Charity

Tufts Health Plan Foundation Awards Over $1 Million in Grants

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The Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced new community investments of more than $1.1 million. The eight new grants reflect a commitment to advancing inclusive policies that create thriving and vital communities that work for people of all ages. For 2017, Foundation community investments top $3.15 million, including 30 new grants and on-going support for 15 multi-year initiatives. “Communities have greater interest in age-friendly initiatives. There’s a growing understanding of the critical role older people play.

Business

Still Time to Vote for Your Favorite Local Non-Profit in the Watertown Saving’s Customer Choice Awards

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Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) CEO Ron Dean is pleased to announce that voting is open until December 31 in the Bank’s 22nd Annual Customer Choice Awards, where $75,000 is distributed among local non-profits according to how Bank customers vote. “The Bank is extremely proud of the Customer Choice Awards because of how many organizations are helped,” Dean said. “Our employees look forward to the awards night each year, to learn about all of the good work being done in our communities.”

How do the Customer Choice Awards work: Anyone with a Watertown Savings Bank account may vote. Customers may vote only once for their favorite local, non-profit organization. Every qualified non-profit that earns at least one percent of the total votes received is awarded a portion of the funds.

Around Town

OPED: Keep Teens Safe Over Holidays by Preventing Them from Drinking Alcohol

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With the holiday season under way, as we prepare for joyful celebrations with family and friends, the Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) partner agencies, Wayside Multi, and the Watertown Police, Schools and Health Departments would like to remind all adults to pay special attention and help continue to prevent teens from drinking alcohol. Teen alcohol use can lead to unsafe behaviors that put their health and safety at-risk. Underage drinking affects everyone in the community and if we work together we can continue to ensure the healthy and safe development of our youth. After all, every year a teen does not use alcohol, the odds of lifelong dependence decrease by 15%. In 2017, the Watertown Youth Coalition administered the biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to Watertown High and Middle School students.

Around Town

CatholicTV Broadcasting Christmas Masses From U.S. and the Vatican

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On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, the CatholicTV Network will broadcast Christmas Masses from around the United States and the Vatican, the network announced. Christmas Masses will air beginning on Sunday, Dec. 24 with Mass from the Vatican presided over by Pope Francis at 8 p.m. The Mass with Pope Francis will rebroadcast on Christmas Day at 7 a.m. Pope Francis’ annual Christmas message, “Urbi et Orbi,” will air on Christmas Day at 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Christmas Mass coverage continues at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve with Mass from the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland.

Entertainment

Hear Russo’s Singing Deli Worker at Mosesian Center’s First Day Celebration

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Spend the first day of 2018 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts and hear Watertown’s singing sensation – Russo’s singing deli worker Gillie Assuncao! The Arts Center sent out the following information:
The Mosesian Center for the Arts invites you to celebrate the New Year at First Day 2018! This free, family-friendly, drop-in open house will take place Monday, January 1st from 10 am to 2 pm at  321 Arsenal Street in Watertown and offers Art & Theatre Activities, fortunes, a Ball Drop at Noon, a New Year’s Photo Booth, and more! Attendees will be treated to special performances by Karen K & The Jitterbugs (12:15 pm) and Gillie Assunção (1:30 pm) – the remarkable Brazilian born Baritone recently unveiled at Russo’s Market here in Watertown! Performances are limited to capacity and guests will reserve a seat upon check-in at the event. The Center’s Black Box Theater will host an open Dance Party and Mad Hatter’s Indoor Picnic Area.

Christmas

Travel Tips and Advisories for Christmas Travelers Released by MassDOT

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding the public to plan ahead if traveling this holiday season, make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways or using mass transit, utilize MassDOT’s many travel tools and resources, and to drive sober and limit distractions if behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to a press release. “Safety is our greatest priority and we want everyone who is traveling by car, bus, or public transit to reach their holiday destination in order to enjoy their time with friends and family,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We encourage members of the public to try our online technology resources to find the best time and route for travel and exercise safe driving behavior including minimizing distractions, remaining sober or using a designated driver, and devoting their full attention to the road ahead.”
MassDOT is taking steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Christmas travel period effective at 12 p.m., Friday, December 22. Normal scheduled construction operations will resume at the start of business on Tuesday, December 26. “With winter weather expected at times throughout the Christmas holiday period, we advise everyone to check roadway and traffic conditions before traveling,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Our snow and ice crews will respond as necessary and travelers should reduce their speed during inclement weather, remember our message, ‘Don’t Crowd the Plow,’ and make smart travel decisions so we all can have a safe and happy holiday.”
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:

Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Developmentally Disabled

Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Hosting Citizens Academy for Residents with Developmental Disabilities

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Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced that his office will be hosting two upcoming sessions of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) Special Citizens Academy in early 2018, according to a press release. The Special Citizens Academy is a free, four-week program for local residents with developmental disabilities. The program is designed for residents ages 18, and above, who have an interest in public safety and learning more about the MSO. “Last year’s program was such an incredible experience for both the Cadets and our staff. We are excited to continue the Academy with these upcoming sessions,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Around Town

Don’t Suffer During the Holidays, Help is Available in Watertown

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Wayside Multi Service Center, Watertown Senior Center and Advocates sent out the following public service announcement:

The most wonderful time of the year? This is the sentiment that surrounds us during the holiday season. Celebrate, Be merry. From television, to radio, in schools, homes, and work, everywhere you turn these are the messages we see but for many this is not the case. This time of year, brings pain and sadness and can leave people feeling isolated and
alone.