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, July 9 – Harvey Ball’s 100th birthday celebration is today, EcoTarium’s employees unionize, the Worcester Center for Crafts is hosting free puppet making classes for kids, the Cookie Lady’s Daughter is raising money for Main IDEA, and Massachusetts is ranked the second-safest state for COVID-19.
Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Celebration Location Change
The Worcester Historical Museum hosts the Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Celebration today from 4 PM to 5 PM.
Organizers moved the celebration indoors in anticipation of forecasted storms. The Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Celebration is on the first floor of the Mercantile Center at 100 Front Street.
Parking is available at Mercantile Parking Garage at 201 Commercial Street. Standard rates apply.
To prepare for the event, the Worcester Historical Museum and Salisbury Mansion close at 3 PM on Friday.
EcoTarium Employees Join Labor Union
The EcoTarium, at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, announced on Wednesday, July 8, that workers at the museum have voted to join the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME Council 93).
The unionization election took place by mail-in ballot over three weeks with results tabulated on July 7.
The EcoTarium said it had conversations about the future to reassure employees and made clear its opposition to organizing. It says it never conducted an anti-union campaign or hired lawyers to oppose employee efforts.
“Although it was not the outcome we were hoping for, the EcoTarium board and leadership team is committed to working with the staff and union to build a plan for a stable and successful future of our nearly 200-year-old institution,” said Sherri Pitcher, Chair, EcoTarium’s Board of Trustees.
Worcester Center for Arts Hosts Free Puppet-Making Workshops
The Worcester Center for Arts at 25 Sagamore Road in Worcester hosts free Puppet-Making Pop-Up/ Drop-In Workshops for kids in the second grade and up. Students will learn puppet making and basic sewing skills.
The Free Puppet-Making classes are from 12:30 PM to 2 PM on:
- Thursday, July 15
- Friday, July 23
Fundraiser for Youth Cookie Decorating Classes
The Cookie Lady’s Daughter and Main IDEA, a Worcester-based non-profit that provides accessible arts programs to under-resourced communities, teams up to host a series of cookie decorating classes.
Cookie Lady’s Daughter is operating a fundraiser for cookie kits for the students.
A full cookie kit donation is $14, a half of a cookie kit is $7. Visit the Cookie Lady’s Daughter website to donate.
Massachusetts Ranked the 2nd Safest State During COVID-19
A new study ranks Massachusetts now the second safest state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Massachusetts ranked highly based on several factors:
- 1st – Positive Testing Rate
- 3rd – Vaccination Rate
- 3rd – Transmission Rate
- 5th – Hospitalization Rate
- 13th – Death Rate
Using these five metrics, the study compiled a score for all 50 states and Washington DC. on a 100 point scale. Massachusetts scored 87.15.
All states in and around New England now rank in the top 17 states.
The five states found least safe are:
To see the full results of the study, including ranking for each state, and the methodology used to compile the results, visit WalletHub.com.
Image courtesy: The Cookie Lady’s Daughter/Facebook
