Category Archives: Community Notes

New music school

Announcing the grand opening of the Maestro Musicians Academy at the Young Israel of Brookline in Coolidge Corner. Expert lessons in violin, viola, and cello. Perfect for children ages 4 and up.

Stellar faculty with emphasis on developing the potential of every unique student. Sign up for one week of our introductory sessions from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on June 24th-30th, July 22nd-28th, and August 19th- 25th.

Contact Artistic Director Daniel Broniatowski,  D.M.A. at 857-756-5230 or view the website. Parent tested, child approved!

Best-selling author Andrew Solomon in Newton

The Newton Partnership and Understanding Our Differences are honored to be hosting best-selling author Andrew Solomon in Newton on June 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at Newton North High School.

Solomon’s book Far From the Tree is a magnificent work about extraordinary families of individuals affected by cognitive, physical or psychological differences.  Its focus is on parents who not only learn to cope with their exceptional children, but also find profound meaning in doing so. This thought-provoking book affirms the values of empathy and acceptance and is relevant for all kinds of parents and families.  Books will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the event.

Registration is required at  http://understandingourdifferences.org/far-from-the-tree/.
Suggested donation is $5 at the door.  For a preview, view this YouTube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bWH0DD800I.

31st Annual Newton House Tour

Get your tickets now for the tour on Sunday, May 19, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Featuring private homes that highlight interior design, architecture, and historic renovation throughout Newton, the House Tour benefits Historic Newton’s programming. 
 
Advance sale tickets: $25 for Historic Newton members/$35 for nonmembers. Ticket prices increase $5 the day before the tour.
 
Buy your tickets now online or call 617-796-1450.

Waban Library Center presents…

Fiction Writing for Children Workshop (Adults only)

Over the last 20 years, the market for children’s novels has exploded. Yet writing for these age groups is challenging and more complicated than it may seem. In this workshop, local children’s book author Karen Day will introduce you to the world of novel writing for children. This will include an overview of the industry as well as tips on how to get started. 

Participants will write, share and discuss their work. No experience is necessary.This workshop will meet on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm and run for four consecutive weeks: May 30th, June 6th, June 13th and June 20th.  The fee for this four week workshop is $150. Karen Day has published middle grade novels TALL TALES, NO CREAM PUFFS and A MILLION MILES FROM BOSTON. . You may read more about her at www.klday.com. To register, please go to the http://www.wabanlibrarycenter.org/and print out the registration form.  If you have any questions, please email us at wabanlibrary@gmail.com.

Poems, Prayers, & Songs for Peace + Unity, May 20

Poems, Prayers, and Songs for Peace and Unity: An Interfaith Call for Healing and Peace in our World

In honor of the victims and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings. Donations to the One Fund for the victims will be accepted.

Come join others from many faiths to share your hopes, wishes, and dreams for peace in our world and unity among our human family. Bring a poem, prayer or song to share or just come to listen and be with others who share a similar interest in peace and unity.

All ages are welcome. An art table will be available for anyone who wishes to draw or create something. Light healthy refreshments will be served at the close of the program.

Newton Free Library, Druker Auditorium
Monday, May 20th
3:45-5:00pm

Sponsored by the Newton Bahá’í Community and the Peacemakers Class of Newton

Health & Safety events at Newton Boys & Girls Club

The Newton Boys & Girls Club offers workshops and programs as part of its Annul Health and Safety Week celebration. The Club will have visits from the Newton Police Department, Newton Fire Department, Middlesex Sheriff’s Department, Suicide Prevention, and more! We hope that you will encourage your child or teen to attend. All activities are free and no reservation required.

Monday, May 13 @ 3:00PM
MEDA located in Newton MEDA specializes in eating disorders and promoting healthy eating & body image. They’ll be at the club to talk about their experience with eating disorders such as Bulimia, Anorexia and Binge Eating. Middle School & up

Tuesday, May 14 @ 3:00PM
Bill Phillips from New Beginnings will be at the Club once again, to make another impact on our members. He shares his life story of addiction and recovery, in an honest and hands on way. Middle School & up

Wednesday, May 15 @ 3:30PM AFSP – Suicide Prevention
Melanie Varandy will talk to our teens about depression. They will watch a video, and have a talk on depression, bullying, etc. What are the signs of depression, what to look for, who to call, and where to go.  Middle School & up

“Best of Season Bash” at School of Rock Boston, June 2

School of Rock Boston, an after-school young musicians’ collaborative whose enrollment is comprised of 42% Newton residents, is hosting their first annual Best of Season Bash on Sunday, June 2nd from 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Boston (22-24 Clinton Street).

Enjoy bands, vendors, brunch, prizes in a family-friendly yet edgy rock ‘n roll atmosphere. Tickets are $15 per person. More event info is available online.

Zoo Camp Registration now Open

Give your child an incredible experience at Zoo Camp this summer. Campers learn about a new theme every day through hands-on-activities designed to engage youth and get them excited about the natural world. At Zoo Camp, located nearby in the Franklin Park Zoo, your child will meet animals up close, tour behind the scenes, make new friends, and grow — all under the leadership of our diverse, enthusiastic, caring staff.

Ages 6-13.
Junior ZooKeeper for ages 12-13 with even more behind the scenes.
Monday-Friday 9-3, extended care available

Sessions:
July 1-12
July 15-26
July 29-August 9
August 12-16
Flexible pricing structure as low as $220 per week.

Register online or call 617-745-4150 for more information.

Summer Program at Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Walnut Hill School for the Arts and the New Art Center in Newton—two of the region’s most respected arts institutions—have created a new Summer Visual Art Program for artists in grades 7–12 who are interested in refining their skills in visual art, while exploring new disciplines and techniques.

The three-week program, July 20 – August 16, allows students to experience Ceramics, 2-D Mixed Media or 3-D Mixed Media, Drawing and Painting, Visual Art Career Exploration, and Portfolio Preparation. Each week, students will select one class for the entire morning and two different classes for the afternoon.

The program takes place on Walnut Hill’s scenic 30-acre campus in Natick, utilizing the School’s wide range of visual art studios. Classes are taught by a diverse group of talented faculty from both organizations. Lunch is provided each day, and there will be opportunities for a daily swim in Walnut Hill’s outdoor pool (weather permitting). At the close of the three weeks, students will exhibit their artwork in a formal gallery exhibition and reception for family and friends.

More information, including registration, is on the Walnut Hill website. 

Plant Swap to raise funds for METCO scholarship fund, May 18

Ferns creeping out of bounds? Hostas growing like weeds? Lily of the Valley taking over your yard? Now is the time to thin your garden. Don’t put those Iris divisions into the compost bin. Trade them in!

Bring a plant – Take a plant at the 4th Annual Plant Swap on Saturday, May 18, from 11am – 2pm at 27 George Street (near Centre and Cabot intersection).

Use flower pots, milk cartons, coffee cans, yogurt tubs, even plastic bags to pot up your cast-offs. Labels would be nice. Early drop-offs are fine.

Exchanges are free, but please consider the donation box marked “Newton METCO Scholarship Fund.” An annual project started by a Bigelow Middle School student, now at NNHS, to benefit his METCO classmates through the best of ‘recycling’. Questions? Email Barbara Howard.