Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Thanks Volunteers, Still Has Ways to Help

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The Watertown Community Foundation sent out the following information:

May 2,2020 would have been our 7th Annual WHO-Watertown Helps Out! A Town Wide Day of Community Service. Because of COVID-19 we are unable to gather in groups but the wonderful spirit of helping out and giving back continues. THANK YOU for volunteering the past 6 years.THANK YOU for always being willing to step up and help out.THANK YOU for your donations to the Community Resilience Fund.THANK YOU for keeping the spirit of the day alive.THANK YOU for making Watertown a wonderful community. See how to volunteer to help during the COVID-19 outbreak by clicking here.

Around Town

Library Adds Streaming Options for Movies, TV & Music; See What Else is New

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Watertown Free Public Library

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

While the Watertown Free Public Library is closed, we’ve been expanding our digital collection. Last week, we added two new streaming platforms: Acorn TV (specializing in British TV and movies) and Qello (full-length concert films and music documentaries). Watertown residents can access both services for free. 

We’re also bringing new programs (and old favorites) online. Democracy Talks, Mystery Roundup, and Cook the Books: Pantry Edition all return this week via Zoom. WFPL’s Teen Department is offering online audiobook discussion groups, and the Children’s Department continues to add new stories and fun sing-alongs to our Story Time Video Library. 

Here’s a full list of virtual offerings for the week of April 27 – May 1:

NEW IN THE DIGITAL LIBRARY

Stingray QelloExplore the world’s leading streaming service for full-length concerts and music documentaries. (Watch The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Beyonce…)Acorn TVStream TV and feature films from Britain and beyond. Binge-watch a classic series or discover a new favorite among 60 exclusive shows!PressReaderAccess over 7,000+ domestic and international newspapers and magazines from 160 countries.Ancestry Library EditionTrace your family tree with access to billions of records, including census data, vital records, and directories. Visit watertownlib.org/elibrary to view our full digital collection.

Around Town

Town Council Discussing Filippello Park Lighting Tuesday, See How to Watch & Participate

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The Town Council will likely vote Tuesday on the proposed lighting project at Filippello Park. The plan calls for installing new lights at the field near Arlington Street (on the left), and replacing the lights on the Grove Street Field (in the middle of the map, marked “Softball” and “Soccer”). The Town Council will meet virtually Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and are scheduled to have a public hearing and vote on the lighting project at Filippello Park. The Recreation Department has proposed putting up new lights at the Arlington Street Field at the park on the Eastside of town, and replace the lights at the softball field closer to the Grove Street side of the park. A new scoreboard will also be installed.

Around Town

Watertown Group Joining Mother’s Day Walk for Peace — Virtually

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The group from Watertown Walks for Peace participated in the 2019 Mother’s Day Walk for Peace. This year it will participate virtually. The following information was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

This year Watertown residents will again participate in the annual Mothers’ Day Walk for Peace, which will be held virtually, with all proceeds to benefit families and communities affected by gun violence. The event is sponsored by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Dorchester, a center for healing and teaching, supporting those who have lost loved ones to homicide, and working with young people to teach the ways of peace. In the past, Walkers for Peace have trekked from Dorchester to Boston City Hall to declare their support for ending gun violence.

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.

Around Town

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.