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Free Blood Pressure Clinic Provided by Health Department

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The Watertown Mall provided the following information:

Free Blood Pressure Screening! On the first Friday of every month, the Watertown Mall has a free blood pressure screening. Screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. This month screening takes place Friday, March 6 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Location: back hallway, near Target, across from Carter’s. About the Watertown Mall

Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A.

Around Town

Find Out What’s Going on at Watertown’s Makerspace in March

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Hatch, the Watertown Library’s makerspace, is offering a class on computer design, is seeking artists to run workshops and has a list of ongoing classes in the month of March. The following information was provided by Hatch:

Hatch hours: Monday-Thursday, 1-9 pm | Friday-Sunday 1-4 pmHours are updated regularly online: watertownlib.org/hatch

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. Call for yarn donations! Do you have unused yarn laying around?

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LETTER: Resident Wants to Control Military Spending

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To the Editor:

Before we vote in the Democratic primary on March 3, we need to give serious consideration to the following issue: Our military spending is swallowing our resources. In the 1990’s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were many analyses of why it happened. One reason that was on everyone’s list was the enormous amounts of money that the Soviet Union had been spending on the military, resulting in neglect of the social needs of the society. Is the United States pushing itself into that same trap? Well over 50% of our Federal Government’s discretionary spending goes to the military.

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Nominations Wanted for 2020 Historic Preservation Awards

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Members of the Historical Commission are pleased to announce the Historic Preservation Awards nomination season is now opened! Over the last year, members of the Historical Commission have modified and simplified the nomination package for the Historic Preservation Awards..  They are pleased to announce it is easier than ever to nominate an individual, group or project, whose actions and efforts have made a contribution that celebrates and enhances the historical and/or architectural fabric of Watertown. Please click on the link below to open the package.New and Improved 2020 HPA Nomination Package

The nomination package is now shorter and much easier to understand, and it takes minimal time to complete the form now. 

Members of the Historical Commission are happy to support anyone in the selection of the category for a nomination, for those who find it challenging to choose.  The awards will be held in May of 2020 at the Commanders Mansion.  The evening will include a delightful visual presentation of all the projects being awarded that were completed between the years of 2018 and 2019.  A delicious reception and social hour will follow.  

The exact date of the ceremony will be announced at the March 12, 2020 Historical Commission meeting, and a notice will be sent out to the public through the Town web site as soon as it is available. AWARD CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS and ELIGIBILITY

Awards are presented bi-annually to preservation projects and individuals that have displayed an outstanding commitment to historic preservation in Watertown. Projects completed in the years 2018 and 2019 are eligible for consideration.

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Mosesian Center Hosting Benefit, Spring Class Registration Open

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The Mosesian Center for the Arts will honor a local design firm and a man who helped found the center at its Annual Benefit. Also, you can now register for spring classes. The Mosesian Center for the Arts sent out the following information:

Art By Design: Mosesian Center Annual Benefit

Join us April 7, 2020 for Art by Design: Mosesian Center for the Arts Annual Benefit 2020 – a thought provoking evening exploring the intersection of culture and collaboration featuring exceptional entertainment, great food, wonderful friends, and a celebration of those who have made our community – and our world – more beautiful. This year, we are proud to honor two Mosesian Awardees whose incomparable achievements have resonated in Watertown and around the world:

Sasaki – 2020 Mosesian Award for the Arts

Sasaki, a global interdisciplinary design firm based in Watertown, infuses all of their projects with an innovative approach, boundless curiosity, and passion for what they do. Sasaki has received over 800 national and international design awards recognizing their indelible impact.

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Library Trustee Selected to Fill Vacant Seat on the Board

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Watertown Free Public Library

The Library Board of Trustees once again has a full quota of members after the vacancy left when a trustee elect left town before the term began. The five elected trustees and Town Council President Mark Siders selected Emily Izzo to fill the vacancy left by Mara Dolan, who moved out of Watertown after she was elected in November, according to Watertown Cable’s Watertown Weekly News (click here to see the report). The board interviewed more than a dozen applicants during two meetings in February, and voted to make the appointment on Feb. 19. Izzo works as municipal law attorney with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and formerly worked as the chief of staff for the Mass.

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Paddlers Can Enter 38th Annual Run of the Charles River

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Kayakers and canoeers will take to the Charles River for the annual Run of the Charles in April. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Paddlers from across New England have started to register for the 38th Annual Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race, taking place on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Kicking off the paddling season, the event is the largest flat-bottom boat race in New England and draws over a thousand racers and spectators each year with the help of nearly 150 volunteers. 

Run of the Charles is a signature event of Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the leading science and advocacy organization for the Charles River and its watershed. The work accomplished by CRWA over the past 50 years has significantly improved the health of the 80-mile long Charles River. CRWA has played a major role in restoring the Charles River, re-establishing it as a destination for paddlers and nature lovers alike. 

“Run of the Charles really allows you to see the Charles from a unique perspective,” said Emily Norton, Executive Director of CRWA.

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Eversource Seeks Entries for 7th Annual Student Challenge

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The following announcement was provided by Eversource:

Writing a poem, drawing a cartoon strip, or creating a superhero are just three ways Eversource is encouraging students to demonstrate their knowledge of energy efficiency. The energy company is reminding students that submissions are still being accepted for its seventh annual Student Challenge. The contest promotes energy conservation, energy efficiency and sustainability and is open to kindergarten to high school students in its Massachusetts electric communities. The deadline for registration is March 17, 2020. All entries must be received or postmarked by March 27, 2020. “From posters and poems to persuasive speeches and community projects, Massachusetts students continue to impress us year after year with their entries and ‘energy smarts,’” said Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner.