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 — Friday, Nov. 1 — Tower Hill launches its annual Gnomevember, Becker’s got a new esports tournament, UPS is doing a big hire, the WPD is hosting a crime watch meeting and there’s a new urban winery (i.e. not snobby) opening in the Higgins Armory building.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden to host Gnomevember
The annual month-long event is upon us. This November, Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston hosts Gnomevember from Nov. 1 to 30. Children and the young at heart can enjoy searching for “lost” garden gnomes throughout the formal gardens of the property as part of a scavenger hunt. Tower Hill is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people and plants and features woodland trails, scenic trails, subtropical conservatories, and much more. For more information, visit towerhillbg.org.
Mail a Package, Get a Job (With a Brown Uniform)
UPS is doing a big hire, looking for delivery drivers, driver helpers, personal vehicle drivers and package handlers for its Shrewsbury location. In fact, they are planning on hiring so many they are holding a hiring event at UPS, 315 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, on Friday, Nov. 1, from 9 AM to 2 PM.
You could literally walk out of there with a new job. The pay is $14 to $21 an hour, and you can pre-register here.
Do You Need to Stretch Before This Competition?
Becker College’s Varsity Esports Program is holding its inaugural Overwatch Invitational Tournament on Friday, Nov. 1, when teams competing include the University of Mississippi, Murray State University, and New England College, with Becker College competing and serving as the host institution.
Becker, the first college in New England to launch a varsity esports program, counts seven players on the varsity Overwatch team and more than a dozen on junior varsity and club teams. In addition to varsity esports, Becker is also home to active student-led esports and gaming tournaments clubs.
“Becker is a national leader when it comes to esports,” said Tim Loew, general manager of Becker Varsity Esports. “Overwatch has strong support on our campus. We know that to be the best, you have to play the best. By hosting a tournament of this caliber, we feel that we’re doing just that.”
Becker’s varsity Overwatch team, led by Coach Nicholas “Shifty” Travis, is 20-6 in Tespa play so far this season, featuring big wins over UCLA, Wichita State University, and the University of South Carolina. Coach “Shifty,” whose credentials include successful stints at Dignitas and the Overwatch Contenders British Hurricane, was recently named to the role and has already made a positive impact on the Becker team.
“When we launched our varsity Overwatch program, one of our goals was to create a top-tier event. We are honored that three great teams accepted our invitation to play in our inaugural tournament,” said Coach “Shifty.” “We’re really excited to play—and may the best team win.”
The matches, which will all be played online, will be streamed on Twitch at Becker_Esports beginning at 6:30 PM.
WPD Hosts City-Wide Crime Watch Meeting
When we come together to spot and fight crime we are stronger. The Worcester Police Neighborhood Response Team hosts a city-wide crime watch meeting at Worcester police headquarters in the Squad Room (second floor) on Nov. 6 at 6 PM.
Police give an overview of current crime stats and crime trends at this meeting, and citizens have a chance to ask questions and share concerns. In addition to the Neighborhood Response Team the following speak at the event: Chief Steven M. Sargent, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Chair of Public Safety, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. and City Manager Edward M. Augustus.
Urban Winery Pours at the Higgins Armory Building
Sail to Trail WineWorks, an urban winery headquartered in New England, is psyched to open at the Higgins Armory Building with an official opening on Nov. 8 from 4-6 PM.
Through partnerships with vineyards worldwide, Sail to Trail WineWorks focuses on serving the area’s rapidly growing demand for locally sourced bottled wine. Unlike most wineries, however, Sail to Trail WineWorks is looking to attract the nontraditional wine drinker. In fact, the company’s mission is to redefine the stereotypical wine drinker and create a more inclusive industry experience for consumers. In other words, there’s nothing snooty tooty about it.
“You won’t find any snooty sommelier-speak here; in fact, we don’t know any,” jokes Sail to Trail WineWorks Founder & CEO Chris Simpson. “Our focus is on the casual wine drinker, as well as taking some of the pretentiousness out of the winery experience. However, we’re not compromising on taste. We’ll produce what I call ‘appellation-agnostic’ wines—meaning the grapes can come from anywhere as long as they’re good. In essence, we’re pairing our urban New England roots with select, top-notch blends produced by our partners around the globe.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony notwithstanding, Sail to Trail WineWorks is already an up-and-running operation, with an online presence offering selections such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, its wines are currently available at such local establishments as The Flying Rhino, Nancy Chang, O’Connor’s and the Oak Barrel Tavern. Its tasting room in the Higgins Armory Building opened in early October.
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