100th Birthday

See How Watertown Celebrated a Resident’s 100th Birthday During COVID-19

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Watertown turned out in a big way to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of its veterans on Friday afternoon. A call went out from the family of Joseph Markarian online, and the town responded. The U.S. Army veteran was treated to his own parade complete with police and fire vehicles with their sires blaring and a band (well at least one musician — Watertown’s famous traveling tuba player). The celebration was covered by WBUR reporter, and Watertown resident Bruce Gellerman. See and hear his report here.

Around Town

Tips for Seniors to Avoid Loneliness & Isolation; Info From Senior Center

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Watertown Senior Center

Here is the latest information from the Watertown Senior Center provided by the Watertown Council on Aging:

Please note that the Senior Center is currently closed for all programs, activities and services, senior parking permits, appointments, and shuttle bus services until further notice due to COVID-19. Although the building is closed, staff will still 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. We will get back to you. For information about COVID-19, you can call the Town’s hotline at (617) 972-6565. As always, Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Around Town

Two More COVID-19 Deaths in Watertown, State Sees Largest Number of Positive Tests

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Watertown had its eighth and ninth Coronavirus-related deaths, the Health Department announced Thursday, and Massachusetts had more than 3,000 new positive tests for the virus. The town now has 162 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and nine fatalities — two more than the last update on Monday. Fifty people have recovered from the virus, according to the Watertown Health Department website. Also on Thursday, Massachusetts saw the largest number of new cases reported in one day, 3,079, according to the Mass. Department of Public Health website.

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Watertown Groups Start Mutual Aid Network so Neighbors Can Help Neighbors

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The Watertown Community Foundation teamed with Wayside to launch new Watertown Mutual Aid Network, which will allow neighbors to assist neighbors in these difficult times. The Watertown Community Foundation and the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network sent out the following information:

Welcome to the Watertown Mutual Aid Network, funded by the Watertown Community Foundation in association with Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s  Multi-Service Center. Mutual aid is a way for Watertown neighbors to support each other, by delivering food, making weekly calls for social support, providing financial assistance, and in many other ways. By following this link, you will find information about how to use mutual aid, links to forms to offer help and request aid from your Watertown neighbors, and additional resources. Please reach out to Sophia, the Community Coordinator at Sophia_Suarez-Friedman@WaysideYouth.org or 617-744-9585 if you have any questions or wish to offer help or request aid over the phone (translation services are available). We hope that this resource will bring our community together during this difficult time.

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See the Online Programs Coming Up at the Watertown Library

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Our doors are still closed, but online, the Watertown Free Public Library is busy as ever. This week, get your kiddos excited for cookie baking with Emily and the new Lunch Bunch Book Club via Facebook Live. Do you know a teen in need of a creative outlet? Tell them about our collaborative web comic. For adults, we’re offering new workshops, craft meetups, and more via Zoom.

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Two More COVID-19 Related Deaths in Watertown, New Cases in State Falling Slightly

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The Watertown Health Department announced Monday that the number of COVID-19 related deaths rose to seven, with the two most recent fatalities. Watertown’s total positive Coronavirus cases rose to 147, and 46 people have recovered, according to the Health Department. The new cases in Massachusetts have been going down, according to the latest information released by the Mass. Department of Public Health. On Monday, the state had 1,566 new cases, and there were 103 more COVID-19 related deaths.

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Find Out More About Pandemic Unemployment Benefits

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Massachusetts State House. The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance provided the following Q&A about Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the program that was created by the Federal CARES Act. The new program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for other types of unemployment, including gig-workers, self-employed, those who have lost work hours and people who had a job offer rescinded due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out more information and how to apply for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by clicking here. Frequently Asked Questions

Does the CARES Act provide benefits to workers who have been ineligible for regular or extended benefits until now?

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Hatch Makerspace Running Classes Online Using Zoom

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The Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace is currently closed, but the Hatch staff will host online classes to demonstrate a variety of skills. Here are some of the upcoming classes. Home DIY: Hanging Pictures *via Zoom*Wednesday, April 22, 2020

This week we’ll be hanging framed artwork. We’ll cover hardware, wiring, what to do on different types of walls, and tools of the trade. There’s no better time to redecorate (or finally hang those pictures)!