Posts from — September 2010

The Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce is organizing a “shop local” weekend for next month.

The event is designed to encourage more foot traffic for Newton merchants and provide shopping specials for residents. If your business would be interested in participating in this event, please email Joe Halpern or call (617) 244-5300.

Many Massachusetts cities and communities promote the benefits of shopping locally. Some organize events while others undertake ongoing programs, including Arlington, Leominster, and Lexington.

And then there are Local First programs which focus on the “economic and social advantages that independent and local businesses bring to a community.” Local First programs are operating in Cambridge, Nantucket,  Pioneer Valley, Somerville, and Worcester.

Should Newton follow suit? Is this something Newton Villages should be doing?

Putting on the Knitz 1282 Washington St., West Newton Retail knitting supplies. Don and Janet Scope, West Roxbury residents, established Putting on the Knitz in 1985.  They are the sole employees.  The store carries a full line of imported and domestic yarns and patterns, and specializes in natural fibers.  They also offer help and classes at all levels.

What motivated you to get into business? Independence.  When you work for yourself, you have the toughest boss in the world, but you are independent. [Read more →]

With help of the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council, the Waban Improvement Society and Alderman John Rice, we are proud to announce the publication of our Guide to Planning a Village Day. (Also, we want to say a big thanks to volunteers Sean Pears for writing the booklet and Betsy Blazar for designing it!)

The Guide outlines all of the moving pieces that have to come together to make a street fair work in Newton.  Although many of our villages have a Village Day or the equivalent, some still do not.  We’re talking to you: Newtonville, West Newton, Auburndale…. What are you waiting for? And as you ponder the possibilities in your own village, don’t forget to check out Upper Falls’ Heritage Day this Sunday.

Recent stories, letters, and op-eds in the Newton Tab use the term “smart growth” when referring to ideas for redevelopment of city-owned land in Newton Center and Newtonville.

But these dispatches use “smart growth” as if everyone knows what that means. Most of us don’t, and I’m still learning myself.

Smart growth is an urban planning theory that suggests compact development is, among other things, more financially and environmentally sustainable than suburban sprawl. The term is being applied to both new development and redevelopment, such as this project in Marblehead.

But how does smart growth apply to a city like Newton? [Read more →]

The village of Upper Falls will celebrate Heritage Day, a community block party at Emerson Playground on Sunday afternoon with jugglers, live music, children’s activities, face painting and BBQ.

Ever seen people on unicycles juggling electric guitars and lawn chairs? If not, don’t miss the Airborne Comedians performance at 4:30pm.

Where’s Emerson Playground? For more information about this event, please call Alderman John Rice, (617) 201-7088.

51 Lincoln 51 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands Contemporary American Restaurant

Jeffrey Fournier, a Newton resident, established 51 Lincoln in 2007. He has 20 employees. [Read more →]