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, November 18 – charity fundraisers will rappel the Mercantile Center building on Saturday, the Downtown Worcester BID receives $40,000, a new cannabis retailer hosts its grand opening in Charlton, AAA provides tips to prepare your vehicle for winter, and Dunkin’ introduces the Pancake Wake-Up Wrap,
Rappelling the Mercantile Center for Charity
The second annual Over the Edge for Canines for Disabled Kids takes place on Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM, to raise awareness and funds to support service dogs amd the independence they bring to people with disabilities.
Fundraisers will rappel from the roof of the Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester at 120 Front Street.
Find information on taking part in the event here.
The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District Receives $40,000
Amendments by State Representative Mary S. Keefe and State Senator Harriette Chandler to the state’s $3.76 billion spending plan signed into law last week awards the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) $40,000.
The funding will be used to assess community concerns, devise solutions, and develop a prioritized implementation plan to service all populations that frequent or visit the Downtown area. The project will include studying the feasibility of constructing public restrooms in the downtown area.
The City of Worcester announced in October that it will receive a $25,000 Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) Technical Assistance grant for the creation of this downtown Worcester quality of life amenities plan in partnership with the BID. The additional $40,000 in funding will allow the team to further expand its outreach and develop more detailed plans of action.
As part of the BID’s quality of life agenda, the BID’s Downtown Worcester Ambassador team has been working diligently since 2019 to clean the District’s sidewalks on a daily basis. Ambassadors have been collecting data to document the types of waste found during cleaning operations, the areas most affected, and how often these areas need to be addressed. In 2021, that data informed where to install dog waste stations and cigarette disposal receptacles throughout the District.
Cannabis Retailer to Open in Charlton this Weekend
Terps Cannabis, a cannabis retailer with locations in Attleboro and Wellfleet, opens its third location at 144 Sturbridge Rd. in Charlton on Saturday.
The new Charlton location hosts its “Danksgiving” opening event from Friday, Nov. 18, through Monday, Nov. 21, where attendees are invited to come eat for free from a variety of food trucks, enjoy $1.00 pre-rolls, meet our vendors, win giveaways, and take home merch.
Find more information on the Terps Cannabis website.
AAA Urges Vehicle Preparation for Winter
Colder weather is moving in quickly and AAA reminds motorists that November is the perfect time to start planning for the inevitable cold and snow.
“Batteries have just gone through the heat of summer and now winter is about to hit. The higher the temperatures inside a battery the quicker it degrades. Checking your vehicle battery periodically is the best way to prevent battery failure and being stranded. Once your vehicle’s battery is three years old it should be checked on an annual basis,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Vice President of Public and Government Affairs.
Maguire says that checking the battery condition and inspecting cables and connections for corrosion are critical. If you spot corrosion . remove the cables and clean the connections.
Aide from batteries, AAA recommends the following for preparing your vehicle for cold weather conditions:
- Emergency roadside kit: always stay prepared by carrying an emergency roadside kit in your vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
- Tires: Examine tires for tread depth and uneven wearing. Proper tire tread increases traction with the road surface in poor weather conditions and can prevent skids on icy or wet surfaces.
- Coolant: Check the coolant level in the overflow tank when the engine is cold. Also, inspect the cooling system lines for leakages, cracks or loose clamps.
- Oil: Be sure to have your oil changed based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Synthetic oil can be an advantage in cold weather because it will allow for faster starts.
- Wipers: Replace any wiper blade that does not adequately clean the windshield. Consider installing winter wiper blades to assist in preventing snow and ice buildup that can interfere with windshield visibility.
Learn more about AAA here.
The Dunkin’ Pancake Wake-Up Wrap
Dunkin’ recently introduced its newest on the go item, the Pancake Wake-Up Wrap, which is half an egg, bacon or sausage, and melted cheese in a pancake with a hint of sweet maple flavor, with a side of dipping syrup.
Now through Nov. 29 , Dunkin’ Rewards members can try a free Wake-Up Wrap with the purchase of any full-priced medium or larger beverage.
