Around Town

Registration Opens Soon for Library’s Talk and Book Signing with Author Angie Cruz

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library’s One Book, One Watertown selection for 2026 is How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz. The award-winning author — also known for her novel Dominicana — will visit the Library for an author talk and book signing on March 24. Registration for Cruz’s talk opens Monday, March 2 at 9 a.m. Mark your calendar and plan to register early through watertownlib.org/onebook or by calling the Library at 617-972-6436. ASL and CART services will be provided at the author talk event. Following the conversation, there will be time for book signing, and books will be available for purchase from All She Wrote Books.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Panel on State Special Commission Combating Antisemitism

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The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Watertown Action Network:

Jewish Watertown Action Network (JWAN) invites you to attend our upcoming program, “Antisemitism in Massachusetts: Progress and Path Forward,” on Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. 

This event will feature two members of the Massachusetts Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism. Established by Governor Maura Healey, this historic commission—the first of its kind in the nation—was created in response to the alarming rise of antisemitism across the Commonwealth. The Commission’s recommendations, released in December 2025, were unanimously approved by its members and have received strong support from leading Massachusetts officials, including Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Representatives Katherine Clark, Seth Moulton, and Lori Trahan. These recommendations outline meaningful, practical steps to address antisemitism in our schools, communities, and public institutions. We are honored to welcome Rob Leikind, Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee of New England, and David Friedman, Executive Vice President for Legal Affairs of the Boston Red Sox, who both served on the Commission.

Around Town

Proposal for Walker Pond Includes Boardwalk, Community Garden, Places for Recreation & for Reflection

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A rendering of the latest proposal for Walker Pond, presented at a Community Meeting on Feb. 5, 2026. (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Landscape architects presented a vision for Walker Pond, Watertown’s newest outdoor space, where visitors would have different experiences in various parts of the park on the westside of town. The meeting on Feb. 5 was the third one for Walker Pond, and designers presented the preferred design, known as Forest Park.

Government

Watertown Calls Snow Emergency, See What’s Closed

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On-street parking will be prohibited during the Snow Emergency for the storm that could drop more 18 inches of snow on Watertown. Several City facilities will be closed Monday, and trash and recycling will be impacted by the storm. Watertown falls near the area where WCVB Channel 5 forecasts 18 inches of snow. The National Weather Service issued a Blizzard Warning from Sunday at 4 p.m. to Monday at 7 a.m. with sustained winds of 25 mph and gusts up to 54 mph. It will be the first blizzard in the area for four years, according to WCVB.

Around Town

Watertown Library Offering Free Digital Access to The Boston Globe

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Boston Globe and Minuteman Library Network, which includes the Watertown Free Public Library, recently announced a partnership providing their cardholders with access to Boston Globe digital content. This new collaboration continues The Boston Globe’s extensive work with library systems across Massachusetts. Through the partnership, Minuteman Library Network cardholders can sign up for a 72-hour digital pass to Globe.com, accessing Boston Globe journalism, puzzles and games, podcasts, videos, Globe Magazine, and more. A maximum of 500 passes are available on a first come first serve basis, allowing cardholders from across more than 40 member libraries to access Boston Globe content and the Globe E-Paper, as well as an archive of articles extending back through The Boston Globe’s 153-year history. 

Just last year, The Boston Globe announced an expanded partnership with Boston Public Library. With the Globe’s collaboration with Minuteman, MetroWest communities outside Boston, including Westwood, Natick, Cambridge, and Newton, will be able to offer free access to The Boston Globe to library members. 

“At Boston Globe Media, we are always exploring new ways to deepen our connection with the communities we serve in Massachusetts,” said Josh Russell, Vice President of Print Operations at Boston Globe Media.

Around Town

In 2nd Year, Civics Academy Will Teach Residents Even More About How Watertown’s Government Works

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Watertown’s first Civics Academy drew such good reviews that in its second year it will be even longer so that participants can learn even more about how local government works and city departments function. In 2026, the City of Watertown’s Civics Academy will be seven weeks, said Tyler Cote, the City’s Community Engagement Specialist and one of the Civics Academy organizers. “Last year, we did six (weeks) and, to be honest, we ran over just about every single week on time,” Cote said. “Part of that was there’s so much to cover. Our students asked so many questions last year that we wanted to maybe give more space and time for questions, and then also allow more time for activities.”

Around Town

CPR & First Aid Training Offered by Watertown’s Public Health Nurse

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Watertown residents can learn first aid and CPR from Watertown’s Public Health Nurse. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Get your certificate for CPR and First Aid training with Watertown’s Public Health Nurse!Classes take place at the Parker Building, Suite 3H, 124 Watertown St, and are offered:

March 3, 2026, at 2 p.m.March 10, 2026, at 2 p.m.April 14, 2026, at 2 p.m.April 21, 2026, at 2 p.m.

The fee is $40/person, with a maximum of 6 people per class. Registration is required.Register now. Why Attend?

Around Town

200 Turn Out for “Resist With Love” Standout in Watertown Square

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The Resist with Love Protest in Watertown Square on Feb. 14, 2026. (Photo by Joshua Touster)

The following announcement was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:

On Saturday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day, Indivisible Progressive Watertown and the Watertown Rapid Response Network (WRRN) co-sponsored a Stand Out in Watertown Square called Resist With Love — ICE Out of Watertown. 

Approximately 200 people attended the event which included singing provided by the B-VOCAL Chorus https://bvocalchorus.org/ and a reading of the names of those killed by ICE since January of 2025. The next Indivisible Progressive Watertown/WRRN Standout is scheduled for Sat. March 14th from 10:00 – 11:00 am followed by No Kings Day on Sat.