Around Town

LETTER: Resident Who Benefited from Psychedelic Medicines Supports Question 4

By |

Dear Editor,

I am a grandmother and a retired elementary school teacher, and I have twice benefitted from taking psychedelic plant medicines. That is why I’m voting Yes on Question #4. 

I don’t fit the stereotype, but I was desperate for help. I have a life second to none, but it unfortunately includes dealing with a serious health issue as well as PTSD. Therapy and anti-depressants have been essential tools, but they aren’t a quick fix and don’t work well for all. Research at Johns Hopkins, Mass General, Dana Farber, and many others gave me the courage to try the unusual treatment.

Entertainment

Getting Inside Small Saves’ Head in This Week’s Cartoon

By |

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Entertainment

Watertown Gallery Hosting Contemporary Art by Prize Winning Artist

By |

Watertown’s Storefront Art Projects announced its latest exhibit, “WARM TO THE TOUCH: Recent Paintings by Jo Ann Rothschild,” curated by Elizabeth Michelman. October 19 – November 23, 2024  

Reception, Sat. October 19,  1- 4 pm

Artist Talk: November 16, 2pm

Gallery hours: Thursdays & Saturdays 1 – 4

Storefront Art Projects, 83 Spring St., Watertown, MA

Jo Ann Rothschild has had an enduring impact on contemporary painting in Boston and nationally. In 1993 she was the first recipient of the Museum of Fine Arts Maud Morgan Prize. In 2024 The National Gallery of Art exhibited Mom’s Yahrzeit (2021) in their collection of American abstractionists of the 60s through the 90s. Rothschild’s 92” x 122” un-stretched canvas, In Franklin Field (for Kimberly Rae Harbor (1990), is currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts through January, 2025. Rothschild also recently published an updated version of her anti-misogynist “The Book of Penis!” provocative and subversive cartoons first published in 2010 by Pressed Wafer, Boston.   

Long identified with her earlier gridded, un-stretched canvases, Jo Ann Rothschild has moved beyond the rectangle to liberate the direct mark.

Schools

LETTER: Family of Former WHS Head Master Seeks to Keep Gym Dedicated in His Name

By |

(The following letter was originally written to Watertown School Committee Chair Kendra Foley)

Dear Ms. Foley,

Thank you for this opportunity to share our recommendation for the naming of the Gymnasium or the Auditorium at the new Watertown High School. We would like for Dr. John J Kelley, former principal of Watertown High School, to continue to be honored by the school. As you know, the gym at Watertown High School was dedicated to Dr. Kelley in the early 1990s. The decision to name the gym after him was based on not just his many years of service to the school and the community, but also on the positive and long-lasting impact he had on individual students throughout his career. While time has passed since the dedication of the gym, nothing about Dr. Kelley’s impact has changed.

Around Town

Upcoming Events: Budget Presentation, Health & Human Services Report, Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee, Miyawaki Forest

By |

Watertown’s Miyawaki Forest will be planted at Lowell School

The City Manager will present the Preliminary City Budget, the City will provide details of the recently completed Health and Human Services Report, the Environment and Energy Efficiency Committee seeks new members, and Watertown’s first Miayaki Forest will be planted at Lowell School. Preliminary Budget

City Manager George Proakis will present the Preliminary Budget Overview for Fiscal Year 2026 at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The meeting is in the Council Chamber in City Hall, and will also have remote participation. The Oct. 22 meeting begins at 7 p.m. See more details here.

Around Town

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

By |

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

By |

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

By |

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.