Changemakers Competition: RFP for New England States

"Revelation to Action: Your Place. Your Idea. Your Change"

The competition was kicked off on Friday, March 19, 2010, and the RFP is geared towards applicants in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.


The competition is looking for innovative solutions for motivating local citizens to build a better community.


Positive Innovators (PIs) and community organizations should apply!

Only in New York City.......

Can a fireman get drunk on St. Patrick's Day, pass out on the front steps of a woman's apartment building, while in his uniform, and filmed doing all of the above on a Blackberry.

Boy Scouts of America: "Perversion Files"

When I read this article about the Boy Scouts of America keeping a "perversion list", my stomach ached and I immediately wondered if any of my troop leaders were ever involved in similar type cases?

From the Cub Scouts to the Boys Scouts, I grew up as a Scout. I climbed the ranks to eventually become an unofficial "Assistant" Scout Leader. As a Scout, I never saw anything that was inappropriate in the Virgin Islands or while attending National Jamobrees.

Because the Catholic Church, along with the Episcopalian Church, sexual misconduct cases have made parent more wary of so-called "leaders", its harder for parents to trust Troop leaders, coaches, teachers and counselors.

The key ingredient is teaching children to know what is appropriate and what is not and parents have to be involved in the child's group to know what's going on.

As the Boy Scout Oath states:

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

This is an oath that ALL people can adhere to, but there is a thing called Free Will.

Dress for Success: Dressing Up Worcester....One Dress at a Time

When the Dress for Success Worcester space, in the Denholm Building, was being renovated, I watched a woman carefully hand-paint the "Dress for Success" sign above the doors. I admired her patience, attention to detail and, more importantly, the care that she exuded as she painted.

Dress for Success Worcester opened its door in May 2009, and while some folks may not know about them yet, it's a MAJOR deal to have such an organization in Worcester. With over 110 locations throughout the world, Worcester was one of the 12 cities selected in 2008 to become an affiliate, beating over 650 other applicants.


With an erratic economy, and a cut-throat job market, Dress for Success has been able to assist women with free clothing in preparation for their job interview and clothing for once they are employed. The challenge for many women and one which Dress for Success addresses directly is, "how do you get a job without anything to wear, how do you afford something to wear without a job?"

It may seem like a simple statement, but it's not. Looking good and thus feeling good, in preparation for a job interview, is just one of the hurdles that any person has to overcome throughout the job search process.



While Dress for Success Worcester is located in the City, there are "feeder" agencies throughout Worcester County, to the tune of 25, that refer women that are looking for professional clothes.

Since May 2009, Dress for Success Worcester has conducted over 250 appointments with women looking for professional clothing. I'm sure there are more than a few well-dressed women working right now, thanks to Dress for Success Worcester.

As a matter of fact, this coming Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 12 pm to 2 pm, Dress for Success Worcester is holding their Spring Clothing Sale. The event is being held at the Dress for Success Boutique and they'll be selling their extra (like-new, sometimes brand new, name-brand) inventory of business and casual women's clothing and shoes. Everything will cost $5! And the great thing besides purchasing some great clothes, all the money raised goes towards Dress for Success Worcester and its many programs.

Also, beginning tomorrow (18th) through Sunday, March 21, 2010 there's the Gap Give & Get event that benefits Dress for Success nationally and locally.

This weekend, March 18-21, you can save 30% off at all Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores (including outlets) AND 5% of every purchase will be donated to Dress for Success. Plus Dress for Success Worcester can win up to $5000 for getting the word out about this event. Please visit their website www.dressforsuccess.org/worcester to print your coupon AND pass on this information to your friends, family and co-workers. Another great way to help, is to become a fan of Dress for Success Worcester on Facebook and share the link that they've posted with your friends.

Since Give & Get began in 2008, Gap Inc. has raised over $9 million for its nonprofit partners, and the company is looking to surpass $10 million this March! Dress for Success is thrilled to be a beneficiary of Give & Get and we hope that you will shop Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Outlet and Old Navy stores with our organization in mind!

So, tell a friend to tell a friend about Dress for Success Worcester because there may be someone sitting right now that needs an outfit to get that job that will allow them to get back on their feet and it may start with that one dress from Dress for Success Worcester.

Saigon in Worcester

Saigon, the rapper that made a name for himself by hitting Hip Hop heads with syncopated lyricism and uncanny word-play, will be performing in Worcester this Saturday, March 20th at the CANAL Nightclub.

Rap listeners and television viewers may recognize Saigon from his many appearances on the HBO TV show ENTOURAGE, but I'm sure Saigon will be hitting the Woo with an entirely different entourage this Saturday.

While Saigon has a checkered past, having served 7-years in prison, he emerged from prison with a vision to help the children of incarcerated parents and jump start his music career by forming Abandoned Nation.

Some say that music has been Saigon's savior, while others will say that Saigon has been a guiding light in the rap game and has brought back street-spitter lyricism that the East coast and, New York City in particular, is known for.

Doors open at 7 PM.

Change with a capital "C": Blue Cross & Blue Shield CEO Waves Goodbye

Cleve Killingsworth, the CEO and Chairman of the Board for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, abruptly resigned today.

I guess the pull to write a few books and work on healthcare reform from the "inside" was too strong to keep him in Massachusetts.

Maybe now, City Manager Michael O'Brien and Crew can address Virginia Ryan and the Coalition of Worcester Retirees' Section 19?

Based upon this article, Michael O'Brien isn't budging one bit.


The Coalition of Worcester Retirees is still PUSHING hard for CHANGE.

UPDATE ON SECTION 19

The presentation on Section 19 to the City Council is in the works according to Cheryl Delsignore, of the EAW (teacher’s union) and the unions will be splitting the cost of the presentation to the City Council. Apparently Cheryl is awaiting a survey from the city that she must have for the presentation by Boston Benefits Partners (BBP). Our coalition will be making a small donation due to the generosity of those of you who sent me checks to pay for the TV ad.

You will be notified when this presentation will occur and hopefully you will recognize the need to be present at this presentation. Actually bring your friends and family members. It’s what the city council understands best. A CROWD.

Powerball: Not a Winner

Last night when the family and I were selecting our Powerball numbers, I said to myself that if I won all or a portion of the jackpot, I'd throw a huge block-party in Worcester.

Well, I didn't win, but I'm holding out for some family and friends in New Jersey to call me to say that they hold a winning ticket in their hands.

Wal-Mart: Opening Soon?

I've read that the Wal-Mart in Quinsigamond Village was supposed to open sometime in March, and I've even heard the date of March 17, 20X thrown around, but having driven by the area, it looks more like it'll be April 20X at this point.

Some folks will remember the amount of opposition the proposed Wal-Mart received-- Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price , Worcester Activist.

But the funniest post has to be by Mark who spent 49-hours in a Wal-Mart.

I guess when we see the Wal-Mart signage go up, we'll know the opening is right around the corner or maybe the City Councilors will have to meet to make sure the signage isn't too large? Hmmmmm.