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 – Thursday, December 30 – free COVID-19 testing at the Mercantile Center on Thursday morning, WRTA changes its schedule for New Year’s Eve, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health launches a new anti-smoking campaign, Worcester names its second Youth Poet Laureate and the Dogfather returns to roadside service on January 5.
Free Walk-Up COVID Testing at Mercantile Center
UMass Memorial Health and the City of Worcester are hosting free, walk-up COVID testing at the Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester today — Thursday, December 30 — from 8:30 AM to 11 AM. Each individual tested receives a free mask.
Only testing is available at this site on Thursday. No vaccination is offered.
Added date for COVID-19 testing!
The Mercantile Center clinic will be open tomorrow, Thursday, December 30 from 8:30 – 11 am for COVID-19 TESTING ONLY. Vaccines/boosters will resume in the new year. pic.twitter.com/mDs2Mh297Z
— WDPH (@WorcesterDPH) December 29, 2021
WRTA Operates on Saturday Schedule on New Year’s Eve
The Worcester Regional Transit Authority [WRTA] announced that on Friday, December 31, all routes will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Routes 29, 33, 42, and community shuttles will operate on a regular weekday service. Paratransit will operate on its normal schedule.
The the most recent updates from the WRTA, visit its Bus Tracker website.
DPH Launches ‘Take the First Step’ Campaign to Encourage Smoking Cessation
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health [DPH] announced on Wednesday, December 29, the launch of Take the First Step, a campaign to help adults quit smoking, vaping, or using other tobacco or nicotine products. The campaign encourages residents considering quitting tobacco or nicotine products to take the first step by calling the Massachusetts Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visiting mass.gov/quitting.
The Take the First Step public awareness campaign will run on TV, radio, social and digital media, on billboards and in print ads in select cities and towns across the Commonwealth in English and Spanish.
Residents who enroll in the Quitline program have access to specially trained coaches who work with them to develop individualized plans and provide ongoing support. The program is free and has helped many residents quit for good. Residents can also enroll and receive coaching services online via e-chat. Medically eligible residents (18+) may get eight weeks of free quit medicines (patches, gums, lozenges) after talking with a quit coach.
Worcester’s Next Youth Poet Laureate Announced
The City of Worcester’s second Youth Poet Laureate is Burncoat High School graduate Adael Mejia. Mejia’s two-year term begins at the start of the new year.
The term of the city’s first and current Youth Poet Laureate, Amina Mohammed, ends on Saturday, December 31.
Mejia said he began writing at a young age while in Ecuador with his father, a teacher. “I would go to school with him and he would have me write different stories, and practice my ABC’s,” Mejia wrote in a personal statement, noting that he learned to express himself at an early age. He would turn to writing when he had trouble fitting in, and eventually discovered a love for theater, dance, music, art, and performing. Following his senior year of high school, he joined the City’s first Create 508 program, which aims to educate and empower young creatives interested in community development and entrepreneurship. “I have a passion for developing youth artists and our growing community,” he wrote.
As Worcester’s second Youth Poet Laureate, Mejia has big plans for his two year term: “I’m going to continue to lead the artistic revolution that is giving Worcester its brand new look. I am going to normalize events dedicated towards art and youth.” Mejia also plans to work with public and alternative schools, and specifically with mental health and rehabilitation programs. “Long story short, I believe children deserve as many chances as it takes to do right! I want to inspire and give hope to our future leaders.
The objectives of the City of Worcester’s Poet Laureate Programs are to:
- Enhance the presence and appreciation of poetry and literary arts in Greater Worcester;
- Celebrate the spirit of the people and special qualities of Worcester, the City of Innovation;
- Raise awareness of the power of literature, poetry, and the spoken word;
- Provide a forum for collaborative art forms;
- Engage and support an emerging generation of poets and spoken word artists;
- Provide access to poetry and literary arts to all sectors of the community; and
- Encourage the reading and writing of both poetry and the written word.
The Dogfather Returns to Roadside Service on January 5
Food truck fanatics and hot dog aficionados, rejoice. The Dogfather returns to roadside service in January.
Each Wednesday, starting on January 5, the Dogfather will be at 67 Main Street in Boylston from 11 AM to 2 PM.
