Inbox [Nov. 12-18]: News and notes from Worcester Public Library, Bravehearts, Bancroft School, DA, Unitarian Universalist Church, ACE

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Library to hold two information sessions about renovation

The Worcester Public Library will hold two public presentations about the upcoming main branch renovation project.

The public is invited to learn more about the project and how it will affect the library experience.

The presentations on the proposed changes, with representatives from LLB Architects, will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, and Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the main branch at Salem Square.

Bravehearts to host ‘Heart Stove’ night of baseball discussion Thursday

The Worcester Bravehearts will hold “Heart Stove,” an event to welcome local baseball stars and industry experts for a spirited baseball discussion, at 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury.

There will be a pre-event reception at 5:30 in the Robert R. Jay Performing Arts Center.

Courtesy Keith Allison

Ryan O’Rourke

Panelists include:

• Buster Olney — ESPN reporter, analyst and regular contributor to “Baseball Tonight,” ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com
• J.P. Ricciardi — Special assistant to New York Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson
• Tom Caron — NESN sportscaster, in-studio host of “Red Sox GameDay Live”
• John Andreoli — Iowa Cubs outfielder from Worcester, 2008 St. John’s graduate
• Ryan O’Rourke — Minnesota Twins pitcher from Worcester, 2006 St. John’s graduate

Born in 2015, the “Heart Stove” event follows the same format as traditional “hot stove” events. The one-hour moderated panel discussion at Founders Hall will be followed by a question-and-answer session with audience members. Each $30 ticket includes admission to the pre-event cocktail reception with food and beverages.

The event will also celebrate the Worcester Bravehearts’ connection to St. John’s. In four seasons, 10 St. John’s alumni have either played or coached for the Bravehearts. A special on-stage presentation at 6:30 will focus on the unique relationship between the school and the team while introducing St. John’s alumni who will join the Bravehearts in 2018.

Donations at the event will benefit the Worcester County Food Bank. The Bravehearts will donate one turkey to the Worcester County Food Bank for every 10 tickets purchased. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate as well.

To purchase tickets, click here

Bancroft School to host Young Writers Conference

The Bancroft School will host a Young Writers Conference Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19.

The conference promises a weekend of learning for writers of poetry, fiction and nonfiction in Grades 8 through 12 from the greater Worcester area.

The Bancroft Young Writers Conference is an opportunity for teenage writers to develop their craft with mentors who are published authors and working writers. Supported and encouraged by these mentors, attendees have the opportunity to work closely with and learn from dynamic, published writers; gain exposure to various genres of writing; learn about the writing process from idea to publication; garner feedback on their writing; develop ideas for future writing projects; and meet like-minded peers.

The cost is $90 and includes a light breakfast and full lunch. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 15.

More information, including registration information, is on the Bancroft School website

DA launches ad campaign on prescription medications

Buses in 34 Worcester County cities and towns will feature advertisements sponsored by District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office to encourage safe storage of prescription medications.

Courtesy of Worcester District Attorney

Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early, center, is pictured with Kimberly Smothers, Advertising Project Manager with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, and Jonathan Church, Worcester Regional Transit Authority Administrator.

The ads will be placed on the inside and outside of Worcester Regional Transit Authority and Montachusett Regional Transit Authority buses, and will run for eight weeks. These buses service Worcester, Fitchburg and Leominster as well as many of the surrounding towns.

The ads aim to encourage people to properly secure their prescription medications as a way to prevent the spread of opioid addiction. Slogans in the ads include, “Secure her future. Secure your meds.” and “Which loved one will you save from addiction? Lock up your meds.”

“We know that the path to opioid addiction often starts with one pill. Whether it is a teenager finding their way into the medicine cabinet or another family member looking to alleviate pain, that one pill can be a game changer,” Early said. “This avenue to addiction can easily be closed by people properly securing or disposing of their prescription medication and we hope these ads will remind and educate the general public to do so.”

This project is being funded through a Hal Rogers/Bureau of Justice Assistance federal grant for opioid addiction prevention awarded to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office in September 2015.

Read the entire story on the Worcester District Attorney’s website

Church to hold Transgender Day of Remembrance

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden St., will hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance 7-9 p.m. Nov. 20. It will be hosted by Jesse Pack.

The event will be a service memorializing those transgender and gender nonconforming people lost to violence and suicide. This event will feature speakers, readings, and reading of names, and will be followed by food and fellowship.

Courtesy of African Community Education

With ACE student Esaie Mordjim (second from left) are, from left, ACE staff members Aminata Dukuly, Luladay Tekalegn and Noah Stolkner.

ACE fall fundraiser exceeds goal

African Community Education’s 2017 Fall Fundraiser last month at UMass Medical School surpassed its goal of $20,000 by raising $22,136 to support its programs and students as well the students’ families.

The fundraiser’s title sponsor, Concord-based Cahn Fund for Social Change, donated $5,000. The event’s live and silent auctions raised more than $1,800.

“We are so thrilled we were able to reach our goal with all of the help of all of our fundraiser’s attendees, sponsors, performers and volunteers,” said Kaska Yawo, co-founder and executive director of ACE. “We cannot wait to get started planning our 2018 events in the hopes to see many of them there.”