Boston Restaurant Opening Second Location in Watertown

The following announcement was provided by Arsenal Yards:

Boylston Properties and Wilder proudly announced today that they’ve leased 3,000 square feet at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards to local celebrity chef and restaurateur, Jason Santos. Following the success of Buttermilk & Bourbon in Boston’s Back Bay, the nationally-recognized chef will open his second location of the popular restaurant in the new neighborhood in 2021, bringing a taste of Southern hospitality to Watertown. The New Orleans’ inspired restaurant will be an exciting addition to the eclectic mix of offerings at Arsenal Yards, which will offer a true neighborhood experience with its more than one million square feet of retail shops, residential apartments, life science space, and a 146-room hotel when construction is completed in Fall 2021.   

“For a chef of Jason Santos’ caliber to open his next restaurant at Arsenal Yards only adds to the incredible level of buzz that Arsenal Yards and the town of Watertown is currently receiving,” said Bill McQuillan, Principal at Boylston Properties. “And while COVID-19 continues to greatly impact our communities and neighborhoods, we couldn’t be more grateful to share some positive news about one of the best chefs and restaurant groups in Boston. Our team is committed as ever to creating a unique place for people to work, live, and simply just enjoy, and Jason and Buttermilk & Bourbon are the perfect complement to this lasting, energized experience that we’re creating at Arsenal Yards.”

LETTER: Residents Support Middle School Student Who Spoke Out Against Racial Harassment

Editor,

We write this letter in support of the Watertown middle school student who has endured repeated racist attacks by her peers. We do not know this student personally, but as a White family and longtime residents of Watertown, we want her to know that we stand with her in solidarity. This young woman, at just 13-years-old, should be applauded and encouraged for using her voice and fighting for racial justice and deserves nothing less than support from our schools and community. Recently a local news channel covered the extensive harassment of this Black Watertown middle school student by her classmates. According to the interview, the harassment started when the student began speaking out against racism and affirming that black lives matter.

Reopening Plan for Ryan Ice Arena, Winter Recreation Survey

The Watertown Recreation Department announced the re-opening of the John A. Ryan Ice Arena, and detailed the policies that users must follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, Recreation officials have put up a survey for residents to respond to about programs they would like to see over the winter. See the announcements below:

Ice Arena Re-opening

Please find below the guidelines and actions that will be put into place for the reopening of the Ryan Arena, Town of Watertown MA. These guidelines are per Commonwealth of Massachusetts updates of 11-06-20

This being said, the steps are listed below. Rink flow.

See the Winners of the Watertown Mall’s Scarecrow Contest

The winner of the 2020 Watertown Mall Scarecrow Contest, the Waltham YMCA’s “Fred Haymaker Playmaker.” The Watertown Mall announced the winners of the 2020 Scarecrow Contest. “We would like to thank all of this year’s Scarecrow Contest participants,” Mall management said. The Third Place Scarecrow Contest winner, “Essential Workers” from Four Seasons Preschool. The Watertown Mall is proud to announce the winners this year:

First Place – Waltham Family YMCA, “Fred Haymaker Playmaker”

Second Place – Watertown Boys & Girls Club, “The Godfather”

Third Place – Four Seasons Preschool, “Essential Workers”

Hoping to see more creative entries next year!”

The entries in the 2020 Watertown Mall Scarecrow Contest.

Life of Charles Lenox, Black Man from Watertown Who Served in Civil War, Detailed by Historical Society

Charles Lenox, a Watertown barber, joined the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Infantry in the Civil War. The name of Charles Lenox, an African-American man from Watertown who fought in the Civil War, has become more well known this fall after his life was the focus of New Rep Theatre’s first Moving Play. Lenox served in the famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry. In the play, the same streets on which Lenox lived his life were used as the stage. (Read more about the play here).

Small Saves Faces his Former Team This Week

Cartoon by James DeMarco

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves  emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Watertown Scouts Collecting Food Donations from Doorsteps

Deion Howe and David Kinnear of Watertown Pack 30 and Troop 30 lift bins of sorted canned goods destined for the Watertown Food Pantry. This year they will pick up donations from people’s doorsteps. Pack 30 and Troop 30 are supporting the Watertown Food Pantry again this year, but as with everything in 2020, Scouting for Food will be different

Scouting for Food is a nationwide service challenge taken on by Boy Scouts of America, targeting food insecurity. In Watertown, the two BSA organizations have come together every November to get grocery lists in the hands of shoppers so they can help fill the shelves of the town-run food pantry. This year, with COVID-19 precautions in place, Scouting for Food will look a little different.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Donations Being Accepted Items at Watertown Mall

The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall will be hosting a Food Drive every Friday in November before Thanksgiving. On Fridays, between the hours of 10 AM – 11 AM and 3 PM – 4 PM the collection table will be set up inside the mall’s back hallway across from Carter’s and Target. The collected food will be donated to the Watertown Food Pantry. Items needed include, but are not limited to: canned goods, pasta/rice, coffee/tea, cooking oil, cold cereal/old fashioned oatmeal, non-perishable snacks for kids, etc. If you’d like to see a full list of the items needed please visit www.watertown-ma.gov/Watertown-Food-Pantry or also visit one of our mall informational pushcarts.