The Arsenal Center for the Arts offers a full spectrum of classes and workshops beginning the week of March 25 and later.

Children’s classes (for four age groups) include Beginning Artists, Clay for Kids, Mixed-Media, Comics and much more. Fun parent-child workshops are also available. A complete list of classes is available online.

Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown, with free parking and access to public transportation. Scholarships and member discounts are available. To register, call 617-923-0100, ext. 309, or print & mail the registration form.

Curious about 3D printing? Intrigued by innovations in advanced manufacturing?

MassBay Community College cordially invites middle school students, parents, and guardians to attend a Metrowest Tinkershop on Thursday, March 14, at MassBay’s Wellesley Hills Campus. This innovative event is designed to spark an interest in advanced manufacturing and will feature projects especially for middle school students.

Thursday, March 14, 6-8PM
MassBay Wellesley Hills Campus (just off Route 9), room 320
Light refreshments will be served.

This event is sponsored by Massachusetts AMP it up! Advanced Manufacturing Program and is offered in partnership with MetroWest STEM Education Network (MSEN). Event is free, but early registration is required. Register soon. Space is limited.

For more information or to register, contact Chitra Javdekar, Ph. D. , chair of engineering dept., via email. 

NOTE: Location has been changed to accommodate audience demand. Seating is limited – be sure to register .

Newton’s high school students and their parents are invited to hear the amazing story of former Boston Celtic Chris Herren, who will speak at the Newton North Exhibition Gym at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 13.

Do not miss this chance to hear a local basketball legend describe his journey from high school phenom to the NBA, his gradual decent into substance abuse, and his resurrection as an activist for sobriety.

Herren, who is from Fall River, Mass., has been featured on 60 Minutes, was part of ESPN’s “30 for 30″ series in a documentary called “Unguarded” and written an autobiography, “Basketball Junkie”. His presentation offers a very powerful message to students and student-athletes about dealing with success, dealing with adversity, dealing with situations that come in the community, in classroom, and on the playing field.

The presentation is free to the first 500 who register. Click here to reserve your seat.

You are invited to the first ever staged marathon reading of the book, Wonder, on Saturday, March 16 from 9:00am- 7:30pm, at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street. Come for the entire reading or for parts that you particularly want to hear.

R.J. Palacio’s bestseller Wonder is the story of an ordinary 10-year-old boy, born with an extraordinary face, which explores themes of bullying, empathy, kindness and ultimately acceptance. The cast is comprised of 14 actors and 55 community readers. Taking the lead role of Auggie is Chapin Galowitz, a 6^th grader at Oak Hill, appearing with his parents, Pamela and Adam Galowitz who play Auggie’s parents.  8th grade Oak Hill student Abby Lass will play the role of Via, and Zervas teacher Michael Stern will play Mr. Browne. The cast includes retired Zervas Principal Steve Griffin and Adam Brown, Chair of Newton North High School’s Theatre Ink.

Children are invited to submit a Wonder-inspired drawing, painting, or collage that embrace the themes of inclusiveness, kindness, courage and friendship for an art exhibition which will be on display all day. Artwork should be dropped off to the Newton Cultural Center no later than Wednesday, March 13.

More info is available at the Newton Youth Players website or by calling 617-796-1540.

The event is supported by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Understanding Our Differences, and Newton Community Pride. A grant from the Newton Cultural Council underwrites the event.

This free workshop from the Multi-service Eating Disorders Association will offer techniques and strategies to help parents of students ages 10-14 foster the development of positive body image and a healthy relationship with food. 

Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm a
Day Middle School (Library), 21 Minot Place, Newtonville

Does your child seem preoccupied with her appearance and weight? Do you wonder if your son’s exercise habits have become too intense? Maybe you aren’t even sure if you should be worried? Given that hospitalizations of children under 12 with eating disorders jumped 119% between 1999 and 2006, it is hard to even know what “normal” is for kids these days.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT PARKING AT DAY MIDDLE SCHOOL:
This event will be held in the library. Please park in the back of the school (Albermarle Field side) or along Albermarle Rd. by Gath Pool. Enter via the entrance under the painted mural at the back of the school building. Please enter in the rear of the building (by Albermarle Field).

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education hosts an open presentation by Megan Rozantes, M.S., CCC-SLP.

Speech and language disorders affect one’s ability to talk, understand, read, and write. Such disorders have different causes, and may range from a few speech sound errors to a total loss of the ability to communicate effectively. This presentation will provide an in-depth look into the diagnostic process of Speech & Language Evaluations and Therapy for young children.

Monday, March 11
9:00 to 10:30 AM (Networking beginning at 9:00 AM)
100 Walnut Street (room 210), Newtonville 

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education.

Questions, contact Eileen or Lisa via email.

Enjoy a day of Chinese music, dance, martial arts, chorus and costumes at Newton’s first citywide Chinese Cultural Festival on Saturday, March 9th from 9:30 – 5pm. The Newton Cultural Center at 225 Nevada Street in Newtonville is hosting this exciting event, celebrating and embracing the value and awareness of cultural diversity in our community.

From 9:30 to noon, children can delight in the great selection of games and crafts activities, and other surprises. Adults and teenagers can participate in two morning panel discussions exploring compelling themes in contemporary Chinese American life.

The stage performances begin at 1pm, with dance, chorus, music, martial arts and other lively entertainment. This event is sponsored by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs and Newton Community Pride. Admission is free, but please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Newton Food pantries. A complete porgram is avalable at online.

The annual Youth Coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Society in Newton will be held Saturday, March 2 at 7 PM.

This youth-produced event is a benefit for AIDS orphans at the Chawama Family Home in Zambia. All proceeds from ticket sales, snacks, tee shirts, and Zambian items go to the Chawama FamilyHome.

The event starts at 7 PM with acoustic and comedy acts.  At 9pm, local bands hit the stage.  Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students. Additional donations are welcome.  The event is held at the Parish Hall at 1326Washington St., West Newton.  More information is online or available by phone at (617) 527-3203.