Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/503/)
Watertown Helps Out! Fourth Annual Community Day of Service kicks off Saturday, May 6, 8:30 a.m. at the Arsenal Project
How do you give back to the community? Where are organizations that need your help? Are there opportunities for your family to serve? In 2014, the Watertown Community Foundation created a townwide day of service, Watertown Helps Out, to fill this need.
Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Tufts Health Plan Foundation and vice president for corporate citizenship for Tufts Health Plan, was named by Governor Charlie Baker to the state’s first Governor’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts, the foundation announced. The council, comprising leaders from the business community, academia, health care, technology and innovation, advocacy organizations, caregivers, community organizations, and municipalities, will develop a plan to make Massachusetts the most age-friendly state. Older adults are the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, and they will make up 23% of the Massachusetts population by 2035. “The notion that people are fully retired at the age of 65 is inconsistent with what I see around Massachusetts every day,” said the governor. “Many of our older adults still have ample time, energy and talent available to start a second or third career, volunteer in their community, become a mentor, or pursue an unfulfilled passion.
People planning to go out to watch the Boston Marathon should be aware of certain restrictions this year, as well as road closures and impacts on users of the MBTA. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced that spectators along the course may have to go through security checkpoints and released a list of restricted items, including backpacks, suitcases or rolling bags. Spectators can have clear plastic bags containing personal items.
Part of the 2017 Boston Marathon Spectator Guidelines announcement said:
Spectators along the course are discouraged from possessing any of the items listed below. Possession of any of these items may result in delays when passing through security checkpoints and enhanced screening. Weapons or items of any kind that may be used as weapons, including firearms, knives, mace, etc.
Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion will host a free Arbor Day Celebration on Thursday, April 27. The celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27, rain or shine. In case of bad weather, the events will be in side the Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown (behind the Arenal on the Charles).
Grab a bite to eat from the food trucks (they accept credit cards) or pack a picnic and join us for an afternoon of fun for all ages!
The American Red Cross will join community leaders to host three blood drives on April 15 in honor of the lives changed by the Boston Marathon bombings and to pay tribute to the strength and resilience shown by so many following the attacks. The drives will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 15 at Watertown High School, 50 Columbia St., Watertown; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St., Boston; and 2-7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Stoneham, 1 Church St., Stoneham. In April 2013, the Red Cross sent 600 blood products to Boston area hospitals in response to the Boston Marathon bombings. Volunteers are the only source of blood and platelets for hospital patients in need of transfusions. During National Volunteer Month, the Red Cross encourages eligible blood and platelet donors of all types to donate to help ensure blood products are available to hospital patients in need, as they were to many patients in the aftermath of the attacks in Boston.
Tickets are now available for the Watertown Education Foundation’s Dancing With the Stars fundraiser. The Watertown Education Foundation 4th annual Dancing With the Stars will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at The Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. Doors open at 6 p.m. and hors d’oeuvres & appetizers will be served. The dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. Cash bar. The Watertown Education Foundation sent out the following information:
Our dancers have, or have had, children in the Watertown Schools, they are business owners, community leaders, coaches, friends and neighbors.
The Watertown Community Gardens has plots available, and applications are now being accepted. The organization has had a garden on Grove Street for several years and last year opened up one in Arsenal Park. To apply for a plot in the Watertown Community Gardens, click here: https://form.jotform.com/50024281648148
WCG is a 501c3 non profit organization founded in 2011. Our mission is to promote community gardens and gardening in Watertown, Massachusetts with the goal of advancing healthy eating environmental stewardship, and community connections through gardening.
A group looking to create a a community of people 55 and older living in private homes but sharing common facilities and having a voice in the design and operation of their neighborhood. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Arlington and Middlesex Senior Cohousing will host a conversation about this model for aging in place with those interested in creating and participating in such a neighborhood in the Metro North Boston area. The event will include a slide presentation followed by small group discussions. The event will be on Saturday, April 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the First Parish Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington. To Register click here.