See When Bar Rescue Star’s Restaurant Taffer’s Tavern Will Open in Watertown

Bar Rescue star Jon Taffer will open Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown on Aug. 31, 2022. The following announcement was provided by Taffer’s Tavern:

Taffer’s Tavern, the innovative, full-service restaurant concept founded by leading hospitality expert and star of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer, has announced that it is now accepting reservations for its first Boston area location in Watertown at Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood located along the Charles River. The restaurant will open to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 31 with a Grand Opening ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Jon Taffer on Sept.

Watertown Resident Expands Efforts to Curtail Use of Plastics

Joshua TousterWatertown’s Eileen Ryan, founder of Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, advocated for legislation to limit plastic in front of the State House. Several years ago, Watertown’s Eileen Ryan pushed for Watertown to pass a plastic shopping bag ban, and now she has expanded her efforts statewide. In April, she founded Beyond Plastics Greater Boston, a local chapter of the national group Beyond Plastic. “After we passed the ban (in 2016) we all patted ourselves on the back and thought we did a great job. We really noticed that there are fewer plastic bags in the river, in trees around Watertown,” Ryan said.

Ayr Wellness Opens Medical & Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary in Watertown

Ayr WellnessAyr Wellness opened a cannabis dispensary on North Beacon Street in Watertown, where it will sell medical and adult-use marijuana. Watertown’s third, and final, cannabis dispensary opened for business in early July, offering both adult use and medical marijuana products. Ayr Watertown opened for business at 48 North Beacon St. in Watertown on July 12 for adult use marijuana (also known as recreational) sales, and in late July received approval to sell medical products to patients with Massachusetts medical marijuana cards. The dispensary turned the former Anthony’s Florist building into a bright, open space for its customers and patients.

See What’s Happening at the 2022 Watertown Arts Market

Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Arts Market returns to Arsenal Park in 2022. The following information was provided by the Watertown Arts Market:

The Watertown Arts Market returns to Arsenal Park on Saturday, Aug. 13th, noon-5 p.m. Rain date of Aug. 14. Over 120 artists and organizations who live or work in the area will be there – we hope you will be too! 

The Watertown Arts Market is an initiative of the Watertown Business Coalition, this year in partnership with the City of Watertown.

Dogs Reported Off-Leash in City Parks, Could Cause Hazard to Users of Fields & Athletic Facilities

City of WatertownThe Watertown Health Department reminds people that dogs are not allowed in City Parks except for designated dog park areas. The Watertown Health Department has received reports of loose pets in City parks, in violation of City rules. Dogs that relieve themselves outside the dedicated dog parks can create a hazard for people, said Watertown Health Director Larry Ramdin. “We have been observing several pets loose outside of our dog parks in the grassed areas in the parks reserved for sports,” Ramdin said. “Dogs defecating in those parks poses a secondary risk to children who use the parks for recreation.”

Superintendent Gets Good Grades in Annual Review

Charlie BreitroseWatertown Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston received good marks on her annual performance evaluation from the School Committee. The School Committee discussed their job review for the leader of the Watertown Public Schools on Monday night. On the overall performance, Galdston received two “exemplary” evaluations (the top mark) and five “proficient” (second highest), said School Committee Chair Kendra Foley. “This is a very positive evaluation.