Entertainment

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

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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

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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.

Schools

Watertown Schools Starting 2021 Remotely, COVID-19 Testing Available for Students

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public School:

Due to our desire to kick-start our new year off well, we will be focusing on testing students and staff who may have traveled or spent extended time with people outside of their immediate household prior to the return to in-person learning. In order to accomplish this, we will start the year in our remote learning model, Monday, January 4 through Wednesday, January 6, with a return to in-person learning on Thursday, January 7. In addition to our protocols for social distancing, PPE, handwashing, and staying home when sick, student testing is one of the safety measures that has allowed us to remain open. To date, we have processed 3698 staff tests, with 5 positives, and 317 pools of up to 10 students in each pool withonly 3 positive pools. The indication from these tests is that less than .15% of our students and staff that are part of our testing program have tested positive.

Around Town

Town Offering Free COVID-19 Testing in January

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The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The Town of Watertown is offering, by appointment only, one – free COVID-19 Test for Watertown residents. Testing is free, does not require a medical referral and you do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Pre-registration is required to receive a test (preregistration details below) and we ask that you only sign up for one test to allow other residents access to testing.]

Testing will be held inside the Commander’s Mansion 440 Talcott Avenue on the following dates and times:

Tuesday January 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 6, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 13, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 19, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 20, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 26, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 27, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

In order to obtain an appointment a Watertown resident must pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://proemscovidtesting.as.me/watertown

This is not a drive up test. Watertown residents who have an appointment will enter into the Commander’s Mansion and with the assistance of Pro Ambulance employees will conduct a self-administering nasal swab (PCR test). Test results: As a reminder, a negative test does not mean you cannot spread COVID-19, or get infected with COVID-19, at a later date.

Entertainment

Dance Studio Offering Scholarships for Kids’ Classes

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Ballroom in Boston announced it will offering scholarships for children to take part in classes, which begin in January. The studio sent out the following announcement:

Does your kiddo need a fun activity to keep them moving this winter? Not sure if you can make the finances work for extra activities or want to try something without any long-term commitment? Please apply for a class scholarship or attend one of our free community classes in person or online at Ballroom in Boston! 

We offer classes for kids ages 5-10. Our next series of classes starts the first week of January and includes fun themes like Star Wars, Frozen, Safari & Musical Theater (The Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Aladdin & more)!

Around Town

Hatch in January: Customize Your Phone, Fleece Hand Warmers & More

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See what’s going on at the Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace in January. Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. Virtual workshops are being offered during the pandemic. For more information contact Liz Helfer, Hatch Coordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Hatch sent out information about upcoming workshops:

Customize Your Phone’s Home Screen with Yi BinMonday, January 4, 6pmLearn how to customize the icons on your home screen using widgets, recently popularized by videos on TikTok.

Entertainment

Watertown Musician Receives Grant from Passim to Put Out Debut Album

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Passim has awarded over $40,000 to 24 musicians through its 2020 Iguana Music Fund, including to a Watertown musician. Watertown’s Lake Saint Daniel will use the grant to release a fully self-produced and recorded debut album. The Iguana Music Fund awards gifts annually to musicians for career building projects and for projects that provide community service through music. Passim sent out the following announcement about the 2020 Iguana Music Fund:

Passim has awarded $40,141 to 24 musicians through its Iguana Music Fund. The Iguana Music Fund awards gifts annually to musicians for career building projects and for projects that provide community service through music.

Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Supporters During a Challenging 2020

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The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many. But for some, it can be challenging and filled with worry. Not all families can provide gifts for their loved ones. Typically, the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program, a Wayside Youth & Family Support Network program at the Multi-Service Center, works with local churches and businesses to provide holiday gifts for families in need. As you can imagine, this year proved to bevery challenging due to COVID-19 and the many restrictions we have in place.