Tag Archives: family fun

Worcester community news you can use!

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The Family Health Center fair drew hundreds of folks to the Piedmont neighborhood! photos: R.T.

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Kids!!! TODAY!!!!! YAY!!!!

FREE!!!

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We are happy to announce that we are holding free Boston Bruins Alumni Street Hockey Clinics Wednesday August 17 and 24 from 6pm-8pm at the Buffone Rink (Parking Lot).

There is no need to pre-register.

Come out and meet the Bruins Alumni, get a free Bruins Alumni T-shirt and have fun!

Founded by US Olympian and NHL veteran David A. Jensen in 2012, DAJ Hockey is New England’s premier on-ice/off-ice hockey skills training company. DAJ features on-ice hockey skills programs via Boston Bruins Alumni Camps and off-ice skills training at the high-tech DAJ Skills Centers in Foxboro and Attleboro, MA. DAJ also manages street hockey and floorball clinics, camps and leagues throughout New England.

DAJ’s “Hockey in the Streets” program brings the joy of hockey to urban children, who may otherwise not get the opportunity to play the sport!

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Worcester Bands Together To Fight Substance Use!

Upcoming Events Promote Recovery and Healing!

Over the past several years, August and September have been the worst months for opioid-related overdoses in our community and beyond.

In 2014, there was a significant increase in the number of opioid related deaths during the end of the summer.

Since then, the City of Worcester, the Department of Health and Human Services, and our community partners have partnered to respond to the national opioid epidemic – equipping all first responders with life-saving Narcan; training non-emergency city personnel on the use of Narcan; collecting hundreds of pounds of unused prescriptions; instituting the first-ever needle exchange program with AIDS Project Worcester; conducting training for medical professionals on the dangers of overprescribing pain medication; and working to alert the public to the dangers of addiction.

The City of Worcester continues to collect unused prescription drugs at a dropbox at Worcester Police Department Headquarters and at all neighborhood watch meetings.

“Battling the opioid epidemic is a top priority for the city, and it’s a battle we intend to win,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “From responding to overdoses, public education about addiction and recovery, From prevention to treatment to recovery, the City and our community partners are going all-in to fight this epidemic.”

Overdose Recognition and Response Training

The Worcester Police Department will offer free training for the public on how to recognize and intervene during an opioid overdose using nasal Narcan.

This training event will take place at 5:30 p.m. August 23 at the Worcester Public Library.

Worcester DPH encourages health care providers, substance abuse treatment service providers, first responders, and the public to exercise increased vigilance in promptly identifying suspected overdose victims and taking appropriate action.

The Good Samaritan Law provides protection to people who respond to an overdose and call 911.

The law is intended to encourage people to report drug overdoses as soon as possible, even if drugs are present at the scene.

AIDS Project Worcester’s Overdose Prevention and Narcan distribution program provides free Narcan to those who are likely to witness an overdose.

Learn to Cope, which has a chapter in Worcester, also provides free Narcan to family members of those with a substance use disorder.
Narcan is also available for purchase at CVS and Walgreen’s Pharmacies in the City of Worcester.

Overdose Awareness Day with a Candlelight Vigil:

The Worcester Department of Health and Human Services, along with our community partners will honor International Overdose Awareness Day, with a candlelight vigil and an addiction and recovery awareness campaign at 5:30 p.m. August 31 at the Worcester Common.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose. There will be an opportunity for people to receive information and referral to services for addiction and recovery.

The event will provide an opportunity for the public to express sorrow while also raising awareness on the actions needed to provide more services for recovery and improve understanding of the opioid abuse epidemic.

Participation is free.

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Get yourself outdoors – to one of the many beautiful Worcester parks/green spaces…

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Every 3 1/2 hours, someone dies in a house fire.

With the goal of reducing home-fire related fatalities by 25%, the American Red Cross is installing free smoke alarms in residential homes across the nation.

In Massachusetts, the Red Cross will install up to 2 photo-electric and one dual (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms, as well as one carbon monoxide detector.

If you are a Massachusetts resident and would like to request a free smoke alarm installation, please call 1-800-746-3511**

* Southeast Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands are experiencing a significant backlog

**please self-identify as a military attached household if applicable (military, military family member, National Guard, veteran)

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The Worcester Public Library Presents
The Rhythm Room Enrichment Program with Rick Morin

Thursday, August 18

2 p.m.

The Worcester Public Library will be hosting the Rick Morin and The Rhythm Room Enrichment Program on Thursday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m. as part of the Summer Reading Program 2016.

The interactive drumming program will be held in the Children’s Room at the Worcester Public Library, and is free and recommended for children ages 5-12.

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Go, lil’ drummer girl, go!!!

About The Rhythm Room:
The Rhythm Room Enrichment Program by Rick Morin explores world music as it relates to today’s pop culture, combining discussion, demonstration and participation. The use of world percussion, drum set, buckets and exploring percussion from objects and one’s own body (clapping, stomping, etc.) is educational as well as motivational and fun. Rick will explain the execution of hand motion to bring out the proper voice of each drum and demonstrate how a percussionist can tell a story with rhythm and theatrical flair.

About Rick Morin:
Rick Morin is the creator and director of the The Rhythm Room, an all-original ten member band. He also developed The Rhythm Room Enrichment Program. Morin is a freelance drummer/percussionist. In 2006 he was awarded the Kathleen McKiel Memorial Award from the North Attleboro Cultural Council for his contributions to the Arts. Morin is an endorsed percussionist by LP, Sabian, REMO, and Vic Firth.

The Rhythm Room Enrichment Program is part of the Summer Reading Program at the Worcester Public Library. The theme for the 2016 program is “Wellness, Fitness, and Sports” – with loads of free programs being offered through August 20 at the Main Library and all branches.

Participants are eligible for prizes for reading and participating in programs. All ages are invited to sign up for summer reading at mywpl.org or at any library location until August 20.

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And don’t forget! Rolling into your neighborhood TODAY! THE REC MOBILE FARMERS MARKET – AKA THE PRETTY BLUE VAN CAN! See schedule, below…

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WPL parked in PS … Today! Maker Mondays comes to the Worcester Public Library!

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Maker Mondays with the Learning Hub will be coming to the Worcester Public Library on Mondays in August!

3 Salem Square

These events take place in the new Tween Space in the Main Library’s Children’s Room.

This program is for children ages 9-12.

FREE!

Put on a lab coat and enter the Maker Lab!

Join Giselle from The Learning Hub for this 4-week series of STEM Maker Classes.

These classes will have you creating new things and discovering the world around you.

On August 1 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., check out Paint Lab for a discussion about Van Gogh and Impressionism.

Students will recreate the famous The Starry Night painting.

Information about Van Gogh and the impressionism period will be given for students to review at home with links to his work.

On August 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., it’s Science Lab, a discussion about clouds.

Students will create cloud jars to understand visually how clouds hold water. A print out of the experiment will be given to students to take home and try it again!

Swing by August 15 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Creative Writing Lab, a discussion about writing stories. Students will learn to breakdown the concepts of characters, plot, and story line. Students will then create their own story to take home and share with their families.

On August 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., learn about Food Sustainability with a discussion about sustainable food and the importance of farms and locally grown products.

Students will plant their own vegetable seeds and take them home to care for with instructions. We will also give them access to The Learning Hub community garden.

Maker Mondays is part of the Summer Reading Program at the Worcester Public Library.

The theme for the 2016 program is “Wellness, Fitness, and Sports” – with loads of free programs being offered through August 20 at the Main Library and all branches.

Participants are eligible for prizes for reading and participating in programs.

All ages are invited to sign up for summer reading at mywpl.org or at any library location until August 20.

Grant Park, off Lincoln Street – always in style!

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Grant Park Ribbon Cutting

By Edith Morgan

At last, Grant Park is ready to be formally recognized! Saturday, August 6, at 12 noon, there will be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at the Park, with city officials (elected and appointed) there to celebrate the occasion.

The ceremony will mark the completion of the improvements in this neighborhood park, celebrating the achievement of several years of persistent and unfailing efforts by Winifred Octave, who lives right across from the park, and her co-chair, Debra Bolz.

Though small, this park is situated in an area (off Lincoln Street) that badly needed it, and is used by many residents in this densely populated Worcester neighborhood.

All are invited to come and view the new basketball court, the garden area, the places to sit beneath trees and just enjoy the outdoors, meeting with friends and neighbors.

The ceremony will be followed by the Green Hill Neighborhood Association’s fourth annual picnic, which is usually attended by more than 300 neighbors and friends!

Our picnic will feature music, food, entertainment for children, including balloons and face painting, and displays by several city agencies. Refreshments are being donated by area businesses and individuals, and volunteers will be helping with the set-up, serving, grilling, and cleaning up.

Fun for all at the Worcester Public Library!

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pic:R.T.

Summer Reading Program Events July 11 – 16

The Worcester Public Library has a week full of fun and exciting programs and events scheduled for July 11-16.

The library is located at 3 Salem Square

Some of the regular programs include storytimes, Minecraft Club, fun and games, a Saturday Movie Matinee, and Legos!

In addition to these regular programs, the Children’s Room has some special programming taking place during the week:

The first special event is Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids, presented by Ivy Child International. This program is a fun, healthy workshop filled with joy and instruction. The lessons will help children cope, and is recommended for ages 6-12 and parents. The first session will be held Monday, July 11 at 1 p.m. The second session will be held the following week, Monday, July 18 at 1 p.m.

The next special program will be Hula Hooping, with guest instructor Sarah Daly, on Wednesday, July 13 at 1 p.m. During this class, master hula hooper Daly will lead children, ages 12 and under, in a fun, music-filled hula hooping session. Hula hooping is a great way to increase activity levels in a fun and exciting way!

Finally, don’t miss On Your Mark, Get Set, Read, Move, Laugh & Play with comic mime Robert Rivest, on Wednesday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. Rivest will entertain audiences of all ages while joyfully motivating them to get up, get moving, and keep reading. Using mime, comedy, and interactive playfulness, Rivest shares fun way to move, laugh, and relieve stress, allowing children and their families to feel healthier and happier. This family show is full of audience participation.

These special events are part of the Summer Reading Program at the Worcester Public Library. The theme for the 2016 program is “Wellness, Fitness, and Sports” – with loads of free programs being offered through August 20 at the Main Library and all branches.

Participants are eligible for prizes for reading and participating in programs. All ages are invited to sign up for summer reading at mywpl.org or at any library location until August 20.

This Saturday Worcester Food Truck Festival! This Sunday! Downtown Worcester! Another fab road race! Our Main Street finally comes alive!!!

WOW! This weekend!

Another great weekend for Worcester coming up! So affordable! So kid friendly! So community building!

Saturday!

Elm Park

Worcester Food Truck festival!

$5 gets you in! Kids 12 and under – free admission!

Last year ELM PARK WAS SWAMPED with kids and their parents and couples!!! A true family celebration! Enjoy the park’s huge cool sculptures, too! Yes, a few have been damaged, BUT THE WORCESTER SPIRIT transcends the setbacks! There are 24 WONDERFUL SCULPTURES still whole and perfect! The others to be resurrected! 

Show your support for public art!

Head off on Saturday to the WORCESTER FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL!

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THIS Sunday, June 21

Run Worcester!

The Worcester Common!

Run downtown Woo! Savor the center of our city!!!!

Be a part of this city-wide, very cool event that we love CUZ IT GETS A TON OF PEOPLE IN DOWNTOWN WORCESTER , it is accessible to ALL runners/walkers – is a Worcester road race that celebrates our city core!

Head to the WORCESTER FOOD TRUCK on Saturday at Elm Park! Run/jog/walk off all those food truck sandwiches and goodies at the RUN WORCESTER! road race!

Enjoy the after race party, drinks, food!

Blue, very COOL LOOKING race MEDALS OF DOWNTOWN Worcester to be given out!

RACE information from the website below!

If you click on blue colored words and yellow blocks, you can get to the website and register for the downtown Worcester race and learn more!

RACE INFO

Worcester Running Festival Overview
Sunday, June 21, 2015

T-SHIRTS AND MEDALLIONS TO ALL FINISHERS IN THE HALF MARATHON

T-SHIRTS AND MEDALLIONS TO ALL FINISHERS IN THE 5K.

SPECIAL OFFER: Save $35

Save $35 on TWO half marathon special offer.
You can add the Narragansett Bay half marathon in East Providence on july 19, 2015 for an additional $25!
both races will have chip timing and finisher’s medallions. Select the race option for both half marathons when registering at either website for this double option offer. Seewww.nbhalf.com for details on the narragansett bay half marathon. A hotel special is also available!

CLICK HERE TO CONFIRM/VERIFY YOUR REGISTRATION FOR THE RACE

 

Register Now

HALF MARATHON

Date: Sunday June 21, 2015
Start Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Common in Downtown Worcester, MA.
Sponsored by: National Grid

5K RUN / WALK

Date: Sunday June 21, 2015
Start Time: 7:15 AM
Location: Common in Downtown Worcester, MA.
Sponsored by: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care 

YOUTH 1K

Date: Sunday June 21, 2015
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Common in Downtown Worcester, MA.
Sponsored by: Bay State Savings Bank 

Onsite Registration, Race Number & T-Shirt Pickup

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2015 (day before race)
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location:National Grid Sustainability Hub 912 Main Street Worcester MA, 01610
Entry fees for onsite registration on 6/14/2015: $70 for the Half Marathon, $33 for the 5K Run/Walk and $20 for the Youth 1K.

Date: Sunday, June 21, 2015 (day of race)
Time: 6:00 AM to 15 minutes before race start
Location: The Common in Downtown Worcester, MA. Next to City Hall.
Race Day fees are $75 for the Half Marathon, $35 for the 5K Run/Walk and $20 for the Youth 1K.

Sorry no refunds.
Please no running with baby strollers and no dogs are any other pets alllowed. Walking with baby strollers is allowed only in the 5k event.

AWARDS

Prize Structure: Half Marathon & 5K
Individual Awards:
Top 3 Open Men/Women (age 39 and under)
Winner Men/Women (age 40-49)
Winner Men/Women (age 50-59)
Winner Men/Women (age 60-69)
Winner Men/Women (age 70+)
Teams Awards will be awarded to the top teams.

Youth race.
Top 3 boys and girls. (Must be 14 or under to run the youth run.

Parking

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WORCESTER DOWNTOWN PARKING MAP


Lockers

Safety & Other Information

Aid stations, bathrooms, water, power drinks, and gels will be available along the race course. Participants with baby joggers may walk only in the 5k. No running with baby joggers allowed. Participants with baby joggers must also line up at the back for the start for safety reasons. 3.5 hour limit on the half marathon. No dogs or pets alowed in any of the races. Sorry no refunds.

Register Now

 

This Saturday! May 2! Downtown Worcester comes alive!

CAM00180InCity Times editor Rosalie T. will be there with her pink camera and red hair! (Pic taken a few days ago, after a not-so-successful home dye job!) Rose would love to bring Jett, her beloved husky mix, to the festivities, but dogs aren’t allowed on the Worcester Common. They’re not allowed in our city parks … Hey! What happened to the city DOG PARK we were all talking about last fall? The issue was to be STUDIED – ha ha – and revisited in February, after city officials chewed the canine cud yet again!  Come on, Worcester! We’ve been talking the dog park issue to death for 10 years! Easier to get a civilian review board for the WPD in this town!

Nonetheless, Rose may try to sneak her bratty little Jett-ski into the celebration. It’ll be a disaster, she just knows it …

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Spring onto the Worcester Common!

This Saturday, May 2

noon to 3 pm

FREE!

The Worcester Common will host the 1st Annual Spring onto the Common!

… to prepare everyone for warm weather and healthy living!

on the Worcester Common Oval, behind Worcester City Hall, Main Street

Join the City of Worcester, City Manager Ed Augustus and dozens of local organizations on the Worcester Common for a day of springtime fun!

Bring the kids and let’s celebrate everything spring, with garden demonstrations … plant swaps, scavenger hunts for kids, composting demonstrations, tree plantings, giveaways and more!