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5 Things You Need To Know Today in Worcester – November 5, 2019

By TWIW Staff | November 5, 2019
Last Updated: February 2, 2021

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, Nov. 5 —  it’s municipal election day, high school football schedule has changed a bit because of bugs, a veteran plumber unclogs a new location, professors at WPI continue to conduct mind-blowing research and everyone can feel free to go in drag to “Studio 44” night. 

Vote, Or Shut Your Trap! 

Many experts argue that you can have more effect with your vote on a local level than in any National election. That said, there are some remarkably-low turn-outs for municipal elections. That’s what we’ve got on Tuesday, Nov. 5, when many cities and towns across Massachusetts hold its municipal elections for positions such as mayor, school committee and city council. Among the contested Worcester races are for mayor, for which Donna Colorio, Bill Coleman, Owurakwaku Poku Sarkodieh are vying to up-seat incumbent Joe Petty. There are six seats open for both councilor-at-large and school committee, with roughly double the candidates.

Polls are open 7 AM to 8 PM.

 

Bugs Be Gone, so Football is On

The Worcester Public Schools says the Triple E ban has been lifted, which affected some of the game schedule for fall sports, including football. Games with North and South High have not changed, but Doherty, Worcester Tech and Burncoat have changed slightly. 

That said, here’s the schedule for the weekend: 

Friday, Nov. 8

NON PLAYOFF: North travels to Bay Path for a 7 PM start time. Bus pickup is at North at 5 PM.

PLAYOFF: Doherty vs Saint John’s at Foley Stadium at 6 PM. Bus pick up at Doherty is at 4:30 PM.

Saturday, Nov. 9 

NON PLAYOFF GAME: Burncoat hosts Worcester Tech at Foley Stadium at 11 AM. Bus pick up at each school is at 9:30 AM.

PLAYOFF GAME: South hosts Northbridge at Foley Stadium at 2 PM. Bus pick up at South is at 12:15 PM.

It’s All in the Pipes 

Ragnar W. Gustafson III is pumped to announce a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Drain Guys, a division of 1896 Plumbing and Heating, that takes place on Nov. 18 from 5-7 PM located at the company’s new location at 50 Harding St., Worcester. The grand opening is open to the public and features a presentation by Tim Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. It also includes good eats, giveaways and networking opportunities.

For nearly 50 years, Gustafson III has been considered one of the top professionals in his field, providing expert plumbing and drain cleaning service in greater Worcester County. Ragnar is proud to celebrate the growth of his family company, which spans five generations with nearly 125 years in the plumbing trade.

 

Researcher at WPI Wins Grant to Develop Analytical Tool for Asylum Cases

A researcher at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is developing analytical tools to estimate capacities for holding sites, judges, and other resources needed to humanely process migrant asylum cases at the U.S. southern border.

Andrew Trapp, associate professor of operations and industrial engineering at the Foisie Business School at WPI, has received a $63,730 supplemental grant from the National Science Foundation to fund the research. The work builds on previous research that Trapp, colleagues, and students have done to develop analytical tools to better match refugees to communities.

Under the new award, Trapp uses queueing theory to develop a model that government authorities such as the Department of Homeland Security could use to determine the resources needed to process a proportion of asylum applicants within a specified time period. Queueing science is an established tool that allows organizations such as banks and fast-food restaurants to manage lines of customers, but it can also be used to benefit society, according to Trapp.

“A business may have servers and lines and a desire to serve 95% of its customers within a certain time period,” Trapp said. “Similarly, at the southern border, we have judges and queues of asylum seekers. The goal is to develop a tool that decision makers could use when managing those queues.”

 

Time to Go Wild and Free, and Not Care 

“Studio 44” night is coming to Worcester, bringing glamour downtown. 

Even if you didn’t receive a drag queen sashaying into your office a few weeks ago, you’re invited to a wild dance party called Studio 44 on Nov. 9 from 8-11 PM at ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland St., Worcester. The night promises to be dark, sexy and daring, and we want you there on the glittery dance floor. Tickets are available now.

Make sure your outfit is on point and enjoy live performances by the William Thompson Funk Experiment, pop-up cocktails to accessorize the mood, a gallery swing for your best selfie, and prizes you won’t find anywhere else. Tell your best friend, your work husband and your personal trainer. 


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