Entertainment

Performers Wanted This Fall for Watertown’s Got Talent

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Arsenal Yards and the Watertown Community Foundation want to find Watertown’s top talent. Performers can try out to be part of Watertown’s Got Talent, which will take place on at Arsenal Yards’ Fall Falladays on Wednesday, Oct. 26 5:30-7:30 p.m.

If you think you have what it takes to be crowned Watertown’s Top Talent apply by Wednesday, Oct. 5. A preliminary panel of judges will review the applications and select those who will compete on Oct.

Around Town

Watertown Race Reels Hosting Monthly Documentary Film Series

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Watertown Race Reels, funded by a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation, is a monthly documentary film series open to the public. Race Reels uses documentary films to start conversations about race/ethnicity and work towards creating a community that is comfortable talking about race/ethnicity in a constructive manner. In addition to using documentary films, we invite guest speakers to come to speak on their own experience as members of the race/ethnicity being highlighted that month.We are thrilled to kick off our second year of Watertown Race Reels! On September 12th, in collaboration with Watertown Faces Climate Change (WFCC) and 350.mass, we will be screening Come Hell or High Water: The Battle for Turkey Creek at the Watertown Boys & Girls Club (pizza @ 5:45 p.m., film @ 6 p.m.). 

“Come Hell or High Water follows the painful but inspiring journey of Derrick Evans, a Boston teacher who returns to his native coastal Mississippi when the graves of his ancestors are bulldozed to make way for the sprawling city of Gulfport. Derrick is consumed by the effort to protect the community his great grandfather’s grandfather settled as a former slave. He is on the verge of a breakthrough when Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast.

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Watertown Community Foundation Awards $127K in Spring Grants

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has awarded grants totaling $127,000 to initiatives in two categories.  

One: WCF’s Program Grants are award grants designed to help organizations that serve Watertown develop new or continue existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined). These are programs that operate outside of the Watertown’s public schools. 

Two: WCF’s Institutional Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical programming and retain paid staff.  Grants under this program impose neither restrictions on the use of funds nor any program requirements.   

Eligible organizations apply for a maximum of $5000 for program grants and a maximum of $7500 for Institutional grants.  The grants are funded by the Foundation’s Watertown Arsenal Education Fund. WCF Grants Chairwoman Mary Ann Mulligan explains, ” WCF continues to receive record numbers of applications and this year was no exception.  The depth and breadth of our community-based organizations is remarkable. We are happy to have the resources to support the diversity and creativity of these initiatives.”

WCF grantees agree.

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Paid Summer Internships Available for High Schoolers

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The Watertown Community Foundation sent out the following information:

About High School Internship Program

Eligibility 

Since 2015, WCF  has offered stipends to high school students living in Watertown, attending any school, to do a summer internship for at least 20 hours of voluntary work per week for at least six weeks.  Students gain valuable professional experience, learn more about an area of interest, all while earning an income.  Applications are due in the spring, and all students can contact Adrienne Eaton at Watertown High School to learn more.  

Stipend Amount 

Students gain valuable professional experience, learn more about an area of interest, all while being paid a $1,000 stipend.    

Internship Types 

Grant recipients have been interns in summer education programs, doctor’s offices, veterinary clinics, theater programs, a makerspace, and non-profit organizations working to alleviate poverty among others. Students are encouraged to talk with their high school guidance counselor to learn more. Submission Instructions 

Students (regardless of where they attend high school) should email Watertown High School guidance councilor Adrienne Eaton adrienne.eaton@watertown.k12.ma.us

Timeline 

Applications being accepted now for summer internships. See contact information above to receive information about application process. Questions? Email info@watertownfoundation.org 

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Watertown Helps Out Returns Bigger and Better in 2022

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Watertown’s day of community service has turned into a month of volunteering. After a two year hiatus, Watertown Community Foundation is bringing back Watertown Helps Out in May, and WHO22 will have multiple opportunities during the month to lend a hand to local organizations around the city. Watertown Helps Out started in 2014 as a way for Watertown community members to help support their neighbors after Watertown was touched by the marathon bombings, it has now become a mainstay and beloved springtime event. 

In 2022, WCF decided to expand to a month for a few different reasons, said Executive Director Jan Singer. “Having had to forgo WHO in 2020 and 2021, we wanted to give back in a bigger and better way,” Singer said. “Watertown Helps Out, an annual day of community service and volunteering on the first Saturday in May, has been a mainstay of WCF since 2014.

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Watertown Community Foundation Seeks Applications for $125K in Spring Grants

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The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces two Spring 2022 grant programs to support local nonprofits, community-based organizations, programs, and projects.  Approximately $125,000 will be distributed. WCF’s Program Grants will support organizations that serve Watertown to develop new or continue existing programs with an educational focus (broadly defined) and do not involve Watertown’s public schools.  Eligible organizations may apply for grants of $500 up to $5,000. WCF’s Institutional Support Grants are designed to help institutions central to the Watertown community by providing funds to maintain critical programming, staff, and cover operating costs. Grants under this program impose neither restrictions on the use of funds nor any program requirements. Eligible organizations may apply for grants of up to $7,500.

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Four Youth Sports Organizations Receive Grants from Watertown Community Foundation

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The Watertown Community Foundation provided the following announcement:

Watertown Community Foundation is pleased to announce the grantees of this year’s Youth Sports Program League Grants. The WCF Youth Sports League Grant Program provides financial support to youth sports leagues to reduce costs as barriers to participation. With support from The Bilezikian Family Foundation and NESN, this year’s grantees include Watertown/Belmont Football and Cheerleading League, Watertown Youth Hockey, Watertown Youth Baseball, and a special grant to The Challenger Division of Little League, a program for developmentally and physically challenged youth (age 8-21), that helps them enjoy the full benefits of baseball in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. WCF aims to serve Watertown youth from kindergarten through high school, their families, and the volunteer coaches who run the leagues. Many children cannot participate in organized sports due to the cost and many coaches assume the added burden of paying players’ fees themselves.

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Watertown Community Foundation Introduces New Board Members

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) announces the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. Joining the board are Watertown residents Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Felicia Sullivan, and Donna Tuccinardi. “We are delighted to welcome our newest board members and partners as we broaden our reach into the community. Each brings experience, energy, and dedication to our mission of building and sustaining a vibrant, close-knit community,” said David Siegel, WCF co-president. Eileen Hsu-Balzer is a long time Watertown resident with deep ties and commitment to the community, including as a current board member of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and Springwell, a 24 year tenure as a Watertown School Committee member, Co-founder and past-Producer of the Summer Concert Series and more.