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Mini Grants Available from Tufts Health Plan Foundation

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The following announcement was provided by Tufts Health Plan:

Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced Momentum Fund mini-grants of up to $10,000 are available to advance age-friendly and dementia-friendly work in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. These one-year awards are designed to build on community experiences and insights as they advance age- and dementia-friendly cities and towns. 

“The strongest ideas for engaging on aging issues come from community,” said Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship at Tufts Health Plan. “Our desire is to ensure these resources support those ideas.” 

As the only regional funder focused exclusively on healthy aging, Tufts Health Plan Foundation works to strengthen and support communities to help them become great places to grow up and grow old. Since 2008, it has given nearly $34 million to community organizations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The Foundation will begin funding in Connecticut this year. 

To inform decision making, review proposals and make recommendations for funding, the Foundation has convened local committees in each state.

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Middlesex Sheriff Receives Money to Expand Youth Public Safety Academy

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The following information was provided by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office:

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) has been awarded nearly $3,700 from Attorney General Maura Healey’s Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program to help support the MSO’s 20th Annual Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). “We are grateful to Attorney General Healey for providing this funding which allows us to hire an additional counselor and expand the number of cadets we are able to accept into this year’s YPSA,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “Not only does this grant provide an opportunity for more cadets to participate in this program, but also for a young adult to work in an environment where they can mentor younger neighbors.”

YPSA is a series of six, one-week long camps designed for children ages 8-12 who live in Middlesex County. Cadets spend the week with MSO staff as well as police officers and firefighters from their hometown, forming important bonds with their local law enforcement officials. Cadets also participate in classroom and practical activities designed to teach them important public safety skills including a simulated fire safety trailer offered by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, a challenge course held at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica, and demonstrations offered by the MSO and partner agencies. “Our summer jobs program provides young people across the state with an opportunity to challenge themselves and make a difference in their own community,” AG Healey said.

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Watertown Honors Fallen Marine by Dedicating Square Near his Childhood Home

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The sign proclaiming the intersection of Emerson Road and Main Street a memorial to Pvt. Paul Gorman, who was killed in Vietnam 1968, was unveiled Friday by Veterans Services Officer Patrick George. Gorman’s sister and brother, Bonnie and Bob, had a front row seat. Around 100 people gathered on a quiet side street off Main Street Friday afternoon to pay respects to one of Watertown’s own who was killed while serving with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968. The Town of Watertown officially dedicated the corner of Emerson Road and Main Street as Private Paul James Gorman Memorial Square on Friday morning.

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LETTER: Group Hosting Vigil to End Human Detention Camps

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Event organizers submitted the following announcement:

On Friday, July 12, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps will bring thousands of people to locations across the nation to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees. We are part of a coalition of people dedicated to human rights and the fundamental principle behind democracy: that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity. Please join us on the green in Watertown Square from 7-8 p.m. We’ll have candles–bring your signs and songs! This is a family- and child-friendly event. A silent sea of candles in cities, towns, homes, and especially at every detention camp, will light up the nation.

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Renovation of Mt. Auburn Cemetery’s Chapel Completed

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Renovation of Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel was recently completed. The following information was provided by Shawmut Design and Construction:

Shawmut Design and Construction, a leading $1.4 billion national construction management firm, announced its completion of a $15 million renovation of Mount Auburn’s Bigelow Chapel. The National Historic Landmark, located in Watertown reopened in December 2018 following enhancements to the 19th century building. Shawmut, together with William Rawn Associates and CSL, worked to enhance and preserve Bigelow Chapel’s façade and interior, which was originally constructed in 1845 out of Quincy granite. The team installed a new, floor-to-ceiling glass addition that complements the original Gothic Revival design by Dr. Jacob Bigelow and connects visitors within the space to the beautiful and meditative landscape outside.

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Watertown Hosting Two Family Movie Nights at Police Station

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The Watertown Recreation Department and Watertown Police Department announced the dates for the 2019 Family Movie Nights. The departments provided the following information:

Please join us… Friday, July 19 Friday, Aug. 9 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

(The movie titles will be announced closer to the dates.)

The festivities will be held outside in the park at 552 Main St, behind the Police Station. 6:30- 8:00 Games, Face Painting, Popcorn, Music, Balloon Animals, Pizza and Refreshments

8:00 The Movie will begin! Watertown Elementary students, bring your friends and family for a night of fun and excitement!

Around Town

TV Crews Bring Old Police Station Back to Life

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Crews for “Defending Jacob” took over the old Watertown Police Station on Monday. Watertown’s old Police Station usually sits quietly next to the Library and Fire Station, but Monday it teemed with activity as film crews used the building for the TV series “Defending Jacob.” The series stars Chris Evans, and has also been filmed in Belmont and Hudson, according to IMDB. The show is based on the novel of the same name buy William Landay in which a father (who is also an assistant district attorney) deals with the accusation that his 14-year-old son is a murderer. Tents and equipment were set up in Watertown for the Chris Evans series “Defending Jacob.”

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Five New Members Join Watertown Community Foundation Board

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation announces the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the Board are Lauren Unsworth, Ashley Morris, Maria Panaggio-Phillips, Tony Paolillo, and Antonia O’Hara. “All five of our newest Board members are dedicated to our mission of building and sustaining a vibrant, close-knit community. Each brings expertise, experience, and energy for today and the future. We are delighted to welcome them as partners as we continue to strengthen our community here in Watertown,” said Jan Singer, Executive Director.