Worcester’s Fireworks Hotline Receives Nearly 2,000 Complaints
The City of Worcester implemented a fireworks hotline at the start of the summer due to numerous complaints about fireworks being set off late at night in neighborhoods.
According to the Worcester Police Department, from mid-June to mid-August, the hotline received 1,993 calls.
Over that time period, the majority of the calls came from the Main South neighborhood. The peak time for calls was between 8 PM and 11 PM and most calls came in on Saturdays and Sundays.
The calls dropped off steadily from June to August.
City Manager Ed Augustus Proposing Expanding Outdoor Dining
At tonight’s City Council meeting, City Manager Ed Augustus will announce he intends to propose expanding outdoor dining options for restaurants in the city.
In a communication to the City Council, Augustus says he aims to make the process easy to navigate, help establish multiple forms of outdoor dining and have measures in place to limit nuisances.
Later this fall, Augustus will propose a zoning ordinance amendment.
Free Walk-Up COVID-19 Testing this Week in Worcester
Free, walk-up testing for the COVID-19 virus will available at two resource fairs in Worcester this week. The testing is being done as part of the state’s Stop the Spread campaign.
Testing will take place at the following locations:
- Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 2 PM to 6 PM — in front of 42 Lakeside Ave.
- Thursday, Sept. 10 from 1 PM to 5 PM — 72 Jacques Ave.
No appointments are necessary, and a free mask and hand sanitizer will be provided with tests.
Flu shots are available with insurance. All attendees are reminded to wear a mask or face covering.
REC Worcester Hosting Fall Fundraiser
The Regional Environmental Council is hosting a Fall Fundraiser: Farm to Your Table on Friday, September 25.
Participants will receive a virtual tour of REC’s urban YouthGROW farm followed by an online cooking demonstration featuring local chef Natalie Rodriguez from Nuestra Worcester.
Tickets are $60 each. One ticket includes farm fresh ingredients for an appetizer, entree, and beverage for two people and access to the event’s broadcast. Tickets can be purchased at https://recworcester.kindful.com/e/farm-to-your-table.
The event is from 6 PM to 7 PM.
All proceeds will support REC’s mission of creating a just food system and building healthy, sustainable, and equitable communities in Worcester and beyond.
REC will provide details about the curbside pickup process for ingredients by Friday, September 18 via email, on their website and Facebook page, including dates, times, and location(s).
Old Sturbridge Village Hosting Craft Weekend September 19 & 20
On Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, Old Sturbridge Village will host its annual Craft Weekend, showcasing the major industries and crafts of the early 19th-century and their relevance and impact on life today.
New to the event this year, Old Sturbridge Village is hosting an “Exhibition of Craft” inviting members of the community to display items that they have created by hand, either as a hobbyist or professional maker, at the Village. The showcase will accept items in a number of categories, including sewing, quilting, weaving, knitting, woodworking, metalworking, ceramic, leather-working, sketching and watercolor, at no fee to enter. Unlike a judged competition, the exhibition is intended to bring together a community of crafters during a time when craft plays a role in enriching daily life and inspiring so many.
Those wishing to enter the exhibition must pre-register online by September 5. Exhibitors will be provided with a one-day complimentary admission ticket for taking part in the showcase.
