Have you always wanted to learn now to sew? Hipstitch is a new sewing lounge and fabric store located in West Newton( behind West Newton Cinema) next to Cafe Laroma.

We have after-school classes for kids, teens and adults after school drop-off and Saturday drop in. This week, we have an afternoon (1-3pm) of sewing on Thursday Feb 2nd, Early Release day for Newton Schools. We’re making Valentines Day projects for our loved ones!  Sign up now or call 617 965 0880, Hipstitch 15 Spencer st West Newton.

The Waban Library Center presents “Get Healthy and Like it! “, a panel discussion on
Thursday, February 2, 7:30-9pm, at the Waban Library Center 1608 Beacon Street.  The panel includes:

• Dave Becker – chef and owner of the Needham restaurant, Sweet Basil, where he serves healthy, delicious, local food.
• Linda Crowe –  WLC volunteer and notable vegetarian, will share how she crafted a diet that helped her lower her cholesterol 40 points without drugs.
• Ellen Cohen-Kaplan – occupational therapist and fitness expert, will share some fitness and nutrition tips to keep you on track through the winter months and beyond.  She’ll also discuss the latest fitness guidlelines and show you how to set up a home gym for under $50.

For more information contact us at www.wabanlibrarycenter.org or  wabanlibrary@gmail.com or 617-244-0700.

LIFETIME LEARNING PROGRAM MANAGER

Lifetime Learning, an enrichment program for seniors sponsored by Newton Community Education (www.NewtonCommunityEd.org), is looking for an exceptional individual to run its program. The program has 2 8-week sessions running in the Fall & Spring. Responsibilities include overseeing and taking care of program planning, organization and off-site class logistics as well as marketing and PR. The right individual will also develop course curriculum and recruit, supervise and support volunteer speakers/performers and staff. This is a part time position, with compensation of $13,000 – $14,000/program year (2 terms), based on approximately 40 weeks @ 14-15 hrs/week (or what it takes), or around $20/hr.

Qualifications: The right person will be well organized, a good communicator and love to work with people, especially seniors. Previous experience with creating and programming adult education classes a plus. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel and experience with the Internet required. Ability to work alone is essential. Lots of energy and a sense of humor a must.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for curriculum development for two 8-week terms (fall and spring) — including planning, organizing and administering the program.
• Recruit, supervise, and support volunteer faculty and staff
• Plan programs for both Sound of Music and Distinguished Speaker Series
• Coordinate and implement Marketing and PR initiatives, including program flyer
• Oversee Registration of LTL participants
• Supervise program logistics at Temple Mishkan Tefila on its 16 days each year

If interested, please email Ed Hauben, NCE Director at ed_hauben@newton.k12.ma.us and copy Laurie Sweet, the current LTL Program Manager, at l_swett@hotmail.com. Please include a brief statement of interest and a little about yourself – or if more convenient call Ed at 617-559-6990.

Watertown Children’s Theatre (WCT) is accepting applications for its newest offering, the WCT Apprenticeship Program for high school students. The apprenticeship program provides the free opportunity to learn about mounting a professional theatrical production under the one-on one mentorship of a member of the WCT design team. Program participants are paired with mentors from the theatre’s professional production staff to ensure a high quality experience, apprenticing in one of three disciplines: costume, lighting and sound, or set and props design.

Apprentices will be selected through an application and interview process; students in grades 10– 12 are eligible to apply.  The program will occur over approximately 4 months, February – June, 2012. Selected apprentices will work on productions that are part of the regular WCT season. The program includes weekly meetings on-site with mentors, a monthly production meeting, individual work (research and design), and a concentrated period of time on-site during technical rehearsal weeks.

Applications are due Wednesday, February 1.  For more information or to receive an application form, call Kelly MacIsaac, Producing Director of Programming at 617.926.ARTS (2787) or visit www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org.

She’s not a teen, but she’s a Teen Librarian! Next time you’re at the Newton Free Library, stop by and say hello to Liz Rowland, a Wheaton College graduate who’s finishing her Master of Library and Information Science at Univ. of South Carolina. She’s eager to help teens and their parents with book suggestions, research and schoolwork help, and more.

Recent projects for the Teen Department include: a College Planning Process lecture, an online Homework Help Guide, and a celebration of National Gaming Day.  

Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Newton Spelling Bee at the Newton Cultural Center. The dates are April 2, 4, 9 & 11. This fun and educational Spelling Bee is open to all Newton children in grades K – 6. Children compete within their own grade level only. Space is limited, so sign up quickly! For registration and more information, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-527-8283.

Brookline Music School’s Term II (Spring) programs run January 31-June 17, offering a variety of classes and private instruction for all ages and abilities. Programs offered include early childhood music and movement and dance classes, Suzuki instruction, group classes including Beginning Piano, Group Voice, Music Technology, Garage Band, iPad Band, and Jazz Theory, as well as Jazz/Rock/Pop, Chamber and Flute Choir ensembles for kids, teens and adults. For detailed information visit www.bmsmusic.org.