Entertainment

Get Inspired for Watertown’s Annual Townwide Art Project

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YardArt Watertown”PaTRASHia” was one of the pieces made for Watertown’s YardArt. The following announcement was provided by YardArt:

YardArt returns to Watertown this year for the entire month of April. The community-wide event begins Monday, April 1 and lasts through Tuesday, April 30, 2024. A variety of artful and whimsical installations will be displayed on front yards, porches, and storefronts throughout Watertown. Watertown residents, families, organizations, clubs, classes, artists, and businesses are invited to create something of their own–a gizmo, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting arrangement—let your imagination run free!

Around Town

LETTER: State Committeewoman Endorses Candidates for State GOP Committee

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To the Republican voters of Belmont, Watertown, Alston, Back Bay, Brighton, and (now) Cambridge Wards….. Since 2016, has been my honor to serve the people of the Second Suffolk-Middlesex senate district as the Massachusetts Republican State Committeewoman. For most of these years, I served alongside Steve Aylward, designer and successful promoter of “Tank the Automatic Gas Tax” campaign. In 2018, I served as the state chair of the “NO on 3!” ballot question to repeal what we called the “Bathroom and Locker Room Law.”  Our campaign was never about discrimination but always about protecting women and children in public accommodations. Two years ago, John Umina was selected by the local Republican town and city committees to fill out Steve Aylward’s unexpired term. It’s my pleasure to endorse John Umina and his wife, Cathy, as candidates for the Republican State Committee. I have volunteered alongside the Uminas in numerous campaigns.

Around Town

Watertown Native’s Whiskey Will Soon be Available for Purchase by Local Residents

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Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

The following release was provided by Watertown Whiskey:

Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown but, until now, the only way the people of Watertown, Massachusetts could get it was by ordering online. That changes on March 1, 2024, as Watertown Whiskey, the refreshing, low sugar coconut whiskey, has its official East Coast launch in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “It has always been one of our top priorities to have Watertown Whiskey for sale in Watertown,” says Mikey Bortone, CEO and co-founder of Watertown Whiskey, who started the brand with childhood friends Steve Cicarelli and Mark O’Donnell. “We’re thrilled to start our national expansion in Massachusetts as well as in Rhode Island and are looking forward to bringing our whiskey to bars, restaurants and retailers across the country soon.”

Watertown Whiskey is partnering with Atlantic Beverage Distributors as a part of this expansion and is excited at the prospects that this partnership will bring.

Around Town

Watertown Group Seeks to Pass Nuclear Disarmament Resolution

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

The Peace and Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment took the first step last week in preparing to petition the town to pass a nuclear disarmament resolution. On February 21 the group held an online presentation and discussion entitled “Let’s Pass a Back from the Brink Resolution in Watertown!” The speakers were local leaders from such organizations as International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Pax Christi Massachusetts. All have succeeded in persuading their city or town elected boards to pass resolutions intended to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Each resolution is based on five points from the organization Prevent Nuclear War (preventnuclearwar.org), which include pursuing agreements, ending the sole authority of any U.S. president to launch an attack, and taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert. Lillian Koizumi, who organized the event, says she believes the same thinking that justifies the possession of nuclear weapons justifies war and violence.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on City Boards and Committees

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Watertown has openings on several City boards and committees, including the Council on Aging, Traffic Commission, Watertown Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, Cultural Council, and the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee. The City sent out the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees with appointment dates in May 2024 in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Traffic Commission

Vacancy/Term:  One Member, Two Year Term 

Description: The duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission shall include: study the traffic situation in the City and shall suggest and advise the City Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the City and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the City with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion.   The Traffic Commission meets the last Wednesday of each month.

Entertainment

Bestselling Author Appearing at Library, See How to Attend

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Thursday, March 21, The Watertown Free Public Library will welcome New York Times bestselling author Celeste Ng for a conversation about her novel Our Missing Hearts, the importance of libraries, and the present-day fight for the right to read. This event is free and open to all, with registration opening on March 1. ASL and CART services will be provided, courtesy of the Watertown Commission on Disability. Ng’s visit marks the 16th year of One Book, One Watertown, a community-wide event organized by the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL). In January, the Library announced Ng’s Our Missing Hearts as the 2024 selection and made extra copies available for patrons.

Around Town

Free Kingian Nonviolence Training Taking Place in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King. Watertown residents can attend a free training in the nonviolence philosophy and methodology of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. The 16-hour course takes place on March 2 and 9. The following information was provided by the organizers:

There is a free Community Kingian Nonviolence Training  course being offered on March 2 + 9 at the Watertown Police Department Community Room. All residents, including older students, and those that work in Watertown are welcome! The content is engaging and interactive and focuses on the principles and actions of nonviolence in the context of the Civil rights movement and beyond.

Around Town

LETTER: Endorsements for Republican State Committee Members

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On March 5th Massachusetts Republicans and unenrolled voters will be choosing whom they think ought to be the GOP Nominee for President of the United States. Just as important, we will be choosing who represents us on the Republican State Committee.  The State Committee is a board of 80 members, 40 men and 40 women, who elect the MA-GOP Chair, set the state party platform, and direct resources. They decide whether or not the party will rebuild by focusing on legislative and other local offices, or whether we will continue focus our resources, as the Establishment has always on done, on marquis offices, that bring a lot of money for high-priced consultants who are connected with the Establishment; all to the detriment of party building. 

I am proud to enthusiastically endorse John Umina and Catherine Umina for State Committeeman and Committeewoman, respectively, in the Suffolk and Middlesex District. The district comprises Belmont, Watertown, Brighton, and Back Bay Boston.I’ve known both John and Cathy for over a decade and worked closely with both on a multitude of campaigns for Republican candidates, conservative ballot questions, and many issues which face Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Republican Party. No matter the need, both John and Cathy were there to help and even spearhead the effort.  

When I served as President of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly 5th Chapter, John served as my Vice President. Our Chapter was the largest at the time and the most active.