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Lowell School Hosting Microforest Community Info Party

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The following information was provided by Forests for Watertown:

This fall, everyone is invited to plant a Mini-Forest of baby trees in the Lowell Schoolyard using the “Miyawaki method.” Next spring, Community Garden plots will be built south of the forest. And we’ll plant a pollinator buffer to surround the forest. The Microforest Community Info Party will be on April 30, 6-8 p.m. at the Lowell School Cafeteria, 123 Lowell Ave., Watertown. Hear about the microforest project from Lowell Principal Stacy Phelan, City of Watertown Senior Environmental Planner Laurel Schwab, Trees for Watertown’s Libby Shaw, author Liza Ketchum, Judy Fallows / Marilyn Salvas from Watertown Community Gardens, and more.

Around Town

Beaverbook STEP Seeks Live-in Caregive – Live Rent Free in Watertown

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Beaverbrook STEP is seeking a live-in caregiver at their community living location in Watertown. See the information provided by Beaverbrook STEP below. We are looking for someone outgoing, caring, and friendly. A few of the tasks you would be responsible for include cleaning and cooking. It’s not all hard work, though, as we value a supportive and helpful community.

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LETTER: What Both Biotech Workers & High Schoolers Need — Housing

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In my role as a founder of CoLAB — a non-profit organization that connects Watertown students and biotech companies — I have had the unique opportunity to connect with two distinct groups, biotech business leaders and local high school students. For as many differences as there are between them, both groups share a primary concern: the housing crisis. For business leaders, it’s becoming more and more difficult to afford the costs associated with the housing crisis. For high school students, they face a future of deep uncertainty. Will they be able to remain in the city they love?

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OP-ED: As Housing Costs Push Younger Workers Out, Watertown Could Lead Battle to Deal with Crisis

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Linda ScottThe Elan Union Market apartment building on Arsenal Street. By Mark Pickering

The bad news about the housing market in Massachusetts keeps piling in. “More 25- to 44-year-olds are leaving the state than any other groups,” concludes a new report. The top culprit: Housing costs are too high. The good news for Watertown: People from a range of incomes want to move here.

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Watertown Resident Honored for Volunteering to Help Food Insecure Residents

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Chris Haroian builds stacks of Just Eats grocery boxes at a volunteer shift at Food For Free on April 3, 2024. The following announcement was provided by Food For Free:

Chris Haroian, of Watertown, is a volunteer for Food For Free, the leading food rescue and distribution nonprofit dedicated to providing reliable access to fresh and nutritious food to eastern Massachusetts communities. Volunteers for Food For Free help to pack food, convert bulk prepared food into single-serve microwavable meals, and deliver food to help strengthen the community food system. This National Volunteer Month, the nonprofit is celebrating Haroian, who is making a difference for food insecure residents. Headquartered in Somerville, Mass., Food For Free rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and creates new distribution channels to reach underserved populations across eastern Massachusetts.

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Armenian Museum’s Statement on the 109th Anniversary of the Genocide

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Photo from the Armenian Museum of AmericaAnnually we host thousands of visitors who learn about the Genocide, as well as the history and culture of Armenia thought artifacts and exhibitions; historian Khatchig Mouradian conducted several educational workshops this month with students visiting our galleries. The Watertown-based Armenian Museum of America released a statement on the 109th Anniversary of the Genocide. Read it below. The Armenian Genocide was the attempted annihilation of the Armenian people – physically and culturally – from their ancestral homeland. This brutal murder of the Armenian nation by the Ottoman Turks constitutes the first genocide of the 20th century.

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State Rep. Lawn Honored by Groups Advocating for the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community

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Courtesy PhotoLeo Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts, presenting State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown) with a hand drawn award from a self-advocate within the organization at a ceremony held at the Massachusetts State House. The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Rep. John J. Lawn, Jr. (D – Watertown) was named the Legislator of the Year Award by The Arc of Massachusetts (the Arc) and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC). The award, presented during their annual reception marking the commencement of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month, celebrates Rep. Lawn’s unwavering commitment to and advocacy for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community. The ceremony was held on March 6 in the Great Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. “We are honored to recognize Rep. John Lawn as this year’s Legislator of the Year Award recipient,” said Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts.

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LETTER: Consideration of a New Logo for Watertown

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The consideration of a new Logo makes me wonder what are the current Core Values of the Cityof Watertown? When I came to Watertown, I was inspired by what I thought was the logo ofWatertown. The picture of a Pilgrim and a Native American exchanging gifts with the caption IN PACE CONDITA, “FOUNDED IN PEACE”. The iterations of the Logos I have seen are uninspiring. What is symbolic of them?