Around Town

Hunger in Watertown Will be the Focus of Live Roundtable Discussion

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Food on the shelfs at the Watertown Food Pantry, which has seen an increase in the number of people using its services since the start of the Pandemic. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A series of articles in Watertown News put a spotlight on a problem that often goes unseen in the community: hunger. The discussion will continue with a live event, where Watertown Cable Access Television will debut a video about food insecurity in town. WHAT: Monday, February 12, Watertown Cable Access TV and Watertown News will hold a live round table about the state of hunger and food insecurity in our community at 6 p.m. on the main stage Mosesian Center for the Arts

WHO: Panelists will include Watertown Community Foundation Executive Director Tia Tilson, Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham, the City of Watertown’s Community Wellness Program Manager Stephanie Venizelos, Watertown Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Lara, and Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist Sophia Suarez-Friedman from the Wayside Multi-Service Center. HOSTS: Moderated by Charlie Breitrose of Watertown News and journalist Maya Shwayder.

Around Town

OBIT: Richard “Richie” O’Reilly, 63, Graduate of Watertown High, Brandeis & New England School of Law

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Richard “Richie” O’Reilly

A Funeral Mass for Richard “Richie” O’Reilly will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10 AM in the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St. Watertown. Mr. O’Reilly was born in Boston to Catherine A. (McCarthy) O’Reilly and the late Joseph O’Reilly. Richie passed away after a 15-month battle with cancer on Jan.

Around Town

LETTER: Questions About New Position on Traffic Commission

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

Democracy?  I know you’re out there somewhere…

This is not a letter that I could even imagine having to write, but here goes. When I looked at Tuesday night’s agenda for the City Council meeting, I noticed an unusual item. Then I started getting phone calls. Other people were curious about this item as well. So I got curious. Why would there be a sudden change to the structure of the Traffic Commission without any visible input from them?

Around Town

Local Fitness Studio Celebrates Galentine’s Day with Free Taylor Swift-Themed Event

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The following announcement was provided by Get Lively:

Get ready to shake off the winter blues and celebrate friendship, fitness, and fun at Get Lively®: Health & Fitness! In honor of Galentine’s Day, our fitness studio is hosting a FREE event that combines the best of both worlds – a heart-pumping workout with the magic of Taylor Swift. Get Lively®’s Galentine’s Day extravaganza will kick off with an energetic workout set to the songs of Taylor Swift!  Whether you’re a Swiftie or just looking to have a blast with friends, this workout is designed for all fitness levels. Our night together doesn’t end with the workout – stick around for some locally made treats and social time! Connect with fellow fitness and Taylor enthusiasts, make new friends, and enjoy the positive and inclusive community atmosphere that Get Lively® is known for.

Around Town

Watertown Food Pantry Receives More Than $202K in Contributions in December

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Department of Senior Services is absolutely thrilled to announce the incredible contributions received in December 2023! We are overjoyed to have awarded a substantial $152,000 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) grant from the Watertown City Council, as well as an additional grant of $20,000 from the Friends of the Council on Aging, secured in partnership with the Director of the Senior Services after partnering for a grant application from the Cambridge Savings Bank. The excitement doesn’t stop there! We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks for the $30,000 in donations from local businesses, churches, and residents. These remarkable contributions have resulted in a staggering 52 percent increase to our operational budget’s bottom line – an enormous impact within just one month!

Around Town

Charles River Watershed Association Holding Annual Meeting

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

We hope you’ll join us Wednesday, March 27 at 6:00 PM at MIT Welcome Center for Charles River Watershed Association’s 58th Annual Meeting. We look forward to connecting with our members and recognizing CRWA advocates and volunteers whose dedicated work helps protect and preserve the resilience of the Charles River. We are happy to announce that our Annual Meeting will be in-person this year! You can look forward to socializing with fellow advocates while browsing CRWA’s interactive tables on current projects, and learning more about the role your support has played in keeping the Charles River clean and healthy. Invitations will be arriving soon!

Around Town

Food Insecurity in Watertown: Hunger is a Multi-Faceted Problem — It Won’t Magically Go Away

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The Watertown Food Pantry set up outside the United Methodist Church while its facility was being repaired. (Photo by Kathy Cunningham)

For the last several weeks, Watertown News, in conjunction with Watertown Cable Access Television, published six stories in a series called “Watertown’s Hidden Problem: Food Insecurity Among Us.” (See part one here). In the course of reporting these stories on food and hunger in our community, one absolute fact has emerged: how indelibly intertwined the problem of food insecurity is with other challenges. Food is too expensive. If you can afford food, it might only be cheap, low-nutrient food.