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 – Wednesday, April 22 – design the first Worcester Bravehearts alternate jersey of the year, over $1.5 million in state grants issued to boost tourism in Massachusetts, Indian Ranch is hiring for over 40 part-time positions for its 75th anniversary season, state health agencies issue over $4 million in funding to fight youth substance abuse and addiction, and ArtsWorcester announces its Biennial Block Party.
Design the First Bravehearts Alternate Jersey of the Year
The Worcester Bravehearts have partnered with the HMEA Autism Resource Central for the team’s first alternate jersey night of the 2021 season.
The Bravehearts will run a two-week design-a-jersey promotion from now until May 5, where fans can submit their own creations of a Bravehearts jersey. The winning jersey design will be worn by the Bravehearts on HMEA Jersey Night in late June and the winning artist will throw out the first pitch prior to the game.
The jerseys will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the HMEA Autism Resource Central. The Center was founded in 1996, and has since helped thousands of children and families in Central Massachusetts affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Worcester Bravehearts and HMEA Autism Resource Central are proud to announce this collaboration during the month of April, which is Autism Acceptance Month.
For more information see the Worcester Bravehearts website.
State Grants Issued to Boost Tourism
The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) announced Tuesday, April 20, $1,587,791 of grant funding to 59 tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and municipalities as part of the newly created Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Pilot Program.
Funds from the TTR Grant Pilot Program are dedicated to marketing projects that support the My Local MA campaign, enhance tourism recovery, and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.
The program’s goal is to strengthen the Massachusetts economy through the development and enhancement of the state’s tourism industry
Those receiving grants in Worcester County are:
Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Inc. – $75,674
In partnership with the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, the “Colorful Night on The Common” campaign promotes the spacious Worcester Common and curated wrap-around experiences supporting local businesses.
Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce – $24,700
Nashoba Valley Hometown Tourist is a program designed to encourage everyone to find/support local businesses through production of passport program. Project includes content development via videography/graphic design, social media, traditional marketing.
Old Sturbridge Village – $33,750
“Come and Stay” is a multi-faceted advertising and outreach campaign for Sturbridge, which includes marketing content development, video, visitor/consumer outreach, and digital ads. Campaign also coincides with the museum’s upcoming 75th anniversary.
Discover Central MA – $99,999
Worcester is “Smile City:” The Gateway to Central Massachusetts, an omni-channel campaign with proposed used of funds to include a micro-site and passport programs, marketing, content development, digital & traditional advertising, ambassador/influencer program.
Indian Ranch Hiring for its 75th Anniversary Season
Indian Ranch is looking to fill dozens of positions for its upcoming 75th anniversary season.
The venue has over 40 openings for various part-time positions across the concert facility, Samuel Slater’s Restaurant and Indian Princess. The restaurant is seeking prep cooks, line cooks, and various other front and back of house team members.
Samuel Slater’s Restaurant also seeks a qualified Front of House Manager with strong working knowledge of spirits, wine, beer, and cocktails to assist in staff training and in all facets of the front of the house.
The facility is currently accepting applications for ticket takers, parking attendants, and concession workers.
Interested individuals can apply on the Indian Ranch website.
State Funding for Addiction and Substance Abuse
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) announced funding for two separate substance abuse and addiction treatment programs this week.
On Tuesday, April 20, the agencies announced $3.8 million in annual grants to 31 youth substance use prevention programs serving communities across the Massachusetts.
Recipients include the City of Worcester, Family Services of the Merrimack Valley and Quabbin Drug Response Unifying Group.
On Wednesday, April 21, the agencies announced $720,000 to the national organization Young People in Recovery for the development of statewide support programs for young adults recovering from substance addiction.
Young People in Recovery will develop, build, and maintain seven recovery support networks strategically positioned in areas of critical need throughout the Commonwealth, providing young people ages 18-25 the life skills and peer supports they need to recover from opioid use, stimulant use, or other substance use disorders and co-occurring substance use and mental illness.
The program launches in April 2021 with the capacity to serve approximately 1,400 people annually.
ArtsWorcester Announces Biennial Block Party
ArtsWorcester will host a Biennial Block Party on Saturday, June 12, 2021, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The Block Party will be outdoor event at Portland and Myrtle Streets celebrating the Nineteenth ArtsWorcester Biennial.
The Biennial Block Party will feature food provided by Sabor Latino Food Truck, serving Cuban tacos, and the Shabby Gourmet, serving fresh juices. Music will be courtesy of Crocodile River Music and WICN Jazz+ New England.
Small groups of gallery visitors may tour the Nineteenth Biennial, on view in ArtsWorcester’s main galleries, and They Travel Together at ArtsWorcester at the Davis Art Gallery.
Biennial prize winners, including the winner of the Sally Bishop Prize, will be announced live during the event. Tickets for this free event will be released on Tuesday, May 11.
Strict maximum capacities for Portland Street and gallery visits will be enforced. Masks and social distancing, indoors and outdoors, are required.
In case of inclement weather, this event will take place on Sunday, June 13.
Image courtesy: Worcester Bravehearts/Facebook
