Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club Invites Public to Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive

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The Rotary Club of Watertown is excited to announce that it will be hosting a Community Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive! The event will be held at the Hampton Inn and Suites Boston/Watertown on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 

In the spirit of Rotary’s mantra “service before self,” the club is pleased to announce that it will be collecting unwrapped toys for the Sonny Whooley Foundation in cooperation Lexus and Toyota of Watertown. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, the proceeds of which will directly support the clubs community service initiatives in the coming year.  

Members of the greater Watertown business, philanthropic, and civic communities are invited to join us for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration as we kick off the holiday season and raise a toast to our community.  

Attendees should plan to bring an unwrapped toy for the Whooley Foundation, but the event is otherwise free of charge. Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, and hors d’oeuvres will we served. 

The Hampton Inn is located at 25 Bond St., Watertown, in Arsenal Yards.

Around Town

See What’s Open & Closed on Christmas in Watertown

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Most government offices, retail stores and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day, but a few will remain open for at least part of the day. Get some coffee, a bite to eat, or visit a pharmacy or convenience store. Government

State and Federal offices: Closed

City Hall: Closed

Library: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Mass. RMV: Closed

Retailers

Most will be closed, but can be open at owner’s discretion. Liquor Stores: Closed

Most CVS stores will be open on Christmas but hours may vary.

Transportation

Travel Tips for People Driving, Using Public Transportation During the Holidays

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for the holiday travel period in the coming weeks. Traffic volumes and public transportation are anticipated to be higher than normal. 

Drivers and public transportation ridership customers should use available real-time tools and resources for current travel conditions on major roadways such as dialing 511, visiting www.mass511.com or using the GoTime mobile app, and check MBTA schedule information available at mbta.com/holidays and the weather forecast before leaving home. “During this holiday season, we are reminding drivers to expect more people traveling by car, public transportation, and in airports and to plan for any trips by checking conditions ahead of time and building in extra time,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “Make sure to drive sober and hands free, follow speed limits, and be patient as more people return to traveling this season.”

The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no construction work on major arterial roadways from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 24, 2021, through the normal start of business at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021, and from 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022. In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021, and on Thursday, December 30, 2021.

Around Town

Temporary Suspension of Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Over the Holidays

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Clipartpanda.com

The Watertown Police Department announced a temporary suspension of enforcement of the overnight parking ban over the holidays. The City sent out the following announcement:

Effective December 23, 2021, enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will be temporarily suspended – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the City website for available off-street parking locations. 

Police Chief Michael Lawn encourages all homeowners to continue using available off-street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume on January 3, 2022.  

Have a safe and healthy holiday season.

Entertainment

Watch Perkins School’s Students Perform in the Annual Holiday Concert

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Students at Perkins School for the Blind sang in the annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 16. Perkins School for the Blind held its annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 16, and if you missed it (or want to catch it again), the concert can be viewed online. The school included the following message with the concert announcement:

“Every year, our student musicians perform beautiful choral and instrumental works, showcasing the ways music can be accessible for all.

Around Town

Entries Wanted for Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decorations Contest

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Enter the Watertown Holiday Decorations and Lights Contest and win money for yourself and your favorite local charity. Which house in Watertown has the best holiday display? If you think it is your home, enter the Watertown Holiday Lighting & Decoration Contest. The winner will receive a $250 American Express gift card and $250 for your favorite Watertown charity or non-profit organization. Homes will be judged on the following criteria:

Unique design and creative use of lights and decorationsStoryline or themeDisplay and placement of decorations, animated objects, etc.Overall presentation

Judges will not enter the home or walk in the yard.

Around Town

Church of the Good Shepherd Holding Series of Holiday Events, Services

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Church of the Good Shepherd

The following announcement was provided by the Church of the Good Shepherd:

The Church of the Good Shepherd has announced its annual series of holiday events. Good Shepherd, Watertown’s Episcopal church, is the historic stone church at 9 Russell Ave. on the corner of Mt. Auburn Street. The public is welcome to all events. 

Rev. Andrew Goldhor will officiate at the popular Blue Christmas service on Thursday, Dec.

Entertainment

A Variety of Winter Fun This Month at Arsenal Yards — Photos with Santa, Meet Frozen Characters, Crafts & More

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Arsenal YardsArsenal Yards will host Winter Wond-AY-Land in December. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Watertown’s Arsenal Yards invites guests, residents and visitors to experience a Winter Wond-AY-Land all month long, with festive decorations, special events and yuletide photo ops! Holiday merriment abounds at Arsenal Yards this holiday season, along with plentiful opportunities to give back to the local Watertown community. Visitors can head to Bond Square, the newly unveiled community courtyard space at Arsenal Yards, to immerse themselves in a forest of dozens of evergreen “Giving Trees”. The trees make the perfect backdrop for family photos, and will be donated to families in the Watertown community later in December through the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and other local community organizations.