Business

Small Business Owners to Talk About How They Collaborate During Panel Discussion

By |

The following announcement was provided by Little Local Conversations:

Join us for the first Watertown’s Open event at Get Lively Health and Fitness Studio on Friday, September 19, from 12 to 2 PM. 

Get Lively owner Jan Taylor will be joined by a panel of small business owners that she’s collaborated with to share the story of how she’s used her studio to give a platform for others to start their own business. City of Watertown’s Senior Economic Planner Erin Rathe and leaders from the Watertown Business Coalition will also be providing commentary and sharing expertise. Watertown’s Open is a series of live podcast events that bring small businesses and local business advocates together to share their stories and knowledge to help lift the entire business community.Panelists include:Doug Orifice – Co-President, Watertown Business CoalitionErin Rathe – Senior Planner for Economic Development, City of WatertownJan Taylor – Get Lively Health & Fitness StudioLiz Padula – Artemis YogaAriel Nathanson – Finances for FeministsLiz Ganno – Precision Nutrition Certified Coach

The project is a collaboration between the City of Watertown’s Economic Development Planner, the Little Local Conversations podcast, and the Watertown Business Coalition. 

Free, but limited space! RSVP here!

Entertainment

Armenian Museum of America Presents the Second “Music in Color” Concert

By |

Joseph Vasconi, left, and Haig Hovsepian will perform in the second “Music in Color” at the Armenian Museum of American in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

The Armenian Museum of America is proud to announce the second performance of its Music in Color concert series on Saturday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m., a dynamic new initiative and Artist-in-Residence program led by acclaimed violinist Haig Hovsepian. Generously supported by longtime Museum benefactor Nancy Kolligian, the program brings engaging live musical experiences to the Adele and Haig Der Manuelian Galleries, while deepening public connection to Armenian culture through music. The Music in Color: Artist-in-Residence Program is designed to foster meaningful engagement with the Museum’s exhibitions through live performance, educational programming, and cross-cultural collaborations. Audiences will experience the rich tapestry of Armenian musical heritage alongside global influences in an intimate gallery setting.

Letters

LETTER: How the Commander’s Mansion Became a Gem for the City of Watertown

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe Commander’s Mansion in Watertown. Greetings Councilors:

 “They don’t know what they don’t know.” How did the revival of the Commander’s Mansion come to be? What was the process that restored this beautiful edifice to its full glory? The story, behind the story, can be found in the attached September 23, 2005 Final Report of the Watertown Arsenal Development Corporation.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Resident’s Class Action Suit to “Confront the Erasure of Black Americans”

By |

Federal Class Action Filed to Confront the Erasure of Black Americans and Their Constitutional Standing

Civic advocate Clyde L. Younger of Watertown has filed a federal class action lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other federal officials, challenging what he calls a “coordinated federal displacement” of Black Americans under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The complaint asserts that federal agencies have reclassified Black Americans into generalized diversity categories, stripping away constitutional protections and weakening access to education, health care, housing, and civic institutions — without due process or public remedy. This reclassification, the suit argues, erases the distinct civic identity of Black Americans and undermines their standing as a people whose labor, leadership, and sacrifice helped build the foundation of this nation. “This is not just a legal filing — it’s a constitutional reckoning,” said Younger. “We are fighting back against the erasure of Black American history and the dismantling of the institutions we built. Our contributions are not diversity — they are the bedrock of American greatness.”

The urgency of the case was underscored recently, when the Trump administration announced it would cut $22 million in federal grants for schools serving predominantly Black students, declaring such programs unconstitutional.

Business

Chamber Hosting Webinar on Unlocking Energy Savings for Your Business

By |

The following information was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

The chamber’s Environmental Committee is hosting a webinar on the Main Streets energy efficiency program, which is now available to businesses, commercial property owners, non-profits, and houses of worship in Watertown and Newton Centre. Main Streets is a partnership between local energy providers, like Eversource and National Grid, and communities across Massachusetts to help small business owners become more energy-efficient. In this webinar, you will learn about how Watertown and Newton Centre business and property owners can access enhanced incentives under the Main Streets program before they run out later this fall. Including:

• no-cost, no-obligation energy assessments

• weatherization

• LED lighting

• refrigeration and kitchen upgrades

Unlock Energy Savings for Your Business: Main Streets Incentives in Watertown & Newton Centre

Thurs. Sept 18, 8:30-9:30 a.m.  

Via Zoom, Free

REGISTER NOW

Transportation

State Awards Watertown TMA Grant to Analyze Data, Develop New Mobility Alternatives

By |

The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) received a grant of $159,469   from the Mass Department of Transportation to analyze data on travel patterns and use findings to inform development of new mobility alternatives, all in an attempt to reduce single occupancy vehicle commuting.  See details about the program provided by MassDOT, below. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is announcing the awarding of $3 million in funding for 13 Transportation Management Associations (TMAs), one TMA membership association, and one consulting firm, to support 19 projects which encourage transportation alternatives and expand transportation options in communities across Massachusetts. Awards include funding to operate and publicize shuttles, improve bus stop infrastructure, expand ferry service, and more. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) TMA Grant Program first launched in Fiscal Year 2025 and is now in its second year.  The goals of this grant program are to reduce single occupancy vehicle (SOV) travel, reduce emissions, encourage mode shift, and expand mobility.  

“Our investments in community transportation are about connecting people to jobs, schools, and services today and into the future,” said Transportation Secretary & CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The projects supported through the TMA Program are vital to building a more reliable, resilient, and accessible transportation network.

Schools

Watertown Student Earns Interdisciplinary Studies Award from Emerson College

By |

The following announcement was provided by Emerson College:

Emerson College student Nel Blinman of Watertown earned a Marlboro Institute for Liberal Arts & Interdisciplinary Studies Award in spring 2025 at the end of the academic year, recognizing students for their achievements during a ceremony. Blinman, who is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies and is a member of the Class of 2027, earned the Robert E. Engel Award. The award, established in 2011 in honor of Bob Engel, a Marlboro faculty member for 36 years, is awarded to a student who demonstrates Bob’s passion for the natural world and his keen powers of observation and inquiry as a natural historian. The Marlboro Institute puts the “I” at the center of Emerson students’ education-one that is Individualized, Interdisciplinary, Inquiry-based, and Integrative in approach with respect to the different liberal arts disciplines on offer and their connectivity to the arts and communication strengths of Emerson College. About Emerson College

Emerson College is uniquely dedicated to the arts and communication, educating and inspiring storytellers and artists to impact and advance creative industries and media throughout the world.

Around Town

Local Photographer Speaking About “Art & Agriculture: Who Grows Your Food?”

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

You may have already seen the stunning new photo triptych on loan in the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) stairwell. On Thursday evening, Sept. 18, the Library invites all community members to hear from the artist that created “Agricultural Panel B” — celebrated photographer and Watertown resident Archy LaSalle. During the program, LaSalle will discuss the vision and work that went into creating this compelling piece, as well as the relationships he made with immigrant farmers from World Farmers featured in it. World Farmers Program and Policy Director Jessy Gill will join us to talk about the organization’s mission and operations.