Around Town

This Week at the Farmers Market: Blueberries, Microgreens & More

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The Watertown Farmers Market provided the following information:

It’s that time of year – summer fun is in full swing! The weather is warm, lots of grilling and time outdoors. The market is filled with beautiful produce including sweet corn, summer squash, and other goodies to bring home to your table. This week we continue to enjoy our summer favorite: delicious blueberries! Loaded with antioxidants, blueberries can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Around Town

Kingian Nonviolence Group, Watertown Police Sponsoring Vigil in Square

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Watertown Square will be the location for a vigil in memory of George Floyd co-sponsored by the Kingian Response Team and the Watertown Police Department. The following announcement was provided by the Kingian Response Team:

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL TUESDAY, JULY 28TH 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The Kingian Response Team in collaboration with the Watertown Police Department is sponsoring a vigil which will include a Silent Reflection in memory of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives due to racial bigotry and injustice. The Silent Reflection will run from 8:15 p.m.– 8:23 p.m.

Locations:

1) Watertown Square, including the delta & along Main & Mt. Auburn St. Please bring your phone or flashlight instead of candles in public spaces.

Around Town

Online at the Library: Baking for Kids, Teen Crafting & Wax Sculpting

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

This month, the Watertown Free Public Library launched a new online classes library. In response to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, Library staff have recorded many of the Library’s most popular virtual classes and guest programs so patrons can learn from home, anytime. Topics include: library streaming services, online privacy basics, smarter online shopping, “cutting the cord,” cloud storage, and more. Head to watertownlib.org/onlineclasses to see what’s available. In addition to recorded classes, “live” Library programs continue on Facebook and Zoom.

Around Town

Watertown’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opening Soon

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Natural Selections, Watertown’s first medical marijuana dispensary, will be opening soon. Inside a building tucked behind a retail building and next to a hotel, sits a bright, modern showroom with glass cases displaying products that has not been available in Watertown previously — marijuana and related items.

Watertown’s first medical marijuana dispensary will open for business on Tuesday, July 28 at 10 a.m. Alex Hardy, Chief Operating Officer of Natural Selections, said the facility is prepared to welcome patients. “We are 100 percent ready to rock and roll,” Hardy said, standing in the retail area of the dispensary at 23 Elm St. The dispensary is located in a building in the back of the property on Elm Street, just off Arsenal Street (and near the Residence Inn by Marriott). During discussions at the Town Council, Planning and Zoning Boards, the issue of parking was raised.

Around Town

Watertown Library Now Offering Scheduling for Curbside Pickups, Placing Holds

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Bags prepared to be delivered to patrons of the Watertown Library as part of the curbside pickup program. The Library is now offering scheduled pickups and putting holds on items.

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library’s curbside pickup service is growing more popular with every passing week. Since WFPL launched the service on May 11, Library patrons have placed over 3,000 pickup orders for books, DVDs and other materials. On busy nights, as many as 200 book bags are delivered to patrons in the Library parking lot. In order to meet the growing demand for this service, WFPL is making some changes to the curbside pickup process.

Around Town

Watertown Residents Can Apply for Rental Assistance

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Watertown residents struggling to cover their rent due to the COVID-19 outbreak can apply for rental assistance of up to $1,000. The Watertown Community Foundation has teamed with MetroWest Collaborative Development and Wayside Youth & Family Network to provide rental assistance for families who are behind (or arrear) in rent. The assistance will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Watertown Community Foundation received funds from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, said Executive Director Jan Singer. “Our grants from MA COVID-19 Relief Fund have gone directly to MetroWest Collaborative Development, who is administering the program,” Singer said.

Around Town

Watertown Scout Collecting Winter Clothing for Eagle Project

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A Watertown scout will be collecting winter clothing as his Eagle Scout project, and the items will be delivered to people in Peru. Patricio Pino is a Life Scout with Watertown’s Troop 30, and he decide to organize the winter clothing drive in hopes of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. Life Scout is the second highest rank in the Boy Scouts, with Eagle being the highest. “My Eagle Project is a collection drive for winter clothing of any condition and size which will be (dropped off) at collection bins between July 17th and 27th,” Pino said. “These collections will then travel with me to Peru or be shipped there to be distributed with the help of Scouting in Peru to people in need.”

Around Town

West Suburban YMCA Providing Free Meals for Children

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The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

The 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. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education with support from the Child Nutrition Outreach Program at Project Bread.    

Meals are available for pick-up at the West Suburban YMCA in Newton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (lunch) and 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (snack) through September 4, 2020. Kids and teens who wish to pick up a lunch or snack should check in at the Y’s Welcome Center.   

This is the Y’s second year participating in the program.  In 2019, the Summer Eats program distributed 2,310 lunches and 4,991 snacks to youth in the community over the course of 8 weeks. 

These free lunches and snacks are available to campers at the Y’s onsite day camp, Camp Pikati. Camp Pikati, as well as the off-site day camp Camp Chickami, are currently running and open for registration.  Both camps are adhering CDC, state, and local guidelines to ensure a safe and happy summer.    

According to the USDA, nearly 10% of Massachusetts households experience food insecurity. This year’s COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to layoffs and reductions in hours for many Americans, has underscored the importance of programs that address food insecurity in our communities.  During the school year, many families stretch their food budget by applying for free or reduced-price school meals for their children. Frequently, these families find it difficult to absorb the additional meal costs when school is not in session. The Summer Meals Program helps to fill the gap left open during the summer months for these families. When children have reliable access to food during the summer, they can return to school ready to learn.