Around Town

Support Group in Watertown for Family & Friends of People Misusing Drugs & Alcohol

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The following information was provided by the local organizers of SMART Recovery:

When a person uses drugs or alcohol to excess, the entire family is affected. Concern, anxiety, worry, and depression are just a few of the emotions that family and loved ones experience. For decades people turned to Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous and its family-focused support group Al-Anon. But AA isn’t for everyone. SMART Recovery (Self-Management Addiction Recovery Training) started more than 30 years ago.

Entertainment

Watertown Based Revels Names New Executive Director

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Kate Stookey was named the new executive director of Revels, the Watertown based group known for producing the Christmas Revels. The following announcement came from Revels:

Revels, Inc., the beloved steward of world songs, stories, and traditions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kate Stookey as its Executive Director, effective January 31, 2019. Stookey’s appointment comes as Revels readies itself for the next chapter of its nearly 50-year history. Founded in 1971 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Revels is best known for its annual production of The Christmas Revels, a seasonal celebration now shared across the US through eight affiliate companies. “It is such a joy to be able to place Revels in the hands of such a capable and energetic executive as Kate,” said Stine O’Brien, President of the Revels Board of Directors.

Schools

MassBay College Offers Several Online Degrees & Certificates

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The following information was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College announces spring semester begins on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 and students have a robust selection of online courses to choose from, including Biology, Business Communications, Computer Programming, Law, Freshman English, U.S. History, Marketing, Spanish and more. MassBay currently offers seven associate degree programs and three certificate programs students can take online, as well as two certificate programs featuring hybrid courses – which replace some seat time with online activities, but have regular class meetings. 

The seven associate degree programs that are offered online include; Business Administration (Associate in Science), General Business (Associate in Science), General Studies (Associate in Arts), General Studies (Associate in Science), Liberal Arts (Associate of Arts), Liberal Arts: Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology (Associate in Arts), and Paralegal Studies (Associate in Science). The three online certificate programs available include; Marketing, Management, and Paralegal Studies. Certificates in computer-Aided Design and Cyber Security courses are available as hybrid format certificate programs. Most other programs are available at least partially online. “Online Education courses continue to grow in popularity as more and more busy professionals return to college to update new or retool existing professional skills,” said MassBay Director of Online Education Jim Grenier.

Entertainment

Revels Hosting 3 Concerts in its Fringe Series in Watertown

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Night Tree kicks off the Revels Fringe Series for 2019. All three concerts will be at the United Methodist Church in Watertown. Watertown-based Revels announced the 2019 Fringe Concert Series hosted at the United Methodist Church on Mt. Auburn Street. The group sent out the following information:

Announcing the 2019 Revels FRINGE Concert Series!

Around Town

Mother Who Founded Peace Institute After Son’s Murder Will Speak in Watertown

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The following information was provided by the event organizers:

Chaplain Clementina M. Chéry, founder of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute established in 1994 following the murder of her 15 year old son, Louis, will be addressing a public forum to be held at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., on Jan. 17, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

This forum on reconciliation and restorative justice is free and open to all. The program will also includes a performance by the Watertown Middle School Chorus. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute sponsors the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Boston, an annual event started in 1996 to offer love and support to the mothers of murdered children. Since the founding of the institute, Chaplain Chéry has undergone a powerful journey of reconciliation and restorative justice, and has provided a beacon of hope for countless families.

Around Town

LETTER: Neighbors Upset by Two Story Addition 5 Feet From Rear Property Line

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Neighbors on the back side of 73-75 Morse Street worry that having a two story garage right near their property line will hurt the value of their homes. Editor:

We are writing as a concerned and outraged neighborhood about an egregious construction situation at 73/75 Morse St. If this is allowed to be completed, it will set a precedent that could be repeated throughout Watertown. If stopped, it would set a precedent that this kind of thing isn’t allowed or tolerated in this town. The new owner-builder of this property has permission from the town to re-construct the two houses and garage that were there.

Around Town

Director of ACLU Mass.’s Racial Justice Program to Speak at Unity Breakfast

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The organizers of the Unity Breakfast provided the following announcement:

On Monday, January 21, 2019 Watertown will celebrate its nineteenth Unity Breakfast on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The event brings together hundreds of people, representing Watertown’s diverse population, to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who devoted his life to ending prejudice and racism in our country. The Unity Breakfast has become a Watertown tradition, drawing over 400 guests. The program includes a timely keynote speaker, lively choral music, essays and art projects by Watertown middle and high school students, and the presentation of the Unity Award to Watertown individuals or community organizations that have demonstrated outstanding community service to the town. This year the Honorary Host will be Officer Tony Physic of the Watertown Police Department.

Government

Town Holding Meeting to Discuss Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Natural hazards can have serious impacts on the Town of Watertown and its residents and businesses, and town officials are preparing a Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms.

Please join the Town for a public presentation of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan at a meeting of the Town Council. Questions and comments from the public are welcome at the meeting or afterwards until January 18, 2019. Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Watertown Administration Building, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA

For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at mpillsbury@mapc.org