Category: All About Newton

News, events, children’s activities in Newton, MA.

Newton Has Talent! Win $1000!
Enter Newton Talent Show

Afkham at L’Aroma Cafe just told me about this Newton Talent Show. The winner takes home $1000!

Newton Has Talent is open to all acts that can perform on stage:
- Acts must be unsigned local talent with at least one member either residing in or attending a school in Newton, MA
- All members must be 13 or older as of March 24, 2013
- Acts must be available to compete live March 24, 2013 from 2-4pm
Enter NOW! for a chance to win up to $1,000 in prizes.

Visit the Newton Has Talent Website to read the Official Rules and fill out the Entry Form. We will take YouTube video submissions of acts until midnight on Wednesday, February 24, 2013. Our panel of judges will narrow all the submissions down to a list of the top twenty (20) acts.

Those 20 acts videos will be featured at www.newtonhastalent.com and www.youtube.com/user/NewtonHasTalent beginning Friday, March 1, 2013. From there, the public will be able to cast their vote for their favorite act(s) by clicking the ‘Like’ button under the video. Public voting will be open until midnight on Sunday, March 10, 2013. On Wednesday March 13, 2013, the top ten (10) finalists will be announced.

These ten finalists will perform at Newton North High School on March 24, 2013 from 2-4pm. Finalists will be announced on www.newtonhastalent.com . At the finals, each act will have five (5) minutes to perform before the judges.

Good luck everyone! I know there is a lot of talent in Newton!
February 15, 2013
Great Yoga Class in Newton
Yoga in Newton

I recently discovered a great unheated Vinyasa yoga class in Newton at The Windsor Club taught by Dawn Davis. I had been taking yoga for years from my dear friend Bea Abascal of Hola Yoga. Alas, she is on hiatus right now so I went searching for something similar. My mom friend Katherine told me about her friend Dawn who taught a yoga class in Waban.

Small world. Dawn trained up Coeli Marsh with my friend Bea so, of course, they are friends and their teaching styles are similar. I took many, many classes with Coeli when she taught at Inner Strength. I think she’s wonderful. I also like Claire and Rebecca if that helps you yogis decide if we like the same style of yoga instruction!

Two of my yogi mom friends who have been going to Bea’s class came to try out Dawn’s class. Our assessment: she’s perfect. We like her flow. It’s slow but challenging. There’s lots of core work.

We like her message. It’s not too new age-y but she’s also inspirational.

We like the space. The Windsor Club’s room is HUGE and she only allows about 30 people so there is about a one foot perimeter around your yoga mat. There is also plenty of free parking.

She just added a second class on Fridays!

Mid-week Wednesday stress buster and Friday Fuel-Up to start your weekend on the right foot!

Wednesdays and Fridays

9:30-10:30 am

The Windsor Club

1601 Beacon Street, Waban

$15 drop in

$70 5-pack of classes

$135 10-pack of classes

Remember that passes never expire.

First class is free

The Details:
- Location: The Windsor Club in Waban
- Time: 9:30 – 10:30 am
- Day: Wednesdays
- Cost: $15 drop in, first class free.
- Sign up: email her first to reserve your spot. yoga@dawndavis.com. If you end up not going, you don’t have to pay. It’s just a headcount for her. She doesn’t like the room to be too full. We get at least 1 foot around the yoga mat for breathing space!
- Yoga Style: Unheated Vinyasa
- Difficulty Level: For all levels. The flow is slow but the poses are held for a decent length (read: burning muscles!). Lots of core work too!
See you on the mat!
February 14, 2013
Chocolate Fest Today at Whole Foods!

Chocolate Tasting at Whole Foods Newton

THE event of the season! Let us satisfy and delight your tatste buds throughout the store with mouth watering chocolate from our favorite vendors! Join us for a chocolate tasting just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Vosges, Taza, Adora, Bixby Bars, navitas and more!

Is your favorite a local vendor? A Youth Trade vendor? A product with an unusual twist?- think salty caramel!

Come and find out!

When: 5 – 7 pm TODAY, February 7th.

Where: Whole Foods Newton on Walnut Street, 916 Walnut Street.

Why: Hello? Chocolate!!

See you there!

February 7, 2013
Art for Sale

Fine Art from Waltham Corporation for Sale

These paintings were acquired by a Boston-based company through the acquisition of a now defunct Waltham-based company. Most of these paintings were commissioned for the Waltham company but it didn’t fit in with the decor of the company who purchased them so these paintings have been stored away.

Now, they are for sale because the company wants to use the storage space as office space again. They are looking to clear out the room so they are accepting offers on all the pieces.

If you’d like to see the paintings, please contact me at pragmaticmomblog@gmail.com. The company is in Back Bay, Boston. If you’d like to make an offer, please email as well. All offers seriously considered.

Findlay

Smog Runners II

36 x 72

Oil on canvas

Original price $7,200. Will take best offer.

Portilla

Untitled

56 x 70, frame satin black on cherry 1/2 float

Oil on canvas

Original price $10,000 plus frame $1690. Will take best offer.

Jessup

Utah

90 x 80

Oil on canvas

Original price $9750. Will take best offer.

Morrison

Fragments of the Past

53 x 83

Original price $5,200. Will take best offer.

Antic

A Minute Away

Oil on canvas, frame Rosewood on cherry with 1/2 inch float.

66 x 54

Original price $7,000 + $1,680 for frame. Will take best offer.

Beal

Noumenon

Mixed media

62.5 x 48

Original price $3,600. Will take best offer.

Antic

Adornments

72 x 96

Oil on canvas

Original price $12,000. Will take best offer.

B. MacNeil

The Rumor

52. x 54

Oil on canvas

Original price $3500. Will take best offer.

B. MacNeil

Maiden

54 x 61

Oil on canvas

Original price $2000. Will take best offer.

February 2, 2013
Newton Override Town Hall Meetings

Newton Override

Mayor Setti Warren will hold Town Hall meetings throughout the city to speak to residents about the proposed override package, which Newton residents will vote on March 12.

The Mayor, accompanied by municipal staff and Schools Superintendent David Fleishman will share details about the override proposal and answer your questions.

Here’s the schedule:

Sunday, January 27 at 1:00 pm.                Hawthorn Playground/Pellegrini Park Rec. Center, Nonantum

Thursday, January 31 at 7:00 pm.           Scandanavian Living Center, West Newton

Sunday, February 10 at 1:00 pm. Ward Elementary School gym, Newton Centre

Sunday, February 10 at 3:30 pm. Oak Hill Middle School, Newton Centre

Tuesday, February 19 at 1:30 pm.   Scandanavian Living Center, Seniors Town Hall with Newton at Home

Sunday,  February 24 at 1:00 pm.   Lower Falls Community Center, Lower Falls

Tuesday,  February 26 at 7:00 pm. Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Town Hall, Temple Shalom, West Newton

Thursday, March 7 at 7:00 pm.   Mason Rice Elementary School, Newton Centre

For more information on the override, go to the City’s website or to Building Newton’s Future.

January 27, 2013

Suzuki Students Performing at the New Philharmonia’s Family Discovery Concert

My Talented Neighbor’s Kids Performing at Family Discovery Concert!

Julia and Nick will be performing with other Suzuki School students this coming Sunday at the New Philharmonia’s Family Discovery concert. The theme of the concert is “landscapes” and Nick has a special solo in a “pop” style piece called Mountain Spring by Dean Marshall.

The Suzuki students will also be performing Greensleeves and a movement of the Bach Concerto for two violins as a group with the NPO.

Both Nick and Julia are rather shy about inviting their friends to hear them, but I am sure they will be thrilled to see some of you there.

The concert is only one hour—you’ll be out the door by 4 p.m.! You can order tickets online using the link below or get them at the door. from their mom who also runs the Newton Suzuki School Program and my old neighbor

The Musical Forest

Sunday, January 27 at 3pm
First Baptist Church
Newton Centre

Featuring your New Phil with talented young guests
from the Suzuki School of Newton!

Looking for a family-friendly adventure this weekend? Bring the whole gang to explore mountains, forests, and birds all through music! New Phil musicians show off their fun sides as they cluck like hens, play like cuckoos, and make the most magical, musical forest come to life! Plus students from the Suzuki School of Newton bring us to the mountains and deeper into the woods – everyone will be amazed by their talent!

Purchase your tickets today!

Buy tickets securely online at www.newphil.org
or call 617.527.9717.

January 26, 2013

Free Concert and Program at Brandeis on Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Concert at Brandeis

Amelia LeClair, a 2012-14 Visiting Scholar in Brandeis’ Women Studies Research Center, is presenting, with Cappella Clausura, a fascinating free daytime program on the connection between 12th century composer Hildegard and contemporary composers Hilary Tann, Patricia Van Ness and Emma Lou Diemer.

Thursday, February 14, 12:30pm

Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center Visiting Scholar Amelia LeClair will present a free lecture/demo with her women’s music ensemble Cappella Clausura on Thursday, February 14, 12:30PM, at Brandeis University.

Spanning the centuries, the presentation Hildegard von Bingen: Medieval, Mystical and Modern makes the connection between Hildegard (1098 – 1179), the medieval mystic of the Rhine, and contemporary composers inspired by her: Hilary Tann, Patricia Van Ness and Emma Lou Diemer. Live and recorded choral pieces will be interspersed within the lecture program.

The 12th century composer, Hildegard, was a remarkable German Benedictine abbess who experienced visions and wrote theological, botanical and medicinal treatises in addition to her poetry and music. She is known for her dramatic, soaring melodies and the close relationship she established between music and text in her compositions. Her Ordo Virtutum, a morality play, is widely considered the first opera (1150).

The free program will be presented at Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Center, Epstein Building, 515 South Street. For further information call (781) 736-8100 or visit here.

Cappella Clausura brings to light works written by women from the 9th century to the present day: twelve centuries of “new” music. While this ensemble of sopranos, altos, and period instruments performs music solely by women composers, and champions living composers, it concentrates on repertoire by women in the cloister – clausura – during the Italian baroque period. During this extraordinary time, women were allowed to express themselves spiritually and artistically, and to publish their own music. Clausura’s intention is to dispel the notion that there are not now nor have there ever been gifted women composers.

History has been blind and deaf to these remarkable works; Cappella Clausura brings vision and voice to them.

The ensemble has recorded two CDs and premiered many works by women of the medieval, baroque and renaissance eras, in addition to contemporary composers: Hilary Tann, Patricia Van Ness, Abbie Betinis, Emma Lou Diemer, Dorothy Crawford and others. Their innovative programs have drawn critical acclaim: Ordo Virtutum, a contemporary version of the first opera ever written; A Chantar, chant by 9th century Greek nun Kassia; secular music such as that written by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, court composer to Louis XV; and many other programs. For more information on Cappella Clausura, visit: www.clausura.org

What the press is saying: “…eavesdrop on paradise… personal and inviting, extravagant and intimate.”

– Matthew Guerrieri, BOSTON GLOBE

“the cadences of each phrase and each piece were nothing short of exquisite. There were many divine moments of

perfect sonority…” – Boston Musical Intelligencer

January 25, 2013
Demystifying Teen Relationships Program for Parents

Demystifying Teen Relationships at NSHS

Monday February 11 at 7 pm at NSHS for a parent program entitled “Demystifying Teen Relationships”

Teen dating violence exists in our student community. In response, the Newton South Community has collaborated with experts from REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, Journey to Safety – the domestic abuse program of JF&CS, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and the Newton Wellesley hospital to create both an educational parent and student program.

The parent program is entitled “Demystifying Teen Relationships” and will be offered for parents of middle and high school students at NSHS on Monday, February 11, at 7 pm. The goal of the programming is to help us work with our teens to develop safe and healthy dating relationships. The meeting will feature a panel of experts from REACH, Journey to Safety, and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.

Image: Photo by Zara Tzanev

January 17, 2013
Newton is Safest City!
Newton Safest City in United States

My Mom Friend Lynn was robbed a few weeks ago. Someone entered her house (ok, the door wasn’t locked) and made off with her jewelry. Down the street, our friend Debbie noticed a strange man walking through her backyard and called the neighbor to see if work was being done. That man Debbie saw was carrying Lynn’s jewelry in a shopping bag he took from her house.

Lynn and Debbie talked and matched up descriptions. He appears to be the same man.

The upshot?
- We do look out for one another in Newton.
- This robber wasn’t caught but he will be eventually if he keeps on doing what he’s doing.
- The mom network is strong here!
- We have a small town feel but since we are 9 miles from Boston, we need to lock our doors.
A Friend on Facebook posted that Newton is the safest city according to American Live Wire.

And here we are … in the Number 1 spot! The article opens with, “If you are lucky enough to live in one of the cities below, sit back and relax…..apparently you have little to worry about.” But honestly, even if you live in Newton with me, please lock your doors!!

1. Newton, Massachusetts (Population 85,146) (79.6% Caucasian, 2.5% African American, 17.9% Other Race) ($112,230)

2. Brick Township, New Jersey (Population 75,072) ( 93.05% Caucasian, 2% African American, 4.95% Other Race) ($65,129)

3. Amherst, New York (Population 122,366) ( 83.8% Caucasian, 5.7% African American, 10.5% Other Race) ($55,427)

4. Mission Viejo, California (Population 93,305) ( 79.8% Caucasian, 1.3% African American, 18.9% Other Race) ($93,330)

5. Clarkstown, New York (Population 84,187) ( 79.97% Caucasian, 7.87% African American, 12.16% Other Race) ($92,121)

6. Lake Forest, California (Population 77,264) ( 70.3% Caucasian, 1.7% African American, 28% Other Race) ($86,285)

7. Thousand Oaks, California (Population 126,683) ( 80.3% Caucasian, 1.3% African American, 18.4% Other Race) ($101,120)

8. Colonie, New York (Population 81,591) ( 90.55% Caucasian, 3.96% African American, 5.85% Other Race) ($51,817)

9. Cary, North Carolina (Population 135,234) ( 73.1% Caucasian, 8% African American, 18.9% Other Race) ($83,292)

10. Toms River, New Jersey (Population 91,239) ( 89.91% Caucasian, 2.7% African American, 7.39% Other Race) ($71,934)

The racial demographics of the US as a whole according to the 2010 US Census are (72.4% Caucasian, 12.6% African American, 15% Other Race). Average Median Income in the US is ($31,111).
January 14, 2013
Winter Programming at Newton Community Farm

Winter Classes at Newton Community Farm

NCF is pleased to offer a variety of courses in the winter of 2013 for children, gardeners, and others who have an interest in the outdoors, food, and farming.

For children, join us on Feb 6 at the Farm for an Early Release Day Activity.

**Early Release**
February 6th, 1:00pm – 2:30pm
$25, $20 Friend of the Farm
Dress warmly and come spend an afternoon on the Farm as we look at ways plants, animals and even people adapt to the colder weather. Look for evidence of animal activity despite the colder weather and enjoy some fun games to keep us warm!
Instructor: Alison Wilson
Location: Newton Community Farm

And again on February 21 for Kids on the Farm – Then and Now, a vacation week program at the Jackson Homestead.

**Kids on the Farm –
Then and Now**
A Vacation Week Family Program
February 21st, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost Per Family (4 people max, 1 adult required)
$30 General Public
$20 Friend of the Farm or Historic Newton member
Cost includes museum admission, materials, and snack.
Prepaid registration required; limit 25
Call 617-796-1450 to register.

Want to know what life on a farm would have been like for kids in Newton in past centuries? Using real artifacts from the Museum’s collection and real stories from the Angino family who lived on what is now the Newton Community Farm, we’ll explore how kids would have helped on the farm. Participants will also plant some seeds which will then be transplanted into our garden in the spring.
Location: Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street,
Newton, MA 02458

For gardeners, classes that might be of interest include Planning Your Garden for a 4 Season Bounty, Growing Fruit Trees, and Defensive Urban Gardening.

NCF 4 Season Gardening Program. This program will guide you through the year from planning your garden in the winter months to planting in the spring and then harvesting in late summer and fall. You will also learn about ways to extend your growing season to ensure you can continue to enjoy home grown produce for as long as possible.

NCF 4 Season Gardening
A Gardener’s guide through 2013
Saturday February 2nd, March 30th,
June 29th, September 14th
9 – Noon
$162, $144 Friend of the Farm
This series is designed to get your home garden up and running, growing vegetables all year round. The curriculum is spilt into four sessions and is timed to
coincide with the main gardening seasons and the associated tasks.

Session 1 – Planning Your Garden for a 4-Season Bounty. (February 2nd2013).
Plan for successive crops, select your seeds and learn which plants to start indoors.

Session 2 – Garden Structures and Planting. (March 30th 2013).
Assist in the building of a simple three bin composting system and learn how to incorporate and build simple trellises and arbors into your garden infrastructure. Begin early season planting and learn about transplanting and direct sowing as well as tips on watering.

Session 3 – The Mid Season Bounty and Thinking Ahead. (June 29th, 2013).
Weeding, harvesting and tips on how to dry and store your harvest. Check in with your compost system and begin to plan for your late season harvest.

Session 4 – Winding down…not really!! Season extension and more.
(September 14th, 2013).

Season extension; row covers, hoops and mini greenhouses, crops that can be grown over the winter.
Revisit your compost system and learn about the importance of turning and storing your compost. Finally learn about the importance of seed saving and how to begin your own collection.
Instructor: Ted Chapman and Farm Staff

Urban Defensive Gardening. Looks at ways to overcome some of the common problems of gardening in a suburban location.

NCF is also offering a class series on beer brewing and a guided tree walk in Nahanton Park. For more information on these classes and to register, please visit our website athttp://newtoncommunityfarm.org/education/classes/.

We also have our popular Growing Fruit Trees and BeerBrewing programs. We are also excited to welcome back City Arborist Marc Welch as he leads a guided tree
walk within the local area, Walking in a Winter Wonderland.

We look forward to seeing you!

January 9, 2013