Around Town

Watertown Farmers Market’s Wants to Know What Prevents People from Shopping at Market

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Farmers Market:

The Watertown Farmers’ Market has created a survey to learn what barriers prevent people from using the market’s food assistance programs.

The market provides free food to SNAP eligible customers through its dollar-to-dollar match program, as well as access to the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), which gives an instant rebate on produce purchased from any of our HIP vendors ($40 to $80 per month depending on household size). These benefits are exclusive to the farmers’ market, and significantly underutilized within the Watertown community, based on data from the state. Through ongoing outreach and education about these programs, the market hopes to reach more people who are unaware of these benefits and to educate them, as well as to implement changes based on information collected. Our goal is to make it easier for eligible customers to access free food from the market. For more information about the market’s food assistance programs, visit our website.

Around Town

Several Openings Anticipated at Arsenal Yards in Coming Months

By |

Arsenal YardsArsenal Yards in Watertown, already featuring several restaurants and retailers, has several new additions coming in 2022 and early 2023. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is celebrating continued growth and development with the opening of many highly anticipated dining, shopping, fitness, and entertainment venues throughout the neighborhood this summer and fall.  

Since its official redevelopment and expansion at the site of the former Arsenal Mall in 2017, the lively 1 million + square foot mixed-use neighborhood has flourished into a dynamic destination and neighborhood hub. Residents and visitors alike can eat, live, work, play, and experience all that the high-energy community in Watertown’s historic East End has to offer with dining, shopping, and entertainment right at their fingertips.  

With the goal of further expanding its lineup of popular restaurants, retailers and service and entertainment offerings, Arsenal Yards is eager to welcome many exciting additions to the neighborhood this year. Openings coming soon include Pokeworks, Taffer’s Tavern, Restore Hyper Wellness, Central Rock Gym, Bond Vet, and F45 Training, along with new offerings including a Starbucks, James Joseph Salon, AT&T and GNC all slated to open before the end of the year, and KinderCare in early 2023. Blvd & Bond, the neighborhood’s residential offering with 302 units across three buildings, is nearly 100 percent leased, while all life science space within Arsenal Yards and the new building at 100 Forge is entirely leased as well.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Holding 45th Annual Mugar Golf Tournament

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Boys & Girls Club:

The Watertown Boys & Girls Club is hosting its 45th Annual Stephen P. Mugar Memorial Golf Tournament, the organization’s largest fundraising event, on August 22nd at Oakley Country Club. Sponsored by the Mugar Family and the Oakley Country Club, the event offers Club supporters the opportunity to play at the private course while helping to support Watertown’s largest nonprofit supporting children and teens. “We’re so grateful to the Mugar Family and the Oakley Country Club for their support of the Club over these past 45 years,” said Phil Greenough, chairman of the Club’s board of directors. “With the leadership of these wonderful organizations and the contributions of so many other corporations and individuals, this tournament is a signature event for the Club and the community. We depend on this day to fund so many key programs for the more 1400 members of the Club.”

Around Town

Youngsters Visit Brigham House for Teddy Bear Picnic

By |

Brigham HouseA group of young people listen to a story during the Teddy Bear Picnic at Brigham House, which was also sponsored by Watertown Families Together, Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Watertown Library. The following piece was provided by the Brigham House:

COVID has certainly disrupted our social programs. With the nice weather and the ability to be outside, Watertown Families Together and Church of the Good Shepherd are trying to reinstate intergenerational programming with Brigham House in Watertown. Brigham HouseResidents of Brigham House enjoy the Teddy Bear Picnic. Just recently we were able to bring together the residents of Brigham House and families with young children for a Teddy Bear Picnic. Residents and families were treated to music with Ruth Rappaport, stories with Kathleen from the Watertown Library, yummy treats, crafts andsurprises.

Around Town

Restaurants Team with Charles River Chamber to Provide Meals for Those in Need

By |

Charles River Chamber of CommerceMeals prepared by a local restaurant for Nourish Watertown, a program done in coordination with the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber of Commerce:

Every Monday and Friday, the chamber has been partnering with local restaurants and volunteers to deliver meals to the Watertown Community Fridge for those facing food insecurity. It’s all part of our Nourishing Watertown program, funded by a significant contribution by TripAdvisor and many private donations. It’s all part of an ongoing chamber program designed to support both our local restaurant community and those in need. We’ve run similar initiatives in Newton, Wellesley and Needham over the past two years.

Entertainment

Watertown Recreation Has Spots for Trip to Water Wizz on Friday

By |

The Watertown Recreation Department sent out the following information:

Our Water Wizz Trip is on Friday, July 22. If interested, please register today as we have limited capacity for the trip. A perennial New England summertime favorite, Water Wizz Water Park is a water park located in East Wareham, Massachusetts, about 60 miles south of Boston, Mass. Featured rides and attractions include Hurricane Hill, Pirates Plunge and Herring River Run. Come and join the fun!

Around Town

See What’s in Season at the Farmers Market, Plus Artisans and Music

By |

The Watertown Farmers Market runs Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park, next to City Hall (149 Main St.). See the information about this week’s market sent out by the organizers:

This week at the WFM, you can find all your favorite summer veggies, from eggplant to corn, tomatoes and summer squash! Alongside fruits and veggies, stop by to pick up your local seafood and meats. It will be hot, so make sure to cool off with a refreshing beverage from O’some Cafe and enjoy the live music starting at 6:30 p.m. (see more here). What’s Growing?

Around Town

Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy Donates to the Food Pantry

By |

The Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy made a donation to the Watertown Food Pantry. From Left to Right: Watertown Food Pantry Coordinator Kathy Cunningham, Event Chairman
Mark Pettiglio, Comedian Jack Lynch, Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy President Antonio
Mastantuono and Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy Member Robert Martins. The following information was provided by the Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge:

This month the Watertown Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge Piave Fiume #1036, an affiliate Lodge of the National Order Sons of Italy in America, presented a check of $5,000 dollars to the Watertown Food Pantry, along with food items. The donation was made possible by hosting a comedy night fundraiser in June. Late February of 2022 the ceiling of the basement at Belmont Watertown United Methodist Church, which houses many programs and services including the Watertown Food Pantry, collapsed. “Food pantries and recovery programs were hit the hardest during the pandemic,” says event chairman, Mark Petteglio, “once we heard the ceiling collapsed we knew we needed to help.