In hopes to promote civic interest, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts approved Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018, An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement, initiating a statewide implementation of a “Civics Project” where high school students find a way to take action on an element of government they…
Fig City News
Ellen Meyers is retiring after sixteen years with the Newton Free Library, managing Programs and Communications. She will soon be working part-time as the Administrative Consultant for RUACH Community Health, one of the Hebrew College Campus Partners. Colleen McElduff of Lower Falls has received a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Hobart and William…
The School Committee met on Tuesday June 20 for its last meeting of the 2022-2023 academic year. The meeting began with public commenters continuing to address the budget cut of the Understanding Our Differences program and the City’s negotiations with the Newton Teachers Association. The agenda began with a warm…
Back in 8th grade, Zack Gusenoff started Page Turners, a book group at Harrington House, a group home run by The Home for Little Wanderers for children ages 8 to 13 who have experienced trauma or a disrupted family life. Zack wanted to encourage upper-elementary school kids at The Home to…
Over 250 Newton residents gathered at the Hyde Community Center field on Monday to mark Juneteenth, the anniversary of the order in Texas on June 19, 1865 proclaiming freedom for enslaved people. The event featured live music, food trucks, vendors, family-friendly activities, and booths supporting local Black-owned businesses. The program began with…
Newton Upstanders — a group of residents committed to embracing diversity and creating a welcoming culture based on equity, inclusion, and belonging — testified at a special meeting of the Human Rights Commission on June 14 regarding the recent incident at this past year’s Boston Marathon. As reported by Fig…
The first-ever voluntary collection of DNA from Massachusetts residents had been scheduled for Saturday morning at Newton City Hall by the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. The event was promoted foremost as a means to solve crimes and identify human remains. In practice, the collected DNA would enable the state to instantly connect residents and their extended relatives to DNA evidence of interest. This could implicate them in crimes, identify them as anonymous whistleblowers by DNA left on a document or envelope, confirm their presence at protest rallies by DNA they leave in the air, or reveal genetic diseases. The event has been postponed.
Jean Carlo Contreras and Noelia Mendez have found Newton to be a great place to live. Jean Carlo moved here in 2013, and Noelia joined him in 2020. One thing they have missed, however, is the coffee from their native Costa Rica. In Noelia’s case, you might say that coffee…
Once an industrial and manufacturing area with large mills providing work for immigrants, Newton’s California Street is now a mix of single-family houses, small stores, unique small manufacturing enterprises, and an increasing number of multi-family buildings, including a 40B development on Los Angeles Street. Its assets include proximity to the…
Waban Resident Chris Pitts has been very active over the years to bring to Newton “outstanding cultural performances that not only entertain but also celebrate excellence.” Chris has been in the music business since the 1970s, both as a performer and a producer. Using his skills, he has taken Newton’s…