Blog

  • 3rd Annual Newton Children’s Book Festival!

    3rd Annual Newton Children’s Book Festival!

    Meet 100+ Children’s and Young Adult Authors and Illustrators at the 3rd Annual Newton Children’s Book Festival.

    They will be selling and signing their books.

    We have a NEW LOCATION at American Legion Nonantum Post 440, 295 California Street in Newton.

     

    For more information, go to our website.

    Newton Children’s Book Festival 2026

    3rd Annual Newton Childrens Book Festival

  • Free 3-Week Kids Kung Fu Class (Ages 4-8)

    Free 3-Week Kids Kung Fu Class (Ages 4-8)

    Free 3-Week Kids Kung Fu Class

    Boost your child’s strength and confidence!

    From August 23 to September 6, Master Huan Zhang and Sifu Stephanie Gellar are hosting free self-defense and kung fu sessions at GBCCA  at 437 Cherry Street in West Newton.

    Perfect for learning self-protection and standing up to bullies.

     

    Free 3-Week Kids Kung Fu Class (Ages 4-8)

  • How Long Do Water Heaters Last in Older Newton Homes?

    How Long Do Water Heaters Last in Older Newton Homes?

    Both my neighbor and my water heater died in the same week. We both had to scramble to restore hot water to our homes. A local vendor reached out to me with advice that I wanted to share in case anyone else is having this same issue.

    —-

    At Boston Tank Swap, we work in Newton homes every single day — from the classic two-families in Nonantum to the big colonials in Newton Centre — and one thing we see constantly is this:

    Water heaters don’t last as long in older Newton homes as most people expect. (more…)

  • Mini-Golf Fundraiser for Newton Free Library!

    Mini-Golf Fundraiser for Newton Free Library!

    Mini-Golf Takes Over the Library 

    Start practicing your swing. On October 4 and 5, the Newton Free Library will be transformed into an 18-hole mini-golf course, winding its way through the second floor and down the back steps.

     Saturday, October 4 (Adults Only, 21+) | 6:00–9:30 PM
    Evening fun with food, beer and wine, live music, and a silent auction featuring gift cards/certificates from local restaurants and businesses.

     Sunday, October 5 (Family Morning) | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
    The silent auction continues, plus coffee, breakfast treats, Cabot’s ice cream and popcorn for the kids!

    All proceeds go to the Friends of the Newton Free Library to support amazing community programs!

    Support your library

    Play through the bookshelves

    Bring your family, friends, & neighbors!

    Newton Free Library, Newton, MA

    Tickets available at www.friendsofthenewtonfreelibrary.org

    Limited slots available – grab your tickets now!

     

    Mini-Golf Fundraiser for Newton Free Library!

  • Children’s Book Writing Class FOR KIDS!

    Children’s Book Writing Class FOR KIDS!

    My author friend, Joy Meng, is teaching this children’s writing class in WESTON, MA …
     
    Turn your child’s imagination into a published book—at the Weston Recreation Center in just 8 weeks!
     
    In Write It, Draw It, Publish It, children ages 7–10 will brainstorm, write, and illustrate their own stories under the guidance of an Amazon best-selling author. By the end, each young creator will proudly hold a book published worldwide and showcase it at two local book shows!
    Children's Book Writing Class FOR KIDS!
  • #CranesForOurFuture

    #CranesForOurFuture

    My Japanese side of the family is from Hiroshima.

    I’m sharing a paper crane to represent my hope for a world free of nuclear weapons.

    #CranesForOurFuture art by Ukrainian paper artist Mariia Lapitan-Yashchenko.

    https://buff.ly/3zlKW6H

     

    #CranesForOurFuture

  • Incredible Writing Tutor & Guitar Teacher Available!

    Incredible Writing Tutor & Guitar Teacher Available!

    Posting for my daughter’s boyfriend. He’s an incredible writer and can help with college application essays or tutor in English essay writing. He also gives guitar lessons.Ben Cunningham Brown University Bogus Rex

     

     

    Hi! My name is Ben, and I am a Brown University alumni. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA with a double major in English and Music. While at Brown, I won two first-place Preston Gurney prizes— Cultural Criticism and Literary Criticism—awarded to the best undergraduate senior essays in each subject.

    I was also the Editorial Director at WBRU, an editor at the Brown Political Review, and TA’d music production courses. I attended The Lawrenceville School (top 10 high schools nationwide) where I won the fifth form English Prize, received the Emerson Prize for a published paper in the Concord Review, and scored 1590 on my SAT. I currently work part-time at a documentary studio as a Writing Assistant for two Emmy-nominated directors.

    I mentor students on private/boarding, undergraduate, and graduate school application essays. I can also tutor students in essay writing and research in English, history, political science, poetry, and film.

    In my free time, I play in two indie-rock bands, Bogus Rex and The Rug (on Spotify and Apple Music), performing around the New York area. I have experience teaching beginner/intermediate guitar, songwriting, and music production for small groups and individuals.

    I am available both on Zoom and can travel around the Williamsburg/NYC area.

    Please reach out if you’re interested – my email is benjamin_cunningham@alumni.brown.edu

    Thank you!

    Ben Cunningham

    Benjamin Cunningham Brown University Bogus Rex The Rug

    photos by Zoe Lee

  • Are You Greater Than the Sun poem by Sara Ting

    Are You Greater Than the Sun poem by Sara Ting

    Sara Ting, a first-generation Chinese American born in New York City had the honor to deliver a TED Talk in 2021. It offers a solution to uncover and overcome all unconscious biases.

    Laws, policies, and technology cannot eliminate them. Individuals must do it.  The change must come from within. The heart of the talk is the Sun Poem – Are you greater than the sun/that shines on everyone: Black, Brown, Yellow, Red, and White/ the sun does not discriminate.”  Here are comments from healthcare professionals who watched it.

    “The Sun Poem encourages us to pause and think about our interconnectedness as humans.  The poem is beautifully non-judgmental while focusing on societal complexities. The Sun Poem is a fantastic trigger for deep discussions and social action.” Larry G. Dunham, D.M.D., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D. Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Boston 2023

    “The powerful quote of being unwanted by Mother Teresa, made me think about how a simple look can make a person feel unwanted. This is something that all healthcare professionals need to be aware of and this TED talk could dramatically improve patient care.  Liza Parab- Clinical Research Coordinator in Anesthesia at MGH 2022

    World Unity Inc. a non-profit founded by Sara Ting in 1993 is promoting the TED Talk as a DEI resource tool.  AECOM a global infrastructure company and Midwestern University a medical school, have adopted it and posted It on their digital platform. This solution is timeless, universal, transformative, and sustainable.

    For more information call (617) 522-8645.

  • Story Starters Winter 2024 Registration is now Open!

    Story Starters Winter 2024 Registration is now Open!

    Story Starters Winter 2024 Registration is now open through January 19!

    Meet author Kaija Langley at our program kickoff!

    Story Starters Winter 2024 Registration is now open

    Our eight-week Family Conversations Program is designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. Join our Winter 2024 Cohort and be the first to receive our brand new book bundles, along with updated supplemental book lists! 

    Our program provides families with:

    • A bundle of 6 books tailored to your children’s ages
    • 5 caregiver guides full of research, resources, and family activities to support and deepen family race conversations
    • 4 curated book lists to support further exploration and conversation
    • 2 in-person family events and 2 virtual caregiver workshops
    • 2 virtual office hours
    • Support from a network of current families and alumni to lean on and learn from
    • Special events to facilitate community connection

    The program kickoff is Sunday, January 28 from 3:00-4:30 pm at Jammin’ With You. For additional program dates and details, visit: www.story-starters.org/program. Questions? Email kari@story-starters.org

    Story Starters Newton MA

  • GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship

    GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship

    The GBH Kids Scriptwriting Fellowship is a program designed to mentor early-career writers, who are members of underrepresented groups in the greater children’s media industry (including individuals of African American, Asian, Latinx/Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent), in writing scripts for a GBH KIDS animated series focused on STEM learning. The goal is to diversify the pipeline of writers for both this show, and the greater children’s media industry with a hands-on learning experience in television writing for children and an opportunity for their scripts to be produced for this new series.
    GBH Kids looking for 5 exceptional scriptwriting fellows to participate in this 4-month writing workshop. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 12th at 5 pm EST. More information about the program and application requirements is available at https://www.wgbh.org/gbhkidsfellowship