[Sierra]

I am getting nervous for our move. My reaction to things like being nervous regarding the "unknown" is to research. So forgive me for pestering those of you in Worcester yet again for more information. I hope you don't already want me to go away

:.

Okay, so here goes

:

(by the way, our kids are toddlers)...

1. My favorite restaurant is ____________.
   I like it because ___________________.
2. My favorite annual event/festival/street faire etc. is ______________.
3. The best place to go with young kids on a hot day is _______________.
4. The best place to go with young kids on a rainy day when nobody wants to stay at home is _________________.
5. The most interesting day trip I've taken is __________________.
6. One educational but fun place for young kids is ___________________.
7. A good place to go when I feel lonely is _________________.
8. The best organizations/groups to join are ______________________.
9. There are great parent-child swim classes at __________________.
10. A good place/way to meet friends here is ___________________.
11. The best family doctor or pediatrician is _____________________. (I know some of you have mentioned names on another thread, but any additional names would be great since we'll have to see who takes our insurance and shop around)
12. A good OB/GYN or midwife who does routine GYN care is _________________.
13. My favorite local toy store is ____________________.
14. The best local bookstore is ___________________.
15. My favorite neighborhood is ____________________.
    I like it because ____________________.
16. A "fair trade" import store is _____________________.
17. The most interesting shop in the area is __________________.
18. A good place to hear live music is ____________________.
19. A good way to get locally grown organic food and a local source for hormone-free and/or organic dairy and eggs is ____________________. (I know we've already talked about this a little bit.)
20. The best library in the area is ____________________.
    I like it because _______________________.
21. One great coffee shop is _______________________.
22. The best pharmacy is ______________________.
    I like it because _____________________.
23. A good hospital is ______________________.
24. A good tailor/seamstress is _____________________.
25. A great place for women's haircuts or styling is ____________________.
26. A great place for getting nails done is ____________________.
27. A cool spa I've been to or heard about is ____________________ and/or a wonderful massage therapist is ___________________. (I am thinking we are going to be STRESSED until we get settled.)
28. The place I would take out of town guests is _______________________.
29. My family's favorite park is ____________________.
    I like it because _____________________.
30. The unknown gem of the city is _________________. (For example, in my town in WA, there is this great little place named the Asian Deli, tucked away in a remote strip mall. It is half grocery store, half restaurant/deli, and the deli has great Thai food and the MOST AMAZING spring rolls.)
31. The first thing I would do after moving here would be _________________.

 

[toastqueen]

Okay, I only have a one-year old, so we haven't got out too much with him:

6. One educational but fun place for young kids is the Ecotarium
8. The best organizations/groups to join are La Leche League (for moms of babies) and the ladies at The Worcester Playgroup Meetup.
10. A good place/way to meet friends here is The Worcester Playgroup Meetup.
11. The best family doctor or pediatrician isThe best I've found is Lisa Gussak. But, I hated her office, so I left, but I haven't found an as compassionate doctor yet!
16. A "fair trade" import store is Dunia Ecostore There's probably something closer, but that's where I like.
31. The first thing I would do after moving here would be Join a Meetup to meet other moms!

Sorry I'm not more help - I hope others chime in!

 

[yonit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toastqueen Okay, I only have a one-year old, so we haven't got out too much with him: sThe best I've found is Lisa Gussak. But, I hated her office, so I left, but I haven't found an as compassionate doctor yet! [/U][/B]

How funny! I just left Dr. Gussak last week as I really couldn't stand her. I had no problem with her office though, just that they were a bit disorganized at times. However, she is anti breastfeeding and anti-AP parenting - she told me flat out to "just stop breastfeeding" and wearing my baby was "bad". My baby was only 7 weeks old when she made these comments. She then recommended surgery because my pelvic floor muscles were weak and "could" cause problems. Gee, you think I just gave birth to my 4th child a month beforehand could have something to do with that? I would NEVER recommend her to anyone...

I have an appointment with Paul Hart next week who I have heard good things about, but haven't met him yet.

As for the rest of the questions, I think I need to get out more! LOL

 

[MommaCheesehead]

My favorite restaurant is The Flying Rhino on Shrewsbury street because they have an eclectic menu, the atmosphere is fun, and it's fairly kid-friendly.

The best place to go with young kids on a rainy day when nobody wants to stay at home is The Worcester Art Museum or Higgins Armory.

The best place to go with young kids on a hot day is Purgatory Chasms in Sutton.

One educational but fun place for young kids is The Ecotarium.

My favorite local toy store is The Classic Toy Shop.

A good hospital is St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center (I have to say that because I work there

)

 

[kgrace]

My favorite restaurant is Dulat on Park Avenue
I like it because its cheap-yummy Vietnamese hole in the wall restaurant.
My favorite annual event/festival/street faire etc. is _4th of July the Massachusetts Symphony orchestra in Institute Park. There is another street fair Arts in the Park I think it´s called that is popular crafts and kids stuff.
The best place to go with young kids on a hot day is _the beach Rhode Island, or the Cape.
The best place to go with young kids on a rainy day when nobody wants to stay at home is _Worcester Art Museum.
The most interesting day trip I've taken is the Berkshires, the Mohawk Trail, Berlin Orchards in the Fall.
The best local bookstore is _Barnes and Noble Lincoln Plaza but I´d love to find others.
The most interesting shop in the area is Worcester Center for Crafts
A good place to hear live music is I think it´s a good idea to get connected with WPI, Holy Cross and Clark for cultural events. Tuckerman Hall is beautiful you can hear live music there too.
A good way to get locally grown organic food and a local source for hormone-free and/or organic dairy and eggs is Shaws has a WILD HARVEST section, farms all over in surrounding towns, Sterling,Paxton.I need to find some more this summer! Trader Joes in Shrewsbury.Living Earth in Worcester.
The best library in the area is _down town branch
I like it because _its spacious- up to date, nice librarians.

One great coffee shop is Bagel Time on Park Street.

A great place for women's haircuts or styling is ¨Fulgere ¨ they use Aveda products.

A cool spa I've been to or heard about is _ Tu Moda but watch out for the hair dressers with long finger nails there!
I like taking guests to Tower Hill Botanical Garden.
My family's favorite park is _Elm Park
because people socialize there and I see lots of dog varieties.
The first thing I would do after moving here would be to give it a chance. Moving can be stressful but there are some nice havens in Worcester.Enjoy!

 

[toastqueen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yonit How funny! I just left Dr. Gussak last week as I really couldn't stand her. I had no problem with her office though, just that they were a bit disorganized at times. However, she is anti breastfeeding and anti-AP parenting - she told me flat out to "just stop breastfeeding" and wearing my baby was "bad". My baby was only 7 weeks old when she made these comments. She then recommended surgery because my pelvic floor muscles were weak and "could" cause problems. Gee, you think I just gave birth to my 4th child a month beforehand could have something to do with that? I would NEVER recommend her to anyone... I have an appointment with Paul Hart next week who I have heard good things about, but haven't met him yet. As for the rest of the questions, I think I need to get out more! LOL

Dr. Gussak helped me immensely with my breastfeeding issues - gave me some advice for my sore nipples, and wasn't concerned with my son's tongue-tie.
She was a (quiet) advocate of co-sleeping, and we had an excellent discussion on that. I was so sad to leave her but the office staff was rude, disorganized, and I could never park without a major hike with the carseat!

Paul Hart has 4,000 patients. 4,000. I was going to switch to him, but I have a friend who is switching out because she says it's so hard to get an appointment, and she never gets to see him. He also does the free clinic and does something similar to Doctors without Borders, so he's an extremely busy guy.

But, I'd love to hear how it goes with him, as I was disappointed after the woman who gave rave reviews previously to now be switching.

I, too, need to get out more as I had so few answers!!

 

[Sierra]

Thanks everyone! This is soooo helpful. Keep 'em coming!

 

[libragirl]

this is great...I'm moving there next week so I'm definitely bookmarking this thread! Sierra, when/where are you moving? We bought a place in Tatnuck Square, on the west side of town.

can I add a couple questions?
yoga studio recommendation?
how is the Artichoke co-op?

My husband's work (UMass Memorial) sent us a "getting to know Worcester" brochure with some links to stuff to do - local parks, story hours and whatnot, I'll dig it out when we arrive and post a few ideas. I joined a couple meetups and having been getting tons of emails about playdates, so that's a good start anyway. we found a good pizza place near us but for the life of me can't remember the name - but it's cute and yummy. On Pleasant St I believe.

good luck with your move, maybe we can meet up when we're all settled.

 

[toastqueen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by libragirl this is great...I'm moving there next week so I'm definitely bookmarking this thread! Sierra, when/where are you moving? We bought a place in Tatnuck Square, on the west side of town. can I add a couple questions? yoga studio recommendation? how is the Artichoke co-op? My husband's work (UMass Memorial) sent us a "getting to know Worcester" brochure with some links to stuff to do - local parks, story hours and whatnot, I'll dig it out when we arrive and post a few ideas. I joined a couple meetups and having been getting tons of emails about playdates, so that's a good start anyway. we found a good pizza place near us but for the life of me can't remember the name - but it's cute and yummy. On Pleasant St I believe. good luck with your move, maybe we can meet up when we're all settled.

I loved Central Mass Yoga for prenatal classes http://www.centralmassyoga.com/
I'd be interested in the replies for Artichoke, though, as I keep meaning to get there.

 

[beaches1098]

libragirl that pizza place might be The Corner Grille. We love it.

 

[SamuraiMom]

I would be so happy to answer as many questions as I can. I am from Worcester, tried to leave, but got dragged back, now I am stuck here, but I am happy to be!

My favorite restaurant is, where so I start? I 2nd Da Lat (vietnamese)on Park Ave, The Rhino on Shrewsbury St as well as a whole bunch more on the same street! The Corner Grill has great wraps and pizza(Pleasant St.), The Boynton on Highland isn't bad for Aps and burgers. The Sole is a fav for sea food., India Cafe in Shrewsbury across from Trader Joes on RT 9 and there are more, but those are at the top of my list. Worcester has been a haven for new restaurants, and not one that has opened in the lastfew years has closed. Just take a ride down Shrewsury St, and oh! The Taste of Worcester is coming up, I think that it's $40 or more and you can restaurant hop for the night down Shrewbury!

I like them because I eat Vegatarian out and all have great choices, but I've been told the meat choices, like the burgers @ The Boynton, are good too!

My favorite annual event/festival/street faire etc. "StArt on the Street" is a block full of local artists displaying/selling/creating their art on Park Ave. in Sept., you'll find info in our local rag, Worcester Magazine. Also Thursday evenings/6 oclock @ Elm Park music in the summer, great music, great for the whole fam.
The best place to go with young kids on a hot day is Rutland State Park up 122 (A?) Pleasant st into Paxton, $5 for the day $35 buys you a seasons pass.
The best place to go with young kids on a rainy day when nobody wants to stay at home is... someone elses house? Just kidding, The Ecotarium off of Plantation St.. Clay Time, rt 9 in Shrewsbury for older kids,
The most interesting day trip I've taken is either the Childrens Museum in Boston or the one in Acton, which is only 30 minutes away, and I think it is actualy called the Discovery Zone or something close to that.
One educational but fun place for young kids is Same as above, but also the Ecotarium again.
A good place to go when I feel lonely is the Bean Counter on Highland st or my fav is Esspress Yourself Cafe on Pleasant st, towards Tatnuck Sq.

There are great parent-child swim classes at the YMCA, I've been told.

The best family doctor or pediatrician is, we've been going to Dr. Nashino at May st. Fallon, but I have heard good things about Hugh Silk, who actually is in Lisa Gussacks office.

A good OB/GYN or midwife who does routine GYN care is: my Midwife will do routine tests ( I think she still does) and she is a wonderful Midwife, her practice is Seven Hills Midwifery.

My favorite local toy store is the Classic Toy on Park Ave

The best local bookstore is, this question makes me cry... it closed 2 years ago, you'll have to go to Boarders or that other one...

My favorite neighborhood is my own, between Newton Square and Tatnuck Square and the Highland St area is great, though there are many college kids due to the 2 colleges in the neighborhood there are also families, and you're close to the market, restaurants and a great little Boutique called Unique Boutique and a great little store where they teach weaving, beautiful stuff!

A "fair trade" import store is.... well, The Liveing Earth does carry Fair Trade and they say they carry local produce, but it can be pricey.

The most interesting shop in the area is, Badhon Gift (SP?) in Tatnuck Sq. The Perfect Package on Park across from CC Lowell the local art supply store, OHHH, and of course my store, The Pet Barn (shameless plug!) we are on Park ave too.... and in Holden...and on Grafton St. by the Pike

A good place to hear live music is, there are a few, but The Sahara on Highland has a great band once a month call Jubillee Gardens. You can also pick up a Worcester Magazine at almost any store that will tell you whats going on for the week.

A good way to get locally grown organic food and a local source for hormone-free and/or organic dairy and eggs is Artichoke Co-op, and I hope soon the farmers market will be back on Chandler St at Foley Stadium and down town in front of City Hall
The best library in the area is the down town branch.
I like it because it's huge!!! Good help and comfortable to hang out!

One great coffee shop is Esspress Yourself Cafe on Pleasant St.

A great place for women's haircuts or styling is LJ Styles on Pleasant St.

A cool spa I've been to or heard about is TU Moda and/or a wonderful massage therapist is Heather at Tu Moda is amazing, but Amythist Point on Chandler St is a great place to get all kinds of work done!

The place I would take out of town guests is The Sole Proprietor on Highland, almost any restaraunt on Shrewsbury St, The Chop House is a great Steak house...Baba has great Sushi, in fact there are a few new sushi bars in Worcester, Baba and Hiaku are both a stones throw from one another on Park, Haiku a littel before Pleasant and Baba beween pleasant and chandler
EL Basha is on Park aslo, GREAT Middle Eastern food

My family's favorite park is Elm Park
I like it because it's a good walk from our house, the play area is open enough that your kids, when a little older, can play and you will still be able to see them from the othe side of the playground...make sense?

The unknown gem of the city is One Love on Maine st. next to the Atichoke co-op, Jamaican/African food, yum.

The first thing I would do after moving here would be, go to .... make a list and throw a dart!

I feel like I've missed something ...

I hope this helps!

 

[RachelGS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toastqueen Dr. Gussak helped me immensely with my breastfeeding issues - gave me some advice for my sore nipples, and wasn't concerned with my son's tongue-tie. She was a (quiet) advocate of co-sleeping, and we had an excellent discussion on that. I was so sad to leave her but the office staff was rude, disorganized, and I could never park without a major hike with the carseat! Paul Hart has 4,000 patients. 4,000. I was going to switch to him, but I have a friend who is switching out because she says it's so hard to get an appointment, and she never gets to see him. He also does the free clinic and does something similar to Doctors without Borders, so he's an extremely busy guy. But, I'd love to hear how it goes with him, as I was disappointed after the woman who gave rave reviews previously to now be switching. I, too, need to get out more as I had so few answers!!

Interesting to hear this discussion! I tried repeatedly to talk to Lisa Gussak without success. I couldn't get past the warden at the front desk. I'm not sure Lisa ever got the message. It was unbelievably frustrating.

We see Paul Hart and have been happy there. Calling last-minute with a sick child will usually land us with an NP, but we've liked them. OTOH, if I feel strongly about seeing him, all I have to do is leave him a message, and invariably he calls and tells me to come right over, then sees us himself. I feel like he knows us and is responsive, for what that's worth. My biggest problem with that practice is that it's not particularly close to where we are, so that's a hassle.

As for Worcester-area stuff, we also love the Flying Rhino and the Classic Toy Shoppe! Most of the rest of this is still new to me, though. I'm glad somebody mentioned the farmer's market-- I was about to head over there! So where ARE the good farmer's markets? What's this artichoke thing?

 

[Sierra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by libragirl this is great...I'm moving there next week so I'm definitely bookmarking this thread!

Awesome. It's been great for me, too! Thanks everyone.

Quote:

Sierra, when/where are you moving?

I will be moving in early-mid August. We aren't sure exactly where we are moving. We've been working with an agent, and our family out in that area has even gone out to look at houses for us. However, we're a little uncertain right now if we are going to put an offer on a house quite yet:

1. We're foster parents, and we have a dfd who we likely will be adopting. However, there have been tons of delays, and now it is looking like we wont be able to leave the state with her for some time. This means that I will be moving before the rest of my family, and we may need to hold off on selling our house out in WA so that dw has somewhere foster licensed to continue living with the kids.

2. We have contractors working on our house, getting it ready to sell, but of course there have been endless delays. We were supposed to have it on the market in early June, and we still have new floors being put in and windows being replaced, and a paint job that is taking weeks and weeks because the painters don't show, and shingles to replace on our new roof because the painters accidently got some up there, and...

:

3. We were supposed to go out to vacation in MA next week. We were going to attend dw's parents' 50th wedding anniversary and then go to Worcester for house-hunting, etc. We hoped to put an offer down at that time, and shoot for a quick closing. But the SW failed to go to court to get our court order to allow for this trip, so now we might be screwed out of that too.

:

Okay, sorry to vent here. It's just that moves are stressful enough without all this happening, and I am just a basket case right now.

Quote:

We bought a place in Tatnuck Square, on the west side of town.

That's a great place, we hear. We've definitely been checking out properties there.

Quote:

My husband's work (UMass Memorial) sent us a "getting to know Worcester" brochure with some links to stuff to do - local parks, story hours and whatnot, I'll dig it out when we arrive and post a few ideas.

Thanks, that'd be great.

Quote:

I joined a couple meetups and having been getting tons of emails about playdates, so that's a good start anyway.

Okay, I should really do that now since folks have been mentioning it. What ones did you join?

Quote:

good luck with your move, maybe we can meet up when we're all settled.

Good luck with your move! It would be great to meet up. Let's definitely do that.

 

[amj'smommy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamuraiMom The most interesting shop in the area is, Badhon Gift (SP?) in Tatnuck Sq. The Perfect Package on Park across from CC Lowell the local art supply store, OHHH, and of course my store, The Pet Barn (shameless plug!) we are on Park ave too.... and in Holden...and on Grafton St. by the Pike .................................................. ................. A cool spa I've been to or heard about is TU Moda and/or a wonderful massage therapist is Heather at Tu Moda is amazing, but Amythist Point on Chandler St is a great place to get all kinds of work done!

I love the Pet Barn on Park Ave!! Is your dh/dp the guy who works there? He is always so helpful and friendly to my kids

My 2yr old loves the kitties there!

Oh and shameless plug for Amethyst point here.... my mil owns the place

:

 

[amj'smommy]

re parks... In Shrewsbury (town over) there's Dean Park. I love that the play area is completely gated in. There's also a pond and walking areas. Great place for a picnic. Also little league fields there if you want to watch a game. We've fondly call Elm Park "Goose poop park" seems you cant step anywhere without stepping in poop

 

[SamuraiMom]

I love the Pet Barn on Park Ave!! Is your dh/dp the guy who works there? He is always so helpful and friendly to my kids My 2yr old loves the kitties there!

Oh and shameless plug for Amethyst point here.... my mil owns the place

 

[SamuraiMom]

I love the Pet Barn on Park Ave!! Is your dh/dp the guy who works there? He is always so helpful and friendly to my kids My 2yr old loves the kitties there!

Oh and shameless plug for Amethyst point here.... my mil owns the place

Thanks

! I think that would be Chris, he's not my DH, but he is like family!
And I have to agree with you on Goose Poop park, I mean Elm Park, never a lack of goose poop there!

 

[SummerTwilight]

I am another one who goes to Lisa Gussak with my 10 month old and for myself and I love her. I can see why you would leave the practice though cause it is chaos and I hate the office staff.
But I am surprised to hear the complaint about her because I am doing delayed vax and she was ok with that and didn't pressure me, except she did highly recommend HIB as the first vax which we did. She has NEVER discouraged me from BF and that is my primary food for my baby. I co-sleep and while my baby sleeps HORRIBLE so she SUGGESTED trying the crib, it was just an option and she didn't push it at all. She always sits down and chats with us for a while and my homebirth midwife is who gave me her name as she was also a client and had her babies at home- and bf for a while as she has told me in conversation.
Sorry you had a bad experience- that is bizarre!
Best place to take anyone out or to go for a nice dinner is hands down the Sole Proprietor, which everyone calls The Sole. The Arabic place across the street is also a favorite- Sahara.
The Webster House (not the best restaurant) has live music, open mic on Mondays and live performers on Thursdays, I have played there a few times, performers get $30 and free dinner.

Basically I concur with others sentiments. The Living Earth is the best health food store I know of. If you drive down Rt 122 towards the WOrcester Airport but stay on 122 into Paxton (only 5 min from Tatnuck Square) there is Howe's Farm Stand on the right and they have a lot of produce. I am sure there are others but I live in Paxton so that is the only one I go to.
Tu Moda is great for a spa or a haircut or massage, I go to them for everything.
I will go to BlackStone Valley Shops on a rainy day- but my baby doesn't care much yet where we go. I doubt that would be much fun for older kids although there is a story hour on Fridays at 10 I think in the Barnes and Noble and I get a coffee at the adjoining Starbucks and sit with my friends while our kids run around the kid section. That is fun.

 

[Sierra]

I can't thank you all enough. I am going to probably be visiting for a week or so in another week or so, and I will check some of these out while I am there preparing for the big move. That way I'll have a feel for where everything is.

I also appreciate the diverse views expressed on Dr. Gussak and her office staff here. This way I will have a well-rounded understanding of her as an option.

 

[Sierra]

I am flying out tonight! I will start exploring Worcester probably on Monday. I am excited. Thanks again for all your help.