Save the Date: Mayor’s 1st Annual Community Discussion on Newton as a Welcoming City For All

Help us ensure that Newton is open to people of all races/ethnicities, religions, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and disabilities.

On Thursday evening, April 7th, Mayor Warren will host the first annual community discussion focused on ensuring that Newton is a welcoming community to people of all backgrounds. The forum will include leaders from our community and beyond. This will be an opportunity for residents of all ages to ask questions, and join us in making Newton the most inclusive community it can be.

The discussion will be held in the War Memorial of Newton City Hall, located at 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, on Thursday, April 7th at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, March 2nd, the City of Newton will partner with The Second Step for White Ribbon Day, an opportunity to show our commitment to preventing domestic violence in Newton and beyond. We invite all residents to join city and community leaders from Newton and surrounding communities to learn what men can do to change norms around gender-based violence.

Come hear speakers from our community, and take the pledge to be part of the solution in ending violence against women. More resources are available online at whiteribbonday.janedoe.org/.

March 2nd, 6:00 pm
Newton City Hall

It already feels like Spring outside, so it’s time to start dusting off those running (or walking) shoes! The 24^th annual Heartbreak Hill Road Race and Family Walk is a perfect way to shake off some of that cabin fever!

Every runner receives an official digital-clock time, a race medallion, goody bag and a free ticket to the pre-race pasta party at Newton City Hall the night before. The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place runners in each category win a trophy.

The first 500 registrations receive a free t-shirt. There are free activities for kids organized by the Lasell College Special Events students.

Not a runner? Everyone can walk the course at 11:30 am. Register at www.newtoncommunitypride.org

April 17th, 12 noon – 3:30 pm, Rain or Shine
Newton City Hall

All are encouraged to visit the “Newton-in-Motion” open studio, and take part in visioning the City’s future. This free event will be fun and interactive and will offer opportunities to discuss goals and priorities for the City’s Transportation Strategy. Activities include a games table, a giant map of the City for sharing ideas, transportation questions, and a chance to talk to City staff and consulting planners, Nelson\Nygaard.

Kids are welcome and encouraged to participate! For those unable to attend, the project website at www.newtonma.gov/transportationstrategy will offer the same activities and opportunity for input both during and after the event.  you can participate digitally in the Visioning Workshop’s activities. To check out the flier for this workshop, please click Here.

February 4th, 5th, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and 6th, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Presentations at 12:00 pm Thursday, 6:00 pm Friday, and 10:00 am Saturday
275 Needham Street (Marshall’s plaza)

NewtonSERVES 2016 will be on Sunday, May 1st!

Dates to keep in mind:
February 22 – Project registration opens on line
February 23, 7pm – Project manager meeting at City Hall
April 1 – Volunteer registration opens on line
May 1 – NewtonSERVES

Newton City Hall, Thursday, December 31^st ,  1:30 – 3:30pm

Join Mayor Setti Warren to celebrate the incoming New Year with an afternoon of free entertainment and family fun. With performances by: Davey the Clown – silly and hilarious antics and juggling; Matt Heaton & the Outside Toys – a peppy and creative band that gets kids and parents singing and dancing along; and History at Play – an actress chronicling the life of Deborah Samson, the first woman to fight in the American Military disguising herself as a man.

The kids will enjoy the free face painting, arts & crafts and refreshments. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Newton Food Pantries and an item to contribute to the Soldier’s Care Packages.  Visit www.newtonma.gov/culture for more information.

Dear Newton PTOs,

On behalf of Mayor Warren and Green Newton, we are asking for your help on an important environmental initiative for Newton residents.

We announced the Newton Energy $avers program (NE$) in October to fulfill Mayor Warren’s vision for sustainability. With an ambitious goal of completing 1,000 Home Energy Assessments (HEAs) in 12 months, NE$ will save energy and money for residents, while protecting the environment for everyone.

An HEA is free, simple to schedule, and provides homeowners with three core benefits:

•Instant Savings Measures: Energy saving improvements, such as no-cost installation of energy-efficient light bulbs and water-saving devices on qualified fixtures.
•Health and Safety Checks: Test for toxic carbon monoxide, asbestos, mold, mildew, and fire hazards.
• A Customized Action Plan: Recommended next steps to save more money and make your home more comfortable and sustainable, such as weatherization measures, insulation or solar solutions.

Some of you may know of the very successful energy efficiency programs that have been implemented in the school buildings. We are now asking Newton’s PTOs to help bring the benefits of this approach to all Newton residents. We will work with you in any way that makes sense to you and we will support the efforts of participating PTOs with:

• Fliers and other printed material
• A web landing page for each school, to make it easy to schedule a home energy assessment
• Information table with staff at events where you would like the school community to be able to schedule an assessment (e.g., Parent-teacher nights, principal’s coffee)
• Supporting materials including business cards with address of landing page, talking points, phone call work sheets and other materials
• Brief article for the PTO newsletter

Not only will your efforts help families benefit from energy savings and safety measures, and help slow climate change, but you can also help your PTO. Green Newton will make a $10 donation to your PTO for each completed HEA resulting from your outreach.

To get your PTO started with Newton Energy $avers send an email to us and the NE$ team at GreenNewtonOutreach@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Andy Savitz
Newton Sustainability Director

Marcia Cooper
President, Green Newton

How Many Hours Can You Read This Summer?

It’s not too late to be a part of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge. Come to celebrate reading, learn more about the challenge, and sign up onsite at Antoine’s Pastry Shop
(317 Watertown Street, Nonantum) on August 13th, 5:00-6:00 pm. For a flyer please click here: Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge 2015.

All registered readers who log hours are eligible to win prizes including an iPad mini, a Toshiba laptop, and coupons & discounts from local businesses.

If you cannot attend but want to register for the Mayor’s Summer Reading Challenge, go to www.newtonma.gov/summerread or pick up a form at the Newton Free Library.

Dear Resident,

Due to the potential for severe weather this evening, the community-wide vigil for the people of Charleston, South Carolina, originally scheduled for tonight, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m. has been postponed. The vigil will be rescheduled for Tuesday, June 30th at 6:00 p.m. on the steps outside the War Memorial at City Hall.