Around Town

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

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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

Giving Tuesday: See Some Local Organizations You Can Support

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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

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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

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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!

Around Town

Watertown to Fund Temporary Paving of Mt. Auburn Street

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The following update about the Mt. Auburn Street project was provided by the City of Waterotwn:

Temporary Paving Expected to be Completed Next Week

The City of Watertown has initiated work to temporarily level and pave the remainder of Mount Auburn Street next week while we await the completion of the Mt. Auburn Street Project. Originally not anticipated to receive any temporary paving as part of the project, the City has stepped in to fund this work to ensure one of Watertown’s busiest roads is paved for safer, smoother travel in 2024 ahead of the winter season. This work is being accelerated beyond the scope of the ongoing Mt.

Around Town

Watertown Company’s Annual Thanksgiving Meal Donation Has Grown to Help 85 Families

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The Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation delivered 85 Thanksgiving meals to families in town this year. Akian Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning started the program three years ago and this year donated the majority of the meals. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Once again this Thanksgiving, the Watertown Police Department’s Whooley Foundation teamed with a local business to provide dozens of meals to families who would struggle to put on dinner for the holiday. Three years ago, Steve and Alex Akian, the owners of Akian Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, donated 10 Thanksgiving meals to help people in Watertown. This year they provided dozens of meals, and were joined by the Watertown Community Foundation Outreach, Bob Airasian, Watertown Youth Hockey, Doug Orifice/Arsenal Financial, and East Cambridge Savings Bank to provide 85 meals.