Around Town

Take a Floral Design Class at Watertown’s Faire on the Square

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

This year, the Faire on the Square is hosting its first ever floral design class! Visit faireonthesquare.planningpod.com for more details and to register for your spot. Registration for this class and Marsha’s Apple Pie Bake-Off will remain open through Friday, September 13, 2024. The LAST day to register as a vendor at the Faire is Friday, August 30, 2024. For the current list of participating exhibitors, please visit www.faireonthesquare.com.

Around Town

See What Will be Closed and Impacted by the Labor Day Holiday

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Watertown City departments and buildings will be closed on Labor Day, and trash and recycling will be impacted this week. See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown. Watertown City Hall, Parker Annex, Department of Public Works Offices, Senior Center and the Watertown Free Public Library are closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day. Please be aware that there is a one-day delay for trash and recycling pickup due to the Labor Day Holiday. Pickup for the week is Tuesday, September 3 – Saturday, September 7, 2024.

Around Town

Labor Day Weekend Travel Tips from MassDOT

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MBTA, and Massport are advising Labor Day Holiday travelers to make informed decisions and plan ahead as Labor Day Weekend is traditionally a popular time for travel, and everyone should consider taking trips at off-peak hours and considering using public transportation, if possible, to reach destinations.   

“With Labor Day weekend approaching, we urge all travelers to make use of MassDOT travel resources and expect increased travel times on the roadways,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We’re expecting to see higher traffic counts across the state, so drivers should plan ahead and make safe choices while out on the roads this holiday weekend.” 

As Labor Day Weekend traditionally sees more vehicles than normal using roadways, MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel, including:    

Shutting down scheduled, non-emergency construction outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective at 5:00 a.m., Friday, August 30. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3. 

Deploying the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy earlier than usual in the afternoons – opening at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, August 29, and opening at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, August 30. The HOV lane will have normal morning hours Thursday and Friday and will be closed in the morning and afternoon on Monday, September 2. 

The additional “swing lane” on Route 1A southbound at the Sumner Tunnel will not be deployed on Monday, September 2, and will resume normal deployment on Tuesday, September 3. 

The Sumner Tunnel will be open for the duration of the holiday weekend. Weekend closures will resume later in September. 

The public is reminded that due to Monday, September 2, being a state holiday, Commonwealth of Massachusetts offices are closed, including Registry of Motor Vehicle Customer Service Centers. Meanwhile, AAA members may visit any AAA location by appointment for many in-person Registry transactions and more than 40 Registry transactions can be done online: www.mass.gov/RMV.    

MassDOT reminds travelers to drive hands-free and to obey speed limits.

Around Town

Watertown Added Communities at High Risk for West Nile Virus

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The following announcement came from the Mass. Department of Public Health:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced Tuesday two additional human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) in Massachusetts this year, bringing the total number of human cases to four. Both people are males in their 60s. One was exposed in Suffolk County in an area known to be at increased risk. The other was exposed in Norfolk County.

Around Town

Watertown Staff at MAB Community Services Receive $5,000 Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards

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Romil Sanon and Bennett Anyanwu, who work at two different MAB community-based residences in Watertown,each received the 2024 Max Joseph Award. The following announcement was provided by MAB Community Services:

MAB Community Services, a leading social service agency supporting nearly 2,000 people with visual impairment, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injuries across Massachusetts, has announced the 11 honorees of the 2024 Maxo Joseph Excellence in Direct Care Awards, who received $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 awards. Romil Sanon and Bennett Anyanwu, who work at two different MAB community-based residences in Watertown, each received a$5,000 award. Two anonymous donors recently contributed a total of $110,000 to support the continuation of this unique awards program. Established in 2021, the Maxo Joseph Awards recognize direct care staff in MAB’s Adult Disability Services division who go above and beyond in their commitment to the participants they support.

Around Town

Watertown Resident Named 2024-2025 GBH/Becton Fellow

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The following announcement was provided by the WGBH:

Boston public media producer GBH has awarded fellowships to eight outstanding producers, recognizing excellence, potential, and creativity, including Watertown resident Louise Flannery. The recipients of the 2024 – 2025 Fellowship Awards are Alyson Roseman, Flannery, Hannah Reale, and Alexi Cohan for the Becton Fellowship; Kathleen DiPerna, Shirin Jaafari, and Jessica Andrews for the Margret and Hans Rey Fellowship; and Michelle Mizner for the Peter S. McGhee Fellowship. With the fellowship grants, recipients can explore future professional development opportunities. “These eight producers have demonstrated a dedication to creating exceptional content. From promoting STEM learning in early childhood to covering overseas conflicts, each fellow has set a high standard for creativity and innovation,” said GBH President and CEO Susan Goldberg.