Great baseball, but a mediocre broadcast.

Byline: Anna L. Griffin

I don't know where the Red Sox will be in the World Series by the time this column finally appears. What I do know is that the coverage by Fox will be lousy. Period.

Just one of the more recent examples of the inability or the unwillingness of Fox to actually cover the game: Sunday night, Game 7.

We're in commercial.

Suddenly we come back to the action at Fenway.

We get "replays" of Jason Varitek's hit that bounced off of the Green Monster and Josh Beckett getting out of the dugout and walking over to the bullpen.

I understand commercial television means that there will be commercials, but unfortunately, this isn't the first year that Fox has broadcast these games, and you think they would have figured something out by now.

I'm not griping because I know we're luckier than most to have our team in the World Series.

I would just like to see them play in the World Series, and it's nearly impossible to do that on Fox.

And don't get me started on the two announcers - my opinions on those two would fill the rest of the newspaper.

The Beacon of Hope Community Services is hosting its annual Harvest Dinner on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Elks in Leominster. This year, the fund-raiser will be a celebration of the agency's 20th anniversary. The gala will feature a fabulous family-style dinner of turkey and roast pork catered by Sonoma, dancing to the music of Al Pier, and exciting raffles.

The proceeds benefit the Beacon of Hope's evening programs at St. Mark's Church Hall. Reservations may be made by calling the agency at [phone]. Donation for each person is $40, and reservations can be made by calling the agency at the above-listed telephone number.

Sister Janet Badagliacca and Sister Loretta Ciccolini will welcome all those affiliated with the agency for the last 20 years. "We have received so much community support from many individuals and groups. Many who have come assist our friends with developmental disabilities at a program at St. Mark's Church Hall on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Some others are involved with the demanding job of fund-raising. Each one is important to the efforts of the agency," Sr. Ciccolini said. "We have been fortunate that they are with us to continue to face the challenges of human services today. During several times of crisis, we have never had to discontinue our services."

The first annual St. Paul Catholic Schools Consortium celebration dinner will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. At that time, Bishop Robert J. McManus, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester, will be presenting the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award to the Boston College Lynch School of Education. This award is being presented in grateful recognition of their generous support of a vision of strong, accessible, Christ-centered education.

Rev. Joseph O'Keefe, Michael James, Ph.D. and the Boston College Lynch School of Education have consulted with the superintendent of schools, Stephen Perla, during the past two years. They have advised him on the schools' strengths and weaknesses, recommending the innovative Consortium model for the Northern Worcester County Catholic Schools. The Lynch foundation, established by Peter and Carol Lynch, has provided startup funds which have been instrumental in the consortium's foundation.

The keynote speaker for the evening is Rev. William P. Leahy, president of Boston College, who will be sharing his vision of the challenges and solutions that confront Catholic schools today. Information on the dinner can be obtained by calling [phone].

The Red Door Dinner and Concert Series at Christ Church, Fitchburg, opens on Sunday, Nov. 4. It is the first of three concerts in what organizers hope will become a defining cultural event in Fitchburg.

It is intended to be a low-cost opportunity for an entire family to enjoy an affordable evening of good food and classical music. It is hoped that the one-hour concert audience will include people of all ages, serving as an introduction to classical music for many of the younger members. In addition, should they tire of the musical bill-of-fare or have younger siblings, there will be activities within the building for the children to enjoy and childcare.

The series will be held on Sunday evenings and include a three-course family meal served in the Guild Hall at Christ Church, 569 Main St., Fitchburg, followed by the concert hall in the church itself. While the venue is a church, the concerts are independent of any service or religious event.

Tickets for the concert are $50 for a family (regardless of the number of people attending, immediate family only) and $20 for individuals. Meals are at 6 p.m. with the concerts at 7:15 p.m. The three concerts for the inaugural season are: "Best of the Baroque" on Nov. 4; "French Flourish" on Feb. 3 and "Choirs of Angels - A Mother's Day Special" on May 11.

Concerts not only feature the organizers, including oboist Kathleen Staten and organist Brenda Caldwell, but some of Boston's finest musicians. Among the performers are: Josh Cohen on the baroque trumpet; Kristen Watson, soprano; and instrumentalists Lisa Brooke, Jennifer Stirling and Daniel Rowe.

For more information you may e-mail [e-mail] or call Mrs. Caldwell at [phone], ext. 31.

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