Around Town

City Rolling Out Phase 2 of New Snow and Ice Removal Rules

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Starting this winter, the City of Watertown will begin Phase 2 of implementing the residential snow and ice removal ordinance by beginning to issue warnings to properties not compliant. This ordinance requires the clearing of a 42-inch pathway of snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting one’s residential property within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. We understand the full effects of the ordinance may not be felt until Watertown is hit with a winter storm, so by issuing warnings only this winter and increasing our continued education efforts, we hope our community can be better prepared for the many winters to come. This winter we are also encouraging our residents to help us gather an understanding of how we can better share information about this ordinance and gather a full understanding of sidewalks that might not be getting cleared 24-hours after a storm. You can help us by utilizing our 311 Service Center, where you can share photos of noncompliance directly with our team.

Entertainment

SOLSTICE Returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery with New Light and Sound Installations

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The winter light show known as SOLSTICE returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery in December. See more details about this year’s event provided by the the Cemetery, below. This December, experience the wonder of winter nights reimagined at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s SOLSTICE: Reflections on Winter Light, running from December 7-21, 2024. Presented by the Friends of Mount Auburn Cemetery and brought to life by artists MASARY, this outdoor, evening event has become a must-see tradition in the Greater Boston area, offering immersive light and sound artwork installations that blend art, remembrance, and nature in a uniquely meaningful way during the winter solstice. SOLSTICE represents an evolution of the beloved Candle Lighting Ceremony, which has been a part of Mount Auburn’s history since 1992.

Around Town

“Expert Pairings” for Edible Watertown Project Announced

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Edible Watertown, a vibrant public art initiative by the Public Arts & Culture Committee that explores the city’s local ecology, is thrilled to announce the lead artists and scientists selected for its “Expert Pairings” project. This exciting collaboration pairs talented artists with knowledgeable scientists to create temporary, educational public artworks focused on edible plants, local resilience, and environmental awareness. The selected Expert Pairings are:

Sophy Tuttle (Artist) & Amber Siegel (Scientist, Charles River Watershed Association)

Jenn Houle (Artist) & Patrick Fairbairn (Scientist)

Ira Klein (Artist) & Yi (Jenny) Wang (Scientist)

Leah Craig (Artist) & Nicole Weber (Scientist)

About Edible Watertown:

Now in its third year, Edible Watertown fosters community engagement through artistic and scientific exploration of the town’s edible plants. This interdisciplinary project aims to connect residents with their local environment, highlighting the importance of local flora and ecosystems. Ultimately, Edible Watertown serves as a catalyst for environmental stewardship and appreciation for the natural gifts found right outside our doors. (Link to website)

About Expert Pairings:

Expert Pairings invites artists and scientists to collaborate on temporary public artworks exploring Watertown’s ecology.

Sports

How Legendary Football Coach John Barbati Helped WHS Hall of Famer Clean Up His Act

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The following piece was submitted by the Coach John Barbati Testimonial Dinner Committee:

On November 26th, former players and supporters of Watertown High School athletics are hosting a testimonial dinner for legendary coach John Barbati whose life-changing impact is still being celebrated more than 30 years after his retirement from coaching. As a mentor and cheerleader for his kids, Barbati sparked countless connections for his student athletes as he opened doors for them. One such example is WHS Hall of Famer Joe Antonellis who was a stalwart Raider and later starred at Harvard University. Antonellis, however, almost never made it on to the gridiron until Coach Barbati interceded. “My parents, Italian immigrants, forbid me to play football,” said Antonellis.

Around Town

Watertown Citizens Monthly Meeting Focusing on War in Ukraine

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

A presentation – How to End the War That Didn’t Have to be Fought: While There is Still Time – at Watertown Citizens Monthly Meeting is on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 6:45 PM/7:00 PM until 8:30 PM/8:45 PM and it is a zoom meeting. Please join us for a provocative and stimulating program – How to End the War that Didn’t Have to be Fought: While There is Still Time with Paul Shannon. The presentation will look at how the Ukraine war could have been avoided, how Ukraine’s independence could have been protected, and how this war might be brought to an end. Paul will address how the dominant narrative about the war in the west has led to the ongoing destruction of Ukraine and made the world a much more dangerous place. Paul Shannon worked for the American Friends Service Committee for 40 years and is now on the Executive Committee of Mass.

Entertainment

See What Small Saves is Up to 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.”

Around Town

LETTER: First Path Day Care Center Moved Into New Location on Boyd Street

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First Path Day Care Center relocated to its new home at renovated historical University Prints Building on Boyd Street in Watertown that is 0.5 mile away from its old location. For over a quarter of a century First Path Day Care Center has been providing affordable high quality child care services to the Watertown’s community. We are happy that First Path that was founded in Watertown in 1998 is staying in Watertown and will continue to serve the Watertown’s families. We are grateful to everyone in the community who supported First Path, our families and our teachers during the trying transition period. First Path’s last day of operation at the old location at 25 Whites Avenue was on Nov.