Category Archives: Events

Human Rights Commission award ceremony

The Newton Human Rights Commission is delighted to announce that it has selected Dr. Janet E. Helms as the recipient of the 2017 Human Rights Award. This award recognizes a resident or employee working in the city who has demonstrated consistent, ongoing work in the field of human rights.

Mayor Setti Warren and Alisa Caira, Josie Joseph, Kimia Tabatabaei, and Khyla Turner, students from Newton North and Newton South High Schools, will also be recognized for their dedication to the issue of human rights in the Newton Community.

The award ceremony is open to the public and will take place on December 5th at 7:00 pm at the Druker Auditorium located in the Newton Free Library at 333 Homer Street. If you would like to attend, please RSVP (requested, not required) to slao@newtonma.gov.

Upcoming talk: how parents can help their students with writing assignments

Do you find it challenging to help your upper elementary or middle school student with writing assignments without conflict or tears? Jane Hirschhorn, a professional writing tutor, will offer 10 easy, practical tips parents can use to help their students with writing assignments.

This free talk is geared toward parents of students in grades 4 through 7. It will be held on December 6th at 7:30 pm in Room B of the Newton Free Library.

Holiday Lighting Ceremony

Start the Holiday Season off with a cheerful evening of songs, hot chocolate and fun! In the War Auditorium, sing-along with the Stacey Peasley Band – an award-winning band whose music is joyful and playful – as they play your favorite holiday songs. Then go outside to the front steps of City, and enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Newton Community Pride, or samples of Hood egg nog.

As you wear your complimentary glow-in- the-dark necklace you can watch a special
holiday “Rockettes” performance by the Creative Dance Steps Studio. All of this excitement builds up to the Grande Finale of Mayor Setti Warren flipping the switch that turns the grounds into a twinkling winterland!

New this year…”Stuff a Cruiser”! Please bring an unwrapped gift to fill a police cruiser with toys as part the Village Bank’s Holiday Gift Drive! In the spirit of giving for the season, please bring a donation for Food Pantries.

For more information, visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-796-
1540.

Maine Arts Camp Open House

If you are looking for a great overnight summer camp where your creative 9-16 year-old
can thrive, please join Friday morning at the home of Newton parent Anabel Cable to find out why Maine Arts Camp could be the perfect choice.

Located on the campus of Colby College, MAC is a small, friendly camp community that
is big on empathy and personal growth as well as creative opportunity. With an
extensive program of activities covering visual arts, theatre, music, dance, culinary arts,
robotics and rocketry, film-making, individual sports and more, all taught by
professional educators, and with access to Colby’s state-of- the-art facilities, Maine Arts
Camp offers exceptionally high quality instruction across a wide range of interests.

Find out more at www.maineartscamp.com. If you would like to attend the Open
House/Coffee Morning and meet camp director Rick Mades, please RSVP to
anabelcable@comcast.net for the address.

Maine Arts Camp Open House/Coffee Morning
December 8th , 8:30 – 10:00 am

Sign up for Boys & Girls Club Winter Programs Starting Now

Winter Basketball League for grades K-8 began Saturday (December 2nd ) with late sign ups still open and Boston Fencing returns for weekly practices beginning December 5th.
In addition to the Power Hour study times, this season there will be many new programs for making learning fun: including visits to the Museum of Fine Arts, Russian School of Math, Card Game Club, Story Time (for grades 1-3), Lego Civics with Right Brain Curriculum, 3-D Printing, Chess Club, and more!

The Newton BGC provides academic, athletic, and social activities that enable young people to grow as caring, responsible members of the community. All students are welcome here.

To sign up or explore the  programming, please visit: http://newtonbgc.com/.

PARENTING-Let’s Discuss!

Join Cindy Kaplan MA, Family/Parent Coach for some great discussions right in Newton Center! Thursday evenings, once a month. Either sign up for individual discussions or for all!

December 14th: What is Mindful Parenting and Why Does it Matter?
January 18th: When Your Kid Pushes Your Buttons and What You Can Do About it?
February 15th: Does Your Child’s Anxiety Make You Anxious?
March 15th: Step Out of Power Struggles and into Problem Solving
April 12th: What If You Are Not on the Same Child Rearing Page as Your Partner?
May 17th: Mastering the Art of Setting Clear Boundaries

Click Here: http://cindykcoaching.com/product/parenting-discussions/ or go to www.cindykcoaching.com to register.  Space is limited to 10 participants per evening.
Questions? e-mail cindy@cindykcoaching.com.

December events at Historic Newton

HOLIDAY SALE AT HISTORIC NEWTON MUSEUM SHOPS
Find distinctive gifts – all on sale – at Historic Newton’s two museum shops. Choose among cards made with fabric hand-woven by children at our fall Hayfest, as well as reproductions of watercolors painted by 19th century Jackson Homestead resident Ellen Jackson, and 3D images. Pick up a candle or a jar of our custom-made pear jam for a hostess gift or stocking stuffer. From picture books about the Underground Railroad to Newton memorabilia, our selection targets all ages.

Everyone receives a 10% discount; Historic Newton members take 25% off.
Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington Street and the Durant Kenrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue
Ongoing through December 31st,  Wednesday – Friday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Information: 617-796-1450 or 617-641-9142

HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF DURANT-KENRICK HOUSE
Built in 1734, the Durant-Kenrick House was the home of families who observed the winter holidays in different ways. Take a special tour of the house by candlelight led by Historic Newton staff, enjoy winter caroling, and sip hot cider and cocoa. Kids can create winter crafts, too. Space is limited. Advanced registration is recommended through historicnewton.org

December 17th, 5:30 pm
Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
Admission: $10 for non-members, $5 for Historic Newton members and children ages 10 and over. Children under 10, free.
Registration: www.newtonma.gov/candletour
Information: 617-641-9142

You’re invited to a music event for the whole Newton Community

Please join in a fun-filled evening in support of a great cause. Student ensembles from Newton North and South will provide live music. You’ll enjoy other entertainment including a raffle and silent auction. There will be light fare and a cash bar.

The benefit will raise funds for the Newton Music Ambassadors Scholarship Fund (MASF) which supports Newton high school student enrichment activities such as music travel & off-site performances, and private music lessons and summer music camps for students with limited means.

The mission of MASF is to empower Newton students to positively impact the world around them through music. Tickets will be $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for kids. To purchase tickets, click http://newtonmusicambassadors.seatyourself.biz/.

December 1st, 7:00 pm
Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown Street, Watertown

Newton Family Singers Celebrate the Music of Bob Marley

Lively Up Yourself, pack the minivan, and join the Newton Family Singers as they perform irresistible reggae tunes from Bob Marley. Adults $10.00/children $8.00, tickets can be purchased online: Tickets. Family-friendly, live music! See a flyer here: NFS. For questions email admin@newtonfamilysingers.org

In addition to enjoying a great concert, all net proceeds will be used to rebuild the Island Health & Wellness Center, a non-profit affordable medical facility that was destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, so that its medical staff can continue to serve their patients on the Caribbean Islands.

Sunday, December 10th, at 4:00 pm
The Ellsworth Theatre of Pine Manor College, 400 Heath Street, Chestnut Hill (free parking available on campus – please come early to park).

The Newton Family Singers is an intergenerational family chorus that brings together families and friends of all ages to sing American folk music.