Category Archives: Education/Enrichment

Help the LigerBots Get to the Detroit World Championship

Posted on April 22, 2018 by caroline-w in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , ,

The LigerBots, Newton’s combined North and South high school FIRST Robotics
Competition (FRC) team, have qualified for the FIRST Robotics World Championship in
Detroit from April 25th – 28th. The LigerBots’ ranked 24th out of 209 New England teams at the finish of the New England District Championship, and won two awards at district level events, earning the right to join 400 other FRC teams from around the world in Detroit.

The team now has only days to arrange for hotels and bus transportation to Detroit, and is undertaking a short-term fundraising drive to make sure that every LigerBot who wants to go with them has the chance to make the trip. First they need $5,000 for the competition registration fee, and are then hoping they can fundraise the $15,000 for a bus (2 days each way to Detroit).

If you’d like to help out, please visit https://ligerbots.org/sponsor, message the team on Facebook, or if you are a corporate sponsor, email sponsor-relations@ligerbots.org .

Use Less, Green the Rest

Posted on April 22, 2018 by caroline-w in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Other for , ,

Mothers Out Front Newton is part of a powerful grassroots movement working for a livable future for all children. This campaign calls for a just transition from fossil fuels and for clean renewable energy.

Use Less, Green the Rest is a free presentation and discussion that shows how we can reduce our household carbon footprint by conserving energy and switching to “green energy.” Together we can make a difference.  Please contact Tish Upton at tishg.upton@gmail.com or Diane Becker at dibeck2ster@gmail.com to schedule a program for your friends and neighbors, group or organization.

Gas Leaks and Our Health

Posted on April 22, 2018 by caroline-w in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, Other for , ,

Please join a panel discussion describing how gas leaks damage human and tree
health and about organized efforts to protect our families and communities at the local and state level.

Newton has almost 600 unrepaired gas leaks from the pipelines under our streets. This gas is methane, a potent heat-trapping greenhouse gas. It can be explosive, kills our trees and contributes to air pollution. Most of our gas is “fracked gas” that is extracted in a process using more than 1000 chemicals. The utility companies add the cost of the lost gas to ratepayers’ bills.

Panelists include Newton residents Curtis Norgaard, Nathan Phillips, Ann Berwick and Mothers out Front leader Zeyneb Magavi. National Grid has been invited to send a representative.

April 23rd, 7:00 pm
Newton Main Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton

Art Exhibition

Posted on April 22, 2018 by caroline-w in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events for , ,

The Newton After School Association, in celebration of National After School Week, will display a collection of posters showcasing the wonderful work that school aged childcare programs are doing in Newton.

The exhibition is in the main lobby area of Newton City Hall from April 23rd – May 2nd.

There will be an open reception on Monday, April 23rd from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Please stop by!

3 Short Sessions to More Sustainable Living and Lower Bills

Posted on April 22, 2018 by caroline-w in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events for , ,

Sign up for Green Newton’s Green Lifestyle Course: 3 Short Sessions to More Sustainable Living and Lower Bills.

In the Green Lifestyles course, participants will learn how to reduce their use of energy (at
home and in transportation), water, waste and toxins, and be a more eco-friendly consumer. They will also discover new strategies for cutting their energy and water bills. Each class will be composed of 5 to 8 individuals or households.

Session Dates (Participants who have scheduling conflicts can attend one of the other class’s meetings.):
Course 1: May 1st, May 8th, May 29th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Course 2: April 26th, May 10th, May 24th, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Session Components: Sessions will be part didactic and part participatory.

Materials:  The teacher will provide participants with a PowerPoint presentation and a
document that covers green lifestyle practices.

Requirements:  After the first meeting, participants will be encouraged to implement several small practices in their lives and consider at least one larger project. They will discuss their findings during parts of meetings 2 and 3.

Cost – Green Newton members: free. Non-members: $25.00, includes a complementary Green Newton membership. Bring a snack to share at one or two of the meetings.

To register or ask questions, contact Dan: dan_ruben@usa.net or 617-527-7950.

Dan Ruben will teach the class. He’s the Chairman of the Board for Green Newton. Dan has facilitated over 30 Household Eco-Teams and Low Carbon Diet Teams, and helped over 200 households live more sustainably. He trained the trainers of Low Carbon Diet Teams. In his own life, Dan has reduced his fossil fuel use by over 80%.

As a professional, Dan is the president of Boston Green Tourism, an organization that
educates hoteliers about reducing their properties’ use of fossil fuel, water, waste and toxins. Previously, he led an organization that brought environmental best practices to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.