Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/page/22/)
In the next few weeks the Watertown Police Department will have access to new equipment that can capture images of license plates of passing cars. The technology is intended to help with criminal investigations, but some have expressed concerns about how it will be used, including the ACLU of Massachusetts.
Simone Zupka
A young dancer from Watertown is taking the stage with the Boston Ballet in this year’s production of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” See more details in the announcement from the Boston Ballet, below.
China Rainbow
A fixture on the Watertown eating scene, China Rainbow, will be closing after more than half a century.
A new light show is featured on Bigelow Chapel for SOLSTICE in 2025. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
SOLSTICE returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery beginning Friday, Dec. 5 with some new features and a different theme in 2025.
Watertown Community Gardens received a state grant to improve the path from Watertown to Cambridge. (Contributed Photo)
By Linda RelsonWatertown Community Gardens, Board Chair
Volunteers have been working on the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway all year, and their efforts got a boost earlier this month with the award of a MassTrails Grant.
The following announcement was provided by West Newton Cinema:
The West Newton Cinema Foundation is presenting a special screening of the internationally acclaimed documentary There Was, The Was Not on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington St., West Newton.
Vitoria Regia said “Charles River and the Joseph Thompson Bridge” was inspired by an area of the river she finds very soothing. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Six new banners like the fence line around a former industrial property on the Westside of Watertown. The images were created by local artists and will be displayed around for the foreseeable future.
A view of the plans for the now scrapped Watertown Mall Transformation Project. Alexandria Real Estate sold the Watertown Mall property, including Parking the Retail, OL1, R1, and the Parking Garage 1. The company retained the other properties on the left side of the illustration. (Courtesy of Alexandria Real Estate)
Last week’s sale of the Watertown Mall property ended plans to create a life science campus on the north side of Arsenal Street, but the Charles River Regional Chamber said it remains bullish on prospects for that section of town.
Jonathan Bockian
Watertown author Jonathan Bockian announced he will launch his new historical mystery novel What Was Forbidden: a Venice Ghetto mystery, in discussion with Pia Owens, author of the “Let’s Have It Out” newsletter, on Sunday, November 2, 2-4 p.m., at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged at the webpage linked here.
Dear Watertown!
As the youngest of four kids , I’ve spent my whole life watching my mom, Amy Donohue, give her time and energy to the Watertown Public Schools. Education has always been number one in our house, whether it was volunteering on the PTO, helping with the Watertown Education Foundation events, or donating to every youth group and sports team you can think of.
Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown City Hall, the site of early voting for the 2025 Watertown Eleciton.
The Watertown City Election takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, but registered voters can participate in Early In-Person Voting at City Hall beginning Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Watertown City Hall
The City Council will have at least one new member after the 2025 Watertown Election. Voters have multiple choices for City Councilor At-Large and in District C. Watertown News reached out to the candidates in the contested races. See the Candidate Q&As, below.