Around Town

Holiday Open House Coming to Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion

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Head to the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown to see Santa, dancers, holiday mocktails and more. 

The historic home located at 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown, next to the Arsenal on the Charles, will host the Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is a FREE event and all are welcomed! Take a self-guided tour of the mansion, which has been decorated by local volunteers, the Department of Public Works and Be Our Guest. Enjoy sweet treats thanks to our friends from Dunkin’ Donuts/Riverside Management, Russo’s, Catering with Distinction, Boston Catering & Events, and Sensational Foods

Events

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Ms. Clause story time and activities

5 p.m. – La Bonne Maison, festive cocktail and hors d’oeuvres demonstrations

5:30 p.m. – Your Bartender Tonight, holiday mocktail concoctions

6:30 p.m. – Ballroom in Boston, dance entertainment

5-7 p.m. – Santa Visit, stop by for self-photos courtesy of Watertown Savings Bank

Two drawings to win a pair of tickets to a NewRep production!

Around Town

Local Dance Company Performing in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Sayat Nova Dance Company is in New York City to perform in front of millions during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. According to the Armenian dance group’s website, Sayat Nova will appear on the NBC broadcast at about 10:30 a.m.

The Thanksgiving Parade draws a crowd of about 3.5 million, and is seen by more than 50 million TV viewers. The broadcast will be shown in Boston on WHDH Channel 7, and begins at 9 a.m.

Sayat Nova was founded in 1986 by director/choreographer Apo Ashjian. The group’s mission is “to preserve and promote the Armenian culture, primarily through the art of dance; To foster an atmosphere of friendship among individuals sharing the pride and indomitable spirit of the Armenian people; To further educate and elevate multicultural awareness within all ethnic communities worldwide.” The group has performed at other major venues, including: Boston’s Hatch Shell, Boston Common’s Outside the Box Festival, the Emerson Majestic Theatre, Jacob’s Pillow, Gillette stadium, and Armenia’s reputable Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.  

Around Town

See the Activities the Recreation Department has Lined Up for Kids this Winter

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The Watertown Recreation Department has plenty of activities for children of all ages, featuring Cops & Rec programs, dodgeball, yoga and ski boarding. To register for these programs visit the Recreation Office in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown, or register online by clicking here. For more information call 617-972-6494. Cops & Rec Coed Dodgeball Program

Who: Boys and Girls Grades 6 -8

When: Wednesdays, November 16 – February 8, 2017 (Meets once a week for 10 weeks) No Class: 11/23 ,12/28

Time: 2:30-4 p.m.

Where: Middle School Small Gymnasium

Fee: $25.00 Residents

The first week of this program will consist of pick-up games and then the teams will be selected. The teams will be made up of boys and girls from different grades. We will schedule games each week for each team.

Around Town

Free Workshop on Health Aging Hosted by Alzheimer’s Association

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The Alzheimer’s Association announced it will host a free workshop on healthy aging on Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 4-5:30 p.m., at the Alzheimer Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown. 

Healthier Living for Your Brain and Body, will address research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity, and social engagement to promote a brain-healthy lifestyle. The workshop will provide hands-on tools to help incorporate recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/MANH. The Alzheimer’s Association, with headquarters in Watertown, has regional offices in Springfield, Raynham, and Worcester, MA and Bedford, NH. The Alzheimer’s Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Hosts Freedom from Smoking Series

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If you are looking to quit smoking, Mount Auburn Hospital has a program that could help you reach your goal. The hospital sent out the following information:

WHAT:         Mount Auburn Hospital is pleased to host Freedom From Smoking®, a seven-week program developed by the American Lung Association®. This program provides an overview on how to overcome tobacco addiction by addressing the physical, mental and social aspects of addiction. Topics include managing stress, avoiding weight gain, developing a new self image, how to stay smoke free for good and more. WHEN:        Starting Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 5:30pm-7pm.

Addiction

Katherine Clark Applauds Watertown for Work to Stop Epidemic of Opiates

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The effort to stop the epidemic of opioid and heroin addiction across the country has led to some strange allies, Congresswoman Katherine Clark said Thursday night, but local efforts like the one in Watertown are just as important as bills passed in Washington. 

Clark spoke at Watertown Middle School during the Erase the Stigma event hosted by W.A.T.E.R.town (Watertown Access to Treatment, Educations and Resources) Task Force on Substance Use Disorder. Addiction to opiates, which often begins with using prescription painkillers, has touched all demographics, Clark said, and even the youngest. “At Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, a small community hospital, 5 percent of the babies born are dependent (on opiates),” Clark said. This led her to sponsor legislation to to help opioid-exposed infants in 2015, and she got some help from across the aisle. “The co-sponsor was (Senate Majority Leader and Republican) Mitch McConnell,” Clark said.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Hold Event on Transgender Personal Stories and Experiences

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The World in Watertown and the Social Action Committee of First Parish of Watertown invite the public to a program on Transgender Identities, Thursday, December 1, 2016, 7-9 p.m. at First Parish, 35 Church Street, Watertown, the group announced. While we are seeing more representation of transgender experience in the news and media, many people still have a lot of questions.  A panel of speakers who identify as transgender or are parents of youth who identify as transgender will share their personal experiences and answer audience questions on how best to support and understand transgender people. This program is organized by Missy Mae Sturtevant, Director and Founder of the MaeBright Group, Boston.