Around Town

Works of Watertown Quilters on Display at Library, Hear from Speakers on Nov. 16

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Quilters’ Connection presents “Connected Threads” at the Watertown Library, featuring traditional quilting to modern mayhem. Join three members of Quilters’ Connection as they share the diversity of modern quiltingand invite you to become part of the fun. The speakers will be RoseMary Bilezikian GabonlyianKoch on traditional quilting, Susan V. Polansky on pictorial collage quilts, and Julie Fei-Fan Balzer on playful surface design. Watertown Free Public LibraryWatertown Savings Bank Meeting Room123 Main Street, WatertownTuesday November 16, 20217:00 pm – 8:45 pm

The lecture is free but registration is required. Visit this website for more information:https://reservations.watertownlib.org/connected-threads-traditional-quilting-modern-mayhemFunded by a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation to Quilters’ Connection(www.quiltersconnection.org) and in collaboration with the Watertown Free Library.

Around Town

Watertown Salutes Veterans at Annual Breakfast, Veteran’s Agent Encourages Use of VA Benefits

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Charlie BreitroseVeteran John Pagan speaks with State Rep. Steve Owens at the 2021 Veteran’s Day Breakfast. Pagan, a Vietnam era veteran, is dressed in the Army infantry jungle fatigues worn during the Vietnam War. A group of veterans celebrated Veteran’s Day on Thursday at the annual breakfast, where Watertown Veterans Services Officer (VSO) Patrick George encouraged them to take advantage of the benefits they earned by serving their country. The event was held at the Charles Shutt Detachment, which is now home to both the Marine Corps League and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1105. “It’s good to see everyone again in person as we transition back to events where we can actually see each other again,” George said.

Around Town

Dates of Watertown Winter Parking Ban Announced, See When it Begins

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Charlie BreitroseA street empty of parked cars due to Watertown’s winter parking ban. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

WINTER PARKING BAN 2021 – 2022

Watertown Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn has announced the 2021-2022 Winter Parking Ban dates. Effective Monday November 29, 2021 and continuing to April 1, 2022 the Winter Parking Ban will be in effect and strictly enforced. The regulation reads in part; “No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. all days of the week.” For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the Town allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations noted:

• The police station at 552 Main Street (visitor’s parking lot only)

• Any public school parking lot

• Marion Road parking lot at Victory Field

• O’Connell Park, (lot at the corner of Boylston Street and Mt Auburn Street)

• Grove Street parking lot at Filippello Park (No parking in the spaces along the driveway)

• 101 Morse Street – 14 spaces at the rear of the parking lot (currently being constructed, available once completed)

Please note that these locations may be used free of charge, however vehicles may only use available spaces after 7 p.m. and must be removed by 7 a.m. the following day.

Around Town

Donohue’s Turkey Trot Run & Walk Returns on Thanksgiving Morning

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Donohue’s Bar & Grill will host the 16th annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning starting at 8:30 a.m. Find out more about the 5K run and walk and how to register in the following announcement from Donohue’s. Join us at Donohue’s Bar & Grill (87 Bigelow Ave., Watertown) for our 16th Annual Turkey Trot. Proceeds benefit the Watertown Boys & Girls Club. It’s the best way to start Thanksgiving day! Like 2019, we’ll once again have a team competition with prizes for the fastest team and largest team.

Around Town

New Program Seeks to Make Watertown More Green, Promote Planting of Street Trees

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City of PhiladelphiaTree trenches will allow for improved dispersion of excess storm water. The Town of Watertown plans to install 15 tree trenches around the community. By James Briand, Trees for Watertown

A drive around Watertown quickly reveals that green assets — shade, permeable surfaces, and advanced drainage systems — are unevenly distributed. While some areas have abundant, mature shade trees and street-side planting strips overflowing with flowers, other neighborhoods are treeless, and non-permeable asphalt surfaces define the streets. This is not just a matter of beauty.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Seeks Feedback from Shoppers in Customer Survey

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The Watertown Farmers’ Market is seeking feedback about this season! Please take this brief, yet important survey about your experiences at the market this year.  We want to hear from ALL community members: from weekly shoppers to those who were not able to make it this year – your feedback is important! Thank you in advance for your participation, and please share the link: Customer Survey

For information about the market, visit: www.watertownmarket.com or contact Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager at: svenizelos@watertown-ma.gov

Around Town

Pigsgusset Initiative Invites Public to Discussion of Local Indigenous History

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The following information was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

The Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, invites the community to a panel discussion about local Indigenous history and the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda.  

The forum on Indigenous History of Watertown and State legislation will be on Sunday, Nov. 14th, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Speakers include: 

Mwalim (Morgan James Peters), Mashpee Wampanoag performing artist, UMass Dartmouth professor and playwright who will discuss the Indigenous perspective on how Indigenous history is/is not representedDr. Mishy Lesser, Learning Director of Upstander Project,  who will discuss Watertown Indigenous history including the narrative embodied in the town seal Mahtowin Munro (Lakota), co-leader of United American Indians of New England and the MA Indigenous Legislative agenda, who will discuss the status of legislation.Sarah Morrisette, Moderator, theatre artist and administrator and Pigsgusset Initiative member 

Following the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions. This event is co-sponsored by: 

Kingian Response TeamProgressive Watertown

You need to register in advance for this webinar.   https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nVnQ-cnLSyGpApJzWt0GZA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The Pigsgusset Initiative seeks to increase communication and promote collaboration among Watertown residents to undo the erasure of Indigenous Peoples from the place now called Watertown and to promote inclusive historical narratives.  For more information about Pigsgusset Initiative: https://watertowncitizens.org/working-groups/pigsgusset-initiative/

Around Town

New Yoga Studio Finds a Home on School Street, Welcomes Students of All Levels

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Dore VanSlykeDore VanSlyke opened Studio Yoga Bella opened on School Street in Watertown. Dore VanSlyke began teaching yoga nearly eight years ago, teaching in a variety of fitness clubs and yoga studios, but after taking her practice online during the pandemic she decided to start her own studio. In October, she opened Studio Yoga Bella in Watertown. The studio is on School Street, next to Arsenal Pizza, and VanSlyke decided to use the fall to get established. “I’m in soft open right now.