Around Town

Greek Flag Will Fly at Watertown Town Hall to Mark 200 Years of Greece’s Independence

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The Town of Watertown will fly the Greek flag on March 25 in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Greece’s independence, as well as light the trees on the Watertown Square Delta blue and white, the colors of the Greek flag. The day marks the bicentennial of Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Greece beginning in the 15th Century. Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis made the request to fly the Greek flag on behalf of the Rev. Athanasios Nenes, Pastor of the Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown. The Town will join other communities around the world that will celebrate the event. “A lot of communities (are taking part), not just in Massachusetts — worldwide,” said Kounelis, who said she has heard of celebrations in Australia, Niagara Falls, as well as lighting of the the Zakim Bridge and Longfellow Bridge Bridge in blue and white.

Around Town

Watertown Scouts Collected over 5,000 Lbs. of Donations for Watertown Food Pantry

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Watertown Scout Tage Weeden pushes a cart load of donations into the Watertown Food Pantry. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Troop 30:

Scouts collected 2.5 tons of food for the food pantry this past November, but both the Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting unemployment in Watertown has hit our community hard. At the November drive Kathleen Cunningham, Director of the Watertown Food Pantry made an unusual request: Could another food drive be held soon? Scouting for Food is a service project the BSA Scouts have participated in for years: Supporting a local food pantry, scouts across the U.S. collect food once a year, usually around Thanksgiving when many are feeling generous. Scouting for Food in Watertown is a tradition near to the scouts’ hearts: Both the Watertown Food Pantry and the scouts call the Watertown-Belmont United Methodist Church at 80 Mt.

Around Town

Watertown Winter Overnight Parking Ban Ending Early

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Watertown’s winter overnight parking ban will be ending early, announced Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn. The parking ban usually runs through the end of March, but in 2021 it will end on March 22. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Police Chief Michael Lawn would like to inform you that Watertown will lift enforcement of the all night parking ban effective Monday March 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm.  

The Department of Public Works, Police Department and Fire Department would like to remind motorists that keeping the streets clear allows for road repairs, street cleaning and easy access for public safety vehicles. To that end, all Departments encourage residents to make full use of off-street parking when it is available.

Around Town

Senior Events Include Public Safety Coffee, COVID One Year Later, New Exercise Class

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Watertown Senior Center

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Programs for Week of March 22, 2021

Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490.New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:   10:00 AM, Art Class with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with Diane2:00 PM, “COVID-19: One Year Later” with the COA Staff 

Tuesday:     10:00 AM, Public Safety Coffee12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley                               

Wednesday:9:00 AM, Pet Lovers Group

The Pet Lovers Group will host Dr. Dawn Binder, Owner of Cushing Square Veterinary Clinic in Belmont, who will talk about adopting 

senior pets, how to take care of senior pets, bringing new pets into the home, and answer your questions as part of “Ask a Vet”. Please join us and don’t forget to include your pets.10:00 AM, New! Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones2:00 PM, Zoom Knitting Group

Thursday:        9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom: Coffee & Casual Conversation2:00 PM, Zoom Trip to Italy!

Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Planning for 2021, Provides Access to Fruits & Veggies to Everyone

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The opening of the Watertown Farmers Market is still a few months away, but the 2021 season will feature more produce vendors, modified COVID-19 restrictions and has special programs for people who qualify for the SNAP program. The Farmers Market opens on June 16 and runs through Oct. 20 in Saltonstall Park (next to Town Hall). The hours will be 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Watertown’s Community Wellness/Market Manager Stephanie Venizelos continues to confirm which vendors will be at the Watertown Farmers Market in 2021, but she said there will be three large produce vendors, all of which will have at-market sales, and also preorder and/or CSA (community supported agriculture) where subscribers get a box of vegetables each month. The Watertown Farmers Market newsletter announced information about the CSA programs:

“We’re looking forward to having many of our fabulous vendors back in the park, in addition to welcoming back Farmer Tim’s and welcoming in Stillman’s Farm!

Around Town

Fallen Watertown Firefighter Remembered on Fourth Anniversary of His Death

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Members of the Watertown Fire Department salute their fallen colleague, Joe Toscano, on the fourth anniversary of his death at a fire on Merrifield Avenue. The Watertown Fire Department came out in force to honor a colleague lost while fighting a fire in the East End four years ago. Firefighters and the family of Joe Toscano gathered on Bigelow Avenue, at the square dedicated to his memory. The sign bearing his name sits just down Merrifield Avenue from the home where the fire took place. Fire Chief Bob Quinn hung a wreath from the pole holding the sign marking Firefighter Joseph A. Toscano Square during the cermony.

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See When the COVID-19 Vaccine Will be Available to the General Public, Those Under 65

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Gov. Charlie Baker announced the eligibility dates for the remaining groups in the Massachusetts vaccine roll out plan on Wednesday. People age 17 and older will be eligible to get the vaccine beginning April 19, 2021, according to a report on Boston.com. Before that, people age 60 and above and certain workers will be eligible beginning March 22, and those 55 and older who have at least one qualifying condition will get access beginning April 5. See more about vaccine eligibility at the State’s website by clicking here. The Watertown Health Department has information about COVID-19 on its webpage, see it here.

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Watertown Charter Review to be Discussed at Watertown Citizens Group Meeting

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

The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold its March Monthly Meeting on March 17 at 7:00 pm, online. The link is posted on our website:  http://watertowncitizens.org/

Our March Monthly Meeting will feature a presentation by Janis Hudson, a member of the Steering Committee of Watertown Forward and a discussion facilitated by Watertown Citizen member, Abby Yanow. The meeting will be begin at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 17. You are welcome to join us for a chat at 6:45 pm. Watertown Forward is a non-partisan civic action group whose mission is to educate, empower, and engage the Watertown community in Watertown’s Charter Review process.