Around Town

Massage Aid Raising Money for Doctors Without Borders, Offering Range of Therapies

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Massage Aid will raise money for Doctors Without Borders. The following announcement was provided by the organizers of Massage Aid:

By Diane Crowley

With all the trouble in the world in Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti and Sudan currently, the massage therapists and Reiki practitioners who volunteer for Massage Aid events decided it was time to hold another event to benefit Doctors Without Borders. In the past, the group had chosen a specific country to focus on but there are so many countries that are experiencing war, terror and strife that it was hard to focus on only one country. 

The group decided to call this event MASSAGE AID FOR PEACE & HUMANITY and will let Doctors Without Borders decide where the most urgent need is at present. The event will be held at:

The First Parish Watertown, at 35 Church St. in WatertownOn: Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 2:30-5:30 p.m.Services: 15 minute sessions, chair massage, clothed sports table Massage or ReikiCost: $20/session, CASH or CHECK

*** In order to get the service you want at a time that works best for you, you can pre-book your session by email at: cjclmt@gmail.com

Walk-Ins are welcome on a first come/first serve basis

So do something good for yourself while doing something good for humanity!

Around Town

City’s Health and Human Services Report to be Presented at Oct. 21 Meeting

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The City of Watertown recently released the Health and Human Services Report, and a meeting is scheduled to present it ot the public. See more information in the City’s announcement, below. Health and Human Services Report

Please read the Watertown Health and Human Services Report, authored by Health Management Associates (HMA)! This report includes an analysis of the existing health and human services available in Watertown, an identification of gaps between needs and services, and a series of recommendations made by the experts at HMA for the City of Watertown. To coincide with the release of this report, the City of Watertown is also hosting a presentation to the community, where HMA will present their findings and recommendations on Monday, October 21, 2024, at a hybrid meeting.

Government

Early Voting for the 2024 Election Begins on Saturday

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Registered Watertown voters can cast their ballot early on 14 days leading up to the November election. See the details provided by the Watertown City Clerk’s office. The State Election is Tuesday November 5, 2024 from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM. In Person Early Voting will be held at City Hall, located at 149 Main Street, in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor, on the following dates and hours:

Saturday, October 19, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 20, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 21, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 23, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 24, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, October 25, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Saturday, October 26, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Sunday, October 27, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Monday, October 28, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Tuesday, October 29, 2024: 8:30am – 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 30, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Thursday, October 31, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Friday, November 1, 2024: 8:30am – 5:00pm

Read more about voting by clicking here.

Around Town

Steve Gross to Headline Charles River Chamber’s Fall Business Breakfast

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The Charles River Regional Chamber invites our local business community to its highly anticipated Fall Business Breakfast presented by Needham Bank on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 7:15 to 9:00 a.m. at Newton Marriott. The event is the Chamber’s largest annual gathering for business, civic and nonprofit leaders across Newton, Needham, Watertown, and Wellesley. This year’s program will feature Steve Gross, a Needham-native, Newton-resident and founder of the Life is Good Playmaker Project, as the keynote speaker. Using research, humor, and personal stories from his 25+ years as a clinical social worker, Gross will share how optimistic leaders bring out the best in people and organizations – especially in challenging, change-filled times. In addition to the keynote address, attendees will have the opportunity to network with more than 400 local business leaders, decision-makers, and community members.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Strongly Endorses Yes on Question 4

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Hi Massachusetts Voters,

As I have said in a comment, I will be voting yes on all the ballot questions.  (Watertown specimen ballots for the general election on Tuesday, November 3rd, can be found here at https://www.watertown-ma.gov/295/Specimen-Ballots). At the root of many of the ballot questions is economic fairness. However, I feel most completed to write about Question 4. “This proposed law would allow persons aged 21 and older to grow, possess, and use certain natural psychedelic substances in certain circumstances. The psychedelic substances allowed would be two substances found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocin) and three substances found in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline, and ibogaine).” I feel compelled because this is about how we care for those who have no other options.

Sports

Testimonial Dinner Planned to Honor Former Watertown High Football Coach John Barbati

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Sportscaster Mike Lynch to Emcee Nov. 26th Event — Open to the Watertown Community

The following announcement was provided by the organizers of the testimonial dinner:

Watertown High School alums and community members announced plans for a testimonial dinner in honor of former football coach John Barbati. The event, hosted by renowned Boston sportscaster Mike Lynch, takes-place on Tuesday, November 26 at the Watertown Sons of Italy. 

A member of Massachusetts High School Football Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame and the WHS Hall of Fame, Barbati was Watertown’s head football coach from 1969 until 1992, retiring with a winning percentage of .595 and four championships (1973, 1976, 1977 and 1983) in the hyper-competitive Middlesex League. 

Former players of the program have joined together to stage an event that honors Coach Barbati tireless efforts in support of his players on and off the field for 24 years. “Even though it’s been a long time since we played for Coach Barbati, we haven’t forgotten the commitment he made to make us better players and better people,” said Orazio Lattanzi, class of 1976, who went on to play at Harvard. “By challenging us every day to improve on and off the field, Coach built a culture that instilled pride in one another and our community.” 

Graduates from numerous classes joined forces to organize the testimonial dinner.

Around Town

Watertown Girl Scouts Created Pet Pantries at 2 Local Food Pantries

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Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133 with Kathy Cunningham of the Watertown Food Pantry. The Troop created a Pet Pantry. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133:

By Olivia Nardone Cavanaugh

Members of Watertown Girl Scout Junior Troop 70133 in fifth grade are working to earn their Bronze Award, one of the highest awards in Girl Scouts, by making a difference in their community. The girls conducted observational research and decided they wanted to help wild and domestic animals in Watertown to stay safe and healthy through community education and awareness. For the project, the girls met with Animal Control Officer Samantha Gatchell to gather wildlife safety tips and designed and printed flyers to educate community members about how to treat wild animals safely.

Around Town

LETTER: Another Look at Question 2 – Reasons to Vote “Yes”

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Dear Neighbors,

We are Watertown residents and educators working in neighboring school districts (Belmont and Newton) asking you to consider these reasons for voting Yes on Question 2 this election. Question 2 proposes removing the MCAS graduation requirement for high school students. MCAS is a set of standardized tests the state uses to monitor public school performance in Massachusetts. Students are tested in grades 3-8 and 10, and sometimes 9, in English, math, civics and science. Question 2 does not eliminate MCAS.