Around Town

Watertown Dog & Cat Owners Can Get Pet Licenses Online

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown dog and cat owners can now license their pets with PetData, a full-service animal licensing provider. PetData will be mailing pet owners their license renewal notice. Owners will have several options for renewing their pet license, including by mail, online or in-person at City Hall. Owners that are hoping to license new pets, may also license via PetData. Licensing your pet is one of the most important steps you can take as a responsible pet owner.

Around Town

Perkins Library Print Deliveries Impacted by Paper Shortages

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The following announcement was provided by Perkins School for the Blind:

Patrons who subscribe to the Talking Book Topics (TBT) catalogue in print will not receive the January–February 2022 issue due to ongoing supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages. 

For those who use TBT in audio format, the January–February 2022 edition is already available on cartridge, and for download on BARD and through BARD Mobile as DB 106440. Additionally, TBT Abridged will be available through Braille Book Review in hardcopy braille, as well as in the BRF electronic format. If you would like to subscribe to TBT on cartridge or to Braille Book Review, please contact the Library at (617) 972-7240 or Library@Perkins.org Patrons can also access TBT January–February 2022 online in HTML and PDF. TBT in HTML contains direct links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists, and TBT in PDF includes printable order forms for mailing. View January-February 2022 TBT Online

Entertainment

Improv Group Brings Star Wars Parody to Mosesian Center for the Arts

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The following information was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

On February 25 through 27, Boston’s best comedy club, Improv Asylum, landspeeds from its performance space in Boston’s North End to a theater not so far, far away. Known for its mix of improv and sketch comedy, the stellar group of comedians will premiere its newest show at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. Taylor, The Next Jedi: An Improvised Star Wars Parody is a fun-filled interactive show where the audience shapes the newest legendary story inspired by our favorite interstellar characters. Each show is driven by audience suggestions, and the star of the show, “Taylor, the Next Jedi,” is picked from the audience. Lightsaber fights, stormtroopers, and of course a Dark Lord (also an audience member) make this immersive and interactive show perfect for Star Wars lovers young and old.

Around Town

Watertown Studio Offering Range of Dance Classes for Kids this Spring

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The following announcement was provided by Move & Groove Watertown:

Move & Groove Watertown is so excited because our Spring session is ready for sign-up! Want some more fabulous news? We have added some new classes! Our kids classes now include Dance With Me (ages 20 months-2 years), Tippy Toe Tots (ages 3-4), Musical Theater (ages 5-7), & Jazz & Ballet Combo (ages 5-7). The Spring Session is a 9 week program that will begin the first week of March.

Schools

Scholarship to be Awarded to Watertown Student by Charles River Chamber

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber will be awarding a scholarship this spring to a graduating high school senior from Watertown. To qualify a student must either live in Watertown and/or attend school in Watertown.  The recipient will have a check (approximately $2,000) sent to their college or university to be applied toward tuition upon successful completion of their first semester. “The Chamber had been offering a scholarships to a high schoolers in Newton and Needham and Wellesley. We’re now adding Watertown to the mix, following our expansion into the community last summer,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. With the expansion into Watertown, the Chamber has added Mike Albano, EVP & CFO at Mount Auburn Cemetery — who used to lead the former Watertown-Belmont scholarship program — to the scholarship selection committee.

Transportation

Public Can Give Input on MBTA Fare Changes at 2 Meetings

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Charlie BreitroseA 71 bus on Mt. Auburn Street. The following information was provided by the MBTA:

MBTA staff today proposed to the Audit and Finance Subcommittee of the MBTA Board several fare policy changes as part of the MBTA’s Fare Transformation, which aims to make paying for transit easier and more convenient for our customers. 

“These fare media updates will provide MBTA riders with greater flexibility through the introduction of ‘tappable’ forms of payment that are compatible with future fare readers on buses and trolleys, allowing for all-door boarding and, ultimately, for faster service,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We know some changes will take time to get used to, like the $3 card fee that allows for ‘one more trip protection’ and making sure every rider has a Charlie Card or other form of fare payment. But, if approved by the MBTA’s Board in April, we’re excited to make these important improvements to our fare system and to provide even more easy-to-use fare options to our riders.”

Upon completion of the public input process in March and subject to the MBTA Board approval in April, these policy changes would go into effect with the introduction of the MBTA’s next phases of Fare Transformation. 

The MBTA is actively seeking public comment through multiple forums and channels on the following fare policy changes related to the upcoming fare media:

·       Ending “Passback”: Currently allowed through the legacy fare system, the same CharlieCard or CharlieTicket loaded with fare value can be used to allow multiple riders through a fare gate.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Settling Dispute Over Ukraine Peacefully

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The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment February Monthly Meeting: “How the US and NATO Could Settle the Dispute Over Ukraine Without War” with Dr. Joseph Gerson.  

For weeks media outlets have reported on a potential war in Ukraine. Russian troops are amassed at the border of the country and the U.S. moved 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe with another 8,500 put on high alert. NATO countries are sending munitions to Ukraine. Pundits are cheering on preparations for war while activists are calling for diplomacy. Come hear Dr. Joseph Gerson’s presentation, “How the US and NATO Could Settle Dispute Over Ukraine Without War” on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, go to the Watertown Citizens Website: watertowncitizens.org

Dr. Gerson, a resident of Watertown, is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament, and Common Security, Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau, Co-chair of the Committee for a Sane U.S.-China Policy, and Co-convener of the International Peace and Planet Network. In recent weeks he has been a participant in Trach II discussions about possible diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis, met with Senator Markey’s staff and written article, which has been translated and circulated internationally, with background and diplomatic options to resolve what he describes as three crises, not one.

Entertainment

Special Small Saves Cartoon for Valentine’s Day

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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.”