WCCA TV Newsletter, June 2020

This Month at WCCA TV, The People’s Channel

Dear friends, we hope this newsletter finds you in good health!

We are excited to welcome you (slowly) back to WCCA TV and hope you begin to produce/edit your program again at our station. During Phase1, we may have to alter studio hours and staff availability. Access will be by appointment only. Please contact your WCCA TV production facilitator to schedule production times.
Studio procedures have been modified to accommodate a safe, clean, and near touchless production process. Space in our studio will be limited to a total of four people, including camera operators. Staff and volunteer users will clean and disinfect all work areas thoroughly before and after each use. Our facilitators will explain and train you on the details in person.
We have made the edit rooms single-use only and they must be scheduled in advance. People editing must take in their own headphones. We will require that you wear a mask and gloves when editing. Please do not bring outside beverages or food in to the studio or edit suites.
Staff and community volunteers & guests will wear face mask at all times, where physical distancing is not possible. All staff and WCCA TV members will be required to maintain social distancing at all times. Spacing between people should be at least six feet.
To reserve your time, contact 508-755-1880. We ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time as we are working very diligently to be both accommodating and conscientious to your needs. We appreciate your kindness and support! Stay safe and healthy!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. On Instagram, we are wccatv13.

WCCA TV Special Presentations

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Jonathan Brennand, Artistic Director of the Worcester Youth Orchestras, to talk about how Worcester Youth Orchestras and its students continue to make music during COVID-19, while finding new ways to engage and learn together.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Ann Gibbons-Smith, Interim Executive Director of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, as well as Rev. John Madden (Pastor of St John’s Catholic Church in Worcester) and Kevin O’Sullivan – Cochairs of the 35th Annual Walk for the Homeless. We learned about the mission of CMHA and how the increase in homelessness has impacted them. We also learned about the 35th Annual Walk for the Homeless which, due to the pandemic, it’s a virtual walk.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Sean O’Neill, Manager of Business Development at Servpro of Worcester, to talk about how Servpro is uniquely prepared to help our community in these unprecedented times with professional cleaning and disinfecting. Sean also talked about their highly-trained team of professionals, adherence to EPA and CDC guidelines, and Servpro’s unwavering support of local first responders.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features David Fields, Managing Partner at Wormtown Brewery. David talks about Wormtown Brewery, which has been recognized as a world-class brewery with over 150 national and international medals. David also talked about how the pandemic has impacted production and distribution, and what next steps look like.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Aurelio Metohu, Owner & Chef at Casta Diva Restaurant – a waterfront restaurant in Northborough MA. Aurelio talks to WCCA TV’s Executive Director, Mauro DePasquale, about his background and culinary career, how the restaurant is adapting to these challenging times, and what they will offer when the restaurant reopens.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Debbie Hall, Director of Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA Central Massachusetts. Debbie talked about domestic violence during COVID-19 and the services available to survivors at YWCA. The Domestic Services Hotline is: 508-755-9030

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Domenico Fabiano, Chef & Owner of Arturo’s Ristorante. Domenico talks about the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry and the safety measures Arturo’s will implement upon reopening.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features William Butler (aka Brian Masters), Author of Roads to Addiction – Highways to Recovery: The Brian Masters Story – a book that focuses on Brian Masters’ road to recovery from homelessness and addiction. Bill also talks about the challenges addicts and homeless people are facing with the ongoing pandemic and how many of them are trying to reduce stress with alcohol and drugs. He also talks about his new upcoming book. For more details, visit www.addictionrealityeducation.com

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Debbie Maruca Hoak, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. Debbie talks about the impact of housing on health during a pandemic, mortgage forbearance for Habitat homeowners, and the Habitat’s impacts and abilities moving forward.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Zach Combs, Director of Crocodile River Music, to talk about how they are adapting with their large annual event schedule in June and other challenges posed by COVID-19. Zach also plays a “Ngoni” stringed instrument and a “Djembe” drum. Exclusively on WCCA TV 194!

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Darcy Cook from SmashIt2 – Worcester County’s ONLY Smash Room! Darcy talked to WCCA TV’s Executive Director, Mauro DePasquale, about how SmashIt2 started, why people come, how it works, and the challenges they are facing during these difficult times.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Kristen Vartanian, teacher at Quinsigamond Elementary School. Kristen talks about the differences and some of the challenges teachers are facing during this pandemic with virtual teaching versus the ‘traditional’ classroom.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Michael F. Marchand, President/Funeral Director at Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home in Worcester. Mike talks about how COVID-19 has changed their funeral services and the impact on grieving families.

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Sheryl Blancato, CEO at Second Chance Animal Services – a nonprofit organization and the only one in Massachusetts that provides veterinary services to the public with subsidized rates for those who qualify. Sheryl talks about the struggle the organization has been facing during COVID-19 pandemic as the donations have been down while they’re seeing more urgent situations. Despite the challenges, Second Chance Animal Services has been open throughout the pandemic, making sure they are there for the pets. The organization helps about 40,000 pets a year. For more information, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org

This edition of ‘Daily Breaking’ features Mary Beth Papcsy and Martha Deering from AdCare Hospital in Worcester, to discuss their Telehealth program that combines group therapy and individual counseling. They also talked about their Virtual Family Education program that enables families throughout the region to gain valuable information in the safest way possible. For more information, visit www.AdCare.com

WCCA TV Program Notes

  • Tune in to a new episode of Rosen’s Round Table. City Councilor Gary Rosen is back to our studio to resume the show using our current touchless-production protocol. Rosen and his panel members, Gary Vecchio and Moe Bergman, talk about coronavirus in Worcester and also about next year’s budget.
  • Healthy Living is a WCCA TV show that features interviews with medical doctors and allied health individuals regarding important health-related issues. Host of the show doctor Donald Pelto chats via Zoom with Lynn Homisak, a specialist in helping podiatrists and other physicians with their medical staff. In another episode, Dr Pelto’s guest is Natasha Dashkovskaya, a Postural Alignment Specialist and a Nutritious Movement Certified Restorative Exercise Specialist. Since 2011, she’s been helping people with chronic musculoskeletal pain by improving their postural alignment.
  • Tune in to WCCA TV’s Worcester Community News. This episode features a segment with Anne Buerau, from The Worcester Community Connections Coalition, interviewing Xolchit Polanco-Roman, the chair of the Parent Action Group; a video from ”Pathways to the Bench” featuring Judge Roger L. Gregory; Darlene Corbett with information on Behavioral Therapy, and other local stories. Exclusively on WCCA TV 194!
  • Health Matters is a program from the Worcester District Medical Society. Host Dr. Bruce Karlin welcomes Michelle Shabo, a medical student from Worcester. Just a few weeks ago, Michelle was infected with coronavirus and fighting for her life at UMass Memorial Medical Center. She talks to Dr. Karlin about how she survived COVID-19.
  • WCCA TV is making sure local seniors stay connected and informed during these challenging times, through its program Senior Speak. Tune in to a new episode that features Senior Center member Edith Morgan. ‘Senior Speak’ airs on WCCA TV, Cable Channel 194 in Worcester, and streams live at the same time worldwide at www.wccatv.com, on Tuesdays at 12:30pm and Wednesdays at 12pm.
  • WCCA TV’s independent, eclectic music-video show, Video Jam, with host Tracy Foley, will feature new music from from Ariana Grande with Justin Bieber, Drake, Olivia O’Brien, Kailee Morgue, Zoe Wees, Bruce Sudano, and Heartracer. Tune in on Fridays at 9 PM and Saturdays at 7 PM to WCCA TV, Channel 194 in Worcester. Keep on jammin’!!

About WCCA TV

Worcester Community Cable Access is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation administering public access cable television for Worcester, Massachusetts. Our mission is:

  • To advance democratic ideals by ensuring the people have access to electronic media
  • To provide a platform for first amendment rights and for artistic and cultural expression
  • To promote co-operative relations with those who serve the public interest
  • To promote communication through community use of media

LEARN, CREATE, CONNECT!