Around Town

January at the Y: Virtual MLK Day Service, Sign Up for Feb. Break & Summer Programs

By |

The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

Happy New Year! There’s a lot happening at the Y right now, including a MLK Day of Service, Winter Programs, and summer camp registration opening!  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more info. What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA 

Participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service This year, the Y’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is going virtual. The West Suburban YMCA is putting together care packages of succulents, a handmade card or bookmark, and a puzzle book with a pencil, eraser, and sharpener for the clients of Newton At Home, which includes senior citizens in the community that may be isolated at home due to COVID. You can help by sponsoring care packages or creating cards or bookmarks. Learn more and get involved:  https://www.wsymca.org/events/mlk-day-service-event-0 

Summer Camp Registration Opens on January 11 In 2020, the Y operated a fun and safe summer for hundreds of campers!  In 2021, the Y plans to operate similarly with all COVID safety procedures in place.  The Y offers two day camps, Camp Pikati on-site at the Y and Camp Chickami in Wayland, as well as one overnight camp, Camp Frank A. Day, in East Brookfield.  Learn more:  https://www.wsymca.org/camps 

Winter Programs: January 4 – February 14, 2021 Registration is Open  2020 was a challenging year that required families to break from their typical routines and adapt to new ways of doing things. Since July of 2020, the Y has been adapting as well.

Cartoon

Skate Tales in This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

By |

Cartoon by James DeMarco

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.”

Around Town

Residents Can Borrow Variety of Tools & Equipment from Watertown Library

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

Snowshoes, KitchenAid Stand Mixer, power washer — these items have nothing in common except that they are all things you can now check out with your library card. On January 6 the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) launched a new collection of non-traditional library materials known as the Library of Things and they’re waiting to be used. “A Library of Things is not uncommon in public libraries and there are so many reasons we’re excited to now offer our own collection” says Katie Kottas who is in charge of Circulation and Access Services. Of course it is fun, but it’s also economical. A lot of people don’t need or want to purchase items they may only use once or twice.

Around Town

Recipient of the 2021 Watertown Unity Award Announced

By |

The Unity Breakfast committee will present the 2021 award to Rhode Moise, Program Director at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club, at the MLK Day Unity Breakfast on Jan. 18. The following announcement was provided by the Unity Award Committee:

A favorite annual tradition at each MLK Day Unity Breakfast is the presentation of the Unity Award. The Unity Award recognizes an individual or group that is furthering Dr. King’s vision of racial, social and economic justice right here in our town. The Unity Breakfast committee is honored to present this year’s award to Rhode Moise, Program Director at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club.

Around Town

Watertown Yoga Studio Celebrating 5th Anniversary with Free Classes

By |

The following announcement was provided by Artemis Yoga:

Artemis Yoga of Watertown is celebrating its fifth anniversary with an Online Open House on Saturday, Jan. 9, that includes a day of complimentary, online 15 yoga classes for kids and adults. All classes are free to register, but with a suggested donation of $5.00 to directly support the Watertown Boys and Girls Club (WBGC). Since 2015, we have hosted annual Open Houses and raised over $3,000 in total forthe WBGC, so we hope that this year, our 5TH ANNIVERSARY, we can meaningfully continue the tradition. This year more than ever, we need to support at-risk youth whose families are bearing the brunt of the pandemic.

Entertainment

Seinfeld Trivia; Genealogy & One Book, One Watertown at the Library This Month

By |

The Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library sent out the following information:

WFPL is pleased to announce Matt Haig’s novel, The Humans as our selection for One Book, One Watertown 2021! This year, we faced the task of selecting a title during this time of great uncertainty, isolation, and hardship in our community, our country and around the world.  Despite the challenges we all face, we have also observed wonderful demonstrations of bravery, selflessness, and kindness.  We wanted to find a book to help us celebrate the good we see around us.  

Matt Haig’s book is a laugh-out-loud, heart-filled exploration of what it truly means to be human.

Entertainment

Film Discussion, Chair Yoga and More in This Week’s Senior Center Zoom Events

By |

Watertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Programs for Week of January 4, 2021

All Watertown Senior Center Programs via Zoom, Call (617) 972-6490 for details. Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:     10:00 AM, Art with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with DianeTuesday:     10:00 AM, “Some Like It Hot” Film Discussion Program12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley                                     Wednesday:  11:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna2:00 PM, Great Ladies of Song: American Music Experience Thursday:        9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom1:00 PM, Zoom “Cook Lunch, Eat, & Talk”Friday:            10:00 AM, Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones     12:00 PM, Seated Strength & Balance with Pearl1:30 PM, Mellowtones Chorus with Anne Silverman

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 11, 2021 at 2:00 PMHistory of the Shick House with Marilynne Roach, Watertown Historical SocietyTuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10:00 AMAnnual Taxes and Exemptions for Watertown Seniors PresentationWednesday, January 13, 2021 at 2:00 PMVirtual Zoom Trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Senior Shuttle Bus UpdateThe Watertown Senior Shuttle Bus is back on the road for grocery shopping!

Communities United Inc.

Group Awarded Grant for Food Backpack Program, Got Assistance from Local Church

By |

The following information was provided by Communities United:

Communities United Inc., a non-profit organization that provides high-quality education and family services throughout 11 MetroWest cities and towns including Watertown, announced it has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Mildred’s Dream Foundation (MDF) to support the launch of CUI’s new food backpack program. 

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic increasing food insecurities in local communities, CUI has created a food backpack program in which fresh food, including fruits and vegetables, will be distributed to local families every other week. CUI has established an Amazon Food Pantry wish list as well so community partners and donors can contribute to this important cause. Grace Chapel of Watertown, MA has been instrumental in assisting CUI in the collection of non-perishables to support the program. Due to a significant increase in food insecurities for the children and families CUI serves, the organization has instituted an extensive food backpack program. With this initiative, food will be distributed to local families every other week with an emphasis on providing fresh fruit and vegetables. CUI has established an Amazon Food Pantry wish list so community partners and donors can contribute to this important cause while also partnering with Grace Chapel of Watertown who has been instrumental in assisting CUI in the collection of non-perishables to support the program.