Around Town

Watertown High School Students Learning on the Job at Local Non-Profits

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

Since 2015 the Watertown Community Foundation has made it possible for high school students in Watertown to gain valuable professional experience by funding summer internships. Nearly 70 high-schoolers have received stipends from the Watertown Community Foundation High School Internship Program since it began. This year, four students from Watertown High School will receive internship stipends from the Watertown Community Foundation to learn more about working in one of Watertown’s non-profits. Selected from a competitive field of applicants, we congratulate Evelyn Rodriguez, Kostas Jerome, Arthur Venturim, and Sherri Wu on being chosen to participate in this year’s Watertown Community Foundation High School Internship Program. These students will have internships at the City of Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion, the Watertown Free Public Library and Watertown Cable Access TV.

Around Town

Watertown’s First Miyawaki Forest to be Planted This Fall

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Local teens have been tending tiny trees for the Miyawaki forest planting. By Liza Ketchum

Good news for Watertown: the city’s first Miyawaki Forest will be planted this fall! Miyawaki forests — which can be as small as a ping pong table or as big as a parking lot — are named for Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese ecologist and weed expert (1928-2021). He studied groves of ancient, native trees growing close together at shrines around Japan. Since trees take up carbon and release oxygen into the atmosphere, Miyawaki realized that these small groves could clean the air in urban areas, while attracting wildlife, birds, and beneficial insects. When planted densely, they become self-sustaining ecosystems in just a few years. With the help of other botanists — soon joined by volunteers of all ages — he began planting these small forests across Japan and eventually, around the world.

Government

City Manager Seeks to Fill Seats on Human Rights Commission and Traffic Commission

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City Manager George J. Proakis announced he is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission and the Traffic Commission. Human Rights Commission

All applicants who previously applied will be considered. New applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application no later than Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The Human Rights Commission works to ensure that all persons enjoy equal opportunity to participate in local affairs, including but not limited to housing, employment, education, public accommodation, access to City services regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, age, religion, disability, health status, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, ex-offender status, genetic and/or protected class status. The Commission promotes human rights in Watertown through outreach, dialogue, educational forums, the development of an Action Plan, serving as a resource to persons with concerns of discrimination within the City, recommending policies or resolutions for adoption by the City Council, City Manager or other City departments, boards, councils or commissions.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center Exhibit Features Artwork from Teachers & Students

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Sara Emara’s “It’s Pumpkin Time” is on display at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The Mosesian Center for the Arts announced its latest exhibition: From the Studios: Artwork from Our Teaching Artists and Students. The Mosesian Center for the Arts is excited to present an exhibition that showcases the work of our teaching artists and students who have taken adult visual arts classes in the last few sessions as well as young artists who are attending our 2024 Summer Stages & Studios program. “Floating in red” by Nancy Goodman is part of the latest exhibition at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. We are very fortunate to have such a talented group of teaching artists working in our classrooms and dedicated and enthusiastic students.

Around Town

Learn About Food Assistance Programs at This Week’s Watertown Farmers Market

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See what’s happening at this week’s Watertown Farmers Market in the announcement sent out by the Market. Now that summer is here in full swing, the market is full of lots of fun and flavorful fruits and veggies, fantastic baked goods, sustainable seafood and meat, and so much more! 

This week, stop by the market’s Food Assistance Information table and learn about the growing issue of food insecurity and local resources available. Find out about how to access the market’s exclusive benefits including:

Our SNAP match

Using HIP dollars 

WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons

Summer EBT 

Project Bread will host our community booth to provide information and pre-screen for eligibility of SNAP benefits. Women, Infants, and Children’s (WIC) will be on site for their annual Distribution Day beginning at 4:00pm – details below. Please bring a non-perishable food DONATION for the City’s Food Pantry!

Around Town

City Manager’s Update on Watertown Square Area Plan

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City Manager George Proakis provided the following statement he presented at the Watertown Square Area Plan Meeting on June 27. The third meeting on the plan will take place on Tuesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. at Watertown Middle School. This letter reproduces the introductory remarks given by the City Manager to the City Council and Planning Board at the Watertown Square Area Plan Joint Hearing on June 27, 2024, with modifications for publication:

As we embark on what I call the end of the beginning of the work on Watertown Square, I’d like to reflect on the progress we have made and the process we have taken to get to the publication of the Watertown Square Area Plan. Since the beginning of this process, we have spread the word about this plan throughout the city, by sharing announcements with the Watertown News, advertising on-line through our social media channels, sharing information in regular City Council meetings, three different tax bill inserts, and on signage at businesses and in public places throughout the city. We are tremendously proud of our community for joining us to participate in this process, and the ability to build this plan with collaborative involvement.

Around Town

Historical Society Program Explores Watertown’s Link to Declaration of Independence and Nation’s First Treaty

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Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society of Watertown made a presentation about the signing of the Treaty of Watertown and the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Edmund Fowle House. This year the ceremony will be at the Senior Center. (Courtesy of the Historical Society)

The following announcement was provided by the Historical Society of Watertown:

A program presented by the Historical Society at the Watertown Senior Center, honoring two important events: the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Watertown. A talk & slide-show presentation will tell the story of the role & significance that the Edmund Fowle House (28 Marshall St) played in Watertown’s first public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the Watertown Treaty between the Mi’kmaq and St. John’s (aka Maliseet) Indigenous nations in Canada and the newly formed United States.

Around Town

OBIT: Henry “Herb” Applin, 86, Member of Bluegrass Hall of Fame

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Henry “Herb” Applin

Henry Herbert (“Herb”) Applin, 86, passed away peacefully on June 29th, 2024 at Sunny Acres Nursing and Rehab in Chelmsford, MA with his family by his side. Herb was born on April 10, 1938 in Boston to Herb and Hilda Applin of Watertown, MA. Herb graduated from Watertown High School, Class of 1956, and went on to earn his BA in Business at the University of Maine at Orono in 1960. He obtained a Certificate in Accounting from Bentley College and his MBA from Babson College in May of 1973. He was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, serving for six years.