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, Feb. 5 — WPI professors address climate change with a “critical conversation,” S.A.F.E. grants given to 248 fire departments, the Canal Diggers 5K is planned, top nurse gets the “Daisy” award from St. V’s and the Cannabis Ed. Center awarded culinary scholarships.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute to Hold Forum on Climate Change
Given the ongoing news cycle on climate change, WPI faculty members are holding a “critical conversation” on the effects of climate change on the world. Faculty members across the WPI campus discuss the latest climate change news and the ways people can move toward a more sustainable path on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Fuller Laboratories at WPI.
Panelists include Robert Krueger, associate professor of Social Science & Policy Studies, Carrick Eggleston, department head and professor of environmental engineering and Kofi Gyimah Amoako-Gyimah, executive secretary of the Okyeman Environment Foundation, Ghana.
“The goal of the talk is to help attendees understand the impact of climate change, what it looks like in different parts of the world, and what people and institutions—including WPI—are doing about it,” said the announcement. “The faculty panel also discusses how human culture and action sped up the negative consequences of climate change, and how today’s younger generations are becoming a force for preserving the world, with emphasis on how people can adapt to and use technology, such as renewable technology, to take better care of themselves and the environment.”
Saint Vincent Hospital Names January 2020 Daisy Nurse of the Month
Johannah Delaurie, RN, from Rutland is a nurse on Unit 22 South was chosen as “nurse of the month” by Saint Vincent Hospital, according to an announcement. “Delaurie was nominated by a patient who she cared for and really made a lasting impression on,” said the announcement. “The patient admires Johannah’s professionalism and even called her an angel.”
Delaurie has been a nurse at Saint Vincent Hospital for 13 years.
“I am so proud of Johannah for receiving such a nice compliment and this well-deserved award” says JoAnn Piedrafite, chief nursing officer at Saint Vincent Hospital. “Our nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital go above and beyond the call of duty to provide quality care for their patients, so it’s no wonder Johannah received such praise.”
The Daisy Award was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, a cancer patient who lost his battle after a brief period of time. The family was so impressed with the care and compassion the staff showed Barnes, they stated a foundation to have a way to honor nurses who demonstrate clinical excellence in a caring and compassionate manner.
State Awards Public Fire Education Grants to 248 Fire Departments
The state recently awarded 248 municipal fire departments some $2 million in grants to fund fire safety programs geared toward children and older adults across Massachusetts.
Fire departments in 235 communities are receiving Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E) and Senior SAFE grants; six communities receive S.A.F.E. grants only; and seven communities receive Senior SAFE grants only.
“Since 1995, the S.A.F.E. program has brought fire education to hundreds of thousands of students in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This program allows firefighters and teachers to work together to provide fire and life safety education to young people.”
The average number of children dying in fires annually has dropped by 76 percent since the S.A.F.E. Program began. The Senior SAFE program is in its 6th year, providing firefighters with the funding to deliver fire safety education to another vulnerable population – seniors.
Canal Diggers 5K Set for September
The 14th Annual 5K benefits Worcester Charities and the Hibernian Cultural Center.
The Canal Diggers 5K takes place on Saturday, Sept. 12, starting at the Fiddler’s Green at 10 a.m. The event includes a kids race, the 5K, entertainment, refreshments and a 50/50 raffle.
Go here to find out more about this day of community, fun and tradition.
Cannabis Education Center Dishes Out Culinary Scholarships
The Cannabis Education Center, a collaboration between Holyoke Community College and the Cannabis Community Care & Research Network (C3RN), has announced the awarding of scholarships to six students enrolled in its entry-level cannabis culinary assistant training program, which began Jan. 25.
These initial scholarships were provided by cannabis businesses Curaleaf, Good Chemistry, Mill Town Agriculture, and Cultivate and awarded to students who either live in the Holyoke area, are unemployed or underemployed, or were disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement laws before the legalization of marijuana in Massachusetts, among other criteria.
“The goal of the scholarship program is to provide high-quality cannabis training to those who might otherwise not have the financial opportunity,” said Marion McNabb, chief executive officer of C3RN and the 501c3 nonprofit that manages the scholarship program for the Cannabis Education Center.
The cannabis culinary assistant program started Jan. 25 at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute and runs for six Saturdays, through Feb. 29. Cannabis culinary assistants are responsible for preparing cannabis or cannabidiol-infused products using a variety of cooking, baking and infusion techniques.
The scholarships cover the full cost of the training program, including the internship, at $3,000.
Follow us on The016.com, the social network for Worcester and you!
