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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – April 15

By Tom Marino | April 15, 2022
Last Updated: April 15, 2022

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, April 15 – housing project on Green Street receives state funding, get tickets to see a quintet from Ireland perform at the Front Room at WCUW on Main Street, bring unwanted furniture to a drive supporting Worcester area refugees, the WooSox host a series of “Town Takeovers” in 2022 and the Worcester Center for Crafts opens summer course enrollment for adults.

Green Street Housing Project Receives State Funding

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development $63 million in funding to support affordable housing. The awards will result in the creation or preservation of 697 units of rental housing with 479 units designated for low-income households and another 150 units designated for extremely low-income individuals or households often transitioning from homelessness.

Included in the funding is the project at 153 Green Street in Worcester. The Department of Housing and Community Development will support 153 Green Street with federal and state low-income tax credits and subsidy funds. The city of Worcester will support 153 Green Street with funds of its own.

When completed, the project will offer 83 total units. All 83 units will be affordable to households earning less than 60 percent of AMI, with 14 units further restricted for households earning less than 30 percent of AMI, and, in some cases, transitioning from homelessness.

Irish Quintet to Perform on Main Street in Worcester

JigJam, a multi-award-winning quintet from the midlands in Ireland, is set to appear at the Front Room at WCUW, at 910 Main Street in Worcester, on Thursday, April 28, at 7:30 PM. The group blends the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Find more information and tickets here.

Furniture Drive to Support Worcester Area Refugees

Join in to support Worcester area refugees at a furniture drive on Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30.

Drop off gently used, clean, and in working condition furniture between 7 AM and 2 PM, at 100 Institute Road, Alumni Stadium at WPI.

WooSox to Host “Town Takeovers” in 2022

The Worcester Red Sox will pay tribute to 18 cities and towns in Central and Western Massachusetts in their new “Town Takeovers” program in 2022. The first such Town Takeover at Polar Park will be Framingham Day, in support of Daniel’s Table, this Sunday, April 17 when the WooSox host Lehigh Valley beginning at 4:05 pm.

The club will salute residents, city leaders, businesses, and the history of each town. Honorees will present Ceremonial First Pitches, perform the National Anthem, say “Play Ball!” and partake in additional ceremonies and entertainment elements. In addition, the club will hoist the town’s flag beyond right-centerfield on one of Polar Park’s two new flagpoles. Local businesses and nonprofits will operate tables along the Main Concourse and on Plymouth Street.

A charity in each community will receive $5 from every “Town Takeover” ticket purchased for their game on the Theme Nights page at fevo.me/towntakeover. The town with the highest turnout receives a custom-made trophy.

Towns that would like to join the competition in 2023 can send a note to [email protected]. The 2022 “Town Takeovers” schedule and nonprofits list, was decided in conjunction with each town’s leaders. The schedule is:

  • Sunday, 4/17: Framingham – Daniel’s Table
  • Sunday, 5/1: Fitchburg – LUK, Inc.
  • Sunday, 5/15: Boylston – Boylston Lions Club
  • Tuesday, 5/17: West Boylston – West Boylston Food Pantry
  • Friday, 5/20: Natick – Redhawk Foundation
  • Saturday, 5/21: Millbury – Millbury Food Bank
  • Sunday, 5/22: Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services
  • Tuesday, 5/31: Holden – Holden Baseball
  • Wednesday, 6/15: Auburn – Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr. Charitable Fund
  • Thursday, 6/16: Spencer – Spencer Exchange Club
  • Saturday, 6/18: Oxford – Barton Center for Diabetes Education Inc.
  • Friday, 6/24: East Brookfield – East Brookfield Fire Association
  • Saturday, 6/25: Grafton – Grafton Food Bank
  • Friday, 7/8: Leicester – Deja New
  • Saturday, 7/24: Leominster – Boys & Girls Club of Leominster
  • Friday, 8/5: Southbridge – Our Bright Future
  • Friday, 8/19: Springfield – The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
  • Saturday, 9/3: Paxton – Tyler’s Teammates, inspired by Tyler Trudell

Worcester Center for Crafts Summer Adult Course Enrollment Opens

The Worcester Center for Crafts, at 25 Sagamore Road in Worcester, has opened its summer adult courses for registration.

The center offers courses in ceramics, glass, metals, photo, fiber and more.

Review the online catalogue and find registration information here.

 

Lead image: JigJam

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