Around Town

Watertown Resident Expands Efforts to Curtail Use of Plastics

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Joshua TousterWatertown’s Eileen Ryan, founder of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, advocated for legislation to limit plastic in front of the State House. Several years ago, Watertown’s Eileen Ryan pushed for Watertown to pass a plastic shopping bag ban, and now she has expanded her efforts statewide. In April, she founded Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, a local chapter of the national group Beyond Plastic. “After we passed the ban (in 2016) we all patted ourselves on the back and thought we did a great job. We really noticed that there are fewer plastic bags in the river, in trees around Watertown,” Ryan said.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Hikes to Raise Money for Domestic Violence Survivors

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More than 40 women — including Watertown resident, Sarah Kacevich — participated in Wilderness Heals, a fund-raiser for Stone House. Pictured (Front, l-r): Shannon Walsh, Christie MacKenzie, Jess Gallo; Back Row, l-r: Karin Downs, Heather McSween, Karen Johnson, Gina Varamo, Beth Grierson, Rosa Licea, Kacevich, and Jayne Lynch. The following information was provided by Stone House:

Watertown resident, Sarah Kacevich, recently spent a weekend with more than 40 women participating in Wilderness Heals, an all-women pledge hike that builds and engages a community of supporters to raise money for Stone House, an inclusive and essential home and community space for domestic violence survivors located in Roxbury. As Stone House’s largest fundraiser, Wilderness Heals raises unrestricted, crucial funding that helps meet the needs of the families served by the organization. The hiking took place in the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Around Town

Watertown Group Remembering Those Killed in Hiroshima, Nagasaki

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Candleboats float on the Charles River in Watertown in memory of those who died in the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The following information was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

Please join us for a remembrance of the nuclear attack on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. in 1945 killing over 210,000 and causing misery for thousands of survivors. Why We’re Gathering

Our annual resistance to the presence and use of nuclear weapons is even more important this year as we face the tangible and immediate threats from Ukraine and the effects of climate change. Add your signs or use one of ours. WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Schedule

7:30 p.m. – Silent Vigil – Watertown Square8:00 p.m. – Music and Testimonials – Watertown Dock8:30 p.m. – Launching of the Candle boats

Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, New England American Friends Service Committee, Massachusetts Peace Action, and Survival Education Fund, Inc.

Visit www.watertowncitizens.org and www.facebook.com/WatertownCitizensPJE

Around Town

Group Coming to Watertown to Protest Circumcising Infants

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A billboard displaying the Bloodstained Men’s message in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The following announcement was provided by the Bloodstained Men:

Boston Area residents will be peacefully educated by activists including victims of genital cutting. The protest in Watertown will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Watertown Square. The public will be reminded that babies whose genitals are mutilated as infants grow up to be men who are speaking out about what was done to their penis before they could defend themselves.

Around Town

Ayr Wellness Opens Medical & Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary in Watertown

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Ayr WellnessAyr Wellness opened a cannabis dispensary on North Beacon Street in Watertown, where it will sell medical and adult-use marijuana. Watertown’s third, and final, cannabis dispensary opened for business in early July, offering both adult use and medical marijuana products. Ayr Watertown opened for business at 48 North Beacon St. in Watertown on July 12 for adult use marijuana (also known as recreational) sales, and in late July received approval to sell medical products to patients with Massachusetts medical marijuana cards. The dispensary turned the former Anthony’s Florist building into a bright, open space for its customers and patients.

Around Town

Watertown-based Residential Counselor Honored for Work with Adults with Disabilities

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MAB Community ServicesMarie Jocelyn, right, won $10,000 in recognition for her outstanding work caring for residents in our residential home in Watertown. The following information was provided by MAB Community Services:

MAB Community Services (MAB) has just honored 11 of the best direct care staff in the Adult Disability Services division with Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards. Marie Jocelyn, who has served as a MAB Residential Counselor since 2009 and works at the Edenfield Avenue residence in Watertown, was unanimously nominated for a Maxo Joseph Award and one of two $10,000 cash awards for her outstanding care for the participants’ health, safety, and well-being. These awards are part of MAB’s efforts to create a welcoming and supportive work environment. Nominated by coworkers, supervisors, and the families of the people they support, 11 team members are annually recognized at a special luncheon and receive a total of $50,000 in awards. 

“I see MAB as a family,” Marie said when she accepted her award.

Around Town

Roadwork Could Impact Watertown Drivers on Sunday

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be conducting overnight bridge repair operations on the North Harvard Street Bridge, located over Soldiers Field Road in Boston. The bridge repair work will include repairs to the concrete beams, repairs to the concrete deck, a sidewalk section, and installing new netting.  The work will require temporary single lane closures as follows:

Right and left lane closures on Soldiers Field Road in the westbound direction under the North Harvard Street Bridge will occur each week from Sunday through Thursday, each night from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., starting on Sunday, July 31st. One lane of traffic will remain open at all times during these nighttime single lane closures. Advance warning signs will be used onsite to notify drivers about the planned closures and provide updates. Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.