Dear John: Quit Trying To Set Me Up

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

John Simpson, GoLocalWorcester Advice Columnist

Dear John, Work-related question for you. I am in my late twenties and work in a small office. The office manager, who has worked here her whole adult life and who is the heart and soul of the place, keeps trying to set me up with her daughter. (We met briefly once at a company function). I have no interest in dating her daughter for the simple reason that I am gay. The people I work with don't know this about me because I like keeping my personal and professional lives completely separate (something I learned the hard way). I was hoping a simple "no" would suffice, but the office manager is pushy—she almost seems to take pride in pushing until she gets her way. I get the impression that she's starting to take this personally. I strongly resent the thought of having to come out at work only so this woman will leave me alone. And everyone knows I'm single and unattached, so I can't very well come up with a long-lost "girlfriend." Do you see an easy way out of this?

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Organize + Energize: Simplify the Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalWorcester Organizing Expert

I believe there can always be a simpler way to accomplish a task. The holiday stress has already hit some people over the head. I don’t think that playing holiday music before Thanksgiving helps.

Think about everything you have to do this holiday season and how you may be able to streamline the process, whether it’s making to-do lists, planning and preparing, or just getting organized.

Here are 6 ways you can create simplicity around the holidays.

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Moms Can-Do’s: Magnet Discovery + More

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Michelle Johnstone, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

It’s hard to believe the holiday season is upon us. All the planning and prepping can leave little time for quality time with the kiddos! If you’re looking for some creative last minute outings, we’ve got you covered. We'll bring you our 5 favorites in the region every Tuesday, and they're all within an hour's drive of home. Checkout this week's pre-holiday fun!

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slides: College Guide 2013: Best Ways to Get Around

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

GoLocalWorcester College Guide Team

Why not take an adventure? At almost forty square miles Worcester is teeming with plenty of things to do, but also plenty of ways to get lost. This guide will provide efficient and affordable ways to travel within and out of the city. Whether you are trying to make your way downtown to go see a show at the DCU center, or heading over to Worcester Art Museum for a blast of culture you can rely on these methods of transportation to get you off without a hitch.

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slides: College Guide 2013: Great Ideas For a Cheap Night Out

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

GoLocalWorcester College Guide Team

Between breaking the bank for books and saving quarters for laundry, the price of college adds up quickly. But this shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a night out with friends. Here are ways to enjoy Worcester while saving some dough.

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Patriots Fall In Final Seconds To Panthers

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Matt LaPan, GoLocal Worcester Sports Reporter

The Patriots fall in the final seconds to the Carolina Panthers on a Monday Night Football thriller.

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MA Fiscal Alliance Scorecard Ranks Legislators

Monday, November 18, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Many fiscal conservatives are celebrating a new transparency tool launched by Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. The new tool launched by the watchdog group allows citizens to see how legislators voted and gives each a score.

"The leadership of Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance launched a first of its kind, Beta version, online and real time legislative scorecard," said the group.

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Leading in Central MA: Paul Overton of The Center at Eagle Hill

Monday, November 18, 2013

Susan Wagner, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

In his twenty-five year career in the performing arts, Paul Overton has worked with a tremendous variety of organizations, from the smallest community theaters to some of the most well known producing organizations in the United States. He is known among his colleagues as a community builder, a careful curator, and an advocate for the arts in education.

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Smart Benefits: Tufts’ RightChoice Keeps it Simple for Consumers

Monday, November 18, 2013

Amy Gallagher, GoLocalWorcester Business/Health Expert

Tufts Health Plan is the first insurance carrier in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to offer a defined contribution model to large employers – those with 51 or more employees. Called RightChoice, Tufts’ defined contribution model allows an employer to fix a certain dollar amount as its contribution, and employees pay or save the difference, depending on the plan they select.

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College Admissions: 4 Elite Honors Programs in the East

Monday, November 18, 2013

Cristiana Quinn, GoLocalWorcester College Admissions Expert

Honors programs are a phenomenon that did not exist when most parents went to college. But today, many schools are touting them as a competitive tool. Some are extremely substantive and others are light in content and benefits. But, the truly robust honors programs offer students an academic experience that rivals the Ivy League, with many perks Ivy League students rarely see. The best offer an array of special courses, low student: professor ratios, top notch academic advising, research and publishing opportunities, and in some cases—FABULOUS honors dorms. For top students who are selected (based on GPA and sometimes SAT scores), these programs present amazing opportunities, and often, generous merit awards. Participants end up being highly sought after for graduate programs and careers because of the resumes they are able to build while still in school. Here are just a few of the best east coast honors programs*:

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