Around Town

Scholarships Available for Summer Recreation Programs from Community Foundation

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation’s (WCF) Community Resilience Fund, created to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 emergency and similar crises, has announced a $10,000 grant to the Watertown Recreation Department. The fund is for scholarships for families in need who want to participate in the summer 2020 program. 

“WCF is committed to ensuring every Watertown child that wants one has a camp experience this summer,” said WCF co-president Darshna Varia. “As there were no planned camps for kids in Watertown for this summer, the foundation discussed trying to help the town find a way to give some relief to families and get some outdoor activity for children. With the RecreationDepartment’s announcement of the Parks Adventure Program, we found a perfect partnership.”

“It’s been a long tough spring and now there may be a little relief for families during the summer mornings,” added Peter Centola, Director of Watertown Recreation. Any family in need of financial assistance can contact PCentola@watertown-ma.gov.

Online registration here.

Around Town

Virtual Library: Movie Discussion Group, Painting & Build Your Own Workshop

By |

The Watertown Free Public Library. The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Missing Hatch Makerspace? Hatch staff and volunteers are offering a wide range of virtual workshops via Zoom, free and open to all skill levels. This week, check out Build Your Workshop with Liz and Gouache Painting with Yi Bin. Register online: watertownlib.org/calendar

Even though WFPL can’t host Movie Mondays right now, we can still enjoy films together!

Around Town

Victory Field Stadium, Spray Areas Opening in Watertown

By |

The spray pad at Fillippello Park reopened from the COVID-19 shutdown on July 11. The turf area at Victory Field and the spray pads in two Watertown parks, two of the last Recreation facilities to remain closed during the pandemic, will reopen on Saturday, July 11. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the openings in his latest COVID-19 Update (read the whole update here). The Victory Field Turf, which is located in the football/baseball area of the complex, will will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The spray pads, located at Arsenal and Filippello parks, will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a limit of eight people at a time on the spray pad at Arsenal Park, according to Driscoll’s update, and 15 at once at the one in Filippello Park

Watertown’s recreational facilities and activities’ rules and regulations will be guided by the Governor’s Phase III reopening plan, which began on July 6th, Driscoll wrote. This includes staying at least six feet apart, and wearing a face covering over the nose and mouth.

Around Town

Signs of Generosity Pop Up Around Watertown; Community Foundation Gives Rental, Food Assistance

By |

The Watertown Community Foundation has given out these lawn signs to people who have donated to help others in town during COVID-19. The Watertown Community Foundation wanted to thank those who have donated to help out their neighbors during the difficult times cause by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have handed out lawn signs proclaiming “We ♥ Watertown.” WCF Executive Director Jan Singer said that residents have been very generous donating to the Foundation and the Community Resilience Fund, which was created in March to assist people impacted by the Coronavirus. “Hundreds of people in Watertown have contributed and we have given out thousands of dollars,” Singer said. “We continue to give emergency rental assistance and to both food pantries.

Around Town

DCR Reopens Watertown Roadway Along Charles River

By |

A stretch of Greenough Boulevard in Watertown has reopened after about three months of being closed to motor vehicle traffic. Because the roadway is along the Charles River, it falls under the control of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street. The section of Greenough that runs between between Arsenal and North Beacon streets was closed on April 11.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Paying for the New Green Deal

By |

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

Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will hold our July Monthly Meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:45 PM. All are welcome. Our topic this month is: Warheads to Windmills:How to Pay for the Green New Deal

Please join us to hear Dr. Timmon Wallis and Vicki Elson of NuclearBan.us identify the three major crises threatening the planet today: 1) the climate crisis 2) expanding nuclear arsenals 3) extreme economic inequality – and propose a solution: redirect funds and technology for nuclear weapons to the development of green energy and green jobs. Warheads to Windmills: How to Pay for the Green New Deal, written by Dr. Wallis, provides a detailed analysis of what it will take to adequately address the climate crisis and where the needed funds, scientific and engineering expertise could come from: the nuclear weapons program. To quote Dr. Timmons, “It’s not an exaggeration to say that these weapons threaten our very existence as a species, and so does the climate crisis.

Around Town

West Suburban YMCA Reopens After 16-Week Closure

By |

West Suburban YMCA staff wave from the front steps. The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

The West Suburban YMCA reopened its doors to members on July 6, following Governor Baker’s announcement last week regarding 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 staffUse of face coverings/masks when in the buildingSocial distancing and reduced capacity in all facility spacesFrequent cleaning and sanitation of all equipment and surfacesSingle entry and exit points: Enter through the main doors and exit through the basement level trackside doorReservations are required for pool use and outdoor group exercise classes

The reopening includes the Y’s Wellness Center (cardio, strength, weights, functioning training, and selectorized equipment), the indoor pools for lap swimming, the indoor and outdoor track, personal training, and a variety of group exercise classes offered both outside and virtually. Additional member services and programs are expected to become available gradually and in accordance with new information and guidelines.

Around Town

Reading Summer Fun for Adults & This Week’s Virtual Events from the Watertown Library

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Why should kids have all the fun? This summer, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is offering Summer Reading for Grown-Ups, a season-long reading challenge complete with librarian-curated reading recs and a bingo game full of summer activities. 

Even though WFPL is temporarily closed to the public, there are still many ways to check out library materials. Books, DVDs, and CDs can be ordered for curbside pickup. eBooks and audiobooks can be accessed through WFPL’s digital collection. For more information, visit the Library’s website: watertownlib.org

This year, WFPL’s grown-up bingo game encourages players to read widely from a diverse list of authors, stay active while social distancing, and chronicle the summer with lots of photos. 

Here are a few highlights:

Read about someone who survived a pandemicPost your COVID-19 experience as a poem, short story, or artRead a book by an LGBTQ authorRead a book from WFPL’s anti-racism booklistPost your pandemic playlist!Join the Library’s yoga class, via Zoom

As part of the game, WFPL is encouraging patrons to share summer reading and inspire others by posting book covers, book bingos, and summer activities on social media with the hashtag #WFPLsummer.