Around Town

Former Combatants Will Discuss Efforts to Bring Peace to Israel, Palestine

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Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment will host an event called Combatants for Peace on Saturday, April 28, 2018, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Belmont/Watertown United Methodist Church, 421 Common Street, Belmont. The group sent out the following information:
In 2006, Israeli and Palestinian former combatants laid down their weapons and established Combatants for Peace. They forswear violence and advocate together for an end to the Occupation. The egalitarian, bi-national movement was founded on the belief that the cycle of violence can only be broken when Israelis and Palestinians join forces. Combatants for Peace were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2017.

Around Town

Charles River Watershed Association Hosting Cleanup, Canoe & Kayak Race

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This weekend will be a big one along the Charles River as advocates for the waterway will host a cleanup Saturday and on Sunday will hold a canoe and kayak race. The Charles River Watershed Association provided the following information:
River Cleanup
On Saturday, April 28 at 9 a.m., Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) will sponsor the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. Volunteers from over 35 Massachusetts towns will work together at 104 sites along the Charles River to remove litter and beautify the river and its surrounding parklands. The largest one-day river cleanup in the country, this annual event brings together people from corporate, community and youth groups to protect the Charles River, an important natural resource for our whole community. After the Cleanup, volunteers will relax at one of three picnics, including a celebration at DCR’s Fiedler Field on the Esplanade.

Around Town

Youth Coalition Discusses Study of Alcohol, Drug Use by Young People in Watertown

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On Wednesday evening, April 11, 2018, members of the Watertown Health Department, Town Council, School Committee, Police, and Recreation Departments, Wayside Multi­Service Center staff, Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders, local clergy, youth, parents, and other interested community members joined together to hear a presentation and to discuss data from the most
recent Watertown Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). This survey was administered in the Spring of 2017. The YRBS is a health behavior survey usually given every other year to students in grades 7 through 12. The survey seeks to understand not only what risky behaviors the youth may be engaging in (use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, non­-medical use of prescription drugs, etc.), but also to better understand the perception of harm related to these activities. The survey also asks questions concerning stress levels, mental health (including thoughts of suicide), bullying, sexual activity, nutrition, and exercise.

Around Town

Still Time to Register for the Watertown Police Finish Strong 5K Run/Walk

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There’s still time to sign up for the the Watertown Police will host a 5k run and walk happening this weekend. 

Click here to register online. Organizers sent out the following information:

The Watertown Police Finish Strong 5k Run/Walk begins at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018 starting and finishing at Tufts Health Plan 705 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. Mission: The Watertown Police Relief Association, Watertown Supervisors Association and Watertown Patrol officers Association will commemorate the 5th anniversary of the events that led to the capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects by inviting the community to fill the streets of Watertown in a 5K celebratory road race and walk.Proceeds to benefit the WPRA, WPSA and the WPA. Proceeds from this event will benefit the WPSA, local charity & victim funds, One Fund, Watertown Police Foundation and the new foundation to support youth community programming and school safety initiatives

Course: The course is fast and fairly flat 3.1 miles (5k). Prizes to top male/female finishers plus various age categories.

Around Town

Free Activities and Snacks at Watertown’s Arbor Day Celebration

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Watertown will celebrate Arbor Day with a special, free event on Thursday at the historic Commander’s Mansion. Organizers sent out the following information:

Come join us at the Commander’s Mansion on Thursday, April 26th from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Commander’s Mansion is located at 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown (off Arsenal Street).  

This will be a fun day of learning about nature and the environment and there will be plenty of activities for children and adults. Free snacks and drinks will be handed out.

Around Town

Sheepshearing Festival Coming to Gore Place, Deal Offered for Members

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Gore Place will be hosting the 31st annual Sheepshearing Festival on April 28, 2018, and the historic mansion and farm on the Watertown/Waltham line has a special membership offer. Watertown and Waltham residents get a discount from the membership fees, and all will get a Sheepshearing bonus. Gore Place sent out the following information:

Sheepshearing Festival tickets for adults are $20 each. Renew [or purchase] your membership now and attend our Sheepshearing Festival for FREE! Membership dues are:

$40 for one Waltham/Watertown Resident Individual Membership
$50 for one Individual Membership
$70 for one Household Membership

Find out more about the Sheepshearing Festival here. Find out more about year-round membership benefits here.

Around Town

Local Author’s Book Goes Back in Time to See What Watertown Square Looked Like

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Watertown Square may have changed significantly over the past decade, but local author Cara Marcus found out how the area near the Charles River truly transformed from an industrial center centuries ago to the commercial downtown, while researching her book Watertown Square Through Time. The heart of Watertown Square, the grassy Delta, once was the site of a grist mill where farmers brought their grain to be ground. Where a parking lot for the MBTA sits on Galen Street used to be a soap factory in the later 1800s. The book goes back to the 1630s, Marcus said. She also stated she was most surprised by how industrial the area used to be was centuries ago.

Around Town

Sign Ups Open for Watertown Recreation’s Pequossette Summer Program

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Summer is around the corner and now is the time to sign up for the Watertown Recreation Department’s Pequossette Summer Program and Kindergarten Program. The Recreation Department sent out the following information:

PEQUOSSETTE SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM

June 25 – August 17, 2018
Kindergarten through Grade 8

This is our 50th year of providing a fun, energetic summer for your children with the very best in recreational activities. Activities are scheduled on a rotating basis with flexibility for special events. The children will participate in arts & crafts, drama, music, sports, physical education as well as active and quiet games. The Watertown Recreation Department is offering the Pequossette Summer Program to children who are entering grades one through eight in September 2018.