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5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester – October 18

By TWIW Staff | October 18, 2021
Last Updated: October 18, 2021
HCS

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 – Monday, October 18 – JetBlue flights to Ft. Lauderdale resume this week at Worcester Regional Airport, Joey Chestnut will compete in a pie eating contest at the Worcester Railers’ opening night, the City of Worcester is calling for Woman of Consequence nominations, the deadline to apply for a Worcester Arts Council grant is extended and it’s peak asthma season with start of fall weather.

JetBlue Resumes Non-stop Service this Week Between Worcester and Ft. Lauderdale

JetBlue’s non-stop service between Worcester and Fort Lauderdale resumes this week.

A flight will leave Fort Lauderdale (FLL) at 8:30 PM and land in Worcester at 11:32 PM on Thursday, Oct. 21.  The first flight will leave Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) at 6 AM on Friday, Oct. 22 and land in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) at 9:09 AM.

JetBlue will also be adding a second daily nonstop flight to New York (JFK). Flights leave Worcester to JFK at 7:36 AM and 1:35 PM beginning Thursday.

Joey Chestnut to Compete in Pie Eating Contest at Railers’ Home Opener

The World’s Top Professional Eater, Joey Chestnut, will compete in a pie eating contest during the first intermission of the Worcester Railers home opener at the DCU Center on Saturday, Oct 23 at 7:35 p.m. versus the Maine Mariners.

Chestnut is ranked first in the world by Major League Eating and the 14-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating champion (2007-14, 2016-21), He will meet with fans prior to the game before competing in a pie eating contest on the ice during the first intermission. Chestnut will compete against local celebrities and two lucky fans.

Fans will have the opportunity to compete against the world record championship eater by purchasing a raffle ticket for $5 by clicking here. Funds raised will benefit the Worcester Railers HC Foundation.

The event is sponsored by Table Talk Pies.

City of Worcester Calls for Nominations for Woman of Consequence Awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 23rd annual Woman of Consequence and the 19th annual Young Woman of Consequence awards.

The awards are presented by the City of Worcester Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.

The deadline for nominations is midnight Jan. 21, 2022. The awards will be presented at a ceremony Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Nominees for the Woman of Consequence Award must meet the following criteria:

  • Exceptional leadership
  • Demonstrated dedication and compassion resulting in positive change
  • Outstanding role models of community engagement
  • Live, work or volunteer in the City of Worcester
  • Willing to serve as a mentor to present and future young/women of consequence awardees
  • Must be available for an acceptance speech at the award ceremony

The 2022 Woman of Consequence nomination form is available here.

Nominees for the Young Woman of Consequence Award must show leadership and tangible results as an agent of change in the City of Worcester and meet the following criteria:

  • Currently a junior or senior in high school
  • Reside in Worcester
  • Demonstrate dedication and leadership abilities
  • Must agree to give acceptance speech for the award ceremony

The 2022 Young Woman of Consequence Award self-nomination form is available here.

WAC Grant Application Deadline Extended to Nov. 1

The deadline for Worcester Arts Council [WAC] grant applications has been extended to November 1.

Grants are issued to support arts, humanities, interpretive sciences, visual artists, performing artists, science educators, historians and other humanists; as well as community, business and civic groups, social service organizations, schools, neighborhood centers, and youth, senior and family associations.

To learn more and apply ahead of the deadline, visit the City of Worcester’s website.

It’s Peak Asthma Season: Here are some Preventive Tips

Fall is peak asthma season both for children and adults in Massachusetts, according to American Family Care (AFC) in Worcester.

AFC says there are steps asthma suffers can take to reduce their risk of attacks. There are a variety of over the counter and prescription medication and therapies that can be used, as well as simple strategies that can be employed at home such as:

  • Using a humidifier to add moisture to dry winter air
  • Running an air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce allergens
  • Avoiding smoke of any type
  • Keeping home and car windows closed
  • Monitoring pollen and mold counts and staying indoors when they are high
  • Regularly changing bed sheets and pillowcases
  • Regularly vacuuming and cleaning
  • Changing air filters in home heating/cooling systems

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