Around Town

Ice Open at Watertown’s Outdoor Skating Rink

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Ice skaters now have a place to hit the ice and enjoy some fresh air with the opening of Watertown’s outdoor rink at Casey Park. Dozens of residents came out on Sunday to get the first crack at the new rink, which has a complete set of hockey boards, said Recreation Director Peter Centola. The skating area is located at Casey Park, on Watertown Street. “Although all the ice surface was not entirely ready, approximately 75 percent was and about 50 participants skated, or played hockey and seemed to enjoy themselves,” Centola said. Recreation officials will work out a schedule so different skating activities or different ages can be created and maintained.

Around Town

Commander’s Mansion Chosen a Favorite by Wedding Couples

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Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion received good news to start 2015 – winning an award from a national wedding website. The historic home in the Arsenal on the Charles won the WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award for 2015. “The Couple’s Choice Award recognizes your business as being  among the top 5% of wedding professionals nationwide,” said the announcement received by the Commander’s Mansion. Facility Manager Tammy McKenna said the award is a big honor. “This is the first time for this award for us – we are super excited,” McKenna said.

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Eastside Neighbors Holding Meeting to Discuss Proposed CVS

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Neighbors from East Watertown will gather to discuss the CVS proposed to go into Coolidge Square. The Coolidge Square Neighborhood Group send out the following announcement about the meeting:
The Coolidge Square Neighborhood Group has called a Community Meeting for Monday January 12 at 7 p.m.  The meeting is intended to discuss a neighborhood response to the proposal to build a 14,000 square foot CVS at the corner of Arlington and Mt. Auburn Streets that is presently under consideration by the Zoning Board of Appeal. The gathering is intended to provide residents with information and a forum to air their concerns.  Many residents feel that the project is out of scale with the rest of the Coolidge Square Business District and will generate too much traffic.

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African-American Culture Expert Speaking at Unity Breakfast

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For the 15th year, Watertown will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the Unity Breakfast, and the keynote speaker is an expert on African-American Culture. Organizers provided the following information on the event:

Watertown will celebrate its fifteenth Unity Breakfast on Monday, January 19, 2015. The event brings together hundreds of people, representing Watertown’s diverse population, will gather to to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the man who devoted his life to ending prejudice and racism in our country. The Unity Breakfast has become a Watertown tradition, with 400 participants and a diverse program that includes a noted keynote speaker, lively choral and vocal performances, essays and art projects by Watertown middle and high school students, and presentation of the annual Unity Award to a distinguished individual or community organization. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Emmett G. Price III, one of the nation’s leading experts on African American Music, Music of the African Diaspora, and African American Culture.

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Top Stories of 2014 on Watertown News

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Watertown had its share of news this year, but here are the top stories of 2014. 1. Development – No matter what part of town you live in, a new project was built, approved or proposed. On the west side, Pleasant Street has been hot, and the Town Council and Planning Board have looked at ways to prevent more large residential complexes coming to that area. Arsenal Street looks to be the next big area of development, with plans to renovate Arsenal on the Charles, the approved hotel near the malls, and new projects closer to Watertown Square – including the approved 202-204 Arsenal Street and the proposed Greystar project.

Around Town

See the Top Photos of 2014 from Watertown News!

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In 2014, Watertown News featured photos of life around our town, some focusing on big news events, others capturing small moments. Here are the top ones of the year. 

The tragic death of Boston Fire Lt. Ed Walsh, a Watertown native, was one of the biggest stories of 2014. Tens of thousands of firefighters from around the country came to town to pay their final respects to Walsh. Plenty of photos are taken each year at graduation, from family photos to official portraits. Here member of Watertown High School’s Class of 2014 line up to have their photo taken after receiving their diplomas, as the late afternoon sun casts long shadows.

Around Town

See Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion Decorated for the Holidays

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Holiday lights, dancing and hot cocoa filled Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion during the recent Holiday Open House. The town-owned, historic home opened its doors on Dec. 18. Rooms were filled with Christmas trees, nutcrackers and other holiday items.

Santa Claus paid a visit and members of Ballroom in Boston danced on the first floor and attendees enjoyed hot cocoa and treats. The decorations, entertainment and refreshment were provided by Home Depot, Watertown Savings Bank, Cass the Florist, Dunkin Donuts/Riverside Management Group, BG Event Catering, AA Rental Center and Ballroom in Boston.