Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/454/)
Watertown will honor Lt. Paul J. Sullivan, who died in Vietnam 50 years ago this year. A plaque will be unveiled during the ceremony at the Sullivan Playground on June 24. The year after his death, the Town named the playground at the corner of Mt. Auburn Street and Arlington Street for Sullivan. This year, it will be rededicated and a new plaque has been installed with a portrait.
{The following piece was provided by Town Engineer Matthew Shuman from the Watertown Department of Public Works}
We appreciate our citizens on the look-out for potential sources of pollution in the Charles River, and it’s unfortunate that this resident had a difficult time contacting someone after hours. I’m not sure about the particulars in this instance, but we do receive calls after hours using an answering service. Furthermore, we are staffed 24-7 for emergencies. Also, all our storm drains that enter the Charles River (“outfalls”) have signs and a number attached to them (see the photo). It’s helpful when reporting potential pollution to include the outfall number as well, as this can help us with follow-up investigations.
The following piece was submitted by Deborah Peterson and Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment:
Now in its 39th year, Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment continues to lead and inspire community activism. On Sunday June 3, nearly 70 members filled Fellowship Hall at Belmont Watertown Methodist Church to enjoy potluck supper and hear a panel of young activists ranging from middle schoolers to post graduates. The fresh voices of Alex Thuene, Shivani Sharma, Kimia Tabatabaei, Yara Akkeh, Brenton Stoddart, Caitlin Forbes and Ari Stern were heard loud and clear as moderator Tod Gross probed deeply into their motivations and accomplishments. The breadth of the issues on which these young panelists are working includes refugee crises, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, gun violence, racial justice and
environmental protection – mirroring many of the activities in which Watertown Citizens has been active for nearly four decades. Each member of the panel spoke eloquently about their inspiration. Privilege and oppression are not abstract concepts for them; rather, these are real, operational terms. Some told of personal journeys growing up, in which they witnessed brutal conditions encountered by others less fortunate.
Catch the latest episode of Inside Watertown, the Watertown Cable Access TV show hosted by Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose and longtime local business and community leader Paul Airasian. This month, the guests were from the Watertown Community Foundation and the Historical Society of Watertown. First, the Historical Society’s Marilynne Roach talked about the upcoming Treaty Day, which celebrates both America’s first treaty with a foreign government and the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts. Both events took place right here in Watertown! The event will be on July 14, 2018, at the Edmund Fowle House.
Watertown has embraced the non-violence teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. like no other community, according to a Civil Rights activist and good friend of King.
On Thursday afternoon a celebration for the dedication of the mural created on the back wall of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club was attended by Dr. Bernard Lafayette. The mural, called “The Time is Always Right,” features bright paints and sections of mosaics which demonstrate the six principles of Kingian Nonviolence (and the words on the mural):
Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people (Have Courage)
The Beloved Community is the framework for the future (Be Kind)
Attack forces of evil, not people doing evil (Don’t Hate, Solve)
Accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause to achieve a goal (Stay the Course)
Avoid internal violence of the spirit as well as external physical violence (Love Yourself)
The Universe is on the side of justice (Trust)
Lafayette knows King’s teachings well. He has dedicated his life to spreading the nonviolence movement by teaching others how to use the principles and become Kingian instructors themselves. Two years ago he came to Watertown to teach 24 students, 17 school staff and three police officers. Since then, that group has reached more than 2,500 people in different events, according to Ruth Henry, a Watertown Middle School teacher who helped bring the Kingian principles to town.
The Watertown Recreation Department announced it will host a free Kayaking event on the Charles River – in partnership with Live Well Watertown. Participants will pair up in a double kayak for a fun, leisurely, or active ride along the Charles River. Charles River Recreation will provide basic instruction and safety rules for all who participate. This program is open to new and experienced kayakers. Comfortable, layered clothing is recommended; wear shoes that can get wet.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library and Hatch Makerspace:
Learn robotics in a fun and exciting environment! The LEGO World Robot Olympiad is a worldwide robotics competition that approaches issues in today’s world through creative problem solving and team building. Hatch Makerspace will host teams for the 2018 season, alleviating most of the burden of a new team’s startup cost ($450-$1000!), this includes:
• Use and access to our Lego Mindstorm Education and Expansion kits
• Use and access to our laptops with Lego Mindstorm Software
• Coaching from our stellar volunteers
• Support from the WRO MA/CT organizers in the form of competition mats, the official game kit, and lesson plans
There will be a mandatory information session for potential team members on Thursday, June 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hatch Makerspace at 20 Summer Street in Watertown. Show up to learn how it all works, see a demonstration of the robots, and form your team! The MA/CT organizer for the WRO will be at Hatch to answer questions and guide you through team formation.
Watertown native Albie O’Connell will take the reigns of the Boston University ice hockey team.
O’Connell has strong ties with BU, working behind the bench at BU for the past four years, the last three as associate head coach. He also played for the Terriers from 1995-96 to 1998-99, and served as captain during his senior year. “Simply put, this is the opportunity of a lifetime,” O’Connell said in the announcement on GoTerriers.com. “I’d like to thank (BU Athletic Director) Drew Marrochello, President Robert A. Brown and senior vice president Todd Klipp for entrusting me with a program that means the world to me. “BU has given me so much and I want each player that puts on our jersey to feel the same way I do. Returning here four years ago was an amazing feeling, and I look forward to continuing the momentum that this program has enjoyed recently and carrying on the incredible BU hockey legacy.”