Tom Leyden connects with Aaron Buczek in the Edward Jones office on Washington Street.

Aaron and his team moved into their new facility next to The Muffin House and Neroli Ristorante in 2023. In addition to his role as a Certified Financial Planner, Aaron also serves as the president of the Rotary Club of Westwood.

Tom and Aaron chat about his background, what drew him into the world of financial planning after his graduation from Bentley, and why he feels so at home in the Westwood market. Plus, learn what he likes to do outside of the office with his wife and two daughters.

Reach out to Aaron by calling 781-613-0006 or stopping by his office on Washington Street in Islington

Tom Leyden connects with Maureen Roycroft from the Westwood Community In Action organization to talk about the Westwood Promenade, Grad Walk and All Night Grad Party.

Maureen was among the leaders who helped launch the Westwood Promenade concept, at the suggestion of Westwood High School principal Amy Davenport. In 2022, Westwood began this fantastic tradition of showcasing Westwood's students and their dates who are attending the prom.

This year, the Westwood Promenade, sponsored by Sassy Boutique, will be held on Friday, May 10 at 4:15pm at Flahive Field. The event is open to the public and provides a great opportunity to see the kids dressed up and ready to go moments before they board the buses to the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge.

Tom and Maureen also chat about the All Night Grad Party and how that wonderful event provides a unique opportunity for parents of younger students to "pay it forward" and support the graduating class of 2024.

For more information, email [email protected] and visit wwwwestwoodangp.com

Tom Leyden connects with Lenny Johnson, Jessica Clinton and Paul Tartufo at Comella's to talk Little League Baseball and Westwood Youth Softball.

Lenny Johnson is entering his second season as president of Westwood Little League. He's the father of two sons, Colin and Liam, who play baseball and a daughter, Abby, who went through the Westwood Youth Softball program and currently plays on the Westwood Varsity team. More than 350 players are signed up for Westwood Little League in 2024.

Jessica Clinton is Westwood Youth Softball's vice president and chief fundraising ambassador. Her son, Ryan, plays Little League Baseball (on Lenny's team) and her daughters, Eve and Olivia, play Westwood Youth Softball under the coaching of her husband, Brian. Jessica has been instrumental in the growth, financial and otherwise, of the softball program during her time on the board.

Paul Tartufo is entering his fourth season as president of Westwood Youth Softball. His daughter, Julia, worked her way through the Westwood Youth softball program and is currently playing on the Westwood Varsity team. His son, Jack, plays baseball. Paul helps orchestrate a group of more than 165 players who are signed up to play in 2024.

The 2024 season gets underway this Saturday, April 27, with the annual Westwood Little League/Westwood Youth Softball parade, which culminates in a special ceremony at Morrison Field. The parade starts at Downey Elementary at 9am and will progress down Smith Street and East Street to Morrison, where the varsity baseball and softball players will be waiting for the kids.

Tom Leyden connects with Sydni O'Connell in the studios of Exerpsych, a new facility merging adolescent psychology with exercise and movement.

Sydni is a Clinical Psychologist and Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Adolescent Mental Health. Her first expert column will appear in the May issue, and Tom and Sydni set the stage by learning about her unique background as an athlete who became a school psychologist before branching out and starting her own business in Westwood.

Exerpsych aims to empower primarily teen girls to engage physically while they let go of some mental anxiety and struggles. Sydni talks about her unique approach to counseling, whether it's done individually or in a group setting.

Learn more about Sydni and her business by visiting www.exerpsyched.com

Tom Leyden connects with Master Derek Field at the studios of Field Martial Arts Academy in Norwood.

Derek Field is a sixth-degree blackbelt and Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Martial Arts and Self Defense. Tom and Derek talk about how he's continuing to grow his business while taking advantage of a number of marketing and growth opportunities along the way. Derek touches on his "shotgun approach" to marketing - there isn't one way to get 100 new students, but there's 100 ways to get one new student.

They also touch on the power of networking with other business owners to learn and passing on the lessons and traditions of respect in the martial arts.

To learn more about Field Martial Arts Academy, visit the website at www.fieldmartialarts.com

Tom Leyden and Patrick French connect at Neroli Mercato.

Patrick French is a Renaissance Man, very busy as a parent, professional, performer and coach. His main responsibilities at "Work Human" are very interesting, as are his passions, which include improv performing and acting. He was among the cast in Hocus Pocus 2.

Patrick also teaches improv classes to elementary school students, and stepped up to coach the freshman boys soccer team at Westwood High School this year, which we talk about during our conversation.

Patrick will be performing in Needham Community Theatre's production of The Crucible. Learn more by visiting www.needhamtheatre.org

Tom Leyden chats with Diane Rothauser and Patrick French at Neroli Mercato.

Diane and Patrick are Westwood residents who are part of the upcoming production of The Crucible, scheduled for May 10-19 at the Needham Community Theatre. Diane shares her thoughts as Director of Publicity and Patrick chimes in on the challenges of performing a play by Arthur Miller and what the audience should expect.

To learn more about the The Crucible and secure your tickets, visit http://www.needhamtheatre.org

Tom Leyden chats with Aaron Buczek, the president of the Rotary Club of Westwood, about the upcoming Family Pancake Breakfast scheduled for April 7 at Xaverian Brothers High School. 

What do you know about Rotary? If you are a person who likes to give back, joining the Rotary Club of Westwood is a great way to do it. The club is actively seeking new members who are interested in having fun while making a big difference in the community.  Aaron talks about what the Rotary does, who benefits from our efforts, and what you can expect from being a member. Reach out to Aaron at 413-364-1312 or by email at [email protected] to learn more and join us at an upcoming meeting. 

We are stronger together and a diversity of talents makes Rotary great.

Tom Leyden and Jessica Thomson connect to discuss the annual Eddie's Food Drive to benefit the Westwood Food Pantry.

Jessica Thomson is a Westwood resident and mother of Eddie and Fiona Thomson. In November of 2017, Eddie was tragically lost when he was struck by a car on Pond Street. Jessica and Fiona have rallied together to honor Eddie's memory every year by orchestrating and executing "Eddie's Food Drive," which runs through April 13.

Tom and Jessica discuss how the drive originally started, who benefits, how Fiona's Girl Scouts Troop has become so instrumental to its success and ultimately, how the Westwood community has helped the Thomsons recover from such a tragic loss.

To learn more about the Eddie's Food Drive, visit www.eddiesfooddrive.com

Tom Leyden learns more about Sandria Chen, our Barrows Featured Artist of March.

Sandria Chen is a junior at Westwood High School and was nominated by a fellow student for her outstanding vision and execution in the art room. Sandria and Tom chat about her background, her motivation and some specific pieces that are featured throughout this video.

Congratulations to Sandria, who you can follow on Instagram - www.instagram.com/sandriax