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LETTER: Local Authors, Photographers Seek Help with Children’s Picture Book About Watertown

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Dear Watertown residents past and present,

I am asking for your help with a picture book which will be titled “W is for Watertown: A Watertown, Massachusetts ABC Book.” This book will be modeled in the style of regional ABC books where each letter of the alphabet goes along with a local landmark(s). For example, in the Boston ABC books “F is for Fenway Park.” These types of books are intended for young children (infants/toddlers through first grade) to learn more about their community; the goal with this book is to create a fun educational book for the youngest Watertown residents. Usually, these books are illustrated, but for “W is for Watertown: A Watertown, Massachusetts ABC Book” my colleagues and I will be taking photographs of Watertown’s landmarks and locations. In this project, I will be working with photographer Eleni Demos and Vice President of Ideas and Innovations In Early Childhood Education Raseel Alahmed. Some Watertown landmarks are obvious inclusions in a book like this such as “P is for Perkins School for the Blind” or “B is for Brigham House, Browne House, and Bemis Park.” However, even with research, there is a possibility we might miss some important locations and landmarks in Watertown.

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U.S. Post Office Hiring in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

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The following information was provided by the U.S. Post Office:

Post Offices across Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island are currently hiring. We have positions open in processing and delivery operations, on all shifts, at a location near you. By logging in to www.usps.com/careers from the comfort of your home, you can search by state for positions in your area.  If you’ve ever considered a career with the Postal Service, come and learn about the variety of positions available, job duties, salaries, benefits and more. The Postal Service offers flexible schedules, competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.  Login and see what a postal career can offer you. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations

Around Town

DCR Closing Grove Street in Watertown on Four Days in May

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The following information was provided by the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

On Sunday, May 3, 2020, Sunday, May 10, 2020, Sunday, May 17, 2020, and Monday, May 18, 2020, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement parkway lane closures along Grove Street in the Town of Watertown between Greenough Boulevard and Coolidge Avenue from 7:00PM to 5:00AM to conduct paving operations. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site. WHERE:       Grove Street in the Town of Watertown between Greenough Boulevard and Coolidge Avenue

WHEN:          Sunday, May 3, 2020, Sunday, May 10, 2020, Sunday May 17, 2020, and Monday May 18, 2020. 7:00PM to 5:00AM

Around Town

Gov. Baker Issues Order to Wear Face Masks in Stores & When Unable to Social Distance

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. All Massachusetts residents must cover their faces in public places as part of the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. The requirement applies when people while they are outdoors and are unable to social distance, and all the time in indoor spaces such as stores. Gov. Charlie Baker announced the order Friday afternoon, and it takes effect on May 6. The exceptions include children under the age of 2 and those who have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Providing Ways to Get Help From & Give Assistance to Neighbors (Including Face Masks)

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The recently created Mutual Aid Network is a way for Watertown residents to help their neighbors, and for people in town to get assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak, including food, financial assistance and even face masks. The combined effort by the Watertown Community Foundation and the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network kicked off last week, and has already garnered a team of volunteers. Jan Singer, executive director of the Watertown Community Foundation said that people can request assistance or volunteer to provide help through this Mutual Aid form. The idea of Mutual Aid is to connect people, Singer said. Normally the groups would create a central drop-off and pick-up site, but that is not possible with places like the Watertown Library and Town Hall closed due to orders by the Governor.

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See How to Make Your Own Face Mask with Items at Home

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Starting May 4, people in Watertown will be required to wear a face covering when out in public — indoors and out. Face masks may be hard to find in stores, but the CDC has a video showing how to make your own using items in your home. Items needed are a piece of cloth (a bandana, small towel or piece of clothing) and two rubber bands. No sewing necessary. https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4

The requirement to wear something to cover your face and mouth was put in place by the Board of Health on Thursday.

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Face Coverings Will be Required in Public in Watertown, Violators Will Face a Fine

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The Watertown Board of Health voted to require that people wear face coverings when out in public, indoors and out, or face a fine. The order is a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, said Town Health Director Larry Ramdin. The board voted to approve the order, which will take effect Monday, May 4 and requires anyone age 5 or older to wear something that covers their nose and mouth while in public places, but not necessarily a face mask. Other options include bandanas or scarfs that cover the nose and mouth. Exceptions will be made for children under age 5, as well as people who have health conditions or disabilities that prevent them from wearing a face covering.

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Watertown Savings Awards More Than $20 Million in PPP Loans

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. One of the key parts of the Federal CARES Act, passed by Congress in response to the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, was the program to prevent layoffs, called the Payroll Protection Program or PPP. Loans were granted to businesses who applied through their banks. Locally, one of the institutions used by many in town is Watertown Savings Bank, which announced it handed out more than $20 million in PPP loans. The program allows for forgivable loans of up to $10 million, but the average amount of the PPP loans approved by Watertown Savings was close to $35,000.