50 Reasons Watertown Is Awesome

Posted on October 11, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Folks, you may have noticed that things have been slightly quiet on the blog front lately. That’s because we’ve been working hard on a new project, 50 Reasons Watertown Is Awesome, to help celebrate the launch of OurCommonPlace Watertown! Head over to our Facebook page to check it out:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/50-Reasons-Watertown-Is-Awesome/492120054145182

Show your Watertown pride by ‘liking’ and ‘sharing’ — and suggest your own reasons! We can’t wait to hear what you think.

–Chava, Community Organizer for OurCommonPlace Watertown

OurCommonPlace is a national civic organization that aims to revitalize the spirit of local community engagement in towns and cities across the country. We launched Watertown.OurCommonPlace.com – Watertown’s first community web platform – to create a ‘common place’ online that makes it delightfully easy for neighbors and local leaders to share community information, like needs, announcements, and events, with the people around them. Register now and start receiving a daily email written by your neighbors and leaders in town at Watertown.OurCommonPlace.com.

Would you like to write a guest blog post for “Voices of Watertown”?

Posted on September 7, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Hi Watertown neighbors! If you’d like to share your voice with the Watertown community, now’s your chance: you can write a guest blog post as part of a “Voices of Watertown” series on the OurCommonPlace Watertown Civic Heroes blog!

Continue reading →

Watertown History: Did you know?

Posted on August 31, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Did you know that Paul Revere, wanted by the British after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, had his family slip out of Boston to live in Watertown? They lived at what is now the intersection of Watertown and California Streets, for a year.

Historical fact courtesy of the official town website of Watertown. Continue reading →

What do neighbors love most about Watertown?

Posted on August 29, 2012 by ourcommonplace

What do you love most about Watertown? Here’s what five neighbors on the Watertown CommonPlace had to say when asked:

“Watertown Family Network (yay, Arlene and Cheryl), The Library, the Boys and Girls Club, Watertown people, Lowell School, great proximity to everywhere important, Watertown Community Foundation, fast and efficient snow plowing (especially compared to some neighboring communities), Watertown Village (hopefully soon to come – look for info coming soon!)” Continue reading →

An Everyday Hero: Will Twombly and the World in Watertown

Posted on August 22, 2012 by ourcommonplace

If you ask the man himself, he says he’s no hero: “I just enjoy working with other people in this wonderful community,” he maintains. But ask neighbors in town, and they’ll tell you that the humble Watertown Civic Hero Will Twombly is in fact a paragon of civic engagement and community involvement. Continue reading →

Access for All: Kim Charlson and the Watertown Commission on Disability

Posted on August 15, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Kim Charlson and Dolly

Kim Charlson is a powerhouse. She’s been recognized nationally for her advocacy work and published for her innovations in the fields of Braille and accessibility. She’s Director of the Braille and Talking Book Library at Perkins School for the Blind – whose motto is “All we see is possibility” – and she’s First Vice President of the American Council of the Blind, to name a few. But even with so much national achievement and recognition, Watertown Civic Hero Kim Charlson is all about community. Continue reading →

Making Affordable Housing a Reality: Mike Sherman and Metro-West Collaborative Development

Posted on August 8, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Mike Sherman has called Watertown home since the mid-70s. And for almost as long, he’s been working to ensure that others are lucky enough to call Watertown home as well. Thanks to Watertown Civic Hero Mike Sherman and his fellow advocates at Metro West Collaborative Development, affordable homes are being made available to families who could not otherwise become homeowners. Continue reading →

Doing It For The Kids: Laura Kurman and the Watertown Youth Coalition

Posted on August 1, 2012 by ourcommonplace

For 22 years, Watertown Civic Hero Laura Kurman has worked to improve the lives of local Watertown youth. As the program director of the Wayside Multi-Service Center, Laura works with the Watertown Youth Coalition to provide a variety of services to youth and families in the Watertown community. And like any Civic Hero, Laura couldn’t do it without her committed staff, whom she thanks for bringing “amazing dedication and incredible work” to further the mission of serving Watertown youth. Continue reading →

Watertown Gives Back: Michael Schade and the Watertown Community Foundation

Posted on July 25, 2012 by ourcommonplace

When it comes to giving back, Watertown residents are all about community. Some give through local service or volunteering, while others embrace philanthropy, donating everything from food to funds. “There are an awful lot of wonderful people in Watertown,” muses this week’s Watertown Civic Hero, Michael Schade. Continue reading →

Watertown Community Access: The 21st Century Soapbox

Posted on July 18, 2012 by ourcommonplace

Gone are the days when involved citizens would stand on a raised platform in the center of town to discuss their views. But public discourse is still very much alive, and Watertown Civic Hero Tamarah Green wants to keep it that way: “Whatever you want to share with the community,” she affirms, “we will give you the support.” Continue reading →

Watertown Civic Heroes

A Spotlight on Watertown's Finest