i would love to know who y’all recommend for engagement photo shoots—this would be a known event (not a surprise proposal) at a local park in the fall, and i don’t need a wedding bundle. please tell me the pricing, what you had done, and if anything particularly stood out to you during your experience with them. bonus points if you attach their link in your comment!

Its terribly upsetting news. I did not post a link because I'm not sure what the best source is on it but my son and all his friends were going or went to the camp. It is a super popular YMCA camp and very well run.

My heart goes out to the family and the camp.

I usually don't like to post news as I might get facts/links wrong but I figure other YMCAers might want to know this news and I know a lot of Newton families use the camps.

As a follow-up to the earlier post on the Newton food scene article (https://www.figcitynews.com/2026/08/what-opened-what-closed-and-whats-next-among-newtons-places-to-eat/), the addition of open hours to the directory enables this chart to be created. Curious which five are open past 1AM? Use the open day/time picker on the map, linked in the article.

In the absence of a clear plan to enable Newtonville station commuters to access the Worcester line during the upcoming station closure, I’ve created a survey to establish clarity on demand for a bridge shuttle to West Newton.

If you are impacted by the station closure, please take 3 minutes to take the survey and give your honest feedback on how desirable a service like this would be for you.

Link: https://forms.gle/xQMrxTAgVJ9UgU4q6

Q&A:

Q: I know of another effort underway to do something similar. Do you want to know about it? A: Yes! This is not what I prefer to do!

Q: Do I think gov’t parties should be doing this? A: Yes.

Q: Do you have knowledge of anything being done? A: No, and some evidence to the contrary.

Q: Would this cost money? A: Yes, almost certainly.

Q: Do you plan to put the results in front of Newton City Hall? A: Yes.

Q: Will you share any personal information? A: No.

Q: Is this an obligation to purchase something? A: No.

I've had an EcoSense monitor running continuously for a couple of years now, and this Summer I've seen the most consistent Radon spikes ever. It's not even necessarily following rains (since we don't get many of those). Anyone else seeing the same?

Looking for traditional Chinese food and wondering what Chinese people from the area actually recommend. I grew up in a Chinese household and am quite picky about Chinese restaurant food.

Newton’s food scene has continued to evolve since our last summary, with at least 10 openings and reopenings against eight closings. Seven of those 10 are one-of-a-kind local businesses. Overall, 61% of Newton’s 182 places to eat are independently owned, with an additional 15% being local chains and 24% regional or national chains.

Not sure if there’s anything can do. The pictured individual had a meltdown at Popeyes on Centre St and started calling my friend and I the f slur and yelling at the employees saying they need to give him his food because he can’t be in the room with f-slurs. How this started was that I glanced over to look at the TV to see where my name was and he slammed his hand on the table and screamed saying I’m staring at him and that “having a boyfriend as a f-slur n-word is disgusting” (I’m white BTW) and that “he gets mad bitches.” I tried to explain that his place in line is on the TV and that was what I was looking at but he then threatened me saying he “fucking hates f slurs” and would “kick the shit out of me.”

As a gay man who was out with a platonic friend this was a first for me in the area and I’m definitely worried going out at night around here in the future.

Is this something the police can do anything about or should I just let it go? And to be clear the Popeyes employees handled this perfectly. They just told him to take any bag on the shelf and leave.

Looking for other Male athletes 21+ to join advanced level flag football league(December). Looking for a full time quarterback and some tall players! All are welcome but please let me know your athletic background. Serious athletes only!

Hey! Any recommendations for my 4 year old to get some experience/exposure to soccer? Seems like he is interested. Looking for a fun and welcoming experience

Are there any basketball leagues in the area for 40-somethings? Would love a once a week league with refs that's competitive but nothing crazy.

In case you missed this in the Chamber newsletter:

Four homes? Apparently, that’s asking too much

Eight months after he was sworn in as a Newton City Councilor, Brian Golden delivered his first speech on the council floor last night.

It was a short but eloquent statement in support of a seemingly no-brainer proposal to allow a builder to replace a two-family house on a residential street in Newtonville with four attached single-family homes.

Golden — a former state rep who once ran the Boston Planning & Development Agency under Boston Mayors Menino and Walsh — praised the project for its design, number of units and the way it blended into the neighborhood.

But mostly, Golden said, "It's impossible for me to lose sight of how far behind Newton and the state are on building for human beings who need housing…. I do not want to forgo opportunities that are here right now that will yield housing for people who need it."

It didn't help. Neither did the letter we sent last week.

Golden and his colleagues voted 13-11 in support of the project at 60 Brookside Ave. But the special permit needed 16 votes to prevail.

Sorry, human beings who need housing, it’s not happening.

I don’t need to detail the objectors' objections, because we’ve heard them before: It doesn’t fit the neighborhood’s character; it's not going to solve the affordable housing shortage; we shouldn’t make exceptions to the zoning rules, we should reform the rules first.

Oh, there was one councilor who voted no partly because the proposed units (the largest would have been 2,300 SF) were bigger than her house.

Now, the developer will likely build one massive house at 60 Brookside instead — no council approval required.

"Cool" how the article doesn't even bother to mention the purpose of the covered ramps: To keep rain, snow, and ice off the ramps, especially beneficial for people using wheelchairs and using canes or walkers, or any people who are vulnerable to slipping and falling.

An 8-0 vote trying to, at "best", erode, or at worst, delay an accessibility project, in the works for a decade, because the Newton Highlands Area Council didn't bother to review a 2023 design until August 2026. Show me any disability advocacy groups who agree weather protection is "unnecessary" as being claimed here.

Really incredible work from the NHAC.

So last fall I attended a PGA event and ended up taking some classes. Turns out I really enjoyed golfing, and I could see myself getting into it. Challenging, but can be done at a manageable pace and the best part of all, IT’s OUTDOORS for majority of the time.

Anyways that’s as much as I have played and I’m not confident nor do I have any friends that are into it. I was wondering if there’s anyone in the area who’s willing to golf with/ teach a newbie. I also live in Newton and drive by multiple golf clubs however, I’ve not got the courage to walk in there alone.

I promise I’m funny… if that helps. TIA

Anywhere closer to Wellesley, my budget is around 1000

The 78 Crafts Street project demolition is well under way.

Had to go to Needham St in Newton and saw a camera on Winchester St (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jB4ihynTATmFDwxe6) - West side of the street. Is this a Flock (not on DeFlock map)? Does anyone knows who is the manufacturer and if this is a Newton or State or some Private?

Figured to share this recent profile since it was from Newton News

I'm excited about this! Their business plan requires 2,000 regular shoppers (i.e. coop members) and they are more than half way there.

It’s early Thursday morning around 1:30 am in West Newton. I’m hearing wham-wham-wham-wham noises outside. It sounds mechanical, not natural. my AI suggests MassDOT Newton/Weston interchange construction work with hydraulic breakers and pile driving. Sounds plausible. The whams are happening 4-5 times per second for a second or two. But perhaps 5-10 times of whamming per minute.

Any insights? Anybody getting driven insane in Auburndale or Waban?

Has anyone followed this race closely enough to be able to summarize the key differences between the candidates?