Schools

Hosmer Students Participate in Program Designed by Boston Society of Architects

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The following piece was provided by the Leaning By Design organizers:

Students at the Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown recently participated in a 6-week Learning By Design program, which was created using a curriculum provided by the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) Foundation and facilitated by Hosmer parent and architect Dynelle Long, and Hosmer Elementary School art teacher, Hae-In Kim. According to the BSA Foundation, Learning By Design “encourages children to explore and formulate ideas about the people, architecture and design of their own communities as they learn the fundamentals of design thinking through hands-on
experiences.”

The program, held at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, provided 19 students with the opportunity to reimagine the neighborhood surrounding their school. To do that, students participated in an architectural walking tour, identified goals and building types for their community, and worked in teams to create a scaled box-city model of Mt. Auburn Street with recyclable materials. Students used their math, science and technology skills to analyze what works well about their current community, generate design concepts for their new plans, evaluate their design work, and share their reimagined community with classmates and guests.

Government

DPW to Present Proposed Plan to Redesign Watertown Square at Meeting

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A proposed plan to redesign Watertown Square and the roads around it will be presented during a meeting hosted by the Department of Public Works on July 10. 

When: Tuesday, July 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St., Watertown

The Town of Watertown is redesigning Watertown Square to improve mobility and safety for all users (including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and vehicles). At this interactive Open House, staff will present the Complete Streets concept plan for Watertown Square and its transportation and environmental benefits. We will also share the results of traffic data collection and analysis completed since the October 30, 2017 Public Works Subcommittee meeting, and the concept plans and alternatives for Charles River Road. Staff will be available to answer your questions and listen to your feedback. Please stop by anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. to learn more and provide comments.

Letters

LETTER: Exhibit Shows Examples of High Quality Early Childhood Education

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I have been a Preschool and Pre-K teacher for 15 years. I am happy that the scientific and economic research that shows the life long positive impacts of quality early childhood education is starting to lead to more investments and expansion of early childhood programs in Massachusetts. However, I am always leery this will come with a push down of the K-12 education model of education into early childhood. High quality early childhood education is not tracing letters, using flash cards, sitting still for long periods, or preparing kids for future standardized tests. High quality early childhood education allows young children to build on their innate curiosity about the world to become mini-researchers who are guided in their research by well-trained early childhood educators.

Entertainment

Catch Plays Written by Local Playwrights at Watertown’s Plumbing Museum

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The following information was provided by the Plumbing Museum:
The Plumbing Museum is excited to announce a two night comedy PlayFest this July inspired by historical publications and archival materials in the Plumbing Museum collection. The production is written, acted, and directed by Massachusetts residents. The playwrights are largely local to eastern Massachusetts, and most belong to Write On!, a playwriting group sponsored by Centastage that develops and produces new plays. The festival, representing a diversity of voices and comedy styles, will feature premiere performances of all of the pieces. “We are thrilled to share this exciting lineup of theatre performances and create new museum-community partnerships while supporting professional playwrights” says Sasha Parfenova, Museum Program Manager. Bringing in arts-integrated projects to the museum creates a perfect platform for community fostering.

Government

DCR Holding Walk Through of Proposed Re-striping of Charles River Road

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The following information was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s Office:

Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Jon Hecht have arranged a walkthrough of Charles River Road with DCR to review the agency’s proposed plans for re-striping the newly paved road. DCR’s Deputy Chief Engineer, Jeff Parenti, will be on-site to answer questions and take input. The event is open to the public. WHEN: Wednesday, June 27 at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Meet at Charles River Road opposite of Irving Street (red star on map above)

Please don’t hesitate to follow-up directly, at 617-722-1280, with any questions or concerns you may have. Hope to see you there!

Entertainment

Puppet Shows and Whale Day Event Coming to Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall has a couple of events for the whole family in July, including puppets and a visit from the New England Aquarium. The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:
Wayne Martin Puppets Visits the Mall
The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal St., Watertown, will be hosting Wayne Martin Puppets on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. Wayne will be putting on three shows that day – one at 11:00 a.m., one at 1:00 p.m., and another at 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Watertown Mall to see Wayne Martin perform with his posse of hand puppets and
marionettes. Wayne will be using parody, mime, dance, masks, and musical theatre in his amazing new show, “Lazy Crazy Dayz of Summer.” So join Buford T. Dog and his friends, Slider Bullfrog, Man with a Bird on His Head, Zealand the Juggling Dog, Dancing Rag Mops, and more as you gasp in amazement at this musical revue for the entire family! Don’t wait; mark your calendars today!

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Receives Grants from True Value, Lowe’s to Improve Club

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The Watertown Boys & Girls Club received a pair of grants to help improve the Clubhouse on Whites Avenue, Club representatives announced. True Value Grant Provides Paint

As students across Watertown get ready to go back to school, Watertown Boys & Girls Club is getting a fresh coat of paint thanks to a partnership with Waltham True Value. The Club is one of many across the nation selected to receive a “Painting a Brighter Future” grant. Every day, 11 million kids are left unsupervised after school. Boys & Girls Clubs are there to provide kids with quality after-school programming to keep them on track to academic success and a great future.

Around Town

Watertown Grecian Festival Features Food, Music, Dancing and More

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Watertown’s Taxiarchae-Archangels Greek Orthodox Church announced it is hosting its annual Grecian Festival on June 22, 23, and 24. 
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, and Noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 24. The Festival features homemade Greek cuisine (including its famous gyros), pastries, Greek frappé coffee, Greek music and dancing, Greek imports and souvenirs, a bookstore, children’s games, Church tours, and a raffle. Music will be provided by Orfeas Band (Friday and Saturday, 7-11 p.m.) and Greek Music and Video (Sunday, Noon-8 p.m.). The Festival will be held in the Church’s Hellenic Cultural Center and under the tent in its parking lot, both located at 25 Bigelow Ave. For further information, please call the Church office at 617-924-8182.