Entertainment

Virtual Events for Seniors: Movies, Book Club, Pets & Knitting Group

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Watertown Senior Center

The Senior Center may be closed due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of activities to join by computer via Zoom. The Watertown Senior Center sent out the following schedule of virtual events for the month of January:

Zoom with Debi Block with Interactive Film/Theatre Program

Tuesday, January 5, at 10 amSome Like It Hot – Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe starin director Billy Wilder’s 1949 groundbreaking comedy. Two male musicians crossdress and join an allwomen band to escape Spats Columbo and his mob. One of the greatest comedies of all times defying the rules of the Hollywood Hayes Code! History of Music with John Clark: The Great Ladies of Song

Wednesday, Jan 6th at 2:00 pmAll of these lovely ladies began their careers singing for swing bands in the thirties and forties and then went on to even greater stardom on their own.

Schools

Watertown Schools Receive Grant to Support Engineering Program

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Superintendent Deanne Galdston is pleased to share that Watertown High School has been awarded a $150,000 Skills Capital Grant by the Baker-Polito administration. The grant will support Watertown High’s Engineering Technology Program, the school’s first vocational/technical pathway, which is completed over three years beginning in students’ sophomore year. There are nine courses that students complete as part of the engineering program — engineering design, principles of engineering, digital electronics, civil engineering and architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, environmental sustainability, introduction to robotics, engineering design and development, and all aspects of the engineering industry. The Skills Capital Grant will allow Watertown High School to purchase and install state-of-the-art equipment that students will use to gain hands-on experience with real-world tools used in the engineering field. The equipment includes:

CNC milling equipment3D printersRobotic arm kitsMicroscopesDigital shaking waterbathElectrophoresis kitsBand saw, drill press and laser engraverVEX kits for computer integrated manufacturingNikon AX2S auto level, and more

“The Engineering Technology Program is an exciting way for students to gain practical experience in a growing and ever-changing field, and the Skills Capital Grant will be a tremendous help as we work to make the program more immersive and engaging,” Career Technical Education Coordinator Laura Alderson Rotondo said.

Cartoon

It’s a Couch Day for Small Saves in This Week’s Comic

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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.”

Schools

MassBay College Winter Course Registration Open Now

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The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College’s registration for winter intersession courses, which run January 4–15, 2021, is now open. Winter intersession courses are intensive, 10-day courses offered for credit and non-credit. All winter intersession courses are being offered remotely. This is a chance for high school students, area college students visiting on winter break, and/or enrolled MassBay students to take courses in a short timeframe to help get ahead in their studies, earn college credits quickly, or get a step closer to graduation. “Intersession is a wonderful opportunity for students to take care of general education requirements or pre-requisites for advanced coursework,” said MassBay Dean of Admissions and Community Learning, Alison McCarty.

Transportation

MassDOT Holiday Travel Tips, Post-Travel Quarantine Reminder

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding members of the public to plan ahead for the upcoming holiday season, utilize the appropriate technology tools to make informed decisions, and be aware there may be limited public amenities on trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, travelers should pack essential items including face coverings, and, if visiting specific states, travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Massachusetts. “As per the CDC’s strong recommendation, we are asking people not to travel during these next few weeks of the holiday season because of Covid-19,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, adding, “But if you must be on the roadway, you are advised to plan ahead, minimize stops, be aware of all out-of-state quarantine requirements, wear a face covering if you are traveling with someone not living in your household, and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has information about the pandemic and regulations pertaining to COVID-19, including the need to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Massachusetts after visiting specific states. Information can be found at: www.mass.gov/coronavirus. The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its hours to be open from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 22, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 23.

Around Town

Watertown Temporarily Lifting Winter Parking Ban

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Watertown’s winter parking ban will be temporarily lifted for the holiday season, which allows residents to park on the street overnight unless weather requires plowing. The Watertown Police Department sent out the following announcement:

With the Holidays fast approaching, the Watertown Police Department recognizes the need for additional overnight parking. Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced that effective December 24, 2020 officers will temporarily stop enforcing the All Night Parking Ban – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the town website for available off-street parking locations. 

Chief Lawn still encourages all homeowners to use available off-street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume on January 4, 2021.

Around Town

State Order Reduces Capacity at Watertown Library, Biggest Impact Likely on Children’s Area

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Saturday, December 26 Watertown Free Public Library capacity will betemporarily reduced further per Governor Baker’s order restricting users to 25% of total capacity. The Children’s and Teen rooms will be reduced from 20 patrons to 10 patrons simultaneously and the second floor will be reduced from 80 patrons to 40 patrons simultaneously. It is expected that the biggest impact will be on the children’s room which has been the only area in the library toreach capacity, albeit only a handful of times. “We opened with a capacity already well below the mandated 40% limit. We’re taking this further step to ensure that we can remain open for thepeople who need us” said Library Director, Leone Cole.

Entertainment

Watch the Perkins School for the Blind Holiday Concert

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Perkins School for the Blind

Students at Perkins School for the Blind kept the tradition of the annual Holiday Concert going in 2020. This year they performed it virtually. Perkins sent out the following message, and video of the concert:

We want to wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season from the entire Perkins community. In that spirit, we’re excited to invite you to enjoy a video of this year’s virtual holiday concert! We had to do things a bit differently this year but music education at Perkins has continued and the students love it.