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New Funnel Playground Toy at Peirce Elementary: Temple and Dartmouth Street

This new Funnel Ball makes shooting baskets much easier. You just aim for the big funnel at the top. This was the Class Gift from Peirce’s Class of 2011 5th Graders and was recently installed.

The next time you drive by the 4-square courts along Temple Street take a look … it’s the tall blue pole with a red bucket sitting on top. Balls are tossed into the large hole on top and then they exit through 1 of 3 different holes. It should offer added fun to the playground for many years to come. Bring your 4 square ball!

Peirce Elementary School is located at 170 Temple Street in West Newton.

Thank you again to Peirce’s Graduating Class of 2011!

January 8, 2012
Featured Store: Kiki D. Design & Consign

Beth Kurson has been a jewelry designer for a number of years and just this past year she decided to combine her love of designing jewelry and high end designer clothes and opened Kiki D. Design & Consign on 214 Sumner Street in Newton Centre. This lovely shop has designer clothes beautifully displayed and in fantastic condition. Recent finds: Chanel jacket, Malo cashmere sweater, Louis Vuitton and Coach bags in perfect condition. Beth is meticulous and also has a great eye. Have a designer item in your closet that is getting no wear? Bring it by and have Beth look it over. You will most likely leave with a new addition to your wardrobe! Ask her to put together a new look for you – she can work with existing pieces and really pull an outfit together.

From the website:

At Kiki D. Design & Consign, owner Beth Kurson has filled her store with a fantastic array of consigned high end designer clothing, handbags and accessories for women. Bottega Veneta – Prada – Girbaud – Marni – Jimmy Choo – Louis Vuitton and so much more is waiting for you when you walk in the door!

The shop also houses Beth’s own line of jewelry, Kiki D. Design. The line includes an eclectic mix of vintage and new elements, creating at once, classic and contemporary designs for today’s fashionable woman. You will find her layering one-of-a-kind pieces that mix rough cut pave diamond beads or pendants with vintage watch chains and findings, pearls mixed with antiqued sterling silver chain and even a stingray cuff with a vintage rhinestone shoe buckle.

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-5pm

All major credit cards, debit cards, checks and cash accepted.

Kiki D. Design & Consign is conveniently located in Newton Centre at 214 Sumner St. right next to Lee’s Burgers and across the street from Home on Sumner and the old post office.

January 7, 2012

See What Is Cookin’ with A Step Up and Boston Medical Center

There is a group of really dedicated women who have taken it upon themselves to find local charities who need a boost or, if you will, a step up. They focus on small, local non-profits that do not have huge marketing budgets but that are doing good work. It is an informal gathering of women (sorry, guys – you can send a check, though!) and the suggested donation is only $35. It is a really nice way to connect within your community, socialize a little and make a difference. I encourage you to go (it is fun), get involved and do some good. I wrote about my experience here and they liked it so much they asked to put it on their website.

The next fundraiser is…

A Prescription of Wellness from A Step Up and the Boston Medical CenterPlease join A Step Up to hear what’s “cooking” in The Nutrition Resource Center (NRC) at the Boston Medical Center.

TUESDAY, January 10 7:30pm

at the home of Amy Briney, 93 Beethoven Avenue, Newton

*a suggested donation of $35 made payable to the Boston Medical Center

The BMC is changing the lives of their patients by providing exceptional care without exception, serving all patients regardless of their social and/or economic circumstances. A Step Upwill be raising funds for the Nutrition Resource Center, an innovative program, that includes an onsite prescription food pantry and demonstration kitchen, that is meeting patients nutritional needs right alongside their medical needs. Come learn more about a service delivery approach at the NRC that is consistent with the thoughtful wraparound services that are meeting the needs of the diverse patient population the BMC serves.

To RSVP please reply to this email. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to donate, please click on the link below:
https://development.bmc.org/astepup

Sincerely,

Amy Briney, Stacey Keenan, Lori Mendik
Carolyn Shaughnessy, Gina Saltonstall

To learn more about the BMC: https://development.bmc.org

For more information about A Step Up, please check out our
website at www.astepupma.org.

January 6, 2012

Boston College Soccer Winter Training Program: For Kids Ages 9-12!

My Mom Friend Alison sent me this info about a great new Soccer Winter Camp run by Boston College’s Lady Eagles Women’s Soccer Coaches and Players:

We are excited to present a great opportunity for your youth soccer players that are looking to take their game to the next level. We have developed a curriculum for a Junior Eagle Academy winter training program for players ranging in age from 9 to 12 years old. It will run for 8 weeks starting on January 8th to March 11. There are two Sundays that are OFF; January 15th and March 4th. There will be two time blocks of 30 kids each; 12:00-1:00 and 1:15-2:15.

We are also offering the opportunity to go to any 4 sessions in which you can check off the dates on the brochure. We will have specific emphasis on individual footwork and 1 v1 skills, comfort on the ball, improving technique of passing and introduction to higher level passing technique, combination play, and finishing technique. We will also have specific goal-keeping training for those that want specialization in this area. Each session will be an hour long and will be skill work for 40 minutes and the last 20 minutes will be small-sided games involving the topic of the session. The players will be trained by the Boston College Coaches and have the BC women soccer players demonstrating and helping them out.

Eventually we are looking to have try-outs to the Academy but for now we are asking your help to recommend players in your organization or team that you feel could benefit from this type of training. Again, this is not a program for the beginner soccer player but one that has a good foundation of soccer fundamentals and the passion to get higher level training. Our training facility is the state of the art as it will be in the Bubble over Alumni stadium. There are few facilities during the winter in New England where players can train in this type of atmosphere. We are delighted to start our new venture of developing our future Eagles!!!

There will be only 30 players per session and will be done the first year on a first come first serve basis.

To register, please go here.

Location:

412 Conte Forum

Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

December 22, 2011
Wegmans Food Market Coming to Newton!!

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. said Monday it plans to bring a smaller urban concept store to Newton, Mass.

The Rochester, N.Y. family-owned supermarket chain, which opened a full-scale store in Northborough in October, plans to build a 70,000-square-foot food store at the Chestnut Hill Square development on Route 9 (Boylston Street), directly across from The Mall at Chestnut Hill in Newton. The company does not have a construction schedule or opening date planned, however, according to a press release.

“Though smaller in size, this store will have almost everything customers have come to expect from Wegmans, including a Market Café,” says Bill Congdon, vice president and New England division manager, in a press release. “We are thrilled with the success of our Northborough store, which broke every previous grand opening record set by our company.

“We’re delighted that Wegmans will be part of our Chestnut Hill Square development,” said Douglass Karp, executive vice president of New England Development, in the release. “We’ve always wanted to have a grocery store as part of this development – a sentiment that has been expressed both by Newton residents and by prospective retailers. Wegmans, with its emphasis on customer service, quality, value pricing, and community outreach, is the ideal grocery store for this location.”

Founded in 1916, Wegmans Food Market is a 79-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

p.s. This exciting news is via my mom friend Nathalie and The Boston Business Journal.

——————

They will be hiring for the new store and CNNMoney voted Wegmans #3 for Best Companies to Work For.

Rank: 3 (Previous rank: 3)

What makes it so great?

This customer-friendly supermarket chain cares about the well-being of its workers, too. This year, 11,000 employees took part in a challenge to eat five cups of fruit and vegetables a day and walk up to 10,000 steps a day for eight weeks.Another 8,000 took advantage of health screenings that included a flu shot and H1N1 vaccine — all covered by Wegmans.

Headquarters:
1500 Brooks Avenue

Rochester, NY 14603

2009 revenue ($ millions): 5,193
Website: www.wegmans.com

December 9, 2011
FREE Community Day at ICA! Great for Families! (Saturday, December 10, 10 am–5 pm)

If you want something fun to take the kids to this weekend, there is a FREE event at the Institute of Contemporary Arts:

The ICA 75th Anniversary fun continues with a free party on December 10, the ICA’s fifth anniversary in our iconic waterfront building. Bring the family to this historic celebration with musical performances by the AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra, some of the rocking-est kids from Music Clubhouse at Sociedad Latina, animated films, a tap dance performance, art-making activities, tours, and more!

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater
Additional gallery activities and performances will also take place throughout the day.

10:30 am:  Animated film screening

Noon:  Music Clubhouse at Sociedad Latina

2 pm:  AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra

4 pm: Boston Tap Company

Program Info:

Saturday, December 10
10 am–5 pm

FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL

December 6, 2011
What Does This House Say to You? Not Your Grandparents’ Victorian House!

My real estate agent pointed out this house to us a decade ago when we were looking at houses. I’ve always loved this house with its vibrant colors and I’m happy that it’s stayed colorful. This is what the house says to me:

1. I am not afraid of color.

2. Happy people live here.

3. We have a really good house painter.

4. Our city has no ordinances about house color.

5. I am not trying to blend in.

6. I may be on the Historical Society list of houses, but I am not Traditional.

7. I invite feedback.

8. I am in my happy place.

9. I bring the sun.

10. I influence neighbors because…

Meet my next door neighbor! …

and this house says…

1. I really like my neighbor.

2. We use the same house painter.

3. I own a paint company/I am a house painter.

4. We are thinking of adding pink flamingos to the yard.

5. We make a statement.

6. I thought of this first. (No, I did.) (You painted first, but I thought of it first — remember, we talked about it?). (Oh yeah!) (But I thought of the pink flamingos.)

7. Pink flamingos are a good idea.

8. You can never have too much color.

9. Happy people live here.

10. We are not afraid of color.

What do you think these houses say? Please share!

December 5, 2011
The Transformation of Newton North High School: A Photograph Exhibit by Sharon Schindler

It’s gone, but you can still see it here!

Please join us for the Opening Reception of a photograph exhibit on the old but beloved Newton North High School. Photography is by local acclaimed photographer Sharon Schindler.

Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 7th from 6:00-8:30 pm

Location: New Art Center, Main Gallery, 61 Washington Park

Exhibit Timeframe: December 7 -14, 2011. Holzwasser Gallery Hours: M-F 9-5, Sat 1-5

November 30, 2011
Turn Thanksgiving Leftovers into a Delicious Pot Pie (From Common Ground Bar and Grill)

If you don’t know what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers, here’s a great Thanksgiving Pot Pie courtesy of Common Ground Bar and Grill in Allston, Massachusetts.

Common Ground Thanksgiving Pot Pie

serves 8

Here is a great way to use those leftovers from your feast from the day before.  Start with the topping so it has time to cool while making your pie.

Filling:

1 cup carrots                                      1 cup peas2 cups turkey                                     2 cups red bliss potatoes

1 cup corn                                           2 tablespoons of garlic (chopped)

1 tablespoon thyme                       2 qts. caramelized onion gravy

1 cup mashed potatoes                 2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoon salt                                 1 teaspoon Ground fennel

1 tablespoon black pepper

Sautee garlic, add carrots, corn, boiled potatoes, peas, gravy, and chopped thyme.  Bring to a boil then add the cream, mashed potatoes and seasoning.  Stir til brought back to boil.

Crust:

1 tablespoon baking powder                      1 tablespoon salt2 cup apple corn stuffing                              1 egg

2 tablespoon sugar                                          2 cup flour

½ lb butter

Add all ingredients to mixing bowl then puree.  Place on flat surface and flatten to size of individual serving bowl and cut (should be a ¼ inch thick).  Par cook for 10 min. at 325 degrees..  Cut top of pie to size of serving dish.
Topping : Cranberry jam

1 teaspoon salt                                                 1 tablespoon Orange Zest1 cup Water                                                        2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon                                    2 cups of cranberries

Boil sugar and water, then add rest of ingredients.  Reduce heat to medium and simmer for ten minutes.  Remove from heat, puree and pour into serving dish. Let cool.

Complete:

Pour filling into crust then cover with top crust.  Pinch edges together.   Cook in oven at 325 degrees for about 15 mins. Or golden brown.

Take out of oven, add cranberry jam to top of Pot Pie  And serve to delighted guest.

November 16, 2011
Nutrition IQ Program at Shaws Supermarket and Healthy Recipes for Autumn

I went to a blogging event at Shaws last month and discovered fifteen minutes prior to event that Capability:Mom was going too, which was a nice surprise. It was nice to meet Boston bloggers Maven of Savin’, Masshole Mommy, Mommy Niri, The Coupon Goddess, Toy Queen, Charlene Chronicles and learn about the Nutrition IQ program at Shaws as well as sample healthy snacks and side dishes created by their nutritionist.

We met with Shaw’s nutritionist, Jennifer Shea, who helped develop the Nutrition IQ program which highlights healthy items throughout the supermarket. It’s great for people like me who search for healthy snacks for the kids! Look for these tags which also have nutritional information.

Jennifer also shared some great and delicious healthy recipes. My favorite was the smoothie!

Cinnamon Pumpkin Smoothies

6 ounces Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup unsweetened canned pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1-2 tablespoons honey

4 ice cubes.

Place ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Makes 2 servings and takes 5 minutes to make. Delicious too!

Apple Dip

6 ounces light vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon raisins

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (substitute soy butter if you want to pack it for the kids snack at school)

2 apples, sliced and cored

Mix everything together and serve with apple slices. Serves 4 and takes 5 minutes to whip up.

Saucy Spaghetti Squash

1 Spaghetti Squash

1/2 cup marinara sauce

1/4 cup shared or grated Parmesan cheese

olive oil

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Halve squash and remove seeds. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or wipe a quick layer of olive oil on pan. Drizzle olive oil over cut sides of squash. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast squash cut-side down until tender, about 45-50 minutes. Use oven mitt to remove from oven, and carefully use fork to scrape out strands of squash into dish. Careful, squash is HOT! Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. If you want to get fancy, you can broil the squash until the cheese is browned.

Individual Apple Pie

1 medium apple

2 tablespoons rolled oats

1 tablespoon raisins

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Core and dice apple and place into individual baking dish. Mix the rest of ingredients and place on top of apples. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until apples are tender.

p.s. For those who need more ideas for healthy grocery food shopping, I found these great lists at the Shaws site:

A Shopping List for Losing Weight

A Shopping List for Eating Healthy (or for someone with Diabetes)

A Shopping List for Eating Healthy for Kids

November 6, 2011