St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival
Where:
Pellegrini Park
11 Hawthorn Street
Nonantum Village in Newton
When: July 16th – July 20th, 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Who: The whole family
How: Tickets needed for rides
Cost: Unlimited Ride Specials $22
Rides, Games, Food, and Fun!
Stacey Peasley Band will be playing July 15 from 2 to 3pm. The concert will be across the street from Panera in the Newton Centre Green. It’s free and perfect for kids and families!
Stacey Peasley Band has been described as lively and engaging, award-winning songwriter/entertainer.
Take yoga, to the whim of Well Within’s energizing yoga teacher Jill, sprinkle in some sunlight and shady trees, add some fresh air, a soft patch of grass and you have Yoga in the Park! This is a fun opportunity to bring your yoga practice into the outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Newton. Grab your friends (newbies, super yogis and everyone in between), wear comfortable clothing and sunglasses and come help us keep the good vibes flowing through our neighborhood.
This event is BYOM (Bring your own mat.)
Where: Wellington Park – 98 Kilburn Rd, Newton, MA
When:
Wednesday, July 23rd at 7am
Wednesday, August 13th at 7am
Cost: $5 suggested donation (all proceeds donated to the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton)
*Please note: Yoga in the Park will be cancelled in the event of rain. Please check our Facebook page the day of to confirm.
Register your spot today here!
To apply, please send cover letter and resume to esherman@LeadingAgeMA.org.
At Spartan Kids Race, our mission is to inspire children to develop a love for fitness at an early age. We provide age appropriate obstacle course race venues and race arenas will allow participants to build confidence while enjoying a robust outdoor three-dimensional setting.
Our races are for children aged four (4) to thirteen (13). We have two age groups within our races acknowledging that Kids are at very different stages in their growth across that span of nine years. Our “Jr. Spartan Kids” obstacle course races are intended for kids 4 – 8 years old and are about a half-mile in length. Our “Varsity” Spartan Kids races are intended for older Spartans Kids aged eight (9) to thirteen (13).
Each child will receive a T-shirt and Finisher’s Medal. 100% of the proceeds from Spartan Kids race benefit the Kids Fit Foundation. As a leader in the movement to help children learn life-long health and fitness habits, the Kids Fit Foundation strives to raise awareness and develop programs that educate, empower and inspire kids to become and stay fit.
So remember, Spartan Races are not only limited to adult fun! Bring your kids ages 4 – 13 and they can participate in their very own Spartan Kids Race. Just like you, they will enjoy the thrill of the obstacle course racing similar to the adult race but with appropriately sized obstacles and challenges.
The Boston events are August 8th and 9th. Register here.
My readers can get 10% off of any race by using this code: SPARTANBLOGGER
Why Spartan Racing for Kids – Our Ethos?
Spartan Kids is about a return to the childlike sense of adventure that we’ve lost while getting sucked up into “normal life” of over-scheduled and over organized activities. Spartan Races wants to keep this sense of adventure alive in our kids BEFORE they lose it.
Today, a typical child devotes an average 7.5 hours each day to entertainment media: TV, video games, cell phones, and movies.
Physical activity is essential in helping children control weight, build lean muscle, reduce fat, and develop strong bones, muscles and joints let alone developing healthy life sustaining habits. The challenges in a Spartan Kids Race are ideally suited to building a fitter, stronger, and healthier youngster.
More importantly, the sense of fun and camaraderie inherent in our races will help instill within your kids a sense of excitement and respect for fitness producing – in time – a more invigorated child.
Spartan Races are about building a healthy and active community of people. Spartan Kids Race allow us to help build stronger families, a foundation for all vibrant communities.
Spartan Kids Race FAQs
Q: As a parent, do I have to pay a spectator entry fee?
A: No, if your child is racing, or if you are the guardian of a child racing, you do not have to pay the spectator entry fee. Each family will receive 2 free spectator passes.
Q: If I have children attending that aren’t racing, do they have to pay a spectator fee?
A: Children 13 and under are free, and as a family member of a child racing, they do not have to pay a spectator fee.
Q: Is the Spartan Kids Race a timed event?
A: No, the Spartan Kids Race is an untimed fun run.
Q: Will my child receive a medal?
A: Yes, upon completion, your child will receive their very own Spartan Kids Race medal.
Q: What are the heat times?
A: 1 mile: 10 AM, 12 Noon, 2 PM
1/2 mile: 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM
Q: What are the suggested ages for each heat?
A: ‘Varsity Kids’ > 8-13 years old, Jr. Kids > 4- 7 years old.
Q: Can my children run together if they’re different ages?
A: Yes, we recommend children running together in the 10:30 / 12:30 / 2:30 JR. Kids heat if they are different ages.
Q: If my child’s age puts them in the jr. varsity heat, can they run in the varsity heat?
A: Yes, the heat times are suggested due to age, but if your child is athletically able to run a mile, they can run in a varsity heat.
Q: Will my child get muddy?
A: If you are racing a non-stadium event, we recommend bringing a change of clothes as most venues do have mud obstacles.
Q: Will my child have to swim at any point during the Spartan Kids Race?
A: No, we do not include swimming obstacles at the Spartan Kids Race.
Where’s Waldo? In Wellesley, of course!
The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting twenty-five local businesses from July 1-30.
Those who spot him can win prizes, including stickers, book coupons and more.
Pick up your Where’s Waldo? passport at Wellesley Books and start looking for Waldo in Wellesley!
On Thursday, July 31 at 4:00pm, join us for a party including refreshments and a raffle! You might even spot Waldo himself!
Summer is here! Before you head to the beach, or camp, or the backyard, please make a donation to the 2014 Newton North Campaign for Educational Excellence.
With your help we’ll raise $20,000 for a multi-year fund to support social-emotional health and cultural awareness programs at Newton North for the next 4-5 years.
No donation is too small (or too big).
Please go here to donate.
Best wishes for a wonderful summer,
Marcia Tabenken and Andrea Steenstrup
Ed Ex 2014 Co-chairs
As the school year concluded and it’s now July 4th, I thought I would take a moment to look back on Thoroughly Modern Millie on this most American of holidays.
The posts on Thoroughly Modern Millie continue to get views daily. To date, the stats from this blog are:
| Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS is Thoroughly Racist |  |
4,583 |
| My Take on Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
1,128 |
| NNHS Responds to Concerns About Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
1,120 |
| Today I am on the Front Page of The Boston Globe | |
1,293 |
| Talk Back: Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS | |
1,018 |
| Throwdown NNHS: Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk? Regarding Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
503 |
| MTI Advises How to Squelch Dissent for Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
445 |
| White Privilege and Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS | |
394 |
| The Boston Globe Weighs in on Thoroughly Modern Millie | |
238 |
| Rebuttal to ‘MILLIE in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons’ | |
199 |
| Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ flap highlights how old plays are rife with stereotypes | |
155 |
| NECN Broadside: Historical musical sparks controversy at Mass. HS | |
128 |
| The Boston Globe: Musical is little more than staged racism | |
123 |
| 20 Years Ago, Identical Racism Reaction in Boston Suburb | |
111 |
| More Than Half of Asian American Teens Are Bullied in School | |
81 |
| Millie Flap Makes it Abroad: in The Telegraph | |
66 |
| Thoroughly Racist ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ | |
62 |
| ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ play draws controversy in Mass. over racial stereotyping | |
44 |
Total Page Views: 11,691
During the Talk Back, Principal Jennifer Price told the audience that she and her administrators were going to come up with a plan on how to handle the multitude of points raised from Thoroughly Modern Millie and present this on paper. Just to close that loop, there has been no word from the administration of Newton North High School yet.
Next year, the musical selection is Kiss Me Kate.
My Posts:
Thoroughly Modern Millie is Thoroughly Racist
My Take on Thoroughly Modern Millie
Talk Back: Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie at NNHS
NNHS Responds to Concerns About Thoroughly Modern Millie
MTI Advises How to Squelch Dissent on Thoroughly Modern Millie
Throwndown NNHS: Talk the Talk or Walk the Walk? Regarding Racism in Thoroughly Modern Millie
Rebuttal to ’Millie in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons
More Than 50% of Asian American Teens are Bullied in School
White Privilege and Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie End of School Year Takeaway
Thoroughly Modern Millie Talk Back Videos
Other Links:
The Boston Globe: School Play’s Stereotypes Bring Outcry and Apology. “Millie” touches nerve in Newton by Ellen Ishkanian
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ Flag Highlights How Old Plays are Rife with Stereotypes by Don Aucoin
The Telegraph: US high school show triggers race row by David Millward
NECN TV Segment: NECN Broadside with Jim Braude, Historical Musical Sparks Controvery at Massachusetts High School
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ Fight Creates a Chilling Effect by Joan Vennochi
The Boston Globe: ‘Millie’ in Newton: Turn Stereotypes into Lessons
The Boston Globe: Musical is Little More Than Staged Racism by Jeffrey Melnick (Letter to Editor in response to Joan Vennochi’s article above).
Monitoring, Exposing & Fighting Against Anti-Semitism and Racism: Thoroughly Modern Millie’ play draws controversy in Mass. over racial stereotyping
Company One: In the Intersection, Thoroughly Modern Millie Controvery at Local High School
A case study published by UMass Peter Kiang almost 20 years ago (see pages 9-13), parallels almost exactly what happened at Newton North High School. ScholarWorks at UMass Boston, We Could Shape It: Organizing for Asian American Student Empowerment by Peter Nien-Chu Kiang.
The Notebook: Racism isn’t entertainment: Why “Thoroughly Modern Millie” didn’t belong on CAPA’s stage
Resist Racism: Thoroughly Racist ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’
Genki Speak: Racism in Our Backyard
Angry Asian Man
Village 14: Decision to Stage ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ at North Challenged
AsAm News: Play Filled With Offensive Images Sparks Town Hall Meeting
AsAm News: I Love Newton: High School Production Fails To Address Heavy Dose Of Asian American Stereotypes
Greer Tan Swiston: Kudos to Newton North for a thoroughly modern update of ‘Millie’
The Boston Globe: Oh, by the way, how about a round of applause for the kids? (Letter to the Editor from a grandparent)
The Boston Globe: Choice, execution of musical informed by thoughful education process (Letter to the Editor from the writers who comprise the Theatre Arts Opportunity Committee at Newton North High School.)
The Boston Globe: We miss a vital chance for understanding when we swap out ethnic characters (Letter to the Editor from a great-grandmother, teacher and volunteer)
Arissa Oh @arissaoh 1h3 white ppl on @GreaterBoston unhelpfully discuss HS prodns of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” cc: @pragmaticmom
Pawprint: Millard West Student Newspaper: Through with Thoroughly Modern Millie
The Washington Post: Twenty-Three Skiddo: ‘Modern Millie’ Doesn’t Dance
It’s an attempt, sort of, at a parody of the old-style musicals of the ’20s and ’30s, the sort jerry-built out of cheerful songs, convoluted plots, elaborate tap demonstrations and derogatory stereotypes.
IMDb: Thoroughly Embalmed Musical
Project Muse: Thoroughly Modern Millie (review)
Not Like Crazy: An Easily Overlooked Racism?
In the Spring semester at school, the Musical Theater Department put on Thoroughly Modern Millie, which was overflowing with racism in its portrayal of Asians. I must say, I was thoroughly upset about the whole thing. First, the guys playing the Asians, I believe they were supposed to be Chinese immigrants, had white face makeup and slanty eyes. I couldn’t help but think that if they’d dressed in blackface, surely there’d be an uproar (Of course, they are putting on Ragtime this year, so we’ll see how they handle that– they’re already sending out emails about how they want the black students to try out for roles because there aren’t many black people in the musical theater department *eyeroll*). That wasn’t the only bad thing about the musical, however, the villian was a white woman pretending to be Asian who pronounced her L’s as R’s, and said she used soy sauce to clean a stain. Of course, she also treated the two Asian immigrants who worked for her as if they were stupid, and the silently and humbly submit in front of her, though behind closed doors they argue in Chinese (I guess it was real Chinese), with subtitles projected above the stage. And then one of the Asian men falls in love with one of the white women in the musical, blonde hair, blue eyes, you know the deal. At the end of the musical, they get together, as if his reward for working hard and being submissive, for being mistreated, is the gift of white womanhood, the pinnacle of creation. So yeah, I was pretty pissed about that whole thing.
Myvanwy: Review of Thoroughly Modern Millie
Someone sent me video of a local comedian’s youtube video of a character I’ve seen him portray once before. To call it infantile and racially insensitive would be a gross understatement. For the targets of his ridicule, it’s every bit as offensive as a mean-spirited performance in blackface. But because it’s against one of the few groups for whom bigotry, hostility, and ridicule is still acceptable (Chinese Americans and others of Asian and/or Pacific Island descent), it’s seen as okay by most and even encouraged by other local comedians. Kevin Marshall’s America
Zak Keith: Hollywood Asian Stereotypes
Racism against Asians is often “unawares”—a form of racism that flies under the radar due to its widespread acceptance as the norm. Its interactive dynamic resembles that of an unwritten social contract. Asians in the West are expected to accept patronizing remarks and racist taunts so demeaning that perpetrators would think twice before dishing them out with such unwavering consistency to any other minority group, such as Latinos or African Americans. Asians who object to such treatment are typically met with befuddlement and offense at their audacity to make an issue out of it.
