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, September 9 – the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association says it has a major announcement at its next meeting, Anna Maria College honors the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, the 178th annual meeting of the Worcester County Mechanics Association is at the end of the month, Worcester Chamber Music Society announced two in-person concerts in September, and gas prices rise two cents this week.
Major Announcement on Future of Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood on September 16
The September meeting of the Shrewsbury St. Neighborhood Association will include a major announcement about the area and a raffle for tickets to a Worcester Red Sox game.
The meeting, on Thursday, September 16, is at The Kiva Center at 209 Shrewsbury Street at 7 PM.
Representatives from the Worcester Police Department, Code Department, Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, and other city departments and elected officials are expected to attend and answer questions and speak to concerns.
Parking is free in the lot behind Mac’s Diner. The meeting is in the larger back room.
Anna Maria College Honors 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Anna Maria College, at 50 Sunset Lane in Paxton, will host an interfaith tribute for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, September 11 at 10:00am on Caparso Field.
The tribute will include John Creamer, husband of Tara Creamer who was aboard American Airlines Flight 11; a Joint Service Military Honor Guard from area college ROTC Detachments; and the keynote speaker will be former Boston Police Commissioner and Anna Maria College alum Ed Davis.
Former NECN anchor Mike Nikitas will emcee the event.
A “Freedom Tree” donated by Home Depot, and a granite monument donated by Empire Granite and Worcester County Memorial Park, will be blessed by local faith leaders. The 104th Tactical Fighter Group of the Massachusetts Air National Guard is planning a flyover (weather permitting).
The commemoration will take place prior to Anna Maria College’s first football home game of the season against Nichols College at which the Creamer family will serve as honorary co-captains at the coin toss.
The 178th Annual Meeting of the Worcester County Mechanics Association
Mechanics Hall, at 321 Main Street, hosts the 178th Annual Meeting of the Worcester County Mechanics Association on Tuesday, September 28, from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Admission is free. Masks are required to attend.
The meeting is an evening of reflection and optimism, socializing and networking along with a review of the last year and plans for the future.
Reception to follow with light fare and cash bar. Entertainment by Mauro DePasquale’s Jazzed Up Trio.
Both members and non-members are welcome to attend.
Worcester Chamber Music Society Presents American Voices
The Worcester Chamber Music Society [WCMS] hosts its “American Voices” concert, in-person, on September 24. The event is at the Harvard Unitarian Church at 9 Ayer Road in Harvard at 7:30 PM.
WCMS holds a second performance at the Jean McDonough Arts Center at 20 Franklin Street in Worcester on Sunday, September 26, at 4 PM. The September 26 performance is in-person and live-streamed. The performance will be available on-demand from October 3 to October 10. The performance features guest Cailin Marcel Manson, baritone.
In-person tickets for adults are $30-$40, students $10, EBT/WIC $5 and youth 17 and under are free.
Virtual tickets are $20, $38 for a household, $5 for students and EBT/WIC $2.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the WCMS website.
Gas Prices Rise Two Cents for Week of Labor Day
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is up two cent since last week, averaging $3.08 per gallon. That price is four cents higher than a month ago ($3.04), and 93 cents higher than September 7, 2020 ($2.15).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 10 cents lower than the national average.
Historically, gas demand starts to decline in the fall as schools reopen and summer road trips end, which leads to less expensive gas prices,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public Affairs. “Despite the dip in demand, the national average is expected to remain above $3/gallon especially as crude oil continues to price on the higher end.”
AAA Northeast’s September 7 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be three cents higher than last week, averaging $3.18 a gallon. Today’s national average price is the same as a month ago and 96 cents higher than this day last year ($2.22).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
