What’s Next in the Watertown Square Plan? See When the Next Meeting Will Take Place

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The next steps of the Watertown Square Area Plan implementation will be to discuss and approve zoning amendments. A zoning amendment is a proposed change to the zoning requirements and map, without having to completely rewrite the zoning code. To approve new zoning, the City will hold a Joint Public Hearing with the City Council and Planning Board to discuss the proposed zoning, hear public comment, and approve new zoning amendments. The above map is the proposed zoning map from the final endorsed Watertown Square Area Plan. 

When does this next step begin? The first step will be to complete something called a “first reading.”

Fast-Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant Opening at Arsenal Yards

NAYA will be serving Middle Eastern dishes at Arsenal Yards. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by NAYA:

NAYA, the celebrated Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant known for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, will be joining the Arsenal Yards neighborhood this winter in Watertown, MA. This exciting addition to the Arsenal Yards community marks a significant expansion for NAYA, bringing its authentic, health-conscious Middle Eastern dishes to New England for the first time! 

NAYA’s mission is rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East, offering a menu that emphasizes freshness, quality, and customization. Diners can expect a diverse selection of mouth-watering dishes, including signature bowls, wraps, salads, and mezze, all crafted with the finest ingredients. Each dish is designed to be both nutritious and delicious, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences and lifestyles. 

In addition to the Watertown location, NAYA has future expansion plans in Boston at 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110 and 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Watertown Students Will Demonstrate Robot at Science Festival

Some small children take a look at the Watertown High School Robotics Team robot at the 2023 Faire on the Square. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

See what the Watertown High School robotics team can do when the students take part in the Science Carnival at the Cambridge Science Festival. The festival and started on Sept. 23 and runs through Sept. 29.

Flu Vaccine Clinics Will be Hosted by Watertown’s Public Health Department

The Watertown Public Health Department will host a series of flu vaccine clinics in coming weeks. Some are for people ages 9 and above and some are for seniors. See the details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown below. People Ages 9 and Over

The Watertown Public Health Department is offering Influenza vaccine to people, ages 9 and over, at the Watertown Free Public Library, located at 123 Main Street, on the following days and times. Please register ahead to secure your appointment:

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 3:30 to 6:30pm. Register here.

Comic: Small Saves Tries to Savor a Fine Hockey Game

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Call for Artists for the Watertown Community Sculpture Walk

The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) is excited to announce the 2025-26 season of the Community Sculpture Walk. The Community Sculpture Walk exhibits outdoor sculptures to enhance use of green space in Watertown, encourage public interaction with contemporary art, and create an annual exhibition opportunity for artists at all career stages working in a variety of mediums.

The Community Sculpture Walk follows the Community Path from the Thaxter Street parking lot behind the Watertown Free Public Library to Waverly Avenue. There are eight sites along the path for sculptures and additional sites may be added as the path is extended. Each year, four sculptures will be selected to be on loan for two years, so that each year four new sculptures will be on view. Description

Selected artists will be awarded $2,500 for the two-year loan of their sculpture.

Historical Society Presents Huzzah! Drinking With John Hancock

The Historical Society of Watertown & The Watertown Free Public Library Present: “Huzzah! Drinking with John Hancock during the American Revolution” with Dr. Brooke Barbier

WHEN: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 2 p.m.WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room, 123 Main St Watertown MA 02472

Learn more about the important role of alcohol in the culture and politics of Colonial America in this free lecture with Brook Barbier, author of King Hancock:

The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father (2023). When John Hancock needed to win people over, he didn’t talk about resisting taxes or policy improvements; instead, he served alcohol. He offered rum punch and wine at his home and paid for lavish meals in taverns to bring people together. Guests included lower-class men, French officers, and Black women and men.

Art Classes for Adults Available at the Mosesian Center for the Arts

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

Mosesian Center for the Arts offers a variety of visual art classes for adults. Classes are still open for registration. For more information, please see our Fall Catalog: https://view.publitas.com/mosesian-center-for-the-arts/education-catalog-fall-2024/page/14-15

Here are some of our classes starting very soon! Beginning and Intermediate Painting with Acrylic

Paint with acrylics in this class for all levels of painters. Beginners embark on exercises exploring color, value, and composition.