Author: Mia

Think Pink! Girls Night Out Event At Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Breast Cancer Awareness FREE Community Event

Grab your mom, sister, daughter or friend and join other women from the western suburbs for Think Pink, on Thursday, October 25 from 6:00-8:00 pm, in the Bowles Conference Center (second floor) at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington Street, Newton.

This FREE breast cancer awareness community event will begin with a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception while attendees enjoy music and discover the relaxation benefits of Reiki and massage.

Nutrition and fitness experts will also be on hand.

Following the reception, there will be a panel discussion on new mammography advances such as tomosynthesis.

Tips on understanding mammogram results and navigating next steps will also be discussed.

Speakers are:
- Alan Semine MD, NWH Chief of Breast Imaging
- Cindy Krasnecky, RN, Nurse Navigator, Vernon Cancer Center
- A Q&A session will follow
Registration is strongly encouraged by emailing carefinder@partners.org or calling 617.243.6622.
October 25, 2012
New Gallery, Indalo, Opening Reception!

Sharon Schindler Photography

Indalo in Newton Highlands is having a Gallery Reception

Thursday, November 8, 2012

5:30-7:30 pm

6 Lincoln Street

Sharon Schindler, Jill Becker, Sematay, MJGA Assemblage Art, David Diamond, Rob Houghton,

Mike Codispoti, Jon Irwin Federman, Joy Dai Buell, Eleanor Elkin,

Designs by Minou, JDanforth, Eye of JA, Ilana Klarman and Sofia Plater.

Meet local Newton artists, view their work and get a jump on holiday shopping!

Sharon Schindler Photography

October 24, 2012
Nominate a Newton Female Soccer Player!
Newton Girls Soccer President’s Award

The NGS President’s Award is presented annually to one or two special high school seniors who have played soccer almost every year/season on an NGS team (or partner team like the NGS/MPS teams) during their soccer careers. We look for players who have demonstrated the teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication required to improve their games to become the best player, teammate and NGS “ambassador” that they can be. Additionally, it is important that the nominees have given back to the NGS community in some way. This can be through refereeing, coaching, or volunteering in other ways. Upon evaluating the eligible candidates, a committee consisting of NGS Board Members will select the recipients.

Award-winners receive acknowledgment at the NGS Board’s holiday party, together with an inscribed plaque and a cash award.

Eligibility criteria:
1. Graduating high school senior
2. Played at least 6 years in NGS (with strong preference given to players that played longer) including the NGS/MPS teams in high school
3. Still involved in NGS during senior year
4. Has given back to the NGS community (e.g., refereeing, coaching, volunteering in other ways)
To nominate a candidate please send an email with the following information toregistrar@newtongirlssoccer.org no later than Sunday, November 11^th.
1. Players name and current team(s)/coach(es)
2. Approximate number of years in NGS or NGS/MPS
3. Brief supporting statement including contributions on and off the field, teamwork, commitment, soccer-related accomplishments, growth as a player, refereeing/coaching/assistant coaching experience and anything else you would like us to consider.
October 22, 2012
Sign Up for Halloween Window Painting!
Halloween Window Painting

in Newton Villages

Saturday, October 27, 2012

9 am – 4 pm

Open to kids in Grades 3-8

Rain date Sunday, October 28

Window Painting Contest Rules
- Each artist will be assigned a 20″ x 36″ space on the outside of a merchant window in Newton’s participating villages.
- Sill, wall, and sidewalk areas below window MUST be covered and taped with newspaper.
- Each artist supplies his or her own tempera (NOT ACRYLIC) paints, brushes, newspaper, rags, and masking tape. All work needs to be done freehand and have a “Halloween” theme.
- Official rules and regulations will be mailed prior to the event and must be followed closely to avoid disqualification.
- Register on-line.
- Registration deadline is Friday October 19.
- Windows will be painted on Saturday, October 27, any time between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. all work must be finished by 4:00 pm.
- The rain date for painting will be Sunday, October 28, 9am – 4pm. Please check this website or call 617-527-8283 by 8am on Saturday, October 27 for an announcement regarding weather-related conditions.
- Windows are assigned on a first come first served basis. One window will be assigned to each participant. Due to the popularity of this event, we cannot honor requests for specific windows.
- First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for each Grade. Special Awards Ceremony with Mayor Setti Warren will be on Tuesday October 30, 2:00 pm at the Newton Cultural Center. (directions)
- Winners will be notified by telephone
To sign up, please register here.

Thank you to Elizabeth Reilly as the volunteer coordinator for this wonderful event for kids. She has been coordinating this event for years and threatens to retire this year! Will someone else step up to the plate if she stop coordinating this? Unclear! But this possibly could be the last year, so please participate!!!
October 19, 2012
Round Up of Links from Newton Bloggers

This month’s round of Newton Bloggers’ links are drawn from their September and October posts. Are you a Newton blogger and want to be featured? Email me to submit your best post and I’ll also include you on our blog roll.

Saul Wisnia: Fenway’s all-time Red Sox team: Did the fans get it right?

Saul is the author of Fenway Park: The Centennial, 100 Years of Red Sox Baseball so he clearly is an expert! His post is is an fantasy team going back in time to cherry pick the best players to ever play for the Red Sox.

Amuse Bouche: Stuffed Pork Tenderloin III

Now that the weather is turning colder, roasting suddenly is very appealing. Need ideas for a special Sunday night dinner either for yourself or to entertain? Amuse Bouche’s easy conversational instructions will ensure success!

image from Amuse Bouche

Anita Diamant: Architecture in Time

Anita reflects on how memories make architecture into a sanctuary. Her latest book is Day After School.

Be Well Within: 6 Tips for Being More Resilient

David Poles, LMHC, gives advice about coping with stress which can often, left untreated, manifest into physical symptoms.

Boston 1775: Lexington is Turing 300!

This blog gives the history, analysis, and unabashed gossip about the start of the American Revolution in Massachusetts. Lexington, the other offshoot of Cambridge (Newton being the first as we were originally named New Town) is about to reach its 300th anniversary!

Map of Boston in 1775. Image from dwkcommentaries.wordpress.com

Marjorie Arons-Barron: Tilting Yes on Medicinal Marijuana

Question 3: Her take on this issue.

Image from Wikipedia

October 17, 2012
82 Day Street in Newton Nearing Completion

House for Sale in Newton Soon

My husband’s real estate project at 82 Day Street in Newton is nearing completion after a large renovation. The new house specs are:

Living area: 3590 square feet and an additional approximately 600 square feet of finished basement.

Lot Size: 8000 sq ft

Number of Bedrooms: 5 Bedrooms on second floor. Possible additional bedroom or au pair room in basement.

Number of Bathrooms: 3 1/2 Bath + doggy shower! 2 bathrooms on 2nd floor, 1/2 bath with doggy shower on first floor, and full bath in basement.

AC: 3 zones central

Heat: combo hydro air/water 3 zones, tankless water boiler

Garage: Attached 2 car

Laundry: On second floor

p.s. Here are some posts on the “Before.” Framing New Addition. The Plans for New Addition.

Newly renovated and expanded, 82 Day Street has 5 bedrooms with a possible 6th bedroom in the basement. The 3.5 baths include master suite and doggy bath near the mud room.

The new front entrance is updated with pillar columns, black door with narrow side windows for safety.

The front of 82 Day Street in Newton near Brae Burn Country Club

New fireplace mantle went in today in living room.

The living room has new French Doors that open to a new large deck to enjoy the view of the 3rd hole at Brae Burn Country Club.

Here’s a view of the new deck off the living room.

The pillars sticking out mark the new huge deck that leads off the French Doors in the living room. This is a great entertaining spot with views of Brae Burn. FORE!

This is view from living room French Doors onto 3rd fairway at Brae Burn Country Club.

Back of 82 Day Street. New stone retaining wall with new deck being installed on the far left.

The kitchen is expanded from original house and will have white cabinets, white subway tile, and honed black granite countertops. The new island is in the foreground.

Master bathroom new walk in shower being installed with marble tile.

The bathtub is in. The marble tile surrounding bathtub going in now.
The master closet is spacious. This is just part of it.

The half bath near the mudroom has a dog bath for cleaning muddy paws. It’s being installed now.

This room in the basement has a fireplace. It would make a great guest room, au pair room or office space.

82 Day Street is scheduled to be completed and on the market in about a month. For more information or to schedule a tour, please email Tai at TaiTaiLee@aol.com.

October 15, 2012
Classical Guitar at L’Aroma Cafe in Newton

Classical Guitar Performance by George Attisano

George Attisano is an attorney by trade but he’s also talented classical guitarist.

If you’re looking for something to do this Sunday afternoon (Oct. 14th), come and hear him play at L’Aroma Cafe in West Newton.

He’ll be performing from 2-4 pm.

Admission is free.

October 12, 2012
9th Annual Trade and Recycle Day!
Newton is having the 9th annual Trade and Recycle Day!

It will be held on Saturday, October 13th from 8am-2pm at the Recycling Depot at Rumford Ave.

Swapping and Donating: bring along useful but unwanted belongings for swapping or donating. Bring your stuff, or just come along & pick something up – for free!
- Appliances – Bicycles – Books
- Household items and non-upholstered furniture (No mattresses or couches)
- REUSABLE building materials (cabinets, doors, plumbing and light fixtures, lumber, drywall, etc.)
- NO computer monitors, NO televisions, NO hazardous materials, NO paint
- Pretty much anything, so long as it is usable, non-toxic, non-hazardous – and clean!
DROP-OFFS ACCEPTED (NEWTON RESIDENTS ONLY!) FROM 8 – 1 PM

Recycling and Reuse: bring along any of the following and the City of Newton will make sure that they are recycled, given to charity or disposed of safely.
- Fluorescent bulbs and other mercury-containing items
- Cell phones, all printer cartridges
- Clothing
- Paper, cardboard, glass, metal, all plastic bottles
- Dead rechargeable batteries
October 11, 2012
Hunger Games at Newton North High School

NNHS Hosts Hunger Games

Hunger Games fans were impressed by Newton North High School’s rendition, causing high school envy all over the country! Thank you to Capability:Mom for this link from My Hunger Games: Ever In Your Favor.

At Newton North High School in Massachusetts, their school wide book this year is ‘The Hunger Games‘. In celebration, the school created their own high school Hunger Games called, the “Tiger Hunger Games“. After having every student in the school read the book, a total of 26 students were reaped as tributes from the pool of over 200 students that applied.

Newton North High School principal Jennifer Price impressed as Effie Trinket. The motorized segway is a nice touch!

The blogger at MyHungerGames.com was envious saying, “I wish I had gone to this High School!” I don’t blame her, I wish I went here too and I live in Newton!

Principal Jennifer Price is nominated for Yahoo Women Who Sbine! for her Global Education Leadership Fund (GELF) scholarship that helps low income students from Newton High Schools travel aboard. If she wins the $10,000 prize, 16 additional additional students will be able to travel abroad next year. Please vote for her here.

October 9, 2012
Mosaic Masterpieces
Mosaics by Ariel in Needham

I met Ariel on Twitter and when I found out she lived next door in Needham, it seemed like we were fated to meet, especially after I popped over to her website and saw her amazing custom mosaics.

This piece is gorgeous. Can you imagine it larger as a kitchen backsplash? Funny you should ask, because she does that too!

When I told Ariel that this piece reminds me of Japanese brush painting and Gustuv Klimt, she said that Gustav was influenced by Asian art.

Her pieces are the epitome of form meeting function. While they are worthy of hanging on a wall as a museum piece, she also creates custom kitchen backsplashes, corporate logos, and mirrors.

Corporate logo for the boardroom

Mosaic Custom Logo for G20 Spa on Newbery Street

This is a custom kitchen backsplash.

She is in the middle of creating this custom kitchen backsplash.

She also does custom mirrors. This one would be amazing in an entry way. She makes all mirrors to order and can do different sizes, shapes, and colors as the client desires. The mirrors are popular as wedding gifts.

The artist with a small mirror.

A few interesting factoids about Ariel:
- She has a photographic memory.
- She’s Harvard’s first mosaic artist. (Class of ’04)
- Her family has been in the jewelry business for generations.
- Jewelry design is also on her resume. She makes fused glass jewelry.
If anyone is interested in contacting Ariel, you can reach her here. I wish I had some empty wall space; her bubbly personality makes you want to hang out as long as possible! She’d would be very fun to work with!

p.s. My good friend Artchoo!: Contagious Art and Design for Kids is posting on Ariel’s mosaic art project for kids. The kids did huge self portraits using mosaics. View post.
October 8, 2012