BrooklineCAN Blog

“We’re pregnant! You’re going to be a grandparent!” Eight of the sweetest words in the English language – but they also mark a transition to a new role with challenges and potential pitfalls, as well as delights.

Paula Span, writer of the Generation Grandparent column for the New York Times, has been thinking about these issues since her own granddaughter’s birth four years ago. After talking to developmental psychologists and other experts about the part grandparents can play in an expanding family, she adapted her columns into an audio title, “The Bubbe Diaries,” released by Audible.

On Tuesday, June 29 at 3:00 pm. Span will share her findings and philosophies, and invite you to share yours, in a virtual discussion, sponsored by BrooklineCAN, Center Communities of Brookline, Goddard House Assisted Living & Memory Care, and the Brookline Senior Center.

To participate, please visit  https://hebrewseniorlife.zoom.us/j/8581186414 For more information or to pre-order/order “The Bubbe Diaries” audiobook, please visit: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-BubbeDiaries-Audiobook/B091J7M7FL If you have trouble accessing either of these links, please contact Jamie Jensen at jjensen@brooklinema.gov or call 617-730-2753.

Looking for suggestions for movies, eBooks, magazines, audio books? The Brookline library has great free resources for you! On the library website, two outstanding choices are Kanopy and Hoopla. For fans of movie classics, check Kanopy. For movies, eBooks, magazines, audio books, try Hoopla.

The classic children’s story, “Make Way for Ducklings,” published in 1941, inspired Nancy Schon to create the famous bronze sculpture of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings.  Installed in the Boston Public Garden in 1987, the sculpture has become a family favorite.

Ms. Schon has a new book, “Ducks on Parade,” now available on her website https://nancyschonsculpture.wixsite.com/home. This book is a tribute to the people of Boston and a record of the life of the city and of our country over the past decades. Further, it is a testament to the power of public art.

On Wednesday, June 14th at 1:00 pm, Nancy will give a talk on Zoom about the book and her life’s work with time for questions. Contact Jamie Jensen at jjensen@brookinema.gov or 617-730-2753 to register.

Brookline Recreation is excited to announce our expanded Pickleball offerings at the Warren Field Tennis Courts for the summer season! Pickleball is a life-long sport for all ages and skill levels – whether you’re a retiree searching for a new hobby or an avid paddle athlete looking to flex your muscle against new competition, all athletes are welcome on the courts. Come see why Pickleball is America’s fasting growing sport at one of our summer sessions:

Beginner & Advanced Beginner Play – Sundays from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
All Level Open Play – Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to Dusk
Intermediate & Advanced Play – Sundays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and Thursdays from 5:00 pm to Dusk

Summer sessions start June 27th – pre-registration is required to play. For more information and to register, please visit www.brooklinerec.com. Questions? Contact Josh at 617-730-2082

Sharon Devine, Senior Center Fitness Coordinator, offers four Zoom classes weekly. Each one is 1/2 hour long and has a different focus: Flexibility, Building balance skills, Exercises for aching joints, and Improve physical balance. Contact Sharon Devine, at 617-730-2769, or at sdevine@brooklinema.gov for more info and for the Zoom link, Meeting ID and Meeting Password, or to join by phone.

The Senior Center will be hosting a Senior CharlieCard event on June 16 from 1:30-4:00 pm. To schedule an appointment, please call 617-730-2644.   Bring a picture ID with proof that you are 65 or older. A helper will fill out your online application, take your photo, and send them to the MBTA. You will receive your CharlieCard in the mail.  To fill out an application online on your own, please visit: https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced/seniorcharliecard and select “apply online.”

Recently a BrooklineCAN member got a voicemail from someone who said he was from PayPal. He told her he found some suspicious activity on her computer and offered to help. She gave him remote access. When he was done, money was missing from her bank account.

Don’t give sensitive information to anyone unless you start the conversation.

If you get an email or phone call or find a website that wants account numbers, passwords, or anything else, be very suspicious. Honest organizations won’t ask you for sensitive information unless you approach them first. Scam emails, web sites, and calls can be very convincing. Scammers can easily imitate legitimate sites. Only those who give you taxable money need your social security number.

You can much find more information on the BrooklineCAN website at https://www.brooklinecan.org/frauds.html  and https://www.brooklinecan.org/links.html#fraud.

The Brookline Council on Aging was recently awarded a state grant to assist with medical transportation needs for seniors.  Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Limited weekend service is provided.

The service provides rides within the Town of Brookline and to select vaccination appointments and medical facilities, including the Longwood Medical Area, Massachusetts General Hospital, Mass Eye & Ear, Faulkner Hospital, Boston Medical Center, the VA Hospital and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.

Requests for medical transportation can be left on the Brookline Senior Center Van Reservation Line at 617-730-2750 and should be made three business days in advance of the appointment.  For further details, see https://brooklinecovid19.com/2021/05/04/town-of-brookline-awarded-state-grant-to-assist-with-medical-transportation-needs-for-seniors/ or contact TRIPPS Coordinator Maria Foster at 617-730-2644.

On Tuesday, June 15 at 1:00 pm on Zoom, join Joan Ilacqua from The History Project for a presentation on Massachusetts’ movements for LGBTQ rights with a focus on diversity and inclusion. Joan will share the history of groups like the Combahee River Collective, El Comite Latino, BAGLY (Boston-Area GLBTQ Youth), Older Lesbian Energy, and others, including current movement building and resources. Joan Ilacqua is Executive Director of The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston: The History Project is Boston’s community LGBTQ archives; their mission is to document, preserve, and share LGBTQ history. Learn more at www.historyproject.org. To register, please contact Jamie Jensen at jjensen@brooklinema.gov or 617-730-2753.