Around Town

Watertown Organizations to Celebrate Disability Awareness

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library, World in Watertown and the Commission on Disability:

On Saturday, November 2, World in Watertown, the Watertown Free Public Library, and the Watertown Commission on Disability invite the community to join in celebrating disability awareness. This is a great opportunity to hear from Watertown residents with disabilities, learn about their lives and experiences in Watertown, and meet local disability organizations serving our diverse community. “Celebrating Disability Awareness: Voices & Perspectives” runs from 2:30 PM – 4 PM on Saturday, November 2 in the Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room on the 1st Floor. Registration is not required.

Entertainment

Hear Ghost Stories from Around the World at the Watertown Library

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Tuesday, October 29, The Watertown Free Public Library’s Project Literacy invites you to enjoy a showcase of spine-chilling and supernatural stories from around the world — told by Project Literacy’s English language students and community! “Our students come to Watertown from all over the world.” says WFPL’s Project Literacy director Janet Saied. “Halloween isn’t celebrated in every culture, but many of our students have supernatural stories, or traditions, mythologies, and more from their own cultures that they are excited to share with Watertown!”

Stories begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29 in the Library’s first floor meeting room. Registration is not required. This program is free and suitable for ages 13 and up.

Entertainment

Library’s 4th Annual Watertown Zine Fest Spotlights DIY Creators

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

On Saturday, October 19, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) will be a hive of activity during the Fourth Watertown Zine Fest, a day-long celebration of zine-making and do-it-yourself creativity. All are welcome, even if you don’t know what a zine is! For the uninitiated, here’s a quick primer: Zines are small, self-published works featuring original or repurposed content, often replicated by photocopier and/or shared online. Their subjects are as varied and diverse as their creators, covering everything from art and music to politics and personal stories. Because they cover so much ground, zines are hard to define!

Around Town

Library Bookmobile and Watertown Chats Visiting Lexington Gardens

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Chats and the Library Bookmobile are teaming up! The next Watertown Chats will be hosted at the Lexington Gardens Learning Center at 38 Philip Darch Road on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. in a joint event with the Library Bookmobile! All are welcome to come chat, ask questions, or raise concerns with Community Engagement Specialist, Tyler Cote, about anything Watertown, and then visit the Bookmobile before or after to checkout a book! No appointments are needed, and we encourage everyone to stop by! To learn more, visit watertown-ma.gov/chats.

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.