Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/)
The Charles River Watershed Association announced registration is open for the 42nd Run of the Charles. Boston’s Premier Paddling Race will take place on Sunday, April 26. See details in the announcement from the CRWA, below. Join CRWA for the 42nd Run of the Charles paddling race at DCR’s Artesani/Herter Park, featuring live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and more! Races begin in Brighton and Newton, running through Watertown, Waltham, and Cambridge.
The Charles River Regional Chamber sent a letter about anticipated immigration enforcement efforts in the Boston area, and included guidance for businesses and information about immigration policies. See the letter written by Chamber President & CEO Greg Reibman, below. To our members:
Our chamber firmly believes in abiding by all federal, state and local laws. However, those laws include individual protections, rights and due process that we believe must also be followed. This afternoon, I’m writing to share with you timely information related to immigration provided to us by the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, as well as the office of Attorney General Andrea Campbell, that may be important to you, your employees and others in your circle.
Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA 71 bus. The following announcement was provided by the MBTA:
The MBTA provided riders with service information in advance of the upcoming winter storm, including that Commuter Rail Storm Schedules will be implemented this Monday. With frigid temperatures, wind gusts, and snowy conditions predicted this weekend, the MBTA also urges riders to be safe, plan ahead, and allow for some extra time if traveling on the T this weekend. While crews will be working hard to clear snow and ice throughout the transit system, MBTA riders are reminded to use caution on platforms, at bus stops, when boarding/alighting trains, accessing stations, and approaching railroad crossings. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts, download the MBTA Go app, and follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information. Check the MBTA’s Winter Weather Guide at www.MBTA.com/Winter for tips on how to stay connected and what to expect on the T during extreme winter weather, including how to report bus stops in need of snow removal.
Teddy KokorosA major snow storm is forecast to drop 15 inches or more on Watertown on Jan. 25 and 26. Above, Main Street on the westside of Watertown during the Jan. 29, 2022 blizzard. A Snow Emergency has been called in Watertown beginning on Sunday for the storm expected to dump as much as 20 inches of snow over two days.
See the refined conceptual design for Walker Pond at the third and final community meeting on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Day School, at 57 Stanley Ave. See details provided by the City of Watertown, below. At this meeting you will learn about all the incredible feedback we received from the community, dive deep into the details of a single refined concept design with the community, answer questions, and more! If you missed the first two meetings, please visit the Walker Pond page to learn more about the project, the community feedback, the concept designs presented at meeting #2, and more!
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment:
The Watertown Citizens for Peace and Common Security Committee is holding a webinar on the Nuclear Disarmament Resolution in order to better inform the public about this issue which is on the City Council calendar for February 10, 2026. Join us for an informative discussion about the Nuclear Armament Resolution on Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 4-6 p.m. The Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment’s, Peace & Common Security Working Group along with co-sponsors, Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility & Disarmament Working Group, & Massachusetts Peace Action will all have speakers representing their respective groups, as well as, Students for Nuclear Disarmament. The Zoom link for the webinar is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89831190874?pwd=iYFPOM63RBTp4FfajbGazNOKNlF3EM.1#success
The Watertown Human Rights Commission will team with Human Rights Commissions in the area to host an online workshop on Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations in March. See details about the workshop and how to register in the announcement from the HRC below. We are excited to help further productive dialogue in our community, and invite you to a free, virtual workshop, Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations.
The workshop will be held over two Sundays: March 1st and March 8th, from 3-4:30 p.m. Attendance at both sessions is strongly encouraged. More details about the workshop are included below. To register, please complete this form by January 31. /Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations
Flyers – Building Connections Effective Tools for Community Conversations.pdf – Google Drive
Please select the “Watertown” self identification option on the registration form.
Background
This workshop is the product of conversations between eight Human Rights Commissions (or equivalents) in Arlington, Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington, Needham, Newton, Sudbury, and Watertown.
Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson recited several of his poems at the 2026 Unity Breakfast. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)
Massachusetts’ Poet Laureate inspired the crowd at the 26th annual Unity Breakfast. During the event on Monday, awards were presented to a group monitoring immigration enforcement and supporting immigrants rights in Watertown, and a man who has been a big part of keeping the Unity Breakfast going through the Pandemic. The Unity Award at the 2006 Watertown Unity Breakfast went to the Rapid Response Network, while the Sue Kuder Unsung Hero Award went to Chuck Dickinson. Poet Laureate
Before the presentation of the awards, Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Regie Gibson, recited several of his pieces related to Dr. King and the struggles of today.
The following announcement was provided by Artemis Yoga:
Artemis Yoga is inviting the local community to an Open House on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at its Watertown studio. The afternoon will feature a series of free in-studio yoga classes, along with raffles, giveaways, local treats, and special in-studio offers. Located at 639 Mt. Auburn St., Artemis Yoga is a locally owned, independent yoga studio that recently marked its 10th year in Watertown, having opened its doors in 2015.
