WCCA TV NEWS and INFORMATION Round Up: August 6, 2015

NOTE: This particular blog entry may be updated during the date of release.

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BIG NEWS FOR WORCESTER
WCCA TV is TV BY, FOR, and OF, the PEOPLE / public access community media. WCCA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that serves as an anchor institution that stands for Media Democracy, MEDIA LITERACY and Creative Innovation in Worcester, MA.
WCCA continues to be one of Worcester most vital and diverse STEAM ED, and creative maker spaces since 1986

Learn, Create and Connect at WCCA TV. Participate and empower yourself while building community through electronic media. We are a place a cable and web network where people share stories, promote local events, express themselves, offer views and opinions, and discuss Worcester. Get involved as a volunteer, Intern, or financial supporter.

Dozens of first run television programs are produced at WCCA each week. In fact more local community centric programming programming is produced at WCCA than any of all the cable channels on the cable spectrum. And it’s offered free on wccatv.com.

At WCCA TV, all of Worcester residents, workers and organizations, have the opportunity to take WCCA technology classes and workshops to learn how to create and distribute their quality video content, to distribute it on our network of channels, to participate in fun creative partnerships, to perform on camera, and to market ideas and community opportunities and even promote businesses through our Circle of Friends Memberships.

AT WCCA TV you find ALL types of programs, in many languages, all reflecting WORCESTER. NO OTHER Television better reflect the interest of Worcester and it’s people than WCCA TV. Why? Because it is programming that is produced by the people.

To find out more or become a member of WCCA TV, contact mauro@wccatv.com or browse this web site, we curate have one of the largest public access video archives in the UNITED STATES, or visit us at 415 Main street, Worcester, MA.
508-755-1880

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FOOD HUB HASN’T TAKEN ROOT YET IN CENTRAL MASS

Worcester County leads the state in farmland acreage, but not everyone is convinced Central Massachusetts needs a new way to connect its farmers with retailers. Among farmers in Central Massachusetts there is a mix of anticipation and caution. Yet the farmers are unsure if the food hub organizers really understand what they need.
“They haven’t sat down at the table with the farms like they need to,” said Michael Pineo, who runs a produce farm in Sterling. “There’s a lot more talking that needs to be done. Without the farmers there’s no food.” READ MORE click on the link:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/08/06/foodhub/XqLlrTQDPYcp3LHb3IHBWL/story.html

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WCCA TV “WCN” is Worcester’s Community TV NEWS seen exclusively on WCCA TV cable 194 and on line at wccatv.com . Check it out, be the media, submit YOUR video news clips, up to 3 -5 minute interviews to Jen Picherri here at WCCA, apply for consideration for one of our weekly episodes simply by submitting your video work to us. Submissions may be used subject to space and needs of each show. Submit your clip on a standard DVD [ or MOV or AVI video file ]. Why wait for a reporter when YOU CAN BE THE MEDIA and do it YOURSELF? Video record an event yourself and submit it WCCA TV’s “WORCESTER COMMUNITY NEWS” good, news, events, or fun stuff like what’s on your summer reading list?

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Swearing in ceremony to celebrate new chief of Worcester Fire Department
City to welcome Chief Gardell and say farewell to Chief Dio

Worcester –Deputy Chief Geoffrey Gardell will be sworn in as the new chief of the Worcester Fire Department as the city bids adieu to retiring Chief Gerard A. Dio at a ceremony on Friday, August 14.

EVENT: Swearing in ceremony of Chief Gardell
DATE: Friday, August 14, 2015
TIME: 4:00 p.m. (guests should plan to arrive a few minutes before the start time)
PLACE: Levi Lincoln Chamber (Room 309), City Hall, Worcester

Chief Gardell has been with the WFD for 31 years, serving as the deputy chief since August 2011. He is also the department’s public information officer.

Chief Dio is retiring after a 35-year career in the department. He has been chief since 2000. # # #

FROM WCCA TV “THANK YOU CHIEF DIO” to new Chief Gardell, “welcome to your new post and best wishes”
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Worcester Mayor Defends City Police efforts

Statement by Mayor Joseph M. Petty on recent proposals to increase the presence of
outside law enforcement agencies in Worcester:

I have full confidence in Chief Gemme and the Police Officers of Worcester. The
Worcester Police know our community and our neighborhoods. We have a great
community policing program as well as the Police Summer Impact Unit. Law
Enforcement on all levels are already working together to solve the problem of
violence in our community. They are working under the leadership of Police Chief
Gary Gemme. But when guns are easy to obtain, you end up with guns in the wrong
hands. Unfortunately right now, we have gang members with small minds carrying big
guns.

I am disappointed in some of my council colleagues who try to have it both ways.
You can’t vote against funding for the police and then claim that they don’t have
enough money. You can’t call for level funding the budget and then say we don’t
have enough cops. You can’t file orders one day supporting the police and then show
a total lack of respect for their professionalism the next.

I am asking my colleagues to stand with me in my support of the Worcester Police
Department. We need everyone in this fight. We need the Worcester Police, we need
neighborhood crime watch groups and we need community groups, all who know the
neighborhoods of Worcester.

Issued by
Daniel J. Racicot
Chief of Staff
Mayor Joseph M. Petty

City Hall Room 305
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608-1892

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Worcester Arts Council releases 2016 Grant application
Funding Available for the Arts and Culture!

Worcester, MA – Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is now accepting grant applications
for its 2016 funding cycle. The deadline for all grant applications is October 15,
2015. Based on community input received during 2015, WAC will give preference to
community projects in the following categories: Public Art (murals, monuments,
street art etc.), Visual Art (Ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
photography, and video), Music/Performing Arts (including theater and dance).
However all projects within the realm of arts, sciences and humanities will be
considered. WAC will accept grant applications from the following: individuals,
non-profit organizations, associations that can establish a non-profit objective,
schools, libraries and other public agencies.

WAC will be offering two types of competitive grants in 2016: Project Grants and
Fellowship Grants.

Fellowship Grants are awarded to assist artists, scholars and literary persons in
developing and exploring their work outside the structure of a specific project or
presentation. Two Fellowship grants will be awarded in 2016 in the amount of
$5,000.Through these grants, WAC intends to honor innovative individuals who
demonstrate excellence in their field and represent the best of Worcester’s creative
community. Fellowship applicants must maintain a residential, commercial or studio
address in the City of Worcester.

Project Grants are offered to encourage Worcester County individuals or
organizations to develop projects and programs that are innovative, collaborative in
nature, provide a public benefit, reach under-served populations and demonstrate
artistic excellence. All projects must occur within the city of Worcester within the
2016 calendar year.

To download a copy of the 2016 guidelines and the applications please
visit:http://www.worcesterma.gov/WAC

Applications must be postmarked by October 15, 2015

To assist applicants, WAC will host Grant Writing Workshops:

Thursday, August 13, 2015 6:00pm and Thursday, September 10, 2015 6:00pm.

Worcester City Hall, Levi Lincoln Conference Room, 3rd floor

Worcester Arts Council is a municipal body consisting of nine members appointed by
the City Manager, who annually distribute grant monies provided by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council. The mission of the Worcester Arts Council is to promote
excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and
interpretative sciences to improve the quality of life for Worcester residents and
contribute to the economic vitality of Worcester.

For more information please contact Lindiana Flores at 508.799.1400 x 261 or
email FloresL@Worcesterma.Org

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