Around Town

Recreation Department Hosting Open Forum, Updating Summer Programs, Park Projects

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Charlie BreitroseFilippello Park. The Watertown Recreation Department will host its Open Forum meeting virtually on May 4 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. See how to join below. The following agenda was provided by the Recreation Department:

The Recreation Department is offering this zoom meeting to give our residents an opportunity to listen to updates and ask questions regarding the following items.

• DPW Parks: Awesome job, use parksrec@watertown-ma.gov for issues • Spring Session in process: Going well • Ideas for Summer Session: Status of Pequossette / other programs • Employment opportunities now available, apply today • Face Covering, COVID19 Protocol and Requirements: Still in effect • Groups need to have permit: Respect for rules, regulations and guidelines o Concerns: COVID protocol, goals returned, 1 minute tidy (cleanup), dogs, use the time you have permitted, bikes, grooming / tarps, parking • Filippello (Grove) Light Installation status / Filippello (Arlington) Fence • Arsenal Park (Phase A) in Process, Planning for (Phase B) • School Building Committee Meeting: Use of Moxley Field • Social Media / Notify Me / Recreation Website Topic: Recreation “Open Forum”

Meeting Time: May 4, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87566749242?pwd=RVEzN2RPcDFaTHlsd2hEdSt6c09nUT09

Meeting ID: 875 6674 9242 Passcode: 479373

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Meeting ID: 875 6674 9242 Passcode: 479373

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Around Town

Free Workshop for Supporting People Developing Mental Health Issues

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library is partnering with Wayside Multi-Service Center to offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Watertown Community. MHFA teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Two sessions will be offered: one for adults interacting with adults, one for adults interacting with youth. Sign up now for a free mental health first aid workshop by clicking here.

Around Town

New Lights Will Illuminate Softball Field at Park in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseThe softball field at Filippello Park is undergoing a renovation and upgrade, including seven new lights on poles, new dugouts and backstop and a scoreboard. This spring, the softball field at Filippello Park has undergone a modernization, with new lights, a scoreboard, and a new backstop going up at the East Watertown park. Work continues at the field, and when it is complete seven light poles will light the softball field, which sits near the parking area off Grove Street. The project has been many years in the planning, said Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola, who wanted to make facility upgrades at the Town’s parks a priority when he was hired in 2009. “I was here with Musco Lighting, we met on this field in the spring of 2010,” Centola said.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Opening in June, Volunteers Wanted

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The Watertown Farmers’ Market will be opening for the season in mid-June and runs through late-October. Organizers sent out the following information:

Opening Day is on Wednesday, June 16th! Watertown Farmers’ Market Wednesdays 2:30 – 6:30 pm 2:30 – 6:30 PM, June 16 – October 20Rain or Shine, Saltonstall Park, Corner of Main St. & Whites Ave. (next to Town Hall, 149 Main St.)

Market planning is underway for the 2021 Season — keep an eye out for news and updates. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the market this summer!

Around Town

Watertown Group Supporting 25th Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace, Raising Funds

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The group from Watertown Walks for Peace participated in the 2019 Mother’s Day Walk for Peace. This year there will be a symbolic walk in Watertown. The following information was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

For the seventh consecutive year Watertown residents will once again join in the Mothers’ Day Walk for Peace, supporting the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and its services to families and communities affected by gun violence. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace and, like last year, will once again be a virtual fundraising event because of the pandemic. This will be the seventh year in a row that Watertown Walks for Peace (WW4P) is participating in the annual Mothers’ Day Walk for Peace.

Around Town

Congresswoman Clark Appearing at Watertown Group’s Annual Meeting

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment’s Annual Meeting featuringCongresswoman Katherine Clark will be on Sunday, May 2 at 3:30 PM. Zoom link at watertowncitizens.org

What can progressives expect from Congress since the January 6 insurrection? How do we make our issues a priority? Come ask your questions of Representative Clark. We are honored to have Representative Clark as our guest speaker.

Around Town

Deal to Sell Watertown Mall Closes, Purchased by Owners of Arsenal on the Charles

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The Watertown Mall — home to Target and Best Buy — has been sold for $130 million to the owner of other major properties in Town. The sale by Watertown Mall Associates Limited Partnership and New York-based Rosen Associates to Alexandria Real Estate Equities closed on Thursday, according to a story on Bisnow Boston which reported the closing of the deal. Alexandria has become a big player in biotech in Watertown. It also owns the Arsenal on the Charles and the former Mount Auburn Club. 

The future of the property is not clear, with Target having a lease through 2033, according to Bisnow.com. Other tenants of the Watertown Mall include the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Joyful Garden restaurant, Miss Maria’s School of Dance, Carter’s and Work N’ Gear.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Honored by Boston Celtics as a “Hero Among Us”

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Watertown’s Cathy O’Grady was named a Hero Among Us by the Boston Celtics for her work with the Sophia’s Angels Foundation. The following announcement was provided by the Boston Celtics:

The Boston Celtics recently honored Watertown resident Cathy O’Grady as a ‘Hero Among Us’ for her role in spreading joy throughout the community and helping others in need. 

For over a decade, O’Grady has been serving the community through random acts of kindness and the generous donations of blankets, toys, food, and winter essentials for those in need, as well as masks throughout the pandemic. She is the founder of Sofia’s Angels Foundation, which has recruited hundreds of volunteers and raised thousands of dollars to spread joy in the lives of others. 

For her compassionate service, commitment to the community, and heart for giving, the Boston Celtics chose to honor Cathy O’Grady as a ‘Hero Among Us’ at their April 7th game against the New York Knicks.