Around Town

Clock from Former East Branch Library Has a New Home

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The clock that used to hang in Watertown’s East Branch Library has been saved, and now hangs in the Main Library. A piece of Watertown history has found a home in a very appropriate place: the Local History Room of the Watertown Free Public Library. While the former East Branch Library has been sold to St. James Armenian Church, and will be torn down, the clock has been saved, noted District A Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis, who represents the East End. “Do you remember the “clock” that for decades hung at the East Branch Library?

Around Town

Mother Who Founded Peace Institute After Son’s Murder Will Speak in Watertown

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The following information was provided by the event organizers:

Chaplain Clementina M. Chéry, founder of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute established in 1994 following the murder of her 15 year old son, Louis, will be addressing a public forum to be held at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave., on Jan. 17, from 6:30–8:00 p.m.

This forum on reconciliation and restorative justice is free and open to all. The program will also includes a performance by the Watertown Middle School Chorus. The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute sponsors the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Boston, an annual event started in 1996 to offer love and support to the mothers of murdered children. Since the founding of the institute, Chaplain Chéry has undergone a powerful journey of reconciliation and restorative justice, and has provided a beacon of hope for countless families.

Around Town

LETTER: Neighbors Upset by Two Story Addition 5 Feet From Rear Property Line

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Neighbors on the back side of 73-75 Morse Street worry that having a two story garage right near their property line will hurt the value of their homes. Editor:

We are writing as a concerned and outraged neighborhood about an egregious construction situation at 73/75 Morse St. If this is allowed to be completed, it will set a precedent that could be repeated throughout Watertown. If stopped, it would set a precedent that this kind of thing isn’t allowed or tolerated in this town. The new owner-builder of this property has permission from the town to re-construct the two houses and garage that were there.

Around Town

Director of ACLU Mass.’s Racial Justice Program to Speak at Unity Breakfast

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The organizers of the Unity Breakfast provided the following announcement:

On Monday, January 21, 2019 Watertown will celebrate its nineteenth Unity Breakfast on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The event brings together hundreds of people, representing Watertown’s diverse population, to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who devoted his life to ending prejudice and racism in our country. The Unity Breakfast has become a Watertown tradition, drawing over 400 guests. The program includes a timely keynote speaker, lively choral music, essays and art projects by Watertown middle and high school students, and the presentation of the Unity Award to Watertown individuals or community organizations that have demonstrated outstanding community service to the town. This year the Honorary Host will be Officer Tony Physic of the Watertown Police Department.

Around Town

Free Lecture on the Social Life of Black Bears at the Library

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Dr. Ben Kilham will speak about the social life of black bears at the Watertown Library. The following information was provided by the Appalachian Mountain Club:

A free lecture on The Social Life of Black Bears will be presented presented by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club at the Watertown Free Public Library on Jan. 5, 2019. Dr. Ben Kilham will present a program on the social life of black bears and what they can teach us about being human. Ben Kilham, Ph.D. is a wildlife biologist based in Lyme, NH.

Around Town

Building Committee to Discuss New Schools vs. Renovating

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Whether Watertown will build new elementary schools or renovate the current ones will be discussed at the School Building Committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 2. At their last meeting on Dec. 5, the School Building Committee began discussing whether the difference in price for renovating vs. building new schools was small enough to consider new construction.

Around Town

Mall Offering Free Blood Pressure Screenings

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Free Blood Pressure Screening! On the first Friday of every month, the Watertown Mall has a free blood pressure screening, according to an announcement from the mall. Screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. This month screening takes place Friday, Jan. 4 from 10am to 11am.