Around Town

Watertown Man Supports Group that Helps Children Who Have Lost a Parent Through His Employer’s Charity

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Watertown’s Jay Hughes presented a check to Cara Belvin, founder of Empower. The money was from the charity run by Movement Mortgage, where Hughes works. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A dozen years ago, Watertown’s Jay Hughes met a woman who started a non-profit organization to help young women who had lost their mothers by giving them a special day on Mother’s Day. Hughes was the emcee of an auction in Scituate for Cara Belvin’s organization, Empower. The event raised more than $30,000 and got Belvin’s effort moving toward what it is now — a group that has an impact internationally.

Around Town

CAAW Dragon Boat Holds First Practice — Community Invited to June 8 Celebration

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Watertown’s Dragon Boat Team. The following announcement was provided by the CAAW:

The Chinese American Association of Watertown (CAAW) proudly announces the successful first practice of its new dragon boat team, the CAAW Night Herons, held this past weekend in preparation for the upcoming Boston Dragon Boat Festival. The launch marks an exciting new chapter for community engagement through cultural tradition, athleticism, and teamwork. This milestone was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Watertown Cultural Council. To continue the spirit of celebration, CAAW invites the entire Watertown community to save the date: Sunday, June 8 for a family-friendly cultural celebration.

Around Town

Vietnam Veterans Raise POW/MIA Flag at Greek Church’s Memorial Day Celebration

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The following piece was provided by Peter Vergados:

Memorial Day Celebration, Sunday, May 18th, at the Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA included Raising of the POW/MIA Flag. Color Guard was the Civil Air Patrol Cadets from the MA Wing located at Hanscom AFB. Hoisting the flag was Charles Kalivas, an Army Veteran who served in Vietnam 1967-68. Assisting was Leader of the Veteran’s Ministry, Peter J. Vergados, who also served in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller (FAC). Charles Kalivas arrived in country at Cam Rahn Bay March, 1967.

Around Town

Beth Israel Lahey Health Offering Urgent Care in Watertown

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Members of the Urgent Care Watertown BILH/HMFP Team. Beth Israel Lahey Health announced that urgent care services are now available at the Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) Care Center – Watertown. The site, located at 480 Pleasant Street, opened last year. In addition to urgent care, the care center also offers primary care and specialties including obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedics and radiology. 

The urgent care services will be provided by physicians from Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians. Primary care is provided by BILH Primary Care clinicians and specialty services are provided by Mount Auburn Hospital clinicians. 

“By expanding the BILH Care Center – Watertown to include urgent care, we are bringing high-quality emergency care into the community,” said Alex Barker, president, BILH Medical Group.

Around Town

Historic Photo Presented to Watertown Veterans Group is a Reminder of a Tradition of Service

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George McMasters, Commandant of the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment holds the historic photo of the memorial outside the Post. He and Ed Aucoin, right, were presented the photo by Joyce Kelly of the Historical Society of Watertown. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Two of the leaders of Watertown’s veteran groups recently reflected on the sacrifices made by members of the military from town when they were presented a photo of the dedication of a memorial to Watertown servicemen who died in First World War. The memorial still sits outside the Marine Corps League Charles Shutt Detachment on Mt. Auburn Street.

Around Town

Blood Drive Being Hosted by Watertown Knights of Columbus

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The Knights of Columbus Watertown Council #155 will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Saturday, May 31. The blood drive is scheduled for May 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Basement Hall at Saint Patrick’s Church, 212 Main St., Watertown. To register click here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time?zipSponsor=02472

Walk ins are welcome. Questions, contact Nino Hanna at Ninos44@gmail.com

Around Town

Chamber Breakfast: Time to Join “Team Massachusetts,” Despite Sobering Economic Numbers

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Former Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao, right, and Interim Secretary Ashley Stolba spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber Spring Business Breakfast. (Photo by Leise Jones)

NEEDHAM — Statistics and trends shared by an economist from the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston painted a sobering picture for the Boston Metro region, but the former Mass. Secretary of Economic Development gave a pep talk for the attendees of the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast. Employment has not reached pre-Pandemic levels, some of the regions key areas — life sciences and higher education — have fared poorly or faces challenges, cost of living is high, and opinions about prospects for the future are negative, said Mary Burke, principal Economist and Policy Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. Also at the Business Breakfast at the Needham Sheraton was Interim Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba, as well as her predecessor, Yvonne Hao.

Transportation

Traffic Congestion Expected Due to Work at Mass. Pike / I-95 Interchange

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Traffic congestion is expected in coming weeks due to construction at the Mass Pike/I-95 interchange over the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, the Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced. Lane closures will take place from May 30-June 2 and June 20-23. See more information provided by MassDOT, below. Rapid weekend construction of The Newton Weston Bridge Replacement Project on I-90 EB/WB at the I-95 interchange over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – MBTA bridge will impact your travel plans on May 30- June 2, and June 20-23. Those traveling in the Boston, Worcester, and the Framingham area should expect one lane of travel on I-90 EB/WB and MAJOR regional travel impacts on the roadway.