Category Archives: Community Notes

Newton Reads: “I’ll Give You the Sun”

Join Newton Reads: On the Same Page, a month-long community reading program. Throughout March, the Newton Free Library will host a series of events related to the 2016 selection, “I’ll Give You the Sun” by Jandy Nelson. It is a story of first love, family, loss, and betrayal told from different points in time, and in separate voices, by artists Jude and her twin brother Noah.

The idea for Newton Reads began when Newton teens expressed their desire to improve communication with adults about difficult topics. By reading the same book, we hope to broaden and deepen an appreciation of reading and encourage the Newton community to share their experiences. We believe that community connection and inter-generational discussion are essential to promoting tolerance and cultural understanding. To learn more click here: Newton Reads.

Check out this year’s choice and join the discussion! Mark your calendar for the following Newton Reads events. All events are for teens and adults take place in Druker Auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

March 14th, 4:00 or 7:00 pm: Starry Night Pastel Workshop*
March 16th, 7:00 pm: PFLAG Presents: Community Safe Spaces Workshop
March 20th, 2:00 pm: Book Discussion @ L’Aroma Café & Bakery
March 24th, 7:00 pm: Skype with Jandy Nelson
March 30th, 6:30 pm: To Infinity & Beyond: The Afterlife
March 31st, 7:00 pm: Book Discussion @ the Newton Free Library (3rd Floor Rear Arc)

*Registration (required) begins February 22nd. Please register for one workshop.

Newton Food Pantry needs help

The Newton Food Pantry is in great need of additional volunteers on Monday mornings to help unload and store food that is delivered from the food bank. The work only takes about an hour of time. However, the exact time when they need volunteers at the pantry to do this work changes from week to week depending upon the food bank schedule. Typically they need people for an hour, sometime between 9:00 and 11:30 am, and they send out an email a few days in advance advising volunteers of the time. Unloading and storing inventory is crucial to pantry operations and their core group on Mondays is small and desperate for help. Please email ne**************@***il.com if you can help.

As you know, the Newton Food Pantry is an all volunteer non-profit that has been providing food for over 30 years to those in our community who experience food insecurity. They presently provide a 5+ day supply of non-perishable and healthy fresh food to approximately 600 Newton residents each month. But they need your help in order to continue to serve our neighbors in need.

Song Swap

Acoustic Newton presents “Song Swap” at the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall. Folk, Americana, Roots & Blues with Martin Grosswendt & Susanne Salem-Schatz and the Barbara Cassidy Band. Martin Grosswendt and Susanne Salem-Schatz make beautiful music together, presenting a delightful gumbo rooted in the blues and old-time traditions, with soul that comes from deep within and a wry humor that never fails to engage audiences.

Martin is a multi-instrumentalist, internationally known as an inspirational interpreter of pre-war blues and other southern roots music, he is one of roots music’s best kept secrets. Musical partner and remarkable singer Susanne Salem-Schatz complements Grosswendt’s stunning, understated instrumental work and soulful singing with rock solid rhythm, distinctive harmonies and powerful lead vocals. Tickets $10/$5 Students & Seniors www.newtoncommunitypride.org

February 27th,  7:00 pm
Newton City Hall

Not quite ready for Kindergartner?

Begin your child’s journey to school and lifelong learning at Bowen. Enrollment in Bowen’s Pre-K Program is now open for Fall 2016.

Did your child JUST miss the kindergarten cut-off? Would your child benefit from an extra year of academic and social development? If you answered “yes” to one (or both) of these questions, then take a look at Bowen’s Pre-K program which offers a unique opportunity for a third year of pre-school. Pre-K at Bowen combines an exciting mix of academics and social skills brought together by a dedicated team of teachers. These older 4’s and young 5’s work toward goals comparable to those in kindergarten but at a modified pace in a much smaller community with a 7:1 child teacher ratio. This class of 14 quickly becomes a cohesive group working, playing and learning together with enthusiasm. The Pre-K program runs Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 1:00 pm.

For more information about the Pre-K program and an application form, please contact Bowen’s Director Nina Tebaldi at 617-3923 or visit www.BowenCoop.org.

Bowen Cooperative Nursery School offers programs for kids ages 2.9 to 5 years old, including a Pre-K program for older 4’s and younger 5’s who will not be entering kindergarten in the fall. It’s a small, warm, nurturing community of families. Founded in 1955, Bowen is one of the oldest, continuously running cooperative preschools in the country. The school’s low adult to child ratio ensures individualized attention and a supportive environment that encourages exploration, experimentation and discovery while supporting emergent literacy and math skills, science, music and art.

The Art of Mindful Parenting: No hurry , no worry

Please join a four-week mindful parenting series led by by Dr. Yenkuei Chuang. All parents are welcome; no prior meditation experience is needed. The session will consist of guided meditation, reading and discussion on parenting practices. We will learn tools to cultivate awareness and equanimity, love, and wisdom; and we will explore how to apply them in the midst of our busy daily lives.  For additional information, please contact Yenkuei Chuang, Ph.D. at 617-794-9591.

Please register in advance as enrollment is limited to 12 students. Cost is $100 for the series (no single class drop-in’s allowed).

http://www.downunderyoga.com/boston-yoga-classes/yoga-workshops/#!

From Yenkuei: “I think this group will be a wonderful opportunity Continue reading →

Summer music program

Like no other program in the area, Summer Sessions focuses on putting together a unique band with the goal of creating original music recorded in the Music Studio right at the Y. Participants can build and improve upon the creative skills of songwriting, filming, audio engineering, video editing, production, and instrumental or vocal performance while creating a complete professional project – an EP and/or a music video.

Summer Sessions will offer enrolled students the opportunity to form new advanced skills that help mold young musicians into experienced, successful artists. These collaborative projects foster abilities and work ethic that are not exclusive Continue reading →

Plato’s Closet is now Open to Buy!

Plato’s Closet Waltham (owned by Newton South parents) is excited to join the Newton/Waltham community! Plato’s Closet is a “sister store” to Play It Again Sports. They buy and sell gently used clothing and accessories for teens and young adults: girls and guys. They pay cash on the spot for on-trend items that have been in stores within the past 18 months, and you don’t need an appointment.

Items are accepted all year-round; and there is no limit to the items you can bring in. Feel free to check out the website and/or Facebook page where you can “like” them or join the email list. Located at 100 River Street, Waltham: right next to Ocean State Job Lot and a few blocks from Launch, BJs and Russo’s.

www.platosclosetwaltham.com or www.facebook.com/platosclosetwaltham/

In-Home Math and Writing Coaches

Help your student start 2016 off on a good foot by providing them with high quality math or writing coaches in the comfort of your home. Next Level Up Academic Coaching has been working with Newton’s students since 2009. They offer the guided direction that many of today’s students benefit from. Individualized sessions get to the root of the problems quickly and devise strategies meant to work for your specific child.

Contact for a quick response: 781-540-1123 or in**@*****************ng.com. Please visit our website at www.nextleveluptutoring.com.

Time for Partners Vacation Classes

Time for Partners is delighted to announce that when regularly scheduled Time for Partners classes are not meeting, Paula Gannon will hold two EXTRA classes on Wednesday, February 17th and Friday, February 19th from 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

Time for Partners is an art and music class for children aged 18 months to 3.5 years with an adult. The classes take place at Newton City Hall – 50 minutes of art, a snack, and 50 minutes of music.

Families with children aged less than 5 years are welcome to attend this special vacation program. Register through www.ActivityReg.com, click on MA, click on Newton Parks & Rec, click on Mayor’s Office for cultural Affairs, click on Time for Partners. Or call 617-796-1540 for more information. Classes are limited to 20 families each.

QPR training

QPR is a simple, educational program that teachers ordinary citizens how to recognize a mental health emergency and how to get a person at risk the help they need. The next community training will be held soon.

Participants will learn how to:
· Recognize the warning signs of suicide
· Offer hope
· Get help & Refer

February, 23rd
Breakfast reception 8:00 am
Training 8:30 am-10:30 am
Newton City Hall
Registration is required/ Space is limited. Visit www.newtonma.gov/newtoncares to register.