Lights on the Delta Shining in Honor of Indigenous Peoples Day

Charlie BreitroseThe new lights on the trees on the Watertown Square Delta can change colors and display patterns. This picture shows what the trees looked like in December 2019. The following announcement was provided by Jennifer Wolfrum on behalf of members of the Pigsgusset Initiative:

As part of Watertown Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day, the Watertown City Council proclaimed Monday, October 10th as Indigenous Peoples Day. Aligned with this Proclamation, Councilor Nicole Gardner asked the Department of Public Works to make the colors of the lights on the Delta to reflect a central aspect of Indigenous culture. The red, yellow, white and black lights represent the colors of the medicine wheel, which is important to Indigenous People and their spiritual worldview.

LETTER: Resident Supporting “Yes” on Question 1 Fair Share Amendment

I’m writing to encourage my Watertown neighbors to vote Yes on Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment. The Fair Share Amendment will create permanent, urgently needed funding for education and transportation without placing an additional financial burden on middle- and working-class families. Here’s how it works. We currently all pay the same income tax rate. That’s written into the state constitution.

Bruins, Celtics Tickets Available from Recreation Department, Including B’s Opening Night

The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department has Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics Tickets available for sale for the 2022-2023. 

The first game is tomorrow night for the Boston Bruins home opener. Bruins Games

Saturday, October 15th 7:00pm vs. Arizona $ 100

Saturday, October 22nd 1:00pm vs. Minnesota $ 75

Sunday, November 13th 6:00pm vs. Vancouver $ 65

Monday, December 5th 7:00pm vs.

Food Drive Will Collect Items for Watertown’s 2 Food Pantries

The following announcement was provided by Watertown’s food pantries:

Watertown is served by two food pantries, the Watertown Food Pantry and Watertown Catholic Collaboration Food Pantry, serving approximately 150 families per week. 

On Saturday, October 22 from 12-3 p.m., the pantries will be hosting food drives at 80 Mount Auburn Street and 770 Mount Auburn Street. 

Please help your neighbors by donating needed items including canned fruit, vegetables, tuna, spam, cereal, old fashioned oats, coffee, tea, cooking oil and other shelf stable items. 

For more information on the food drives, sponsored by the Watertown Community Foundation, see the attached flyer and visit www.Watertownfoundation.org. 

Watertown Library Awarded National Digital Literacy Grant

Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is among over 160 public libraries nationwide awarded funding by the Public Library Association (PLA) to conduct digital literacy workshops. The PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T, provides support to libraries of all sizes to conduct digital literacy training in their communities and help close the digital divide. WFPL will use these funds to bring digital literacy training into community spaces around Watertown. Workshops have already been scheduled with the Watertown Housing Authority and others will be coordinated in the coming months.

OP-ED: As Watertown Builds, What Can Be Done to Protect Trees Adjacent to Construction?

This oak tree on Mount Auburn Street has been wrapped in 2×4’s to help prevent damage during road construction. By James Briand, Trees for Watertown

Watertown is a city under construction. From major public works such as the Mount Auburn Street renewal to numerous private developments, streets and lots are being disrupted for improvements. While the projects may deliver important benefits, the heavy equipment and excavation work required sometimes presents difficulties for mature trees in the zone adjacent to construction. Protecting such large, mature trees is vital, because even if new trees are planted post-project, it will be years before they can deliver the same cooling impact as lost mature trees.  

Watertown residents may have noticed the vertical 2×4 lumber barriers on many trees along the Mount Auburn Street construction area.

Get Active with Ted Lasso — Watertown Studio Hosts Free Fitness Event

The following announcement was provided by Get Lively:

Get Lively with Ted Lasso – Free Community Event at Get Lively®: Health & Fitness

Are you a fan of… Ted? Coffee and treats?  Getting your sweat on with a lively group of people? Join the lively crew at Get Lively®: Health & Fitness for a free community event with our very own Ted Lasso*!  Let’s all come together for a morning of exercise, connection, community, coffee, and a whole pile of FUN.  As Ted says: BELIEVE! Details:

Sunday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. workout, 9:45 a.m. “Biscuits with the Boss”

Get Lively®: Health & Fitness, 100 Parker St., Watertown

This is a FREE event, but space is limited, advanced registration required:

www.getlivelynow.com/tedlasso

This event is open to all adults of all fitness levels.  

Contact: Jan Taylor, jan@getlivelynow.com

See Photos from the Watertown’s First Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

Charlie BreitroseA special performance of New Rep Theatre’s “Listen to Sipu” was held during the first Watertown Indigenous Peoples Day held at the First Parish Church. People filled the First Parish Church hall on Monday, Oct. 10 to celebrate Watertown’s first Indigenous Peoples Day. The audience heard from keynote speaker Elizabeth Solomon, a representative of the Massachusett Nation, about issues facing Indigenous People today and the effects of colonialism. Charlie BreitroseElizabeth Solomon, a representative of the Massachusett Nation, gave the keynote address during to the audience at the First Parish Church during Indigenous Peoples Day.