Around Town

Winner of Watertown Cultural District Logo Contest Announced

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Cultural District:

The Watertown Cultural District, in partnership with the Watertown Free Public Library, is thrilled to announce Madison Scaletta as the winner of its logo design contest. Scaletta’s vibrant and engaging design, inspired by the colors and landmarks of Watertown, particularly the Charles River, was selected by the Cultural District Partnership for its relevance, joyful imagery, and compositional integrity. “We were impressed by Madison’s ability to capture the spirit of our cultural district in a fun and accessible way,” said Kristen Kenny, Chair of the Cultural District Partnership. “Her design reflects our mission to promote arts and culture in Watertown for all audiences.” Scaletta, a 16-year-old student at Minuteman High School in Lexington, MA, and a competitive dancer, shared her inspiration: “I wanted to incorporate a colorful design while using things/places close to Watertown like the Charles River.

Around Town

Cartoon: Get Inside the Head of a Little Hockey Goalie

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

Watertown Schools Close a $495K Gap for FY26, Superintendent Will Present Budget March 24

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Watertown school officials closed a budget gap of nearly half a million dollars without cutting staff. On Monday night, Superintendent Dede Galdston will present the Fiscal Year 2026 Watertown Public Schools budget at a public hearing. The budget hearing will take place during the March 24 School Committee meeting, which will be at Lowell School beginning at 7 p.m. While the FY26 Budget of $61.9 million, which will cover the 2025-26 School Year, was a challenge, Galdston said, Watertown is in a better position than many other communities. “In the relative scheme of things, it was a more challenging budget for Watertown, not quite as challenging as Brookline or Newton or Lexington or some of the people who have experienced pretty dramatic decreases in their budgets,” Galdston said. Coming into the budget making process, Watertown knew it would be facing a $1.1 million increase in special education tuition for out-of-district placements, but the district also saved about $227,000 in staff turnover savings that occurs when a veteran staff member retires and someone with a lower salary replaces the person.

Weather

Weather Forecast: Spring-Like Days Mixed With Cooler Ones

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Spring-like fluctuations are expected across the region, with a blend of milder and cooler weather over the next week. Expect rain and gusty winds to start the week, followed by a transition to cooler, calmer conditions. A chance of snow could mix with rain on Monday, with drier weather for Tuesday and Wednesday. By the end of the week, another system could bring some light showers. Friday, March 21:Rain is expected mainly before 8 a.m., with patchy fog in the morning hours until about 11 a.m. Expect highs around 49°F, with northwest winds of 8 to 17 mph, gusting up to 31 mph.

Around Town

Watertown Cable Invites Non-Profits and Organizations to Film PSA Segments

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Cable:

WCA-TV’s PSA Day is back! Watertown nonprofits and organizations have the opportunity to sign up to film a PSA at WCA-TV Studio on April 18th from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 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. To register your non-profit today, please follow the link to fill out our form below!

Around Town

Watertown Cable Show Focuses on Accessory Dwelling Units & Upcoming Community Dialogue

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Cliff Cook (far right) from the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, and Allison Eck, of Watertown Community Converstations, talked about the upcoming ADU Community Dialogue with Inside Watertown hosts Bob Airasian (left) and Charlie Breitrose. (Screenshot from Watertown Cable)

The latest episode of Inside Watertown focused on the discussion over accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are sometimes called in-law units or granny units. The guests on the Watertown Cable show talked about the upcoming community dialogue

Cliff Cook, a member of the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, explained what ADUs are, and how Watertown has complied with the State’s recently added zoning requirement to allow the units. However, the input from the dialogue will help City officials decide if Watertown wants to go farther and allow ADUs in more situations. The Community Dialogue on Monday, March 24 will be led by Watertown Community Conversations (WCC), explained Allison Eck, a facilitator with WCC.

Around Town

Watertown Restaurants to be Featured at Chamber’s Spring Seasonings: A Taste of Our Towns

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Cha Yen Thai Cookery is one of several Watertown Restaurants that will be serving their dishes at the Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings event. (Contributed Photo)

Watertown’s vibrant restaurant scene will be on full display at Spring Seasonings: A Taste of Our Towns, happening on Monday, April 7, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Newton Marriott. Hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber and presented by The Village Bank, the event brings together top culinary talents from across the region. This year, Watertown’s lineup of participating restaurants and beverage vendors includes:

● Bar ‘Cino● Cha Yen Thai Cookery● NAYA● Not Your Average Joe’s● Nzuko● Olespana● Ritcey East● Sensational Foods

Max and Chelsea Ritcey served up food from Watertown restaurant Ritcey East at the Charles River Chamber’s Spring Seasonings. (Photo from Charles River Chamber)

Visit charlesriverchamber.com/spring-seasonings for a full preview of the 40+ restaurants, beer, wine and liquor shops who will be sampling small bites and sips on April 7.

Around Town

Mosesian Center for the Arts Searching for New Executive Director

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The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Dororthy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts (MCA) is searching for a new Executive Director. Since September 2024, former Executive Director, Roberta Miller, has been serving in an interim capacity pro bono. The MCA, like most community arts organizations, is still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Roberta’s return in a pro bono capacity has been essential to the re-stabilization of the organization. Over its 20-year history, the MCA has inspired artists, students, and audiences to create, appreciate, participate in, and grow through the arts. The MCA is the home to the Actors’ Shakespeare Project, open mic nights, improv classes for adults and children, art classes for all ages, a robust visual arts gallery program, and the Watertown Children’s Theater.