Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market Offering Opportunity to Get Fresh Produce Over Winter

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Still Life FarmAn example of the produce from Still Life Farm’s Winter CSA. The Watertown Farmers’ Market will soon be over for the season, but devotees can continue to get fresh produce for Thanksgiving, and over the winter through a pair of programs. Those who qualify can get a free bag for Thanksgiving. Live Well Watertown provided the following information:

The Watertown Farmers’ Market season wraps up on October 19th but recently announced two partner programs to offer customers local produce in the off-season. Dick’s Market Farm is offering a one-time Thanksgiving Day Bag for $40 which will include a variety of seasonal produce, including items that can be easily stored. The bag will be delivered free to City Hall (Council Chamber) on Wednesday, November 16th, with pick-up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Customers using SNAP can get the bag for free using their HIP benefit.

Drawing with Fred

Watertown Cable Show “Drawing With Fred” Celebrates 30th Anniversary

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Watertown’s Fred Grandinetti, center, celebrates the 30th anniversary of his show with the airing of an episode of “Drawing with Fred” in October 2022. The latest episode of Drawing with Fred will debut on Watertown Cable in October, and it marks the 30th anniversary of the show created by Watertown’s Fred Grandinetti. As a child, Grandinetti was a fan of children’s shows and the lessons they provided. When he started Drawing with Fred, he drew upon those shows. “The inspiration for my show came from the adult-hosted family series I watched growing up; The Uncle Gus Show, Rex Trailer’s Boomtown and Bozo the Clown,” Grandinetti said.

Schools

Group that Advocates for Special Needs Students Growing, Hosting Multiple Events for Parents

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The group that advocates for students with special needs in Watertown has had a surge of activity, and will hold a number of upcoming events for both parents of special needs students and others. Parent Heather McManus, who chairs the Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council, told the School Committee Monday about some of the activities the group is participating in, including chances for parents to learn about services for their children, and how to get involved in the group. On Oct. 17, SEPAC will host a virtual Disability Listening Session. During the event, parents, guardians and caregivers can share disability-related concerns and feedback touched on in the WPS 2022 Equity Audit.

Around Town

Longtime Owner of Meat Spot Retiring, Passing on Business

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Charle BreitroseDick Ucuz, who has owned The Meat Spot for 32 years, will be retiring soon. He has sold the business and the new owners will keep the deli and butcher shop going. For more that three decades, Dick Ucuz has served up sandwiches, cut fresh meat, and provided other edible delights from The Meat Spot. This week is one of his last at the business that has been in Watertown Square for more than a century. Fans of The Meat Spot can be comforted that the business has been sold to new owners who will continue to serve the same favorites.

Government

Council Pays Tribute to Former Cable Executive Director

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WCA-TVHelen Chatel leaves Watertown Cable Access Television after 9.5 years as executive director. The City Council thanked former Watertown Cable Executive Director Helen Chatel for her work at the local cable access station, especially he role in helping Watertown’s government keep holding meetings during the pandemic. City Council President Mark Sideris personally thanked Chatel at the Sept. 29 meeting. “Helen was extremely, extremely helpful, and helped us get through COVID and issues with the Zoom and I can’t thank her enough for everything she has done to get us to the place where we are with technology and cable access,” Sideris said.

Government

LETTER: Watertown Elected Officials, Residents Canvas in Support of Fair Share Amendment

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Watertown elected officials — including State Sen. Will Brownsberger (far right) and State Rep. Steve Owens (second from right — and residents gathered Saturday before canvasing in support of the Fair Share Amendment. Elected Officials and Local Activists gathered under raindrops on Saturday Morning for a city-wide canvass for the Question 1 Fair Share Amendment. 

Sen. Will Brownsberger and Steve Owens spoke to the history, extensive support and promise of the Fair Share Amendment to bring a stable new funding source for education and transportation. City Councilors Caroline Bays, Nicole Gardner, Vinnie Piccirilli John Gannon,  Tony Palomba, and Lisa Feltner along with School Committee Member David Stokes, and Library Trustees Maja Young and Sara Keary took part in the canvass. Over 30 residents set out to knock on doors and pass along the Vote Yes on Question 1 message. 

Question 1 is an amendment to the State Constitution that will allow the state to levy an additional tax of 4 percent on any personal income over $1 million dedicated to schools and transportation. Learn more about it at  Why The Fair Share Amendment | Fair Share Amendment for Massachusetts (fairsharema.com). 

In addition to attending elected officials, the canvass was supported by State Senator John Lawn; City Council President Mark Sideris; City Councilors John Airasian and Emily Izzo; School Committee Members Kendra Foley, Lindsay Mosca, Amy Donohue, Jessica Middlebrook, and Lily Layman Reed; and Library Trustees Leanne Hammond, Teddy Kokoros, and Rose Mary Su. The canvass was organized by Watertown4Fair Share, a group with members from Watertown Faces Climate Change, Progressive Watertown, and school advocates. Ann MunsonCaroline BaysDeborah PetersonLani GersonRachel KayRita Colafella