Around Town

Watertown Cable’s ‘Inside Watertown’ Receives Award from Alliance for Community Media

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A local talkshow produced by Watertown Cable Access won an award at the recent Alliance for Community Media Northeast Region Conference. The producers of “Inside Watertown,” Samantha Dudley and Ashley Hardy received the second place award in the Budget II General Talkshow category at the in ACM Northeast Region Conference in Schenectady, New York, in October. Watertown Cable announced the award on Wednesday. The show highlights groups and people who make a difference in Watertown. The show is co-hosted by Charlie Breitrose, editor of Watertown News, and Paul Airasian, a local business and community leader.

Around Town

See Who Got Health Watertown Grants from the Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation sent the following announcement:

From indoor gym equipment for Watertown Head Start Program to keep pre-schoolers moving all year long to healthy lunches for vacation camps at the Boys and Girls Club leveling the field for all, The Watertown Community Foundation has announced the recipients of this year’s Healthy Watertown grants.  

“We are THRILLED to have received the Healthy Watertown Grant for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club. We have been hoping to do this initiative for years, and finally we will be able to offer healthy lunches during our vacation camps.” — Mary Kern WBGC

Seniors will have a chance to take Zen Art classes plus attend a summer supper club.  Firefighters will get Mental Health First Aid training through Wayside Youth & Multi Service Center. “Thanks so much for this award. We are very excited to be able to offer MHFA to the firefighters!” — Laura Kurman

Lt. Dan Unsworth will continue to help community members and their families cope with opioid addiction and challenges facing their families with the Free Community Narcan Program. Watertown For All Ages will begin their study on transportation needs for seniors and every senior in town will get a chance to find out how to cook and eat healthy with Seasoned, a new magazine from CHOP CHOP Magazine.

Around Town

Filippello Park’s Grove Street Project Adding Green Area, Dog Park & Hard Courts

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Planning for the renovation of the Grove Street entrance to Filippello Park began six years ago, and discussions for what to do with the section of the former Watertown Landfill date back to 1984, so Recreation Department officials are excited to that construction is nearly complete. The area used to be the location of the incinerator at the landfill. While the rest of the land was turned into Filipello Park, the property near Grove Street had largely been paved over and used for parking, basketball courts and, in the winter, the Town’s snow dump. Recently, Recreation Director Peter Centola met with Glenn Howard, project designer from CDM Smith to go over some of the last details in the project. Discussions about how to reinvigorate the area began in 2012, Centola said, and morphed over the years. The Grove Street entrance will have a large dog park, two gazebos, a hard court playing area, and additional parking.

Around Town

Newton-Wellesley Hosts Discussion on Strategies for Comping with Stress for the Holidays

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The following information came from the National Alliance on Mental Illness:

An educational presentation on “Strategies for Coping with Stress for the Holidays” will be presented by Riverside Trauma team member Nanci Ginty Butler in Drucker Auditorium at the Newton Library at 330 Homer Street in Newton 02459, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11.  

While there, you can see the monthly display cases by NAMI Newton Wellesley and Riverside.  This free program is offered by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). There is no NAMI Family Support Group at Newton Wellesley Hospital on Dec.

Around Town

Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony Will be Held in Watertown Square

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The Town of Watertown announced that the annual Pearl Harbor Day observance will be held on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at 12:00 p.m.

Watertown’s Department of Veterans’ Services, along with Watertown Veteran’s organizations, will hold a brief “Pearl Harbor Day 2018” observance at the landing above the former wharf in Watertown Square. Please join is as we honor our World War 2 Pearl Harbor veterans on this 77th anniversary. For information please contact the Town Manager’s Office, Town of Watertown, at 617-972-6465

Around Town

Free Blood Pressure Screening at the Watertown Mall This Week

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On the first Friday of every month, the Watertown Mall has a free blood pressure screening, the Mall announced in a press release. Screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. This month screening takes place Friday, Dec. 7 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

Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion Presents Holiday Open House

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Watertown’s historic Commander’s Mansion hosts the Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., featuring two floors of fun, food and drink, and visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The organizers of the event provided the following schedule and information:

First Floor – South Pole

6:15 to 6:45 p.m. and 7 to 7:30 p.m. – La Bonne Maison presents an intimate tasting demo of holiday cocktails and app

For ages 21+ (limited capacity) $8.00 per person with pre-registration — please call 617-926-7755 to register — and $10.00 per person at the door (cash only)

5:45 to 6:15 p.m. – Perkins Secondary Chorus and Instrumental Ensemble performs Christmas Carols

Second Floor – North Pole – FREE – geared for kids grade K through fifth grade

5:30 p.m. – Let’s welcome Santa! Escorted by theWatertown Police Department
meet in front of the mansion

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Visit with Santa and don’t forget your camera thanks to Watertown Savings Bank

Storytime with Mrs. Claus

Elves Workshop with Ms. Smith with take-away kid’s craft

Rudolph’s Café opens at 5:30 p.m. with free hot cocoa and cookies

The Mansion will be open for self-tours

Organizers thank Dunkin’ Donuts, Season to Taste Catering, Tastings Caterers,
Off the Vine Catering, Peppers Artful Events, BG Events & Catering,
Forklift Catering, Cuisine Chez Vou, Sensational Foods, and Better Life Food & Taylor Rental of Haverhill

Around Town

Learn About Early Literacy Development at Event at Watertown Library

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The following information was provided by the event organizer:

Lecture and Discussion: Early Literacy Development (Birth To Age 5) at The Watertown Public Library 

On Saturday Dec. 8, a lecture and discussion about early literacy development at the Watertown Public Library at 1 p.m. will be led by Teddy Kokoros, a Pre-K Teacher at Transpiration Children’s Center and adjunct early childhood education professor at Fisher College, Lesley University, and UMass Boston. The event will be at Watertown Public Library’s Lucia Mastrangelo Meeting Room and is free and open to the public. http://reservations.watertownlib.org/reservation/40734

This event will go over how teachers and parents of young children can best support young children’s early literacy development. Topics covered will including finding quality picture books, dialogic reading, vocabulary development, reading comprehensions skills, phonics and decoding.