Charles River

State Provides Grant to Protect the Charles River

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The Charles River from Watertown Square

The following announcement comes from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection:

Building on its commitment to protect and improve water quality across the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration announced nearly $300,000 in grants to five multi-community stormwater coalitions across the Commonwealth to help local cities and towns meet existing and upcoming stormwater management requirements. 

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to protecting water quality across the Commonwealth and these funds will make a real difference in the 228 communities that will benefit from these projects,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The stormwater collaboratives funded today will share resources, creative ideas and watershed protection strategies that have a proven record of success.”

“Stormwater is a significant source of water pollution across the state and is a complex issue that requires innovative ideas and cooperative solutions,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “MassDEP is pleased to provide funding that will lessen the costs of permit compliance locally, while we continue to work closely with communities and stormwater coalitions to provide critical technical assistance.”

The projects, selected by MassDEP, were awarded to the Statewide Stormwater Coalition, Neponset River Watershed Association, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, Charles River Watershed Association, and Massachusetts Maritime for Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative. The funding awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration will enable Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements and reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing. There are 260 Massachusetts municipalities subject to the current MS4 permit, issued jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and MassDEP, which took effect on July 1, 2018.

Entertainment

Check Out Zine Month at the Watertown Library in February

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The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

If you know, you know. But if you don’t know, it’s okay, because the library is going to teach you all about zines during the month of February. Zines are generally thought of as DIY magazine-like publications of personal expression that are printed and distributed in small batches by the creator–a little like an analog blog. They give a medium for self-expression to anyone, especially people who have historically been silenced by and excluded from mainstream publications. The Library is hoping to encourage the people of Watertown to share their voices by creating their own zines.

Entertainment

Make Snowman Puppets at Watertown Family Together Event

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

While we’re all inside during the cold month of January, the Watertown Mall is offering fun, take home craft kits! These wonderful Snowman Puppets, supplied by Watertown Families Together, are a delightful way to spend a snowy January day. The kits come complete with puppet instructions, a popsicle stick, and the precut pieces to put together your very own puppet! The puppets will be available on mall pushcarts which are located near the front entrance of the mall and in the back hallway next to Target. Puppets will be available January 18th through January 31st, and are available while supplies last.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Community Scavenger Hunt to Celebrate MLK’s Teachings

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The following announcement was provided by the Kingian Response Team:

As part of honoring the legacy of Dr. King, the Kingian Response Team is highlighting his six principles of non-violence as a community-wide scavenger hunt. The principles provide a framework for achieving a more just world and guide us to a more “beloved community.” Our goal is to include the wider Watertown community in learning about these principles and in engaging in productive and courageous conversations. There are three sets with each of the six principles displayed on yard signs in different public places throughout Watertown from January 18th through February 21st. The challenge for families and community members will be to find all six – a unique kind of a scavenger hunt! There is also a QR code that provides you with information about the principles and our pledge to “Listen, Learn, Grow and Act,” to end racism in our community, and additional activities for all. Enjoy your walking search and good luck!

Around Town

Watertown Rec Survivor Series Headed to Casey Park for Some Futsal

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Casey Park’s outdoor rink will be used for futsal this week in the Recreation Department’s Survivor Series. The Watertown Recreation Departments is running a series of activities for a range of ages. This week the action moves to Casey Park on Watertown Street. The Watertown Recreation Department sent out the following information:

Look for the next Survivor Series upcoming this week. We are moving locations to our Casey Outdoor Rink for some Futsal.

Arsenal Yards

Arsenal Yards Warming Winter With Outdoor Fireside Dining

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Fire pits will provide some warmth for outdoor diners at Arsenal Yards this winter. The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Winter has officially gotten warmer at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards with Fire Side hangouts on the River Green. Based on the success from the holiday season, the Fire Side winter experience is back. Guests can now reserve their own socially distanced, outdoor propane fire pit to make outdoor dining from Arsenal Yards’ restaurants – including Ben & Jerry’s, Chipotle, City Works Pour House & Eatery, Frank Pepe, Garbanzo and Shake Shack – a little bit cozier. Arsenal Yards is also hosting special hangouts throughout the winter featuring live musicians and DJs during certain timeslots. Following an incredible response in December, Fire Side kicks off again on Friday, January 15, with the return of Pat Dowling, a Boston-based performer who uses a loop pedal to layer singing, beatboxing and guitar to create a full band sound, as the first performer.

Around Town

New Parking Meters in Town Lots Will Take Credit Cards

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New parking meters, like this one, will be installed in Watertown’s Municipal Parking Lots. They will accept credit cards as well as coins. The Town of Watertown provided the following announcement:

During the week of January 19-22, installation of new parking meters will begin, replacing all of the existing meters, both on-street and in municipal parking lots—the Watertown Square Municipal Lot and the Wells Avenue Lot in Coolidge Square. Credit cards can now be used to pay for parking. In the near future, mobile payment by cell phone will also be accepted.

Cartoon

Prayer Time for Small Saves in This Week’s Cartoon

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Cartoon by James DeMarco

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.”