Government

Watertown’s New Director of Public Works Seeks to Get DPW Accredited

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Watertown has a new Public Works Director. Find out more about him in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown. Watertown City Manager George Proakis is excited to announce the hiring of Thomas Brady as the new Director of Public Works! Mr. Brady returns to Watertown after 23 years with the Town of Brookline where he served as a key member of the Brookline Department of Public Works (DPW) team in the role of Urban Forestry Manager, Tree Warden and Town Arborist. Tom has overseen forestry operations, coordinated storm responses, provided oversight for utility projects, and represented Brookline on the extensive Muddy River Restoration Project – a 20-year $70 million public works improvement on the Boston/Brookline line that served the combined roles of addressing flood control, water quality improvement, conservation and historic preservation.

Around Town

Palestinian Violinist Brings Traditional Music to Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by the concert organizers:

On Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., musicians from Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and the U.S. will gather in Watertown to celebrate the beauty of Palestinian music. Proceeds will support Anera, a U.S.-based nonprofit with no political or religious affiliations. Anera provides humanitarian aid to families in Gaza. Palestinian violinist and composer Lina Malshy is serving as artistic director. “This concert is about shining the light of Palestine on all marginalized people,” Malshy shared.

Around Town

Historical Society of Watertown Gift Shop Open for Holiday Sale

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The Edmund Fowle House & Museum with our 2022 Yard Art exhibit on display. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Kelly)

The Historical Society of Watertown announced that its gift shop at the historic Edmund Fowle House will be open on Sunday for a holiday sale. See details below. The gift shop will be open Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 from 1:00 to 3:00. The Historical Society has many wonderful books and other items related to Watertown history available for sale to the public.

Around Town

DCR Seeks Input on Plans to Improve Playground Along Charles River

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The DCR will host a meeting about plans to improve the Farren Playground and hard courts off Charles River Road, east of Watertown Square. See information below. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is holding a public meeting on the redesign of the Farren Playground and the adjacent hardcourts. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public about the proposed improvements to the playground, entry area, and pathways around the playground to make them more maintainable and increase accessibility. DCR also seeks public input on improvements to the hardcourt area to include either renovating the four half-courts as they are, or renovating two, and adding fitness equipment to replace the other two.

Entertainment

Small Saves is Iron Man in This Week’s Cartoon

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Entertainment

Watertown Artists Taking Part in Turtle Studios Open Studios

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Watertown artists will be showing their work as part of the Turtle Studios Open Studios. See more information below:

Turtle Studios Newton will fling open its doors to the public for its semiannual Open Studios art exhibition and sale at 213 California Street, Newton on December 7 and 8, 2024 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Turtle Studios has an exciting and eclectic mix of members who keep art in their lives and bring their lives to their art in a supportive community that values the creative process, experimentation and self-expression. They are joined by a handful of guest artists who will also display and sell. 

The event is free, open to the public and family-friendly. Gourmet gift baskets will be raffled off, with proceeds to benefit Turtle Studios, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and its Scholarship Fund. Vendors handle their own sales, and typically accept cash or credit through Venmo, Square or PayPal. 

Bring your holiday shopping list!