I Love Newton

Blog

  • The Discovery Museums Announce EBT $1 Admission Program

    The Discovery Museums Announce EBT $1 Admission Program

    The Discovery Museums announced today a new program that offers $1 admission to holders of a Massachusetts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and up to five additional family members.  There is no limit to the number of visits per year. The Museums do not process EBT transactions, so cash or another form of payment must be provided to pay the admission cost.

    The Museums offer the new EBT discount as part of its Open Door Connections program to provide free or deeply discounted access to the Museums for those who face financial, developmental, or cultural barriers to visiting.  In 2013, the Museums served 40,400 individuals at free or deeply reduced cost in the museums and in classrooms throughout New England, 24% of the almost 172,000 served.

    “Providing access for all families to be able to visit the Museums is a critical priority for us, because informal learning is foundational to the development of a child,” said CEO Neil Gordon.  “We have been offering a number of ways for families to visit for free or at a discount, but we feel the EBT $1 admission program will offer the most flexible benefit to the families that need it most.  We are excited to welcome all families to experience The Discovery Museums’ fun and formative learning environment.”

    The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) administers benefits through EBT cards to help low-income individuals and families meet their basic needs, increase their incomes and improve their quality of life.  Serving one out of every seven people in the Commonwealth, DTA is an agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and ensures that the emergency and transitional needs of the individual and families of the Commonwealth are met through a combination of state and federally-funded programs.

    “The Department helps one in seven residents throughout the Commonwealth meet their most basic needs, including feeding their families. Partnering with educational and cultural institutions is helping to provide low-income families with the opportunity to experience all the programs and treasures the museum has to offer,” said DTA Commissioner Stacey Monahan. “We are excited to partner with The Discovery Museums and look forward to continuing our work with them to promote educational experiences for families and individuals across the Commonwealth.”

    Other Open Door Connections programs offering free or reduced price admission to the Museums include free events for families with children with an autism disorder, or who are deaf or hard of hearing; free or discounted pricing for schools visiting the Museums or bringing science workshops into their classrooms; free family memberships offered through organizations including Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), SMOC Head Start, and Minute Man Arc for Human Services; free admission for active duty military personnel and their families; and free admission on the first Friday night during the school year and every Friday night during summer months.

    The Discovery Museums Announce EBT $1 Admission Program

    **************************

    About The Discovery Museums

    The Discovery Museums are the children’s and science museums of Metrowest Boston. Two great museums—for one admission price—blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. The Museums serve families and schools from towns throughout the region, with a commitment to informal education that enhances classroom learning. The hands-on, playful exhibits, developed by professional educators, inspire curiosity, exploration, experimentation and imagination. The Discovery Museums combine manageable scale, convenient location and free parking to provide a fun and engaging experience where children and adults can discover their world together.  For more information please visitwww.discoverymuseums.org.

     

    School Year Hours and Admission

    Children’s Discovery Museum

    Tuesday through Sunday:  9am to 4:30pm

    First Friday night of the month (free admission):  4:30pm to 8:30pm

    Science Discovery Museum

    Open Tuesday through Friday: 1pm to 4:30pm

    Saturday & Sunday:  10am to 4:30pm

    First Friday night of the month (free admission):  4:30pm to 8:30pm

    Both Museums are closed on Mondays during the school year

  • Summer Parenting Workshop Series from Pine Village Preschool

    Summer Parenting Workshop Series from Pine Village Preschool

    In celebration of their new location opening on the Brighton/Watertown line, Pine Village Spanish Immersion Preschool is excited to announce their summer workshop series for parents on a variety of topics.
    Pine Village Spanish Immersion Preschool free parenting workshop
    Babysitting is available, so parents can bring their kids and take some time to learn firsthand from experts on topics like bilingualism in children and guidance around toddler growth and development.
    Pine Village Spanish Immersion Preschool free parenting workshop
    Free Parent Workshop Series
    Wed, June 11th: The Benefits of Bilingualism
    Wed, July 30th: Positive Behavior Management Techniques
    Wed, Aug 20th: Transitions
    Wed, Sept 17th: Ages and Stages/Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
     
    Pine Village Preschool is a Spanish language immersion school, with 8 locations around the Boston area. Toddlers as young as 15 months are exposed to teachers talking 100% in Spanish and are educated in this environment until Kindergarten, providing them both the language background for their future, as well as their educational foundation. The school’s curriculum was developed around the philosophy that educates and nurtures each child’s individuality in a diverse environment to build a true passion for learning so they can thrive in the future. You can learn more about the Pine Village program here.
     
    All workshops take place at 400 Western Ave., Brighton, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. Babysitting and light refreshments will be available free of charge. Space is limited, so please register in advance to pvpjen@gmail.com.
    Pine Village Spanish Immersion Preschool free parenting workshop
  • $1.2 Million Raised by Newton-Wellesley Hospital for Kids

    $1.2 Million Raised by Newton-Wellesley Hospital for Kids

    AT NEWTON-WELLESLEY HOSPITAL’S 15TH ANNUAL GALA

    Over 750 guests gathered on Saturday, May 10th at the Westin Copley Place, Boston for Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) Charitable Foundation’s 15th Annual Gala, “Helping Kids Spread their Wings,” raising a record-breaking $1.2 Million to benefit the Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service.

    Watsons IMG_8848-1

    The Gala Chairs were Sinesia and Bill Karol of Westwood. The evening, designed by Rafanelli Events, included cocktails and a silent auction, a live auction, fund-a-need appeal, dinner and dancing. Highlights of the evening included the surpise entrance by the three Red Sox World Championship trophies and a special performance by Michelle Chamuel, finalist in The Voice, who was born at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and premiered her latest single, The Lottery, to a spellbound crowd.

    Belskys Ruchelsman DSC_6764-0514

    “The $1.2 Million raised by our Gala has enabled us to complete the goal of building a $5+ Million Endowment to help protect the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service from budgetary pressures,” said Joan Archer, president, NWH Charitable Foundation. “We are so grateful to everyone who has supported this program and especially to those who joined with us on May. It was a very special evening to help take care of our kids when they need it the most.”

    DAlton Group DSC_6453-1

    “Children and families are suffering in our community, but psychiatric illnesses are always treatable, frequently curable, and often preventable,” said Dr. Susan Swick, the Michael S. Jellinek, MD, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “As other institutions have cut back or eliminated services, Newton-Wellesley Hospital has, in fact, been able to expand its program with our community’s generous philanthropic support. Families no longer need to suffer alone or in silence.”

    Perrins DSC_6484-1

    Gala Committee

    In addition to Gala Chair Sinesia and Bill Karol, an enthusiastic Committee actively gathered auction items, sold tables, and spread the word about the event. The Committee included: Joan & Bob Barrett (Wellesley), Nancy & Mark Belsky, MD (Waban), Stephanie & Mark Blumenthal, MD (Natick), Tracey & John Cannistraro (Wellesley), Cindy Crofts-Wisch & Jeff Wisch, MD (Wellesley), Susan and Joseph D’Alton, MD (Newton), Michelle & Tim Foster, MD (Wellesley), Lisa & Al Hanmer, MD (Dover), Jennifer & Barnett Helzberg (Wellesley), Mary Jo & Brian Hogan (Westwood), Kim Mai & Bob Berry (Weston), Margaret & Brian McNeill (Wellesley), Vana Melkonian, MD (Waltham), Barbara Merrigan (Auburndale), Maristela & John Rapo (Dover), Laura & Geoff Rehnert (Weston), Rosie Reyes & Ed Mank (Natick), Karen & Frank Segall (Weston), Lori & Eric Slifka (Wellesley), and Rachel & Martin Zinny (Wellesley).

  • Elite 150 Boys’ Sleepaway Soccer Camp: Grades 5-12

    Elite 150 Boys’ Sleepaway Soccer Camp: Grades 5-12

    Brian Ainscough, head soccer caoch for men’s soccer at Northeastern University, has an elite boys’ sleepaway soccer training camp for one week in July at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

    Elite 150 Boys Soccer Camp at NorthEastern University

    The Elite 150 Camp is for boys, Grades 5 – 12.

    Northeaster University also has day soccer camps for kids.

    Northeaster soccer camps for kids

     

     

  • KuumUnity Performing at NNHS

    KuumUnity will be performing at Newton North High School.  They will perform the music of the African diaspora, negro spirituals, and gospels.

    KuumUnity Collaborations was created by Sheldon K. X. Reid, who is the director of the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, and of the Jubilee Singers of Newton North High School.

    Newton North High School

    Sunday, June 15th

    4 pm

    You can purchase tickets at the door or email kuumunity@gmail.com.

    Here’s a clip from a past performance.

  • Former Trader Joe’s CEO Doug Rauch Speaking

    Former Trader Joe’s CEO Doug Rauch Speaking

    Former Trader Joe’s CEO Rauch to speak at annual Green Business Breakfast

    Former Trader Joe’s CEO Doug Rauch Speaking

     

    Conscious Capitalism CEO Doug Rauch will be the keynote speaker at the Newton-Needham Chamber’s Green Business Awards Breakfast, on Thursday June 19  in Newton. 

    The Green Business Awards Breakfast will be held outdoors, along the banks of the Charles River, adjacent to the Newton-Marriott Hotel, and will also honor local businesses for their environmental achievements.

    Also speaking that morning will be Mass Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner David Cash, Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Needham Board of Selectman Chair John Bulian.

    A nationally known speaker, Rauch will discuss his newest business venture, the Daily Table, an innovative non-profit solution to the issue of “food waste” and hunger/obesity by bringing high quality, nutritious food at affordable prices to the underserved in our inner cities.

    Rauch, a Newton resident, spent 31 years with Trader Joe’s Company, including 14 years as president, helping grow the business from a small, nine-store chain in Southern California, to a nationally acclaimed retail success story with more than 340 stores in 30 states. He developed their prized buying philosophy, created their unique private label food program, and wrote and executed the business plan for expanding Trader Joe’s nationally.

    He is presently CEO of Conscious Capitalism Inc., a non-profit dedicated to challenging business leaders to rethink why their organizations exist, and to acknowledge their roles in the interdependent global marketplace. He is also a trustee at Olin College and chairs the Board of Overseers at WBUR.

    The Chamber’s Environment Committee will recognize seven businesses from Newton and Needham that have taken a leadership role in reducing energy or other environmental strategies or for providing noteworthy green products or services.

    “The Green Business Awards Breakfast brings business and civic leaders together to discuss and celebrate the economic and social benefits of being green,” said Peter Smith, chairman of the Chamber’s Environment Committee. “It will recognize the outstanding achievements local businesses and civic organizations have taken to reduce our carbon footprint.”

    Advance tickets for the Green Business Awards Breakfast, Thursday  June 19 from  7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Newton Marriott Hotel,  are $30 for chamber members and $35 for non-members and are now on sale atwww.nnchamber.com or by calling 617-244-5300.  Tickets on the morning of the event will be $40.

  • The Fate of the Turtle Lane Playhouse

    The Fate of the Turtle Lane Playhouse

    The new owners of the Turtle Lane Playhouse are having a community meeting to discuss their plans for the property.

    “This will be an opportunity to come see the plans, listen to the owners as they describe their vision for the project, make comments and suggestions, and give feedback to the owners”.
     
    Date:        Thursday, June 12, 2014
    Time:        7:00 p.m.
    Location:  Turtle Lane Playhouse
                       283 Melrose Street
                       Auburndale, MA
     
    Please try to attend.  Auburndale is changing every day it seems and not always for the better.

    The Fate of the Turtle Lane Playhouse
     

     

  • Jazz Concert Fundraiser for Family Nurturing Center

    Jazz Concert Fundraiser for Family Nurturing Center

    Please join us for a very special fundraiser for the Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts in Dorchester, which supports families by teaching parenting and nurturing skills to parents with newborns on through teenagers.  More information about the Family Nurturing Center’s wonderful programs here. 
    Jazz Concert Fundraiser for Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
    The fundraiser will be a very special concert at the Rivers School on Sunday June 8 from 3 – 4 p.m. 
    There will also be a limited number of beautiful raffle items available.  
    To purchase tickets, and to support the Family Nurturing Center, please go here. 
  • STEAM Workshop for 3- and 4-Year-Olds with Parent or Caregiver

    STEAM Workshop for 3- and 4-Year-Olds with Parent or Caregiver

    STEAM Workshop for 3- and 4-Year-Olds with Parent or Caregiver

    STEAM Workshop for Preschoolers at Newton Free Library

    Tuesdays, June 3, 10, 17 and 24, 3:30 p.m.,

    Story Craft Room

    at Newton Free Library

    Participate in a four-part series where we will explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through discovery and play. Take home something from each session. Space is limited. Registration is required (patrons must come to all four sessions). Sign up here. 

  • Understanding the College Admissions Process

    Understanding the College Admissions Process

    Understanding the College Admissions Process

    at the Newton Free Library

    Tuesday, June 3,

    7 p.m.

    Join us for a session that will focus on the details and timeline of the application process, how to navigate financial aid requirements and how parents and teens can collaborate on getting into the best school possible.

    college counselor Lanita Foley

    Lanita Foley, a certified educational planner and independent educational consultant with over 15 years of experience in college admission and counseling at Stanford University and Phillips Academy, will facilitate.