Category: All About Newton

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

Best Club Soccer in Newton
Do we think that because a child is playing competitive soccer at 8 and 9, it will equate into success at 17 and 18? In fact, the opposite is more likely to occur, as we are finding that there are a lot more kids dropping out of soccer because the pressure to succeed has been placed on them at too young an age and they are no longer in the sport by the time they graduate from high school.

Do Europeans have it right when it comes to developing youth soccer players? TOO MUCH, TOO SOON! By Gordon Miller, VYSA (Virginia Youth Soccer Association) Technical Director is a great article about travel soccer and the best way to develop young soccer players:

If starting travel soccer this young were the right way to go then the rest of the world would be copying our model, but it doesn’t. In fact other countries are in the exact opposite direction with their soccer philosophies and programs. For example, the French, Germans, Dutch and Spanish believe that it is important to keep young players (under the age of 12) playing within their own communities, with their friends, and, with educated coaches.

My three kids have played club soccer and this is my take on the best club soccer teams in Newton.

What makes a great soccer club for kids? In my opinion:
- Curriculum that is consistent across all coaches and age groups.
- Opportunities to train with top players within age group.
- Coaches who focus on player development not win/loss record.
How are the girls clubs in Massachusetts ranked? Check it out here.

Valeo Futbol Club

125 Wells Avenue
Newton MA, 02459
Phone: 617-964-0140

Located off Wells Avenue at the Solomon Schecter School, Valeo FC has strong boys program and has recently added a girls program too. My son has been playing at Valeo since he was eight. What I like about Valeo is that the entire age group trains together doing the same technical drills, then breaking into small groups for more drills. Finally, the group organizes by what team they are on to scrimmage each other. Their philosophy to have a player pool per age group so there is fluidity moving up and down between teams as well. Valeo starts at U9 and does not cut players until U13 when games are 11 v 11. (Update: due to rapid growth, Valeo now is limiting years to 50 players. Current players were offered contracts in early May. Those who did not receive a contract were given a plan of what they needed to do to remain on the team. Any spots leftover will go to outside kids during tryouts. Kids with contracts do not go to tryouts). Valeo is FREE for boys U15-U18. U11 Boys received U.S. Development Academy Status which means the first and second teams are considered the academy teams. The U11 boys all practice together. Development team members attend 3 practices but the third practice is open to anyone else who wants to move up. Finally, Valeo has sent 7 boys to U.S. Soccer National Team camp.

Global Premier Soccer (GPS)

85 Central St #204

Waltham, MA 02453

Practice fields at Fessenden School

250 Waltham St, Newton, MA 02465

My U14 daughter just joined GPS after a bad experience at FC Boston Breakers Academy (aka Boston Breakers Academy & Scorpions FC). What I like about GPS is how professionally organized they are. Their communication to the team and parents is the best I’ve encountered in Club Soccer. The practice location at The Fessenden School is extremely convenient. Their coaching staff seems great and there is consistency across all ages in terms of training.

South Shore Select

This is a very difficult girls’ club to make but it is well known for producing very technical and highly skilled soccer players. Alison Foley, Women’s Soccer Head Coach at Boston College, is the new Senior Director of Coaching. Foley will provide direction for the older age groups in all aspects of their college preparation, ultimately making Select a premier model of top training and development for all age groups. For those age groups that she oversees, one practice a week is held at Boston College.

Newton Girls Soccer – Academy

All fields are in Newton

Newton Girls Soccer Academy is perfect for kids who want a little more than travel soccer but not an intensely competive environment. This club team practices once a week and the practice is scheduled so as not to conflict with Newton Town Travel soccer. The fields are conveniently located in Newton too! Because of just one practice a week, this is also a well priced club option!

Nor’Easter Soccer Club

Coach Mike Almeida, my daughter’s private soccer coach, recently started the Metrowest branch for Nor’Easter Soccer Club, the club he grew up playing for. He has both boys and girls teams that practice near Newton and what is great about Coach Mike is that he makes every player better. Nor’Easter has practice fields in Chestnut Hill at Pine Manor College and in Waltham.

FC Boston

Practice fields at Harvard’s Allston location, Dedham and Acton.

For boys who want to play college soccer, FC Bolts is only one of three soccer academy programs (and the other two are VC Valeo in Newton and Foxborough).

This club merged with Scorpions Soccer Club and then divorced, so suffice it to say that the merger was unsuccessful.

It should be noted that the policy for players leaving FC Boston is quite punitive. Families are required to pay the entire year’s club fee, even if they quit before the year even begins. In addition, FC Boston will not give the player release from FC Boston requiring parents to take legal action. This is not only costly but can take several months, in which your child will miss an entire season of games.

All other clubs will refund, pro rata, the remaining time left in the year and will process give the player release from their club in a prompt manner. Are you really sure you want to play for a club like this?

James Bede Soccer Club

Practice fields at West Suburban YMCA in Newton

My kids have never played on James Bede but I know moms who are happy here. Their practice fields are conveniently located at the YMCA in Newton.

Be Ahead of the Game

Highlands Field (32 Winchester St, Newton Highlands, MA 02461)

My son did Junior Academy with Brian Kelly as a preschooler. Brian Kelly is like the Piped Piper for young kids and sports. He makes learning soccer fun and does a great job teaching them technical skills. For kids ages 3.5 through 8 who might want to try club soccer, this is a great option!

p.s. Other Guides to Newton:

Best Preschools in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Birthday Party Locations and Ideas for Kids in Newton and Boston

Best Martial Arts Schools for Kids and Adult in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of After School Supplemental Math Classes in Newton

A Fairly Comprehensive List of Dance Studios in Newton

Best Gymnastics for Toddlers and Kids in Newton Area

Best Caretaker and Child Music Classes in Newton

Best Tutors, Music Teachers etc in Newton

p.p.s. Related Posts:

Why Full Ride Scholarships Are Rare

How To Get An Athletic Scholarship

Top 10 Life Skills Kids Need Before College

How to Get Into College: Admissions Revolution

Top Art and Design Schools for Undergraduates

How To: Pay for College with Dr. Michele Borba
September 17, 2015
Teamwork Trivia Challenge Event

Teamwork Trivia Challenge Event Comes to Newton

On October 2, 2015 NewTV will be holding its first annual Teamwork Trivia Challenge event at the Post 440 in Newton. The event will consist of two hours of trivia, beginning at 7:30pm followed by an after party with a raffle, DJ and dancing until 11:30pm. Guests can arrive starting at 6:30pm to enjoy appetizers and desserts from local restaurants, including Baker’s Best and 3 Squares Needham.

Funds raised from this event will support NewTV’s scholarship and internship programs. Former NewTV interns have gone on to successful careers in their chosen field.

For more information about the event and to register online, visit newtv.org and click on the link for Teamwork Trivia Challenge or go directly here.

About NewTV

NewTV is Newton’s Emmy® award-winning, state-of-the-art HD media center, specializing in television production and training. Locally, NewTV’s three cable channels (Community, Education and Government) broadcast relevant programming to the diverse Newton community and provide a platform for members to express their vision.

September 16, 2015
Pops Concert & Picnic Sept 19th at The Street
Pops Concert & Picnic: Saturday September 19, 2015 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm: The Street’s Pops Concert & Picnic is the ultimate end-of-summer celebration. Fifty members of the New Philharmonia Orchestra will perform a diverse repertoire of classical and light classical music while select restaurants at The Street, including The Cottage, Davio’s, and Comella’s, will offer grab-and-go picnic lunches, allowing guests to dine al fresco as they enjoy the concert. Before summer clothes are stowed away for the year, guests are encouraged to don their summer whites. As detailed below, select stores, including Splendid, Treat Cupcake Bar, and the soon-to-arrive MiniLuxe, will offer special perks throughout the day. In the event of rain, the Pops Concert & Picnic will take place on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 11:30am to 2:30pm.

Box Lunch Picnic Specials during the Pops Concert & Picnic include:
- The Cottage: Two tacos, with the choice of Chicken or Mahi Mahi, topped with guacamole, pico de gallo, napa cabbage and homemade baja sauce; served with a side of black beans + papaya avocado salsa. ($12)
- Davio’s: Chicken salad with seasonal apples, served on homemade cranberry bread (no pecans) with homemade potato chips, chocolate chip cookies and water. ($16)
- Comella’s: Large cheese pizza with a garden salad. ($10)
- Additional offerings from Legal Sea Foods, Bernard’s and Treat Cupcake Bar will be available
Special Perks & In-store Events during the Pops Concert & Picnic include:
- Splendid will offer 20% off full-priced items and refreshments
- Calypso St. Barth will offer lite bites & refreshments, plus a Gift Card Event with the opportunity to save on purchases
- MiniLuxe Pop-up will give complimentary color changes from 11:30am-2:30pm in The Mews as it prepares for its Fall 2015 opening at The Street
- Treat Cupcake Bar will give mini cupcake decorating lessons, with an eye for picnic themed creations
In addition to the Pops Concert & Picnic, Summertime at The Street will offer 22 free events throughout September, ranging from 14 different fitness classes to kid-friendly fun activities and live music.

The complete calendar is available online at www.TheStreetChestnutHill.com
September 15, 2015
Live Music and Craft Breweries at Arsenal Center for the Arts

The Arsenal Center for the Arts to host an outdoor celebration of visual arts, live music and craft breweries on Friday, September 18^th.

Arts & Drafts will be held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, on the grounds of the Arsenal on the Charles, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, MA and runs from 5 to 9pm.

The event features beverages from Downeast Cider House and Aeronaut Brewing Companyand live music from Boston Music community favorites Nemes, Gold Blood & Associates andDirty Bangs. Admission includes a beverage token and commemorative t-shirt that participants can tie-dye on-site.

“We’re excited to have one last celebration of summer here at the Arsenal Center,” says ACA Program Director Beverly Snow. “Arts & Drafts should be an excellent evening for Watertown, filled with great bands, great beverages and an arts project for everyone.”

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $30 at ArsenalArts.org Arts & Drafts is a 21+ event and proper ID is required to enter the festival grounds. Additional beverages available for purchase at the event.

September 14, 2015
Annual 9-11 Commemoration

The Newton 9-11 Memorial Committee & City of Newton

Cordially invite you to our

Annual 9-11 Commemoration

Friday, September 11^th, 2015 at the

Newton 9-11 Memorial

(on the front lawn of the Newton Centre
Fire Department Headquarters)

1164 Centre Street

6:00 – 6:30 PM

September 11, 2015
Twitter Chat on World Suicide Prevention

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital will host a one-hour Twitter chat with active members of the mental health community on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, at 3:30 p.m. EST. To participate in the conversation, use the hashtag #ClayCtrChat.

The discussion will be led by Dr. Gene Beresin, executive director, and Dr. Steve Schlozman, associate director at The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds. The Twitter chat will create a forum for ideas, information, stats and a general discussion about how the mental health community can better address and prevent suicide.

“When it comes to mental health, addressing the issue of suicide is one of the most important steps we can take to raise awareness and provide education about this very important topic. The world will be talking about suicide prevention on Sept.10, and because of our experience and the depth of information we provide at mghclaycenter.org, we want to provide an online platform where we can help start the conversation,” said Dr. Gene Beresin, executive director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds.

About the doctors:

Gene Beresin, M.D., M.A.

@GeneBeresinMD

Dr. Gene Beresin is executive director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a full professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and senior educator in child and adolescent psychiatry at MGH. He received a B.A. in music from Princeton University, and an M.A. in philosophy along with his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Steven Schlozman, M.D.

@SSchlozman

Dr. Steven Schlozman is associate director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS). He also serves as course director of the psychopathology class for the MIT-HMS Program in Health, Sciences and Technology. Dr. Schlozman practices child and adult psychiatry at MGH, and serves as the primary consultant to the pediatric transplant service. He received a B.A. in English and biology from Stanford University, and his M.D. from the Dartmouth-Brown Program in Medicine.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on September 10 every year, to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health to host World Suicide Prevention Day. The United Nations issued ‘National Policy for Suicide Prevention’ in the 1990s which some countries use as a basis for their suicide policies.

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About The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds:
Based at Massachusetts General Hospital and led by a team of Harvard Medical School faculty members, The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds is a Web-based resource that educates parents and other caregivers about the psychological development and emotional well-being of children, adolescents, and young adults who struggle with behavioral, emotional, and/or learning challenges. The Clay Center features the expertise of its nationally recognized doctors who create engaging and educational mental health content delivered in a wide variety of multimedia formats, including blogs, audio podcasts, online videos, interactive social media, and live online discussions. The content from The Clay Center encourages resilience in individuals and families while increasing the awareness of mental health disorders. To learn more, visit www.mghclaycenter.org.

September 10, 2015
Try BOXYGEN Workout in Your Home!

My boxing gym, Nonantum Boxing Club, developed a circuit and heavy bag workout called Boxygen. I’ve done it myself and it’s a great workout because there’s always something different to do that keeps it interesting and you can go at your own level and pace.

While my boxing gym might seem intimidating as if it might house a fight club, it’s actually run by a family of brothers and cousins who treat everyone as if they are part of their family. They are very, very nice!

Eric is known for his hard workouts and I’ve never managed to take his Boxygen or Heavy Bag class. He’s really nice though and, as an English major, he sometimes uses SAT words during class.

He’s the creator of the Boxygen concept and now it’s come out as a DVD to use in the home …

A new type of training is coming your way and its a knockout!

Welcome to BOXYGEN!

The training series is a one-two punch with both men AND women and now its available as an in-home fitness DVD.

September 9, 2015
Two Boston legends star in Mini-Documentary

Two local Boston legends star in this new mini-documentary on the 50^th anniversary of Bob Dylan “plugging in” his first electric guitar at the Newport Folk Festival and how it changed music forever.

Festival founder George Wein started his roots in Boston as a local club owner and went on to found the Newport Folk Festival and NOLA Jazz Fest, two of the most respected musical events of the year.

He is joined by famed sound engineer Bill Hanley, known as the “father of festival sound,” and the man behind the sound system at the original Woodstock in 1969.

September 7, 2015
JAZZ @ the Arsenal Series

Renowned Saxophonist Fred Lipsius Kicks Off

2015-2016 JAZZ @ the Arsenal Series

JAZZ @ The Arsenal returns this October for another fantastic season of live music at the Arsenal Center for the Arts in Watertown.

Fred Lipsius, original saxophonist, arranger and conductor with Blood, Sweat & Tears (1967-71), and his quartet will open this season’s series on Monday, October 12, at 7:30PM at the Arsenal Center’s Black Box Theater.Lipsius has performed with jazz greats Cannonball Adderley, Thelonious Monk, Zoot Sims, Eddie Gomez, Al Foster, George Mraz, Larry Willis, Randy Brecker, Rodney Jones, plus a number of prominent Berklee College of Music faculty. He has written music for and performed on over 30 CDs as both a leader and sideman. Fred is currently an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, where he’s been teaching full-time since 1984.

The series continues on November 16 with the Kris Adams Quintet. Kris began singing on stage in a touring children’s theater as a young teenager and had her first professional gigs at the age of 19 in Connecticut, singing in a latin-jazz band that the late saxophonist Tom Chapin was a member of. Her recently released third album entitled “Longing” (Jazzbird Records) is in collaboration with trumpeter/arranger, Greg Hopkins. Kris currently teaches at Berklee and is author of the book “Sing Your Way Through Theory” (Hal Leonard).

The final date of 2015 will be a holiday themed concert of A Jazzy Christmas with The John Baboian Quintet. Jazz at the Arsenal’s Artistic Director, John Baboian, brings his quartet into the Arsenal for a concert of music inspired by the Season. Guitarist/ Composer, John Baboian, has been on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music in Boston for 35 years. He has been organizing the Jazz at the Arsenal series since its inception 8 years ago. This concert will feature unique compositions and arrangements of standard holiday fare.

Upcoming dates in the Jazz @ the Arsenal series:

October 12, 2015 – Fred Lipsius Quartet

November 16, 2015 – Kris Adams Quintet

December 21, 2015 – A Jazzy Christmas with The John Baboian Quartet

January 18, 2016 – Jeff Ramsey & George Russell Jr.: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

February 15, 2016 – The Patrice Williamson Group “Taking Love Easy”: Celebrating Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass

April 4, 2016 – Mark Shilansky and Fugue Mill

For more information about any of the 2015-2016 performers, visit arsenalarts.org/music.

Performances are held in the intimate Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts located at 321 Arsenal St. in Watertown. Free parking is available and the venue is handicapped accessible.

Tickets are $20; $18 for members; $15 for students, plus fees. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 617-923-8487 or visithttp://www.arsenalarts.org. Jazz @ The Arsenal is brought to you by Tufts Health Plan.

Located in Watertown, MA, the Arsenal Center for the Arts is a vibrant multi-disciplinary community arts venue that houses the 380-seat Charles Mosesian Theater, a 90-seat Black Box theater, Exhibition Gallery, Rehearsal Halls, Educational Classrooms, and Artist Studio spaces. ArsenalARTS offerings include gallery exhibits, visual and performing arts classes and workshops for all ages, literary/art discussions and world-class theatrical and musical performances. The Arsenal Center For The Arts is also home to the award-winning Watertown Children’s Theatre, offering year-round theatre education programs, including musical and non-musical productions, voice and acting lessons, and performing arts workshops for children K-12. New Repertory Theatre is the Professional Theatre Company in residence at the center. Arsenal Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

September 6, 2015
Judith’s Kitchen is OPEN!

Dear Neighbors,

Our long-standing and very good friend, Judith Kalish, just opened her new business, Judith’s Kitchen, yesterday. It is located at the corner of Washington and Elm in West Newton – where the Keltic Krust used to be.

Judith is offering gourmet prepared foods, artisanal baked goods, and fine wine & beer, among other items, both for takeout and dining in.

Having been the beneficiary of many wonderful meals over the years, we can tell you she is an amazing cook. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by to check it out.

Many thanks,

Kate and Ellie

September 5, 2015