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Boston Celebrity Chef Cooking Class for Kids with Charlene Smith

Kids & Parents Cook with Celebrity Chef & Sweet Genuis Charlene Smith

at the Boston Center for Adult Education with Popular Kids Program “Bean City Kids”

WHAT:             The Boston Center for Adult Education’s (BCAE) Bean City Kids program is continuing the popular monthly series of interactive kids’ celebrity chef classes! On Monday, July 23rd, 2012 from 3:30PM to 4:30PM, kids will have the opportunity to tap into their creative side, working spoon to spoon with celebrity chef Charlene Smith of Sorellina restaurant, most recently seen winning The FoodNetwork’s “Sweet Genius.”

The interactive cooking classes are hands-on, allowing kids to explore a whole new world of food appreciation while learning the tricks of the trade. They will take part in the cooking process from start to finish, building confidence and pride in the dishes they’ve created. At the end of the session the group will sit down with Chef Smith and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Conveniently scheduled after school, the classes are perfect for children six to nine years of age! The themes & items prepared vary from month tomonth. All classes are nut-free. There MUST be a parent/caregiver present during class who is responsible for each child (no more than 3 kids per adult). Child’s registration fee coverscaregiver.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to sift and mix with Chef Charlene Smith!

WHEN:             Monday, July 23rd, 2012; 3:30PM-4:30PM; 1 session

COST:              $45 Members/Non-Members, $15 Materials

WHERE:           Boston Center for Adult Education 122 Arlington Street Boston, MA 02116.

RSVP:              Registration is necessary. Please visit www.bcae.org or call the Boston Center for Adult Education at 617-267-4430 to sign up. There must be a parent/ caregiver present during class time. No more than 3 students per adult.

ADDITIONAL:  Suitable for children 6-9 years of age

                        Completely nut-free

Children must be supervised by a parent or a caregiver.

July 10, 2012
30th Anniversary for Women Cantors Network!

Congratulations to the Women Cantors Network who recently celebrated its 30th anniversary at a conference in Newton. This is big news because for centuries, women were not allowed to lead prayers in the synagogue, and now, starting in the 70s for Reform cantors and the 80s for Conservative cantors when they were first ordained in the seminaries, the role of the female cantor has blossomed nationwide.

From far and wide, 100 women cantors gathered mid-June at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Women Cantors Network. In prayer and song, in workshop and lecture, the members learned, sang and worshipped together over the course of three and a half days.

“Thirty years ago I could not have imagined an annual gathering of 100 women from across the country – this year even from Hamburg, Germany,” said WCN founder Deborah Katchko-Gray. “Thirty years ago we were twelve women with lots of questions and energy – today with close to 250 members, we have support, friendship and opportunities through our email listserve and conferences for Jewish learning, spiritual growth and sharing music.”

They’ve come a long way, baby! Although women have only been invested as cantors since the mid-70’s, they now make up a large part of the graduating class from the conservative and reform seminaries. And that doesn’t take into account the many women cantorial soloists and prayer leaders across the country who were also in attendance at the conference. The remarkable growth and acceptance of women cantors caught the eye of Rachel Adelstein, a doctoral candidate from University of Chicago, who came to interview the women for her dissertation.

“Literally in one lifetime — mine — women cantors have gone from being a rarity to being so common that I was well into my thirties before I even met a male cantor,” said Adelstein. “Cantor Sheila Cline, whom I met at the conference, was the second female graduate of Hebrew Union College’s School of Sacred Music. She graduated the same year that I was born!” Others came for support from the “veteran” members, such as Cantorial Soloist Jane Roman Pitt from Fairfield, Iowa. “I had to gather my courage to come as I didn’t know anyone,” she said.

“But I was met by warmth and a willingness to share the knowledge, the wisdom and the music of one hundred women who became like one as the days went on. In fact, the last service was one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life.”

Beth Avodah Rabbi Keith Stern, who joined Glickman and other WCN members in leading the opening night worship, commented on the inspiring nature of women leading services in song. “’Kol Isha,’ boy, those guys never heard these women,” he said, referring to the ancient rabbinic prohibition against hearing women sing.

July 9, 2012
Local Gymnast Aly Raisman Brings Home Olympic Gold!

Aly Raisman from crsportsnews.

Congratulations to Needham resident Alexandra Raisman who made the U.S. Women’s Gymnastic Olympic team. She is a three-year member of the U.S. national gymnastics team and trains alongside Alicia Sacramone, also a U.S. National team member, at Brestyan’s Gymnastics.

I guess it’s the reality of Olympic Competition that two elite teammates — the same age, and making the same sacrifices — who both deserve a place on the team, but there is only one spot this Olympics for the two of them. And so one will fade into the background while the other shines in the spotlight. And yet, they are not so different and it could have gone either way had the make up of the U. S. team been different.

I admire Alicia’s grace during a time when she must have been crushed. She tweets: “Thanks to ALL of my supporters! You have been truly amazing! I leave this sport with no regrets and a kick ass comeback to my name!”

And gave a lovely compliment to her teammate …

[Alicia] Sacramone, a member of the 2008 silver medalist team at Beijing, but who missed making the London team, passed the torch to Raisman by calling her the “backbone” of the US squad, a “rock under pressure.” from the Boston Globe

Alicia Sacramone

And what makes it perhaps more difficult (or not), Alicia had an outstanding performance at the Olympic trials, but the team had been picked long before the trials began.

Sacramone had performed well on her two events, vault and beam, but she didn’t figure into the mix, even as an alternate, because the U.S. is strong on vault, led by world gold medalist McKayla Maroney.

Sacramone, 24, had torn her Achilles tendon before the 2011 world championships, but didn’t appear to figure into the plans of team coordinator Martha Karolyi during her comeback. Karolyi said she had known who her five-member team would be “for quite a while.” USA Today

All year long Martha Karolyi, the women’s national team coordinator, had said that Aly Raisman was exactly the kind of gymnast the Americans needed in London. Rock solid, consistent, unshakable. Boston.com

Aly Raisman brings experience and mental toughness to the team, and perhaps is stronger in more events than Sacramone?

Raisman, who finished fourth in the all-around at worlds in 2011, brings a steady, mentally tough presence to the floor, and will be perhaps the most experienced gymnast on the squad.

Karolyi said she also appreciates Raisman’s consistency, her unfailing ability to perform at a high level, something the U.S. team will need if it intends to win gold in London. from ESPN

The men’s and women’s gymnastics teams are contenders for Olympic Gold in London. Such big expectations mean a lot of pressure on each team member. I am confident that Aly Reisman is up to the challenge and that it will be a lot of fun to watch her on the world stage.

Aly Raisman – Balance Beam – 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Podium Training

Aly Raisman Wins Gold in Olympic Floor Exercise

Aly Raisman Beam Routine at London Olympics

Aly Raisman London 2012 Fighter

July 8, 2012
Great Newton Sports Camps With Space Available Next Week
Be Ahead of the Game still has space in our soccer & swim camp, tennis camp, and flag football camp, in Newton or Weston. My son did the tennis camp with Coach Mike last summer and LOVED it!

Garden City Soccer Camp 2012 at Newton North High School
- Youth soccer camp, now in its 13th year, to be held at the fields at Newton North High School
- Camp runs from 9 am to 4 pm during the week of July 2nd-6th (no camp on Wednesday, July 4th) and 9 am to 3 pm during the week of July 9th-13th
- Designed for boys and girls ages 7-14
- Opportunity to learn from some of the top coaches in the city
- Directed by Brian Rooney – former Girls’ Varsity coach at Newton North and Boys’ Varsity coach at Newton North and Newton South
- Counseling staff includes current and former players from Newton North and Newton South boys’ and girls’ soccer programs
- Daily technical training (dribbling, passing, shooting, receiving, heading, etc.)
- Daily tactical training (1v1 offense and defense, 2v1 offense and defense, etc.)
- Individual and group skills competitions each day
- Competitive scrimmages or tournaments each day
- Prizes and awards given away daily
- Swimming at the Newton North Pool offered daily
- Cost per week is $275
For more information, contact Brian Rooney at brian_rooney@newton.k12.ma.us. There is still room for next week. Contact Brian Rooney to find out more.

My daughter is doing Garden City and she raves about it. She especially likes swimming in the afternoon to cool down after soccer. Brian Rooney was her coach for Newton Girls Travel Soccer last year and he’s wonderful! Parents praise him for being calm at all times, making all players better, giving positive instructions, and emphasizing having fun.
July 7, 2012
NewTV features Local Artists – The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II

Who even knew that NewTV had a art gallery? I certainly didn’t. But they do – just outside the offices -and showcase many talented local artists (previously featured artists include Marian Dioguardi and Coleman Rogers) and save the date for the Gallery Reception of The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II on July 18th, 7-9 pm.

Featuring Local Artists – Sharon Schindler, Emily Sper, Jeffrey Hayes, Amy Kaufman, Jeanne Gugino, Jessamyn Martin, Douglas Weisman, and Myra Abelson.

This is a great way to see these artists in a casual setting. You can also see Sharon Schindler’s work in the lobby of the Newton North High School (there is a beautiful photo of the old Newton North printed on birch wood just outside the main office) and some gorgeous photos of Israel at Temple Reyim on Washington Street, Newton.

Save the Date!

Please join us for a wine and cheese reception at NewTV as we celebrate our newest exhibit, The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II. Presented by Newton Open Studios, and curated by Ellen Fisher. Eight artists from Newton Open Studios explore the still life format, presenting a varied and delightful sampling that challenges preconceived notions of the genre. These still lifes often peer into unusual places, occasionally verge on abstraction, and tackle both conventional and unexpected subjects. Exhibit runs through August 20.

From the website:

At the NewTV Art Gallery, we offer a moment to reflect upon a photo, painting, collage, or any frameable medium. We encourage local, emerging and established artists to submit work for one of our quarterly group or solo exhibits, art openings, and on-line exposure. Work is for sale, with pricing established by the individual artists. Please support our state of the Arts!

NewTV | 23 Needham St | Newton Highlands MA 02461

Telephone: 617.965.7200

Fax: 617.965.5677

Email: newtv@newtv.org

As I explored the website I learned of the many class offerings – what a tremendous resource. Classes include Animation Workshops, Studio, Field and Post Production classes and even a Screenwriting class. and Any Newton resident, non-profit organization or business can join NewTV for a small, annual membership fee. Once you’ve signed up, you are eligible to take any classes or workshops offered by NewTV, use any of NewTV’s equipment and book the Conference Room or Studio, all free of charge with your membership.

NewTV is also running a NewTVSummer Raffle

EXCLUSIVE TO NEWTV MEMBERS!

Spread the word about NewTV’s fantastic membership opportunities to your friends and you can enter our Summer Raffle. It’s easy! All you have to do is refer a friend for a NewTV membership. Once they sign up, you are automatically entered in the raffle, with the opportunity to win one of three great prizes!

Grand Prize is a brand new iPad 2

Second prize is a 32 GB iPod Touch

Third prize is a $100 iTunes gift card

An individual membership referral will give you 1 raffle ticket, a family membership referral will give you 5 and a non-profit will give you 10.

Please email Member Services Coordinator Michael Crossen-Sills at michaelcs@newtv.org with your referrals so we can enter you into the drawing.

Deadline is August 31, 2012

July 6, 2012
FREE and Fun for Kids: The Commonwealth Museum

The Commonwealth Museum is most appreciated by students who are studying (or who have already studied) early Massachusetts history or government. However, a visit to the museum can be an ideal introduction for children who are going to study the history. School groups visit us during the school year (we are booked almost every day,) primarily they are third through eighth graders. When the school groups come in they use grade level educational packets that are aligned to the state frameworks.

Our museum focuses on life in Massachusetts from the colonial period, through the revolutionary, federal and industrial reform periods. In the Colonial gallery, there is a large touch table where students can study and learn about documents from the colonial period. In the Revolutionary gallery, students are invited to make rubbings from of one of Paul Revere’s engravings. Other interactive exhibits include:

Salem Witch Trial Game – students question one another to see if they might have been accused of being a witch in the 1600’s.

Know Your Rights Interactive Video– individual rights are brought to life and made relevant by students telling their stories, visitors decide whether the individual’s rights were violated and why.

Travel Game – students compare different methods of travel from 200 years ago.

Spindle Game – students power and operate a simulated factory machine from a textile mill, which brings to life the hardships put on mill workers which fueled the need for workers’ rights and education reform.

Children are always interested in our treasures gallery where they have the opportunity to see the copper plate engraved by Paul Revere and our state’s founding documents up close and personal. They love to speculate what might have caused the stain in the upper right hand corner of the 1691 Charter of the Province of Massachusetts and to see John Hancock’s larger than life signature on the Declaration of Independence.

A visit to the museum is concluded with an uplifting 10 minute movie in our state of the art surround sound theater that ties up the themes of democracy and individual rights.

We are always free to the public . Our hours are Monday- Friday from 9-5, excluding major holidays.

The Commonwealth Museum is located in the State Archives Building next to the JFK Library
220 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125

By Car (free parking)
From the north: Rte 3/I-93S to exit 15 (Morrissey Blvd/JFK Library). Follow signs for UMass and JFK Library.
From the west: Rte I-90/Mass Pike to I-93 South. Follow signs for UMass and JFK Library.
From the south: Rte 3/I-93N to exit 14 (Morrissey Blvd/JFK Library). Follow signs for UMass and JFK Library.

By MBTA
Take the MBTA Red Line to JFK/UMass station. Free shuttle Bus #2 stops at the Archives Building and the JFK Library. The bus runs every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the hour and 20 minutes after and before the hour.

July 6, 2012
Top 10: Reasons to Start Playing Volleyball Especially for Kids
Volleyball for Kids

by Caroline Beck

1. You don’t have to be really young to start. You can start as late as freshman year in high school and still become a great volleyball player with a little persistence and hard work.

2. It’s a growing sport in New England. Although we aren’t as strong as the west coast in volleyball quite yet, New England clubs are starting to compete in and win tournaments across the United States proving that volleyball is on its way up on the east coast.

3. It can be played all year round. It’s never too hot or too cold for and indoor sport. It’s always volleyball time!

4. You don’t have to be 6 feet tall to play. Despite what most people think, not all positions in volleyball require height. One of the best players on my team is less than 5 feet tall! There are plenty of postitons for people who aren’t super tall.

5. It requires a lot of teamwork. Volleyball teaches a lot of communication, teamwork, and trust skills. All 6 people on the court need to work together and trust each other in order to be a successful team.

6. There are so many great clubs to try out for. Besides playing for high school, club volleyball is a great way to gain skills. Here are some of the main clubs in Massachusetts:
- S.M.A.S.H.
- Beantown
- Pumas
- MetroWest
- CMass
- Mass Patriots
7. Volleyball appeals to all kinds of athletes. Whether you’re a fierce competitor or more of a social butterfly, volleyball is a great sport to play. It has intense the competition and activity but also has the all the fun of being a team sport and spending time with kids your age that share the love for the game.

8. It is a great way to stay active. Some people feel that volleyball isn’t a true sport because there isn’t full out sprinting involved. However, volleyball has many active parts to it. You must stay low for long periods of time, move quickly and fluently side to side, chase after balls, and even dive. Plus, volleyball tournaments often last up to 8 hours! Trust me, you’ll be thoroughly exercised by the end.

9. There are so many opportunities to play over the summer. Volleyball camps, clinics, and leagues take place all summer long for kids of all levels to play. Here are just a few:
- Beantown Camps
- S.M.A.S.H Camps
- Boston College Volleyball Camp
- Nike Camp at Curry College
- Bay State Games
i. Tryout required
- MGA Sports Inc.
i. Tournaments, clinics, lessons, and open gym time

10. It’s fun of course! Volleyball is a blast to play. It’s exciting, intense, and fast paced and always keeps you on your toes. So get out there and play!

Caroline Beck is an uprising sophomore at Medfield High School who plays volleyball at SMASH Volleyball Club in Newton. She also enjoys singing, playing guitar and piano, playing tennis, and of course writing!
July 5, 2012
How To: Photograph Fireworks Effectively

Please donate to support the Newton Fireworks.

Photogs! Have you tried to capture 4th of July fireworks only to be disappointed? Here are 7 tips courtesy of Pholium, the digital photo book design and giving app for the iPad, with 7 do’s and don’ts to help amateur photographers take a series of sparkling photos to capture the show, just in time to capture the fireworks show in Newton.

And a plea for financial support for the Newton Fireworks show:

For the past 23 years, Newton Community Pride has sponsored the July 4th Festivities for the City of Newton. With the help of our sponsors, this celebration has been totally free to the public.

Like most non-profit organizations, Newton Community Pride is feeling the pinch of the present economic crisis. We cannot continue without your help. Having enjoyed this event for so many years, free of charge, we hope that you will help keep this tradition alive. As Newton Community Pride celebrates its 23rd Anniversary, please consider giving $23 (or any amount you choose) to help continue this fun-filled day for another 23 years!

Send a check payable to Newton Community Pride to 225 Nevada Street, Newton, MA 02460 or use your credit card to make a tax deductible donation on-line.

Yes, I want to help support the Newton Fireworks! Make an on-line donation.

p.s. A great place to view the Newton 4th of July Fireworks is on the hill near Albermarle Field and the Fessenden School.

1.       DO have the right equipment. A camera with manual controls and a tripod are crucial, with a remote shutter release being a close second.Setting the camera on manual allows you to control the focus of your pictures, and a tripod provides a stable place to rest the camera while taking shots – which also allows you to join the photo-taking fun!

2.       DON’T use the flash. A flash is not necessary for capturing fireworks displays since it’s already brighter than the light we normally photograph. Turn off your flash setting and let the natural light take control.

3.       DO use a lens that is wide enough to capture a more visible area than you think you need. You don’t want to miss the candid shots of your kids running around while the fireworks are in motion.

4.       DON’T be afraid to reposition. When the fireworks start going off, look at your preview screen and reposition your camera to frame the images the way you want. Feel free to move the tripod around and make sure the landscape is captured as you intend.

5.       DO lower your film speed. Lowering your film speed (or ISO in tech terms) reduces the opportunity for shadows, color specs and grain and makes for a clearer image. Because the fireworks you are capturing will be very bright, 100 ISO is an ideal place to start.

6.       DON’T forget to adjust the f-stop. The f-stop measures lens aperture and will show you if the fireworks photos are over or under exposed. If colored fireworks are white and not well defined, the shot is overexposed and the f-stop number needs to be increased. If the fireworks aren’t bright enough, the aperture needs to be opened by reducing the f-stop number.

7.       DO adjust your shutter speed. Because the length of each fireworks blast varies, setting your shutter speed to B instead of a pre-determined setting will allow you to control how long your camera’s shutter is open to capture blasts. The B setting allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you press it to capture the perfect shot.

In the end, fireworks displays offer the opportunity to experiment with your camera and have fun with your photos.And, once all the images are captured, you can use Pholium to create a digital photo book that tells a story that can be shared with family and friends.

July 3, 2012
Local Olympic Hopeful: Gymnast Alicia Sacramone

24 year old Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, MA is headed to London for the 2012 Olympic Games this July. Sacramone started competitive gymnastics at age 8 and her career has skyrocketed since then. She has had some ups and downs in her career, including a devastating fall in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a temporary retirement that followed. Just one year later, Sacramone came out of retirement and soon redeemed herself with a gold medal in vault at the 2010 World Championships. Now, she is on her way to the 2012 Olympics to show everyone what she is capable of.

July 2, 2012
Newton Farmer’s Markets Open This Week!

Farmers Markets in Newton

I am excited for Newton’s Farmer’s Markets to open this week! I go to both some weeks. Friday’s has better parking but a more limited selection. Tuesdays also has the ice cream truck parked inside with premium ice cream as a way to get the kids to come along without complaining.

What is your favorite stand or item to buy? My vote is the peaches and the fish guys.

Tuesdays

New Cold Spring Park

1200 Beacon Street

Newton, MA 02464

July 3 – October 30

1:30PM – 6:00PM

New this season at the Tuesday Market will be fresh Mushrooms and Raviolis.

Fridays

American Legion Post 440,

295 California St., Parking Lot

July 6 – October 5

12:00PM – 5:00PM

July 1, 2012