Around Town

Dog & Watertown Woman Being Reunited on Christmas

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Kobe HenroKoke will be delivered from Israel to a Watertown woman by a Sudbury non-profit on Christmas morning. A Watertown woman will get a special delivery from the Holy Land on Christmas, not from Santa but from a Massachusetts-based charity. A dog named Koke was discovered by a Watertown woman on a recent trip to Israel, according to a report by WBZ Radio. The pooch was found with a litter of newborns on the side of the road. The woman, not named by WBZ, wanted to bring Koke home, but ran into issues.

Government

Arsenal Street Renovation Will Go Through Mid-2024, Bids Requested

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A section of Arsenal Street on the east end of the major roadway in Watertown has been redesigned and will be repaved. The project is expected to run though mid-2024. The call for bids put out by the City of Watertown on Dec. 22 is for a project including the reconstruction includes 3,422 feet of roadway from Arsenal Way to Greenough Boulevard, and will install traffic signals at four locations. The full depth of the roadway will be replaced, and granite curbing and cement sidewalks will be installed.

Entertainment

New Rep Presents Pair of Concerts for “Love Weekend”

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New Rep’s Love Weekend features Yukihiro Kanesaka, Leon Beal Jr., and Althene Wilson. The concerts will feature the music of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. New Repertory Theatre (New Rep) is proud to present Love Weekend, a theatrical stage experience, on Saturday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Stage Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown.   

Internationally-acclaimed pianist/keyboardist and multi-instrumentalis Yukihiro Kanesaka will headline this Valentine’s Day event, celebrating love in tributes to two of the most soulful, artistic voices of our time, by two of the Boston area’s greatest vocal talents:  

Donny Hathaway, featuring Leon Beal Jr. on Saturday, Feb. 11, and 

Roberta Flack, featuring Athene Wilson on Sunday, Feb. 12 

Born in Japan, Yukihiro Kanesaka moved to Boston in 2000 to attend Berklee College of Music, where he is now an assistant professor.

Government

See Which Roads Will Be Repaired in 2023, Condition of City’s Roadways Declining

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Six roads made the City’s road repair list for 2023, and another will be part of the longer-road program. City Councilors also heard a report of a meeting where the Department of Public Works said the City’s road rating had dropped. Repair List

On Dec. 13, the City Council approved the funding for the annual road repair program, as well as longer street projects in future years. Roads that will be repaired in 2023 are: Bates Road, Bates Road East, Essex Street, Nash Street, Francis Street and Bradshaw Street.

Entertainment

Catch the Display of Artwork Made by Watertown High School Students

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Charlie BreitroseArt created by Watertown High School students is on display at the Watertown Library. Pieces of art created by creative young Watertown residents can be seen at the Watertown Library through the end of December. Charlie BreitroseThe gallery at the Watertown Library is filled with artwork made by Watertown High School students. The T. Ross Kelly Family Gallery on the second floor of the Library currently features works of arts created by students at Watertown High School. See more about the gallery and the Library hours by clicking here.

Government

See When City Facilities Will be Closed for the Christmas Holiday

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City Hall, the Watertown Library, and the Senior Center will be closed certain days in observance of Christmas. On Friday, Dec. 23, Watertown City Hall and the Watertown Senior Center will close at noon, but the Watertown Library will be open. The Library will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec.

Government

City Buying Former Parker School, Council Approves Funds & Deal

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City of WatertownThe City of Watertown will purchase the former Parker School building on Watertown Street. The City of Watertown will purchase the former Parker School, now an office building, and use it for municipal offices as well as renting out space. The purchase was approved by the City Council on Dec. 13, along with transferring $12 million to help with the deal. The total cost will be $14 million, and City Manager George Prokis said he expects the purchase to be completed by mid-January 2023.

Around Town

Watertown Celebrates Festival of Lights with First Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

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Charlie BreitroseRabby Dovid Zaltzman of Chabad Watertown lights the menorah at Arsenal Yards during the Hanukkah celebration. The Festival of Lights was on full display in Watertown Monday night, with a Hanukkah Menorah lighting, a gelt drop, and even a fire dancer. The first annual Watertown Menorah Lighting took place in a courtyard at Arsenal Yards, and the event was organized and presented by Chabad Watertown, a recent addition to town. Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman, from Chabad Watertown, said Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that occurred back in Biblical times. The Jewish people had just defeated the Greeks in a war, but during the war the Jewish Temple was damaged.