Around Town

Watertown Receives Federal Grant to Plant Trees Around Town

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The City of Watertown has been awarded a 2023 USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry – Inflation Reduction Act Grant for $100,000! The “Tree Planting in the City of Watertown, Massachusetts” grant is to help Watertown assist with new tree planting and focus planting efforts within the communities of Watertown, including Tree Planting & Maintenance, Restoration & Resilience, and Extreme Heat

The city is one of nine municipalities in Massachusetts that received a grant. The other communities in Massachusetts were Boston, Fall River, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynn, Quincy, Southbridge, and Springfield. See all the cities around the nations to get the grant. Special thanks to Tree Warden Mike Micieli for preparing the successful grant application!

Around Town

Watertown VFW Named Post of the Year in Massachusetts

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A trolley from the Veterans Administration carries veterans in Watertown’s 2023 Memorial Day Parade. They trolley was purchased for the VA Hospital in Bedford by Watertown’s VFW Post 1105. (Photo Courtesy of Natalie Nigito Photography)

For the generosity of time and money by the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1105, the Watertown veteran’s organization received the VFW Post of the Year award. VFW 1105 was chosen for the award from the 150 posts across the Bay State for recognition, said Michael Raymond, the immediate past Commander of the State VFW. He also serves as the Veterans Services Officer in Mansfield.

Entertainment

Faire on the Square is On – Rain Won’t Cancel Annual Celebration

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Mother Nature can’t stop Watertown’s big gathering. The Faire on the Square will take place, rain or shine. Saturday’s forecast calls for rain most of the day, but the organizers of the Faire on the Square announced that the event will still take place. The Faire on the Square is at Saltonstall Park, next to City Hall, and will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 23.

Around Town

Artist Speaks About Inspiration for New Mural in Watertown Square During Celebration

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseArtists Amir Tabatabaei (right) and Niloufar Keyhani spoke about the mural they created in Watertown Square during a celebration of the artwork. Tuesday night, nearly 100 people came out to celebrate a project by a pair of artists that was inspired by their new home: Watertown. Amir Tabatabaei and Niloufar Keyhani emigrated to Watertown from Iran seven years ago. Tabatabaei had created large murals in Iran, and decided he wanted to contribute one in his new hometown. About a year and a half ago, he reached out to Liz Helfer, Watertown’s Public Arts & Culture Planner, who helped him get in touch with the owners of the CVS building in Watertown Square, where the wall that now bears the mural is located.

Around Town

Watertown’s 2nd Annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration to be Held at Hosmer School

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The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

Watertown’s 2nd celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Hosmer Elementary School, 1 Concord Road, Watertown. The free event will feature Indigenous musicians, artists and vendors. Performers include: Nettukkusqk Singers, a traditional women’s singing and drumming group composed of Deborah Spears Moorehead (Wampanoag) Fine Artist and Music Performer, and Music Performers Pam Ellis (Nipmuc), Jasmine C. Moorehead (Wampanoag) and Jacquelyn D. Moorehead (Wampanoag); Brock Stonefish, (Moravian Delaware Nation), a internationally recognized singer and songwriter; Eastern Sun Drummers and Dancers, (Mashpee Wampanoag), performing songwriter Thea Hopkins (Aquinnah Wampanoag); artist, musician & singer/songwriter Geri Barney (Navajo); Teddy Hendricks (Mashpee Wampanoag, Nipmuc), storyteller; and Maria Hendricks (Assonet & Mashpee Wampanoag), actress appearing as Sipu and the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Sipu is the main character in New Repertory Theatre’s presentation of the Indigenous historical play Listen to Sipu by Mashpee Wampanoag playwright Mwalim *7).   

We will also feature Judy Fallows, who will describe the “three sisters gardens” at the elementary and middle schools.

Government

City Bulking Up Cyber Security After Council Approves Funding

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(Courtesy of City of Watertown)

The internet can be a treacherous place where identities can be stolen, scams are perpetrated, and websites get hacked. Watertown will take steps to keep the City’s websites secure, and up and running by increasing cybersecurity. On Sept. 12, the City Council approved funding to increase protection on municipal websites and networks. City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that he supports the efforts of Watertown’s Chief Information Officer Chris McClure.