Author: Mia

Financial Literacy Taught to Newton High School Students

Financial Literacy Program in Newton

Cambridge Savings Bank recently concluded its CSBsmart Financial Education Program at Newton North and South High Schools. The program taught students critically important financial skills through a four-lesson curriculum focusing on budgeting, saving, managing a checking account, credit smarts, and fraud awareness.

Here are some examples:

1.      “Lunchtime Loan” – uses a student-acted role-play to teach the concept of “creditworthiness.”

2.      “My Credit Score – Help or Hurt?” – allows all students to vote on whether specific situations would help or hurt one’s credit score.

3.      “Red Flag Alert” – helps students develop a keen sensitivity to the many red flags of fraud.

The success of the program is based on student’s retention of the financial information presented. Thanks to the program, students were able to answer 75 percent of financial questions correctly on a post-session evaluation. This compares favorably to a pre-session average score of 46 percent.

Since 2010, Cambridge Savings Bank has educated over 7,000 participants with live financial lessons. In addition, the bank provides its communities with online financial education resources through the CSBsmart section of its website.

We are lucky to have such great businesses partnering with our schools! Thank you Cambridge Savings Bank!

January 24, 2013
Garden City Soccer Camp Summer 2013
Garden City Soccer Camp 2013
- Youth soccer camp, now in its 14th year, to be held at the fields at Newton North High School
- Camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm during the weeks of July 8th-12th and July 15th-19th
- 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 or 617-559-6238.

To register on-line, go to the Garden City Sports Camp website
January 21, 2013
Demystifying Teen Relationships Program for Parents

Demystifying Teen Relationships at NSHS

Monday February 11 at 7 pm at NSHS for a parent program entitled “Demystifying Teen Relationships”

Teen dating violence exists in our student community. In response, the Newton South Community has collaborated with experts from REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, Journey to Safety – the domestic abuse program of JF&CS, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and the Newton Wellesley hospital to create both an educational parent and student program.

The parent program is entitled “Demystifying Teen Relationships” and will be offered for parents of middle and high school students at NSHS on Monday, February 11, at 7 pm. The goal of the programming is to help us work with our teens to develop safe and healthy dating relationships. The meeting will feature a panel of experts from REACH, Journey to Safety, and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

Image: Photo by Zara Tzanev

January 17, 2013
Newton “Mom Hours” Job!

McVittie Financial Advisors is looking for an office manager.

Candidates must be:

Client focused – understand and consider individual client situations when interacting with clients, responding to inquiries, setting work priorities and completing tasks.

Process oriented – follow and improve established procedures to manage the wide-ranging flow of information and materials that come into our office; be able to identify the information and required follow up.

Self-starting – take the initiative to solve problems, identify actions required and complete necessary tasks.

Organized – able to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and to manage client related materials and communications

Professional demeanor – pleasant, personable and professional in all interactions.

Excellent communicators – effective verbal and written communication skills including good spelling ability.

Computer skilled – with Microsoft Office, willing to master industry-specific software and able to provide clear answers to client questions about technology.

Compliance aware – sensitive to the regulatory and compliance requirements of the financial services industry and Massachusetts.

Industry knowledge – an understanding of the financial industry, particularly the regulatory environment, is a plus.

This is a part time position with flexible hours located in the Auburndale section of Newton near the Riverside T Station.

Please contact Elizabeth McVittie at office@mcvittiefinancial.com for more information or to submit your application and salary expectations.

January 16, 2013
Newton is Safest City!
Newton Safest City in United States

My Mom Friend Lynn was robbed a few weeks ago. Someone entered her house (ok, the door wasn’t locked) and made off with her jewelry. Down the street, our friend Debbie noticed a strange man walking through her backyard and called the neighbor to see if work was being done. That man Debbie saw was carrying Lynn’s jewelry in a shopping bag he took from her house.

Lynn and Debbie talked and matched up descriptions. He appears to be the same man.

The upshot?
- We do look out for one another in Newton.
- This robber wasn’t caught but he will be eventually if he keeps on doing what he’s doing.
- The mom network is strong here!
- We have a small town feel but since we are 9 miles from Boston, we need to lock our doors.
A Friend on Facebook posted that Newton is the safest city according to American Live Wire.

And here we are … in the Number 1 spot! The article opens with, “If you are lucky enough to live in one of the cities below, sit back and relax…..apparently you have little to worry about.” But honestly, even if you live in Newton with me, please lock your doors!!

1. Newton, Massachusetts (Population 85,146) (79.6% Caucasian, 2.5% African American, 17.9% Other Race) ($112,230)

2. Brick Township, New Jersey (Population 75,072) ( 93.05% Caucasian, 2% African American, 4.95% Other Race) ($65,129)

3. Amherst, New York (Population 122,366) ( 83.8% Caucasian, 5.7% African American, 10.5% Other Race) ($55,427)

4. Mission Viejo, California (Population 93,305) ( 79.8% Caucasian, 1.3% African American, 18.9% Other Race) ($93,330)

5. Clarkstown, New York (Population 84,187) ( 79.97% Caucasian, 7.87% African American, 12.16% Other Race) ($92,121)

6. Lake Forest, California (Population 77,264) ( 70.3% Caucasian, 1.7% African American, 28% Other Race) ($86,285)

7. Thousand Oaks, California (Population 126,683) ( 80.3% Caucasian, 1.3% African American, 18.4% Other Race) ($101,120)

8. Colonie, New York (Population 81,591) ( 90.55% Caucasian, 3.96% African American, 5.85% Other Race) ($51,817)

9. Cary, North Carolina (Population 135,234) ( 73.1% Caucasian, 8% African American, 18.9% Other Race) ($83,292)

10. Toms River, New Jersey (Population 91,239) ( 89.91% Caucasian, 2.7% African American, 7.39% Other Race) ($71,934)

The racial demographics of the US as a whole according to the 2010 US Census are (72.4% Caucasian, 12.6% African American, 15% Other Race). Average Median Income in the US is ($31,111).
January 14, 2013
Winter Programming at Newton Community Farm

Winter Classes at Newton Community Farm

NCF is pleased to offer a variety of courses in the winter of 2013 for children, gardeners, and others who have an interest in the outdoors, food, and farming.

For children, join us on Feb 6 at the Farm for an Early Release Day Activity.

**Early Release**
February 6th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
$25, $20 Friend of the Farm
Dress warmly and come spend an afternoon on the Farm as we look at ways plants, animals and even people adapt to the colder weather. Look for evidence of animal activity despite the colder weather and enjoy some fun games to keep us warm!
Instructor: Alison Wilson
Location: Newton Community Farm

And again on February 21 for Kids on the Farm – Then and Now, a vacation week program at the Jackson Homestead.

**Kids on the Farm –
Then and Now**
A Vacation Week Family Program
February 21st, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost Per Family (4 people max, 1 adult required)
$30 General Public
$20 Friend of the Farm or Historic Newton member
Cost includes museum admission, materials, and snack.
Prepaid registration required; limit 25
Call 617-796-1450 to register.

Want to know what life on a farm would have been like for kids in Newton in past centuries? Using real artifacts from the Museum’s collection and real stories from the Angino family who lived on what is now the Newton Community Farm, we’ll explore how kids would have helped on the farm. Participants will also plant some seeds which will then be transplanted into our garden in the spring.
Location: Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street,
Newton, MA 02458

For gardeners, classes that might be of interest include Planning Your Garden for a 4 Season Bounty, Growing Fruit Trees, and Defensive Urban Gardening.

NCF 4 Season Gardening Program. This program will guide you through the year from planning your garden in the winter months to planting in the spring and then harvesting in late summer and fall. You will also learn about ways to extend your growing season to ensure you can continue to enjoy home grown produce for as long as possible.

NCF 4 Season Gardening
A Gardener’s guide through 2013
Saturday February 2nd, March 30th,
June 29th, September 14th
9 – Noon
$162, $144 Friend of the Farm
This series is designed to get your home garden up and running, growing vegetables all year round. The curriculum is spilt into four sessions and is timed to
coincide with the main gardening seasons and the associated tasks.

Session 1 – Planning Your Garden for a 4-Season Bounty. (February 2nd2013).
Plan for successive crops, select your seeds and learn which plants to start indoors.

Session 2 – Garden Structures and Planting. (March 30th 2013).
Assist in the building of a simple three bin composting system and learn how to incorporate and build simple trellises and arbors into your garden infrastructure. Begin early season planting and learn about transplanting and direct sowing as well as tips on watering.

Session 3 – The Mid Season Bounty and Thinking Ahead. (June 29th, 2013).
Weeding, harvesting and tips on how to dry and store your harvest. Check in with your compost system and begin to plan for your late season harvest.

Session 4 – Winding down…not really!! Season extension and more.
(September 14th, 2013).

Season extension; row covers, hoops and mini greenhouses, crops that can be grown over the winter.
Revisit your compost system and learn about the importance of turning and storing your compost. Finally learn about the importance of seed saving and how to begin your own collection.
Instructor: Ted Chapman and Farm Staff

Urban Defensive Gardening. Looks at ways to overcome some of the common problems of gardening in a suburban location.

NCF is also offering a class series on beer brewing and a guided tree walk in Nahanton Park. For more information on these classes and to register, please visit our website athttp://newtoncommunityfarm.org/education/classes/.

We also have our popular Growing Fruit Trees and BeerBrewing programs. We are also excited to welcome back City Arborist Marc Welch as he leads a guided tree
walk within the local area, Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

We look forward to seeing you!

January 9, 2013
Mandatory Mail Order Prescriptions: Please Help Maria

Mandatory Mail Order Prescriptions Threatening Her Quality of Life

Dear Friends,

Some of you already know about the long battle with my Health Insurance company who required me to receive my essential (refrigerated and temperature sensitive) Multiple Sclerosis modifying drug from a mail order pharmacy in Orlando, Fla rather than from my local pharmacy with whom I have had a relationship for 25 years. Because of the expense of such drugs, Health Insurance companies find it more cost effective (for them) to insist on mail order.

My deliveries were fraught with ineptitude and complications which threatened my health and quality of life. Apparently my situation was far from unusual. I had to turn to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and Health Law Advocates who intervened with my Health Insurance company to allow me the right to receive my medication locally. It was an arduous journey…one that no one should be subjected to.

I have just started a petition on the White House Petitions site to end mandatory mail order meds. Since I am not on Facebook and cannot extend my reach, I ask you to please think about signing the petition and to encourage others to do so as well. We all should have the right to the best health care, and part of this is the right and freedom to choose our own pharmacy.

Thank you so much …

Maria L.

I just started a petition on the White House Petitions site, We the People. Will you sign it?

Update

Dear friends,
I would like to thank all of you who signed my petition to end mandatory mail order prescriptions. Although we did not receive the 150 signatures required to open the petition to the public, I would like to share some very good news:

The good news is that the petition has come to the attention of Congressman Edward Markey and Governor Deval Patrick. I was contacted by their office aides who informed me of their interest in pusuing a bill related to ending mandatory mail order, both on Federal and State levels. Both offices were interested in a possible connection of this issue to the recent Compound Pharmacy issues, and they intend to investigate the questionable practice of mandatory mail order. I will keep you informed…

I can’t thank you enough for signing this important petition. By giving your support (and your time and effort) you have made a tremendous difference -you have been instrumental in starting the ball rolling toward obtaining justice. No small feat, and I am so touched by your outreach. It is true that “it takes a village” and I am so grateful for my village.

With heartfelt thanks,
Maria

January 7, 2013
Bloggy Events in Newton and Cambridge

Bloggy Events in Newton and Boston

Ford Fusion Coffee Shop Takeover at L’Aroma Cafe

Capability:Mom and I went to a great Ford Fusion event at L’Aroma event thanks to an invite from Emily of Random Recyling who hails from neighboring Needham.

It was a coffee shop takeover (but in a good way!). Free coffee and pastries on Ford!

The Ford Fusion has a driver alert system to prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel.

Emily demonstrated the benefits of having a back up camera system! The parking lot at L’Aroma can be tight so this system is very handy!

Ford had several cars we could try out.

The engine is pristinely clean!

Boston Social Media Peeps Holiday Party at Kid Friendly Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge

My social media group had a lovely holiday party (because bloggers don’t usually have company parties) thanks to Mommy Niri and The Frugalette who pulled this off in less than a week! Special thanks to all the sponsors of our event including the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge near the Cambridgeside Galleria.

If you have guests in town looking for a place to stay, the Royal Sonesta impressed with gourmet food and kid friendly activities!

The Art Bar for kids is something the Royal Sonesta offers to all young guests. Food and art! A perfect combination for kids!

Colored playdough in vibrant colors entertained the kids!

Scallops with Celery Root Puree were plated to order and were perfectly cooked! This was truly delicious!

Healthy and delicious choices for adults!

The adult menu. Equally impressive and child-friendly menu for the kiddos too!

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!!

January 3, 2013
Pho and Spice Off Campus in Waltham

Pho and Spice Warms the Soul in Waltham

We were excited to reunite with an old friend who formerly ran Pho Pasteur in Allston and Back Bay, Sumon Suwan. We remember him fondly as being the nicest man on the planet, always greeting us warming and making us feel welcome even when we had a baby in tow.

Recently, he opened Pho and Spice in Waltham and my mom friend Nathalie who is Vietnamese American, discovered it.

Some exciting news for Newton folks: Pho and Spice DELIVERS to Newton!!! The restaurant also seats about 30 and does a brisk take out business. Menu here.

Here’s the goods:

Pho & Spice

Vietnamese and Thai Cuisine

457 Moody Street (parking behind building)

Waltham, MA 02453

781.788.8899

Pho Tai, Pho beef soup with rare steak. Add in these fresh bean sprouts, Thai Basil and lime wedges to your soup.

Bun Bo Hue: Lemongrass noodle soup, the special rice vermicelli beef lemongrass
broth with frank steak and tendon.

Fried Spring Rolls

Fresh Spring Rolls

Homemade Spicy Condiments!

Thai Tea. Looks thermonuclear. Tastes delicious!

Since discovering Pho and Spice two weeks ago, we’ve been back 4 times! It’s addicting, especially in cold weather!

January 2, 2013
Almost Midnight Madness Sale at Whole Foods Newton on Walnut!

Sunday Night from 10 pm to Midnight, shop Whole Foods for Exceptional Savings!

Exclusive deals at Whole Foods on Walnut at Beacon Streets in Newton including items 50% off! There will be additional Mystery Manager’s Specials revealed in store only! We will also have raffles, prizes and live music!

Other locations for this Madness Sale: Fresh Pond in Whole Foods is Open All night until 5am. Bellingham and Framingham also are having an Almost Midnight Madness sale from 10pm – Midnight.

Please join us here in Walnut/Beacon Whole Foods on December 23rd, Sunday, from 10 pm to Midnight for fun and exceptional savings including lots of Buy One Get One Free items!!

December 21, 2012