Artificial Turf

OP-ED: Town Councilors — Make a Choice: Public Health & the Environment or More Game Days

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By Watertown resident Janet Buck

I am writing this letter as a way of trying to make sense of what I heard last week in the debate among the candidates for Councilor at Large. The question asked was about the candidate’s views on the use of artificial turf for town playing fields. Almost everyone expressed a sense of being caught in a terribly difficult dilemma. What is more important – extending the availability of playing fields for Watertown kids who play team sports or protecting the environment? I have to ask – why is this so difficult?

Around Town

October at the Library: Chinese Acrobats, Music, Car Maintenance and More

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See Chinese acrobatics at the Watertown Library in October. The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

Welcome to fall! We have a full calendar of children’s programs coming up including Chinese Acrobatics, Music with Matt Heaton, and Baby Story Time. Front Lawn Story Time will continue outside on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 AM. 

Also this month, Chaya Milchtein of Mechanic Shop Femme is back by popular demand to offer A Deeper Dive Into Car Ownership. Teens will get a chance to learn Special Effects Makeup and Gore just in time for Halloween. For Children

Music with Matt HeatonSaturday, 10/16 | 10 AM | In the Library | Matt Heaton plays kid-friendly, original folk and surf-inspired songs with a few re-worked hits. Come early and sing along! Registration required.   

WFPL Presents Chinese AcrobaticsSaturday, 10/30 | 11 AM | In the Library | Li Liu performs hand balancing, plate spinning, foot juggling, and more!

Around Town

Film & TV Actor Makes Appearance at Watertown Comic Store

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Actor Cuyle Carvin, right, visited friend and publicist Fred Grandinetti in Watertown recently. The pair appeared at The Comic Stop to . The following piece was provided by Fred Grandinetti:

Film and television actor, Cuyle Carvin, was in town on Sept. 21, 2021 visiting his friend and publicist, Fred M. Grandinetti. 

Carvin recently portrayed Cross in the film, The 24th about the Houston riot of 1917. Soldiers from the Third Battalion of the all-black Infantry Regiment clashed with Houston police following months of harassment and violence. 

His other recent project was performing in the science fiction film, Asteroids. Carvin is also the director of the horror film, Dolls, starring Dee Wallace of ET fame. 

Cuyle Carvin recently portrayed Cross in the film, “The 24th” about the all-black Infantry Regiment clashed with police in Houston in 1917 following months of harassment and violence.

Elections

LETTER: Lifelong Resident Running for Town Councilor At-Large

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I’m James “Jimmy” Mello, a lifelong resident of Watertown and a candidate for Councilor at Large in the November 2nd election. The next Town Council will be responsible for selecting a new Town Manager; this will be the single most important decision that the council will make in about thirty years. My dad came to Watertown to work at the Arsenal, and when he got married, he wanted to raise his family here. I grew up in the West End of Watertown, but over the years, I’ve lived in every district, which gives me a unique perspective as a candidate for Councilor at Large. As a resident, I have experienced issues of concern in those districts, and I can bring that background to the table as a Councilor.

Comics

Comics: Hockey Moms in Small Saves and Here’s Trouble’s Prayer is Answered

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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.”

DeMarco recently added “Here’s Trouble” to his cartooning lineup, inspired by drawings he did in the 1980s when he was in high school

District B

LETTER: Open Letter from Council Candidate to Opponent About Concern Over Location of Campaign Event

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Dear Councilor Feltner,

I am writing this letter to express my concern around the location of the campaign event being hosted this afternoon (Oct. 1) on my street: Riverside St. The specific lawn currently, and for the past few years, has signage from the Trump administration, which over four years fostered an environment of hostility toward communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community, not only in rhetoric, but in the systematic degradation of legal protections and civil rights through policy changes. I am very concerned that this event space may be unwelcoming and othering for residents who identify as Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Brown, Asian American/Pacific Islander, People of Color and systemically silenced identities such as LGBTQIA+. While I don’t know the people hosting the event personally, I do want to ensure that potential voters can meet candidates in a non-intimidating space and that all visitors feel welcome on my block.

Election 2021

LETTER: Former Watertown School Committee Member Makes Endorsement

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Dear Watertown Voters, 

I served for three consecutive four year terms on the Watertown School Committee beginning in the late nineties.  

As a candidate, I made one promise to the citizens of Watertown that I would always ask myself one simple question, “Is my vote in the best interest of Watertown’s children?”

This year, there is a school committee candidate, Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson, who I am confident will be asking that same question. I have known Jennifer since she was born. She has grown into a woman who is passionate about education and fully invested in our community.  She has the drive, intelligence, commitment, and above all, the common sense needed to be an excellent School Committee member. 

Please join me in voting for Jennifer Nicholson for Watertown School Committee. Thank You,Steve Messina

Around Town

Tour the Charles River Near Watertown Square and Learn About a Proposal to Remove the Watertown Dam

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. A group that has been studying the removal the Watertown Dam to improve the environment for fish and to protect against a potential failure will give a public tour of the area on Saturday. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Watershed Association:

Watertown Dam Site Walk – Saturday, October 2nd, 10-11 a.m. Meet at the Watertown Dam Overlook Parking at DCR Dealtry Pool Lot, 64 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA. Come for a walk along the Charles River Reservation and learn about the opportunities to remove the Watertown Dam to improve fish passage, climate resilience, and eliminate the threat of dam failure.