Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Help Neighbors Celebrate Thanksgiving in 2020

By |

Mutual Aid, which is sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation and Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, sent out details about how to provide or request support:

As the Winter Holiday season begins, we want everyone to be able to celebrate with good food on the table. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/373WyM4aoCxDH8tL6 to support a family or request support in celebrating Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26th. Support can include a gift card to a grocery store or restaurant, a home-cooked meal, or grocery delivery. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sophia, the Community Coordinator at watertownmutualaid@waysideyouth.org or 617-744-9585. If you need other resources, contact the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program at 617-744-9585.

Government

Watertown Winter Overnight Parking Ban Dates Announced

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2020-2021 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday November 30, 2020 and continuing to April 1, 2021 the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect and strictly enforced. The regulation reads in part; “No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 AM and 6 AM all days of the week.”

For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the Town allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted:

The police station at 552 Main Street (visitor’s parking lot only)Any public school parking lot except the Cunniff SchoolMarion Road parking lot at Victory FieldO’Connell Park, (lot at the corner of Boylston Street and Mt Auburn Street)Grove Street parking lot at Filippello Park (No parking in the spaces along the driveway)101 Morse Street – 14 spaces at the rear of the parking lot (currently being constructed, available once completed)

Please note that these locations may be used free of charge, however vehicles may only use available spaces after 7 PM and must be removed by 7 AM the following day. Vehicles must be removed from school property no later than 6 AM. Violators may be towed.

Around Town

Watertown Library Lending Out Laptops, Internet Hotspots

By |

Laptops and internet hotspots are available to be borrowed from the Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a home internet connection has become more important than ever. That’s why the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is now providing laptops and wifi hot spots for patrons to take home for two weeks at a time. Do you know someone that does not have access to the internet, or could benefit from borrowing a computer? Send them to the Library!

Bluebikes

Bluebikes Offering Free Rides on Election Day

By |

The Bluebikes station in Coolidge Square in East Watertown. Bluebikes will offer free rides for people on election day. The bicycle share company expanded into Watertown in August, and four of the seven planned stations have been installed. The most recent addition was the station on Arsenal Street next to Arsenal Yards and across from the Target in the Watertown Mall. The Town of Watertown provided the following information:

Bluebikes recently launched four new stations in Watertown, with three more to come. To provide a socially distant and easy transportation option for voters across metro Boston as they head to the polls, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will offer free Bluebikes rides on Election Day, Tuesday Nov.

Entertainment

Hatch Hosting Virtual Costume Contest, Thanksgiving Craft Classes

By |

The following information was provided by Hatch Makerspace, which is part of the Watertown Free Public Library:

Halloween by HatchFriday, October 30, 6pm Hatch’s 3rd annual costume showcase is going virtual! Trick-or-treating will be hard this year but dressing up is always fun. Show off your home, hand, or Hatch-made costume for the chance to win fun local prizes. Prizes will be awarded to the best youth, adult, group, and People’s Choice costumes! It’s free and fun for all ages.

Around Town

Watertown Student Group Holds Rally to Stop Climate Change at Town Hall

By |

Watertown Sunrise member, Carolyn, reads the groups demands outside of town hall on Oct. 23. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Sunrise:

Last Friday, a group of over 30 teenagers, all a part of Watertown Sunrise, took to the streets for a late-night march. Their purpose was to wake up the community to the climate crisis through songs, chants, and speeches. Backed by concerned citizens, they read their demands of town council outside of town hall.

Hybrid Learning

Parents Advocate for Earlier Start for Hybrid Learning at Watertown Schools

By |

Watertown Middle School

The following letter is part of a petition asking the Watertown Public Schools to move the start of hybrid learning at Watertown Middle School from Nov. 30 to the week of Nov. 9. Last week, the School Committee discussed making that change in the district’s plan to move into hybrid learning, but did not vote on that. They left it up to Superintendent Dede Galdston and the School Administration.

Entertainment

A Scarecrow Goalie Gets in the Game in This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

By |

Cartoon by James Demarco

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning  Small Saves  emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”