In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Tuesday, October 6 – A new traffic signal on Vernon St. is active at 9 AM this morning, Wachusett Mountain will have free skyrides for kids in costume on Halloween, average gas prices in Massachusetts drops one penny this week, Second Chance Animal Services receives a Petco grant and the Worcester Chamber Music Society has weekly concerts this month starting on Thursday.
New Traffic Signals on Vernon St. and I-290
At 9 AM this morning, Tuesday, October 6, the new traffic signals on Vernon Street, at the I-290 Westbound ramps, will be activated.
Please use caution and pay attention to the signals while driving through this area.
Free Halloween Skyride for Kids 12 & Under at Wachusett Mountain
On Halloween day, Saturday, October 31, Wachusett Mountain is offering a free Skyride to children (12 & under) who are in costume, from 11 am to noon.
As kids load the lift, their costumes will be judged by Wachusett staff and prizes will be awarded to the top 3 places.
As kids depart the lift they will also receive a complimentary “treat” bag.
Kids must ride the Halloween Skyride with an adult. (Adult fee is only $10).
Gas Prices this Week
AAA Northeast, the popular not-for-profit auto club, reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is down one cent from last week ($2.11), averaging $2.10 per gallon. That price is the 5 cents lower than a month ago ($2.15), and 48 cents cheaper than September 28, 2019 ($2.58).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 8 cents lower than the national average.
AAA Northeast’s October 5 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be the same as last week, averaging $2.18 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 4 cents lower than a month ago ($2.22), and 47 cents cheaper than this day last year ($2.65).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
Second Chance Animal Services Receives $6,500 from Petco
The Petco Foundation recognized Second Chance’s success in its mission to save pets’ lives with a $6,500 grant.
This grant is part of the Petco Foundation’s recent distribution of more than $13M to animal welfare organizations nationwide.
Second Chance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization that began in 1999 in East Brookfield and relies solely on donations from grants to operate. The organization operates an adoption center in East Brookfield, Community Veterinary Hospitals in North Brookfield, Springfield, and Worcester.
The Worcester Chamber Music Society Concert October 8
The Worcester Chamber Music Society [WCMS] will present four live-streamed “Spotlight” concerts on Thursday evenings this fall, beginning October 8th, at 730.
- Mark Berger, viola
- Randall Hodgkinson, piano
- Arvo Pärt Fratres
- Mark Berger Spirit Animals (World Premiere)
- Johannes Brahms Viola Sonata in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1
The performance will be live-streamed from Shapiro Hall at Joy of Music and available on-demand October 10 through October 15.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for students, free for EBT/WIC cardholders and youth 17 and under. Learn more at worcesterchambermusic.org.
