Category Archives: Community Notes

Maximizing Social Media to Market Your Business

Come hear social media and marketing experts share their tips for effectively using social media to market your business. Our distinguished panelists and moderator will share their collective experience on use of LinkedIn, Facebook, Google plus, SEO and other media tools and methods to increase visibility, credibility and revenues for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Come network, have some nibbles, and learn a few new tricks for marketing your business! And, if you have burning questions that you’d like to submit in advance to be sure the panelists cover the topics, you can do so through the RSVP link below.

Tuesday, March 4th
6:30-7:00 pm Networking
7:00-8:00 pm Panel Discussion and Q&A
8:00-8:30 pm Wrap up and Networking
Waban Library Center, 1608 Beacon St, Waban

RSVP: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F044EA5AA23A31-thenewton/15312666 Presented by The Newton Network. $10 suggested contribution at the door (to cover admission and refreshments).

Panelists:
Diane Greer. Diane is program manager at Newton Schools Foundation. She has 25 years of public relations and marketing experience in a variety of industries including travel, consumer goods, non-profit, and banking. She has expertise in project management, written communication, special events, operational logistics and database management.

Karen Yankovich. Karen is the owner of the DiMare Group. She helps business owners develop and maintain a cohesive, authentic and professional online presence, so that they can leverage platforms such as LinkedIn and Google+ to increase revenue. She has 14 plus years of experience leveraging online media tools to help companies with their marketing plans.

Victoria Nessen Kohlasch. Victoria is the founder of NK&A, a marketing consulting firm. She helps companies build the brand momentum they need to achieve their growth goals. The firm specializes in delivering marketing strategies that define a path to successful growth, branding that connects emotionally to the right audience, and implementation plans that capitalize on internal resources, technology and a good dose of common sense.

Alison Morra. Alison is Vice President at Inkhouse PR. She manages account teams that work on campaigns, social programs, messaging, and media relations efforts. She has developed and managed communications programs for corporate, real estate, finance, professional services, and consumer clients.

Moderator:
Alison Simons. Alison is founder of Simons Marketing, LLC. Alison uses her decade of professional services marketing experience to provide mid-sized firms with high level marketing strategy and hands-on execution on a part-time, salable basis. She earned both a BS in Marketing and an MBA from Boston College and is a Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.

Book reading event

Newton Author, Boston Globe writer, and Oak Hill dad Neil Swidey will be reading from his acclaimed new book, Trapped Under the Sea, on Wednesday, February 26th at 7:00 pm at Harvard Book Store in Cambridge and on Thursday, February 27th at 7:00 pm at Newtonville Books in Newton Centre.

Dennis Lehane calls the book “extraordinary – it bears comparison with The Perfect Storm in its brilliant evocation of everyday, working class men thrust into a harrowing, at times heroic confrontation with death and disaster.” Neil’s book tells the gripping true story of five men who were sent into a dark, airless, miles-long tunnel, hundred of feet below the ocean, to do a nearly impossible job – with deadly results. For more on the book and other events after Harvard, please go to www.trappedunderthesea.com/events.

Register for Newton Girls Softball before February 28th

Newton Girls Softball is a recreational league for over 300 Newton girls in grades 1-7. The league is committed to providing an experience that fosters positive self-esteem, team spirit, and individual growth through personal achievement and as a team member. Players of all skill levels will have a fun and rewarding experience.

Please visit www.NewtonGirlsSoftball.org for more details and/or to register on-line.
February 28th is the last date to register with guaranteed placement and pair-me-with requests. After February 28th: Placed on wait list without “pair-me-with” rights

Opening Day: Sunday, April 27, 2014

Waban Area Council meeting

The Waban Area Council meeting originally scheduled on February 13th has been rescheduled for next Thursday, February 27th, at 7:30 pm in the Cafeteria in City Hall’s basement. The revised agenda is available for you to view in advance at www.wabanareacouncil.com.

Waban residents especially should visit the website and enter their e-mail addresses so that they may receive meeting notices and be made aware of urgent Waban issues in a timely fashion!

Coffee House benefits children in Africa

The annual Youth Coffeehouse will be held on March 1st, 7 :00 to 11:00 pm. This event featuring and organized by students from Newton Public Schools is a benefit for vulnerable children in Africa.

The coffeehouse begins with acoustic and comedy acts. After intermission, a number of live bands will perform. All proceeds from ticket sales, food, t shirts, and crafts from Zambia are donated to Communities Without Borders, a non-profit organization that supports the education and well-being of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children living in and around Lusaka, Zambia. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, although additional donations are welcome. For more information see: www.fusn.org/content/coffeehouse or call 617-527-3203.

First Unitarian Society
1326 Washington St.
West Newton

Baby it’s still cold outside! And snowy and icy and slushy…

Older adults, members of Newton at Home, need your help. Consider becoming a volunteer for Newton at Home. Drivers are needed to accompany members to appointments, shopping and trips to Logan Airport. As residents of Newton you know your way around! Please be in touch to support a growing community of neighbors-helping-neighbors.
Please call Julie Plaut Mahoney at 617-795-2560 or email: volcoord@newtonathome.org and THANKS.

Franklin School Auction

Franklin Elementary School PTO in West Newton, MA is holding an ONLINE fundraising auction from March 7th – March 28th. Open to all, the auction features great deals on area entertainment, restaurants, classes, camps, museums, services and the like. When you bid, you win great fun at a fraction of retail price and the PTO uses the proceeds of the auction to enhance the education of students at Franklin Elementary School in West Newton.

Check It Out, Bid, and Spread the Word! www.biddingforgood.com/franklinauction

Cupcakes on Centre in Newton Centre Has Gone Nut Free!

Now a Nut Free environment offering nut free Cupcakes, cakes, cookies. Gluten Free option available. Custom made cakes available for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc! Call Elizabeth at 617- 244-3232.

Mention this email and receive: $1.00 off your next order
or $5.00 off a dozen. Consider Cupcakes on Centre for your Sweet Tooth needs.

Free February Vacation Week Gym Events for Middle School Kids

Monday, February 17th:
Like Basketball and Hockey?
Instructor: Mark Beshansky from Higlands After School Program
Mark will begin by focusing on your passing, shooting, and defensive drills. Then play basketball and hockey using the skills you have just perfected. No experience required!

Tuesday, February 18th:
Cheer Dance Worksop
Instructor: Gemma Santamaria from Paulette’s Dance Studio
Gemma was a co-captian of the Needham HS Varsity Dance Team, bringing them to the state championship in 2009 with her choreographed routine. In addition to dancing, Gemma works for Mix 98.5 radio station — how cool is she?

Wednesday, February 19th:
Fantastic Frisbee Fun
Instructor: Todd Brodeur
Todd Brodeur is a two-time freestyle champion who entertains and teaches his audience with frisbee shows and playshops. Frisbee flipping is a fun and exciting way to be active!

Thursday, February 20th:
Self Defense Workshop and Demo
Instructor: Paul Shuster from Clark’s Self Defense in Waban
Learn from the master! Paul Shuster is the head instructor at Clark’s Self Defense and is trained in Kempo Karate, Ju Jitsu, and Aikido

Friday, February 21st:
Learn New Moves! Hip Hop Workshop
Instructor: Kassandra Radeau from Phunk Phenomenon
Does Kassandra sound familiar? That’s because she was on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 6! Kassandra has also received tons of awards and medals, and loves to teach hip hop to students.

Sponsored by the Newton Highlands Community Development Corp. and The Newton Partnership. For more information: 617.527.3308 or http://thenewtonpartnership.org/attend-an-event/?month=feb&yr=2014

2:00-4:00 pm all week. All events will take place at Hyde Community Center Gym, 90 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands

Feb. Vacation Teen Programs at Newton Free Library

Teen Crafternoons, Tuesday, February 18, 3:30 pm

Get creative on Tuesday, February 18 at 3:30 pm in the second floor Teen Area of the Newton Free Library where we will be hanging out working crafts.

Wearable Wednesday, Wednesday, February 19, 3:00 pm (Teens) and 7:00 pm (Families and Adults)

Create your own wearable art! We’ll be experimenting with EL Wire to make wearable EL Wire Art! EL Wire is a flexible, glowing wire that is powered by small battery packs. Deck out your clothing, glasses, lunch box, messenger bags, hoodie, necktie, bike or ski helmet. It’s easy to use to spice up any outfit. Feel free to bring your own clothing or items to decorate, or use what we have available. Kevin Osborn, local Maker and long-time engineer with a passion for teaching people to create things they may never have dreamed of, will lead the workshop. The Teen session is open to grades 6-12. Space is limited at both sessions. Register online, call 617-796-1389 or email.

“Ender’s Game” Movie Screening, Friday, February 21, 3:00 pm

Based on the classic dystopian novel by Orson Scott Card, we will be holding a screening of the film “Ender’s Game” in Druker Auditorium. Rated PG-13, run time 114 min. Open to ages 13 and up. Snacks will be provided.

Teen Writing Workshop, Saturday, February 22, 2:00 pm

Join local YA writer, Kirsten Feldman, in the Newton Free Library Teen Area. Bring a writing sample to share with the group – a story, article, poem, or novel in the works – something you will think will grab the reader’s/listener’s attention. Ms. Feldman will read from her first book, No Alligators in Sight. The group will have the opportunity to comment on and ask questions about each piece as well do some writing, time permitting.