Category: Spotlight

Local companies highlighted in Newton, MA.

Changing the Game Kickstarter Project!
I wanted to let you all know about my Kickstarter project that I am launching in two weeks.

Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes by Mia Wenjen

Everyone deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book. Now, Mia Wenjen brings the accomplishments of Asian Pacific American female athletes to life with incredible stories of their amazing accomplishments. Readers rejoice with these extraordinary women as they overcome obstacles to prevail in their sport. [nonfiction picture book, for ages 8 and up]

Growing up, my teenage daughter played many sports. I asked her if she knew the names of any Asian-American female athletes. She laughed and said that there weren’t any. I searched but found very few books featuring Asian-American female athletes. She was correct! How sad. The few books that existed center on sports that were more dance-driven like figure skating and gymnastics. Where were the role models for girls, especially for popular team sports like basketball, soccer, and hockey?

With seventy percent of all kids quitting organized sports by age 13, and with girls dropping out of sports at six times the rate of boys, it became clear that I needed to showcase Asian-American female athletes. Girls of every ethnicity need to see Asian-American females succeeding in sports to know that everyone can dream of stepping up on an Olympic podium. That was my wake-up call to write this book!

You will meet 18 Asian Pacific American Female Athletes in this book who excel at a range of sports and represent many Asian ethnicities.
- Eun Jung “EJ” Lee Ok (Korean American) is thought to be one of the greatest point guards ever to play women’s college basketball.
- Chloe Kim (Korean American) is the youngest snowboarder to win Olympic Gold.
- Miki Gorman (Japanese American) is the only female marathon runner to win both the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon, twice!
- Victoria Manalo Draves (Filipino & European American), a diver, is the first woman to win two Gold Medals in both springboard and platform in the same Olympics games, the first Asian-American to medal at an Olympics game, and the first Filipino to win a Gold Medal.
- Evelyn Tokue Kawamoto-Konno (Japanese American) learned to swim competitively in a ditch through Soichi Sakamoto’s Three-Year Swim Club and is the first Japanese-American female to win an Olympic Medal.
- Julie Chu (Chinese & Puerto Rican American), a hockey player, is the first Asian-American female to compete for the United States in the Winter Olympics for a sport other than figure skating. She took home three silver medals and one bronze medal from five Olympics.
- Natasha “Tasha” Kai (Filipino, Hawaiian, Chinese & European American) is the first player from Hawaii to make the full U.S. National Women’s Soccer team. In 2008, she helped the team earn an Olympic Gold medal.
- Michelle Wie (Korean American) is the youngest female to compete on the PGA Tour and the youngest USGA champion in an adult event.
- Kristi Yamaguchi (Japanese American) is a two-time Olympic Gold Medal ice skating champion, a two-time singles World Champion, and a two-time pairs National Champion.
- Amy Chow (Chinese American) is the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal in gymnastics.
- Anona Naone Napoleon (Native Hawaiian) won the International Makaha Surfing Competition.
- Michelle Waterson (Thai & European American) is a Mixed Martial Arts champion.
- Liane Lissa Sato (Japanese American) took home a Bronze Medal for the United States Women’s Volleyball Team at the Olympics held in Barcelona.
- Catherine Mai-Lan Fox (Vietnamese & European American) is a two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner for swimming.
- Megan Khang (Hmong American) is the first Hmong American to play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.
- Mohini Bhardwaj (Indian & Russian American) is the first Indian-American gymnast to medal at the Olympics.
- Naomi Osaka (Japanese & Haitian) is the first female Asian player to hold the number one ranking by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).
I hope you will share my Kickstarter project on social media when it starts on February 15 and consider donating if you are able.

You can preview my Kickstarter Campaign here!

I am also including an option to donate my book to the Free Diverse Books for Classrooms through Multicultural Children’s Book Day.

Thank you so much!

Mia

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

My books:

BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
February 5, 2021
* Both Beds Claimed * 2 FREE Twin Beds with Mattresses, Box Spring + Futon

* Both Beds Claimed *

Only the metal twin bed from Pottery Barn is available! It comes with organic mattress and box springs. It does not require screws so it’s really easy to assemble.

We are giving away two twin bed frames from Pottery Barn. One has a pull-out trundle bed. Included are two twin mattresses plus a twin box spring. The mattresses and box springs are ORGANIC! We also have a twin futon for the trundle bed.

If you are interested, please pick up at 60 Greenwood Avenue, West Newton Hills, MA 02465. It’s on our front porch so you can pick up any time. It’s already broken down so it’s easy to move.

For more information, please text Mia at 617 877 7998.

September 17, 2020
Slammin’ Sunday Circuits this Sunday: 7/19, 9 am in Nonantum

Slammin’ Sunday Circuits with Suzanne

When: 9 am, Sunday, 7/19

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.

July 17, 2020
Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli Supermarket in Brookline

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

299 Harvard St

Brookline, MA 02446

July 16, 2020
Mt. Auburn Cemetery Open Again

They are open for noon to 7 PM

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.

June 10, 2020
$5000 Prize: 28 Austin Mural Competition

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.

Contest website here.

June 9, 2020
Newton Police stopped Black Newton Parent at Gunpoint Minutes Away from His Home

Dear Newton North Community,

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.

This blog post shares how to have conversations with your children about racism and racial violence https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-to-talk-with-kids-about-racism-and-racial-violence .

This article explains how we can help create change on social media through positivity.

https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2018/04/23/yes-social-media-can-be-used-for-positive-change/

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.

Best,

Henry J. Turner, Ed.D

Principal

Newton North High School

We will do better. I will do better.

Full Statement: https://t.co/gSOkCN3cYD #NOLAsTeam⚔️ pic.twitter.com/rmiNpvh4Bo

— Tim Duncan (@TimDuncanAD) June 2, 2020

Newton Police Stopped University Athletic Director At Gunpoint Days Before George Floyd’s Killing

Black former Northeastern AD says Newton Police pulled guns on him 5 days before George Floyd

Days before George Floyd died, an ex-Northeastern AD says …

Black former Northeastern AD says Newton Police pulled …

Former Northeastern AD describes racial profiling incident in …

June 6, 2020

Ethnicity Make Up in Newton MA 2010

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

Newton North High School Enrollment from Mass Department of Education:

Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (2019-20)
Race	% of School	% of District	% of State
African American	6.4	4.6	9.2
Asian	14.7	19.4	7.1
Hispanic	9.6	7.6	21.6
Native American	0.1	0.1	0.2
White	62.2	61.2	57.9
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander	0.0	0.1	0.1
Multi-Race, Non-Hispanic	7.0	7.0	3.9

Newton South High School Enrollment from Mass Department of Education:

Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (2019-20)
Race	% of School	% of District	% of State
African American	4.9	4.6	9.2
Asian	21.7	19.4	7.1
Hispanic	6.3	7.6	21.6
Native American	0.0	0.1	0.2
White	61.3	61.2	57.9
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander	0.0	0.1	0.1
Multi-Race, Non-Hispanic	5.8	7.0	3.9

This is part of my series on Where Are the POC in the Newton Police Force?

June 6, 2020

Where are the POC in the Newton Police Force?
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

From The Harvard Gazette:

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.

5. Follow up relentlessly until change is made.

Related Posts:

Newton Police Stop Black Newton Parent at Gunpoint Minutes Away from His Home

Tim Duncan is the former Deputy Athletic Director at Northeastern University. He is currently the Athletic Director at the University of New Orleans.

Speaking Thursday on Greater Boston, Duncan told Braude that he had experienced something similar twice before in his life, both during traffic stops.

We will do better. I will do better.

Full Statement: https://t.co/gSOkCN3cYD #NOLAsTeam⚔️ pic.twitter.com/rmiNpvh4Bo

— Tim Duncan (@TimDuncanAD) June 2, 2020

Ethnicity Make Up in Newton 2010
June 4, 2020
Newtonville Books Will CLOSE if New Senior Center is Built

From Newtonville Books Newsletter:

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.

June 4, 2020