Hey man, consider yourself lucky, they had the worst turn out in history last night. There was nobody down here. In fact they only had about ten cars for the burnouts...and this wasn't until about an hour and a half past when they were supposed to start! Tonight however, we're all screwed! If the weather holds, there will be a much bigger turn out for sure.

We've reduced their footprint by a third because they had to leave half of Main Street open in front of Armsby all the way to Thomas St. so that's helped a little. Next year we're calling for a full EPA study on the toxicity level from the burnt rubber....and I'm sure it will be enough to stop the burnouts from happening if nothing else.

It's Main Street, downtown. There HAS to be somewhere else they could do it.

I second the motion to move to the airport...what other city would allow such a toxic impedemnt to commerce for local bussines. Who besides the Crowne Plaza realy benefits...ok, Dr. Gonzo...maybe its good for you and more power to you...but is it worth the chaos and stench...not the kind of chaos and stench you prefer I imagine

It's kind of a double edged sword. First it's an event that brings MANY people into the downtown area, but it's loud and smoky. I remember a couple of years back being at the Irish Times and it was PACKED with event goers, so I guess that people do support the local establishments, but when I lived on Elm Street, the nutty drivers with their loud engines used to race on the street towards Park Ave all night like they were filming "Bullitt". I could go on a bit more about the pros and cons, but really, it's only 4 days out of 365.

BTW, the airport wouldn't work as it's still a functioning airport.

Hey man, I know its only one weekend a month. I'm not against the event itself, just the location. This event will have cost me personally a little over $20,000+ (real money) by the time its over. That's not too easy to swallow.

So, I will be crusading it's relocation next year with a team of lawyers, most of the residence of downtown and some local businesses including the hotels...which are also fed up with this event. For the record, Irish Times is busier without this event. This weekend hurts them to the tune of 30-40%.

By the way, my only real issue is the burnouts. All my other issues are subjective. The burnouts though are a serious health and environmental concern.

Easy Gabe, I see no reason to be questioning my child raising skilz, or lack thereof.

I grew up around burning rubber, loud engines, and all the other fun stuff that goes along with it.

One question...did you know Summer nats were there before you moved in? Did you know it was there before you started a business there?

For fucks sake, Worcester throws all of 2 decent parties all year. Leave it alone.

I am imagining it now...

'ya, it was neat, they used to do burn outs on main st. it was a throw back to the 50's' Then a few dozen people ruined the event that thousands attended...typical worcester.

When did you become "assman"? Sheesh man, are you saying I should have considered opening my business elsewhere because of one marginal event that happens for three day per year? My contribution to the city/downtown is far greater than what comes for the Nationals. Again Gabe and I are not against the event itself!

I'm willing to bet you don't even participate in this event.

This is my only screen name. I give you my word. There's obviously someone who writes like I do on here.

Oh by the way what are the two decent parties? Because if you are not counting the Latino Festival in there you are sadly mistaken.

Paulie will be throwing a pretty good one in a couple weeks too down in Piedmont Village.

Pride would probably have some issues not being including in the few good parties the city throws too.

It's personal opinion but I like everything listed above (and Start on the Street) way more than the Summer Nationals.

My biggest gripe is how long it took to get through on 911 or to operations at the police station today.
apparently a baby swan being strangled doesn't qualify as an emergency on a day that the city is preoccupied with traffic from the nationals.

Jerk . . . :)

I was remarking while driving home from Auburn the other day that it's depressing that our city's first sign on 290 is Worcester - Next 9 exits

It's like phew! Glad I got past all of those!

Finkle is Einhorn?!!

I'm thinking it's gonna be an awesome event! (Listening to Arthur's Theme) :D

my two cents: yes we stayed open inside the fence and made the best of it. In reality the only sales this weekend were from all of you who have been supporting us all along (thanks). I am out side sweeping the sidewalk in front of the Emporium everyday trying to make North Main a little more livable for all of us here in Wooville. From my vantage point, the folks coming for the burnouts just want bad beer, toxic fumes and fried dough. The carnies that come in to support this action can move anywhere. My hat is off to all of you having your sleds judged up in Green Hill Park. I acknowledge your dedication to detail, passion and skills but if you have a pressing need to blow up your tranny and burn your tires down to the rims, take it somewhere else.

Why should living downtown have anything to do with closing down the main street so that morons with fast cars can burn rubber? It doesn't anywhere else.

(And yes, I know they're not ALL morons. Sorry).

Good news, Gabe, next year will be even bigger... 20th anniversary.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090706/NEWS/907069969/1116

Someone choked a baby swan to death?

Someone tried to catch a baby swan with a fishing line at Institute Park its neck got tangled in the line and I called 911

JoeTaco said "What the hell is wrong with people?? Not you Fanny, the mad fishermen trying to catch the baby swan. Were other people just watching these people do this??"

the only other people there was a senile old lady throwing bread out to the swans and the Fishermans 5 other friends, the tangled neck was a team effort and all six of them ran off when i picked up my phone to call for help.

I'm not trying to downplay the act... it bothers me when people do such heartless things. It does pose a good question, who should you call, because I don't think the police are able to do anything to the teens except issue a fine(if that). I think that Worcester should follow suit with places like NYC and Sommerville with 311.

NYC's 311 site

You mean Ricky. His dad goes by Fred

the offender was an adult not a teenager.
311 sounds like an important thing to have. 911 was my first reaction and when they couldn't help they gave the # for the police station.
I was really just trying to reach someone to help save the swans life. Tufts wildlife clinic is probably the strongest local resource for a situation like this, and now I know that.
all around it was unfortunate timing with the holiday because no one was answering the phone at tufts and their voicemail wouldn't connect.

you see some one displaying an act of animal cruelty like that and my first reaction would be 911 as well.

I think my first reaction would have been to try to untangle said swan. If it turned in to an altercation with the dickhead(s) that did it, I'd probably call 911 to report one or multiple dickheads being strangled to death in the park.

Tacobear, don't expect our useless city council to do anything except raise shitloads of money to get reelected....funny how they bitch about us not having money to do things, yet they can up and raise 50k in a month for their own "campaign".