Around Town

Memories of Watertown Rotary Shared During Club’s 100th Birthday Celebration

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Members of Watertown Rotary celebrated the club’s 100th Birthday at Donohue’s Bar & Grill on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

For a century, Watertown residents have gathered to make a difference in their community, make connections, and just to enjoy each other’s company. This week, more than a dozen people celebrated the 100th birthday of the Rotary Club of Watertown. The first ever Rotary Club meeting was held on Feb.

Around Town

Calling Artists of All Ages to Design a New Watertown Cultural District Logo

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Charlie BreitroseThe Charles River. The Watertown Cultural District, in partnership with the Watertown Free Public Library, is excited to announce a logo contest as one of its first official initiatives! The new logo will be featured on all Watertown Cultural District collateral and highlighted on the new WCD Website. In addition to public recognition, a fabulous grand prize package with an amazing assortment of items will be awarded to the lucky winner including tickets to upcoming performances with Actors Shakespeare Project and Watertown Children’s Theatre at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, gift cards from local restaurants, and more! 

Up to three (3) graphic designs from artists of all ages who live, work, or play in Watertown will be accepted online through OpenGov: https://watertownma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1085

The Watertown Cultural District Logo Contest closes on February 23, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be selected on March 10, 2025. Many thanks to the Watertown Free Public Library for its partnership coordinating WCD’s Logo Contest initiative! About the Watertown Cultural District

Designated by the Mass Cultural Council, the Watertown Cultural District creates an enriching and vibrant arts and culture destination for those who live, work, or play in Watertown. The Cultural District is key to energizing Watertown Square by providing an environment that nurtures and supports creativity and artistic expression.

Government

City Staff: Removing Winter Parking Ban Could Have Broader Impacts; Council Wants to Study Further

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Residents packed the City Council Chamber to discuss removing the Winter Parking Ban. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Tuesday night’s discussion of whether to eliminate the Winter Parking Ban in Watertown turned into a larger discussion of parking permits, housing, and how the City communicates messages like snow emergencies. The City Council held a special meeting to discuss a petition signed by more than 800 residents calling for the removal of the overnight parking ban in the winter months in Watertown. Many of those residents came to meeting, packing the City Council Chamber, spilling out into the hallway and down the stairway. Plus, more than 130 joined remotely on Zoom.

Around Town

Police Chief Makes Statement on Immigration Policy, Housing Group Honored at 25th Annual Watertown Unity Breakfast

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The Watertown Unity Breakfast celebrated 25 years in 2025. The wood disc was used during the table discussions about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Nearly 500 people packed the Hellenic Center for the 25th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast, a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. During the event, a group that advocates for affordable housing was honored, and Watertown’s Police Chief made a statement about the WPD’s stance on enforcing federal immigration policy. Monday’s Unity Breakfast, organized by World in Watertown, was the first one held in person since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Entertainment

Watertown Musician to be Featured on Watertown Cable Show “Drawing With Fred”

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Matt Hanna

Fred Grandinetti has been hosting his cable show “Drawing with Fred” for more than three decades, and he will kick off his latest season with a special musical guest who hails from Watertown. See more information in the announcement provided by Grandinetti:

To help launch the 33rd year of Drawing With Fred, on The Watertown Cable Access Channel, local musician, Matt Hannah, will appear. He will be included in an episode which will begin airing on January 20th and run until February 3rd. Mr. Hannah will play on his guitar Popeye the Sailor’s theme song. There also will be music themed animated cartoons

Matt Hanna is a podcaster, musician, and arts organizer in Watertown.

Around Town

City to Install Electric Vehicle Chargers in Four Lots, Will Eventually Charge for Power

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Watertown residents will have more places to charge electric vehicles (EVs) in public parking lots. For now, the charging will be available for free, but in the next several months the City will begin charging for the electricity. A loan order approved by the City Council on Tuesday will allow the City to purchase eight charging stations to go in four locations: Nichols Avenue Lot, the Phillips Building (the lot for the School Administration’s office and the Senior Center behind 30 Common St.), at the John A. Ryan Skating Rink (1 Paramount Place), and at the Police Station (552 Main St.). The two chargers at the skating rink will be fast chargers, and the other locations will get two dual-port charging stations, said City Manager George Proakis. He added that the loan is for $180,000 and the projected cost of the eight stations is about $136,000, so the City will look at a couple other locations to install EV chargers.