Halloween Outlet in Worcester! (Episode 009)

I've heard that Halloween originated in Ireland and because the Irish famines of the 1840s brought thousands of Irish refugees to Worcester, it sorta makes sense that Worcester is home to the largest Halloween Superstore in the world. And in a very American-melting-pot kinda way, it makes even more sense that the Halloween Outlet is run by an Armenian family. Gary and Janis Arvanigian have been in the party goods/halloween biz for about 30 years and it looks like the kids are taking it to the next level with the online store–FrightCatalog.com

BTW-Do I make a good pirate or what?

Worcester Love at the State House.

In this episode we represent Worcester businesses at the State House in Boston on Made In Massachusetts Day. Being the hippest biz in the "House" we got some nice attention. It started with David Robichaud of WBZ-TV when he handed his mic to Andrea and she busts out with a tight sound bite which ended up running all day & night on CBS news.

Then Governor Deval Patrick starts talking to me while the Worcester Love camera is on the tripod capturing the historic event. After he gives me props for keepin it real and he bounces to give his speech to the adoring masses–I look into the camera's viewfinder and the stupid thing wasn't even taping! AGHHH!!! It was sorta like the time when I met Larry Bird behind the Boston Garden before a game and my mom realized that she left the kodak instant in the car. NOOOOOO!!!!!

But I didn't sweat it for long because then we got a private tour of the Lt. Governor's office. How tight is that? He's got Worcester paraphernalia all over the office!! Yea- Worcester is in the HOUSE BABY!!! We're seriously taking over. Boston has been the focus for too long. After Deval runs for president in 2016, Murray's gonna get the big office on Beacon St. and big thangs are gonna happen!

Shout outs: WBZ cameraman, Mary from Vernon Hill, Louis & Bruce of Facente Mosaic, and the dude in the back bay who recognized me and Andrea from TV.

Don't forget to check out the Worcester Love official website.

-kaz

Worcester Love at Green Hill Park

Green Hill Park is gorgeous. It's great to have it right in the middle of Worcester. When I was a youngster my parents took me here during the winter for some serious sledding. Back then it felt like the Swiss Alps or the Rocky Mountains. Nowadays I prefer it during the warmer months when I need a quick nature fix. From some spots in the park you feel like you're twenty miles from the nearest truck stop never mind being five minutes from downtown.

One of my biggests regrets in life is not borrowing my uncles super-8 film recorder to capture the magical rocketship slide that was once here. I hope that it ended up in a museum somewhere. It was out of control retro futuristic & amazing. Someone must have a photo or something.

Anyway- hope you enjoy. This episode really makes me proud of the diversity in Worcester. You couldn't plan this kind of thing. When the Brazillian woman started singing with her daughter I looked around to make sure some other video crew wasn't taping us taping her.

Don't forget to check out the Worcester Love official website.

-kaz