What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know Today: April 28

It's a busy Sunday in Newton: A Russian festival, NewtonSERVES, Run of the Charles and more.

1. NewtonSERVES. The annual NewtonSERVES Day of Community Service will take place throughout the city today from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Volunteers from all over Newton will participate in various service projects from cleaning up schools to planting flowers at the Senior Center. If you're interested in volunteering today but didn't get a chance to pre-register, get down to City Hall this morning around 8:30 a.m. (morning projects) or noon (afternoon projects) to register. A closing celebration and ice cream party will be held in the City Hall War Memorial at 3:30 p.m. Today's events also kick off the city's Volunteer Week. 2. Russian Heritage Festival. The second annual "From Russia with Art and Culture" Festival will continue today at the Newton…

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Russian Festival to be Held this Weekend in Newton

The festival was postponed from last weekend.

'From Russia with Arts and Culture' Festival This Weekend in Newton

A three-day Russian Festival returns to the Newton Cultural Center for a second year from April 19 - 21.

'Wonder' Takes Stage in Newton [VIDEO]

"Wonder," a story by R.J. Palacio, deals with bullying and empathy among other themes.

Empathy, kindness and compassion was the theme at the Newton Cultural Center on Saturday, March 16 during a 10-hour staged reading of R.J. Palacio's "Wonder," which tells the story of a fifth grade boy and how he deals with bullying, empathy, kindness and acceptance. Nearly 70 actors participated in the event, taking turns reading segments of the book to an audience.  The show was sponsored by the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Understanding Our Differences and Newton Community Pride. Check out a video clip from the performance above.  Do you have photos or videos to share from 'Wonder'? Add them to our story by clicking the "upload photo and video" button above.

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Newton Performers to Present Story of Empathy, Kindness

This weekend, the performers will give a 10-hour, marathon staged reading of R.J. Palacio's "Wonder."

Sometimes kindness takes a back seat in our busy lives. This weekend, a local group hopes to change that.  A cast of Newton residents will present a marathon staged book reading of "Wonder" on Sat., March 16 at the Newton Cultural Center at 225 Nevada St. The performance begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 7:30 p.m., according to a press release about the event. "Wonder," by R.J. Palacio, tells the story of 10-year old boy who enrolls in fifth grade. The story deals with bullying, empathy, kindness and acceptance. “This is a hopeful story about friendship and acceptance,” the press release reads. The Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, Understanding Our Differences and Newton Community Pride are sponsoring the show. The Newton "Wonder…

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Postponed: Community Meeting on Carr School Renovation [Updated]

The meeting will be held on March 13 at the Carr School at 7 p.m.

[Updated 6:09 p.m.] Residents interested in the future Carr School renovation are invited to attend a community meeting on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting, which will be held at the Carr School (Newton Cultural Center), was initially planned for this Thursday, Feb. 28. However, according to an email from Board of Aldermen President Scott Lennon, the meeting has been postponed to March 13.  As the Newton School Department moves forward with the rebuilding of Angier Elementary School, it is also moving forward with the renovation of Carr, which will act as a "swing space" for Angier students while their school is under construction. The Carr School project will include the renovation of 20 classrooms as well as space for art, music…

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Aldermen Approve Carr School as Swing Space, Raise Questions About Aquinas Building

Some aldermen are hoping the city and School Department will also consider purchasing the former Aquinas College on Walnut Park.

The Board of Aldermen helped move the Angier rebuilding project one step forward last night as it approved the transfer of the former Carr School to the School Department for use as swing space. However, Ward 4 Alderman-at-Large Amy Sangiolo urged her fellow board members to not only approve the Carr School swing space, but to also seriously consider purchasing the former Aquinas College on Walnut Park. "The crux of my concern is that I don't want us to see Carr School as the only swing space that we need," Sangiolo said. "We're going to need two swing spaces [and] it would behoove us to take a look at Aquinas in a fair light." At a School Committee meeting last month, school administrators and members of the city's Public Buildings …

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'A Cappella for a Cure' to Benefit American Cancer Society

The concert will be held this Saturday (March 31) at the Newton Cultural Center.

Thanks to a driven Newton North High School student, this weekend's 'A Cappella for a Cure' concert will raise funds to benefit the American Cancer Society for the third year in a row. Taking place on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Newton Cultural Center, the concert will feature performances by a cappella groups from Newton North and Newton South, plus one college group from Brandeis University. Selling out for the past two years, A Cappella for a Cure has raised over $5,000 each year, with 100 percent of the money going to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. “We hope to do the same this year,” said the event’s creator and organizer, Newton North senior Emily Paley. Paley, who will also MC the show, came up with the idea for A …

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Tanglewood Marionettes' Cinderella Returns to Newton

Kick off school vacation week with entertainment for whole family.

This weekend, families can start school vacation week in a fun way with the Tanglewood Marionettes’ performance of Cinderella. “It’s excellent quality, wonderful entertainment for children as well as adults with beautifully made marionettes,” says Jeanie Smith, associate director of the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, which is putting on the event along with Newton Community Pride. There will be two shows Sunday (10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.) at the Newton Cultural Center. The shows are so popular that a second show had to be added, as pre-order tickets for the 10:30 a.m. performance are already sold out, Smith says. With marionettes about three-feet tall, a performance by the Tanglewood Marionettes is not your average puppet show, says …

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What's Happening

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 7

Daily,essential information at a glance.

Congratulations to the Newton North and Newton South seniors, who are graduating today. The Newton South ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. at the Field House and the North ceremony will start at 5 p.m. on the multi-purpose field. In case of rain, the ceremonies will be moved to Boston College's Conte Forum. Check out the new spring farmers' market today from noon-5 p.m. at American Legion Post 440 in Nonantum. Browse through a variety of baked goods, produce, cheese, crafts and more.  Are you and your tot looking for a time to socialize? Drop by a playgroup today from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at L'Aroma Cafe & Bakery in West Newton. The group is open for parents and their tots between 12-24 months. Check out the finance seminar How Financial …