Around Town

Our History: The Falls and Dam at Watertown

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The dam in Watertown Square (Photo courtesy of Marilynne Roach)

The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Historical Society President Marilynne Roach for the January 2018 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier.” Marilynne is also on the board of the Watertown Historical Commission. After Watertown’s early settlers dammed the Charles River to power a grist mill in 1634, more mills followed over the centuries and another dam replaced the first in 1814. This one, according to the Charles River Watershed Association (i.e. CRWA), included a fishway to help the migrating shad and alewives reach their upstream spawning grounds. The present dam dates from 1955 (after Hurricane Diane damaged the older structure) and the present fish ladder from 1972.

Around Town

Mosquito in Watertown Tests Positive for West Nile Virus

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in mosquitoes collected from Watertown, Massachusetts. WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection. By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Club’s Traffic Circle Cleanup One of Many Events This Year

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Members of the Rotary Club of Watertown weeded and cleaned up the island in the rotary at Orchard and Common streets. (Photo by Brianna Williams)

The island in the middle of the rotary connecting Common and Orchard street is filled with all kinds of greenery for the public to admire. On July 20, the Rotary Club of Watertown spent their day gardening the rotary so the city can add some colorful plants to it in the near future. The weeding and cleaning of the island through the City of Watertown’s Adopt-an-Island program is one the many events Watertown’s Rotary Club holds each year. The Rotary Club adopted the island to help keep up with the appearance and cleanliness of the area that hundreds of motorists pass by each day.

Around Town

BEAT the HEAT! Water Slides, Dealtry Pool, Watertown Library

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Slip and slides at Victory Field today! The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The daytime temperature is going to be over 90 degrees for the next few days. Please check in on your neighbors and stay hydrated and safe. To cool down in the heat, visit the Library & the DCR Pool! Plus water slides at Victory Field.

Around Town

Arsenal Yards’ New Additions Include Donuts, Skin Care, a Tea House and More

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See what’s just arrived and what’s coming soon in this announcement from Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is pleased to welcome exciting new dining, health, and wellness offerings to the neighborhood this summer, in addition to gearing up for additional highly–anticipated openings over the coming months. 

Coming soon to the Arsenal Yard’s robust roster of restaurants, retailers, fitness, service, and entertainment destinations, is fan–favorite Blackbird Doughnuts, as well as Chip City and Medium Rare.  The most recent openings include specialty food venue dining venue Ten One Tea House, and health and wellness options like Skin Laundry, Restore Hyper Wellness, and GNC. “Summer is one of the best times to visit Arsenal Yards, and all of the new and diverse additions to the neighborhood this summer truly represent what makes our community so unique,” said Kerry Dowling, Wilder’s Managing Director, Leasing. “Whether you are looking to kickstart your wellness journey, sample delectable and exotic teas, or enjoy the outdoors while exploring the neighborhood, there is something for everyone to be excited about. It’s our goal to make sure everyone who comes to Arsenal Yards, whether to live, work, or play, finds everything they need and everything they want.”

A sampling of recent and upcoming openings at Arsenal Yards includes:

Coming Soon

Blackbird Doughnuts To Debut Seventh Location

Known for its delicious, made–from–scratch doughnuts, Blackbird Doughnuts will open its seventh Massachusetts location at 116 Bond St. in Fall 2023.

Around Town

GoFundMe Effort Raising Money for Artist Who Created New Watertown Square Mural

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The artists behind the Watertown Square mural Amir Tabatabaei, left, and Niloufar Keyhani, right, with resident Elodia Thomas. (Courtesy of Elodia Thomas)

The wall on the side of CVS in Watertown Square has gotten a new look thanks to two local artists, but they have had to cover most of the cost of the project. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help reimburse the husband and wife team from Watertown for their time and expenses. The artists are Amir Tabatabaei and Niloufar Keyhani, who moved to the United States several years ago from Iran. Accomplished artists who worked on public art projects in their homeland, they got the opportunity to create a piece in their new home.