Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/38/)
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.”
The School Committee update was provided by the School Committee Chair Kendra Foley:
The Watertown School Committee has had a busy start to 2025, with three meetings in the last six weeks that have been filled with reports, votes, and action items.
In the face of executive orders that threaten the safety, security, health, and humanity of the LGBTQ community, our committee unanimously reaffirmed our 2018 resolution supporting LGBTQ students and staff. Every student and staff member of the WPS community is entitled to an environment that feels safe, respectful, and welcoming, in which they can learn and work free from bullying, harassment, intimidation, threats, and violence. The WPS School Committee is committed to providing such an environment, and it will stand up to actions made by individuals or institutions to threaten, intimidate, or harm transgender and gender nonconforming students and staff. This commitment is grounded not only in our shared values but also in our adherence to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, Section 5, which ensures that “no person shall be excluded or discriminated against in our schools based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.”
Budget season is underway. Initial numbers show that, with the city’s annual 3.5 percent funding increase, WPS would still be on pace for a shortfall of $495,000 to meet a level services budget.
The Watertown Middle School hockey team won the Valley Middle School Hockey League in 2025, the second straight championship. For the second year in a row Watertown Middle School won the Valley Middle School Hockey League Championship. The following recap was provided by Pat Dayton. Watertown and Billerica battled back and forth throughout the fist with a score of 3-1 at the end of the first. Goals by Jake Mosca, Maguire Cruz, and Niko Taormina.
Dear Editor,
I have considered myself a Liberal; however, my Wife Mary has said “you are not as Liberal as you think you are”. Therefore, I have considered myself a Practical Liberal. To me everyone seems cowed by President Trump and his new henchman Musk. However, I have thought Elon Musk or some other Oligarch has been there all along. As a former federal official, no one, even Democrats are telling you that “No” U.S. federal departments and agencies can simply create positions on their own without oversight and authorization.
Dear Editor,
I write to highlight the following on Watertown’s ADA survey. From the website:
ADA Survey
Help support Watertown and its commitment to accessibility. Watertown is working with Kessler McGuinness & Associates, LLC (KMA) to develop an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to ensure residents and visitors have access to all facilities, programs, and services. An important part of this planning process is providing opportunities for the public and people with disabilities to offer input and voice concerns. This survey is intended to gather preliminary data to assist the planning team in identifying and prioritizing any barriers to access for individuals with disabilities at Watertown’s facilities or within the programs and services it currently offers.
State Rep. Steve Owens. Residents have the opportunity to meet with one of Watertown’s representatives on Beacon Hill this month when Steve Owens holds his office hours. See the announcement provided by Owens’ office below. State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of West Cambridge, North Cambridge, and Watertown, has office hours in Cambridge and Watertown. Office hours will take place on Friday, March 7 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Kendall Kitchen at the Quad (10 Wilson Road, Cambridge), and Monday, March 17 from 3-4 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center (31 Marshall St., Watertown).
Watertown’s Vatche Arabian teamed with Adam Roffman of Medford to create a movie about a century of filmmaking in Massachusetts. The film will be shown in Somerville, with a Q&A with the filmmakers on March 9. See more information in the announcement from the filmmakers below. Made in Massachusetts, a 3+ hour chronological journey through over 100 years of filmmaking in Massachusetts will screen on Sunday, March 9 at 1 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, Somerville.
Made In Massachusetts features clips from over 200 movies and television shows shot in the state starting with films from the silent era and going all the way through 2024. Highlighting cities and towns from Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Watertown to Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Great Barrington, and everywhere in-between.
The 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest, benefiting music programs in the Watertown Public Schools, seeks performers of all ages and styles. See the announcement from the Friends of Watertown Music below. Calling all musicians: Friends of Watertown Music invites performers to register for our 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest through March 26th! Our Annual MusicFest is a fun community event, offering something for everyone with over 40 performances, across 3 stages, to be held this year on Friday, April 11th, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The variety of performers often includes student musicians, Watertown Public School teachers, local rock bands, established musicians, a vignette of musical theater, and more. Performances run from 5 to 20 minutes, so attendees have the chance to go around and see as many acts as they wish.