Check Out This Week’s Small Saves and Here’s Trouble Comic Strips

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.”

DeMarco recently added “Here’s Trouble” to his cartooning lineup, inspired by drawings he did in the 1980s when he was in high school.

LETTER: Watertown Teachers Union Responds to Calls for Vaccination

To the Members of the Watertown School Community,

School Committee Candidate Rachel Kay’s recent letter to the Watertown MA News regarding a requirement for Watertown teachers to be vaccinated was not surprising given the level of political discourse that has recently besieged our country. In the letter, Ms. Kay is dismayed that there is not a vaccine mandate in place for teachers in the Watertown Public Schools. Her letter implies that the Watertown Educators Association and Watertown Public School District are opposed to a vaccine mandate. Ms.Kay appears to be uninformed regarding this matter. Had she inquired about a vaccine mandate by asking WEA leaders, School Committee members, or Superintendent Galdston, she would have learned that this matter is currently in negotiations.

Team New Day Sweeps the 2021 Watertown Summer Basketball League Finals

Watertown RecreationTeam New Day took on Team HBC in the finals the Papas Elite League championship. The Watertown Summer Basketball League wrapped up for the year with a two game sweep by the 2021 champions. See the game report provided by the Watertown Recreation Department, below. The Summer of 2021 will go down as an unusual year for the Watertown Recreation Department’s Men’s Summer Basketball League. Due to COVID concerns, the league got a late start, but fortunately there was a positive response from some of the veteran teams in the Papas Elite League.

Watertown Hiring School Crossing Guards

The following announcement was sent out by the Town of Watertown:

The Town of Watertown seeks to hire School Crossing Guards to work under the supervision of the Watertown Police Department. 

Responsibilities include monitoring vehicle and pedestrian traffic at assigned crossings to assist school children crossing the streets, while providing for the orderly movement of traffic. Must be able to communicate effectively with school children, parents and drivers, ensure that children cross the street properly and safely. 

Must be able to stand for the entire shift and to tolerate exposure to all types of weather conditions, maintain a high level of awareness, be reliable and have the ability to use judgement and work independently. Qualifications

High School diploma (or GED). Must be available to work Monday through Friday, during the school year. Shifts are approximately one hour and there are two shifts per day. Must be able to pass a CORI/SORI background check and pre-employment physical.

Watertown Man Tests Positive for West Nile Virus, See Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos

The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today a human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Watertown. The case is a 79 year old male. The West Nile Virus risk level to in Watertown remains at moderate. This means that residents need to take appropriate precautions outlined below. Although serious illness caused by WNV is uncommon, there have been 216 cases of WNV in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2020.

OBIT: Paul Stephen, 69, Devoted to His Family, Big Boston Sports Fan

Paul Stephen. Stephen, Paul, 69 of Cumberland Rhode Island,  passed away at Miriam Hospital on August 26 after a brief hospitalization. Paul grew up in Watertown, attended Watertown schools and graduated from Watertown High School in the Class of 1970. He was an avid golfer and a member at Oakley Country Club for many years and eventually had to limit playing golf due to health issues. Growing up, he and his family closely followed Boston area sports and as season ticket holders, never missed a Bruins home game.

Sept. at the Library: Bollywood Dance Class, Movie Nights Return & Get Ready for Zine Fest

Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Library is hosting Zine Fest. Find out what’s going on at the Watertown Free Public Library in September in the announcement from the Library below:

On Saturday, 10/2, the Watertown Free Public Library is hosting WFPL Zine Fest — a day-long celebration of zine culture and DIY publishing. Whether you are a prolific zinester, or just want to learn what zines are and why they matter, we invite you to explore the marketplace, attend talks, and browse the Library’s brand-new circulating zine collection. Check out the festival schedule and RSVP on our Zine Fest page. Coming up this month, join a Bollywood dance class, explore Catholic Mount Auburn, and get an intro to coding with JavaScript.