Around Town

Space Available for Watertown Youth in Sheriff’s Summer Public Safety Academy

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The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office provided the following information:

Opportunities remain for youngsters ages 8-12 who want to register the Youth Public Safety Academy, Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced Wednesday, March 20. The Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA) is a week-long experience designed to be a low-cost and educational option for Middlesex County families in the summer. Cadets who attend the camp can spend the week learning safety skills, completing team and confidence-building exercises, and meeting public safety officials from the MSO as well as their hometown. The Watertown week of camp runs from July 15-19 this year. “The response to YPSA this year has been astounding, with over 850 families signing up in our first week,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.  “Watertown cadets will have the opportunity to build relationships with the men and women of our office as well as the Watertown Police and Watertown Fire Departments, so it truly is a fun and educational experience for these children.”

Transportation to and from Watertown, as well as breakfast and lunch, are provided each day.

Around Town

Watertown Library Invites Public to 150th Anniversary Gala

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

Tucked away in the basement of Town Hall, Watertown Free Public Library first opened its doors on March 31, 1869 under founding director Solon Whitney. In those early years, the library was open two days a week, four hours a day. The library was well used, but there was intense disagreement over the value of fiction. In 1882, one trustee argued that “the modern story has no place in a town library.” Some worried that novels would corrupt the minds of Watertown youth. Much has changed in 150 years.

Around Town

Paddle Down the Charles River in the Annual Run of the Charles River

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The 37th annual Run of the Charles paddle race will take place on April 28. The following information was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Paddlers from across New England have registered for the 37th Annual Run of the Charles: Boston’s Premier Paddling Race, taking place on Sunday, April 28, 2019. 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 the 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.

Around Town

Program on Dealing with Changes Vision Coming to Watertown Senior Center

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The Carroll Center provided the following announcement:

Carroll Center for the Blind will host an event about called “Dealing With Changes in Vision” on March 29 in Watertown. The Carroll Center for the Blind will host a presentation on changes in vision, featuring Robert McGillivray, a low vision therapist from the Carroll Center, on Friday, March 29, 2019, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Watertown Senior Center located at 31 Marshall St. 

McGillivray will review the different causes and characteristics of visual change, and share what low vision devices and techniques can improve the quality of one’s performance at work, school or home.  

Registration is required by calling the Senior Center at 617-972-6490.  For more information, call the Carroll Center at 617-969-6200 or visit www.carroll.org.

Around Town

Local Group Hosting Forum About Restorative Justice

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Progressive Watertown will host an event called “Restorative Justice: It’s The Law” on March 31. Organizers of the event sent out the following information:

What is Restorative Justice, How Does it Work, and How is it Used? A Public Forum and Panel Discussion moderated by William N. Brownsberger, Massachusetts State Senator. With Featured Speakers:

Margot Fleischman, Board President of Communities for Restorative Justice

Ruth Henry, Watertown Public School Educator

Lori Kenschaft, Clerk of First Parish Arlington, Educator and Activist

Peter Koutoujian, Middlesex County Sheriff

Marian Ryan, Middlesex County District Attorney

WHEN: Sunday, March 31, 2-4 p.m.

WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA

Produced by Progressive Watertown. Co-sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Black Lives, Watertown Community Foundation, and World in Watertown.

Around Town

Watertown Youth Coalition Holding Town Hall Meeting, Giving Dramatic Performance

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Learn about the issues facing the youth of Watertown and see a performance by local teens and the Improbable Players theater troupe at an event on March 20. The following information was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

The Watertown Youth Coalition will host a Town Hall Meeting to present the results of the Well Being of Watertown Youth survey, and a theatrical presentation:

Along with the presentation of the survey results of the Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders will make their theatrical debut with the Improbable Players. The event will be on Wednesday, March 20, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown. To register go to http://bit.ly/wyctownhall. The Town Hall is sponsored by: Wayside Multi-Service Center, Watertown Public Schools, Watertown Police Department, Watertown Health Department, Donohue’s, Demos, Miller’s Ale House, Ixtapa Cantina, SAMHSA, and the MDPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Elected to Newton-Needham Chamber Board

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Watertown’s Jack Fucci was elected to the board of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber. The following information was provided by the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber:

Watertown native Jack Fucci has been elected to join the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber’s board of directors. Fucci is president and CEO of the West Suburban YMCA of Newton. In his role at the Y, Jack provides leadership, vision and strategic direction to one of the region’s largest charitable nonprofit organizations. He brings to the chamber his experience of working with a committed Board of Directors and staff to ensure that his organization’s more than 12,000 members receive exemplary customer service and outstanding value while serving the greater needs of the community.