Entertainment

Halalisa Singers Performing Songs from Around the World in Watertown

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The Halalisa Singers present Music Down in My Soul: Songs of hope and spirit from around the world, on Saturday, April 8, 8 p.m. at Follen Community Church, 755 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, and on Sunday, April 9, 3 p.m., First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church St. The world music choral ensemble is led by Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, accompanied by Trevor Berens, piano and Bertram Lehmann, percussion. 

Music Down in My Soul features heartfelt, joyful selections to inspire hopefulness, strength in action and togetherness for both the audience and singers. Focusing on music with lyrics including ‘We keep our dreams alive, together we survive’, the program brims with positive spirit and inspirational messages. This soulful mix of spirituals, gospel, and contemporary choral music spans 300 years of courage and resistance from the Americas, Yemen, China, Tanzania, and South Africa, sung in Mandarin, Spanish, Hebrew, Swahili and Zulu. These are songs of praise bursting with positive energy, dynamic contrasts, captivating solos, exciting percussion, and a wide range of layered vocal textures.

Charity

Volunteers Pack More than 10,000 Meals to Fight World Hunger

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Volunteers gathered at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church’s Watertown location and packed more than 10,000 meals to fight hunger around the world. 

More than 100 people took part in Rise Against Hunger on March 25. The goal of the effort is to end world hunger by 2030. “We believe we can make a positive difference in the fight against hunger. Even seemingly small contributions can add up to a BIG impact,” organizers said. Find out more about the Rise Against Hunger here, http://www.riseagainsthunger.org/

Schools

Donations Being Accepted for Watertown High All-Night Graduation Party

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The Watertown High School PTSO is once again hosting the All Night Party for Graduating Seniors. It’s a night of entertainment, food and fun while keeping the seniors in a safe environment on graduation night. We are accepting donations of gift cards and food for the event. If you would like to make a donation let us know at watertownptso@gmail.com. If you would to make a monetary donation; check can be made payable to WHS PTSO and mailed to Watertown High School 50 Columbia Street or make a donation online at www.YouCaring.com/Classof2017-watertown-high-school.

Around Town

Watertown Senior Center Full of Activities During April

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The Watertown Senior Center’s April activities include an estate planning presentation, coffee with members of the Police and Fire Departments and the annual Giant Indoor Yard Sale and much more. The Senior Center sent out the following information:

 

April Notes from the Director

Thank you Volunteers! April is National Volunteer Recognition Month and on April 25th, the Board, Staff, and Friends of the Council on Aging will be hosting a Volunteer Celebration in honor of our volunteers who provide service to the Senior Center and to the Watertown Food Pantry. We are grateful to all of our volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others. This month, Attorney Dale Tamburro will be offering two Estate Planning presentations, and we look forward to our public safety mornings: Hot!

Business

Intelligentsia Coffee Opening Cafe, Training Lab in Watertown

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A chic, high-end coffee house and a “training lab” will be coming to Watertown and take over the spots on Mt. Auburn Street formerly occupied by Olympic House of Pizza and Viva Amore. The following information was sent out by Intelligentsia Coffee:

Direct Trade coffees and the meticulous process of sourcing, roasting and brewing them are on display as Intelligentsia Coffee introduces a new Coffeebar and Training Lab in Watertown, Massachusetts, opening May 4. The locations are Intelligentsia’s first in the Boston area as the brand expands its East Coast presence and the first to operate adjacently. The Watertown Coffeebar and Training Lab invite guests to fully experience the company’s vision for serving exceptional coffee, while illuminating the finer points of crafting it.

Letters

LETTER: Council Should Consider CPA Committee Proposal from Citizens Group

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To the Editor:

With reference to the article in Watertown News dated 22 March 2017 entitled “Subcommittee debating who should be on the CPA Committee”, I recommend that all concerned attend the next meeting of the Rules and Ordinances Committee for a more thoroughgoing discussion. At the above mentioned debate only the draft text presented by the committee chairman was distributed for public review. Another draft ordinance exists (see below), prepared by core members of the group who successfully promoted adoption of the Community Preservation Act in Watertown. Its text draws on concepts and practices that have proven effective in neighbor towns, with confirmation of best practices from the statewide Community Preservation Coalition. With the benefit of more information and further discussion preparatory to the Committee’s next meeting, all those attending the session can expect to be constructive participants.

Police/Fire

Middlesex Sheriff Introduces Citizens Academy for Developmentaly Disabled

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian is pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at engaging local residents with developmental disabilities. The Special Citizens Academy is a free, four-week program that will launch April 11 at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Training Academy in Chelmsford. The program is designed for residents ages 18, and above, with developmental disabilities who have an interest in public safety and learning more about the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office. “As we continue our efforts to engage more residents within Middlesex County, we see this Academy as incredible opportunity to introduce more people to who we are and what we do,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. The Academy will meet once a week for two hours and include presentations on the role of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO); the MSO’s K-9 Unit; Internet Safety and Awareness; Fire Safety and First Aid; as well as Mobile Operations.

Arts

Watertown Man Singing with Handel + Haydn Society in 2 Local Concerts

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Watertown resident Patrick Waters will sing tenor in the upcoming Handel and Haydn Society program, Monteverdi’s Vespers, in Boston and Cambridge. The program features the work of Claudio Monteverdi and is led by conductor Harry Christophers and featuring Jeremy Budd (tenor) and Mark Dobell (tenor). The H+H orchestra and chorus will be joined by special guests, The Handel and Haydn Young Women’s Chamber Choir, conducted by Alyson Greer. “Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610,” shares conductor Harry Christophers, “is quite simply one of the greatest works of sacred music ever written and without doubt the most varied and inspired before Handel and Bach began composing their oratorios and passions. Its variety alone makes it unique – thrilling psalm settings with virtuosic writing for both multi-part choir and instrumentalists to exotic and sensual settings of texts.