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, November 4 – the Auburn Fire Department warns of scams via text message, Trans-Siberian Orchestra tickets go on sale for a limited time for $25, Clark University pursuing $100 million in financing, Table Talk Pies taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving, and the Massachusetts Fire Marshall warns residents too check your alarms when its time to change the clocks.
Auburn Fire Department Warns of Scam Texts
The Auburn Fire Department is warning residents that a some received text messages that appear to be part of a scam.
Some residents received text messages that included a link to buy a t-shirt.
The Auburn Fire Department reports it does not endorse the sale or shirt. It also said residents in other municipalities have reported receiving the same message.
These shirts are NOT endorsed by @auburnmassfire. This appears to be a scam that other departments have been reporting as well. Please retweet & share this. Contact your local dept. to be sure if it comes from a source other than their social media. #SCAM pic.twitter.com/7RWAXTDKLZ
— Auburn Fire Rescue (@auburnmassfire) November 3, 2021
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tickets for $25 for a Limited Time
Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at the DCU Center as part of its Winter Tour for 2021 on Saturday, November 27, with performances at 3 PM and 8 PM.
The tour celebrates the 25th anniversary of the group’s landmark album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories. The album went triple platinum.
In commemoration of the album’s anniversary, Trans-Siberian Orchestra will offer concert tickets for $25 for 25 hours only on Thurs., Nov. 4 at 9 AM through Fri., Nov. 5 at 10 AM. Applicable fees also apply.
The regular price for tickets are $45 and $55.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
Clark University Pursuing $100 Million in Financing
Clark University President David Fithian announced Wednesday, November 3, the University is working to secure $100 million in capital markets financing. Fithian said the University seeks to make capital improvements and refinance $56 million in debt.
A portion of the bonds Clark will issue will have a Green Designation, committing the University to the environmental standards set by the Climate Bonds Initiative.
A new interdisciplinary academic building is part of the investments Clark seeks the funds for.
Clark announced on Monday, November 1, that it purchased a 7.3 acre lot at Park Avenue and Maywood Street.
Table Talk Pies Taking Pre-Orders for Thanksgiving
Table Talk Pies are talking pre-orders for 8” pies for Thanksgiving through Tuesday, November 16.
The holiday pies are just $2 and available in Apple, Blueberry, Pumpkin, Apple Crumb, Pecan, Coconut Custard and Sweet Potato.
Place orders by calling (508) 438-1526 or send an email to [email protected].
Fire Officials Offer Reminder: Change Your Clocks, Check Your Alarms
With the end of daylight savings time coming on Nov. 7, Massachusetts fire officials issued a seasonal reminder to check your smoke and carbon monoxide [CO] alarms when you change your clocks.
“Working smoke and CO alarms are key to surviving a fire or carbon monoxide leak,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “As we ‘fall back’ this weekend, remember to check your alarms when you change your clocks. Unless you have newer alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, this is a good time to replace the alkaline batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or replace the entire device if it’s more than 10 years old.”
Fire Marshal Ostroskey also highlighted the importance of CO alarms as we head into the colder months.
“Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States,” he said. “The primary sources of carbon monoxide in the home are furnaces and other fuel-burning appliances. We can’t see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, so it’s important to have working CO alarms to alert you to this invisible killer.”
Replace Aging Smoke Alarms
“Smoke alarms are like any other household appliances: they don’t last forever,” said Chief Michael Winn, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. “Alarm manufacturing dates are printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms usually need to be replaced after 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms after five to seven years. If the date on your alarm is more than 10 years ago, or if there’s no date at all, it’s time to replace it.”
Replacement Alarms Should be Photoelectric With 10-Year Sealed Batteries
The State Fire Code requires replacement battery-operated smoke alarms in older one- and two-family homes to be photoelectric and have 10-year, sealed, non-replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries and a hush feature.
“We see too many disabled smoke alarms at fire scenes where people really needed them to work,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Fire officials hope that if smoke alarms are easier to maintain, like those with long-life batteries, people will keep them in use rather than disabling them or forgetting to change out the batteries.”
Modern Fires Burn Faster
“Changes in construction and manufacturing make today’s residential fires burn faster,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “In the average house fire, there are only one to three minutes to escape after the smoke alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms give you precious time to use your home escape plan before poisonous gases and heat make escape impossible.”
Chief Winn said, “No one expects to be a victim of a fire, but the best way to survive one is to have working smoke alarms. Take a few minutes to protect those you love by changing the batteries in your smoke alarms this weekend. And if you have parents, grandparents, or older neighbors who might need a hand, volunteer to check their alarms and change their batteries, too.”
Home Fire Sprinklers
Home fire sprinklers can provide residents additional time to escape and contain or even extinguish a fire, but working smoke alarms are still needed to alert people to danger.
Senior SAFE
Nearly 40% of last year’s fire deaths involved adults over the age of 65. More than 200 fire departments across Massachusetts have grant-funded Senior SAFE programs. Seniors who need help testing, maintaining, or replacing smoke alarms should contact their local fire department or senior center for assistance.
For more information on smoke alarms or the Senior SAFE program, visit www.mass.gov/dfs or contact your local fire department.
