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 29 – free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations scheduled next week in downtown Worcester, tickets for Tower Hill’s “Night Lights” go on sale on Saturday, nominate a Most Valuable Teacher, Quinsigamond Community College is offering free courses and the next Worcester Chamber Music Society performance is announced.
Free COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines
UMass Memorial Health and the City of Worcester host three upcoming days for free COVID-19 testing and vaccines at 201 Commercial Street, the intersection of Commercial Street and Mechanic Street in Worcester.
The dates are:
- Monday, November 1 – 11 AM to 4 PM
- Tuesday, November 2 – 10 AM to 3 PM
- Thursday, November 4 – 10 AM to 3 PM
Tickets for Night Lights at Tower Hill Go on Sale Saturday
Tickets to Night Lights 2021 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, at 11 French Drive in Boylston, go on sale to the public on Saturday, October 30. Tickets are already available to Tower Hill members.
Night Lights is a walking experience outdoors through roughly 15 acres of formal gardens and surrounding woodlands, including illuminated plants, paths, sculptures, and fountains. The scene is enhanced with fire pits for warming up, making s’mores, or enjoying a cup of hot cocoa or an adult beverage.
Night Lights 2021 runs from November 26 through December 30. Timed entry tickets purchased in advance for the after-hours event are required. The event will sell out quickly.
Nominate a Most Valuable Teacher
Country Bank and the WooSox Foundation are accepting nominations from students throughout the region for a “Most Valuable Teacher” Award.
Students can nominate their teacher, who will receive a $100 gift card, a special award and recognized at their school with a special visit from the WooSox mascot Smiley Ball and Country Bank’s mascot Buck. Both the teacher and nominating student receive four tickets to a WooSox game during the 2021 season, with a special on-field ceremony honoring the teacher.
The nomination form can be found here.
QCC Free Course Offering for Entry-Level Career Training
Quinsigamond Community College will begin offering close to two dozen free entry-level career training programs in the coming months. This innovative programming format is being offered through a new Fast Track Skills Academy, from QCC’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.
The Fast Track Skills Academy is designed for individuals who have been displaced from the workforce, or had their jobs affected negatively due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will focus on trainings that are designed to get people back into the workforce in three months or less, and provide upskilling and/or reskilling for incumbent workers whose jobs have changed or been eliminated due to COVID 19.
“People from low-income households, recipients of public assistance and those lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills have been disproportionality affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fast Track Skills Academy is an investment in our community and an opportunity to remove barriers keeping individuals from bettering their lives,” said Kathleen Manning, dean of the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.
The following programs are enrolling now with many starting soon:
- MS Office Certificate: Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
- Personal Care Assistant (PCA) (Offered in English): Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
- Ophthalmic Assistant Program: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Veterinary Assistant Certificate: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Personal Care Assistant PCA (Offered in Spanish): Classes will run in Southbridge and Worcester.
- Medical Administrative Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Medical Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Software Developer: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Nurse Assistant: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Front End Software Developer: Classes will run in Worcester.
- Real Estate Sales Person: Classes will run in Worcester.
Upcoming courses include:
- Basic Manufacturing Technician
- Google IT Help Desk Technician
- Registered Behavior Technician
Individuals interested in enrolling in one of the fast track programs must attend a mandatory virtual information session. Check the information session box on www.QCC.edu/fasttrack or call 508-751-7900 for information session dates and registration.
Worcester Chamber Music Society Performs “French Connections” Concert
Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) performs its upcoming “French Connections” concert on November 14 at 4:00 PM at the Jean McDonough Arts Center BrickBox theater. The concert will also be available on-demand starting November 29 through December 6.
The performance features:
- Lili Boulanger Deux Pièces en Trio
- Aaron Copland Duo for Flute and Piano
- Frank Bridge String Sextet
Information and tickets for this concert are available at the Worcester Chamber Music Society website or by calling the office at (508) 926-8624.
Lead image courtesy: Tower Hill Botanic Garden
