Around Town

Watertown Will Celebrate 3rd Annual Indigenous People’s Day

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The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

Watertown’s 3rd celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Hosmer Elementary School, 1 Concord Road, Watertown, MA.  The free event will feature Indigenous musicians, artists and vendors. Performers include: Nettukkusqk Singers, a traditional women’s singing and drumming group composed of Deborah Spears Moorehead (Wampanoag) Fine Artist and Music Performer, and Music Performers Pam Ellis (Nipmuc), Jasmine C. Moorehead (Wampanoag) and

Jacquelyn D. Moorehead (Wampanoag); Red Hawk Singers and Dancers (Mashpee Wampanoag); Teddy Hendricks (Mashpee Wampanoag, Nipmuc), storyteller; and Maria Hendricks (Assonet & Mashpee Wampanoag), actress appearing as Sipu and the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Sipu is the main character in New Repertory Theatre’s presentation of the Indigenous historical play Listen to Sipu by Mashpee Wampanoag playwright Mwalim *7).   

Artisans Darius Coombs and Eleanor Coombs (Mashpee Wampanoag) will be demonstrating how to create wampum and corn husk dolls.  Participants will be able to make their own corn husk dolls. Sonya Avant (Mashpee Wampanoag) will be selling delicious Indigenous food.  Indigenous vendors include: Deborah Moorehead (Indigenous art) and Leslie Tuplin (Native Solutions).  Belmont Bookstore will be selling books by and about Indigenous people. This event is funded by generous grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Watertown Community Foundation together with funding from Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment, Watertown Savings Bank, Stone & Skillet and donations from individuals.  

Members of the community-based Pigsgusset Initiative, a working group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, are organizing the event.  Members of the organizing committee include Stephanie Stonefish Ryan (Lenape), Kim Kublius, Jacqui Gross and Jennifer Wolfrum.  

Supporters of the event include: the Cuniff, Hosmer and Lowell Diversity and Belonging Councils, First Parish Watertown, Watertown Boys and Girls Club, Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, WHERE ARE ALL THE BLACK PEOPLE?, and World in Watertown.

Around Town

Saltonstall Field Shut Down Due to Poor Conditions

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Watertown Recreation Department have concluded that the Saltonstall Field must be shut down immediately due to poor field conditions resulting from overuse and inclement weather. The turf grass will not recover unless it is allowed to rest. With aeration/seeding/fertilization/topdressing to be done over the next month, we expect the field to fully recover for Spring 2025 sports. Please note that goals will be locked during this period and the field will be monitored. Non-permitted use, which includes dogs and golf, is strictly prohibited.

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.

Around Town

Watertown Group Screening Film ‘The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza’

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

The Peace and Common Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment is proud sponsor the showing of a moving video on the genocide in Gaza. 

“The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza” will be shown on this Sunday, September 29 at 4:00 PM at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church at 80 Mt. Auburn Street. 

From air strikes to field executions, the film investigates the killings of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza and the role of the United States and the Biden administration in the genocide.  Visit watertowncitizens.org.

Government

What’s Next in the Watertown Square Plan? See When the Next Meeting Will Take Place

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The next steps of the Watertown Square Area Plan implementation will be to discuss and approve zoning amendments. A zoning amendment is a proposed change to the zoning requirements and map, without having to completely rewrite the zoning code. To approve new zoning, the City will hold a Joint Public Hearing with the City Council and Planning Board to discuss the proposed zoning, hear public comment, and approve new zoning amendments. The above map is the proposed zoning map from the final endorsed Watertown Square Area Plan. 

When does this next step begin? The first step will be to complete something called a “first reading.”

Business

Fast-Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant Opening at Arsenal Yards

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NAYA will be serving Middle Eastern dishes at Arsenal Yards. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by NAYA:

NAYA, the celebrated Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant known for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, will be joining the Arsenal Yards neighborhood this winter in Watertown, MA. This exciting addition to the Arsenal Yards community marks a significant expansion for NAYA, bringing its authentic, health-conscious Middle Eastern dishes to New England for the first time! 

NAYA’s mission is rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East, offering a menu that emphasizes freshness, quality, and customization. Diners can expect a diverse selection of mouth-watering dishes, including signature bowls, wraps, salads, and mezze, all crafted with the finest ingredients. Each dish is designed to be both nutritious and delicious, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences and lifestyles. 

In addition to the Watertown location, NAYA has future expansion plans in Boston at 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110 and 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Around Town

Watertown Students Will Demonstrate Robot at Science Festival

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Some small children take a look at the Watertown High School Robotics Team robot at the 2023 Faire on the Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

See what the Watertown High School robotics team can do when the students take part in the Science Carnival at the Cambridge Science Festival. The festival and started on Sept. 23 and runs through Sept. 29.

Around Town

Flu Vaccine Clinics Will be Hosted by Watertown’s Public Health Department

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The Watertown Public Health Department will host a series of flu vaccine clinics in coming weeks. Some are for people ages 9 and above and some are for seniors. See the details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown below. People Ages 9 and Over

The Watertown Public Health Department is offering Influenza vaccine to people, ages 9 and over, at the Watertown Free Public Library, located at 123 Main Street, on the following days and times. Please register ahead to secure your appointment:

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 3:30 to 6:30pm. Register here.