Around Town

Watertown Updating FEMA Mitigation Plan, Public Can Take Survey

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The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The City of Watertown is updating its FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan to assess its vulnerability to natural hazards and identify strategies to increase the resilience of our community, infrastructure, and natural resources. Please join the upcoming presentation to the Committee on Public Works at their meeting on Dec. 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Watertown City Hall (149 Main Street), or by watching online. See the agenda for the meeting details. Also, please take the community survey associated with this project to help inform and support the project team through this process! More information about the info can be found here https://watertownma.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8203/files/agenda/12425

Around Town

Lane Shifts & Parking Restrictions on Parts of Mt. Auburn St. This Week

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The Mt. Auburn Street Project includes line striping and tree removal from Dec. 9-12 and there will be lane shifts for motorists and parking restrictions in the areas of the work. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Temporary Traffic Line Striping

Crews will be working overnight on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM to adjust and complete the temporary traffic line striping on Mount Auburn Street between the Cambridge line and Arlington Street.

Around Town

Local Podcast Features Jon Hecht, Head of the Mosesian Center, a Documentary Filmmaker, Restaurant Owner & an Author

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The Little Local Conversations podcast focuses on people, places, stories of Watertown, and recently host Matt Hanna sat down with former State Rep. and political activist Jon Hecht, the Mosesian Center for the Arts’ new executive director, and a filmmaker who calls Watertown home. In addition, he spoke with the owner and chef of Ritcey East; and a first time author and long time a community volunteer. He also got the latest local government update. Episode 68: Jon Hecht (Political Activist / Former Town Councilor and State Representative)

Jon Hecht

Meet Jon Hecht! He’s a longtime contributor to the Watertown community from being a town councilor, a state representative for the area, the first president of the Watertown Community Foundation and many other involvements.

Business

Watertown Restaurant to Close After 50+ Years, 2 New Eateries Opening in Town

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China Rainbow

A fixture on the Watertown eating scene, China Rainbow, will be closing after more than half a century. A post on Boston Restaurant Talk quoted a note posted by the owner of China Rainbow. Thank you for your patronage. I am deeply grateful for the memories, laughter and loyal support over the years and will cherish the time we’ve spent together. I love you all.Tammy

Fans still have time to enjoy a meal at China Rainbow, which will be closing on Dec.

Obituaries

OBIT: John Strayhorn, 65, Former Raytheon Employee, WHS Hall of Fame Member

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John Strayhorn

A funeral service for John E. Strayhorn of Watertown will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4:30 PM at the MacDonald Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home, 270 Main Street, Watertown. John passed away unexpectedly on December 2, 2025, at the age of 65. He was the beloved son of the late Milton E. and Lorna M. (Smith) Strayhorn. A lifelong resident of Watertown, John graduated from Watertown High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He was especially proud of his achievements on the football field and was honored as a member of the Watertown Football Hall of Fame.

Around Town

WBC & Rotary Club Hosting Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive for Whooley Foundation

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The Rotary Club and the Watertown Business Coalition will host the fourth annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive on Dec. 9. See details provided by the WBC, below. The Watertown Business Coalition is excited to continue our holiday tradition with our 4th Annual Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive in partnership with the Watertown Rotary Club at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to support the Whooley Foundation!

Around Town

See and Hear Highlights of SOLSTICE Light & Audio Show at Mount Auburn Cemetery

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A new light show is featured on Bigelow Chapel for SOLSTICE in 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

SOLSTICE returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery beginning Friday, Dec. 5 with some new features and a different theme in 2025. Watertown News got an early peak at SOLSTICE during Wednesday’s Friends and Family night, while Matt Hanna, host of Little Local Conversations, spoke with two of the people behind SOLSTICE 2025. Trees at Mount Auburn Cemetery alight along the lantern-lit pathway during SOLSTICE.