Around Town

Toy Drive for Watertown Boys & Girls Club at Revival Cafe

By |

Revival Cafe sent out the following announcement:

We are hosting a Toy Drive for the Boys & Girls Club of Watertown at Revival Cafe! Feel free to send this information around so we can get as many gifts for children in need as possible! Revival Cafe is located at 99 Coolidge Ave., Watertown, and gifts will be accepted seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 13. Popular gift categories:

Sports Balls: Soccer/Basketball/Football/Volleyball                                                             

Action Figures or Soft Toys (e.g. Squishmallows)

Science/STEM Kits

Board Games/Small Electronic Games

Gift Cards (for Teens)

Lego Sets

Pokémon sets

Arts & Craft kits

Around Town

Local Podcast Episodes Focus on Director of Armenian Photo Archive, Plus a Real Estate Agent & Business Leader

By |

Arto Vaun

Little Local Conversations Podcast creator Matt Hanna recently profiled the executive director of the Project Save Photograph Archive, as well as a local real estate agent and business leader. In “Little Local Conversations,” discover the people, places, stories, and ideas of Watertown. Hanna has conversations with various businesses owners, community leaders, creatives, and other interesting folks in Watertown to learn about what they do and get to know a bit about the people behind the work. 

Arto Vaun

Meet Arto Vaun! He’s Executive Director of Project Save Photograph Archive and a musician and poet here in Watertown. We talk about his own journey as a self-described late bloomer in owning his artistic identity to now getting public acclaim for his music, how he came to be interested in joining Project Save and his vision for reimagining it for the future to have a broader scope outside of just the Armenian community, and we dive into the backstory of Project Save and its founder and how it’s a truly incredible 50 year old cultural collection that is unique not only in the region, but the country and world.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Cemetery Seeks Applications for 2025 Artist in Residence

By |

The Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Artist in Residence Program is turning 10 years old, and applications are being sought for the 2025 residency. The Cemetery provided the following information:

Since 2021, we have awarded smaller one-year residencies to a cohort of local artists to work on projects at Mount Auburn. Each artist is creating works or programs unique to and inspired by Mount Auburn. Artists also have the option to use their residency as a planning grant for a larger project to be completed the following year. Learn more about our Artists-in-Residence in this recent feature from Watertown Cable Access News

Artist-in-Residence Application

Award amount: $500 – $4,000

Application due date: February 1, 2025

Notification date: March 1, 2025

Project start date: April 1, 2025

End date: March 31, 2026

Read the application for more details:

2025 Mount Auburn Cemetery Artist-in-Residence Application

Around Town

Giving Tuesday: See Some Local Organizations You Can Support

By |

Watertown has many worthy organizations to support on Giving Tuesday, whether it is supporting children, the arts, troops overseas, history, and more. Watertown Community Foundation

Giving Tuesday is almost here! How will you give for the greatest impact? Your support of the Watertown Community Foundation can been a force for positive change in people’s lives in Watertown. Your donations have helped:

Feed people

House people

Support and educate kids

Invest in the arts and protect the environment

Build community by bringing people together

You can see your impact here.

Around Town

Charles River Chamber Hosting Watertown Business Awards Night

By |

The Charles River Regional Chamber will celebrate all the great businesses and nonprofit organizations in Watertown at the first annual Watertown Night on Thursday, January 23rd. All ticket proceeds will benefit Watertown Boys & Girls Club. We’ll be recognizing those who have made a significant impact in Watertown through their leadership, innovation, and service in four award categories:

Business Excellence Award

Recognizes a business that has demonstrated outstanding success, innovation, and a significant contribution to the local economy. Community Leadership Award

Honors an individual who has shown extraordinary dedication to service, creating a lasting and positive impact on the Watertown community. Customer Service Award

Awarded to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional service, creating memorable experiences, and fostering strong customer relationships in Watertown. Nonprofit Impact Award

Celebrates a nonprofit organization that has made a significant difference in the lives of others through its programs, initiatives, and advocacy.

Around Town

City Hosting Info Session on Heat Pumps, Seeks Coaches and Ambassadors

By |

The City of Watertown’s Sustainability Team will be hosting a session where residents can learn about heat pumps for their homes, and the City also seeks residents to become heat pump coaches and ambassadors. See more information in the announcements from the City. Heat Pumps 101

Save the date for Heat Pumps 101 on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 11-12:30 pm at the Watertown Free Public Library in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. Come join Steve Breit, co-founder of HeatSmart Alliance, in a discussion around fundamentals of heat pumps systems. You will also have the chance to learn about the Mass Save program. Together, we will outline key factors homeowners should consider when deciding to upgrade their HVAC systems.

Heat Pump Coaches and Ambassadors Wanted

The City of Watertown Sustainability Team is inviting talented and caring residents to join us to promote heat pump installations in town!