Around Town

Finalists Named in Watertown Library Director Search, Public Interviews Scheduled

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Board of Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) began searching for a new library director earlier this year, following the retirement of Leone Cole, who had served in that role for 27 years. The Trustees initiated this search in January with the help of Bernard Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates. After receiving 15 applications, the Preliminary Screening Committee selected five candidates to interview last month. That pool was then narrowed down to three finalists who were recommended to the Trustees.

Around Town

Watertown Group Joins Other Tree Advocates to Stop Loss of Urban Tree Canopies

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Tree advocacy groups from across the region met together for the first time on March 31st. Such groups
support planting of hundreds of trees each year such as this one recently planted at the Lowell School in Watertown. The following piece was provided by Trees for Watertown:

On March 31st, tree advocacy organizations from nine cities and towns throughout Eastern Massachusetts came together for the first time to discuss ways to reverse the concerning loss of protective urban tree canopy in our region. Organizations joined the conversation from larger cities such as Newton, Medford and Arlington, mid- sized cities such as Watertown, Lexington and Wellesley, and the smaller towns including Bedford, Weston, Maynard, and Groton. A representative from Boston’s tree advocacy organization Speaks for the Trees Boston was also present.

Around Town

Virtual Fair Housing Month Workshop to be Hosted by West Metro HOME Consortium

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The following information was provided by WestMetro HOME Consortium:

The WestMetro HOME Consortium, which includes Watertown, is partnering with the Suffolk School of Law Housing Discrimination Testing Program to host a Fair Housing Webinar on April 26, 2022.  

With April being Fair Housing Month, this free webinar is an excellent opportunity for elected officials, municipal staff, property managers, landlords, tenants, and community members to learn about the history of Fair Housing, its impact today, and ways to mitigate implicit bias.  

It will be held on April 26, 2022 from 3:00–5:00 p.m. Webinar Registration – Zoom. There is more information about the webinar and fair housing on a webpage maintained by the City of Newton, which leads the WestMetro HOME Consortium.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Running Marathon for YMCA of Greater Boston

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The following announcement was provided by the YMCA of Greater Boston:

Linda Asadoorian of Watertown will be running the 2022 Boston Marathon as a member of the YMCA of Greater Boston’s marathon team. Asadoorian will be raising money to support the YMCA of Greater Boston’s teen programs, such as the Achievers program, Youth and Government and Leaders Club. Teens count on the Y for academic assistance, employment, life skills advancement and healthy fun. “Having worked for the YMCA of Greater Boston for over half a decade, I have seen firsthand the powerful impact that the Y’s programs have on our communities’ young people,” said Asadoorian. “Running for the Y of Greater Boston is such an honor, and I hope that it inspires others be proactive in ensuring that teens have access to the academic and interpersonal support, leadership development, nutritious foods and safe space for fun and learning that the YMCA of Greater Boston provides.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020, the YMCA of Greater Boston provided employment for over 900 teens, elevating their self-worth and self-confidence.

Around Town

New Rep Theatre Reemerges from Break, Returns to the Stage With a New Focus

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Nine months after going on hiatus, New Repertory Theatre will return to the stage with a show that is part of the new focus of the Watertown-based theater company. New Rep’s We Are Storytellers series begins at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 23. The two-show festival features the stories of people who have not always had a chance to be seen and heard on stage. This is part of the strategy that New Rep has adopted as it makes its return after the break. The Hiatus

When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020, New Rep could not put on performances inside the Mosesian Center, but continued with a pair of virtual plays in 2020, and an outdoor, historical walking play on the grounds of the Arsenal on the Charles in 2021.

Around Town

Armenian Churches Hosting Joint Musical Service for Maundy Thursday

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The Armenian Memorial Church and First Armenian Church invite the public to join the Joint Maundy Thursday Communion Service featuring a special musical program. The service will be held Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave. in Watertown. The service features selections from “We Remember Calvary” by Joel Raney. “The program is a hauntingly beautiful musical program that combines traditional and contemporary hymns, scripture, and narration to paint an emotionally moving picture of Christ’s last days and His journey to the cross.

Around Town

Local Church Holding Palm Sunday, Easter Services

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First Baptist Church of Belmont

The First Baptist Church of Belmont will be holding services on Palm Sunday and Easter. The church sent out the following information:

Everyone is welcome! Please Join us for our worship service. Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022

Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022First Baptist Church of Belmont, 129 Lexington Street, Belmont, MA 02478

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

(Information about Easter services can be sent to watertownmanews@gmail.com)

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Seeks Applications for $125K in Spring Grants

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces two Spring 2022 grant programs to support local nonprofits, community-based organizations, programs, and projects.  Approximately $125,000 will be distributed. WCF’s Program Grants will support organizations that serve Watertown to develop new or continue existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined) and do not involve Watertown’s public schools.  Eligible organizations may apply for grants of $500 up to $5,000. WCF’s Institutional Support Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical programming, staff, and cover operating costs. Grants under this program impose neither restrictions on the use of funds nor any program requirements. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $7,500.