Author: Mia

  • Cultural Survival’s Bazaars in Jamaica Plain

    Cultural Survival’s Bazaars in Jamaica Plain

    On Saturday, Aug. 6 and Sunday, Aug. 7 from 10am-5pm, Indigenous artists and musicians from around the world will come together for a free admission festival celebrating their cultures. The Jamaica Plain community is invited to join them to enjoy Indigenous music from Mali, Ecuador, and the US northeast and art whose purchase supports the livelihoods of Indigenous communities around the globe. An attendee has called it “the best place to get unique global gifts while supporting indigenous cultures!”

     Cultural Survival’s Bazaars in Jamaica Plain

    The Bazaars bring a complementary burst of color to the arts community in Jamaica Plain, with Indigenous makers demonstrating and telling the stories behind their crafts and selling one-of-a-kind pieces of art for various budgets. Attendees enjoy the chance to meet people from around the world in an intimate, community-like space. Picnickers are welcome to munch while listening to all-day concerts.

    Since 1982, Cultural Survival’s Bazaars have provided a market for thousands of artists and cooperatives spanning six continents and over sixty countries. Each year the Bazaars generate about half a million dollars for Indigenous artists, performers, and projects benefiting Indigenous communities worldwide. Attendees can enjoy craft-making demonstrations, free concerts, and one-on-one conversations with representatives of dozens of different Indigenous cultures.

    Many vendors represent cooperatives that make it possible for children to attend school and provide a singular source of income to women. Whether working with ancient techniques or modern materials, the artists produce unique pieces and intricate designs that fascinate viewers. One attendee said, “It’s like a trip around the world’s bazaars.”

    About Cultural Survival: Cultural Survival is an international GBO whose mission is to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and support Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience.

  • P/T Job: Professional Organizer in Training

    P/T Job: Professional Organizer in Training

    My Arlington-based company, Living Peace, is hiring a Professional Organizer in Training.  Details and contact information
    available here.

    Living Peace

    Living Peace is a professional organizing company specializing in residential and small office organizing services. This thirteen-year old company (based in Arlington, MA) is in a period of growth, and you could contribute at a fundamental level to that future.

    This position offers flexible hours. The hourly commitment will vary from week to week, but for the right candidate the hours will certainly increase over time.

    This position will include 6 months of EXTENSIVE training in professional organizing skills and techniques. Training time will be will begin on a contractor basis for first 3 months after which final hiring decisions will be made.

    Position responsibilities would include:

    • Identify organizing systems needed in various client situations and ability to recognize zones of activity (Space Planning)

    • Guide clients hands-on through implementing the organizing process- Sort, Purge, Assign Homes, Containerize, Equalize

    • Teach basic organizing skills

    • Negotiate differing needs and opinions amongst members of a household

    • Recognize & support the pace set by the client And definitely

    • Establish sustainable organizing systems in many areas o Kitchens/Pantries o Clothing and Storage Closets o Bedrooms o Bathrooms o Living/Family Rooms/ Dens o Kids’/Teens’ Rooms o Basements/Garages/Attics/ Sheds/Storage Areas o Home Offices/Household Management Workspaces o Filing Systems/Household Paperwork Systems o Basic Electronic Organizing o Family Calendaring/Activity Charts o Hobby/Craft/Gift Wrapping Areas

    Traits of the right person:

    • Learner Attitude—Our clients are the experts in their lives; we have to learn and help them make it even better.

    • Sense of compassion and understanding for others—Our clients are overwhelmed; they need compassion and understanding first. • Ability to impact and motivate others toward change

    • Extremely organized- remember this is a professional organizing company!

    • Detail-oriented

    • Customer service focus

    • Impeccable integrity and personal background

    • Active listening abilities

    • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Versatility and resourcefulness

    • Ability to lift 30+ lbs. – This is a physical job, not just consulting. Be prepared to get dirty and make change happen

    • A good sense of humor and desire to have fun At Living Peace, we focus on a holistic, whole life approach to our work which starts with a sense of honor: for the person, for the process, and for the situation.

    A compassionate and nonjudgmental approach is paramount for our client services, and we are looking for organizers who can exude a confident, comfortable, professional, vibrant, capable, and healthy persona. If this sounds like you, then we look forward to reviewing your application.

    Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and consistent access to a car in order to work at client locations around the Greater Boston Metro Area.

    TO APPLY: Email the following to Hiring@Living-Peace.com by SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2016: 1. Your resume 2. A cover letter explaining why you are both interested and qualified for the position 3. If you could do anything in the world, what would it be? – give us the creative answer, your ideal vision.

  • Valeo Futbol Goalkeeping High School/College Prep Clinic

    Valeo Futbol Goalkeeping High School/College Prep Clinic

    Valeo Futbol Goalkeeping High School/College Prep Clinic

    Date:     Aug 15th-18th (M-Th)

    Time: 5-7pm

    Age: U14 & Up

    Cost: Valeo GKs $180

    Where: 125 Wells Ave, Newton, MA

    Valeo Futbol Goalkeeping High School/College Prep Clinic

    This clinic is specifically designed for further advancing goalkeeping skills and goalkeeping tactical awareness needed for advanced play in goal. While working on advanced level technical drills, goalkeepers will also learn the concept of the 3-goal situation and the proper organization on set
    plays, including properly setting up the wall and using the right goalkeeping terminology. Each session will end with goalkeeper-specific fitness exercises designed to build strengths, speed and agility.

    Clinic’s Highlights:

    • Advanced Handling
    • Advanced Diving to Save
    • Angle Play & Positioning
    • Advanced Dealing with Breakaways
    • Dealing with Crosses with Traffic
    • Set-play Organization
    • 3-goal Situation
    • Back-to-Crossbar Recovery
    • Back-Pass Option & Distribution
    • Plyometric, Resistance, Agility Exercises
    • Analytical Session

     

    Questions?

    Contact coach Vasily- vasily@valeofc.com

  • Part Time Job Baking in Waltham

    Part Time Job Baking in Waltham

    Are you a food enthusiast with energy and drive?  Have you wanted to get involved in the food industry? Looking for a part-time job?

    Part Time Job Baking in Waltham

    We are Bread Obsession,  new and growing Artisan Bread Baking Company in Waltham.  We have an entry level position that includes baking training.  You would be responsible for managing bakery logistics including packing, delivery and staffing Farmer’s Markets.

    A valid driver license and use of a car is a requirement.   Find us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/breadobsession/.  Please respond to Breadobsession@gmail.com.

  • Garden Buds Community Clean Up July 20th

    Garden Buds Community Clean Up July 20th

    Hello Fellow Newtonians,

    Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and the new gardens and benches on Forest Avenue.  Thank you again to all of you who helped beautify our neighborhood and make the project a reality.

    We are planning a community clean-up day for this coming Wednesday, July 20th.   We plan to be on the islands (at 233 Highland Avenue) from 11:00am until 2:00pm.  Please join us if you are available and inclined.  Come for an hour or the whole time – but please try to stop by.

    We need your help and would love to see you!

    Please bring garden gloves.

    Thank you!

    Dana & Newton Garden Buds ~ Carol, Susan, Sarah, Kajy & Deirdre

    www.newtongardenbuds.com

    Garden Buds Community Clean Up July 20th

  • 9 Newton Schools Have Lead in Water

    9 Newton Schools Have Lead in Water

    Dear Newton Public Schools Community,

    As many of you know, over the past several months, the City of Newton and the Newton Public Schools have tested water in the public school buildings to gauge lead levels. This testing was in addition to the state-mandated testing conducted yearly and was done as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health and wellness of all students and staff.

    Testing of two water fountains in each school in April identified “actionable” lead levels only at Burr Elementary. “Actionable” means the lead level exceeded the EPA standard for safe drinking water of >15 ug/L or parts per billion. Further testing at Burr showed problems with both interior and exterior plumbing. Extensive remediation is being conducted this summer to remedy the problems. Follow up tests were also conducted on drinking fountains at Horace Mann and Ward as initial test results showed lead levels approaching the actionable level. Fortunately, the additional tests revealed no issues.

    Because of the issues identified at Burr, the City of Newton decided to test ALL water fountains in ALL schools, along with sinks in nurses’ offices, staff rooms, and kitchens. This testing, conducted by an outside contractor, was just completed. In sum, 264 fixtures in all 23 school buildings were tested at “first draw” (sample taken when water is first turned on.) Results showed elevated lead levels in 12 fixtures across 9 schools (6 fountains and 6 sinks). Please see the attached spreadsheet for all test results.

    The City and the District moved quickly to shut off the water fountains and sinks demonstrating elevated lead levels. To remedy the issues, these water fountains and faucets will be replaced. Once the remediation work is complete, follow up testing will be conducted to ensure the problem has been addressed. Summer programs in the Newton Public Schools will continue as scheduled since safe drinking water is available to all participants.

    Please know that this work is a top priority for the City and the Newton Public Schools and we are working as quickly as possible to remedy the problems. We are committed to fixing the issues this summer and will provide you with updates and information as we progress. The health and safety of students and staff in our school buildings is paramount and every action step will be taken to ensure our drinking water is safe. Additional information can be found on the City website at www.newtonma.gov/drinkingwater or the NPS website www.newton.k12.ma.us.

    Sincerely,

    David Fleishman

    Superintendent

    For a pdf version of this letter, please select the following link: Water Testing Results – July 2016.pdf

    Please select the following link for the updated water testing results: Updated Water Testing Results.pdf

    9 Newton Schools Have Lead in Water

  • Sidewalk Sale at The Street

    Sidewalk Sale at The Street

    The Street will host its second annual Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 23rd from 10am-8pm. The Sidewalk Sale is an annual event with incredible summer discounts, perks and entertainment. This year will be all the more unique as artist Curtis Kulig will unveil a site specific mural and host an interactive public sticker installation at the event. The Street is located at 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA;www.TheStreetChestnutHill.com.

    At the Sidewalk Sale, The Street will debut its fifth major public art initiative in less than two years. Presented in association with Art Production Fund, artist Curtis Kulig will unveil an original, site specific mural – ‘99.9% Happy’ – at The Street and host an interactive public sticker installation that afternoon from 12-2pm.

    Sidewalk Sale at The Street

    The mural and stickers will feature Kulig’s iconic Love Me, a simple, two-word manifesto spotted in cities around the world, including London, Paris, Istanbul and Tokyo. His signatureLove Me catapulted Kulig into fame, garnering coverage from The New York Times, Vanity Fair and Vogue, attracting attention from collectors, celebrities and creative directors alike, including Bobbi Brown, the Kardashians, Karlie Kloss, Pharrell Williams and Seth Rogen, and leading to multiple fashion collaborations.

    Specifically, ‘99.9% Happy’ is comprised of 53 black and white Love Me signature smiley faces and one frowny face in red. The mural will be located on the façade of 33 Boylston Street and spans 8.2 feet wide and 54.5 feet tall. During the Sticker Installation, participants will receive small versions of Kulig’s signature smiley stickers and have the opportunity to work alongside the artist by placing the stickers on designated surfaces at The Street. The mural and stickers will be permanently on view at the property.

    In addition to this exciting new art, The Street’s Sidewalk Sale offers incredible summer discounts, perks and entertainment across the property’s 43 stores and restaurants. Shoppers will find highlights such as 60% off select styles at VINCE; 25% off at Ku De Ta; 15% off at Polkadog Bakery; discounts on gift cards at Showcase Super Lux; complimentary hand facials from skoah; and $5 gift cards towards future purchases with every $25 spent at Juice Press. Former brands in The Pop-Up will have creative activations around the property, including florist Alice’s Table, bagel masters OMG! Bagels, and dessert experts, Sweet Lydia’s.

    The first 200 shoppers will also receive a complimentary limited edition canvas tote, designed by Kulig exclusively for The Street, and a Love Me green juice from Juice Press. The Love Me green juice features Kulig’s iconic mark on the bottle and is made with green apple, spinach, kale, and lemon. The juice first debuted in 2015 and has been popular ever since.

    The full schedule of events for The Street’s Sidewalk Sale is as follows:

    Saturday, July 23, 2016
    10am to 8pm
    *Rain Date July 24, 2016

    10am-8pm
    Sales and perks across all 43 restaurants and shops, including VINCE, Ku De Ta, Portobello Road, skoah, Jonathan Adler, Splendid, Juice Press,
    Shake Shack, and MiniLuxe

    11:00am to 1:00pm
    Live Music by Paul Hansen of The Grown Up Noise
    Balloon Animals

    12:00pm to 2:00pm
    Interactive Sticker Installation led by renowned artist Curtis Kulig

    2:00pm to 4:00pm
    Live Music by Jenna Lotti

    3:00pm to 5:00pm
    Face Painting

    6:00pm to 8:00pm
    Live Music by Gretchen and The Pickpockets

    The Sidewalk Sale is part of Summertime at The Street, a three-month series which features free fitness classes, live music, and kid-friendly events five days a week. The complete calendar for Summertime at The Street is available online: www.thestreetchestnuthill.com/events.
  • Top Colleges in MA According to Forbes

    Top Colleges in MA According to Forbes

    27 Massachusetts colleges made the list, out of 660 schools nationwide, according to Forbes magazine.

    Top colleges in Massachusetts according to Forbes

    1. Williams (2)
    2. Harvard (4)
    3. MIT (5)
    4. Amherst (12)
    5. Tufts (18)
    6. Boston College (22)
    7. Wellesley (32)
    8. Holy Cross (51)
    9. Smith (54)
    10. Brandeis (74)
    11. Boston University (79)
    12. Mount Holyoke (102)
    13. Babson (104)
    14. Hampshire (151)
    15. WPI (166)
    16. Bentley (178)
    17. Emerson (186)
    18. Clark (188)
    19. UMass (205)
    20. Stonehill (212)
    21. Northeastern (215)
    22. Wheaton (240)
    23. Simmons (298)
    24. Gordon (332)
    25. Merrimack (349)
    26. UMass-Lowell (454)
    27. UMass-Boston (525)

    The full list is here.

     

  • Internship Positions at Lesley Ellis School in Arlington

    Internship Positions at Lesley Ellis School in Arlington

    Lesley Ellis School Development Department is looking for responsible high school and/or college interns this summer, and for the academic year 2016-17. Flexible schedule; 5-10 hrs./wk.

    Internship Positions at Lesley Ellis Schoo
    Interns will work closely with the Director of Development to learn about event planning; how to use Raisers Edge database; how to conduct donor research; as well as help to develop our young alumni program using Facebook, Twitter and various other social media.

    This is an unpaid internship. Interns will receive official letters of
    recommendation and/or acknowledgement of community service hours.

    Lesley Ellis School is an independent Preschool through Grade 8, located in Arlington, MA.

    Interested candidates should contact Jen Hodgdon, Director of Development
    at jhodgdon@lesleyellis.org.
    www.lesleyellis.org

  • Water Fountains Shut Off in Newton Parks

    Water Fountains Shut Off in Newton Parks

    On May 17, the City was notified that an external drinking fountain at Family Access of Newton was found to have elevated lead levels. This fountain was turned off. After learning about this, the City decided to proactively test 7 public drinking fountains in the City’s parks to determine whether further action needed to be taken on external fountains. This testing took place on June 10th.
    Water Fountains Shut Off in Newton Parks
    The results, received June 23, showed that 5 of 7 fountains tested were above the actionable level. These fountains are:
    • Cabot Park hardball field drinking fountain
    • Cabot Park softball field drinking fountain
    • Cabot Park tennis court drinking fountain
    • Crystal Lake bathhouse
    • Gath Pool right, rear drinking fountain
    Department of Public Works immediately turned off the water to these 5 fountains and Department of Parks and Recreation began supplying bottled water at Crystal Lake and Gath Pool. The City also began evaluating potential options for remediation or additional testing. On June 29, based on the high proportion of tested fountains with elevated lead levels from this screening round, the City chose to turn off external fountains at the following locations:
    • Albemarle
    • Angier Park
    • Auburndale Cove
    • Bowen Park
    • Boyd Park
    • Burr Park
    • Cabot Park
    • Crystal Lake
    • Davis School
    • Emerson Playground
    • Farlow Park
    • Forte Park
    • Franklin School
    • Gath Pool
    • Hawthorne Park
    • Hyde Park
    • LFCC
    • Lyon’s Cove
    • Magni Colletti Park
    • Memorial Spaulding School
    • Nahanton Park Fieldhouse
    • New Cold Spring
    • Newton Centre Park
    • Newton Highlands Park
    • Peirce School
    • Police Park
    • Richardson Playground
    • Solomon Schecter
    • Stearns Playground
    • Upper Falls Playground
    • Ward Park
    • Warren House Park
    • Warren Lincoln Park
    • Wellington Playground
    • West Newton Common
    We are currently evaluating options for remediation of these outdoor fountains. To make informed choices on next steps, we need public input. Please take a short survey at www.newtonma.gov/watersurveyto let us know how you and your family use the outdoor public drinking fountains. If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please email us at: drinkingwater@newtonma.gov. In the meantime, we are asking you to bring your own drinks when you visit our parks.
    The safety of children and families is of the highest importance to us. We hope to hear from you and find solutions that meet residents’ needs and expectations.
    Sincerely,
    E-Signature
    Setti D. Warren
    Mayor
    City of Newton, MA