Category Archives: Other

Mayor Fuller is inviting all community members to attend a meeting to see the first draft of the Vision Plan and zoning recommendations for the Hello Washington Street project.

For more information and FAQs visit  www.newtonma.gov/washingtonstreetvision.  Follow the project on  Facebook!

Plan Open House
October 24th, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street

What’s happening on October 24th?

• People will have an opportunity to view the first drafts of the vision plan and zoning recommendations for Hello Washington Street!  These are ideas for the future of Washington Street from West Newton, to Newtonville, and up to Newton Corner.
• Images, drawings, and text will show options for what these areas on Washington Street could look like 5 years in the future. Other images and drawings will show options for these areas 20+ years in the future.
• Starting at 6:00 pm,  enjoy food and refreshments and

view the design gallery.  Then at 6:30 pm there’ll be an overview presentation by Principle Group, with an introduction from Mayor Fuller. Next, you can rotate through the room to visit stations set up by geography, including West Newton, Newtonville, and the area near Crafts Street at Washington. Learn about Washington Street itself and options for how to make the road safer and easier to navigate. If you arrive after the event has started, they’ll provide the overview presentation you missed at the beginning and throughout the event, members of the planning team will be answering questions and listening to feedback. The event will end with a recap and Q&A.

What happens next?

• This event will be followed by a month-long comment period, when people will be asked to go online to read the draft documents and leave their comments directly on the pdf.  Paper copies will be available too at the Newton Library with a way for people to give input.
• In person events like topic-specific forums and drop-in office hours will be held later this year where you can ask more questions and discuss the ideas more in depth. Dates will be announced at the Plan Open House event on October 24th.
• At the end of January, the second draft of the vision plan and zoning recommendations will be released followed by a second comment period as the planning team refines the plan into a final version for review by City Council.

What should I do?

• Come in person, if you can, for the event!  Tell your neighbors, friends, and colleagues! After the event, please read the plan and provide your comments online.  Stay involved in the process as they move from first draft to second draft.

The 43rd annual Harvest Fair is a two day event on the Newton Center Green. Kiddie amusement rides and face painting are on both Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. On Sunday, October 14th only, there is a huge CraftShow, the Green Expo, Free Pumpkin Decorating and fabulous entertainment. Admission is free.

This year, there are two entertainment stages! The dance stage on Langley Road features performances by Giroux Brothers, Rob’s Guitar School, DEAFinitely, Joanne Langione Dance Studios, Suzuki School of Newton, Creative Dance Steps, NorthAtlantic Dance Center, Newton Uke Jam, Youth Pro Musica and Dance’n Feet.  The band stage is located at the Beacon Street end of the Newton Center parking lot, and showcases six terrific local bands: Trash Rabbit, YCCA Center for Creative Arts, Loose Change, The Conservatory at Highlands, Big Chief and Atoms & Energy. Check them all out!

The favorites at Harvest Fair on Sunday are still there…free pumpkin decorating sponsored by Wegman’s, kiddie amusement rides, the 150 different craft and business booths selling everything from hand-made beautiful jewelry and clothing to imaginative gifts; as well as the Green Expo, sponsored by Green Newton, with  exhibitors offering solutions for reducing your carbon footprint. And as always, there’ll be great food.

Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org or call 617-796-1298 for more information.

October 13th and 14th, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Newton Center Green and Parking Lot

What are all the November ballot questions about?  Come learn with LWVN!

It’s almost time to decide how you’ll vote on the upcoming state and local ballot questions in November. This year there are three state ballot questions, and two local ballot questions. If you still don’t know what the ballot questions are about, or don’t have the facts you need to vote, this will help.

Join members of the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) to hear from presenters on both sides of the issues for state ballot Question 1 regarding patient-to-nurse limits and the Newton ballot questions regarding the dispensation of marijuana.  Attendees will have an opportunity to ask presenters from each side questions at the end of each presentation. RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

October 18th,  8:00 – 9:30 am at the Durant-Kenrick House, 286 Waverley Avenue, Newton

Can’t make it on the 18th?  The program on state ballot Question 1 will be taped soon and shown in late October.  For a discussion of state ballot Questions 2 and 3, watch the latest episode of ‘The League Presents’ on NewTV with guest Holly Gunner and LWVN Vice-President Lisa Mirabile.  The link to the program is:  https://newtv.org/recent-videos-community/120-the-league-presents/5302-ballot-questions-2-and-3.

Eighteen Newton luminaries will regale audiences at Newton Schools Foundation’s (NSF) 8th annual Newton Inspires: An Evening of Ideas and Community. Since 2011, Newton Inspires has gathered Newton residents for this showcase of Newton’s talent, creativity, and intellect.

This year’s program features headliners Kimberly Budd, associate justice, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; David S. Friedman, senior vice president, legal & government affairs, Boston Red Sox; Sarah Holt, producer and director, PBS/NOVA; Richard Primack, professor of biology, Boston University; Peter Slavin, M.D., president, Massachusetts General Hospital; actress and writer Marianne Leone; and entrepreneur Sam Shames, along with many other talented Newton personalities.

The event is FREE to Newton residents and $15.00 for non-residents. Space is limited so register early. To register, go to www.NewtonSchoolsFoundation.org.

For the third consecutive year, Newton Schools Foundation welcomes The Village Bank as lead sponsor.  Newton Inspires is also supported by premium and major sponsors Mark Development Chestnut Hill Realty and The Street Chestnut Hill and Historic Homes. Individuals and businesses wishing to support public education in Newton through a Newton Inspires sponsorship can go to http://newtonschoolsfoundation.org/newton-inspires-sponsor.

Limited samplings of various refreshments will be available at the beginning of the evening courtesy of the following food sponsors: Anna’s Taqueria, Baker’s Best Catering, Better Life Food, Blue Ribbon BBQ, L’Aroma Café & Bakery, Legal Sea Foods, Panera Bread, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Rancatore’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, and Sweet Tomatoes.

November 13th, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, Newton South High School. Doors open at 6:00 pm to share community and conversation.

Newton Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to advance excellence and equity in the Newton Public Schools by funding promising initiatives, professional development, and programs that close gaps in achievement and opportunity.

The Naming Committee for the School on Nevada Street  seeks comment from parents, school staff and members of the community regarding its preliminary recommendation on an appropriate name. Please see these options for providing your input and listening to discussions:

1. Public Hearing October 29th,  7:00 pm in Room 210,  100 Walnut Street
2. School Committee Meeting discussion November 14th, 7:00 pm in Room 210, 100 Walnut Street
3. School Committee Meeting discussion & VOTE November 28th, 7:00 pm in Room 210, 100 Walnut Street

The Naming Committee welcomes written comments sent to  Naming225NevadaSt@gmail.com

Preliminary Recommendation
That the school building on Nevada Street be named the Horace Mann School at the time appropriate for the implementation of the school department’s recommended H.4 Scenario in September 2019.

The reasoning:
Most importantly, the proposed new district is overwhelmingly made up of households from the current Horace Mann district (86%) and the staff will basically be the same.  They identify as the Horace Mann School.
Secondly, Horace Mann is considered by many as the father of public education.  He championed free, universal, nonsectarian education dependent on trained professional teachers.  It is our good fortune he lived in Newton for some years.  Our City’s history and the high value we place on public education should place Mann’s name in the top tier on any list of names appropriate for a Newton education building.

It is the Committee’s intent to include in its final report to the School Committee suggestions on how the city might continue to honor the contributions of Frank Carr to the Newton Public Schools.

Naming Committee:  Jessica Eldridge-Young, Ted Hess-Mahan (Co-Chair), Daniel Kunitz, Anne Larner (Co-Chair), Robert Smith, Marcia Tabenken, Norah Wylie