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 – Wednesday, August 25 – candlelight vigils for overdose awareness planned in Fitchburg and Worcester, Worcester County sobriety checkpoint this Saturday night, an upcoming self-defense workshop for women, Anna Maria to honor 9/11 20th anniversary, and Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar holds a contest for Worcester Red Sox tickets.
Candlelight Vigils in Worcester and Fitchburg for Overdose Awareness
Worcester and Fitchburg plan candlelight Overdose Awareness Vigils over the next week.
Fitchburg Upper Common on August 26
The Fitchburg Health Department Substance Abuse Prevention holds an Overdose Awareness Vigil on Thursday, August 26, at the Upper Common on Main Street in Fitchburg.
The event begins at 6:15 PM when resources tables will be available. The Vigil and speakers, including Ed Kressy, the local resident and author of “My Addiction & Recovery.”
Purple ribbons will be distributed at the vigil for people to wear on International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31. People are asked to bring a photo of a loved one lost to overdose to the vigil for the remembrance board or photos can be emailed ahead of time to [email protected].
Worcester City Hall Plaza on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day
Worcester will mark International Overdose Awareness Day with the Candlelight Vigil of Memory and Hope in Worcester is at Worcester City Hall Plaza at 455 Main Street on Tuesday, August 31, at 5 PM. If weather prevents the observance outside, the vigil will be inside City Hall in the Levi Lincoln Room, on the third floor.
Following the event, city officials, community leaders and members of the clergy will take part in a procession to the Overdose Memorial at Peace Park on Winslow Street
Worcester County Sobriety Checkpoint Announcement
Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a “Sobriety Checkpoint” will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in Worcester County on Saturday, August 28, into Sunday, August 29.
According to Massachusetts State Police, the purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways.
Self-Defense Workshop for Women
The Worcester County Sheriff Department teams up with the Vanessa T. Marcotte Foundation to present a workshop designed to teach women basic self-defense moves.
The workshop, on Wednesday, September 8, from 5:45 PM to 8 PM, is open to women ages 16 years and older. The workshop is at the Blue Lounge on the first floor of the Student Center at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602.
During the workshop, women will practice realistic self-defense tactics, learn situational awareness and how to handle a confrontation both physically and mentally.
The participation fee is $10 or $5 for students.
Pre-registration for the workshop is required. Register for the workshop here.
Anna Maria College to Honor 9/11 Anniversary
Anna Maria College will host an interfaith tribute for the 20th anniversary of 9/11 on Saturday, September 11, at 10 AM on Caparso Field at 50 Sunset Lane in Paxton.
The keynote speaker is former Boston Police Commissioner and Anna Maria College alum Ed Davis. The tribute will include John Creamer, husband of Tara Creamer who was aboard American Airlines Flight 11, Joint Service Military Honor Guard from area college ROTC Detachments. 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 National Guard is planning a flyover to coincide with the National Anthem.
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.
Speakers include:
- Ed Davis, Former Boston Police Commissioner
- Anna Maria College President Mary Lou Retelle
- Anna Maria College Deacon Jack Franchi
- John Franchi, Retired CIA Station Chief in the Middle East
- Mike Nikitas, former NECN anchor
- Invited guests include local, state and federal officials
Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar Contest for WooSox Tix and More
From now until September 5 visit Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar at 62 Green Street and take a picture in front of the image of WooSox mascot Smiley.
If you share that image in either a social media story or post, and tag Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar (@bucksworcester), @sachsjewelers & @downeastcider you will be entered to win four tickets behind home plate to a Worcester Red Sox game the week of September 7 or exclusive merch from Downeast Cider.
