Entertainment

Perkins Teams with Revels Singing Group for A Celebration of Spring Concert

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Revels and Perkins School for the Blind’s 18th annual presentation “A Celebration of Spring.” Directed by Patrick Swanson; Music Direction by Megan Henderson

WHEN: Thursday, May 31, 2018, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Perkins School for the Blind, Dwight Hall – 175 No. Beacon Street, Watertown, MA

Admission is FREE

Join us for a joyful and inspirational concert of traditional music, dance and song as we celebrate spring with the talented students from Perkins School for the Blind. Revels directors Megan Henderson and Paddy Swanson lead this special one-hour program featuring Perkins’ talented singers with Revels’ adult and children’s choruses, a children’s morris team, and a great band of musicians. Enjoy music and songs from South Africa, Croatia, England and America, plus a wild visit from that ancient harbinger of spring, the Padstow ‘obby ‘oss, all the way from Cornwall, England!

Around Town

Former Enemies in the Middle East Join Together in Effort to Create Peace

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{The following piece was submitted by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment.}

On April 28, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment was delighted to host an event with members of the organization Combatants for Peace, which is dedicated to ending the Israeli Occupation and the cycle of violence in the Middle East. Former Israeli soldier Shai Eluk and former Palestinian fighter Osama Elewat related their personal stories of transformation from violence to non-violence to the audience at Belmont/Watertown United Methodist Church. While serving as a soldier in the Gaza strip and the West Bank, Shai encountered brutal treatment of innocent Palestinians and refused to continue to serve in the West Bank. Osama’s family was exiled to Jordan when the state of Israel was established in 1948, and subsequently returned to Israel. As a young child he was harassed by Israeli soldiers while walking to school, then later witnessed cruel treatment of his compatriots.

Government

Two Chances to Meet With State Rep. Jonathan Hecht in May

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The following information was provided by Rep. Jonathan Hecht’s office:

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown this May. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

Monday, May 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St, Watertown, 3rd Floor hallway

Monday, May 21, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Around Town

Watertown Citizens for Black Lives Invites Public to Upcoming Meeting

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The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens For Black Lives:

Watertown Citizens For Black Lives will host a meeting that is open to the public. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library on Monday, May 7. The meeting will be on the second floor in the Lucia Mastrangelo Meeting Room. Our Mission: Watertown Citizens For Black Lives is a community member organization that campaigns against violence and systemic racism in our local community.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Local Insurance Agency Thanks Watertown Police an Anniversary of Capture of Bombers

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{The following post was provided by H&K Insurance.}

On April 19th, 2018, five years after the Boston Marathon bombing suspect died in a violent shootout in Watertown, Massachusetts, H&K Insurance hosted a breakfast for the Watertown Police and Fire Department to commensurate the anniversary of this pivotal day. From 10 to 12, a group of hungry officers entered the Community Room to be served hot scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and others pastries – the biggest commodity of them all being coffee. Lining the wall was a buffet style breakfast with a twist, the H&K staff stood one by one to serve them as they serve us every single day. “We are very thankful to the Watertown Police and Fire Department for all of their hard work and service to the community. In wake of what happened five years ago, we couldn’t think of a better way to show our appreciation by preparing a hearty breakfast,” remarked Brian Kilcoyne, President of H&K Insurance.

Around Town

Lecture at Library About Middle East Conflict’s Impact on Assyrians, Armenians

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The Assyrian American Association of Massachusetts will host a lecture about the conflict in the Middle East with Boston College professor Peter Krause at the Watertown Free Public Library. 

The AAAM sent out the following information:

Conflict and Instability in the Middle East: The impact on ethnic and religious minorities

WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown

WHEN: Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

WHAT: The Middle East is torn by numerous civil wars, regional power shifts, demographic shifts within and across international borders. Is there an end in sight for these conflicts? What impact do they have on minority groups in the region, including Assyrians and Armenians? If and when the violence subsides, what is the future for ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East? This talk will begin to provide answers by combining a look back at relevant history, a rigorous assessment of the present, and some cautious predictions of the future.

Charles River Road

Charles River Road Being Closed Temporarily, See When

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The Department of Conservation and Recreation announced Charles River Road will be closed overnight for two evenings.DCR officials sent out the following release:
DCR Traffic Advisory: Charles River Road in Watertown
WHAT: Tonight, May 2, 2018, and tomorrow, May 3, 2018, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a roadway closure along Charles River Road in the Town of Watertown between North Beacon Street and Watertown Square from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. to accommodate milling operations work. Abutters will be allowed access to their property. Additionally, traffic patterns will be clearly marked and a police detail will be on site. WHERE: Charles River Road in the Town of Watertown between North Beacon Street and Watertown Square
WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 2018, and Thursday, May 3, 2018, 8:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.

Government

OP-ED: State Legislature Looks to Make New Rules for Stun Guns After Court Ruling

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{State Sen. Will Brownsberger wrote this post about the State Legislature’s response to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s recent ruling that lifted the ban on stun guns in Massachusetts}

A recent SJC decision is forcing the legislature to replace the current ban on stun guns. We were prepared when the new decision came down. Current Massachusetts law prohibits the use of electrical weapons:
“No person shall possess a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure or kill, except: . . .