Mayor Cohen's Weekly Press Conference

June 23, 2008

Habitat for Humanity Home Project

There is a very special effort underway here in Newton that I want all of our residents to be aware of.  Habitat for Humanity, an international non-profit organization, is currently constructing two town houses at 76 Webster Park in West Newton.

Habitat has built 225,000 houses since 1976, providing shelter for more than 1 million people in nearly 90 countries around the world, including 75 homes in the Greater Boston region over the last decade.  One of the unique aspects of Habitat is its sweat-equity program, where future owners of the home work side-by-side with the volunteer builders. 

Habitat for Humanity needs your help to complete this very special project in Newton.  When its complete, a home will be built for Kendra Jackson, a single mother currently living in Newton Public Housing and working in Brighton, her infant daughter Noelle, 10-year-old daughter Cheyanne, and her 11-year-old niece Rolanda.  The project will also provide a home for Scott and Jessica LaRossee, who currently live in Watertown with Scott’s mother and their three children: 6-year-old Erik, 3-year old Colin, and 2-year-old MacKenzie. Both Scott and Jessica work at local pre-schools.

While 75% of costs have been raised, the project still needs more than $150,000 for completion.  In addition to cash contributions, this project needs any licensed trade professional willing to step forward and donate their time and expertise. 

Project organizers are also asking people to consider organizing a volunteer Build Day at your school, work, or institution, and enjoy a fulfilling day of building a home for two grateful families.  Build Day sponsors contributes $1,500 - $2,000 to fund materials, and the typical group is 8-12 volunteers, all of whom must be 16 or older.  The Days take place from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm on weekdays or weekends.  Volunteers learn skills and do real construction under the supervision of a professional tradesman.  It is a great way to get involved in our community, and it is truly a feel-good team building activity.

I want to thank Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston for bringing this important project to Newton, and I want to especially thank the Habitat Newton Coordinating Committee, comprised of volunteers Steve Garfinkle, Judith Strull, Peggy Sagan and Ted Kuklinski.  Thank you all for all you’re doing to literally build community here in Newton. 

With us this afternoon is Peggy Sagan, Co-Chair of the Habitat Newton Coordinating Committee, and Duncan Remage-Healey, the Development Manager, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston.  Please come up and say a few words about the project going on at 76 Webster Park, and how Newton citizens can get involved.

Fourth of July

If you’re new to the City of Newton, or if you live here but have never attended our day-long Fourth of July celebration, you won’t want to miss out in 2008.  Our family-friendly Fourth of July celebration rivals any in the Commonwealth, so there’s no need to spend your Fourth of July holiday anywhere else but right here in Newton.

This is a 50-year long tradition in Newton, and it begins with Kids’ Morning at 10 am at the Newton Centre Playground.  Children 12 and under will love the activities we have planned, including the Teddy Bear Parade, foot races, the decorated bicycle parade and much more.  Thanks to generous donations from the Newton Centre Women’s Club and Cabot’s Ice Cream, Kids’ Morning will feature free candy, ice cream and refreshments.

At 11:00 am, the celebration shifts to Albemarle Field off Watertown St.  Kiddie amusement rides will be running all day, and an Open Air Market will feature handmade and international crafts and clothing.  At 6:00 pm, the Zaitchik Brothers strike up their band for an evening of swing, salsa, patriotic and rock & roll music to appeal to all ages.  Food vendors will be on hand with a delicious selection of foods and treats so bring your chairs a make a day of it.

The July 4th celebration culminates with a world-class fireworks display, to begin at about 9pm.  Newton’s own Tony Gentile will once again serve as our Master of Fireworks.

I hope you will join us for a fun-filled, patriotic day on the Fourth this year.  The activities at Albemarle are presented by the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs, and the Newton Parks & Recreation Department, and they are generously underwritten by the Newton Pride Committee and their sponsors: Cambridge Savings Bank, Comcast, New England Development, CitiBank and Indigo.  I want to thank these business partners for their important contributions to our community.

In case of rain, the Kids’ Morning activities at Newton Center will be postponed by one day, while the activities scheduled for Albemarle Field will be cancelled.  Please visit the City’s website at www.cityofnewton.org, or the Newton Pride website at www.newtonpride.org in case of inclement weather to learn whether the celebration will take place.  For more information, please call (617) 796-1540. 

And now I turn things over to Linda Plaut, the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Cultural Affairs.  Linda has been coordinating the Fourth of July event, along with many other year-round activities for more than 30 years, and her work has enriched our lives and has built community in Newton.  Thank you for all you do to make Newton special Linda.  Please come up and say a few words about Newton’s outstanding Fourth of July celebration.

July as Sandwich Generation Month

It is my pleasure to proclaim July 2008 as Sandwich Generation Month in the City of Newton.

The Sandwich Generation is defined as the many people who are both raising their own children while also caring for their parents.  This special group of people face many challenges and deserve our community’s support and recognition.

It is my pleasure to present an official proclamation, announcing July as Sandwich Generation Month in Newton to Jane Rabinovitz, the Director, and Roberta Seligman, Marketing Manager of Griswold Special Care – the primary sponsor of Sandwich Generation Month. 

Jane and Roberta, please come up to share your thoughts about Sandwich Generation Month and to receive this proclamation.