BrooklineCAN Blog

I attended my first meeting of the Livable Community Advocacy Committee on January 12, 2015. I had no idea what a wonderful difference my becoming a member of the LCAC was going to make to my life.

Though I had lived in Brookline for over 25 years, I had not been involved in any aspect of Brookline’s government or any Brookline volunteer organizations (including BrooklineCAN). As a recent retiree, I had attended some literature courses and traveled, but I wasn’t really using any of the skills I had spent a lifetime developing.

I was at that LCAC meeting because I had been working on a plan to help more Brookline senior homeowners qualify for the state’s circuit-breaker income tax credit. Committee members welcomed my plan and offered excellent suggestions about how to improve it.  A few encouraged me to consider running for Brookline Town Meeting, something that I had never considered doing. I did run for Town Meeting and was elected.  I’ve since been re-elected twice and have been a member of Brookline’s Advisory Committee (the Town’s finance committee) since 2018.

I continued to attend LCAC meetings and became increasingly involved with a whole array of BrooklineCAN activities. Now, as Chair of the LCAC, I try to keep meetings just as welcoming and interesting as when I first attended. At our meetings, we convey useful information about Brookline government and discuss a variety of proposed Town Meeting warrant articles of special interest to seniors.

Unlike other committees, becoming a member of the LCAC comes with no obligations. Everyone on our mailing list receives an agenda for our next monthly meeting, along with a Zoom link, and notes summarizing what was discussed at last month’s meeting. Anyone interested in attending who is not already a member of the LCAC should contact me at susangranoff@msn.com

Attending LCAC meetings may not change your life the way it did mine, but it will certainly make you more informed about Brookline, introduce you to many interesting Brookline residents who you might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet (particularly in these COVID times), and help you to become a better advocate for matters of special concern to Brookline’s older population. (Susan Granoff)

Aviva Chomsky, historian, author and activist, will speak at a virtual event sponsored by the Brookline-Quezalguaque Sister City Project (BQSCP) on Wednesday, October 20 at 7:00 pm. This event will celebrate 35 years of collaboration between people from Brookline and a small town in Nicaragua.

Dr. Chomsky’s latest book is Central America’s Forgotten History: Revolution, Violence, and the Roots of Migration (Beacon Press, 2021). She will speak on this topic in general and mention how this applies to the situation in Nicaragua in particular.

This event is free and open to the public via Eventbrite. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aviva-chomsky-and-central-americas-forgotten-history-tickets-173012022617.

Enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter on Thursday, October 14^th, at 1:00pm at the Senior Center, as we appraise the life of Lucille Ball, one of Hollywood’s greatest stars, through a multimedia presentation by Debi Block.

An American comedian, actress, model, studio executive and producer, Lucy continuously broke barriers for women in the entertainment business. She starred in and produced “I Love Lucy”, the sitcom series that became one of the most beloved shows in television history. We look at Lucy’s life on and off the big screen, before and after Desi, and share some of Lucy’s funniest TV sitcom moments. Come to laugh and reminisce together. Please register at 617-730-2770.

Wendee Glick and Steve Heck will present unforgettable tunes from the Great American Songbook on Thursday, October 21, at 2:00pm at the Senior Center. Performing together for more than 30 years, Wendee and Steve will entertain you with Broadway and standard songs, including music from Barbra Streisand to the Beatles. Listeners will smile and chuckle while learning more about the music and background of the songs. Please register at 617-730-2770.

On Thursday, October 28 from 1:00-6:00 pm, the Senior Center will host the “Brookline Bazaar.” A “mini” Holiday Craft Fair in place of the usual annual event, the Bazaar will feature a variety of items for sale by our senior crafters, “boutique” items, and available items from the Senior Center’s Etsy site. All proceeds will benefit the programs and services of the Brookline Senior Center. Please note that the occurrence of this event will be dependent upon the current pandemic regulations.

On Monday, October 18, 9:00 am-1:00 pm Walgreen’s will be offering a drop-in flu vaccine clinic at the Brookline Senior Center. Please register in advance at 617-730-2770 and state your age if you would like to receive the senior dose vaccine.

The Brookline Health Department will be hosting a flu clinic at the Brookline High School gym on Sunday, October 24 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sign-ups should be available around the first week of October. Contact the Health Department at 617-730-2300 for more information.

Men and Women living with HIV are needed for a Research Study on Heart Health. Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are looking for men and women ages 40-70 years old who are on antiretroviral medications and have not had a recent heart attack or stroke. As a part of the study, you will receive an evaluation of cardiovascular risk through heart imaging studies and nutrition counseling with a registered dietician. The study involves an FDA approved medication that may improve heart health, 3 overnight visits, and nutrition counseling over 6 months. More details will be provided. Compensation is up to $595 and travel reimbursement is available. For more information and to see if you may qualify, please contact Grace at (617) 726-4924 or Allie, NP at (617) 726-1696. Visit our website at: https://rally.partners.org/study/enchantmenthiv

Brookline Adult Education’s fall offering have something for everyone. Among the ones you might enjoy are:

• Brookline’s Green Hill, a Neighborhood of Gardenrs and Gardeners
• Urban Foraging for Wild Edibles
• Mount Auburn Cemetery and Brattle Street Walking Tour: Planting in Public Spaces
• Knitting Fun
• Eat More Fish 
• Some Enchanted Evening: The Musical Collaborations of Rodgers and Hammerstein

Click on the class that interests you or call 617-730-2700 for more information or to register.

Two members of the BrooklineCAN Membership Committee recently visited three dwellings where seniors live:  Brown House, 1550 Beacon Street, and 100 Centre Street. A number of those attending asked about volunteer opportunities with BrooklineCAN.  Here are three options from the Communication Committee. In future issues we will feature other options with other BrooklineCAN committees.

BrooklineCAN is seeking a backup webmaster.  Do you know html, css, javascript, and ftp?  The current webmaster will continue to do the bulk of the work.  Email webmaster@brooklinecan.org.

The Public Relations/Media Committee could use additional support.  If you have writing skills and/or would be willing to do media outreach, contact elenoreparker@Comcast.net.

Besides writing, BrooklineCAN’s  newsletter is looking for volunteers to work on the setup and publication of the newsletter. Experience with WordPress is a plus. If interested contact carol.b.caro@gmail.com .

If you live in a building where you could host a gathering for interested residents, contact  Membership Committee members Ellen at epbick@comcast.net and/or Marsha at  Mfrankel77@comcast.net