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, September 16 – the Cannabis Control Commission celebrates its 5th anniversary, the second Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up is today at Polar Park, there’s a Battle of the Bands on Summit Street next month, Notre Dame du Lac Assisted Living Community is hosting a ribbon cutting and get a free double cheeseburger from McDonald’s on Sunday.
Cannabis Control Commission Turns Five
On Sept. 1, the Cannabis Control Commission celebrated its 5th anniversary, marking five years since the appointment of the inaugural Commission on Sept. 1, 2017.
In that time, the regulatory body built a new independent Commission and legal industry from the ground up; the agency now has nearly 90 employees and a new slate of Commissioners, including the September 1 appointment of Chair Shannon O’Brien, with 434 adult-use and 98 medical-use licensees operating across the Commonwealth and over 30,000 registered agents working in the regulated industry.
In five years, the agency established two new Commission offices, including a Boston satellite and the first state agency headquarters to ever be established in Worcester—at Union Station. The Commission’s staff has increased to 89 employees, with continued expansions planned in each department. Of note are the Licensing, Enforcement, and Investigations and Compliance teams, which have 42 staff members total and are responsible for reviewing license applications, completing inspections, and recommending new businesses for Commission approval. The Commission’s overall growth continues to contribute to the increased number of entities commencing operations in Massachusetts.
The Second ‘Manufacturing Mash-Up’ at Polar Park Today
The second Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up will bring together over 1,000 attendees to celebrate the in-state producers that are making it in Massachusetts and to connect them with hundreds of state leaders, students, and other organizations.
The event will take place today – Friday, Sept. 16 – from 10 AM to 3 PM at Polar Park.
The Mash-Up helps connect and leverage diverse resources towards building a more resilient manufacturing sector and a robust local economy.
The event will feature two sets of announcements:
– The 7th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony Program organized by the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. Legislators from around the state will celebrate a ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ from their district, with XX companies honored with awards.
– New capital investments from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP), the second round of grants from the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech which co-invest in small- to medium-sized manufacturers to boost innovation-driven production methods.
Battle of the Bands on Summit Street on October 6
The Worcester Red Sox and The Pike will present “Battle of the Bands,” a four-hour music contest on Summit Street featuring five local bands, Thursday, October 6, at 6 PM Tickets are now available for $9 at the Polar Park website.
The five local bands are “Between the Waves,” a classic rock original and cover band from Worcester; “On The Rocks,” another Worcester-based band that performs hits from the ’80s and ’90s; “The Midnight Riders,” a popular classic rock band of teenagers from Rutland; “Disco Lemonade,” a Worcester ’90s cover band; and “The Cogs,” a rock band from Holden.
Gates will open at 5:30 PM, the show will begin at 6 PM, and the judges’ results will be announced at 10 PM. Each band will perform a 40-minute set on a 16’ x 16’ stage at the foot of Summit Street near Gate A. Chairs will be provided along Summit Street, and Polar Park’s popular red Adirondack chairs will be set up along Plymouth Street. Fans may also bring their own lawn chairs.
Notre Dame du Lac Assisted Living Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
A completely renovated Notre Dame du Lac Assisted Living Community holds a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 4 PM.
The assisted living community is at 555 Plantation Street in Worcester.
To attend, rsvp to [email protected].
Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with a FREE McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger
Determined by a fan poll, McDonald’s celebrates National Cheeseburger Day this Sunday, Sept. 18, by offering a FREE Double Cheeseburger with a minimum $1 purchase at participating locations.
This deal is available exclusively on the McDonald’s App.
Lead image: McDonald’s Double Cheeseburger/Courtesy: McDonald’s
