Around Town

YMCA Open for Swimming, Personal Training; Offering Lunches for Kids

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The following information came from the West Suburban YMCA:

The West Suburban YMCA is now open! 

The West Suburban YMCA reopened its doors to new and existing members on July 6, following the state’s transition into Phase 3 of its reopening plan. New protocols are in place to align with all guidance and recommendations outlined by the CDC, state, and local health departments. Some of the new practices include:

•        Brief health pre-screen at check in for all members and staff

•        Use of face coverings/masks when in the building

•        Social distancing and reduced capacity in all facility spaces

•        Frequent cleaning and sanitation of all equipment and surfaces

•        Single entry and exit points: Enter through the main doors and exit through the basement level trackside door

Visit our reopening guide for more about the West Suburban YMCA’s new protocols. What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Summer EatsThe West Suburban YMCA has partnered with the Metrowest YMCA to participate in Summer Eats, Massachusetts’ Summer Food Service Program. The federally funded nutrition program provides free, healthy meals to all children ages 18 and under when school is not in session.

Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Group Commemorating Bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki

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Candleboats float on the Charles River in Watertown in memory of those who died in the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment is holding a commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Sunday, August 9, the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki. NEVER AGAIN – NO MORE HIROSHIMA and NAGASAKI – NO MORE VICTIMS – ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

7:30 PM – Silent Vigil – Watertown Square8:00 PM – Music and Testimonials8:30 PM – Launching of the Candle boats on the Charles River

NEVER AGAIN! NO MORE VICTIMS! ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS!

Around Town

Virtual Library: Yoga Class, Cinnamon Buns & Storytime

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

WFPL reopened last week for browsing and checkouts only. To keep everyone safe, we’ve made a lot of changes inside the building. Our website has more information about what to expect. Please take a look before you visit: watertownlib.org/reopeningPR

This week on Zoom, tune in to our Wednesday yoga class with Groundwork Studio and get your kid bakers excited to make cinnamon buns with Emily!

Around Town

Zoom Events for Seniors, Property Tax Work Off & More from the Senior Center

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Watertown Senior Center

The Watertown Senior Center sent out the following information (see the entire August 2020 Watertown Senior News by clicking here):

To keep our senior community safe, the Senior Center remains closed to visitors for all programs, exercise classes, social activities and shuttle bus services until further notice as we adhere to recommendations for a safe re-opening. However, many of our programs have moved to a Zoom format, including Art with Dawn, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation, Seated Strength and Balance, Exercise with Joanna, Mellowtones Chorus and other discussion groups.New for August include Line Dancing, Flowers with Ernie, and Pilates! Please review the newsletter for details. Staff is available to respond to your phone calls and to emails. You can reach us by calling the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 or by emailing SeniorCenter@watertown-ma.gov.Senior Parking Permits: Renew or purchase a new permit by calling us at (617) 972-6490 for details. Election Help: The Town Clerk is in great need of assistance with the process of mailing out and receiving ballots. Help is also needed on Election Days at the Polls on September 1 and November 3.

Around Town

NAMI Family Support Group Holding Virtual Meeting

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The virtual NAMI Family Support Group will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm using zoom.us so the next one will be on Tuesday, August 11. We will offer this until we are able to meet in person again. This group is for caregivers of persons with mental illness. See namimass.org for information regarding peer groups for people themselves experiencing a mental illness.    

To get the information to enter this group, we need your email address. Please email us at info@naminw.org. , and add your phone number in case we need to reach you.  

Around Town

Closure of Part of Watertown Park Extended by a Week

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Filippello Park. Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that part of Filippello Park will be closed for another week for construction. Centola sent out the following announcement:

The Filippello (Arlington) section of Filippello Park closure has been extended and will not be open to the public and all users until Friday, August 7 at 6:00pm due to the installation of pole foundations for the new lighting system. This includes the field, walking track, tot lot / playground and table and grill areas within the Filippello (Arlington) section of the park. This does not include the Filippello (Grove) entryway, dog park, courts, parking lot, Filippello (Grove) field, tot lot, table and grill area, bathroom and spray park.

Around Town

Local Health & Fitness Businesses Look for Ways to Survive COVID-19

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Artemis Yoga runs outdoor classes at Arsenal Park several times a week. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a curveball for many industries, but some local exercise and fitness businesses have found some innovative ways to serve their clients. A fitness trainer has teamed up with a dance studio to provide an event for the whole family, while a yoga studio has taken to the park to do in-person classes. Meanwhile, some new businesses are trying to establish themselves in spite of the Coronavirus restrictions. Jan Taylor, who runs Get Lively: Health & Fitness, has a studio where she has been running socially distanced in-person classes.

Around Town

7 Bluebike Stations Being Installed in Watertown

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Watertown will be getting seven Bluebike stations, with the first few being installed in early August. The first few of the seven Bluebike stations coming to Watertown will be installed with in the next few days. Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development and Planning, welcomed Bluebike’s expansion into town. “This is an exciting opportunity to bring bike share to Watertown, and provide connections to the other communities and to the T, with a consistent program throughout the region,” Magoon said. “The experience for the public will be seamless and much more functional.”

Watertown Transportation Planner Laura Wiener said the first station is due to be installed in Coolidge Square on Friday, July 31.