Around Town

City Wants to Hear from Public on Changes to Watertown’s Major Planning Document

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The City of Watertown will be updating its Comprehensive Plan. This document guides what the City will look like in future, and covers topics such as economic development, land use, and transportation. The review will be an 18-month process that will be led by the Department of Community Development and Planning and a consultant team from Stantec in partnership with the Planning Advisory Committee. 

The first public meeting will be in the Hosmer School Cafeteria, 1 Concord Road, on Thursday, May 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. It will be held live and on Zoom. “This year, we are updating the city’s comprehensive plan which means that we want your feedback to plan for Watertown’s future,” said the announcement from the City. City officials want to hear from Watertown residents, property owners, business owners, and workers.

Around Town

Nominations Wanted for 2022 Community Spirit Awards

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Youth Coalition and Wayside Multi-Service Center:

Watertown Youth Coalition and Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Multi-Service Center invite nominations for our 2022 Community Spirit Awards and welcome the community to our annual awards event to appreciate and honor the individuals in the community committed to the health and well-being of Watertown’s youth and families. This event is free and open to the public. Light dinner will be provided. To nominate someone, please fill out the form by May 23, 2022 (Click here for the Form: Nomination form Community Spirit Awards 2022)

*Individuals eligible for nomination are those who have:

● Served as a positive influence or mentor to a Watertown Youth Coalition memberor to others in the community● Had the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and thecommunity● Actively taken steps to improve the Watertown community for youth and families(in big and small ways)● Not received an award in the past 5 years

When: Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Where: Arsenal Community Park, 458 Arsenal St., Watertown

Register here to confirm your attendance:

Click here for the Eventbrite Tickets for Community Service Awards Ceremony

About Watertown Youth Coalition

Watertown Youth Coalition’s mission is to support the wellness and empowerment of Watertown youth by engaging young people, families, and the community. About Wayside Multi-Service Center

Since 1968, Wayside Multi-Service Center has provided community-wide health promotion initiatives and counseling services to youth and families in Watertown and surrounding areas.

Around Town

Watertown Teen Honored by City Council for Reaching Eagle Scout

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Grant Ho/Troop 30Eagle Scout Deion Howe (left) presents a mentor pin to Scoutmaster Doug Syer and Assistant Scoutmaster Ian Clark. The mentor pin is presented to a leader who guided that scout through the journey to Eagle. During his time as a Scout in Watertown, Deion Howe has accomplished many thing, and now has reached the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He joined Troop 30 in 2015, became Senior Patrol Leader, worked on multiple food drives that collected more than 5 tons of food for the Watertown Food Pantry, and worked with his school to create the “Beacon Chill Space,” a paved and furnished patio that allows students at his special needs school. On April 26, the Watertown City Council honored Howe with a proclamation honoring him for reaching Eagle Scout.

Around Town

Summer Kid’s Clothing Drive Hosted by Watertown Mutual Aid

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The following information was provided by Watertown Mutual Aid:

Join Mutual Aid once again for our next Donation Drive & Free Store on Sunday, May 15th at Ballroom in Boston! More information on the flyer (see above). Donate items 10:30-12:30 p.m. and “shop” for free from 1-3 p.m. at Ballroom in Boston, 100 Parker St., Watertown. Accepted Donations:

– Kid’s summer clothes (NEW/LIKE NEW)

– Diapers and baby wipes

– Menstrual Products

– Personal Care Items

– SMALL summer activities for kids

Can’t make May 15th? Visit the Library for their Clothes Swaps on May 13th (Kids sizes 6-12) or May 14th (Infant NB-5T).

Around Town

LETTER: Head of Boys & Girls Club Bids Farewell to Club, Dream Job

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Renee Gaudette is leaving the club. Here she is seen receiving the Executive of the Year Award. She was nominated by Chris Chrombie, right, the club’s Project Director. Dear Beloved Community,

I am writing to share that, after nine amazing and rewarding years as Executive Director atWatertown Boys & Girls Club, I’ve decided that the timing is right for me to step back. The Board of Directors of WBGC is working diligently to identify the individual who can bestlead our organization through its next phase of growth and impact.

Around Town

Fantasy Hockey Camp in This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

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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.”

Around Town

Arts Projects on the Horizon for New Public Arts Committee, Farewell to Longtime Supporter

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Charlie BreitroseMembers of the original, volunteer Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee were honored in City Hall on April 27. Pictured from left are members Barbara Epstein, Ingrid Marchesano, Deborah Peterson, Aramais Andonian, along with Steve Magoon from the Watertown Department of Community Development & Planning. Other former members Barbara Ruskin was unable to attend and Janet Jameson recently passed away. The Council Chamber was filled with supporters of public art in Watertown, including members of the new Committee devoted to Public Arts & Culture and its predecessor, a volunteer grassroots effort. The group also paid tribute to a woman who spent many years advocating for the arts as well as bicycle paths in Watertown.

Armenian Museum of America

Author Chris Bohjalian to Speak with Globe’s Stephen Kurkjian at Armenian Museum

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Author Chris Bohjalian, will be at the Armenian Museum of America to talk about his latest novel “The Lioness” with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian. The following information comes from the Armenian Museum of America:

Twelve years later, New York Times bestselling author of 23 books, Chris Bohjalian, returns to the Armenian Museum of America to talk about his latest novel The Lioness with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian. This event will be held on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Armenian Museum of America, 65 Main St., Watertown, MA. The discussion between the two is highly anticipated in Boston and its surrounding communities. Bohjalian’s most recent novel, Hour of the Witch, was published in May 2021 and was an instant New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today and IndieBound bestseller.