Around Town

O’some Cafe Taking Over Cafe in the Watertown Library

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library Board of Library Trustees shared the following announcement:

The Red Leaf Café will be leaving its location in the Watertown Free Public Library on September 30, 2024. Thank you to Donald Bleech for his dedicated service to this community during the past 15 years. Donald has been a fixture in our library, and he will be missed. There will be an interruption to cafe and vending services beginning October 1, 2024.

Around Town

Watertown Library Will Amplify Teen Voices with “For Freedoms” Signs

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The Watertown Library will be putting up Freedom Lawn Signs created by local teens, similar to these at the USF Contemporary Art Museum in Florida. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Free Public Library Teen Department is helping to ensure that the voices of Watertown teens in grades 6–12 are heard this election season. Inspired by the artist-led organization For Freedoms, library staff will work with local young people to create over 100 yard signs to be installed in the Library’s front lawn in October. The goals of the project are threefold: 1.) To help teens articulate their stories and their vision for the community they want to live in. 2.) To amplify teen voice in the community.  3.) To inform influencers and decision makers about teens’ experiences and their vision for the future.

Entertainment

Historical Society Presents Huzzah! Drinking With John Hancock

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The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library Present: “Huzzah! Drinking with John Hancock during the American Revolution” with Dr. Brooke Barbier

WHEN: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 2 p.m.WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472

Learn more about the important role of alcohol in the culture and politics of Colonial America in this free lecture with Brook Barbier, author of King Hancock:

The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father (2023). When John Hancock needed to win people over, he didn’t talk about resisting taxes or policy improvements; instead, he served alcohol. He offered rum punch and wine at his home and paid for lavish meals in taverns to bring people together. Guests included lower-class men, French officers, and Black women and men.

Entertainment

Weekend Fun: Faire on the Square, New Art Exhibit, South Asian Theater, Meet John Hancock

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Faire on the Square attendees check out one of the dozens of exhibitors on the field at Salonstall Park. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Quickly, before the library parking lot is shut on Saturday, take your kiddos to the sing-along on Friday morning. The adults in the family could go see the beautiful art exhibit of photo-realistic paintings at the Armenian Museum of America. I love the photo they show on the website.  Saturday afternoon, many in Watertown will be heading to the Faire on the Square. It’s time to grab some free candy or swag at the booths, hang out to hear some music, and hit the rides.

Around Town

Watertown Librarian Talks About the Library’s Little Known Features on Local Conversations Podcast

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Watertown Library’s Allie Fry shares some offerings of the library that you may not know about in the fifth episode of the Little Local Conversations podcast

In Little Local Conversations, discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Creator and Watertown resident Matt Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Watertown Library’s Programming Librarian Allie Fry. Hanna wrote:

“Meet Allie Fry! She’s the Programming Librarian at the Watertown Free Public Library. We talk about what attracted her to the library here in Watertown (she’s from the Midwest), the lesser known programming for adults that the library offers, and all the other great stuff about the library.”

Entertainment

Weekend Fun: Field Hockey, Films, Make Chinese Lanterns & Chinese Wrestling Demo

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This Friday evening, you are either going to be very busy or you have to make some difficult choices. Because it’s early, if you aren’t working late, you can catch the Watertown field hockey game at Victory Field. All Watertownians should know that we are known statewide as having an outstanding field hockey team. Then there are two film choices, Beetlejuice and a pajama party, or the International Indian Film festival of Boston. You could don your sari for the Indian film festival or your dino pjs at the Majestic 7.

Around Town

Youngsters Invited to an Intergenerational Story Time

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Brigham HouseChildren can visit Brigham House and listen to a story read by a librarian from the Watertown Library. The following announcement was provided by Watertown Families Together and the Watertown Free Public Library:

This fall we are going to be … READING READY! Young children and their caregivers are invited to our intergenerational event at Brigham House – 341 Mt. Auburn St.

Around Town

Filmmaker to Discuss 2 of His Short Films at Watertown Library

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Library:

Internationally celebrated filmmaker Nigol Bezjian joins the Watertown Free Public Library for a special screening and discussion of two of his short films, Roads Full of Apricots (35 minutes, 2001) and Me, Water, Life (10 minutes, 2017). The event will be held at the library at 123 Main Street on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Watertown resident Bezjian was born in Aleppo, Syria and grew up in Beirut, Lebanon before moving to the United States. He studied filmmaking at the New York School of Visual Arts (BFA in cinema) and UCLA School of Film, Theatre and Television (MFA in film producing, writing and directing). He has produced celebrated broadcast television programs throughout the Middle East, made numerous films and won awards from several prestigious international film festivals. His masterful storytelling looks closely at the lives of displaced peoples, migrants and refugees.