TheGardenCity

Traveling With a Baby or Small Children

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Every parent and guardian knows that technology can be your best friend. It can also be a real pain. One of the essentials of any trip which involves travelling with a baby or small children is the appropriate power: an endless supply of batteries, charger cords, car adapters, their favorite music CDs or movies, etc. This depends on the preferences of the children and the adults’ tolerance for the non-stop jingles of kids’ entertainment. Prepare for boredom and frustration, and the trip can only provide pleasant surprises. (Preparing your vehicle falls under this rule, too.)

Just as importantly, remember that babies and small children are LITTLE PEOPLE who simply cannot communicate their needs as well. If the adults start to get fidgety and to request a little fresh air and walking time, then- chances are- the small children are just as uncomfortable. Sure, everyone wants to go from Point A to Point B as quickly and painlessly as possible, but those routine stops to get gas or snacks are opportunities to see to the needs of the little ones. In between stops, fresh air and sunshine through a window pane can work wonders. This may help everyone, because travelling with small children always involves being calm, being prepared, and taking deep breaths. Happy travels!

How to Pack Light and Pack Well

admin — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

For those who are wondering how to pack light but still get all of the things that you need, there is a very simple way that you can do this. The first thing that you are going to want to avoid packing a lot of is heavy items like jeans, sweat pants, and sweat shirts. If you are only going somewhere for a couple days, or even a few days then odds are that you can live off of one or two pairs of jeans, one sweat shirt and one jacket. Before you put everything into back set it all out.

Short sleeved shirts and under shirts are thin, so you can easily lay a few of them flat on the bottom of the bag and they don’t take up any room. You can wear a different short sleeved shirt every day, and if the weather is cold you can wear a different everyday under your sweat shirt. You can also easily lay a long sleeved shirt or two flat as well. Then lay underwear flat, don’t ball up socks, only take one pair of pants that you aren’t wearing, and then the sweatshirt you want if you aren’t wearing it.

Those are the necessities that you are going to need, and that is it. If anything gets dirt you can easily wash it quickly at the hotel for a few quarters. You can easily pack light but still get the things that you need.

Things to do In or Near Newton Massachusetts

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Just within the I95 beltway of Boston is the city known as Newton. Centrally located from almost anything “Boston”, Newton is a great place to live if you are looking to have the best of both worlds. It’s close proximity to Boston, makes it an ideal location for anyone looking to work in the city but live in the suburbs, allowing for minimal driving time getting to and from work.

While in area, stop by and visit the Newton History Museum which is in the Jackson homestead and check out some of the historical exhibits. Book worms can visit the Newton free library, where they can relax and enjoy a good book. You can be a little adventurous and explore sights like the wooden auto on Washington Park, or visit the nearby Chestnut hill reservoir.

Located close by for a point of interest is the Lexington Green where the historic Boston massacre took place in 1775. Spend the day at Nahanton Park where you can commune with nature or canoe on the Charles river as time seems to slowly drift on by. If an active day is what you are in search of, Cold spring park is the perfect place to burn it off with tennis, baseball or basketball.

The Squares of Cambridge

www.thegardencity.net — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

When you’re in Newton you are only a short eight miles (about 20 minutes) from the lovely town of Cambridge. Although named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, the town is also affectionately known as the City of Squares.No, not because of the type of people that live there, but because most of its commercial districts are major street intersections known as “squares;” with each square acting as a type of neighborhood center.The squares of Cambridge are:Kendall Square is where most of the city’s large office towers are located and a large influx of biotech industry is located.Central Square is best known for its vast array of ethnic restaurants and has recently witnessed resurgence due to an economic face-lift.Harvard Square is obviously named after its most famous resident: Harvard University. It is also a major shopping area.Porter Square houses Lesley University’s University Hall and Porter campus.Inman Square is considered to encompass a “funky street scene” since it is home to many diverse restaurants, shopping experiences, and drinking establishments.Lechman Square is adjacent to the popular CambridgeSide Galleria shopping mall and is best known as the “end of the line” for the MBTA Green Line Subway.So if you feel up to it we suggest you head on over and grab a piece of visual architectural history while visiting and walking any one of these squares.

Harvest Fair: It’s Going to be Fun!

www.thegardencity.net — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:06:26 +0000

It’s Harvest Fair time in Newton this Saturday and Sunday (October 16^th and 17^th) sponsored by the First Commons Bank, and this year there’s a ton-o-fun on tap starting with scarecrow decorating contests on Saturday (10:00, 11:30, 1:00 and 2:00) and the pumpkin decorating contest on Sunday courtesy of Trader Joe’s.Sunday will also feature live entertainment and the Circle of Caring at Hospice of the Good Shepherd’s “Big Feat” Memorial Walk. It’s going to be held at the Newton Centre Green (Langley and Centre Street) and the weather is expected to be sublime with a high of 57 on Saturday with partly cloudy skies and a high of 61 on Sunday under sunny skies.Next up for Newton is the Fall Juried Art & Craft Show and Sales to be held on November 6 and 7^th, so make sure you save that date, too!

What’s going on in Newton this summer?

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:30:54 +0000

School’s out and it’s time to play. Newton’s summer calendar is filled with fun events the whole family can enjoy. Every Sunday, Newton Civic Pride hosts live music performances at the Heritage Festivals. Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets as you enjoy the music talent of guests such as Veronica Robles and Mariachi Quartet, Hankus Netsky Klezmer Night, Tom LaMark Orchestra, and Rumbafrica. Newton also offers free children’s performances at various locations throughout the summer including Ware’s Cove on Thursdays at 1pm, and Newton Centre Playground on Tuesdays at 1pm. If you have young children ages 18 months to 4 years old, try enrolling in Time for Partners, a fun program that channels your child’s creative abilities in art and music.As you know, the 4^th of July recently passed, and it went out with a boom. Kids enjoyed Kids Morning at the Newton Centre Playground from 10 to noon on where they saw the Grande pet parade, decorated doll carriage promenade, foot races FREE ice cream, candy, and drinks, and lots of independence day inspired fun. Later, at the Russel J. Halloran Field & Sports Complex there was an Open Air Market and Amusements rides selling handmade and international crafts and an assortment of food vendors. At 6pm, music and dance stared up along with food vendors, crafters, and novelties. At 9pm, a spectacular display of fireworks lit up the night sky. The firework show was put on by Newton’s own Tony Gentile, the Master of Fireworks.

Discover Newton Outdoors

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:07:35 +0000

The city of Newton has a lot to offer-both inside and out. The Newton Parks and Recreation Department is home to a multitude of fun activities, a great assortment of parks and lakes, as well as many different programs that will appeal to any age group. Here’s a look as some of the great outdoor activities The Garden City has to offer:SportsIf you like to stay active and want your kids to do the same, enroll them in one of the many recreational sports activities the city has to offer. There are swim programs that include lessons, lifeguard training, and swim teams, tennis courts that offer lessons and registered matches, Rec leagues for baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, swimming, and volleyball, and appropriate courses for golfing and hiking. The Parks & Rec center also offers a variety of camps that include many of these fun sporting activities plus a variety of other services.ParksIf you’re looking to take a break from the bustle of your everyday life, check out one of Newton’s many green parks. Take the family for a picnic, bring the dog out for a walk, and sit back and relax as the summer weather melts away the northern chill. Some recommended parks are the Nahanton Park, Cold Spring Park, and Balsamo Millenium Park.Farmers MarketThis seasonal event starts the first Tuesday after the 4^th of July and lasts until the end of October. Every Tuesday, come out to Cold Spring Park for the freshest (and certified) vegetables grown by local farmers. All famers in the Newton Markets are registered members of the Massachusetts Federation of Farmer’s markets, so freshness is practically guaranteed. There is also a Friday location, open from 1:30PM to 6PM in the Post 440 Parking Lot. Even if you’re not looking to buy, the colorful and delicious environment is a fun experience for the whole family.

Bring the title back to Newton

www.thegardencity.net — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:25:00 +0000

In 2004, Newton, Massachusetts was named ‘The Safest City in America’. Since then, the city has remained safe but has lost its number one spot. Of course, the safety of your home and family are much more important than a ranking on a list. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of your loved ones (and loved possessions) be sure you are taking all necessary safety precautions. If you don’t have a home security system in place, we HIGHLY recommend you install one. Locks and bolts may keep stray visitors from waltzing in, but they do relatively nothing when up against an armed and determined burglar. There are many affordable options for home security on the market today. We recommend looking into ADT-America’s number 1 security provider. ADT home security systems come with a digital keypad with one-touch access, a keychain for remote access, infrared interior motion detectors, a high decibel alarm siren, battery backup, ADT yard signs and decals (if a criminal knows you’re protected they’re less likely to break in), and best of all, professional installation. Home security systems ensure your home is protected both while you’re in it and away. You can set the alarm for ‘stay’ so you can sleep in peace, or ‘away’ to protect your house while you’re gone and ease your nerves when you walk into your dark empty house. In addition to home security systems, it is also a good idea to initiate some sort of neighborhood watch system. If you trust your neighbors, let them know when you will be leaving so they can look out for any suspicious activity. Other ways to keep Newton safe are to educate your children on the dangers of the world so they know to stay away from strangers and dangerous activities, report any suspicious activity you see so it can be looked into before it gets out of hand, and be sure to always lock your house and car doors no matter how long you plan on being away. Feeling safe at home is of utmost importance. Taking the extra steps to feel safe may cost some money, but the safety of your family and possessions are worth every penny.