Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/355/)
The Watertown Community Foundation will be switching gears for its food drive, and will have a drive-thru event. The drop off will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 12-4 p.m. at St. John’s Church at 80 Mt. Auburn St.
People can simply drive into their circular driveway and volunteers will remove the donations from the car. Donations will be split between the Watertown Food Pantry and the Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry.
The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:
For residents planning to celebrate Halloween, Saturday, October 31 st , the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is recommending that you follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards. Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:
Trick or Treating with Kids and Passing Treats Out at Home
Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl.Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use. Masks – Mask Up MA
Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.
A vigil in July hosted by the Kingian Response Team. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Citizens for Black Lives and the Kingian Response Team. UPDATE: Due to heavy rain forecast through this evening, the candlelight vigil for Black lives and Indigenous people that was planned for today is postponed until next Tuesday, October 20th. Candlelight Vigil Tuesday, Oct. 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Black Lives and the Kingian Response Team.
Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion will show people how they can hold a wedding during COVID-19 at “Gossip!” The event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and include “nibbles and sips.” The Commander’s Mansion sent out the following information:
You will walk through a micro wedding at the Commander’s Mansion as if you were a guest. Experience all the components of a wedding day — ceremony, cocktails and reception — and hear from industry professionals along the way.
The Watertown Community Foundation sent out a save the date for the annual Townwide Trivia Night. The Trivia Night be happening again this year, but it will be done virtually. It will take place on Friday, Nov. 20 beginning at 7 p.m. and participants will will join via Zoom from the comfort of their homes. Teams can join for $50, and there are a maximum of six people per team.
Watertown Town Hall
The Watertown Health Department will be running flu clinics. Residents can attend walk through or drive through clinics. The Health Department provided the following information:
When going to get a flu vaccine during COVID-19, it is essential you follow all the protective protocols; wear a mask/face covering, social distance and must be COVID-19 free for a minimum of three days. Watertown Health Department recommends children from 6 months to 14 years go to their pediatrician for their vaccines.
You can obtain a Flu Vaccine Insurance Form at the Town Hall, customer service window on Thaxter Street side or the Lower Hearing Room next to the park.
Watertown Flu Vaccine Clinics For Watertown Residents 15 and Older
Drive Thru Dates: Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐ 2pmSaturday, November 7th, 9am‐ 2pm
Walk Thru Dates For residents 65+:
Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐12pmSaturday, October 24th, 9am‐12pm
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-clinic-drive-thru-tickets-118961291425
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-walk-in-clinic-tickets-120442477693
For more information and required forms please visit: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/1019/Seasonal-Influenza-and-Clinicsor call the Health Department at 617-972-6446
Flag of Artsakh
Recent attacks on ethnic Armenians by Azerbaijan were called “reprehensible” by Congresswoman Katherine Clark, whose district includes Watertown. The fighting began Sunday in the area known as Artsakh (formerly Nagorno-Karabakh), an area of mostly ethnic Armenians. The area was placed within the borders of Azerbaijan when it was part of the Soviet Union, but is governed by ethnic Armenians as the Republic of Artsakh. Tensions have been ongoing for three decades and there was a six-year military conflict from 1988-94, according to the Wall Street Journal. Clark called out Azerbaijan for violating the ceasefire and called for suspending military aid to Azerbaijan.
With the pandemic shutdown in full force, the organizers of the Watertown Farmers Market had to consider whether they should host the weekly market in 2020 and, if so, how they could do it safely and whether people would come out. As the season nears its end, organizers are pleased with how the market turned out. Stephanie Venizelos, the Town’s Community Wellness Program Manager and Farmers Market Manager, said the market at Saltonstall Park got a good crowd every Wednesday over the summer and into the fall. “No one knew what to anticipate. We’ve been bringing in 500-700 people a week.