Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/360/)
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.”
Watertown’s Cathy O’Grady was named a Hero Among Us by the Boston Celtics for her work with the Sophia’s Angels Foundation. The following announcement was provided by the Boston Celtics:
The Boston Celtics recently honored Watertown resident Cathy O’Grady as a ‘Hero Among Us’ for her role in spreading joy throughout the community and helping others in need.
For over a decade, O’Grady has been serving the community through random acts of kindness and the generous donations of blankets, toys, food, and winter essentials for those in need, as well as masks throughout the pandemic. She is the founder of Sofia’s Angels Foundation, which has recruited hundreds of volunteers and raised thousands of dollars to spread joy in the lives of others.
For her compassionate service, commitment to the community, and heart for giving, the Boston Celtics chose to honor Cathy O’Grady as a ‘Hero Among Us’ at their April 7th game against the New York Knicks.
Charles River Watershed AssociationThe Run of the Charles paddle race will take place virtually in 2021, with participants paddling live but on their own schedule. A run will also be held. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:
We are excited for you to join us for this year’s Annual Run of the Charles with a virtual twist! While we had high hopes to do our beloved event in person, we have put together a fun and interactive event to get you out on the Charles enjoying the sights and sounds of Spring. We look forward to keeping the competition alive! Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race, Sunday, April 25 – Sunday, May 23 www.charlesriver.org
RUN OF THE CHARLES PADDLE RACE
For this year’s paddle race, individual paddlers and teams have the option of four different routes, some taking you to areas of the Charles where you may have never paddled before!
In cities and towns across the country, the very concept of policing is under fire, and whether you are aware of it or not, Watertown is no exception. It seems that not a week goes by without a bad cop, somewhere, adding fuel to that fire. Whether it’s a veteran cop somehow mistaking her gun for a taser and killing a young Black man, or a bully with a badge pepper-spraying a respectful and compliant Black army lieutenant, anti-police activists need only to say: “See, it happened again and it will keep happening, unless we do something.”
Defund the Police became a popular rallying cry during the racial protest demonstrations resulting from the killing of George Floyd and the killings of too many other Black Americans who died as a result of unwarranted lethal force at the hands of white cops. The video of George Floyd’s murder by Derek Chauvin was absolute gut-wrenching proof that policing in America requires reexamination and overdue reform. It was only natural that in cities and towns across the nation, residents, including some in Watertown, began asking:
Could that happen here?
Head to Arsenal Yards for an outdoor fitness series this spring and summer. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:
With summer just around the corner, Arsenal Yards invites area residents and visitors to get outside and break a sweat as part of its spring and summer outdoor fitness series. In partnership with local Watertown and Greater Boston fitness studios, guests can visit Arsenal Yards’ River Green Sunday through Wednesday for a variety of fitness classes taking place from April to September.
While the past year has made it difficult for many to workout indoors and in gyms, Arsenal Yards is thrilled to invite the Watertown community onto the River Green for unique outdoor, socially distant fitness experiences. With classes ranging from yoga and barre to boot camps and cardio kickboxing, participating studios include Pure Barre Arsenal Yards (coming soon to Arsenal Yards), Kick it by Eliza, Monique from Burpees to Bubbly, Artemis Yoga, Get Lively: Health & Fitness and Ballroom in Boston. All classes must be reserved online in advance, and a small donation is requested to hold each spot. Online registration opens one week prior to the date of the class. All classes support a local community organization which will change each month; proceeds raised during the month of April will be donated to support the Watertown Food Pantry.
“We’re so excited to partner with local Watertown and Boston studios for the return of our outdoor fitness series, which was hugely popular last year,” said Jessica Reed, Marketing Director at Arsenal Yards. “With Pure Barre coming soon to Arsenal Yards and the warmer weather approaching, we couldn’t think of a better time to invite visitors and the Watertown community to come together to enjoy these classes out on our River Green, while also giving back to some of our favorite local community organizations.”
Available classes for April follow below, and visitors are encouraged to check out the Arsenal Yards Events Calendar for additional classes to be added for upcoming months:
• Tuesday, April 20th at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre Arsenal Yards • Wednesday, April 21st at 4:00 PM Bootcamp with Get Lively: Health & Fitness • Sunday, April 25th at 10:30 AM with Artemis Yoga • Monday, April 26th at 5:30 PM with Kick it by Eliza and a live DJ • Tuesday, April 27th at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre Arsenal Yards • Wednesday, April 28th at 6:15 PM with Ballroom in Boston, Line Dancing
The health and safety of guests, staff and instructors is of the utmost importance to Arsenal Yards. Masks are required for the duration of each class. Participants will be separated by at least 6 feet and will be assigned a socially distant location upon check-in. There is limited capacity for each class, which will be strictly enforced.
Classes will be held outside on the River Green, located near Shake Shack. Parking is available in the free red or purple parking garage, along with the surface parking area near City Works. For more information about Arsenal Yards, visit www.arsenalyards.com.
ABOUT ARSENAL YARDS
Along the Charles River, in the heart of East End Watertown, Greater Boston’s next great neighborhood is emerging.
The Charter Review Committee sent out the following announcement seeking volunteers:
Watertown Charter Review Committee Flyer Drop, Saturday, April 24 – Sunday, April 25.
The Town of Watertown Charter Review Committee (CRC) needs many volunteers this weekend, Saturday, April 24 – Sunday, April 25 (and beyond, if needed) to drop off flyers to homes in your neighborhood to alert residents that the CRC is soliciting input from all residents on improvements to Watertown’s government. Learn about Watertown!-Interested volunteers, please contact John Gannon at (617) 905-4115 or at jggannon@yahoo.com. A raffle drawing of volunteers will be held for a donation to a charity or cause of your choice! Thanks! Crc Flyer 2021 0406 Final by Charlie Breitrose on Scribd
Charter Review Committee Votes to Keep Town Manager Form of Government
The following piece was provided by Revels:
Revels’ Musical Connections series continues with Tom Pixton: A Short History of the Accordion, Sunday, April 25 at 5pm ET, free on Facebook Live! Explore musical traditions from around the world with the #RevelsConnects: Musical Connections series of FREE intimate salon-style performances and companion podcasts, produced in collaboration with the Mass Cultural Council. The series includes 45-minute salon-style performances with a variety of musical tradition bearers hosted on Facebook Live and followed by a companion podcast produced in collaboration with the Mass Cultural Council and hosted by the MCC’s Folk Arts & Heritage Program Manager, Maggie Holtzberg.
Next up: Tom Pixton: A Short History of the Accordion, Sunday, April 25 at 5pm ET, free on Facebook Live! Don’t miss our next FREE (and fun) #RevelsConnects Facebook event with the legendary Tom Pixton, an International, Balkan, and Scottish folk dance musician who’s been active in a variety of traditional music scenes for more than 30 years. Tom has been a regular Revels performer since 1997 as an accordionist, arranger, singer, band leader, and friend.
The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peach Justice and the Environment:
The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold its April Monthly Meeting on Wednesday April 21 at 7:00 pm, online. The April monthly meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will feature presentations by the Watertown Joint Police Reform Group. The group comprises an alliance of three local teams: Uplift Watertown, the Kingian Response Team, and Watertown Citizens for Black Lives (a working group of WCPJE). The Police Reform group will present updates on multiple projects that seek to bring more accountability, transparency, communication and trust between the Watertown Police Department and our community. Following the presentations there will be ample time for questions and general discussion.