone message for Gov. Gina Raimondo.

“We, just like everyone else, including the taxpayers of Worcester and Massachusetts, wait anxiously to see something publicly related to this proposal,” Grebien said.

“The Worcester process is unlike the highly vetted and transparent Rhode Island process that protected [the] taxpayer. Though many details remain behind closed doors, where they were negotiated, we will take the weekend to digest the limited information that was released this afternoon and I will hold a press conference early next week to provide further comments and thoughts.”

Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien COURTESY PHOTO

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

535 767-9 w 8 0 5 ll o at ched m . Fo be rea stermag.co er. n a c orce Shan aner 67Bill Sh shaner@w itter @Bill_ ed at 508-7 . w w or at him on T n be reach rmag.com e , Jr. ca orcest r Bird wbird@w e t l a t W or a 9527

A U G U S T 23 - 29, 2018

Left to right, At-Large Councilor Kate Toomey, District 5 Councilor Matt Wally, At-Large Councilor Khrystian King, state Sen. Harriette Chandler, District 1 Councilor Sean Rose, state Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash, Mayor Joe Petty, Pawtucket Red Sox Chair Larry Lucchino, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, City Manager Ed Augustus Jr., At-Large Councilor Konnie Lukes, developer Denis Dowdle and At-Large Councilor Moe Bergman with a rendering of a new ballpark to be built in Worcester’s Canal District.

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culture An evening of cranking and skanking: outdoor ska festival debuts

came at a time when Barrett and company felt inspired.

“It had to be on our time and on our terms,” said Barrett. “That’s the way we make Bosstones records, when it is inspired. I think we’ve earned that right. There’s no reason to force anything artistically, that’s not how art works. We wait until we want to and feel inspired. It is something we’re extremely proud of. That’s the way it works. OK, time to make a new one, now back on the road.

We had decided, when we got back together as a band, we’ll do things when we feel inspired and for the love of it and not for the money.”

On Saturday, Aug. 25, fans and ska aficionados have a chance to catch Barrett and the Bosstones in a new space, outdoors at the Worcester Palladium.

“I enjoy filling a room full of people and joining the band and and, ‘Oh,

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

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LISA JOHNSON

JOSHUA LYFORD

W

hether you have in-depth knowledge of 2 Tone and third-wave ska, wear plenty of checkerboard patterns or not, it is likely you are at least tangentially familiar with the genre. If skanking is your business, then the Saturday, Aug. 25 Cranking & Skanking Fest headed to the Worcester Palladium should be circled on your calendar.

While the genre’s most recent peak came in the ’90s, ska has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence in recent years – a resurgence, said The Mighty Mighty Bosstones vocalist Dicky Barrett, that is no coincidence.

“It sounds good and it says something, maybe it’s a coincidence,” said Barrett. “Think about what was going on in Kingston in Jamaica in the late ’60s, culturally and politically. Think about what went on during the punk movement in Margaret Thatcher’s

England. It seems like when we need to feel good, like a superhero, ska shows up. It’s not just happy horseshit. It’s thoughtful, well thought out with an opinion.”

It probably goes without saying the world could use a superhero these days.

Enter the Cranking & Skanking Fest, the brainchild of Barrett and the Bosstones. The outdoor festival brings in legendary acts like Toots & the Maytals, Fishbone, Big D & The Kids Table, The Pietasters and The Bouncing Souls.

“The idea came from something we thought was a long time coming,” said Barrett. “If ska is experiencing a renaissance right now, that doesn’t include my heart. As far as I’m concerned, ska is everyday, all the time, around the clock, 365 days a year. It’s vibrant, vital and a passion to me. The popularity of ’ Let’s Face It’ [2007 release] and the Bosstones in ’96 or ’97 didn’t matter. I love ska

music, whether it’s the music du jour or not. It’s always important to me. It sounds good and it has something to say, those qualities intact, I’m in.”

For years, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have headlined their Hometown Throwdown event in Boston. Hometown Throwdown has been a winter event since 1995. Barrett and the band were looking for a way to get back to Massachusetts in warmer conditions.

“How do we create something that gives us a reason to roll through Massachusetts once a year?” said Barrett. “Hopefully, with the success of Cranking & Skanking we’ll do just that. It’s all about getting likeminded bands and bands that we love together for an annual festival.”

The concept was cemented when the Bosstones performed at a festival in California.

“Earlier this summer, at the top of the summer, there was a festival we were invited to out here called Back

Toots & The Maytals @ ROYAL VISION

to the Beach at Huntington Beach that was all ska bands,” Barrett said.

“It was a huge undertaking and also very successful. It was a great time, so we said, ‘It’s now or never, lets do this.’ It’s proven to be the summer of ska. There are a handful of great ska bands that have released albums this summer. Our shows have been doing really well. It feels like there’s a sort of ska reboot going on.”

After almost 10 years, the Bosstones return with a brand new album during this proclaimed “summer of ska.” The album, “While We’re at It,”

look at this, there’s a man dancing, there’s a tremendous horn section.’

I’m better at singing — that might be unfair to people who really sing — but I’m best at delivering Bosstones songs,” said Barrett. “When it’s firing on all cylinders, that feels really good, I love it. The faces are elated, or delighted. You can say these people look entertained. That’s a great feeling. I’ve never had the desire to tell everyone to go fuck off, the way some other people operate. I want to know everyone had a great time.

culture

On the hunt with the Hotdog Safari JOSHUA LYFORD

T

eaten hundreds of hot dogs over the years and ascribed a score to most of them, Mahoney is surprisingly coy with his pick for best hot dog.

“I’ve made my own hot dogs in the past, they were pretty good,” he said.

“My favorite place that isn’t around anymore is a great place that was behind home Depot called We’re On A Roll. It was a woman behind a cart that made the best hot dogs.

The year after we were there, Home Depot booted her. It always stuck with me as being a really great hot dog. It was straightforward, it was really well done.”

Hotdog Safari participants are given a scorecard with several categories. Once the results are tallied at the end of the event, a hot dog champion is declared. The scorecard has been streamlined and refined over the event’s years in operation.

“We figured out a perfect formula to tell you what your favorite hot dog is,” explained Mahoney. “We have five categories that we figured out over

the years, the equation to tell you what your favorite is. Some people might say, ‘Oh it’s Coney Island,’ but if they do the scorecard right, it could be from all these different places. The criteria is dog, bun, topping, value, presentation. When you’re eating you’ll talk to people and be like, ‘I just love those buns.’ If you’re eating anything that tastes good for $2, because its so cheap it’s a great deal.

You go to an ice cream place, you sit on a bench and that adds to the experience, the bar at Coney Island, that adds to the experience. It all is a perfect storm that makes the hot dog experience.”

The Seventh Annual Hotdog Safari takes place Saturday, Aug. 25 and starts at Ralph’s Diner, 148 Grove St. before branching out across Central Massachusetts. There will be bands and comedy after tallying is completed. Find more information on the Facebook event page, 2018 Worcester Hotdog Safari.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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While the officially-sanctioned safari is entering year seven, the origins of the hot dog quest go back much further.

“We did it when we were kids,” recalled Mahoney. “My dad used to do that with us when we were in elementary school. My dad is a teacher, so when we were kids, my dad would take us on day trips through the whole summer. We’d end the summer with this big hot dog safari.

Some of the other kids’ dads would join us after work. It was great. Back then, things were so different. There weren’t food trucks, there wasn’t really a food culture in Worcester. You had the classic places. Back then, you had like Coney Island, Hot Dog Annie’s, Spag’s had a place. It was what it was. Today there is a food culture.

It makes it a little more timely.”

While Mahoney and his friends would do the “classic Stand By Me thing” and go their separate ways in middle school, it wouldn’t take long before the mythical safari would return. In that first year, between 15-20 friends got together on their own personal quest for the perfect hot dog. It only took a year before the group realized they could use this as a fundraising opportunity. The popularity of the summer event exploded from there.

“The broader appeal is the same exact appeal it has to me and to my friends,” said Mahoney. “I think that’s why it’s so successful. People in Worcester, especially growing

up, they have such a strong pride in Worcester. You don’t see that everywhere else. People like to celebrate being here and its history. With the safari we tend to go places that have good owners. We like when the owners are excited about it, but we like to have a hometown connection for a lot of people. I think people respond to that, especially these days as things rapidly change in all the neighborhoods. People want to remember that.”

“The hot dog thing, it’s the silliest food product there is,” he continued.

“Not even that it’s a phallus, but it’s like every type of meat in one. It’s the classic thing that kids love, but adults love it too. Everybody will turn out for that. Eat a bunch of hot dogs and goof around.”

While Mahoney and his fellow safari adventurers have a lot of fun with the yearly event, it is clearly important to him. Mahoney went as far as to call the Hotdog Safari his life’s work. For someone that has likely

A U G U S T 23 - 29, 2018

here are experiences that come to define a city: climbing Paris’s Eiffel Tower, overlooking the River Thames on the London Eye, riding a gondola through Venice.

In Worcester, a certain hot dog adventure could surely make a play for that defining role. A trek through Central Massachusetts on the hunt for an elusive prize, that rare perfect specimen: the best hot dog. For seven years the Worcester Hotdog Safari has brought Worcester hot dog aficionados together on that very quest.

By the way, yes, the organizers are aware of the misspelling of hot dog in their title, but that just adds to the charm.

“The best thing about the safari, is that it’s an anything goes event,” said Tom Mahoney, a safari founder and organizer who prefers the title “decision maker.” “You have whatever type of safari you want to have on the safari, same with hot dogs. It’s such a weird food, but you eat it however you want to. It’s a democratic food.

The hot dog is an American food, not like a bratwurst or frankfurter. It’s a subtle nuance.”

On Saturday, Aug. 25, the Hotdog Safari returns for its seventh iteration. Hot dog-adventurers arrive at Ralph’s Diner, 148 Grove St. to receive a scorecard at 11 a.m. From there, participants are welcome to sample the six featured hot dog restaurants at their leisure until 3 p.m., when scores are tallied back at the diner.

This year the participating hot dog locations are Lakeway Hot Dogs in Shrewsbury, Sully’s Dog Shack in Dudley, Ralph’s Diner, Marty’s Pub, The Dogfather and Grumpy’s Dogs.

You may notice the absence of a local hot dog legend: Coney Island. After three straight years of victory, Coney Island has officially been retired.

“It got to the point where we found these new places every year and they’re not getting the notoriety in our small hot dog community,” said Mahoney. “Coney Island, they understand. I understand, too. I love Coney Island.”

The safari benefits the Worcester

County Food Bank, and each year Mahoney estimates organizers have raised between $1,200-$1,600 dollars.

Last year, they raised even more, allowing an additional donation to Red Cross immediately following Hurricane Harvey.

culture Lyford Files JOSHUA LYFORD

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SHARP NEW BLADES: It wasn’t the greatest media rollout I’ve

seen, but it sure wasn’t the worst I’ve seen either. I like to think that perhaps this particular media rollout was akin to the new “mysterious” movement amongst metal and hardcore bands lately. Tell no one and hope that word of mouth gets people salivating for more, thus making more invested fans.

It’s Tuesday and I’ve been rewatching “Game of Thrones,” so maybe I’m just getting wordy and overthinking it. Either way, a trickle of information entered the mediasphere this week: The Boston Blades are moving to Worcester and gaining a new title: the Worcester Blades. For those of you who are unaware, the Blades play in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, which is actually an international league with four Canadian teams, one American team and one Chinese team. There are a couple pieces here that are pretty amazing and deserve plenty of space (I can see you rolling your eyes. Yes, this week the story is subjugated to my lowly entertainment column. Here’s why: the release didn’t come until after deadline for the rest of my weekly stories. Luckily, I procrastinated with my column this week, giving me space and time to write this, rather than have nothing). First of all, it is exciting to see the one American team in the CWHL call Worcester home. They were located in Boston since 2010 and while I currently have no idea what sparked the move, I am happy they are now going to call Worcester home. I hope the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center treats them well. Having an international league, including a team in China, will be fascinating for the city of Worcester. I’m not sure I would have ever had the opportunity to see a Chinese professional ice hockey team without this move. Second of all, I LOVE that the team didn’t stick with the “Boston” title, or swap to the more encompassing “Massachusetts.” They are in Worcester and they are representing that. I have been pretty vocal about how much I believe the National Arena League Pirates going with Massachusetts over Worcester was a massive misstep and I am extremely happy to see the Blades didn’t make it. It shows they are here alongside the community-at-large and I truly believe that will make the city (with a lowercase ‘c’) invest in the team emotionally. Worcester is a prideful place, mind. On a personal note, as a massive fan of hockey, this is just great. The more top-tier hockey we have in the city, the better. And finally...if you know me personally, you know that I can be a bit petty. I tend to hold a grudge. Well, way back in June of 2016 I wrote a story on that terrible Wallethub website’s analysis of various hockey towns across America. Worcester ranked 50 out of 72. I said back then that was stupid and their metrics were asinine, but in the meantime, the Railers moved to town and now we will have the Worcester Blades. Take that Wallethub you trash pile. If you have a minute, search “Hockeytown Worcester?” on Worcestermag.com, I think it’s one of the only examples of me writing a truly snarky story. I’m still angry about it. Adding the number of Twitter followers to the number of Facebook likes per capita is how you gauge a city’s hockey success? I’m furious all over again. Anyway, welcome to Worcester. We’re excited to have you.

2 COLUMN REFS, 4 MAGAZINE REFS: to safaris.

That’s crazy. It was like an accidental 2018 Worcester Hotdog Safari takeover. Which is awesome, I’ve never participated in this event, but it sounds like a lot of fun and I’ve seen the social media buildup/post-event photos for years and boy, it seems great. Organizer Tom Mahoney is the real deal and, without cynicism, hyperbole or meanspiritidness, I could listen to him talk hot dogs all day long. I’m sure the purists will have my head for this, but if just one of the stops featured a decent veggie dog, I would be there with my bucket hat and sunscreen, ready for the hunt. Anyway, have fun everybody and may the best dog win!

Joshua Lyford Culture editor @Joshachusetts

culture Lifestyle SARAH CONNELL

Virtuosos of Thirst

Worcester Restaurant Group has designed a few art-inspired cocktails of its own in support of this year’s POW! WOW! Worcester festival. General Manager Keith Carolan is the man behind VIA’s “The Big Sicilty,” created in honor of Eamon Gillen and featuring housemade orange sorbet, Amaro dell’Etna, Aperol, Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, and fresh flowers. He also mixed up the “Cross Pollination” over at VIA’s featured Pow!Wow! Beverage: “Big Sicily.”

111 Chophouse, channeling the work of famed graffiti artist, Stash, with Eric ELIZABETH BROOKS The Half of Bee Vodka, rosé, falernum, and St. Elder. These limited-edition cocktails will only be available from Aug. 26 - Sept. 9.

On Wednesdays We Drink Pink

A guided rosé tasting at Lock 50 packed the patio last month full of pink ladies (this one included.) The popular event is back for round two on Wednesday, Aug. 29 beginning at 6 p.m. For just $20, guests will taste five distinguished rosés under the tutelage of esteemed wine experts. In addition, Chef Tim Russo will be on hand shucking $1 oysters for your dining pleasure.

But, Wait! There’s More.

On a similar note, The Citizen Wine Bar is also celebrating the pink stuff with an “Endless Summer of Lobster & Rosé.” August’s menu features lobster chip dip, lobster avocado salad, crispy Thai lobster, lobster caprese grilled cheese and lobster bolognese. In the words of Mr. Gump, “You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it…” Glasses of $10 Rosé include Alma Negra Brut (Argentina), Peyrassol #LOU (Provenance) and Prado Rey (Ribera del Duero.)

Postures and Pints

It’s a Doggone Safari

You’re Invited

Here’s one last reminder about Summer at ’72, the first Block Party at 72 Shrewsbury St. taking place Sunday, Aug. 26 from 12 - 9 p.m. Organizers promise it’s sure to be “an all-day affair of music, games, art, stellar cuisine, and the Woo’s favorite brew; it’s a can’t-miss event for the whole family.”

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Sarah Connell contributing writer

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The annual Hotdog Safari is fast approaching in support of the Worcester County Food Bank. Join in this tour-de-dog where you’ll spend the afternoon scoring a half dozen signature hot dogs in regards to bun, presentation, topping and value in an effort to determine the top dog in Worcester County. Participants should meet at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner at 11 a.m. to purchase a scorecard and return by 3 p.m. with scorecards in hand. Music and comedy will be in effect for the rest of the evening while the official results are tabulated.

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Beer yoga is designed to help participants achieve maximum relaxation and entice new yogis who might not otherwise feel comfortable entering their practice. This weekend, you’ll have two chances to stretch and sip. On Saturday, Aug. 25, Wormtown will host a 75-minute vinyasa flow yoga class beginning at 10 a.m. for $20, including the cost of one beer. On Sunday, Aug. 26, Greater Good welcomes Certified Buti Yoga instructor, Kayla. Buti Yoga identifies itself as a “calorie-scorching workout fusing power yoga with cardio-intensive tribal dance and body sculpting plyometrics.” Class will begin at 10 a.m. for a cost of $20, including a post-yoga brew. We suggest arriving at both breweries at least 15 minutes early with yoga mat, water and towel, and registering in advance.

culture Spoondeep at Lucky’s Lucky’s Café 102 ½ Grove St., Worcester 508.756.5014 luckyscafeworcester.com

($7.25) is particularly fleeting on busy days, made playful by almonds, pineapple, lettuce and tomato.

I will note that Grove Street is home to a number of great burger joints, but Lucky’s grilled turkey burgers ($5.75) are fresh ground and far less expensive than those found at neighboring establishments.

Hours, however, are far more limited.

Breakfast is served 8-11 a.m. on weekdays, followed by lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturdays, patrons can order breakfast “all day,” but service wraps at 1:30 p.m. And, Sunday is for brunching, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

SANDRA RAIN

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L

ucky’s Cafe is a homestyle kitchen in more ways than one. For starters, you’ll feel as if you’ve wandered down into someone’s underground antique clubhouse. You’ll be met with a decked out den in teal wall panelling that stops at your hip and gives way to still life paintings of waxy pieces of fruit. Exposed brick and wide rough cut floorboards will summon WPI students down the winding hallway like a bat signal as the clock strikes noon. (If one of them enters clutching a giant soup spoon, rest assured this is simply the bathroom key.) There’s a touch of mystery in the fact that Lucky’s is located at 102 ½ Grove St. in the vein of Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station. Even the gentleman behind the counter will make you feel like you’ve finally come home when you walk in and he says, “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Inspect the menu, order at the counter and take a seat in one of the mismatched wooden chairs.

Soft lamp light will inhale you into its time warp as an Americana string band album plays overhead, unravelling tales of the Quick Lunch on Dixie Avenue. For all you know, you might very well be sitting in any small New England town. Lucky for you, you’re in Worcester.

The portions are generous and affordable. Specials will devolve quickly once noon hits and the regulars stream through from neighboring offices to order up lunchtime treats. Try the Stephanie ($8.50) served with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, iceberg lettuce, tomato, American cheese, and sriracha mayo on French bread. Or the aptly-named grilled cheese and sunshine ($6.75) made with roasted veggies, spinach, tomato and pesto served on Scali.

Scala bread (Scali is the plural) is an Italian braided loaf covered in sesame seeds; the style hails from Boston. Lucky’s chicken salad wrap

Lucky’s is lauded for its soup selection, even in the dog days of August. Cooling options like chilled gazpacho come in two sizes ($2.90 cup/$4.10 bowl) or with half a sandwich (prices hover between $4-$7 depending on your selection.) Most famous of all is the spicy peanut with chicken soup, a gentle curry thick with lofty proteins.

I have just two complaints about Lucky’s Cafe. First, I believe all fonts have their own personalities and set their own tones (see for reference “Comic Sans Criminal.”) Comic Sans should be reserved for children and comic books; it really has no place on a menu. Second, using Christmas lights to decorate off-season is a restaurant faux pas. The antique lamps will do. Or, for a twinkle, Lucky’s should try some flickering LED candles. It’s time to 86 the dangling icicles.

If you haven’t located Lucky’s in the abyss of the Northworks building, take a moment to drop your gaze as you walk down Grove Street and unearth a worthy lunch spot hidden below street level. Lucky’s is charmingly old fashioned. The menu is aggressively consistent. The service makes you feel like spending an entire afternoon.

On my last visit for lunch with three friends, our total came to $43.55.

Food: HHH1/2 Ambience: HHH Service: HHH Value: HHH1/2

culture Kayla makes the grade JIM KEOGH

C

lark University’s first president, the renowned psychologist G. Stanley Hall, coined the term “adolescence” to describe the distinct life stage spanning childhood and adulthood. His research was groundbreaking for the time, and much of it still holds true.

Who among my fellow adolescence survivors couldn’t attest to the

Fisher delivering a tender, yearning performance in the central role — she gets that her life will improve, even if the pace seems ponderous.

When her father delivers one of

the all-time beautiful dad speeches about why his daughter is special, you find yourself nodding in agreement. Kayla’s a good kid. Everybody will get that someday.

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Jim Keogh contributing writer

don’t envy teachers having to engage in the ongoing war over phone use in school).

“Eighth Grade” is Kayla’s show from beginning to end, with Elsie

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feelings of insecurity, the weirdness of owning an unevolved body, the fumbling for acceptance from other foolish, farty kids, which at the time seems like the most important issue facing humanity.

But even the wise G. Stanley could never have envisioned the trials of modern adolescents, whose personal worth is often defined by the day’s choice of Snapchat filter, or whether they’ve been included in a particular text thread. What would he have made of all those young faces illuminated by the glow of their smartphone screens — faces so intent on the mission at hand, yet which never look quite, you know, happy?

Thankfully, we have Bo Burnham to help us recall our universal awkwardness and spur us to a better understanding of the contemporary

challenges facing young teens. He has written and directed “Eighth Grade,” a wonderful story about a 13-year-old girl named Kayla (Elsie Fisher), who is finishing out middle school with a whimper. Kayla goes through the motions of The Uncool — hovering at the fringes of conversations with a hopeful smile, clanging the cymbals in the school band, and enduring the supreme humiliation of being voted the “Quietest Student” at the year-end “superlatives” awards ceremony.

With her imperfect skin and teeth and inward-facing demeanor, she is Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen” come to life four years prematurely.

Outside of school, Kayla carefully curates an image of herself as a confident, advice-dispensing youth expert through a series of littlewatched videos, signing off with the sing-song tagline, “Gucci.”

They are cheery, if secretly painful, odes to better days.

Her super-nice single dad (Josh Hamilton) loves them, which is the ultimate kiss of death.

Burnham does an astounding job of capturing the rhythms of middle school, from the awkward pool parties to the almost casual ritual of active-shooter drills (lock the doors, turn out the lights and hide under the desk). Other pieces of the experience resonate with good humor, including the teachers straining for hipness (the principal dabs — is that still a thing?) and awful sex ed class (sample lesson: “The Hair Down There”).

Burnham smartly resists turning technology into the boogie man. Clearly for this generation, using social media is as natural an exercise as inhaling and exhaling, and the digital genie will not be rebottled. In one telling sequence, a high-schooler laments how differently wired middle-schoolers are simply because they’ve had access to more social media channels for a longer stretch of their lives.

Still, Kayla’s most genuine moments occur in those rare instances when she’s unplugged (I

calendar Thursday, Aug. 23 Out to Lunch Series 2018: Soul Monsta

Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St. The weekly summer series continues with food trucks, farmers market, local vendors and musical selections, including this week’s: Soul Monsta. Soul Monsta is six-piece from Berklee specializing in soul, R&B, top 40. Motown, rock and more.

Thursday, Aug. 23 City Field Day

Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St. Fun for the whole family with a rock wall, wiffle ball, bungee trampoline, DJ and more.

Thursday, Aug. 23 Movies on the Common: A League of their Own

Worcester Common Oval, 455 Main St. Free family event on the common, featuring classic, “A League of their Own” projected downtown. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at dusk.

Saturday, Aug. 25 2018 Worcester Hotdog Safari

Begins at Ralph’s Diner, 148 Grove St. Benefitting the Worcester County Food Bank, the Hotdog Safari returns. Pick up a scorecard at Ralph’s at 11 a.m. and venture out into the world sampling hot dogs. End at Ralph’s with music and comedy, awards and Wootenany’s Hotdog!

Saturday, Aug. 25 39th Annual Holden Days

Through the end of August Free August at Worcester Art Museum

Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St. Continuing the summer tradition, admission to the art museum is free until the August calendar page is flipped.

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Main Street, Holden Presented by the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce, the 39th annual celebration kicks offs at 9 a.m. with a parade, followed by music, food, fun and entertainment.

Saturday, Aug. 25 The Cranking & Skanking Fest

Worcester Palladium (outdoors), 261 Main St. A massive outdoor ska festival at the Worcester Palladium featuring The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Toots & the Maytals, The Bouncing Souls and more.

Through Sept. 9 Gentle Enough for Daily Use

Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road.

With work by local artists Don Hartmann, Luis Friare and Robb Sandagata, this show running through March is “a gentle, but deeplycleansing collection of new and improved works of art.”

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sports p Jose Antonio Rivera victorious in boxing comeback WALTER BIRD JR.

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I

t was a big night, to be sure, at the Palladium in Worcester Friday, Aug. 17 as former threetime, two-division boxing world champ Jose Antonio Rivera made a triumphant return to the ring after a seven-year layoff.

There were some questions surrounding Rivera’s first fight since 2011: Were the reflexes sharp enough at 45 years old? Had he slowed down? There was bound to be ring rust, but how much?

The man known as “El Gallo,” or the rooster, had answers for each of those queries.

“A little rusty, a little slower, but just as tough,” said Rivera, who registered a seventh-round technical knockout over veteran Larry Smith.

“Always just as tough.”

His head certainly appeared tough enough. Smith said he broke his hand on Rivera’s head in the fifth round of their scheduled eight-round, middleweight bout.

Two rounds later, a little more than a minute in, Smith simply turned away from Rivera, walked toward his corner and took a knee. The referee ended the fight on TKO. Smith entered the fight at 10-37-1.

His previous two losses, however, were unanimous decisions that came to opponents with a combined record of 57-10.

Rivera, now 42-6-1, is just one bout shy of 50 for his career. Next up is expected to be a November fight in Worcester. There has been talk of a possible title shot, but Rivera said he would likely fight one more time before that.

As for his first fight in seven years, Rivera said, “I shook off a lot of rust.

I told you [Smith] wasn’t an easy opponent. He was testing me early.

Once he saw I was there for the long run, he finally gave in, and that’s the most satisfying win for a fighter. It’s like a chess match, a power of wills going against each other, and eventually someone’s going to win.”

Rivera fought as part of a card called “Homecoming,” which featured several Worcester boxers, some fighting for the first time in their hometown. The event, co-promoted

Jose Antonio Rivera of Worcester lands a right hand to the face of his opponent, Larry Smith, during his comeback fight at the Palladium Friday, Aug. 17. Inset: Worcester’s Kendrick Ball Jr. trades punches with Fabian Valdez.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

by Rivera’s own Rivera Promotions Entertainment, which he runs with is son, A.J. Rivera, and Granite Chin Promotions, raised money for spina bifida. A.J. Rivera was born with the condition. He was originally scheduled to make his pro debut the same night as his father’s comeback, but was not medically cleared.

A large and vocal crowd was clearly on Rivera’s side Friday night, and had the backs of other Worcester fighters as well, including Kendrick Ball Jr. and Khiary Gray, both making their Worcester debuts. Both were coming off losses and each scored first-round TKOs in their respective bouts.

Gray, now 16-4, stopped Antonio Chaves Fernandez of Brockton, 9-34,

a little over two minutes into the first round of their middleweight clash with a nasty right hook as the crowd started changing his name. Fernandez engaged in a lengthy argument with the referee after the fight.

It was the second straight time Gray beat Fernandez. The last win also came by TKO. “I was thinking, he was talking a lot, saying he was going to be in better shape and ready for the fight,” Gray said. “I wanted to prove tonight he’s still not ready for me.”

Ball, 10-1-2, dropped Fabian Valdez, 2-4, with a right-hand shot to the body in the first round of their super middleweight fight. Valdez remained on his knees several minutes after taking the hit. Ball had knocked

Valdez once previously with a right hook to the face.

Letting out several loud shouts of “This is my town!” Ball climbed the ropes and basked in the cheers of fans after the win.

“It feels great,” he said of the win, “because the biggest concern was how would I feel after [my last] loss.

I felt good.”

In other action, undefeated junior middleweight Wilfredo Pagan of Southbridge, 5-0, continued to impress at 38 years old with a thirdround TKO of Engelberto Valenzuela, 11-15. Pagan stopped Valenzuela with a solid left uppercut to the chin that dropped him to his knees. The referee, patting Valenzuela on the back, stopped the fight.

Junior lightweight Edwin Rosado of Worcester, 1-8-1, fighting for the first time after a lengthy layoff, came up short against Springfield’s Joshua Orta, making his pro debut. Orta stopped Rosado in the third round by TKO, with Rosado suffering a nasty cut above his eye.

Another Worcester fighter, Eslih Owusu, also made his pro debut as a featherweight. The recent Worcester Technical High School grad scored a unanimous decision over veteran Bryan Abraham, 6-31-2, and looked impressive in doing so.

In the first fight of the night, Springfield’s Jose Angel Ortiz, 5-13-1, won by TKO over Patrick Leal, 0-5, of Somerville.

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.

Bebe was surrendered after her owners could no longer

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care for her. She’s 5 years old and petite, weighing 40 pounds. Bebe can be nervous when meeting new people.

She gets overwhelmed with crowds and in groups of people (who doesn’t?). She would be best for a low key home with dog experience. Bebe has a wonderful, silly personality when she is comfortable and is sweet and cuddly. She loves to play with toys and would be great as an exercise buddy.

She knows lots of tricks, including “sit pretty (pictured).”

Bebe lived with older children. She does not like cats and can be picky about dogs. Bebe can’t wait for a home to call her own again.

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games

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JONESIN’ Across 1 Chunks of history 5 Decaf brand 10 Lumberyard tools 14 Turn into a puddle 15 “Fuzzy Wuzzy was ___ ...”

16 Preserve, as meat 17 Cupcake decorator 18 Show with skits 19 “Remote Control” host Ken (or German for “upper”) 20 IRS collection, formally?

22 Poke ingredient, often 23 “Saved by the Bell” character Jessie 24 Acid-base indicator 26 Formal attire 29 Actor Rob, or either candidate named Ron who competed in a 2018 Kansas congressional primary 32 “___ of Laura Mars” 35 Coif 39 George Gershwin’s brother 40 Amorphous amount (and an “Arrested Development” character) 41 Light bulb measure, formally?

42 Zero, on some fields 43 “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am” boxer 44 Beer named for a Dutch river 45 Religious offshoot 46 It’s six of one ... and six of the other 48 Bunches 50 36-Down’s “Family” 54 Piece of Necco candy 58 Desert of Mongolia 60 Zany, formally?

63 Practical applications 64 Love on the Loire 65 Mine vein 66 Quartet member 67 George Eliot’s “___ Marner” 68 City near Tulsa 69 “The Facts of Life” actress Mindy 70 Ibsen heroine Gabler 71 Brown and Rather, for two

“The Long Name” — ooh, someone’s in trouble.

by Matt Jones

Down 1 Gives off 2 Newscast summary 3 Echo responder?

4 Orchestral section 5 Dress in Delhi 6 His mother raised Cain 7 “On the Beach” author Shute 8 Hawaii’s “Garden Isle” 9 Fail to exist 10 RBG’s group, for short 11 Mass transit vehicle, formally?

12 Small songbird 13 It comes twice after “Que” in a song 21 Herd comment 25 “I want catnip” 27 “Careless Whisper” group (yeah, that’s the sax solo playing in your mind right now) 28 D.C. diamond denizens 30 Cartman, to his mom 31 Truffle fries topper 32 Victorian expletive 33 Hashtag acronym popularized by a Drake song 34 Casual “industry,” formally?

36 50-Across “Cousin”

37 Comedian/actress Butcher of “Take My Wife” 38 Inspiron computer maker 41 Harry Potter accessory 45 Stopped suddenly, as an engine 47 He held over 1,000 patents 49 Be shy 51 Overrun (with) 52 First Lady of the ‘50s 53 Castigate 55 “Criminal” singer Apple 56 “There’s no ___ sight!”

57 Orchestra needs 58 Nacho topper, slangily 59 1952 Olympics host 61 College courtyard 62 “Major” constellation

Last week's solution

©2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) Reference puzzle #898

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HANDYMAN

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last call Eric Butler president, WCLOC E

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ric Butler is president of the Worcester County Light Opera Club WCLOC, which started eight decades ago with a 1938 production at Tuckerman Hall, and has gone on to build an impressive legacy rich with artistic collaboration and high quality theater. In October, WCLOC will put on a production of “Clybourne Park,” the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Play. WCLOC shares: “Borrowing elements from Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ Bruce Norris’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores race relations and gentrification in the changing face of a Chicago neighborhood.” The show is sure to prove poignant at a time characterized by Worcester’s own bountiful urban development.

WCLOC is passionate about addressing challenging themes in the community such as sexual assault, race and mental illness.

What is your history with the city of Worcester? I was born, raised and educated in Worcester.

Can you describe your career trajectory? After graduating from the College of the Holy Cross, I started out as a research analyst in the office of advancement at the college. From there, I had the privilege of both receiving my MBA from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management and serving as director of annual giving and most recently, director of development at Saint John’s High School (my other alma mater).

Next month, I look forward to starting a whole new professional challenge as director of fundraising at edX, a massive, global online course destination and MOOC provider founded by MIT and Harvard University.

How did you get involved with WCLOC Theater Company? Following college, where I majored

in theater and psychology, I was looking to get involved in some local community theater. I auditioned for and was cast as Billy Bibbit in WCLOC’s production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Over the years, I’ve regularly performed (“You Can’t Take It With You,” “Christmas Belles,” Neil Simon’s “Proposals”) and directed (“The Women,” “She Loves Me,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Tribes,” and this season’s “Grey Gardens”) at WCLOC, where I’ve served on its board of governors and am currently the organization’s president.

What makes WCLOC’s history unique? WCLOC is Worcester’s oldest, active community theater.

We were founded in 1937. And we’ve evolved over the years. Once offering local audiences light opera, WCLOC now provides audiences from all over Central Massachusetts with popular Broadway musicals and critically-acclaimed plays. Since its founding, WCLOC has always strived to entertain, inform and nurture local artists and audiences through its fullscale productions and children’s educational workshops. We pride ourselves on being able to offer intimate, high-quality theater at the most affordable ticket price in Worcester.

How are you tackling difficult themes like sexual assault, race and mental illness through theater? This is an ambitious season full of regional premieres at WCLOC. This season will explore real, timely topics including sexual assault (a fall reading of “Actually” at Worcester’s new PopUp), race/gentrification (the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Clybourne Park”) and mental illness (the Tony Award-winning musical “Grey Gardens”). I strongly believe that good theater, whether classic or contemporary, needs to be relevant for today’s audiences.

Theater also needs to be entertaining. This season’s works are socially relevant, but also surprisingly funny. Great works like these avoid being pedantic, but instead inspire discussion and conversation. Most importantly, a strong season seeks balance, so this year, we are also offering audiences a brand new laugh-out-loud Broadway romantic comedy (“Living on Love”) and a beloved, yet rarelyperformed, pop musical (“Chess”) with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA.

ELIZABETH BROOKS

Where can we see your performances? While our fall reading of “Actually” will be staged at Worcester’s PopUp in collaboration with the Worcester Cultural Coalition, all of this season’s full productions will be staged at WCLOC’s intimate, 100-seat Grandview Playhouse on Grandview Avenue in Worcester.

Everyone who walks through our doors for the first time describes us as Worcester’s “hidden-jewel.”

WCLOC is committed to being Worcester’s community theater, so we are very excited and open to explore opportunities to engage and entertain audiences at venues and public locations throughout the city.

When you aren’t on stage or at St. John’s, what is your favorite thing to do in Worcester? As a lifelong resident of this city, it’s so exciting to see this Worcester Renaissance taking shape. It is also no secret Worcester has some of the best restaurants around, so a good meal shared with family or friends has become a personal pastime. I couldn’t be more thrilled that weekend brunch has finally become a real thing in Worcester. Being a self-proclaimed foodie, I’m also grateful Worcester has some great running neighborhoods. I can be regularly seen jogging (running is probably too

generous a verb for the speed I clock in at!) the Tatnuck Square/ Newton Square loop. And speaking of pastimes, I couldn’t be more excited to see America’s pastime come to Worcester in the form of the Red Sox. With a love of theater and baseball, it’s no surprise I have a soft spot for “Damn Yankees.”

Don’t be surprised if I propose that WCLOC stage a major revival of this 1950’s baseball musical

comedy in 2021 in honor of the Sox coming to town. Wouldn’t Polar Park be a great, unconventional venue for a musical theater performance?

—Sarah O’Connell

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