Category: Spotlight

Local companies highlighted in Newton, MA.

Win $500 Community Service Funding Awards

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today announced the launch of its TakeAction campaign that targets middle and high school students living in areas with wildfire risks. The campaign highlights important information about wildfire risks to life and property. Through TakeAction, students can use educational resources to implement local grassroots community service projects that increase resident safety and improve a home’s likelihood of surviving a wildfire.

In addition to the educational resources available through the TakeAction campaign, U.S. residents ages 13 – 22 who complete a wildfire risk reduction or post-fire project and submit an application are eligible to receive one of twenty $500 Community Service Funding Awards. Sponsored by State Farm, the funding awards are part of NFPA’s 2015 Year of Living Less Dangerously from Wildfire outreach effort. Winning applicants can use the award toward future educational costs, or it can be donated to the charitable organization of their choice. The deadline to submit applications is November 15, 2015.

WHITEBOARD VIDEO: This whiteboard animation video provides important information that increases middle and high school age students’ knowledge about wildfire and introduces them to the TakeAction campaign.

Find additional resources and learn more about the TakeAction campaign and the State Farm-sponsored Community Service Funding Awards at www.nfpa.org/takeaction.

September 20, 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
2015’s Best & Worst States for Underprivileged Children
With August being Child Support Awareness Month and the U.S. having the second highest rate of relative child poverty among economically developed nations, the leading personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst States for Underprivileged Children.

In order to assess the living and economic conditions of young people across the nation, WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia in terms of 15 key metrics, ranging from infant death rates to child food-insecurity rates to the percentage of maltreated children. By bringing such key issues to the forefront, WalletHub aims to engender change and galvanize groups to act on behalf of society’s future propellers of progress.

Welfare of Children in Massachusetts (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- 10^th – % of Children in Households with Below-Poverty Income
- 4^th – Child Food-Insecurity Rate
- 1^st – % of Children without Health Insurance
- 2^nd – Infant-Death Rate per 1,000 Births
- 28^th – % of Children in Foster Care
- 18^th – % of Children in Single-Parent Families
- 19^th – Ratio of Children Living in Renter-Occupied Homes to Children Living in Owner-Occupied Homes
The full report is here.
September 2, 2015
FREE Yoga Video from Dawn Davis Yoga

Want to practice yoga but can’t fit it in? Try this 20 minute video from Dawn Davis Yoga.

If you can’t get to a class, or you’re on vacation in some remote place, or you simply want to supplement your home practice, just get on your mat and press PLAY.

After all, yoga is that beautiful blend of play and seriousness, all in the spirit of good health and good fun. A huge thank you to Val Beaver and Amy Hennessey for being my willing participants in making this quick and fun video for our students.

Yoga 20 min. June 15 from Tim Davis on Vimeo.

August 26, 2015
New U14 Girls Soccer Team Seeking Goalkeeper

We have put together a new really good girls U14 soccer team at GPS (Global Premier Soccer) and one remaining position open: GOALKEEPER.

Maybe your daughter wants to play up a year? Maybe your daughter wants to try club soccer?

If you want to play club soccer and would like to join our team, please contact Mia Wenjen at pragmaticmomblog (at) gmail (dot) com.

Practices at Fessenden School in Newton

250 Waltham St, Newton, MA 02465

Tues and Thurs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in September
Tues and Thurs from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in October

We are playing on the NEP (New England Premier) league.

Questions? Please contact me!

August 19, 2015
Kids Helping Kids

When life gave Lexi Kelley lemons, she didn’t just make lemonade. While recuperating from a terrifying car accident, 12-year-old Lexi was showered with love and support from those closest to her. As her condition began to improve, she realized how vital their role was to her recovery. The idea for Kids Helping Kids was born.

Lexi brought together a small group of friends and began brainstorming events that would give other kids like herself the opportunity to experience how rewarding it can be to give back to others who need help. Today, Kids Helping Kids is a registered non-profit organization, involving over 250 kids from 51 schools. Check out this video and watch Lexi make a difference in the lives of others on her second annual Promising Pickings Prom Dress Event. She’s living proof that it’s possible to turn even the worst of circumstances into the best of opportunities for herself and others!

July 30, 2015
New Barre Fitness Class for Kids & Adults by Gemma

Please meet Gemma who just started a fitness program based out of Paulette’s Ballet Studio in Newton.

Within this program she teaches a barre class, a dance-cardio class, and a dance-cardio class for kids.

For schedule and class details please visit here.

FOR ADULTS!

BALLETBARRE

Tone your body from head to toe, literally! With a focus on muscle strength, flexibility, sculpting, and power you’ll be amazed at how quickly you see positive changes in your physique. The combination of ballet, strength, and core training will leave your entire body feeling accomplished and worked after every class! See what your body can achieve this summer. No experience required.
Mat recommended
Attire: Grip socks, bare feet, or ballet shoes recommended.

FUN&FIT

Okay ladies, it’s time to let your hair down. Enough of the treadmill, stair-master, and stationary bikes, let’s have some fun! The upbeat music and lively atmosphere of this class will have you moving in ways you didn’t think you could! You and your friends won’t believe what you’re capable of on the dance floor. Aspects of cardio, plyometrics, and strength training mixed into a dance-based class will have you forget you’re even working out! This class is a no judgment-zone. No dance experience required, but the ability to have fun, and laugh, is a must!

FOR KIDS – AGES 8-13!

HIP-HOP TO HEALTH

The main focus of this class: FUN! Staying healthy over the summer can be a bit tricky. The goal of this class is to get ourselves up and moving. With group based activities, fun music, and dancing, you won’t even realize the good you’re doing for yourself. Though no dance experience is required, you’ll surely be brushing up on some great technique as a bonus!

July & August 2015 Class Schedule (Classes Begin June 29th)

July 28, 2015
Casting Call for All Tech-Obessessed Teens

NEW SERIES CASTING!! CALLING ALL TECH-OBSESSED TEENS!!

Know any teenagers who are constantly on their phones?! Do they Instagram from the dinner table? Do they Snapchat during conversations? Are they becoming OBSESSED with technology, and is it becoming a PROBLEM?

In today’s world, people are constantly trying to stay connected- on their phones, laptops, computers, tablets, etc. If you know any teenagers who are going too far and need to UNPLUG & SHUT DOWN, then WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

A major new series is casting teens ages 14 -18 who are crazy about staying connected. If your teens are tech-obsessed, contact casting@digallc.com today!!

July 25, 2015
Free Pilates for Parent & Child at Boston’s Greenway

On July 25, August 7, and August 14, Safety 1^st is bringing award-winning pilates instructor Jennifer Phelan to Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway (Corner of Salem and Cross Street) to teach her uniquely integrative Stroller Bootcamp for free. Yes, that’s right, free. The class begins at 10:30 a.m. and ends at 11:15 a.m.

JPPilates’ Stoller Bootcamp presented by Safety 1st is a fun and results-driven workout. Babies can stay comfortably in their strollers or can join mom on her workout mat to play by her side.

July 24, 2015
Vote: Vitamin Water Project Hustle

In March, vitaminwater launched Project Hustle, a crowdfunding-inspired program that called on aspiring entrepreneurs, artists-in-training, dreamers and future film directors to prepare their elevator pitch for the opportunity to see their dreams become a reality and the chance to win up to $500,000 (across ten finalists) to bring them to life.

The top ten best and brightest ideas were chosen in five categories: music, film, fashion, art and technology. Beginning July 1 through August 31, vitaminwater will put the power into your hands to decide which of these finalists will potentially have their projects funded up to $50,000 each. To fund projects, participating vitaminwater and vitaminwater zero™ bottle caps will contain a code that you can enter online at www.projecthustle.com. Each code holds a specific “virtual dollar” value, which can be allocated to one of the ten finalists’ projects.

Check out all of the finalists’ projects at www.projecthustle.com and www.youtube.com/vitaminwater,

July 21, 2015