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Watertown Receives State Cooling Corridors Grant to Plant Trees

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Launch of the Cooling Corridors Program in Chicopee, MA, in 2024 (Contributed Photo)

Watertown was one of the communities to receive a grant to plant trees as part of the state’s Cooling Corridors program. See more information in the announcement from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, below. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $1.3 million in grants from the Cooling Corridors program, which focuses on planting trees along popular walking routes and in environmental justice neighborhoods across Massachusetts. The funding, through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Division of Conservation Services, will go to 13 municipalities and one nonprofit organization to combat the rising heat residents are experiencing due to climate change. The program prioritizes planting trees in environmental justice (EJ) neighborhoods – communities that often face more environmental challenges – and along paths that connect people to important places like schools, healthcare providers, and senior centers. 

“Investing in green spaces is vital for the health and well-being of our residents,” said Governor Maura Healey.

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Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center Hosting Special Interfaith Program

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The Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center will host a special interfaith program on Saturday, March 15. See more in the information provided by the BK Meditation Center, below. The event features Father and Professor Francis X. Clooney of the Harvard Divinity School, a Catholic priest and lifelong scholar of Hinduism. Also appearing will be Dr. Kala Iyengar, director of the Peace Village Learning and Retreat Center, and Stan Strickland, associate professor of voice at Berklee College of Music. The event will be at the BK Meditation Center, 75 Common St., Watertown,

For more information call 617-926-1230 or email info@bknewengland.org.

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Russell Cooperative Preschool to Launch Extended Day Option This Fall

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The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

Exciting additions are coming to Russell Cooperative Preschool this fall with the launch of an Extended Day option designed to offer families more flexibility. Beginning in September 2025, Russell will offer an Extended Day option from 2 to 4 PM, with families able to choose from one to five days per week and the ability to add days as needed. For nearly 50 years, Russell Cooperative Preschool has been a cornerstone of early childhood education in Watertown. Established in 1975 by a group of parents committed to providing a warm, supportive, and open learning environment, Russell has remained steadfast in its mission to foster social, emotional, and creative growth through play-based learning.A Natural Extension of a Time-Tested Philosophy

Russell’s Extended Day option will be in addition to its existing curriculum, designed to further support young learners’ exploration, creativity, and independence. With children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years old, Russell offers flexible scheduling options, allowing families to select a school routine that best meets their needs.

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Miniature Golf Fundraiser at Greek Church Will Benefit Brain Cancer Research

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On Saturday, March 15, from noon-4 p.m. the Watertown Greek church’s function hall will be turned into “Fun for the Hole Family,” an 18-hole miniature golf course as part of a fundraiser for Brain Cancer research. The event will be held at the Watertown Taxiarchae/Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 25 Bigelow Ave. There will also be food, prizes and Greek and American music. The fundraiser is being held in honor and as a tribute to Thomas Tsekrekas, who passed away from Brain Cancer, according to his son Jimmy. “He was a longtime President of a Greek charity called ‘Ahepa’ (which I’ve now taken over),” said Jimmy Tsekrekas. “The charity has existed for over 60 years, and its main purpose is to do charitable work within the community, and spread the Greek philosophy of “philantrōpos.”

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Watertown Community Foundation Realigns Grant Programs to Focus on Impact

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The Watertown Community Foundation provided the following announcement:

As a result of a year-long strategic planning process, the Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) has realigned their grant program to focus on three key areas: Essential Needs to support Watertown’s most vulnerable residents; Community Engagement to increase access and engagement to community life and programs in Watertown, and Education and Youth Development. “During 2024, the board and staff of the Watertown Community Foundation participated in a year-long strategic planning process to look at how well our grant programs were working for the Watertown community. Where were they strong? How could they be better? What new areas needed our support?” said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Board Co-President of the Foundation.

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Watertown Will be Celebrating 100 Years of Arshile Gorky

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Arshile Gorky painting at his sister Akabi’s house on Dexter Avenue in Watertown, c. 1922. (Unknown photographer. Collection of the Arshile Gorky Foundation). The City of Watertown will hold several events to celebrate Armenian artist Arshile Gorky, who spent time living in Watertown after emigrating from Europe. See the announcement provided by the 100 Years of Arshile Gorky Committee, below.

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Weekend Work, Drainage Work, Traffic Signal Installations, and More on Mt. Auburn St.

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The City of Watertown provided the following update about the road construction project on Mt. Auburn Street:

Weekend Work – March 8, 2025 – Pedestrian Signal Electrical Work

Saturday, March 8, 2025 Newport Construction and the City of Watertown will be performing electrical work to relocate pedestrian walking signals to prepare for signal preparation work at the Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street intersection (see map below)

Traffic ImpactsTemporary lane shifts may occur and work will take place on the sidewalks, but will remain open and accessible. Parking ImpactsNo parking impacts

Drainage Installation Work Continues between Arlington St. and Bigelow Ave. Newport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work eastbound between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue.