Around Town

Final Watertown Farmers Market of 2020, Fall CSA Program

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

The Watertown Farmers’ Market wraps up this week. Last chance to stock up on all your market faves! Support local and keep your pantries and freezers well stocked for the week’s ahead. It’s time to start making your shopping lists and placing preorders for the final market of the 2020 season! This week’s rotating vendors are Flores de Cafe and We Grow Microgreens.

Around Town

YMCA Holding Drive-In Movie as Fall Fundraiser

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On Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 6:00-9:00 pm, the West Suburban YMCA in Newton will host a reimagined version of their signature fall fundraiser event, inviting the community to enjoy a drive-in movie in the Y’s parking lot and field. Traditionally, the Y hosts over 200 guests at their November gala, raising money for the Y’s Annual Fund which allows hundreds of families, individuals, and children to access programs and membership at the Y regardless of financial circumstances. With restrictions on gatherings in place due to COVID-19, the West Suburban YMCA is offering a whole new event this fall – Double Feature: A Mission & A Movie – highlighted by a drive-in showing of The Princess Bride. The October 17th event will take place outdoors in the Y parking lot and field and will feature a brief presentation from Y President & CEO Jack Fucci and a few laughs from comedian Nick “Fitzy” Stevens. The short program will summarize the past seven months at the Y, celebrating the Y’s resilience and looking forward to the future.

Transportation

MassDOT Seeks Input on Redevelopment of Railroad, Mass. Pike in Allston

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that an information matrix is now posted online that compares available information about key aspects of the alternatives under consideration for the “throat” area of the Allston Multimodal Project: https://www.mass.gov/doc/allston-multimodal-project-summary-analysis-of-throat-area-options-within-the-3l-re-alignment/download. The purpose of the Matrix is to provide additional information to help inform public and agency input on the choice of a Preferred Alternative by MassDOT from among the three Throat Options. This Matrix, which represents MassDOT’s working assumptions on various impacts of the throat options, is a draft by MassDOT and is subject to change after consideration by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Cooperating Agencies. 

The “throat” is the area of the Charles River waterfront where I-90, Soldiers Field Road, freight train tracks, the Paul Dudley White pedestrian and bicycle path, and two commuter rail tracks squeeze through a choke point which is 204 feet wide and is the narrowest section of the I-90 Allston Multimodal Project. MassDOT has opened a round of public engagement and is accepting feedback on how the three throat options compare against both the project purpose and need and the selection criteria.  MassDOT will host a public information meeting on Tuesday, October 20, at 6:30 p.m.  Community members may join the meeting by going to the following link: https://virtualmeeting.link/I90AllstonMultimodal.  The public may also join the meeting by phone: 877-853-5257 (toll free), Webinar ID: 965 1293 2141, Passcode: 710477.  The MassDOT project team will present the new alternative analysis matrix to the public at this meeting and will be available to answer questions. Public comment is being taken until the end of the day on October 30 and can be sent to: I-90Allston@state.ma.us.

Schools

Gala Raising Money for Group that Helps Families 11 Communities, Including Watertown

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Communities United, Inc. (CUI), a non-profit organization that provides high-quality education and family services throughout eleven MetroWest cities and towns, announced today that its 5th annual gala fundraiser – ‘Back on Track: Funding our Children’s Futures’ – will take place virtually this year on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.

The gala is free to attend and open to the public.Teachers and staff from CUI will be speaking on the daily challenges they face as they prepare to teach in the new age of COVID-19. WCVB-TV Channel 5, Boston’s news and community leader, serves as the exclusive media partner and News Center 5 Anchor Ed Harding will emcee. There will also be a special guest performance by Emmy Award-winning singer and songwriter Rachel Platten who will sing her hit, ‘Fight Song.’

During the approximately forty-five-minute-long virtual event, members of CUI will share with viewers the amazing and innovative ways they supported children and families such as sending home the book of week with activities each week and what life is like for their teachers and staff during this challenging time. They will also ask for donations to help purchase supplies suitable for maintaining social distancing guidelines that will keep the teachers and students safe and in class. Sponsorship opportunities for the virtual gala are still available as well. 

“This year presents a different challenge for CUI with the many restrictions of COVID-19, but I am confident that our teachers and staff will make this school year our most effective one to date,” said Terri Natale, Executive Director at Communities United, Inc. “Our teachers rose to the challenge with innovative solutions when we had to close mid-March, and we want to equip them with the necessary funds and resources as they prepare for what will most likely be a challenging school year, as home distance learning will be the primary mode of education for nearly half of our children.”

Communities United, Inc. provides educational programs and family services to families within the local community. The team is made up of 80 employees including teachers, social workers and administrators.

Cartoon

See This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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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.”

Entertainment

Find Out How to Book a Private Screening at Watertown’s Movie Theater

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The following information was provided by The Majestic 7 theater:

In celebration of its re-opening earlier this fall, The Majestic 7, Arsenal Yards, is offering special pricing on “Book the Room” private screenings for families or groups of friends looking to get back to the movies! For a limited time, groups of up to 20 people can have a movie theater all to themselves and enjoy a private showing for as little as $200. The Majestic 7 is offering groups the choice of screening any of the existing films currently playing in the cinema – including Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” “Unhinged” and “The New Mutants” – or can choose from CW Rewind Cinema offerings, including bring backs and classic films. With cinemas in Massachusetts now able to offer concessions once again, guests can purchase movie-theater popcorn, candy and soda to enjoy with their movie experience. All theaters are being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to the start of all screenings. Face masks are mandatory in all common areas of the theater such as lobbies, hallways, restrooms, restaurants, lounges, game rooms and concession stands, and social distance markers and plexiglass barriers have been installed.

Around Town

Health Department Shares Ways to Have Halloween During COVID-19

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

For residents planning to celebrate Halloween, Saturday, October 31 st , the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is recommending that you follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards. Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

Trick or Treating with Kids and Passing Treats Out at Home

Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl.Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use. Masks – Mask Up MA

Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Holding Vigil for Indigenous People, George Floyd

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A vigil in July hosted by the Kingian Response Team. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Black Lives and the Kingian Response Team. UPDATE: Due to heavy rain forecast through this evening, the candlelight vigil for Black lives and Indigenous people that was planned for today is postponed until next Tuesday, October 20th. Candlelight Vigil Tuesday, Oct. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Black Lives and the Kingian Response Team.