This month we are excited to feature a guide to All Over Newton from Lauren Berman, who runs a wonderful website and newsletter called... All Over Newton! In her newsletter, Lauren offers insight into local stores and restaurants and fun events around Newton. Read on below for Lauren's guide to Newton, a roundup of some local events (virtual and outdoor) happening this month, and check out the bottom of the email for a list of other newsletters and resources to learn more about what's happening in Newton! Favorite thing about Newton: I'm always floored by the generosity of people throughout the city. While the past year could have brought out the worst in people, in Newton it did the opposite. Whether it was volunteering to sew masks and gowns for front line workers, ordering take out from restaurants so they could keep their doors open, or building and stocking the new Community Freedge, it's evident that Newtonians look out for each other.
Your favorite place to get coffee or a snack: I love going to outdoor markets and trying new locally grown or produced foods. Lately I've been spending my Saturdays at the outdoor market at Dunn-Gaherins in Upper Falls, where I stock up on everything from Alfajores (Peruvian cookies) to day boat scallops, microgreens, and Bart's ice cream (the best!)
Your favorite restaurant: There are so many great restaurants in Newton that it's pretty hard to select just one. Lately, for special occasions, our go to restaurant is Thistle & Leek in Newton Centre. I enjoy sharing small tapas-style plates of food and Thistle & Leek always has some innovative offerings and great cocktails.
A fun playground or park: My favorite place to get away from it all while staying in Newton are the Community Gardens in Nahanton Park. Walking around there always feels like a little vacation. It's fun seeing what different gardeners are growing, visiting the bee hives, and bird watching.
Annual village events to watch for: Paddy's Road Race in October. It's a great community event that brings people of all ages together from all over Newton, all for a great cause and a fun fall day.
Any insider village/Newton tips: Well, of course, to check out ALL Over Newton for great places to shop, eat, and visit in the city!
What year you moved to Newton: 1998
Events
Register for Time for Partners Outdoors
There's still time to register for Time For Partners Outdoors! Join us for an outdoor art & music program for children 18 months to 4 years (with an adult).
Come learn and explore and make new friends through art, music, and play on Tuesday or Thursday mornings from 10:00 - 11:00am starting May 4 – June 3. Click here to register TODAY!
Family Fun Day
From Newton Parks & Recreation: Join us Saturday, May 15th for a day of great fun and activities for all ages! The event will include a full day of family-friendly events and entertainment.
Click HERE for more information and to reserve your spot!
Virtual Historic House Tour:
Outdoor Market at Dunn-Gaherin's
From All Over Newton: Check out Newton's newest outdoor market, hosted by Better Life Food and Dunn-Gaherin's. It's a perfect, safe, socially-distanced outing to shop, try new foods, and support local small businesses. So all feel comfortable, masks are still required. Good dogs are always welcome.
For a full list of participating vendors, including details on pre-ordering, CLICK HERE.
2021 Memorial Day Observances
Sunday, May 30th, 9:00am: Nonantum Memorial Day Observances. Includes a speech, prayer, wreath laying and Taps at each location.
Monday, May 31st, 1:00pm: Nonantum Rolling Memorial. Wait anywhere along the route for around 20 patriotic floats!
For the complete Rolling Memorial route with approximate times, visitnonantumccpa.org
Newton By Map
Monday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. ONLINE - MORE INFO
Join the Newton Free Library and Historic Newton for a deep dive into Newton's historical geography. What was Newton like in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? What used to be on the sites of your favorite Newton landmarks? Using Atlascope, the Leventhal Map & Education Center’s portal for exploring urban atlases, dive into the historical geography of Newton By Map. Come learn how the community has changed over time, and how to research the history of your own house and neighborhood. Register here to explore Newton by Map.
The Theodore D. Mann Newton Mayor's Community Breakfast - May 26
The Theodore D. Mann Newton Mayor's Community Breakfast has brought the Newton Community together for 47 years.
Grab a cup of coffee & join Harmony Foundation, Newton City Mayor's Office, Newton Interfaith Clergy Association, Rotary Club of Newton, Newton Public Schools - Newton, MA and other hosts Wed., May 26th at 8:30a.m. for music and reflection.
All attendees must register for this event (a webinar) individually usingbit.ly/NewtonBreakfast21.
More information can also be found here:http://harmonyfoundationnewton.org/newtonbreakfast21/
City News
Cousens Fund
DO YOU NEED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE WITH UTILITY BILLS? ¿NECESITA ASISTENCIA DE EMERGENCIA CON LAS FACTURAS DE SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS? 需要緊急協助水電費嗎? BESOIN D’AIDE D’URGENCE POUR LES FACTURES DE SERVICES PUBLICS? НУЖНА СРОЧНАЯ ПОМОЩЬ С КОММУНАЛЬНЫМИ ПЛАТЕЖАМИ? آیا نیازمند کمک های اضطراری با لوایح ابزار ؟ PRECISA DE ASSISTÊNCIA EMERGENCIAL COM CONTAS DE SERVIÇOS PÚBLICOS?
If your household has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and you have low-to-moderate income, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance.
The Horace Cousens Industrial Fund has received a CDBG grant to help with utility bills.
You can get an application online at http://www.newtonma.gov/residents/cousens_fund.asp
Or you can call 617-796-1324 to have an application mailed to you.
Zoning Discussion - Upcoming Community Engagement for Village Centers
A note from the City of Newton’s Department of Planning and Development:
This summer, we at the City of Newton are trying to learn as much as we can about Newton community members’ experiences of and visions for their Village Centers to inform zoning updates! Engagement will include a Vision Kit to explore your village center(s), an interactive survey, and Focus Groups for equitable participation. Sign up for a Community Engagement Information Session on May 20th, 6-7pm, here and fill out this Focus Group Interest Form if you identify as a renter, younger person (age 15-35), BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), LGBTQ+, of the creative community, and older adults (65+). Learn more at newtonma.gov/zoningredesign.
More details: See staff’s memo and presentation to ZAP. Register here for the general information session on how you can participate in our upcoming engagement efforts on May 20, 6-7pm. (This will be recorded and available for later viewing.)
Firearms store in Newton & Firearm Business Zoning Amendment:
Also from the City's Department of Planning and Development: On April 26th, the Zoning and Planning Committee held an initial discussion on a zoning ordinance proposed to regulate firearm businesses (firearm sales, firing ranges and gunsmiths) by allowing them only in certain zoning districts, establishing buffer distances from sensitive uses and requiring a Special Permit. A public hearing is scheduled for May 10th at 7 p.m. More information, including the draft ordinance, a memo from the Planning and Law Departments, and a regularly updated FAQ can be found here.
Neighbor to Neighbor: May tips
Ticks come in many different sizes and can be very hard to see. And it’s almost impossible to feel when they bite. Please check out this great guide to prevent tick bites!
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is another thing to watch out for this summer. To avoid the itch of poison ivy, look at these helpful facts from the CDC.
Find local events & learn more about what’s happening in town:
There are lots of great resources to find out what's happening in Newton - check out some that might interest you below!
We’ve created a landing page for those new to town, featuring important apps to download and helpful email lists to sign up for, including Mayor Fuller’s newsletter. Check it out here: https://www.welcomingnewton.org/new-to-newton
In addition, visit the following web pages and subscribe to these newsletters to find out more info about what’s happening in town - events, important city discussion and decisions, and more.
Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors is Welcoming Newton’s partner project focused on community support. Join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/newtonneighborshelping/
Mayor Fuller’s newsletter: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/mayor-fuller/updates
Local media: New TV is Newton’s local cable access TV station: https://newtv.org/, the Newton TAB is our weekly newspaper, the Newton Patch is online, and the Boston Globe has a “Newton Report”.
Village 14: https://village14.com/ They aim to be “the “go to” place for discussion of any issue in Newton, but there’s also plenty of room for humor and a bit of fun too. We welcome you all to join the conversation – the more voices, the better the conversation.”
Arts & Culture: Newton Arts Calendar: http://newtonartscalendar.org/; Newton Cultural Alliance’s weekly newsletters: https://newtonculture.org/
Newton’s City Calendars: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/public-buildings/calendar
Newton Free Library’s Calendar of events: https://newtonfreelibrary.libcal.com/calendar
Newton Community Pride: https://newtoncommunitypride.org/
The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce has a regular newsletter "Need to Know" covering local business issues and other topics of local interest https://www.nnchamber.com/
Amy Sangiolo’s Community Newsletter covers local government: https://amysangiolo.com/
OurNewton.org has local events and information https://www.ournewton.org/
All Over Newton has local shopping and restaurant information and guides: https://www.allovernewton.com/
The Newton Senior Center's "Coming of Age" newsletter has info of interest to local seniors. Subscribe here.
Need support?
Food assistance: information on the three food pantries, grab and go, and moreavailable on the city's website here.
The Horace Cousens Industrial Fund is a charitable trust, established in 1930, which gives financial help to Newton residents who are faced with a temporary but severe financial problem. Grants are for one-time specific needs.https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=41413
Welcome Home, Inc is a home goods pantry based at Trinity Church in Newton. Want to shop? Email welcomehomemass@gmail.com to schedule an appointment. www.welcomehomemass.org
Support the work of Newton Neighbors Welcoming Newton is a project of Newton Neighbors, Inc. You can now make tax-deductible contributions to us by mailing a check! Payable to: Newton Community Pride (our fiscal sponsor). Please write Newton Neighbors in the memo line. Mail to: 1294 Centre Street, Newton 02459
