See What Book the Library Chose for This Year’s One Book, One Watertown

Watertown LibraryMecca Jamilah Sullivan’s “Big Girl” is this year’s One Book, One Watertown title. The Watertown Library will host a series of events associated with the book and its themes. The Watertown Free Public Library announced this year’s One Book, One Watertown selection. Find out details provided by the library below:

This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection questions who is permitted to take up space. Big Girl by Lambda Literary Award-winning, Harlem native Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, is a lyrical and tender coming-of-age story set to the rich soundtrack of 1990s Harlem. 

Big Girl is Mecca Jamilah Sullivan’s first novel and has been lauded by reviewers and readers, earning a place on the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize shortlist. Her previous books include the short story collection Blue Talk and Love, which earned her the Judith Markowitz Award for Fiction from Lambda Literary.

City Council Urges State to Remove Watertown Dam

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. The City Council sent a letter to State officials in support of removing the “Watertown DCR Dam” from the Charles River, near Watertown Square. The Council cited climate resilience, rebuilding the population of fish species in the Charles, and the opposition of the dam by indigenous people in the letter. While the dam is located on a stretch of the river in Watertown’s city limits, the Charles and its shores are controlled by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).

Free COVID Tests Available from the Watertown Health Department

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

Before you gather for the holidays, plan ahead and get FREE COVID-19 antigen test kits which are available in Watertown City Hall. Stop by the Health Department on the first floor in City Hall at 149 Main St., Watertown and pick some up! City Hall Hours:

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note that City Hall closes at noon on December 23, and is closed on December 26, 2022, and January 2, 2023. Information about the Health Department can be found here.

Watertown Restaurants, Charles River Chamber Teamed to Provide More Than 700 Meals

Watertown Community FridgeThe Watertown Community Fridge, located at 80 Mt. Auburn St., provides free food and meals to those in need. The Charles River Chamber’s Nourishing Watertown program has helped provide more than 700 meals to those in need through the Watertown Community Fridge. The Chamber funded this year’s program through Trip Advisor and some private donations, said Greg Reibman, president of the Charles River Chamber. The Chamber provided the following information:

Since May a total of 721 meals have been delivered to the Watertown Community Fridge, with participation from eight Watertown restaurants and three volunteers.

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.