Around Town

Teen Trip to Poland & Israel Complements Massachusetts’ New Genocide Education Law

By |

March of the Living participants pray at entrance to Auschwitz concentration camp. The following information was provided by New England Friends of the March of the Living:

Genocide education will be compulsory in all Massachusetts middle and high schools under a bill Gov. Charlie Baker recently signed into law. The new bill underscores the serious knowledge gap among young Americans that is growing – and becoming more frightening! Examples from recent surveys:                                                                                                                                                       

A high school student asks ‘What’s Auschwitz?’

Two-thirds of millennials admit not knowing what Auschwitz was.                                                                       

41% of adults don’t know what the Nazi concentration camp was known for. Half of millennials and Gen Z’ers have seen Holocaust denial posts online.              

22% think the Holocaust was associated with World War I. 10% weren’t sure, 5% said the Civil War, and 3% said the Vietnam War.

Around Town

Watertown Unity Breakfast to be Held Virtually on MLK Jr. Day, Awards to be Given to Local Pastor & a Civil Rights Activist

By |

Charlie BreitroseA mural created by Watertown High School students for the 20th annual Unity Breakfast. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Unity Breakfast organizers:

The annual Watertown Unity Breakfast will be hosted on January 17th – the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King Jr – at 10 a.m.

Since 2000, Watertown residents have come together to honor civil rights leaders, past and present, and to recommit to the principles of racial, social and economic justice. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be virtual. Event registration is now open at www.unitybreakfast.org. The Unity Breakfast is sponsored by World In Watertown, a civic organization that was founded by concerned Watertown residents in 1999 to protect and promote non-discriminatory practices in the city. 

At this year’s event, organizers will announce the creation of a scholarship fund, to be awarded in 2023, designed to support extraordinary young people in the Watertown community who show immense promise as agents of change.

Around Town

Winter Program & Summer Camp Registration, Job Openings at the West Suburban YMCA

By |

The following announcement was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE WEST SUBURBAN YMCA? 

WINTER PROGRAM REGISTRATION 

The Y remains committed to helping you and your family stay active, engaged, and safe as we enter the new year. Why not pick up a new hobby this season? Register for programs like dodgeball, basketball, track and field, adult kettlebell fitness, youth HIIT squad, swim lessons, and more in our Winter Session. The Winter Session runs from January 3 – February 20, 2022, Registration is open, so visit Y’s website for more details and to register.  

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION  

Summer already? Be sure to be ready to register your child in a YMCA Summer Camp, as spots fill quicky.

Around Town

Watertown Seeks Middle & High School Students to Help Seniors Shovel Snow

By |

Students are wanted to help seniors clear snow through a program run by the Recreation Department. The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Watertown Middle School and Watertown High School students, we need your help shoveling snow for our 72 senior and disabled residents who have requested help. So far only 22 students have signed up. You can earn community service hours and some other perks if you volunteer. Please call Recreation Director Peter Centola at 617-972-6494 right away!

Around Town

Snow Storm: Watertown Trash Pick up Postponed, Restaurant Serving Warm Specialty Drink

By |

Snow falls on Watertown on Jan. 7, 2022. Trash and recycling pick up will be delayed by the snow storm for residents with a Friday collection day. The Watertown Department of Public Works announced Friday morning that due to higher snowfall than projected, the City’s trash contractor — Republic — moved the trash and recycling collection from Friday to Saturday. DPW Superintendent Greg St.

Around Town

Snow Day for Watertown Schools, City Hall & Other Buildings Opening Late

By |

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Due to predicted snow accumulations, the City of Watertown Administrative Offices, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Senior Center will have a delayed opening at Noon (12:00pm) on Friday, January 7, 2022. Watertown Public Schools are closed on Friday, January 7, 2022 for a snow day. All offices are also closed. The Superintendent of Public Works has declared a Snow Emergency effective 12:01 AM, Friday, January 7, 2022. The Snow Emergency shall remain in effect until further notice.

Around Town

Watertown Declares Snow Emergency for Upcoming Storm

By |

Charlie BreitroseSnow will fall on Watertown from Thursday into Friday. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works:

The Superintendent of Public Works is declaring a Snow Emergency effective 12:01 AM, Friday, January 7, 2022. Watertown is expecting greater than 6 inches of snow. The Snow Emergency shall remain in effect until further notice. On street parking will be banned and any motor vehicle left on the street will be subject to towing.

Around Town

Watertown Man Uses His Expertise in Disney Parks to Help People Plan Their Dream Vacations

By |

Watertown’s Jonathan de Araujo and his wife Lito Karatsoli-Chanikian at the Magic Kingdom. De Araujo’s business, The Vacationeer, helps people book their Disney Vacations. A Watertown man has turned his love of Disney World into a business helping people make the most of their visit to the Magic Kingdom and other Disney parks. Jonathan de Araujo founded The Vactioneer about five years ago to help people plan their dream Disney vacations. He owns the business, and has about 90 agents around the country working with him.