Charity

Seniors Enjoy Food and Entertainment at Rotary Club’s Annual Cookout

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The Rotary Club of Watertown hosted its Annual Senior Citizens Cookout on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Sons of Italy in Watertown. Over 200 seniors enjoyed a free, fun-filled day that included a cookout, delicious side salads, pizza and dessert. Attendees were also treated to a performance by dancers from Miss Maria’s School of Dance, a DJ and a raffle of over 65 prizes. Members of the Rotary Club of Watertown were on hand cooking, serving, cleaning and mixing with our Seniors Citizens. There were also a number of youth volunteers from our community on hand to assist with the success of the day!

Government

Attorney General’s Office Presenting Open Meeting Law Training in Watertown

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The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is holding an open meeting law training session in Watertown. The Open Meeting Law Training will be conducted by attorneys from AG Healey’s Division of Open Government. The educational forums are offered free of charge. All members of public bodies, municipal employees, and members of the general public are encouraged to attend. Individuals interested in attending an educational forum are asked to register in advance by emailing OMLTraining@state.ma.us or by calling 617-963-2925, and providing: 1) their first and last names; 2) phone number; 3) town of residence; 4) the public body/organization they represent, if appropriate; and 5) the location of the educational forum they will attend.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Opposes CPA, Wants to See Money Spent on Schools

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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) will create an additional tax burden on Watertown homeowners where funds will be controlled by the small group people who campaigned for it. Meanwhile, Watertown’s schools need funding for essential improvements. The CPA will, “…establish a dedicated funding source” for the specific wants of a minority of Watertown residents. That is probably why it is being pushed by the Historical Society of Watertown (Society), Invest in Watertown (Invest), and five members of Watertown’s Town Council (Council). These people treat Watertown homeowners and renters as an endless source of money for them to spend, no matter that many homeowners have higher priorities such as schools, homes, and family. Watertown homeowners can ill afford a continuing, “…additional excise of [2%]…” to fund the Society’s intense desire to socialize at the “Shick House” or Invest’s on Walker Pond and dog parks. Watertown homeowners are not a bottomless piggy bank; they cannot fund the wants of every interest group’s pet project. As desirous as it may be for Invest’s supporters to see an entirely new bureaucracy dedicated to dog parks, ponds, and open space, the CPA sends no money to where it is most needed: the Watertown Public Schools.

Commander's Mansion

Acadian & Cajun Music, Culture Featured in the Revels Salon Series

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The Revels Salon Series presents Franco-American singer and tradition bearer Josée Vachon and Revels artistic director Patrick Swanson at the historic Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. Eclectic in content and social in nature, the Revels Salon Series offers a place for guests  to gather, enjoy wine and cheese, and hear talks about various subjects relating to Revels and our upcoming productions. Salons are held once a month on Friday evenings in October and November at the historic Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. This year’s Salons focus on Acadian and Cajun music and culture as we prepare for this year’s Christmas Revels opening Dec. 9 at Sanders Theatre. Salons include a wine and cheese reception from 7:30-8 p.m. followed by a one-hour interactive presentation from 8-9 p.m. The evening ends with more libations and conversation.

Business

Planet Fitness Close to Opening New Gym in Watertown

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Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the U.S. and home of the Judgement Free Zone ®, will soon open in Watertown, Massachusetts. The club plans to open its doors in mid-October and will be located on the Watertown/Newton line at 191 Watertown Street next to Stop & Shop, Planet Fitness announced. Planet Fitness invites local residents to sign up online at www.planetfitness.com or at the club’s presale office located outside of the club location for only $1 down and then $10 a month with no annual commitment from now through October 12. Prospective members can also visit the presale office to speak with Planet Fitness staff and learn more about the plans for the new club and its vast array of amenities. The presale office is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-3 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays.

Entertainment

Unique Interactive Art Exhibit Features Artists from Watertown, Colombia

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Come to the Watertown Art Association’s first program of the 2016-17 season on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2-4 p.m. for an exciting and engaging multi-media event! Ruth Henry, art activist and musician, along with three visiting artists and curators from Colombia – Adriana Rios, Laura Tobon and Ixia Gonzalez – will present and interactive program unlike anything we have done before! The Innovation Space at the Arsenal Project (formerly Arsenal Mall), 485 Arsenal St., near the Old Navy entrance, will be transformed into an interactive Open Studio. MassPartners of the Americas is a non-profit program that connects artists from North, South and Central America together to create dynamic exchanges.

Around Town

Watertown Community Gardens Hosts Annual Real Meal Pot Luck

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Celebrate the season of harvest at a special potluck dinner. Bring something you grew, something made from local produce, or a family recipe. Watertown Community Gardens and Church of the Good Shepherd invite all lovers of real food, real community, and pleasant Sunday evenings to enjoy this event! Kids especially welcome – craft table for them. No sign up: Just show up!

Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer’s Association Hosts Conversation for Caregivers of People with Dementia

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The Alzheimer’s Association is offering the program Dementia Conversations, Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 4-6 p.m., at the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown. The program is free and open to family and friends caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Dementia Conversations offers tips on how to have honest and caring dialog about some of the most difficult topics when you are caring for someone with memory problems. The program will cover having going to get a diagnosis or medical care, deciding when it is necessary to stop driving and making plans for managing finances and legal documents. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900.