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 – Tuesday, May 18 – a walk-in COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is now being held daily on Lincoln St., the Worcester Historical Museum is hosting the Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Logo Contest, the Worcester Red Sox launch a youth club, it’s allergy season: how to asses the signs of COVID-19 and gas prices in Massachusetts rise again this week.
Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Lincoln Street
The Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center offers free walk-in clinics at St. Joan of Arc Parish at 570 Lincoln St. in Worcester.
The clinics are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The clinic are accessible by free public transportation, via WRTA bus route 26, stop 3, at Lincoln Plaza.
Vaccines at the site are open to those 18 years or older and free. No appointment necessary.
The Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Logo Contest
The Worcester Historical Museum hosts a contest for all artists to celebrate Harvey Ball’s 100th Birthday.
Ball, a Worcester based advertising professional, was the creator of the Smiley Face, which he created for a campaign for State Mutual in 1963.
The requirements:
- Overall design:
- 1. Design at a minimum must incorporate a close likeness to the original 1963 Harvey Ball Smiley Face design (shown above).
- Acknowledge Harvey’s 100th birth date: July 10, 2021.
- Use the following text “Harvey Ball 100th Birthday Celebration” or “100th Birthday Celebration of Harvey Ball”.
- Size: 2 inch minimum to billboard size. Logo design will need to replicate well for various uses, i.e. lapel pin, sticker, bag, t-shirt, marketing, and who knows – maybe even a billboard!
- Format: Electronic: (Hi-Resolution/Large File Size, JPG and VECTOR File) ; Hand Drawn Creation: Just like Harvey did for State Mutual! (hand drawn creations can be scanned and sent via email, or hand delivered to the museum between the hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 7.)
- Submission Deadline: Monday, June 7. Submit artwork including contact information electronically by 5 p.m. to [email protected] or by 3 p.m. hand drawn delivery to WHM.
Contact Eleanor Houbre with questions at [email protected] or (508) 753-8278 x121.
Worcester Red Sox Launch Youth Fan Club
The Worcester Red Sox launched the WooCrew, a youth fan club.
The fan club has both a free and paid tier.
The program includes a lanyard and member card, access to a loyalty points program, and exclusive events.
Paid members get a membership kit that includes a draw string bag and shirt, free shipping, and other events like batting practice at Polar Park and an ice cream social with the Red Sox mascot, Smiley Ball.
For more information visit the Worcester Red Sox website.
Signs of COVID-19 symptoms During Allergy Season
In May, as seasonal allergens are shifting from tree pollen to weeds and grasses, they trigger reactions in many. Some ailments like headaches, fatigue, runny nose and sore throat, are similar to COVID-19 symptoms, leaving people confused about when to seek testing and care.
Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of American Family Care [AFC]., notes that itchy, watery eyes and sneezing are strong indications of seasonal allergies and are not generally associated with COVID.”
Meoli also notes that high fever usually accompanies COVID-19, but rarely seasonal allergies. The same is true with a sudden loss of taste or smell.
The AFC office in Worcester offers walk-in care seven days a week for patients of all ages, including diagnostic rapid tests and antibody tests for COVID-19, physicals, on-site x-rays, care for minor bone breaks and stitches for cuts and lacerations. Online check-in and current wait times are available at AFC Worcester website.
Gas Prices Up Again This Week in MA
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is up five cents since last week, averaging $2.91 per gallon. That price is the 18 cents higher than a month ago ($2.73), and 96 cents higher than May 17, 2020 ($2.00).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is 13 cents lower than the national average.
AAA Northeast’s May 17 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 8 cents higher than last week, averaging $3.04 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 17 cents higher than a month ago ($2.87), and $1.17 dollar cents cheaper than this day last year ($1.87).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
