Category: Newton News

News happening in Newton Massachusetts.

NNHS New Principal Update

March 25, 2015

Dear North Community,

Over the past several weeks, it has been a great pleasure working with a range of stakeholders on the Newton North High School principal search. The thoughtful questions and scenarios that were posed to the finalist candidates by students, faculty, administrators and parents demonstrated that Newton North has a highly knowledgeable, engaged and committed community. I am also very appreciative of the Selection Advisory Committee who invested tremendous energy and care interviewing candidates and providing me with feedback.

Last week, Newton North was privileged to host two excellent school administrators who have contributed much to public education and will make an even greater impact in the future. I am grateful to both Geoff Walker and Bill Klements for the thought, care, and intelligence they demonstrated during the past few weeks. The search process was a rigorous one and they deserve great credit for making it to the finalist stage.

After a thorough review and a careful examination of the needs of the school, I have decided to appoint an interim principal for the 2015-16 school year. In the next several weeks, we will examine our options for an interim principal and an announcement will be made after the April vacation.

I want to thank those of you who provided such valuable feedback throughout the search process. I will keep you informed as we proceed with next steps.

Sincerely,

David A. Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

March 25, 2015
The Village Bank will award $50,000 in college scholarships

Joseph A. De Vito, president and CEO of The Village Bank, announced today that the Bank’s Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation will award a total of $50,000 in college scholarships to graduating, college-bound high school seniors from the communities served by the Bank.

The Foundation will award two $10,000 scholarships and fifteen $2,000 scholarships. To be eligible for a $10,000 scholarship, in addition to academic achievement and other criteria, the student must have demonstrated active involvement in community and/or charitable causes, in a leadership capacity.

“The Village Bank has always had a strong commitment to the community it serves,” said De Vito. “This year’s $10,000 scholarships give us the opportunity to recognize local students who share that commitment.

The scholarship awards can be applied toward college tuition, room and board or supplies. Complete rules and 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. They are also available online here. Completed applications must be received by the Bank no later than April 17, 2015.

Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation scholarships are funded in part by a Golf Classic held 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 $548,000 with this year’s awards, according to De Vito.

March 19, 2015
Public Workshop On Traffic Signal Improvements In Auburndale

Public Workshop On Traffic Signal Improvements In Auburndale

Date: March 12, 2015 at 7:00 PM

Location: City Hall – Aldermanic Chambers

The City has initiated a project to implement specific transportation and traffic improvements in the Village of Auburndale. Although the primary goal of this project is to upgrade traffic signals at key intersections, it may be necessary to incorporate specific geometric improvements at intersections and driveways in order to improve overall vehicular and pedestrian safety.

Specific improvements may include traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Lexington Street, Commonwealth Avenue and Melrose Street, Lexington Street and Wolcott Street; new traffic signals at the intersection of Lexington Street and Auburndale Avenue; geometric improvements at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Lexington Street; installation of new granite curb, minor stormwater improvements, driveway and sidewalk reconstruction and other miscellaneous items of work.

The City is eager to engage the community and present the project as part of a public workshop scheduled to be held at City Hall in the Aldermanic Chambers on March 12, 2015 beginning at 7:00 PM. This will be a chance to make comments and suggestions to City staff.

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March 10, 2015
Public Hearing on Turtle Lane Project

PUBLIC HEARING ON TURTLE LANE PROJECT

Tuesday, March 10^th at 7:00 PM

Public hearings will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM, second floor, NEWTON CITY HALL before the LAND USE COMMITTEE of the BOARD OF ALDERMEN and in the case of continued petition #480-14, a proposed change to the City’s zoning map, with the PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD for the purpose of hearing the following petitions at which time all parties interested in these items shall be heard. Notice will be published Tuesday, February 24 and Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in The Boston Globe and Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in the Newton Tab, with a copy posted online www.ci.newton.ma.us and in a conspicuous place at Newton City Hall.

A Public Hearing in conjunction with the Planning & Development Board was opened and continued on February 10 on the following petition:

#480-14 STEPHEN VONA petition to rezone 283 MELROSE STREET, also known as Section 41, Block 14, Lot 10, from MULTI RESIDENCE 1 to a MIXED USE 4 DISTRICT.

A Public Hearing was opened and continued on February 10, 2015:

#480-14(2) STEPHEN VONA petition for a SPECIAL PERMIT/SITE PLAN APPROVAL to restore and expand an existing structure known as the Turtle Lane Playhouse to provide a mix of uses including preserving the theater use, adding a street-level restaurant with office space above, and constructing a separate 23-unit multi-family structure with a below grade parking garage for 30 cars at 283 MELROSE STREET, Ward 4, Auburndale, on land known as SBL 41, 14, 10 containing approximately 43,783 sf of land [currently zoned MULTI RESIDENCE 1] in a proposed MIXED USE 4 DISTRICT. Ref: Sec 30-24, 30-23, 30-13(h)(2) Table B, 30-13(j)(1),(2),(3), 30-15(w)(1) and (4)(a) and( b), (6)(b), 30-5(b)(4), 30-19(d)(2), (11), (13), (18), 30-19(k), and (m) of the City of Newton Rev Zoning Ord, 2012.

March 8, 2015
Juice Press Coming to The Street

Juice Press, the popular cold press juice café with a cult following of health fans, is coming to The Street this summer. Visitors at The Street can now look forward to enjoying Juice Press’ signature menu of organic cold pressed juices, gourmet superfood smoothies, fresh salads, soups and a great variety of raw food.

Juice Press will be located at 33 Boylston Street, Suite 3320, Chestnut Hill, MA, within a beautiful 3,100 square foot space neighboring Legal Sea Foods, Splendid, Vince, Calypso St. Barth and Intermix. The chicly designed grab and go shop will showcase healthy food and drink options, a stop and sit down space, a signature salad station, and an extensive collection of soups.

Fans can expect to find cult favorites such as Cold Pressed Juices like, MOTHER F&*%IN’ FIREBALL, a hybrid of two Juice Press favorites, MOTHER EARTH and GINGER FIREBALL, JP BLACK LATTE with coconut water, dehydrated almonds, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt, cold-brewed coffee concentrate, PINK PUNK with frozen pineapple, frozen strawberries, shredded ginger, cold pressed beet; Smoothies like FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH with young thai coconut water, banana, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, raw agave nectar, hemp protein, coconut oil, THE GURU with young thai coconut water, coconut meat, apple, vegan dha omega oil, goji berry, banana, blueberry, hemp protein, hemp seeds, cacao, THE BRAZILIAN with homemade almond milk (filtered water and almonds enriched with coconut oil, vanilla extract, sea salt), avocado, maca, spirulina, mesquite, raw agave, ice; Raw Foods like Kelp Me! Pesto Noodles, Chia Seed Pudding, Matcha Bowls, Hummus Wraps, and much more!

Juice Press is dedicated to using organic produce and ingredients and offers options that are plant based with no high pressure processing (hpp) or genetically modified organisms (gmos). Their cold pressed juices, gourmet superfood smoothies, food entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts are all made fresh daily. Their vegan ProViotic is major allergen free, recognized by two Ivy League institutions and sold in capsule form or included in select Juice Press products.

For more information about exciting events and retailer announcements, please visit www.TheStreetChestnutHill.com to join the e-club or follow The Street on Facebook: The Street Chestnut Hill, Twitter and Instagram: @shopthestreet.

Follow Juice Press on Facebook and Twitter at juicepressny and Instagram @juicepress. Visit www.juicepress.com for store locations and more information.

ABOUT JUICE PRESS: Dedicated to organic product, Juice Press offers options that are vegan and kosher with no high pressure processing (hpp) or genetically modified organisms (gmos). Their cold pressed juices, gourmet superfood smoothies, raw food entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts are all made fresh daily. Their vegan ProViotic, contains 4 times the amount of good bacteria than normal probiotics, and is sold in capsule form or included in select Juice Press products. Juice Press draws women, men, health nuts, raw foodies, night-lifers, moms, tweens and toddlers and delivers to them at home or in the office from Manhattan to Brooklyn to almost anywhere in the country. Visit www.juicepress.com for store locations and more information.

March 7, 2015
Get Fresh with your Valentine’s Day Gift Giving

Massachusetts-Based Crudité Creations is the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day

WHAT:

It’s the same old song and dance every year, flowers, chocolates and maybe a stuffed animal that will find its way from a shelf, to a closet and eventually into a landfill somewhere. Why not send that special someone in your life something different, creative and surprisingly fresh?

Crudité Creations is a small Massachusetts-based company run by one-time corporate rat race participant, Lauren Brooks turned vegetable artisan. The idea behind Crudité Creations is creating beautiful arrangements using fresh vegetables. Made daily and as delicious as they are beautiful why not send the special someone in your life something, healthy, beautiful and original? With an arrangement such as “My Heart Beets For You”, starting at $55.00, you’ll make a long lasting memory this Valentine’s Day. Several arrangements are available. Please visit http://www.cruditecreations.com/ for more information.

WHEN: Saturday, February 14^th, 2015

INFO: Please visit http://www.cruditecreations.com to place order or for further information

About Crudité Creations:

Crudité Creations, based in Newton, MA, was founded by Lauren Brooks, a local expert who creates stunning displays of colorful, artful, and healthful vegetables. Crudité Creations are a decorative and delicious way to serve family and friends with fresh, local vegetables arranged in an artful way.

The company personalizes arrangements for specific events, with upgraded vessels available upon request. Occasions may include, but not be limited to, corporate meetings and employee incentives, religious events and celebrations, dinner parties, birthdays, hostess gifts, real estate open houses, thinking of you and thank you gifts, and get well and healthful new mom gifts. For more information, visit www.cruditecreations.com email lauren@cruditecreations.com or call at 617-416-2609. Crudité Creations is on Twitter @Cruditecreation (note: no “s”) and Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cruditecreations.

February 7, 2015
Nelly Carreño Celebrity Chef at COOK Restaurant

Cook Cooks for Charity

Cook Restaurant Welcomes Nelly Carreño as Part of its Continuing ‘Celebrity Chef Series’

WHAT:          Cook, the highly acclaimed American bistro located in Newton, MA is welcoming NECN meteorologist Nelly Carreño as part of its continuing “Cook for Charity” celebrity chef series. On Wednesday, January 28th, 2015 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM Carreño will roll up her sleeves and get cooking with Executive Chef/Owner Paul Turano where they’ll be serving up flatbreads all evening long. In addition to Cook’s signature menu items, the restaurant will be serving “The Nelly” special, a chorizo flatbread topped with house made crumbled chorizo, poblano goat cheese crema, mozzarella and fingerling potato chips, designed by Nelly herself. 100% of sales from each $15 “The Nelly” flatbread will be donated to Rosie’s Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women.

Nelly Carreño is a three-time Emmy award winner who has covered hard news, entertainment and weather for over a decade in large television markets such as Dallas, Chicago & of course Boston. She is a regular supporter of Rosie’s Place and the night of cooking is one of several celebrity chef events at Cook, all of which raise money and awareness about a charity chosen by the specific celebrity chef of the evening. The regular menu will also be available on the night. For more information, visit www.cooknewton.com or call 617-964-2665. Reservations are recommended.

WHEN:             Wednesday, January 28^th, 2015. Appearance by Carreño from 6:00PM – 8:00PM. Dinner served from 4:30PM to 10:00PM.

WHERE:           Cook Newton | 825 Washington Street | Newton, MA |02467

RSVP:              Reservations recommended by calling 617-964-2665.

About Cook:

“Cook” restaurant is an 80-seat New American bistro is located in the Greater-Boston area in Newton, Massachusetts. Cook presents a menu that crosses all cultural lines and spans from the simple to the complex. The perfect place to meet for lunch, brunch or dinner, or simply to stop in and enjoy items from their snack menu while sampling craft cocktails, or something from the extensive beer and wine list. Cook is a true neighborhood restaurant in every way. Executive Chef/Owner Chef Paul Turano is dedicated to using only the freshest local ingredients. At Cook the food is dressed up, but you can dress down. Cook serves lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30AM- 3:30PM, Dinner: Sunday- Saturday from 4:30PM – close, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30AM -2:30PM. Cook is located at 825 Washington Street in Newton, MA. For more information please visit www.cooknewton.com.

January 27, 2015

Worst Cities for STEM Jobs

With “getting a better job” being one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) jobs expected to grow 1.7 times faster than non-STEM professions between 2008 and 2018, the leading personal finance social network WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst Metro Areas for STEM Professionals.

On the heels of our earlier report on the Best & Worst Cities to Find a Job, WalletHub analyzed the 100 most populated metropolitan statistical areas across 11 key metrics to help STEM professionals find the best markets for their valuable occupations. Our data set ranges from job openings per capita for STEM graduates to annual median wage growth for STEM jobs.

Boston, Cambridge, Newton ranked #35 for Best Metro Areas for STEM Professionals.

Best Metro Areas for STEM Professionals		Worst Metro Areas for STEM Professionals
1	Houston, TX	91	Lakeland, FL
2	Austin, TX	T-92	El Paso, TX
3	Raleigh, NC	T-92	Stockton, CA
4	Denver, CO	94	Cape Coral, FL
5	Omaha, NE	95	Deltona, FL
6	Seattle, WA	96	Oxnard, CA
7	Oklahoma City, OK	97	Fresno, CA
8	Salt Lake City, UT	98	North Port, FL
9	Columbus, OH	99	Riverside, CA
10	Cincinnati, OH	100	Miami, FL

Key Stats

The job openings per capita for STEM graduates are 12 times higher in San Jose, Calif., than in North Port, Fla.
The percentage of all workers in STEM occupations is five times higher in San Jose, Calif., than in McAllen, Texas.
The projected number of STEM jobs needed in 2018 per capita is 13 times higher in Washington than in Baton Rouge, La.
The unemployment rate for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher is four times higher in Riverside, Calif., than in Ogden, Utah.
The annual median wage for STEM workers (adjusted for cost of living) is two times higher in Houston than in Honolulu.
The housing affordability for STEM professionals is two times higher in Winston-Salem, N.C., than in Honolulu.

For the full report and to see where your metro area ranks, please go here.

January 26, 2015

Top Docs in Newton & Wellesley

NEWTON-WELLESLEY HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS NAMED TO BOSTON MAGAZINE’S TOP DOCTORS LIST

Thirty five Newton-Wellesley Hospital physicians were recently named in the December, 2014 Boston Magazine “Top Doctors” list.

This year’s Boston Magazine list was again generated from a survey conducted by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd, a healthcare researcher that also publishes America’s Top Doctors, a guide to the country’s top 1% of medical specialists. Castle Connolly’s physician-led research team uses mail and phone surveys and electronic ballots to ask physicians and the medical leadership of leading hospitals to identify highly skilled, exceptional doctors. From that group, it identified 649 top Boston-area doctors across 50 specialties.

Following are the physicians affiliated with Newton-Wellesley who were included on this list:
Jennifer Rosenblum, MD, Adolescent Medicine

Johnson T. Wong, MD, Allergy & Immunology

Daniel Steinberg, MD, Allergy & Immunology

Moussa C. Mansour, MD, Cardiac Electrophysiology

G. William Dec Jr., MD, Cardiovascular Disease

Robin Jones, MD, Pediatric Neurology

Lawrence S. Friedman, MD, Gastroenterology

Ross Berkowitz, MD, Gynecologic Oncology

Jesse Jupiter, MD, Hand Surgery

Evan D. Schumer, MD, Hand Surgery

Katherine Economy, MD, Maternal Fetal Medicine

Thomas L. Beatty Jr., MD, Obstetrics/Gynecology

Phyllis W. Scherr, MD, Obstetrics/Gynecology

Marc Leibole, MD, Ophthalmology

Timothy E. Foster, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery

William L. Healy III, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery

Mark Rounds, MD, Otolaryngology

Anthony J. Guidi, MD, Pathology

Daniel Doody, MD, Pediatric Surgery

Allan Goldstein, MD, Pediatric Surgery

Jonathan Caine, MD, Pediatrics

Karen L. Sadler, MD, Pediatrics

Joanne Borg-Stein, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Daniel Driscoll. MD, Plastic Surgery

Jay Loeffler, MD, Radiation Oncology

Carol Anania, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology

Mark Hornstein, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology

Keith Isaacson, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology

James M. Becker, MD, Surgery

Kevin Hughes, MD, Surgery

Henning Gaissert, MD, Thoracic Surgery

John Wain, MD, Thoracic Surgery

Cameron D. Wright, MD, Thoracic Surgery

Christopher Kwolek, MD, Vascular Surgery.

Newton-Wellesley Hospital, a member of Partners HealthCare, provides a wide range of services, including medical, surgical, obstetrical, orthopaedic, neonatal, pediatric and psychiatric care. Newton-Wellesley has been serving its community for over a century. The medical staff of the Hospital includes nearly 1,000 physicians practicing a full range of specialties. NWH is a major teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine and also has established post-graduate training programs for Harvard Medical School residents.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a physician, contact CareFinder at 617.243.6566 or visit here.

December 16, 2014
NSTAR’s 30% Rate Increase
My guest blogger today is John H. Tourtelotte of Newton Solar Challenge.

NSTAR’s 30% Rate Increase: What can we do about it in Newton?

By now we’ve all seen the latest news on NSTAR’s major rate increase that will take effect this winter in Newton and throughout the region.

Why is the rate increase happening? What can we do about it at the community level and household level?

The “popular press”, including the Boston Globe and New York Times, has explained in recent articles that the 30% NSTAR electrical utility rate increase (and National Grid 37% rate increase) are a result of a shortage of natural gas distribution in New England to supply homes, businesses and natural gas fired power plants during periods of heavy demand in the winter months.

As a result, natural gas power plants face higher “fuel” costs, which power plant operators pass on to electrical utilities, which in turn then pass these costs to electrical utility customers. Many experts forecast that the shortage of natural gas is at least a ten year problem in New England due to lengthy planning and approval timelines for new natural gas pipelines to transport natural gas into New England.

So, let’s take a closer look at NSTAR’s planned 30% rate increase. Let’s also take a look at how “retail” electrical utility rates are calculated for residential customers in Newton. Then, let’s think about what we can do about it at the local level and at the household level.

For Newton residents, the current NSTAR residential rate of approximately $0.18 per kilowatt hour (kWh) is one of the highest rates in the U.S. This current $0.18 per kWh rate is before calculating the planned 30% rate increase.
- 46% of the $0.18 per kWh rate that we pay is allocated to “transmission and distribution” charges (T & D). These T & D charges represent the cost to move electrons through regional electrical distribution systems and across local wires on poles. T & D costs also include other charges, such as utility overhead and profit, pension and healthcare obligations, and staffing costs. The major utilities in New England are for-profit, publicly traded companies which have provided strong returns to their shareholders.
- 51% of the $0.18 we pay is for “energy supply” charges paid to out-of-state and in-state power plant operators and power providers. The current shortage of natural gas, which is used to “fire” the majority of our power plants in New England, affects the energy supply cost category.
- The remaining 3% of the electrical utility cost structure consists of “transition charges” and energy efficiency & renewable energy program costs.
- The Globe and NY Times tell us that the 30% rate increase is due to the limited supply of natural gas distribution, which is partially correct. What the press does not make clear is that the utility industry’s T & D costs typically rise at a rate higher than core inflation. (Again, T & D charges are about 50% of our total electrical charges). Many in the industry feel that there is substantial deferred maintenance in local electrical utility networks, suggesting continued increasing T & D charges. Even if the 30% rate increase is partially reduced after the winter season, consumers should expect continued cost escalations due to the nature of utility T & D cost structures.
We should all reflect on how wasteful it is to ship electrical power from regional power plants over wires to Newton and then within the local distribution system inside Newton. Over 10% of electrical power is lost in utility transmission and distribution networks (Source: NY Public Service Commission & EPRI, 2012). This T & D loss is on top of the inefficiency of even the most modern natural gas fired electrical generation plants (50% thermal efficiency).

What can you do about rising utility costs? What can we, as a community, do? How can we make “structural” changes to the way energy is generated and consumed in our community?

Energy efficiency is a “layup”! You should absolutely take advantage of the free home energy audits, $2,000 of free insulation, LED lighting upgrades and other programs available through the State’s “MassSave” program.

Then, by adopting solar on your home or business, you can provide up to 100% of your annual home or business electrical needs. You can draw from the utility grid when needed and provide excess power back to the grid and your community during times of high production of solar power.

The great thing about electricity is that it flows to the nearest source of demand, so solar energy generated in Newton will stay in Newton! Dollars saved on home utility bills will also stay in Newton for the benefit of local merchants, your children’s college education and your retirement plan.

Residential solar with the Newton Solar Challenge is a financial “no brainer” for those whose homes are appropriate. Homeowners who take advantage of “solar ownership” through Newton Solar Challenge will be immediately “cash flow positive” when using a solar loan from a local bank (or) will receive a full payback on investment within five years if they choose to invest cash.

We are challenged as a community by a 30% rate increase, global warming, and a desire, but no clear plan, for energy independence. What can you do about it? How can you take action with your community? How can you support the City of Newton’s stated goal of a 20% energy reduction across the residential sector within the next five years?

Join us in the Newton Solar Challenge and go solar with your neighbors! To learn more about how we simplify the solar purchase process, provide preferred pricing for Newton residents using high-quality installers and American-made equipment, and make low-cost “solar loans” available for Newton residents, please visit us at our website and Facebook.
December 12, 2014

Category: Newton News

NSTAR’s 30% Rate Increase: What can we do about it in Newton?