Transportation

MBTA Will Start Fare Checks, Warnings & Fines in September

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Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA Bus on Mt. Auburn Street. The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that fare checks as the part of its Fare Engagement Program will soon begin within the subway system. Beginning September 8, Fare Engagement Representatives will begin issuing formal warnings and citations to riders who have not tapped at a fare gate or farebox. More information is available at mbta.com/FareCheck.  

“Our riders deserve a safe and reliable mass transportation system that is available for them when they need it.

Business

Charles River Chamber Hosting Pair of Events in Watertown

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will host two events in Watertown during September. The organization represents Watertown, Newton, Needham, and Wellesley. See more information in the Chamber’s announcement below. Business After Hours at Gore Place

Thursday, September 11, 2025, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The Charles River and Waltham Chambers are teaming up for a special joint Business After Hours at the beautiful Gore Place! Mingle with professionals from across both chambers while enjoying complimentary refreshments in the historic carriage house and scenic grounds.

Letters

LETTER: Giving Thanks to Watertown for an Urban Forest with a Future

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Young Nature Detective “JD” examines a bug vacuum as his mother, Jamie, looks on. By Anita Roy DobbsForests for Watertown – a working group of Trees for Watertown

“No more ants!” It was the sixth time a very large black ant had escaped its observation jar and was racing across the table of “Nature Detectives” equipment at the Watertown Arts Market (WAM) on Saturday, August 8th. How do they squeeze through those tiny air holes? The table of Trees for Watertown’s working group Forests for Watertown (FFW) was surrounded by young park visitors (and their adults) who borrowed bug vacuums, binoculars, and magnifying glasses to range the park in search of close-up nature experiences with bug biodiversity.

Entertainment

Historical Society Hosting Revolution Walking Tour & Performance by Historic Re-enactor

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Historic interpreter Michele Gabrielson will do a live performance as Mercy Otis Warren on Sept. 7. (Courtesy Photo)

The public had two chances to take the Historical Society’s Watertown During the Revolution walking tour, and the Historical Society is also hosting an event with the Watertown Library with a live reading of American Calliope: Mercy Otis Warren & the Writings of a Revolutionary. See the announcements from the Historical Society below. Historic Tours

The Historical Society of Watertown invites you to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the fight for American Independence by taking a walking tour of “Watertown During the Revolution.”

Around Town

Tour the Businesses of the West End & Victory Field During Walk N Talk

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The Watertown Business Coalition and Live Well Watertown invite you to join the August Walk N Talk around the West End and also find out about the renovations going on at Victory Field. See more information from the WBC below. Take a look around the businesses of the West End of Watertown, Thursday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.

We will meet at Quebrada Baking, 281 Orchard St. Please park on the street if you are driving.

Around Town

Sidewalk Construction Continues on One Side of Mt. Auburn Street

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Work this week on the Mt. Auburn Street Project includes construction of sidewalks and drainage work in the East End of town. See more information from the City of Watertown below. Curb Installation & Sidewalk Concrete Pouring

Curb installation and sidewalk concrete pouring will take place on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street, between Belmont Street and Keenan Street, on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Details on travel and parking impacts are provided below. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

The westbound sidewalk will be closed for curb installation and sidewalk concrete pouring starting Monday, August 25, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions. Entrances to driveways and parking lots will be maintained.

Around Town

Construction Beginning Soon at Victory Field Oval, Courts Area

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The track, tennis courts and basketball courts at Victory Field will soon close until next year while Victory Field Phase II improvements are made. The City of Watertown sent out the following information. Construction at Victory Field is starting next week improve the track, grass field, tennis courts, basketball courts, and more. These areas will be closed to the public while work in on-going. Victory Field’s multi-purpose turf field will remain open, as will the playground along Orchard Street.

Entertainment

Small Saves’ Friends Try to Cheer Him Up in This Week’s Comic

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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.”