Around Town

Sign Up Now for the Fourth Annual Watertown Library 5K Fundraiser

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The Watertown Library’s 5K race is back and runners and walkers can sign up now. 

Library officials sent out the following announcement:

Participants of all ability levels are encouraged to participate in the Watertown Free Public Library’s 4th Annual 5k fundraiser. We will be running through the neighborhoods surrounding the Watertown Free Public Library. The start line is located in front of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club on Whites Avenue, a short walk from the library through Saltonstall Park. See map for specifics at wfpl.racewire.com

Register online at wfpl.racewire.com

Adults (18+): $25

Ages 10-17: $20

Ages 9 and under: Free

All participants get a WFPL 5k t-shirt!

Around Town

Watertown Man Running Falmouth Road Race to Take Strides Against Cancer

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The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) – an organization committed to solving the financial distress a cancer diagnosis can cause in the lives of patients and families throughout New England – is pleased to announce that Joshua Reed of Watertown will run this year’s New Balance Falmouth Road Race in support of the Foundation’s mission. The Foundation sent out the following release:

On Sunday, August 20, over 60 “Team JAF” runners will take strides against cancer and represent the Foundation in the scenic 7-mile run through the heart of Cape Cod. Last year’s team raised more than $100,000 for the Foundation and the 2017 team hopes to go even higher. Joshua Reed is looking forward to taking on the Falmouth race for the first time and doing so for a wonderful cause. Reed is eager to help JAF continue to offer needed assistance to cancer patients.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor At-Large Candidate Seeks to Continue Serving the Community

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To the Editor:

Whether you have lived here your whole life, you moved here years ago or you are new to town, I think we can all agree that Watertown is a special place. 

Growing up, my parents were always very involved in Watertown with organizations such as the PTO, youth sports and events such as the town-wide raffle. At an early age, they instilled in me and my siblings the importance of giving back to the community. I can remember countless Sunday mornings cleaning up the Watertown Boys and Girls Club after Saturday night bingo to help support Watertown Youth Soccer. I attended kindergarten at the Hosmer School and completed my elementary school education at the Cunniff School. After finishing eighth grade at the Watertown Middle School, I attended Boston College High School before graduating from Wake Forest University.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Holding Candlelight Vigil in Solidarity with Charlottesville

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Two groups from Watertown will hold a candlelight vigil Monday night to stand in solidarity with the people of Charlottesville, Va., and in opposition to White Supremacy following the attack on demonstrators at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. 

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment and Watertown Citizens for Black Lives will hold the vigil in Watertown Square on Monday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.

The group sent out the following information:

Please join us for a candlelight vigil in Solidarity with Charlottesville, and in opposition to White Supremacy in all its forms.

We will meet  Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment and Watertown Citizens for Black Lives mourn the victims of this past weekend’s violence and stand united against the hate perpetrated in the name of white supremacy in Charlottesville and here in Massachusetts. Please bring a form of light, such as a candle or flashlight. Signs are also welcome.

Transportation

See How the Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Work Impacts the 57 Bus, BU Bridge

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is continuing to remind members of the public that weather permitting, trolley service on the MBTA’s Green Line B Branch near the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and access for private vehicles to the Commonwealth Avenue and Boston University Bridges is anticipated to resume by the middle of the upcoming week as a major phase of construction on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge is expected to be completed. MassDOT sent out the following information:

Throughout Friday and Saturday, some of the final construction-related activities including placing rail and grout were taking longer than planned, and weather conditions including rain delayed some of the pouring of concrete.  On Sunday, crews have been continuing to work 24/7 to place new rail and concrete on areas of the deck. The concrete will need to cure for at least 24 hours and the rail must be tested prior to service. Sunday night, crews placed waterproof membrane on the bridge surface, re-stringing the catenary wire that powers the MBTA’s Green Line, and conducting additional track related work. Tomorrow, crews will be putting in place the first-level of pavement on the eastbound side of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. The full upcoming schedule of travel impacts as follows:

Through the middle of the upcoming week: the BU Bridge and Commonwealth Avenue Bridge are anticipated to remain closed to private vehicles.

Business

Watertown Company Providing Defense for New England Patriots’ Email System

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Mimecast Limited (NASDAQ: MIME), a leading email and data security company, today announced a partnership with the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots, making Mimecast their email resilience solution provider for more than 9,000 employees worldwide. Through the partnership, the New England Patriots will leverage Mimecast’s integrated cloud suite to comprehensively manage email security, archiving and business continuity. This multi-year partnership will include joint marketing promotions and advertising. Mimecast and the Patriots sent out the following release:
Champions of overcoming adversity on the field, the New England Patriots were looking to build an enhanced email resiliency strategy for advanced email attacks against employee inboxes. Seeking out efficiencies, the Patriots were looking for an email security solution that didn’t heavily rely on appliances, but could also offer protection from advanced phishing, ransomware and impersonation attacks while consolidating their entire email infrastructure around archiving and continuity. Upon implementation of Mimecast’s suite of cloud-based email resiliency solutions, the Patriots now have immediate protection from advanced email threats and enhanced cyber resiliency to the company’s overall email environment.

Minuteman High School

Minuteman Readys for New School Year, Talking with Watertown About Joining District

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The upcoming school year is expected to be another banner one for Minuteman High School, according to its top administrators. “We’re really excited about the 2017-18 school year,” said Principal Jack Dillon. Orientation will be held for new students in grades 9, 10 and 11 on Monday, August 28 from 7:45 am to 12:15 pm. All students will attend on Tuesday, August 29, which will be a full school day. Last year, which Principal Dillon called “the most significant in Minuteman’s history,” was notable for major developments such as changing the school’s regional agreement to include ten towns in Minuteman’s district instead of sixteen.

Business

Watertown Resident Celebrates 25 Years Working at Tufts Health Plan

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Watertown resident Andrew Bergman was among 301 Tufts Health Plan employees recognized for their many years of service at the company, according to an announcement from the company. Bergman, Director of Medical Cost Planning and Analysis, is celebrating 25 years at the nationally-recognized local health insurer. In his time at Tufts Health Plan, Bergman was instrumental in launching new products and programs, including the Senior Care Options (SCO) Plan and the Public Plans QHP expansion. Bergman earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Healthcare Organization from Tufts University and a Masters in Management of Human Services from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. “I am most proud of the highly competent and talented colleagues I have had the opportunity to work with and the lifelong friends I have made,” said Bergman.