Around Town

Cancer Won’t Stop Mount Auburn Hospital Nurse from Helping Newborns at Christmas

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A 45-year-old Mount Auburn Hospital maternity nurse battling stage 3 brain cancer is giving back to the hospital’s newborns in a big way. But not alone. Here’s a true story of holiday friendship, according to the hospital. 
Over the past month Framingham resident, Patricia White, with the help of Mount Auburn Hospital maternity nurse and Leominster resident, Jane Dubrule, has assembled over 70 newborn baby gifts, each including a handmade fleece swaddling blanket and an ornament. Each gift is given to the families of newborns at the hospital throughout the month of December. Not only has Jane Dubrule purchased supplies for the gifts, helped Patricia White with the parts that required fine motor skills, and delivered them to families at the hospital together her and fellow nurses have donated their vacation time to allow Patricia White time to rest and relax. Just a great holiday story of friends helping friends in a time of need.

Around Town

See What is Open and Closed on Christmas Day

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Most retail stores are closed on Christmas Day, and all government offices are closed on Monday. Here are the details about what is open and closed on Dec. 25, 2017. RETAIL
Pharmacies: Some CVS stores open. Walgreens on Main Street (Waltham) is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Liquor Stores: Closed

 

Dunkin’ Donuts: Some Stores Open

Restaurants: Most Closed

Starbucks: Watertown location open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Library: Closed

Post Office: Closed

(If you know of a restaurant or business open on Christmas, add a comment below).

Around Town

CatholicTV Broadcasting Christmas Masses From U.S. and the Vatican

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On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, the CatholicTV Network will broadcast Christmas Masses from around the United States and the Vatican, the network announced. Christmas Masses will air beginning on Sunday, Dec. 24 with Mass from the Vatican presided over by Pope Francis at 8 p.m. The Mass with Pope Francis will rebroadcast on Christmas Day at 7 a.m. Pope Francis’ annual Christmas message, “Urbi et Orbi,” will air on Christmas Day at 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Christmas Mass coverage continues at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve with Mass from the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland.

Christmas

Snow and Freezing Rain Expected Friday into Saturday, White Christmas Possible

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A snow storm will be coming through the Watertown area Friday afternoon through early Saturday. Meanwhile, more precipitation is expected on Christmas, but it is not clear whether it will be snow, rain or a mix. The National Weather Service forecasts up to 3 inches of rain in the area on Friday, turning to freezing rain on Saturday. The snow will begin after 1 p.m. Friday. Ice is possible in the area and likely North and West of I-495 as well as near Worcester and west.

Around Town

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services In and Around Watertown

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Churches in Watertown and beyond will hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Christ. See the times below. Armenian Memorial Church, 32 Bigelow Ave., Watertown: Christmas Eve Service 10:30 a.m., Joint Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Armenian Church, 380 Concord Ave., Belmont at 6:30 p.m.

Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, 421 Common St., Belmont: Christmas Eve Services (Dec. 24) Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m., Interactive Family Service at 5 p.m., Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m.

Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave., Watertown: Morning Worship, 10 a.m. on Dec. 24,  Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 5 p.m. on Dec.

Christmas

Travel Tips and Advisories for Christmas Travelers Released by MassDOT

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding the public to plan ahead if traveling this holiday season, make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways or using mass transit, utilize MassDOT’s many travel tools and resources, and to drive sober and limit distractions if behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to a press release. “Safety is our greatest priority and we want everyone who is traveling by car, bus, or public transit to reach their holiday destination in order to enjoy their time with friends and family,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We encourage members of the public to try our online technology resources to find the best time and route for travel and exercise safe driving behavior including minimizing distractions, remaining sober or using a designated driver, and devoting their full attention to the road ahead.”
MassDOT is taking steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Christmas travel period effective at 12 p.m., Friday, December 22. Normal scheduled construction operations will resume at the start of business on Tuesday, December 26. “With winter weather expected at times throughout the Christmas holiday period, we advise everyone to check roadway and traffic conditions before traveling,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Our snow and ice crews will respond as necessary and travelers should reduce their speed during inclement weather, remember our message, ‘Don’t Crowd the Plow,’ and make smart travel decisions so we all can have a safe and happy holiday.”
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:

Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Around Town

Hundreds Greet Santa Claus at 2017 Watertown Tree Lighting

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Hundreds of small children, parents and people just looking to share the Season’s spirit converged on Watertown Square Friday evening for the annual Watertown Tree Lighting Ceremony. Anticipation was thick in the air as youngsters waited for Santa Claus. At about 5:15 p.m. he rolled up in a Watertown Fire Department SUV with red and white lights flashing. Children looked on in awe as he waved and patted a few kids on the head. Santa posed for some pics before heading over to the tree decorated in Christmas lights and ornaments.

Around Town

Contest Looking for the Best Holiday Lighting and Decorations in Watertown

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Proud of your holiday lights display … Do you have the most Christmas spirt – enter the Watertown Holiday Lighting and Decoration Contest! Once again, Watertown Real Estate Broker Bob Airasian will sponsor a contest for the best decorations in town. The home judged to have the best Holiday Cheer will win a $250 American Express Gift Card and a $250 donation to the Watertown-based charity or nonprofit of the winner’s choice. Decorations will be judged on the following criteria:
• Unique design and creative use of lights and decorations
• Story line or theme
• Display and placement of decorations, animated objects, etc.