NGS (Newton Girls’ Soccer) is partnering with the Breakers to offer a 4-day clinic over April break! The sessions will be run by current Breakers players and supervised by Breakers coaches and our own Director of Coaching, Gary Beatty. Here are the details:
Dates: Tuesday, April 17 – Friday, April 20
Time: 9am – 12am
Location: Newton Field (most likely Weeks Field)
Cost: $175
Please click here to register.
Email Gary Beatty, ngsdoc@gmail.com with any questions.
Carol Reichert writes in the sensory deprivation chamber that is the Newton, Massachusetts public library. She has served as a midwife to a cow giving birth in New Zealand, danced flamenco in the mountain caves outside of Granada, and learned lomi lomi massage in Hawaii. In addition to writing, she dances flamenco in Boston and Spain and wherever the rhythm moves her. She is currently working on a memoir about her family’s life in a village in southern Spain.
When did you first know you were a traveler?
What’s one place that has moved you or changed you in a significant way?
My family and I moved to a tiny mountain village outside of Granada, Spain for 14 months. The simplicity of our lives there – no afterschool activities, no carpools, no night spots, really, nothing to do – forced us to redefine entertainment. My kids played with feral cats, and for several weeks we climbed a mountain to observe the decomposition process of a dead badger. Time seemed to stand still.
What’s one memorable travel experience you’ve had?
On my honeymoon, I helped a cow give birth on a roadside in New Zealand. After the calf was born, it wouldn’t stand up. So we put it in the trunk of our rental car and brought it to the farmer’s house. He carried it to the living room and laid it on a sheet of plastic. We fed it milk and whiskey until the calf stood up. The farmer named the calf after me. I often wonder what she’s doing now?
Is there something you always do (or search out, buy, learn, pack, drink), whenever you’re on a trip?
I try to eat foreign food in a foreign country. I’ve eaten sushi in Spain, lasagna in Guatemala, Thai food in Lichtenstein. I love experiencing the local spin countries put on food that’s foreign to them. Serrano ham in a tekka maki roll is very tasty.
How do you balance your home and travel life?
Now that we have children, we take them with us everywhere. They began traveling as infants. I’ve nursed in the Paris subways, treated the flu in a Marrakesh riad, and told bedtime stories in Seville. My kids know that traveling is part of our family ritual. They’ll probably rebel when they’re teenagers by never leaving the neighborhood.
What’s on your list of future destinations?
Iceland, Madagascar, and Argentina.
In your opinion, what is the greatest reward of traveling?
I love how traveling changes my life back home. This year I planted seeds in my vegetable garden for pimientos de padron, an heirloom pepper I ate in Granada. I was introduced to a chef in Morocco, and I make her tagines at home. I studied flamenco in Spain, which inspired me to uncover the subterranean flamenco community in Boston. These are the souvenirs I’ve brought home, and they’ve changed the way I live.
Thank you to Lavinia Spalding, editor of The Best Women’s Travel Writing, for letting me use her post. Her wonderful blog is here.
The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2011: True Stories from Around the World (Travelers’ Tales) edited by Lavinia Spalding
Click on book to view more closely at Amazon.
Franco Garcia, a Boston College Student and brother of a current Day Middle School student, has been missing since Wednesday, February 22. The Newton Police Department is leading an investigation with Boston College Police and State Police In search of the missing student. Investigators have said that Franco has not attended class at Boston College since last week or shown up for work and his car remains parked on campus. Please see the following link for more information about the investigation.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Newton Police Department at 617-796-2100 or the Detective Division at 617-796-2104 .
Newton North High School Varsity Dance Team places 2nd at Baystates at Braintree High School on Thursday, February 9, 2012. Coached and choreographed by Stephanie Hubbard. Congratulations to the team members and their coach!
The arrest of David Ettlinger, a second grade teacher at Underwood Elementary School in Newton, is facing charges of possession of child pornography, indecent assault and battery on a child and posing a child in the nude, and this has understandably rocked the Newton community. Here are links to articles:
Ex-Newton teacher indicted on six counts of child assault from Boston Globe
“Ettlinger is now accused of assaulting three children in all, none of whom were his students. Investigators have now identified two alleged victims in Suffolk County and one in Middlesex County.”
DA: Newton Teacher Charged With Child Porn Took Secret Photos Of Students from CBS Boston
“Sources say the pictures were taken without the kids’ knowledge and they are of various body parts…The D.A. stresses the pictures are not pornographic and that the kids are fully clothed and he could not face criminal charges for them. At this point no student was assaulted.”
Mother: Babysitter Accused Of Sex Abuse Seemed Perfect from CBS Boston
“Isabel Stover admits when she hired David Ettlinger to babysit last October, everything seemed perfect. Not only was he a local teacher in town, but her 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son approved.”
Newton Teacher Facing Child Porn Charges Resigns from Newton Patch
Newton teacher joined child porn website in 2009, court documents allege from Boston.com
Newton Teacher Accused In Child Porn Case Advertised Self As Babysitter from CBS Boston
Newton Parents Look for Answers in Wake of Ettlinger Arrest from Newton Patch
Newton 2nd Grade Teacher Gets Arrested for Child Pornography from CBS Local Boston (video)
Newton second grade teacher allegedly filmed assault on young girl, prosecutors say from Boston.com
Who is David Ettlinger? from WickedLocal Newton
What Do We Know about David Ettlinger? from Newton Tab Blog
DA Claims Teacher Posed Girl for Porn from BostonHerald.com
Lessons Abound in Teacher Sex Scandal from BostonHerald.com
Newton Teacher Advertised with Babysitting Website from Boston.com
My Client (David Ettinger) and His Parents are In Shock from NECN.com (video)
David Ettlinger: Newton Mass. Teacher Made Child Porn, Stole Girls’ Underwear from International Business Times U. S.
$100,00 Bail for Massachusetts Teacher Charged in Child Porn Investigation from Breitbart.TV
David Ettlinger to Face More Child Porn Charges Today from Boston Metro
Compost Available FREE to residents
Once again, small quantities of screened (3/4″ minus) compost are available to Newton residents at Rumford Ave, free of charge. Residents can fill small buckets, containers, etc. for their own use on their own properties for small projects.
No businesses or commercial trucks allowed. Compost will be available on a first come, first serve basis and there may be limited availability depending on the current status of the compost finishing process.
If you are a commercial landscaper or a resident looking to acquire more than 3 cubic yards of compost, please call Customer Service at 617.796.1000. Thank you.
Max & Leo’s Artisan Pizza Oven
I consider it a public service to find good food and tell everyone about it – even if it impacts me directly, as in I will no longer be able to get in the door at a favorite place. I got a tip from a friend and was delighted to discover Max & Leo’s Artisan Pizza in Newton Corner. Open only three months, the place was hopping on Saturday night with regulars streaming in for take-out or waiting patiently for a seat (it has a nice beer selection). With only 15 seats (two tables, a few seats at the bar and some counter space), it looks like it should expand and fast. You can build your own pizza or order one of their wonderful menu options. We had three pizzas (there were six of us – two adults and four children) and had to take two pieces home. What did we order? Three different pizzas, of course and they were all delicious. Great toppings, wonderful crust and amazing service.
Their coal fired (yes, coal fired) oven runs at 900 degrees and can cook a pizza in two to three minutes. Coal? Really? Go read why here. Started by twin brothers Max and Leo Candidus, the place is obviously a labor of love. They even have a portable oven that travels to cater events. How fun is that? For me, I am happy to have found a great new pizza place to put in our rotation
325 Washington St. Newton, MA
617-244-7200
A toddler gymnastics class was something that all my three kids did. I think I did it to tire them out and for my own sanity because it got us out of the house into the company of adults. Over the years, we’ve been to most of these places either for a class or a birthday party. There are a few requisites that I now have on my list as I select a gymnastics studio:
Energy Fitness and Gymnastics, 70 Jaconnet Street (off Needham Street)
We’ve gone here for years. It has all the requirements including great gymnastics classes for toddlers and they don’t have a competitive team. They are very nice too!
Exxcel Gymnastics and Climbing, 88 Wells Avenue
This is the place if you do want to do a competitive team. They also do lots of birthday parties!
TumbleKids, 201 Arlington St in Watertown (near Target)
I went here when I lived in the city. If price point is an issue, this is the place for you. They are very nice and the prices are very reasonable.
Needham Gymnastics, Needham High School’s “New” Gym
Creative Movement and Arts Center, 145 Rosemary Street (Needham)
We took a class here and the set up is very nice. It’s has all the elements for keeping a toddler or preschooler happy!
My Gym, 188 Needham Street
We took classes here and my kids still love going here for birthday parties.
Gymboree, 225 Highland Ave, Needham
There was one in Newton but it’s gone. We used to go there for birthday parties. It’s similar to My Gym.
Rhythmic Dreams Gymnastics, 1137 Washington Street
My daughter spent a year here doing Rhythmic Gymnastics. They are very successful at training Junior Olympic hopefuls!
Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton
They offer beginning gymnastic classes.
p.s. More Guides to Newton:
Best Preschools in Newton
A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston
Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton
A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton
A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton
Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton
Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton
Kenneth C. Brennan, president and CEO of The Village Bank, announced today that the Bank’s Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation will award a total of $40,000 in college scholarships to Newton and Wayland residents who are graduating from high school this year and intending to pursue studies at an accredited college or university in the fall.
The Foundation will award 10 one-time $2,000 scholarships and two $10,000 scholarships that will be allocated upon successful completion of the first semester of each of the student’s four academic years.
To be eligible for one of the two $10,000 scholarships, a student must have demonstrated active involvement in local community and/or charitable causes.
“The Village Bank has always had a strong commitment to the community,” said Brennan. “The special $10,000 scholarships give us the opportunity to recognize local students who share that commitment.”
While the $2,000 scholarships also take into account an applicant’s community/charitable experience, it is not a requirement for consideration. The scholarships will be presented upon successful completion of the students’ first semester.
Each of the scholarship awards can be applied toward college tuition, room and board or supplies. Requirement information and application forms are available at local high schools and at The Village Bank branches in Auburndale, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Waban, West Newton and Wayland, and online by clicking here. Completed applications must be received by the Bank no later than April 13, 2012.
Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation scholarships are funded in part by the Bank’s Annual Golf Classic each fall. The scholarship program began in 1998 with the announcement of five $2,000 scholarships to be awarded to members of that year’s graduating class.
The Foundation’s total investment in education since the program began will total $390,000 with this year’s awards, according to Brennan.