Around Town

Watertown High School Student Wins Multiple Television Awards

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The budding Watertown High School television production program received several honors this year thanks to the work of one enthusiastic student. 

Senior Rebecca Grossman won four awards in the Boston/National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences high school competition for her work this year in the WHS television production program, which is just a few years old. “When I came (to the School Committee) in January 2015, one of the goals was within 3-5 years I hoped to compete in the student broadcast awards,” said WHS TV instructor Todd Robbins. “We are well ahead of schedule. Not only did we compete but we did very well.” Last year, the school competed in seven categories, but did not win any awards.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Receives Grant from Staples

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club has been awarded $3,500 by Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., through a program called 2 Million & Change that allows Staples associates around the globe to direct more than $2 million in donations each year. “We are thrilled that Staples, Inc.’s 2 Million & Change program will allow us to increase our ability to serve the teens of our community,” said Watertown Boys & Girls Club Executive Director, Renée Gaudette, “As we seek to deepen our impact on this dynamic yet vulnerable population, we greatly appreciate Staples, Inc.’s support in ensuring Great Futures Start Here at Watertown Boys & Girls Club.”

Created in 2012, the 2 Million & Change program is a philanthropic initiative which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations focused on academic education or job skills. The program encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising – up to $25,000 per

In 2015, Staples awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to 875 local organizations in support of education and job skills programs, including job readiness for homeless individuals, career exploration for high school students, academic scholarships, mentoring and more. “For 30 years, Staples associates have been making a difference in their communities around the world,” said John Burke, chief culture officer, Staples, Inc., "We’re thrilled that the 2 Million & Change program lets our associate make an even greater impact on the organizations they are passionate about.”

Around Town

Learn Advanced Video Editing at Watertown Cable Class

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Residents of Watertown are invited to sign up for Watertown Cable Access Television’s free class in Advanced Video Editing beginning on June 29. In this workshop, attendees will continue to grow their Final Cut Pro knowledge. They will learn how to make unique transitions, use color correction, perform basic keying, and even create intros and end credits. The prerequisite for this class is Digital Video Editing or special permission from instructor. The class will take place Wednesday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 20 at WCA-TV’s station, located in the basement of Watertown High School.

Around Town

Residents Honored for Work for Youth at Community Spirit Awards

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The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) celebrated another successful year at their Annual “Community Spirit Awards” event held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Community members gathered at Arsenal Park to recognize and honor awardees for going above and beyond to support Watertown youth and families. WYC sent out the following information:

Each year, the WYC asks the community to nominate people who:
● Serve as a positive influence or mentor to a Coalition member or to others in the community
● Have the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community
● Actively take steps to improve the Watertown community (in big and small ways)
We were pleased to present awards to:
● Alyson Morales
● Deborah Rosati
● Jason Scotti
● Jim Helie
● Linda & Tim Tracy
● Peter Airasian
● Rosdom Kaligian
● Stacy & Adam Vachon, Steve Helberg, and the Lowell Extended Day Program Staff
● Tom McManus
Lt. Dan Unsworth and Stephanie Venizelos, who have received Spirit Awards in recent years, received honorable mentions. Cris Patvakanian, a graduating senior at Watertown High School and also a previous Spirit Award recipient, was recognized for his contributions to the community as a WYC Peer Leader. We applaud these awardees and the people that nominated them.

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Watertown Man Wins Award at MassBay Auto Show for His Classsic Car

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MassBay Community College recently announced 23 local car enthusiasts who were awarded winners at the annual All Vehicle Show held at our Automotive Technology Center in Ashland. Spectators who attended the May event voted for the top 20 vehicles and the People’s Choice Award winners, in addition the MassBay alumni voted for the Alumni Choice Award winner. This year’s All Vehicle Show had 160 vehicles registered, raising $15,000 from registration fees which will be used to fund MassBay automotive technology student scholarships. This year’s winners are (name, hometown and vehicle information);

Alumni Choice Award Jack Couhig (Worcester, MA), 1959 Chevy Apache 31

People’s Choice Award Robert Lundell (Hanson, MA), 1967 Chevy Camaro

Top 20 Awards Greg Hescock (Ashland, MA), 1955 Chevy Belair

Rodney Collymore (Boston, MA), 1963 Chevy Corvette

Dan Tortora (Charlton, MA), 1954 Kaiser Darrin

Tony DeRouin (Groton, MA), 1962 Chevy Corvette

Robert Lundell (Hanson, MA), 1967 Chevy Camaro

Sean Burns (Harvard, MA), 1961 Chevy Corvette

Alan LePage (Holliston, MA), 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle

Phil McClure (Hopedale, MA), 1932 Ford Deuce Coupe

David Larsen (Medfield, MA), 1961 Dodge Dart Phoenix

Richard Barrick (Natick, MA), 1946 Ford Convertible

Arthur Taddeo (Natick, MA), 1934 Ford 5 Window Coupe

Rich Santucci (Newton, MA), 1971 Oldsmobile 442 W-30

Bruce Muldoon (Sherborn, MA), 1966 GTO Convertible

Dave Terricciano (Southborough, MA), 1954 Packard

Laura Sheperd (Sutton, MA), 1968 Cutlass

John Shields (Watertown, MA), 1963 Chevy Impala

John Shepherd (Westborough, MA), 1968 Firebird Convertible

Paul Breault (Westford, MA), 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback

Ron Lindblad (Westwood, MA), 1970 Buick GS455 Convertible

Jack Couhig (Worcester, MA), 1959 Chevy Apache 31

MassBay’s Auto Technology is the premier automotive training center in the New England region offering programs that are sponsored by four major automotive brands; BMW, Toyota/Lexus, General Motors, and JEEP/Chrysler/Dodge/Ram, providing students with in-depth, product-specific automotive technology programs.

Students are trained on the newest cars using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The program has a hands-on paid co-op component, enabling students to learn in a professional setting while earning money and college credit simultaneously.

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Abandoned Trolley Tracks Discovered Under Arsenal Street

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A construction crew doing work along Arsenal Street found something surprising under the roadway – abandoned trolley tracks from days gone by. Watertown News reader Rachel Jacobs photographed the rails as she drove along Arsenal Street on Thursday. The rails had been paved over and were left from a defunct trolley line that linked Watertown Square with Central Square in Cambridge, and went over Western Avenue in Brighton. The rails will likely be removed. The trolley line pre-dated the MBTA, according to Town Councilor and transportation buff Vincent Piccirilli after a meeting that – appropriately – discussed the future of transportation in Watertown Thurday night.

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Moose Hit, Killed in Weston May be the One Seen in Watertown

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A young moose made quite a splash when it was seen running through Watertown earlier this month, but there may be a sad end to the tale. 

A young female moose had to be euthanized after it was struck by a car in Weston, according to WBZ Channel 4. It is not clear whether or not it is the same one, but Environmental Police said it could be the same one spotted in Watertown and Belmont. A moose was caught running along Belmont Street on June 1 by a Watertown Police officer (see the video here).

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Screening of Feminist Documentary, Discussion at Watertown Library

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The Watertown Free Public Library will host a screening of ‘She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry,’ a film by Mary Dore and Nancy Kennedy. It is the provocative, rousing and often humorous account of the birth of the women’s liberation movement in the late 1960s through to its contemporary manifestations in the new millennium, direct from the women who lived it. Judy Norsigian, co-founder of the Boston Women’s Health Collective to host the discussion after the film. Free and open to all. The Feminist Documentary Screening and Discussion Hosted by Judy Norsigian will be at the Watertown Library, on Wednesday June 22 at 6:30 p.m.