Around Town

UPDATED: Camera Crews Spotted Around Town for Film on Marathon Bombing

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Crews shooting a documentary on the Boston Marathon Bombings have been spotted in town in the area of the Watertown Shootout. A film company called Break Thru Films is working on the film for HBO. Crews were seen walking around the area of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street, where the Tsarnaev brothers got into the shootout with Watertown Police, on Thursday. With them were retired Watertown Police Chief Ed Deaveau and retired Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, according to Eastside resident Bob Erickson. The crews also interviewed residents in the area of the shootout, according to Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon.

Around Town

Refugee Crisis Will be Discussed at Upcoming Watertown Meeting

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An immigration expert will come to speak at the October meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment. Watertown Citizens sent out the following announcement:

At the September monthly meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, there was widespread concern about the refugee crisis as it is unfolding in Europe, and what we can or should do here. We are fortunate to bring Eva Millona, Executive Director of Mass Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Colaition (MIRA) to provide information and answer questions. All are welcome, not only Watertown residents. Please join us this Sunday if you are looking for a way to help.

Around Town

Watertown Celebrating Being Named a Purple Heart Community

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The Town of Watertown will celebrate being recognized as a Purple Heart Community. Veteran’s Services Officer Mark Comeiro announced that the town will receive the recognition this week, and the ceremony marking the honor will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in front of Town Hall. “Watertown will be recognized as A Purple Heart Community and we will honor all Watertown residents who are Purple Heart Recipients and families of deceased Purple Heart recipients,” Comeiro said. The mission of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans, promote patriotism, support necessary legislative initiatives, and most importantly, provide service to all veterans and their families, Comeiro said.

Around Town

New Group Formed to Fight Opiate Crisis Hosting Erase the Stigma Week

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In an effort to raise awareness that the opiate problem is not just a problem in other parts of the U.S. or in big cities, but also in Watertown, the Health Department joined with the several other departments and organizations to create Erase the Stigma Week. From Oct. 18 to 25, events will be held to spread the word about the crisis that has claimed the lives of nine Watertown residents this year. Events will be held at schools, as well as ones for the whole community. The events have been coordinated by W.A.T.E.R.town (Watertown Access to Treatment Educcation and Resources on Substance Use Disorders) – a  combined effort by the Town of Watertown, the Watertown Public Schools, service organizations, prevention advocates, treatment providers, clergy, individuals in recovery, concerned families and first responders.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Offering Grants for Health Programs

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Groups interested in applying for a grant of up to $2,500 for health-related programs in Watertown can attend the Watertown Community Foundation informational meeting. 
The Foundation sent out the following information:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces its health-related grant program to support local nonprofits, programs, and projects. The “Healthy Watertown” Program will award grants designed to help organizations that serve Watertown develop new or continue existing programs with a health focus, broadly defined. Eligible organizations may apply for grants up to $2,500. These grants are funded by a grant to WCF from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. The application deadline is Oct.

Around Town

Thousands Pack the Faire on the Square – See Some of the Action

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The 14th annual Faire on the Square drew thousands of people on a sunny fall afternoon. 

Attendees could enjoy a variety of entertainment, from live bands, dance groups and even New Rep Theatre’s performance of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Hundreds of groups, businesses and organizations had booths where people could learn about them, and even get some free swag! Thanks to all who stopped by the Watertown News table. Children had their choice of fair rides, riding a pony and other activities, such as face painting. Local politicians were out in force, with candidates in the Watertown Town Election setting up tables, and other political groups getting word out about their causes.

Around Town

This Weekend: Blood Drive, Marrow Walk, Drug Take Back, State Sens. and the Faire

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The big town celebration – the Faire on the Square – will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, but that is not the only community event going on over the weekend. On Saturday, the Watertown Police Department will host a Community Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Room on  the first floor of the Watertown Police Station, 552 Main St. For an appointment, call 1-800 RED CROSS (733-2767) or go to redcrossblood.org. Also at the Police Station, the Watertown Police will take part in the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day.

Around Town

Hundreds Remember Those Lost to Opiates, Seek to End Crisis

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{Updated Feb. 16, 2018 at 4:43 p.m.}

A slideshow showing people posing with buddies, graduating or holding a young baby seems like it represents the good times, however, each photo shown at Wednseday’s candlelight vigil had two dates – the year of birth and year of death. Each picture showed someone lost to heroin and other opiates. 

Hundreds of people packed the lower hall at St. Patrick’s Church for the first Candlelight Memorial Vigil organized by Watertown residents committed to stopping the opiate crisis in town. Many watched the slideshow with tears streaming down their faces,  remembering love ones they had lost. Recovering addict Pete Airasian, founder of Watertown Overcoming Addiction, and Wendy Clark Morrissey, who lost her brother to heroin, had the idea to hold the vigil.