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.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center Hosting Holiday Classic — Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

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Dick Terhune stars in “A Christmas Carol” at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The following information was provided by Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The first theatrical production of A Christmas Carol took place in London just six weeks after the story’s publication in 1843. In 1853, Dickens began to perform the story himself, playing each character without individual props or costumes for each role. In a performance at Mosesian Arts this week, actor Dick Terhune returns to the origins of this holiday tale with a solo turn inspired by Charles Dickens himself. Terhune’s solo performance has been called “mesmerizing … breathtaking … brilliant … unforgettable … a wonder to behold.

Around Town

Join Shop Watertown Week and Support Local Businesses During the Holidays

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The first Shop Watertown Week will take place from Nov. 26 to Dec. 5, and will feature local businesses, restaurants and service providers. Sponsored by the Watertown Business Coalition, the event will showcase the stores, restaurants, salons and other businesses. Business Owners: Join Shop Watertown Week by offering a discount or special and be added to the list of participating businesses! Join by filling out this form.

Transportation

MassDOT Holiday Travel Tips, Post-Travel Quarantine Reminder

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding members of the public to plan ahead for the upcoming holiday season, utilize the appropriate technology tools to make informed decisions, and be aware there may be limited public amenities on trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, travelers should pack essential items including face coverings, and, if visiting specific states, travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Massachusetts. “As per the CDC’s strong recommendation, we are asking people not to travel during these next few weeks of the holiday season because of Covid-19,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, adding, “But if you must be on the roadway, you are advised to plan ahead, minimize stops, be aware of all out-of-state quarantine requirements, wear a face covering if you are traveling with someone not living in your household, and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has information about the pandemic and regulations pertaining to COVID-19, including the need to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Massachusetts after visiting specific states. Information can be found at: www.mass.gov/coronavirus. The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its hours to be open from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, December 22, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, December 23.

Entertainment

Watch the Perkins School for the Blind Holiday Concert

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Perkins School for the Blind

Students at Perkins School for the Blind kept the tradition of the annual Holiday Concert going in 2020. This year they performed it virtually. Perkins sent out the following message, and video of the concert:

We want to wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season from the entire Perkins community. In that spirit, we’re excited to invite you to enjoy a video of this year’s virtual holiday concert! We had to do things a bit differently this year but music education at Perkins has continued and the students love it.

Holidays

Watertown Police Increasing Patrols for Impaired Drivers During Holidays

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) awarded the Watertown Police a grant to increase the number of impaired driving patrols during the holiday season. The Watertown Police join other departments across the state and the State Police in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. “When an impaired driver is behind the wheel, everyone is at risk,” said Chief Lawn of the Watertown Police Department. “These funds will increase our traffic enforcement presence over the holidays. Regardless of the type or level of impairment, if a driver is dangerously operating their vehicle, they will be stopped.”

Around Town

High-Tech Lights on Watertown Square Trees Allow for More Colorful Display

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The new lights on the trees on the Watertown Square Delta can change colors and display patterns. The lights on the trees in Watertown Square have gone high tech, and will be lit for more than just the holidays. Residents may have noticed the lights around the trees on the Watertown Delta shine not only brighter, but in different colors. This is the result of the new light system installed by the Department of Public Works, said Jesse Myott, the DPW’s Director of Administration and Finance. For years, the lights on the trees in the Watertown Delta were all white.