Around Town

Watertown Group Joins Other Tree Advocates to Stop Loss of Urban Tree Canopies

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Tree advocacy groups from across the region met together for the first time on March 31st. Such groups
support planting of hundreds of trees each year such as this one recently planted at the Lowell School in Watertown. The following piece was provided by Trees for Watertown:

On March 31st, tree advocacy organizations from nine cities and towns throughout Eastern Massachusetts came together for the first time to discuss ways to reverse the concerning loss of protective urban tree canopy in our region. Organizations joined the conversation from larger cities such as Newton, Medford and Arlington, mid- sized cities such as Watertown, Lexington and Wellesley, and the smaller towns including Bedford, Weston, Maynard, and Groton. A representative from Boston’s tree advocacy organization Speaks for the Trees Boston was also present.

Entertainment

Improv Asylum Returns to Mosesian Center with Star Wars Parody

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The Mosesian Center for the Arts. Following the successful premiere of its new show in February, Boston’s best comedy club, Improv Asylum, strikes back with return performances 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, “the Next Jedi,” is picked from among young audience members called onstage for Jedi training. 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.

Obituaries

OBIT: Maria “Mia” Grace Child, Raised in Watertown, Owned Mia’s Skin Care

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Maria “Mia” Grace Child

Maria “Mia” Grace Child July 29, 1944 – April 6, 2022. Maria “Mia” Grace Child, formerly of Natick, MA passed away on April 6, 2022 at her home in Vershire, Vt. She was predeceased by her parents Catherine and Dante DeAgazio and her sister Catherine and brother-in-law Philip Gandolfo and son-in-law Kevin McCue; and is survived by her siblings: C. Sonny, Thomas (Rachel), Nicholas (Eileen) DeAgazio; and her husband, Stephen, and three daughters, Dina Supple (Mike), Maureen (Supple) McCue and Leah Supple (Matt) Minthorn; four grandchildren: Samuel, Annabelle, Reese Minthorn, and Ella McCue, several wonderful nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews. Born in Calabria, Italy, Mia was raised, lived, and owned a day spa — Mia’s Skin Care — for 30 years in Watertown, MA. Mia will be remembered for her infectious smile, as selfless and caring, by all who were blessed to be loved by her and loved her so much.

Around Town

Virtual Fair Housing Month Workshop to be Hosted by West Metro HOME Consortium

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The following information was provided by WestMetro HOME Consortium:

The WestMetro HOME Consortium, which includes Watertown, is partnering with the Suffolk School of Law Housing Discrimination Testing Program to host a Fair Housing Webinar on April 26, 2022.  

With April being Fair Housing Month, this free webinar is an excellent opportunity for elected officials, municipal staff, property managers, landlords, tenants, and community members to learn about the history of Fair Housing, its impact today, and ways to mitigate implicit bias.  

It will be held on April 26, 2022 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Webinar Registration – Zoom. There is more information about the webinar and fair housing on a webpage maintained by the City of Newton, which leads the WestMetro HOME Consortium.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Running Marathon for YMCA of Greater Boston

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The following announcement was provided by the YMCA of Greater Boston:

Linda Asadoorian of Watertown will be running the 2022 Boston Marathon as a member of the YMCA of Greater Boston’s marathon team. Asadoorian will be raising money to support the YMCA of Greater Boston’s teen programs, such as the Achievers program, Youth and Government and Leaders Club. Teens count on the Y for academic assistance, employment, life skills advancement and healthy fun. “Having worked for the YMCA of Greater Boston for over half a decade, I have seen firsthand the powerful impact that the Y’s programs have on our communities’ young people,” said Asadoorian. “Running for the Y of Greater Boston is such an honor, and I hope that it inspires others be proactive in ensuring that teens have access to the academic and interpersonal support, leadership development, nutritious foods and safe space for fun and learning that the YMCA of Greater Boston provides.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020, the YMCA of Greater Boston provided employment for over 900 teens, elevating their self-worth and self-confidence.

Entertainment

Small Saves Longs for His Old Goalie Glove in This Week’s Comic

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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.”

Entertainment

Watertown Gallery Hosting Show for Earth Day Focusing on Art of Protest

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Storefront Art ProjectsWorks being installed at Storefront Art Projects for the exhibit Earth Day 2022L Time to Panic! Storefront Art Projects in Watertown announced its latest exhibit opening on April 9. The gallery provided the following information:

The art of protest in the age of climate crisis curated by Niels Burger and Kevin Shanahan at Storefront Art Projects, 83 Spring St., Watertown, MA, April 9 to April 30, Opening Saturday, April 9, 1-4 p.m.

Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays 1-4 p.m. (closed April 16) and by appointment  

Extinction Rebellion(XR) https://rebellion.global is a global environmental movement with a brand. They draw attention to the climate crisis, climate justice and ecological collapse through public acts of civil disobedience. XR uses specific colors, fonts and symbols in many different ways to creatively get the message across: Time is running out on us, mass extinction looms.

This exhibit features posters, banners and symbols from public demonstrations by activist artists and groups.

Government

Help Shape Watertown’s Future by Taking Community Preservation Survey

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Help shape Watertown’s future in the areas of open space, community housing, outdoor recreation, and historic preservation. Learn about the first Watertown Community Preservation Act (CPA) projects to be recommended for funding in the process too. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey to inform the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in updating the Community Preservation Plan. According to CPA law, we must hold a public hearing and prepare an annual update of the Preservation Plan—that means hearing from you. Take the survey –  Community Preservation FY 2021-22 Community Survey

Thanks in advance for your input.