Around Town

Pennies for Patients is Back! Find Out How to Help the Effort to Cure Blood Cancers

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This year, the Watertown Middle School will again be participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth Program, Pennies for Patients —a three-week coin, cash, and check drive to raise funds to find cures for blood cancers, organizers announced. Our drive will run from March 2 through March 24. 

As you may know, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20. Mr. Johnson, our physical education teacher, is a lymphoma survivor. Our fundraising is in honor of him and in memory of two other WMS teachers, Pat Stayn and Peter Clough, who died as a result of lymphoma. In addition, in recent years, several of our parents have battled these diseases, some successfully and others without success.

Around Town

Watertown Savings Bank Seeks Entries to High School Photography Contest

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Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) announced it is seeking submissions for their Annual High School Photography contest. If you are a high school student who lives or attends school in Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Newton, Waltham, and Watertown you are eligible to participate. The twelve winning photographs will be published in the bank’s 2018 calendar, which is distributed free to thousands of WSB customers and community members annually. WSB is looking for photos that depict scenes from the local community. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, April 16 th at midnight.

Police/Fire

Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Academy Accepting Applications

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced applications are now available for youngsters wishing to participate in the 2017 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). Now in its 18th year, YPSA provides a safe, educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County youth. For the first time, the camp will now be open to children ages 8-12, where in prior years those ages 9-11 were eligible. “Each year, YPSA is one of the best programs we are able to offer,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Thanks to our incredible staff and all our partners in law enforcement and the fire services, YPSA is an exciting opportunity for youngsters to learn valuable public safety lessons in a fun-filled environment.”

YPSA is comprised of six, one-week camps beginning on July 10.

Government

State Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Discussion on Criminal Justice Reform

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On Saturday, March 11, Senator Will Brownsberger will cohost a discussion on criminal justice reform in Massachusetts with State Representative Dave Rogers and Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin. The discussion will feature an overview of the broad agenda for criminal justice reform in the 2017-2018 legislative session, as legislators seek community feedback on the agenda and other criminal justice reform priorities. WHEN: Saturday, March 11 from 1-2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Belmont Town Hall Auditorium, 455 Concord Avenue, Belmont

Schools

Watertown Youth Coalition Run Relaxation Station During WHS Exam Week

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The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) Peer Leaders, part of Wayside Multi-Service Center, helped provide some relief to fellow students during mid-term exams week, the group announced. WYC Peer Leaders set up a Relaxation Station in the lobby of Watertown High School each day of exam week offering tea, hot chocolate, snacks, relaxing coloring pages, and tip sheets on how to beat exam stress. A large coloring mural provided the opportunity for community collaboration and more coloring. Large crowds of students and some teachers visited the table and had great things to say about having this support provided during the stressful week. The Relaxation Station was a huge success, with both students and school faculty asking if it will be back for final exams week.

Around Town

Two Mental Illness Support Group Meetings for Family, Caregivers

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Mental Illness support group:  NAMI Family Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness.  

A support group will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 7:30-9 p.m. at Newton Wellesley Hospital’s main building at 2014 Washington Street in Newton, on the second floor of the Bowles Conference Center. A support group will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 7:30-9 p.m. in the Board Room of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church at 207 Washington Street in Wellesley. This is organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Around Town

Apply Now for a Plot in the Watertown Community Gardens

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The Watertown Community Gardens has plots available, and applications are now being accepted. The organization has had a garden on Grove Street for several years and last year opened up one in Arsenal Park. To apply for a plot in the Watertown Community Gardens, click here: https://form.jotform.com/50024281648148

WCG is a 501c3 non profit organization founded in 2011. Our mission is to promote community gardens and gardening in Watertown, Massachusetts with the goal of advancing healthy eating environmental stewardship, and community connections through gardening.

Environment

Former EPA Official Speaking at Charles River Watershed Assoc.’s Annual Meeting

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On Wednesday, March 22—World Water Day—Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will hold its 51st Annual Meeting at the Boston Marriott Newton. Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), an internationally recognized think tank, will deliver the keynote address outlining paths forward for environmental policy and action. Perciasepe’s experiences as former U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator, Maryland state environment secretary, and a city planner, inform his approach to advancing smart energy and environmental policies. In a time of federal environmental policy retrenchment, Perciasepe’s insights are especially salient. At the Annual Meeting, CRWA will recognize public officials, environmental advocates and volunteers whose hard work helps protect the Charles River.