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, October 1 – YWCA is taking ticket reservations for a series of candidate forums it hosts this month, Clark University receives a donation to create an art-filled lobby in its remodeled theater, the Hanover Theatre opens tickets for “Escape to Margaritaville,” UMass Memorial Police hosts “Coffee with a Cop,” and tips from the State Fire Marshal to kick off National Fire Prevention Week.
YWCA Hosts Worcester Candidate Forums
YWCA Central Massachusetts hosts a three-part candidate forum series in October called “Worcester Renaissance: Center Equity in a Time of Change.” The series facilitates candidate discussion around the issues most important to residents of the City.
YWCA hosts each even at its 1 Salem Square facility from 6 PM to 7 PM on the following dates:
- City Council At-Large on Wednesday, October 13
- City Council District on Monday, October 18
- School Committee on Wednesday, October 20
The series is free, open to the public, and subject to to YWCA’s COVID-19 policies. All attendees, regardless of vaccination status, are require to wear a mask.
Tickets can be reserved by visiting the YWCACM website.
The series will be livestreamed on Facebook and recorded.
Clark Receives $2 Million Donation for Theater Renovation
Clark University, amid a renovation of its Little Center/ Michelson Theater, received a $2 million donation from Clark Trustee Vickie Riccardo and her husband Don Spencer.
Clark plans for the funds at the Little Center/ Michelson Theater to create the Riccardo & Spencer Lobby, an art-filled lobby and reception area that will welcome audience members to the hub of Clark’s student theatricals.
The renovated Little Center/ Michelson Theater will include replacement seating in the black box theater, a renovated dressing room, refurbished office spaces, upgraded audiovisual and lighting equipment, and substantial upgrades to the electrical and air conditioning systems. The entire building also is being made handicapped-accessible, including with the installation of an elevator.
The renovated building is scheduled to reopen in June.
Hanover Theatre Hosts ‘Escape to Margaritaville’
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts hosts “Escape to Margaritaville” from Thursday, October 21 to Sunday, October 24
Tickets are on sale now at the Hanover Theatre website.
With a book by Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name is Earl,” “Raising Hope”) and Emmy Award nominee Mike O’Malley (“Survivor’s Remorse,” “Shameless”), Escape To Margaritaville is the musical comedy getaway featuring both original songs and your mostloved Jimmy Buffett classics, including “Fins,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and many more.
Following a 537-day hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the relaunch of the North American tour will welcome back Chris Clark as Tully, Sarah Hinrichsen as Rachel, Peter Michael Jordan as Brick, Rachel Lyn Fobbs as Marley, Patrick Cogan as J.D. and Matthew James Sherrod as Jamal to the island in their originating roles. The tour will welcome Emily Qualmann as Tammy.
UMass Memorial Police Host ‘Coffee with a Cop’
The UMass Memorial Police host three sessions of “Coffee with a Cop” outside the hospital cafeteria. They are:
- Tuesday, October 5, 10:30 PM to 12:30 AM
- Wednesday October 6, 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
- Wednesday, October 6, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM
The Department described the sessions as having no agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know officers in your community.
National Fire Prevention Week Starts Sunday
National Fire Prevention Week, from Sunday, October 3 through Saturday, October 9, adopts the theme “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” or 2021.
According to State Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey, the theme hopes to draw public attention to the different sounds that modern smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms make and what actions we should take when we hear them.
Here are some tips from Ostroskey’s office for Fire Safety Week:
Hear a beep? Get on your feet!
A continuous series of three or four loud beeps means smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide. Get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1.
Hear a chirp? Make a change!
A chirping alarm every 30 or 60 seconds means the alarm’s batteries – or the entire alarm – must be replaced. If an alarm using replaceable alkaline batteries doesn’t respond or continues chirping with fresh batteries, replace it right away.
“If your smoke or CO alarms take replaceable batteries, we recommend changing the batteries twice a year, usually at the beginning and end of Daylight Saving Time,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Sealed alarms with non-replaceable, long-life batteries should be replaced after 10 years.”
For more than a decade, all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have had the manufacturing date printed on the back. If the date on your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, if the date on your CO alarm is more than five to seven years old, or if there’s no date at all, it’s time to replace the alarm.
Options for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
People who are deaf or hard of hearing may not be able to hear typical alarms to let them know there is danger – but specialized alarms and devices are available to ensure everyone’s safety in case of fire or high CO levels. These devices may have strobe lights to alert them when they’re awake, or a pillow or bed shaker activated by the sound of a standard alarm for when they’re asleep. As with any alarm, they can also signal when the battery is low.
Maintenance
Follow your alarm manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to keep them working properly: these instructions are included with the packaging and can be found online. Test alarms once a month and replace them if they fail to respond.
Working Smoke and CO Alarms Save Lives
“Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a fire in half, and working CO alarms can alert you to a deadly gas you can’t see, taste, or smell,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “The noises these alarms make can be the difference between life and death – so make sure you and your loved ones learn the sounds of safety.”
For more information on smoke and CO alarms, visit the Department of Fire Services website. For more tips visit the Fire Prevention Week website.
