Around Town

Residents Can Borrow Variety of Tools & Equipment from Watertown Library

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.