Happy Friday, Worcester. In today’s edition: Worcester addresses mpox concerns, Festival of Lights, memoir writing workshop with Tiana Gorham, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

City addresses mpox concerns: Worcester confirmed two mpox cases involving homeless women who are sex workers, as UMass Memorial and state health officials monitored. A third person was being tracked and risk remained low — get all the details.

Leadership change intensifies: Less than a year after Denten Park took the job, Saint Vincent Hospital is seeking a new CEO and CNO amid investigations, labor complaints, and a whistleblower lawsuit — read the full story.

New chapter for longtime employer: Saint-Gobain celebrated the opening of a 47,000-square-foot Worcester headquarters for its abrasives business, built with more than 30 of its own products, emphasizing local hiring, sustainability, and bike-lane access — read the full story.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Make the season bright with Matt Doyle
• Join the Santa Crawl to benefit CASA
• Celebrate women who serve at baby shower
• Breakfast with Santa supports toy drive
• Experience Dance Prism’s Nutcracker magic
• See why December’s the best time to try new hearing aids
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%

🫶 We got your back

Retro pizza special: To mark Home Alone’s 35th anniversary, Worcester’s Kelley Square Pizza is rolling back prices: a large cheese is $11.80 for all of December. Use the code word “Home Alone” when ordering to get the deal. It’s usually $14.95. Get the deal details.

Franklin Street scene evolves: Downtown Worcester’s Brew Café has rebranded again, now Garden Coffee & Cocktails. The shop will keep 7 a.m. openings daily and stretch hours to midnight on Thursdays through Saturdays, adding a nightlife vibe. It’s the second rebrand in a year, after briefly closing in late 2024 as Brew on the Grid. Get all the details.

Big beer energy: Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. in Worcester keeps it simple and bold with an all‑imperial lineup (8%+ ABV) and a legit taproom kitchen to match. When you want a cozy, low‑effort hang that still feels like a treat, this spot absolutely delivers.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy that targets regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify your identity and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

🎇 Festival of Lights @ Worcester Common Oval | Friday (12/5) at 4:30pm – Worcester kicks off the season with its signature sparkle: a full evening of ice skating, festive food, community fun, and twinkling displays across the Common. The big moment—lighting the tree at 6 p.m.—never fails to deliver that hometown magic. Bring the crew, bundle up, and let the glow do the rest.

🧁 Pull-Apart Cupcakes Wreath – ALS Fundraiser Class @ Worcester JCC | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Get festive and give back with this hands-on cupcake wreath decorating class supporting ALS research. Adults can join solo or team up with a kiddo (8+) for a sweet night of creativity—no extra charge for the junior baker. It’s holiday spirit you can literally eat.

This weekend

⛄ Frosty Festival @ EcoTarium | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Whether you’re carting kids, grandkids, or your inner child, this winter fest delivers the good stuff: Santa, favorite winter movie characters, Pumpernickel Puppets, Clark Bars, face paint, and photo ops. Spring for the seasonally decorated train ride, then bask in the cozy, educational chaos.

🎼 Musical Storytelling with Schumann @ Concord Conservatory of Music | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Step into Schumann’s world as pianist Kitty Cheung-Evans brings Scenes from Childhood to life through rich storytelling and expressive performance. Kids and adults alike are invited to imagine, create, and respond to the music as it unfolds. It’s an hour of classical magic that feels anything but stuffy.

🎤 Soulful Sounds in Worcester @ First Unitarian Church of Worcester | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Nothing beats live jazz in a sanctuary with acoustics that make even whispers sound fancy. Acute Inflections brings Harlem Renaissance flair, modern charm, witty banter, and freestyles to Worcester’s First Unitarian, with complimentary wine and snacks, dress-up optional, and proceeds supporting the Renaissance Youth Center.

🏃 Worcester Jingle 5K @ Worcester City Hall and Common | Sunday (12/7) at 10:00am – Downtown Worcester turns festive with a 5K that starts and ends at City Hall, and yes, you can walk it. Bring the kids for a 400m dash, wear your loud holiday gear, donate a toy to Planting the Seed, then enjoy guilt-free cocoa.

☕ Coffee Tasting + Clay Mug Making Pottery Workshop @ Acoustic Java Roastery & Tasting Room | Sunday (12/7) at 1:00pm – Coffee tasting meets adult arts and crafts, minus the macaroni. Sip a guided flight of bold brews, then channel that buzz into sculpting your own clay mug in a relaxed, vibey workshop. It’s local, hands-on, and you leave with something besides jitters.

🍵 Grafton Celebrates the Holidays Tea at the Museum @ Grafton Historical Society | Sunday (12/7) at 1:00pm – Holiday wanderings call for tea, snacks, and a quick thaw at the Historical Society Museum. Pop in to see what’s new, hear how our three villages became one, and maybe snag an ornament, book, or map. Low-key, local, and blissfully free of mall parking.

Next week

✍️ Memoir Writing Workshop with Tiana Gorham @ Shrewsbury Public Library | Monday (12/8) at 10:00am – Got a story your family keeps “correcting” at dinner? Tiana Gorham’s memoir workshop at the Shrewsbury library helps you shape it for yourself, your people, or even publication, all levels welcome. Bring a draft or an idea, expect thoughtful feedback, leave with momentum.

🎨 Unplug with Art @ Grafton Public Library | Tuesday (12/9) at 9:30am – Step away from the noise and sink into a peaceful morning of coloring, creating, and mellow music. All materials are provided, so all you have to bring is yourself and a willingness to chill. It’s free, it’s soothing, and it’s limited to 18 adults—first come, first exhale.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/5 Funtra Fridays @ Tee Up Taproom – 9 pm
• 12/6 The Sounds of Christmas @ St. Mary’s Albanian Orthodox Church – 7 pm
• 12/6 Highly Suspect @ The Palladium – 8:30 pm
• 12/10 Matt Doyle @ The Hanover Theatre – 7:30 pm
• 12/12 Christmas Singo @ Spicy Water Distillery – 6 pm
• 12/12 Glassjaw and more @ The Palladium – 6:30 pm
• 12/13 Christmas in the Bach Workshop @ First Unitarian Church – 4 pm
• 12/13 Chuck & Mud and more @ WCUW – 7 pm
• 12/14 The Nutcracker @ Mechanics Hall – 1 pm