Election 2022

OP-ED: Watertown State House Delegation Supports Question 4, Will Lead to Safer Roads

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By State Representative Steve Owens, State Representative John Lawn & State Senator Will Brownsberger

This past June, the legislature approved an important advancement for road safety and immigrant rights in Massachusetts by voting the Work and Family Mobility Act into law. This law allows all Massachusetts residents to apply for a driver’s license, regardless of their immigration status. Years in the making and backed by law enforcement, immigrant advocates, and organized labor, the law passed overwhelmingly with support of more than three-quarters of the Massachusetts House and Senate. This new measure will ensure that all drivers on our roads are licensed and insured. Unfortunately, this law is now in jeopardy; an opposition group obtained enough signatures to attempt to repeal the law on the November 8th ballot.

Around Town

Mosesian Center Hosting Flash Art Sale and Benefit

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Some of the artwork in the Flash Art Sale at Mosesian Center for the Arts. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

Flash Art is an exhibition and benefit at the Mosesian Center for the Arts that we are bringing back for the first time since 2016! 

This year, more than 80 artists have donated a wide assortment of artwork to MCA. Tickets to the Flash Art benefit will be sold matching the number of artworks in the exhibition. Each ticket purchaser will be given a preference sheet to rank their top 20 favorite pieces of art, and at the end of the exhibition, a lottery drawing will be held to match each participant to the Flash Art piece that they will ultimately take home. Included in the exhibition are ceramics, oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors, drawings, prints, artists’ books, photographs, fiber pieces, and collages.

Government

Council Narrowly Passes Resolution Supporting Fair Share Amendment

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Despite every City Councilor personally supporting Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, known as the Fair Share Amendment, the Council narrowly approved a Resolution supporting passage of the ballot measure. The Fair Share Amendment would increase tax on income over $1 million from 5 percent to 9 percent, which includes salary, as well as profits on real estate sales. The additional tax would be spent on education and transportation. On Tuesday, Oct.

Around Town

Watertown Health Department Offering Flu Shot Clinic

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Watertown Health Department will be offering the influenza vaccine for Watertown Residents (age 18+) on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 1st floor – Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St., Watertown. Please use the following registration link to sign up your appointment and secure your dose: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/watertown?calendar=61d94aef-0681-4297-8276-af4030d5149d

The clinic is open to everyone with or without insurance. Walk-ins are welcome. Please bring your ID and health insurance card(s) with you (if you have insurance).

Business

Charles River Chamber Holding Young Professionals Event in Watertown

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The Charles River Chamber of Commerce will host a networking event in Watertown. See the Chamber’s announcement below. Young Professionals Happy Hour at Taffer’s Tavern

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m. 541 Arsenal St., Watertown

Free, open to members & nonmembers

Our popular YPG Networking Happy Hour is heading to one of Watertown’s newest spots! Taffer’s Tavern (from Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer) is quickly becoming a go-to destination in Arsenal Yards – don’t miss the chance to check it out!

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Seeking Artists Residencies Applications

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The following information was provided by New Repertory Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre’s Pipeline Project has extended the deadline for accepting submissions for its next round of artists residencies to October 31, 2022. The Pipeline Project invests directly in local performing artists, writers, and performance makers, providing concrete and tangible pathways to production at the professional level.  

New Rep’s inaugural generation of Pipeline Project Residents was selected by invitation and are now in development pathways to world premieres. This second generation of the Pipeline Project will be selected through an open submission process. Some examples of eligible projects and people, though we are not limited to the scope listed, below:

Playwrights and writers who are developing new work for performance Directors seeking to revitalize classics, or take a new look at overlooked material Directors devising new material, or adapting pre-existing material Solo Artists, seeking time, space, and/or collaborators including but not limited to Directors, Choreographers, and Composers Performance artists creating work to be performed for an audience Musicians and Composers expanding their work into a theatrical medium: Concept Albums, Immersive Concerts, Storytelling/Narrative infused concerts Dancers, Choreographers and Mover-Makers collaborating with other dancers/performers

New Rep is actively seeking works that lack access in the New England area, including new musicals, works by or about the Indigenous experience, works by or featuring disabled performers, solo works, and interactive/site specific works. The New Rep team will work with the selected artists in residence to create developmental support frameworks and a schedule for development. Such support can be composed of: dramaturgy, research, seeking out collaborators, table reads/staged readings, feedback from artistic staff, rehearsal space, prop/material acquisition, and more. Financial justice is a key value of the Pipeline Project and New Rep’s relaunch process.

Government

Project Approved for Russo’s Site, Developer Makes Adjustments

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JacobsA view from Pleasant Street of the building approved for the former Russo’s site. The penthouse seen at the top was reduced by 3 feet in the front from the September proposal. The developer of the project going on the former Russo’s site adjusted plans after the first Planning Board hearing in September and received approval in October. The development includes a life science building constructed for an established pharmaceutical company, as well as a retail space that will be filled by a “world class” eatery. At the previous meeting, the Planning Board asked for the height of the penthouse holding mechanical equipment to be reduced, the biotech building to be pushed farther off the street, opportunities for public art, and to reduce the amount of asphalt.

Developers from Saracen Properties came back with some changes, and agreed to another at the Oct.

Arsenal Yards

See the Performers, Judges for Watertown’s Got Talent

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

It’s time to see who is crowned Watertown’s Top Talent! Announcing a BRAND NEW Talent Show this October during Arsenal Yards’ Fall Falladays in partnership with the Watertown Community Foundation: Watertown’s Got Talent! Join us for a fun-filled evening of talent, entertainment & more! Featuring guest MC, Dan McCarthy, plus a panel of Watertown local judges. Guests are encouraged to bring takeout from any Arsenal Yards restaurant and enjoy it during the event, plus beer & wine will be available for purchase for those who are 21+.