Environment

City Awarded Grant to Help Expand Residential Heat Pumps

By |

The City of Watertown was one of the groups receiving a grant from the Mass Clean Energy Center. The funds will be used to help renters and lower-income households access clean, energy-efficient heat pumps through coaching, outreach, and financial support. See more information from the Mass Clean Energy Center, below. On July 30, the Mass Clean Energy Center announced more than $2.9 million in awards through the EmPower Massachusetts program to support community-driven projects that break down barriers to clean energy adoption and reduce energy costs for residents across the state. The funding will support innovative projects that connect historically underserved populations with the economic and environmental benefits of clean energy.

Entertainment

Edible Plants 2027— Local Food Service Providers Wanted to Merge Culinary Art with Area Ecology

By |

“Huckleberry” by Donna Calleja, acrylic on wood board, 2022. The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee has officially opened applications for local food service providers to participate in Edible Plants 2027, the third iteration of the city’s popular interdisciplinary community project. For the first time, the initiative is expanding its horizons from visual and literary arts into the culinary world, inviting up to ten local restaurants, caterers, and food creators to prototype innovative, flora-inspired menu items.

The project, part of the aptly titled “Edible Watertown,” uses artistic and scientific exploration to promote climate awareness and celebrate the wild, edible plants growing right in Watertown’s backyard. Selected food service providers will receive a $2,000 stipend to develop a new recipe or refresh an existing one featuring specific local plants, such as wild leeks (ramps), pawpaws, juneberries, and dandelions. “Edible Watertown connects people with the environment right outside their door,” said project creator, Sally Young.

Around Town

Watertown Non-Profits & Organizations Can Make PSAs at WCA-TV

By |

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable:

It’s time for WCA-TV PSA Day! Watertown nonprofits and organizations have the opportunity to sign up to film a PSA at WCA-TV Studio on Aug. 17, 2026 from 1-4 p.m.

WCA-TV will edit the PSA for you. All you need to do is bring an idea and script. The PSAs created will then be broadcasted on WCA-TV’s Public Channels, as well as uploaded to our site.Organizations have the option to film to coordinate with WCA-TV to film a PSA at a different location.

Entertainment

Gore Place Hosting Annual Corn Roast: Food, Music, Ice Cream & Biergarten

By |

Gore Place will host tha annual Corn Roast on Aug. 13, featuring locally grown corn, music, ice cream, and a beer garden. See details provided by Gore Place, below. Celebrate the sweet corn season with a Corn Roast at Gore Place. Enjoy roasted corn freshly picked from local farms, live music, and ice cream, plus the Mighty Squirrel biergarten! Bring a picnic blanket to stay and enjoy the music. This is a great way to support local farms, local businesses and your local museum.

Around Town

Watertown Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Members of Board of Directors

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation welcomes four new board members to the Board of Directors over the last year: Rachel Kaprielian, Christina Murphy, Dwayne Parmley and Erin Webb. The Watertown Community Foundation relies on the Board of Directors to provide strategic leadership and guidance for its grant making efforts, oversight and stewardship of the Foundation’s financial resources, and bring valuable insight, expertise and community connection to identify and address opportunities and challenges in Watertown. Rachel Kaprielian serves as President and CEO of Triangle, Inc., a leading human services nonprofit dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their communities. She brings decades of leadership spanning government, public policy, human services, workforce development, and corporate affairs. Rachel began her public service as a Watertown Councilor at-Large before being elected to six terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing Watertown and Cambridge.

Around Town

21 Watertown Residents Riding in the 2026 Pan-Mass Challenge

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Pan-Mass Challenge:

This Aug. 1 and 2, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) will bring together more than 6,000 cyclists and 4,000 volunteers on Aug. 1-2 to raise money for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Participants from local communities will be among those helping support the PMC’s mission to fund lifesaving cancer research and treatment. The PMC, which raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraiser in the world, is aiming to raise more than ever this year, with a fundraising goal of $79 million.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Sidewalk Reconstruction and Drainage Installation This Week

By |

The Mt. Auburn Street Project during the week of July 27-31 includes sidewalk work from Boylston to School streets, Hillside Avenue to Upland Road, and School Street to Amherst Road. Drainage work will take place from Bates Road to Russell Avenue. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

Sidewalk Grading & Forming

Sidewalk fine grading will take place on Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street and Hillside Avenue to Upland Road. Concrete Placement

Concrete placement will take place on the westbound sidewalk along Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street.