Got Dormer?

2011 AWARE: Year of the Dormer

Monitoring Moves: New Cameras?

I ventured to Greenhill Park the other evening to check out the fields that Worcester Youth Soccer League uses for soccer, and while I was driving along Skyline Drive, towards Worcester Technical High School, I noticed some weird hanging "lights".

Well, after looking at them for a bit, I still couldn't figure out if they were lights or cameras?

My hunch is that they might be some sort of hybrid light with a night vision type camera that can see people as they're walking on the sidewalk.

I'm not sure how long they've been there, but for as many times that I've driven along Skyline Drive, this is the first time I noticed them.

So, what do you think they are?

Ignorance breeds fear.....fear fuels the hatred...

Ignorance breeds fear......fear fuels the hatred, and hatred feeds the ignorance.  

This is a quote that I've shared with many folks from various walks of life and it is appropriate now, more than ever.

Word quickly spread on the Twitterverse that the New England White Pride group was going to hold a protest outside the Worcester Public Library, on Saturday, to protest the fact that the New Hampshire group was being banned from using the library to host their meetings. (Read T&G article)

As word quickly spread through various Internet channels, an anit-Nazi protest was planned by the Progressive Labor Party, chaired by Gordon Davis, whom I've known for years.

The anti-Nazi protest was well attended and peaceful.

Many anti-Nazi protesters carried signs promoting laws that protected and allowed immigrants to become US citizens, as well as there being no place for hatred in Worcester, and the world.

What I found interesting, was the number of people that were hanging out in the Worcester Common who seemed to not care one bit that there was a protest taking place.  There was more interest by the passerbys in cars who wondered what was going on, and a few stopped to ask.

Worcester Police Department made sure that their presence was seen and known, and I must have counted 6 officers, and additional officers who drove by, probably circling the Common and the library to make sure there were no issues.

I'm sure this is not the last planned protest by the New England White Power group, directed toward the Worcester Public Library, but we can only hope that any and all protests are peaceful and uneventful.

Stay tuned!

Boston is not Worcester!

The other day, I was speaking with a friend of mine who lives in New York City and he asked me, "What's it like living in Boston?" Well, I first had to tell him that I live 45-minutes West of Boston.
He was asking about Boston because he looking for a change and he's found a number of jobs in the Boston-area.

I had to break it down for him:

Boston is the largest city in New England, and it's got an inferiority complex (C'mon, you know Boston always tries to compete with NYC, Chicago & LA).

Boston is home to 45 colleges/ universities within a 20-mile radius.

Boston has Logan Airport, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins, and The Big Dig.

It doesn't sound bad, but I had to tell him about the traffic, which he's accustomed to living in NYC, and the horrible drivers that occupy the roadways. (I know, the drivers in Worcester can be worse, especially when they don't stop for school buses with flashing lights or pedestrians in a crosswalk.)

And, lastly, I told him the rents and the real estate is VERY expensive.

I then went onto telling him about the number of people that I know that live in Worcester and commute to Boston daily.

These folks have chosen to spend 2-3 hours in commuting for trade-offs such as:

• An affordable apartment or house.

• Morning traffic jams prior to 8 am during the school year, and after 5 pm during the evening commute.

• There are 7 colleges/ universities within a 15 mile radius.

• Great restaurants to dine at.

And, lastly, green space where people relax and play sports.

I don't know if I completely "sold" him Worcester, yet, so I invited him to spend a few days in the WORC.

Maybe I can get Mayor O'Brien, and a few select folks to make a pitch at why Matt should pick to live in Worcester over Boston?

Toxic Soil Busters

Local Art

My daughter pointed this sticker out to me on a light post in Webster Square.

Actually, she said that she's seen it before and tried to take a picture, and, I quote, she said, "You were driving too fast, Dad."

I don't know who the artist is and if they're from Worcester or Central Massachusetts, but I must say that I think this is awesome!

Have you seen similar art in your neighborhood?

Building#19 Worcester Store Closing

After 19-years and what I'd consider a staple on Grafton Street in Worcester, Building19 has lost their lease.

Having experienced Building #19 for the first time in 1994, when I lived in Rhode Island, I have to admit that I quickly became a fan and a frequent shopper. (Shoot, I take my family there every time they visit from the Virgin Islands!)

So, yes, I'm saddened to hear that the Worcester store is closing and who knows what will be replacing that cavernous space on Grafton Street?

http://www.building19.com/events/worcclosing/worc050711.htm

Sunrise: 4/7/11

Here are a couple pictures of this morning's sunrise. 

After seeing the sunrise on Monday, that I thought was just absolutely gorgeous, I've been looking forward to some more beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

The sun peeked from behind the clouds, but it took some coaxing from the parade goers, especially the children who braved the brisk temperatures for a chance to see a great parade.


This was the first time I attended the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and, while, I always support cultural and ethnic celebrations, I never felt motivated to attend the St. Patrick's Day parade in Worcester.

I realize it's because I associate St. Patrick's Day with working in higher education and being "on duty", and, thus, having to respond to students that otherwise were well-mannered and smart, who would drink themselves silly, and make some bad decisions. (I'm glad that phase of my career is in the past.)

Back to the St. Patrick's Day parade. Yes, there were a number of people hitting the bars along Park Avenue, but the vibe was controlled and people were catching up with friends, making new friends, and honoring the sacrifices made by the Irish and the impact the Irish have had, and continue to have on the world.

Here are some pictures from the parade:

Old Enough to Drink

We know that Worcester is a college town, despite what City Hall and our City Councilors may say.  With a student population that grows by close to 20,000 every fall, there is no denying it and these under 21-year-olds are going to get their hands on alcohol "By Any Means Necessary".

There are two kinds of students: those that possess a fake ID that affords them the ability to buy alcohol or the underclassman that knows an upperclassmen that serves as their 'supplier', buying them everything under the sun from Boone's Farm, Mad Dog 20/20, Cisco, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee's Best beer (hey, most college kids don't have alot of money to afford the 'good stuff').

Four Loko, which was referred to as "witch's brew" by Connecticut Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal, was a perfectly marketed beverage that college-aged drinkers consumed as a pregaming beverage.

Having experienced college at a Bryant University (when I attended, it was Bryant College) it was a prerequisite to 'pregame' before venturing to either a baseball, fraternity or a DAWGS party and I witnessed friends pounding Natural Ice beers like they were drinking Gatorade or slinging back shots of Jim Bean, Southern Comfort or Goldschlager (some folks I knew had a little more "paper" to buy the 'good stuff'.) 

I never understood the concept of 'getting nice' before heading out to a party.  Having grown up in the Virgin Islands where the legal drinking age is 21-years-old, but it was hardly enforced.  It used to be that if you could reach the bar, you could order a drink, and, if questioned, you could just say that it was for your father who was sitting in the car. (I miss those days.)

Also, I grew up in a household where alcohol was very plentiful, and I was able to have my first alcoholic drink at 8-years-old (Kahlua and milk).

So, my argument for lowering the drinking age to 18-years-old comes with a belief that if we do a better job educating young adults about drinking in moderation, and seeing older adults modeling the benefits of socializing with their fellow higher-learning road warriors, there would be less trips to the local emergency rooms for alcohol-related issues.

Having worked at two Catholic, Jesuit colleges in Massachusetts, I can tell you firsthand stories of students falling down stairs, falling out of windows, being struck by cars or committing a violent act while drunk.  Some of these incidents, to this day, leave me shaking my head and questioning.......everything.

 Two years ago a new program was launched by a number of college and university presidents--the Amethyst Initiative.  The purpose of the Amethyst Initiative was to serve as a way for colleges to discuss the drinking age and their hope to lower the drinking age to 18-years-old.  After the Amethyst Initiative was launched MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) looked to persuade parents to not send their children to those schools, of which, a number of them are in Massachusetts- Tufts, Mount Holyoke, Emerson, Smith, Holy Cross, and the University of Massachusetts. 

So, the conversation about lowering the legal drinking age has no legs to stand on, and we're stuck at an impasse with a pack of elephants that are blocking the road.

With the banned sale of Four Loko we can look upon the horizon, and I can foresee the next item that will be debated and banned by the FDA: Cream. (Really, that's it's name.)

Cream, a whipped cream with 30-proof alcohol, hit Boston and Worcester liquor store shelves in November.  It comes in six flavors and doesn't need to be refrigerated.(perfect for collegiate, right?)  The product's website states that each can contains 26 shots, and Cream is especially tasty on Jell-O shots or "straight up" from the can.  Does this stuff sound familiar?

A New Year

It's the second day of 2011, and it's amazing that another decade has since passed.

It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for Y2K-- we were encouraged to fill up our car's gas tank, have a few gallons of bottled water on hand, and enough non-perishable food to last 2 or 3 weeks-- wondering if the world's computer system was going to crash.

Now, that it's a new year, a few friends have asked me if I've made my New Year's resolutions.

I've never been big on resolutions, and I'm not going to start making any now. (But, I will say that I'm continuing to live a healthier life.)

But that doesn't stop me from making some predictions for the City of Worcester.

I mentioned on the new episode of "508", that was recorded on Friday(31st), that I believe, "Worcester is peeking around the corner at what we can become, but we're afraid to venture down that road towards being a MAJOR city."

Maybe with the demolition of the Worcester Common Outlet and heavily pursuing technological and health care companies, Worcester's landscape & mindset will too change?

When we discussed what we're looking forward to in 2011 in Worcester, there were a number of good points raised and I stated that I'd like to see the Worcester Consortium of Schools doing more to get college students involved and change the mindset that they're "visitors".(Sure, this may take awhile, and the students must want to "adopt" Worcester as their home away from home, but it is possible.)

So, I have to ask, what do you think will be the BIG changes to take place in Worcester this year?(Post a comment, please.)

Weak Scene

Have you ever experienced an epiphany while driving in Worcester?
Maybe its the name of someone that you ran into while grocery shopping
that, for the life of you, you can't remember their name or maybe it
was something your significant other said to you this morning, while
running out the door, that all of a sudden makes complete sense (being
honest, this happens to me all the time).

While driving on Lafayette Street, I stopped at the red light where
Lafayette Street ends, and intersects with Southbridge Street, I
saw "it". IT was a tag (read: graffiti) on the boxcar that stated
both boldly and delicately, "WEAK".

I don't know why this hit me with such an impact, but maybe it's has
something to do with Christmas and the reflective state that I'm in.

I have always enjoyed Christmas, and see it as a time to give thanks
for all that God has given to me and my family. But, this year has
been a particularly tough year, in more ways than one. I won't
divulge what some of the issues have been, because, as my 90-year-old
Grandmother always says, "Don't complain, because no one wants to hear
it." And I realize that those words couldn't be more true. Why
complain? It does no good and I view it just like arguing........a
waste of energy.

I know I'm "WEAK" and at times have my moments of boldness and
defiance. I have to be that way. Otherwise, I'd never leave the
house or interact with God's people.

While it's fun to believe that I know alot and can overcome any
obstacle, it's enlightening to know that I am "WEAK" at times, and
pray for "bold humility and grace". This is my prayer.

Merry Christmas!

NAACP: 'Drive to 50' (Worcester Reactivation)

The NAACP, whose roots are deeply intertwined in the fabric of Massachusetts, celebrated its 100-year Anniversary last year on February 12, 2009.


Today, with the heightened awareness of race and ethnicity, not only in the United States but the entire world, we need a platform to have conversations along these lines, and those involving the myriad of issues facing people from all walks of life.  The NAACP is a place where everyone is welcome and encouraged to discuss topics such as the economy, joblessness, homelessness and education.

At the dawn of the 20th century, a group of black and white people -- men and women, Jews and Gentiles -- issued "a call for a national conference on the Negro question."

Tomorrow, December 8, 2010, from 6-9 PM at the Crescent Cafe (located at 69 Canterbury Street) the NAACP Worcester Branch will be holding their "Drive to 50".  

Membership:

Adult members - $30.00
Youth members- Ages 20 and Under - $15.00


This is an opportunity to reestablish the NAACP Worcester Chapter as a vehicle for improvement of the economic, educational, political and social justice status of people in Worcester. 

Worcester Blogger Coffee 10/17 (Excitement plus some)

Remember when you were about to celebrate you're 10th birthday and you were so excited to tell people that you were 10-years-old? (Yes, it was a BIG deal for me. It was all about celebrating a double-digit birthday and you couldn't tell me otherwise.)

Well, I'm excited and looking forward to Sunday's Worcester Blogger Coffee, which is taking place at Cafe Nu, on Chandler Street, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

You see, I started the Worcester Is MAJOR! blog with the premise of writing about the City of Worcester and all the things that I saw that were good, bad and in between.

I'm looking forward to putting faces to names or the blogs to the people that write some unbelievable posts, from their perspective and how it may impact people here.

So, if you have a blog or don't have one, please join a good crew of folks at Cafe Nu on Sunday.  I can guarantee that the conversations will be lively and you might hear some information from folks who are passionate about Worcester.

Marketing a Country, State, City & Territory

Alright, we live in an unbelievably technological world and yet some people and cities don't know how to use it to their advantage.

I grew up in the Virgin Islands where 75% of the economy is dependent on tourism and my biggest complaint has always been that the Territory did a bad job of marketing itself, a US Territory that any American can travel to without the need for a passport.

Read any Sunday newspaper Travel Section and you'll read that every country, island and city is advocating for you to spend any of your disposable income there.

Yesterday, Queen Rania of Jordan took to the Internet, scratch that, let me be more specific, she took to TwitVid to kick-off a contest where she wants people to upload videos stating why you'd like to visit Jordan.

The Virgin Islands, recently, signed a new deal to market the Territory to people in the continental United States and you can expect to see more television ads when it's cold in the Northeast.


In the news today, we know that President Obama and his family is heading to Mount Desert Island, off the coast of Maine, and everyone is getting excited.  I'm sure we'll see some candid pictures and videos of the First Family walking, talking, shaking hands and even eating on their visit to Maine.

Here in Worcester, we're hearing more from City Manager Michael O'Brien as he gives his vision for a vibrant downtown filled with stores, art galleries, bakeries and restaurants through the Creative Economy Initiative.  Before the stores and other establishments can be built and opened, we all know that the first step must be the demolition of the former Worcester Common Outlet building and the construction of City Square (fingers crossed).

I wonder if O'Brien is ready to offer his own challenge to Worcester residents?  Imagine if he proposed to City residents to submit videos on ways to market Worcester, with the winning submissions being highlighted along with the winners serving on the City's "Creative" board?

Education: Teacher Pink Slips

The City of Worcester is about to get dumber by firing 54 teachers! And who loses? The children who will lose a teacher, a confidant and generally someone that they've built a rapport with.

There needs to be more "noise" made about this and I think that folks need to be realistic and realize that in order to pay teachers, the City does have to raise property taxes. Teachers need to be paid and the students deserve to have the tools that allow them to compete in this rapidly changing world.

Good People, Great Food & New Friends

I can't and certainly don't consider myself a pizza connoisseur, but when I taste great pizza I know it!

Earlier this week, my Alma mater, Bryant College, now Bryant University (goes to show you how long it's been since I graduated), held a alumni social at the Armsby Abbey, which just so happens to be owned by another Bryant alumna, Sherri Sadowski.

I had a good time meeting some fellow alums, sharing stories from "back in the day" and some old stories that will live in infamy ( I will invoke my 5th Amendment rights).

So as the Bryant social came to a close, I decided to hang out for a bit longer and have some drinks and kick-it with my new found friend, Chris, who's a California transplant who knows a thing or two about sneakers (Hmmmm....a cat who speaks my language).

I wanted something to eat and had a craving for some pizza, to which Chris recommends the Thai Pizza that sounded great on the menu but to taste it.....there aren't enough words to describe it!

You have to taste it for yourself and tell me it's not the BEST pizza you've ever had! (I dare you and if you don't like it, email me at WorcesterIsMAJOR@gmail.com and I'll pay for the pizza! The pizza & only the pizza.)

So, there you have it! The offer is on the table and I am a man of my word!

Cheers!

Bus Says STOP

The Cracker Jack Drivers (yeah, that's what they are & what I've now
labeled them) were in full-effect mode on Granite Street this afternoon.

I saw two cars drive right by this bus while it's lights were flashing and
the STOP sign was visible.

I wish I had the presence of mind to write down their license plate
numbers because I would have listed them on WIM and then shared them
with WPD.

Worcester Traffic

Want to know what the traffic is like in Worcester, then you have to take a look at the "Beat the Traffic" website that gives you up-to-the-minute updates about accidents, road delays and construction site.

Just make sure to smile, because that way people will wonder what you're up to.

Dress for Success pt. 2

Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day to be outside enjoying the spring-like weather and maybe doing some yard work or playing outside with the kids.

For me, the day began as it typically does, a few cups of Cafe Bustelo coffee, and a quick scan of the Worcester websites & blogs-- Wormtowntaxi.com, Telegram.com, DailyWorcesteria.com and Boston.com, just to make sure Beacon Hill was safe.

Once the Al Gore-like check of the Internet was completed, I then ventured out to run a few errands and catch-up with some folks who have been asking to meet face-to-face so that we can get to know one another. Once the missions were completed, it was time for the FUN to begin!

Good people are always drawn to other GREAT people and such is the case with Kaly Sullivan, Boutique Coordinator, for Dress for Success Worcester. You may have read my St. Patrick's Day post about the upcoming Dress for Success sale that took place on Saturday from 12 pm to 2 pm, where everything in the boutique was priced at $5. Yes, every item was $5!

Kaly Sullivan

I arrived around 12:30 pm and the boutique was bustling with activity, energy and an eclectic mix of music playing over the stereo system. (I heard Jahiem "Fabulous" and Coldplay "Viva La Vida", to name a few.)

On more than one occasion, I overheard women commenting that they couldn't believe that a particular dress, blouse or pants were, "ONLY $5?". The women were having a good time and, in some cases, three-generations of families were shopping and purchasing clothes not only for themselves but for friends and relatives.





I'm sure when I speak to Kaly about the remainder of the day, she'll have nothing but positive things to say, but as a first-hand witness, it was a GREAT day and GREAT people showed up and got some GREAT clothing.





Learn more about Dress for Success Worcester and be sure to become a fan of their page on Facebook.