Around Town

Meditation Center Hosting “Spiritual Insights for Uncertain Times”

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Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace

The Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center will host an event called “Spiritual Insights for Uncertain Times; Cultivating Clarity, Peace and Stability.” The May 17 event featuring Roberta Baskin, an investigative reporter for ABC, CBS and PBS, and Sister Jayanti, Administrative Head Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. It begins at 6:454 p.m.

The event announcement reads:

“Through their conversation, and guided by Sister Jayanti’s vast experience as a spiritual teacher, we will learn to use this wisdom to navigate the chaos of the current moment, thereby bringing clarity, peace and inner stability to our everyday lives.” Brahma Kumaris Learning Center for Peace is located at 75 Common St. in Watertown. Click here to register and for more info.

Around Town

One of Watertown’s Oldest Houses Has Quite a History

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House has been in Watertown for 251 years, though not always at its current spot on Marshall Street. It played a role in the American Revolution, including the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Massachusetts (re-enacted here in 2016) and was where the first treaty was signed by the United States. It is now home to the Historical Society of Watertown which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Living in a house dating back to the time of the American Revolution can be an adventure, with bouncy floors, water coming through the ceiling, and evidence of superstitions of times past. Former Historical Society President Paul Brennan recalled his years spent living in the Edmund Fowle House on Saturday when he returned for the Society’s 100th anniversary and the celebration of 251 years for the home that played a role in the American Revolution.

Around Town

Outdoor Fitness Series Returns to Arsenal Yards

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The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

With warmer weather just around the corner, Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End, is thrilled to announce the return of its popular Outdoor Fitness Series “Fitness in the Park.”

In partnership with Arsenal Yards’ fitness studios, Pure Barre, Rumble, and F45, residents of Watertown and Greater Boston are invited to enjoy unique outdoor experiences led by certified fitness professionals. Guests and residents can visit the Arsenal Green in Arsenal Park every Wednesday for a variety of free classes from May through June 7th. Registration is available via Eventbrite one week prior to the date of each class, and all classes must be reserved online. “We’re so excited to partner with our AY studios to bring back our outdoor fitness series, which has been a popular summer offering over the past few years,” said Jessica Peterson, Marketing Director at Arsenal Yards. “With so many fitness offerings at Arsenal Yards and more to come soon, we couldn’t think of a better time to invite the community to get their hearts pumping out on the Arsenal Green, embrace the warm weather, and cool down after at one of the many outdoor dining venues our neighborhood has to offer! Available classes are below, and participants are encouraged to check out the Arsenal Yards Events Calendar for additional details:

Wednesday, May 3rd at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre

Wednesday, May 10th at 5:30 PM with Rumble

Wednesday, May 17th at 5:30 PM with F45

Wednesday, May 24th at 5:30 PM with Pure Barre

Wednesday, May 31st at 5:30 PM with Rumble

Wednesday, June 7th at 5:30 PM with F45

To check in, guests can enter through the River Green (in between Buttermilk & Bourbon and Shake Shack) and head towards the sign for Arsenal Park. Guests should bring their own mat and water. Parking is available in the free red or purple parking garage, along with the surface parking area near City Works. For more information about Arsenal Yards, visit www.arsenalyards.com.

Around Town

Fitness Studio Hosting Mother’s Day Boot Camp Brunch Benefiting Watertown Food Pantry

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Get Lively: Health and Fitness will host its Second Annual Mother’s Day Bootcamp Brunch & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on May 13. The following announcement was provided by Get Lively:

Mother’s Day Bootcamp Brunch for Watertown Women: Moms, aunts, sisters, friends

Free Community event celebrating our local women and the official grand opening of our Lifestyle Studio! Join us for a bootcamp style workout followed by coffee, brunch bites, and our official ribbon cutting! 

In lieu of class fee, please bring a new shampoo and conditioner. We will assemble gift bags over coffee to support women in need in our Community. Gifts will be distributed at the Watertown Food Pantry.  

Join us and please feel free to bring someone with you.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Celebrates Arbor Day, Seeks to Become Carbon Neutral

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Courtney Lucas / Mount Auburn CemeteryMount Auburn Cemetery’s newest tree, a Yoshino Cherry, is planted with the help of Jonathan Webb, the Cemetery’s Director of Horticulture and Landscaping Operations, State Rep. Steve Owens, and Mount Auburn President and CEO Matthew Stephens. Already home to thousands of trees, Mount Auburn Cemetery added to its urban forest by planting a tree on Friday as part of its Arbor Day Celebration. At the event, President and CEO Matthew Stephens also discussed steps the cemetery is taking to become carbon neutral by 2050. On Friday, Stephens put one of the first shovels of dirt on the newly planted Yoshino Cherry. That is the same species as can be seen during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Yoshino is just one of about 6,000 trees at the cemetery, Stephens said.

Around Town

Life Science Reps Discuss Development Cycle of Biotech Companies at WBC Event

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Four representatives from life science companies in Watertown appeared on the 3rd Annual WBC Life Science Panel (Screenshot from WCA-TV video). The panel was moderated by Merle Kummer of CoLAB. The Watertown Business Coalition’s third annual Life Science Panel featured four people who work at local biotech companies, each of which is at a different stage in its pharmaceutical development. The event took place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on April 25. Attendees learned that there are 63 life science companies right in Watertown, and that they think being here helps their companies, said WBC Co-President Doug Orifice.

Around Town

Our History: Long Lost Cane Given to Oldest Resident Returns to Watertown

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The head of Watertown’s cane has several dents, but you can see it says, “Presented by The Boston Post to the OLDEST CITIZEN of Watertown” (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

This article is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Joyce Kelly, Board member of the Historical Society of Watertown. Joyce writes articles for the newsletter and is the newsletter editor. This was published in our July 2009 newsletter, “The Town Crier.”

1909 BOSTON POST CANE RETURNS TO WATERTOWN

In 1909, the Boston Post newspaper began a highly successful marketing scheme. They began presenting canes made of African ebony with 14-karat gold heads to the oldest man in 700 different towns in New England.