Author: Mia

Screening of Gasland Part II at NewTV

NewTV invites you to a special screening of Gasland Part II, an HBO documentary that “takes a deeper, wider look at the dangers of hydraulic fracking, now occurring on a global level.”

***Prior to the screening, the audience is encouraged to participate in a LIVE video Q&A with Director Josh Fox.

Director Josh Fox is an American film director and environmental activist, best known for his Oscar-nominated 2010 documentary, Gasland. Josh has written/directed/produced two feature films and over twenty-five full-length works for the stage, and is one of the most prominent public critics of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking.

Event Details:
Live Video Q&A with director Josh Fox: JULY 11, 6PM
Screening begins at 6:30 pm at NewTV

23 Needham Street

Newton, MA

Seating is limited. Please RSVP to rsvp@newtv.org.

For more information about the film and director, please go here.

July 3, 2014
Free Family Film Series at Shops at Prudential Center

The Shops at Prudential Center just announced the line-up for their annual free family film festival which kicks off July 5th with the movie Frozen and runs through the end of the summer with other popular kid films.

The Shops at Prudential Center will kick off its annual Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival on Saturday, July 5 with a viewing of Frozen. The festival runs everySaturday from July 5 to August 30 in the Center’s South Garden with entertainment, games and gift card giveaways beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by the featured movie starting at sundown. The first 20 guests to arrive each night will receive a free picnic blanket compliment of The Shops at Prudential Center. The festival is free to the public, and guests who make a $10 purchase in the Center can take advantage of on-site discounted parking.

Rain dates are scheduled for the following Wednesday, complete details can be found on The Shops at Prudential Center’s website. The schedule for the Family Film Festival is as follows:

July 5: Frozen
July 12: Monsters University
July 19: The Smurfs 2
July 26: Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
August 2: Despicable Me 2
August 9: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
August 16: The Lego Movie
August 23: Finding Nemo
August 30: The Little Mermaid

Visit their Facebook Page or follow them on Twitter for updates.

July 2, 2014

Children’s Charitable Golf Tournament

Children’s Charitable Golf Tournament The Newton-Needham Chamber’s annual Children’s Charitable Golf Tournament returns to one of the region’s finest golf clubs. Registration fee includes all green fees and cart, lunch, cocktail reception, use of practice faculties, prizes for top teams and a genuinely useful gift for each player.

Date:		August 4, 2014
Time:		11:00 AM – 07:00 PM
Website:		http://www.nnchamber.com/
Location:		Woodland Golf Club 1897 Washington Street, Newton
Email:		info@nnchamber.com
Date/Time Details:		Monday Aug. 4, 2014 11 am registration and lunch 12:30 shotgun
Fees/Admission:		$310/golfer, $1240/foursome on or before July 10 After July 10 $330/golfer, $1320/foursome Register now. We will be happy to invoice you.

Click Here for More Information Register Online

July 1, 2014

Summer Learning Loss and Ideas to Prevent It
Finding from parents with tweens in grades 4-8 that deals with summer reading and summer learning loss.
Tweens Aren’t Spending Their Time on Educational Activities: The survey found that while 51 percent of parents with tweens in grades four through eight claim to be concerned about summer learning loss, their children rarely engage in educational activities over the summer. On average, kids spend significantly more of their free time playing outside (30%), playing video games (17%) and watching TV (18%) than reading (12%), arts & crafts (7%) and academic enrichment programs (7%).
Digital Doesn’t Necessarily Encourage More Reading: Tweens Actually Prefer Bound Books: 75% of parents said that their kids prefer to read a physical book with less than 20% preferring a tablet or e-reader.

Girls Are More Excited To Read Than Boys: 56% of girls are excited about reading compared to 37% of boys, according to surveyed parents. How can parents encourage boys to read? 20% of parents said that offering a reward helps.

Favorite Tween Book Genres (and it’s not the Hunger Games): The top three book genres that kids like to read, according to their parents, are Humor (58%), Fantasy (53%) and Action-Adventure (43%).

Reading Dwindles As Tweens Get Older: 46% of tweens are reading less than four books according to their parents, and as kids get older they tend to read fewer books. Whille 66% of parents of 9&10 year olds said their child reads more than five books over the summer, only 44% of 13 & 14 year olds did.

The survey was commissioned by Sylvan Learning.

p.s. I have some summer reading lists here:

Summer Reading Lists for Middle School

Summer Reading Lists and Resources for Kids

Summer Math Ideas for Elementary and Middle School
June 30, 2014
Showcase Cinemas’ Bookworm Wednesdays!
Showcase Cinemas promotes summer reading with Bookworm Wednesdays!

Every Wednesday, from July 9 to August 13, select Showcase Cinemas locations will be offering FREE admission to a select movie to kids (and their parents!) who bring in a book report (which can be downloaded on the site).

See below for the movie schedule and list of participating locations near you! For more information, and to download the book report, visit here.

Schedule:
- July 9 – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
- July 16 – Epic
- July 23 – Despicable Me 2
- July 30 – The Croods
- August 6 – Turbo
- August 13 – The Smurfs 2
Local theatres participating:
- Showcase Cinema de Lux Revere
- Showcase Cinemas Lowell
- Showcase Cinema de Lux Patriot Place
- Showcase Cinema de Lux Legacy Place
- Showcase Cinemas Woburn
- Showcase Cinemas Randolph
*Children under six who accompany a participant and adults who accompany a participant receive free admittance to the Bookworm Wednesdays movie and do not need to submit a book report. No purchase necessary.
June 29, 2014
Go AROUND THE WORLD with Nonantum Boxing Club

Can you go Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club? We’re not actually traveling anywhere in this boxing drill created by co-owner Marc Gargaro to practice four blocks and four punching combinations in a continuous motion.

This boxing drill can be used by just about anyone. Check out the wide range of boxers at Nonantum Boxing Club from kids to moms to fighters.

Come Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club! No, seriously, stop by. It’s a great workout and helpful and friendly staff. It only looks like a fight club!

p.s. Who do you think goes Around the World the fastest? My forty-something mom friend Lydia who starts off this video or the fighter towards the end? Please vote by leaving a comment!

June 28, 2014
The Newton Food Pantry Needs Volunteers

The Newton Food Pantry needs volunteers who can deliver food to homebound clients ONCE a month. Typically the volunteers pick food up at the pantry on any Wednesday throughout the month (best times 11:30-2:30), or the 3rd Saturday of each month (btw 10-12) because that is when the pantry is open and we have fresh food.

However, it is possible to pick food up on other days/times when the library is open as the library workers have a key to the pantry and you can fill up your shopping bags with food (mostly non-perishable).

The time commitment is probably only an hour a month.

If you are interested, please contact Tracie Longman, Co-President of Newton Food Pantry at NewtonFoodPantry@gmail.com.

Thank you!

June 27, 2014
Benefit Concert: From Leipzig to Paris

Pan-Mass Challenge Concert 2014 From Leipzig to Paris to raise money for Dana Farber

Saturday, June 28, 2014
8:00 PM
First Unitarian Society in Newton
1326 Washington Street, West Newton

Works by Bach, Mozart, Fauré, Poulenc, and Ravel performed by Joel Bard, Sayuri Miyamoto, and friends.

Tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for students and children
Reserve your tickets by making a donation
Note that there are no physical tickets. There will be a list at the door of people who have made donations online.
Cash and checks payable to Pan-Mass Challenge are accepted at the door, but credit cards are not.

All proceeds go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

J.S. Bach ~ Brandenburg Concerto No. 1
W.A. Mozart ~ Piano Quartet in G minor, K. 478
J.S. Bach/Charles Gounod ~ Ave Maria
Gabriel Fauré ~ Two Songs: Mandoline and Sylvie
Francis Poulenc ~ Sextet for Winds and Piano
Maurice Ravel ~ Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Winds, and Strings

Please join us for food and drink after the performance.

For more information send an e-mail to bard.joel@gmail.com.

June 26, 2014
Newton 9th Best City to Live in MA
CreditDonkey team’s ranking of the best cities to live in Massachusetts used these five key factors to determine their list.
1. Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime
2. Commute Time
3. Income
4. Residents Who Attended Some College
5. Restaurants Per Capita
The Top 10 Cities are:

1. Beverly

Just 16 miles northeast of Boston, Beverly is one of the oldest cities in Massachusetts. A relatively low crime rate combined with a high average wage makes Beverly an excellent choice for families and professionals. Its close proximity to Boston gives commuters access to the area’s commuter train and a short ride to the city (albeit with some company along the way), yet it also has its share of restaurants and local attractions that keep people around during their off-hours.

Did You Know: Several people from Beverly were accused of witchery at the Salem witch trials. The Salem Witch Museum includes a tour of the Beverly home of a minister who perpetuated the false accusations.

2. Gloucester

If you’re looking for ocean views while remaining relatively close to the metropolitan area, Gloucester is the place to be. Residents are able to score an average commute of under 25 minutes, although those who commute to Boston will have double or triple that amount, depending on whether they take the local train or drive during rush hour. While there are plenty of places to enjoy a good meal – including fresh fish – or have a drink, you’re just a stone’s throw from Ipswich, Rockport, and Essex, which offer even more options.

Did You Know: Gloucester shot to fame when all six crew members on board the Andrea Gail lost their lives during a 1991 Nor’easter, the storm documented by local author Sebastian Junger in his book “The Perfect Storm.” The movie based on the book was filmed here.

3. Woburn

Woburn ranks third on our list partly because it’s one of the safest places to live in Massachusetts. Wages here are also slightly higher, with incomes averaging just over $72,000. Woburn ties with Waltham for the shortest commute time, clocking in at just 24.2 minutes.

Did You Know: Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan and actor Eric Bogosian were both born in Woburn.

4. Waltham

Once part of nearby Watertown, Waltham earned the nickname the “Watch City” thanks to the Waltham Watch Co., which produced over 40 million watches and clocks here in the 19th century.Less than 10 miles from Boston, Waltham is home to Bentley College and Brandeis University. The city features active nightlife and an eclectic dining scene, topping our list with 260 restaurants and bars to choose from, many of them on Moody Street.

Did You Know: High-profile employers based in Waltham include defense contractor Raytheon, online marketing company Constant Contact, and StudentUniverse, a tech company that offers discount travel services to students.

5. Peabody

Another community located in the North Shore suburban region, Peabody is a retreat from the big city life for both students and professionals alike. Peabody once made the Forbes magazine top 100 list of best places to live in 2012, thanks to its high median income levels and below average home prices. That’s a designation we believe is well deserved.

Did You Know: Giles Corey, who was infamously pressed to death during the Salem Witch trials, once owned a farm in Peabody.

6. Westfield

If it’s natural beauty you’re looking for, Westfield features rich farmland, scenic stretches of rolling hills, and plenty of rivers and streams ideal for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. At 23.4 minutes, Westfield has the shortest commute time on our list, mainly because if you live here, you work near here. While it ranks at the lower end in terms of median income, the cost of living is less than what you’d pay in an urban setting.

Did You Know: Once inhabited by the Native American Pocumtuc tribe, Westfield was originally known as Woronoco.

7. Marlborough

Approximately 30 minutes west of Boston, Marlborough ranks number two as the safest city on our list. Convenience is the main reason to live here, as the city provides easy access to three major highways for fast getaways and for getting to work in either Worcester or Boston. It has its own action as well, with a major hockey sports center, a big mall, restaurants for just about every taste, and two Targets. Higher income rates and corporate residents Boston Scientific and TJX (the company behind TJ Maxx) are a big draw for the under-40 professional crowd.

Did You Know: This city with a small-town atmosphere was known for a century as “one of the shoe manufacturing capitals of New England,” according to local historians. The only sign of that time is a shoemaker statue and a Reebok outlet store near the downtown area.

8. Newburyport

Thanks to its historic seaport, Newburyport is a bustling tourist spot, but it’s also a great place to call home. Wages here are among the highest, averaging $83,509. Even though the commute is little longer, driving to Boston is bearable, and the city has a commuter rail stop. The crime rate here is moderate, and there are plenty of local dining spots that feature everything from New England favorites to New Orleans-style cuisine.

Did You Know: Since 1957, residents have celebrated the Yankee Homecoming, an annual festival commemorating the return of natives to Newburyport.

9. NEWTON
- Odds of Being a Victim of a Violent Crime: 1 in 1,141
- Commute Time: 26.4 minutes
- Income: $113,416
- Residents Who Attended Some College, No Degree: 7.6%
  (Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 75%)
- Restaurants: 1 per 505 inhabitants
A conglomeration of 13 villages, Newton ranks number one on our list for the highest median income. The Chestnut Hill area is home to Boston College, and Newton is located centrally between Boston, Waltham, Brookline, Wellesley, and Needham. The city has a strong tourist trade, but it’s also recognized as a thriving college community with a strong artistic and cultural presence.

Did You Know: Newton is usually the top-ranked Massachusetts city in “safest city in America” reports, and, in fact, has earned the top spot a few times by an oft-cited report by Morgan Quitno Press. It may have something to do with the town-like feel this community offers.

10. Attleboro

Once known as the jewelry capital of the world, Attleboro is less than a 10-minute drive from nearby Pawtucket, RI. A significant part of the city’s population commutes, either to Boston or Providence, with the average commute time squeaking in at just under 30 minutes.

Did You Know: The Capron Park area features a popular zoo that’s a big draw for local residents and visitors.
June 25, 2014
New Opera Immortalizes Tragedy of Chinese-American Soldier

A Foreigner in His Own Country

“Why are Asian Americans disproportionately targeted for abuse?

A harmonic convergence of factors. There’s the perception — and in some cases, the reality — of the “nerd” stereotype. The trinity of social awkwardness, physical frailty and academic overachievement has always served as a magnet for bullies.

There’s the rising tide of animosity toward immigrants, particularly those from predominantly countries that are seen as emerging rivals of the United States, like China and India.

There’s the plain old fact that those who are “different” in obvious ways — appearance, name, faith, accent — are often the focus of unwanted attention in environments where fitting in is prized, like high school. Or the military.

And especially among immigrants and the children of immigrants, there’s the reality that cultural and familial expectations push them to submit to bullying rather than being “disruptive” or succumbing to “distraction.” from CNN

AngryAsianGrrlMN casual racism that Asian Americans face when she writes:

This is the kind of casual racism that isn’t talked about, but that Asian people deal with on a regular basis. We are the invisible minority, and we rarely get the kind of attention that other minorities do.

New York Magazine has an extensive piece about Chen’s experience, including his letters home from the military. Here’s some of what he wrote to his parents:

“Everyone knows me because I just noticed, I’m the only chinese guy in the platoon,” he wrote home. His fellow recruits called him Chen Chen, Jackie Chan, and Ling Ling. But, he added, “Don’t worry, no one picks on me … I’m the skinniest guy and weigh the least here but … people respect me for not quitting.”

Four weeks later, the Asian jokes hadn’t stopped. “They ask if I’m from China like a few times day,” he wrote. “They also call out my name (chen) in a goat like voice sometimes for no reason. No idea how it started but now it’s just best to ignore it. I still respond though to amuse them. People crack jokes about Chinese people all the time, I’m running out of jokes to come back at them.”

The eight men later charged in connection with his death are all white and range in age from 24 to 35; they include one lieutenant, two staff sergeants, three sergeants, and two specialists. Danny’s parents, of course, are inconsolable at the loss of their only child.

“In October of 2011, a Chinese-American soldier serving in Afghanistan was found shot dead in an apparent suicide after weeks of abuse by his fellow servicemen. An investigation showed that 19-year-old Danny Chen had been the subject of racial slurs and abusive treatment, including excessive guard duty and torturous exercises, accompanied by beating and taunting by other soldiers. The tragedy of the young man is the subject of a new opera titled An American Soldier, which premiers in Washington, D.C. on June 13.

Opera director David Paul says the courtroom set is gradually dismantled until it hits a wall of graffiti typically found in war zones.

“One of the things we want to show in the piece is how American justice fails this man and essentially falls apart and we are trying to get at the bottom of why, but as the piece progresses, it – American justice – fails us and so one of the things we are showing is that this courtroom as foundation of the story essentially disintegrates,” he said.

Creators of An American Soldier say they hope the opera will contribute to a closer scrutiny of a dark undercurrent in the U.S. military culture, and society in general.”

From Voice of America

June 24, 2014

Author: Mia

Pan-Mass Challenge Concert 2014 From Leipzig to Paris to raise money for Dana Farber

9. NEWTON

A Foreigner in His Own Country