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Organizers of Watertown Dragon Boat Team Seeking Participants for 2025

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Join the Watertown Dragon Boat Team – rowers, volunteers, sponsors are wanted. See more information provided by the Watertown Dragon Boat Team, below. Whether you’re an experienced paddler or a first-timer, we welcome all enthusiasts to be part of this unforgettable experience of teamwork and cultural celebration. If rowing isn’t your forte, there are still numerous ways to be part of this cultural celebration:

Volunteers/Organizers: We welcome individuals interested in contributing their time and skills to assist in organizing this landmark event. Contact us at caawatertown@gmail.com to express your interest.

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Food Assistance Benefits Will be Cut in December, Groups Calling for State to Restore Funds

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Recipients of food assistance in Massachusetts will see their benefits that can be used to buy fresh produce cut beginning in December, but there are efforts to ask the Governor and Legislature to restore the funding the in the State Budget. Stephanie Venizelos, the City of Watertown’s Community Wellness Program Manager, said that the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) will be reduced to $20 per household. The program is available to recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). “Recently, DTA and MDAR announced the following changes to the HIP program beginning on December 1, 2024, due to insufficient funding in the MA state budget. The HIP benefit structure will be reduced to $20 each month, and the maximum HIP benefits a household can earn will be $20 a month for all households, regardless of size.

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Mt. Auburn Street Paving Work This Weekend Will Include Lane Closures & Parking Restrictions

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The City of Watertown provided an update on the Mt. Auburn Street road project, including impacts from the weekend paving work. Paving started last week on the first 500 feet from the Cambridge line. Paving work is scheduled to continue from Wednesday, November 6, 2024, through Friday, November 8, 2024, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, paving will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the construction schedule was adjusted to pause work on Election Day. This paving work will include Mount Auburn Street between the Cambridge Line and Arlington Street, as well as the side street entrances in these locations. For the list of side street entrances included in this phase, please visit the Mount Auburn website for more details.

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Historical Society Hosting Film About Armenian Vets of WWII & Women on the Home Front

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The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library announced they will present: “Our Boys, Armenian-American Veterans of World War II and the Women of the Home Front” a film by Roger Hagopian & Tom Spera on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, 2 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472

In 2005, the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Tom Spera, the son of a veteran of the war, was determined to find a way to honor Armenian-American soldiers who had served their country. He collaborated with filmmaker Roger Hagopian to produce the “Our Boys” video, featuring oral histories interspersed with personal and historical photographs from the wartime period. The film’s interviewees attend the Armenian Memorial Church in Watertown and the First Armenian Church of Belmont. These men – some barely out of high school at the time – reflect upon the bombing of Pearl Harbor, their induction into the service, their harrowing journeys aboard troop transport ships through rough seas, correspondence with their families back home, poignant and humorous moments, and near-death experiences during combat.

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Stop & Shop Community Bag Program Raising Money for Operation American Soldier

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Through the month of November, the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program will support Watertown-based Operation American Soldier. When you purchase a $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Stop & Shop located at 171 Watertown St. in Watertown, $1 will be donated to Operation American Soldier, which sends care packages to American troops deployed overseas. “Our goal is to sell 500 bags, equivalent to $500 raised. We are confident that with the help of our dedicated supporters, we can reach this goal,” said Wendy Rocca of Operation American Soldier.

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LETTER: What’s So Important About Preserving Big Urban Trees?

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Before and after photos. Submitted by Trees for Watertown

How is it that big urban trees play an absolutely vital role in protecting cities against climate change? And what can cities do to better protect these climate warriors? This is the message that Dr. William R. Moomaw will present at Watertown’s Free Public Library at Trees for Watertown’s annual meeting on Saturday, November 9 from noon to 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The news is full of stories about the brutal impact of climate change around the world.