MBTA

MBTA Announces Reduced Service During Nor’easter

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 The MBTA is preparing for the next weather system forecast to hit parts of the MBTA service area Monday night and throughout the day Tuesday with predicted blizzard-like conditions, high snow totals, and very high winds. As this weather is expected to have an effect on service, the MBTA is taking proactive measures to protect critical infrastructure and vehicles while continuing to provide service. The MBTA Commuter Rail will operate an “Extremely Reduced Schedule” on all lines for the duration of service on Tuesday. Commuter Rail schedules will be updated onmbta.com to reflect changes in train times with schedules available in South, North, and Back Bay Stations. Customers are encouraged to check the MBTA website, sign up for T-Alerts, and follow the commuter rail on Twitter @MBTA_CR for the latest updates on service changes.

Around Town

Registration Open for Watertown Boys & Girls Club Summer Programs

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Registration is now open for Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s summer programs! Watertown Boys & Girls Club offers three different summer camp options. Summer Adventure: Camp Hale is a camp program for children ages 7-12 (those older than age 12 should ask about the Junior Camp Leader program). The program offers youth a safe environment to build new skills, learn self-reliance, and become more confident all while having fun and being active in the great outdoors! Daily activities include fishing, hiking, boating, archery, and more.  Summer Adventure is held at Hale Reservation in Westwood, MA.

Business

Watertown Insurance Agency Collecting Items for Watertown Food Pantry

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H&K Insurance in Watertown announced it is collecting donations for the Watertown Food Pantry. H&K recently set up their collection display and are asking for non-perishable items or monetary donations.  According to Kathleen Cunningham, Coordinator for the Watertown Food Pantry, the items most in need are peanut butter, cold cereal, cooking oil, tuna fish, tomato sauce, cannellini beans and strawberry preserves. “We’re really excited about raising awareness and support for the Watertown Food Pantry.  They’re a great organization and we’re honored to support them,” said Brian Kilcoyne, President of H&K Insurance. H&K Insurance, who has been serving Watertown and the surrounding area since 1961, also participates in Faire in the Square in September and a yearly Toys for Tots drive in partnership with ServiceMaster by Gilmore in December. Donations can be brought to H&K’s office at 182 Main Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday, with the exception of 4 o’clock closure on Friday.

Around Town

Learn About Colonial Burying Grounds at Watertown Historical Society Event

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The Historical Society of Watertown announced it will host a Talk on Colonial Burying Grounds on Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Society sent out the following information:

Barbara Donohue will give a talk with slideshow on “Colonial Burying Grounds: Interpreting the Passed for the Present,” at the Watertown Free Public Library at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. The library is located in Watertown Square at 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Ms. Donahue is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and received her Master’s Degree in History/Historic Archaeology from UMASS Boston. While a graduate student she volunteered working at the Granary Burying Ground. She will talk about the function of the burying ground in Puritan society and tell how changing attitudes towards death and a changing society are reflected in the physical landscape of the burying ground.

Around Town

Registry of Motor Vehicles to Close for a Few Days Later in March

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has announced that all RMV services, with the exception of law enforcement, will be unavailable from 7 p.m., March 22 until 8 a.m. March 26 due to the RMV changing over a new computer system that will allow the RMV to comply with federal and state mandates. In addition inspection station locations will be unable to conduct motor vehicle inspections on March 23, 24 or 25, RMV on-line services will be unavailable, and RMV service locations will be closed. The Registry’s new computer system will enable the Commonwealth to issue federally mandated REAL ID credentials to members of the public who will need a REAL ID credential. REAL ID is a Federal Security Standard for IDs that was created in 2005 as a result of the increased federal security measures after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The new computer system will also have enhanced customer-centric features and more efficient process elements for access by law enforcement, the insurance industry, government entities and professionals who need to engage the Registry.  The current RMV system is more than 30 years old.

Around Town

Sign Up Now for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Public Safety Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian has announced applications are now available for youngsters wishing to participate in the 2018 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA)

In its 19th year, YPSA is a safe and educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County families. The camp is open to children ages 8-12 and is held at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford. “Year after year, YPSA is one of our most successful community programs,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “YPSA is an exciting opportunity for youngsters to learn valuable public safety lessons in a fun-filled environment supported not only by our own staff, but our local law enforcement and fire department partners.”

YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps beginning on July 9.  Transportation to and from designated bus stops, as well as lunch are provided daily, with a graduation ceremony held each Friday in Chelmsford. Participants are not required to reside in one of the communities with a designated bus stop, but will be picked up and dropped off at those locations.

Around Town

Mothers Tie the Knot Before Their Child is Born at Mt. Auburn Hospital

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Christine Size and Kelly Kerber’s baby was not due until March 17, 2018, so the Watertown couple arranged to be married Feb. 28th by Watertown Justice of the Peace, Debra L. Smith Attorney at Law. But, the baby had other plans, according to the Mount Auburn Hospital. The night before the marriage date, when Christine Size was at her prenatal yoga class her water broke. Committed to being wed before the baby was born, the couple called the Justice of the Peace and rescheduled the ceremony for this morning in the front of Mount Auburn Hospital.

Around Town

Tickets Available for Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Auction, Sponsors Sought

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club will host their Annual Spring Auction this year on Thursday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. This yearly event raises crucial funds for the organization, including over $10,000 for summer camp scholarships. The event will be held at the Oakley Country Club and will include a silent and live auction, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and a performance by Club members! Tickets can be purchased online at http://events.eventzilla.net/e/2018-annual-spring-auction-2138943105. Those interested in donating an auction item or sponsoring the event are encouraged to reach out to the Club’s Director of Marketing and Special Events, Kristina Norris at knorris@watertownbgc.org.