Volunteers Wanted to Clean Up Charles River in Watertown

Charlie BreitroseThe Charles River. In honor of Earth Day, a clean up along the banks of the Charles River in Watertown will be held on Saturday, April 20. The following announcement was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger:

We have plenty of room for more volunteers to pick up trash at one of the sites we’re organizing for the annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. 

The location is between Galen Street and the Watertown Dam bridge, along the Greenway. Go to the volunteer form for a map and to sign up. We will email you with details on the meetup location.

Earth Day Discussion Features Leader of Beyond Plastics Group

Joshua TousterWatertown’s Eileen Ryan, founder of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, advocated for legislation to limit plastic in front of the State House. Earth Day in 2024 is coming up on Monday, April 22. The theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics. For our April monthly meeting, we are pleased to present Eileen Ryan as our featured speaker.

LETTER: Social Worker Calls for City Leaders to Include Senior Housing in Watertown Square Plan

As a clinical social worker for older adults and their families, I see the impact of the housing crisis every day. Housing shortages, coupled with a rising number of aging residents, leave many seniors with extremely difficult choices as they age. It has become harder than ever for people to age with dignity and independence. While many older adults would choose to age in place, this option is often untenable for a variety of reasons. 

Financial constraints can leave long-time residents unable to stay in homes, which frequently means leaving the communities where they have lived for decades. Physical needs change too.

April Vacation Irish Dance Open House Taking Place in Watertown

The following announcement came from O’Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance:

Boys and girls ages 4 & up are invited to spend part of April break trying Irish dance with O’Shea Chaplin! Our school, celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024, offers performance, competitive, and recreational opportunities. Come see why dancers join our family in preschool and choose to stay with us through high school, college, and beyond. This event is FREE to attend and all open house guests will be entered into a raffle for $50 off tuition. Monday April 15th – NewtonBalera Studio105 Rumford Ave5:00-5:45 PM

Tuesday April 16th – WatertownAOH Hibernian Hall151 Watertown Street5:15-6:00 PM

Thursday April 18th – ReadingKnights of Columbus11 Sanborn Street5:00-5:45 PM

Saturday April 20th – NewtonBalera Studio105 Rumford Ave12:30-1:30 PM

Questions?

Turtle Studios Open House Features Several Watertown Artists

The following announcement was provided by Turtle Studios:

Join us for a weekend filled with art, creativity, and inspiration! Explore the works of talented artists and immerse yourself in the vibrant art community. Turtle Open Studios Spring 2024 is coming to 213 California St. in Newton April 27 & 28 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, fiber arts, photography, mixed media & SO MUCH MORE! Light refreshments and homemade baked goods.

See How to Take the Watertown Square Area Plan Survey Online, Deadline to Submit Input is April 13

The online survey about the Watertown Square Area Plan, including the plan to meet the MBTA Communities Act housing requirement, is now available. It will be open through Saturday, April 13. See the announcement from the City of Watertown below. Take the Watertown Square Area Plan Feedback Form from the Public Forum on April 4, 2024! The City of Watertown is excited to hear your feedback on the project at the link below!

CORE Mental Health Launching New Initiative to Promote Racial Equity in Mental Health

The following announcement was provided by CORE:

Formerly CHNA17, one of many community health networks serving Massachusetts with general community-based services, the organization has renamed itself CORE (Coalition for Racial Equity and Mental Health) to make clear its current focus – the urgent issue of racial equity in community mental health supports. On April 28, CORE is holding a Launch Party to share with the public its programming that re-imagines mental health supports in communities of color in Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Watertown, Waltham, and Belmont.  The gathering will be from 2-4:30 PM at the Arlington Community Center, 27 Maple Street in Arlington. There will be food, music, and connection with our community mental health supporters, our Fellows, and our Steering Committee, who are all working to advance racial equity in mental health. Pietra Check, Interim Planning Director, said “This event is an opportunity for both long-time supporters and new friends to get to know and support our mission and exciting work, while connecting with others interested in racial equity and mental health.” 

Anyone interested in attending can register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/core-mental-health-launch-party-tickets-858289395687.   

CORE Mental Health is a nonprofit coalition that works to advance racial equity in mental health at the institutional and individual levels through innovative community collaborations. According to CORE Steering Committee Chair Betty Burkes, “We have a medical system that was created for white individuals, and has historically caused harm to Black patients. Most Black residents will never see a therapist, let alone a Black therapist.

Cartoon: Small Saves Needs to Find Back Up Goalie Gear

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.”