Where: 417 Watertown St. (you can park on the street in front or, if you pull back to the parking area, park on the right side next to my white Chevy. Note, I have some new neighbors in the back unit, so they may have a couple of the parking spots.
Format: Warm-up; 8 stations using bands, agility ladder, jump ropes, TRX, etc. – 1 minute at each station with 30-second rest (3 rounds). If we have time, we’ll finish with some abs or an extra cardio HIIT session.
Note: I have a couple of new kettlebells to throw into the mix! 😀💪💪
What to bring: Water bottle, face covering, your own jump rope (if you have one that you prefer)
Cost: $10 cash (unless you already have a pre-paid package).
Safety: I will provide disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and disposable gloves (if requested). Even though this is an outdoor workout, I do ask that everyone where a face covering. Because we are sharing equipment and because aerosol droplets released during heavy breathing (such as when you’re working out) can carry up to 12 feet, I choose to err on the side of caution for everyone’s safety.
I encourage you to pace yourself and to step away and take a few breaths without your mask between sets.
For more advice on how to safely breathe with a mask, you can check out this YouTube webinar from Patrick McKeown from the Oxygen Advantage; Patrick trains professional and elite athletes how to optimize oxygen use through breathing techniques, which includes working with masks and altitude training.
I’m so excited about Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli Supermarket. There’s also a Ramen Shop inside, Brooklyn Ramen. They sell Brooklyn Ramen as DIY to go kits as well.
Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli Supermarket & Brooklyn Ramen
No dogs or bicycles. They do have a bike rack. Great place for birding.
As of June 1, 2020 the Cemetery grounds are open to all visitors 12 – 7 pm every day. We ask all visitors to respect our rules and preserve the sanctity of the Cemetery.
Public Restrooms will also be opened starting June 1. For your safety as well as that of fellow visitors, please follow the social distancing protocols outlined on the new signage at our restrooms.
While we have reopened the landscape to visitation, the Administration Building, the Greenhouses, our chapels, and our Visitors Center all remain closed to the public at this time. Washington Tower will also remain closed.
Our staff remains available to assist families and visitors by phone and email. Please contact us for more information about burial space sales and other Cemetery services, general Cemetery information, or to enquire about the activities of the Friends of Mount Auburn.
Austin Street Partners recently transformed a neglected municipal parking lot into new mixed-income housing and a new public plaza at 28 Austin Street in Newtonville, MA.
Austin Street Partners now invites experienced mural and street artists to submit designs by August 1, 2020 for a mural to be painted on the brick wall facing the plaza. The winning artist must complete the painting of the selected design by October 15, 2020.
Thursday, I shared my concerns about recent student social media posts, and I am writing to follow up on that letter. As I mentioned, recent events have led us all to think more deeply about racism and how it manifests itself in society-at-large, and also here in Newton. The recent incident, when the Newton police stopped a black Newton North and Day parent at gunpoint minutes away from his home, highlights that our work extends beyond the walls of our building and into our community as well. This work often makes students feel a host of emotions: sadness, anger, fear, confusion, and others. These emotions can be difficult to sit with. As a community, we want to help students process feelings in a healthy manner, collectively combat racism, and begin the long journey of healing.
Unfortunately, and at the cost of the safety of our community, several students have used social media as a tool to revisit racist events and harmful comments from the past. Some students have reposted videos from previous school years of peers using racially offensive language that may have already been addressed, and in one particular case, a student stated that he would remove the videos he posted only if he was paid money. In this case, the Newton Police have been notified and are investigating the matter. We know that social media has been a key part in seeking justice and accountability in our society in the last ten years. We also know that a driver of these efforts stems from a community that does not feel that institutions are doing enough to seek that justice. We also want to be an institution that allows students to express their anger and we need to support them so that they express themselves in a healthy manner.
As an institution and community, we stand against all forms of racist speech and action and have been committed to a community-wide effort to address and dismantle racism. In our view, publicizing or republicizing racially offensive language, regardless of the intent, causes harm because it can re-victimize people of color. We encourage all students and families to notify a Dean or the police if they observe hate speech or other offensive material online. We also ask students and families to have a dialogue about the purpose of their social media posts and how to use online tools effectively to promote change and healing.
Thank you for your partnership in working to address racism in our community and effect permanent change so that all of our students feel valued and respected, inclusive of our students of color. Our counselors remain available to support students who need help processing recent events or other sources of distress.
Many cities and towns are a mix of culture and ethnic background among its residents, but some more diverse than others.
According to the latest Census statistics available (which is 2010), Newton’s population made up of:
82.3% white
2.5% African American
0.1% American Indian and Alaska native
11.5% Asian
0% Hawaiian
2.4% two or more races
4.1% Hispanic
How does that compare to the rest of the state?
Massachusetts statistics:
82.6% white
8.3% African American
0.5% American Indian and Alaska native
6.3% Asian
0.1% Hawaiian
10.8% Hispanic
According to a 2014 estimate, there are 88,287 living in Newton.
From Newton Gov:
Newton
Massachusetts
United States
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
4.90%
10.20%
16.9%
One race
White
80.30%
80.00%
73.90%
Black or African American
3.50%
7.00%
12.60%
American Indian and Alaska Native
0.10%
0.20%
0.80%
Asian
13.00%
5.70%
5.00%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
0.00%
0.00%
0.20%
Some other race
0.60%
4.20%
4.70%
Two or more races
2.50%
2.80%
2.90%
*The Census Bureau classifies all people not living in households as living in group quarters. There are two types of group quarters: institutional (for example, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and mental hospitals) and non-institutional (for example, college dormitories, military barracks, group homes, missions, and shelters).
Source: American Community Survey, 3-Year Estimates (2011-2013)
Source for Group Quarters: Census Summary File 1 (2010)
Updated: November 2014
I participated in my first rally today at the Line Up for Black Lives in Newton. I’m particularly focused on systemic racism and I’ve always wondered why there are no visible people of color in the Newton police force. Are the POC in the police force all … admin? Are there no POC actual police officers? What are the salary differences?
It was a silent protest and perhaps I shouldn’t have been screaming, but here we are:
But I also ran into Mayor Ruthanne Fuller on the streets among the people protesting and asked her the same question. Her initial answer was that the problem is that there is a very small percentage of minorities in Newton and that the hiring rules are such that residents are first in line to be hired for the police force. That’s the problem that she identified.
I said that I thought the Asian population in Newton was 11%. She said that it is, in fact, much higher at 17 to 18%. Latinx population is 5% and African American population is low at 2%. If you add it all up (which I did on the street using my fingers), it adds up to 25%.
Whoa! That was an easy problem to solve. The percentage of minorities is actually not small if you include other ethnicities beyond African American. But I think it’s important to have African American representation, so the next question is WHY is the African American population so low? Is it due to racism that prevents blacks from renting or purchasing homes, particularly on the lower end of the market?
Are there any programs specifically designed to increase the African American population in the new residential buildings currently under construction or planned? Back in the day, Newton used to be where affluent African Americans moved. I am hoping actual historians will help me out, but I heard that the area in Auburndale near the Mass Pike was home to African American artisans. There is a church in that area that bought up homes in that area during the Great Depression and helped house its constituents.
The next issue that Mayor Fuller noted is that minorities are not applying for police jobs. My background is in contingent staffing, so I relayed that recruiting is something that is active, not passive. If you want a particular type of candidate, you must get out there and hustle. The candidates that you seek are not coming to you.
She then asked me to write to her, meet with her, and share my knowledge. Let’s go on this journey together.
Here we go:
Make an analysis of the current police department staff:
Name
Age
Pronouns
Number of years in the police force
Number of years in the Newton police force
Starting salary
Current salary
Salary last year including overtime
Starting position
Current position
Ethnicity
High school
Current address
Has ever lived in Newton? Yes/No
From this analysis, you can ascertain what the career trajectory has been for the POC in the Newton police force? Have they thrived? Are they mostly admin? Are admin jobs dead-end low paying jobs?
Next, you can identify the POC staff who have thrived. Ask them to join the hiring team to help recruit more POC. You want them front and center at career fairs at Newton North and Newton South High Schools. You want them to talk about career opportunities for people that look like them at the Newton Police force. You want the job postings to funnel through the high schools, targeting high school counselors, teachers who run clubs centered around POC such as, but not limited to: The Asian Culture Club, Black Leadership Advisory Club, Hispanics and Latinx United (HLU), K-Pop Club, South Asian Student Association, and Transitioning Together (as a career opportunity after the first-to-college students graduate).
It’s not rocket science people! My analogy is “how do you build a national champions sports team when the team has never made the NCAA playoffs?” I want the Newton police force to be best in class. To be “national champions” of diversity. It’s easy to be mediocre. We can expect more from Newton’s finest.
Please help me amplify by emailing:
Mayor Fuller at rfuller@newtonma.gov
Newton Police Chief at chiefsoffice@newtonma.gov
p.s. Thank you to Ellen Myers for this:
“The Village“ was a thriving neighborhood in Newton where Black Americans, mostly descendants of slaves, lived. Its remnants can be found on Curve Street where Myrtle Baptist Church is. I believe that is the church you are referring to – it’s in West Newton/Auburndale. There is a deeply disturbing history surrounding the building of the Mass Pike and the decision to have it pass through Newton, that basically wiped out “The Village,” taking over the resident’s homes by eminent domain. We had a program about it at the library several years ago at which members of “The Village” community spoke, including Pastor Howard Haywood – may he rest in peace. Here’s an article with more info: https://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20170228/african-american-community-of-newton-has-long-legacy
There’s been progress, Harvard sociologist Orlando Patterson says, but the nation needs to reject white supremacist ideology, bigotry in policing, and segregation.
Why America can’t escape its racist roots
“But sociologists have argued that while some whites may have liberal views, a lot of them are not prepared to make the concessions that are important for the improvement of black lives. For example, one of the reasons why people have been crowded in ghettos is the fact that housing is so expensive in the suburbs, and one reason for that is that bylaws restrict the building of multi-occupancy housing. These bylaws have been very effective in keeping out moderate-income housing from the suburbs, and that has kept out working people, among whom blacks are disproportionate, from moving there and having access to good schools. Sociologists have claimed that while we do have genuine improvement in racial attitudes, what we don’t have is the willingness for white liberals to put their money where their mouth is.”
My takeaway:
So it sounds like when the Mass Pike was built, whoever decided the path deliberately wanted to wipe out the thriving African American enclave here in Newton. This is a textbook example of structural racism. This is an example of white supremacy. This is our Black Wall Street.
Only white people can dismantle white supremacy. You are either trying to tear it down or trying to hold it up. If you are not actively trying to dismantle white supremacy, you have chosen your side.
p.s. From Dawn Davis Yoga:
We can’t sit by and not take action, not take a stand against systemic racism and inequalities in economic opportunity and access to health care. I believe in the benefits of yoga and meditation, but they are not substitutes for compassionate action. I have some links below for ideas you may find useful if you’re not quite sure where to put your energy.
A FEW WAYS TO HELP:
**Consider donating to joincampaignzero.org (their main mission is to end police violence through police reform programs)
**Consider supporting Black-Owned Bookstores, such as Million Year Picnic in Cambridge (617)492-6763-curbside pick up and Frugal Bookstore in Boston (617) 541-1722 -on line
**Consider supporting political candidates that represent a point of view that is consistent with moving our country forward
5 ways Everyday Citizens Can Start Holding Police Departments Accountable
From Good
1. Understand the policies and laws that govern police conduct.
2. You are entitled to public records that can show whether rules are being followed. Get them.
3. Identify the power players and engage them.
4. Presenting findings in a fair and persuasive manner is a powerful way to spur reform.
Many of you are aware of the City’s interest in building a new senior center on the triangle parking lot in Newton Centre. The City maintains this website with all the information about these ambitions, which have been narrowed down to either renovating the existing senior center in Newtonville, or building a new senior center in Newton Centre, which they project to be an 8-10 year project.
It’s important to us for the community to know that should the City proceed with the plan for Newton Centre, we would not be able to renew our lease in 2022.
We attended a meeting with the Mayor and other local business owners before the pandemic to express our concerns, but those concerns were not represented in the meeting recap we received from the City. We know the City has a refrain that they won’t do anything until they can “figure out the parking situation,” but those who live in Newtonville know that the same thing was said about the development of the Austin Street lot and the City’s parking solution was not successful. (Highland Ave and the surrounding residential streets became nearly impassable as people parked where they could.)
It should go without saying that we’re all for our seniors getting a world-class senior center!
Please see this GLOBE article and this NEWTON TAB article to help inform yourself about this ongoing situation, and if you share our concerns about what this potential construction would do to the fabric of Newton Centre, please share your concerns with Mayor Fuller at rfuller@newtonma.gov.
The student Grab & Go Meal program has been expanded to provide FREE breakfasts and lunches to ALL Newton residents. Three days’ worth of breakfast and lunch will be offered, and you can pick up for friends and neighbors, too!
The locations are at the NNHS theater entrance, the NSHS main entrance, and at 150 Jackson Road, in the rear parking lot. The hours at all locations are Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-12 noon.
This is from my old neighbor who has done a lot of research tracking his ancestors. He shares a historical perspective of the last pandemic on the residents of Newton — the Spanish Flu.
——-
I was curious about the impact of the last pandemic on the residents of Newton. I decided utilize my experience gained from researching cemeteries to learn the hardships that people faced from the 1830s to the 1930s. The attached data was taken from the Newton Records of Deaths located on Familysearch.org
The information, highlighted in red, primarily notes multiple deaths in a family. The other items concern causes of death that I found interesting. The cause of death as “probably” is not uncommon, as I discovered during my other projects.
Six of the people that died resided in Wellesley. Also one each at Weston and Pittsburgh.
You can see that many people died at home. I don’t know the reasons for that. One guess is that Physicians often treated their patients at home. Perhaps the cost of treatment at a hospital versus the home was a consideration.
There is a site, Findagrave.com, owned by Ancestry.com. There are over 180 million memorials posted there. I have created over 28,000 memorials.
I shall add the names attached.
The following is an example of a high school friend who was included in a project that I did memorializing the almost 2,000 Veterans buried at the Belmont Cemetery. I am still in touch with his sisters.
