One Watertown Restaurant Closes, a New One Opens

Some of the South of the Border dishes being served at Plazita Mexico Tacos. As 2025 begins, Watertown has seen one restaurant close, while an addition has been made to the eating scene. Restaurant Says ‘Bye Bye’

Olespana Whiskey & Tapas Bar on Mt. Auburn Street announced that it will be closing. The restaurant that served Spanish food, pizza and other dishes had opened in the former Mount Auburn Grill space in 2023.

Drainage Installation at Mt. Auburn St. & Arlington St. Intersection to Begin This Week

Work on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project will restart in the New Year. See details in the announcement from the City of Watertown. Drainage Installation Work ContinuesNewport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work along Mount Auburn Street, next beginning their work at the Arlington Street intersection and moving toward Watertown Square on Monday, January 6, 2025. Work will happen between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

Community Preservation Committee Recommends Funding Affordable Housing Project

A rendering of the proposed Willow Park Housing development. An affordable housing project got a boost from the Watertown Community Preservation Committee, which voted to recommend that Community Preservation Act money be used to help fund the project in East Watertown. CPA funds come from a surcharge on Watertown property tax bills, and the money can be used for historic preservation, open space and outdoor recreation, and affordable housing projects. See details in the announcement from the CPC, below. At a special meeting on Dec.

See What Title the Library Selected for the 2025 One Book, One Watertown

The Watertown Free Public Library revealed the title for this year’s One Book, One Watertown. See the announcement below. What happens when we study delight? This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection, Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, invites us to do just that. We hope you’ll take part in the Watertown Free Public Library’s annual community read! Ross Gay is many things – a New York Times bestselling poet and writer, a winner of prestigious awards, a teacher, a gardener, a skateboarder, a Midwesterner, a partner, a friend, a son, a pick up basketball player, a loiterer, a lover of high-fives, and a student of delight.

Watertown Day Care Trying to Preserve Historic Building as it Creates a New Home

The University Prints Building on Boyd Street has much history, and is now home to First Path Day Care. (Courtesy of First Path)

The new home of a Watertown day care center will be in a building off Galen Street that’s full of history, from the architecture to the former uses, which includes being a cookie factory to a printer of textbooks and one of the nation’s largest providers of checks. First Path Day Care Center moved to 13 Boyd St. in November after many years sharing the Watertown Boys & Girls Club facility. When First Path learned it would need to find another location, the search led them to purchase the building on the Southside of Watertown in 2017.

Hundreds Celebrate Chanukah at Chabad Watertown’s Third Annual Menorah Lighting

Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman lights the ice menorah at Arsenal Yards during the third annual Watertown Chanukah Celebration. Looking on are Assistant City Manager Ari Sky, right, Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson (far left), and Police Capt. Dan Unsworth. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The fire that lit the Third Annual Watertown Chanukah Celebration at Arsenal Yards mesmerized and brought warmth to a crowd of several hundred people on Monday evening. Before the lighting of a menorah, which stood several feet high and was made of ice, the crowd of more than 300 people enjoyed treats, games, crafts, and a performance by a fire dancer. Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman from Chabad Watertown lit the candles on the menorah with help from Watertown Assistant City Manager for Finance Ari Sky.

Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad Watertown at Arsenal Yards

The following announcement was provided by Chabad Watertown:

Celebrate Chanukah with Us: Ice Menorah Lighting, Fire Show & Gelt Drop! Monday, Dec. 30th, 4-6 PM

In partnership with Arsenal Yards, we’re thrilled to invite you to our 3rd annual public menorah lighting ceremony and celebration! – A mesmerizing live fire dance performance

– Chanukah crafts for all ages

– Live music and festive vibes

– Complimentary treats to enjoy

– A Special Gelt Drop from the Watertown Fire Department

Where: Arsenal Yards Mall – Bond Square, 130 Arsenal Yards, Watertown, MA, 02472

RSVP TODAY Here

Watertown Sports: Field Hockey Coach of the Year, Wrestler Wins Holiday Tournament

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue holds her plaque for being the MIAA Field Hockey Coach of the Year. She was joined by family, her fellow coaches, and school administrators. (Courtesy of the Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown Field Hockey Coach Eileen Donahue collected another accolade this month when she was honored by the MIAA, and Watertown wrestler Tessa Master kicked off her season with a win in a major holiday tournament. Donahue was named Field Hockey Coach of the Year, and was honored at a banquet held by the MIAA. In November, she coached the Watertown to the team’s fourth straight State Championship, and the Raiders finished undefeated at 22-0.