Winter Solstice Celebration Hosted by Watertown Art Association

Swati Biswas and Friends will perform Indian dance as part of the Watertown Art Association and TILL/Wave Gallery’s “Celebrate the Solstice.” The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Art Association:

Watertown Art Association and TILL/Wave Gallery present “Celebrate the Solstice!” on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2-4 p.m.! At TILL/Wave Gallery, 264 Arlington St., Watertown.

Watertown Business Parking Passes Available, Deadline Approaching

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The City of Watertown sells a limited number of parking permits to local business owners/employees on a quarterly basis. The purchase of the quarterly parking permits for the Watertown Square Municipal Lot & the Nichols Avenue Municipal Lot for January – March 2023 will be available on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Business permits cost $120 a quarter (Price subject to change) and can be paid via cash or check. Limit two (2) permits per business

Forty (40) available for the Watertown Square lot, 20 available for the Nichols Ave lot on a first come first serve basis. To purchase please enter the building and proceed to the Treasurer/Collectors Office. ALL permits will require business information (i.e. proof of employment), current license and valid vehicle registrations to obtain a permit.

Artwork Inspired by Local Edible Plants to be Auctioned Off

Huckleberry by Donna Calleha. One of 10 pieces created for Edible Watertown’s Plants of Our Past project. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee:

Take home a piece of Edible Watertown: Plants of our Past! The Public Arts & Culture Committee (PACC) invites you to a silent auction of work by local artists created for Edible Watertown: Plants of our Past. Support local artists and the PACC with an evening of bidding, conversation, and community.

Rodent Control to be Discussed at Follow Up Meeting by Human Services Committee

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashRodent control will be discussed by the Committee on Human Services on Dec. 15, 2022. The following announcement was provided by City Councilor Tony Palomba:

Please join me and my colleagues on the Council’s Committee on Human Services for a follow-up meeting on the rodent problem in Watertown and efforts to establish a citywide rodent control plan. The meeting of the Committee is on Thursday of this week, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the Second Floor of City Hall, 149 Main St.

Father and Son from Watertown Convicted of Lottery Scheme

The following announcement was provided by the U.S. Department of Justice:

A father and son were convicted by a federal jury Dec. 9 in connection with a “ten-percenting” scheme in which they cashed winning Massachusetts state lottery tickets on behalf of the ticket holders to avoid taxes and receive tax refunds.    

Ali Jaafar, 63, and Yousef Jaafar, 29, both of Watertown, were convicted of one count of conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count each of filing a false tax return. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for April 11, 2023 and April 13, 2023 for Ali Jaafar and Yousef Jaafar, respectively. Mohamed Jaafar, another of Ali Jaafar’s sons, who was also involved in the scheme, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Internal Revenue Service on Nov.

School Committee Update: MCAS Results, Policy Changes & More

The School Committee has met three times in the last 1.5 months. Below are some updates. 

The Watertown High School field hockey team won the State Championship with a 2-0 win over Sandwich. The team played with poise, intensity and impressive technical ability en route to an undefeated season, their second-straight state title, and the 20th state championship for head coach Eileen Donahue. Congratulations on an incredible season! 

Watertown had other athletic successes this fall: girls soccer had a fantastic season, qualifying for the state tournament and winning two exciting matches; boys soccer and football both made the state tournament; the cross country team had two runners advance to All-States; cheerleading advanced to States; lots of fun (and a great 21-7 win) was had at the 100th Annual Thanksgiving Football Game at Fenway Park. 

The WHS put on a fabulous production of Clue in November. And, the spring musical, Anastasia begins rehearsal this week.

UPDATED: Developers Hosting Virtual Meeting on Garage Planned Near Watertown Mall

Alexandria Real Estate EquitiesA conceptual drawing of the garage that may go at 480 Arsenal Way, and would be part of the “Watertown Mall Transformation.” (UPDATE: The date of the meeting was changed because the original date conflicted with the Hanukkah holiday. The new date is reflected in the story). The following announcement was sent out by the City of Watertown:

Please join Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) for a review and discussion on plans for a proposed garage in the front section of the surface parking area at 480 Arsenal Way. The purpose of this meeting is to update the public with ARE’s proposed plans to develop the garage, as part of ARE’s Watertown Mall transformation.

LaFauci Tile Collecting Donations for Watertown Food Pantry

LaFauci Tile and Marble Inc. is hosting its annual food drive that will support the Watertown Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. If you have trouble getting here we also had people ship donation via Amazon. We look forward and thank you for your support. LaFauci is located at 432 Main St., Watertown. For information call 617-924-8453.