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, Jan. 7 — the Worcester Airport has a sweepstakes for college students, there’s a Canal District public meeting tomorrow night, the Worcester Art Museum has a new CFO, “Community Curators” opens at the EcoTarium, and the Mass. State Police began its trooper training.
Massport Wants Central MA College Students to Fly Worcester Regional Airport
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), in coordination with JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, is giving away six pairs of roundtrip airfare in the “Worcester College Sweepstakes” contest.
“Worcester Regional Airport is conveniently located close to several colleges and universities in Worcester,” said Worcester Regional Airport Director Andy Davis. “We encourage the Worcester college community to fly Worcester, whether they’re planning for Spring Break or summer vacation or looking to study abroad. We are an affordable option to travel with nonstop flights to New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale and connections to over 120 destinations around the world.”
The Sweepstakes starts Jan. 6. The promotion is open to all part-time and full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are legal U.S. residents, at least 18 years old, and are currently enrolled at one of the following educational institutions in Worcester:
- Assumption College
- Becker College
- Clark University
- College of the Holy Cross
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
- Quinsigamond Community College
- University of Massachusetts Medical School
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester State University
Enter to win by registering online.
Learn About the State of the Canal District
It’s the hottest district in town, and developing right before our eyes.
Join public officials and community leaders for a status update on this vital, evolving neighborhood. Updates at the presentation include ongoing construction and development (Kelley Square, Pickett Plaza, Polar Park) as well as short/long-term parking and flood issues.
The event, open to the public, takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 6 PM at the Hibernian Cultural Centre. Property owners, business owners and employees in the area are particularly encouraged to attend.
WAM Brings In New CFO
The Worcester Art Museum (WAM) has hired Mark Spuria to fill the newly created position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on the museum board. Spuria’s got 20 years of experience in financial management and administration in the arts, having served most recently as the general manager and CFO for the Maynard–based company Verne Q. Powell Flutes, where he has worked since 1996. Spuria brings a love of the arts to his new role, too. He served as the principal clarinetist for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for seven years, and has held positions on a number of different nonprofit boards, including ARTSWorcester, the Worcester Chamber Music Society, and as a member of the finance committee for the Worcester Art Museum.
“With great pleasure I would like to formally welcome Mark to the Worcester Art Museum,” said Matthias Waschek, the Jean and Myles McDonough Director of the Worcester Art Museum. “This is an exciting time at the Museum, as we both tackle near-term needs and plan for future initiatives, Mark’s experience both in the for-profit world and in the arts will certainly benefit the institution.”
A native of Massachusetts, Spuria began his career in music, securing a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, with an emphasis on clarinet performance. He’s also played clarinet in the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and also taught clarinet at the LaSalle College of the Arts.
MSP Recruits Start Training This Week
Early Monday morning, 271 members of the 85th Recruit Training Troop entered the Massachusetts State Police Academy to begin the rigorous training to become Massachusetts State Troopers.
Over the next 23 weeks, recruits based at the academy compound in New Braintree receive instruction in police procedures; criminal and motor vehicle laws; defensive tactics; ethics; departmental policies, rules and regulations; firearms and other use of force equipment; emergency first aid; physical training; and emergency driving.
“Trainees will undertake a rigorous training regimen that will provide them with the fundamental skills required to navigate the modern policing environment,” said Colonel Christopher S. Mason, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “This recruit class will receive instruction that emphasizes skills such as de-escalation, responding to and serving diverse and vulnerable populations, and officer wellness. This training environment will expand on reinforcing the important ethical and moral expectations that both the agency and the public share.”
Community Curators: Local is the New Global Opens at the EcoTarium
The EcoTarium opens its newest exhibit, Community Curators: Local is the New Global, on Saturday, Jan. 11.
In this community curated exhibit, guests are invited to discover the science behind climate change: how it affects different species and what communities and individuals can do to reduce their own carbon footprints. See items from the EcoTarium’s collections that have not been on display before.
A total of five objects are included in this exhibit: three chosen by guest curators and two by public vote.
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