Entertainment

Museum of Science Brings ‘Science Magic’ to Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall welcomes the Museum of Science at a special event where you can learn how science fits into magic tricks. The mall sent out the following announcement:

Have you ever wanted to know how magic tricks really work? This program investigates the science behind the “magic” of several classic magic tricks. You might learn how to snatch a tablecloth without disturbing the items on top,
make a balloon fireproof, and use electromagnetism to defy gravity. The Museum of Science’s “Science Magic!” Traveling Program is coming to the Watertown Mall on Tuesday, August 29 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Business

Watertown Man Named Senior Project Manager at Electrical Services Contracting Firm

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Gaston Electrical Co., Inc. (Gaston), a leading electrical services contractor in New England, announced today that Watertown’s Brian Demore has joined their team as Senior Project Manager, the company announced. This addition is representative of Gaston’s ongoing growth strategy – supporting current and new business workloads while coordinating with other recent senior-level hires.  

“While we continue to pursue top construction projects in the Boston market, we recognize that having the most talented team in place is an essential part of our success,” commented Mike Weber, Principal at Gaston Electrical. “We’re very excited to have an industry veteran like Brian on the Gaston Team, he has a hard work ethic, large network, and wealth of high-profile project experience that make him an immediate asset to our clients, and other Gaston team members.”

Brian brings over 23 years of professional experience in the electrical industry and has worked on projects ranging from large-scale office fit-ups to complex, landmark builds like the Boston Convention Center. In his new role, Brian will oversee all aspects of respective construction projects for select clients – with duties ranging from budgeting to project workflow, manpower management, and successful project close-out. “As a lifelong Boston-area resident, it’s exciting to work with a respected company that is playing such an active role in this period of unprecedented building and construction,” said Demore.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Woman Tries to Use Fake Prescription, Former Friendly’s Worker Makes a Ruckus

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.: Officers monitoring traffic in the area of Watertown Square observed a vehicle making an illegal turn. Officers stopped the vehicle and, while speaking with the operator, discovered that his driver’s license had been suspended. The 33-year-old man from New Bedford was arrested for operating with a suspended driver’s license and received a citation for the traffic offense.

Food

Celebrate National Farmers’ Market Week at Watertown’s Own Market

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It’s National Farmers’ Market Week, and Watertown’s own market will celebrated with special events on Thursday. The Farmers’ Market sent out the following information:

The Watertown Farmers’ Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers’ Market Week where we celebrate the awesome farmers, vendors, and community networks we support while shopping at the WFM and other locally-sourced markets. Join us in celebrating this Thursday with free prizes, market trivia, and shopping with all of your favorite farmers and vendors. Don’t forget to let them know how much you appreciate their hard work! On your way into the market, be sure to stop by the Market Manager’s tent for free giveaways to show your market pride and enter in our raffle for your chance to be one of 5 lucky winners of $20 in market gift certificates!

Entertainment

Free Performance of Hamlet Marks Debut of Renovated Amphitheater by the Charles

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Friends of Herter Park welcomes the community to three days of FREE Shakespeare in an idyllic setting, along the Charles River in Allston, at the newly renovated Amphitheatre at Herter Park, the Friends group announced. The group sent out the following announcement:

Brown Box Theatre seeks to use performance as a way to reach new communities, share diverse stories, and spark conversation. “Theatre shouldn’t exist in a bubble,” says Artistic Director Kyler Taustin. “Geography and cost should not exclude people from cultural opportunities.” In keeping with this model, Hamlet will serve as the inaugural production for the newly revitalized Christian Herter Park, marking a significant victory for accessible theatre and creative spaces in the city. Former Producing Director of the Publick Theatre, Susanne Nitter, said
“This is what we’d always hoped for – that the amazing legacy of the arts in this magical place, on this island – would continue.

Around Town

Tufts Health Plan Vice President Named to Tufts Foundation Board

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Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced that Lydia Greene, senior vice president and chief human resources officer for Tufts Health Plan, has joined the Foundation’s board of directors as a management representative. Greene has worked at Tufts Health Plan since 2004. “Lydia has a strong commitment to community and a personal and professional passion for advancing older adults in the workplace and in their lives,” said Thomas P. O’Neill, III, chairman of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation board. “She will be an asset to our board.”

At Tufts Health Plan, Greene is responsible for human resources, including compensation and benefits, diversity initiatives, wellness, talent acquisition and organizational development. She also oversees internal and external communications and company real estate and facilities.

Transportation

Mass Pike Opening All Lanes Monday, Work on Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Continues

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that crews will return I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) in Boston to its normal configuration of four lanes of traffic in each direction by 5 a.m., Monday, August 7, almost three weeks faster than originally scheduled as part of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Project. 
MassDOT sent out the following release:
The schedule for completing the remaining construction work and the other travel impacts remain unchanged; crews are on schedule, and as detailed below, impacts to travel along Commonwealth Avenue and local roadways, as wells as service impacts to the MBTA’s Green Line B-Branch and bus routes are expected to continue through Monday, August 14. “The hard work of our crews and contractors is allowing us to meet this important milestone ahead of schedule and open all four lanes in each direction on I-90 in Boston in time for the Monday morning commute,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Our team has designed this major construction project in a way that considers the needs of the traveling public, as well as residents of the Greater Boston area, and we are pleased with the progress of work so far. We appreciate the continued support and patience of the traveling public and will continue to conduct our operations in ways that seek to minimize our impact on the local community and all those who travel throughout the Commonwealth Avenue/ Boston University region in Boston.”
“MassDOT’s engineering and construction staff have been working closely with the contractor throughout this project and we collaboratively modified the sequencing of key work to create opportunities for removing the 440-ton crane on the Pike more efficiently than originally planned,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This change will lead to the return of I-90 to full capacity, which is four lanes in each direction, almost three weeks earlier than previously scheduled. This is an important but interim milestone and while we are pleased with the progress of construction so far we still have much work to do to complete our operations this summer.”

Government

LETTER: Resident Seeks Relief from Noise, Lights from Victory Field Courts

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To the Ad Hoc Victory Field Committee,

The planners would do well to remember that Victory Field is in a valley between two hills that act like an amphitheater to reflect noise. Although I try to avoid the place, many of the disadvantages the Field produces make house calls. Loudspeakers, the near constant battering of basketballs — these sounds jump the fence and penetrate solid walls. It’s loudest and worst for the immediate abutters but noise also travels uphill blocks away from the boundary. The criticism made during the July 25th public meeting that some kind of noise abatement wall for the Marion Road abutters was “special treatment” to benefit “only a few” doesn’t hold water.