Category: Spotlight

Local companies highlighted in Newton, MA.

Neighbors Recommend Wildlife Removal Service
Recently a neighbor asked for help in getting a wildlife removal service to remove a skunk living under her porch. Our neighborhood listserv kicked in and this is what they said:
- EHS (Environmental Health Services) for pest control 781-769-9111 and when we had skunks next door they recommended Bob Walsh (trapper) 781-727-0894
- Waltham Pest for termite trouble. They also do wildlife removal.
- My mother used a service recommended by Waltham Pest to remove a bat from her house. (Her mother lives in Waban).
- We use EHS as well.
What wildlife removal service do you recommend?

[polldaddy poll=8320235]
November 11, 2014
Rosemary Wells Reads for the Record at Lakeshore Learning

Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® celebration with award-winning author Rosemary Wells reading her book Bunny Cakes at the Lakeshore Learning Store in Newton, MA.

They were hoping to set a record for the largest shared reading experience across all 60 Lakeshore Learning Stores across the country!

An annual event, Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® celebrates literacy and promotes the need for high quality early education by encouraging adults and children nationwide to set a record for the largest shared reading experience.

Renowned author and illustrator of children’s books, Rosemary Wells read Bunny Cakes to the kids.

Families and children participated in fun crafts and activities inspired by the Bunny Cakes book including creating bunny masks and making “mud pies” using Mold & Play Sand.

Kids also received World Record Reader Certificates!

November 4, 2014
Parents: Want to be Cast for TV Show?
Now Casting

active

ambitious adventurous

*PARENTS*

…for a new show on a major television network…

If you and your spouse or a couple that you knkow would take on any challenge to win your child(ren) a SIX FIGURE trust fund, this show is for you.

Filming dates would be January 20 – February 14 (subject to change) in an undisclosed tropical location.

To apply, please send a separate email to msterbacasting@gmail.com with:
- Names & Contact Info (Phone, email)
- Occupations and/or any involvement in organizations (PTA, Scouts, Army, Navy, etc)
- How long you have been married
- How many children you have and ages
- What makes your (love, family) story unique?!
- Include RECENT Photos (of you as a couple and as a family)
November 3, 2014
Advertising and Domestic Violence Awareness

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The next time someone says xexism isn’t real, show them these shocking role-reversal images including ads that depict domestic violence as a way to sell product.

Media plays a strong role in how we view ourselves and each other. Be aware and be critical of what you see.

p.s. The Second Step is a Newton non profit that fosters the safety, stability, and well-being of survivors of domestic violence.

October 30, 2014
Watering Plants Through Fall (Advice from Mahoney’s )
This is not typically the time of year we think of drought. We usually talk about drought in months of July and August, but this fall has been extremely dry. In the month of September some areas in Massachusetts have received as little as 5% of their normal rainfall. Some areas are worse than others but we are all at the point of drought stress affecting both new plantings and even established plants.

Watering through fall prevents winterkill

On sunny days moisture evaporates from plants’ foliage. In the winter plants can’t take moisture in through their roots to rehydrate the foliage because the ground is frozen. When spring rolls around, the leaves turn brown and the plant can’t recover, this is known as winterkill.
By thoroughly watering your trees and shrubs until the ground freezes, your plants are more prepared to deal with the moisture loss that occurs during the winter. Plants like holly, azaleas, rhododendrons, and andromeda are most susceptible to winterkill because they have relatively larger leaves, and more surface area for evaporation to occur.

When we have an especially dry fall like we’re experiencing this year, winter damage is typically worse in the spring since the leaves have retained less water to being with. So please do your plants a favor and give them the water that they’ll need to survive the winter.

Tips for watering efficiently

To get the greatest benefit from the water used, it’s best to apply water at a trickle over a long period of time. The goal is to let the water seep down into the soil and saturate the area around the roots.

What you should do
- If you have a large area it’s best to use a soaker hose, or to section it off and concentrate on those areas individually.
- For individual plants it’s best to remove the nozzle and place the end of the hose at the base of the plant with the water trickling slow enough to prevent it from running off.
- Use mulch around all planted areas to prevent evaporation from the soil surface.
What you should not do
- Do not rely on lawn sprinkler systems to water trees and shrubs. They are designed to only moisten the top couple inches of soil.
- Do not spray water at the plant with a nozzle. This will cause the water to run off, spread across the surface, and not reach the root system where water is absorbed.
More tips on watering from Mahoney’s here.
October 15, 2014
1538 Beacon Street House For Sale

My friend Veronica is the developer for this beautiful 6 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom new construction house.

She designed a house that takes into account what families need including play spaces, au pair suite, mud room, exercise room as well as spaces with versatility. It also has curb appeal!

This parlor space is off the entryway.

The house then opens up to a great room with a living room, dining room and kitchen all flowing seamlessly.

There are two dining areas in the great room with makes it a great entertaining space.

There is even a Butler’s Pantry off the great room!

The first floor also has a bedroom with bathroom that can also be used as a office.

This 6000 square foot house boasts 6.5 bathrooms! Here are a few of them!

There is a spacious master suite with his and her walk in closets.

For more information, go here.

October 14, 2014
Beautiful Window Box Ideas for Fall

I found some beautiful fall planters in Boston and my friend Zoe Forbes of Fleuri Designs did one for me as well in Newton, MA. I have more of her designs here and here. Here are some ideas to bring flowers into your garden this fall.

Beautiful window box and container gardens in Back Bay, Boston

October 12, 2014
YogaBox™: A New Fitness Class
What is YogaBox™?

What: Join us for the launch of a new fitness class: YogaBox™! It combines strengthening, conditioning, stretching, core work and cardio for a fun and time efficient workout.

We will be using the heavy bag, boxing gloves and wraps, and a yoga mat.

What is it exactly? I made a video with clips from the YogaBox™ Open House class.

You start with a half hour of heavy bag work with Marc in which you learn to punch the heavy bag and the punches of boxing (jab, cross, hook). You’ll alternate with cardio exercises off the bag like burpees, jumping jacks and push ups. (You can go at your own pace and rest when you need to.)

Next comes 45 minutes of Vinyasa yoga with Dawn working the core and stretching the muscles in an invigorating and dynamic flow. Dawn boxed for one year and has designed the yoga around releasing the muscles used for the first part of YogaBox.
- You do NOT need to know how to box OR do yoga.
- Please bring a yoga mat and boxing gloves and wraps if you have them.
- You can also borrow boxing gloves from Nonantum Boxing Club.
Where: Nonantum Boxing Club at 75 Adams St

Who Is Teaching It?: Dawn Davis for Yoga and Marc Gargaro for Boxing

MARC GARGARO

Marc Gargaro is a certified Level II USA Boxing Certified coach and licensed Professional trainer as well as a licensed boxing promoter. He was an accomplished amateur boxer for several years and was a finalist in the Heavyweight Division of the 2005 USA Northeast Regional Championship Tournament as well as a Lowell Golden Gloves semi-finalist in 2007. He has extensive experience in strength and conditioning programs and sport specific training.

DAWN DAVIS

Dawn Obeidallah Davis brings a rich set of experiences to the teaching of yoga. She is a Developmental Psychologist, a mother of three, and is trained in both the Baptiste and Elemental yoga traditions. In addition to her expertise and formal training, Dawn brings great enthusiasm to teaching yoga, celebrating the joy of life through movement and breath. A soulful teacher, Dawn helps students cultivate energy in an energetic yet systematically calming way. She is a former Harvard Medical School faculty member and is the author of scientific articles on child development. Dawn received her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University, and has trained in Elemental Yoga with Bo Forbes and in Baptiste Power Yoga with Coeli Marsh.

When:

Tuesday at 9 am – 10:15 am (75 minutes)

Thursday at 7 pm – 8:15 pm (75 minutes)

Cost: $100 for 5 classes (never expires)

$25/drop in

Questions: Contact Marc Gargaro at 617.340.3700 or info@nonantumboxingclub.com

We hope you will come to check out this new fitness class! First class free for anyone NEW to Nonantum Boxing Club. If you are not new to Nonantum Boxing Club, you can earn a free class by bringing a friend who is!
October 11, 2014
What You Need to Know About 2014 Flu Shot
The Facts About Enterovirus D68 Vaccine

As you may know, there have been sporadic cases of Enterovirus D68 reported in states across the US and it appears to have now reached New England.

The Enteroviruses are a common class of viral infections which cause a variety of illness such as “hand, foot and mouth”. This particular strain is different in that it causes cold like symptoms, but can also cause wheezing and respiratory distress. Most children who get the illness will have symptoms closer to those of a cold. The severe respiratory distress is still quite rare. Children at higher risk of lung problems with this infection are those children with asthma, lung diseases, and former premature infants. There are no antibiotics or anti-viral medicines that work for this illness, but supportive care and asthma medicines can help a great deal.

What You Can Do to Prevent Transmission:
- WASH HANDS: Hand washing is more effective than hand sanitizer against these viruses. We recommend a 20 second hand wash with soap and water. You can use hand sanitizer additionally- it still works quite well against other germs.
- Teach children to sneeze and cough into the elbow or shoulder but not the hand
- Avoid contact with other children who have upper respiratory infections
- Clean toys and shared objects
- Avoid sharing cups and utensils.
What You Can Do to Prevent Serious Illness:
- If your child usually uses an inhaled steroid medicine like Qvar or Flovent in the fall and winter, we recommend starting that now at his or her usual preventative dose.
What to Watch For:

If you see any of the symptoms below, please call us immediately (whether in Enterovirus season or not)
- Non-stop coughing
- Wheeze you can hear without a stethoscope
- Working hard to breathe:
  
  You can see the child’s nostrils flaring in and out
  
  You can see the skin between the ribs or the belly sucking in and out as your child breathes
  
  Your child is working hard enough to breathe that they refuse to drink/eat or cannot speak in a full sentence
- Blueness around the lips and mouth
Here are some links to additional resources from the CDC & AAP.

Reports of a Severe Resperatory Virus on the Rise

CDC: Enterovirus D68

Graphic on What To Do To Prevent Enterovirus D68
October 6, 2014
Common Ground Arlington Opens Today!

Newton resident Bob O’Guin opens his second Common Ground in Arlington today! Two years ago, he took over Common Ground in Allston, then known as a college sports bar and turned it into a Gastropub.

The new bar and restaurant has some similar features to the Allston location including windows that open up!

When you enter Common Ground in Arlington, a wall of taps will greet you!

The Arlington location has a function and event room that seats 100! With a large HD projection screen, 2 computer ports for presentations, microphone access, and a private bar, it is perfect for corporate events.

The Arlington community can also use the room for functions and events. PaintNite is coming on Tuesday, Oct 21st from 7-9pm! You can dine and drink with friends and family while you enjoy a two your painting lesson!

For local artists and artisans, check in and inquire about rotating art exhibits and a pop up holiday bazaar!

The draught, cocktail and wine list has been carefully curated!

But Common Ground is known for great food. The ingredients are locally sourced when possible and chef Jaime Juarez makes practically everything in-house from bacon to granola to house made sausage!

We started with the housemade bread basket. Warm bread sticks are served with housemade hummus (delicious!), maple butter and herb infused oil.

My daughters loved the Truffle fries from Common Ground Allston and they are on the menu here too! Thick cut fries topped with Parmesan and served with Pesto Mayonnaise.

The Gnocchi are handmade and browned to a lovely crispy exterior and served over sautéed spinach, topped with house made marinara sauce, Parmesan, feta and truffle oil.

I’m pretty sure the Pasta Bolognese wide noodles are also house made; they were tender and cut into wide ribbons. The meat sauce has heady with rosemary and other fresh herbs. Delicious!

My 12-year-old daughter just got braces so she opted for the Mac ‘n Cheese without peas but kept the country ham that gave this cheesey goodness a hint of smokiness.

We even checked out the ladies’ room and it’s lovely and inviting, just like the whole restaurant!

After more than a year of construction, Common Ground Arlington is finally open! If you are in Arlington, I hope you will stop by!

Common Ground Arlington

319 Broadway

Arlington, MA 02474

Main: (781) 728-0060

General Manager: Rodney (Rhoney) Kangiser

Assistant GM: Steven Ramsdell

p.s. The first PaintNite (drink creatively) is Tuesday, October 21st from 7-9pm. You can buy tickets here and you can get 45% off by using discount code: CG45. Use that for the online checkout.

The art project is “Happy”.

September 30, 2014