Around Town

Meditation Center Hosting “Spiritual Insights for Uncertain Times”

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Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace

The Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center will host an event called “Spiritual Insights for Uncertain Times; Cultivating Clarity, Peace and Stability.” The May 17 event featuring Roberta Baskin, an investigative reporter for ABC, CBS and PBS, and Sister Jayanti, Administrative Head Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It begins at 6:454 p.m.

The event announcement reads:

“Through their conversation, and guided by Sister Jayanti’s vast experience as a spiritual teacher, we will learn to use this wisdom to navigate the chaos of the current moment, thereby bringing clarity, peace and inner stability to our everyday lives.” Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace is located at 75 Common St. in Watertown. Click here to register and for more info.

Around Town

One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses Has Quite a History

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House has been in Watertown for 251 years, though not always at its current spot on Marshall Street. It played a role in the American Revolution, including the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts (re-enacted here in 2016) and was where the first treaty was signed by the United States. It is now home to the Historical Society of Watertown which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Living in a house dating back to the time of the American Revolution can be an adventure, with bouncy floors, water coming through the ceiling, and evidence of superstitions of times past. Former Historical Society President Paul Brennan recalled his years spent living in the Edmund Fowle House on Saturday when he returned for the Society’s 100th anniversary and the celebration of 251 years for the home that played a role in the American Revolution.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Celebrates Arbor Day, Seeks to Become Carbon Neutral

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Courtney Lucas / Mount Auburn CemeteryMount Auburn Cemetery’s newest tree, a Yoshino Cherry, is planted with the help of Jonathan Webb, the Cemetery’s Director of Horticulture and Landscaping Operations, State Rep. Steve Owens, and Mount Auburn President and CEO Matthew Stephens. Already home to thousands of trees, Mount Auburn Cemetery added to its urban forest by planting a tree on Friday as part of its Arbor Day Celebration. At the event, President and CEO Matthew Stephens also discussed steps the cemetery is taking to become carbon neutral by 2050. On Friday, Stephens put one of the first shovels of dirt on the newly planted Yoshino Cherry. That is the same species as can be seen during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Yoshino is just one of about 6,000 trees at the cemetery, Stephens said.

Sports

3 Watertown Residents Keep Their Gymnastic Careers Going as Adults, Compete at Nationals

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Watertown residents Meredith Rogers, Mia Lazarewicz, and Sklyer Kelemen competed at the 2023 NAIGC Nationals. Three Watertown residents recently traveled to Memphis to compete in the sport they have loved since they were young girls. Meredith Rogers, Skyler Kelemen and Mia Lazarewicz represented Jurassic Gymnastics at the 2023 NAIGC (National Association of Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs) Nationals from March 30 to April 1. All three gymnasts have competed in several nationals. Kelemen first competed at the NAIGC meet in 2017 and has competed in four, Rogers has been to a dozen and first went to the Nationals in 2006 when she was a college freshman, and for Lazarewicz it was her 16th time competing at Nationals, having first competed in 2003.

Around Town

Life Science Reps Discuss Development Cycle of Biotech Companies at WBC Event

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Four representatives from life science companies in Watertown appeared on the 3rd Annual WBC Life Science Panel (Screenshot from WCA-TV video). The panel was moderated by Merle Kummer of CoLAB. The Watertown Business Coalition’s third annual Life Science Panel featured four people who work at local biotech companies, each of which is at a different stage in its pharmaceutical development. The event took place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on April 25. Attendees learned that there are 63 life science companies right in Watertown, and that they think being here helps their companies, said WBC Co-President Doug Orifice.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Car Stolen Off Street, Handgun Found in River

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

April 14, 12:13 a.m.: Witnesses called police after seeing a silver and black SUV driving down Main Street with a flat tire and being driven erratically. The vehicle swerved a few times and almost lost control. Police located the vehicle on Prescott Street, and the driver was in the front seat slouched forward and asleep. It took several attempts for officers to wake the man in the car.

Government

Comprehensive Plan to Include Focus on Local Business, Diversifying New Developments

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The revised draft of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan will include some new additions and points of emphasis about supporting small businesses and seeking to diversify the local economy after the input provided by residents earlier this year. On Thursday afternoon, he Planning Advisory Committee heard about the public input from the open house in March, as well as online surveys and emails sent to the project team. They also learned about the process for the final approval of the Comprehensive Plan. Phil Schaeffing, the project manager with Stantec, said the input came from a room full of people during the March 9 open house at the Watertown Library, which was also attended by several people online. They received both spoken and written comments at the event.