Around Town

Watertown Library Gives Teens a Chance to Learn Weaving, Metalworking & Mural Making

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library Teen Department is offering a five-part art series for area teens during the months of February, March, and April. Beyond our Experience: a Free Art Series for Teens is funded in part by a grant from the Watertown Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Through this funding, those in grades 6–12 will have the opportunity to experience kinds of art not normally a part of the typical school curriculum. The series kicks off on February 29th with a weaving program. Participants will get the opportunity to try out weaving on multiple types of looms. On March 7th, a drawing bootcamp will include warm-ups and the ability to try out different drawing methods including how to draw portraits.

Around Town

LETTER: State Committeewoman Endorses Candidates for State GOP Committee

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To the Republican voters of Belmont, Watertown, Alston, Back Bay, Brighton, and (now) Cambridge Wards….. Since 2016, has been my honor to serve the people of the Second Suffolk-Middlesex senate district as the Massachusetts Republican State Committeewoman. For most of these years, I served alongside Steve Aylward, designer and successful promoter of “Tank the Automatic Gas Tax” campaign. In 2018, I served as the state chair of the “NO on 3!” ballot question to repeal what we called the “Bathroom and Locker Room Law.”  Our campaign was never about discrimination but always about protecting women and children in public accommodations. Two years ago, John Umina was selected by the local Republican town and city committees to fill out Steve Aylward’s unexpired term. It’s my pleasure to endorse John Umina and his wife, Cathy, as candidates for the Republican State Committee. I have volunteered alongside the Uminas in numerous campaigns.

Around Town

Watertown Native’s Whiskey Will Soon be Available for Purchase by Local Residents

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Drink creator Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown. (Courtesy of Watertown Whiskey)

The following release was provided by Watertown Whiskey:

Mikey Bortone named his coconut whiskey after his hometown but, until now, the only way the people of Watertown, Massachusetts could get it was by ordering online. That changes on March 1, 2024, as Watertown Whiskey, the refreshing, low sugar coconut whiskey, has its official East Coast launch in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “It has always been one of our top priorities to have Watertown Whiskey for sale in Watertown,” says Mikey Bortone, CEO and co-founder of Watertown Whiskey, who started the brand with childhood friends Steve Cicarelli and Mark O’Donnell. “We’re thrilled to start our national expansion in Massachusetts as well as in Rhode Island and are looking forward to bringing our whiskey to bars, restaurants and retailers across the country soon.”

Watertown Whiskey is partnering with Atlantic Beverage Distributors as a part of this expansion and is excited at the prospects that this partnership will bring.

Around Town

Watertown Group Seeks to Pass Nuclear Disarmament Resolution

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

The Peace and Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment took the first step last week in preparing to petition the town to pass a nuclear disarmament resolution. On February 21 the group held an online presentation and discussion entitled “Let’s Pass a Back from the Brink Resolution in Watertown!” The speakers were local leaders from such organizations as International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Pax Christi Massachusetts. All have succeeded in persuading their city or town elected boards to pass resolutions intended to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Each resolution is based on five points from the organization Prevent Nuclear War (preventnuclearwar.org), which include pursuing agreements, ending the sole authority of any U.S. president to launch an attack, and taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert. Lillian Koizumi, who organized the event, says she believes the same thinking that justifies the possession of nuclear weapons justifies war and violence.

Around Town

Free Kingian Nonviolence Training Taking Place in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King. Watertown residents can attend a free training in the nonviolence philosophy and methodology of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. The 16-hour course takes place on March 2 and 9. The following information was provided by the organizers:

There is a free Community Kingian Nonviolence Training  course being offered on March 2 + 9 at the Watertown Police Department Community Room. All residents, including older students, and those that work in Watertown are welcome! The content is engaging and interactive and focuses on the principles and actions of nonviolence in the context of the Civil rights movement and beyond.

Around Town

LETTER: Endorsements for Republican State Committee Members

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On March 5th Massachusetts Republicans and unenrolled voters will be choosing whom they think ought to be the GOP Nominee for President of the United States. Just as important, we will be choosing who represents us on the Republican State Committee.  The State Committee is a board of 80 members, 40 men and 40 women, who elect the MA-GOP Chair, set the state party platform, and direct resources. They decide whether or not the party will rebuild by focusing on legislative and other local offices, or whether we will continue focus our resources, as the Establishment has always on done, on marquis offices, that bring a lot of money for high-priced consultants who are connected with the Establishment; all to the detriment of party building. 

I am proud to enthusiastically endorse John Umina and Catherine Umina for State Committeeman and Committeewoman, respectively, in the Suffolk and Middlesex District. The district comprises Belmont, Watertown, Brighton, and Back Bay Boston.I’ve known both John and Cathy for over a decade and worked closely with both on a multitude of campaigns for Republican candidates, conservative ballot questions, and many issues which face Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Republican Party. No matter the need, both John and Cathy were there to help and even spearhead the effort.  

When I served as President of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly 5th Chapter, John served as my Vice President. Our Chapter was the largest at the time and the most active.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Event at Gore Place

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The Watertown Business Coalition announced its latest networking event at one of Watertown’s (and Waltham’s) hidden gems. See the announcement below. Join us at our next WBC Coffee Connect as we give a warm welcome to the new Executive Director at Gore Place, Gavin Kleespies!  Gore Place, you say?  Isn’t that in Waltham?  Technically…a large swath of the Estate is in Watertown – – so we are taking it upon ourselves to welcome Gavin to the community and showcase some of the prettiest landscape in Town.  So, come meet Gavin & staff and enjoy coffee and pastries in the restored 1793 Carriage House. Join Us for a WBC Coffee Connect at Gore Place

52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA

Wednesday, February 28th

8:30 am to 9:30 am

RSVP HERE

If you have yet to check out Gore Place, now is your chance!  Thank you to Gavin for being our host for the morning! This event is FREE and open to:

WBC MEMBERS

Watertown Residents

Watertown Businesspeople

Employees of local companies or non-profits

Our programming aims to help connect our community and residents to the City’s issues and initiatives.  Our morning Coffee Connects, After Hours get-togethers and Civic Events will continue to give you the opportunity to visit places of business in town, meet people, learn something, chat with city government … and maybe even have a laugh along the way.