Around Town

Group Discussing Creating Space for Civil Discourse on Divisive Topics at Library

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Free Public Library:
With hate crimes on the rise and inflammatory rhetoric dominating social media, the Watertown Free Public Library and Watertown Community Conversations are partnering to create a space for civil discourse on potentially divisive topics. The partnership begins Thursday, December 6 as a part of the library’s Democracy Talks series. The topic is a thorny one: Inequality and Public Policy. Sara Chaganti, Senior Research Associate at the Institute on Assets and Social Policy at Brandeis University, will kick off the conversation by discussing the role of public policy – both current and past – in driving inequality. She will show that inequality is not simply an unfortunate by-product of the free market, but is also driven by a series of policy decisions.

Around Town

Learn About Computer Coding from Panel of Experts at Watertown Library

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Find out about computer coding during the “Ask a Coder” event at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

The Watertown Library provided the following information:
If you’ve ever considered a career in coding, or simply wondered what goes into building and running the technology you use, this is your chance! A panel of professional developers and software engineers will reveal how they got started, describe their work, offer advice for those looking to break into the field. Bring your questions! Our panelists:
Rebecca Dornin: Senior Software Engineer at Charles River Analytics with additional tech experience at Harvard; M.S. in Software Engineering
Owen Cunningham: Principal Software Engineer at GMO with additional tech experience in the fields of insurance, marketing, healthcare, law, and aerospace; self-taught
Tai Dailey: Front-End Engineer at O’Reilly Media with additional tech experience at Northeastern, Boston.com, CVS; volunteer with the nonprofits Girl Develop It and Black Girls Code; (second) B.S. in Web Design and Interactive Media
WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown, in the Watertown Savings Bank Room

Entertainment

First Watertown Library Winter Concert Features Violinist

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The Watertown Free Public Library kicks off its Winter Concert Series on Dec. 2 with a performance by violinist Dorisiya Yosifova. The library provided the following information:

Winter Concert Series: Dorisiya Yosifova
Sunday, 12/2 | 2 pm
WATERTOWN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK ROOM
We’re excited to announce the lineup for the 7th annual WFPL Winter Concert Series! As in previous years, our free concert series will feature all local artists. Performances are free and open to all.

Around Town

Watertown Library Screening Film on Impact of Placing Native American Children with White Families

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The Watertown Free Public Library provided the following announcement:
For most of the 20th century, U.S. government agents systematically forced Native American children from their homes and placed them with white families. The new documentary Dawnland explores the legacy of this practice in Maine, capturing moments of truth telling and healing among the Wabanaki people. In the past few weeks, advance screenings of Dawnland have been selling out across the country. A PBS national premiere is scheduled for Monday, November 5th. On November 15, the Watertown Free Public Library, World In Watertown, and The Upstander Project will co-present a screening and discussion of the “powerfully illuminating” (Cross Cut) documentary, free and open to all.

Around Town

Learn Self Defense at the Watertown Free Public Library

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:
The Watertown Library will host a free self-defense class on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 12:30 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. The class is and open to the public. Registration required. We’ll cover some basic self-defense skills, how to lower your victim profile and increase your situational awareness.

Around Town

Watertown Library Hosting Talk on Becoming a U.S. Citizen

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The latest Watertown Free Public Library’s Democracy Talks event focuses on becoming a United States Citizen. The free event will be held on Sept. 18, 2018 at 7 p.m.

The Watertown Library sent out the following information:

Democracy Talks

What Does it Take to Become a U.S. Citizen? WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.

WHAT: All are welcome at this open forum about the naturalization process, featuring Project Literacy citizenship instructor Anne Benaquist and a panel of new Americans.

Around Town

Watertown Library Hosting 5th Annual 5k Race and Fundraiser

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library is pleased to announce the 5th Annual 5k fundraiser! Join us Saturday, September 15, 2018 for a family friendly community event! Together we’ll run through Watertown’s beautiful neighborhoods. This family-friendly event promotes healthy habits and community fitness, and helps support Watertown Free Public Library programs throughout the year. Participants of all ability levels are encouraged to take part.

Around Town

Lecture at Library About Middle East Conflict’s Impact on Assyrians, Armenians

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The Assyrian American Association of Massachusetts will host a lecture about the conflict in the Middle East with Boston College professor Peter Krause at the Watertown Free Public Library. 

The AAAM sent out the following information:

Conflict and Instability in the Middle East: The impact on ethnic and religious minorities

WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown

WHEN: Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

WHAT: The Middle East is torn by numerous civil wars, regional power shifts, demographic shifts within and across international borders. Is there an end in sight for these conflicts? What impact do they have on minority groups in the region, including Assyrians and Armenians? If and when the violence subsides, what is the future for ethnic and religious minorities in the Middle East? This talk will begin to provide answers by combining a look back at relevant history, a rigorous assessment of the present, and some cautious predictions of the future.