June 2009508 #74: “Critical Mass”
508 is a show about Worcester. This week, we try and fail to bike with Critical Mass.
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What’s made in Worcester?
I’ve heard it said that, time was, part of every product in the US was made in Worcester.
Now, of course, this is hardly the case. But Worcester still has its share of factories and the like.
I’m trying to compile a list of things, especially consumer products, made in Worcester. Feel free to e-mail me or add a comment with your suggestions.
Sports equipment
- Nokona baseball gloves (Interview with videos)
Weapons
- Kahr handguns (a href=”http://www.portfolio.com/careers/features/2007/09/17/Unification-Church”>background)
Garment/Fashion
Hardware
- Saint-Gobain sandpaper
Furniture/strong>
- “Office furniture at Wright Line LLC” (tip via Worcester Business Journal)
Prepared food
- Polar beverages
- Table Talk pies
- Dr. Gonzo’s condiments
- Pickle factory on Mason St
- Bay State Bakery
Agriculture
- You can buy produce from YouthGrow’s garden in Main South
From 1914: A ready reference hand book of Worcester made products
Thanks to Brendan, Tracy, Dr. Gonzo, 4rilla, Greg, WBJ, and Destination Worcester for suggestions.
T&G circulation down 3.6%; nationwide papers down 7%
According to numbers in today’s Telegram & Gazette (available in April but not published anywhere till now), daily circulation at the paper is down 3.6% from the same period last year, from 81,437 to 78,479.
Newspaper circulation nationwide was down 7%. The T&G has been loosing circulation faster than average for the past few years; this much-better-than-average showing is a welcome surprise.
508 #73: Pikachu
508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panelists are Tracy Novick and Brendan Melican.
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508 is now arguably the first local program to be an equal citizen of both the internet and TV. You can watch it on Worcester cable channel 13 Tuesdays at 12:30am and 11:30am. Plenty of local programs from traditional media have some internet component, in most cases, unfortunately, on the periphery of what they do, rather than near the core.
We touch on shopping locally, then delve into this year’s school budget. Mike promotes the upcoming Blogger Beer. The restaurant Quan Yin is closing. (You should watch at least a few minutes of Supreme Master TV.)
The Worcester City Council’s CORI vote was apparently delayed by an unreported screw-up by people in the Clerk’s office.
The InCity Times has an angry, personal rant inspired by an unlikely issue.
Brendan had a great time at Worcester’s Pecha Kucha.
Our conversation about urban “open space” takes a turn when Mike brings up the article “US cities may have to be bulldozed in order to survive.”
508 #72: The Woodchuck of Main South
508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panel includes Brendan Melican and Scott Zoback.
Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed
Video: other formats
Colin Novick’s ordination is tomorrow (we got this wrong last week); the Save Our Poolz movement looks back at the past year and considers new strategy; Worcester may be getting CORI reform.
This week’s Worcester Magazine covers our nation’s hard times by noting the stories of Foothills Theater, Lujon, and Papamoka.
The Telegram and Gazette is up for sale–Mike had predicted this would happen by May 1. Scott Zoback predicts the sale price will surpass $1,000,000.
T&G does a sorry job covering the latest Rep. Spellane gossip compared to the Herald.
Rushton to buy NWA album for son?
Scott Zoback enjoyed the Dive Bar’s 100th Thursday Music Night and the haberdasher trailer.
Mike suggests Worcester Magazine imagine how they could cover a large, local story 100%, then post the “assignment list” and try to engage the community in reporting it. (Inspired by Jay Rosen’s idea for Brooklyn.
Mike also notes the Uighurs are finally getting out of Guantanamo.
Worcester’s “vegetarian renaissance” has lasted a month now, continuing with Drew Wilson’s WoMag article “Top places to get mock-meats.” We note Drew’s idea for mock dodo, mock tyrannosaurus rex, etc.
HBML has been replaced by the “Fuck Yeah Center.”
City Council Candidate Joe Casello should appear on 508.
We finish with a report from the year’s first Main South Farmer’s Market, and the story of the Woodchuck of Main South.
