Around Town

Watertown Savings to Donate $150K to Non-Profits, With $15K First Prize

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Watertown Savings announced the start of their annual Customer Choice Awards. See the announcement below:

Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) President and CEO Brett Dean is pleased to announce that $150,000 will be distributed among local non-profits in the Bank’s 24th Annual Customer Choice Awards. “The Bank will celebrate our 150th Anniversary in 2020 and as part of the celebration, we invite, and encourage, every WSB customer to vote for their favorite non-profit,” said Dean. “We are extremely proud of the Customer Choice Awards because of how many organizations are helped.”

How the Customer Choice Awards work: • Anyone with a Watertown Savings Bank account may vote. • Customers may vote only once for their favorite local, non-profit organization.

Around Town

First Parish Watertown Holding Fifth Arts & Crafts Show

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First Parish Church of Watertown hosts a yard sale on May 3. The following announcement came from First Parish Church:

Once again this year, on Saturday, Oct. 26, First Parish of Watertown’s artists and crafters, joined by other talented vendors, opens its doors at 10 a.m. for its fifth arts and crafts show and sale. Originally conceived as a fundraiser to help pay for the replacement of an ancient heating system, the show now supports not only the church but also the artists and crafters whose high quality, affordably-priced items make great hostess and holiday gifts. Among the Watertown residents participating are Carole Katz (paintings); Missy Shay (quilts); Monica Fairbairn (jewelry); woven rugs (Johanna Erickson) and nature photography items (Carole Berney).

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Taking Applications for Education Grants

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has merged with the Watertown Education Foundation (WEF) and announces the release of the Fall 2018 School Program Grants. This program focuses solely on Watertown’s public schools and seeks to support activities that improve instruction and learning. 

The application form is available online. Grant requests of up to $2,500 will be considered, though the average amount awarded will likely range from $500 to $1,000. Where partnerships of two or more schools or organizations are involved an award of up to $5,000 will be considered. A total of $35.000 will be awarded.

Around Town

Ballroom Dance Studio Holding Free Class in Its New Location

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Ballroom in Boston announced that it has moved to Watertown, and to celebrate the studio will offer a free class. The studio sent out the following information:

We are offering a free dance class open to the public on Oct. 25 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Now’s the time to learn to dance! Sign up for a FREE dance class on Friday 10/25 from 7pm – 8pm. You’ll learn the basics of tango and swing in just an hour!

Around Town

Hear What the Council Heard from Residents About Community Engagement

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The following announcement came from the Committee on Media and Public Outreach Committee:

The public is invited to the Community Engagement Project Meeting with the Town Council’s Committee on Media and Public Outreach Committee. How do residents engage with town government? What tools do they use? What tools would they like to see expanded or developed? What do they see as major opportunities and challenges to increase community engagement?

Around Town

OP-ED: Looking at Gov. Baker’s Temporary Ban on Vaping

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The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, D – Belmont, who also represents Watertown and parts of Boston. On Sept. 24, Governor Baker declared a public health emergency and temporary ban on the sale of all vaping products in response to a multi-state outbreak of unexplained lung illnesses associated with vaping. In effect until Jan. 25, the ban seeks to provide medical experts time to properly investigate the dangers associated with the use of electronic nicotine and marijuana products, which will assist the state in developing a response that could include new legislation or Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations.

Around Town

Watertown Group Joins Protest Against Invasion of Syria

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Anne Benaquist and Mary Skinner, members of Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group, stand in front of Boston’s Turkish Consulate on Tuesday in protest of the Turkish invasion of Syria and U.S. support to the Turkish military. Residents from Watertown joined the protest against Turkey’s invasion of Syria outside the Turkish Consulate. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment provided the information and photos. Members of the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group, part of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, attended the protest on Tuesday in Boston. Members of Mass.

Around Town

Watertown to Hold Concert, Breakfast to Mark Veterans Day

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The Town of Watertown has two events planned to recognize Veterans Day 2019, including a concert featuring big band music and a breakfast and ceremony. On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 from 6-8:30 p.m., The World Famous Hal McIntyre Orchestra, directed by Don Pentleton and featuring Sinatra vocalist, Steve Marvin will perform at the Watertown Free Public Library. The concert will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. It is open to all veterans and the public.