Around Town

See What’s Going on at the Watertown Senior Center in February

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There is plenty going on at the Watertown Senior Center this month, including a Valentine’s Party, info on health issues, and other activities. Our Senior Center has Heart! It may be cold outside but our hearts are warm at the Senior Center. Our February offerings include a special Valentine Lunch, our “Caregiving is Love” workshop, a surprise floral arranging event, a lecture about “Managing Your Risk for Diabetes” by the American Diabetes Association, a presentation about “Controlling your Blood Pressure Numbers” by Mount Auburn Hospital and opportunities to strengthen your heart in our exercise, tai chi, line dancing and yoga classes. We hope you will join us!

Obituaries

OBIT: Olga Carito, 88, Taught Math at WHS, Worked at MIT, Ran Inn in Maine

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Olga F. (DiIanni) Carito of Watertown and Boothbay Harbor, Maine died on January 27, 2017 at the age of 88. Olga was born in Boston in the Italian community of the North End. She entered elementary school only speaking Italian, but went on to graduate from Girls’ High School and Emmanuel College. After graduating from college, Olga became a “computer” at MIT where she led a team of mathematicians, many, women, working on the calculations for scientific experiments. One day they took her team to the auditorium and demonstrated their project: what was to later become the laser.

Government

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Looking for Summer Interns at State House

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State Senator Will Brownsberger has announced that up to four part-time unpaid internships will be available in his State House office to students from the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex District for the summer of 2017, his office announced. Internships are open to undergraduate college students and high school students who will have completed their sophomore year. All applicants must have a permanent residence or attend school in the Senator’s district. Internships require a commitment of 8-10 hours a week for a minimum of five weeks, with possible added research work outside of scheduled hours. A cover letter and resume should be sent to Andrew Bettinelli, at Andrew.Bettinelli@masenate.gov, or mailed to Senator William Brownsberger, State House Room 504, Boston, MA 02133.

Obituaries

OBIT: James Ryan, 60, Watertown High Graduate, Free Spirit

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James Patrick “Jimmy” Ryan died on December 22, 2016, at the age of 60. 

He was the much loved son of the late Watertown Police Lt. James E and Phyllis H Ryan. Cherished brother to Phyllis “Sandy”, Linda, Marsha, John, Judy and Peggy. Caring nephew, uncle, cousin, brother–in-law and friend. Jimmy grew up in Watertown and was a graduate of WHS class of 1975. Born with a free spirit, Jimmy followed the road less traveled but always with a steady compass that would lead him home along a path filled with memories of family and friends.

Around Town

Group Meets to Find Ways to Improve Civic Dialogue Around Watertown

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Watertown Community Conversations (WCC) convened a group of Watertown community leaders Dec. 15 at the Marriott Residence Inn on Arsenal Street to learn about a new effort to promote improved civic dialogue in Watertown, organizers announced. WCC is an initiative to engage community members in town policy and decision-making, and to help community members communicate effectively with each other. The kickoff event was facilitated by John Sarrouf from Essential Partners (formerly the Public Conversations Project) together with a volunteer group from WCC. The event was generously supported by the Watertown Community Foundation and the Marriott Residence Inn.

Around Town

Two Doctors from Watertown Join Mount Auburn Hospital Staff

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Watertown residents, Nissa J. Ali, MD, M.Ed and Alden P. Doerner Rinaldi, MD have recently joined Mount Auburn Hospital, according to officials. Dr. Ali will specialize in Emergency Medicine and Dr. Rinaldi will specialize in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Nissa J. Ali, MD, M.Ed of Watertown. Dr. Ali received her Medical Degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Citizens Police Academy

OP-ED: Watertown Citizen Police Academy an Eye-Opening Experience

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By Ruth Thomasian

“Understanding through Education.” That’s how Chief Michael Lawn announced the reintroduction of the Watertown Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy in the fall of 2016. Two decades ago Watertown’s first Citizen Police Academy began, and ran from 1996-2008, with Capt. Ray Dupuis as its Director. Well over 200 Watertown citizens enrolled in those 10-week classes, held in the old police station’s makeshift classroom. It was entirely funded with federal grants. Students gave it rave reviews, but when funding ended, so did the Academy.

Armenians

Public Invited to Presentation About Examining Armenian Photographs

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At it’s Thursday, Feb. 2 meeting, World in Watertown welcomes member Ruth Thomasian, President and Founder of Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, to present an interactive program titled READING PHOTOGRAPHS: Armenians Through the Camera’s Eye. Using photo enlargements from Project SAVE Archives, Ruth will engage her audience in observing, questioning, and thinking critically about what they see in the photos. Topics will include multicultural and human issues as well as details of Armenian life in the homeland and Diaspora. World in Watertown invites the public to attend READING PHOTOGRAPHS at First Parish Church, 35 Church St.