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Watertown Dog & Cat Owners Can Get Pet Licenses Online

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown dog and cat owners can now license their pets with PetData, a full-service animal licensing provider. PetData will be mailing pet owners their license renewal notice. Owners will have several options for renewing their pet license, including by mail, online or in-person at City Hall. Owners that are hoping to license new pets, may also license via PetData. Licensing your pet is one of the most important steps you can take as a responsible pet owner.

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Perkins Library Print Deliveries Impacted by Paper Shortages

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The following announcement was provided by Perkins School for the Blind:

Patrons who subscribe to the Talking Book Topics (TBT) catalogue in print will not receive the January–February 2022 issue due to ongoing supply-chain issues and worldwide paper shortages. 

For those who use TBT in audio format, the January–February 2022 edition is already available on cartridge, and for download on BARD and through BARD Mobile as DB 106440. Additionally, TBT Abridged will be available through Braille Book Review in hardcopy braille, as well as in the BRF electronic format. If you would like to subscribe to TBT on cartridge or to Braille Book Review, please contact the Library at (617) 972-7240 or Library@Perkins.org Patrons can also access TBT January–February 2022 online in HTML and PDF. TBT in HTML contains direct links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists, and TBT in PDF includes printable order forms for mailing. View January-February 2022 TBT Online

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Council Thanks Retiring Watertown Library Director with Proclamation

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. Watertown’s Library Director is retiring after more than a quarter century overseeing one of the most popular features of the City. To express their gratitude, the City Council passed a proclamation honoring Leone Cole. Under Cole’s leadership, the Watertown Free Public Library underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2006, preserved Watertown’s historic books, documents and photos, and increased funding by more than 200 percent. During her 27 years, Cole also increased support for Project Literacy (which teaches immigrants English and helps them apply for citizenship), added the Hatch Makerspace, and started the path toward adding a bookmobile to the Watertown Library’s offerings.

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Watertown Studio Offering Range of Dance Classes for Kids this Spring

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The following announcement was provided by Move & Groove Watertown:

Move & Groove Watertown is so excited because our Spring session is ready for sign-up! Want some more fabulous news? We have added some new classes! Our kids classes now include Dance With Me (ages 20 months-2 years), Tippy Toe Tots (ages 3-4), Musical Theater (ages 5-7), & Jazz & Ballet Combo (ages 5-7). The Spring Session is a 9 week program that will begin the first week of March.

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Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Settling Dispute Over Ukraine Peacefully

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The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment February Monthly Meeting: “How the US and NATO Could Settle the Dispute Over Ukraine Without War” with Dr. Joseph Gerson.  

For weeks media outlets have reported on a potential war in Ukraine. Russian troops are amassed at the border of the country and the U.S. moved 3,000 troops to Eastern Europe with another 8,500 put on high alert. NATO countries are sending munitions to Ukraine. Pundits are cheering on preparations for war while activists are calling for diplomacy. Come hear Dr. Joseph Gerson’s presentation, “How the US and NATO Could Settle Dispute Over Ukraine Without War” on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, go to the Watertown Citizens Website: watertowncitizens.org

Dr. Gerson, a resident of Watertown, is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament, and Common Security, Vice-President of the International Peace Bureau, Co-chair of the Committee for a Sane U.S.-China Policy, and Co-convener of the International Peace and Planet Network. In recent weeks he has been a participant in Trach II discussions about possible diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis, met with Senator Markey’s staff and written article, which has been translated and circulated internationally, with background and diplomatic options to resolve what he describes as three crises, not one.

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US Rep. Clark Coming to Watertown to Celebrate Infrastructure Investment

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

On Tuesday, February 15, 2022, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark (MA-5) will visit Watertown, MA to celebrate the American Rescue Plan’s investment in the city’s water infrastructure, including the removal of lead pipes. Clark will be joined by State Representative Steve Owens and State Senator Will Brownsberger as well as local city officials. Signed into law in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan has paved the way for America’s rapid economic recovery. It provided free vaccines, reopened schools, helped small businesses to stay afloat, and made direct investments in local community infrastructure, like the water improvements being celebrated in Watertown, MA. WHO: Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Assistant Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, State Representative Steve Owens, State Senator Will Brownsberger, Greg St.

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Watertown Resident Helping Young Authors Write, Publish Books

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Lemon House PublishingElementary-age students work on their books in a Lemon House class held at The Writer’s Block in Newton in 2022. The following piece was provided by Lemon House Publishing:

“When I held my book in my hands for the first time, it was such an exhilarating and prideful moment that my next thought was, how can I give this feeling to others?” And it was that very thought that inspired former elementary teacher and Watertown resident, Jacky Lamenzo, to start her own company, Lemon House Publishing. To date, Lemon House Publishing (LHP) has helped over 150 students in the area write their own children’s books, leading to over 1,500 book sales on Amazon. Starting a company amid the pandemic proved to be a challenge, but it was the very thing that inspired Lamenzo to seek out teaching in a unique way. She recognized not only did elementary kids need an outlet for creativity but also their teachers.

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Winter Update from the Watertown Farmers Market

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

Entering its 9th Season and Going Strong

The 2021 Watertown Farmers’ Market opened last June, with modified Covid protocols to ensure continued safety during the second year of the pandemic. 17 Vendors attended the market, including four farm vendors (with multiple tables), and four new specialty food vendors. Between 450 and 700 customers visited the market each week. Vendor sales were very good, with many reporting an increase from last year. Diversity, connectedness, and inclusiveness are what vendors like most about the Watertown Market and community.