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 – Friday, November 6 – there are 266 new COVID-19 cases in Worcester in the past week, Assumption University has announced its shelter-in-place order will expire on Monday, November 9, MassDOT issues an advisory for those travelling over the Veterans Day holiday, MC Kurtis Blow is part of The Hip Hop Nutcracker available online from the Hanover Theatre next month and Dunkin’ is offering a free donut to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day.
266 New Covid-19 Cases in Worcester This Week
The City of Worcester announced on Thursday, November 5, an increase of 266 overall confirmed positive COVID-19 cases since Thursday, October 29.
To date there have been 7,380 overall confirmed cases in Worcester.
In surrounding towns:
- Shrewsbury: 531 (increase of 30)
- Holden: 206 (increase of 18)
- Grafton: 157 (increase of 14)
- Leicester: 233 (increase of 20)
As part of the Massachusetts Stop the Spread Campaign, Free COVID-19 testing is available at the Mercantile Center at 210 Commercial St. at the following times:
- Monday, Nov. 9, 12-4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12-4 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 12, 12-4 p.m.
Assumption University Shelter-in-Place Expires Monday, November 9
Assumption University, in consultation with the Worcester Department of Public Health, have announced the shelter in place order on campus will expire on Monday, November 9, at 7 AM.
Students who are residents will have modified restrictions effective Friday, November 6, at 8 AM.
Students may walk about campus, eat in the dining hall by reservation on the AU Mobile App, and utilize food delivery services. Intra-hall visitation is also permitted with one guest per resident, all wearing masks. However, students are not permitted to leave campus over the weekend except for medical emergencies.
The campus remains closed to visitors.
Campus offices will resume in-person operations on Monday, November 9.
MassDOT Advisory for Veterans Day
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is asking the public to make informed decisions and plans on Veterans Day, Wednesday, 11,
Many annual events have been postponed due to the pandemic, including parades and other gatherings.
If using the commuter rail, ensure you check schedules ahead of time.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has information about the virus, including the need to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Massachusetts after visiting specific states on the state’s website: www.mass.gov/coronavirus.
Specific travel-related rules can also be found on a website set up when the Governor’s Executive Order pertaining to travel was signed: www.mass.gov/MAtraveler.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker with MC Kurtis Blow Opens for Hanover Theatre on December 19
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a contemporary dance spectacle set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, is available to stream for Worcester audiences on Saturday, December 19. The live capture, filmed as a part of a partnership with PBS, will allow recurring and new patrons to experience this beloved holiday tradition at home, as theaters across the country remain closed.
Directed and choreographed by Olivier-nominated Jennifer Weber, The Hip Hop Nutcracker features all-star dancers, a DJ, a violinist and MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, who opens the show with a short set.
In 1979, MC Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to be signed by a major label. “DJ Run” Simmons of Run-DMC was originally known as “DJ Run, Son of Kurtis Blow.”
The show is produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with Executive Producer Eva Price, and co-commissioned by the United Palace of Cultural Arts.
Tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker are $20 for general admission and $50 for VIP packages and are available through Stellar Tickets only. VIP packages include video-on-demand access, an exclusive post-show conversation with the show’s creators and a signed show poster.
For more information, visit TheHanoverTheatre.org.
Dunkin’ Free Donut Offer for Veterans Day and a Series of Veteran Support Initiatives
Dunkin’ is celebrating Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, by inviting veterans and active duty military to participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide for a free donut of their choice, no purchase necessary.
The offer is available while supplies last and is limit one per customer.
Dunkin’ is making a $10,000 donation to A Million Thanks, a nonprofit organization that supports active, reserve, and Veteran military by sending millions of letters of thanks and encouragement directly to service members.
Dunkin fans can craft their own digital letters via Dunkin’s Instagram story on Monday, November 9. Digital letters will be printed and mailed to active military members within the A Million Thanks community.
