Category Archives: Events

Drop off donations for Cradles to Crayons, April 28

Newton Girl Scouts in conjunction with Newton Serves, is organizing a clothing, book and toy drive for Cradles to Crayons, a local organization that distributes new & gently-used items to more than 15,000 kids –in-need in Massachusetts.

Donations can be dropped off at City Hall on Newton Serves Day: Sunday April 28th from 9:00 – 3:00. This is a great time to do some spring cleaning and help children in need by providing items essential for their safety, education or warmth.

Please make certain items are clean, with no stains or tears. Donations are tax deductible.

Russian Cultural Festival, April 19-21

A three-day “From Russia With Arts and Culture” Russian Festival returns to the Newton Cultural Center for a second year from April 19 – 21, with a weekend packed full of Russian artists, musicians, food, dances, costumes, demonstrations and a film screening and discussion.

The Festival opens on Friday, April 19th from 5pm – 9pm with a painting exhibition from the From Russia With Art Gallery, and musical performances including soprano Yelena Dudochkin and violinist Vera Rubin. There will be appetizers from local Russian restaurants and the screening of the award-winning film “Second Life – Boston”.

On Saturday from 10am – 7pm and Sunday from noon – 6pm, you can fully immerse yourself in Russian culture with discussions, demonstrations, stories, songs, dances, fashion and jewelry shows and browse unique Russian souvenirs for sale.
The full program of events is available online.

The Festival is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs and Newton Community Pride and their generous sponsors. Admission is free, but please bring a donation for the Newton Food Pantries.

Calling all Vendors

Do you have something to sell?; jewelry, crafts, specialty items, artisan breads or foods, cosmetics, clothes, to name a few.

Come share your creations with a booth at Waban Village Day, Sunday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This is the 9th Waban Village Day and it takes place in Waban Square on Woodward Street, right off of Beacon Street. This is a very popular event, fun for the whole family, with over 2,000 people participating in rides, food and crafts and local entertainment. If you are interested in a booth at Waban Village Day, please contact Liz at liznick@rcn.com For more information check out our website at, www.wabanimprovement.org

Join the Parade

Newton Veteran’s Council, the organizers of the city’s annual Memorial Day Parade, is looking for any schools interested in putting together a float, a marching band, or any other kind of organized group that can march in, or otherwise participate in, the parade.

This year, the parade will be held on Sunday, May 19. The parade typically commences at 2:00 pm and marches through Auburndale and Nonantum. The route is about a mile in length.

Please contact Tom Shoemaker (member of the Veteran’s Council and State Commander of the American Legion), for more information. He can be reached at 617-244-5182.

Newton Alumni Awards Celebration, April 27

Join the Newton Schools Foundation for an exciting evening celebrating Newton Alumni and showcasing innovation – past, present and future – in the Newton Public Schools. We will honor outstanding alumni from Newton North and South who are innovators in their respective fields. Proceeds from the event will benefit Newton’s Lab, the innovation hub of the Newton Public Schools.

Alumni Awards Celebration 2013
Saturday, April 27th
Newton South High School 7-10 p.m.

Chef stations, open bar (beer & wine) throughout the evening, along with lots of time to reconnect with old friends and make news ones. More details and tickets are on the Newton Schools Foundation website.

The event will honor these eight Newton alumni who have made a difference both locally and nationally.

Geeta Gandbhir, NSHS ‘88, Emmy Award-Winning Film Maker
Paul Guzzi, NNHS ‘60, President/CEO, Boston Chamber of Commerce
Matt Malone, NNHS ‘88, Massachusetts Secretary of Education
Jim Holzman, NSHS ‘78, President/CEO, Ace Ticket
Robin Saitz, NSHS ‘82, Senior Vice President, Solutions Marketing, PTC Inc.
Joseph DeNucci, NNHS ‘57, Former Massachusetts State Auditor
Enza Sambataro, NNHS ‘96, Past President, Youk’s Kids
Jeff Idelson, NNHS ‘82, President National Baseball Hall of Fame

Are you a Newton alum or do you know other Newton alumni? Please e-mail Jessica Souke at alumni@newtonschoolsfoundation.org with your name and contact information to help us spread the word and build our alumni network.

Parent Education Offerings from the Newton Partnership

The Newton Partnership is offering a variety of discussions and workshops this spring for parents of children from infants to adolescents. Topics include:
Helping Your Child Develop Empathy
Beyond a Bigger Backpack: The Transition to Kindergarten
Raising an Organized Child
Adolescent Psychology: The Parent Version
More events and details are on the Newton Partnership website.

Parent Education Offerings from the Newton Partnership

Newton Girls Softball seeks Student Umpires (paid)

Newton Girls Softball is looking for students, grades 8 and above, who have experience playing or umpiring softball or baseball to work as umpires during the spring season.

Interested students should attend an informational meeting on Thursday, April 4, at 7pm at the Albemarle fieldhouse.

NGS games are played Wednesday and Thursday at 5:45 and Sundays 3pm and 5pm. Umpires are paid:
– $15 per game: “1st year NGS umps” and/or attend middle school
– $20 per game: “1st year NGS umps” and attend high school; returning umps attending middle school
– $25 per game: returning umps attending high school; post-high school umps
– PLUS a $5 per game bonus for perfect attendance (payable at the end of the year).

If interested in this opportunity or in learning more, please contact Susan Boyer by email.

Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk, April 14

Spring is finally in the air, and it’s time to dust off those running shoes and join in the fun at the 21st annual Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk.

The race takes place on Sunday, April 14 (the day before the Boston Marathon), from 10:30am – 3:30pm, starting at Newton City Hall. The course is a 1/2 mile up and down famed Heartbreak Hill. The race is sanctioned by USA Track & Field, NE; and all runners receive a t-shirt, seedling tree, race medal and official digital clock timing. The 1st , 2nd & 3 rd place winners in each category receive a trophy.

Of course, there’s also is wild cheering, music, face painting and games with Lasell College students…and admiration all around!

The pre-race pasta/pizza party is a great way to start off the festivities, the day before the race on Saturday, April 13, at 5:30pm at Newton City Hall. The dinner is hosted by Papa Gino’s and Whole Foods Market and is free to all registrants and $3 per person for family and guests.

Not a runner? Join in the Family Walk at 3:00 or the shorter Intergenerational Walk around City Hall at 10:30am. Registration is online at the Newton Community Pride website.

Bike Donations Needed, April 28

Do you have an unused bike in your garage? Please consider how much it could benefit someone in a developing country. Get rid of clutter, keep trash out of landfills, and make a difference by donating a used bike to Bikes Not Bombs.

Bring bikes of any size or condition to the First Unitarian Church in West Newton, 1326 Washington St., on April 28th between 10am and 2pm along with a $10 donation per bike.

More information on the bike drive is online. Additional questions? Contact Joyce Pollock by email.