Around Town

Watertown Resident Named to Board of Group Helping Families Improve Their Lives

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USESWatertown’s Aaron Dushku was named to the board of United South End Settlements. The following information was provided by United South End Settlements:

United South End Settlements’ (USES) announced today the appointment of diversity, equity and inclusion champion and strategist Carmen Duarte as Board Chair, along with the election of five new Board members and leadership appointments as USES celebrates its 130th anniversary. Duarte, who works as VP of diversity, inclusion and social impact at Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, succeeds outgoing Board Chair Julia Johannsen, who served in the role for more than 10 years. “On behalf of the entire USES community, I’m proud to welcome Carmen into this role along with all of our new Board members and officers,” said USES CEO Jerrell Cox. “Since joining the Board in May 2021, Carmen has been a fierce advocate for building connections across our community and supporters.

Around Town

Charles River Food Co-op Adding Members, Seeks Accountant

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The Charles River Food Co-op recently announced it has been adding members since it started offering shares, and has a goal to enable it to take the next step toward opening a food store in the Watertown area. The Co-op sent out the following information:

We now have over 300 paid members, which is very exciting! Our members come from Waltham, Watertown, Newton, and beyond. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has already joined us. For anyone who is interested in becoming a member, you can do that here: https://charlesriverfood.coop/join.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Appointed Development Director at Nonprofit for Homeless Youth

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BreaktimeWatertown’s Elizabeth Plume has been appointed as the development director at Breaktime. The following information was provided by Breaktime:

Breaktime, a Boston-based nonprofit organization that supports youth experiencing homelessness, today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Plume as the organization’s development director. The Watertown resident will help lead fundraising efforts for the organization as it prepares for a statewide expansion of its program. 

“Elizabeth brings great passion, insights, and vision to this critical role in our organization,” said Connor Schoen, Breaktime Co-Founder and Executive Director. “As we prepare to grow the reach of our program, and support more young people experiencing homelessness across the Commonwealth and beyond we must dedicate resources to growing our network of financial supporters. Elizabeth’s appointment signals that Breaktime is deepening its roots and commitment to this work.” 

Just last week Breaktime announced it had been awarded a $625,000 grant – the largest single grant award in Breaktime’s history –  from The Devonshire Foundation that will support its statewide growth. 

Plume joins Breaktime from the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute where she served as Development Manager since 2020.

Around Town

Police Log: Driver Tries to Flee After Striking Truck in Parking Lot, String of Catalytic Converter Thefts

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Aug. 1, 11:50 p.m.: A driver backed his 1998 Toyota van into a commercial truck parked in the lot for Dunkin’ Donuts at 49 Mt. Auburn St. Then the driver tried to leave the parking lot heading the wrong direction, but several customers stood in front of the vehicle to prevent it from leaving.

Around Town

Victory Field Turf Will be Closed Over the Weekend

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s Victory Field will be closed on the weekend of Aug. 13 and 14, 2022. The Watertown Recreation Department announced that part of the Victory Field complex will be closed over the weekend. The Rec. Department provided the following announcement:

The Victory Artificial Turf Field is closed this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 13 & 14, because of field line painting in preparation for the fall season. The field hockey, football and soccer game fields will be completed and hopefully the logo if time allows.  Thanks to the Parks Department of the DPW for scheduling and coordinating this event.

Around Town

State Officials Celebrate National Farmers Market Week in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown celebrated National Farmers Market Week on Wednesday. Along with the normal throngs of people seeking fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and more, a group of state officials attended the Watertown Farmers Market Wednesday to mark National Farmers Market Week. The weekly market, held every Wednesday at Saltonstall Park, not only provides access to locally grown and produced food, it serves as a place for the community to come together and to provide nutritious items to those who struggle to pay for food. Massachusetts has more than 200 farmers markets, said John Lebeaux, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, but most others are not held in such picturesque locations, including parking lots. “I love this site here.