Category Archives: Events

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Join in a spirited sing-along of holiday favorites with the award-winning Stacey Peasley Band. Beloved by audiences young and old, the band’s joyful style is sure to get the whole family singing along.

Then, join Mayor Setti Warren as he flips the switch that turns the City Hall grounds into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights. Admission is free. Light refreshments. Please bring a non-perishable item for the Newton Food Pantries. www.newtoncommunityrpride.org for more information.

December 4th, 4:00 – 5:15 pm
Newton City Hall

Holiday Craft Show

It happens every holiday season…“What can I get for Aunt Sarah? My next-door neighbor’s baby? My boss?” With 50 artisans displaying their one-of-a-kind treasures, you are sure to find something for the most discerning person on your shopping list at the Newton City Hall Holiday Craft Show. Admission is Free!

As you wander the many hallways and the beautiful auditorium of Newton City Hall, stall upon stall of jewelry, hats and scarves, pottery, cards, handcrafted pens, baby clothes, glass works, paintings, purses, linens, small furniture and so much more will help you solve your gift giving challenge this year. Be sure to pick up a map when you arrive as the booths are tucked into every nook and cranny of the building and you don’t want to miss any! With ample free parking on the streets around City Hall; both east and west entrances will be open. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Newton Food Pantries. For more information, please visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

December 6th, 10:00 am – 5:00pm
Newton City Hall

Info Session on Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Do you employ someone who works in your home? If so, you will most likely be affected by a new state law — the Massachusetts Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights (DWBR). The law will give basic protections to privately hired nannies, housekeepers and care givers who work in our homes – protections that other workers have had for decades and that many of us take for granted.

If you are interested to learn about the DWBR, which was signed by Governor Patrick in July 2014, and goes into effect on April 1st, 2015., join this information session. Lydia Edwards of the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers and Marya Axner of the New England Jewish Labor Committee will be there to answer questions and to provide materials to help you and your employees make a smooth transition to the new law. This will be an employer friendly environment!

Please RSVP, if you plan to attend, to Beth Polasky at samissie@comcast.net or 617-244-5675.

December 1st, 7:15 pm
26 Walter Street, Newton

The Newton Solar Challenge

The Newton Solar Challenge is a City-wide residential solar campaign sponsored by Green Decade Newton, the City of Newton Sustainability Office, and Newton-based BarnRaise Energy. The Newton Solar Challenge provides: preferred pricing for Newton residents, American-made solar equipment, high-quality regional solar installers and “solar loans” from local banks to support residential ownership.

The Newton Solar Challenge will have two “Solar Workshops” for interested Newton homeowners at the Auburndale Community Library. In the Solar Workshops, the team will give a brief presentation and then will have interactive “breakouts” in small groups covering:

  • How would solar work at my house?
  • How would it “look” on my house?
  • Show me the numbers !
  • How does solar reduce increasing utility bills (NSTAR’s recent 29% increase) ?
  • How do the numbers work to provide a payback on a solar investment ?
  • Solar Loans: How will solar loans enable residential ownership and help make the numbers even better ?

The Solar Challenge will introduce Newton-based Village Bank’s new “solar loan” solution and have a banking representative available in the breakout session. This is an opportunity to learn and get involved in an informational, community-based setting. To learn more, visit http://www.newtonsolarchallenge.com/

Coffee, soft drinks and desserts will be provided

November 16th, 4:00 pm
November 19th, 7:00 pm
Auburndale Community Library
375 Auburn Street, Auburndale

Veterans Day Donation Drive/Win an iPad Mini

The Mayor’s Office is encouraging Newton residents to support our troops on Veterans Day by donating an item from the following 5 categories:

  • snacks such as nuts, pretzels and dried fruit;
  • food such as canned soup, ramen and tuna;
  • powdered drink mixes such as Gatorade or Crystal Light;
  • coffee, including flavored and regular as well as tea bags and hot chocolate; and
  • gently used cell phones which will be recycled to purchase international calling cards for active-duty military deployed overseas.

Each person or family that donates an item will be entered to win an Apple iPad mini. Refreshments will be served courtesy of Dunkin Donuts and Finagle a Bagel. For more information please visit www.newtonma.gov/veterans. Poster available here: Veterans Day flyer 2014.

Check out this great event which is designed to be a family interactive event. Fun for all ages including the children’s activities such as writing to our troops, a coloring station and military vehicles.

Tuesday, November 11th, 10:00 – 11:00 am,
Post 440, 295 California Street

Next Newton Leads Village Meet-up

The next “Newton Leads: Ideas and Action” Village meet-up is scheduled for this Thursday. Newton Leads will be partnering with the Chestnut Hill Association for the Chestnut Hill meet-up. City Department Heads and Mayor Warren will be available to answer questions and listen to feedback and ideas in a casual, drop-in format.

They will also host a virtual meet-up online beginning at 7:30 pm for anyone who is unable to attend the meet-up. Residents will be able to stream the webcast from their computers and participate by asking questions and sharing ideas online. If you would like to submit a question or idea, you can do so by clicking here, any time before or during the virtual meet-up. Join the conversation on Thursday at 7:30 pm by clicking here.

November 13th, 6:30 pm
Church of the Redeemer
379 Hammond Street
Chestnut Hill

Holiday Shopping Bazaar

Holiday items beckon for all ages! Stalls and tables spill forth treasures new and old, at two churches within a block of each other:

  1. Second Church, UCC, 60 Highland St.(starts 9:00 am) and
  2. First Unitarian Society of Newton, 1326 Washington St. (starts 9:30 am).

There’ll be kids’ toys galore and a spectacular Doll’s House Raffle.. Shoppers can look through books for all ages, buy handmade knits and homemade jellies or purchase decorated Christmas wreaths. Both churches offer a munch and lunch while listening to live holiday music and a Silent Auction. Free parking is available for all patrons in Second Church’s Highland and Chestnut Street lots.

Saturday, December 6th, 9:00 am or 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

For more information, please contact either church:
First Unitarian Society of Newton– http://www.fusn.org; 617-527-3203
Second Church in Newton, UCC– http://www.2ndchurch.org; 617-244-2690

Holiday Gift Fair

Over 30 Vendors selling Holiday Ornaments, Gift, Toys, Dolls and Doll clothes, Jewelry, Handmade Crafts, Blankets, Shawls, Avon, Tupperware, Knitted and Crochet Items and much more

Light refreshments will be available; Free Parking
Donation at the door $1.00, children under 12 free

November 16th, 10:000 am – 4:00pm
American Legion Post 440
295 California St

Sponsored ny the American Legion Nonantum Unit Post 440 Family. All proceeds are going towards the Elevator Fund for the Post 440.

Newton Community Preservation Committee Agenda for November 20th

The CPC’s agenda includes advisory discussion of an affordable housing pre-proposal in West Newton and possible revisions to the CPC’s current Funding Guidelines.

The Guidelines discussion will not include the Parks & Recreation Dept.’s criteria for its own proposals to the CPC, which will be discussed at a later meeting.

For additional information, see the program website, www.newtonma.gov/cpa or contact Alice E. Ingerson, Community Preservation Program Manager, aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144.

Thursday,  November 20th,  7:00 pm
City Hall, Room 209