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  • 2 Quick Food Finds Near Brandeis University

    2 Quick Food Finds Near Brandeis University

    Alison and I checked out quick food options that are walking distance from Brandeis University for our New England Top 100 College Showcase, an inaugural girls soccer college recruiting event from Foley Athletic Advising.

    We asked around and found two great places within a five-minute walk from the Brandeis soccer field.

    AK’s

    559 South St

    Waltham, MA 02453

    • Pizzas
    • Slices
    • Calzones
    • Subs
    • More Subs
    • Burgers
    • Wraps
    • Pasta
    • Dinners
    • Salads
    • Starters
    • Desserts
    • Chips
    • Drinks

    Food Finds Near Brandeis University Ak's

    AK’s has great pizza and sandwiches including vegan and gluten-free options including gluten free pizza!

    AK's vegan burger

    You can call in if you are in a hurry or even have the food delivered to the field!

    Ak's near Brandeis

    There is also dine-in seating! They are known for their great food and their fast service.

    AK's near Brandeis soccer field

    There is also a great Greek yogurt shop across the street from AK’s.

    Chillbox Greek Frozen Yogurt

     570 South St

    Waltham, MA 02453

    They have smoothies, ice cream, Greek frozen yogurt, and lots of toppings including fresh fruit!

    Chillbox Greek Yogurt near Brandeis

    Here are the hours:
    Chillbox Waltham hours of operation

    ChillBox Greek Frozen Yogurt near Brandeis

    Here are more dining options near Brandeis. There are also restaurants a short drive away including Panera, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Einstein Brothers Bagels.

     

    I also have Brandeis Athletics Visitors Guide here, a downloadable PDF with everything from hotels to parking to restaurants.

    Brandeis Athletics Visitors Guide 2018-19-V2

    Some highlights:

    Free parking is available outside Gosman Athletic Center during non-business hours. Parking overnight or during business hours is prohibited without permission from Brandeis Public Safety (781-736-4250)

     

    Brandeis Campus Map

  • Dena is Now a Trainer at Nonantum Boxing Club!

    Dena is Now a Trainer at Nonantum Boxing Club!

    It’s never too late. I’m training with ladies in their mid-40s and mid-50s who want to learn to box … as a fighter.

    Dena Dina Nonantum Boxing Club trainer

    Watch us train with 2016 Ringside National Champion Dena at Nonantum Boxing Club in Newton.

    She’s now taking clients for private and semi-private training.

    To contact her, please call Nonantum Boxing Club at (617) 340-3700.

  • Nonantum Boxing Club January Fitness Special! $30 for 30 Days!

    Nonantum Boxing Club January Fitness Special! $30 for 30 Days!

    It’s not too late to get fit at Nonantum Boxing Club!

    New members can join for $30 for 30 days and take unlimited classes!

    Hours:

    Mon–Thu: 2pm to 9pm
    Fri: 2pm to 8pm
    Sat: 9am to 2pm
    Sun: 10am to Noon

    Nonantum Boxing Club
    75 Adams St
    Newton, MA 02458

     

    617.340.3700
    info@nonantumboxingclub.com

    Nonantum Boxing Club 2019 January Fitness Special

  • Priyanka Chopra tells Vogue of experiencing racism at NNHS

    Priyanka Chopra tells Vogue of experiencing racism at NNHS

    When Priyanka Met Nick: A Love Story is the latest piece in Vogue Magazine about her nuptials. Imagine if Priyanka said that of all the places she lived in the United States, Newton was by far the best and that should she ever wanted to raise children in the United States, she would want to live here.

    Priyanka Chopra tells Vogue of experiencing racism at NNHS

    Image from Vogue

    Instead, Newton North High School was an emotionally scarring experience for her. The racism and bullying that she experienced were such that she decided to leave the United States after that year. And get this: She lived in Quens, New York and Cedar Rapids in IOWA!  Iowa is where elementary teachers dressed up as MAGA wall!

    Newton has the distinction of being more racist than Iowa for Priyanka Chopra, who, by the way, has 23.6 million followers on Twitter, and 39 million followers on Facebook. It’s not a stretch to say that millions upon millions of people will read this article in which NNHS is called out for racism. Will this affect people from wanting to move to Newton? Will this affect property values? Who knows? But it could have easily gone the other way. Newton North High School did not have to be the worst experience of bullying in Chopra’s life.

    “When she was twelve, Chopra visited relatives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was amazed that students didn’t wear uniforms. She asked her mother to let her stay in America for high school. “That was my teenage vanity,” Chopra says, laughing. “I was like: I get to be cute? Girls are wearing makeup and their hair down. Land of the free, here I come!”

    She spent part of her ninth-grade year in Cedar Rapids, and the rest with relatives in Queens, New York. Tenth grade she spent with extended family in Indianapolis, Indiana; eleventh grade in Newton, Massachusetts. Her favorite city was New York. “Because it was Queens,” she says. “So diverse, so fun.” She discovered hip-hop. “I had braids. It was a whole thing—puffer jackets, I was in love with Tupac. I wore black for 20 days when he was killed.”

    She was less crazy about Newton, where she was subjected to racist taunts at school. (“Go back on the elephant you came on,” she remembers. And “Oh, my God, do you smell the curry?”) “It really marked the way I felt and my self-esteem.” Chopra decided she’d had enough of the U.S. “I wanted to go back to the uniform.”

     

    Have things changed? Is Newton North High School less racist? My experience five years ago with Thoroughly Modern Millie says that it has not. And has there been any changes to address racism in general in the school system curriculum? My children have not experienced any. They have gone through anti-bullying training, SOS suicide prevention training, and stranger danger training. But nothing on racism. As if it didn’t exist. But it does, and it rears its head loudly at times, but quietly through micro-aggressions a lot more frequently.

     

     

  • New La Tate Mexican Restaurant is Muy Delicioso!

    La Tate Mexican Restaurant in Newton is new and we just tried it! First of all, we were impressed by the salsa. It was fresh and homemade. The usual stuff is not too spicy (probably in deference to the area), but they gave us a habanero salsa that they made for the staff. It was really spicy and delicious. We also sampled the Pico de Gallo, which is kind of salsa to me.

    The guacamole was fresh and delicious. What really impressed me though was the entrees. My enchilada was a spicy pork (I think carnitas) and it was delicious! We also tried the taquitos, also delicious and extremely savory.

    It was a really hot day so I didn’t try the soup but I am looking forward to that.

    The staff is really friendly and the decor is exuberant with brightly colored walls and tables, and an inviting bar showcasing artisanal tequilas.

    This is a wonderful addition to the Newton restaurant food scene. The only downsides to La Tate is the lack of parking. We found street parking on the back side.

    The pricing is also a tad high, especially for lunch specials but I am happy to pay a little extra because it ensures that La Tate can make it in this high rent area and also that they are not skimping on quality ingredients.

    We highly recommend La Tate. They also have a take out menu and I assume they deliver. We will be back!

  • New Teen Room at Newton Free Library

    The new Teen Room at the Newton Free Library is fabulous! Check out all the meeting spaces and inviting nooks!

    The carpet is brand new! The YA books are attractively on display.

    A few things to note about the Teen Room:
    – No adults allowed to sit at the tables!
    – No noise limitations! Make all the noise you want! Meet with friends for homework or study groups.
    – The Maker Room next door is opening as well. It’s open to ALL AGE kids! Soft opening this Saturday!

    Thank you to the Newton patrons who gifted the money for this renovation!

    p.s. The magazines which used to be here are now upstairs.

  • FREE Boxing After School Program for Kids!

    FREE Boxing After School Program for Kids!

    Nonantum Boxing Club is excited to announce their new FREE Youth after school program. Starting this fall school year we will be holding FREE afternoon boxing classes for youth ages 10-17.

    Sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for 90 minutes. If a student expresses interest in furthering their boxing journey, there is an opportunity to train with our elite team on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturdays as well.

    Our goal is to help students in character development, confidence and discipline as well as increase physical fitness and body awareness through the sport of boxing.

    Our focus is on teaching proper workout methods and proper nutrition to the students, reinforcing a healthy lifestyle that many kids lack. All students in the program will work out together in a team atmosphere, as well as incorporate many individual based drills and activities.

    We also have an area for studying. Space with tables and chairs will be available for those who need to study or do homework. We hope to work closely with teachers and guidance counselors to check on students progress in classes. As part of the requirement for every student, we will monitor grades and report cards must be presented.

    We are excited for the upcoming year and look forward to welcoming all Student-Athletes who are interested in the program. This is just the beginning!

    -The Nonantum Boxing Club Team

     

    STAY.. Motivated STAY.. disciplined STAY.. in shape

    STAY.. BOXING

     

    STAY Boxing REGISTRATION FORM

     

    The STAY Boxing Program is a 5013c charity program designed to give kids a free after-school outlet where they can practice boxing and also work on schoolwork in a fun, positive, and disciplined environment.Free Boxing After School Program Nonantum Boxing Club

  • Dawn Davis FREE Yoga Video for Shoulders

    Dawn Davis FREE Yoga Video for Shoulders

    My awesome yoga teacher, Dawn Davis Yoga, is off to Italy on vacation so there is no yoga for the month of August. She left us this free yoga routine and I thought I’d share with you!

    Here’s her message:

    Check out the link to the free yoga video below!
    My hope is you are resting, restoring and rejuvenating! My vision is that you are each having a blast taking in all those little moments that string together to create meaning and joy for you and those you hold dearest to your heart.

    And as promised, here is another gift of yoga for you! Thank you to the wonderful yogis who participated in the making of this as well as to Justin Knight for videoing!

    Looking forward to reconnecting in September! (Sept. 5, to be exact, is the day we resume classes at The beautiful Windsor Club!).

    So, here’s the thing– I haven’t had a chance to figure out how to edit this stuff yet, so this is raw footage. That means that around minute 4, you’ll see the shot is just of our torsos (this lasts for a couple minutes) and then it returns to what you’d expect to see. It might not be too distracting as you’ll be practicing while it happens, but it’s there! My apologies for sending something not entirely polished– but I felt you’d prefer to have the raw version now than wait till I figure this technological stuff out (which apparently, can take a while!)

    Without further ado, I bring you Shoulders! Enjoy and please send me any feedback you think might be helpful for us!

    Dawn Davis Yoga for Shoulders (Unedited):

  • Free and Fun Book Club!

    Free and Fun Book Club!

    Free and Fun Book Club!

    Who? Girls and boys in the fourth and fifth grade

    What? A book club for students taught by a student, Sidnie Kulik, who is a sophomore at the Noble and Greenough School.

    When? One Friday every month (during the academic year) form 7-8 p.m.

    Where? 1736 Washington Street, Auburndale

    Why? To motivate children to read, to improve comprehension skills, to provide an engaging and entertaining social opportunity for kids

     

    Interested?

    Please contact Sidnie Kulik by August 15th

    Email: sidniekulik8888@gmail.com

    Phone: 617-485-9109

     

    Hi everyone! My name is Sidnie Kulik and I am really excited to have the opportunity to run a book club for elementary school students. I feel passionately about this club because I have grown a strong affinity for reading throughout my years at school. Like many students, I was not always super intrigued by the thought of reading. I always thought of it as another school assignment, but as I grew up and started to read more I realized how much I loved the activity. I saw it as an opportunity to connect with others, learn more about the world, and found reading to be very entertaining. I hope to get your child to enjoy to read, at least a little bit, but I am also looking forward to working with elementary aged kids, as I have an awesome cousin that is this age. If you are interested please contact me to sign up before the start of the school year, I will provide more details and information from there. Thank you and I hope to have the opportunity to meet, speak, and read with your children!

    Free and Fun Book Club!