Around Town

Nearby Church Will Host Interfaith Service for Peace

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The Eliot Church of Newton invites the public to an event to bring people of all faiths together in a time when world events have created rifts. The church sent out the following announcement:

At a time when our air waves and social media are filled with fear mongering and misinformation; when our newspapers and 24 hour news cycles are filled with reports of the latest terrorist attack, we need more than ever to come together to pray for peace, understanding and unity among ALL people. During this season of Advent, when Christians wait for the light to shine in this darkness, we invite you to an Interfaith Worship Service for Peace. It will be led by Rev. Susan Brecht, Rabbi Judy Kummer, and Saadia Husain Balock from the Islamic Center of Boston Wayland. We are all members of the Newton chapter of the Daughters of Abraham, a study group that promotes interfaith dialogue.

Police/Fire

Schools, Police Respond to Threat at Middle School via Social Media

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School official removed a Watertown Middle School student from the school who reportedly sent a threat on social media last week. 

The threat occurred on Instagram on Nov. 30, but school officials did not hear about it right away. When they did, they contacted the Watertown Police, Watertown Police Lt. Dan Unsworth said at Monday’s School Committee meeting. “Early on it was determined it was a 13 year old student at the middle school,” Unsworth said. “We don’t believe it was directed at anyone.”

Police/Fire

Police Warn Residents to Lock Cars After String of Break Ins

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Watertown Police advise residents to lock their cars at night, following a series of recent car break ins around town. 

Dozens of cars were broken into around town last week, all of them left unlocked, according to Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. Police responded to 15-20 vehicle break ins on the following streets: Fayette Stret, Cashman Street, Highland Avenue, Heather Road, Copeland Street, Pearl Street, Marshall Street, Boyd Street and King Street. All of the vehicles were rummaged through, and mostly change was taken, however a laptop computer was taken from one car.

Around Town

Last Chance to Enter Watertown Holiday Decoration Contest

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Watertown residents, join the Holiday Lighting and Decorations Contest while you can! The deadline to enter has been extended to Dec. 10, 2015. All you have to do is decorate the exterior of your home in your best Holiday Cheer and enter for the chance to win a $250 American Express Gift Card and a $250 Donation to your local charity of choice. To enter: email your name, address and phone number to bob@bobairasian.com.

AA Rental

Construction Vehicle Rented in Watertown, Sold on Craigslist

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A construction vehicle rented out by a Watertown company went missing, and was sold on Craigslist, according to Watertown Police. AA Rental received an order from a company they had worked with before for a front end loader and a utility trailer and took a credit card from the renter. When the loader and trailer were not returned, the AA Rental tried to use the credit card but found it was no longer good and they found the person was impersonating the company they normally work with, said Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn. The items are worth a combined $30,000. An investigation discovered the items had been sold on Craig’s List, and found this was a scam that has occurred around New England.

Entertainment

See Who’s Performing at the Watertown Library’s Winter Concert Series

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Three groups will be coming to the Watertown Library for a series of free concerts from December to March. 

The Watertown Free Public Library welcomes folk music duo Hungrytown to kick off the library’s fourth Annual Winter Concert Series on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.

Other performers in the lineup include cellist Nick Dinnerstein (Jan. 9), classical guitarist Scott Sanchez (Feb. 13), and folk musician Marc Berger (March 12). Winter Concert Series’ performances are the second Saturday of the month at 2 p.m., December through March.

Charity

Foundation Honoring Former Police Officer Collecting Gifts for Kids

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Each year, the Whooley Foundation gathers gifts to make sure that no child in Watertown goes without a present during the holidays. The Watertown Police Department sent out the following announcement:

The Whooley Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in the memory of John “Sonny” Whooley a Watertown Police Officer, resident, father and husband. He loved the community and served it for over 30 years as a Watertown Police Sergeant. He always had a special place in his heart for those less fortunate than himself. He would always strive to make others just a little happier during the holidays.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Hands out $12K in Health Grants

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More than $12,000 in grants went to organizations working to make Watertown a healthier place, and will fund efforts to stop substance abuse, a school gardening program and more

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) Board of Directors has awarded $12,550 in “Healthy Watertown” grants funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation to the following organizations serving Watertown. Improbable Players: A grant to continue alcohol and drug abuse prevention education for the 6th grade students at Watertown Middle School. Watertown Health Department and Live Well Watertown: A grant to help implement an after school wellness program that prepares high school students to educate and empower middle school students to make healthy lifestyle choices when enter high school. Watertown Health Department and Watertown Police Department: A grant to help fund a substance abuse task force coordinator to raise awareness of substance use disorder in the community and further goals of prevention and education, and support, intervention, treatment and recovery. Watertown High School Counseling and Academic Program: A grant for transportation so WHS students with emotional and behavioral disabilities can attend tours at two nearby colleges.