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Group Seeks Rowers to Enter Boat from Watertown in Boston Dragon Boat Festival

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Rowers in Boston’s Dragon Boat Festival. (Courtesy of Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival)

Watertown seeks people interesting in rowing in the Boston’s Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday which occurs on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, which corresponds to late May or June in the Gregorian calendar. The Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival will take place on June 9, 2024, and includes Dragon boat races, performances and family events. The race begins at the John W. Weeks Foot Bridge near Harvard, and there will likely be three practices before the race, according to Watertown team organizer Xin Peng.

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Share Your Opinions on Health & Human Services in Watertown at Forum

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is hosting a Community Forum on Health & Human Services at the Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St.) at 6 p.m. on January 29, 2024, and we encourage all residents to join! Please attend and share your opinions about the City of Watertown’s health and human service needs and strengths in this facilitated discussion to help Watertown become a healthier community for all! You can also participate on Zoom or watch the event broadcasted live! Please find those links and more information about the event here: Health & Human Services Study Webpage.

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OP-ED: Importance of Setting New Years Resolutions for Older Residents

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By Andrea Forde

A new year brings new resolutions that can lead to improvements in daily habits as well as health benefits for many older Americans.  

In fact, according to a 2020 study, older adults who engaged in healthy lifestyle choices such as physical activity, not smoking, not heavily drinking, following a healthy diet, and taking part in mentally stimulating activities, had a 60 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. For people who are already suffering from chronic conditions, setting simple and realistic goals that are manageable with their health challenges is important.  

As you consider changes and goals for 2024, here are five achievable resolutions that can help kick off the new year on the right foot.  

Pursue an active lifestyle.  

Staying active is an admirable goal to have every year.

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City: Check On Your Neighbors During Period of Cold Weather

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The City of Watertown sent out the following information:

During the period of dangerously cold weather through Sunday, January 21, 2024 we ask that you please take the time to check in on your neighbors to ensure their health and wellbeing. We invite everyone to get warm by visiting the Watertown Free Public Library at 123 Main Street. They are open Monday to Thursday from 9 AM – 9 PM, Friday from 9 AM – 7 PM, Saturday from 9 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday from 1 PM – 5 PM. Get Extreme Cold Safety Tips, such as how to prepare your home, winter pet safety tips, a car checklist, and more.

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Watertown Group Holding Standout & Commemoration for Lives Lost in Palestine

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Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment and Massachusetts Peace Action will be having a silent standout in Watertown Square and a commemoration of lives lost in the nearby Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church on Sunday. The group sent out the following announcement:

Sunday, January 21

Standout for a Permanent CEASEFIRE in Gaza and PalestineEnd the Siege of Gaza – End the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

End U.S. Military Aid to Israel

Release All Hostages and Political Prisoners

Support UN Resolution Calling for Humanitarian Aid

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Silent Standout in Watertown Square

(Public parking is available in lot behind CVS)

 BRING YOUR OWN SIGN or come at 12:30 PM to Make a Sign

 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM Commemoration of Lives Lost in Gaza, Palestine and Israel Speaker – Nidal Alazraq, Executive Director, 1for3.org 

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown (Across from Starbucks) Sponsored by Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment and Massachusetts Peace Action (watertowncitizens@gmail.com)

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Filling the Watertown’s Free Fridge is a Community Effort

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Volunteer Sue Twombly stocks the Watertown Community Fridge with items they picked up at the Cambridge Community Center. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Each Friday, Will and Sue Twombly drive to Cambridge and fill up their car with vegetables, fruit, bread, and other items and bring them back to Watertown. The food is bound for one of the newest resources for people struggling to afford to eat: the Watertown Community Fridge. The Fridge is a free resource, located outside the United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn St., that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Winter Offerings From the Watertown Recreation Department

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Watertown’s Recreation Department has a variety of activities available this winter, and registration has opened. Programs include multiple sports for children, teens, and adults. Elementary students can also participate in crafts, robots, and CSI investigation programs, and middle schoolers have a robotics course. The Recreation Department will also run February Vacation programs for grades K-5 and 6-8. See the full list of programs and more details in the brochure by clicking here.