Around Town

Virtual Library: Movie Discussion Group, Painting & Build Your Own Workshop

By |

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

Missing Hatch Makerspace? Hatch staff and volunteers are offering a wide range of virtual workshops via Zoom, free and open to all skill levels. This week, check out Build Your Workshop with Liz and Gouache Painting with Yi Bin. Register online: watertownlib.org/calendar

Even though WFPL can’t host Movie Mondays right now, we can still enjoy films together!

Police/Fire

Five Watertown Firefighters Receive Promotions, One Appointed

By |

Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced several promotions made in the Watertown Fire Department, and a firefighter has been added to the WFD. The Fire Department sent out the following information:

The Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 12, 2020:

View this post on Instagram The Chief of Department is pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has made the following promotions effective Sunday, July 12, 2020: Firefighter Glen McManus to Permanent Fire Lieutenant Lieutenant Michael Anastasi to Temporary Fire Captain Firefighter Ralph Mele to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Firefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Firefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. to Temporary Fire Lieutenant Please join us in wishing these members continued success in their new positions. @watertownmagov A post shared by Deputy Chief Ryan Nicholson (@watertownfire) on Jul 12, 2020 at 6:59am PDT

Firefighter Glen McManus to Permanent Fire LieutenantLieutenant Michael Anastasi to Temporary Fire CaptainFirefighter Ralph Mele to Temporary Fire LieutenantFirefighter Jason Capello to Temporary Fire LieutenantFirefighter Jeffrey Pugliese Jr. to Temporary Fire Lieutenant

Please join us in wishing these newly promoted Fire Officers continued success in their new positions. The Town Manager’s office also sent out the following annoucement:

“We are pleased to announce that Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll has appointed Mr. Christopher Fidler as a Firefighter for the Town of Watertown, effective Sunday, July 12, 2020.”

Entertainment

See What a Goalie Dreams About in This Week’s Small Saves

By |

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

WGBH’s Camp TV Offers Educational Activities for Kids

By |

The following information was provided by WGBH Channel 2:

Summer is here at last, but Massachusetts parents are feeling the burden of juggling work and childcare as the coronavirus continues to impact the support structures they rely on – from daycare to summer camp to assistance from grandparents. To help, Boston public media producer WGBH has three free resources for a range of ages that I thought might be of interest to your readers: Camp TV;  Beyond the Page: Young Adult Book Club; and Family Fun at Home. You can find more information about each one below. Please let me know if I can answer any questions. If you are considering a story on resources for families this summer, I hope you’ll consider including this information.  

Camp TV

This 1-hour television day camp experience invites “campers” at home to meet enthusiastic head counselor, Zachary Noah Piser, and experience summer camp activities to learn through play. Camp TV will air weekdays at noon ET on WGBH 2 beginning Monday, July 13. Silly Hat Day awaits!

Elections

Steve Owens Endorsed by Environmental Group, Co-Hosting Virtual Town Hall

By |

Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative Campaign:

Candidate for State Representative of the 29th Middlesex District Steve Owens has been endorsed by both the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and 350 Mass Action. Primary day is September 1st. “I am honored to be endorsed by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and 350 Mass Action. The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time and I will work relentlessly with them and other environmental activists to pass laws that protect our environmental legacy, create green jobs and leave the next generation a future and world that we can be proud of.”

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Paying for the New Green Deal

By |

The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold our July Monthly Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:45 PM. All are welcome. Our topic this month is: Warheads to Windmills:How to Pay for the Green New Deal

Please join us to hear Dr. Timmon Wallis and Vicki Elson of NuclearBan.us identify the three major crises threatening the planet today: 1) the climate crisis 2) expanding nuclear arsenals 3) extreme economic inequality – and propose a solution: redirect funds and technology for nuclear weapons to the development of green energy and green jobs. Warheads to Windmills: How to Pay for the Green New Deal, written by Dr. Wallis, provides a detailed analysis of what it will take to adequately address the climate crisis and where the needed funds, scientific and engineering expertise could come from: the nuclear weapons program. To quote Dr. Timmons, “It’s not an exaggeration to say that these weapons threaten our very existence as a species, and so does the climate crisis.

Around Town

West Suburban YMCA Reopens After 16-Week Closure

By |

West Suburban YMCA staff wave from the front steps. The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

The West Suburban YMCA reopened its doors to members on July 6, following Governor Baker’s announcement last week regarding the state’s transition into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. New protocols are in place to align with all guidance and recommendations outlined by the CDC, state, and local health departments. Some of the new practices include:

Brief health pre-screen at check in for all members and staffUse of face coverings/masks when in the buildingSocial distancing and reduced capacity in all facility spacesFrequent cleaning and sanitation of all equipment and surfacesSingle entry and exit points: Enter through the main doors and exit through the basement level trackside doorReservations are required for pool use and outdoor group exercise classes

The reopening includes the Y’s Wellness Center (cardio, strength, weights, functioning training, and selectorized equipment), the indoor pools for lap swimming, the indoor and outdoor track, personal training, and a variety of group exercise classes offered both outside and virtually. Additional member services and programs are expected to become available gradually and in accordance with new information and guidelines.

Around Town

Reading Summer Fun for Adults & This Week’s Virtual Events from the Watertown Library

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Why should kids have all the fun? This summer, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is offering Summer Reading for Grown-Ups, a season-long reading challenge complete with librarian-curated reading recs and a bingo game full of summer activities. 

Even though WFPL is temporarily closed to the public, there are still many ways to check out library materials. Books, DVDs, and CDs can be ordered for curbside pickup. eBooks and audiobooks can be accessed through WFPL’s digital collection. For more information, visit the Library’s website: watertownlib.org

This year, WFPL’s grown-up bingo game encourages players to read widely from a diverse list of authors, stay active while social distancing, and chronicle the summer with lots of photos. 

Here are a few highlights:

Read about someone who survived a pandemicPost your COVID-19 experience as a poem, short story, or artRead a book by an LGBTQ authorRead a book from WFPL’s anti-racism booklistPost your pandemic playlist!Join the Library’s yoga class, via Zoom

As part of the game, WFPL is encouraging patrons to share summer reading and inspire others by posting book covers, book bingos, and summer activities on social media with the hashtag #WFPLsummer.