Monthly Archives: January 2012

Tutor–former Brookline and Concord teacher

Tutor, former Brookline and Concord teacher, 25 years experience (grades 1-12,) and certified Reading Specialist.  Available to tutor students in elementary, middle, and high school in academic subjects, writing, study, and organizational skills.  SAT / ACT / ISEE / SSAT prep.  Experienced with gifted and Special Needs students.  Build skills and confidence.  Excellent parent and professional references.  Please contact me to discuss your child’s needs. Cynthia Carpenter, (978) 952-8871, cscarp@gmail.com

Noise Exposure, Aging Ears and Hearing Loss — Jan. 19 at Newton Library

Sharon G. Kujawa, Ph.D. will speak on January 19 at 7:30PM at the Newton Library on issues related to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), age-related hearing loss and their long-term ramifications.  NIHL is a major health problem that significantly impacts communication and quality of life and, in theory, is largely preventable.  In practice, exposure to high-level sound is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss and inner ear damage. In spite of numerous attempts to regulate exposure and educate the public, there are reports that NIHL is increasing in younger segments of the population.

Sharon G. Kujawa, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Department of Audiology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She also serves on the faculty of the Harvard-MIT Program in Speech and Hearing Biosciences and Technology. Her research focuses on understanding how inner ear function is compromised by noise exposure, how noise-induced injury alters the aging of ears, and how these injury processes can be manipulated pharmacologically to reveal underlying mechanisms for treatment or prevention.

The co-existence of noise-induced and age-related hearing losses in the same person’s ears will impact an increasingly larger proportion of the population over time. Exposure to loud sound can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss and injures delicate structures of the inner ear. When sensitivity recovers after noise, it has been assumed that this indicates reversal of damage with no persistent or delayed consequences for auditory function. In contrast, new research has shown that loud sound exposures, even those that result in completely reversible sensitivity losses, can cause ongoing degeneration of the cochlear nerve. This neurodegeneration alters how ears age after noise, and likely contributes to speech-in-noise difficulties and other perceptual anomalies commonly associated with inner ear damage. The clear message from these studies is that noise is much more dangerous than has been assumed.

Ski Trips

The information for the ski/snowboard trips is:
Where:  Wachusett Mountain
Time:      Leave Bigelow 3pm-Return to Bigelow 10pm
Dates:    January 13
              February 10
              March 2
Forms-   Pickup in Rm G02        
              Return to rm. 213 or G02
More information see Ms. Martin in rm G02 or emailmeghan_martin@newton.k12.ma.us

Big Night Out is February 11th

Join us for Big Night Out, Feb 11th

 This annual event is a fundraiser for the Bigelow Middle School.
It’s an evening out for parents and staff to
meet and socialize while supporting the auction and raffle.

Proceeds will benefit the Bigelow Middle School.
Don’t miss it!

Click on the Big Night Out Page for more information and to buy tickets!

‘Race to Nowhere’ screening at Ward School, Jan. 19

The Ward School PTO is hosting a screening of Race To Nowhere on January 19 at 7PM at the John Ward School, 10 Dolphin Rd. Newton. Tickets may be purchased on line for $10.00, with a special online teacher and student rate of $5. To order tickets, go to: www.racetonowhere.com/screenings/ward-school. If seats are still available, tickets will be sold at the door for $15. The movie will be followed by a facilitator and panel discussion as well as audience Q and A. Questions may be directed to Stacy Schwartz, PTO-co-president, staschwartz@gmail.com.

Historic Newton — Events in January

  • Newton Community Weekend, Jan. 7-8
  • Historic Newton Book Club, Jan. 19
  • Newton Salutes Exhibit Celebration, Jan. 22
  • Historic Newton@Night, Jan. 26
  • List of current exhibits

Saturday and Sunday, January 7 and 8, noon-5:00 PM: NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND.  Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum. Start the New Year off with a visit to your city museum

Thursday, January 19, 7:30 PM: HISTORIC NEWTON BOOK CLUB MEETING.  This month’s book club selection is A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk and the Conquest of the American Continent by James Merry. In this thoughtful and entertaining history, Merry sheds light on Polk’s presidency and the goals Polk set for himself – all of which he achieved. They included cementing the annexation of Texas, resolving the dispute with Great Britain over the Oregon Territory, and, most importantly, provoking the Mexican-American war to position the United States to dominate the continent. The book is a compelling and perceptive portrait of a complex and controversial president. The book club is free and open to the public. New members are always welcome.

Sunday, January 22, 4:00-6:00 PM: NEWTON SALUTES EXHIBIT CELEBRATION.  Adams Street Synagogue: Celebrating our Centennial. The Adams Street Synagogue is Newton’s oldest synagogue. Dedicated in 1912, it is celebrating one hundred years of service to Newton’s Jewish community as an Orthodox synagogue serving a diverse congregation and the broader community. The synagogue, in Newton’s most diverse neighborhood, Nonantum, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The exhibit describes the history of the congregation, illustrated by historic photographs. Free.

Thursday, January 26, 6:30 PM: HISTORIC NEWTON@NIGHT: A TRIBUTE TO ANNE LARNER.  Please join us for this special evening that will honor Anne Larner, Board President of Historic Newton and an outstanding leader and community activist. Also featuring Tufts University’s own singing sensations, The BEELZEBUBS, this event will include cocktails, a light supper, and a chance to participate in an auction featuring radio personality, Matty Siegel of Kiss 108, as guest auctioneer. Proceeds from ticket sales will help underwrite a new education program in Anne Larner’s name at the newly renovated Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased online at www.historicnewton.org.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

Newton and the Civil War: In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Historic Newton will be featuring a changing exhibit showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War. Among the items on display will be prints, photographs, and Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) documents.

Peeking into Newton’s Toy Chest: The values and lessons toys teach us, as shown by the Historic Newton collection. Children’s attractions include hands-on toys and a model train on an elevated track.

Mapping a New Town: 1714-1874: Maps depicting Newton’s growth over the centuries; special activities for children are also featured.

Norumbega: Romance and Recreation by the River: An exhibit on Newton’s now vanished amusement park and swing-era ballroom.

Newton Salutes! 75 Years of the Newton League of Women Voters: Photos and artifacts highlighting the organization’s civic accomplishments.

The Newton History Galleries feature tools, furniture, clothing, and toys to illustrate the Newton of the past.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM weekends. It is closed on Mondays. Please note: our Abolition Room is temporarily closed for installation of our new exhibition on this theme, which will open in February 2012. If you need special assistance for any of these programs or exhibitions, please call 617.796.1450.

Community Preservation Act discussion, Jan. 24

How would you allocate nearly $20 million for affordable housing, historic resources, open space & recreation land in Newton over the next 5 years? Come tell us on Tuesday, January 24th from 7-9 pm at Warren House, 1600 Washington Street in West Newton. Enjoy a slide show about past CPA projects & neighborhood history. Add your ideas for future projects to our interactive maps. Refreshments provided! For more information, see www.newtonma.gov/cpa or contact Alice E. Ingerson at 617.796.1144 or aingerson@newtonma.gov.