Five Things You Need to Know This Week: Jan. 21-27

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Gathering

at Temple Beth Avodah on Monday, Jan. 21 at 9:30 a.m. The event will include musical performances, remarks from Mayor Setti Warren and Superintendent David Fleishman as well as readings by interfaith clergy from across the city. Newton Public School students will also read essays inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

2. Newton Board of Aldermen meet

The Newton Board of Aldermen will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 7:45 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall (note the later meeting time due to the MLK Day holiday). 

The board will vote Tuesday on several items, including a proposed extension for the snow shoveling ordinance, which was approved by the Public Safety & Transportation and Public Facilities committees. The board will also vote on funding for renovations to the Gath Pool facilities and a proposed increase to the fine for placing snow/ice on streets, sidewalks and bridges. 

The full reports docket for Tuesday night's meeting is included in the .pdf section above.

3. English Language Learner Resource Fair

The district's English Language Learners (ELL) Program will hold a resource fair on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Newton North High School cafeteria. The fair will feature information on a number of different city resources for ELL students, including summer camps, preschool programs, adult English classes, after-school programs as well as guidance, college and career counselors. In addition, the city social worker will be available to answer questions and the Health Department will be offering free flu shots. 

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to your child's ESL teacher or to Dianna Kobayashi at 617-559-6045 or Dianna_Kobayashi@newton.k12.ma.us.

4. Camp Fair

The Newton Dept. of Parks & Recreation will host the annual Camp Fair on Sunday, Jan. 27 in the Newton North High School cafeteria from noon - 4 p.m. Families and kids can come learn about all the different camp and recreation options offered through the city and Newton Community Education. Plus, you can get the family signed up for summer 2013 before the spots fill up. 

5. Remember: Trash/recycling delayed by one day

Due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 21, curbside trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day this week.

All city offices, schools, post offices, the Newton Free Library and the Newton Senior Center will also be closed on Monday.