The Newton Voice - 12/13/16 by Jessica Rice

Newton VOL 1, NO 7

NEWTON’S VOICE

December 13 – 26, 2016

Combined Jewish Philanthropy delivers secret $1.3 million bonus to CEO Shrage Shrage’s take in 2014-2015 —

$1.9 million

By Joshua Resnek

The Voice At a time when the organic Jewish communities in Greater Boston are challenged for money, losing membership because of an aging demographic and closing synagogues because of dwindling congregations, the Combined Jewish Philanthropies gave a retirement bonus of $1.3 million to Barry Shrage, its longtime leader, and paid him a total of $1.9 million for a year’s work. The only problem with the retirement bonus – Shrage isn’t retiring. A review of the charity’s tax returns just

released reveals Shrage’s total take for CJP’s fiscal year 2014-2015 was $1.9 million plus unreported non-taxable items such as expense account, travel allowance and automobile as well as health insurance. The CJP leadership claims to be struggling to meet the needs of the Jewish communities it services and often complains to Jewish leaders seeking its help that there just isn’t enough money to go around for worthy causes of all kinds. The CJP Board of Directors made the alleged retirement award to Shrage, 69, in response to him asking for it, according to the Jewish Advocate.

Continued on page 3

Photo | Joshua Resnek April Chestnut presents a stunning profile inside Boston Platinum and Diamonds, a lovely Newton jewelry store on Union Street.

A review of the CJP’s fiscal year 2014-2015 tax filings with the State of Massachusetts just released reveals that Shrage received $343,056 in salary, $10,400 in benefit plans, and other compensation of $1,549,346 for a total of $1,902,802 - and this does not include health insurance, expense account, travel and automobile. • Shrage’s compensation: $1,902,802 2014-2015 $500,000+ 2012-2016 • Travel, expense account, health insurance, automobile, benefits not listed/estimated total: $100,000+ • Loans not listed • Loans forgiven (if any) not listed

• Future compensation arrangements not announced publicly by CJP Board • $1.3 million retirement bonus not announced by Board to community or contributors • $1,902,802 fiscal year 2014 2015 compensation not announced by Board

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THE BROOKLINE VOICE THE NEWTON VOICE PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Joshua Resnek jresnek@voicestaff.net

CHRISTMAS AND HANUKKAH

he Christmas holiday is nearly upon us. It is rushing towards us at race car speed.

SENIOR ADVISOR

How did the year come to pass so quickly, and where has another year of our lives gone just like that, with the snap of a finger?

EDITOR

For those of you who don’t celebrate Christmas, there is Hanukkah, and this year the two major holidays collide with one another.

Joseph Resnek joeresnek@voicestaff.net Joshua Resnek

SENIOR REPORTER

Alexander Culafi aculafi@voicestaff.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lorenzo Recupero lrecupero@voicestaff.net David Stanford dstanford@voicestaff.net

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rick Ashley rashley@voicestaff.net Jared Charney jcharney@voicestaff.net

In households where there has been intermarriage between Christian and Jew, there are two holidays at the same time to celebrate. This tends to do two things – it brings together the family, but at a terrible cost. Christmas is one thing when it comes to commercialism. Hanukkah is another. Both at the same time is a costly interlude. Christmas is one evening preceded by weeks of buying. Hanukkah is 8 days of buying. I grew up in very nice circumstances in a Jewish home.

CALENDAR EDITOR

Sheila Barth sbarth@voicestaff.net

We never celebrated Christmas. It was as if Christmas didn’t exist. This is hard to imagine in the world of today, where literally and physically anything goes and many traditions have been thrown by the wayside.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

Not only did we not celebrate Christmas in my family home, but Hanukkah was a one present holiday.

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My father would give me a $25 check on the first night, and that was the end of it for Hanukkah. When I was 40 he was still handing me the $25 check, which I always accepted and said, “Thank you.” And meant it. My father wasn’t cheap. In fact, he was extremely generous to me, but he did not like holidays, and he didn’t particularly like giving presents – and certainly not 8 days of presents. He couldn’t handle Christmas. Our family never exchanged presents with other family members, cousins and relatives. Everyone was well-off. No one needed anything. Why do it? Today, I’d say to that, why not? I enjoy the Christmas season. There’s nothing quite like the honest smell of a real Christma,s tree or a slew of them stacked in front of a store waiting to find a home. The Christmas Carols get a bit much for me – but some of them I love – and especially Silent Night. I love white lights, and there are white lights everywhere.

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Merry Christmas to our Christian readers.

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Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish readers.

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To all our readers, a very Happy Holiday season.

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December 13 - 26, 2016

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December 13 - 26, 2016

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Combined Jewish Philanthropy delivers secret $1.3 million bonus to CEO Shrage Continued from page 1 The so-called retirement bonus was not publicly announced at the time it was granted. Nor was it noted in the annual CJP budget. “The view was that would help him in retirement, but it wasn’t a retirement payment in that he continues to work at CJP,” said Neil Wallack, chair of the group’s Board of Directors, according to a recently published report in the online Jewish daily, The Forward. Wallack’s odd reply has many CJP contributors all asking the same questions: How do you bestow a secret $1.3 million retirement payout on a CEO who is not retiring? And why wouldn’t the Board have issued a press release or noted in the budget such a large payout of the charity’s funds for added compensation? In addition, it is well known in local circles and among his colleagues and friends, that Shrage has no immediate retirement plans. “If the Board of Directors hid a $1.3 million retirement bonus, what else might they be hiding?” asked Russel Pergament, a media executive and publisher of the online Jewish news service, JNS.org. “The CJP is awash with cash. When is the last time an independent third party examined their expenditures? Barry has accomplished much at the CJP, but it appears the Board is his creature, totally subservient,” he said. Though the $1.3 million bonus payment was made nearly two years ago, the long process of making non-profit tax filings public means that it was publicly disclosed only recently, according to official state and Federal tax returns filed by the CJP and reviewed by The Voice. “After 30 years Barry has totally conflated his CJP role, and the CJP has become his fiefdom,” Pergament added. “Inevitably this means murky finances and a lot of unanswered questions. He did the smart thing staying away from the Madoff disaster. But I think a review of the CJP’s finances is long overdue.” According to research provided in Charity Navigator’s 2016 CEO Compensation Study, salaries, gifts or retirement packages in excess of $1 million are rare. Gifts or loans to CEO’s are problematic. A high ranking Boston Jewish source who wished to remain unnamed said it is likely CJP’s Shrage has also been given loans by the Board of Directors, including a sizable loan to purchase his Newton home. He predicted the Board will forgive such loans when he retires. Charity Navigator asserts that making loans

to related parties such as key officers, staff, or Board members, is not standard practice in the sector, as it diverts the charity’s funds away from its charitable mission. The Internal Revenue Service, the compensation study reports, is concerned enough about the practice that it requires charities to disclose on their Form 990 any loans to or from current and former officers, directors, trustees, key employees, and other “disqualified persons.” Wallack claimed, it was reported in the Forward and in the Jewish Advocate , that it was the Board’s feeling Shrage’s alleged $337,000 a year salary was not sufficient because others received more money in salary and benefits at similarly sized charitable institutions. The CJP’s tax filings, if they are to be believed, show Shrage’s salary has been consistently north of $500,000 since 2012. Wallack said a private consultant provided information to the Board that Shrage’s salary wasn’t high enough. Based on this information, the Board handed Shrage the $1.3 million retirement payout without reporting it at the time.

The Israel Defense Forces patrols the Israeli-Syrian border in the Golan Heights Nov. 27 after a shooting incident in which Islamic State shot over the border into Israel. Credit: Basel Awidat/Flash90.

Islamic State just one element of the ‘chaos’ at Israel-Syria border By Ariel Ben Solomon/JNS.org The recent attention-grabbing exchange of fire between Israel and Islamic State is just one aspect of the Jewish state’s assessment of the current threats at its northern border with Syria. Israeli forces killed four fighters from the Islamic State-affiliated Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade Nov. 27 after the terrorists had fired at Israeli soldiers in the Golan Heights. The exchange drew significant attention because it was the first report of an Islamic State attack on Israel from Syria. Yet despite the numerous news headlines that followed the Islamic State attack, the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade does not have nearly as large of a footprint in the region as Hezbollah or its patron, Iran, which have beten increasing their presence in Syria to back President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in that country’s civil war. There is “chaos” on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, Syrian rebel leader Kamal al-Labwani told JNS.org.

In fact, the Jewish Advocate reported that the bonus was Shrage’s idea as expressed to Wallack who considered the suggestion and then acted on it. The Jewish Advocate later reported Wallack’s clarification that Shrage did not urge the bonus, but rather insisted his compensation was below average. Shrage has repeatedly complained or noted to colleagues and contributors in recent years that he was being paid below the average for comparable positions. Perhaps this explains Wallack and the Board evening the alleged score for Shrage with the $1.3 million bonus, which was designed to compensate Shrage for being underpaid. Shrage’s insistence on being underpaid is not born out by a review of the CJP’s tax records. A review of the CJP’s fiscal year 2014-2015 tax filings with the State of Massachusetts just released reveals that Shrage received $343,056 in salary, $10,400 in benefit plans, and other compensation of $1,549,346 for a total of $1,902,802 – and this does not include health insurance, expense account, travel and automobile. Subtract the $1.3 million bonus and Shrage’s compensation is closer to $600,000 in 2014-2015 than the Board’s estimated $343,000.

The CAMERA media watchdog’s Dec. 4 national conference at Harvard University.

Academics unpack BDS, anti-Semitism at media watchdog’s national conference By Sean Savage/JNS.org Many colleges and universities “don’t govern in a consistent way when it comes to Israel” and apply a “double standard” to how they treat Jewish victims of prejudice, Harvard University President Emeritus Lawrence Summers said at the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America’s national conference Dec. 4. Academics and campus professionals gathered for the media watchdog’s conference to discuss the complexion of the anti-Israel BDS movement as well as rising campus anti-Semitism.

In addition, a review of Shrage’s compensation beginning in 2012 indicates he has been compensated at least $500,000 a year for the past five years.

Cordis Management, Inc. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (left) meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in New York City Sept. 19, 2016.

Palestinian statehood: an idea whose time has passed Second generation of carpentry, fabrication and installation services for architects, designers and owners. Serving Newton, Brookline and Back Bay. 617.889.6699

By Stephen Flatow/JNS.org John Kerry and J Street are worried. They see their cherished dream of a Palestinian state slipping away. It’s not as if creating a Palestinian state is some kind of cherished principle that has been recognized and supported by everybody since time immemorial. In fact, it’s a very recent proposal that has always been fraught with problems, writes JNS.org columnist Stephen M. Flatow.

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December 13 - 26, 2016

Newton not a sanctuary city officially, but might as well be By Alexander Culafi

The Voice Newton Mayor Setti Warren and Police Chief David MacDonald have clarified how the city and local law enforcement deal with undocumented immigrants, following a call by the Newton Democratic City Committee last week to make Newton a sanctuary city. Both the Mayor and Police Chief responded with a filing to the city clerk, saying that they would more or less take cues from communities like Cambridge, that already have sanctuary laws in place. “These foundational guidelines have been in practice by the Newton Police for many years. While there is no clear legal definition of “Sanctuary City,” these police practices are in keeping with a number of other communities that have designated themselves as such. We have also been developing the One Newton policy for nearly a year.” Newton formally becoming a sanctuary city, or enacting a TRUST ordinance, could make it so that an undocumented immigrant could not be prosecuted solely for violating federal immigration laws. By extension, it could limit cooperation between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I say “could” because the term “sanctuary city” has no clear, concrete meaning, as Warren and MacDonald point out. Some versions of the term apply specifically to those seeking asylum, and some versions of this term make it illegal for police to inquire about one’s immigration status. There’s one more passage in Warren and MacDonald’s letter I think is worth reading. “The Newton Police Department does not take

action on civil immigration matters. In most cases, by the time that an undocumented alien is flagged by the fingerprint system, they have already been processed out of police custody to the Newton District Court. Police do reserve the right to cooperate with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) when terrorism is suspected or when a serious felony has been committed by an undocumented alien and the individual is considered to be a threat to the safety of others, consistent with the federal Priority Enforcement Program (PEP).” In other words, although there is no law in place, Newton will be keeping policy in line with that of a sanctuary city, while reserving the right to utilize ICE when necessary. It’s the “don’t ask, don’t tell” of immigration policies, allowing Newton to sit on the “good” side of the fence without formally committing. That’s not actually a criticism. Keeping Newton's sanctuary status at the policy level and not the legal one can give it some much needed flexibility while still taking the wellbeing of undocumented individuals into account. Making an inflexible law would make it more difficult to protect residents (including undocumented ones) from potential threats. And given the divided political climate we find ourselves in, sitting on the fence oh-so-slightly for a little while might not be the worst idea. Then again, if Newton follows Cambridge in policy, this statement from Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale last month makes Newton seem far less on the fence.

Fruitations is available at Roche Bros., Bros. Marketplace, Gordon's Downtown Crossing, Kappy's Peabody and Whole Foods Market. Find Fruitations behind the bar at Woods Hill Table, RedBird, backbar, Porto Boston, Envoy Hotel. Recipes on our website: Justaddfruitations.com

“Every Cambridge resident – regardless of their status – is encouraged to seek and obtain assistance from the many resources available to the Cambridge community. Cambridge remains a welcoming community for all.”

New Art Center to open Newton’s city-wide food drive exhibit on climate change asks you to help those in need Here’s an interesting approach to climate change education.

will be on display to show how climate change affects our world.

The fourth annual Newton city-wide food drive is on, now through December 28.

The New Art Center in Newtonville is going to have an exhibit called "Our Climate Legacy: What Can I Do?" from December 18 to 20 that is trying to educate and inspire visitors on the effects of climate change through art.

It’s going to be an interactive exhibit, as well. On December 18, all five contributing artists will be available to discuss environmental issues with visitors, and volunteers from Elders Climate Action will have a presentation on climate change and action.

The drive, which started on November 28, is a push for residents to donate to the city’s food pantries, which serves over 1,500 citizens every single month.

Elders Climate Action, the national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness on climate change, is sponsoring the event. Paintings, photos, sculptures, and more

New Art Center can be found at 61 Washington Park in Newtonville, or online at www.newartcenter.org.

16-Year limit for city councilors, 12 for mayor, says Newton charter commission The Charter commission got together on November 30 to further discuss term limits and more for the mayor, city council, and school committee, following initial discussions in July.

limit for the mayor, while School Committee members would continue being limited to four terms, or eight consecutive years.

Commissioners voted 6-3 on imposing a 16year limit for city councilors as well as a 12-year

Committee members, in that vote too, would keep eight-year limits.

This mostly reaffirms the July vote, where a 5-4 voted for 12-year limits on both city councilors and the mayor. School

SALES AND MARKETING PRO SOUGHT The Newton and Brookline VOICE are seeking a sales and marketing professional to bring to the local and wider business community the value of advertising in THE VOICE publications. This sales professional will be a self-starter who makes his or her own hours, whose salary will be based on sales generated for the publications. Dependent upon the level of experience, the final choice for this position will be given a draw and a generous commission scale unmatched. Perfect for a cracker jack real estate broker tired of the game and of the competition, and looking for a future with our publications. Please contact publisher Josh Resnek at 978-239-8860.

Requested items for donation include (unopened) non-perishable canned and boxed food items, toiletries, diapers, and gently used clothing (for Arabic Baptist Church). Here’s where you can bring your donations: • Auburndale • Auburndale Community Library, 375 Auburn St. • Lasell College, Irwin House, 5 Cheswick Rd., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. M-F • The Village Bank, 307 Auburn St. • Chestnut Hill • Century Bank, 210 Boylston St. • Church of the Redeemer, 378 Hammond St. • Wegman's, 200 Boylston St. • Newton Centre • Cambridge Savings Bank, 739 Beacon St. • Century Bank, 32 Langley Rd. • Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave. • Newton Free Library, Children's Room, 330 Homer St. • Newton Corner • Durant-Kenrick House, 286 Waverly Ave. • West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church St. • Newton Highlands • The Episcopal Parish of St. Paul, 1135 Walnut St. • The Village Bank, 56 Winchester St. • Whole Foods, 916 Walnut St. • Newton Lower Falls • Newton Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove St. • Newton Upper Falls • Newton Fire Station #7, 144 Elliot St.

• Newtonville • Cabot's Ice Cream, 743 Washington St. • Dwell360 Real Estate, 46 Austin St. • Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut St. • The Village Bank, 322 Walnut St. • Whole Foods, 617 Washington St. • Nonantum • Fire House #4, 195 Crafts St. • The Village Bank, 411 Watertown St. • Oak Hill Area • Fire Station #10, 755 Dedham St. • Jewish Community Center, 333 Nohanton St. • Waban • Hammond Realty, 1631 Beacon St. • The Village Bank, 89 Wyman St. • West Newton • Myrtle Baptist Church, 21 Curve St. • Rockland Trust, 991 Watertown St. • The Village Bank, 1369 Washington St. • You can also mail a check or food gift card to the pantry of your choice, which includes these four: • Arabic Baptist Church Food Pantry 187 Church St., Newton Corner 02458 • Centre Street Food Pantry 11 Homer St., Newton Center 02459 • Newton Food Pantry new address: Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, 02459 • Zola Center for Disabilities 20 Hartford St., Newton Highlands 02461 • And if you want one more way to help, you can pitch in by sorting food at Newton City Hall from 9-11 a.m. on December 31. Kids are welcome, and you can bring your own donations on that day too. Be sure to come back for the Mayor’s New Years Eve Open House from 1:30-3:30 p.m., where both family entertainment and refreshments will be provided free of charge.

December 13 - 26, 2016

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To view these fine and stylish timepieces, please contact Fabrizio at his Darling Street Italian coffee shop in downtown Marblehead. These are wonderful holiday presents for the people you love — and if you’re in the area, Bello Preciso Cafe has the finest Italian coffee you will savor, delight in, and come back for — guaranteed!

U.S. +1.352.639.2824

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December 13 - 26, 2016

Alex Picks: T

he five best movies of 2016

10 Cloverfield Lane 10 Cloverfield Lane is a movie that was fully announced mere weeks before it was released in theaters. It is vaguely a sequel to the original Cloverfield, the found footage monster movie from 2008, but ditches the original cast and perspective for new ones. Now a “regular” movie in third-person, 10 Cloverfield Lane follows Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Michelle, who, following a fight with her fiancé, gets into a car accident and is rescued by Howard (John Goodman). He takes her to a locked underground bunker, tells her that the world has ended, and refuses to let her leave under any circumstances. Is the world over? Is Howard just a crazy psychopath? What actually happened out there? It’s a very different, much better movie than the original Cloverfield, but it also plays with a similar sense of mystery and realism to the original Cloverfield film. The suspense is impressive, and the mystery is one worth unraveling.

Doctor Strange

Hacksaw Ridge

Arrival

In Mel Gibson’s true return to form, Hacksaw Ridge is a biographical movie about Desmond Doss, a pacifist combat medic in World War II who refused to carry or use a firearm of any kind. He was also the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. It’s an extraordinarily violent story about love, war, religion, and heroism, and for me, it’s the best war movie since (and including) Full Metal Jacket.

The best movie about aliens in a long time. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is a linguist tasked with communicating with aliens after numerous unidentified flying objects land on the planet. This movie works as well as it does because it takes place in a realistic world. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what would happen if aliens actually landed in the world we live in today?”, this movie is the best answer we’ve got so far.

I did not expect two Marvel movies to make my list this year, but this one was pretty good. If you don’t know what Doctor Strange is, imagine if Dr. House was Harry Potter and went to Hong Kong instead of Hogwarts. In addition to that, imagine if the Harry Potter movies had a bigger budget, more violence, more humor, and some real trippy visuals. This is that movie. Is it as good as the best of Harry Potter? Up for debate. Was it a lot of fun and worth watching? Absolutely.

Captain America: Civil War Don’t get me wrong – it’s another movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the gazillion-dollar franchise where comic book heroes beat the stuffing out of other comic book heroes while shouting sassy banter at each other, all for $14 a ticket. Civil War, the third Captain America movie in this series, is one of the best in the MCU. This one introduces some darker, fantastical political themes, like superheroes causing mass destruction, and leads to some excellent fight scenes with Iron Man (the true hero in that movie, as far as I’m concerned). Also, it has the best film adaptation of Spider-Man, so you have that to look forward to if you haven’t seen this one yet.

Next time, in our last issue of 2016, I’m going to tell you all about the best video games of this year. And hey, if you disagree, go ahead and tell me how wrong I am at aculafi@ voicestaff.net. Your feedback may go in a future issue!

December 13 - 26, 2016

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The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016

CALENDAR

BOSTON ENTERTAINMENT AND BEYOND IMPROVISED HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

Every Friday at 10 p.m., throughout December, ImprovBoston features the National Touring Company and others, performing improvised holiday entertainment at ImprovBoston. Special added performances, too. $18. ImprovBoston.com.

A CELTIC CHRISTMAS SOJOURN

WGBH Presents Brian O’Donovan, making the holiday season sparkle with his and the group’s stories, dancing, and music, through Dec. 21, at the following locations: Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont St., Emerson College, Boston, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. ;Dec. 17,21, at 3,7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18, 1,5 p.m.; Dec. 21, artsemerson.org, 617-824-8400; Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Providence, RI, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.; the Zeiterion Theatre of New Bedford, Mass., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.; and Hanover Theatre, Worcester, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.

LINDSAY CROUSE, CHRISTOPHER LYDON

Academy Award nominee Lindsay Crouse and radio personality Christopher Lydon deliver a benefit performance of Dylan Thomas’ holiday classic tale, “ A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. only,

267 East Main Street, Gloucester. The performance includes a special Backstage preshow reception with hors d’oeuvres, fine wine, craft beer, brief live auction, etc. There’s also a post-show dessert and gourmet coffees in the lobby. The events benefit Gloucester Stage Company. The entire package is $150; performance and dessert buffet, $50-$75. gloucesterstage.com, 978-281-4433.

KOWLOON LINEUP

Kowloon restaurant and Comedy Club of Route 1, Saugus, features comedian Robbie Printz, Dec. 16, 8:30 p.m., $20; The Hipshot Band, also Dec. 16, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., no cover charge; comedian Paul D’Angelo, Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m., $20; also Dec. 23, Wildfire, no cover, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

KEVIN QUIGLEY

The director-writer-producer-standup comic-actor-writer comes to ImprovBoston’sMainstage Spotlight Series, Dec. 15, with his roving storytelling show, “Wild Memory Nation,” spinning his entertaining tales and presenting comedic improvised scenes in Cambridge. Following Quigley’s performance Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. is Aaron Wilson, actor-singer-songwriter-author, and Variety Entertainer Colin Campbell, Jan. 5, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. $18. Improvboston.com.

DANCE ALTERNATIVES

Critically acclaimed holiday dance favorites, Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion’s “Gumdrops and The Funny Uncle,” an alternative non-Nutracker dance/ theater performance celebrating families of choice through an LGTBQ lens, and David Parker and the Bang Group’s “Nutcracked,” are performed in repertory, Dec.14-18, Boston Center for the Arts Black Box, 539 Tremont St., Boston. Gumdrops will also be performed at the Dance Complex’s Winter Wonder Festival, Dec.28-30. $30;pillow seats plus fees, $12. bostontheatrescene.com.

THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS If you missed this brilliant Kander and Ebb musical when it appeared last month to accolades, take heart. The play returns to SpeakEasy Stage Company, Dec. 30-Jan.22, 2017, Roberts Studio Theatre, Stanford Calderwood Pavilion,Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston. Get your tickets early before they sell out again. Speakeasystage.com.

A DOLL’S HOUSE Huntington Theatre Company presents Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic dramatic play, Jan. 6-Feb. 5, 2017, BU Theatre, Avenue of the Arts, select Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.;select Sundays, 7 p.m.; matinees, select Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, at 2 p.m.264 Huntington Ave., Boston. Related events also. Tickets

start at $25; senior, military, subscriber, BU community, 35-year-olds and younger, student discounts. huntingtontheatre.org, 617-266-0800.

CLUB OBERON Check out the happenings at Club Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge: Club Drosselmeyer, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., $45-$80; Sound Society, The Sweetback Sisters country Christmas sing-along, Dec.15 8 p.m., tickets from $25; A Very Mary Christmas, Dec. 19, 8, p.m., $20; The Moth StorySLAMS, Usual Suspect, Dec. 20,Jan. 31,8p.m.; Sailor Moon Shoujo Spectacular, Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ,$10-$15; Sganekess: New Year’s Eve, 9 p.m., $15-$35; and much more. Visit cluboberon.com, or call 617-547-8300.

LIVE NATION NEW ENGLAND CONCERT LINE-UP Thievery Corporation performs Dec. 13, House of Blues Boston; Rasputina, Dec. 14, Brighton Music Hall; Street Dogs, Dec. 15,16,18, Brighton Music Hall; Barrington Posse and Detour Posse, Dec.15, Paradise Rock Club; Brighton Music Hall;. Chadwick Stokes and friends, 9th annual calling all crows benefit weekend, Dec. 16, and Dec. 17, the Oh Hellos, both at Paradise Rock Club. livenation.com

BERKLEE PERFORMANCE CENTER

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR BROOKLINE 335 Harvard Street 617-975-0075

December 13 - 26, 2016

The Newton Voice

The following performers appear at the Berklee Performance Center: the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra, Dec. 14, 8 p.m. and A John Waters Christmas, Dec. 17, 8 p.m., 136 Mass Ave., Boston. Worldmusic.org. 617-876-4275.

Boston’s premier handbell ensemble will perform its holiday concert “An English Christmas,” Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., First Church Boston, in Boston. $20; seniors, students, $15. Backbayringers.org or at the door.

A NUTCRACKER PANTO

Boston Playwrights’ Theatre presents Andrew Joseph Clarke’s new dramatic play, “Faithless,” through Dec. 18: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday,Saturday, 8p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. The play focuses on two generations of an Irish-American family, gathered together at the hospital. As their matriarch is dying, the black sheep of the family unexpectedly shows up. Starring are Boston’s favorites Maureen Keillor, Christine Power, East Boston’s native son, Greg Maraio, and Abby Knipp. 949 Comm. Ave., Boston. $30, BU faculty, staff, senior citizens $25; students with valid ID, $10.bostonplaywrights.org, 866-811-4111.

Theater in the Open and Firehouse Center for the Arts present a combination holiday treat of ballet and panto, Dec. 16-18, Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 3,7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Market Square, Newburyport. $16; seniors, students, members, $14. firehouse.org, 978-462-7336.

BOSTON BAROQUE NEW YEAR’S PROGRAM

The Boston Baroque presents Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks,” and Bach’s Violin Concerto in A minor BWV, with violinist/ Boston Baroque concertmaster Christina Day Martinson, Dec. 31, 8 p.m. and Jan. 1, 3 p.m., Sander’s Theatre, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. $30-$90;students, $10; seniors, $20; under 30 years old, $30; discounts available at the box office 90 minutes pre-performance. bostonbaroque.org, 617-9878600.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Central Square’s accomplished, versatile Artistic Director Lee Mikeska Gardner directs “Journey to the West,” a comical adaptation of a 16th century Chinese novel, now through Dec. 31, Central Square Theater, 450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. $16-$61. 617-576-9278, centralsquaretheater.org.

“MATCHLESS” AND “THE HAPPY PRINCE”

Underground Theater director Debra Wise presents adaptations of Gregory Maguire’s novel, “Matchless,” based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen, and Oscar Wilde’s beloved “The Happy Prince,” now through Dec. 31, Central Square Theater, 450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge.$15-$55. 617-576-9278, centralsquaretheater.org.

CHRISTMAS ON THE BAYOU

The Squeezebox Stompers bring their infectious brand of New Orleans’ Cajun/Zydeco music to Salem, Dec.15, 8:30 p.m.; at Cinema Salem,1 East India Square. $16. 978-744-1400, cinemasalem.com.

BACK BAY RINGERS

Calendar

FAITHLESS

PARFUMERIE

Americana Theatre Company presents EP Dowdall’s adaption of this romantic holiday comedy, based on the Hungarian play, “Illatszertar,” by Miklos Laszlo, through Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., Plymouth. Pre-show receptions at 6:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 8-up. $25; group rates also. Americanatheatre.org, 508-591-0282.

THE WILBURY GROUP

The theater will hold the New England premieres of Young Jean Lee’s “Straight White Men,” and Amelia Bullmore’s “Di and Viv and Rose,” running in rotating performances, now through Dec. 23, 393 Broad St., Providence, RI. $15-$25. thewilburygroup.org, or call 401-400-7100.

GLOWBERON

Oberon presents monthly shows, Glowberon and the Afterglow Festival, through March 9, 2017, featuring solo performances and cabaret.

MURDER FOR TWO

The Lyric Stage Company of Boston presents comical musical mystery, “Murder for Two,” with book and music by Joe Kinosian and book and lyrics by Kellen Blair, through Dec. 24, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 3,8 pm.; Sundays 3 p.m.; Wednesday matinee, 2 p.m., Dec. 21. Tickets start at $25; senior, group, student rush discounts. lyricstage.

call 617-933-8600.

com, 617-585-5678.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Company Theatre presents Charles Dickens’ classic ghost tale through Dec. 18, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell. companytheatre.com.

MAME

She’s back - not just that notorious, carefree lady of the 1920s - but versatile, award-winning actress, Kathy St. George in the title role, accompanied by a Boston star-studded cast and crew, through Dec. 23, at Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main St., Stoneham. Tickets, $50-$55; seniors, $45-$50; students with valid ID, $20; Thrifty Thursday, student rush discounts. stonehamtheatre.org, 781-279-2200.

THE NUTCRACKER

Boston Ballet’s magnificent two-act, two-hour production of Mikko Nissinen’s reimagined classic ballet, featuring music by Tchaikovsky, is performed through Dec. 31, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston. Times vary. Tickets start at $35. bostonballet. org, 617-695-6955.

AMADEUS

Moonbox Productions and Grand Harmonie present Peter Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning production, “Amadeus,” through Dec. 17, Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St., South End, Boston. Showtimes: Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.. Fridays, Saturedays, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday matinees, 2 p.m. $50, $45, patrons under 25, $25; student rush a half-hour before performance, $15. Visit bostontheatrescene.com or

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Ogunquit Playhouse presents the beloved musical tale of Belle and the enchanted beast, whose time is running out, through Dec. 18,at the Music Hall, Portsmouth, NH. OgunquitPlayhouse.org or 207-646-5511.

GOING TO SEE THE KID

Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents the world premiere of Steven Drukman’s play, “Going to See The Kid,” through Dec. 24, Nancy L. Donahue Theater, 50 E. Merrimack St., Lowell.mrt.org, or call 978-5644678.

THE TEMPEST

Actors’ Shakespeare Project returns to Brookline’s Willet Hall at United Parish, performing Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” through Jan. 8, 2017, 210 Harvard St., Brookline. $30-$50. Actorsshakespeareproject.org, 866-811-4111.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

New Life Fine Arts presents David MacAdam’s musical adaptation of Dickens’ beloved ghost tale, Dec. 16-18, at the Groton Dunstable Performing Arts Center, 344 Main St., Groton. nifa.brownpapertickets.com.

SCULLERS JAZZ CLUB

Dec. may be cold outside, but the jazz is hot at Scullers with headliners Kurt Elling, Dec. 16,17, Doubletree Suits by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. Info@ scullersjazz.com, scullersjazz.com.,

Coming soon to your favorite grocer, and now available at Katz Bagel in Chelsea:

The pizza bagel. A tradition since 1938.

139 Park St., Chelsea

Calendar

The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016 Boston Ballet’s magnificent two-act, two-hour production of Mikko Nissinen’s reimagined classic ballet, featuring music by Tchaikovsky, is performed through Dec. 31, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston. Times vary. Tickets start at $35. bostonballet. org, 617-695-6955.

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Boston Children’s Theatre presents its beloved production of this traditional children’s favorite holiday play, through Dec. 18, featuring an 11-member cast from local and regional cities and communities. Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston. Dec. 17, 18, 2 p.m.; also Dec. 17, 4 p.m. $20-$28. 617-424-6634, Ext. 222. Bostonchildrenstheatre.org.

ELF THE MUSICAL JR.

Marblehead Little Theatre presentss an all-youth cast in “Elf, the Musical, Jr,”’ through Dec. 18, 12 School St., Marblehead. $25; student matinees, $15. mltlive. org.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Poor milkman Tevye wishes he had Trump’s fortune and fame, in New Repertory Theater’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” featuring a Boston all-star cast. The show expanded performances to January 1, 2017, before it opened Dec. 2, because of popular demand. Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Associated events also. $35-$65;student, tickets, $20; senior, group discounts. Newrep.org.

RETURN OF THE WINEMAKER Tir Na Productions presents Bernard McMullan’s dark Irish Christmas comedy starring Boston’s best Irish performers, Nancy E.Carroll, Colin Hamell, Stephen

Russell and Derry Woodhouse, through Dec. 23, the Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Somerville.

STRAIGHT WHILTE MEN

The Wilbury Group Theater will hold the New England premieres of Young Jean Lee’s “Straight White Men,” and Amelia Bullmore’s “Di and Viv and Rose,” running in rotating performances, through Dec. 23., 393 Broad St., Providence, RI. $15-$25. thewilburygroup.org.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

Jordan Furniture’s Sunbrella ImaxTheatre in Reading and Natick has tickets for the new, spectacular film featuring 4K laser technology. Natick, call 508-844-

5170, Reading, 508-844-5171.

FINGERSMITH

American Repertory Theater presents the New England premiere of Alexa Junge’s play, based on the novel by Sarah Waters, through Jan.8, 2017, Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. Tickets start at $25. 617-547-8300, AmericanReperotryTheater.org.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre presents its unforgettable, spectacular production of Dickens’ Christmas ghost story, starring the one-and-only David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge, in the inclusive theater-inthe-round through Dec. 23, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly. $59-$74. Kids 18-under save 50 percent on all evening performances. Nsmt.org, 978-232-7200.

The ART/MXAT Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University presents family musical, “James and the Giant Peach,” Dec. 17-31, at morning and afternoon shows. David Wood has adapted the musical from Roald Dahl’s book. Loeb Drama Center 64 Brattle St., Cambridge. @20. AmericanRepertoryTheater. org, 617-547-8300.

PJ LIBRARY FAMILY HANUKKAH CONCERT

The Lappin Foundation an Temple Ahavat Achim invite the community to a free, interactive family Hanukkah concert with Ellen Allard, Sunday, Dec. 18, 3-4 p.m., at the temple, 86 Middle St., Gloucester. A collection will be held for new pajamas, for area children in need, living in homeless shelters, infants to 8 years old, Reservations, posher@lappinfoundation.org, 978-740-4404.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

AMERICAN BUFFALO

Gamm Theatre presents David Mamet’s “American Buffalo,” through Dec. 18, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, RI. Contains strong language. Check for special price performances. Gammtheatre.org.

EAMONN MCCRYSTAL AND CHLOE AGNEW

Emmy Award-winning Irish tenor Eamonn McCrystala and Celtic Woman star Chloe Agneew perform in concert Tuesday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m., Boston Center for the Arts Calderwood Pavilion, Wimberly Theatre, 527 Tremont St., South End, Boston. $45,$65,$120. bostontheatrescene.com.

Stage 284 welcomes families to its production of Irving Berlin’s classic holiday musical, Dec. 17, 3,7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18, 2,6:30 p.m.; Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.,The Community House, 284 Bay Road, Hamilton. 978-468-4818, brownpapertickets.com/event/2666916.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

Ocean State Theatre presents Irving Berlin’s classic holiday musical through Dec. 24, 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI. Also related events. $39-$59 401-9216800, OceanStateTheatre.org. Rush tickets at $30 available on a limited basis an hour before the show.

PUPPET SHOWPLACE

RHEA SIMON

Her Nov. 11 Cabaret gig at Club Café was canceled last-minute, but rescheduled for Dec. 30, 8-11 p.m., at the popular club’s Napolean room, Columbus Avenue, Boston.

HAND TO GOD

As a new year treat, SpeakEasy Stage Company presents Robert Askins‘ Broadway,multi-nominated, two-act, two-hour comedy, “Hand to God,” featuring Boston’s stars Lewis D. Wheeler, Marianna Bassham, Tyrone the Puppet and more, Jan.6-Feb. 4, 2017, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., Boston. 617-933-8600, bostontheatrescene.com. u/events

FAMILY FUN

HANUKKAH THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Jewish Arts Collaborative welcomes families to join in their “miraculously good celebration,” Wednesday, Dec. 14, 5-10 p.m., featuring Inworlds, a virtual reality performance, music by Ezekiel’s Wheels, Nigun Chamber Ensemble, and Cantor Becky Khitrik, a community menorah gathering dancing in the gallery with Wendy Jehlen, family stories and songs with Stephen Brickman, and gallery talks, craft projects and more, free of charge, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

VIENNA BOYS CHOIR

Those heavenly young voices perform Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns, and holiday carols, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington. $69,$79,$89. 617-531-1257. bluefrog.showare.com.

THE NUTCRACKER

Brad Shur and Chris Monti present “Tall Tales: Stories and Songs from Old New England,“ Dec. 15,16, 10:30 a.m.; Dec. 17,18, 1,3 p.m. for ages 4+ $12; and Puppet Showplace’s Christmas Vacation Family Performances , the National Marionette Theatre, performing “Peter and the Wolf,” Dec. 22,23, 10:30 a.m.; Dec. 24, 10:30 a.m., 1,3 p.m. for ages 5+; $15; “Pinocchio,” Dec. 26,27, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. $15; Pumpernickel Puppets performing “Sir George and the Dragon,” Dec. 28,29, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. $15; and The Gottabees performing “Squirrel Stole my Underpants,” Dec. 39, 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m.; Dec. 31, January 1, 1,3 p.m.,$15. Puppet Showplace Theater, 32 Station St., Brookline. 617-731-6400, Ext. 101, Puppet Showplace.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE IMAX

Ongoing films at the museum’s mega-screen are “Dolphins,” “Extreme Weather,” and “National Parks Adventure,” Science Park, Boston.

NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM IMAX

Explore Galapagos and visit its natural inhabitants in “Galapagos: 3-D: Nature’s Wonderland,” see “Great White Sharks” and their underwater world, and follow whales and see how they communicate with each other in “Humpback Whales:3-D,” all ongoing, at New England Aquarium’s IMAX Theater, Boston.

DOCTOR STRANGE

Besides checking out the latest in furniture, food and fun at Jordan’s Furniture, you can purchase tickets for Marvel’s “Doctor Strange,” film, at the Reading store, 508-844-5171, or Natick, 508-844-5170. “Inferno”. Current films are “Jack Reacher2,” rated PG-13, and IMAX Experience, “Voyage of Time,” rated G. Visit jordans.com.

The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016

HOLIDAY POPS The celebrated Boston Pops continues its traditional holiday favorite performances, through Dec. 31 at Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston, playing holiday favorites, a sing-along, visit from Santa Claus, children’s matinees, special treats, post-Christmas concerts featuring movie “Back to the Future,” with orchestral accompaniment and a New Year’s Eve celebration with the Pops’ Swing Orchestra, conducted by Bo Winiker. BSO.org, SymphonyCharge, 888-266-1200.

ENCHANTED VILLAGE Jordan’s Furniture Store has opened its Enchanted Village, featuring a 20-minute Polar Express 4D ride ($6), Enchanted Ice, an indoor iceskating rink, a holiday laser light show, picture taking with Santa Claus, and sumptuous blueberry muffins. Jordans.com.

EXPLORE RASHI SCHOOL The independent Reform Boston-area school for children in grades K-8 holds an information session Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at 10:30 a.m.; small group tours, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. rashi.org, 617-969-4444.

BABY BOOT CAMP The Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton, offers an eight-week Baby Bootcamp Class, Tuesdays, through Dec. 20, 9:15-10 a.m., using resistance bands, weights, stroller, child, for cardio drills, strength training exercises, core work and stretching. All fitness levels welcome. For parents of non-walking babies 3-12 months. $168.Bostonjcc. org/register.

the Greater Boston area: children under 18. Daytime classes include free babysitting. Scholarships, couples discounts available. Registration, information, hebrewcollege.edu/parenting, parenting@hebrewcollege.edu, or call Ahava Rosenthal at 617-559-8734.

BABY AND ME CLASS Bring children ages 6 months to 3-years-old to the Marblehead Jewish Community Center, Fridays, 10:1511:30 a.m. for fun, baby-focused classes and the chance to meet other parents and caregivers, while children play together. Jccns.org.

FITNESS CLASS North Suburban Jewish Community Center and Temple Ner Tamid sponsor Pilates, Sunday mornings, 10:3011:30 a.m., and zumba, Monday nights, 6:15-7:15 p.m., at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody. RSVP to arlyneg@nsjcc.org.

JCC GROSSMAN CAMP OPEN HOUSE A free, open house for JCC Grossman Camp will be held Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, 2-4 p.m., at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC 333 Nahanton St., Newton. Meet the camp director and staff. Learn about JCC Grossman Camp, its various activities for campers ages 4.5 to 15 years located on 75 acres of the Hale Reservation in Dover. Bus transportation available from more than 40 communities throughout Greater Boston. Extended day available in Newton at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC. Financial assistance available. Everyone welcome. bostonjcc.org/grossman, grossman@jccgb.org or 617244-5124.

KIDS NEW JEWISH LEARNING PROGRAM

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Charles Dickens’ immortal tale of stingy curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge appears through Dec. 31 in Trinity Repertory Company’s family-friendly production, 201 Washington St., Providence, RI. trinityrep.com, 401351-4242.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S THEATRE The group performs two seasonal favorites, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” through Dec. 23, and “The Velveteen Rabbit,” through Dec. 18. Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang appear through Dec. 18, at the Larcom Theatre, 13 Wallis St., Beverly, and Dec. 21-23, the Roberts Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, 527 Tremont St., South End, Boston. $10-$28. bostonchildrenstheatre.org.

WHEELOCK FAMILY THEATRE VACATION WEEK CLASSES Winter Break camps for children ages 4-6, 7-8, 9-11,12-16 will be held Dec. 27-30. More information, registration, check out the theater group’s website.

Experiential skill-building classes connecting children to Jewish life is offered beginning in January, at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton. The classes are part of the center’s new program, Discovery Club, and include Earth Adventurers, Early Astronomers, Spicing it Up, Spectacular Storytellers, and Growing Gardeners, for children ages 5-8. Registration started December 8. bostonjcc.org/ discoveryclub, discoveryclub@jccgb, 617-558-6483.

SHORE COUNTRY DAY OPEN HOUSES First Friday open houses continue on January 22, for co-educational students in grades pre-kindergarten to 9, 545 Cabot St., Beverly. Buses are provided for students from Andover, Gloucester, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Swampscott and Newburyport. First Friday open tours also offered. ShoreSchool.org. 978-927-1700.

QUESTROM HOLIDAY PARTY BU Questrom School of Business hosts a holiday party, Thursday, Dec. 15, 6 p.m., at Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston. $15. questromalum@bu.edu.

SALEM THEATRE SOIREE

PARENTING THROUGH A JEWISH LENS Registration is open for Hebrew College and Combined Jewish Philanthropies-supported fall parenting classes for all ages and stages, held at several locations in

Calendar

Join in the fun at Salem Theatre’s ugly sweater soiree, Dec. 17, with cash bar, food, raffles, prizes for the ugliest sweater,entertainment by Salem Theatre Creatives and more. $35, bit.ly/stcsoiree2016.

Jobs MASSterList is your direct connection to Massachusetts’ political news and commentary and our more than 13,000 subscribers who are scouring our Job Board for job openings in government and public policy organizations. Want to reach our engaged professional base at half the cost of average job posting sites? Contact David Art at dart@massterlist.com or call 617-9928253 for more information. Recent postings to the MASSterList Job Board: Executive Director — Massachusetts Democratic Party Communications Associate — Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Emerging Adult Justice Campaign Coordinator — Citizens for Juvenile Justice Finance Director— Congressman Seth Moulton Public Relations Associate — Salem State University Executive Director, Healthy Aging — Martha's Vineyard Office Services Manager — Action for Boston Community Development Deputy General Counsel — Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination Improvement Specialist — Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy Meeting and Events Coordinator — Home Care Aide Council

See more at http://a.massterlist.com/jobboard

Neighbors for a Better Newtonville (NBN) is a group of residents who want to preserve and strengthen the best of what our village offers while encouraging such change as will enhance and invigorate it. For more information, visit our website.

Crunch time

A vote on the Orr Block proposal is very close at hand. There are three things you can do to help. Do at least one of them! Read on.

1. Be Seen and Heard at the Final LUC Meeting for Public Comment! The final Land Use Committee meeting for public comment is this coming Thursday, December 15, at 7 PM, at City Hall (2nd floor Aldermanic Chambers). It’s vital that we fill both sides of the chamber with our supporters. Attend, speak briefly, let the Councilors know that you care about overdeveloping the Orr Block.

2. Last Public Hearing Before Planning Board Vote! The final Planning Board meeting for public comment will be on January 11, at 7 PM, at City Hall (2nd floor). Their vote could influence the LUC vote. (See way down below for an explanation of what the Planning Board is.) If you didn’t speak to the Planning Board already, consider expressing your views. Or just come and be there. Note: IF you want to speak, we’ll be sending out a notice later about what topics are acceptable. The Planning Board is not concerned about the specifics of the buildings themselves (height, appearance, number of units, etc.). But put Jan. 11 on your calendar!

3. Write a Letter or Email! It’s easy to do and very important. Here’s an example: http://www.newtonma.gov/ civicax/filebank/documents/78138. WHY The final public LUC hearing, December 15, is a major milestone. After that meeting the LUC will make its decision, and this will obviously carry weight when the full council votes afterward. The councilors pay attention to these letters, both the content and how many there are. Right now, Mr. Korff’s people have logged more letters than we have. That’s an easy situation to remedy. WHAT Long or short (a single paragraph is fine). Info-packed or very simple. Be respectful and clear; those are the only requirements. HOW Send your email or letter to David Olson, City Clerk. • By email: Write message directly in email body, or attach a file. In subject line put “Orr Block.” Send to dolson@newtonma.gov • By U.S. mail: Send your letter to David Olson, City Clerk, Newton City Hall, 1000 Walnut St., Newton MA 02459 Forward this newsletter to a few friends or neighbors so they can also write. This is a very effective use of your time. Do it now. There should be a letter from every one of us.

Planning Board Keeps Public Hearing Open At a meeting on December 5, the Planning Board listened to testimony about the Korff proposal to rezone the Orr Block from Business Use (reasonable size buildings) to Mixed Use (big dense buildings}. NBN members, abutters, and others made a solid showing against rezoning. At least 15 spoke, with content and passion. Mr. Korff and his people were there too, but we more than held our own. The board agreed to continue the public hearing. That’s a positive development. At the next meeting ― January 11, 2017, at 7 PM ― we need again to fill the seats and have new speakers describe why this rezoning is bad for Newtonville. In case you’re confused. The Planning Board is composed of volunteer citizens. It’s important because if it rejects the rezoning petition, the final vote by the City Council will require 18 votes to pass (not 16) ― in other words, we will not need as many councilors on our side. In contrast, the Planning Department is not independent. It reports to the mayor and pushes his plan for a much denser city. Finally, the Land Use Committee has one city councilor from each ward. The LUC will have its final public comment session on December 15. Afterwards, it will make a recommendation to the full City Council.

The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016

The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016

ewton Centre on a sunny and of the family at local scenes in “What about the kids?” Bret kids – teenagers – took up all their pleaded (18 year-old son, 17 year spare time leaving nothing for one Newton. December morning. another. His wife had come to be In the kitchen, Bret sat down in -old daughter).

Bret Reardon is having his coffee and reading the Newton Voice. He is doing so in the post presidential period – an apocalyptic period for many millions of Americans, a breath of hope for many millions who backed Donald Trump. Bret is reading the Voice, but he’s having trouble concentrating. Trump isn’t bothering him – the uncertainties of his future are weighing him down. He sips his coffee. He raises his head. He looks around but he can’t focus on anything. Not since his wife came home in the early evening after work recently and met him face-to-face in the hallway of their extravagant home on Pine Road had he been able to concentrate. Trying to read the Voice again, trying to focus positively on anything but his life, he couldn’t erase from his mind what had transpired with his wife. He tried to greet her with a kiss when she arrived home. She turned her head away. “What’s that all about?” he asked her. “We need to talk,” she said. “Are the kids home?” she asked. “No,” he said. “Good.” “Let’s sit down at the kitchen table and talk,” she suggested. She fixed her long brown hair by running her fingers through it. She put down her laptop and carrying case. They walked one behind the other through the hallway decorated with photographs of them as young lovers, as parents, as a young family on trips away,

his chair. His wife faced him from the other side of the butcher block table.

“What’s up?” Bret asked his wife. Like many men in conventional marriages that are failing, he was about to be surprised, but had no comprehension of this at that moment. In a cruel irony, he was the last person to know his life was about to be shattered. “I’m going to need more space,” his wife answered. Bret paused for a moment thinking her reply was funny. Certainly she can’t be serious, he thought to himself. The home they had shared for 18 years is spacious, about 4,000 square feet. “We could get a larger home,” Bret said. He smiled hopefully. His effort miserably.

humor

failed

“Bret,” his wife said decisively. “You don’t get it. This is serious. I’m moving out.” The silence at the kitchen table blotted out reality. This was a seminal moment in their marriage. They had their differences. But he loved her from the day they met, and she had loved him, but now she was saying the love was lost – irretrievably gone – and she was leaving. He couldn’t understand what his wife had said to him. He was blind to what she needed, but then, even she didn’t exactly know where she was heading other than out of the house. In an instant he transited from middle-aged man comfortable in his own Newton home with his wife and family, to middle-aged man at the epicenter of a life-changing earthquake.

“They’ll survive. We will sit down with them and tell them when they return later on. What I’m most concerned about is you and me. Whatever we had, its gone – finished – done. You don’t see it. But I do. I can’t live this way anymore. I need to change my life. I’m done,” she added. “But I love you. Doesn’t this mean anything to you?”

“You think you love me, Bret. But you don’t. We’ve been in trouble for a long time. When I’m out of your life you’ll find someone else. We simply shouldn’t be together any longer. One of us had to take the first step,” she added.

just an appurtenance of his life at a time when she was needing more. She was tired of her life. He wasn’t tired of his life, but lacked insight into where their relationship was going. Nor had he thought much about his wife’s being out much of the time, or visiting with her therapists. He had refused marriage counseling. He said it was a waste. He refused therapy saying he considered that too, a waste. “I don’t need it,” he told her emphatically some months back.

Silence again. Unnerving quiet.

By comparison, she’d return from therapy and he’d ask her how the session went.

“Is it someone else?” He asked her, grasping for straws during a terrorizing moment.

“We worked on some difficult issues today,” she generally responded.

She hesitated. She gathered herself together. She answered defiantly.

“What difficult issues? What the hell is she talking about? What can be so wrong about her life?” he’d say to himself.

“Yes,” she said. “Are you having an affair?” “Yes.” “Is it serious?” “Yes.” “I’m in love with someone else.” Trying to read the Voice at Peet’s, all of this horror and discovery came back to Bret. He went over the kitchen table scene again and again. He sat back in his chair. He thought about his situation. It was incomprehensible to him. Now he understood all the working out at the gym his wife said she was doing. She had slimmed down. She was looking great, better than he could recall – but he hadn’t paid much attention to how distracted they were, or how dismal their sex life was, or how the

Everything was wrong about her life. Her husband. Her kids. Her dogs. Her friends. Her new lover, a divorced Jewish businessman from Brookline was crazy about her. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. Between them, they had not an instance of emptiness or question about what they had embarked on some months back. She was in the throes of an affair. Typical of such a delusional situation, the infatuation was mostly about sex and much less about reality. Bret finished his coffee. He walked out of Peet’s into the new day that was upon him. He took a great breath in and let out a mournful sigh. He got lost in the parking lot on the way to his car.

J.R.

The Newton Voice

December 13 - 26, 2016

2016 HolidAy Shopping Guide Since this is our last issue of The Voice before both Christmas and Hanukkah, I thought it would be fun to do a Holiday shopping guide for those of us still getting our shopping done in mid-December (like me, cough cough). Most of this comes from experience, so I consciously tried to make this guide applicable to people in all walks of life. I also tried to give ideas for things of multiple price ranges, so I’m hoping you can at least find something meeting your specific situation.

Alcohol What: Ouzo of Plomari Why: It’s extremely strong, licorice-flavored Greek booze. This specific brand is also one of the bestliked in both Greece and the United States. I always keep some of this on my shelf for cold weather, and I actually have a bit next to me as I write this. Who: Anyone who wants to feel just as warm on the inside as they do on the outside (or that Greek person you know). Where: Not every liquor store sells ouzo, but larger ones should have it. Again, Blanchards in Allston carries it. How much: $20, and often comes packed with a couple of branded shot glasses to enjoy it with. What: Duchesse de Bourgogne beer Why: It’s a delicious, slightly classier beer produced in Belgium where it is aged for 18 months. It’s quite sweet, and not overly bitter, making it perfect for light holiday drinking. Who: That person who you want to buy alcohol for but isn’t much of a beer person. Where: Many liquor stores and online outlets. Blanchards over in Allston, for one. How much: $13-15 for a 25.4 ounce bottle. What: Left Hand Milk Stout

Get it in Newton What: Gift packages from Indulge Why: Indulge is a Newton Highlands candy store that has been in business since 1991. In addition to all of the bulk candy you can get at their store on Lincoln Street, they also sell a number of gift bowls, boxes, packages, and baskets. Who: Everyone likes candy! Where: 16 Lincoln Street in Newton, right near the Newton Highlands Green Line stop. You can also go to their website, www.indulgesomeone.com. How much: Around $20-$60. What: Wacom Bamboo Notepad

When all else fails

Why: A sweet device that lets you send any sketches or notes you make on regular paper to your smartphone or tablet.

What: Amazon Gift Card

Why: Another beer, this time a completely different one. A delicious, very dark stout that tastes like a slightly more mature take on other stouts you may have had. It’s also just a little sweet, giving it a light Christmas flavor. Pair with cookies to give this a bit of a Santa angle.

Who: Anyone in your life who draws a lot, takes a lot of notes, and keeps a lot of crumpled paper around.

Who: Your Guinness-drinking family and friends.

What: Hatchimals

Where: Basically any big liquor store you can think of that sells an interesting beer or two.

Why: It’s this year’s impossible-to-find holiday toy. It’s an egg that you nurture (mostly by petting it), and it eventually hatches into a stuffed animal.

How much: About $10 for a 6 Pack.

Tech What: Apple Watch Series 2 Why: It looks just like the older Apple Watch, but now it’s waterproof, has an extremely bright backlight visible under sunlight, and carries GPS. Who: Your grandson who loves Apple products and doesn’t have this one yet. Where: Any Apple Store, most electronics stores, and many online outlets. How much: From $369. What: PlayStation 4 Pro Why: It’s the new PlayStation 4, and the first system capable of 4K gaming. In other words, it’s the most powerful video game console released to date.

Where: Best Buy, and other online outlets. How much: $130.

Toys

Who: That 8-year-old kid who wants to impress their friends almost as much as you want to impress them. Where: Any toy store or, more realistically, eBay. How much: $60 (or three times that much in online auction). What: Learn2Love Elmo Why: It’s like all of the Elmo toys you remember from yesteryear, except this one can say your kid’s name. It can also be programmed via an app to say any one of over 350 responses. Who: Any kid who would benefit from a technologically advanced Elmo toy in 2016. Where: Amazon and most toy stores. For better or worse, these don’t seem to be sold out anywhere.

Who: Anyone you know with a 4K television.

How much: $60, but cheaper online.

Where: Anywhere that sells video games, like at your nearest GameStop, Target, or Best Buy.

Why: It’s a Star Wars Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet.

How much: $400, and often comes bundled with a game.

What: Star Wars Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet

Who: Any kid that loves Star Wars, obviously. The movie coming out has Darth Vader in it, so this is a rather timely kid’s gift. here: Toy stores, and Hasbro’s own toy website.

Why: Everyone loves an Amazon gift card. It’s like money but it’s not straight cash so you still feel like you’re giving them a tangible gift. Everyone wins. Who: Mostly young people, but I can’t think of anyone who would be upset about free Amazon credit. Where: Amazon.com, or basically any store that sells gift cards. How much: Anywhere between $1 and $2,000. How much: $40. What: Universal Yums subscription box Why: Every month, a curated box of snacks from one country somewhere in the world shows up at your door. It’s a different country every month, and features snacks in both the sweet and salty variety. Who: Anyone you need to get a creative gift for but have no idea what to get. Where: www.universalyums.com How much: Starts at $14 per month. What: Birchbox Why: Another monthly subscription service, only instead of snacks, this one sends five personalized, curated beauty and grooming sample-size products your way every single month. It’s one of the most popular among these kinds of boxes, and the service has been extremely well-received. There are both men’s and women’s versions. Who: Anyone who would love to get monthly beauty and grooming products sent to their door. Where: www.birchbox.com How much: $30 for a three-month gift subscription.

Happy holidays!

December 13 - 26, 2016

The Newton Voice

Editorial

Essay contest open to students of Newton North