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.

Volunteers needed for Newton at Home

Newton at Home (NAH) is a non-profit member organization that helps Newton senior citizens live independently and safely in their homes.  Most of the services are provided by volunteers, and so we need your help.  We need drivers and those who can do chores around the house for seniors who can’t do these things on their own.

NAH is also looking for help with the upcoming Intergenerational Walk Around Newton City Hall, Sunday, April 14th at 10:30 am.  Volunteers are needed to line the route, help with warm-up exercises, etc.  Please contact NAH today to volunteer: 617-795-2560 or by email.

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

Newton at Home volunteers needed

Newton at Home (NAH) is a non-profit member organization that helps Newton senior citizens live independently and safely in their homes. Most of the services are provided by volunteers, and so we need your help. We need drivers and those who can do chores around the house for seniors who can’t do these things on their own.

NAH is also looking for help with the upcoming Intergenerational Walk Around Newton City Hall, Sunday, April 14th at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to line the route, help with warm-up exercises, etc. Please call or email NAH today to volunteer: 617-795-2560 or volcoord@newtonathome.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.

Registration open for Boys & Girls Club Summer Camps, ages 6-14

Registration is now open for the Newton Boys & Girls Club’s Summer Day Camp Program for children ages 6-12 and our Teen Camp for ages 13-14.

Our camp has a 50 plus year history, an impeccable safety record, and is licensed by the Newton Board of Health. Campers swim at a different location every day and go on full day field trips every Tuesday and Thursday. Highlights include: Water Country and Canobie Lake Park. Campers spend most of the day outdoors.

All counselors are over the age of 18 and CPR and first aid-certified. Once again we are proud to be the most affordable full day, full service, travel and trip camp in the City of Newton.

Applications are now available in the Club’s lobby.  Applications must be completed and returned with all supporting documentation by Friday, April 12.

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. 

April vacation at Watertown Children’s Theatre

Watertown Children’s Theatre offers April vacation week programs for children in grades 1-4 and 5-8.

Swingin’ Safari for grades 1-4 uses dramatic play, music,movement, and visual arts to create stories of safari adventures. 9am-4pm Monday – Friday (April 15-19)

Gleek Out! for students in grades 5-8 who would like to work on vocal technique and use those skills to perform GLEE-style pop songs. 1:00-4:00pm Monday-Friday (April 15-19)

More information is available on the “Programs” page of the WCT website.