BrooklineCAN Blog

Come ring in the Year of the Rat at the Coolidge Corner Branch Library. Celebrate on Sunday, February 9. 2:00 to 4:00 pm with a Lion Dance demonstration by Gund Kwok, the only Asian women’s Lion & Dragon dance troupe in the United States; a Chinese calligraphy demonstration; and a children’s activity. All ages are welcome. This event is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Brookline Public Library, Trader Joe’s, and Roche Bros.  31 Pleasant Street, 617-730-2380.

Fenway Studios, a National Historic Landmark building built in 1905, is the oldest continuously functioning building in the country constructed for and dedicated solely to artists’ space. Inspired by the 19th century atelier studios in Paris, it was designed so that every one of the 46 studios would have north-facing window and 14-foot high ceilings. On this tour, you’ll learn about the building’s architecture and its history while also visiting with artists in their studios and talking with them about their work. Saturday, February 29, 10:00 am – noon.   Meet in the lobby at Fenway Studios, 30 Ipswich Street, Boston, $22.  To register call 617-730-2700 or see  www.brooklineadulted.org.

BrooklineCAN recently joined the Affordable Housing Stakeholders Coalition, whose goal is to increase affordable housing throughout Brookline. According to the 2016 Housing Projection Plan, approximately 1,500 people are on the Brookline Housing Authority waiting list for senior housing, while 1,300 wait for family housing. Launched by the Housing Advisory Board (HAB) and the Commission for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations (CDICR), the Coalition represents people concerned with social service, housing, transportation, and the environment, and includes grass roots groups, commissions, boards, and networks throughout the town. In addition to being a social issue, the lack of affordable housing in Brookline is a serious economic issue. The Coalition is planning a town-wide Affordable Housing Stakeholders Educational Forum in early spring.

Jewish Family & Children’s Services is a networking partner of BrooklineCAN as well as one of its founders.  In addition to serving on BrooklineCAN’s steering committee, JF&CS has been a project supporter over the past few years, helping to organize residents around environmental scans of their neighborhoods, underwriting a Parks of Brookline brochure, enhancing outreach, and expanding BrooklineCAN’s Age-Friendly Business initiative.  As a social impact organization that provides services across the lifespan, JF&CS is an integral part of the Brookline community.  JF&CS focuses on meeting the needs of new parents and their children, older adults and family caregivers, children and adults with disabilities and people experiencing poverty, hunger, or domestic abuse. More information about JF&CS and how you can get involved with the organization can be found at:  www.jfcsboston.org.

Richard Blanco was selected by President Barack Obama to serve as Inaugural Poet in 2012 becoming the first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in this role. He will read from his recent collection of poetry  HOW TO LOVE A COUNTRY which explores questions of identity and nationhood.

The program will take place Friday, February 28, 2020, 7:00 pm at the First Parish in Brookline, 382 Walnut Street.  Tickets are $25  if purchased in advance, $30 at door beginning at 6:15, $10 students. You can purchase tickets online at www.brooklinesistercity.org.

There is a new bike rack at the Senior Center located behind the building by the rear entrance.  The rack provides six safe spots to lock up your bike. If you send your contact information and a photo of you with your bike at the Senior Center to Maria Foster (mfoster@brooklinema.gov) you will have a chance to win a CVS gift card.

The Brookline Recreation Department is offering two February events for Active Older Adults (55 and up).  Rose Art Museum, February 6, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, $5 residents, $8 non-residents.  With its highly respected international collection, the Rose affirms and advances the values of freedom of expression, global diversity and social justice that are the hallmarks of Brandeis University. Following the visit to the museum we will stop for lunch at Leo’s Place Diner at your own cost.  Potter’s Party, Brookline Arts Center, Wednesday, February 26, 12:30-3:00 pm, $30  residents, $40 non-residents.  Brighten up your winter and enhance your artistic skills with our friends at the Brookline Arts Center!  Expert instructors will help you create your own masterpiece with clay.  Registration fee includes all materials and refreshments.  For more information and to register, call 617-730-2069.

Here is an opportunity to reminisce with others and swap stories about a decade that impacted your life. Do you remember phrases like “Make Love Not War,” “Keeping up with the Joneses,” or “Daddy-O?”  Led by social work student intern Bella Anderson, this group will meet for six weeks beginning on Monday, February 24. History buffs, this is for you! For more information or to register, call 617-730-2772.

The first in a series of panel discussions on aging will be presented at WBUR’s CitySpace on March 2 from 12 noon to 2:00 PM. The topic will be Age is Not a Medical Condition: Healthy Aging After 50. Louise Aronson, author of Elderhood: Reinventing Aging, Transforming Medicine, and Reimagining Life, will be the keynote speaker. The panelists will be Jan Hively (Boston College), Lisa Krinsky (Fenway Health), Sarah Lamb (Brandeis University),  and Terry O’Malley (Mass General Hospital). Joann Montepare, (Lasell University) will moderate the discussion. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.wbur.org/events. WBUR Cityspace is located at 890 Commonwealth Ave.

Tax aides will be available this year at the Senior Center on Tuesday, February 11 and Tuesday, April 11. Appointments are being scheduled now. For more information or to make an appointment,  617-730-2777. When you come in for your appointment, remember to bring copies of your 2018 tax returns.