Government

Residents Invited to Apply for Citizen’s Legislative Seminar

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger invites residents to apply to be part of the 74th Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS). The seminar will be held this spring on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State House. Each senator may nominate one constituent to participate. The CLS is a great opportunity for residents to get a firsthand look at how the legislative process works, and have a better understanding of state government. Sen. Brownsberger encourages constituents in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District to apply to this two-day seminar.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Watertown Police, Firefighters Get Medals at White House

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Seven Watertown first responders who put their lives on the line during the shootout with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects received the nation’s ultimate honor Wednesday. Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder awarded the Medal of Valor to five Watertown Police officers and two Watertown Firefighters at a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday, according to an Associated Press report. “You’re a rare breed,” Biden said to the recipients. “You’re all crazy. We love you for it.

Development

LETTER: Resident Calls for Resignation of ZBA After CVS Vote

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Councilors,

On January 28, a discouraging event in town governance occurred here in this chamber. Against the wishes of 400 hundred Watertown residents who signed a petition; in disregard of the testimony of approximately 40 East End neighbors; against the advice of the Planning Board; contrary to the expressed goals of the Comprehensive Plan; but in accordance with the advice and counsel of Town Planning staff, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to approve a special permit for a proposed CVS project that a preponderance of Watertown residents feel detrimental to Coolidge Square and the East End in general. This decision is one in a long history of poor development decisions in Watertown that can fairly be described as acts of municipal self-mutilation. Many residents feel that the character of Watertown is being destroyed project by project. This dysfunction must end now.

Entertainment

Catch a Free Screening of ‘Frozen’ and Meet the Characters!

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Catch a free screening of “Frozen” and help a local food pantry. The Arsenal Project will show Disney’s animated favorite and you can also meet Frozen’s very own Olaf, Anna, Sven and Elsa.  

The event is free if you bring two canned goods per person. The items will go to the Watertown Food Pantry. The Frozen event begins at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb.

Entertainment

Watertown MusicFest Coming Up – Performers Wanted!

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Now it its fourth year, the Friends of Watertown MusicFest will be held in March, and musicians are still being sought to play at the event. The fundraiser for the music program in the Watertown Public Schools will be held Friday, March 6, from 5:30-9:30 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverly Ave. in Watertown. The event features over 50 performances by musicians of all ages, musical styles, and abilities, and an instrument petting zoo. “MusicFest is a lively, eclectic evening of music for the whole community,” says FoWM Board Member Heidi Greisch.

Environment

Town Council Considering Plastic Bag Ban in Watertown

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A Town Council subcommittee has begun wading into whether the town should have a ban retail stores using plastic bags in Watertown. The Rules & Ordinances Committee discussed a possible ban last week, but did not come up with any decisions, but the committee may start steps toward creating an ordinance, said committee Chairman and Councilor Ken Woodland. “We are forming a draft of an ordinance with the help of the town attorney and will review that draft at the next committee meeting,” said Woodland. “The next meeting is when we will work out the final details and make more concrete decisions.” Woodland said the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 3.

Entertainment

Director of Children’s Theatre Play to Speak About Upcoming Production

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Award-winning Composer, Playwright, Music Director and Educator Steven Bergman will speak at the next free Text + conText program in advance of Watertown Children’s Theatre’s premiere of his musical, “Reigning Cats & Dogs.”

This free series brings creative artists and audience together in an open forum setting to discuss craft and the creative process. Bergman will speak at the Arsenal Center for the Arts on Feb. 17, 7 p.m., according to the Arsenal Center for the Arts’ announcement. Reigning Cats & Dogs is a new musical for young audiences about acceptance, personal identity, friendship and loyalty. It offers the opportunity for the cast to explore roles, text and music without reference to tried and true versions, a stretching experience.

Around Town

New Grant Will Help Wayside Educate Youth About HIV/AIDS

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A new grant received by Wayside Youth & Family Support Network announced will be used to create a social media campaign to inform youth about preventing HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. The $125,000 grants was provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and it will target minority teens and youth in Watertown and other area communities. The Youth Media Action Project (Y-MAP) will use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter to increase prevention messages to youth ages 12-18 about HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. The target audience is African American, Haitian and Latino youth living in and around public housing in Somerville, Waltham and Watertown, Mass. Wayside will also work closely with Gay Straight Alliances at high schools in these three cities, according to an announcement from Wayside.