Entertainment

Lit Squad Invites Writers, Poets to Join Them at Watertown Arts Market

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The following announcement was provided by the Lit Squad:

Please join the Lit Squad as part of the Watertown Arts Market on August 21, 12:00-5:00 PM, at Arsenal Park. We are a newly gathered group of published and amateur writers, young and forever-young, who want to encourage and foster poetry and all literary arts here in this diverse community. Join us to market your work, perform your work, enjoy the work of others … and meet other writers during the course of the day. We will have a commission-free sales table for your books and related wares. We will have featured 10-minute readings by established Watertown poets, followed by 3-5-minute open-mike readings by all comers, with a PA system and chairs, at 1:00 and 3:00 PM.

Around Town

Summer Concert Postponed, Farmers Market Open

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Anaïs MarkwoodThe Watertown Farmers Market at Saltonstall Park is open on Aug. 4. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The Compaq Big Band concert and free dance lesson with Ballroom of Boston scheduled for tonight, Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Saltonstall Park is postponed due to potential storms later today. We will let you know when it has been rescheduled. The Watertown Farmers’ Market is OPEN today rain or shine in Saltonstall Park from 2:30-6:30pm.

Around Town

Watertown Group Holding Vigil to Remember Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Oppose Nuclear Weapons

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Watertown CitizensCandleboats float on the Charles River in Watertown in memory of those who died in the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment is holding a commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Sunday, August 8 from 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM. at Watertown Square and MDCR Dock. 7:30 PM – Silent Vigil – Watertown Square

8:00 PM – Music and Testimonials

8:30 PM – Launching of the Candle boats on the Charles River

NEVER AGAIN – NO MORE HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI – NO MORE VICTIMS – ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

“Why do we stand in silence and float candle boats?” • To remember the more than 210,000 killed, and many more injured, by the U.S. nuclear attackon the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9 in 1945.

Around Town

Charles River Group Releases New Flooding Model for Communities Along River

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

The Town of Watertown, in partnership with the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) and 14 other communities in the upper and middle Charles River watershed, is excited to announce the release of the Charles River Flood Model (CRFM). Funded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs FY21 MVP Action Grant Program, and developed by Weston & Sampson, this flood model can help communities protect vulnerable populations and property from flooding. The Charles River Flood Model visualizes the impacts of increasingly severe storm events that will become more common with climate change, then shows what happens if we invest in nature based solutions such as land conservation, green stormwater infrastructure, and/or reducing impervious surfaces. This model comes at an important time.

COVID-19

OP-ED: State Sen. Brownsberger on Updated Mask Guidelines

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

This week, as the delta variant has spread, we’ve gotten new advice from the Centers for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I’m personally going with the stronger CDC advice. New general advisory from DPH (July 30)

Today, in response to the emerging evidence of about the infectiousness of the Delta variant of the COVID virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a new mask advisory. Masks remain mandatory in certain locations where risks of transmission are higher (including public transportation) and are newly advised in some additional circumstances. The mask rules page on the state’s website now includes the following summary.

Around Town

August at the Library: Patio Concert, Summer Reading, Community Yoga

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library has a wide variety of events going on this month, here is a selection provided by the library. Look at the calendar links for a full listing. LIBRARY REMINDERS

COVID-19 Reopening | WFPL has resumed full hours of operation, with some COVID precautions still in place. Face masks are required for all people 2 years and older in the Children’s Room. Learn more: watertownlib.org/reopening

Public computers are available for walk-ins and by appointment.

Cartoon

Small Saves Joined by New Cat Themed Cartoon by Watertown Native James DeMarco

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and had a love of cartooning. He started drawing Small Saves in 1991, which features another of his loves — hockey. Recently, DeMarco debuted a new comic strip featuring a cat named Trouble. “The cartoon is about a little kitty named ‘Trouble.’ The cartoon actually originates from my high school days back in the early ’80s,” DeMarco said.

Government

Watertown State Rep. Backs Legislation Promoting Electrification of Vehicle Fleets

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State Rep. Steve Owens. The following piece was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

At a hearing held today by the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) joined colleagues and advocates to support her legislation promoting the electrification of fleets and vehicles. Efforts to advance a transition to electric vehicles in statute are part of a broader trend that recognizes the pressing need to decarbonize the transportation sector, both within and beyond the United States. Massachusetts and California have already indicated commitments to have all new cars sold in each state be electric by 2035. The United Kingdom and Norway have made similar commitments, making plans for car sales to be zero-emission by 2035 and 2025, respectively.