Winter Concert Series Coming to Watertown Library Hosting

The following information came from the Watertown Library:

WFPL & the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee present the Winter Concert Series. The Winter Concert Series runs from December through March and happens the first Sunday of the month! As in previous years, our concert series features talented, local artists. Performances are free and open to all. Let the music begin!

City Manager Seeks Applicants for Human Rights Commission

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission recently established by the City Council Ordinance 0-2023-66 per Home Rule Charter Section 2-11-Human Rights Commission. The Commission shall work to ensure that all persons enjoy equal opportunity to participate in local affairs, including but not limited to housing, employment, education, public accommodation, access to city services, insurance, credit, banking and health care, regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, age, religion, disability, health status, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, ex-offender status, genetic and/or “protected class” status. The Commission shall promote human rights in Watertown through outreach, dialogue, educational forums, the development of an Action Plan, serving as a resource to persons with concerns of discrimination within the City, recommending policies or resolutions for adoption by City Council, City Manager or other City departments, boards or commissions, providing annually a written report to the City Manager and City Council on the Commission’s activities and hold a public forum and other charges and responsibilities set forth in the Ordinance 0-2023-66. There are nine Commissioners appointed by the City Manager and there are liaisons from the Watertown Police Department, the School Department and one from the student body. To Apply 

Applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by Friday, December 8, 2023: by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Stret, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472.

A Singularly Spectacular “Christmas Carol” Returns to Mosesian Center for the Arts  

Dick Terhune returns to Mosesian Arts for his solo performance of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol. (Courtesy Photo)

The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

In a month of performances offering traditional holiday shows and a variety of events for every taste, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will be performed at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in a what is becoming a “singular” tradition. 

For a third season, nationally celebrated voiceover artist Dick Terhune returns to Mosesian Arts with his solo stage performance adapted directly from Charles Dickens’ classic holiday ghost story. In full Victorian costume, this versatile actor plays over thirty roles, bringing to life Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and of course, that crotchety old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge! Dickens himself frequently presented his holiday novella as a one-man performance, including when he visited Boston in 1867-68, and Terhune continues the tradition at Mosesian Arts. 

With decades of experience as an actor, Terhune’s voice credits include national commercial campaigns (for Little Caesar’s, Yoplait, Great Wolf Lodge, Jackson Hewitt, Google, and Verizon), animation (Transformers) and games (World of Warcraft, Diablo, Vampires: The Masquerade), and audiobooks and narrations. 

Dick Terhune voices all of the characters Charles Dickens’ classic holiday ghost story to the Mosesian Center’s stage. (Courtesy Photo)

The adaptation of the Dickens novel is by Connecticut playwright Patrick R. Spadaccino, who was inspired to adopt this format after seeing Sir Patrick Stewart perform the story as a solo play on Broadway.

Watertown’s New Police Chief Announced by City Manager

Watertown’s Justin Hanrahan has been named the new Chief of the Watertown Police Department. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is pleased to announce the appointment of Watertown native Justin Hanrahan as the new Police Chief for the City of Watertown effective November 30, 2023. Hanrahan, currently a Captain in the department, brings 28 years of experience to the Watertown Police Department. As Chief, he will oversee nearly 80 sworn and civilian staff, providing police and emergency response services spanning four groups in a department with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million. Hanrahan began his law enforcement career as a police officer for the City of Keene, New Hampshire, Police Department in 1995.

Turtle Studios Hosting December Sale, Including Artwork by Watertown Artists

The following information was provided by Turtle Studios:

Come join us for our annual holiday Open Studios event! Thank you to all of you who have come out over the years and shared conversation and appreciation for the arts with us. Prepare to see endless creativity and inspiration at this fun art event featuring local artists, with several from Watertown, including: Liz de Lemos, Helen Denham, Laura L. Frader, Susan Jones, Sheri Kennedy, and Dominic Killiany. This event is Free and open to the public. We hope you will find something for those on your shopping list!  Open studio weekend will be held both Saturday & Sunday Dec 9th & 10th from 11-6 p.m. Turtle Studios is located at 213 California St.

Watertown Real Estate Office Collecting “Letters to Santa” for Children With Cancer

The following announcement was provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate:

Join us for “Letters to Santa,” a heartwarming Sunshine Kids Foundation event! Elevate the holiday magic for your children by bringing them to write special letters to Santa and drop them into our enchanting North Pole mailboxes. Now thru December 18th! Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday: 12-4 p.m.

Where: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate, 161 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Watch your child’s face light up with joy as they receive a personalized letter from the jolly old man in red!

Get a Photo with Santa at Watertown Families Together Event

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Families Together:

Santa Holiday Photos without the hassle! Join us on December 9th at 10:30 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 9 Russell Ave., Watertown to capture that all important holiday photo in a relaxed setting. We will again be offering a photo with a Santa who has more than 35 year’s experience – PLUS

• A musical concert where kids can dance, clap and sing• Crafts to keep the children busy while they wait to see the “man in the red suit”• Coffee for parents so they can relax and treats for the children• Take home crafts and a small gift from Santa

Join us as we again hope to make your holiday a bit easier. This free event is brought to you by Watertown Families Together and the Church of the Good Shepherd

Artists Featured in Watertown’s Edible Plants Exhibit to Discuss Their Work

The Public Arts & Culture Committee announced it will host a Panel Discussion with the artists of Edible Plants 2023 exhibition on the evening of Nov. 29. The discussion will be held in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown, on Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. The art and writings are on display in the gallery on the second floor of the library. Now retitled “Edible Plants,” the second iteration of Plants of Our Past invites writers and visual artists to create work about ten more species of local wildly growing plants that are edible. Here are the our 20 participants and the plants:

1.