Around Town

Watertown Group Receives Grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mass. Foundation

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The following announcement was provided by the the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation:

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, a nonprofit grantmaking and research organization, announced over $1 million in grants to a total of 19 organizations, including DEAF Inc. in Watertown. The funding will support health coverage enrollment efforts, perinatal health-related projects, a comprehensive health insurance survey and other special initiatives. “These grant awards will support projects in a number of settings, ranging from public schools to higher education, fishing communities to urban neighborhoods, and all corners of the Commonwealth where we are working to improve equitable health care access,” said Audrey Shelto, President and CEO of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, which has provided grants totaling more than $87 million since it was established in 2001. The Board of Directors recently approved funding for the Special Initiatives program, which is for organizations to pilot or launch a new project that advances health equity. The Foundation is providing a total of $300,000 in one-time grants to the following six nonprofit organizations that are working to improve health care access across Massachusetts:

Burlington Public Schools, for a collaborative team-based approach to mental health care that will complement existing school services, increase support for students and families, and incorporate culturally competent practices. Fishing Partnership Health Plan Corporation, which will enhance the availability of behavioral health support in the fishing communities of Gloucester, New Bedford, Plymouth and Chatham that face higher-than-average rates of suicide and substance use disorder.

Around Town

Watertown Cultural District Approved by Mass Cultural Council

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Watertown will have a cultural district in the center of town after the City’s application received official approval from the Mass. Cultural Council this week. The Watertown Cultural District will be centered around Watertown Square, and includes the Watertown Free Public Library, the Armenian Museum of America, and Saltonstall Park. Watertown was one of three communities to get approval for a cultural district, said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “This is a celebration of these three communities, their distinct local character, and their cultural vibrancy,” Bobbitt said.

Around Town

City Rolling Out Phase 2 of New Snow and Ice Removal Rules

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Starting this winter, the City of Watertown will begin Phase 2 of implementing the residential snow and ice removal ordinance by beginning to issue warnings to properties not compliant. This ordinance requires the clearing of a 42-inch pathway of snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting one’s residential property within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. We understand the full effects of the ordinance may not be felt until Watertown is hit with a winter storm, so by issuing warnings only this winter and increasing our continued education efforts, we hope our community can be better prepared for the many winters to come. This winter we are also encouraging our residents to help us gather an understanding of how we can better share information about this ordinance and gather a full understanding of sidewalks that might not be getting cleared 24-hours after a storm. You can help us by utilizing our 311 Service Center, where you can share photos of noncompliance directly with our team.

Around Town

Watertown Native’s Event Raises $275K for Cancer Research

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A Shot for Life Founder & CEO Mike Slonina, left, and Dr. Will Curry, Chief Medical Officer of Massachusetts General Hospital post with Boston Celtics Mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun. (Photo by Betsy Cullen/A Shot For Life)

On Saturday, a fundraiser run by a Watertown native raised more than $275,000 to support research into the development of cancer treatments. Mike Slonina, a Watertown native, started A Shot for Life in 2017, and since its inception, through a number of sports-centric initiatives including the Gauntlet, the organization has raised more than $1.1 million in support of cancer research at Mass General. 

At this weekend’s Gauntlet, which took place at the Starland Sportsplex in Hanover and was open to all skill levels, hundreds of players participated in shifts to ensure that basketball drills and sprints were ongoing for 24 hours – from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2022/01/20/lacrosse-games-to-raise-funds-to-fight-cancer-organized-by-non-profit-led-by-watertown-resident/

Around Town

“Expert Pairings” for Edible Watertown Project Announced

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Edible Watertown, a vibrant public art initiative by the Public Arts & Culture Committee that explores the city’s local ecology, is thrilled to announce the lead artists and scientists selected for its “Expert Pairings” project. This exciting collaboration pairs talented artists with knowledgeable scientists to create temporary, educational public artworks focused on edible plants, local resilience, and environmental awareness. The selected Expert Pairings are:

Sophy Tuttle (Artist) & Amber Siegel (Scientist, Charles River Watershed Association)

Jenn Houle (Artist) & Patrick Fairbairn (Scientist)

Ira Klein (Artist) & Yi (Jenny) Wang (Scientist)

Leah Craig (Artist) & Nicole Weber (Scientist)

About Edible Watertown:

Now in its third year, Edible Watertown fosters community engagement through artistic and scientific exploration of the town’s edible plants. This interdisciplinary project aims to connect residents with their local environment, highlighting the importance of local flora and ecosystems. Ultimately, Edible Watertown serves as a catalyst for environmental stewardship and appreciation for the natural gifts found right outside our doors. (Link to website)

About Expert Pairings:

Expert Pairings invites artists and scientists to collaborate on temporary public artworks exploring Watertown’s ecology.

Around Town

Dunkin’ Donuts Manager Who Brings Smile to People’s Faces Profiled by Boston News Station

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Julianna Tosta, manager of the Dunkin’ Donuts on Main Street, was profiled on WBZ Channel 4. (Screenshot from WBZ)

The energetic manager of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Watertown was featured on WBZ Channel 4’s Change Maker segment recently. WBZ-TV’s Lisa Hughes spoke to Julianna Tosta, and some of her many fans who frequent the Dunkin’ on Main Street. The four minute-plus piece includes some familiar faces, including Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi. Tosta shared some stories about her life, which has had some ups and downs, and how the owners of the Dunkin’ discovered her infections spirit.