Around Town

Critical Drought Declared for Area, Tips for Conserving Water

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With a Critical Drought declared for much of Massachusetts, including Watertown, the City of Watertown sent out the following tips for residents. See information below. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has declared a Level 3 – Critical Drought in the Central and Northeast Regions which includes Watertown. Due to unprecedented low rainfall over the last two months, with many locations recording their lowest rainfall ever, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is experiencing significant drought conditions. Wildfires are occurring across the state (208 fires in October and 115 fires in November so far).

Around Town

Local Jam Maker Holding Pop-Up and Food Drive for Watertown Food Pantry

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If you missed Berry Mari and Belle at the Watertown Farmers Market, you can buy Hanna Opdahl’s jams and preserves at a pop-up and she will also be collecting items for the Watertown Food Pantry with donors being entered into a drawing for jam and spices. See details below. Berry Mari and Belle will be having a jam pop-up at Curio Spice Co., 2265 Mass. Ave., in Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 23 (12-4 p.m.), and will be collecting donations for the Watertown Food Pantry.

Around Town

See the Dates of the Watertown Winter Parking Ban for 2024-25

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The City of Watertown announced the dates for the 2024-25 Winter Parking Ban. See information below. For the 2024 – 2025 parking ban, enforcement will start on December 2, 2024. The regulation reads in part; “No vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. all days of the week.”

For residents who lack sufficient off-street parking, the City allows for temporary parking at any municipal parking lot and other locations. Read more information.

Around Town

Street Closure Thursday for the Watertown High School Construction Project

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A street next to the construction site for the new Watertown High School will be closed on Thursday, according to an announcement from the district’s construction management firm, Vertex. The announcement said:

Please be aware this coming Thursday 11/14/24 Columbia St. will be closed from CommonSt. to Broadway Avenue to facilitate the delivery and hoisting of roof top units that will serve thenew high school. A police detail will be on site to ensure public safety throughout the day.

Around Town

Watertown Groups Are Screening Film on the U.S. Role in Gaza

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A pair of Watertown groups will be hosting a showing of the film “The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza.” The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice & the Environment. The Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment and the First Parish Watertown Social Action Committee are  proud sponsor the showing of a moving video on the genocide in Gaza. 

“The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza” will be shown this Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 PM at the First Parish of Watertown Unitarian Universalist at 35 Church Street. From air strikes to field executions, the film investigates the killings of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza and the role of the United States and the Biden administration in the genocide. Please enter at the front door of the Church. Parking is available in the Church lot on Spring Street as well as in the public parking lot at CVS. The 71 Bus from Harvard Square will take you to Watertown Square which is two blocks from the Church.  Visit watertowncitizens.org.

Around Town

Veterans Agent Looks to Spread Word About Programs Available to Former Member of the Armed Services

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Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reads Gov. Healey’s Veterans Day Proclamation at the Veterans Day Breakfast at the Shutt Detachment. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Watertown veterans came together Monday at the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment to enjoy some breakfast, socialize, and celebrate Veterans Day. Watertown Veterans Services Officer Patrick George hopes to have more such events in town, and spread information about programs and benefits which are available to vets. Massachusetts recently added to the programs for veterans, George mentioned during his Veterans Day address. “As the Governor’s (Veterans Day) proclamation mentioned, The HERO Act is a new veterans bill passed by the state recently, and it expands veterans benefits,” George said.

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See the Lineup for the Watertown Senior Health and Wellness Fair

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The Department of Senior Services revealed the schedule for the Health and Wellness Fair taking place on Nov. 14. See details below. Reminder! The Department of Senior Services is hosting a Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, November 14, 2024 from 12:00 – 3:00PM at the Hibernians Hall, located at 151 Watertown St.

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LETTER: Reflection on the 2024 Presidential Election

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Dear Harris Supporters,

I write to you because you should be applauded. I also write to provide genuine analysis before the narrative is taken over by other entities, especially the media. I have crunched some of the numbers. Given top-line numbers, I can conclude that this was a vote against Biden’s foreign policy more so than a vote for Trump. Trump essentially got the same numbers of votes as he did in 2020 (it is a +0.1% change). Harris, at approximately 70 million votes, did not beat him or Biden’s numbers of 81 million votes. One held onto the base and the other did not. Trump’s base appears to be younger with some increase in POCs. It is still less female and less educated. Harris’ appears to have held onto the crossover votes of moderates and Republicans, who this time are more ideologically conservative and older. These mere shifts may not matter much since it is just a reshuffling as more people enter the registration pool.