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, January 13 – tickets are on sale for Monster Jam at the DCU Center in February, a student-athlete at Worcester Academy receives a nomination for the McDonald’s All American Games, Mystery Science Theatre 3000 set to visit the Hanover Theatre, the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts launches its lending season and the Make-A-Wish program receives a $151,000 donation.
Monster Jam at the DCU Center in February
Monster Jam, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, returns to the DCU Center from Friday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 20. Tickets are on sale now.
The Monster Jam Pit Party on Saturday and Sunday enables fans to see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, take pictures and enjoy other family-friendly fun. This unique experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.
The scheduled truck lineup includes Grave Digger driven by Brandon Vinson; Whiplash driven by Brianna Mahon; Megalodon driven by Bernard Lyght; TBA driven by Coty Saucier; and Stone Crusher driven by Chad Tingler.
The event starts on Friday, Feb. 18, at 7 PM.
On Saturday, Feb. 19, the Pit Party is from 10:30 AM to noon. There are two events on Saturday. The first at 1 PM and a second event on Saturday at 7 PM.
On Sunday, Feb. 20, the Pit Party is from 10:30 AM to noon. The event starts at 1 PM.
Worcester Academy Student Nominated for McDonald’s All American Team
The McDonald’s All American Games announced it the nominees with a chance to play in the 45th anniversary McDonald’s All American Games, including Worcester Academy student, Lola Lesmond.
Over 760 girls and boys high school basketball players from across the country received nominations. Players were nominated by a high school coach, athletic director, principal or member of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee, which is comprised of the nation’s most knowledgeable analysts, prep scouts, media and prestigious basketball coaches.
The final selections are set to include 24 girls and 24 boys revealed Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 on ESPN’s “NBA Today” between 3-4 PM.
The McDonald’s All American Girls Game is on Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30 PM on ESPN2 and the Boys Game immediately following on ESPN at 9 PM.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 at the Hanover on February 3
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts presents Mystery Science Theater 3000 LIVE: Time Bubble Tour on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 PM.
The Time Bubble Tour, supervised by series creator Joel Hodgson, launched in October in York, PA, and plans 80 nationwide dates through spring 2022.
For tickets and more information, visit mst3klive.com
North Central Massachusetts Grant Program Launches on January 17
The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts [CFNCM] launches its 2022 North Central Massachusetts Racial Equity Grant Program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 17. The program will distribute $58,500 in grants to selected nonprofit organizations serving the 33 communities of North Central Massachusetts.
CFNCM is an organization serving the charitable interests of donors and supporting nonprofits throughout 33 communities in the north central region of Massachusetts.
The program is focused on advancing racial justice and equity in the region by providing grants to nonprofit organizations that serve and empower communities of color and address systemic and institutional racism. The program will support nonprofit organizations working to advance racial equity in North Central Massachusetts through:
- Youth empowerment
- Social justice
- Awareness, education and training around implicit and explicit racial bias in employment, services and community engagement
- Other innovative programs or approaches that serve and empower communities of color and address systemic and institutional racism
Grants will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Informational sessions for interested grantees will be held on Jan. 18 at 3 PM and Jan. 26 at 10 AM via Zoom.
The grant application deadline is Friday, Feb. 18, and award decisions will be announced by April 8. Please contact Meghan Maceiko at [email protected] with questions.
Make -A-Wish Foundation Receives $151,000 Donation
VIP Tires and Service, an auto repair and tire shop chain across New England, recently donated $151,000 to the Make-A-Wish program raised during it Our Season of Wishes Program.
The program raises annually with individual donations made by VIP employees and customers across its 65 locations in New England, and then matched 100% by VIP’s Chairman, John Quirk.
VIP’s six stores in Massachusetts contributed $5,177.38, including matching funds. Since the company launched the annual campaign in 2008, it has donated over $835,000.
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to critically ill children all across the country.
Lead image: Mystery Science Theater 3000/ Photo by Cody York
