Historic Newton News

The 31st Annual Newton House Tour
May 19, 2013, 12:00-5:00 pm
Volunteers Needed! Attend the tour for FREE!
Volunteers are needed (11:30 am-2:30 pm or 2-5 pm.) In return for service, all volunteers receive a free ticket. To volunteer for the tour please e-mail newtonhousetour@gmail.com.
Buy your tickets now online or call 617.796.1450

APRIL
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 PM
A CITY OF VILLAGES-THE 2013 NEWTON HISTORY SERIES
Shaped by the Train: The “Ideal Village” of Newton Highlands
How did Newton Highlands go from a collection of farms to a streetcar suburb of Boston? Did you ever wonder about the explosive growth of the village and the many architectural styles of its houses? Join Srdjan Nedeljkovic, president of the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council, as he takes you on a journey through the history of what many consider to be Newton’s ideal village and learn about its past, present, and possible future. Cosponsored by Historic Newton and the Newton Free Library. At the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street. Free.

Sunday, April 28, Noon-4 PM
NEWTON SERVES-HISTORIC BURYING GROUNDS CLEAN-UP
Join community members in Newton’s day of service by cleaning up Newton’s historic Burying Grounds. Registration to volunteer at East Parish, West Parish, or South Burying Ground is available at www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

MAY
Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, noon-5 PM
NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND
Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the Jackson Homestead and Museum.

Saturday, May 4, 3:00-4:30 PM
MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM
Join us for an afternoon of enchanting music-a combination of chamber music and solo works by Schubert, Siber, Britten, Dowland, and Giuliani- performed by New England Conservatory students studying under renowned guitarist Eliot Fisk. Spend an afternoon enjoying beautiful music and light refreshments in an intimate setting. Free.

Saturday, May 18, 5:30-7:30 PM
HOUSE TOUR PREVIEW PARTY
The Preview Party celebrates the homeowners and the homes being featured on our 31st Annual Tour. Join us for sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and fine wines and get a sneak preview of the homes featured on the Tour. Individual tickets $125 each by advance registration only. Sponsorship opportunities also available; buy tickets online at www.historicnewton.org or over the phone at 617.796.1450.

Sunday, May 19, noon-5:00 PM
31st ANNUAL HOUSE TOUR
Featuring private homes that highlight interior design, architecture, and historic renovation throughout Newton, the House Tour benefits Historic Newton’s programming. Advance sale tickets: $25 for Historic Newton members/$35 for nonmembers. Ticket prices increase $5 the day before the tour, so buy now and save! Buy your House Tour tickets at www.historicnewton.org or by calling 617.796.1450.

Thursday, May 23, 7:30 PM
HISTORY BOOK CLUB MEETING
This month’s book selection is Choosing War: The Lost Chance for Peace and the Escalation of War in Vietnam by Fredrik Logevall. Recognized as a major work and a touchstone for any future discussion of the origins of America’s military escalation in Vietnam, the book exploits a wide array of new sources to explore America’s Vietnam policy. Well written and accessible, it cogently and systematically undermines the argument that America’s military escalation in Vietnam was in any way inevitable or necessary. The book club is free and open to all, new members are welcome.

Starting in May, enjoy “Sneak Peaks” of the new Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds: Thursdays and Saturdays, 2-5 PM. See the results of the building restoration, explore life in the different time periods and try out our games. Your input now will help shape the future of this museum!

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, and Noon to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday.
If you need special assistance, please call 617-796-1450.

Learn about Girl Scouting at NewtonServes Day, April 28

Do you know of a girl who is interested in Girl Scouting? Bring her along as both of you help Newton Girl Scouts volunteer on “NewtonServes Day”, Sunday April 28. From 9:30-11:30am, Newton Girl Scouts will be completing an art project. From 12:30 until 2:30pm they’ll be outdoors sprucing up and planting.

You’ll both be working alongside current Newton Girl Scouts and leaders in a service project at the Newton Senior Center. It’s a great way to ask questions about scouting and to get involved in a meaningful way.

Please register at the NewtonServes link.  Once on the link, click on the red callout box for more information about this event and sign up instructions.

Workshop: How to Run for Local Public Office, April 23

Considering public office? Helping someone run for office? Interested in how local campaigns work?

The League of Women Voters of Newton and the Newton Election Commission invite candidates, potential candidates, campaign managers, campaign treasurers, and all interested citizens to a workshop that offers practical information and advice about political campaigns by a group of knowledgeable panelists:

· Jason Tait, Director of Communication and Public Education, MA Office of Campaign and Political Finance, will give an overview of the Campaign and Political Finance Law
· David Olson, Newton City Clerk, will describe local filing requirements
· Claire Sokoloff, will discuss serving on the School Committee
· Stephen Linsky, will discuss being an Alderman
· Melanie Graham, Editor of the Newton Patch, will discuss effective Press/Media communications

Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Brigham House, 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands.

Contact the League of Women Voters of Newton at 617-383-4598 or by email with any questions.

Spring Improv Jam at Newton North, April 24

Newton North’s Theatre Ink presents the Spring Improv Jam, a showcase performance of the students who attend its Improv Club.

The players combine Improv games and audience inspirations to create a fun filled  performance. Join the fun — come see the show!

April 24 at 7:00pm
Little Theatre at Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street, Newtonville

Tickets are $7.00 and are available at the Theatre Ink website or by emailing the theatre’s director, Adam Brown.

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.