Obituaries

OBIT: Mark Santamaria, 64, Animal Lover, Worked with Special Needs Adults

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Mark Santamaria

Mark Santamaria, age 64, of Watertown, Massachusetts, sadly passed away on June 22, 2024, unexpectedly. 

Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Virginia Santamaria of Monument Beach, Cape Cod, and survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Christine Mason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, his aunt Joanne Santamaria Ferguson of Upton, Massachusetts, and his niece and nephew Michele Taylor and Daniel Mason of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mark grew up in Newton and went to Newton High School. He graduated from Worcester State College with a bachelor’s degree Human Services. He spent many years taking care of adults with special needs. Mark was an avid animal lover, but especially loved his cat, Little who will miss him very much.

Around Town

Watertown Using AARP Grant to Start Senior Housing Stabilization Program

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Department of Senior Services is proud to launch their Senior Housing Stabilization Program thanks to a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant they received. This compassionate initiative is dedicated to providing crucial support and education to seniors and their families facing housing instability in Watertown, MA. Their mission is to ensure that older adults aged 60 years or older can age in place with dignity and security, fostering intergenerational, livable communities where residents of all ages and backgrounds thrive together. This program will run out of the City of Watertown’s MA Department of Senior Services. The Department will provide financial assistance and education on this program and other housing support services eligible to Watertown seniors.

Entertainment

Small Saves’ Coach Deals with the Media in This Week’s Comic

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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.”

Government

Council President & City Manager to Present Annual State of the City Address in September

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Watertown’s annual State of the City address will take place on Sept. 4, 2024. The first one was held last August. The event is required to be held annually with the changes to the City Charter were approved by voters in 2021. The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown State of the City address will be broadcasted live from WCA-TV’s studio on September 4, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. City Council President Mark Sideris and City Manager George Proakis will deliver the State of the City together, before transitioning to Q+A and answering resident-submitted questions. 

Watch live online, or on Comcast 22 and RCN 13.

Government

Residents Can Apply to Attend Citizens’ Legislative Seminar

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Massachusetts State House

The following announcement was provided by Sen. Will Brownsberger:

Senator Will Brownsberger invites constituents to apply for the Fall 2024 Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS), a free Senate program that educates the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature. The seminar is on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29 and 30. 

Nominees from this office must be residents of Senator Brownsberger’s district and be able to attend both days of the seminar. The CLS, offered twice a year, aims to better educate the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature. The curriculum includes the history of the legislature, the legislative process, the state budget, and a simulated legislative hearing and a simulated Senate Session held in the Senate Chamber where participants use what they have learned to actively experience the legislative process. Presentations are made by Senators and Senate staff.

Entertainment

Celebrated Boston Area Artists Will Speak at Watertown Library

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Tuesday, September 10, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) invites you to join in conversation with celebrated Boston area artists about their work, creative processes, collaborations, and experiences with WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT, a project and movement directed by fine art photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle. Joining LaSalle for this dialogue are artists Jay Lamour, JaPix Belmer, Maddie Lam, Jules Cleo, Craig Bailey, DaNice D. Marshall, George Annan Jr., Grace Ramsdell, Olivia Slaughter, and Jake Stout. WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT is a grassroots organization whose mission is to bring attention to and help art institutions rectify past injustices of underrepresenting Black and Brown artists in their permanent collections. Founder Archy LaSalle states that, “WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT is committed to ensuring that all Black and Brown artists have the freedom to pursue their creativity in all ways, regardless of their family history and culture. Celebrating the art of all artists and particularly the younger generation of Black and Brown artists, WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE AT will continue to stay vigilant and committed to the importance of access and inclusion to the permanent collections of our art institutions.”

Listen in and join the conversation on Tuesday, September 10 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 6:30–8:30 PM.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center Has Comedy, Kids Arts Classes, Seeks Artists

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The following information was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

As the summer and our 2023-24 season of programming near their ends, we have one more performance from MCA Improv to keep you laughing! It’s also time to sign up for fall classes! And don’t miss the call for art for another exhibition—this one based on arts and science! Come see, learn, and experience it all at Mosesian Arts! MCA IMPROV | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21 | 7:00 PM

Don’t miss MCA’s adult improv class in a showcase performance of games and scenes! Our battle-worn improvisers are takin’ their fight to the streets in a show called Sad Max: Furry Road.$10 General Admission ticket proceeds support MCA’s improv program and other arts education programming. If you can’t provide the suggested amount, please reach out to tickets@mosesianarts.org.

Sports

Watertown Summer Basketball Finals Game 3 Moved to Aug. 20

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More Than Different faces New Day in the third and final game of the 2024 Watertown Summer Basketball League Finals Tuesday night at Saltonstall Park. (Courtesy of Watertown Recreation)

The Papas Elite Finals Game Three between No. 4 More Than Different and No. 7 New Day will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Saltonstall Park.