Category: Spotlight

Local companies highlighted in Newton, MA.

Cubiq: On-Demand Concierge Storage

Cubiq Launches On-Demand Concierge Storage Service to Enable Bostonians to Make Room for Better Living

Cubiq’s smartphone-enabled service digitally catalogues, secures and delivers personal belongings at your convenience

Cubiq is launching its smartphone-enabled personal storage service to the Boston market. By giving consumers personal, on-demand access to their storage, Cubiq is helping to make room for better living. The private-equity backed company, founded by two seasoned Boston tech and marketing entrepreneurs, Michael Cappelletti and Scott Nelson, will offer its Uber-inspired storage concierge service to Boston and neighboring communities.

Cubiq digitally catalogues clients’ belongings, then securely seals personal items and valuables in clean, RFID (radio frequency identification) tagged, secure storage cubes. When clients wish to retrieve their belongings, Cubiq provides an on-demand, mobile-optimized delivery service that returns cubes within 24-hours.

The market for self-storage continues to grow as Americans are purchasing more goods and running out of space to personally store them at their apartments, homes and condos. According to the Self Storage Association, the U.S. self-storage market is a $24 billion industry with one in 10 American households renting a self-storage unit.

“As more people flock to urban centers in living spaces with limited storage options, storage has emerged as one of the top concerns for Boston apartment and condo dwellers,” said Michael Cappelletti, CEO of Cubiq. “We are providing urban residents with the ability to easily and conveniently extend their closets, enabling them to live in their living spaces and free up valuable time.”

Cubiq offers three initial packages starting at $29 a month for four cubes and one free return. Unlike other storage services, Cubiq does not charge for every incidental, providing return credits for each service package. As part of its launch, Cubiq is offering an additional month of service for customers that sign up before Sept. 15. To order cubes, sign up here and enter “launchBOS.”

“I paid $60 a month for a storage place I never visited and never even knew what was in my unit, so I began to store my merchandise at home,” said Lucy Cobos, co-founder of Pee Happy, an animal welfare group that sells dog-related apparel and gives 100 percent of the proceeds to local animal shelters. “As our merchandise grew from hats to t-shirts, boxes began piling up in my bedroom and blocked our courtyard view. Cubiq gave me back my living space and view, and provided me with a smartphone inventory catalogue of my apparel.”

August 13, 2014
5 Gorgeous Shots of Massachusetts

Movoto has a post on 27 of the most-loved Massachusetts photos that best capture our great state’s natural beauty.

I choose 5 of my favorites:

5. Interesting architecture!

Source: Flickr user See-ming Lee

4. Not your average subway terminal!

Source: Flickr user Tim Sackton

3. Miles of shoreline!

Source: Flickr user yannboix

2. Enter to grow in wisdom!

Source: Flickr user Tim Sackton

1. Summer clam shacks and beach towns!

Source: Flickr user yeowatzup

August 6, 2014
Generation Tennis in Belmont for Kids and Adults

Generation tennis if offering for August programs for all ages. For kids, they are offering week long programs Monday – Friday for one hour. For adults, they are offering classes once per week. They also offer privates and semi private lessons.

Below are a list of programs. Register by going here.

Advanced Clinic 2014

This clinic is designed for advanced intermediate to intermediate advance students.  The focus is on bio mechanics, stroke development with fun exercises, drills and games.  Students should bring a snack and two bottles of water.

Monday – Friday (July 28, 29, 30, 31, August 1) 5 Days 8:30 – 12:30 Ages 14 to 18 Cost $375

Daily 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

Summer 2014 QuicKids Practice Clinic 8-18 Years Old

This clinic is designed to give students a complete experience in learning the game of tennis. Proper techniques will be taught as a daily activity with demonstration and shadow swings, followed by drills and games that target the techniques of the day. Students will play competitive games and work with each other to reach achievable fun goals. The clinic will have a positive experience on all students with emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play. Students should be able to hit over the net with some consistence.  Choose a week to attend. You may attend more than one week.

Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30 am-12:30pm • $380.00

Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30 am-12:30pm• $380.00

Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30 am-12:30pm • $380.00

Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30 am-12:30pm • $380.00

Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days per wk; 8:30 am-12:30pm • $361.00

Summer 2014 QuicKids 10-13 Year Olds

These classes are designed for students 10-13 years old. The class will follow the now well established and proven teaching method which focuses on stroke development and biomechanics through a set of achievable goals which teach hand-eye coordination, agility, flexibility and racket head control. The student’s ultimate goal is to play and hit with each other and play with serves on a full court with green dot balls and regular balls. Students will serve and play and run drills in a fun progressive learning environment. Choose a session or week. You may choose more than one session.

Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 5:00pm – 6:00pm •   $105.00

Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 5:00pm – 6:00pm •   $105.00

Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 5:00pm – 6:00pm • $105.00

Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 5:00pm – 6:00pm • $105.00

Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days this wk; 5:00pm – 6:00pm •    $84.00

Summer 2014 QuicKids 7-10 Year Olds

This classes are designed for students 7-10 years old. The class will follow the now well established and proven 10& under teaching method which focuses on stroke development and biomechanics though a set of achievable goals which teach hand-eye coordination, agility, flexibility and racket head control. The student’s ultimate goal is to play and hit with each other and play with servers on a 36” court or 60” court.

Morning Session 2A • Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 9:30am – 10:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 2B • Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 10:30am – 11:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 3A • Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 9:30am – 10:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 3B • Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 10:30am – 11:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 4A • Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 9:30am – 10:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 4B• Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 10:30am – 11:30am• $105.00

Morning Session 5A• Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 9:30am – 10:30am •$105.00

Morning Session 5B• Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 10:30am – 11:30am •$105.00

Morning Session 6A• Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days per wk; 9:30am – 10:30am • $84.00

Morning Session 6B• Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days per wk; 10:30am – 11:30am • $84.00

Afternoon Session 2A • Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 3:00pm – 4:00pm •$105.00

Afternoon Session 2B• Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk 4:00pm – 5:00pm •$105.00

Afternoon Session 3A • Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 3:00pm – 4:00pm •$105.00

Afternoon Session 3B• Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 4:00pm – 5:00pm •$105.00

Afternoon Session 4A • Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 3:00pm – 4:00pm •$105.00

Afternoon Session 4B • Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 4:00pm – 5:00pm • $105.00

Afternoon Session 5A • Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 3:00pm – 4:00pm • $105.00

Afternoon Session 5B • Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 4:00pm – 5:00pm • $105.00

Afternoon Session 6A • Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days in wk; 3:00pm – 4:00pm • $84.00

Afternoon Session 6B • Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days in wk; 4:00pm – 5:00pm • $84.00

Summer 2014 QuicKids 4-6 Year Olds

Quick Kids classes at Generation Tennis are designed to develop agility, balance, reflexes, and ball control, racket head awareness and proper bio-mechanics. All classes are taught by certified 10 and under instructors that understand the importance of achievable goals and progression filled with success. Kids work as teams to develop the skills that are necessary to play tennis while completing tennis related techniques that are fast paced and fun. Students love to play tennis in our Quick Kids programs. Choose a week to attend. You may sign-up for more than one week.

Morning Session 2 • Aug 4, 2014 to Aug 9, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30am – 9:30am • $105.00

Morning Session 3 • Aug 11, 2014 to Aug 15, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30am – 9:30am •      $105.00

Morning Session 4 • Aug 18, 2014 to Aug 22, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30am – 9:30am •      $105.00

Morning Session 5 • Aug 25, 2014 to Aug 29, 2014 • 5 days per wk; 8:30am – 9:30am •      $105.00

Morning Session 6 • Sep 2, 2014 to Sep 5, 2014 • 4 days of wk; 8:30am – 9:30am •      $84.00

August 4, 2014
Seeking Parents for a Survey: Parenting Young Children Today!

If you are a parent of children age 6 or under, our friends at The Center on Media and Human Development (CMHD) at Northwestern University want to hear from you! The Center is seeking parents of 0- to 6-year-olds to participate in online survey to learn more about what it is like to be a parent of young children today. They are asking parents to take some time to complete an online survey to share more about parenting, media use, and social support.

As a thank you for their time and participation, parents who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing to win one of 25 $100 Amazon gift cards.

The Center on Media and Human Development, directed by Dr. Ellen Wartella, was created with three primary goals: training future researchers to participate in the field of human development and media studies; research on a variety of topics, from family media use in the home to teachers’ uses of technology in the classroom; and public policy, recognizing the interdisciplinary world we live in requires collaboration and communication across fields in the form of workshops, conferences, and round table discussions to inform and influence public policy.

Take the survey now ».

August 1, 2014
U Pick at Belkin Family Lookout Farm Begins

Belkin Family Lookout Farm, MetroWest’s beloved destination for outdoor family fun, will be open seven days a week, between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. beginning Friday August 1, 2014 until the end of the fall season.

The Farm will be open seven days a week, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. until the end of the fall season. The Farm is also allowing weekday visitors FREE entry after 3 p.m. with the purchase of any size fruit bag.

As the U-Pick fruit season gets underway, peaches and apples are already ripening, and plums, pears and nectarines are soon to follow. The Farm rewards weekday visitors with free entry after 3 p.m. with the purchase of any size fruit bag. And, every day, kids can spend time in the play area, enjoy the treasured train and caterpillar rides, farm animals, burlap maze, hay pyramid, and check out the Busy Bee Center for the Farm’s new Lego tables. On weekends and Monday holidays, families can also enjoy live children’s entertainment and face painting.

Fall at the Farm is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. By mid-September, U-Pick season is in full swing with Asian pears, 11 varieties of apples, and more than 25,000 pumpkins. Throughout the season there will be festivals, and on weekends and Monday holidays, family and friends can also enjoy camel, pony and hay rides, apple cider and cider donuts. Belkin Family Lookout Farm offers a barbecue lunch on fall weekends and Monday holidays, as well as gelato and other tasty treats.

Visitors can also still purchase the Farm’s all-new Season Pass that includes benefits for each month of the season and special gifts. For 2014, the Farm has introduced a new, tiered Season Pass program. In addition to unlimited admission for a family of four, each $149 Season Pass also offers a Belkin Family Lookout Farm canvas tote, $50 off a child’s birthday party, $25 off a cord of firewood, special VIP passholder entrance and monthly U-Pick fruit:

August: 5 lb. bag of fruit (juicy peaches and early apples)

September: 5 lb. bag of fruit (seasonal apples, Asian pears and peaches)

October: 5 lb. bag of fruit (seasonal apples and Asian pears)

July 31, 2014
New Playground at Peirce Elementary School

The new playground is complete at Peirce Elementary School! It has a spongy surface that makes it inclusive (and baby stroller friendly!).

If you are looking for something fun to do with the kids that is FREE, come by and play on it! It’s open to the Newton community!!

Peirce Elementary School

170 Temple St, West Newton, MA 02465

Temple at Berkeley Street

The new park benches are colorful and durable!

This is the first time I’ve seen the new bouncy structure empty! (I came early in the morning!).

The Möbius climbing structure is great for a challenge. You can climb on both sides!

There are slides and climbing tunnels! A small climbing rock too!

While this playground is intended for kids ages 6 through 12, it also has features for the wee ones! They can make music or drive!

There is also a Portapotty on site as well as picnic tables. Come and play and stay a while!

July 30, 2014
Interior Designers’ Secret Source and special discount!

A2Z Vintage Home Furnishings: Antique and Design is a spin-off of Darby Road. Located in a warehouse space at 39 Green Street in Waltham, the low overhead translates to great pricing!

Hours:

Wednesday through Saturday 10-5

or by appointment.

Please contact Jon Ames at 617-930-7700 or 781-790-5260 with questions or appointment requests.

39 Green Street in Waltham

With 10,000 square feet specializing in vintage and antique home furnishings, A2Z Vintage offers French, English, American and Asian pieces including fine art, furniture, hand knotted rugs and home accessories … Fresh inventory arrives daily!

It is frequented by Interior Designers who seek out their funky mix of vintage, antiques and Art all from a wide variety of periods. Let’s take a look!

Swedish Dining Table with additional 3 leaves and 6 dining room chair circa 1965. $2450

Always lots of cool painted furniture, this vintage sideboard is $1250.

A period English Sideboard, circa 1820. $1950

Postmodern American Vintage Wicker Chairs. Pair $395

Bow Back Windsor Settee with Knuckle Arm. It’s an unusual length. $2200

Medium Sized Goat of Reclaimed Metal. $140

Antique Chinese Dragon Lacquered Chair. $355

French Buffet Deux Corps circa 1840 of Oak. The shelves have an unusual design. $3250

Chinese Root Table Hand Carved from a single tree trunk. $1150

Hand knotted Persian rugs both vintage and antique. New hand knotted Qushak, 8′ 1″ by 10′ 3″ is net $1650.

Our reclaimed metal animals are really popular and come in a range of sizes!

Riley will greet you!

Because A2Z Vintage is about to go through a renovation, they are offering a special discount to my readers. If you go to the store and mention special code ILoveNewton A2Z, you will receive $100 off any purchase of $399 and/or $150 off any purchase of $599 or more … ask the owner Jon for other special deals!!!

July 25, 2014
Summer Learning Loss and Ideas to Prevent It
Finding from parents with tweens in grades 4-8 that deals with summer reading and summer learning loss.
Tweens Aren’t Spending Their Time on Educational Activities: The survey found that while 51 percent of parents with tweens in grades four through eight claim to be concerned about summer learning loss, their children rarely engage in educational activities over the summer. On average, kids spend significantly more of their free time playing outside (30%), playing video games (17%) and watching TV (18%) than reading (12%), arts & crafts (7%) and academic enrichment programs (7%).
Digital Doesn’t Necessarily Encourage More Reading: Tweens Actually Prefer Bound Books: 75% of parents said that their kids prefer to read a physical book with less than 20% preferring a tablet or e-reader.

Girls Are More Excited To Read Than Boys: 56% of girls are excited about reading compared to 37% of boys, according to surveyed parents. How can parents encourage boys to read? 20% of parents said that offering a reward helps.

Favorite Tween Book Genres (and it’s not the Hunger Games): The top three book genres that kids like to read, according to their parents, are Humor (58%), Fantasy (53%) and Action-Adventure (43%).

Reading Dwindles As Tweens Get Older: 46% of tweens are reading less than four books according to their parents, and as kids get older they tend to read fewer books. Whille 66% of parents of 9&10 year olds said their child reads more than five books over the summer, only 44% of 13 & 14 year olds did.

The survey was commissioned by Sylvan Learning.

p.s. I have some summer reading lists here:

Summer Reading Lists for Middle School

Summer Reading Lists and Resources for Kids

Summer Math Ideas for Elementary and Middle School
June 30, 2014
Go AROUND THE WORLD with Nonantum Boxing Club

Can you go Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club? We’re not actually traveling anywhere in this boxing drill created by co-owner Marc Gargaro to practice four blocks and four punching combinations in a continuous motion.

This boxing drill can be used by just about anyone. Check out the wide range of boxers at Nonantum Boxing Club from kids to moms to fighters.

Come Around the World with Nonantum Boxing Club! No, seriously, stop by. It’s a great workout and helpful and friendly staff. It only looks like a fight club!

p.s. Who do you think goes Around the World the fastest? My forty-something mom friend Lydia who starts off this video or the fighter towards the end? Please vote by leaving a comment!

June 28, 2014
2014’s Safest States to Live In: MA is Safest!

WalletHub has identified the Safest States to Live In. Using 26 key metrics, they sorted the states according to different safety standards that take into account data related to crime, traffic accidents, employer insurance coverage, climate disasters, consumer bank accounts and more.

How did Massachusetts do?

#1 For Home and Community Safety.

#1 For Financial Safety. We are good savers in Massachusetts!

#1 For Driving Safety. Wow, who knew?

#5 For Workplace Safety.

#25 For Natural Disasters.

Overall rank of safest states to live in: Massachusetts is #1!

June 21, 2014