Around Town

‘Patriots Day’ Crews Back in Town to Film at Old Police Station

By |

Film crews set up at the old Police Station Monday afternoon to shoot another scene from the Boston Marathon Bombing moving “Patriots Day.” Actors wearing Watertown Police uniforms filmed a scene outside the old station, and crews shuttled in and out of the building, too. While no stars were spotted as of 4 p.m., Watertown Police Sgts. Jeffrey Pugliese was on the set, who is being portrayed in the film by Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, who was in town last week shooting a scene at Main Street Mobile.

Around Town

Watertown Writer’s First Novel Based on Her Family’s Experiences as Refugees

By |

Kathleen Spivack faced many obstacles to publishing her first novel, but the award-winning writer and writing teacher had her book published this year despite being hit by a car while walking to the big meeting with her publisher. While this is her first book, the 77-year-old is far from a newbie when it comes to writing. “They keep saying I’m a debut novelist at 77, but I’ve been writing all my life,” Spivack said, sitting in the living room of her Watertown home. Most of Spivack’s work has been poetry and short stories (she has eight other books and had poems and stories published hundreds of times). Her latest work is a novel called “Unspeakable Things,” which will be reading from on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at Newtonville Books, 10 Langley Road in Newton Centre.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn Hospital Teams with Springwell in Stroke Awareness Campaign

By |

Mount Auburn Hospital has awarded Springwell, a non-profit elder services organization and the Watertown Public Health Department each a $1,000 grant to identify and pilot ways to incorporate stroke education into their community programs.

Realizing that local organizations have unique perspectives on the needs of the communities they serve, Mount Auburn Hospital designed this year long program to increase awareness about the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke to begin during May, Stroke Awareness Month. In addition to the elder serving agencies Mount Auburn Hospital has partnered with Professional Ambulance for this initiative. Staff from both organizations will support local efforts with education and training resources. “The simple message of the campaign, Time is Brain means that the faster someone who is having a stroke gets emergency treatment; the chance of saving brain function improves. Everyone, in particular those who are elderly and those who work with elders, need to know the warning signs of a stroke and to Act F.A.S.T.” explains Mount Auburn Hospital Stroke Nurse Coordinator, Marie McCune, RN, SCRN.

Addiction

Local Man Creates Running Group to Help Addicts in Recovery

By |

In recovery from an opiates addiction and sober for over 40 years, Mike Ferullo is a man dedicated to his belief in the power of embracing wellness in recovery. He discovered running on his own journey to wellness and recovery and has been running ever since.  

Running has been a healthy way for him to exercise not only physically but also a way to train his mind to stay positive. As a clinical social worker, Ferullo has counseled countless addicts over the years to replace their addictions with a better kind of high – a healthy runner’s high. He also started running club for those recovering from addiction – the Boston Bulldogs – which is hosting a 5K Run for Recovery and a Vigil on May 22.

Around Town

Watertown Historical Commission Holding Awards Ceremony This Week

By |

The Watertown Historical Commission cordially invites you to attend the 2016 Watertown Historical Commission Awards Ceremony. The ceremony will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016, at 7 p.m. at The Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown. This years Award Recipients are:

Robert DiRico, Watertown Department of Public Works, Michael D’Eramo and Vincent D’Eramo: “Old Burying Ground Tomb and Plaque Restoration Project” – The Richard E. Mastrangelo Memorial Award

Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee: “Seeds of Change Mural” – Environmental Presentation Award 

John Airasian: “Presentation for the Dedication to the New Mural Ceremony”
– Service to Youth Award

Bruce Gellerman: “Remembering the Armenian Genocide 100 Years Ago”: Community Spirit Award

Robert Kaprielian: “A Veteran’s Story” – Historical Resources Preservation Award

Katherine Gardner Westcott: “Watertown Historical Document Librarian”
– Historical Resources Preservation Award

Light Refreshments will be served.

Around Town

Marshall Home Fund Giving Out Nearly $60,000 in Grants to Area Groups

By |

The Marshall Home Fund (MHF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual program grant awards to benefit Watertown residents ages 55 and over. This spring, MHF will have disseminated a half million dollars in program and individual grants to agencies and organizations that serve older adults in the community. Please join MHF in celebration of this new and exciting milestone—the Program Grant Awards Ceremony is Thursday, May 19, 3:30 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library during which MHF will award nearly $60,000 to the following organizations:

Arsenal Center for the Arts: The Open Door Project will encourage a variety of art activities for older adults, including an allotment of concert tickets for the Senior Center and a new intergenerational partnership with the Watertown Children’s Theatre. Care Dimensions: Complementary Therapies for Watertown Hospice Patients will provide aromatherapy, art and music therapy, massage, and Reiki to improve the well-being of Watertown residents who are receiving hospice care. MetroWest Collaborative Development: The Ready Renter Program provides information and referrals to Watertown residents who are seeking affordable housing.

Around Town

Free Audio Technician Workshop Offered by Watertown Cable

By |

Watertown residents of all ages are invited to sign up for Watertown Cable Access Corporation’s free Audio Technician class beginning on May 23. In this workshop, attendees will get hands-on training on all of WCA-TV’s audio equipment, including audio mixers, microphones, headsets, and more. Students will also learn best practices for good sound capture and how to troubleshoot any audio issues that may come up. The class will take place onMonday, May 23rd and continue every Monday until June 6th at WCA-TV’s station. These classes will run from 2:30 PM-4:00 PM.

Around Town

Children Invited to Enter Watertown Mall’s Father’s Day Contest

By |

The Watertown Mall is hosting a Father’s Day Contest! Open to all children under the age 16, this contest is free to enter and the winner will receive $50 Watertown Mall Gift Certificate! Submit a piece of artwork or photo, showing you and your Dad or someone special doing one of your favorite activities together! Use pencils, crayons, markers, paint, or any other materials you would. You can also send in a photo!