Around Town

Pair Who Helped Asylum Seekers at Border to Speak in Watertown

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Several Watertown citizen groups announced they will host the event “Stories from the Border: Roots and Realities with Raquel Bauman and Sylvia Cowan.” The group sent out the following information:

Wednesday, November 20 7:00 p.m – 8:30 p.m. First Parish of Watertown 35 Church Street

Raquel Bauman and Sylvia Cowan of First Parish Bedford went to the Border as Spanish-speaking volunteers in a detention center to assist asylum-seekers and to observe events in Mexico and Texas last February.  They will share stories they heard and events they witnessed first-hand there, along with updates and a look at origins of this growing humanitarian crisis on our Mexican Border. Since that time, the situation has continued to escalate into a heartbreaking humanitarian crisis—both on the U.S. border and in neighboring Mexico. Sylvia & Raquel invite you to accompany them vicariously on their journey. Come hear what they learned, aspects of the current realities, and exploration of roots of this crisis.  In the end, we are invited to consider what steps we all might take to live our values of justice for all and helping one another. Sponsored by First Parish of Watertown, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, World in Watertown, Watertown Welcomes Immigrants, and Survival Education Fund, Inc.

Around Town

Winner of Watertown Mall Scarecrow Contest Announced & Kids in Costumes

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The Watertown Mall announced the winners of the 2019 Scarecrow Contest, and that was just one of its Halloween events. The mall also invited children to come down in their Halloween costumes. The Watertown Mall provided the following announcements:

We would like to thank all of this year’s Scarecrow Contest participants. The Watertown Mall is proud to announce the winners this year. 1st Place – Perkins School for the Blind, “The Minions of Potter”

The 2019 Scarecrow Contest First Place winner.

Obituaries

In Memory of William R. Panico, Owned Watertown Carpet Store

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The family of William R. Panico, submitted the following memorial in his honor. Panico owned and operated Final Touch Carpets in Watertown for over 30 years. In Memory of William R. Panico

April 8, 1944 – November 15, 2018

Bill, thank you for your unconditional love and kindness

And for always being so selfless.Dad, thank you for your thoughtful and loving heartAnd for your never-ending giving nature.Papa, thank you for your silliness and fun-loving waysBut mostly for the comfort you brought us every day. We love you,

Linda, Kim, Nikki, Dave, Kyle, Kodie, Samantha, Reagan, Sadie, Faith and Christian

Entertainment

Turkey Time Event Coming to Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall provided the following information:

The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal Street, together with Watertown Families Together invite you to come on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for “Turkey Time,” an event to celebrate Thanksgiving. There will be songs, stories and crafts as well! This is a free event & all ages are welcome, although the stories are catered to younger children. This will take place in the back hallway of the mall, across from Carter’s. Come prepare and get in the holiday spirit at the Watertown Mall with your little loved ones!

Around Town

Some Registry of Motor Vehicles Services Closed Over Veterans Day Weekend

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is announcing that due to its final upgrade to new technology, ATLAS, no customer service transactions can be conducted starting tonight at 6 p.m., and until 7 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12.  In addition, inspection station locations will not be able to conduct motor vehicle inspections on Nov. 9, 10, and 11. “We appreciate the public’s patience, cooperation, and understanding as the RMV completes its transition to a new platform that will greatly enhance the quality and number of online vehicle transactions available to our customers,” explained the RMV’s Acting Registrar, Jamey Tesler. “This transition began with the introduction of new customer credentialing and licensing service in March 2018 and, as with any major organization-wide technology change, we expect an initial learning curve for our staff, business partners, and customers.

Cartoon

Small Saves: Goalie Mask Decorations

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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.”

Around Town

Carroll Center Hosts Meet the Author: Understanding Vision Loss

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Author Hannah Fairbair, former Interpersonal Skills and Personal Instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind, discusses vision loss with four former clients. The Carroll Center for the Blind provided the following announcement:

The Carroll Center for the Blind, a leader in services for individuals confronted by the challenges of low vision and blindness, today announced it will host author Hannah Fairbairn for a free public reading from her new book regarding dealing with the challenges of vision loss. As we age, our eyes often change. If these changes cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, then you may have “low vision.” Adjusting to vision loss is challenging and frightening. You may not be able to recognize friends or read as easily anymore.

Federal Court

Watertown Man, Restaurant Owner Sentenced by Federal Judge

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The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Massachusetts:

A former owner of restaurants in Boston and Chelsea was sentenced Thursday, Nov. 7 in federal court in Boston for tax fraud convictions. Burhan Ud Din, 50, of Watertown, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. to three years of probation, 500 hours of community service and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $140,372 in back taxes. In August 2019, Din was convicted by a federal jury of six counts of willful failure to collect and pay over tax. From 2009 to 2013, Din defrauded the government and avoided paying payroll taxes owed by fried chicken restaurants located in Chelsea, downtown Boston and Jamaica Plain.