Category: Worcester

508 is a show about Worcester. This week, Mike and Brendan do the show on a frozen pond. (Today’s weather.)

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

If you want to get involved with the effort to bring Google Fiber to Worcester, you can get started with this map.

Mike recommends the Central Mass Striders weekly 5k. Meet 8:30am Saturdays inside the Worcester State College gym.

The School Committee raised the CFO’s salary to some controversy. School Committee Member Tracy Novick went direct about her “yes” vote.

Worcester Magazine has a cover story about bloggers this week. We have mixed feelings about it.

Finally, Brendan talks about ice hockey and ice bocce.

508 is a show about Worcester. This week, Mike, Brendan, and Jim Dempsey talk with a class of Clark University students about campus and city issues.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

Today’s topics are union activity at Clark, and trends in campus crime.

508 is a show about Worcester.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

This week, Mike and Brendan begin with a recap of city government’s efforts to bring Google Fiber to Worcester. The Whiskerite charity beard competition raised almost $1000. Check out the video.

We have learned of the origins of the “Right Place, Right Time” song. (Video here, too.) Anyone have a copy of Worcester’s 1972 theme?

CSX wants to expand their Worcester rail yard. We are planning to learn about Worcester’s position on the Opioid Overdose Prevention program.

Worcester’s metalheads are awesome. We may as well link to Juggalo News.

Mike is enthusiastic about the Free Store at the Holden Recycling Center, and Coinstar.

We don’t like Worcester’s proposed pit bull ordinance. Mike recommends a Malcolm Gladwell article on the subject.

Finally, Holmes Wilson had a beautiful wedding in the Midtown Mall.

508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panel is Brendan Melican, Scott Zoback, Jen Burt, and Jeremy Shulkin.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

Inspired by Jeremy’s Worcester Magazine cover story “Selling Worcester: Who will take the lead to market our city?”, we discuss the rich oral tradition around Worcester’s many slogans, including the long-lost “Right Place, Right Time” and Bruce Russell’s “This City Should Be Destroyed”. Worcester even had a No Slogan Day. In the ad industry, slogans have fallen from favor.

Mike mentions that you can buy Ethiopian/Eritrean foods at Fresh Farm in Worcester, across the street from Lincoln Plaza. This Saturday is the Whiskerite fundraiser, Distant Castle anniversary party, Q arts fundraiser, and Pecha Kucha IV Haiti fundraiser.

Jen tells us about Clark students and alumni uniting to help Clark food service workers unionize.

The ongoing Venerini Academy story is starting to make sense as we learn their fundraiser has left a “trail of lies”.

Mike didn’t like the AP article in the T&G about Wal-Mart’s financial situation; he thought the NYT article was better.

Continue reading “508 #101: Right Place, Right Time”

508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panelists are Tracy Novick, Brendan Melican, Mike Benedetti, Jeff Barnard, Drew Wilson, Nicole, Bruce Russell, Matt Feinstein, Paul Levitsky, Kevin Ksen, Jesse Pack, and Jacob Berendes.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

This week, we ride the #2 and #16 buses and record the 100th show.

Other posts:

• Bringing Google Fiber to Worcester
• Signs of Worcester: At least we’ve got “diversity” on street corners, How did we get here?, The typography of street name signs, Graphic elements and street-type designations, How do they compare?, Oops!
• Jeff comments on the show
• Tweet from the show

Continue reading “508 #100: Anniversary”

508 is a show about Worcester. This weeks panelists are Greg Opperman, Tracy Novick, Brendan Melican, and Mike Benedetti.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

Tracy, a School Committee Member, talks about fundraising efforts for the vandalized Belmont Street Community School. You can help. We spend most of the show talking about the upcoming city school budget, and why there always seems to be a funding crisis.

Greg is the cook behind the uncontested world-champion vegan macaroni and cheese recipe.

Mike has entered a charity beard competition. February 20, Dive Bar.

Scott Zoback et al have a Haiti fundraiser today. February 5, 5pm-1am, Lucky Dog.

508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panelist is Brendan Melican.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

There was a big rally for (now-Senator) Brown at Mechanics Hall; the City’s considering banning plastic bags, though Mike has long advocated non-governmental action on this issue.

Vegetarian Renaissance: vegan mac’n’cheese cookoff coming up; veg fest coming up; creative Dunkin Donuts event. (Non-veg: Dr. Gonzo may have a roadkill barbeque.)

There are fancifully-dressed tax services advertisers on the sidewalks. Chain bar McFadden’s has closed.

Belmont Street Community School was massively vandalized. There was a Haiti fundraiser.

Mike talks about cargo cults. “Do different dumb things, Worcester. Do different dumb things.”

We’re planning something special for episode #100. Please share your ideas.

508 is a show about Worcester. This week’s panel is Brendan Melican and Drew Wilson.

[display_podcast]

Audio: mp3 link, other formats, feed

Video: Downloads and other formats

508 contact info

We talk about a Brazilian policeman charged with the killing of a Worcester man, Salvation Army people denigrating the Worcester schools, and Planned Parenthood ads being kept off city buses.

In veg news, there will be a Buddha Hut buffet Saturday, a vegan mac’n’cheese cookoff later in the month, and a Worcester Veg Fest in the spring.

We do an in-depth analysis of the Pulse magazine’s “Ones to Watch” lists from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Mike has obtained a physical copy of Inside Worcester magazine, which he found disappointing.