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 – Tuesday, July 19 – the first installment of Movies on the Common is Thursday night with Disney’s “Encanto,” Coney Island reopens tomorrow, the Shrewsbury Police Department is hosting a kids bike safety course this weekend, it’s a good week to understand the risk of heat-related illnesses and gas prices are down again this week.
Movies on the Common Disney’s ‘Encanto’ Postponed
The first installment of this season’s “Movies on the Common” series with Disney’s “Encanto” has been postponed due to expected inclement weather.
This week’s Movies on the Common is rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 1.
The next Movies on the Common event is on Aug. 18 for a screening of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
The movie will begin at sundown, but the Worcester Common will be ready for movie-goers who want to get there as early as 6:30 PM to pick out their seats. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Guests can bring blankets or chairs to sit on. Refreshments will be sold on site or guests can bring their own.
“Encanto” is “…the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto.”
“Encanto” is 99 minutes long. The movie will be in English closed captioning available for the Deaf and hard of hearing.
Coney Island Reopens on Wednesday
The staff at George’s Coney Island on Southbridge Street have been on summer vacation since early July, but will return this week and the landmark restaurant will reopen on Wednesday, July 20.
Luckily, folks could still get their hands on some Coney Island hot dogs in recent weeks at their concession stand at Polar Park.
Shrewsbury Police Hosting Kids Bike Safety Course
The Shrewsbury Police Department is hosting a free kids bike safety course on Saturday, July 23 in the upper parking lot of Dean Park closest to the Spring Street entrance.
Officers will go over bike safety, rules of the road and a bike course to test their skills.
The event is from 10 AM to 2 PM.
It’s a Good Week to Know the Risk of Heat-Related Illnesses
With temperatures expected to reach into the low 90s this week, American Family Care in Worcester is offering some ways to deal with the high heat and humidity this summer and to understand the risk of heat-related illnesses and how to address them before they become life-threatening.
“Heat-related illnesses, ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can be prevented,” said Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of American Family Care in Worcester. “However, it’s also important to know the signs, as these conditions can accelerate quickly and result in permanent damage or even death.”
Too much sun exposure and high temperatures increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, as does dehydration. AFC advises drinking water every 15 minutes or so regardless of thirst, taking breaks out of the sun or in an air-conditioned space and avoiding alcohol or caffeine.
“It’s essential to stay hydrated, ideally with water, when you are in the sun and heat,” said Dr. Meoli.
Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that can occur when someone is working or exercising in a hot environment. Heat cramps can also be a symptom of heat exhaustion, which may require medical care.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion often include:
- heavy sweating
- muscle cramps
- weakness
- headache
- dizziness
- fainting
- cold and clammy skin
- nausea or a fast, weak pulse
“If this happens, move the person to a cool place, loosen their clothing and have them take small sips of cool water,” Dr. Meoli said. “The goal is to cool the body down, so try a cool bath or shower if you can, or use cold, wet cloths.”
If symptoms worsen, last longer than an hour or include vomiting, medical help is needed. “Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke, which can cause permanent damage to the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles, or even death,” Dr. Meoli said
The AFC staff in Worcester offers walk-in care seven days a week for patients of all ages, including urgent care, physicals, stitches for cuts and lacerations, on-site x-rays, and diagnostic rapid tests and antigen tests for COVID-19 with results available within 15 minutes.
Massachusetts Gas Prices Down 11 Cents
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 11 cents since last week, averaging $4.63 per gallon. That price is 38 cents lower than a month ago ($5.01) and $1.61 higher than July 18, 2021 ($3.02). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 11 cents higher than the national average.
The steady decline is due to lower domestic demand for gasoline at the pump and a much lower global price for oil. The cost of a barrel of oil is in the mid-$90s, down from around $110 two weeks ago.
“Global economic news is pushing oil prices lower and less expensive oil leads to lower pump prices,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “And here at home, people are fueling up less, despite this being the height of the traditional summer driving season. These two key factors are behind the recent drop in pump prices.”
AAA Northeast’s July survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 15 cents lower than last week ($4.67), averaging $4.52 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 46 cents lower than a month ago ($4.98) and $1.36 cents higher than this day last year ($3.16).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
