We need your help.

The City of Newton’s recycling contains 18 percent contamination. Contractually, the City is required to have a contamination rate of less than 10 percent. As a result, the City was charged $6,120 in fines last month and we have paid $65,611 in fines so far in 2018. This is a direct impact Newton is facing due to the global recycling markets downturn you may have heard about this year.

The City of Newton is embarking on a focused initiative to educate our residents and lower our contamination rate. We received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to fund a robust education campaign, help us inspect what’s in the recycling carts and to communicate that information to residents.

Beginning next week, on Monday, October 1, we will be performing curbside inspections of residential recycling carts. Continue reading →

Please join Mayor Setti Warren, the Newton Clergy Association, the Newton School Department and The Foundation For Racial, Ethnic, & Religious Harmony at this special event.

Each year the event brings together elected officials, the business community, volunteer service clubs, health and human service organizations, the Newton schools, religious congregations and other members of the Newton community to voice our support of the philosophy that all people should be treated with dignity and respect.

Newton’s diversity is evidenced by the fact that over sixty different linguistic groups are represented within the City’s School system.  A broad variety of backgrounds and cultures are spread among Newton’s thirteen villages.  The mix of the many races, creeds, and ethnicities in our community is a treasured resource to be nurtured, protected and celebrated.

This past year, with two publicized incidents of racist and anti-Semitic behavior.  Newton’s leadership jumped in quickly to take corrective action with the offenders, and sent us all a reminder of the ideals noted above.

An important part of the Celebration is the initiative of the Newton Rotary Club to answer the call from the Newton Food Pantries by donating toiletry items as noted on the Celebration flyer.

We are reminded of the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., ” Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question is, What are We Doing for Others”.  In response to this question, Rotary members will be providing boxes at the event for attendees to drop off their donations.  Drop-offs after the Celebration may be made at the office of The Presti Group Realty, 701 Washington Street in Newton.

January 16th, 9:30 am
Temple Beth Avodah
45 Puddingstone Lane, Newton Centre

The next NewtonSERVES day of service will be held Sunday April 30th! SAVE THE DATE….. more details to follow!

Watch this space!

Greetings from the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs!

We are excited to announce that the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs has a new weekly column in the Newton TAB. It is called ‘Spotlight On…’ and it showcases all the arts in Newton. This is an opportunity for you also to promote any cultural or artistic person, activity or group you are involved with.

Please send an email to Linda (lplaut@newtonma.gov) before Wednesday, for publication in the following week issue of the TAB, with one or two sentences (60 words or less) sharing this information. Last week’s column featured a call for sculptors for the upcoming Festival of the Arts. If you, or someone you know locally is a sculptor and would be interested in being part of the outdoor sculpture exhibition at Newton City Hall, please visit this link http://www.newtoncommunitypride.org/festival/sculpture.html

As always, keep checking our new free on-line calendar of the Arts at www.newtonartscalendar.org for everything cultural going on in Newton. And keep an eye on www.newtoncommunitypride.org for the Spelling Bee and Heartbreak Hill Road Race registrations, and the Tanglewood Marionettes “Cinderella” in February vacation.

Linda and I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.

Jeannie Smith, Associate Director
Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs

Start the Holiday Season off with a cheerful evening of song, hot chocolate and fun! Sing-along with the Stacey Peasley Band – an award-winning band whose music is joyful and playful – as they play your favorite holiday songs. Then, enjoy some hot chocolate courtesy of PhysicianOne Urgent Care, or tea from David’s Tea, and delicious snack bars donated by KIND, as you watch a “Rockettes” performance by Creative Dance Steps Studio.

All of this excitement builds up to the Grande Finale of Mayor Setti Warren flipping the switch that turns the grounds into a twinkling winterland! Please bring a donation for Newton’s Food Pantries. For more information, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-796-1540.

December 1st, 6:00 pm
Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Come to Mayor Warren and Chief MacDonald’s First Annual BBQ, Badges, and Ball.

They’re building on a commitment to and tradition of community policing by strengthening the community’s connection with the police officers who work hard to keep our neighborhoods safe.

Mayor Warren and Chief MacDonald are hoping that all representatives of our Newton community attend, including: youth and students, families, and seniors from all villages and backgrounds. It will be a great opportunity for the City to continue to build strong community connections and a solid civic infrastructure.

The event will take place at Newton Centre Playground, with a rain location of Newton North, and will include a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for youth over 14-years-old to play against our own Newton police, food, music, and additional games for all ages. All are encouraged to join.

For additional information, please click here or call 617-796-1420.