Around Town

Virtual Event on Paths to Recovery from Substance Use Disorder, Even During COVID-19

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The following announcement was provided by the WATERtown Task Force:

On Sunday, Sept. 13th at 4 PM the W.A.T.E.R.town* Task Force for Substance Use Disorder will  host a virtual event to recognize National Recovery Month. It will include nationally recognized experts, as well as a panel of local residents speaking about the stigma of substance use disorder and paths to recovery–especially during this time of Covid-19. For more information, see the link to flyer below. To join the zoom webinar event, register through this link http://www.watertown-cares.com.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Tests Positive for West Nile Virus, Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today a human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Watertown. This case represents the second human case of West Nile Virus in our community. This raisesthe risk level to HIGH in our Watertown. Although serious illness caused by WNV is uncommon, there have been 206 cases of WNV in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2019. There were five human cases of WNV in 2019, and 49 human cases in 2018.

Around Town

Library, Historical Society Mark Women’s Suffrage Centennial with Free Virtual Events

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On August 18, 1920, the United States ratified the 19th Amendment, making women’s right to vote a part of our nation’s Constitution. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of that historic moment and the suffrage movement that made it possible, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Watertown Historical Society invite you to join in two free, virtual events. With a national election on the horizon, there is no better time to reflect on the history and future of voting rights. Here’s what the Library and the Historical Society are planning:

History At PlayTM, LLC Performance: ­­I Now Pronounce You Lucy Stone

Virtual Play | Thursday, 9/17 | 7 PM

In this fiery, one-woman performance by History At PlayTM, LLC, Judith Kalaora becomes Lucy Stone: A fierce abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and the first woman

from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. Challenging discrimination is not easy, but Lucy Stone is never one to ­take the easy road.

Around Town

Watertown Group Discussing Erasing of Indigenous History in Town, Columbus Monument

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

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold our September Monthly Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, September 16, at 6:45 PM. All are welcome. Our topic this month is: Engaging Our Past For A More Truth-filled Future. Please join us for a very special monthly meeting featuring the Pigsqusset Decolonization Team, a group of Watertown citizens who organized in early 2020 to engage the public in a conversation about the erasure of the Indigenous history of the place we call home. Their initial goal is to create a conversation about the future of the monument to Christopher Columbus in the Town Square.

Around Town

See How to Apply for Watertown’s COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

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The Town of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Housing Partnership has set up an Emergency Rental Assistance Program for Watertown renters who have lost income and are having trouble paying rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This assistance is temporary and will provide assistance for up to three months to Watertown renters not receiving other government rental assistance and earning below 80% of Area Median Income. Assistance is for up to $750 for a 1-bedroom apartment, $950 for a 2-bedroom apartment, and $1,150 for a 3-bedroom apartment. Anyone interested in applying should contact Robyn Rufo at Metro West Collaborative directly for an application (robyn@metrowestcd.org or 617-923-3505 ext. 5). Applications are due to Metro West Collaborative by Thursday, September 24. For more details, see this flyer.

Around Town

Health Department Reminder for Labor Day About Limits on Gatherings Due to COVID-19

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The Watertown Health Department sent out the following announcement about Labor Day Gatherings and COVID-19:

As we are approaching the long weekend the Watertown Health Department would like to remind you of the guidance from the state regarding social gatherings and the importance of social distancing. For all gatherings there can only be eight people per 1,000 square feet with a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Please remember to wash your hands often, wear face coverings, and maintain social distancing at all times. We are working together to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please remember that these guidelines are in place to protect each of us and our community.

Around Town

Parts of Common Street Closing for Paving Project

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An illustration of the Common Street Reconstruction Project, including the roundabout at Orchard Street and a redesigned intersection at Spring Street. The Department of Public Works announced that sections of Common Street, including the rotary, will be closed while the final paving work is completed on the project. The Watertown DPW sent out the following announcement:

The Common Street project is scheduled to install top course paving on Common Street starting on Tuesday, September 8th. Work is anticipated to begin at Orchard Street and proceed towards Spring Street. To facilitate the paving, the roundabout and intersecting streets will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Around Town

Holocaust Survivor Appearing in Free Virtual Educational Event

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The following announcement was provided by New England Friends of March of the Living:

First Annual Stephan Ross ‘Excellence in Holocaust Education’ Award to be presented to local Holocaust survivor Sidney Handler — Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 7 pm (Virtual event).  

FREE and open to the entire community. To benefit N. E. Friends / March of the Living Teen Scholarship Fund heritage teen trips to Poland and Israel to retrace roots of the Holocaust and educate about dangers of hatred and intolerance. Among Community Partners for this event are The New England Holocaust Memorial, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Magen David Adom, Temple Israel of Sharon, Temple Emanuel, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. The event is free and open to the entire community.