Category: Newton News

News happening in Newton Massachusetts.

Sleep Specialist and Blogger, Dr. Craig Canapari
How Much Sleep Do Teens Need?

The final doctor to present at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children blogger event was sleep heir-t0-Dr. Ferber, Dr. Craig Canapari. He’s also a blogger and is active on Twitter. In fact, I was tweeting with him late one night, thinking the irony — shouldn’t we both be sleeping?!

Not only is he a fun guy and dad, but he had some concrete advice for kids who sleep poorly:
- For “Restless Leg Syndrome” when kids say their legs need to move, try getting them tested for iron. Often times, more iron is the fix.
- How much sleep do teens need? Teenagers need 9 hours of sleep but here’s the kicker: their school starts the earliest AND their circadian rhythm starts to shift later and later at the onset of puberty. Teens not waking up until noon? It’s their body clock! Seriously! This fix is to slowly reset their body clock earlier by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night until the desired time is set. The challenge is to maintain this sleep schedule even during weekends and vacations.
- Bad Sleep versus No Sleep. Kind of the same thing. Poor sleep or no sleep affects the same part of the brain as ADHD.
- Natural Sleep Remedy. One sleep remedy is the over the counter supplement Melatonin. Dr. Canapari confirmed that you can’t overdose on it. It’s a very safe supplement. Take 2-3 hours before desired bedtime as a sleep aid.
You gotta love a doctor who is plugged in on Social Media. Check out his blog here. He’s active on Facebook and Twitter too.

Here are some of his tweets:

The Science Behind Why Power Naps Help You Stay Productive and Creative http://buff.ly/OLDLpS only issue is that naps can delay sleep onset

Food Allergy Buzz: Will He Grow Out Of Asthma http://wp.me/p2eNvP-93

And what is he like? He’s extremely personable and should have his own TV show! Oprah, take note!
August 22, 2012
Food Allergy Research Program at MassGeneral Hospital for Children
Dr. Wayne Shreffler is the Director of the Food Allergy Center at MassGeneral Hospital for Children. I was at a blogger event at MassGeneral and met several very impressive and dedicated doctors. Dr. Shreffler expertise in allergies brought up all kinds of questions from parent bloggers:

Why Have Food Allergies Become Such a Problem?

There are many theories but no answers. According to Dr. Shreffler:
- Genetics play a role
- Hygiene Hypothesis
- Western diet
- Vitamin D
- Geography/Cultural
- Exposure Route
What does this mean for parents?
- Our Western diet has introduced intense processing that mirror the rise in food allergies.
- Vitamin D might have protective effects.
- Early introduction to possible allergens is now considered a good idea. This is new for me when advice from 10 years ago urged us to delay introduction to foods like eggs and peanut butter. Good thing I ignored it!
- Early eczema an indicator for allergies? It’s worth testing kids younger if they have eczema as babies.
He is also doing research in Oral Immunology Therapy which gives very small doses of allergic foods to kids to see if they build up resistance. This is the same theory in The Princess Bride where Wesley beat that really smart funny short bad guy in the poison-in-a-cup switcharoo. Turns out Wesley had been drinking small doses of poison for years to build up immunity.

The downside is that children with life threatening allergies can not participate in this study as it is too dangerous. The research is still not conclusive yet but this is a step in the right direction!

I thought this guy was rockstar smart and if my kids had food allergies, I would fight my way into his practice.
August 20, 2012
New Weight Center for Children (ENERGY) Starting at Mass General Hospital for Children
Weight Management Program for Kids

I went to a really great event at Mass General Hospital for Children and heard Dr. Christina Scirica, Director of Parenting for Health, Inspired for Health, and ENERGY (Exercise, Nutrition and Relaxation for Growing Youth). Yep, you guessed it from her complex title. She’s an expert on childhood health and weight with a background in Pediatric Pulmonary and Childhood Obesity. Surprisingly, these two areas are linked!

As a mother of kids herself, Dr. Scirica experienced weight issues with her own daughter who’s BMI was in the 96% when she was four years old. Taking matters into her own hands, she found healthy solutions to bring her daughter’s weight chart on a downward decline. As a mom, she worried that her daughter might have body image issues if she nagged about snacking and weight. Instead, she focuses on mindful eating, healthy food choices and a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise.

Now, as the head of ENERGY, she is bringing a program to Mass General Hospital that will also roll out into their associated network of hospitals including Newton-Wellesley Hospital. This is a weekly family based weight management program for children ages 10 years old and older.

And she shared some helpful concrete advice:
- She discourages using food as a treat.
- She discourages diets for children. Instead she promotes a healthy lifestyle.
- Eating at the table as a family helps to make meals a bonding experience.
- Think about the Quality/Quantity/Context of Food. Where are we eating? When are we eating? Why are we eating?
- Distracted eating = Overeating.
Things most parents don’t have to worry about (but still do) …
- Pleasing all palates. Don’t cook a different meal for kids.
- Is my child eating enough? Kids will not starve themselves.
- Will my child be hungry? Snacks. Don’t overpack just to give choices, especially when your child is in daycare or school all day. We’re conditioning kids to snack all day.
- Eating disorders. Statistically, this is rare.
This new ENERGY program will start in September at Mass General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Scirica is also on Twitter at @SciricaMD. I really liked her as person that I could relate to and want to hang out with. She’s very down to earth and funny to boot.
August 17, 2012
Girls’ Soccer Cleat Exchange on Labor Day

To all NGS Families:

It’s time for the Bi-Annual Cleat Exchange!

Date: Monday, September 3rd (yes, it’s Labor Day)

Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm

Where: 35 Kingswood Road, Auburndale

(Take Comm. Ave. to Islington to Kingswood – map at http://newtongirlssoccer.org/announce/)

How it works: If you have old cleats cluttering closets bring them along and find a new pair that fits. Even if you don’t have any cleats to donate, bring your daughter on that Saturday to find a pair. It’s great fun!

Cleats are being accepted in advance at 59 Oxford Road, Newton Centre and 35 Kingswood Road, Auburndale. . . . or just bring them on September 3rd

Tell your friends!

August 13, 2012
Newton Businesses Make Best of Boston List!
This is from the Newton Patch.

Newton was well-represented in this year’s Best of Boston issue from Boston Magazine. More than a dozen businesses/services received recognition from the magazine in both Boston-based awards and “West of the City” categories.

The following Newton businesses made the issue:
- Best Garden Supplies: Winston Flowers (gorgeous flowers too, but expensive!)
- Best Kitchen Supplies: Sur La Table at The Mall at Chestnut Hill (very helpful staff!)
- Best Makeup: Sephora (a location at The Mall at Chestnut Hill)
- Best Bar West of Boston: The Cottage Chestnut Hill
- Best Brunch West of Boston: The Biltmore (I’ve been hearing so many people rave about this place!)
- Best Day Spa West of Boston: La Residencia
- Best Men’s Clothing West of Boston: Mr. Sid (an establishment!)
- Best Jewelry West of Boston: Adamas Fine Jewelry (Hey, we were on the same soccer team with co-founder’s son)
- Best Hair Salon West of Boston: Salon Capri
- Best Wine Shop West of Boston: The Urban Grape
- Best Bedroom Kids Furniture: Baby Koo
- Best Living Room, Interior Designer: Liz Caan (so many talented Interior Designers in Newton alone!)
- Best Specialty, Gym Equipment: Gym Source
- Best Wedding Coordinator: Hopple Popple (Hey, that’s my neighbor and mom friend Abby’s family company! Shout out to Abby who does weddings!! They are in that adorable purple cottage on California Street near McDonalds!)
- Best Place to “Carbo-Load”: Rosenfeld Bagel Company’s Challah (And the bagels are great too!! We also like their cream cheese. I am partial to the chive. My husband liked the lox.)
Information provided by Boston Magazine website.
August 10, 2012
Links from Newton News Blogs

We’re lucky that there are lots of publications specific to Newton. I rounded up some interesting clippings:

Newton Patch: Vote for your Newton favorite parks, restaurants, and services.

Please vote in their survey!

Newton in Boston.com: Atrium Mall in Chestnut Hill purchased by Bulfinch Cos. and will be converted to medical and office center

Hav you been to the Atrium Mall lately? It looks like a ghost town. Lê’s Restaurant is probably leaving by December according to Vin Lê, the manager. Bertucci’s is gone. I wonder if The Cheesecake Factory will stay? We’re thinking that there is going to be a big sale at the Pottery Barn when they move out …

Newton Tab: Rail trail coming to Upper Falls within the year

New greenway trail coming to Newton! I think my dog will love this!

Newton Patch: Former Newton Teacher May Plead Guilty to Federal Charges

Update on David Ettlinger.

Szerlip’s Real Estate Blog: Newton Real Estate Market’s Biggest Problem—Lack of Inventory!

Newton has only 130 single families listed for sale and 166 are under agreement. A steady market is between 200 and 215 active listings.

Good news for homeowners even if we are not looking to sell! Crazy how hot our real estate market is even though the general U.S. economy is not that robust!

July 27, 2012
Rowers: Newton Athlete Heads to the London Olympic Games!

Don’t Forget The Rowers!

UPDATE (July 30, 2012): Gevvie Stone, who is competing in the women’s single sculls event, placed third in her heat with a time of 7:33.68. The time qualified her for a spot in the event quarterfinals. Newton Patch

——————

27-year-old Newton athlete Gevvie Stone is yet another local Bostonian headed to London for the summer olympic in just a few weeks. Stone is a national and internationally recognized rower from the Cambridge Boat Club. She began rowing in 2001 as part of a family tradition as both her mother and father were rowing Olympic hopefuls.

However, no one imagined that Gevvie would follow directly in their footsteps. Since then Stone has placed 1st for skulling at the national competition, 8th for skulling at the 2012 Samsung Rowing Cup, and is the three-time champion of the Head of the Charles competition which is the largest rowing event in the world.

After narrowly missing a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Stone managed to train fiercely for London even while working around her schedule as a medical student at Tufts University and made the cut.

This young athlete has immense potential for a US victory this year. Go Gevvie!

July 18, 2012
Fun Stuff To Do For Kids in Newton This Summer

Stuff to Do With Kids in Newton and Boston

Need ideas for Camp Mom or for a fun weekend Staycation? Try these fun summer activities! Can you suggest more fun things to do around Newton?

1. Explore the Charles River by canoe, kayak or paddle board. Charles River Canoe and Kayak can outfit you in a jiffy. My kids loved seeing baby cygnets, goslings and duckings via canoe. Explore another world just minutes away! You can fish in a rowboat too!

2. Sail the Charles River. The best deal in Boston, hands down, is the Community Boating in Boston. If you don’t know how to sail, sign up for a class.

3. Scull the Charles River. Crew is so East Coast! You must try it! Community Rowing in Watertown: Rowing for All!

4. Walk History. Boston Common is the start of the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, a brick-lined route that passes 16 historic sites. Take visitors on this tour or just do it yourself with kids. Bonus stop in the North End for gelato, iced drinks at cafes, or pastries.

5. Visit Fenway Park. Are Fenway Franks really as good as they sound? You decide. The nation’s oldest ballpark has tours Ballpark Tour or catch a game live.

6. The Cape. Cape Cod and the islands—windswept beaches, the best of fresh New England seafood. It’s a 90-minute ferry from Boston to Provincetown or a 15-minute flight to Nantucket from Logan. Or rent a car for the quick drive, with a stop along the way at Plimouth Plantation.

7. Beach. Yes, we have our own at Crystal Lake! Bring toddlers to the shallow beach, get swimming lessons or just cool down.

8. Shady Hike With Dogs. Weston Reservoir off Ash Street is a great place to let your dog run off leash with a 1.6 mile loop is mostly flat and very shady. My kids like to play with the sticks, throw stones into the reservoir, built stone walls, and unclog the streams.

9. Fish Are Biting. In Norumbega. This is the inside scoop: “Charles at the duck pond at the end of Norumbega Road in Weston. This is on the border with Newton and Waltham, across from the Charles River boat house by the Newton Marriot. Many smaller bass 2lbs or less, bigger carp and heard reports of american eel from other anglers.”

10. What is your favorite thing to do?

July 12, 2012
30th Anniversary for Women Cantors Network!

Congratulations to the Women Cantors Network who recently celebrated its 30th anniversary at a conference in Newton. This is big news because for centuries, women were not allowed to lead prayers in the synagogue, and now, starting in the 70s for Reform cantors and the 80s for Conservative cantors when they were first ordained in the seminaries, the role of the female cantor has blossomed nationwide.

From far and wide, 100 women cantors gathered mid-June at Temple Beth Avodah in Newton to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Women Cantors Network. In prayer and song, in workshop and lecture, the members learned, sang and worshipped together over the course of three and a half days.

“Thirty years ago I could not have imagined an annual gathering of 100 women from across the country – this year even from Hamburg, Germany,” said WCN founder Deborah Katchko-Gray. “Thirty years ago we were twelve women with lots of questions and energy – today with close to 250 members, we have support, friendship and opportunities through our email listserve and conferences for Jewish learning, spiritual growth and sharing music.”

They’ve come a long way, baby! Although women have only been invested as cantors since the mid-70’s, they now make up a large part of the graduating class from the conservative and reform seminaries. And that doesn’t take into account the many women cantorial soloists and prayer leaders across the country who were also in attendance at the conference. The remarkable growth and acceptance of women cantors caught the eye of Rachel Adelstein, a doctoral candidate from University of Chicago, who came to interview the women for her dissertation.

“Literally in one lifetime — mine — women cantors have gone from being a rarity to being so common that I was well into my thirties before I even met a male cantor,” said Adelstein. “Cantor Sheila Cline, whom I met at the conference, was the second female graduate of Hebrew Union College’s School of Sacred Music. She graduated the same year that I was born!” Others came for support from the “veteran” members, such as Cantorial Soloist Jane Roman Pitt from Fairfield, Iowa. “I had to gather my courage to come as I didn’t know anyone,” she said.

“But I was met by warmth and a willingness to share the knowledge, the wisdom and the music of one hundred women who became like one as the days went on. In fact, the last service was one of the most profound spiritual experiences of my life.”

Beth Avodah Rabbi Keith Stern, who joined Glickman and other WCN members in leading the opening night worship, commented on the inspiring nature of women leading services in song. “’Kol Isha,’ boy, those guys never heard these women,” he said, referring to the ancient rabbinic prohibition against hearing women sing.

July 9, 2012
NewTV features Local Artists – The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II

Who even knew that NewTV had a art gallery? I certainly didn’t. But they do – just outside the offices -and showcase many talented local artists (previously featured artists include Marian Dioguardi and Coleman Rogers) and save the date for the Gallery Reception of The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II on July 18th, 7-9 pm.

Featuring Local Artists – Sharon Schindler, Emily Sper, Jeffrey Hayes, Amy Kaufman, Jeanne Gugino, Jessamyn Martin, Douglas Weisman, and Myra Abelson.

This is a great way to see these artists in a casual setting. You can also see Sharon Schindler’s work in the lobby of the Newton North High School (there is a beautiful photo of the old Newton North printed on birch wood just outside the main office) and some gorgeous photos of Israel at Temple Reyim on Washington Street, Newton.

Save the Date!

Please join us for a wine and cheese reception at NewTV as we celebrate our newest exhibit, The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II. Presented by Newton Open Studios, and curated by Ellen Fisher. Eight artists from Newton Open Studios explore the still life format, presenting a varied and delightful sampling that challenges preconceived notions of the genre. These still lifes often peer into unusual places, occasionally verge on abstraction, and tackle both conventional and unexpected subjects. Exhibit runs through August 20.

From the website:

At the NewTV Art Gallery, we offer a moment to reflect upon a photo, painting, collage, or any frameable medium. We encourage local, emerging and established artists to submit work for one of our quarterly group or solo exhibits, art openings, and on-line exposure. Work is for sale, with pricing established by the individual artists. Please support our state of the Arts!

NewTV | 23 Needham St | Newton Highlands MA 02461

Telephone: 617.965.7200

Fax: 617.965.5677

Email: newtv@newtv.org

As I explored the website I learned of the many class offerings – what a tremendous resource. Classes include Animation Workshops, Studio, Field and Post Production classes and even a Screenwriting class. and Any Newton resident, non-profit organization or business can join NewTV for a small, annual membership fee. Once you’ve signed up, you are eligible to take any classes or workshops offered by NewTV, use any of NewTV’s equipment and book the Conference Room or Studio, all free of charge with your membership.

NewTV is also running a NewTVSummer Raffle

EXCLUSIVE TO NEWTV MEMBERS!

Spread the word about NewTV’s fantastic membership opportunities to your friends and you can enter our Summer Raffle. It’s easy! All you have to do is refer a friend for a NewTV membership. Once they sign up, you are automatically entered in the raffle, with the opportunity to win one of three great prizes!

Grand Prize is a brand new iPad 2

Second prize is a 32 GB iPod Touch

Third prize is a $100 iTunes gift card

An individual membership referral will give you 1 raffle ticket, a family membership referral will give you 5 and a non-profit will give you 10.

Please email Member Services Coordinator Michael Crossen-Sills at michaelcs@newtv.org with your referrals so we can enter you into the drawing.

Deadline is August 31, 2012

July 6, 2012