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, January 7 – Walmart Supercenter in Worcester is closed until Saturday morning, Massachusetts courthouses trial courts are closed on Friday, Cornerstone Bank donates $50,000 to two Worcester nonprofits, Jean McDonough Arts Center receives a $545,000 grant, and the state Fire Marshal has winter weather tips to protect against carbon monoxide in your home.
Walmart in Worcester Closed Until Saturday
The Walmart Supercenter at 25 Tobias Boland Way in Worcester closed on Thursday at 2 PM for “additional cleaning, sanitizing and stocking.”
Curbside access to the pharmacy is available while the store is closed.
Walmart said the store expects to open on Saturday, January 8 at 6 AM.
Courthouses Added to List of Closures on Friday
Massachusetts courthouses are closed on Friday due to the snowstorm.
In-person and remote events are postponed. If you had a court appearance scheduled for Friday, contact the Clerk’s Office on Monday to reschedule.
Cornerstone Bank Donates $50,000 to Two Worcester Non-Profits
Cornerstone Bank, a community bank with 12 locations throughout Central Massachusetts, has donated $50,000 to two Worcester County nonprofit organizations: $40,000 to the Worcester Community Action Council and $10,000 to the Worcester County Food Bank. The two groups are dedicated to improving quality of life by ending poverty and food insecurity throughout the region, respectively.
“Both of these organizations share our deep commitment to the wellbeing of residents throughout Central Massachusetts, which is why we are supporting them with these significant donations,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “They are each providing the underserved residents of Worcester County with the essentials they need to survive and succeed during a difficult time.”
To learn more about Cornerstone Bank and their charitable work, please visit cornerstonebank.com.
JMAC Receives $545,000 Grant for Increased Access
The Barr Foundation has awarded $545,000 to the Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) to support the arts community, with an emphasis on uplifting historically marginalized and underrepresented groups.
As part of its plan for the funds, the WCC is launching multiple initiatives aimed at helping individuals and organizations bring their creative visions to life. Over the next twelve months, the funding will provide three types of opportunities at the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC), an arts-and-cultural space located in Downtown Worcester:
- Rental subsidy of the BrickBox Theater: Qualifying organizations and individuals can receive venue rental costs at no charge on a first-come-first-serve basis, until funds are exhausted.
- One-day event sponsorship: Up to ten presenters will receive venue rental and staffing costs for a one-day event, and up to $2,500 for discretionary expenses, at no charge.
- Month-long residency at the JMAC: Up to three presenters will be selected for a one-month residency, including all venue space rental and staffing costs, up to $15,000 in discretionary funds, and exclusive use of the JMAC for the final week of each residency, at no charge.
Applications for all three opportunities are available through JMACWorcester.org. Priority will be given to individuals and groups which identify as led by, or focused on, historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Worcester Cultural Coalition members, which are local cultural nonprofits, are also encouraged to apply.
Fire Marshall Provides Winter Weather Tips
Massachusetts Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey reminds residents to test their carbon monoxide alarms and keep dryer, furnace, and other exhaust vents clear of snow as the season’s first significant snow on the way in parts of Massachusetts.
“Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of fatal poisoning, and home heating equipment is the primary source of carbon monoxide in the home,” Ostroskey said. “As part of your storm planning, check your CO alarms to be sure they’re working properly, and if an alarm is more than five to seven years old, replace it.”
Residents should also be sure to keep outside vents clear of falling, drifting, or shoveled snow. In January 2005, 7-year-old Nicole Garofalo died when a heating vent was blocked by snow drifts outside, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate inside her Plymouth home. This tragedy led to Nicole’s Law, which requires CO alarms on every habitable level of a Massachusetts residence.
“Fuel-fired heating appliances like dryers, furnaces, boilers, and fireplaces are all sources of carbon monoxide,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “If the vent or flue is blocked, this poisonous gas can reach deadly levels inside the home. Know where the vents on your home are, be sure to clear them when shoveling, and be careful not to blow snow onto them if using a snowblower.”
Massachusetts fire departments reported nearly 18,000 CO incidents in 2020, officials said, and 92% were in residential settings. The poison gas can cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, and/or nausea at lower concentrations and death at higher concentrations. Exposure while asleep is particularly dangerous.
“We can’t see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, but we can detect it with working CO alarms,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said. “If your alarm sounds, get outside and call 9-1-1.”
For more information on carbon monoxide and CO alarms, visit the DFS website.
