Problems with attention, concentration, processing information, memory decline, multitasking, auditory and visual processing, and planning and disorganization affect academic development and school performance. They impact one's sense of self and can cause one to feel irritable and sad, even angry and argumentative.  Add in headaches, sore joints, stomach problems and miscellaneous physical complaints and one questions if these are signs of growing pains, or is something more serious afoot. Often these symptoms are misdiagnosed as ADD, chronic fatigue, OCD, bipolar or other diseases. In reality, what you may be looking at is Lyme disease and, if left undetected or improperly treated, Lyme can move to the brain and affect other organs. We are in the midst of an epidemic growing faster than AIDS: the RT 128 belt is nearly as endemic as the Cape and Islands, yet it is often unrecognized.

As a parent and educator, it is important that you hear from two top Lyme experts about how to recognize symptoms of Lyme, how this disease can affect school performance, and what you as teachers and parents can do about it.  Sponsored by the NSHS PTSO.

Chinese Culture Night:  Saturday, March 14th, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Brown Middle School.  Newton Chinese Language School will celebrate its 50th Anniversary showcasing a variety of traditional Chinese cultural programs including Lion Dance, Martial Arts, Acrobatics, Peking Opera, and Folk Dance.  Adults: $5, Child/Senior $3  Contact: tickets@newtonchineseschool.org or (781) 861-3529 First 50 callers to mention The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs will receive 2 complimentary tickets.

3rd Annual Newton Student Art and Essay Contest on Conserving Energy:  Sponsored by the Green Decade/Newton, these contests are open to all students who live or go to school in Newton, grades 3-12. Students may enter either or both contests; the submission deadline is Friday, March 20, 2009. Prizes are sponsored by NSTAR, Chapman Construction, SUEZ Energy Resources, Boston Green Building, and other organizations. Registration info and contest details: contact the Green Decade at (617) 965-1995 or visit http://www.greendecade.org/energycontestinfo.html.

Critical Choices for Newton, 2009 and Beyond - A series of discussions based on the Citizen Advisory Group's findings, each focusing on one aspect of Newton's city finances:  School Cost Structure March 24th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Longyear Museum 1125 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill (rt. 9 at Dunster Road);  Municipal Cost Structure April 6th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Longyear Museum, Capital Infrastructure May 4, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street; Performance Management/Renewing Newton June 3rd 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Newton Free Library.  Refreshments at 6:45 PM.  Co-sponsors: The PTO Councils, The Newton Free Library, The Newton Tab, Newton Interfaith Clergy Association, Green Decade Coalition, Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, Waban Improvement Society, The Chestnut Hill Association.  For details and directions:  www.lwvn.org.  Contact: info@lwvnewton.org or (617) 964-0014.

Anything Goes is being staged at Newton North High School, and all are invited.  March 19th, 20th, 21st at 7:30 PM and March 22nd at 2:00 PM at Lasker Auditorium, Newton North H.S., 360 Lowell Ave., Newtonville.  This is a production of 'Theatre Ink', NNHS's Teaching and working theatre.  Ticket prices:  $10, $14 & $16.   Purchase tickets  online at www.theatreink.net  or at Cabot's Ice Cream on 743 Washington St.

Newton Free Library Spring Fling:  March 28th 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM.  Opening remarks by NPR's Tom Ashbrook.  Eight local authors will be honored:  Alex Beam, Andre Dubus III, Jack Dzamba, Xujun Eberlein, Mitali Perkins, Solomon Schimmel, Frank Shirley and Jake Tedali.  Jazz, Hors d'oeuvres, desserts and a silent auction.  Tickets: $100.  Mail checks to 'Spring Fling', Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton 02459.  To order tickets on-line, preview the auction, become a sponsor or get more info, go to www.newtonfreelibrary.net or call (617) 796-1407. 

Benefit Concert for Raising The Blues, Ltd.:  A remarkable evening of music, guitar and humor with world-renowned musicians - Grammy-winner Ed Gerhard and National Guitar Fingerstyle Champion Pete Huttlinger and guest Mississippian Jon Short.  Saturday, March 28th, 7:00 PM at Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington (www.regenttheatre.com; (781) 646-4849).  $35.  Proceed benefits 'Raising The Blues', Ltd. (www.RaisingTheBlues.org; (646) 643-9919), whose mission is to raise the spirits, abilities and aspirations of children undergoing medical treatment and recovery and children with physical, emotional or educational challenges.

How to Find and Afford Summer Day Camp -  Summer is just around the corner.  Learn about camp options for your 4-13 year old child.  Safe Schools/Healthy Students is offering a free workshop Thursday, March 19th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM at the Ed. Center, 100 Walnut St. room 210.  Learn what's available, how to choose, when to start looking (now!), which camps provide transportation, which provide extended care for working families and how to find scholarships.  The workshop will be conducted by Jenny Gamson, MS, Out-of-School-Time Specialist for SS/HS.  Register by contacting jenny_gamson@newton.k12.ma.us or (617) 559-9064. 

Jimmy Tingle to Perform for Habitat for Humanity's Newton Project: Thursday, March 19th, 7:00 PM:  Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Jimmy Tingle on Thursday, March 19th, at Newton City Hall's Memorial Hall.  Jimmy Tingle has appeared on network TV (60 Minutes II, the Tonight Show) and is the winner of several "Best of Boston" awards.  The event is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity, and all proceeds will support construction of the two-family home Habitat is building in Newton.  Join us for the silent auction and live music at 7:00 PM; the performance begins at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 if purchased at the door.  To order tickets, call (866) 811-4111 or go to www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/641495.  For more information about the event and the Habitat project in Newton, visit www.habitatboston.org.

Calling all music parents:  A citywide group of parents interested in supporting music in our schools has formed. We'd like to invite you to a meeting on Tuesday March 24th at 7:30 PM at the Oak Hill school library. We will be hosting a conversation with Richard King, our new Fine Arts Curriculum Coordinator for grades K-8. He will discuss the current K-8 fine arts curriculum, and his ideas about the future of music in our schools. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Rucinski at lisa@rucinskis.com. We hope you can join us!

Newton Community Partnerships for Children & Quality Full Day Kindergarten Grant are Sponsoring a Literacy Day:  Preschool and kindergarten children and parents join us for our second annual Literacy Day on Saturday, March 28, 2009, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM , at the Newton Community Service Center, 492 Waltham Street, Newton, 02465, Gymnasium and Auditorium.  Free of charge.  Activities include face painting and arts & crafts; information about resources in the community and snacks will be available; storytime with Pam McCuen, Newton librarian; magic with Carroll Blake - be dazzled by a magic show with audience participation.  We expect a visit from The Cat in the Hat and Curious George!  Each family can take home a treat bag with books. Books donated by Borders Books, Chestnut Hill, and Scholastic Books. For more information, call the CPC office, (617) 559-6065.

Rabies Clinics:  The Newton Health and Human Services Department will be sponsoring a rabies clinic on the following dates:  Saturday, April 4th - 9:00 AM -noon; Monday, May 4th - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM; and Wednesday, June 3rd - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.  All clinics will be held at Fire Station #3, 25 Willow Street, Newton Centre.  Cats and dogs must be caged or leashed, and escorted by someone over the age of 14.  $10 fee.

Benefit Jewish Family & Children's Service Bet Tzedek By Buying Blacker's Babka:  On Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of Babka will be donated to Jewish Family & Children's Service Bet Tzedek.  Bet Tzedek provides access to free legal services to the low-income population of Greater Boston.  Blacker's Bakery is kosher-pareve and nut-free.  Babka is available in chocolate, cinnamon-raisin, fig, and apple varieties.  Blacker's Bakeshop, 551 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, (617) 332-2008 (Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday until 3:00 PM).  Pre-orders are encouraged to ensure availability of product.

Comedy Night Out with Ace Aceto:  Presbyterian Church Nursery School, 75 Vernon St. in Newton, will be holding its 2nd Annual Comedy Night Fundraiser at the Turtle Lane Playhouse, this Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 PM.  Turtle Lane is located at 283 Melrose Street in Newton.  Join us for a great night of fun, laughter, and prizes!  Refreshments will be served, along with a cash bar.  A 50/50 cash raffle, games for prizes, a silent auction, and a stage show performed by Ace will highlight the evening.  Tickets are $20/pp, $70/4 pack in advance, and $25 at the door.  Call PCNS for tickets and information, (617) 332-9255 x1.