Needham Times Blog

Have a cool plan for the prom?

Posted on May 16, 2008 by Deb Filcman
Filed Under Fun!, fashion, generally groovy stuff, schools | Leave a Comment

Let us know! E-mail us at needham@cnc.com and tell us your story.

Who wore it better?

Posted on May 16, 2008 by Steven Ryan
Filed Under fabulous, fashion, politics | 4 Comments

For many, Town Meeting is about budgets, bylaw changes and $1 coffee and donuts. But what Town Meeting is really all about is fashion. Today, we have Town Meeting members Moe Handel, top photo, also a member of the Planning Board and the president of the Needham Historical Society, and Bob Larsen, bottom photo, the Needham Times esteemed cartoonist. Both wear the bow tie as uniform. So, we ask: Who wore it best?

Poll: What to do at the Newman School?

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Deb Filcman
Filed Under For your health, Keeping safe, Stuff to worry about, public works, schools | Leave a Comment

Look, a whooping crane!

Posted on May 15, 2008 by Deb Filcman
Filed Under Fun!, arts, generally groovy stuff | Leave a Comment

Growing up, my older brother used to run around the house with a piece of paper in hand, which he would quickly fold and/or crumble in a series of hand gestures, and then scream, “Look, a whooping crane!” The result, of course, was just a ball of paper, but hey, it was entertaining. Sorta.

Not exactly sure how that got started, but it probably explains much about how I wound up the way I am today…

Anyway, I share this bizarre memory, as I’m reminded of it by Elana Zak’s story and new video about John Benner, 10-year-old origami extraordinaire. Have you seen it yet?

Young-artists-unfolds-origami-for-peers

What, like you’ve got something better to do? Please.

May 14 Town Meeting session

Posted on May 14, 2008 by Steven Ryan
Filed Under Town Hall, politics, public works | Leave a Comment

At the May 14 session, Town Meeting approved:

Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting warrant: Appropriate $300,000 for a temporary fix of the Newman School heating and ventilation system in the East Wing of the building and $350,000 for a feasibility study for replacing the heating and ventilation system in the East Wing and possibly the whole school.

Article 22 of the regular Town Meeting warrant: Continue departmental revolving funds.

Article 25: Appropriate $1 million for the design of a renovated Town Hall. The Board of Selectmen promised to spend up to $25,000 of that money to do a “final, final” study of Town Hall options in order to take into account a Town Hall study committee, which is charged at making recommendations for the possible restoration of the upstairs auditorium, formed through Article 24. Article 25’s wording did not specify a preferred option, although, going into Town Meeting, the selectmen were supporting Option 1, which would renovate Town Hall but put new partitions for office space instead of bringing back the auditorium.

Article 30: Appropriate $2,290,000 for administrative and operating costs of the Community Preservation Committee and fund the Community Preservation Fund’s Annual Reserve, the Community Housing Reserves, Historic Resources Reserve and Open Space Reserve.

Article 31: Appropriate for the general fund cash capital at $1,484,129.

Article 33: Appropriate $500,000 for a design study for a new Department of Public Works building, which will serve as swing space during Town Hall renovations and eventually house the DPW.

For more details, check back with the Web site in the afternoon. I’ll have a full story up. I’ll try to type fast.

Sneak peek

Posted on May 14, 2008 by Deb Filcman
Filed Under Sneak peek | Leave a Comment

HealthFit got you down?

Posted on May 13, 2008 by Deb Filcman
Filed Under Business, For your health, Show me the money, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

We’ve been getting anonymous calls in response to our HealthFit article from several weeks ago. When the gym unexpectedly closed due to financial problems, it seems to have left members feeling the loss of both a comfortable gym and their hard-earned cash.

As much as we appreciate news tips, anonymous or otherwise, we need more to go on this time. If you want to discuss the situation on the record, give us all at 781-433-8326 or e-mail us at needham@cnc.com.

Best street in Needham?

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Fun!, Roads, general | 1 Comment

To me, Needham is an incredibly cute town. I love the downtown shopping area, I love the way the street signs look, and I love the houses and streets. Apparently, so does Pat Baker, a real estate agent, who on the blog activerain.com talks about her favorite two streets in Needham, Woodlawn Street and Fair Oaks Park.

Baker decides that ultimately she likes her own Needham Street the best, which makes sense since that’s where she lives. But what about you? What’s your favorite street in Needham? Why? Let me know!

Bongo Love shows

Posted on May 12, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment

In last week’s issue, I wrote about Bongo Love. I’ve been getting a few e-mails asking me when and where Bongo Love is going to perform while they are in Needham. I know many Needhamites would want to see, and help support, this Zimbabwean band.

To find out when and where the band is playing, please contact Sandra from Plugged In at 781-956-4281.

What did you think of the Bongo Love story? Can you imagine supporting your family on one summer’s worth of earnings? Let the Needham Times know what you think!

Needham High grads and remedial level classes

Posted on May 8, 2008 by Elana Zak
Filed Under Uncategorized, general, schools | Leave a Comment

I just got an e-mail from a reader asking for a reference for the School-to-College Report I cited in the article saying Needham High grads take remedial level classes in their first year of college. Good question! I just included a link

Thanks inquisitive reader!

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