Allen Center celebrates ‘Lucky 13’ with partnerships and piano

The Allen Center in West Newton heads into its 13^th year in partnership with Steinart & Sons, the exclusive authorized dealer of Steinway pianos in New England, and that arrangement provides the Allen Center with a 9-foot Steinway “D” Concert Piano for programs and visiting artists.

The Center has also announced a partnership with the Lydian String Quartet, formerly in Residence at Brandeis University for 44 years. The Lydian Quartet will now be Ensemble In Residence at the Allen Center and will present a series of four open rehearsals beginning Nov. 13.

The Allen Center’s “Lucky 13” starts this weekend, with events Friday,  Saturday and Sunday. Check out the details here.

Cooper Center for Active Living, under construction. YouTube screenshot

Cooper Center construction nears completion

Newton Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse gave an update on the Cooper Center for Active Living, which was been under construction for the past 18 months.

“We have permanent power!” Morse celebrated in his email to the community.

“This may seem like a small step but getting power means that the heating and air conditioning systems now work. This allows us to control temperature and humidity, which in turn allows us to install the final finishes like flooring. Power also means that our elevator is now functional, which helps getting everything from materials and supplies upstairs, and it will make moving all the new furniture in much easier.”

While crews work on finishing details outside (granite curbing, outdoor patio space), workers are caulking, glazing and getting ready for when the center opens in the coming months.

Morse also shared a video tour of the project, which you can watch on YouTube.

New math curriculum is here

Superintendent Anna Nolin sent out an email update about her leadership team’s review of math curriculum this week.

The district collected input from staff, students and community members in June. Now, with what Nolin calls “Phase 2,” an action plan will include implementation of a plan this fall.

“A key finding from the Self-Study was the need for common curricula and assessments across the district,” Nolin wrote. “To address this, new curriculum materials are being identified and piloted.”

The piloted curriculum is aligned with state math standards, she noted.

Local officials gathered at Gath Memorial Pool on Sept. 30 to unveil a new mural painted on the outside of the facility’s bath house. Photo by Howard Sholkin

City unveils Gath Pool mural

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller met with city officials and cultural leaders at the Gath Memorial Pool Tuesday to officially unveil the new mural painted on the side of the facility’s bath house.

Spark Newton commissioned the four-piece mural, and a committee of representatives from Spark, Friends of Albemarle, and the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club, as well as local artists and business owners picked multimedia artist Amanda Hill to create it.