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, June 14 – join a free small business boot camp on Thursday, Creative Cakes Cafe begins serving from Polar Park, students from Southborough’s Neary Elementary School will visit the state house to celebrate Flag Day, today is the last day to order your discounted rain barrel and the average price of gas increases again this week.
Join a Free Small Business Boot Camp
Join a small business boot camp on Thursday, June 16, at WorcLab4, at 4 Portland Street, floor 4, in Worcester.
From 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Mass. Western Governors University is co-hosting along with the Center for Women & Enterprise a free small business bootcamp. This free, two-hour bootcamp is aimed at helping new business owners. Program includes three 15-min workshops and a 30-min LinkedIn workshop. A limited number of free headshots will be available and light refreshments will be served. All are welcome!
Registration is required.
Creative Cakes Cafe to Serve at Polar Park
Creative Cakes Cafe, located at 160 Green Street, will serve from its new second home, starting today, at Polar Park.
Creative Cakes will serve from the Sherwood Diner on Summit Street, just beyond the outfield at Polar Park, next to Taste of Worcester.
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Southborough Students to Attend Flag Day Celebration at the State House
Students from Southborough’s Neary Elementary School will be the guests of Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin at the State House at 11 AM today.
Secretary Galvin will lead the students in the Pledge of Allegiance and talk about the history of the nation’s flag, resuming an annual tradition that had been on hold in 2020 and 2021.
Flags will be distributed to all visitors in the State House today.
Today is the Last Day to Get a Rain Barrel at a Discount
Today is the last day this year to order a discounted rain barrel through the City of Worcester with the Great American Rain Barrel Company.
Place your orders today to take part in this year’s discount.
Orders are accepted here through June 14.
We’re partnering with the Great American Rain Barrel Company to provide rain barrels at a discounted price at our annual bulk order pick-up event. Orders must be made before midnight on June 14. Learn more and pre-order yours at the link below ⬇️ https://t.co/9grYCSrZkE
— City of Worcester (@TweetWorcester) May 12, 2022
Average Gas Price Up Again in Massachusetts
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is up 8 cents from last week, averaging $5.04 per gallon. That price is 57 cents higher than a month ago ($4.47) and $2.10 higher than June 13, 2021 ($2.94). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 3 cents higher than the national average.
The cost of a barrel of oil remains elevated, as demand continues to outpace global supply despite ongoing releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Meanwhile, domestic gasoline demand hasn’t weakened significantly enough to affect crude oil prices. All eyes will be on domestic gasoline demand over the next few weeks to see if record prices force consumers to cut back.
“With gas prices near or above five dollars, and inflation at a four-decade high, many consumers will begin to change their driving habits, but demand is still high, said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “After two consecutive summers of restricted travel and socialization, Americans seem more reluctant to stay home in spite of strain on their budgets.”
AAA Northeast’s June 13 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 15 cents higher than last week ($4.86), averaging $5.01 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 58 cents higher than a month ago ($4.43) and $1.94 cents higher than this day last year ($3.07).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
