Police/Fire

Watertown Helps Collect More than 100 Guns in Sheriff’s Buyback Program

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Some of the weapons collected in Watertown and Belmont in the MIddlesex Sheriff’s gun buyback in June. The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

One hundred twenty unwanted guns and ammunition were exchanged for gift cards to local stores and restaurants over four Saturdays of the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” Eastern Middlesex County Regional Gun Buyback initiative, officials announced. The initiative – held June 8-29 – was a collaborative effort of the Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Newton and Watertown police departments, in conjunction with the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as well as faith- and community-based partners. This was the second regional buyback held in Middlesex County since 2016, with a total of 270 weapons exchanged for gift cards during the two regional initiatives. “I want to thank all our partners for their leadership in this area, and allowing us to continue to support these important community-based efforts,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Offering residents these opportunities to safely remove unwanted and unsecured guns reduces the chances of theft or accidental discharge, making our homes and our communities safer.”

Included among the 120 guns accepted on the days of the events was a loaded .22-caliber pistol in Newton. The individual disposing of the gun was unaware that it was loaded.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Offering Performances With Closed Captioning

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The following information was sent out by the New Repertory Theatre:

New Rep is proud to announce one open captioned performance at each of our six productions in the 2019-2020 season. This project is part of a continuing effort to increase accessibility, including our previous ASL-interpreted and audio-described performances, as well as the permanent installation of a T-Coil LOOP system in our MainStage Theater. “It is central to New Rep’s mission to make the theatre we produce as accessible as possible, so that all may enjoy it. With the generous support from Theatre Development Fund (TDF), we are now pleased to provide New Rep audience members who have limited hearing the opportunity to experience our work fully through this technology,” said incoming Artistic Director Michael J. Bobbitt. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2019/03/25/new-rep-theatre-announces-new-artistic-director/

Open captioned performances will be available at each production’s third Saturday matinee. Subscriptions are on sale now, and single tickets will go on sale August 1st. In recognition of additional financial costs experienced by individuals with hearing loss, New Rep is pleased to offer discounted tickets for those who require open captioned services.

Around Town

Watertown Hosting Two Family Movie Nights at Police Station

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The Watertown Recreation Department and Watertown Police Department announced the dates for the 2019 Family Movie Nights. The departments provided the following information:

Please join us… Friday, July 19 Friday, Aug. 9 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

(The movie titles will be announced closer to the dates.)

The festivities will be held outside in the park at 552 Main St, behind the Police Station. 6:30- 8:00 Games, Face Painting, Popcorn, Music, Balloon Animals, Pizza and Refreshments

8:00 The Movie will begin! Watertown Elementary students, bring your friends and family for a night of fun and excitement!

Around Town

Students from Jewish, German Schools Come Together for Community Project

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An inspirational drawing created by students at the Jewish Community Day School in Watertown and German International School Boston. The following information was provided by Jewish Family & Children’s Service:

This spring, Jewish Family & Children’s Service was thrilled to host a very special group of volunteers. Seventh graders from Jewish Community Day School (JCDS) in Watertown and German International School Boston (GISB) visited our Waltham headquarters to make birthday cards for clients of our Schechter Holocaust Services program. The collaboration between the two schools was part of an ongoing partnership between JCDS and GISB that focuses on Holocaust education. 

A Unique Partnership 

The Holocaust education program between Jewish Community Day School and German International School Boston was first launched in 2017 by Andrea Silton of JCDS and Andreas Weber of GISB. When the two Middle School teachers were put in touch as part of a comparative religion course, they realized that they had a unique opportunity to explore the difficult history between Germans and Jews.

Around Town

Five New Members Join Watertown Community Foundation Board

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board are Lauren Unsworth, Ashley Morris, Maria Panaggio-Phillips, Tony Paolillo, and Antonia O’Hara. “All five of our newest Board members are dedicated to our mission of building and sustaining a vibrant, close-knit community. Each brings expertise, experience, and energy for today and the future. We are delighted to welcome them as partners as we continue to strengthen our community here in Watertown,” said Jan Singer, Executive Director.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Offering Grants to Local Groups

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The following information was provided by Mount Auburn Hospital:

Mount Auburn Hospital is offering a one-time, non-competitive grant opportunity to cities and towns in the hospital’s service area, including Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham and Watertown. This grant, up to $5,000 per community, is designated for capacity building or projects/programs which coincide with the health priorities identified through Mount Auburn’s Community Health Needs Assessment. These priorities include mental health, substance use, chronic/complex conditions and healthy aging. Consideration will also be given to projects related to the Social Determinants of Health and health care access. Health departments can designate another municipal department or a local community-based organization to apply for all or part of this funding if preferred.

Around Town

Recreation Dept. Hosting Meeting on Lights at Filippello Park

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Filippello Park’s two athletic fields, picnic area, playground and more draw lots of visitors. The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Town of Watertown will be hosting a Community Meeting on Tuesday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chambers. This is a follow-up meeting to our initial discussion on Sept. 24, 2018. This meeting will be held to discuss the potential renovation plan to replace the current lighting system at Filippello (Grove) and install a new lighting system at Filippello (Arlington) with LED field lighting equipment.

Entertainment

Small Saves: The Goalie Glove

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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.”