Around Town

Russell Cooperative Preschool’s Spring Ramble Includes Marionettes, Games & Music

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The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family to one of Watertown’s most delightful springtime events! On Saturday, May 17, Russell Cooperative Preschool will host its annual Spring Ramble — a day packed with enchanting entertainment, live music, tasty food, and fun-filled games, all held on the grounds of the historic First Parish of Watertown at 35 Church Street. The Ramble will kick off at 11 a.m. inside First Parish with a free performance of “The Fairy Circus” by Tanglewood Marionettes — one of the region’s most beloved touring puppet theater companies. 

“The Fairy Circus” brings to life a delightful cast of fairy folk and forest creatures who perform circus tricks to the sounds of classical music. Expect beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, a dazzling display of miniature props, and an engaging storyline that will captivate children and adults alike. The 40-minute show is a perfect way to introduce young audiences to the magic of live performance in a whimsical and accessible way. After the puppet show, the Ramble continues from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn of First Parish.

Around Town

See Where to Donate to Watertown Helps Out’s City-wide Food Drive

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The City-wide Food Drive to benefit Watertown’s two food pantries will be held from May 12 – 21, 2025. The following information was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation. Drop off non-perishables at local collection sites to stock Watertown’s Food Pantries. FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION SITES

Watertown Parker School Annex (124 Watertown Street)

Watertown Police Department

Watertown Free Public Library

Watertown Fire Station (564 Mt. Auburn Street)

Watertown Public School Students: Look for the collection box at your school

Spread the word.

Around Town

Creative Chats Features Artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

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The following announcement was provided by Matt Hanna, host of Creative Chats:

Matt Hanna of Little Local Conversations will lead the featured conversation with painter, printmaker, and collage artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. They’ll chat around a question that Julie has been spending time pondering on within the topic of creativity and the creative life. Creative Chats is a way to gather creative people face-to-face to mingle, hear a featured conversation on the topic of creativity and the creative life, and then engage in the conversation themselves in small groups. Little Local Conversations Presents Creative Chats!: With Guest Julie Fei-Fan Balze

Friday, May 16th, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St. More info here (https://www.littlelocalconversations.com/events/creative-chats-with-guest-julie-fei-fan-balzer)

Come to get inspired, to reflect, and connect.

Around Town

DCR Seeks Lifeguards for Pools and Beaches in Watertown & Other Communities

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The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced a renewed push to recruit lifeguards, swim instructors, and other roles across Massachusetts ahead of the summer season. Certified lifeguard applicants who commit to working at an agency beach or pool through Labor Day can still earn up to $750 in bonuses, in addition to competitive hourly wages ranging from $22 to $27 depending on position and associated certifications.   

“DCR’s beaches and pools welcome thousands of families and residents each summer, and hiring qualified lifeguards is crucial to ensuring a safe and fun experience for all,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Our lifeguards spend their summers outside, made good money, and may even get to save some lives.

Around Town

Tree Group Concerned About Proposed Removal of 9 Trees on Mt. Auburn Street

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16″ DBH Honeylocust at 489 Mount Auburn Street in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by Trees for Watertown:

TREE HEARING this Wednesday for Nine Shade Trees MassDOT Wants to Remove

The Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT) wants to cut down nine shade treesalong Mount Auburn Street in order to make way for roadway modifications. This was unexpected by those of us who believed MassDOT’s assurances months ago that destruction of shade trees as part of the Mount Auburn Street Project would be minimal. If this destruction concerns you, the Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing for these trees is on Zoom at 10 a.m. this Wednesday, May 14.

Around Town

Mt. Auburn St. Project: Installation of Electrical Pipes Continues at 3 Intersections

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The Mt. Auburn Street project will continue during the week of March 12-16, including installation of electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at three intersections on Mt. Auburn: Common Street, Irving Street/ Palfrey Street, and between Bates Road and Garfield Street. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Traffic and Sidewalk ImpactsDuring this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street.

Around Town

Traffic Advisory for Roads in and Around Watertown, Including North Beacon Street

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Road work on Department of Conservation and Recreation-owned roadways in and around Watertown will lead to lane closures over the coming weeks, beginning on Sunday, May 11. See more details in the announcements from the DCR, below. DCR Traffic Advisory: North Beacon Street in Watertown

WHAT: Beginning on Sunday, May 11, 2025, and continuing through Monday, June 2, 2025, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate milling and paving work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.    

WHERE: North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Monday, June 2, 2025, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. 

DCR Traffic Advisory: Gerrys Landing Road in Cambridge

WHAT: Beginning on Monday, May 12, 2025, and continuing through Friday, June 13, 2025, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along Gerrys Landing Road from Greenough Boulevard to Mt Auburn Street in the City of Cambridge from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to accommodate milling and paving work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.

Around Town

LETTER: Thoughts on Watertown’s Housing Production Goals

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Dear Editor,

Wednesday evening, May 7th  the Eye on Watertown Podcast had the pleasure to have as our guests Josh Rosmarin and Jacky van Leeuwen, Members of the Steering Committee of Housing For All Watertown. 

Housing for All Watertown’s mission is to build a broad coalition of residents to advance local policies and projects in order to expand housing options. My understanding is their  focus is on finding solutions to current housing challenges for both current and future community members. Advance in the mission statement for Housing for All Watertown is used in the context of pushing forward policies and projects that expand housing options. The group has also been involved in efforts to combat ethnic – and income-based discrimination in Watertown’s housing market. We found that Expanding Affordable Housing has been in the forefront of their efforts and has pushed for more affordable housing units as part of the MBTA Communities Act Plan which aims to increase housing near transit hubs. The Housing for All Watertown’s group and its approach has been deemed by many as one of the most ambitious housing advocates in the state.