Around Town

Toy Drive for Watertown Boys & Girls Club at Revival Cafe

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Revival Cafe sent out the following announcement:

We are hosting a Toy Drive for the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown at Revival Cafe! Feel free to send this information around so we can get as many gifts for children in need as possible! Revival Cafe is located at 99 Coolidge Ave., Watertown, and gifts will be accepted seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 13. Popular gift categories:

Sports Balls: Soccer/Basketball/Football/Volleyball                                                             

Action Figures or Soft Toys (e.g. Squishmallows)

Science/STEM Kits

Board Games/Small Electronic Games

Gift Cards (for Teens)

Lego Sets

Pokémon sets

Arts & Craft kits

Government

Public Review Period for Board of Assessors Conducting Property Revaluation is Dec. 2-6

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The following announcement was sent out by the City of Watertown Board of Assessors and first published on Nov. 26:

Following state statutes and Department of Revenue (DOR) regulations, the Board of Assessors is completing the FY2025 Quinquennial Revaluation of all real and personal property in Watertown. Revaluation is a year-long process when the DOR examines in detail all assessing methodologies used by the city, as well as the values derived through the mass appraisal system. These valuations are pending preliminarily approval by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The values are subject to change within this disclosure period.

Entertainment

Library’s Winter Concerts Include Norwegian Fiddle, Indie Folk & Songs from Around the World

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The Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is thrilled to announce our 2024—25 Winter Concert Series! Join us at the Library, December through March, one Sunday per month. As in previous years, our concert series features talented, local artists. Performances are free and open to all and registration is not required. Violinist Joshua Peckins

Sunday, Dec.

Entertainment

Watertown Gallery’s Latest Show, “Family, Creativity, Continuity + Art | Interrupted” Opens Saturday

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Watertown gallery Storefront Art Projects will host Family, Creativity, Continuity, and Art | Interrupted from Dec. 7 to 28, featuring the art of Lisa Olson and Mary Beth Muscara. A Reception will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1-4 p.m. Gallery Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays 1-4

Find out more in the following information provided by the gallery:

Lisa Olson and Mary Beth Muscara share two grandchildren, but their lives and art practices are as far apart as their studios in Lexington, MA and Baltimore, MD. They both explore the fragility and danger of life and the relentlessness of time with collaged, painted, sculpted, corporeal, and somatic interruptions. 

Lisa is living with Parkinson’s disease which has robbed her of her manual dexterity and strength but her art is still flowing.

Around Town

Local Podcast Episodes Focus on Director of Armenian Photo Archive, Plus a Real Estate Agent & Business Leader

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Arto Vaun

Little Local Conversations Podcast creator Matt Hanna recently profiled the executive director of the Project Save Photograph Archive, as well as a local real estate agent and business leader. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. 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. 

Arto Vaun

Meet Arto Vaun! He’s Executive Director of Project Save Photograph Archive and a musician and poet here in Watertown. We talk about his own journey as a self-described late bloomer in owning his artistic identity to now getting public acclaim for his music, how he came to be interested in joining Project Save and his vision for reimagining it for the future to have a broader scope outside of just the Armenian community, and we dive into the backstory of Project Save and its founder and how it’s a truly incredible 50 year old cultural collection that is unique not only in the region, but the country and world.

Around Town

Charles River Chamber Hosting Watertown Business Awards Night

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will celebrate all the great businesses and nonprofit organizations in Watertown at the first annual Watertown Night on Thursday, January 23rd. All ticket proceeds will benefit Watertown Boys & Girls Club. We’ll be recognizing those who have made a significant impact in Watertown through their leadership, innovation, and service in four award categories:

Business Excellence Award

Recognizes a business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and a significant contribution to the local economy. Community Leadership Award

Honors an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication to service, creating a lasting and positive impact on the Watertown community. Customer Service Award

Awarded to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional service, creating memorable experiences, and fostering strong customer relationships in Watertown. Nonprofit Impact Award

Celebrates a nonprofit organization that has made a significant difference in the lives of others through its programs, initiatives, and advocacy.

Around Town

City Hosting Info Session on Heat Pumps, Seeks Coaches and Ambassadors

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The City of Watertown’s Sustainability Team will be hosting a session where residents can learn about heat pumps for their homes, and the City also seeks residents to become heat pump coaches and ambassadors. See more information in the announcements from the City. Heat Pumps 101

Save the date for Heat Pumps 101 on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 11-12:30 pm at the Watertown Free Public Library in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. Come join Steve Breit, co-founder of HeatSmart Alliance, in a discussion around fundamentals of heat pumps systems. You will also have the chance to learn about the Mass Save program. Together, we will outline key factors homeowners should consider when deciding to upgrade their HVAC systems.

Heat Pump Coaches and Ambassadors Wanted

The City of Watertown Sustainability Team is inviting talented and caring residents to join us to promote heat pump installations in town!