Last chance to sign up for Spring volleyball! Williams Elementary is offering co-ed Intro to Volleyball/Mini-Volleyball this Spring taught by Be Ahead of the Game. Skills, teamwork, and a focus on fun! Students from all schools welcome!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-volleyball-clinics-williams-with-be-ahead-of-the-game-registration-44727555322.
Wednesday evenings from May 2nd – June 6th
You’re invited to an artistic celebration in memory of Newton’s acclaimed street artist Bob Guillemin. Join Sidewalk Sam’s family as they create a sidewalk chalk artwork in celebration of beauty and the power of community art. A special commendation will be presented by Mayor Ruthanne Fuller at 10:30 am.
This event is part of the Festival of the arts celebration and is presented by Thinkfolk, whose goal is to connect audiences to inspiring stories of folk, street, vernacular and indigenous artists from all over the world.
May 5th, 9:00 – 11:00 am (10:30 am Commemoration Ceremony)
Newton Center Green, at the intersection of Center Street and Langley Road
“In 1972, following a radical hunch, Bob Guillemin (a.k.a. Sidewalk Sam) began chalking colorful renditions of European masterpieces on the gritty sidewalks of Boston and Cambridge. He quickly fell in love with the energy and sanctity of the street and never looked back. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980s, he created thousands of ephemeral artworks and preached an inclusive and socially-minded art philosophy. Believing that art could and should change the world, he developed large and small participatory art projects that engaged communities one person at a time. Even after an accident placed him in a wheelchair at the age of 55, he continued to make a living as a public artist and an impact as a cultural entrepreneur. He died at the age of 75, and all traces of his sidewalk art have vanished, but his legacy endures with those he captivated and inspired”. – Rob Guillemin
The 4th Annual Newton Asian Culture Festival presented by the Chinese American Association of Newton is an event with multiple Asian cultures supported by the Newton Mayor’s office for Culture Affairs.
Asian culture is rich and diverse. It traces back thousands of years and is one of the world’s oldest cultures. In order to introduce Asian culture to our community friends and neighbors, the Newton Asian Culture Festival features a different Asian cultural theme each year. The past three years we showcased traditional instruments and traditional costumes. This year the theme will be Asian traditional costumes and clothing. You will have a rare opportunity to dress up traditional clothes for a photo opportunity.
In addition, you and your family can also watch traditional Asian folk dance, listen to Asian folk songs and try some traditional Asian food. The festival will also feature many activities for children such as arts & crafts, face painting and games. Please bring your family and friends to join this family oriented cultural festival. Click here for flyer.
May 5th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue
We All Screen…
Too Much?
Learn how to manage screen time for your children, from Newton-Wellesley’s experts.
Please join for a showing of Screenagers* and a night of lively discussion to help you
and your adolescent navigate the digital world and find balance. Click here for flyer.
May 23rd, 6:30 pm
Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Shipley Auditorium
2014 Washington Street, Newton
The Newton Highlands After-School Program, just for middle school children is hosting Open House events for interested families. This is a terrific opportunity for parents of 5th graders to learn more about the program as they plan for the next school year. Space is limited … Sign up today! For more information please contact: Rochelle Acker at 617-999-4617 or highlandsafterschool@gmail.com or visit highlandsafterschool.org.
May 8th, May 23th, and June 4th, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands
Join Newton Mothers Out Front to Tag Gas Leaks! Newton has 600 natural gas leaks. In addition to being a safety hazard, methane is a powerful global warming pollutant, 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide on a 20-year time scale.
For more information, see www.facebook.com/NewtonMOF/. Register at mothersoutfrontnewton@gmail.com
May 12th, 1:00 pm (rain date May 19th)
Front Steps of Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Avenue
Calvin Chin’s Martial Arts Academy (CCMAA) will be putting on a spectacular show to benefit the Helen Gee Chin Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity. CCMAA has performed at various events in the community including Newton public and private schools, Newton Relay for Life, and City Hall. Helen Gee Chin was the administrator at CCMAA for 15 years and a proponent of preserving the history and promoting the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded more than $80,000 in college scholarships to students all over the US!
The students and instructors put on a great show with lion dance, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, flags, and weapons, with something new every year! To view last year’s show, go to the video page www.calvinchin.com/video and scroll down to the 2017 Fundraiser Exhibition, but it’s so much better in person! Proceeds of video, ticket and t-shirt sales go to the Foundation. Please go to www.hgcscholarshipfoundation.org for more information.
June 10th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Newton North High School Lasker Auditorium
457 Walnut Street, Newtonville
Connect at the Y – Friends are free all month long! Members of the West Suburban YMCA can bring a friend for free throughout the months of May.
Kids Night Out May 4th, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
The West Suburban YMCA invites parents to bring their children (grades K-5) to the Y for a fun and supervised Friday night program. Children will enjoy pizza for dinner and engage in games, swimming, movies and sports! Go out for the night and take advantage of this low-cost alternative to hiring a babysitter. Everyone wins! Cost: $30 per child ($25 for members). A 20% discount is offered per child for those with two or more children. Kids’ Night Out is held on the 1st Friday of each month. For more information, contact the Y’s Youth & Teen Services Director, Jeremy Smith at jeremys@wsymca.org.
Poetry Night May 4th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Organized by Barbara Helfogtt-Hyett of Poemworks, the event begins with readings by two published poets. Then 10-12 guests participate in the Open Mic portion of evening to share their own written work. Young musicians from the on-site music program will play live music at the beginning of each event. This event is free and open to the public.
Family Fun Night May 8th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. Featuring arts & crafts, bouncy house, games and more! Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights are generously sponsored by the Belmont Savings Bank Foundation.
First Time Home Buyer Seminar May 9th, 6:00 pm
If you are considering buying your first home, join us for an educational seminar. Our friends at Belmont Savings will answer your questions and help you understand the topics of credit, down payments, prequalifying, agent selection, application and purchase process.
Guided Meditation May 12th, 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Take a moment out of your day for this short, guided meditation that will leave you feeling relaxed, grounded and rejuvenated.
Financial Assistance is always available for Y Memberships and Programs. The West Suburban YMCA is a non-profit charitable organization and it is their mission to never turn anyone away due to an inability to pay. Please contact the Membership Department at 617-244-6050 x3653 for financial assistance with membership or program participation.
Pickleball
Join on Tuesdays from 9:30 -11:30 am and take up a new sport: Pickleball! What’s Pickleball, you ask? Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. All are welcome to come and try this up-and-coming sport. $5.00 drop-in fee.
Fall 2018 After School Program Registration
Enrollment for Fall 2018 Out-of-School Time at the West Suburban YMCA is open. Out-of-School Time (OST) is an engaging after-school care program for grades K-8. The school-year program follows the Newton Public School calendar, including extended hours and Early Release Days, and transportation to the Y is available from most elementary and middle schools in Newton. For more information, visit wsymca.org or contact Jeremy Smith at 617-244-6050 x3068 or jeremys@wsymca.org.
Have the Best Summer Ever
The West Suburban YMCA wants kids to have the best summer ever, so attend a camp open house and find your perfect fit:
Camp Pikati Open House
May 12th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and May 30th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
276 Church Street, Newton
Camp Chickami Open House
May 12th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm and May 31st, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
139 Boston Post Road, Wayland
Camp Frank A. Day Open House
May 20th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and June 3rd, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
125 South Pond Road, East Brookfield
Registration for summer camp is ongoing, but sessions are beginning to fill. For more information, visit wsymca.org or contact Camping Services at 617-244-6050 ex. 3008 or email campingservices@wsymca.org.
The Newton After School Association, in celebration of National After School Week, will display a collection of posters showcasing the wonderful work that school aged childcare programs are doing in Newton.
The exhibition is in the main lobby area of Newton City Hall from April 23rd – May 2nd.