Around Town

Flags Laid to Rest Respectfully During First Flag Retirement Ceremony

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The flag that flew in front of Watertown Town Hall got a retirement with the full honors Wednesday evening. 

For the first time in memory, the Town of Watertown held a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day. Local veterans groups, the Watertown Police Honor Guard, and sailors from the U.S.S. Constitution all took part in the ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery. The ceremony was lead by Watertown Veterans Agent Mark Comeiro. “When a flag has serve its useful life, it should be retired,” Comeiro said. The flag flew on the pole in front of Town Hall until Memorial Day, Comeiro said.

Around Town

Spots Still Available for Middlesex Sheriff’s Youth Academy

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Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian announced applications remain available for Watertown youth wishing to participate in the 2017 Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA). Entering its 18th year, YPSA provides a safe, educational, low-cost summer camp option for Middlesex County youth. The camp, which is comprised of six, one-week sessions, is open to children ages 8-12 residing in communities across Middlesex County. Transportation and lunch are provided and a graduation ceremony is held each Friday in Chelmsford. “Each year, YPSA is one of the best community programs we offer,” said Sheriff Koutoujian.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Hope Ramadan Celebration Becomes a Tradition

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Last week, a number of Watertown community groups joined organized a dinner to break the fast during one evening of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan which drew a big crowd in Watertown. 

Organizers sent out the following statement:
It looks like a new Watertown tradition has been born. On June 8 over 250 Muslims and non-Muslims streamed into St. James’ Mosesian Cultural Center to share Iftar, the evening fast-breaking meal that occurs each evening during the month-long Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Initiated by the Refugee Support Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, this first-time community-wide event produced an outpouring of support from individuals, churches and businesses. Molana Restaurant, Keffi’s Café, Arax Market, Ali Baba Restaurant, Falafel King, Rodey Pizzeria and Brookline Family Restaurant provided generous culinary delights and drinks, while Watertown Community Foundation and Adam Travel provided much needed financial support.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Receives Award for Stroke Guidelines

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Mount Auburn Hospital announced it has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence. Hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures to receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. If given intravenously in the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability.

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Watertown Family Network Celebrates Summer at Watertown Mall

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The Watertown Mall and the Watertown Family Network have teamed up to put together a free family event to celebrate summer. 

The groups released the following information:

Celebrate Summer with the Watertown Family Network at the Watertown Mall on Wednesday, June 21 at 11 a.m.! Join the Watertown Family Network and the Watertown Mall to celebrate the sunny days of summer! There will be songs, stories and surprises for kids of all ages. Come and make festive and summery crafts! All supplies will be provided.

Around Town

Float on the Charles River in Watertown During Free Kayaking Event

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Hit the waters of the Charles River during the Watertown Recreation Department’s free kayaking event on Saturday, June 17. The event was a hit last year, and all the spots were filled. The Recreation Department included the the following information: 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.

Around Town

Find Out What it is Like to Live with Alzheimer’s in Experiential Learning Program

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The Residence at Watertown Square invites the public to a special event where they can find out what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. 

The event, called “A Walk in Their Shoes,” will be on Wednesday, June 21, the longest day of the year at 2 p.m. At the event, participates will take part in an experiential learning program to better understand how someone with dementia perceives the world around them. The Residence’s announcement said: “Join us for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day event to honor the strength, heart and endurance of those facing Alzheimer’s disease. We will make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association for each person who attends the event. We’re fighting Alzheimer’s disease from dawn to dusk.” Please RSVP to 617-924-8100

The Residence at Watertown Square is located at 20 Summer St., Watertown, residencewatertown.com.

Around Town

Town Seeks Applicants for Open Seat on Historical District Commission

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With the passing of Historic District Commissioner Nicki Famiglietti, the Town of Watertown seeks to fill the seat on the Watertown Historic District Commission. The following announcement was sent out by the Town:
The Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown Citizens interested in serving on the Historic District Commission in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Odinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or to Town Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Historic District Commission
Description: The purpose of the commission is to safe guard the education, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public throughout the preservation and protection of distinctive characteristics of buildings of Historic or architectural significance and to encourage growth, development and improvements.  Also to affect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of such improvements and features and of districts which represent or reflect elements of Watertown’s unique cultural, social, economic, political and architectural history. The Historic District Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of each month.