Panera – Sip on a gourmet sandwich or beverage while you catch up on some work at Panera Bread, located in Watertown at 321 Arsenal St. and in Waltham at 1096 Lexington St. Boston House of Pizza – If you’re looking for free wi-fi while you splurge on pizza, stop by Boston House of Pizza, located at 115 Galen St. in Watertown. Starbucks – Splurge on a latte or iced coffee drink while you surf the web at Starbucks, located in the Watertown Mall at 550 Arsenal St., as well as at 75 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown. Café on the Common – Have some pastry and tea while you send e-mails at the Café on …

Plaster Fun Time – At “the plaster painting place where kids do it their way,” families can visit for an afternoon of fun and create pieces to take home. Stop by their Waltham location in the Colonial Shopping Center at 85 River St. in Waltham. Starbucks – Stop by your neighborhood Starbucks Coffee (75 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown or 550 Arsenal St. in Watertown), for all your comfort fall coffee drinks on a rainy day. Waltham Public Library (735 Main St., Waltham) and Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St., Watertown) are good options for catching up on a book or finding new reads. …

Pumpkins – If you’re scouring for a pumpkin to sit atop your stoop, try Russo’s Market at 560 Pleasant St. in Watertown. Also try the Waltham Farmers Market on Saturdays at Main and Moody streets (Sovereign Bank parking lot) in Waltham for your picking. Foliage – The Upper Charles River Reservation is a good place for a stroll and to see the changing of the seasons. Start your walk from Prospect Street in Waltham or Watertown Square. Pumpkin beer – Looking for a seasonal brew? Stop by Watch City Brewery at 256 Moody St. in Waltham for a Pie-Eyed Pumpkin Ale.  Cider – Apple cider is in season…

Not Your Average Joe’s, 55 Main St., Watertown, has many unusual creations which make for an affordable dinner. Try the rosemary skewered scallops ($19.99) or the cranberry-teriyaki chicken with sweet potato cannellonis ($15.99). Top it off with a margarita ($6.99), or share a pitcher of your favorite beverage. Porcini’s offers Mediterranean faire in an upscale ambiance. Try the margherita pasta with chicken ($17) or the distrutto (penne with chicken, kalamata olives, etc. - $19). Add some wine (average $7/glass) or Sangria ($8.50). Stop by 68 School St. in Watertown. Watch City Brewing Co., …

Sorry folks, but there is so much news this week that Patch Picks will not appear today. It will return on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The Watertown Citizens for Environmental Safety (WCES), founded in 1979, advocates for sound environmental practices. The group holds events and task force meetings, allowing for residents to get involved in change. Watertown Gardens allows residents to organize and promote community gardens. Growing and eating locally is healthier and better for the environment. Green Rows of Waltham (GROW) gives residents the chance to garden on designated plots at the University Of Massachusetts Field Station on Beaver Street.  Hazardous product collections allow residents to properly dispose of hazardous …

CVS – Find the typical binders, folders and protractors at CVS. Visit any of their locations: 27 Main St. in Watertown, 12 Harvard St. in Waltham, or 51 Linden St. in Waltham. Old Navy – For reasonably-priced back to school garments, check out the specials at Old Navy, located in the Arsenal Mall at 485 Arsenal St. in Watertown. Target – You’re bound to find good deals on clothes as well as school supplies. Backpacks, anyone? Stop by their location in the Watertown Mall at 550 Arsenal St. Staples – Find a more extensive array of organizational and writing tools at Staples. Stop by 800 …

The Aegean Restaurant – If you want to visit the Old World, stop by The Aegean at 640 Arsenal St. in Watertown. Try some moussaka (a beef and eggplant dish) or some sirloin steak, in a relaxing Mediterranean ambiance. Mu Lan – Try this Taiwanese stop at 835 Main St in Waltham. Go for a traditional noodle dish, or an unusual hot pot entrée. The signature dish is the smoked pork with leek. Jasmine Taste of Persia – This eatery at 580 Mount Auburn St. in Watertown will satisfy your Middle Eastern cravings. Sit down in this cultural, saffron fresh-smelling ambiance and try the slow grilled meats…

Embassy Cinema – This Landmark Theater located at 16 Pine St. in Waltham shows your favorite classics, foreign and independent films for a fun night out. Arsenal Center for the Arts – If you and your date both fancy the arts, check out a dance show, theater performance, or fine arts exhibit at the Arsenal Arts Center at 321 Arsenal St. in Watertown. Grappa – If you’re looking for an intimate dinner, treat yourselves to some fine Italian dining at Grappa, located at 71 Elm St. in Watertown. La Casa de Pedro – If you want a unique Latin dining experience, try dining outdoors or indoors at La …

Wild Willy’s – This eatery at 46 Arsenal St. in Watertown makes “real burgers for real burger lovers” with certified angus beef. The most unique burger offering may be the “Stampede,” which is topped with steak chili. 21 Nickels Grille & Tap – This 21 Nichols Ave, Watertown establishment changes their menu frequently. Try to catch their Santa Claus burger, smothered with mac & cheese and onion rings. Watch City Brewery – You’ll find lots of unusual burgers at 256 Moody St. in Waltham. Offerings include beef, turkey beef, buffalo turkey, veggie and lamb. Burgers come in many styles with spices…

Arsenal Center for the Arts – The ArsenalARTS program at 321 Arsenal St. in Watertown covers the visual and performing arts in their programming. Adult courses include painting, pottery, and mosaics. Mosaics is the art of designing on a variety of repurposed materials such as glass, boxes, etc.  Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – This program, offered through the Rabb School of Continuing Studies at Brandeis University (Old South St., Waltham) offers a variety of courses of older adults. The current program includes offerings in literature study, socialization and economics. Turtle Studios…

Fendi Nail Salon – Stop by Fendi at 216 Waverley Ave. in Watertown for various nail services including acrylics, gel wraps and the mani-pedi. Feminails – Located at 375 Moody St. in Waltham, Feminails offers crystal and powder nails, as well as polish changes and the like. Red Persimmon Nails – If you’re at the Arsenal mall in Watertown, take a break at Red Persimmon Nails for a skin-softening foot massage and a deluxe pedicure. Golden Nails – This stop promises you tranquility and peace during your trip to the Watertown Mall with their services and ambiance. Bee Z Nails – If you’re looking …

Celebrity Pizza & Dairy Bar: Located at 684 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown, Celebrity offers an array of soft and hard ice cream options in addition to their extensive food menu. Floats, boats, and quarts are offered and available for delivery as well. Super Fusion Cuisine: This Japanese and sushi restaurant on 54 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown offers Green Tea Mocha Ice Cream on their dessert offerings menu to top of your sushi and noodles. Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream: Stop by this 367 Moody St. parlor in Waltham and choose from dozens of ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt and light ice cream. Take a…

Charles River Bicycle and Walking Path – The paved paths and boardwalks lead you through greenery and provide a scenic route for a dog walk. The trail can be accessed from both Watertown Square (Galen & Watertown streets) and Arsenal Street at Greenough Boulevard., among other locations. Nipper Maher Park – Located at 65 Dartmouth St. in Waltham, you are welcome to walk your dog leashed from dawn to dusk. Nipper Maher offers 18 acres of space. Bobby Connors Playground – You can bring your leashed dog  to 20 Sunnyside St. in Waltham for a walk on its quiet field. Kids can swing while you’re …

Moxley Park: This space is located across from Watertown Middle School at 31 Westminster Ave. Kids and teens are covered, with playgrounds and a jungle gym for the little ones, basketball and soccer spaces for others. Saltonstall Park: Located next to the Watertown Town Hall at 149 Main St., you’ll find courts and fields for all of your sporting needs. You just might catch a summer concert on their accompanying stage. Peter Gilmore Playground: You’re welcome to walk leashed dogs at 90 Hall St. in Waltham. There are playgrounds and basketball courts to keep the kids busy, too. Lowell Field: …

The Meat Spot – You’ll have no problem feeding your whole party with their party platters. Stop by their 28 Mount Auburn St. location in Watertown. Butchered and baked goods are available to your liking. Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors – Visit this 2010 Reader’s Choice award-winning wine and spirits store at either 51 Watertown St. in Watertown or 599 Moody St. in Waltham. Their massive selection should cover all of your beer and wine needs. Boston Market – If you’re looking for some rarities in your July 4 catering, stop by Boston Market at 1099 Lexington St. in Waltham. Try adding some cooked…

Friendly’s: The quintessential family restaurant is at 560 Arsenal St. in Watertown. Visit them for a fun family dinner and ice cream. Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub: Visit the other classic American fare restaurant at 110 South Street in Waltham. Gluten free and low cal options are available. Athens Pizza and Grille: This local chain with a slight Mediterranean twist is at 2 Watertown St. in Watertown. Stop by for some comfort food from 10am-10pm. Not Your Average Joe’s: Located at 55 Main St. in Watertown, Joe’s has an eclectic menu with a pizza bar and a kids menu. Josephs Two Family …

Check out the town-wide Block Party on Saturday in Watertown from 4-7 p.m. Hosted by the Watertown Community Foundation, residents are encouraged to bring their own picnics to Victory Field at 40 Orchard St. and socialize with their neighborhoods during games and music. Have a classic American lunch at Tresca’s Eating Place. Located at 25 Church St. in Watertown, their menu of burgers, sandwiches, seafood, and vegetarian options is bound to have something for the whole family. Have a fine Italian dinner at Verona Restaurant, located at 18 Mount Auburn St. in Watertown. If Mom is looking to …

Raytheon Company of Waltham develops electronics used for national security. Founded in 1908, they create these defense systems right out of their Waltham office at 870 Winter St. Seven Cycles, headquartered at 125 Walnut St. in Watertown, is busy making high-end bicycles. Made for both road and mountain biking, their bicycle frames are made from a variety of materials including seamless titanium and carbon fiber. Nova Biomedical of 200 Prospect St. in Waltham develops diabetes testing products for self-use, chemistry analyzers to be used in biotechnology, and blood testing analyzers for …

Salon Sabrina– This friendly salon, located just off the beaten path at 25 Church St. in Watertown provides services for the whole family, women, men and children. Keratin treatment is also available. Bella Hair– In an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, Bella Hair promises to beautify with their coloring and highlights. Tailored wedding packages are available. Visit them at 731 Moody St. in Waltham. Salon Bimala– Cozily nestled into the strip at 159 Galen St. in Watertown, Salon Bimala welcomes walk-ins for a classy experience. Their stylists also cover a wide variety of services including …