Around Town

MBTA Riders Can Now Tap Credit Cards to Ride Buses, Green Line

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The following information came from the MBTA:

The MBTA is improving the way you pay for transit with the introduction of contactless payment on bus, Green Line and Mattapan trolleys, and all gated subway stations. Starting in summer 2024, you’ll be able to pay by tapping your contactless debit/credit card, phone, or watch with a mobile wallet—making it easier for you to get going. Step 1. Choose

Choose how you want to pay—you’ll use the same method for your entire trip:

Credit/debit card: Check if your card has the four-waved contactless symbol on the front or back. Phone/watch: Make sure you have a card set up in your mobile wallet. Note: You will not be able to tap your CharlieCard on the readers. Pay your fare with your CharlieCard by tapping on the fare gate or fare box readers.

Around Town

Bluebikes Offering Free Passes Every Monday in August

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Town of WatertownThe Bluebikes station in Coolidge Square in East Watertown. The following announcement was provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass.:

In recognition of National Wellness Month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) is launching its fourth annual “Mindful Mondays” initiative by offering free Bluebikes Day Passes every Monday in August, starting August 5. This initiative aims to highlight the positive impact mindfulness activities like biking can have on one’s overall health and wellbeing. The free Day Passes are accessible across Bluebikes’ 13 municipalities including Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown. As the title sponsor of Bluebikes, Blue Cross is dedicated to fostering community well-being and mental health.

Entertainment

Check Out the Latest Small Saves Cartoon

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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.”

Around Town

LETTER: First Path Day Care Center’s response to Boys & Girls Club Chairman Medville

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“WBGC has a choice to either work with First Path in a friendly manner to help it and its families through a difficult time or to continue to wave the stick of eviction over the heads of First Path’s families and staff that include infants, children with special needs, refugees from war in Ukraine and long-term day care teachers. We would like WBGC to remember the Golden Rule that we teach our children, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.”

As a local business, providing daycare services to the community of Watertown for more than 26 years, we were disappointed to read the recent Letter to the Editor from the Chair of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club (WBGC) {Boys & Girls Club Planning to Expand, Obstacle Hindering Its Efforts; July 26}. Our disappointment arises from Mr. Medville’s incorrect assertion that “now the only barrier to moving forward is First Path Daycare’s consistent failure to live up to their agreements.” In 2020, 3 years prior to its lease expiration First Path wrote to the Club in an e-mail “Our lease is expiring in 3 years. We need to plan ahead and would like to start discussing lease extension… 3 years might sound as a long time, but in reality it is short period relative to long term plans. ” Club’s reply; “Board President … will work … on developing a plan for lease negotiations.

Around Town

Longtime Employee Named Watertown’s New Recreation Director

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Ernie Thebado was named Watertown’s new Director of Recreation. (Photo by Peter Centola)

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Congratulations to Ernie Thebado, the City of Watertown’s new permanent Recreation Director effective Monday, July 29, 2024. Ernie has been a pillar of the Watertown Recreation Department since he was hired as the Assistant Director in 2008. In this role Ernie oversaw the Department’s programs, services, and events; expanded programming; cultivated strong partnerships between the City and community groups like Wayside and the Boys and Girls Club; and served as a trusted point of contact for the community and City staff. Prior to joining the City, Ernie worked for the Watertown Boys and Girls Club for 20 years, most recently as the Assistant Executive Director, where he oversaw all programming as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization and the facility.

Around Town

Sample Ben & Jerry’s New Non-Dairy Treats in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by Ben & Jerry’s:

Calling all Ben & Jerry’s fans! Ben & Jerry’s is hitting the road this summer for an immersive dessert experience to celebrate its new creamier-than-ever oat milk Non-Dairy recipe. The Creamy, Dreamy Non-Dairy Summer Tour is making its way across seven select cities from June to August, including New York City, Tampa, FL, Atlanta, GA, Raleigh, NC, Washington, DC, Boston, MA and Burlington, VT.  The location at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards will be participating. From August 6-7, Boston area fans are encouraged to bring their families, friends, and co-workers to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experiential event and taste the new oat-based recipe for themselves. This creamy base is replacing all existing sunflower and almond variations and will be the base for all of the existing 19 Non-Dairy flavors today and moooving forward.

Around Town

Find Out About Watertown’s Miyawaki Forest Saturday

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Lowell Microforest YardArt made by students and adults in April. The following announcement was provided by Trees for Watertown:

It’s Your Forest – A Drop-By at the Library

Drop by to learn more about Watertown’s first Miyawaki Microforest, to be planted in the J.R. Lowell schoolyard on October 26th, 2024. Everyone is invited! Art + science activities for kids. Saturday, August 3rd, Noon–4 p.m.

Watertown Savings Bank Room (1st floor) Watertown Free Public Library

Explore, enjoy refreshments, and help shape this important project by sharing your ideas and hopes for the Microforest.

Around Town

2 Chances to Chat with Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist in August

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

August’s schedule for Watertown Chats includes stopping by the Watertown Housing Authority, and a lunch outing in Arsenal Yards! Come sit-down and chat with Tyler Cote, Watertown’s Community Engagement Specialist, on August 8, 2024 at 55 Waverley Ave. from 12-1:30 p.m.! You’re welcome to stop by any time, no appointment required. You can find Tyler in the Community Room through the Summer Street entrance.