Charity

Some Local Places to Donate to on Giving Tuesday

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Giving Tuesday is coming up on Nov. 29, and if you are looking for some groups in Watertown to donate to, here are a couple idea. 
Boy’s & Girl’s Club
Watertown Boy’s & Girls Club serves hundreds of children across the community. It also provides swim lessons and hosts some of the Cops and Rec programs with the Watertown Police and the Watertown Recreation Department. Monies raised through the club’s annual campaign are used to ensure the Club’s doors can remain open for any and all children in Watertown. These dollars go directly toward operational costs such as facility maintenance, program supplies, and staff training.

Around Town

See Photos and Results from the Donohue’s Bar & Grill Turkey Trot

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Despite chilly temperatures, nearly 1,000 runners came out Thursday morning for the 11th annual Donohue’s Bar & Grill Turkey Trot. 

The Thanksgiving morning race has become a Watertown tradition, drawing serious runners, people wanting to dress up, and even some folks who just wanted a nice stroll before their feast. The money raised from the registration fees of the 967 participants will go to the Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club. “The first year we had 250 runners and now we are at 1,000,” Donohue’s owner John Donohue said before the race. The overall winner and top male runner was Jason Dunklee of Watertown, who ran the 5K course in a time of 17:05. The top female runner was Allie Sartori of Medford, who finished in 19:44.

Around Town

Holiday Open House Coming to Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion

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Head to the Commander’s Mansion in Watertown to see Santa, dancers, holiday mocktails and more. 

The historic home located at 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown, next to the Arsenal on the Charles, will host the Annual Holiday Open House on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is a FREE event and all are welcomed! Take a self-guided tour of the mansion, which has been decorated by local volunteers, the Department of Public Works and Be Our Guest. Enjoy sweet treats thanks to our friends from Dunkin’ Donuts/Riverside Management, Russo’s, Catering with Distinction, Boston Catering & Events, and Sensational Foods

Events

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Ms. Clause story time and activities

5 p.m. – La Bonne Maison, festive cocktail and hors d’oeuvres demonstrations

5:30 p.m. – Your Bartender Tonight, holiday mocktail concoctions

6:30 p.m. – Ballroom in Boston, dance entertainment

5-7 p.m. – Santa Visit, stop by for self-photos courtesy of Watertown Savings Bank

Two drawings to win a pair of tickets to a NewRep production!

Sports

Watertown Football Holds Off Belmont, Clinches a Share of Middlesex Title

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BELMONT – In a dual of running backs, Watertown held off a second half charge by Belmont to win the 2016 edition of the Thanksgiving Day football rivalry. 

Both teams had runners who accumulated more than 200 yards and scored three touchdowns apiece, but it took a late interception for the Raiders to escape Harris Field with the win – the fifth straight in the series. Watertown football coach John Cacace praised the character of his players for coming out on top Thursday. “They are great leaders. They keep everything in perspective and the know they have to keep playing and play hard,” Cacace said. “That was a real comeback they put on there there and we responded when we needed to.”

Around Town

Local Dance Company Performing in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The Sayat Nova Dance Company is in New York City to perform in front of millions during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. According to the Armenian dance group’s website, Sayat Nova will appear on the NBC broadcast at about 10:30 a.m.

The Thanksgiving Parade draws a crowd of about 3.5 million, and is seen by more than 50 million TV viewers. The broadcast will be shown in Boston on WHDH Channel 7, and begins at 9 a.m.

Sayat Nova was founded in 1986 by director/choreographer Apo Ashjian. The group’s mission is “to preserve and promote the Armenian culture, primarily through the art of dance; To foster an atmosphere of friendship among individuals sharing the pride and indomitable spirit of the Armenian people; To further educate and elevate multicultural awareness within all ethnic communities worldwide.” The group has performed at other major venues, including: Boston’s Hatch Shell, Boston Common’s Outside the Box Festival, the Emerson Majestic Theatre, Jacob’s Pillow, Gillette stadium, and Armenia’s reputable Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.  

Government

Town Council Passes Rules for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

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The Town Council adopted some rules and regulations for anyone interested in opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Watertown. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Council adopted several items that had been recommended by the Economic Development and Planning Committee. The subcommittee held a hearing in October to discuss dispensaries, and hear from some groups looking at opening marijuana facilities in town. No applications have been received by the town, but the Town Council wants to get rules into place before one comes forward. A handful of groups have approached the town inquiring about starting a facility in town, including one looking at a spot on Dexter Avenue and another on Elm Street.