Around Town

How Many People Face Hunger Discussed During Episode of Watertown Cable Show

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Inside Watertown co-hosts Bob Airasian, left, and Charlie Breitrose were joined by Tias Tilson (second from right) and Stephanie Venizelos. (Screenshot from WCA-TV video)

The number of residents facing food insecurity spiked during the COVID-19 shutdown, but even though the Pandemic has waned many people still are in danger of going hungry. The latest episode of Watertown Cable Access TV’s Inside Watertown focuses on hunger and food insecurity in Watertown. Guests Tia Tilson, Executive Director of the Watertown Community Foundation, and Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager (including Live Well Watertown) joined co-hosts Bob Airasian and Charlie Breitrose. Tilson and Venizelos spoke about about how many people are using resources in the City such as the food pantries and the state’s food assistance programs, as well as ways that people can help out.

Around Town

LETTER: City Should Listen to Residents Voices About Development

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Submitted by Linda Scott, Watertown Resident

Information lodged in mythical/moving spaces …Extremely long surveys with no obvious “save” function …Sticky notes rather than conversation …Underplaying or omitting what residents are actually saying in government reports …Information “hidden” in plain sight …Meeting notes for City meetings not updated or correct … These are all things that stymie public participation, and yet residents persisted! On March 9, 2023, a group of over 100 Watertown residents (according to the Comprehensive Plan consultants) came out (about 80 in person and 20 or more on zoom) to attempt to get their voices heard on the Comprehensive Plan … again. We had the usual run of sticky notes on poster boards, but at one point, when residents had obediently filled in their “stickies,” one brave citizen stood up and insisted that we, as a group, have a chance to speak. There is a recording of that conversation that is frustratingly garbled beyond recognition … another roadblock to understanding.

Around Town

Community Walk N’ Talks Series Kicks Off Thursday! 

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Walk N’ Talks are designed to get us outside and walking while learning a bit more about our city! Bring a friend or meet someone new. Our first program will start at Arsenal Yards, go through Arsenal Park with a stop at the Commander’s Mansion before looping back. The program is a partnership between Live Well Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition

DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2023, 1:00 PM

LOCATION:  Meet at Arsenal Yards by the River Green, between Shake Shack and Buttermilk & Bourbon

REGISTER HERE 

Around Town

Pride 2023 Has Special Meaning for State Sen. Will Brownsberger

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger posted the following piece on his website. Brownsberger represents the Suffolk & Middlesex District, which includes Watertown. For me, the Pride parades and festivals are special this year because I am coming out as bisexual. I’ve been married to my wife for almost thirty-eight years.  I love, cherish, and enjoy her and I’m not about to change my lifestyle. I am moved to speak openly about myself for all the reasons that Pride month matters.

Around Town

City Seeking to Improve Broadband Access, Create Digital Equity

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), has embarked on a Digital Equity Planning project to improve broadband access, adoption, and digital literacy in the community. As part of this initiative, Watertown will be hosting a Broadband 101 and Digital Equity Information Session on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. that will be open to the public. Planned topics include:

– An introduction to Watertown’s digital equity planning project

– Why broadband is critical to Watertown residents

– The technical evolution of broadband including present and future needs

– The importance of digital equity and forthcoming funding opportunities

– Q&A Session

Please join us on Zoom: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/86338383018

Meeting ID: 863 3838 3018

Before the meeting, learn more about Digital Equity here on our website.

Around Town

Watertown Youth Coalition Gives Community Spirit Awards to Several People, Groups in Watertown

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The Watertown Youth Coalition handed out the Community Spirit Awards at Arsenal Park on June 5. (Photo courtesy of Watertown Youth Coalition)

The following information was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition:

The rain held off on Monday for Watertown Youth Coalition’s annual Community Spirit Awards! We had such a good turnout at Arsenal Community Park for a delightful and uplifting evening, celebrating all the WYC Peer Leaders’ accomplishments this year and any and all who made a positive impact on young people in the Watertown community. Wayside Youth & Family Support Network and the Watertown Youth Coalition would like to thank all those who made this event possible! Congratulations to all of the 2023 Community Spirit Award recipients, especially our Peer Leaders!

Around Town

25 Groups Serving Watertown Receive Grants from Community Foundation

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation awarded $135,000 in institutional and program grants at their spring grants celebration last night to support 25 organizations serving the Watertown community. “We received so many great proposals, nearly $200,000 in funding requests this year from over 25 Watertown community-based organizations, including the City of Watertown. It’s exciting to see how our non-profits are responding to the diverse needs of the Watertown community with programs and services that are innovative and positively impact and enrich the lives of our neighbors and residents,” said Mary Ann Mulligan, WCF Co-President and Grants Committee Chair. Spring grant awards fall into two separate categories: institutional and program support. Eleven non-profits central to Watertown received $69,000 in institutional grants to support their organization’s mission, staffing and operating costs.

Around Town

Call for Artists & Writers to Participate in Watertown’s Edible Plants 2023 Project

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The artwork from Edible Plants 2022, Clockwise from top left: Daylily by Patti Murphy, Bee Balm by Niloufar Keyhani, Elderberry by Marija Draskic Brancazio, Wintergreen by Kate Martens, Mayapple by Carol Leonesio, Mountain Mint by Cat Bennett, Huckleberry by Donna Calleja, Red Bud by Debajyoti Biswas, Bearberry by Connie Henry, and Garlic Chives by Jaclyn Kain. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Edible Plants 2023 is the second iteration of the “Edible Plants” project. In the pilot cycle, 10 visual artists were selected to each create a 2-dimensional artwork based on an edible plant found in Watertown. The finished artworks were then on display at four locations around Watertown before being auctioned off. The artists had their work reproduced in a coloring book that was made freely available throughout Watertown, led workshops, and participated in a moderated panel discussion.