Cha Cha Connor
from The Pulse 28 to Watch in 2008
27. Cha Cha Connor, 24, Activist and artist

Cha Cha Connor is a 24 year old Worcester native, anarcha-holic, human rights activist and performance artist who gets excited about affordable development, ending homelessness, and connecting with anyone who works for a more just Worcester.

In the past year, Cha Cha been in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca “…doing human rights observation as people’s movements struggle for economic justice and self determination against a repressive government. Returning to the U.S. in April, I went on an east-coast tour as the Supermodels for Oaxaca, a protest theatre ‘models strike’ that used stilettos and style to draw attention to Oaxacan social movements.”

June 1 saw Cha Cha crash land on Millbury St. in South Kelley Square. “It’s a great neighborhood to be involved in, with a ton of artistic and activist creativity. One group I’m excited about is the residents and regulars at the Hotel Vernon who came up with the idea to do a ‘Women of Green Island’ calendar, celebrating the local places that are important to us, and fundraising for neighborhood improvements.”

Since 2005, Cha Cha has worked with a group of residents from all over Worcester called Real Solutions who raise concerns about how poor and vulnerable residents are being treated, especially with regard to city policies on homelessness, housing, and social services. Says Cha Cha, “Too often, ‘revitalization’ takes the form of gentrification, and happens without consulting working and poor folks already living in and contributing to a neighborhood. In Worcester I think we have a chance to do it differently - to organize for just and sustainable economic development that prioritizes our rights to affordable housing, decent jobs, education and healthcare.”

Venture into the nightlife of the Canal District, and you’ll probably find Cha Cha singing for the Happy Hour Hyjinx ~ a serenade of funk-inspired local tales of love and pride and beer and positive change.

Canal Fest November 2008
The uncovering (Free the Blackstone) of the Blackstone Canal has been long planned and remains a centering point for the rejuvenation of this great part of Worcester (Green Island, Kelly Square, The Canal District).

I helped with the design and creation of the Mermaid Costume proudly and beautifully worn by Cha Cha Connor, "Worcester native, anarcha-holic, human rights activist and performance artist who gets excited about affordable development, ending homelessness, and connecting with anyone who works for a more just Worcester". It was sewn and developed by Sandra Casale of Country Chic, a small, locally owned and operated designer and fabricator of custom window treatments as well as other sewn and upholstered products.























Canal Fest November 2008



Allen (a man a plan a canal) Fletcher, invited me to help him spruce up the outside of the 70' x12' canal reconstruction. Enduring Elements and Laurel Hill Landscaping were to bring granite from an old mill to line the sides but the rains of Summer postponed that.

So they went with hay bales in the November date. Allen challenged me to a race in the kayaks and then we started to take kids on rides or let the older ones go on their own. It was the first time in a kayak for many.

Gene Zabinsky and his wife made the incredible recreation of the area under glass. The detail and craftmanship are exquisite. Gene is a history buff and a member of the Canal District Alliance. He grew up in the Fox mansion and gave a compelling presentation about the history of Kelly Square at one CDA meeting.

Authentic Neo-Mexican
Baja Grill Neo-Mexican Cuisine
169 Millbury Street
Worcester, MA 01610
ph: 508-459-2727
alt: 508-459-2728
www.bajagrillneo-mexicancuisine.com/

Excellent Authentic Mexican: superb family run spot with outstanding chef and menu.

My wife and I recently had the best Mexican food in our lives. After a visit to the Worcester Art Museum we sought out a restaurant I was aware had opened in the happening hub of Worcester culture, arts and community; Green Island and the Canal District.

The sparkling clean and brightly colored interior was immediately welcoming on this bitter cold day. And the warm and genuine welcome from Lio Carmona and his sister Lupe Rodriguez made us instantly comfortable. We discussed the origins of the restaurant, the family run aspects and the deep culinary experience that created this wonderful place.


The food was authentic Mexican from the Guadalajara region; with some Spanish influence, all from family recipes and healthfully prepared. I chose the Paella Mexicana: sautéed shrimp, scallops, mussels, chorizo, chicken, onions, poblano chili peppers, garlic & rice deglaze with white wine. I have enjoyed paella in Barcelona and other areas of Spain and French Catalan areas. Leo assured me this would be different and great. It was. Try this if you love paella.

My wife had Pollo en Mole: sautéed marinated chicken breast with poblano mole. Served with rice, choice of refried beans (her choice) or frijoles a la charra, pico de gallo, guacamole & home made corn tortillas.Everything was fresh and the Mole was exuisite -- chocolately without being too sweet.
Real tortillas in a stitched warming pouch.
Great selection of drinks from Mexico.
Prices were very reasonable. Visit and bring friends,
This is an undiscovered gem

www.bajagrillneo-mexicancuisine.com/about_us

Green Island Community Gardens and Urban Beautification Project Hits Goals
People Dug Deep for Green Island!

Earlier this Summer I asked for help with a volunteer project I thought was very worthwhile. I was energized by a group of people rallying to improve an area of Worcester rich in history, traditions and pride.

Thanks to all who contributed to the Green Island Gardens Youth Employment and Urban Beautification Program

You helped us reach our Goals:
• Increased business in a vibrant community of local merchants who suffer from the run-down look of the neighborhood

• Increased the community’s pride in where they live

In addition to the benefits of the projects themselves, employing underprivileged neighborhood youth to carry out the program acheived the following:

• Brought employment skills and training to youth who may otherwise be left out of the job market.

• Increased a sense of community ownership over the gardens.

• Informed youth on topics of environmental justice that directly impact their lives, such as food security, climate change, and soil degradation.


To help continue this good energy and results you can donate money here

Featured Project
For GREEN ISLAND we:

• designed and made a prototype planter from a precast concrete septic riser. I worked with the youths to make 14 more
• designed a logo and made the flyer that helped Pernet market the planters and youth maintenance services to the local merchants
• designed the community garden and coordinated delivery of donated items.

Green Island Gardens Youth Employment and Urban Beautification Program
The Program
Pernet Family Health Services is a “neighborhood-based home health and social service agency” with a commitment to “supporting families to be physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually whole.1”
The agency has been serving the Green Island region of Worcester, MA since 1968.
This summer, Pernet has received funding to create part-time summer jobs for underprivileged youth. Pernet has decided to use its youth employment program to fund the creation of a 75' x 16' community garden and install container flower beds throughout the area’s small business district.
Pernet chose to create The Green Island Garden because...

• The garden will bring healthy, affordable, organic food to the people of Green Island, helping to eradicate food insecurity and malnourishment.


• Community gardens offer space for citizens to socialize and bond with one another, fostering a stronger and healthier social fabric.


• Community gardens localize the food industry, reducing both the price of people’s food and the city’s carbon footprint created by imported products.

Recently, citizens of Green Island were asked to identify aspects of their community they would like to see improve. A prevalent theme was the lack of cleanliness in the area and the over-all appearance of the neighborhood. Pernet chose to sell container flower gardens to local merchants in order to...

• Beautify the area


• Increase business to a vibrant community of local merchants who suffer from the run-down look of the neighborhood


• Increase the community’s pride in where they live
  

In addition to the benefits of the projects themselves, employing underprivileged neighborhood youth to carry out the program will:

• Bring employment skills and training to youth who may otherwise be left out of the job market.


• Increase a sense of community ownership over the gardens.


• Inform youth on topics of environmental justice that directly impact their lives, such as food security, climate change, and soil degradation.

1 Pernetfamilyhealth.org

How We Can Help
I was very inspired by Lizzy Fox, Clark University student who wrote a grant for herself to administer this program with Paulette LaCoste, Pernet's Program Director.

I volunteered to help:

• design the community gardens


• research options and design and create a sidewalk plant container prototype (low cost precast pipes 18" etched with a grinding wheel and painted with transparent concrete stains


• etch and create artistic flower planters with the teen workers to fill the orders from neighborhood business owners participating in the program


• create a brochure to help promote the program to business owners


• spec and price materials


• rally people to donate for the wish list

If you or anyone you know can help here is the wish list of needed items.

contact me here if you have any of these items please

The Donations Wish List
(Quantity) Material
(120 linear feet) of fence posts-4”X4”Lumber (fence posts)
(364 linear feet) 2”x 4” Lumber (fence rails)
(81) 8’ 6’X6” Timbers (garden beds)
(216 linear feet) ½” rebar
Spikes
Nails
Screws
Plants (flowers and vegetables- must already be seeded)
(5 cans) Green Spray Paint
(3 gallons) Behr Concrete Stain (can be bought at Home Depot)
Soil Inputs (details TBA)

Tools Wish List
(Quantity) Tool
(1) Hose
(2) Hose Wand
(3) Watering Can
(2) Watering Can (that can reach hanging plants)
(7)Gardening Gloves
(7) Safety Glasses
(1) Line Level
(15) Sponge Brushes
(7) Hand Clippers
(5) File
(1) Level
(1) Line Level
(10) Shovel
(10) Rake
(10) Hoe
(10) Trowel
(7) Bucket
(3) Measuring Tape
(10) Hammer
(2) Square
(1) Hack Saw
(1) Gardening Cart

Vegetable Wish List
Tomatoes
Green Beans
Yellow Beans
Purple Beans
Swiss Chard
Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Summer Squash
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Parsley
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Tarragon
Lettuce (various kinds)
Mini Watermelons
Flowers—any flower species that would form symbiotic relationship with different veggies
Flowers and mini evergreens for container gardens (several varieties so we can give options to store owners)