Around Town

This Week at the Watertown Library: Online Events, Curbside Pickup Poll & More

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

This Wednesday at 7 PM, join us in welcoming Erik Edstrom for an author talk and Q&A session via Zoom. Edstrom’s memoir, Un-American: A Soldier’s Reckoning of Our Longest War, tells the story of his military service Afghanistan while probing his eventual disillusionment with the War on Terror. 

Also this week, Aimee is hosting Living Room Trivia via Zoom and our popular “read/watch” group will explore the world of My Antonia. Do you know a teen with a creative streak? Starting today, we’re offering free “take and make” project materials for students in grades 6-12, available for pickup at WFPL. Keep scrolling for a full list of virtual programs…

Letters

LETTER: Why We Need More Trees in Watertown

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The Washington Post yesterday included an article about how climate change is worsening right now during the pandemic. It is not stopping for us to fight the pandemic or for anything else. Despite a temporary clearing of smog, the writer says, “the romantic vision of nature “healing” itself was always an illusion … carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are the highest they’ve been in human history, and possibly higher than in the past 3 million years. The specter of man-made climate change looms all the more ominously over a planet in the grips of a viral pandemic.” The authors go on to talk about “giant plumes of Saharan dust that wafted over the Atlantic …

Elections

See Who Rep. Hecht Endorsed to Succeed Him in the State House

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. State Representative Jonathan Hecht has endorsed Steve Owens in the raceto fill the 29th Middlesex seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, according to a statement released by the Steve Owens Campaign. The Representative is stepping down and not seeking re-election in this year’s primary. “I first met Steve Owens in 2005 when I was a Town Councilor in Watertown. We both worked on Deval Patrick’s Gubernatorial campaign where I got to see first-hand the type of leader Steve is.

Letters

LETTER: Families Impacted by 4-Alarm Fire Thank the Many Who Helped Them

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Dear Friends,

As you all know on January 24th, 2020 a 4-alarm fire forced 11 families to move from our homes. There are so many to thank and we all hope that we are not forgetting anyone. Thank you to the young woman who frantically banged on each of the doors to get everyone out of the houses while Watertown Fire Department rushed to the scene. Thank you, all the Watertown Fire Department, as well as the surrounding towns who responded to the call for help. A special thank you to the fireman that went into a home several times to find a scared cat and Animal Control for taking good care of the animals until we got them back.

Business

Online Networking Event Coming Up for Watertown Businesses, Groups

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The Watertown Business Coalition will host an online networking event on Wednesday, July 15 at 9 a.m.

The group sent out the following information:

The WBC hosts an online forum for our business community to network and discuss the challenges of our COVID altered reality and a path back to some level of economic normalcy. Our online forum is free to Watertown Residents and our Business Community. Format will include:

Find a comfortable place in the home with a cup of coffee or tea!General networking breakout rooms

Let’s get through these times together, Watertown! 

WHEN: Wednesday, July 15, 9AM to 10AM

WHERE: Your home! The Watertown Business Coalition was started by a group of people doing business in Watertown and town residents looking to make local connections, and to support and strengthen the Watertown business community. 

The Watertown Business Coalition invites the following groups to the Coffee Connect:

All in the Watertown Business CommunityWatertown Residents who own a business in or out of town

Entrepreneurs seeking Networking Opportunities

Former Members of Watertown-Belmont Chamber of Commerce

Those looking to connect with business owners in Watertown

Register to let us know you are coming! Click here to register

Around Town

See the Rules for Using Watertown’s Basketball Courts, Playgrounds & Picnic Areas

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Watertown’s basketball courts, like this one at Casey Park, have reopened with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. The Watertown Recreation Department reopened basketball courts, playgrounds and picnic tables in public parks on June 24, but social distancing rules and other requirements apply to users. Playgrounds and basketball courts are limited to Watertown residents only. Playgrounds

Face coverings must be worn at playgrounds and tot lots, unless a person has an underlying health condition preventing them from doing so. Users must remain at least 6 feet apart.

Around Town

Senior Center Offering Exercise, Art and More Classes Online

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Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Senior Center remains closed as part of the COVID-19 shutdown, but classes are still available online, including exercise and art classes. The following information was provided by the Senior Center:

The Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center has been offering fitness, art and discussion programs via Zoom! Please call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for program information and Zoom access. UPDATED Link to Watertown Senior News:  https://www.watertown-ma.gov/150/Activities-during-COVID-19

Week of June 29-July 3, 2020

Monday, June 29

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, Chair Yoga with Diane

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Art Class with Dawn Scaltreto                                                            

Tuesday, June 30

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, PRIDE Month Discussion with Tracy McKay of PFLAG. All are invited to discuss PRIDE month, older adults and allies of the LGBTQ community.

Entertainment

Small Saves: A Rainy Day Can Ruin a Hockey Player’s Day

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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.”