Moms Demand Action is meeting to write postcards to personally deliver to MA legislators in support of three Gun Violence Prevention Bills currently awaiting action in the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security! Information on the bills and sample language will be provided, so no homework is necessary! Please RSVP here: Postcards
January 16th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
French Press Bakery and Cafe, 74 Chapel Street, Needham
Congratulations to both the Newton South Jazz Ensemble and the Newton South Jazz Combo, who have won highly coveted places as finalists at the 12th Annual Charles Mingus Festival and High School Competition! Only 12 finalist ensembles are chosen from across the country, three in each category of Big Band, Combo, and Specialized School or Program Big Band and Combo. Newton South is the only non-performing-arts-specialized high school in the US to have won two places in this line up!
The competition takes place in NYC on February 16th, during February vacation, and is free and open to the public, if you would like to come and cheer on our students. Click here for more information.
Closer to home, you can enjoy their performances at the upcoming Winterfest II concert in the Newton South Seasholes Auditorium on January 23rd at 7:00 pm.
The Newton South Jazz Ensemble was also recently highlighted in a Boston Globe article about their Swingn’ Holidays concert in December, and the cause they were raising funds for – the Newton Music Ambassadors’ trip to Panama next week. Click here to read the article.
The Community Preservation Committee will consider converting to debt financing the portions of the CPA funding for 300 Hammond Pond Parkway (“Webster Woods”) previously recommended for direct funding. This revision would affect no other provision of the previous CPC recommendation or City Council orders for this project.
January 14th, 7:00 pm, Newton City Hall Room 204
The Newton Housing Authority’s proposal for accepting the affordable housing portfolio developed by CAN-DO is scheduled for a joint public hearing with the CPC (for a $1.5 million CPA request) and the Planning & Development Board (for a $426,744 CDBG request). Your written comments must be received by January 24th for forwarding ahead of this meeting.
February 11th, 7:00 pm, Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street, Newtonville
Both the January 14th meeting packet and the Housing Authority proposal are available from www.newtonma.gov/cpa. For assistance, contact Alice Ingerson at aingerson@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144.
Join a free screening and discussion of the film Intelligent Lives. Intelligent Lives stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities- Micah, Naieer and Naomie- who challenge the perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college and the workforce.
See the trailer here: https://intelligentlives.org
An RSVP required to reserve your seat. Please register below by February 3rd. If you need assistance filling out the form, please contact info@understandingourdifferences.org or call 617-559-6075.
Link to RSVP: https://understandingourdifferences.org/intelligentlives/
February 4th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Druker Auditorium, Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton
Zumba-thon To Support Hadassah’s Heart Health Program, Every Beat Counts. You do not need to be a Hadassah member or a JCC member to participate, this event is open to the public, friends and family welcome. Featuring Zumba instructors and a Live DJ. Suggested donation: $18.00 at the door.
For more information or to register, please email groupfit@jccgb.org.
February 9th, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Leventhal-Sidman JCC, 333 Nahanton Street, Newton
Teens and adults are invited to the Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices Expo for participative, informative exhibits; live music; free refreshments; and fun. Meet 30 community exhibitors who help teens navigate life’s pressures in order to stay safe and healthy. Get information about everything from vaping and personal safety to healthy eating and body confidence to stress reduction and mental health support. Sponsored by the Newton North PTSO, with support from Newton PTO Council.
This year’s expo will include the following free activities:
•6:15 pm – Mini-session: E-cigarettes, Vaping, and More: Know the Risks
•Treat bags for the first 50 students who come with their parent/guardian
•Prize drawing. Grand prize: AirPods
•A capella performances by student groups
•Henna tattoos
•Cookie decorating
•Boxing activity
•Science demos
See the expo poster here.
Find expo FAQs here.
See a short video about the expo here.
January 7th, 5:00-7:30 pm
Newton North High School
Join the next School Connections meeting. All are welcome to participate to share experiences and ideas. This group provides a forum for parents, students and educators to promote sustainability in Newton’s schools.
If your school does not yet have a Green Team, they can help to establish one. Representatives of the group participate in discussions to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias and are also advocating for more in-depth climate science to be taught in our schools, as well as setting up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building.
For more information contact schoolconnections@greennewton.org or visit www.schools.greennewton.org
January 9th, 3:45 – 5:00 pm
Newton Free Library, third floor arc area
Please join the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) for a presentation and discussion about Basic Rights in Special Education with Tim Sindelar, a Newton lawyer specializing in representing children and adults with disabilities. This event is geared towards parents new to special education, and for those who would like to know more about their basic rights.
No RSVP necessary. Questions? Please contact Newton SEPAC Board Member Eliza Spaulding at spaulding@newtonsepac.org.
January 15th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Newton Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Room 210
Meet with directors of meaningful summer enrichment programs for kids ages 12-18 at the Teen Summer Expo. Options for every interest and budget from local day programs to worldwide adventure.
Free and OPEN TO EVERYONE. Please pre-register at https://www.teensummerexpos.com/family-registration
January 27th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm
Newton South High School cafeteria
The Just Think: Teens Making Smart Choices Expo is the place to be for parents/guardians and their teens. The expo is a free, fun gathering of many non-profit organizations that support teens and families in Newton.
