Around Town

Herring Festival 2026: A Fish Migration Celebration

By |

The migration of herring and other fish up the Charles River will be celebrated at the Charles River Watershed Association’s Herring Festival. The event will take place near the Watertown Dam at 64 Pleasant St. on Sunday, May 17 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. See more details at in the announcement from the CRWA, below. Each spring, the Charles River becomes a vital spawning ground for diadromous fish species such as the Alewife, Blueback Herring, American Shad, and Rainbow Smelt. These fish are key players in the local ecosystem and are a historical representation of Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural ways of life. Join us for our annual celebration of fish migration to honor the herring with an afternoon of free, family fun! 

This year, we are also premiering a community artwork titled “River Run”, developed in collaboration with muralist Sophy Tuttle.

Around Town

Residents of Assisted Living Facility Get Access to The RIDE, Learn Details from Local Legislators

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger discusses the MBTA’s The RIDE with a gathering at The Residence at Watertown Square. (Contributed Photo)

The following piece was provided by The Residence at Watertown Square:

Residents at The Residence at Watertown Square recently gained direct access to transportation resources during an on-site event featuring Sen. William Brownsberger, State Rep. Steven Owens, and representatives from the MBTA and its “The RIDE” program. The Residence at Watertown Square offers a variety of transportation services to its residents, but is always striving to promote greater independence and mobility. For many older adults, navigating public transit options and application requirements can present a significant barrier to mobility and independence. To help address this challenge, Sen. Brownsberger’s team, Rep. Owens, and The RIDE partnered with The Residence at Watertown Square to bring additional transportation resources directly into the community, making it easier for residents to learn about and enroll in available programs.

State Rep. Steve Owens tells residents of the Watertown assisted living facility about The RIDE.

Around Town

Sidewalks & Curbs Will be Under Construction in East Watertown This Week

By |

Sidwalk removal will take place at a major intersection in Coolidge Square this week, and curbs will be removed and replaced on the far eastern end of Mt. Auburn Street. See how the road and sidewalk work this week will impact road and pedestrian traffic in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Sidewalk Removal

Excavation of the eastbound sidewalk on the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street, and on Arlington Street and Grove Street. This work will start on Monday, May 11, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn about travel and parking impacts below.

Elections

Challenger Officially on the Ballot for State Senate Election

By |

Daniel Lander. The following announcement was provided by Lander for State Senate Campaign:

Daniel Lander’s campaign turned in one thousand signatures from across the district to qualify for the Democratic Primary ballot on Sept. 1st. This ensures that for the first time since 2012, voters will have a real choice in who represents them in the State Senate. “I am honored that so many people in the district have signed on to ensure voters have a real choice on their ballot on September 1st,” said Daniel Lander, Candidate for State Senate.

Entertainment

SMALL SAVES: A Mother’s Day Cartoon

By |

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.”

Business

Nine Watertown Organizations Named Winners in WSB Annual Customer Choice Awards

By |

All the 2026 winners of Watertown Savings Bank’s Customer Choice Awards. (Photo from Watertown Savings Bank)

Watertown Savings Bank hosted the winners of the 2026 Customer Choice Awards, and handed out $100,000 to non-profits from Watertown, Belmont, Waltham, Newton, Arlington, and beyond. See details in the announcement from WSB, below. On Tuesday, May 5, Watertown Savings Bank distributed $100,000 amongst 34 local non-profit organizations chosen by its banking customers and local residents, at their 27th Annual Customer Choice Awards Night held at the Sons of Italy Hall in Watertown. St.

Letters

OP-ED: Tech is Not Always the Answer

By |

Something remarkable happened in 2025: about 18 states banned students’ access to smartphones and other personal electronic devices from the first to the last bell of the school day (bell-to-bell). More states followed in 2026. This shift reflects growing awareness that these devices are intentionally designed to steal our children’s attention – negatively affecting school environments and obstructing effective learning. Rave reviews are pouring in from bell-to-bell schools across the country. Disciplinary incidents are down, attendance is up, grades are improving, and students report feeling more connected to one another and to their school.

Around Town

Town Wide Yard Sale Coming in June, See How to Participate

By |

The 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale is Saturday, June 13 and Sunday June 14, 2026! See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown, below. For one fee of $10, you can schedule your yard sale on Saturday, June 13, Sunday, June 14, or both days! We’ll do the advertising, provide a list of addresses to buyers and make it a community event for all to enjoy!!! 

See the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Flyer. and the 2026 Town Wide Yard Sale Registration Form.