Worcester Magazine November 28 - December 4, 2019 by Worcester Magazine

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Heroes 2019

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IN THIS ISSUE 100 Front St., Fifth Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 worcestermag.com Editorial (508) 767.9535 WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com Sales (508) 767.9530 WMSales@gatehousemedia.com President Paul M. Provost VP Multi-Media Sales Michelle Marquis Ad Director Kathleen Real-Benoit Sales Manager Jeremy Wardwell

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Executive Editor David Nordman Editor Nancy Campbell Content Editor Victor D. Infante Reporters Richard Duckett, Bill Shaner Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell Sanders, Gari De Ramos, Robert Duguay, Jason Greenough, Janice Harvey, Barbara M. Houle, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Craig S. Semon, Steve Siddle, Matthew Tota Creative Director Kimberly Vasseur Multi Media Sales Executives Deirdre Baldwin, Debbie Bilodeau, Anne Blake, Kate Carr, Laura Cryan, Diane Galipeau, Ted Genkos, Sammi Iacovone, Bob Kusz, Helen Linnehan, Patrick O’Hara, David Prendiville, Kathy Puffer, Jody Ryan, Henry Rosenthal, Regina Stillings, Randy Weissman Sales Support Jackie Buck, Yanet Ramirez Senior Operations Manager Gary Barth Operations Manager John Cofske WORCESTER MAGAZINE is a news weekly covering Central Massachusetts. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. The Publisher has the right to refuse any advertisement. Legals/Public Notices Please call (978) 728.4302, email cmaclassifieds@gatehousemedia.com, or mail to Central Mass Classifieds, 100 Front St., 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608

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Worcester Magazine’s 2019 Hometown Heroes Clockwise from top: Frankie Franco, photo by Rick Cinclair; Eve Lindquist, photo by Ashley Green; Alfredo Noguera, photo by Christine Peterson; Charles F. Monahan Jr, photo submitted; Lamar Brown, photo by Christine Peterson; Dr. Joyce McNickles, photo by Rick Cinclair; Dr. Satya B. Mitra, photo by Christine Peterson; Al Southwick, photo by Christine Peterson Story on page 11

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Distribution Worcester Magazine is inserted into the Telegram & Gazette on Thursdays and is also available for free at more than 400 locations in the Worcester area. Unauthorized bulk removal of Worcester Magazine from any public location, or any other tampering with Worcester Magazine’s distribution including unauthorized inserts, is a criminal offense and may be prosecuted under the law.

Featured ......................................................................................4 City Voices...................................................................................8 Cover Story ...............................................................................11 Artist Spotlight .......................................................................17 Lifestyle......................................................................................18 Listen Up....................................................................................18 Table Hoppin’ ..........................................................................19 Quality Control........................................................................20 The Next Draft..........................................................................20 Film .............................................................................................22 Film Capsules ..........................................................................23 Calendar ....................................................................................24 Adoption Option ....................................................................28 Games .........................................................................................29 Classifieds .................................................................................30 Last Call .....................................................................................31

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Shared dreams: Two girls to play Clara in Hanover Theatre’s ‘Nutcracker’ RICHARD DUCKET T

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ennifer Agbay had double vision when casting for the key character of Clara for this year’s production of “The Nutcracker” presented by The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Clara is considered a dream role for a dancer of the appropriate age, and so it will be two dreams coming true for the first time for Emma LeBlanc and Madison Rizzo, both 12, during the course of the of ballet’s run for five performances Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. Not at the same time — it will depend on which performance you go and see. But Agbay, director of dance at The Hanover Theatre Conservatory and artistic director of “The Nutcracker,” was so impressed by Emma and Madison during auditions that she chose both of them. Actually, this is the second time in three years that Agbay has had two Claras in “The Nutcracker,” although the previous occasion, in 2017, was the first time that had happened since the ballet has been staged at The Hanover Theatre beginning in 2008. “It’s not always on the table, it’s just the way the production evolves,” Agbay said. “So when we see all the participants audition and see the potential for two Claras because they Madison Rizzo, 12, of Charlton, left, and Emma LeBlanc, 12, of Paxton, will alternate as Clara in The Hanover Theshare the same talent, skill level and atre’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” LeBlanc will play Clara for three performances and Rizzo for two. In the shows when they are not Clara, Emma and Madison will each take the part of Big Party Girl. ability, you have to make it fair. We wanted to give them equal opportuCHRISTINE PETERSON nity. To be honest, they both give us Ivanov, did not make everybody hapopportunities in the future.” This is Emma’s sixth production ballets. Especially this one (by The what we need as far as the technical py when it debuted in 1892. There They each had a taste of being of “The Nutcracker” and Madison’s Hanover Theatre).” and artistic.” Clara at the annual “Cookies and Tea were some disparaging reviews, and fifth, so they are already veterans of Madison of Charlton agreed. “I In “The Nutcracker” ballet — with Clara” event held Nov. 10 at The it was years until the ballet made it the ballet — not to mention dance. think the whole production is very adapted from an E.T.A. Hoffmann out of Russia. Hanover Theatre. They’ve both been dancing since magical. You just connect with it in story with a score by Tchaikovsky “The Nutcracker” didn’t become a “That was fun. All the girls that they were 2. so many ways.” and first performed in St. Petersburg, went they looked up to us. That was Emma would dance along to the Emma and Madison will lead two holiday tradition in this country until Russia, in 1892 — Clara is given a pretty cool,” Madison said. movie “Sleeping Beauty” and then different casts of young dancers for director and choreographer George Christmas present of a toy soldier Emma recalled that she was taken Balanchine created a version — and the run of the ballet. Emma will play her mother took her to a dance nutcracker during a Christmas party classes. “The first day I loved it, and I to the “Cookies and Tea” event herClara for three performances and a vision — for the New York City at her home that magically gets self when she was younger. “I went still love it to this day,” she said. “I’ve Madison for two. Adult professional Ballet in the 1950s. “The Nutcracker” transformed into a prince who takes was a little kid and I loved it because was soon being performed by ballet always dreamed of being a profesdancers will be in all five shows. In her on a fantastic journey through I always looked up to the older girls. sional dancer. I’ve always loved the shows when they are not Clara, companies and dance schools across the Snow Forest and on into the I was very happy. That was a dream ballet.” Emma and Madison will each take the United States every holiday Land of Sweets. each time to see Clara and I was Madison said that watching her the part of Big Party Girl. season. Locally, productions of “The “There’s a girl that’s in a magical hoping that would happen to the older sister dance “made me fall in “In similar ways they spin like Nutcracker” by such companies as world. First she’s in her own living little boys and girls (Nov. 10). I love love with it … It’s been my dream to tops, they can do multi pirouettes, the Boston Ballet were a tradition room. Then she has a dream that’s be a ballerina. It’s always held a more making little kids happy.” they can do beautiful leaps,” Agbay for years at the Worcester Memorial very magical and goes to the Land Surprisingly (or perhaps not, given Auditorium. Dance Prism, based in said. Emma’s approach into a move- special place in my heart than the of Sweets,” said Emma of Paxton. other styles.” Being cast as Clara, “I’m the way these things often go) “The ment is softer, while Madison’s is the Boston area, has been coming “I always wanted to experience it. I Nutcracker, “ originally choreoreally excited … It’s a great oppormore direct, but both approaches to Mechanics Hall with its touring always loved watching it in different graphed by Marius Petipa and Lev work, Agbay said. “That intrigued us.” tunity that will lead to many more production of “The Nutcracker”

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Madison Rizzo, left, and Emma LeBlanc will alternate as Clara in The Hanover Theatre’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

pop-up book, Agbay said, a longtime vision of hers based on a Nutcracker pop-up book she shared with her family. The major design transformation based on that idea by Peters and Miller is made possible by a $202,000 gift from philanthropist Mary C. DeFeudis, an original founding member of The Hanover Theatre. “There was much love put into this design. ‘The Nutcracker’ has been my life’s work for many years, and now the work I’ve put into it has grown even more,” Agbay said. “I’m very excited to share it with the community.”

CHRISTINE PETERSON

since 1982 and returns there for two performances Dec. 15. “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” will be at The Hanover Theatre Dec. 29. Agbay first directed “The Nutcracker” when she was with the former Performing Arts School of Worcester, and later oversaw her own Ballet Arts Worcester company’s productions of the ballet staged at Atwood Hall at Clark University and then at The Hanover Theatre since 2008, with shows held right after Thanksgiving Day. The 12th production of “The Nutcracker” at The Hanover Theatre this year will officially be the second staged by the Hanover Theatre Conservatory since Ballet Arts Worcester merged with the conservatory. Her vision continues. In all, this year’s Hanover Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” has well over 100 dancers including professional adult

Contact Richard Duckett at richard.duckett@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter@TGRDuckett dancers from the Orlando Ballet, Rock School of Philadelphia, Ellison Ballet of New York City, and the Festival Ballet in Rhode Island. The production has its own orchestra, The Hanover Theatre Nutcracker Orchestra conducted by Eric Culver, and will reveal new scenic and lighting designs by Broadway designers Christine Peters and Paul Miller. The show will look like a “Nutcracker”

‘The Nutcracker’ When: 7 p.m. Nov. 29; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 30; 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 1 Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester

How much: $22-$44. (877) 5717469; thehanovertheatre.org

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Northeast Comic Con fills geeky holiday needs CRAIG S. SEMON

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op culture aficionado Gary Sohmers has done it again. Sohmers — an appraisal expert of pop culture, collectibles and toys for 13 years on “The Antique Roadshow” and entrepreneur of the legendary Wex Rex, formerly in Hudson — has whipped up another Northeast Comic Con

on Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”), Mark McKenna (“The X-Men,” “Spider-Man,” “Batman” and “The Justice League”) and Will Murray (“Squirrel Girl” co-creator) are some of the comic and animation artists on the bill. Gwell-O, The Lights Out Unplugged and Doigenstein will perform an after-party Friday, while Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken

Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys COURTESY OF JON BECKLEY

and Collectibles Extravaganza for all your geeky holiday needs. Starting Black Friday and running through Sunday at the Boxboro Regency Hotel, 242 Adams Place, Boxboro, this installment of a pop culture purveyor’s dream come true also has plenty of fun celebrities, comic book artists, cosplay and collectibles on hand. Denny Laine (of the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney and Wings fame), Peter Scolari (“Bosom Buddies” and “Gotham”), Nicholle Tom (“The Nanny,” “Gotham,” and “Masters of Sex”), Charles Shaughnessy (“The Nanny,” “Days of Our Lives” and “Mad Men”), Dana DeLorenzo (“Ash vs Evil Dead”) and Marty Ross (“The New Monkees”) are some of the celebrity headliners. Joe St. Pierre (“Spiderman”), Philo Barnhart (animator of Ariel

Toys’ performing selections from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and Marty Ross, Charles Shaughnessy and Nicholle Tom doing celebrity karaoke are some of the highlights of Saturday’s after-party concert. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday;and there is free parking. Northeast Comic Con and Collectible Extravaganza tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at door Friday; $20 in advance, $30 at door Saturday; $15 in advance, $20 at door Sunday; and weekend pass, $30 in advance, $40 at door.; children 10 and under free with a paid adult. VIP packages and Advance Early Entry passes are also available. For more information, go to https://necomiccons.com.

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artists CITY LIF E

ng, ia.com . Fair warni itor@gatehousemed digital copies artist, email WMed bio and high resolution will e a small or know of a local tion and what need to provid based on resolu If you are an artist, e what will run, h your work, you’ll in order to publis We reserve the right to choos art. of some of your newsprint. on best uce reprod

19 5 - 21, 20 AUGUST 1

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TLI GHT ART IST SPO

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AZINE.CO M

well as schoo and aristo had all kinds and events as going on to art poets, painters found herself the country in gallery shows of creative tors, dancers, over the same types she is today. Aimee now shows all nd herself with the artist that BFA in 2006. She ls. She continues to surrou surrealistic world. that receiving her and arts festiva the luminous colors of her the Harlequin, a magical being l and at various music paint the idea of are sexual, playfu inspire her to working with ic Harlequins world and their own to people which now she has beensurrounds it. These esoter our of years l aries severa For that bound and the world ng beyond the : can change itself s in their thoughts of traveli following events Greenfield. sometimes deviou ly elastic points of views. om/coletteaimee or at the in al: Sept. 13-15 reach tremendous of her work at rawartists.c Aug. 24, Wormtown Festiv own Spencer: Check out more Party in downt Spencer Street

Let us feature your artwork in Worcester Magazine’s Artist spotlight! Email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com high res samples of your work and a brief bio!

wanted

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WORCES

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ter in to create small town of ée is the daugh that Colette took her life in the Colette Aim in and out of of the influencesSUNY New Paltz in New York, of art flowing l at crats were many

CITY VOICES

HARVEY

Chew on this

return, drooling, with a numb face of kids like me — terrified waifs Tooth Fairy. marching along the Dental Trail of and beg my soap opera-addicted All this dental work is causmom to let me stay home and Tears. Many were from the housing my dental PTSD to flare up. true, because I’m currently lookJANICE HARVEY watch “Love of Life” while struging project we called “Lakeside.” I’m sure I’m not alone with my ing forward to watching my family haunting memories of visits to the My dad was a police officer, so I’m gling to eat creamed salmon on enjoy a turkey dinner I might have South High dental clinic. The mere not sure why I qualified financially toast. How she knew that Novaadies and gents, I’ve found the best diet to help combat to take intravenously. for the program, but it wouldn’t words “dental clinic” can cause caine wore off before “The Guiding It’s not like I’m not trying to any extra pounds you might its victims to slip into a catatonic surprise me to learn that he knew Light” came on was a mystery, but remedy the problem — I’ve had pack on over the holidays. somebody who knew somebody’s she always sent me back to the state. I can still conjure the fear Forget about NOOM. Forget about countless office visits to deterbrother-in-law who he got out of and the smell. salt mines. mine if a crown is needed, if a root apple cider vinegar pills. I’ve a jam back in ’64. That’s how he The South High dental clinic The sound of the drill, the stab canal is needed — you name it. I discovered a surefire weight loss rolled. was where you went if your of the Novacaine, the ridiculous won’t bore you with the details, program: The Bad Tooth Diet! In my mind the march to the parents thought teeth weren’t instruction: “Let me know if this The Bad Tooth Diet works quite but right now the out of pocket clinic always took place during necessary tools for a successhurts and we can stop” — these costs could send me on a twosimply. When chewing involves winter, when the hair on my bony are the nightmares that haunted ful life. My parents were denture week vacation to Tahiti. As of this wearers their entire adult lives. a stabbing pain that sends your shins stood up. Girls wore dresses me until, as a parent, I finally writing, I will either have the ofeyeballs spinning counter-clockin those days. No exceptions, I accepted that when you grow found a family dentist who didn’t fending chopper yanked or I’ll be wise, eating isn’t an option. In up, your teeth soaked in a glass of other than snow pants UNDER terrify me. He had the audacity to in for a root canal a week AFTER fact, eating becomes an absolute fizzy stuff every night. Who knew? the dresses. School was almost retire, but I’ve found a gentle soul Thanksgiving. Thanks for nothing, I don’t recall who arranged my impossibility. I know this to be never canceled, and we braved icy to replace him. introduction to the dental torture sidewalks from Columbus Park In the meantime, while swalSchool on Lovell Street, across chamber on Richard Street; I’m lowing Aleve like jelly beans, I FIRST PERSON Park Avenue and over Beaver assuming an application went made the mistake of watching the home from school and my parents Street with all the enthusiasm of movie “Cast Away,” unprepared for happily jotted my name under the death row prisoners walking the the scene where Tom Hanks pulls Green Mile. When we arrived, we word “free.” Before these trips to out his bad tooth with an ice skate were examined by dental school Hell, my only experience with a blade. MARYANN JACKSON dentist involved visits to a Lincoln freshmen who looked no older I’m pretty sure that just like than our oldest siblings. ApparStreet doctor who extracted bad Hanks’ character, I passed out. One last ride ently we were test dummies. teeth with a lit cigarette dangling How does it end? Perched high upon a red truck Those were the days when kids from his lips. Flowers overflowing went home for lunch. I would The patrol line was made up Leading a one hundred car long procession Correction: The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops concert will be held at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at His brother, sister-in-law, two nephews and a niece Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Tickets are $40 for balcony, $50 for floor. The date and ticket price were incorSqueeze tightly together in their car along the route rect in a story in last week’s Holiday Handbook. It’s as though they can hear Tim’s throated chuckle, See his smiling eyes, feel him tap their arm, And hear him say in his usual amused way “Imagine, this is for me”

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Farewell to a Hero

Slowly the procession leads to the church Overwhelmed and comforted by the people Waiting along the way who may never have known him And yet they pay their last respects Children with flags, men saluting, women crying Upon seeing one lone man in his yard with tears streaming A silence is broken by his niece Who wants the car stopped to give this man a hug Oblivious to her own participation in sorrow Family, friends and firemen gather in the church To bid farewell to a hero One more procession to his final resting place Firemen brothers’ salute with dignity As the red truck proceeds past the fire site An hour ride becomes almost three As each town that is passed through Bids their adieu One last ride for five other men Perched high upon the red truck Each procession greeted with the same farewell. Maryann Jackson lives in Barre.

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WORCESTERIA

Konnie Lukes has nothing to lose BILL SHANER

FLIPPING OUT: Triple-decker (three-deckers for you sickos) values increased 19% this year, from January to October of this year. Year over year, the median price went from $283,000 to $336,750. This according to the Worcester Business Journal. Yet again, we have a crystal clear example of gentrification coming to Worcester. The speculative real estate market is gobbling up triple-deckers to flip them, hopefully to Boston expats who are already used to paying New York prices to live in a fake, boring city. Well, I like my fake, boring city just fine the way it is, thank you very much, and I would very much enjoy the opportunity to continue living here. If we keep heading in this direction without drastically increasing the stock of housing for regular, working people, there is going to be displacement. The Worcester Housing Now initiative from City Hall includes money and loans to rehabilitate triple-deckers currently in disuse, which is great. But the money is being made available to developers, who then can do whatever they like. If you’re a developer, you’re out to make as much money as possible, which means charging the most rent possible, which means pricing these triple-deckers at ludicrous rates because our housing situation is ludicrous and it will work. This Housing Now initiative is going to have the net effect of putting more overly expensive housing on the market. There is one solution to this problem and it starts with rent and ends with control. But embracing that solution would require a state and city government which values its citizens more than the real estate market, so don’t hold your breath.

MR. MAYOR: I have a second job and no I’m not telling you where

WHAT A TREAT: You may have noticed that I interviewed and wrote about Al Southwick this week. The man is an absolute legend and we talked for an hour and I had to leave so, so much on the cutting room floor. The man is truly a legend and deserves a seat at the table when it comes to talking about all-time Worcester icons. From one columnist to another, thanks for the time, Al.

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because Worcester is full of sickos and they don’t need to know where I am ever. But I happened to see Mayor Joe Petty at said second job last week after what I’m sure was a thoroughly tiresome School Committee meeting. We had a nice talk and despite my endless fountain of bad things to say about City Hall, I do like the guy and I am sympathetic to the cat-herding nature of his job. It’s important to see political figures, especially local ones, as real people who can only do so much. Joe is a good guy and we could do a lot worse than him for mayor pulling from this pool of Worcester politicos. That said, for the love of all that is holy, Joe, you better get sex ed done this year — I mean, really, come on man.

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TRANSIT TIME: Konnie Lukes, for the first and only(?) time, is a lame duck city councilor. She truly has nothing left to lose — or win, really — in her long and storied career of being a thorn in the side of city power brokers. Next Monday, she is holding the first meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Service and Transportation in a long, long time. Over a year, at least. Is this a moment to throw one last Hail Mary pass? Put on an order to outright fund a fare-free Worcester Regional Transit Authority? Ensure it goes to City Council so at the very least everyone is forced to explain why they won’t invest in public transit? We don’t know what she’s going to do for two reasons. One, Lukes is a thorough political enigma. Two, there’s no agenda yet (at least as of my writing this on Monday afternoon, my new awful, terrible, and no-good deadline). We don’t know what’s going to happen. Come on, Konnie. Let the hate flow through you. Take the gloves off.

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COVER STORY

The Debts We Owe

VICTOR D. INFANTE

t’s the time of year when winter begins to bare its teeth, and this year, in Worcester, the season’s chill seems deeper and colder than just what the thermometer says. Right now, the city is still grieving the loss of one firefighter, Lt. Jason Menard, even as we approach the 20th anniversary of the devastating Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. fire, which cost the lives of the “Worcester Six”: Paul Brotherton, Thomas Spencer, Timothy Jackson Sr., James Lyons III, Jeremiah Lucey and Joseph McGuirk. In between those tragedies, the city also lost firefighters Jon Davies and Christopher Roy. Each loss is a wound to the city’s heart. We’re moved by their bravery, their willingness to sacrifice their own lives to save others. It’s an uncommon sort of valor, a sort of inarguable heroism. Perhaps it’s inevitable that this time of year, Thanksgiving season, has become synonymous in Worcester with giving thanks to the firefighters who’ve fallen to protect us, and to the ones who still stand ready in our defense. There are other types of heroes, too. People who give of themselves to help others in need. Who reach for the desperate and vulnerable with an open hand, who show compassion to people in need, who are leaders and mentors. People who have gone above and beyond the call

HIV awareness advocates

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of duty to make the world a better place. So while we’re rightly honoring the firefighters whose sacrifices are etched into the city’s collective conscience, here, too, are eight individuals who’ve worked tirelessly on behalf of others. Recommended to us by colleagues and members of the community, much of their work might have gone unnoticed, but then, much like the firefighters, that’s not why they do the work they do. These are people who saw a need, and stepped up to address it. That, too, is an uncommon sense of courage and mission, and in their own ways, each of these people have worked to make the world around them better. They’ve earned our gratitude. It’s the sort of debt we can never quite repay, except, perhaps, by following in their footsteps, and trying harder to build a better world.

Alfredo Noguera and Lamar Brown

Alfredo Noguera (left) and Lamar Brown CHRISTINE PETERSON

an opportunistic infection that has come upon because they weren't virally suppressed.” Although not a curable disease, HIV/AIDS is preventable with the right treatment and medication, which doctors have increasingly

that society typically oppresses, for example, being poor, homeless, LGBTQ+, a person of color or struggling with drug use. “I always tell people that once you live in your truth, that’s the start of activism,” said Brown, whose purple eyeshadow and nails were on point. Noguera and Brown are proud of the work they have done and community they have built. Looking forward, Noguera is driven by possibility. “The possibility that there is some sense of alleviation of stigma within the community,” he elaborated. Also looking to alleviate the stigma, Brown places his energy and hope in “community, relationships, and the next generation.” “I want to leave a whole army,” said Brown. “If it's two, that's great, if it's 20,000, that's awesome, if it's the whole world, I’m over the moon.” – Gari De Ramos

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edge about HIV/AIDS," said Brown, referring to the fear from outbreak of late 20th century. "You think once you get it, you’re going to die." “No one dies from this,” said Noguera. “If they are dying, it's because of an adverse effect or from

perfected. “Stigma is the cause of death for those living with HIV/AIDS,” said Noguera, who has consciously chosen to live openly with his positive diagnosis to help break the stigma around HIV/AIDS. For those living with HIV/AIDS, they experience what Noguera calls "a blanketed sense of guilt." Stigma aside, Noguera does not want people to feel sorry for him. “I thank and understand you for your sorriness, but I'm not trying to focus on my diagnosis,” said Noguera. Instead, “I want to get HIV/AIDS awareness to the level where we don’t need these kinds of interviews.” Brown also highlights that stigma “really does fuel the lack of support for individuals, which lead to discriminatory processes and difficulty fostering community.” Many of the people Noguera and Brown work with are affected not only by their diagnosis, but a whole host of other attributes

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t just age 27 and 26 respectively, Alfredo Noguera and Lamar Brown are already saving and bettering the lives of so many in the Worcester community. Both Noguera and Brown work at AIDS Project Worcester, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the HIV/AIDS community. Noguera, who is HIV+, got involved with APW originally as a client, but then deepened his involvement as a peer specialist and now the housing case manager, where he provides housing advocacy and support for roughly 30 clients — half of whom are homeless. Brown, a queer asylum seeker from Jamaica, originally got involved with HIV/AIDS work through his work in an AIDS hospice in Jamaica, and is now the Community Relations Manager and SWAGLY adult supervisor, where his work aims to destigmatize HIV/AIDS. "There's a lot of residual knowl-

Heroes 2019

COVER STORY

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Breast cancer awareness advocate

r. Joyce McNickles has used her upbringing and education, shaped by her personal experiences, to help other AfricanAmerican women be advocates for themselves when it comes to their health, particularly in the area of breast cancer. A visiting professor of politics and social justice and the coordinator of women’s and gender studies at Regis College, McNickles was previously a professor of human development and human services at Anna Maria College, teaching courses on diversity in the workplace, social inequality, racial equity and social work, multicultural education and sociology. She is the founder of the consulting firm McNickels & Associates, which specializes in various aspects of diversity. “I identify myself as a social justice educator. I’ve dedicated the last 28 years to teaching and training various aspects of inequity,” said McNickles, who was the 2019 recipient of the YWCA Erskine Award for the field of education. “I’ve always been someone who’s curious how people develop their perspectives, how they develop different views on something that seems fairly obvious to me.” McNickles has always been interested in the correlation between institutionalized racism and disparities between whites and African Americans, but one such area that she has been interested

t would have been easy for Frankie Demetri Franco to forever wear the label a high school teacher slapped on him when he didn’t want to read “Romeo and Juliet” freshman year. “Frankie, you know what? You’re a waste of space, you don’t belong here,” she told him. “You’re a waste of space.” The simple statement might have been enough to define the teenage Latino boy, the fifth of six children being raised in the city by his hard-working, upbeat mother, Yvonne Santos. “I internalized that and I was

RICK CINCLAIR

in particularly is health disparity in breast cancer cases. As a result of her own diagnosis of breast cancer, she funneled that information into an educational class for women that has been offered several times already. In 2013, while at the same time advocating for her father, who had been admitted to hospice care for COPD and other health issues, McNickles learned that she was about to battle a cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Joyce McNickles

women can accomplish through her seminars, which focus on different types of breast cancer, risk factors, diagnostic methods, various treatment methods and where to find resources. She developed the curriculum and presented her first seminar later that year at the Belmont AME Zion Church in Worcester. Later, the YWCA Central Massachusetts, which had been working on securing a grant for breast cancer education, asked if she would facilitate sessions using that same program she created. Those two sessions were held earlier this year at the John Street Baptist Church in Worcester. Brenda Jenkins, health and wellness director at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, and the Rev. Gizel Hampton from John Street Baptist helped recruit women to attend the sessions, and Alfee Westgrove coordinated logistics, McNickles said. Next year, she is scheduled to do three breast cancer education sessions. Education is key, she noted, because although white On April 1 of that year, her primary women have higher rates of breast doctor called to tell her that a biop- cancer, African-American women sy revealed she had breast cancer. are more likely to die from the “That was Tuesday. By Friday, I disease. Also, she said, compared had read everything I could read to white women, African-American about breast cancer and specifiwomen have larger tumors, wait cally in African-American women,” longer to follow up on further testshe said. When she later saw the ing after screening, wait longer to oncologist, “I knew she wasn’t start treatment and have poorer used to having someone take prognosis rates. In addition, they such analysis of her own health,” are more prone to a certain type McNickles recalled. called triple-negative breast cancer, That’s what she hopes other which doesn’t respond as well to

Frankie Franco of Appalachian Mountain Club

like, ‘I am that,’” Franco said. “It took a lot for me to break out of that.” But Franco, after being given the chance to take part in Worcester State College’s Upward Bound program and receiving support from a few folks who wanted to see him succeed, decided he was going to be an English teacher; better than the one who didn’t understand him, kinder than she was and more in touch with his students. Later he would decide he wanted to go bigger and have a hand in setting up educational policies. Franco went first to Quin-

sigamond Community College, then to WSU and now he’s part of the graduate program at Clark University where he’s studying Community Development and Planning. He got into the program because the faculty knew he’d take what he learned and use it to benefit his community; at 23 years old, he’d already done so much to change things for young people in Worcester. Franco began working with city youth after watching his younger brother trying to find his place in the world. As a member of 508 Bike Life, his brother found

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

treatment, McNickles said. “That’s why I felt it was important for black women to hear from black women,” McNickles said, adding that she also utilizes educational video clips of African-American oncologists during her seminars. Another portion of the seminar is spent discussing risk factors — both those that are within a person’s control, such as being a woman and your age, and those that are not, like being overweight, smoking and drinking. “There are some people who don’t have any of these risk factors and they develop breast cancer. We talk about the fact you can do your best to minimize your risk, but you can still get breast cancer. I didn’t have any of those factors,” said McNickles, who is now cancer-free. Next, she would like to develop a patient navigator workshop to help people learn how to advocate for themselves when it comes to health care, not just specifically for breast cancer. “When we buy a new car or a laptop or a computer, look at the research we do. Most of us don’t do that when it comes to our own care,” McNickles said, adding that she would like to implore people to “know what you need to know, ask the questions you need to ask, and feel it’s okay to ask.” “Just being told you can demand, you can ask for things, you can be persistent, will go a long way,” she said.

– Stephanie Jarvis Campbell

RICK CINCLAIR

COVER STORY

Eve Lindquist Visitation House

FRANKIE FRANCO

He reached out with his idea to have Bike Life host “ride outs” that the city would allow. He believed the cyclists could “change their narrative,” shake the stereotype that they were trouble and show the city they were trying to do the right thing, that the few bad apples who were riding dangerously weren’t a reflection of the whole group. Franco knew the kids were just trying to claim a spot for themselves because they’d been kicked out of so many spaces. He’s served as liaison for the group. Franco also did an internship at Technocopia, a maker-space in the city where he brought young people to “open hack” nights to learn to make vinyl stickers for

their bikes. They learned new skills and were rewarded with something they could proudly display. He worked at the Latino Education Institute and the Encouraging Latinos to Achieve Excellence program that is in some Worcester schools. Teachers sent “the worst” students to Franco, then marveled at how they acted for him. “They’d say, ‘How do you get them to behave?’” he said, grinning. “I told the teachers, ‘You have to listen to them.’” He saw kids who looked like him getting suspended and disciplined at a higher rate than white kids. He set his sights on making it better. Franco partnered with Worces-

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

a place where he fit in — but the group members are often targeted by police, Franco said, and his brother was arrested, violated his probation and ended up incarcerated. “Youth work found me,” Franco said. “I love my little brother and I know he was just trying to ride his bike, it was the only outlet he had to relieve some stress and build community amongst his friends. I’d seen how he was getting arrested and my mom used to have to call out of work to go to court with him. He was getting charged as a youth 15, 16 years old, I just got tired of it.”

ter’s Earn a Bike program that allowed participants to learn bike maintenance and get a free bike by working in the program. The program also taught bike safety, he said. With an impressive resume, Franco recently got a job with the Appalachian Mountain Club as a youth coordinator leading hikes, canoe trips and lodge stays for kids from Worcester, Boston and Providence. He teaches “hard skills” like cooking and tent setup and acts as a buffer between kids who’ve never hiked and avid outdoorspeople who are generally white. “People perceive the outdoors as white space,” he said. “But the outdoors is a public space for

everybody to enjoy.” So with freshmen year of high school so far back in his mind, Franco wonders what he might say now to the teacher who expected he’d amount to nothing. While he could hold on to the anger, he does what he wants to teach kids in the community to do: he changes the narrative, he flips the script and it’s no longer about him. “I don’t know what she was going through in her life for her to say that,” he said. – Kim Ring

other support to help them land a job and get housing and thrive in the community, Farmer said. Because of Linquist’s strong fiscal leadership, the organization continues to grow. Most funding is donor-based. Under Lindquist, the core donor base has grown from about 1,000 to 3,500. The annual budget has increased from $150,000 to more than half a million dollars. “She built all that,” Farmer said of Lindquist’s dedication and work. From left, House Manager Laurie Cahill, Marketing Manager Deborah “She is really the maven of moms and Ledoux, Executive Director Eve Lindquist along with Karima Green babies. She wants and 3-month-old daughter Kiore Slebo at Visitation House. to make sure they’re ASHLEY GREEN not just cared for now. But, to draw them accountable for their lives,” said a person admired for their outstandon skills while in our care and reap Lindquist, a Syracuse native who has ing achievements or noble qualities. some benefits as mothers and career two adult children and two grand“By that standard, Eve and her women over time.” children. She and her husband, Russ, co-workers are heroes to both the Lindquist said the staff who serve live in Northboro. women they assisted along with their the women and their babies at the babies. She (Lindquist) is also a hero “She really lives and breaths the house are the heroes. She said she to all of us who want to help expectmission of Visitation House,” said is just the messenger who makes ant women in need cherish their Msgr. Michael Rose, pastor at St. sure the public is aware of Visitapregnancy as a gift of new life.” Mary Church in Shrewsbury and tion House and that everything is in a member of the home’s board of good working order. “All we’re doing – Elaine Thompson directors. is empowering women … bringing Bishop Robert J. McManus, via out the best in them and making email, said a hero is often defined as

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

having been raped by a neighbor in East Hartford, Connecticut. “Visitation House helped me build up my confidence so I could get a part-time job and save money and then they helped me get into transitional housing,” Gaudette explained “I didn’t think this would happen.” Gaudette became so close with and appreciative of Lindquist that she asked her to be Nevaeh’s godmother, which Lindquist accepted. She regularly checks on the girl to see how she is doing in school and to see what she would like for her birthday. The mother and daughter attend the monthly Mass at Visitation House four or five times a year. “Every time Nevaeh sees Eve she hugs her,” Gaudette said. Since it opened in 2005, more than 300 women have had their babies at Visitation House. Lindquist, 75, manages the overall operation of the home encompassing all phases of sales, marketing, public relations, fundraising and community networking. Farmer, who has served on the board of directors since 2015, said Lindquist has transformed Visitation House from solely a safe haven for women in a time of crisis and turned it into an educational center where the women are now learning skills and techniques to build healthier lives and to go out and be more empowered in the workforce. They meet with nurses and learn about nutrition and how to be healthy; they take part in career classes, learn how write resumes and learn Microsoft Word and Power Point on site and

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ost people call Evelyn Lindquist “Eve.” But, those who really know and appreciate her also often refer to her in more reverential terms such as “amazing,” “remarkable,” and “the quintessential steward of goodness.” “She’s actually been an unsung hero for all that time,” Christine Farmer, vice chairman of the board of director for Visitation House, said of Lindquist, who since 2007 has been executive director of the nonprofit Catholic safe haven at 119 Endicott St. where women who literally have nowhere else to turn come to have their babies and learn how to have better lives. “She really is amazing. She is the quintessential steward of goodness. She loves these women. She protects them like a mama bear and she cuddles the babies like a grandmother.” Because of all the work she has done to improve the lives of hundreds of women and their newborns and to help Visitation House grow into an even more successful facility that teaches the mothers life skills, Lindquist has been selected as one of Worcester Magazine’s 2019 Hometown Heroes. “Eve would bend over backwards to help anyone. She’d give you the shirt off her back if she felt you needed it,” said Tereasa Gaudette, who had her daughter, Nevaeh, at Visitation House in 2007. By the time Gaudette got to Visitation House from a shelter that did not allow infants, she was two weeks away from delivery, hopeless, and afraid after

COVER STORY

Journalist

he lamented, more online now than at the library. Outside, birds fluttered back and forth from a window bird feeder. Behind them sprawled the Southwick property, which has been in the family near 250 years. It would be hard to be more firmly rooted in a place than Southwick is in Leicester. In June, Southwick will celebrate his 100th birthday, and in fitting with the rest of his life, the moment will benefit Leicester. The Public Library will throw a party for him, at his house, to raise money for renovations. He made sure I worked this plug in here. Southwick keeps up with Worcester news, and he’s got opinCHRISTINE PETERSON ions. Asked if the so-called renaissance is really the pivotal moment some make it out to be, Southwick said “there’s a chance of that.” But he cautioned that City Hall needs to put together a master plan around traffic and transportation in order to realize growth. “Traffic is doomed to be terrible in 10 years,” he said. “Transportation is the number one problem. They don’t realize it yet, but it’s coming.” Southwick has also, of late, written about the general state of things. In a January column, he wrote, “As I survey the world from my lofty perch, I don’t know what is more significant — the deplorable mess that mankind has made invited to the publisher’s office for about Worcester than most people of things or the fabulous possibilialive. He wrote his first columns for ties just around the corner.” Christmas bonus checks. Scientific advancements offer The times have changed, both in the Telegram in 1941, before Pearl Southwick’s chosen profession and Harbor compelled him to serve four the world so much hope, he told in society at large. Through all of it, years in the Navy as a bomber pilot. me, elaborating on the quote, but the situation we find ourselves in, Southwick has been there, chroni- Southwick returned to journalism after the war, first at the Providence with climate change and the uncling the area’s political discourse certainties of technology, we can’t Journal, then at the Telegram in and history by the column inch help but see as dire. Southwick 1952. He served as chief editorial and by the page. The author of writer from 1968 to 1986. Now, he’s sees this, partly, as a symptom of 15 books and a weekly columnist the culture’s move in a solitary and 99, and he still writes for the Telefor the Telegram & Gazette going isolated direction in the decades gram once a week. He’s collected on 60 years, Southwick is likely he’s been around to witness it. some stories over the years, and the most prolific journalist the People are losing their traditional Worcester area has ever produced. he tells them with wit and quick comedic timing. I asked if he’s ever, religion, he said. But he didn’t For journalism, Southwick has bemoan the loss, he simply said it’s been to Israel, Jordan, Taiwan and in his 70 years of column writing, not hacking it anymore. Somecome up dry for a story idea. His Panama. He reported on Abbie thing needs to replace it and the answer was brusque and quickly Hoffman’s successful attempt to empathy and community it at one show a pornographic movie at the delivered. time fostered. “No,” he said. Worcester Public Library — “He “I think there is a need. OtherAl sat facing a window in his was an agitator,” Southwick said, with a knowing grin. He was there kitchen in front of a table covered wise we’re just a bunch of atoms shooting around,” he said. “There’s in hand-written notes, books and for the bitter rivalry between the nothing holding us together.” Telegram and the Evening Gazette, newspapers. At almost 100 years – Bill Shaner old, he is still researching, though, the subterfuge and sabotage that

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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s I arrived at his Leicester home, Al Southwick sat surrounded by newspapers and books, a dim lamp providing light for endless reading and research. Behind him, a bookshelf held books he’s authored among many others. In front of him laid a copy of the day’s Telegram & Gazette, opened to a story about the merger between Gannett and Gatehouse Media, one of the largest exercises in media consolidation ever — a far cry from the world this newspaper man knew, when the Telegram & Gazette was owned by two families and reporters were personally

Al Southwick

went on between two papers supposedly on the same team. He was witness to an alcoholic reporter who tried to hang himself from the pipes in the newsroom rafters, and another who packed up and left for Ohio as soon as he saw the damage caused by the 1953 Worcester tornado. On a recent afternoon, he sat with his hands crossed, pensive and thoughtful as he answered questions. Al does not lay it on thick. He is careful with his responses and quick to let you know when a question does not merit more than a few words. Al has seen — and has certainly researched — more

COVER STORY

In addition to pharmacy, MCPHS offers degrees in dental hygiene, acupuncture, nursing, optometry and more. In total, there are 68 degrees and 108 tracts, according to the president. “We have plenty of room to grow and plenty on the drawing board that I’m not at liberty to say,” Monahan said. What started with the 1999 purchase of the Norwich Street building for $350,000 grew to the

Just in the last five years or so, it’s dramatically changed.” He continued, “More and more people are going downtown and there are restaurants opening up. We never had that before. It used to be you couldn’t buy a cup of coffee on a weekend.” “We’re doing extremely well

there and we’re grateful.” Monahan has served on boards for the Worcester Airport and St. Vincent’s Hospital for 10 years and said that he will stay involved in the community in some capacity. As president emeritus, he hopes to help with fundraising for the college, “without interfering” with

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ownership and re-vamping of 19 buildings in the city used for classrooms, housing and clinics. That $400 million investment has brought 2,000 students to Worcester as well as 350 jobs. “We got in the right time since we opened in Worcester 20 years ago,” Monahan said. He credits the city managers and administrators with making the permitting process easier than it is in Boston. Support from the Worcester Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and collaboration with other local university and college leaders are other pluses. Monahan lives in Boston during the week and said when he comes home to the city, he always notices something new happening. Students love Worcester and appreciate the 900 parking spaces that are available to them, he said. To compare, Boston has 5,000 students and 600 employees but only 150 parking spaces. “So, Worcester is a great place,” Monahan said. “Sidewalk renovations, Main Street renovations and all the housing going up …

daily operations. “First, I have to retire … it hasn’t hit me yet. I have to leave this position in the best shape that I possibly can … Then, I’ll have to get to know my wife (Lenny) again after 58 years of marriage,” he added.

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harles F. Monahan Jr., 80, has often been credited with jump-starting redevelopment in downtown Worcester but he doesn’t entirely see it that way. “I get all the credit and I have a lot of wonderful people working for me … I come up with the ideas and they do the work,” he noted in a recent phone interview. Monahan will be retiring from his position as president of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in January after 23 years. His early memories of the city date back to growing up on Vernon Hill and working as a soda jerk “behind the fountain” at Leavitt Drug during his grammar school years. Following graduation in 1962 from the thenMassachusetts College of Pharmacy, Monahan launched a 35-year career in pharmacy and business. He stayed involved with the school as a trustee for 18 years, with the last six as chairman of the board. He looks at his role in Worcester’s revitalization efforts this way: “We’re not in the redevelopment business,” Monahan noted. “We’re in the business of education.” He pointed out that MCPHS has been in Boston for 200 years and is the second oldest school of pharmacy in the United States. With only two acres of land and 5,000 students in the high-rent district in the Longwood medical area, expansion was imperative. Worcester was an obvious option, he said, adding that he lives five minutes from the school. A major factor in choosing the location was its proximity to several hospitals and other medical facilities. “It was the perfect place for health sciences,” he said, “because our students have to have a clinical education. We lucked out.” The college has to locate 10,000 placements annually for its three campuses. In addition to Boston and Worcester, there’s a satellite campus in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Charles F. Monahan Jr. of MCPHS

COVER STORY

Dr. Satya B. Mitra of JoyGuru Humanitarian Services

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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n this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes and Dr. Satya B. Mitra. Mitra is many things to many people. Professionally, he is the president and CEO of The Guru Tax & Financial Services, Inc. He’s also a motivational speaker, a radio personality known for “Tax Talk & Planning” and “It Is Not Only Money,” and author of “The 5 C’s: Common Sense Tips For Bringing Uncommon Success To Entrepreneurs And Leaders.” And he’s a community leader, serving as president, corporate and member on more high-profile boards than you can shake a twoby-four at. Most importantly, Mitra is a husband, father, proud citizen of the United States and friend to the community, who rigorously seeks to help the needy and underprivileged who live in his community of Worcester; the land of his upbringing, India; and beyond.

high-rise office overlooking the Heart of the Commonwealth. And, while others in his condition would like to forget, Mitra embraces his real-life rags to riches story and has used that as his “divine” inspiration to give back. Despite being very poor, Mitra did earn a Ph.D in biochemistry in India and, in 1976, came to the United States to complete his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Louisville School of Medicine (and would later become a professor in the university’s obstetrics and gynecology department). In 1982, Mitra moved to Worcester to be a scientist at the EG&G Mason Research Institute. “In Kentucky to New England, there’s a big difference culturally,” Mitra said. “Everybody (in New England) wants to make money. They’re enticing me, ‘Let’s buy three-deckers. Let’s invest in stock,’” Mitra said. “I had no clues about those things. I was a pure scientist.” Taking evening courses at Worcester State College, Mitra quickly found out that he had a knack for tax consulting, wealth management and financial planning. In 1989, Mitra passed the IRS’ Special Enrollment Examination and got his license to become a tax consultant and financial planner. A year later, he opened a small tax practice in the basement of his Worcester home and came up with the perfect name, The Guru Tax & Financial Services, Inc. “We have a family priest, Guru. I went to his temple in India and I sought out his blessing,” Mitra said. “He (Guru) said, ‘OK, you can use my name provided that you use the success of this business to help the community.” Mitra agreed.

CHRISTINE PETERSON

Pretty good for someone who came to our country with only $6 in his pocket. From growing up in extreme poverty in his native India to being inducted into the Worcester

Business Journal Hall of Fame this past April, Mitra has had his share of hardships and heartaches, even long periods of homelessness, before establishing himself as a successful entrepreneur in a swanky

In 1994, Mitra’s guru (the late Sri Sri Mohanananda Maharajii) visited Worcester and told Mitra to quit his science career altogether and do finance and taxes full-time. “We couldn’t say no to him. He was like God to us,” Mitra said. “My guru must have seen something. If he’s throwing me in a ditch, maybe, there is gold. So I jumped.” Twenty-five years after making that leap of faith, The Guru Tax & Financial Services, Inc. has close to 400 clients in 26 states and from around the world. In 2016, Mitra and his wife, Sheema, founded JoyGuru Humanitarian Services, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and serving the disadvantaged and underprivileged in the community. “When you do well, don’t forget this community,” Mitra said. “Don’t forget that there are needs here also. And try to see that you give back.” In three years, JoyGuru Humanitarian Services, Inc. has provided hot lunches for the homeless, donated to the Audio Journal and the Worcester Public Library’s Talking Library, provided free self-defense classes for women and girls, purchased more than 1,000 uniforms for financially challenged Worcester Public Schools students, made donations to purchase school supplies for children of African refugees, established a scholarship fund at Worcester State University, provided turkeys for Christmas to underprivileged students, donated to purchase winter coats, sponsored a cataract surgery eye-camp in India, contributed to the Worcester Public Schools’ vaccination program and to Veterans Inc. and much more. Mitra says his “ultimate goal” is to have a permanent home for the JoyGuru National Humanitarian Center in Worcester. “We’re trying to raise $1 million in funds and have the center,” Mitra said. “I would like to see if we could do something for them so that they would not totally be dependent on us but will give them the start and then give them the education so they can go and learn something also and be on their own and feel proud.” – Craig S. Semon

CITY LIFE If you are an artist, or know of a local artist, email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com. Fair warning, in order to publish your work, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to provide a small bio and high resolution digital copies of some of your art. We reserve the right to choose what will run, based on resolution and what will reproduce best on newsprint.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

N O V. 28 - D E C . 4, 2 0 1 9 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Brian Guagnini was born in New Jersey, raised in Westborough, and presently resides in Shrewsbury. Following college, he worked as a freelance illustrator and professional graphic designer for several companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, including Salem Sportswear. His influences are anything cartoonish - the Flintstones, Jetsons, Archie comics ... even local hero Dave Granlund was a massive influence on him as a kid. Medium is strictly hand-drawn illustration which he scans and colors electronically. Guagnini loves creating something that makes people smile, and hopes to expand his portfolio with new projects.

CITY LIFE

LIFESTYLE

Make way for e-girls SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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few weeks back, I wrote about VSCO girls — the environmentalist brand ambassadors of Generation Z who took over the internet, effective summer 2019. The piece made for maximum mom engagement while earning subsequent eyerolls from all of the teens in my life. Their message was clear: If the Millennials have caught on, it’s already too late. And, don’t even get them started on Boomers. Assuming that VSCO girls had you confused, e-girls and soft-girls will flummox you even further. As one might expect, e-girl is short for “electronic.” Generally, all three personas live on the internet, leaving only vague traces behind IRL. The average Tik Tok user’s phone doubles as a professional camera. Couple that with a slew of sophisticated editing apps and who could begrudge the teens a photo shoot? They are not so much

aligning themselves with one of the aforementioned personas as they are playing dress up. On a spectrum of Hello Kitty to Wednesday Addams, the ranking spans from soft-girl to e-girl with the VSCO girl landing squarely in the middle. If you too are an avid internet dweller, there are some telltale characteristics to look out for to help you distinguish who is who. As previously reported in this column, VSCO girls seek out Hydro Flasks, dewy face sprays, scrunchies, Carmex lip balm, stickers, Vans, puka shells, friendship

LISTEN UP

Garden City comes in from the cold on new EP VICTOR D. INFANTE

a long way toward explaining why a cold listen to the EP seems nice but he eponymous EP just released unremarkable, but further listens become more and more involving. on Bandcamp by Worcester When Lawler sings “I know it hasn’t band Garden City is an unassuming little affair. It’s only five rained here in years/the sky opens up songs, none of which are particularly and something disappears,” it’s easy for the wistfulness behind the lyric flashy. They are, however, beautifully to go unnoticed. It is, literally, the executed, with the signature clarity sound of small, sharp, unvoiced pain. of Roger Lavallee at Wachusett ReLikewise, “Casualty” slow burns with cording Studio’s production. At first ache, even when the music swells to glance, it seems lovely but straightforward, but further listening reveals a crescendo, falling quickly to gentle drops of guitar notes. emotional layers that smolder like On the album’s penultimate song, embers after a fire. Garden City — which will perform “Cold Front,” a lot of the emotional threads coalesces into a sad but at 9 p.m. Nov. 29 at Vincent’s in Worcester — comprises vocalist Kaity Lawler, lead guitarist Harrison Sycks, rhythm guitarist Ben Gitkind, bassist Matt Gitkind and drummer Greg Shannon. What’s remarkable in the album is how the band is able to move quickly between a full, thick sound to something that’s almost ephemerally spare, musical pivots which create an emotional shift in the song. unflinching rejection. “There’s a cold front coming and it’s pressing at your That’s important, because it’s the door/I don’t need you anymore/ principal effect that drives the EP, there’s a couple things/we’re leaving this creation of both a sudden sense before the storm.” Later, she sings, of loss and the recognition of a long “Never gonna make it back that way absence. again/there’s no car to crash, no table On the album’s opener, for example, the guitar feels more palpable to upend.” This song isn’t about fire than the rest of the instrumentation, and passion, it’s about accepting realand as the song escalates, the tension ity: And the reality here is a finished story. Or is it? The album ends with brings a frenetic quality to Lawler’s the blues-groove-laden “When the bluesy vocals. When it all crumbles at the end, there’s a feeling that some- Weather Turns.” The landscape of the song is stormy and rain-drenched, thing is missing, and that it’s been missing for a while. What makes this and everything is different: “We knew we had it coming/the way our bodies unusual, thematically, is that most hurt/the way our love burned/when of the sense of loss and absence that the weather turned.” Everything cuts across this album is tempered changes, and Garden City here capby a strange sense of acceptance, tures those moments of change with which gives it an emotional resoa light hand that makes everything nance, and gives it some distance. feel vivid. In a lot of ways, that distance goes

T Above, the soft girl aesthetic calls for pastels, faux fur, hair barrettes, glossy makeup and lollipops. Below, the e-girl aesthetic includes Doc Martens, winged eyeliner, choker necklaces and graphic tees like the one here, designed by Kevin La. E-girls are heavily influenced by video game and anime culture. PHOTOS/SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

bracelets, metal straws, oversized T-shirts, Birkenstock sandals, Fjällräven backpacks, and Polaroid cameras. A VSCO girl loves both the environment and gas-guzzling Jeep Wranglers with equal fervor. E-girls prefer heavy winged eyeliner, pink blush, pierced septums, band shirts, cargo pants, tiny sunglasses, dye jobs, Doc Martens, pigtails, Dragon Ball Z, and video games. They stick out their tongues in photos and draw tiny black hearts on their upper cheeks like teardrop tattoos. Soft-girls play the least severe role. They love barrettes, pastels, furry little purses, glossy makeup,

lollipops, and crop tops that say things like “angel” and “princess.” They are artsy and do not shy away from displaying their emotions. Don’t be fooled. This is not a parade of Breakfast Club paradigms; there’s something awfully feminist at work. The modern teenage girl gives herself permission to exercise creativity and be whoever she wants whenever she wants to be her. Expectations be damned. Gloria Steinem said, “Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That’s their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood.” I say, stick together. Young women have been discouraged from exploring their personal identities for far too long in favor of antiquated expectations. Endure no shame. Let yourself feel like an e-girl one day and a VSCO girl the next. Take the Tik Tok stage. All of us olds will soon learn to applaud Generation Z for supporting one another’s self exploration with unprecedented openness.

CITY LIFE

TABLE HOPPIN’

Bill Brady set to open new spot in Leominster BARBARA M. HOULE

room to a private fundraiser for the ER at Health Alliance Hospital Leominster Campus. Brady said the event raised an estimated $30,000, beyond its goal. “Our staff was in sync all the way, and I am very proud of how everything turned out,” he said.

setts Restaurant Association named Brady Chef of the Year in 2012. A member of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, he has served on its board of directors. He’s also a member of Les Amis Escoffier Society and the Chaine des Rotisseurs, considered the oldest and largest food and wine society in the world. Brady earned his bachelor’s degree in food service management and an associate of science degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Providence and is a Massachusetts certified Vocational Instructor in Culinary Arts. He taught culinary arts at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, and was a chef/instructor at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester. About opening his new restaurant, Brady said, “When I think about it, I’ve come full circle in my hometown. Through the years, I’ve built great relationships in the industry and with local farmers, cheese mongers and food producers. I’m opening a restaurant that I consider to be all encompassing and inclusive. And, I get to work with my wife, Kim, again. “Life is good.”

Hangover Pub and Thanksgiving

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Five Worcester families received Thanksgiving dinners, complements of executive chef/owner Michael Arrastia of the Hangover Pub in Worcester and Kapa Food Supply, a wholesale business in Webster. Arrastia proposed the idea for a Thanksgiving raffle at Jeremiah’s Inn in Worcester. Participants in the nonprofit’s food pantry were invited to enter their names in the raffle to win the holiday dinners, according to Alyssa Dancause, communications coordinator. “It was a very generous donation,” said Dancause. A live drawing of the winners took place Nov. 22 at The Hangover Pub, with Arrastia and Dancause participating. Visit www.facebook.com/ jeremiahsinninc to view a video. Kapa Food Supply donated turkeys and potatoes that were included in traditional Thanksgiving meals that Arrastia and his staff prepared and packaged for the five families. The chef said each meal would feed four to five people and maybe more.

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gluten-free options. All the pasta is made on premise. Get ready to be blown away by xecutive chef/restaurateur how the dessert menu is presented. William (Bill) Brady is My lips are sealed on that one! expected to open his new resShane Frechette is general taurant, Brady’s in Leominmanager at Brady’s; Aprille Nason, ster, early next month. assistant GM. Chef/owner Christina The word from Brady this week Ernst of the former Ristorante Via Alto in Clinton is restaurant consultant. Brady said James Quill would coordinate the kitchen line until spring when he reopens his seasonal food business in New Hampshire. The official opening date of the restaurant will be announced on social media, according to the owners. Brady’s will open for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sundays. Special functions and holiday parties are accommodated. Parking is available in a municipal lot across the street from the side entrance of the restaurant. There is additional on-street parking in front and in a small lot across the street from the entrance. Brady also has bought two other nearby lots. Brady’s offers a nice selection of wines that appeal to various price points and tastes. Private wine lockers with owners’ names are available for storing a favorite wine or whiskey Owner Bill Brady holds an antique printed photo of Leominster, in the new bar area to enjoy with your meal. And, of course, there are cocktail menus and of Brady’s. specialty drinks. CHRISTINE PETERSON A “selfie” station located inside near the restaurant’s side entrance is where you get the perfect shot. Brady’s is all about chef-inspired with a showroom on the first floor is that the official opening will defiAnd, there’s the safe. Brady said cuisine prepared in a scratch kitchen. nitely be in “a week or so,” explaining and manufacturing on the second the Plymouth Furniture Company The modern-style dining area has level. As time moved on, Leominthat he doesn’t want to rush into left three safes on the property with a granite bar that seats 20. Brady is things just to say he’s open. “We want ster’s Post Office, a bowling alley “nothing in them.” One safe, however, especially proud of the restaurant to work out any kinks before we wel- and pool hall moved into the buildcome the general public,” said Brady. ing, according to Brady. The pub, J.C. furniture as he opted for handcrafted remains in the restaurant and Brady has the combination. “I want to have tables made with wood from the Fenwicks, became an occupant in The December opening is great a little fun with it and I’m thinking “old” Leominster High School. the ‘60s and the pub sign still hung news for foodies and wine aficionathe safe would be great to use at a Black and white vintage photos dos who have followed Brady’s career from the building when Brady first gender reveal party or baby shower,” in the restaurant depict the city of signed his lease. and awaited his new digs. Brady said Brady. “The safe door opens and Leominster, buildings and people. “There’s so much history here,” has been a key player on the local everyone is wowed!” The function room is very welsaid Brady about the building. “At restaurant scene, having opened Brady said by coincidence he hapcoming with warm décor, granite bar one time there was even a hardware Sonoma in Princeton in 1996 with pens to have an older brother named and fireplace. Brady said the room store and a café that sold 99 cents his wife, Kim Brady. The awardTom Brady and if the building numcould be used to accommodate an spaghetti.” winning Sonoma was relocated to ber ever changed at the restaurant’s overflow of dining guests. Brady’s is an undeniable labor of the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester side entrance it would become #12. As for the menu, Brady’s offers in 2017. After fulfilling his contract at love for Bill and Kim Brady, who both Bill and Kim Brady both are from something for everyone, even ostrich the Beechwood at the end of August, know they will be putting in long Leominster. They have two adult crostini. The bar menu has appetizhours at the restaurant, especially Brady sold the Sonoma name to children, a daughter and son. ers that range from $7 to a quarterduring dinner service. As executive Beechwood’s owners Dr. Charles Chef Brady has garnered both lopound house-ground burger on an Birbara and his wife, Janet Birbara. chef, Brady will work the line with cal and national recognition, includEnglish muffin, $9.99. Entrees and the kitchen crew; Kim Brady will For the last month or so, Brady shareables run from $9 to $40 (bone- ing the prestigious DiRoNa Award host. has spent most of his waking hours (Distinguished Restaurants of in filet mignon). The menus are very Earlier this month the owners at his new restaurant, planning approachable, with half portions and North America). The Massachuopened the restaurant’s function menus, hiring staff, lining up wholesalers and working with real estate developer Peter Bovenzi, owner of the property at 37 Mechanic St., where Brady’s is housed on the first floor. The historic three-story building originally was home to the Plymouth Furniture Store in the 1800s,

CITY LIFE

QUALITY CONTROL

Bloody Marys SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

hould you find yourself in an unfamiliar timezone, the Bloody Mary is at the top of a short list of socially acceptable libations you can enjoy before noon. It is the quintessential airport cocktail. Science agrees; the high decibel levels on an airplane mute sweet flavors and heighten savory ones, thereby rendering the Bloody Mary an ideal selection at 30,000 feet. But, you don’t have to be a world traveler to experience umami in a glass. Bloody Marys are a staple of brunch culture right here in Worcester. The Bloody Mary is a bonafide corpse reviver, belonging to a family of cocktails that intend to breathe new life and dignity into the most hungover among us. Local brunch spots such as Armsby Abbey, deadhorse hill and VIA Italian Table all have their own takes on this hairof-the-dog classic. Deadhorse hill co-owner and beverage director Sean Woods likened one’s Bloody Mary proclivities to a Starbucks order. “It’s a very personal kind of thing,” he explained. “I prefer bright fresh flavors like lemon, celery,

tomato, and just a little bit of alcohol vapor. I think that's really pleasant.” There are four things to consider when pursuing a Bloody Mary: 1. Base Spirit Woods prefers to keep things simple. “I've had some really good ‘craft’ Bloody Marys with unique base spirits that surprised me, but in retrospect, those are never the ones that I crave,” he said. He’s a vodka purist. deadhorse’s bloodies are made with St. George green chile vodka. Joy Flanagan introduced the city’s first customizable bloody Mary bar at Armsby Abbey more than a decade ago. Today, she works as a brand ambassador for MS Walker Imports. Flanagan may have stepped out from behind the bar at Armsby Abbey, but her brand Pelton de la Muerte Mezcal has become a popular Bloody Mary pick in her stead. Other options at Armsby Abbey range from garlic-infused Tito’s to Hanson Organic cucumber vodka, jalapeño plata tequila, and even a bacon-infused Four Roses bourbon. 2. Mix Russell Reynolds of Origin Beverage

Sales has one hard and fast rule for Bloody Marys: “I should be able to finish the whole thing with no utensils other than a straw.” Flanagan agrees, though she appreciates high viscosity for an optimal mix. Woods adds that the mix should never taste like cocktail sauce, tomato soup, or ketchup. He likes his bloody mix to have a balance of tomato juice, horseradish, lemon, and a healthy dose of glutamates (ie: Worcestershire sauce.) When pressed for a passable premade mix, Flanagan recommends 12-ounce cans of Cutwater Spirits while Woods favors Clamato and Motts. 3. Garnish The Bloody Mary garnish has become a topic of much debate. “Don't get me wrong, a cheeseburger is great, but I think the actual beverage itself needs to be stellar,” said Woods. “If you have something that tastes good on its own, you’ll find yourself asking, 'Does it really need a lobster tail nailed to chicken wing, baked inside of a cheeseburger?” Reynolds agreed, adding, “The

Deadhorse hill’s Bloody Mary has a rim of dehydrated pulverized crab, kosher salt, and Old Bay seasoning. SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

Bloody Mary garnish game has become a parody.” Flanagan enjoys pickled garnishes and a smoked salt rim, while Woods opts for a classic celery stalk, parsley, and Castelvetrano olives. He also salts the rim of his bloodies, combining dehydrated pulverized crab, kosher salt and Old Bay seasoning. 4. Ice Great ice cubes are surprisingly important in a Bloody Mary. Bloodies are rolled, not shaken, in order

to create aeration and slow dilution. Flanagan recommends a long pour to preserve the mix’s rich thickness and avoid making it frothy. Cocktail lore suggests that the Bloody Mary originated at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, which opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1911. Call it an age-old tradition. Whether you’re braving a red eye or an awkward family gathering, you can trust in Bloody Mary to help you seize your Turkey Day.

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Refusing to settle for wine on Thanksgiving Local beer experts share what they’re drinking on Turkey Day MATTHEW TOTA

round my family’s Thanksgiving table, you’ll always find more glasses filled with red wine than

beer. I’d like to tell you that I am the outlier, the lone place setting with a pint glass. But no — I too opt for wine. Every year I struggle to pick a beer to pour with dinner. I’ll blissfully and blindly drink with the appetizers. Then comes the bird, and crippling indecision over choosing just one to pair with it. Inevitably, I punt. Not this year: I am more prepared than ever, having asked some of the best minds in Massachusetts craft beer what they plan to drink on Turkey Day. The hope is to have a few general styles or specific beers in my head before the meal.

Because this Thanksgiving, I refuse to settle with wine. Melynda and J.P. Gallagher, cofounders of Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co. in Marlboro: Before Thanksgiving dinner, the Gallaghers expect to open a local pilsner or pale ale, something light that, along with the hors d’oeuvres, won’t fill them up. For the main course, they’ll turn to a heavier option, if only slightly. “Turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes — for a beer that pairs perfectly with all those savory flavors, we reach for our Downtown John Brown Ale,” said Melynda Gallagher. “Brown ales have a nice malt presence that complements a wide variety of dishes without being too heavy in body or alcohol making it the perfect match for that Thanksgiving smorgasbord.” After dinner, they planned for a

liquid dessert: Their own version of a black and tan made with Lost Shoe’s Eastwitch Pumpkin Ale and its New Pair of Brews Coffee Stout. Meredith Winnett, brewer at Worcester’s Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co.: Winnett wants to show off a bit this Thanksgiving, so she’s bringing her own beer to dinner, lagers, ales and stouts she personally sweated over in Greater Good’s brew house. She’ll guzzle a lighter brew with the turkey: the Oktoberfest from Greater Good’s sister brewery, Soul Purpose. “Conveniently, its medium body is perfect for washing down all that stuffing,” Winnett said. “It’s crisp and clean enough that it won’t steal the turkey’s spotlight, but the floral hoppy notes will complement the sage and thyme used throughout the dinner.”

Moving to dessert, she expects to crack open Greater Good’s 2019 bourbon barrel-aged Good Night Moon, a rich milk stout. With notes of coffee and chocolate, the stout will pair nicely with her husband’s homemade pumpkin pie. That combo, she said, will likely knock her out. A quick nap, then it’s on to a second dessert: apple pie with Greater Good’s MerryBerries, a sour ale with blueberries and cranberries, or Helena, its German altbier with cherries. Father Isaac Keeley, director of Spencer Brewery: Normally, Father Keeley and his fellow monks only have a beer with supper on Sundays. On Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, however, they bend the rules slightly, enjoying beer at noon with appetizers. Most years, they roll out a barrelaged ale, with Father Keeley passing

3-ounce samples around the table. This year, it will be Spencer Brewery’s sherry barrel-aged Trappist Holiday Ale. “It was aged for about a year in the barrels, then it aged for another year in the bottles, so it’s mature,” Keeley said of the Belgian strong dark ale. “It has a little bit of cardamom, cinnamon and coriander, with orange peel. The idea with the spice, though, is less is more.” Scott Metzger, general manager of Wormtown Brewery: Metzger employs an impressive degree of strategy when selecting beers on Thanksgiving. “Given the length of the day, the number of trips for another plate or slice of pie, and the ebbs and flows of the football games, I’ll have our Mass Whole Lager handy for my all-day beer,” he explained. “Easy drinking,

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TA B L E H O P P I N’

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Everyone involved was happy to help, he said. A holiday for giving thanks!

Chain of Lights dinner

The First Congregational Church of Sutton will host the annual “Lake Ripple Roast Beef Holiday Dinner” as part of the Sutton Chain of Lights Celebration. The dinner is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the church, 307 Boston Road, Sutton. Cost: $13 per person for adults; $6, children ages 6 to 12; children, 5 and under are admitted free. For tickets, call (508) 865-6914. The menu includes roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, butternut

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low ABV and not filling, (it’s) the perfect steady-as-she-goes beer.” For the main course Metzger’s formula calls for tartness and acidity

squash, green beans, carrots, rolls and butter, ice cream with chocolate sauce and beverages (coffee, milk, apple cider and water). The Tree Lighting on the Common will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The Sutton Chain of Lights is a townwide celebration welcoming the Christmas and holiday season. It features free trolley rides to all participating business locations. Festivities include hayrides, children’s activities, food, shopping and more. Visit suttonchainoflights.com for complete information. Happy Thanksgiving! If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. every brewery in the state, from construction to canning. By their count, Massachusetts is now home to 200. Having visited most of them, they know they have options going into their Thanksgiving dinners. On top

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FILE PHOTO/RICK CINCLAIR

of their list is a grab bag of beer from Tree House Brewing Co. and Trillium Brewing Co. “In addition to treats from Tree House and Trillium,” Vandenabeele said, “we usually bring something seasonal along from our favorite hometown breweries: Jack’s Abby and Exhibit ‘A’ for Bob and Cambridge Brewing Company and Lamplighter Brewing for (me).” C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 23

to cut through the turkey and heavy sides. He’ll be pouring Allagash Brewing Company’s American wild ale Pick Your Own, a sour red ale aged in wine barrels for a year, then imbued with raspberries, cherries, strawberries, and blueberries. Rob Vandenabeele and Bob Kelley, co-founders of the craft beer blog Mass Brew Bros: As founders of the beer blog Mass Brew Bros, Vandenabeele and Kelley have made it their mission to track

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Scott and Jackie Cullen of River Styx Brewing will opt for their imperial stout, Cronus Lord of Time, for dessert.

CITY LIFE

FILM

‘The Irishman’ and other reasons to be thankful JIM KEOGH

ere we are again, doing that thing we do: stuffing our faces and counting our blessings. On this Thanksgiving, I’m grateful … That “The Irishman” is finally streaming on Netflix. My god, have more words ever been spilled about a movie prior to its release? I get it: “The Irishman” is a Martin Scorsesedirected mob movie — an event unto itself — and has monopolized the debate about whether streaming services should screen major firstrun movies. The argument is not getting resolved today. Just gimme De Niro and Pacino and get out of the way. That Martin Scorsese wrote a New York Times op-ed expanding on his controversial remarks about Marvel movies (Recap: He ain’t a fan). Agree or disagree with him, at least Scorsese didn’t offer the standard “I was misquoted” dodge. Instead, he doubled down. That I caught a showing of “It’s a

Wonderful Life” in November, freeing me from my annual obligation of watching it in December. I’ve seen this movie so many times, I now watch it mostly for the petty absurdities — for instance, Jimmy Stewart sweating like a Lucha libre wrestler in several wintry scenes because “It’s a Wonderful Life” was actually filmed during a California heat wave. That I have this space to issue this order: Go see “Parasite.” The film from Bong Joon Ho (“Snowpiercer”) is a funny and poignant story about members of a poor Korean clan insinuating themselves into the lives of a wealthy family. It’s class warfare conducted stealth-style with an ending that’s, well, bonkers barely does it justice. “Parasite” is the best movie I’ve seen this year. That audiences will not be shamed into supporting movies they don’t care about. You may have read that writer-director-actor Elizabeth Banks is angry her reboot of “Charlie’s Angels” has tanked, so she’s gone into full “men hate action movies starring women” attack mode. Hmm.

Let’s do some alternative calculus here. “Charlie’s Angels” is a reboot of a reboot of a popular 1970s TV show. The 2000 version of “Charlie’s Angels” featured established stars Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu and earned $264 million worldwide (men and women seemed OK with that one). Banks’ titular trio features only one recognizable star, Kristen Stewart, who, since the “Twilight” movies ended seven years ago, has devoted her career to independent films — the kind little seen by the “Charlie’s Angels” target audience. This one was dead in the water before the cameras even started rolling. That while I am late to the party, I haven’t missed it. I’m a huge, if recent, fan of podcasts, and I find myself accessing brilliance through my car speakers every time I hit the ignition. I’m now finding excuses to extend errands so I get more time with Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History” or the amazing “Crimetown,” which launched a few years ago with a dissection of Providence’s colorful, if ugly, evolution under

Joe Pesci, left, and Robert De Niro appear in “The Irishman.” NETFLIX

the Patriarca crime family and the ineffable Mayor Buddy Cianci. For laughs, my go-to is “How Did This Get Made?” a hilarious takedown of terrible movies. I’m always open to podcast suggestions. Let me know what’s worth listening to on a long drive. That I don’t have my biannual teeth cleaning scheduled until after

the holidays. My dentist pipes in only one radio station, and it’s already playing Christmas music 24-7. It’s bad enough my cleaning is a bloodbath (my fault: I’m a lazy flosser), but while I’m spitting out shredded gum tissue I don’t also need Gene Autry serenading me with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

“Downton Abbey” — The Crawleys and their staff prepare for a royal visit in this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series. (2:02) PG. “Ford v Ferrari” — Matt Damon is American car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale is British racer Ken Miles in this fact-based drama about the duo’s efforts to challenge Italian automotive legend Enzo Ferrari. (2:32) PG-13. “Frozen II” — Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven join Elsa as she searches for the truth behind her powers in this sequel to the blockbuster 2013 animated musical. With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel. (1:43) PG. “The Good Liar” — Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren square off as an elegant if elderly grifter and his notso-easy mark in this suspense thriller. (1:49) R. “Harriet” — Cynthia Erivo portrays Harriet Tubman, the 19th century African American woman who escaped from slavery and then led hundreds of others to freedom. (2:05) PG-13. “Hustlers” — Former strip club workers plan to take down a group of Wall Street players. With Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke

Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Mercedes Ruehl, Lizzo, Cardi B. (1:50) R. “The Irishman” — Its possibly true story of the life and crimes of a Mafia hit man, starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci, is a revelation, as intoxicating a film as the year has seen. R. “It Chapter Two” — It’s 27 years later and the evil returns to Derry, Maine. James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Andy Bean, Bill Skarsgard. R. “Jojo Rabbit” — A young boy in Nazi Germany discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic in writer-director Taika Waititi’s satirical fable. With Scarlett Johansson, Thomasin McKenzie, Waititi. (1:48) PG-13. “Joker” — Joaquin Phoenix takes on the role of Gotham’s notorious mad clown in this standalone character study/origin story. With Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Marc Maron, Shea Whigham. (2:02) R. “Judy” — Renée Zellweger portrays Judy Garland during the legendary entertainer’s run of sold-out stage shows in 1968 London. (1:58) NR.

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FILM CAPSULES “21 Bridges” — “Black Panther’s” Chadwick Boseman plays an NYPD detective leading a manhunt for a pair of cop killers. With Sienna Miller, Stephan James, Keith David, Taylor Kitsch, J.K. Simmons. (1:39) R. “Abominable” — Three friends try to reunite a young Yeti with his family in the Himalayas in this animated adventure. With the voices of Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson. (1:32) PG-13. “The Addams Family” — Cartoonist Charles Addams’ creepy, kooky clan returns to the big screen in animated form. Voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard. (1:45) PG. “Arctic Dogs” — An Arctic fox who dreams of becoming a canine courier uncovers a villainous walrus’ dastardly plot in this animated tale. With the voices of Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, James Franco, Alec Baldwin, John Cleese, Anjelica Huston. (1:33) PG. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Tom Hanks slips on the friendly cardigan of children’s TV show host Fred Rogers to dispense lessons in kindness to Matthew Rhys’

Christian Bale (left) and Matt Damon star in “Ford v Ferrari.” jaded journalist. (1:48) PG. “Charlie’s Angels” — Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska are the titular trio in writerdirector-co-star Elizabeth Banks’ reboot of the action franchise based on the 1970s TV series. (1:59) PG-13. “Countdown” — A mysterious phone app claims to predict the

moment a person will die. With Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway. (1:30) PG-13. “Doctor Sleep” — Forty years after the events of “The Shining,” the nowgrown Danny Torrance joins forces with a similarly gifted teen to battle dark forces. With Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson.

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Scott and Jackie Cullen, cofounders of River Styx Brewing in Fitchburg: The Cullens spend Thanksgiving with Scott’s aunt and uncle in Ashby. The menu includes clam chowder, turkey cooked slowly in a Kamado grill and an array of pies. To drink with the chowder, they picked River Styx’s double IPA, Typhon Father Of All Monsters, a hoppy, hazy ale. “Why not pair a New England clam chowder with a New England style double IPA?” said Jackie Cullen. A juicy New England IPA won’t do for the turkey, though. They’ll reach for Anteros, River Styx’s raspberry tart ale, she said, “to counterbalance the rich and sumptuous main course.” Dessert calls for slices of pie with their imperial stout: Cronus God of Time, a dessert in a bottle, with

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lonely private eye with Tourette’s syndrome tracking his mentor’s killer in 1950s New York. (2:24) R. “Parasite” — Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes, Bong Joon Ho’s deviously entertaining thriller about two very different families. (J.C.) R. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” — A young man with Down syndrome chases his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. With Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson. (1:33) PG13. “Playing With Fire” — Firefighters find their lives turned upside down when they rescue three siblings but can’t find the kids’ parents. “Terminator: Dark Fate” — Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger are baack in the latest chapter of the time-bending cyborg franchise. With Mackenzie Davis, Natalia Reyes, Gabriel Luna, Diego Boneta. (2:08) R. “Zombieland: Double Tap” — Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Emma Stone reunite to dispatch even more of the undead in this sequel to the 2009 horror comedy. (1:33) R.

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“Last Christmas” — In a holiday romantic comedy inspired by the music of George Michael, a young Londoner meets a guy who seems too good to be true. With Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Emma Thompson. “The Lion King” — The young Simba has a series of adventures on the way to claiming his birthright in this computer-animated remake of the 1994 animated Disney musical. (1:58) PG. “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” — Angelina Jolie reprises her role as the Disney villainess in this sequel to the 2014 fantasy tale. With Elle Fanning, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville, Michelle Pfeiffer. (1:58) PG. “Midway” — The story of the critical World War II Pacific Theater battle between the American fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy in June 1942. “Motherless Brooklyn” — Writerdirector Edward Norton stars as a

intense flavors of coffee, cinnamon, vanilla bean and maple syrup. Greg Carlson, co-founder and head brewer at Worcester’s Redemption Rock Brewing Co.: Carlson’s rule of thumb when choosing Thanksgiving beers is favor the light and the sour, but don’t ignore the flavors of the season. To that end, he’ll opt for Redemption Rock’s sour ale “Cran You Dig It?!”, which achieves the mix of sour and seasonal through notes of cranberry and cardamom. “We all know full well we’ll be eating to the point of absolute agony, so washing it all down with something light and refreshing — think saisons, pale lagers, Berliner weisse-style sours — is sensible,” he said. Unlike me, Carlson doesn’t overthink his Thanksgiving beer rotation. “Honestly, no beer is going to stave off the food coma for you,” he said, “so you may as well have fun with it.”

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO COMPILED BY RICHARD DUCKETT, VICTOR D. INFANTE, CHARLENE ARSENAULT AND NANCY SHEEHAN Thing: 8 p.m. Nov. 29, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. $28. Whitney Doucette & Moonshine Band: 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Nov. 29, Firefly’s BBQ, 350 East Main St., Marlborough. Black Friday Variety Show: featuring magician Steve Charette, music by Blvck Mvss, Janonymous and Bobbing for Apples. Also comedy by Serenity Jones, Tony Capobianco, Colleen Dolly McCauly, Kenny Capozzi, Wayne Elpus and Dale Cover, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 Nov. 29, The Raven, 258 Pleasant St., Worcester. 18+ $20 for under Thanksgiving Charity Fun Run: 21. $15 for over 21. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 28, The Sarah Carcia: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 29, Banner Bar & Grille, 112 Green St., The Mill 185, 185 West Boylston Worcester. For information: info@ St., West Boylston. thebannerbar.com. KAST: 8-11 p.m. Nov. 29, Beatnik’s, The Yo Daddy Doe Variety Show: 433 Park Avenue, Worcester. hosted by CoffeeHouse Craig, 7 Comedian Andrew Mayer: 8 p.m. p.m. Nov. 28, Strong Style Coffee, Nov. 29, Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 13 Cushing St., Fitchburg. 124 Millbury St., Worcester. $5. Comedian Chris Zito: 8 p.m. Nov. Friday, Nov. 29 29, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20. Annual Holiday Festival of Crafts: Comedian Sam Ike: 8 p.m. Nov. 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 29, Worcester The Comedy Attic at Park Grill & Center For Crafts, 25 Sagamore Spirits, 257 Park Ave., Worcester. Road, Worcester. For information: $15. info@worcestercenterforcrafts. Windfall: 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 29, org. Halligan’s Bar And Function Hall, Mike Girard’s Big Swinging 889 Southbridge St., Auburn.

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Holiday Tradition Once a year, the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Worcester Center for Crafts is transformed into a European-style holiday marketplace complete with twinkling lights and the pleasing scent of evergreens. An annual shopping tradition for many area families, the Holiday Festival of Crafts this year will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. The juried marketplace celebrates American handmade craft and is a festive antidote to the big-box madness of holiday shopping. More than 60 fine crafters will be featured offering pottery, glass, metal, jewelry, weaving and many more specialties. Admission is $5. The festival is held indoors and includes free parking and an on-site café. What: Holiday Festival of Crafts When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 Where: The Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester How much: $5

Show of Support It had been looking like Worcester rock favorites Thinner — which comprises bassist/vocalist Neil Lucey, guitarist/vocalist Danny McGee and drummer Craig Wilson — were having a good year, especially with the release of the band’s excellent new album, “We Lifted Ourself.” Then, within a month of one another, Lucey was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and McGee with esophageal cancer. But the rockers are rallying with “Thinner’s Rockin’ Raffle,” celebrating more than 20 years of the band’s music. In addition to the raffle (prizes to be announced), the event will feature music by Little Big Wheel, Huck/Childhood, Fat Randy, Sir David Minehan and more. Most importantly, though, it’s a chance to show some support for some seminal Worcester musicians. What: Thinner’s Rockin’ Raffle When: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 1 Where: Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester How much: $10

Better Than Nothing: 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 29, Greendale’s Pub, 404 West Boylston St., Worcester. Jennifer Tefft: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Nov. 29, Quinns Irish Pub, 715 West Boylston St., Worcester. Black Friday Mass of The Oracle: with Sombre Arcane, Moss Folk, Limousine and Marrow, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Nov. 29, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester.

Road, Pomfret. Comedian Chris Zito: 7 p.m. Nov. 30, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20. The Sort of Late Show with Shaun Connolly: featuring comedian Angela Sawyer and Glazy Susan Doughnuts, followed by Dan Burke, 7:30-9 p.m. Nov. 30, Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. Cost: $5. Emo Night Worcester: hosted by Chase the Past, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 Nov. 30, Beer Garden Worcester, 64 Franklin St., Worcester. Cost: $11. Disney Junior Holiday-Themed Fender Road (Feat. Paul ‘Fender’ Play Date: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. Lirange with Special Guest, Ken 30, Solomon Pond Mall, 601 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough. Tracy): 8-10 p.m. Nov. 30, Chuck’s Steak House/Margaritagrill, 10 For information: nericson@ Prospect St., Auburn. regancomm.com. Comedian Sam Ike: 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Open Studios with Alternatives’ The Comedy Attic at Park Grill & Whitin Mill Artists: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spirits, 257 Park Ave., Worcester. Nov. 30, Alternatives Unlimited, Inc., 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville. $15. The Stompers: 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Bull For information: (508) 234-6232, Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, cristi.collari@openskycs.org. Shirley. $30. Donald Prange and Rick Levine: Evie Joy: 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Nov. 30, 3 p.m. Nov. 30, Nick’s Bar and Whiskey On Water, 97 Water St., Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. Worcester. Boogie Chillin’: 9 p.m.-12 a.m. The Super Sweet Sounds Of Nov. 30, Beatnik’s, 433 Park Ave., The ‘70s in Worcester: featuring Worcester. Duke Levine, Kevin Barry, Paul Rhythm 44: 9 p.m.-12 a.m. Nov. 30, Schultheis, Mike Rivard, Dean Rock Bar, 81 Water St., Worcester. Johnston and Yahuba Garcia, 4 Aquanett Plays the ‘80s: 9 p.m.and 7 p.m. Nov. 30, First Unitarian 12 a.m. Nov. 30, Firefly’s BBQ, 350 Church-John Henry’s Hammer East Main St., Marlborough. Cost: Coffeehouse, 90 Main St., $10. Worcester. Comedian Chris Zito: 9:30 p.m. Aloe Pine: 6-11 p.m. Nov. 30, Nov. 30, WooHaHa! Comedy Club, Hotel Vernon, 16 Kelley Square, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. $20. Worcester. Ice Nine Kills with Fit For A King, Light The Torch and Awake At Sunday, Dec. 1 Last: 6 p.m. Nov. 30, the Palladium, Auburn Rocket Race for AYFS: 261 Main St., Worcester. $27. 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 1, Dr. Arthur Seth Glier: 7-9 p.m. Nov. 30, The and Dr. Martha Pappas Recreation Vanilla Bean Cafe, 450 Deerfield Complex, 203.5 Pakachoag

St., Auburn. For information: auburnkid@gmail.com. 7th Annual 5k/1k to kick off the holiday giving season, benefiting local families in need in and around the Auburn-area. Hanukkah at WAM: 10 a.m. to 4

Cure for Black Friday Woes Need to blow off all that Black Friday stress that comes from having to risk life and limb to buy a discounted TV set? Then the Black Friday Variety Show is for you! Featuring music by Blvck Mvss, Janonymous (pictured) and Bobbing for Apples; comedy by Serenity Jones, Tony Capobianco, Colleen Dolly McCauly, Kenny Capozzi, Wayne Elpus and Dale Cover; and magic by Steve Charette, the show has pretty much something for everyone. What: Black Friday Variety Show When: 8 p.m. Nov. 29 Where: The Raven, 258 Pleasant St., Worcester How much: $20 ages 21 and younger, $15 for 21 and older (18+ show)

CITY LIFE

That ’70s show

Welcome #WCW With dexterous and expressive vocals and a proficiency with both a flute and a guitar, Sarah Carcia has been garnering attention on the local music scene, and this week there are two chances to see why for yourself, at the Mill in West Boylston and Vincent’s in Worcester. The latter is of particular interest, as it’s part of the new monthly “Women Crush Worcester” series, featuring several of the city’s favorite female artists. Carcia is set to be backed at Vincent’s by Nicole Sutka, Danielle DeLucia, Kathryn Skudara Haddad, Cara Brindisi and Sarah French, playing both covers and originals. What: Sarah Carcia When: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Nov. 29 Where: The Mill 185, 185 West Boylston Street, West Boylston What: Sarah Carcia at Women Crush Worcester When: 9 p.m. Dec. 4 Where: Vincent’s, 49 Suffolk St., Worcester

Pleasant St., Paxton. $10 donation per photo. Thinner’s Rockin’ Raffle: Celebrating 20+ Years of Thinner: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 1, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. Five O’Clock Shadow: 5:307:30 p.m. Dec. 1, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. For information: info@ bullrunrestaurant.com. $15. Listen! A Poetry Reading: hosted by Dave Macpherson, 7 p.m., Nov. Dec. 1, Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester.

Monday, Dec. 2 “Harry Potter” Holiday Themed

‘Prophets and Angels’

American History Book Discussion: 7:15-8:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem St., Worcester. Cost: Free. This month’s book is “Never Caught: The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave Ona Judge,” by Erica Armstrong Dunbar. Register online at mywpl.org or call (508) 799-1655x3. The Cobra Kings: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Greendale’s Pub, 404 W. Boylston St, Worcester. Tone-Deaf Tuesdays: hosted by Poise’N Envy and Harley Queen, 9 p.m. Dec. 3, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

Wednesday, Dec. 4 “PJ Masks Live! Save the Day”: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 4, The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. Cost: $19.50-$29. Community WorcNite #39: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 4, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: Free. For information: email theworcshop@gmail.com. Yoga at the Hall: 6-7:15 p.m. Dec. 4, Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester. Cost: $10-$20.

Thursday, Dec. 5 Knitting Circle: 3-4 p.m. Dec. 5, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem St., Worcester. For information: (508) 799-1655, wplref@mywpl. org. Free First Thursday: 3-7 p.m. Dec. 5, Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. For information: (978) 34504207, vdezorzi@ fitchburgartmuseum.org. 1+1 Poetry Reading featuring Tony Brown and Storey Campbell: 6:308 p.m. Dec. 5, Sutton Free Public Library, 4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton. For information: (508) 797-4770, wcpaboard@yahoo.com. 2019 Choral Premiere: 7-9:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Notre Dame Church, 446 Main St., Southbridge. Cost: $5. The Yo Daddy Doe Variety Show: hosted by CoffeeHouse Craig, 7 p.m. Dec. 5, Strong Style Coffee, 13 Cushing St., Fitchburg. Worcester Chamber Music Society – A Seasonal Offering: 7:30-9 p.m. Dec. 5, Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester. For information: (508) 217-4450,

tracy@worcesterchambermusic. org. Sold out. “Cirque du Soleil’s AXEL”: 7:3011:30 p.m. Dec. 5, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. Cost: $48$93. Comedian Rosebud Baker: 8-11 p.m. Dec. 5, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. For information: info@ thewoohahaclub.com. $20. Secret Rhythm Project with Toast: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 5, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester.

Friday, Dec. 6 Worcester State University’s Música! Latin American Jazz — Dec. 6: 12-12:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Worcester State University, Sheehan POD, 486 Chandler St.,

What: The Annual Advent Lessons and Carols When: 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 1 Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, 73 Lancaster St., Worcester. trinityworc.org

Tuesday, Dec. 3

What: Duke Levine & The Super Sweet Sounds of The ’70s When: 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 30 Where: John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse, First Unitarian Church of Worcester, 90 Main St., Worcester How much: $20. Advance purchase recommended at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4426961

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In a service of candlelight, scripture readings, poetry, Advent hymns, prayer, and silence for meditation, the Trinity Choir under the direction of Cantor Mark Mummert features Aaron David Miller’s “Prophets and Angels: An Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols” with brass and organ accompaniment. All are welcome; an offering will be received to benefit the Music at Trinity series. A festive seasonal reception follows in Jeppson Hall.

Trivia: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 2, Red Heat Tavern, 227 Turnpike Road, Westborough. Cost: Free. The Dirty Gerund Poetry Series: 9 p.m. Dec. 2, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. Free, donations requested to help pay the performers.

Duke Levine revisits the sounds of the ’70s as he returns to John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse for two concerts at 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. But he’s adding his own sound as the reinvented songs come across as entirely fresh while also compellingly familiar. Levine (guitar) will be joined by Kevin Barry (lap steel), Mike Rivard (bass), Dean Johnston (drums), Paul Schultheis (keyboards), and Yahuba Garcia-Torres (congas).

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p.m. Dec. 1, Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St, Worcester. A full day of events, including story times featuring “Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah,” “Hanukkah Bear” and “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins,” as well as music by the Wachusett Jazz Group, playing seasonal favorites. Free. The Ralph’s Diner Toy and Record Swap 2: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 1, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. Vendor tables available for $5. Photos with Santa 2019 to Benefit Sweetpea Friends of Rutland Animals: 12-2 p.m. Dec. 1, Sweetpea F.O.R. Animals, 1090

Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 25 West St, 25 West St., Leominster. Cost: $40. WCPA December 2019 Board Meeting: 7-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Worcester County Poetry Association, 38 Harlow St., 2nd floor of the Sprinkler Factory, Worcester. For information: (508) 797-4770, wcpaboard@yahoo. com. Bees Deluxe: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 4, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. Public Workshop: 7-10 p.m. Dec. 4, The Crafty Nest DIY Northborough, 290 West Main St., Northborough. Cost: $5-$55. Holiday Sparklers: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 4, Red Rock Grill and Bar, 66 West Main St., Upton. Cost: $45.99. Matt Brodeur: 7 p.m. Dec. 4, Art’s Diner, 541 W. Boylston St., Worcester. Comedian Bob Marley: 7:3010:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. For information: info@ bullrunrestaurant.com. Sold out. Wacky Wednesday Jam: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Greendale’s Pub, 404 W. Boylston St, Worcester. Woman Crush Wednesdays ft. Sarah Carcia: 9 p.m. Nov. 27, Vincent’s 49 Suffolk St., Worcester.

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO

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Worcester. For information: (508) 929-8145, VPAMusic@worcester. edu. Carlos Odria leads Worcester State University musicians in WSU’s own Latin American music ensemble. Free. Festival of Lights Weekend: 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 6, The Worcester

Common Oval, Front St Front St., Worcester. Cost: Free. For information: (508) 799-1175, oval@worcesterma.gov. Headlined by singer Nicole Michelle, along with performances by Worcester Public Schools Choral groups, a preview of the The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts production of “A Christmas Carol,” ice skating, a visit from Santa, tree lighting and more. Gary Hoare — The Worcester Review Artist Exhibit: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 6, Worcester County Poetry Association, 38 Harlow St., 2nd floor of the Sprinkler Factory, Worcester. For information: (508) 797-4770, wcpaboard@yahoo. com. In conjunction with the Sprinkler Factory’s Friday Night Art Bazaar & Holiday Party. All Night Art Bazaar: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 6, Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Worcester. For information: info@ sprinklerfactory.com, Bill Kirchen: 6-10 p.m. Dec. 6, Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. For information: info@ bullrunrestaurant.com. $32. Saving Abel: 6 p.m. Dec. 6, Moonshiners, 105 Water St., Worcester. Festival of (Giving) Trees Friday Night Lights 2019: 6:30-11 p.m. Dec. 6, LaSalle Reception Center, 444 Main St., Southbridge. Cost: $20. Featuring entertainment by Noah Lis and a live auction with Rich Merrill. In Flames with Red and Arrival of Autumn: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, the Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester. $30-$150. Cirque du Soleil: AXEL: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. Cost: $25-$130. Comedian Rosebud Baker: 8-11 p.m. Dec. 6, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St.,

Wickedly funny Singer-songwriter Evie Joy has been a regular visitor to Worcester in recent years, so much so that she’s practically a local. She’s also been turning out some great, offbeat music, including the wickedly funny and steamy, “I Confess (The Priest Song),” which is a tribute to the television show “Fleabag,” and her eccentric and edgy, “Why, Jeffrey Edward Epstein,” which is about exactly what you think it is, and is still somehow funny. Joy is fearless and unpredictable, and a heck of a lot of fun to watch. What: Evie Joy When: 9 p.m.-midnight Nov. 30 Where: Whiskey On Water, 97 Water St., Worcester

Worcester. For information: info@ thewoohahaclub.com. $20. Young Man Winter: 8 p.m.midnight Dec. 6, Hotel Vernon, 16 Kelley Square, Worcester. A Night of Dark Music with Black Beach, Gloss Goddess, Variable Man and DJ Life Insurance: 9 p.m.2 a.m. Dec. 6, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester.

Stage “Matilda the Musical”: 7 p.m. Nov. 22, 29, 30; 2 p.m. Nov. 23, 24 and Dec. 1. The Gilbert Players, The Center at Eagle Hill, 242 Old Petersham Road, Hardwick. $12$16. www.thecenterateaglehill. org. “The Wolves”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30, Dec. 6 and 7, GoGo Theater, GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center, 60 Douglas Road, Northbridge. Tickets are $20 for general admission. $15 for ages 65 and older and for ages 16 and under. For groups of ten or more, $16 per ticket. Call (774)

287-8374 to reserve. Tickets can also be purchased at the door with no reservation. “A Christmas Story: The Musical”: 8 p.m. Nov. 29, 30 and Dec. 6, 7; 2 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8. Theatre at the Mount, Mount Wachusett Community College, 444, Green St., Gardner. www.mwcc.edu/tam. $15-$22. “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Nov. 29 and 30; 2 p.m. Nov. 30; 1

and 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. $32$44. http://thehanovertheatre.org “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)”: 2 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7,8, 14, 15; 8 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13. $20; seniors and students, $18; youth 11 and younger, $10. Stageloft Repertory Theater, 450A Main St., Sturbridge. www.stageloft.org/.

Hanukkah celebration The Worcester JCC and Worcester Art Museum will get an early jump on celebrating Hanukkah in a first-time collaboration at the museum Sunday. The day will include drop-in art activities (edible dreidels, foam dreidels, Hanukkah stained glass and origami), dreidel games, a menorah display, “Meet Mensch on the Bench,” story time, music (JCC preschoolers and the Wachusett Jazz Group), and food for purchase from The Chubby Chickpea Food Truck. What: Hanukkah at Worcester Art Museum When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 1 Where: Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury St., Worcester How much: Free admission

CITY LIFE

Getting a Little Emo “Annie”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 7, 13, 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 14, 15. $25, $20 for seniors and students. Calliope Productions, 150 Main St., Boylston. www. calliopeproductions.org. “The Drowsy Chaperone”: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15. Worcester County Light Opera Company, Grandview Playhouse, 21 Grandview Ave., Worcester. $25, $20 for seniors and students. www.wcloc.org. “Miracle on 34th Street”: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22. The Bradley Playhouse, 30 Front St., Putnam, Conn. www.thebradleyplayhouse. org “Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings”: Presented by Barre Players. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 13, 14; 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 15. Barre Players Theater, 64 Common St., Barre. www. barreplayerstheater.com. “Chasing the Ghost”: Presented by the Forge Theater Lab. 8 P.m. Dec. 7, 13 and 14, 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12, the Forge Theater Lab, 67 Rindge Road, Fitchburg. $15 general admission, $5 students and seniors. Dec. 12 is “pay what you can.” https://www. theforgetheaterlab.org.

If you’re a fan of emo, pop punk and post-hard-core music — or, really, just out for a high-spirited evening of straight up fun rock ‘n’ roll — then Emo Night Worcester is probably the show for you.The evening opens with a set by Worcester rockers peregrine, whose recent album, “As One Would Exist Within the Crescendo,” is an interesting mix of straightforward rock principles with experimental forms. After that, local band Louder, Louder plays a cover set, and the evening concludes with Worcester’s Chase the Past playing songs by My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Dashboard Confessional, Blink-182 and more. What: Emo Night Worcester When: 7:30-11:30 p.m. Nov. 30 Where: Beer Garden Worcester, 64 Franklin St., Worcester How much: $11

‘Seasonal Offering’

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What: “A Seasonal Offering” — Worcester Chamber Music Society When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Where: Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester How much: $36; $10 students; youth 17 and under free. worcesterchambermusic.org.

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Join the Worcester Chamber Music Society with guest musician Andrus Madsen on harpsichord for its holiday program, “A Seasonal Offering,” Dec. 5 at the Worcester Historical Museum. The spirit of the season is paramount as the WCMS performs selections from Bach’s “A Musical Offering,” considered to be one of his greatest works, and all four movements of Vivaldi’s beloved and enduring “Four Seasons.” Madsen will give a 30-minute pre-concert talk. Concertgoers will also be able to tour the museum’s exhibits and galleries starting at 6:30 p.m. and again at intermission.

CITY LIFE

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.

Meet Hamlet and MacBeth!

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After the number of parakeets we have had come through our doors this year, we are finding it slightly difficult to keep naming the little mischief makers. However, on a dismal fall day naming these three was not hard. Ophelia â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who you met last week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and her two companions Hamlet and MacBeth, are ready to get the heck out of WARL. They are all hoping for a happy ending. Help these little chirpy birds take their final bows at WARL and make them center stage in your home. All three must be adopted together for an adoption fee of $45. Their cage can go home with them for a donation of $20.

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Simpsons,” e.g. 40 Point opposite WNW 42 In a wild way 43 Emphatic words after “There!” 44 Survival group? 45 Grateful Dead bassist Phil 46 Gel in jellies 47 Bring back on 48 Val Kilmer, in “Top Gun” 53 Boxed soup and bouillon brand 55 He was famous for fables 57 Pro wrestler John 58 Orchestra’s tuning instrument 59 Swede’s neighbor 60 Cold-___ (zinc-based brand) 61 At ___ cost

Last week's solution

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Down 1 Get out quick

2 Short-term earning opportunities 3 Inexpensive '80s keyboard manufacturer 4 Gaming company behind “Assassin’s Creed” and “Just Dance” 5 1949 alliance 6 Professional org. 7 Public uprisings 8 It has a round cover 9 Wally’s TV brother, with “the” 10 Hijinks 11 “Us” actress Lupita 12 Entered 13 “Fireside chat” monogram 20 Depilatory brand with “short shorts” ads, once 21 Window shopper, essentially 25 Tiny unit of work 26 Formerly Portuguese Indian territory 28 Natural gas add-in 29 Step in the shower? 31 Online financial services company focused on student loans 33 “House” actor Omar 34 American-born former queen of Jordan 38 Winter footwear 39 Lovejoy on “The

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Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Across 1 Fraud-monitoring agcy. 4 Deprive of weapons 9 Judge’s seat, in court 13 Boxer botherer 14 “London Warsaw New York” musician born in Poland 15 “Shepherd Moons” singer 16 2019 debaters, for short 17 “Gloves are off” 18 Unit of gold or silver? 19 Reattaches a tomato to a plant (but in a messy way)? 22 Grammy-winning bossa nova musician Gilberto 23 Source of some milk 24 Big expense in blockbuster films 25 Freudian topic 27 “___ one, think that ...” 30 Drum teacher’s session 32 Actor who’s all about the money? 35 “Horrors!” 36 Lennon partner 37 “Incoming golf ball!” 41 Autobiographies, two by two? 46 Light benders 49 Part of the mnemonic HOMES 50 Wall-E’s love interest 51 Common Market abbr., once 52 Bedroom furniture wood 54 Romanov royal of Russia 56 Roll call on a ship? 62 “Person of the Year” awarder 63 “The Many Loves of ___ Gillis” 64 ___ Yun (performing arts company with ubiquitous ads) 65 Strait of Hormuz country 66 Golf equipment 67 Like mud or slime 68 “99 Luftballons” German singer 69 Nine Inch Nails founder Reznor 70 #1 concern?

“I Before E?” – which way is it? by Matt Jones

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Notice: The following vehicle is listed to obtain a title for future sale, to satisfy our garage lien, storage. Charges and expenses of sale and notice. 2004 GMC Envoy Vin. # 1GKDT13S842368663 Location of Vehicle: Clean Rides, 84 Blackstone River Road, Worcester, MA 01607

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LAST CALL

Andrea French vice president of Sustainable Comfort Inc. A

MIKE HENDRICKSON/UNITY MIKE

ndrea French is the vice president of Sustainable Comfort Inc., which celebrated its fifth anniversary last week. Sustainable Comfort is a green property management firm focused on Worcester’s multifamily housing stock.

that were built a hundred years ago for the next hundred years.

ing company in Worcester. What is going on?’ It’s because of my mentors and because I had people in my corner who told me, ‘You’re enough.’ Your attitude is important and I think that sometimes gets overlooked. Why do you think attitude is so important? We have an onboarding plan that factors in attitude because at some point you need to turn from the curious person asking all the questions to, the person who says, ‘OK, I’m starting to get this.’ It’s a mental shift. You can tell people what you think is an acceptable length of time to be in curiosity mode. And then you can say, ‘After a month or so, you should start trying to be more confident.’ You have to empower yourself. I actually have a phrase for it; it’s called task empowerment.

– Sarah Connell Sanders

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How do you take an old threedecker and maintain the integrity of the building while bringing it up to contemporary standards? There’s a long list of things that we do, but one of the things that I find most impactful is unearthing hidden front porches. Three-deckers were built with original porches and then they were often screened off so people could use them for storage. When we uncover hidden porches, we open them up so people will have a community space where they can enjoy the outdoors. That’s important. We keep original woodwork as much as we can. You have no idea how much time goes into staining in order to match the old woodwork. One thing you can’t see is that we put in a lot of insulation and that doesn’t affect the design, but it

How do you go about inspiring employees and introducing new protocols so they can set goals What is your marketing approfessionally and personally? proach at Sustainable Comfort? We do this thing called “scoreFirst and foremost, a lot of what cards.” They’re a way to look at evwe do is just stay true to our brand ery function you’re responsible for. and who we are. We actually did a You don’t just list off something branding exercise where we had a like, “The three things you have brand consultant come in and ask to do to be good at your job.” You us all these questions. It felt like look at what skills are required, therapy. We discovered our brand including soft skills and commuwas the Greek chorus. Our role is nication skills. What results do facilitating things. Helping out. you need to have? What thought We take that really seriously. Our processes do you need to have to brand never brags. We try to be be able to perform your job well? understated. I remember that and What habits do you need to form? use that in all of our marketing. If I guess that’s kind of a boring you look at our website at www. answer that any business person greenrater.com, you won’t see might give you. What I really like our logo, you’ll see only our icon. to do is see people as people. The There used to be this old culture in best gift I was ever given was my which you pushed on people, but mentors and I wouldn’t be where now we have introduced a strategy I am today without them. Some that brings them to us. We just try days I wake up and pinch myself. to do a good job. I think, ‘I’m a vice president and a shareholder of a green builddoes affect the building envelope and livability.

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What are the biggest challenges for property managers in Worcester? We have many different units and the thing that pulls them all together is our dedication to healthier buildings and sustainability. Sustainability means so much more to us than just making a green building. It’s about sustaining community and sustaining employees. The idea of sustainability goes way beyond how buildings are built. That’s our angle. First of all, we try to understand how people actually live in the buildings that we create including multifamily living. We look at ourselves kind of like mediators. There’s a natural rub between a landlord and a tenant. We have to humanize the experience with the landlord wanting us to keep their costs low because we understand that if we can help keep their costs down, they can have more money to invest in more buildings, which contribute to the redevelopment or the “Renaissance of Worcester.” And then on the tenant side, these are the people who actually live here in Worcester. These are the people who call it home. These are the people who want the best, healthiest living situation. They want everything done and they want it done immediately and sometimes that’s just not within the budget. We try to facilitate and find happy mediums when it is time to do a big maintenance project or renovation. We try to direct and educate the landlords into what’s going to be the healthiest and what’s going to be the most sustainable and long term everlasting impact on them. If not everlasting, then at least longer than typical maintenance or repairs. We want to set up buildings

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