Community Corner

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 24

City, state and hospital officials gathered last week to officially begin work on the new cancer pavilion at Marlborough Hospital.

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. A ground breaking for the construction of the state-of-the-art Cancer Pavilion at was held last Thursday at the hospital. The $12.7 million center will be completed in spring 2013 and will be an expansion of the UMass Memorial Health Care Cancer Center of Excellence. Seen taking the ceremonial first shovel for the project were (l to r): John O’Brien, president and CEO, UMass Memorial Health Care; Richard Bennett, president and  chair, Marlborough Hospital Board of Trustees; Steven Salomon, MD, director, Hematology/Oncology, Marlborough Hospital; Karen Moore, president and CEO, Marlborough Hospital, , 3rd District Massachusetts; Cornelius “Neil” Ferris, chair, Capital Campaign, Cancer Pavilion at Marlborough Hospital; Mayor Arthur Vigeant, City of Marlborough; Jack Caulfield, president, ; and Michael Blute, MD, director, UMass Memorial Health Care Cancer Center of Excellence.

2. Stroll the halls of any of the on Wednesday, and you’ll probably notice something unusual: Most of the students will be dressed in black. Marlborough Public Schools are participating in the Jan. 25 “No Name Calling Day” activity of wearing black to “black out bullying.” The event is part of a weeklong awareness of, in particular, how name-calling is a form of bullying not to be tolerated and that students should take a stand against such behavior. Marlborough schools are using the entire week to concentrate on eliminating bullying behaviors. For example, Whitcomb plans to use a “kindness chain” to recognize acts of kindness by students and staff alike and do schoolwide readings of anti-bullying compositions. Other schools also have special events planned.

Find out what's happening in Marlboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. Students at the have been developing drawings around the subjects of cooperation, compassion, integrity and respect since before winter break in preparation of painting a mural in the school. Muralist David Fichter has turned those individual images into a larger design for the mural, titled "Character Shapes our Community." Beginning this week, students will spend several days painting the mural, and each Kane student will have an opportunity to paint. The school also is considering an after-school time for community members to join in.

4. Seniors Helping Seniors, a new franchise that connects senior caregivers with seniors in need, will open its doors in the MetroWest area this fall. The non-medical home care organization provides companionship, transportation, meal preparation, overnight stays and home maintenance services, all by seniors who want to supplement their income while having a dignified and fulfilling service opportunity.  

Find out what's happening in Marlboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

5. Congressman Jim McGovern endorsed Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren for the United States Senate on Monday. McGovern announced his endorsement after visiting the City Square Development site and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester with Warren. “Elizabeth Warren is a strong champion of progressive values and a powerful advocate for America’s middle class,” said McGovern. “Massachusetts needs Elizabeth’s voice in the United States Senate to take on Wall Street and the other powerful interests in Washington.”

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Marlborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page. If you'd like to receive the daily newsletter with our top stories, click here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here