Life in Newton

Great Harvest Bread Co Pays it Forward

Janet Porcaro — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 21:49:00 GMT

Next time you come through Newtonville, stop by the Great Harvest Bread Co and try a complementary slice of bread. You will learn that different breads come out on different days. If you want to plan ahead, go to the website and read the schedule wickedgoodbread.com . My personal favorite is the apple pie which comes out on Saturday- yum! Last week when I stopped in for a loaf of the Multi-grain (had to have a slice while I was there) the store was busy with hungry patrons. A polite bunch of middle...(read more)

The Ying and Yang of Home Buying

Janet Porcaro — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 20:45:00 GMT

The Ying and Yang of Home Buying Buying the right home is an important financial and emotional decision. This class will give you MORE than the fundamentals. Find the home that keeps you happy by gaining insight to your personal home buying psychology. Learn to pay attention to the important elements of a home before you make your first offer. With better insight you will be able to understand how to learn the process with educated confidence. Balance your dreams against your practical realities....(read more)

Staging Newton Centre Home Helps Buyers Get a Better Sense of the Space

Janet Porcaro — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:06:00 GMT

Staging Newton Centre Home Helps Buyers Get a Better Sense of the Space Not everyone watches the HGTV and even if you do, that doesn't mean you know how to prepare a home for the market. Not everyone understands the purpose of staging a home to sell. Barbara says, "The way you live in a home is different than the way you sell a house." "Home staging is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing...(read more)

Newton Community Education Says Welcome to Fall

Janet Porcaro — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:14:00 GMT

Newton Community Education Says Welcome to Fall The Newton Community Education Fall programs are full of exciting opportunities to learn and broaden your horizons. Newton Community Education is a separate and self sustaining arm of the Newton Public Schools. Their classes are excellent taught by talented and experienced instructors. Mindfulness: the Foundation for Inner Peace and True Happiness is a four part speaker series. Four dynamic speakers will tell the story of their journey in light of their...(read more)

Digging Clams on Pleasant Bay Cape Cod

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:51:00 GMT

Digging Clams on Pleasant Bay Cape Cod Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod is a beautiful spot on the east side of Harwich also bordering Chatham and Orleans. See map below from mass.gov. During low tide, shell fishing is fairly abundant but only by permit with regulations that are strictly enforced. Permits can be purchased form the Harbor Master see ThreeHarbors.com . One day permits may be purchased for non-residents prior to "digging." Even if you don't want to dig for clams, it is worth the...(read more)

Chestnut Street Teen Center in Upper Falls Gains Outstanding Role Model

Janet Porcaro — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:58:00 GMT

Chestnut Street Teen Center in Upper Falls Gains Outstanding Role Model Meet Chanda Gunn, new Director of the Chestnut Street Teen Center in Upper Falls. She is pouring her great talents and focus to revitalize the Center as a clean, safe, and inviting environment for teens. She is full of ideas and has the energy of an Olympic champion. Oh, strike that last part, she IS an Olympic champion. Did I mention she played on the U.S. woman's national ice hockey team for 10 years? How about that she...(read more)

Newton Real Estate Update - How's the Market?

Janet Porcaro — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:13:00 GMT

Newton Real Estate Update - How's the market? As soon as anyone finds out I am in real estate, the first question that pops up is, "How's the market?" "Unbelievable," I will often reply. Sometimes it is hard to give a more exact answer without asking more questions. There are many ways to elaborate by going in various directions, say for example, national v. local or spring v. summer. Let's look at the Newton market for 2010 to date (specifically to July 31, 2010)...(read more)

Before you make your next move be sure to visit City Hall

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:45:00 GMT

Before you make your next move be sure to visit City Hall One of the things your REALTOR® should tell you before you buy or sell a home is to look up your property's jacket at City Hall. I stopped into the Inspectional Services Department at Newton City Hall and was greeted, as always, with friendly courtesy. I gave my address to Jennifer Garvin and she promptly returned with the folder of permits and applications for my Newton home. I already knew my house was built in 1927 but it was kind...(read more)

Bill's Pizza is a Newton Centre Icon

Janet Porcaro — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:14:00 GMT

Bill's Pizza is a Newton Centre Icon I just had the best Mediterranean Wrap at Bill's Pizza . It was the perfect summer sandwich, light and crunchy with the famous salad dressing. Emillo's dressing is delicious. We were told that people come from all over to buy it and that they have been making for over 30 years. Honestly, my favorite lunch, is a slice of the wheat pizza but it was all sold out. Oh, well, maybe tomorrow. 753 Beacon Street Newton Center MA 02459 617-964-1116...(read more)

Newton Real Estate 6 Month Review

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:49:00 GMT

Newton Real Estate 6 Month Review Looking at the sales for the past 6 months, I are happy to see an increase in number of sales as well as average sale price. This is good news. Of course, much of this can be attributed to the spring market and the Federal tax incentive program. We may see some wavering in the recovery when summer sales are reflected. Still let's take the optimistic route and visualize an chart with the lines climbing up. Newton Single Families Number of Properties Average Price...(read more)

Elissa's Creative Warehouse 20 Year Celebration With July Designer Events

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:32:00 GMT

Elissa's Creative Warehouse 20 Year Celebration With July Designer Events 220 Reservoir St. Riverbend Office Park Needham, MA 02494 781-444-9341 www.weloveyarn.com email info@weloveyarn.com These days I spend my down time on knitting. I am determined to learn how to knit the perfect sweater. Please understand, wWhen I was a kid, my favorite activity in summer camp was arts and crafts. As a woman of mature years, I stay in touch with my inner child with various needle craft projects. When I need...(read more)

Newton Ranks Number Three by CNN Money Magazine

Janet Porcaro — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:07:00 GMT

Newton Ranks Number Three by CNN Money Magazine "These terrific small cities -- even now -- boast plenty of jobs, great schools, safe streets, low crime, lots to do, charm, and other features that make a town great for raising a family." Read more at http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/snapshots/PL2545560.html Newton is ranked 3 out of 100 for America's best small cities. Most residents of Newton would agree. I moved to Newton from Cambridge over 20 years ago. At the...(read more)

Celebrating What Makes This Country Great

Janet Porcaro — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 21:17:00 GMT

Celebrating What Makes This Country Great The Past Our Great History Ponder the development of our urban and rural landscape over the years. Cities are born across the nation. Then the railroad comes in allowing for more affordable housing further out from the city. This is the beginning of the commuter rail. Our forefathers planned beautiful cities and their systems. During the 19th century, Frederick Law Olmsted, the first landscape architect, was one of the first members of a "planning committee."...(read more)

Harvard Housing Report Delivers Facts and Figures

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:44:00 GMT

Harvard Housing Report Delivers Facts and Figures The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University released " The State of the Nation's Housing " report on June 14, 2010. The report is broken into 6 sections. Section 2 - HOUSING MARKETS. Are we in a recovery period? There is no crystal ball. History has shown the link to a robust and consistent housing recovery is an increase in jobs. Although the number of home sales increased in 2009, on the down side we have increased number...(read more)

National Housing Report released from Harvard University

Janet Porcaro — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:16:00 GMT

The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University announced the release " The State of the Nation's Housing " report on June 14, 2010. The 44 page report (not including Appendix Tables) is broken into 6 major sections beginning with the Executive Summary . The over-riding conclusion is that in order to achieve a strong recovery in the housing market, it is key that unemployment levels decline. In the Executive Summary , many factors are addressed that become a consistent theme...(read more)

Newton Artist Dick Simon Finds "a Whole New Dimension" Behind the Camera

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:31:00 GMT

Newton Artist Dick Simon Finds "a Whole New Dimension" Behind the Camera Syria: Faces from “ The Axis of Evil ” Photographs by Dick Simon At Newton Open Studios last month, I took in Dick Simon's wonderful collection of photographs from his recent trip to Syria. His pictures tell a timely story. They are a study in contrasts, yet they project feelings of warmth, and they are quite beautiful. " My family and I went to Syria to better understand the human story inside...(read more)

Newton Celebrates More Than a Century of Educational Excellence

Janet Porcaro — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:17:00 GMT

Newton Celebrates Over More Than a Century of Educational Excellence Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we've gone "Back to the Future" with this high school building. According to my research, the new Newton North High School, due to open for business in September 2010, is located on the site of the original high school which was constructed in 1859. Newton has been debating issues surrounding school construction since the mid-nineteenth century. The discussions began when Massachussetts...(read more)

Summer in the City of Boston or Beach time on Cape Cod - It's Nice to Have Choices!

Janet Porcaro — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:49:00 GMT

Summer in the City of Boston or Beach time on Cape Cod - It's Nice to Have Choices! There is so much to do in Boston Proper during the summer months, Duck Tours , New England Aquarium , Harbor Tours , Trolley Tours and more. The best thing to me is that within a 1 1/2 hour drive, you can be on the beach on Cape Cod . If you are new to Beantown, Cape Cod is a penninsula located approximately 90 miles south of Boston. As native Bostonian, one of my earliest memories is playing paper dolls in the...(read more)

Visit the Newton North Greengineers on June 5 between 12 and 5 pm and witness cutting edge education in action!

Janet Porcaro — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:00:00 GMT

Visit the Newton North Greengineers on June 5 between 12 and 5 pm and witness cutting edge education in action! No, this is not an alien. This is Sam Shames suited up in his "Personal Protective Equipment," better known as PPE around the shop. "Stay Safe!" says NNHS English Teacher Stephen Chinosi. First thing students have to do is to run through a safety course before entering this exciting science and enginerring program. Sam is working his Senior Project to build a better...(read more)

Lisa Monahan, Architect Turned Artist at Newton Open Studios

Janet Porcaro — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:14:00 GMT

Lisa Monahan, Architect Turned Artist at Newton Open Studios www.switchgearkit.com Contact: info@switchgearkit.com Snappy SwitchGear™ Kits are Designed for Endless Possibilities! Lisa Monahan has been working as a metalsmith for the past 15 years. She uses her creative talents tocraft beautiful jewelry and sculptured wall art. To many her most interesting work is her line of hoops, loops and necklaces in her patent pending product called SwitchGear™ Kits. Each kit makes 100+ combinations...(read more)

Newton Open Studios - Retired Surgeon Works in Pastels

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Newton Open Studios - Retired Surgeon Works in Pastels EDWARD W. FRIEDMAN MD ARTIST email: efried@massmed.org The pastel collection was at the Villa Villekulla in West Newton MA. Dr. Friedman retired from his position as surgeon at the Beth Israel Hospital in 1999. He then launched his career as an artist by taking classes at MassArt http://www.massart.edu/ . He especially expresses gratitude for his pastel teacher, Janet Monafo . http://www.artistsguilds.com/paintings/JanetMonafo.htm " Pastel...(read more)

Don't Miss Newton Open Studios - May 15, 16 2010

Janet Porcaro — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:10:00 GMT

Newton Open Studios - May 15, 16 2010 City-wide Event Showcasing the Works of Local Artists and Craftspeople www.NewtonOpenStudios.org Scattered throughout the villages of Newton, local artists and craftspeople invite guests to view and purchase their work which includes painting, photography, mixed media, jewelry, historic maps of our community, furniture, and more. Download the pdf brochure here. If you are thinking of moving to Newton, or have questions about the different villages, this is a...(read more)

Second Appearance - a Cheerful Consignment Shop

Janet Porcaro — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:49:00 GMT

Second Appearance - a Cheerful Consignment Shop 801 Washington Street Newtonville, MA 02460 (617) 527-7655 Everyone loves to find a bargain, a hidden gem, a designer label at a bargain price. Nothing like a new top to freshen up your wardrobe. Notice the green dress in the window--it is a designer original (I won't say which one.) Stop in and ask proprietor, Sue Wilkin. She is friendly and full of fashion sense. The store is well organized, artful and arranged beautifully with carefully selected...(read more)

Bringing Down the House - the City of Newton Says Good-Bye to an Era

Janet Porcaro — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:34:00 GMT

Bringing Down the House - the City of Newton Says Good-Bye to an Era Next September the new Newton North High School will open after many years of delay and controversy. Over the past few months, a new mayor was voted in and a new superintendent will start on July 1. This is a pivotal time for The Garden City, Newton . To mark this occasion PTSO and alumni volunteers, with the cooperation of the school department and city hall, are crafting an amazing city-wide event. http://www.northptso.org/ ....(read more)

Biodeisel fuel project spawns new curriculum at Newton North High School

Janet Porcaro — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:01:00 GMT

The Biodeisel project at Newton North High School was launched with a $400 grant from the PTSO. The small tank pictured here was purchased with those funds and this was just the beginning of an innovative curriculum design. Since that first bit of seed money, the program has benefited with donations from MIT, http://www.savethatstuff.com/ , and more. Personally I have learned that biodeisel fuel is green fuel made from wasted vegetable oil. The students of North created a fuel production laboratory...(read more)