Schools

Watertown Student Makes UMaine’s Fall 2020 Dean’s List

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The following information was provided by the University of Maine:

The University of Maine recognized 4,133 students for achieving Dean’s List honors in the fall 2020 semester. Of the students who made the Dean’s List, 2,670 are from Maine, 1,366 are from 38 other states and 97 are from 35 countries other than the U.S.

Due to the unusual and challenging circumstances faced this semester amid the global pandemic, the university has modified its Dean’s List policy for the fall 2020 term. The requirement that students earn 12 calculable credits to be eligible for Dean’s List has been waived. Instead, students will be eligible 1) if they earned Dean’s List recognition in spring 2020 and have placed all of their fall 2020 courses on pass/fail; or 2) if they have earned a minimum GPA of a 3.5, regardless of the number of credits taken, in fall 2020. Please note that some students have requested that their information not be released; therefore, their names are not included.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Receives Grant from National Endowment for the Arts

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The following information was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is thrilled to announce that they have receivedfunding through the Grants for Arts Project Fund from the National Endowment for the Arts in the amount of $25,000. These funds will be used to help support New Rep’s newly commissioned Indigenous Moving Play, our upcoming 2-person production of Romeo & Juliet, as well as other programming to come. The Grants for Arts Projects (GAP) awards range from $10,000 to $100,000 and cover these artistic disciplines: Artist Communities, Arts Education, Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literary Arts, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works, Theater, and Visual Arts. In February 2020, the agency received 1,674 eligible GAP applications requesting more than $82.4 million in FY 2021 support. Approved for funding are 1,073 projects totaling nearly $25 million, with grants recommended to 64% of all applicants and an average grant amount of $23,190.

Business

New Hotel Opens at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards

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The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Boylston Properties and Stonebridge Companies announced that the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton™ Watertown Boston is now open and welcoming guests at the brand new hotel in the heart of Arsenal Yards. The property is operating as a Hilton franchise, owned by a joint venture of Boylston Properties and the Stonebridge Companies, and managed by Stonebridge Companies. The hotel staff and development team will invite a small group of constituents to a private “virtual ribbon-cutting” on March 1, and encourages all interested guests and visitors to contact or stop by the hotel for a socially-distanced tour of the beautifully designed property. The development team expects that the growing number of life sciences companies that call Watertown home, the easy access to the region’s medical community, and the town’s proximity to Boston and Cambridge, will contribute to an increase in demand from business and leisure travel to Watertown. Located directly on Arsenal Street, the hotel is well positioned to meet the area’s demand for extended stay lodging.

Business

Business Parking Passes for Watertown Square Available for Purchase

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The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

The purchase of the quarterly parking permits for the Watertown Square Municipal Lot for March-May 2021 will be available on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. To purchase, please enter the Town Administration Building at 149 Main Street and proceed to lower hearing room. Please be advised that we are following social distancing guidelines requiring a face covering and limiting the number of people, which may require a wait outside the building. ALL permits will require business information and vehicle registrations to obtain a permit. Please complete Business-Parking-Permit-Form in advance if possible.

Around Town

Watertown-Based Non-Profit Seeks to Include Media Literacy in School Curriculum

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The following information was provided by Watertown-based non-profit Media Literacy Now:

Teaching students to effectively process, define and understand wide-ranging messages displayed across media platforms is more critical than ever with increased screen time due to the global pandemic and a volatile news cycle filled with political and racial division. National nonprofit Media Literacy Now aims to make media literacy universally understood and accepted as a vital component in public school education across the country. Students of all ages are bombarded with images, words and messages through social media, news, TV, music, video games and other media outlets. They are often left on their own to make sense of all they hear and 21st century media literacy skills are vital for their health, well-being, economic participation, and citizenship.  Media Literacy Now is inspiring action in states across the country through public awareness campaigns, policymaker education, research, coalition building and efforts to influence regulations and legislation. The nonprofit successfully advocates for equal access to education and reform of education system policies and priorities to ensure media literacy skills are integrated across subject areas within public schools.

Around Town

Free Program on Stress, Fatigue & Depression During the Pandemic to be Hosted by Library

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A program called “We’ve Been There: Conversations About Stress, Fatigue, Depression, Coping, and Everything in Between,” the first in a series of programs focused on mental health and wellness will be held on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Watertown Library in conjunction with Wayside Youth & Family Network, the Watertown Police, Advocates Inc. and the Watertown Community Foundation. Organizers sent out the following information:

Stressed, sad, exhausted? After a trying year, please join us as we discuss anything and everything that makes people feel isolated, sad, or anxious. You’ll learn what help is available locally and how we can support ourselves and loved ones through difficult times.

Government

LETTER: Watertown’s Charter Needs a Vision Statement for the Town

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Editor:

The last Charter Review Committee (CRC) Meeting certainly had it all, but one thing noticeably lacking was a clear vision for Watertown. During the lively discussion, none of the Councilors were able to tell us what it is.  Instead, we were told about the countless hours Councilors spent writing hundreds of pages of plans. Then we heard the oft-used “if people want to know, they can find it on our website.” Anyone who has tried to use Waterown’s website knows that it merits its own letter. Plans for every project or department, meticulous as they may be, do not constitute a vision. When I was starting a business, the first thing I did was create an elevator pitch that quickly explained what my business is, based on my vision. Examples include Microsoft’s founding vision of “A computer on every desk in every home,” or Disney’s vision “to entertain, inform and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling, reflecting the iconic brands, creative minds and innovative technologies that make ours the world’s premier entertainment company.” Both tell you exactly what Microsoft and Disney are looking to accomplish, what they prioritize, and the future they envision.

Business

Congresswoman Clark Appearing at Chambers’ Women in Government Event

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The following information was provided by the Newton Needham Regional Chamber:

We’re excited to announce our 4th Annual Women in Government event, this year in partnership with the Waltham Chamber of Commerce. Our guest speaker will be U.S. Congresswoman and Assistant Speaker of the House Katherine Clark who has served the Fifth District of Massachusetts since 2013, a diverse district comprised of 24 cities and towns that include Waltham, Weston and other parts of MetroWest. 

Rep. Clark will speak to her experience as a state senator, state representative, general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services and policy chief for the state attorney general. Join us to hear first-hand about Rep. Clark’s journey to becoming the fourth highest ranking member of the US House of Representatives. We’ll also have time for a few questions. A conversation not to be missed.