Unexpected Murals and Masterpieces

I already tweeted this, but for the Twitter-averse, I wanted you to be aware of some new blogs I added to the blogroll.

A gentleman named Paul created a wonderful blog called Gargoyles & Grotesques, which I’ve adored for some time, and he has another blog specifically devoted to street art — Unexpected Murals & Masterpieces.

I love the back of the Do Not Enter sign on Winfield Street, and I especially am grateful that he grabbed a picture of the beatnik on Irving Street, which I’d been unable to get a good picture of before it was taken down.

Keep up the good work!

Best of Worcester – Thank You!

I am once again really touched that readers have voted this blog the best local blog in Worcester Mag’s Best of Worcester 2013.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting.

While so much of this blog is about my personal quirks — an obsession with street signage, a compulsive inclination towards extreme thrift, and intermittent forays into activism — it’s just as much a dialogue between me and you.

Winning this award is bittersweet.  If our friend Jeff Barnard were here with us, he would certainly be blogging circles around me.  I miss his insight and his friendship, and the best blog Worcester ever had.

Best of Worcester – Thank You!

I usually check on the WoMag Best of Worcester list to ensure that my cousins’ business wins the Best Grinders category, and that various friends win in the categories they should.

So I am, of course, really touched that readers thought well enough of this blog to vote it as the best local blog in 2012.

I started writing this blog because I liked what I saw going on in the Worcester blogosphere and wanted to add my voice to that mix.

I’d like to thank those of you who’ve read and commented here, and everyone who blogs, tweets, or tumblrs about our city.

Here’s to another year of street signage bloopers, library news, and an inappropriate obsession with Mike Germain.

Movies on the Common and WoMag on Tap Tonight!

There are going to be two events where bloggers can get together tonight. (Obviously, I wouldn’t have scheduled it this way, but the rain made its choices for me.)

I think I’ll be at WoMag on Tap ’til about 6:30, and then head over to the Common. Hope to see some of you tonight.

1. Worcester Film Works’ presentation of Spaceballs. There will be music starting at 6pm. You will be able to find the bloggers (or, at least, me) near the oval WWII memorial in the middle of the Common.

2. WoMag on Tap at Funky Murphy’s, beginning at 5:30pm. RSVP here.

Spaceballs postponed

Worcester Film Works’ presentation Spaceballs has been postponed to next Thursday, September 1.  Hope to see some of you on the Common then!

Upcoming Worcester Blogger Meetups

I’m working on details for a blogger coffee in late September, but in the meantime, if you’re a blogger or reader, feel free to come to one or both of the following events:

1. Worcester Film Works’ presentation of Spaceballs. There will be music starting at 6pm this Thursday, August 25. You will be able to find the bloggers (or, at least, me) near the oval WWII memorial in the middle of the Common.  (Also, if you’re interested in helping folks register to vote at this event, please let David <at> IECWorcester <dot> org know.)

2. WoMag on Tap at Funky Murphy’s, NEXT Thursday, September 1, beginning at 5:30pm. RSVP here.

Hope to see you at one or both events!

Worcester Bloggers at Tornadoes/Movies on the Common

There are two upcoming two events for bloggers and readers to get together:

1) A night at the Tornadoes. This is something we’d been discussing, and the date that worked for the most people is Tuesday, July 26. I had been discussing arrangements with the Tornadoes, but it might be simpler if everyone who is interested buys general admission/grandstand seats and we’ll plan to meet in a certain section. Let me know if you’d like to join us and I’ll keep you in the loop.

2) Worcester Film Works will be showing Back to the Future on Thursday night, July 28.  There are some bloggers who will be attending, so if folks like, we can also plan on a meetup there as well.

WoMag on Tap – June 2

I rarely attend Worcester Magazine on Tap events (because my Thursday nights are  otherwise occupied) but I will be able to go to the one next Thursday, June 2, at the Flying Rhino on Shrewsbury Street.

If you can’t attend the Blogger Waffle get-together on June 12 (or if you are looking for yet another opportunity to discuss street signs, the grammar of obscure languages, or Donatism), I would love to see you at WoMag on Tap.

The door prize I will be giving away to the first blogger or commenter I see there (or, failing that, whoever really wants it) is a copy of The Adventurous Gardener: Where to Buy the Best Plants in New England.

Signature gathering

I know that there are a lot of folks out there who have pulled papers for elected office in Worcester.

I don’t want to turn the blogger get-togethers too political, but many of those who attend live in Worcester and vote on a regular basis.

So…if you or someone you know is running for elected office in the City of Worcester, I will be more than willing to take your signature papers to the next blogger meetup.

I want to see people on ballots, period. 

It doesn’t matter whether I like you or not, or whether I agree with you or not, or whether or not I will ultimately vote for you.

It takes a lot of guts to run for public office, and I want to help you get on the ballot.

Leave a comment or send me an email if you’d like me to gather signatures for you.   I am more than happy to help.

Also, readers should let me know if you’re willing to sign papers.  As I said, signing someone’s papers does not mean that you’re going to vote for the person.  It just means you want that person to have the opportunity to be on a ballot.

Save the Date: Blogger Waffle Get-Together – June 12

Here are the details for the next Worcester Blogger meetup.  Put it on your calendar!

time: Sunday, June 12 at 12:30pm
location: WooDaddy Waffles at Moynihan’s, 897 Main Street

Remember, you do not need to be a blogger or a regular commenter to attend — all are welcome.

I hope to see some of you there!

PS — I published this post without mentioning that I bought a ton of books about Worcester history and architecture to give away to folks who attend this get-together.  So if the scrumptious waffles are not incentive enough, perhaps a book about Isaiah Thomas is!