Category Archives: InCity Feature

Green Island Grrrl, InCity Feature, InCity Letters, Rosalie's Blog

Go, Gordon Davis, go!!!!!

September 28, 2015 admin

The Pope, Reform and Revolution

By Gordon Davis

There was a forum in Worcester on Saturday (9/26) regarding reforms of society similar to that spoken about by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The reforms included Basic Income, Education and Discrimination Law. There was also a discussion of whether these reforms could be achieved without fundamental changes in the economic and political systems.

Ruth Rodriguez, an Administrator for Opt-Out National, told the audience of about 20 people that the public education system in the United States has been hijacked by large corporations such as the Bill Gates Foundation and Walmart. These wealthy entities have passed legislation through a lobbying group called ALEC that have harmed the education of children in public schools. She pointed out that the standardized testing industry has not helped children to learn but has harmed children by creating conditions that cause the children to fail; these conditions being especially harmful to low-income children and children of color.

Ms. Rodriquez also said that the money needed for public schools was being drained away by charter schools. “Charter schools did not have a better record of teaching children than public schoolThe Pope, Reform, and Revolution

On September 26, 2015 there was a forum in Worcester regarding reforms of society similar to that spoken about by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The reforms included Basic Income, Education, and Discrimination Law. There was also a discussion of whether these reforms could be achieved without fundamental changes in the economic and political systems.

Ruth Rodriguez, an Administrator for Opt-Out National, told the audience of about twenty people that the public education systems in the United States has been hijacked by large corporations such as the Bill Gates Foundation and Walmart. These wealthy entities have passed legislation through a lobbying group called ALEC that have harmed the education of children in public schools. She pointed out that the standardized testing industry has not helped children to learn but has harmed children by creating conditions that cause the children to fail; these conditions being especially harmful to low-income children and children of color.

Ms. Rodriquez also said the money needed for public schools was being drained away by charter schools. “Charter schools did not have a better record of teaching children than public schools,” Ms. Rodriguez asserted. She called for fully funded public schools and an end to the present policy of standardized testing.

Dr. Jason Burke Murphy, a college professor, described the program called “Basic Income.” The concept is every person would receive an amount of money that would be above the poverty level unconditionally. He said this would be an effective way of reducing poverty and actually saving government money. By “unconditional” Dr. Murphy explained that there would be no income qualifications (nor income qualification bureaucracy), no length of time worked qualifications (such as with Social Security) and no income tax qualifications (such with earned income credits).

There was a good back and forth on the proposal of Basic Income. Several people wanted to know where the money would come from. Dr. Murphy explained that the money was not dependent on the profits of corporations as corporations pay little or no taxes. The money would come from the savings in the reduction of bureaucracy and the reduction of redundant military hardware.

Gwen Davis, a member of the Progressive Labor Party which co-hosted the forum with the Massachusetts Human Rights Committee, spoke on Black Lives Matter and the need to fight racism and sexism. She stated that modern day racism has its origins in capitalism and there was a need to abolish the profit systems and establish an egalitarian communist world where wage slavery is abolished. Ms. Davis also talked about fighting racism in Worcester and indicated that the policy of arresting children by the police while at school has been found to be harmful to the children. She asserted that the practice was a part of the racist “school- to- prison- pipeline.” Ms. Davis said she was disappointed that Pope Francis did not address the issue of racism directly.

A member of Massachusetts Human Rights Committee told the audience that it was working to change the policy of the City of Worcester so that no child should be placed in handcuffs or arrested while at school unless there was clear and immediate danger of harm. The school administrators know where each child lives and her parents; if there is a need for intervention by the criminal justice system, the intervention should take place outside of school. The parents and child could then be summoned to court. The Mass. Human Rights Committee asked people to sign the petition to the Worcester City Council and the Worcester School Committee generally disallowing the arrest of children at school.

I am happy Pope Francis is speaking out on many issues, including his criticism of the misery caused by capitalism. He has certainly upset the right wing in the United States and elsewhere. Pope Francis has not spoken about the details of how to end the misery and other forms of oppression. I hope it is more than just talk-talk. I suppose we have to depend on Dr. Murphy, Ms. Rodriguez, and Ms. Davis to do more than just talk for us in Worcesters”, Ms. Rodriguez asserted. She called for fully funded public schools and an end to the present policy of standardized testing.

Dr. Jason Burke Murphy, a college professor, described the program called “Basic Income”. The concept is every person would receive an amount of money that would be above the poverty level unconditionally. He said this would be an effective way of reducing poverty and actually saving government money. By “unconditional” Dr. Murphy explained that there would be no income qualifications (nor income qualification bureaucracy), no length of time worked qualifications (such as with Social Security) and no income tax qualifications (such with earned income credits).

There was a good back and forth on the proposal of Basic Income. Several people wanted to know where the money would come from. Dr. Murphy explained that the money was not dependent on the profits of corporations as corporations pay little or no taxes. The money would come from the savings in the reduction of bureaucracy and the reduction of redundant military hardware.

Gwen Davis, a member of the Progressive Labor Party which co hosted the forum with the Massachusetts Human Rights Committee, spoke on BlackLives Matter and the need to fight racism and sexism. She stated that modern day racism has its origins in capitalism and there was a need to abolish the profit systems and establish an egalitarian communist world where wage slavery is abolished. Ms. Davis also talked about fighting racism in Worcester and indicated that the policy of arresting children by the police while at school has been found to be harmful to the children. She asserted that the practice was a part of the racist “school- to- prison- pipeline”. Ms. Davis said she was disappointed that Pope Francis did not address the issue of racism directly.

InCity Feature, InCity Voices

A new day dawning for Worcester’s Union Hill neighborhood!

September 22, 2015 admin

By Lorraine Michele Laurie
Photos: R.T.

Take a ride or walk up Harrison Street to where it intersects with Providence Street. Look at the parking lot on the corner with the black cyclone fence. On it is a large green sign with” City of Worcester” printed at the top in white letters. Underneath it in larger letters are the words “Union Hill Revitalization Project.” Below that it says “Housing Rehabilitation, Streetscape Improvements, Commercial Investment, Public Safety.” Now, look around Providence and Harrison Streets and see what it says on the sign gradually becoming a reality in the surrounding neighborhood.

The program was the focus of a press conference and brief tour held on the afternoon of August 17 in the Worcester Academy Alumni House parking lot at 51 Providence Street. According to Mayor Joseph M. Petty “The Union Hill neighborhood of just two or three years ago is not the Union Hill of today.” The Mayor had made the neighborhood a priority of his administration because he saw “a neighborhood that had slid into disrepair.” What he was referring to was the local elementary school, Union Hill School on Chapin Street, being designated as a Level 4 school, neglected houses – some with numerous code violations and a growing crime problem.

What is responsible for this gradual change in Union Hill is a unique partnership with the City, HUD, Habitat for Humanity, Worcester Academy, Oak Hill Community Development Corporation and local residents, businesses and property owners.

The most visible sign of improvement is the streetscape program taking place on Providence Street and Harrison Street. With most of the money coming from Community Development Block Grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program involves resurfacing the roads, replacing sidewalks with a combination of concrete and bricks and handicapped accessible corners and the planting of trees. New features are the bump out curb extensions installed to make crossing easier.

Also very apparent is the decline of crime. The Worcester Police Department and Chief Gary Gemme created a “Community Policing District” in 2013. Police Officers patrol the area in cars and on foot. Shot-spotter and Crime Watch members have greatly assisted in the crime prevention efforts. Public health initiatives involve school health partnerships and healthy food education.

Housing stabilization and creation will get a big boost from this special forming of partnerships.

An extensive sweep of the housing stock in the neighborhood was done by members of the Inspectional Services, Fire and Police Departments. The City worked with landlords to bring the properties up to code. Nine owner-occupied homes will be rehabilitated on Providence and Harrison Streets and five new units of housing will be created on Aetna and Arlington Streets.

Nearby Worcester Academy, located at 81 Providence Street, recently donated 21 Aetna Street to Habitat for Humanity Metro-West/ Greater Worcester. The existing house will be taken down and a duplex will be constructed in its place. Tim Firment, Executive Director of Habitat , announced that his organization will also sponsor “A Brush with Kindness Week “ and assist a property owner on Harrison Street with porch and landscape work. Also, in an ongoing effort to help homeowners, Worcester Academy has also made available $300,000, administered by the Worcester Community Housing Resources, for home improvements in the neighborhood.

According to Ronald M. Cino, Head of School, “Worcester Academy is improving the quality of life for the Union Hill neighborhood by making significant contributions to education, recreation, housing, safety and economic development. Worcester Academy has completed the acquisition of the old St. Vincent’s property. In addition to sharing use of Morse Field, an award- winning lighted synthetic field on the property with neighborhood residents, schools, and community groups, Worcester Academy is converting the hospital’s generator building into a first-rate performance center that will open late this fall.”

Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, located across the street from Worcester Academy at 74 Providence Street, has been involved in housing since 1972. According to Mullen Sawyer, Chief Executive Officer, Oak Hill CDC ”worked closely with neighborhood stakeholders and funders to create a 21st century investment plan and funding mechanism to serve this neighborhood: Investing in Union Hill Plan. This Plan outlines holistic strategies to preserve and develop housing, promote and sustain business and workforce development while improving neighborhood economics and quality of life. The commonwealth has accepted our Plan and awarded Oak Hill CDC nearly a million dollars in new state rebates to spur public to private investment of this Plan.”

In addition to housing, streetscape, private investments and public safety and health, revitalization is taking place at Union Hill Elementary School. The school which was designated a Level 4 school is now a Level 1 school. It is undergoing renovations thanks to State funding. New windows have been installed and other exterior and interior improvements will take place.

As the press conference was taking place, neighborhood children were seen across Providence Street. City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr., who had referred to the broken window theory in his speech, said “This City has not forgotten this neighborhood. There are a lot of kids who call this place home. We need to make sure they know they’re important to us.”

State Senator Michael Moore praised the City by saying “These ongoing and carefully executed investments will continue to help to bring vitality and desirability for current and future residents alike. I want to commend Mayor Petty, City Manager Augustus and all the departments who have come together to breathe life back into this part of the City.”

City Councilor George Russell whose District 3 covers a good part of Union Hill said “we should not look at it as Mission Accomplished and instead look at it as the beginning of a long road to hopefully revitalize the entire area and most importantly make folks feel good about investing and living in the neighborhood.”

State Representative Daniel M. Donahue sums it up this way “ The community policing district has created a new feeling of safety, our local elementary school has gone from failing to a level 1 and we are making strategic investments in infrastructure and stabilizing our owner occupied housing stock. This could only be accomplished by working together, from our local police to our teachers to community leaders and residents to the different levels of government, we have come together to make change.”

Green Island Grrrl, InCity Feature, InCity Letters, Neighborhood Roundup, Rosalie's Blog

Go, Gordon Davis, go!!!!!!!!

September 21, 2015 admin

STOP Arresting Kids at School! … and THE REAL RACE DIALOGUES

By Gordon Davis

In September 2015 there were reports of two fights between kids at North High School in Worcester. The details of the fights are sketchy, but it appears that the first fight was between two female students. That fight was broken up and the students taken to the office where while still upset they refused to comply with instructions given to them. Instead of being sent home and having them return with their parents, the two girls were arrested. Something similar happened with two male students.

When I went to high school I got into fights, but the police were never called and the disputes were handled administratively.

In both cases at North High School there were charges that nine staffers were assaulted but not injured or harmed when they tried to break up the respective fights. How the staffers were assaulted was not described in the news story. An assault is defined as a threat or an attempt to injury without actually injury. Battery is the charge for injury or harm intentionally inflicted.

It might have been better for all concerned for the students not to have been arrested at school. Arresting kids in the heat of the moment when there is no immediate clear and present danger will, more likely than not, lead to bad decisions by the staff and the police, as well as be harmful to the kids. The schools know who the kids are and where they live; there is no chance that they will flee the state. There is no need for arrests.

Should there be a need for legal actions then this should be decided after the emotions of the event have passed. The child and parent could be summoned to court. The whole concept of putting children in handcuffs and having them booked at the police is not good pedagogy.

On September 19, 2015, a new group called Men of Color Think Tank organized what it called “Real Race Dialogues.” The Men of Color Think Tank seems to be an outgrowth of the BlackLives Matter new civil rights movement. Its membership is multi-racial, but some people are called “white allies” instead of members.

Michael Jerry one of the organizers of the event and apparent spokes person for Men of Color Think Tank gave an inspirational introduction to the Real Race Dialogues.

Although enthusiastic, many of the things he spoke about have a history in Worcester. For example, Mr. Jerry thought the best way to get a person of color elected was to have a slate of candidates. It is generally accepted that bullet voting is the better way to get a candidate elected. It is bullet voting that is thought to allow the top vote getters to get the most votes. Mr. Jerry’s enthusiasm and seeming ability to look at new ideas will go a long way to help the organization and its goals.

At the so called Real Race dialogues there was a table at which the participants discussed education. My impression is that there was honest and creative talk about racial issues in Worcester. Our table included parents, teachers, students, and other people sincere in their desire to end racial disparities in schools.

Several issues came to be discussed: the development of a school to job pipeline, the coordinating of organizations working with children to ensure that each child at risk has a mentor, alternative curriculum and after school programs, and the ways of reversing the false perception of North High Schools as “bad” kids.

The issue of North High School took up most of the discussion time and some concrete plans were made including changing school policies such that no kids are arrested at school. Although this no arresting kids at school policy makes good pedagogy and common sense, expelling the criminal justice system out of the schools will be a difficult task as many people still fear Black and Latino and poor kids . These misguided people, some of whom are racists, want to use the power of the state to “control” the dark skin people they fear.

InCity Feature, InCity Voices

Worcester’s South High School: Andy’s Attic in need of gently used (new would be great!) BACK TO SCHOOL clothing!

August 24, 2015 admin

Last winter ICT writer Edith Morgan introduced you to the AWESOME Andy’s Attic at South High School! These days the volunteers find themselves NEEDING SOME DONATIONS for the students! Learn more! Please help! – R.T.

By Edith Morgan

Come with me and take a most remarkable trip, into a huge storeroom, with what seem to me to be 15-foot high ceilings, lined with metal shelves from cement-block wall to wall – and every row filled with “gently-used” clothing of every kind. As I enter, to my right stands a giving tree, festooned with pictures of students who have put in at least 20 hours already, and whose continued work will earn them a star for every ten hours more, s they fulfill their community service duties.

The room is alive with busy students, filling “orders” from families who have sent in requests. Other students are folding, sorting newly arrived donations, straightening shelves or drawers full of new items (the socks and underwear are new, as most people really prefer to wear such items new), The students come willingly and on time, and when asked why they participate in “Andy’s Attic, they all told me how heartwarming it was to know that they are helping truly needy families to be properly and warmly clothed – some even had been recipients themselves, and now were “paying it forward”, so someone else could feel what they had felt when someone cared enough to help them.

Since October 2013, 190 bags full of complete outfits in the right sizes have already been sent out, and every day about 36 students show up to help.

Why the name ”Andy’s Attic”? The idea grew out of the tragic death of a 16-year old Shrewsbury student, Andrew Reese, whose parents and friends wanted to honor his memory. When the project outgrew its Shrewsbury quarters, after a couple of moves, Shrewsbury resident and South High teacher Christine Foley approached her Principal, Maureen Binienda, who provided the large basement room that used to be her supply closet. After a huge clean-up job and truckloads of moving, the “attic” was ready.

At first, South High students received the donations – many were needy themselves, but as the project grew, Christine and her volunteers found that behind every student in need was a family in need. And soon word spread, with “orders” coming in from other towns in Worcester County.

In the summer of 2013 the Reese family moved to Florida, and Christine Foley took over the project. She enlisted the help of several major Worcester organizations and got the project under way. Staff and students worked to get it started, and what I saw today would be the envy of any large business, with students performing the many tasks required to run such a great enterprise. We should all be very proud of the students who week after week see to it that Andy’s Attic takes care of those who are in need.

If any readers want to help, Andy’s Attic always needs: new socks and underwear, and “gently used” clothing of all sizes. Sometimes a special request has to go out for sizes not in stock, so Andy’s Attic can always use cash to purchase what is needed.

InCity Feature, InCity Voices

What’s Ahead for Crompton Park – Updates

August 23, 2015 admin

By Lorraine Michele Laurie

Do you know the area between Endicott, Harding and Canton Streets and Quinsigamond Ave.? That’s right, it’s Crompton Park! It was bought from Mrs. Mary Crompton, widow of George Crompton, the famous inventor, loom maker, good employer, landowner, and patriotic citizen of Worcester. George Crompton died in 1886 and Mary sold the 12.73 acres to the City of Worcester for a playground for $44,350.00 in 1888.

Many a Worcester resident enjoyed swimming in the “mud hole,” sliding down the “hill,” skating on the ice in the open space where the softball fields are today or taking a shower in the old bathhouse. In those days, many of the houses in the Island did not have bathtubs so taking a shower in the bath house was a real treat. The cost was 5 cents and you got soap and a towel. When you returned the towel, you got your 5 cents back!

Well, so much for history and fond memories. Two thousand and fifteen going into two thousand and sixteen will be a busy time at Crompton Park. It’s renovation time! The area to be updated, made more accessible and more easily maintained is the Canton Street side of the park. That’s the swimming pool side between Harding Street and Quinsigamond Ave. Crompton Park has its beautiful ultra modern swimming complex, a modern play ground and of course the Green Island Neighborhood Center there. Now is the time to tie everything together.

Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Assistant Commissioner for Parks – City of Worcester – Department of Public Works and Parks, recently updated residents about the planned renovations at the Green Island Residents Group, Inc. annual meeting held at the Green Island Neighborhood Center. Mr. Antonelli said that the proposed project is going through the bidding phase. The bids should be opened in a couple of weeks. The City is a recipient of a PARC (Parkland Acquisitions and Renovation for Communities) state grant for $400,000. The City is matching it with $750,000. in funds including CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies. There are certain requirements to be followed because of the CDBG money. Crompton Park, Castle Park and Shore Park have been highlighted to receive renovation money this year. When the bids come in and the winning bid is chosen, the City will be able to determine if other work can be added for Crompton Park.

Actual work will start at the end of August and continue through May and June so as not to interfere with the pool schedule, the Tenacity program and the operations of the Green

Island Neighborhood Center. Renovations will focus on continuing to make Crompton Park a valuable resource and an area of pride for the neighborhood as well as the City. The Canton Street side will be made more accessible and safer. The entrance way and parking area will be moved to the other side of the swimming pool complex. That will create a green space between the playground and the swimming pool area. A new parking lot to the left of the pool will provide more controlled parking spaces and a safer entrance to the park. Also, renovations will keep in mind maintenance issues so renovated areas will be much easier to care for and kept in shape longer.

Renovations will also include upgraded tennis courts and a hand ball court which will be closer to the corner of Canton Street and Quinsigamond Ave. When asked what he would like to see done next from the Master Plan, Assistant Commissioner Antonelli named three areas – not in any particular order- a rubber surface for the playground so it will be softer, safer and more accessible, renovation of the very popular and heavily used basketball court “Cousy Court” and renovations to the softball field which alone will cost $1 or $2 million.

Since most of the residents who attended the Green Island Residents Group. Inc. annual meeting also participated in the public planning sessions held at the Green Island Neighborhood Center in late 2010 and early 2011, they gave suggestions to fine tune the work already done and to give a request for the new work planned. They suggested some benches be installed in the playground area for adults who accompany their children and also a need to provide some shade for this area. Also, install a few benches in the pool area. In regards to the planned renovations, a request was made to preserve the existing trees. One longtime resident said it was so nice to see a group of children sitting with their teachers underneath the trees recently and relaxing and enjoying the park.

Our Green Island or Island “Jewel” shines brightly and will be even brighter with the all the updates. We love our Crompton Park, now 14.6 acres, and thank all who help us make it shine!

Animal Issues, InCity Feature

Wanna lose the fat? Feel healthier? Go veggie! Within a year you’ll lose 20 pounds – without even trying!

August 12, 2015 admin

And you’ll be oh so proud of yourself knowing you’re not part of the factory farm hell where animals live in tortuous conditions, before being slaughtered. Why kill all those animals just to clog up your arteries and raise your cholesterol level? Why induce all that SUFFERING when there are so many protein-rich foods to put on your plate?!

Here’s a two-week veggie starter plan for you! Click on the days of the week in the blue bars and the blue words to see the yummy recipes and learn more!

And if you can’t make a 100% commitment, CUT BACK on your meat/ poultry consumption! Every good deed counts/saves an animal!

From PETA.ORG

– R. T.

Two-Week Vegan Meal Plan

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Do you consider yourself “culinarily challenged”? Well, no worries! Our Two-Week Sample Vegan Menus below are designed for new vegans who are not sure what to eat and for longtime vegans who are looking to shake up their current diet and try something new. The recommendations focus on two types of dishes: easy-to-prepare meals with a balance of fresh ingredients and tasty heat-and-serve options.

Week 1

Monday

Breakfast

Oatmeal with walnuts and raisins (most commercial oatmeal is vegan)
Fresh fruit

Lunch

Avocado Reuben
Sumptuous Spinach Salad With Orange-Sesame Dressing

Dinner

Tofu-Spinach Lasagne
Fresh tossed salad

Print the Two-Week Sample Vegan Menus.

Want more options? Check out these resources from PETA:

How to Go Vegan

Accidentally Vegan

Our Favorite Products

Making the Transition

VegGuide.org

Snacks

Try these delicious vegan options or check out our shopping guide for other great suggestions.

Fresh Fruit
Festive Salsa or Black-Bean Dip and baked tortilla chips
Spiced Party Nuts
Taffy-Apple Dip with apples and pears Hummus and pita bread
Trail Mix
Granola
Applesauce with raisins
Swiss Rolls
Fruit Skewer With ‘Yogurt’ Sauce
Fruit Smoothie (Try freezing this in popsicle containers for a tasty treat.)
S’Mores (Make this classic treat with Nabisco Original Graham Crackers,Ricemellow Crème, and vegan chocolate—try Chocolove Dark Chocolate Bar or Newman’s Own Sweet Dark Chocolate
Spicy Pizza Bagels

InCity Feature, InCity Voices

South Worcester: box gardening!

August 10, 2015 admin

Executive Director Ron Charette at the neighborhood garden beds. 50 Worcester inner-city families have their own big box gardens or beds like this one! Go, South Worcester, go!!!!!

By Ron O’Clair

I had an opportunity to visit recently with Ron Charette of the South Worcester Neighborhood Center at 47 Camp Street to see what they have been doing with the families in the area in regards to providing a place for them to grow their own food.

There are 50 Box Gardens and 10 Garden Beds set out in the far right corner of the property. which once was devoted to a City of Worcester Swimming Pool that was a memory of my own youth growing up around the Four Corners when I lived on Princeton Street and would go to what we referred to as: Maloney’s Field to swim, play in the grass, and just have a good time. Back then, the City of Worcester maintained a number of pools throughout the city for the residents to enjoy on the hot summer days of my youth. Now, there does not seem to be enough money in the budget to provide pools for the neighborhoods like back then.

Big, healthy veggies in South Worcester box gardens!

Anyways, the earth that is being used to grow the vegetables outside the neighborhood center is actually composted from yard wastes that city residents drop off at the City of Worcester drop sites on Chandler Street, across from Foley Stadium, the old Ballard Street incinerator that is now on Millbury Street with the change in the street names that coincided with the Rt. 146 project, and I believe out on Clark Street.

City residents can drop off their yard wastes, provided it is not full of trash, and is in paper bags, no plastic allowed.
The WorcesterMa.gov website gives the details of where and when they allow you to bring your material for recycling.

The gardens are a collaborative effort of the South Worcester Neighborhood Center, Nuestro Huerto, and the City of Worcester Department of Public Works & Parks to provide area residents a place to learn how to produce their own food. There are 50 families who have box gardens and come to tend to the task of making things grow. It is a rewarding experience for all, especially the young who learn that food just does not magically appear on supermarket shelves.

Poor families learn how to grow their own food. So healthy for the kids – and a great learning experience for them, too!

Executive Director Ron Charette refers to it as a “partnership for the future” that will bring awareness to many about how they can help provide for their family through efforts such as this. Many of these urban gardeners would not have a place to use to grow their own food without this program being in place. Many of the families come from various parts of the world: there are African, Asian and Latino families, as well as just about every type of family there is here in the great melting pot that is Worcester.

There are many different varieties and types of vegetables being grown, each according to the taste of the participant.

In the South Worcester gardens I saw many different varieties of lettuce. There were items that grow on vines, like cucumbers, squash. pumpkins and zucchini, as well as corn, beans and peas of many different varieties. Someone who likes eggplant is growing them as well.

This is basically for the children, who learn as well as have fun growing the food stuffs that eventually they will be be able to enjoy when harvest time comes.

All of the people involved in this project deserve recognition for all they do to make it possible: Ron Charette and the South Worcester Neighborhood Center, Nuestro Huerto – which also has other spots in the city under cultivation like the spot on Oread Street – and the City of Worcester Public Works & Parks Department which provides the compost to grow the vegetables in, and all the people of the city who contribute to the recycling program that produces the compost through participation in the yard waste recycling program.

It seems like a win/win situation all around!

If you care to comment, you may contact the author at: ronaldoclair@hotmail.com

InCity Feature, InCity Yum Yums

This summer make your pizza pie on your grill! That’s amore!

August 9, 2015 admin

Chef Joey is a gifted artist who began cookin’ when he was 12 years old! Bravo, Chef Joey!

Text, recipes and photos by Chef Joey

With August fast approaching the middle mark, the summer seems to be flying by these days, the sticky weather helping us forget last winter’s beatings and the curse of mowing the lawn every week. The benefits are worth it!

Outdoor grilling is at an all-time peak and an enjoyable way to savor the summer! I have the advantage of having a Kettle Drum grill in which I burn wood and charcoal for extra flavor, and I also have a gas grill for last-minute cooking. I use the outdoor grill like a stove and make virtually everything on it: baked potatoes, corn, meats and even breads and pizzas!

PIZZA ON YOUR GRILL!

The secret to great pizzas is to have all your toppings close. Start off with smaller crusts to practice until you get comfortable with the technique. Start off with a dinner-plate-size crust that you have brushed lightly with oil so it does not stick. The pizzas cook extremely fast, so you must be ready!

Place your pizza dough on a HOT grill – it will immediately start to rise and make a crust.

After about 45 seconds to a minute, turn the dough to make grill marks.

If using gas – close the lid each time – brush top of crust with oil and flip it.

Now garnish quickly with pasta sauce, meats and cheeses. Close the lid.

Rotate again, and when the cheese is melted it is done!

So easy!

GRILLED FLAT BREADS

You can simply make grilled flat breads, too! No sauce needed, just salt. You can add rosemary, tile, fennel, garlic … the list is endless.

PIZZA SAUCE

I usually take cherry tomatoes or a great fresh garden tomato that I cut up and sauté it with garlic butter, a little olive oil and, of course, fresh basil

1 pint usually covers 1 pizza, so load up if you have a hungry crowd!

Sautéing the tomatoes is key because they simply will not cook on the pizza!

So for each pint of tomatoes use 2 cloves of garlic chopped fine

Add to your pan: 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil

Add tomatoes and stir until soft ….around 10 minutes.

Chop your basil into strips, add some to the sauce and save some for the garnish when you pull your pizza off the grill.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Put your sauce and other toppings on a tray to bring out to your grill.

You also should bring some water and a food quality “brush” to paint the sauce on your pizzas – it works faster than trying to spread the sauce with the back of a spoon.

PIZZA DOUGH:

mix 3 ½ to 4 cups bread flour (makes crispier dough)

3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil

1 envelope dry yeast (2 envelopes make it rise faster – little trade secret –why wait an hour?!)

1 tablespoon sugar to feed the yeast

a pinch of salt

1 ½ cups hot, not scalding, water – otherwise you kill the yeast!

Combine the bread flour, sugar, yeast and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook and mix.

While the mixer is running, add the water and 2 tablespoons of the oil and beat until the dough forms into a ball.

If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour, say 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball.

If the dough is too dry, add more water, the same way, 1 tablespoon at a time.

Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth, firm ball.

Grease a large bowl with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil, add the dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in a warm area to let it double in size, about 1 hour.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 2 equal pieces. 4 for first timers – smaller pizzas are easier to handle. And it DOES NOT matter what shape they are!

Cover each with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let them rest for 10 minutes, It will be less time if you double the yeast.

Roll out your dough on a floured portable board, brush top with oil and flip over – slide it onto your hot grill and start practicing!

GRILLED VEGGIES

It does not stop there!

Grill asparagus, slice squash the long way and grill them. Here is a trick – spray the veggies with a good quality cooking spray BEFORE you put them on the grill! They are less greasy that way and do not stick to the grates! I do this with eggplant, too! Then I top it off with a blend of olive oil, garlic salt and pepper while they are hot, then serve them cool!

Grill your way to happiness this summer!

Green Island Grrrl, InCity Feature, InCity Letters, Rosalie's Blog

Please, Please, PLEASE be there!

August 5, 2015 admin

From the City of Worcester:

The Worcester City Manager’s Dialogue Series on Race has opened many hearts and minds to the idea that racism hurts us all, but leaves people wondering how to move forward– what are the next steps?

0ne option for those new to the topic is to join us for a facilitated monthly workshop series.

Worcester Witnessing Whiteness Series 2015-2016!

The Witnessing Whiteness series is a nationally-recognized series of 11 sessions designed to:

· Build a community with a shared understanding of privilege, whiteness, and racism

· Increase your group’s ability to support and implement diversity and racial justice initiatives

· Develop leadership capacity around issues of diversity and race

Join us as we read and explore together the ideas and exercises included within Shelley Tochluk’s book Witnessing Whiteness.

The full workshop curriculum is free and available online, so people who can’t attend one session can easily follow along at home.

Session 1: Why pay attention to race?

Monday, August 17, 2015, 6-8:30 pm @ YWCA of Central MA

To build from the energy of the community dialogues and the growing national Moral Monday movement, these sessions will be held on Mondays – specifically the third Monday of each month…

from 6 pm – 8:30 pm

with a light supper offered from 5 pm – 6 pm, as the city has done this summer.

To get involved in the planning or to sign up as a participant for the series, please contact Heather-Lyn.Haley@umassmed.edu or at 774-441-6366.

This workshop series is co-sponsored by: Worcester Partnership for Racial and Ethnic Health Equity
YWCA of Central MA

InCity Feature, InCity Voices

Oodles of antiques, industrial treasures and cool goods at local vintage mavens …

August 1, 2015 admin

… UNIQUE FINDS, located at 1329 Main St., Worcester. UNIQUE FINDS! At the corner of Main and Henshaw streets in the Webster Square area of our fair city! A sprawling shop stuffed with hundreds of amazing items – quirky, elegant, rustic, sleek … . BEAUTIFUL. AND FUN!

Stop by today! Open until 7 p.m.

Same hours Sunday … and every day!

I love visiting this store!

GREAT PRICES! – R.T.

Some stuff that recently caught my eye: