Kanjia: Why Gambia’s president may refuse to leave despite election loss

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Augustine Kanjia, a regular Sun contributor who spent years uncovering corruption as a refugee journalist in Gambia during President Yahya Jammeh’s rule, examines what Jammeh might be thinking as he defies Dec. 1 election results, what’s next for the West African nation, and how America’s electoral issues pale in comparison to those in Gambia.

Stearns Tavern

Editorial: In praise of a community that came to the rescue

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Faced with the demolition of a historic building, private companies, nonprofits and three levels of government worked to save the historic Stearns Tavern. A recent report details the unprecedented level of community involvement. But more work remains.

Editorial: Worcester Art Museum’s new gallery shows its mettle

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The city lost a true treasure when Higgins Armory closed three years ago. The silver lining was the Worcester Art Museum, which adopted the collection. This enormous undertaking reaches a milestone this weekend with the opening of the Medieval Galleries at WAM. Take a look yourself, or send your out-of-town visitors back a few centuries.

Local Business Spotlight: More than a century of sweet sounds at Union Music

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“I started working [here] when I was 9 years old (1955), which was about the same time that my grandfather gave me a guitar. … And I still play classical guitar,” said Carl Kamp, owner and president of this three-generation family business. Trusted for instrument purchases, repairs, lessons and expertise, Union Music’s rambling old store on Southbridge Street echos with notes of history as it keeps today’s musicians supplied and inspired. Which makes it an apt entry in our Survivor Series, highlighting Worcester businesses standing the test of time.

Mariano: Young patriots, raise your voices

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“To those who find student protests un-American, I would remind you that this is precisely what freedom looks like. It is highly likely that the freedoms that you cherish were won, at least in part, by patriotic young Americans who dreamed of making their country better.”

Sina-cism: Do ballot questions matter much?

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“Since the initiative process was created in 1918, voters have considered 179 ballot questions. Some years offered none, while there were nine questions three times. But how many were truly landmark initiatives, marking a real shift in the direction of public policy?” Well, it wouldn’t be much fun if we told you out here.

Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 116]: A Joe Petty fireside chat

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Worcester is under siege. Not by violence or economic disparity, necessarily, or even pigeons or college students, but by rhetoric and hyperbole. And now, maybe more than ever, fear is spreading.

Hitch’s greatest hits: Gomez and Healey and Fresolo — oh my!

Our estimable mayor, hizzoner Mr. Petty, has been around long enough to see days like these ebb and flow — but even he’s not sitting idly by this time. He wants Worcester folks to know, he’s there for you, which is admirable.

Also: downtown gentrification? Still on! Here’s Hitch.