Category: Fig City News

  • Meet Dr. Mahdieh Beheshti: Small patients, big vision at Bee Happy

    Dr. Mahdieh Beheshti opened her pediatric dental practice, Bee Happy, in Newton last November. It doesn’t look or sound like a typical dentist’s office. Soft ambient music soothes patients in the waiting room, which is adorned with a mural depicting a woodland scene with a honey-eating bear, buzzing bees, and delicate flowers. Plush chairs and a cozy play area transform what could be an anxiety-inducing medical space into a calming retreat for young patients. Fig City News spoke with Beheshti about her journey from Iran to Newton, her approach to pediatric dentistry, and the personal touches she brings to her practice.

    What inspired you to become a pediatric dentist?

    I grew up in a family where all my siblings were physicians. In Iran, it’s different. After high school, we take a national exam and choose our major immediately. I really liked doing something with my hands, but I didn’t want to be a surgeon. Looking back at my childhood, I always got involved in crafting. My handwriting is very nice, and I was always making things. I thought dentistry would allow me to work with my hands.

    Dentistry is actually much harder than you think. When a millimeter is nothing to most people, for us, a millimeter is the worst thing. Our world is too small, too delicate.

    You were already a pediatric dentist in Iran. Why did you have to redo your training in the U.S.?

    As a dentist from Iran, my credentials weren’t recognized in the U.S. I attended Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors and joining the OKU Honor Society. To specialize in pediatrics, I completed my residency at Jacobi Medical Center in New York, a competitive program at a Level 1 trauma center focused on specialized care for children.

    What drew you to Newton for your practice?

    I really wanted to be close to the city but also envisioned myself living somewhere I could stay for a while. Even before coming to the United States, Boston was my dream land. I had never been here, but just envisioning Harvard, MIT, and everything here made me think this would be a very nice place.

    Your office has such distinctive décor. Tell me about that.

    I wanted to have a space that’s friendly and inviting, especially for the little ones, but I had a limited budget and couldn’t pay a designer. My sister suggested Etsy, and we found someone from Ukraine who designed the mural at a much lower price.

    I did everything here myself — the border molding, lighting, and assembled all the parts like a puzzle. When I made mistakes, I had to take pieces off with a knife and repaint. It was harder than you might think.

    You’ve invested in some specialized dental technology. Why is that important to you?

    I have one of the latest technologies for anesthesia that’s basically painless with minimal swelling. The look is less scary for kids.

    I also use premium composites for fillings that better match natural teeth, though insurance doesn’t always cover these costs. I can feel the difference in the final result, and that matters to me.

    What’s your philosophy about dental treatment?

    I make money from dentistry, but I don’t want to see any cavities. It just breaks my heart. Prevention is key, which is why educating parents is so important. 

    I’ve started visiting preschools, daycares, and hosting open houses at my practice to show children the materials we use and what happens during a dental visit — when they’re educated and familiar with it, they’re much less afraid.

    I also take a very conservative approach. I don’t like to cut the tooth because once you do, you have to deal with that for the rest of the patient’s life. It’s the patient’s interest and what’s best for them in the long run that matters, not what’s best for me financially.

    I understand you’re also a talented cake decorator. Isn’t that ironic for a dentist?

    [Laughs] It sounds ironic — the person telling you not to eat sweets is making cakes. But it’s OK to have sweets occasionally, just not frequently.

    I bake differently than most Americans. I don’t add sugar to my frosting because the cake already has sugar. I use heavy cream and fillings like banana, pineapple, and walnuts. 

    I do it for fun, though I secretly dream of my own bakery. Recently, I made a cake for my nephew’s third birthday, and he finds even more joy than me. He called his dad shouting, “Did you see my cake?” and guarded it from all his friends at his party. [Laughs]

    I promised myself, as much as I can, I’m going to do it for him. 

    A parrot named Goli

    You also have a pet parrot named Goli?

    Yes, he hatched in January 2017. It’s funny because I’m not actually a bird person — I always wanted a dog. But Goli is so smart and understands me very well. He speaks Farsi, and his love is so pure. Sometimes he hides under the sofa when I need to put him back in his cage to leave for work, knowing I can’t reach him. I don’t normally bring him to the office, but he has visited. 

    What challenges have you faced since opening your practice?

    Starting a small business requires passion, dedication, and resilience amid constant challenges. 

    My mission was clear: create a welcoming space where families trust their children’s dental care. I’ve navigated everything from financial pressures to regulatory hurdles while building a patient base and assembling the right team.

    Despite these challenges, the journey has been rewarding. Newton is filled with passionate entrepreneurs making a difference, and I’m proud to be part of this community. 

    Owning a small business isn’t just about providing services—it’s building relationships, creating jobs, and adding value. With local support, I look forward to growing Bee Happy Pediatric Dentistry’s impact.

    What’s most important to you when treating children?

    For me, family is my top priority. When parents bring their children to me, they’re trusting me with the most precious thing they have. I really try to understand parents’ concerns without judgment.

    My job is never fun for the kids, never comfortable. But I try to make it exciting because that’s how they get distracted. I want them to have a good experience and improve their oral hygiene—so they look forward to seeing a dentist rather than fearing it.

    Alexyss Lopez is a senior majoring in Journalism at Boston University and working with Fig City News via her department’s new initiative, the BU Newsroom program.

  • Newton’s workforce can’t afford to live here. A new affordable housing project aims to help.

    Newton’s housing crisis prevents the many workers who keep the city running from being able to live here. As costs soar, employees across industries are forced to commute from other communities. 

    “It doesn’t sit right with me that in Newton the person making my morning coffee can’t even afford to live here,” said Luke Mann-O’Halloran, a leader of Newton for Everyone, a coalition advocating for housing affordability and educating the public about its impacts on climate change, tax revenue, and diversity. “You can cut back on your coffee, but you need a place to live.”

    Newton has roughly 3,000 municipal workers, but only about 660 of them – 22% – live here, said Ann Houston, head of the Newton Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT).

    “It’s just too expensive,” she said. Lara Kritzer, Newton’s Director of Planning and Community Development, backed this statement noting Newton’s median household income is approximately $185,154.

    The NAHT was created in 2021 to support the development and preservation of affordable housing in the city. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) — which oversees grants for community housing, historic preservation, open space, and recreation – allocates 35% of Newton’s annual Community Preservation Act funds – about $1.95 million in 2021 – to the NAHT each year. This allows the NAHT to fund affordable housing projects directly, speeding up the approval process, while still requiring CPC and City Council oversight.

    Newton Gardens (photo: Alexyss Lopez)

    The NAHT’s third and latest project, Newton Gardens, is a 112-unit apartment complex at 129-151 North Street that is being converted into a mix of deeply affordable and workforce housing. Units will be available to people of various income levels, expressed as percentages of Area Median Income (AMI), which the Federal government calculates by household size. For the area around Newton, AMI is currently $114,200 for 1 person, $130,600 for 2 people, and $146,900 for 3 people. The Newton Garden units will be allocated:

    • 14 units for tenants earning no more than 80% of AMI;
    • 16 units supported by project-based vouchers, which are state subsidies to make up the difference between agreed-upon market rents and what tenants can afford (30% of their income); and
    • 82 units of deed-restricted workforce housing for individuals earning up to 110% of AMI, to prevent future conversion to luxury rentals while helping to preserve middle-income workforce housing.

    The Newton Gardens project will be funded through a mix of public and private investments and will be owned and managed by WinnCompanies of Boston. Of the $43.6 million total cost for the project, the NAHT has committed $4 million, the state has committed $9 million, and the rest is covered by private sources.

    Newton Gardens (photo: Alexyss Lopez)

    The goal is to address one of Newton’s most pressing challenges: the lack of family housing for those earning 60% or less than the area median income.

    “We need every type of housing, but the most critical need is family housing that is affordable to households at 30 to 60% AMI,” Houston said. “When we think about how affordable it is, people should pay no more than 30% of their income for housing – otherwise they’re at a housing cost burden.”

    Houston is also working to connect local officials and residents with resources to help them understand their roles in supporting affordable housing, including a free training series, “Strengthening Local Boards and Commissions to Support Affordable Housing.” 

    Marva Serotkin, head of the Newton Housing Partnership, has called Newton Gardens “a great example of using the trust fund to both increase and preserve affordable housing.” The Newton Housing Partnership, created in 1989, advocates for the creation and preservation of affordable housing. It advises on policies that increase affordable housing and works with developers under Newton’s Inclusionary Zoning ordinance, which requires a specific percentage of units within new residential developments to be affordable.

    With Newton’s average rent of $3,500 per month – requiring an income of roughly $140,000 – and the average home sale price at $1.7 million – requiring an income of roughly $410,000 — housing is out of reach for all but the wealthiest.

    “Most young families starting out can’t buy into the community,” Houston said. “They’ll have to come in with inherited wealth.”

    Some residents resist affordable housing projects, fearing potential impacts on single-family neighborhoods – like lower property values, increased traffic, or changes to Newton’s suburban character – but advocates say expanding housing options is necessary. “It’s not about replacing homes; it’s about creating options for people,” Mann-O’Halloran said. “The more we build, the more prices will go down, which benefits everyone.”

    The high cost of living in Newton has made it difficult for all groups to find stable housing, from students starting careers to seniors looking to downsize. “There are really not many options for seniors who want to downsize,” Houston said. “It’s generally more expensive to move into an apartment than to stay in your single-family home.” 

    High housing costs are not a problem just for residents – they also affect businesses. “Why would a business locate here if its workers can’t?” asked Esther Schlorholtz, chair of the Newton Fair Housing Committee, which works to prevent discrimination and increase inclusivity in housing. 

    “Restricting affordable housing availability can lead to discrimination, potentially segregating communities along socioeconomic and racial lines,” Schlorholtz said. “If you don’t have affordable housing then you won’t be able to be a community that is free of discrimination.” 

    Mann-O’Halloran echoed this concern.  “We need to ask ourselves, who do we want in Newton? If we say diversity matters, our housing policies need to reflect that.” 

    Newton’s housing shortage has environmental consequences too. “When people have to commute long distances because they can’t afford to live near their jobs, it’s not just a housing issue – it’s a climate issue,” Mann-O’Halloran said. He notes that expanding housing options – whether for young professionals starting out, families seeking stability, or seniors looking to downsize – reduces traffic and carbon footprint, while fostering sustainability.

    Housing advocates hope projects like Newton Gardens will pave the way for more development and policy changes that prioritize affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity. 

    The need for diverse housing options extends beyond just affordability – it affects Newton’s ability to sustain a vibrant, multigenerational community where workers, families, and seniors alike can live and thrive. 

    “We all want to have a thriving community, but that means it has to be a community that’s growing and evolving,” Houston said. “Sometimes that desire not to see change is the piece that actually causes a community to deteriorate, because change is always happening.”

    Alexyss Lopez is a senior majoring in Journalism at Boston University and working with Fig City News via her department’s new initiative within the BU Newsroom program.

  • Revised plan for Newton Centre Plaza draws mixed reactions from businesses and residents

    Newton Centre’s Pilot Plaza proposal has been revised after pushback from local businesses and residents, with the City reducing the number of parking spaces removed and shortening the year-long pilot to run only June through October. While some business owners, after these revisions, are cautiously optimistic about economic potential, others still question the necessity and feasibility of the plan. 

    Revised Plan

    Initially, the plan called for removing 51 spaces from the Langley Lot, and this sparked concerns from business owners and residents. In response, the City scaled back its proposal, now reducing the plaza from 16,000 sq ft. to 7,000 sq. ft. The smaller plaza will displace 24 parking spaces (15% of the entire lot), but 16 of those spaces will be recovered through changes in employee parking, the Blue Bike station, and ZipCar spots, leaving a net loss of only 8 spaces across the lot. To compensate, the City plans to add 60 spaces in the surrounding areas. (See Planning Dept. presentation.)

    Jennifer Caira, Deputy Director of Planning, and Nora Masler, Senior Planner on the Long-Range Planning Team, explained details of the revised plan to Fig City News. 

    • The Blue Bike station will move to the plaza area, not taking any parking spaces. 
    • The two ZipCar spaces will move to a nearby municipal lot – Pelham, Pleasant, or Cypress. 
    • The 12 employee parking spaces will move to streets in the periphery of Newton Centre, and they will likely not be together, so they can be relatively near businesses in different parts of Newton Centre.
    • The budget for the project remains at $300,000 for design , engineering, construction, materials, and equipment. That includes refreshing the Newton Centre Green and improving lighting.
    • The City plans to add wayfinding and signage to direct drivers to other spaces that may not be visible from the parking lot.
    Fig CIty News depiction of revised Pilot Plaza on Newton Centre Triangle Parking :Lot

    Local business owners weigh in

    Some local businesses see the plaza as a potential benefit, anticipating increased foot traffic and a more vibrant atmosphere. Lauren Berman, who helps market and create events for local businesses all over Newton, believes the revised plaza will be a great addition to Newton Centre. 

    “I really think it can benefit both local businesses and the community,” said Berman. “These events will attract members of the community into Newton Centre, increasing foot traffic while offering businesses a creative way to showcase their products and services– without sacrificing too many parking spaces.”

    Berman has already come up with potential collaboration events for the Plaza, such as charcuterie board lunches with Market Tiamo and Cork & Board, fashion shows with Dear Dutchess and Karma, craft fairs with merchandise from local retailers, cooking demos from restaurants, and pastry tastings from bakeries. 

    Mary Cotton, owner of Newtonville Books, expresses excitement as well, especially after the City’s revisions. “It’s really nice to see them listening, because it would be amazing to have my events [storytimes, author speaks, etc.] there,” said Cotton. “I think when talking about losing 8 spaces, most of us are willing to do that for a cool investment in this area that can do something great.”

    While some businesses are already brainstorming events, others are a little more cautious with their approach. Ryan Gott, owner of wine shop Cork & Board on Centre Street, remains hopeful that the scaled-down project will benefit Newton Centre and the city altogether, but he is also wary of the parking challenges it can create. He believes the City may have underestimated the existing parking shortages for both shoppers and employees, questioning the timing and methodology of the City’s recent parking analysis. 

    “They just announced they did this secret analysis of the parking lot,” said Gott. “They did it in the middle of winter, but this is happening in the summer and fall. They should have studied it last year to really understand the parking situation.” 

    Although Gott acknowledges that reducing the lost spaces is an improvement in the plan, he argues that the real impact may be greater than it appears. Employee parking is being relocated, but without a clear plan for where those spaces will go, he worries it will only make things harder for the workers.

    “We are already low on employee parking, and now it’s going to be even busier making it harder to find spaces, so we’ll need more employee spots, not the same amount” Gott said, pointing out that many of his employees are currently parking in the empty lot behind the old Walgreens. “Once the new Asian market moves in, that will no longer be an option, which is my major concern since parking has always been an issue for employers and employees here.”

    Some residents view that parking is already a challenge and believe the revised plan seems to do little to ease those concerns. 

    “I go to the medical practices around here, along with many other older residents that unlike myself may have mobility issues, and I really have to plan accordingly to secure a spot in that lot,” says Ann Avery, a Chestnut Hill resident who has lived in Newton for 49 years. “I might have to drive around a few times before I get a space because even now there isn’t enough space for the demand.”

    Erika Curley, managing partner of the Farmstead Table restaurant on Union Street, said she would love to see improvements in the area and supports the idea of a community space, but she believes a plaza in the parking lot is not the best use of the funds. 

    “I think there are so many good things to be done,” including improving the Newton Centre Green space and playground, creating more employee and handicap spaces, implementing loading zones or short-term parking options, and even building a garage structure over the train tracks. She is particularly concerned about the lack of handicap parking on Union Street. 

    She makes clear that the focus should be not on adding something new and inviting in Newton Centre but rather about making sure things work efficiently. 

    “It’s a big move to make and a risk to take because you’re gambling with the businesses that are here,” Gott said. “They said ‘just give it a year,’ and even now revised for almost half a year, we can still go bankrupt by then.”

    The City is continuing its efforts in community engagement regarding the planning for the plaza – and will hold a Community Engagement session on March 12, 6PM-8:30PM, at the City’s Arts & Culture Building (1294 Centre Street), with drop-in hours during the rest of that week.

    Alexyss Lopez is a senior majoring in Journalism at Boston University and working with Fig City News via her department’s new initiative within the BU Newsroom program.

  • Master collaborators help Newton’s local businesses thrive

    Mary Cotton has owned and operated Newtonville Books, specifically in Newton Centre, for 13 years. In 2023, Barry Tilles opened Good Dog Records & Books almost right across the street.

    Cotton didn’t mind. In fact, she and Tilles regularly recommend each other’s shops to customers.

    “I didn’t see competition,” Cotton said. “I saw an opportunity to collaborate.”

    Something unusual is happening across the Newton Villages, and it radiates a spirit of collaboration among local businesses. 

    Despite the expectation of businesses constantly in competition with one another, some local business owners are masters of collaboration – working with other owners for mutual success. 

    A business model of ‘collaboration over competition’ echoes throughout Newton Centre, where businesses like Johnny’s Luncheonette, Newtonville Books, and Thistle & Leek have become more than just shops — they are community gathering spots.

    Cotton’s partnerships have extended beyond Tilles. Kate Smith, owner of Thistle & Leek restaurant located just across the Newton Centre Triangle parking lot, has partnered with Newtonville Books to host ticketed author events where patrons can enjoy light bites from the restaurant while listening to authors speak about their books. 

    At Johnny’s Luncheonette, just a couple doors down from Newtonville Books, families laugh over syrupy pancakes during storytime. Here, Cotton partners with Kay Masterson of Johnny’s to host children’s authors who read their books while families enjoy breakfast. This unique partnership strengthens the bond between the community and local businesses.

    This spirit extends beyond the Centre, too. In Newton Highlands, Knot & Purl, a new crafting center owned by Tracy Herman, is helping to build a strong network of local business owners. Herman also highlights how collaboration can be fun: “The [recent] Valentine’s Day Craft Crawl [marketed through All Over Newton] is a great way for me to not only be seen, but allows other craft shops to know we’re not competitors, we’re collaborators.”

    All Over Newton hosted its second annual Craft Crawl on Saturday, February 8 – a day of Valentine’s-themed DIY activities at ten local businesses across the Newton Villages. Participants created gifts like “stained glass” suncatchers, silkscreened cards, decorated fortune cookies, and flower-pressed cards while supporting the local crafting businesses.

    It’s not just about joint events; small acts of collaboration go a long way. Matt Santarpio, owner of The Walnut Market in Newton Highlands, offers a 5% discount to customers who shop at multiple local businesses, in the Villages, on the same day – encouraging people to shop locally. Customers often buy a bottle of wine before heading upstairs to Herman’s BYOB adult craft sessions across the street. 

    The heart of these efforts is a shared belief that local businesses thrive when they support one another. “If I can help bring business to other shops, they’ll return the favor,” Santarpio says. “We all want the same thing: a strong, connected community.”

    This spirit of collaboration has spread all throughout Newton. In Newton Upper Falls, Bettina’s Bakery partners with Cotton to offer children’s books from her bookstore. Bettina displays little baskets on her cafe counters, facing the windows with a Venmo account attached and books for a bargain inside. 

    “Every week or so I’ll get a random Venmo of three dollars and think ‘aw, I love it’,” says Cotton. “It’s proof that it’s working,” expressing her gratitude, further demonstrating that support for one another is vital at every level, even with the smallest of gestures. 

    In Newtonville, Shara Ertel, owner of Fulfilled Goods, a low-waste market, collaborates as far out as Nonantum with Linda de Valpine, owner of Greentail Table, a contemporary homeware store. Regularly staying in touch with each other for feedback and insight, they share updates on customer trends, seasonal shifts, and successful promotions, helping each other navigate the challenges of running a small business.

    “If you share information, it both endorses the business that you think is worth your customers looking at and shares similar values,” says Ertel. “I think it’s those kinds of things that resonate with customers when they see other businesses doing it.” 

    Recently, de Valpine reached out to Ertel with an idea for a potential collaboration in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8. Though still in the early stages, the idea centers around a promotion encouraging customers to support women-owned businesses throughout Newton.

    Phuni Meston, who owns Karma, an artisan boutique store on Union Street around the corner from Thistle & Leek, believes strongly that community support is key. “Use the power of your wallet to support small businesses. When we show up for each other, the community thrives,” says Meston. “We’re all here helping each other. That’s how a community grows—together.”

    Alexyss Lopez is a senior majoring in journalism at Boston University and working with Fig City News via her department’s new program, BU Newsroom.