Around Town

CORE Mental Health Launching New Initiative to Promote Racial Equity in Mental Health

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The following announcement was provided by CORE:

Formerly CHNA17, one of many community health networks serving Massachusetts with general community-based services, the organization has renamed itself CORE (Coalition for Racial Equity and Mental Health) to make clear its current focus – the urgent issue of racial equity in community mental health supports. On April 28, CORE is holding a Launch Party to share with the public its programming that re-imagines mental health supports in communities of color in Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Watertown, Waltham, and Belmont.  The gathering will be from 2-4:30 PM at the Arlington Community Center, 27 Maple Street in Arlington. There will be food, music, and connection with our community mental health supporters, our Fellows, and our Steering Committee, who are all working to advance racial equity in mental health. Pietra Check, Interim Planning Director, said “This event is an opportunity for both long-time supporters and new friends to get to know and support our mission and exciting work, while connecting with others interested in racial equity and mental health.” 

Anyone interested in attending can register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/core-mental-health-launch-party-tickets-858289395687.   

CORE Mental Health is a nonprofit coalition that works to advance racial equity in mental health at the institutional and individual levels through innovative community collaborations. According to CORE Steering Committee Chair Betty Burkes, “We have a medical system that was created for white individuals, and has historically caused harm to Black patients. Most Black residents will never see a therapist, let alone a Black therapist.

Entertainment

Cartoon: Small Saves Needs to Find Back Up Goalie Gear

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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.”

Police/Fire

Watertown Man Sentenced to Prison for African Sports Ponzi Scheme

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The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts:

A Watertown man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for defrauding investors who believed they were financing lucrative sports ventures in Africa. Adrian Kawuba, 34 was sentenced by United States Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 27 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Kawuba was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $625,000, forfeiture of more than $2.2 million and to pay a special assessment of $400. In December 2023, Kawuba pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud. 

Kawuba told his victims that he would invest their money in short-term financing of youth sports ventures in Africa and elsewhere and that he would personally guarantee their investments. In fact, Kawuba did not invest any of the victims’ funds.

Government

Patriots Day Will Impact City Hall, Library, Senior Center and More

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by Charlie BreitroseMembers of the Watertown Colonial Guard reenactment group march in the 2018 Memorial Day Parade. Patriots Day is Monday, April 15, and the holiday will impact facilities in the City of Watertown. The City sent out the following information:

Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Senior Center, Department of Public Works Offices, and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Monday, April 15, 2024 in observance of the Patriots Day holiday. Please note that trash and recycling pickup will be delayed one day. The pickup schedule next week is Tuesday, April 16 through Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Around Town

OP-ED: Watertown Square Zoning Needs to Do More for Affordability

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Just about everyone agrees on the need for more affordable housing in Watertown. It’s one of the biggest challenges faced by our neighbors today. Families can’t find space to grow, older residents can’t downsize, working- and middle-class families are being forced out. There isn’t enough housing overall — but, in particular, there isn’t nearly enough affordable housing. The Watertown Square redesign process offers an incredible opportunity to encourage more dedicated affordable homes in our city.

Around Town

MBTA Announces Services for Monday’s Boston Marathon

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The MBTA announced service information on Monday, April 15, the day of the 2024 Boston Marathon. Every year, the MBTA prepares for the Boston Marathon across all departments in many ways. It supports the annual event with increased service to accommodate spectators and runners, acknowledges the crucial role of public transit during this celebratory time, and expresses sincere appreciation for its ridership and dedicated workforce. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of MBTA leaders from various departments, including operations, track, signals, and safety, will be monitoring the system throughout the day, ready to troubleshoot any unforeseen issues that may arise. The MBTA’s Security team will have representatives in the Unified Coordination Center, located at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s headquarters in Framingham, which serves as the central hub for public safety operations on race day. The Transit Police Department will also continue to monitor the system with robust support available as needed. Additional staff and Transit Ambassadors will be strategically positioned throughout the system to assist with passenger flow and answer any questions or concerns from riders. Riders are encouraged to hold handrails and use care and caution while traversing stairs and escalators due to anticipated crowding and high ridership. Additional porters will also proactively identify and address cleaning needs throughout the system, from sweeping floors and disposing of trash to maintaining restrooms and replenishing supplies.

Entertainment

Gandzaran/Treasury Exhibition Spotlights Armenian Museum of America’s Art Collection

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Courtesy of Armenian Museum of AmericaMartin Barooshian (1929-2022), “Gomidas Vartabed 4/50,” c. 1970-1979, signed color intaglio etching, 24×22, donated by Haig Der Manuelian. The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown has recently opened its latest exhibition in the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, “Gandzaran! Notable Selections from Our Collection.” The show is curated by Ryann Casey, and co-curated by Gary Lind-Sinanian and Elias Trout.  “Gandzaran!” showcases 39 works by 24 artists from around the world. It is scheduled to run through August 4, 2024. In recent centuries, Armenian fine art often focused on illuminations, reliquaries, and other pious objects, the most significant of which were secured and hidden in the gandzaran (գանձարան), or treasury, of a monastery. These treasure vaults were designed to protect religious works, which would be displayed periodically for the faithful, then returned to the vaults to be preserved for the ages.

Around Town

OP-ED: Watertown Square Plan — A Broader Perspective

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By Linda ScottWatertown Resident

I was driving through Forest Hills recently and stopped to take a few pictures of new buildings. Here is the front of the property. As you can see, this yellow and gray building appears to be six stories. Also note that there are step backs and blocks of color to produce the “visual interest” that was mentioned at our meeting. Photo by Linda Scott

I drove up the small street in back of it, and here it borders a small one and two family neighborhood with a mix of one and two storied homes.