In November, 2023, Newton elected four new Ward Councilors: Now as they near the end of their first year in office, Fig City News checked in with all four to find what they learned, what surprised them, and who helped with their transitions in their first year in office. David…
Posts published in “People”
It’s easy to see why Kasey Kaufman describes many of her paintings as “dreamscapes,” since they’re filled with flowing waves, graceful clouds, and abstract buildings, among other elements. If her name rings a bell, it’s because Kaufman was well known on Boston TV as an award-winning reporter at WBZ. A…
Sheila Gabay, a Grand Life Master bridge player, has risen to the top of the American Contract Bridge League Lifetime Masterpoint list for women players. She surpassed the previous record in September after winning the Championship Knockout Teams at the Ocean State Regional. As of November 7, she had over…
It could have been awkward. Thirty-eight years ago, Fran Clancy was a born-and-raised Catholic, a parishioner at Our Lady’s, and the mother of two young daughters, and she needed a new job. When she applied for the advertised position of Secretary at the First Unitarian Society in Newton (FUUSN), she…
Following the unanimous recommendation by Newton’s nine-member Police Selection Committee, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced that George McMains, the Acting Chief of the Newton Police Department (NPD), will succeed John Carmichael as the department’s new chief. Former Chief Carmichael resigned at the end of August, after a three-month personal leave. Acting…
The Newton Fire Department received a Group Citation for Meritorious Conduct at the 35th annual Massachusett Firefighter of the Year Awards ceremony. The award cited Captain Karl “Gus” Svartstrom, Lieutenant Joseph DeLuca, and Firefighters Richard Busa, Ryan Doherty, Michael Pohlman, Lawrence Quinn, Andrew Sbordone, and Joseph Yerardi for their service in an…
Standing proudly in the heart of Newton Highlands, Highland Opticians has been selling eyewear to the Greater Boston community for over forty-five years. The business, founded by Jefferey Mann in 1976, has since been passed down to his daughters, Emilie Brassil and Julie Mann. “[We make] sure that people get…
More than 300 Newton political leaders, veterans, their families and friends came to American Legion Nonantum Post 440 on Veterans Day for the City’s annual ceremony to honor veterans. The federal holiday was originally known as Armistice Day, marking the anniversary of the end of World War I, until Congress…
Grasping two large chunks of charcoal, Marilyn Kalish quickly began to draw black lines bursting with movement on a white surface. Soon, the beginnings of figures emerged, hinting at the subject of the final piece. The longtime working artist recently opened West Newton Gallery at 1286 Washington Street, West Newton…
Eric M. Turner was inaugurated on October 18 as the tenth president of Lasell University. He has been involved in Lasell’s management for thirty years, serving as provost since 2020. (See Fig City News article on his appointment.) Laura Colarusso will become editor of the Commonwealth Beacon on November 4…