Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/378/)
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.”
Students from Watertown looking to get into Minuteman High School must send in their application by the March 15 deadline. The town is not one of the nine member communities, so students cannot apply for the priority deadline. Minuteman sent out the following announcement:
The priority deadline for students living within Minuteman High School’s nine member communities to apply for admission for next school year is Monday, February 15, 2021.
Minuteman’s nine member communities are Acton, Arlington, Bolton, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Needham, and Stow. Visit https://minuteman.org/admissions to apply or obtain more details about the admissions process. View a video tour of Minuteman High School.
To meet the February 15 priority deadline, member-town student applicants should have submitted an online application, recommendation form, the last two years of school records (grades, attendance, conduct), and have conducted an interview with a representative from Minuteman.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:
The designated RMV senior service hours, which began on September 2nd , 2020, will be continued through January 2021. For those who are 75 and older, the Registry of Motor Vehicles offers weekly Wednesday service hours that are in place to offer an option to senior citizens to practice proper “social distancing” protocols to keep customers safe. Individuals who are in this age group are required by Massachusetts law to renew their state driver’s license in person. To make a reservation to renew at an RMV Service Center please visit Mass.Gov/RMV and select the Seniors License Renewal option to Make/Cancel a Reservation transaction tab. For those who are an AAA member, they may renew their license/ID at an AAA location.
The Charles River from Watertown Square
The following announcement comes from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection:
Building on its commitment to protect and improve water quality across the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration announced nearly $300,000 in grants to five multi-community stormwater coalitions across the Commonwealth to help local cities and towns meet existing and upcoming stormwater management requirements.
“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to protecting water quality across the Commonwealth and these funds will make a real difference in the 228 communities that will benefit from these projects,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The stormwater collaboratives funded today will share resources, creative ideas and watershed protection strategies that have a proven record of success.”
“Stormwater is a significant source of water pollution across the state and is a complex issue that requires innovative ideas and cooperative solutions,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “MassDEP is pleased to provide funding that will lessen the costs of permit compliance locally, while we continue to work closely with communities and stormwater coalitions to provide critical technical assistance.”
The projects, selected by MassDEP, were awarded to the Statewide Stormwater Coalition, Neponset River Watershed Association, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Charles River Watershed Association, and Massachusetts Maritime for Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative. The funding awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration will enable Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements and reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing. There are 260 Massachusetts municipalities subject to the current MS4 permit, issued jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and MassDEP, which took effect on July 1, 2018.
The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:
If you know, you know. But if you don’t know, it’s okay, because the library is going to teach you all about zines during the month of February. Zines are generally thought of as DIY magazine-like publications of personal expression that are printed and distributed in small batches by the creator–a little like an analog blog. They give a medium for self-expression to anyone, especially people who have historically been silenced by and excluded from mainstream publications. The Library is hoping to encourage the people of Watertown to share their voices by creating their own zines.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:
While we’re all inside during the cold month of January, the Watertown Mall is offering fun, take home craft kits! These wonderful Snowman Puppets, supplied by Watertown Families Together, are a delightful way to spend a snowy January day. The kits come complete with puppet instructions, a popsicle stick, and the precut pieces to put together your very own puppet! The puppets will be available on mall pushcarts which are located near the front entrance of the mall and in the back hallway next to Target. Puppets will be available January 18th through January 31st, and are available while supplies last.
The following announcement was provided by the Kingian Response Team:
As part of honoring the legacy of Dr. King, the Kingian Response Team is highlighting his six principles of non-violence as a community-wide scavenger hunt. The principles provide a framework for achieving a more just world and guide us to a more “beloved community.” Our goal is to include the wider Watertown community in learning about these principles and in engaging in productive and courageous conversations. There are three sets with each of the six principles displayed on yard signs in different public places throughout Watertown from January 18th through February 21st. The challenge for families and community members will be to find all six – a unique kind of a scavenger hunt! There is also a QR code that provides you with information about the principles and our pledge to “Listen, Learn, Grow and Act,” to end racism in our community, and additional activities for all. Enjoy your walking search and good luck!
Casey Park’s outdoor rink will be used for futsal this week in the Recreation Department’s Survivor Series. The Watertown Recreation Departments is running a series of activities for a range of ages. This week the action moves to Casey Park on Watertown Street. The Watertown Recreation Department sent out the following information:
Look for the next Survivor Series upcoming this week. We are moving locations to our Casey Outdoor Rink for some Futsal.