The Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally-touring marionette company whose unique productions have been seen by hundreds of thousands of children and families across the country. Newton Cultural Development is proud to present their show, The Dragon King, at 11am and 1pm on Thursday, February 24 (February vacation week).

In this show, a terrible drought has overtaken the land, the world has turned brown and lifeless, and the people are beginning to wonder why The Dragon King, ruler over all things water, has not delivered life-giving rains in a very long time. An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, The Dragon King tells the tale of an intrepid Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea in search of the elusive Dragon King and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above. 

Don’t miss the beautifully hand-crafted marionettes, colorful sets, and fully immersive theatrical experience for all ages. Advanced ticket purchase is required.

More information and ticket sales can be found on this page. These shows always sell out, so order your tickets today. If you need scholarship assistance, email culture@newtonma.gov.

Please join us tomorrow night, Friday February 10th from 9:00-9:50 pm, for an Ice Skaking Fundraiser at Warrior Ice Arena. Tickets are $15 (includes skate rental) and will be sold at the event.

On Tuesday, March 14th, Newton voters will decide on an override proposal that would provide $4.5 million to the Newton Public Schools (NPS) operating budget.

NPS presented a Budget Preview for the 2023-24 school year to the School Committee on Monday January 23rd to show how the proposed operational override impact NPS. The presentation included two budget scenarios. One budget reflected the impact of supporting the school budget with $4.5 million via approval of the override. The other budget showed the impact on the budget if the override is NOT approved and the additional $4.5 million is not available to the district.

You can review the power point presentation here and can watch the School Committee presentation on NewTV here. (The budget presentation begins at the 38 minute mark.)

Additional information and updates regarding the impact of the override on NPS can be found on the NPS Override Page.

For more information on the override visit:

• The City of Newton website, meetings and presentations
• Vote Yes for Newton  (Instagram or Facebook)
• Newton Beacon (“an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan digital news organization reporting exclusively on Newton, Massachusetts”)
• League of Women Voters

Newton Neighbors is organizing another Drive for Five for the Newton Community Freedge.

Check your pantry, ask a neighbor, pick something up next time you go to the store! Help us stock the Freedge with these five high-demand items:

1. Individually wrapped snacks (any kind of snack, granola bars, cereal bars or protein bars, goldfish, pretzels, etc.)
2. Pasta and sauce
3. Dried beans or rice (chickpeas, black beans, wild rice, etc.)
4. Cooking oil
5. Soaps (hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

Drop off donations from Tuesday, January 31 – Thursday, February 9 at the following addresses:

• 174 Oliver Road, Waban
• Fulfilled Goods, 612 Washington Street, Newtonville
• Cork and Board, 1207 Centre Street, Newton Centre
• Just Next Door, 327 Auburn Street, Auburndale

To learn more about the free 24-hour community refrigerator and pantry at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, join the Newton Community Freedge Facebook group.

Newton Public Schools (NPS) is hosting an important forum on the 2023-24 (FY24) school year budget. This budget discussion will include information on the proposed operational override and its impact on the FY24 budget. Details are as follows:

• Where: Newton North Auditorium (457 Walnut St.)
• When: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
• Time: 7:00 p.m.

If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on NewTV.

The evening will include a short presentation and then an opportunity for questions and answers. You may ask your question live during the forum or you can submit a question in advance using this Google Form.

NPS Budget Questions – Google Form

For reference, below is a link to the presentation shared with the School Committee last week that provides a preview of next year’s budget. ​​​​​​​

FY24 Budget Preview to School Committee – January 23, 2023

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER!

Please join Principal Coston, Bigelow FORJ, and our Boston and Newton families tomorrow for a fun movie night in Bigelow’s auditorium featuring Black Panther: Wakanda Forever! After the movie, please stay for a brief Q&A session to discuss themes in the film that reflect the world’s experience of race, gender, colonialism, and identity.

Pizza, popcorn, and water will be available. ($1 each)

Please RSVP HERE to let us know you are coming!

The Bigelow PoPS (Parents of Performing Students) is a community of dedicated parents that supports the performing arts through advocacy, fundraising, coordination, and volunteering. Any parent or guardian who has a student in Orchestra, Chorus, Band, A Capella, or Drama is welcome and encouraged to participate in the PoPS and support our students and performing arts faculty.

Please join us at our next virtual meeting, Tuesday, February 7 from 7:30-8:30. We look forward to getting to know you!

Zoom link: Join here

The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available to all Massachusetts residents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in more than 200 languages.

The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services.

For more information, please visit the Mass Help Line website or the FAQ. Anyone with questions or concerns about the help line can email the help line director at Mio.Tamanaha@mass.gov.

The next Zoom meeting of the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA) will be held on Thursday, February 2, at 7:30 PM. 

This meeting will feature Marc Hershman, AIA, of MSH Architecture Associates who will address the critical issues associated with zoning reform and how they pertain to Newton Corner.  Other agenda items include the upcoming Department of Transportation Meeting on improving rotary traffic and the historical preservation status of 41 Washington Street. 

If you are not yet a member of the NCNA and would like to join and attend the meeting, please contact Robin Boger at: robinboger.ncna@gmail.com. Thank you.

About Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA)

The Newton Corner Neighborhood Association (NCNA) is an organization of Newton Corner residents working together to build our community. We hold a Zoom meeting at 7:30 PM on the first Thursday of every month where local issues are discussed and guest speakers make short presentations and respond to questions.  Only members of the NCNA receive Zoom invitations; membership is free. Meetings are strictly limited to one hour and extensive notes are sent to all members after each meeting.

PLAN YOUR TEEN’S PERFECT SUMMER  – The 18th annual Teen Summer Expo will be Monday, February 6 at Newton South High School, 5:30-8:00pm in the cafeteria.

Meet with directors of a curated group of meaningful summer enrichment programs for kids ages 12-18. Options for every interest and budget.

FREE and OPEN TO ALL. PreRegister at www.TeenSummerExpos.com and share with friends on Facebook.