The new Watertown High School is approaching completion, with teachers expected to move in after school ends in June. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Wednesday afternoon, School Committee members, City Councilors and others got to see the new classrooms, theater, gym, and media center that will be enjoyed by Watertown High School students starting in September.
Watertown Firefighters salute during the ceremony honoring Joe Toscano, the firefighter who died nine years ago while working a fire. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Nine years after losing one of its own, the Watertown Fire Department paid honored to Firefighter Joe Toscano just down the street from where he lost his life. The annual event held at the time of his passing brings together members of the WFD, Toscano’s family, and others who remember the tragic day.
A panel of speakers discussed the life science industry in Watertown at an event hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. From left, City Manager George Proakis, Boylston Properties President Mark Deschenes, CEO of Labshares Phillip Borden, and C4 Chief People Officer Kelly Schick. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Eleven years ago, 25 life science companies had facilities in Watertown. Today, more than four times that many companies are located in the City, making it one of Massachusetts’ life science hubs.
Steve Magoon has seen the transformation of large sections of Watertown, and played a major role in the creation of some of the City’s most important planning documents during his time working for the City. Magoon will retire at the end of January after more than 17 years as director of the Department of Community Development and Planning.
Rick Saunders, on keyboard, performs at the Watertown Arts Market, 2025.
High School students can apply for the “Business of Music” internship created by the City of Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture program and the Watertown Fine & Performing Arts. See details below.
You might all be feeling the need for some meditative time this weekend after last weekend’s doozy of a snow storm. If so, head over to Artemis Yoga on Saturday afternoon for a few free introductory classes. They can help you work out the kinks in your back from too much shoveling. Taking in an exhibition of art with the theme Contemporary Landscapes, might also be calming. The opening reception is on Thursday, but the show will be up until March, so it will be there for your enjoyment this weekend. Saturday night there is a Winter Ball at St. James Armenian Church with the Yerakouyn Band, an opportunity to dress in your best and get out to hear music. Sunday afternoon there is more music to be heard. The library winter concert series is presenting Francesca McNeely, a virtuoso cello player in a solo concert. There’s no need to leave town (in case your car is still snowed in) for fun this weekend.
Watertown will cancel the contract with Flock Safety to install license plate reading cameras in the City, and City Manager George Proakis told the City Council he wants to continue to have discussions about when it is appropriate for the Watertown Police to use technology in its investigations.
The John A. Ryan isn’t the only rink around that gets used with the frequency that matches Massachusetts drivers running red lights, but it sure feels that way. This past Saturday at 4 p.m. Watertown/Wayland was faced with the challenge of trying to end a drought dating back to Dec. 23 — as in the last (and only) time they won a hockey game, and they had to do it versus the sixth ranked Spy Ponders of Arlington. Up next would be the Boston (nee Watertown) Gold Kings of the Senior Power Play Hockey League as they welcomed the first place and undefeated Hudson Valley (as in New York State Hudson Valley) Reapers to the JAR. Six periods of hockey on a Saturday on the eve of a predicted whopper snowstorm.
Charlie BreitroseA truck plows a Watertown street.
Watertown Public Works crews will be busy this week continuing efforts to dig the City out after the heavy snow on Sunday and Monday, said City Manager George Proakis.
The following announcement was provided by Creative Chats’ host Matt Hanna:
You’re invited to Creative Chats! The event is a way to gather creative people face-to-face to mingle, hear a featured conversation on the topic of creativity and the creative life, and then engage in the conversation themselves in small groups.