Monthly Archives: February 2015

The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) program helps seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare navigate the varied insurance options available to them.  There is a great need for volunteers to provide unbiased information on these complex issues.  Through an intense training program you can become a certified volunteer to explain health insurance options.  Once trained you are expected to work an average of 5 to 6 hours a week meeting one-on-one with clients at the Senior Center or other public settings that have a private meeting space.  Knowledge of computers is required.   For more information contact Sonia Wong at the Senior Center (617-730-2274) and let her know you are interested in volunteering in the SHINE program.

Every Tuesday now through April 7^th AARP volunteers will be is available at the Senior Center to help you with your 2014 tax returns.  Call 617-730-2777 to make an appointment.  Request an “intake review sheet” which must be completed and given to the tax preparer at the time of your appointment.  You will also need to bring a copy of last year’s tax return and any paperwork related to the current tax year (2014) and a photo ID and either your Social Security or Medicare card.  If you are unable to come to the Center for your appointment and you are sending a representative, the representative must present his or her own photo ID as well as yours.

Lifelong learning is easy to come by in Brookline.  Proof can be found by checking out the BrooklineCAN Education page http://www.brooklinecan.org/education.html.  Here you will see several useful features.  There is a list of upcoming events such as adult education courses, films, and excursions.  Through BIG (Brookline community TV) we are able to bring you videos of past BrooklineCAN programs; currently featured is the panel discussion from last spring on elder care trends.   Also listed, with descriptions and contact information, are the numerous continuing education programs in the area.  Take a look at this and other features of our organization’s web site.

“Embracing Sexuality as We Age: Keys to Vitality”, will be presented at Hunneman Hall, Brookline Public Library, 361 Washington Street.  The speaker is Anita Hoffer, MS, PhD, EdD, a therapist and educator focusing on adult sexuality counseling. She will discuss the many benefits of maintaining sexual health in mid- and later life.  The program is free of charge.  A reception starting at 6:00 pm will be followed by the program 6:30 to 8:00 pm. To register, please  call 617-730-2770.

Had it with winter?  The annual Boston Flower & Garden Show could not be more welcome!  The Brookline Recreation Department’s 55+ program is offering a trip on Thursday March 12^th from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm to the Seaport World Trade Center to enjoy a promise of spring.  This trip is a real bargain. Admission to the Flower Show and round trip transportation are included in the $28 fee for Brookline residents.  For non-residents the fee is $38.  Pick up/drop off locations are at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street, and the Soule Recreation Center, 652 Hammond Street.  To register contact the Brookline Recreation Department at 617-730-2069.

The Boston Cyclist Union is advocating protected bicycle lanes, also known as cycletracks, on traffic-heavy Commonwealth Ave and Route 9.  According to Pete Stidman, Executive Director of the Union, the proposed cycletracks consist of raised 6-foot wide platforms that run next to the sidewalk. The Commonwealth Ave track will run from the BU Bridge to Packard’s Corner (intersection of Brighton and Commonwealth Avenues). The track on Route 9 begins after the Riverway overpass and ends at Harvard Street. A new signal system will allow cyclists to cross busy Route 9 more easily. Visit http://bostoncyclistsunion.org/ to see the proposed cycletracks and to help make them a reality.

The New Rep production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth will be presented at the Senior Center on April 15^th at 2:00 pm thanks to a special grant from the Brookline Community Foundation.  For a just $5.00 you can see Shakespeare’s tragedy of ambition, conspiracy and violence.  Be sure and make a reservation (617-730-2777).  This is going to be a popular event. Admission is free for residents of the Brookline Housing Authority.

The Metropolitan Chorale of Brookline and the Zamir Chorale will perform Handel’s tour de force ”Israel in Egypt” at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston on Saturday March 7 at 8:00 pm.  This oratorio was composed for orchestra, soloists, and double chorus.  Tickets are $30 for adults; $25 for students, seniors and WGBH or Coolidge Corner Theatre members; and $20 when purchased for groups of 10 or more.  See http://www.metropolitanchorale.org/israel-in-egypt/  to order tickets.  At this site you will also find more information about the performance and about the chorale.

Did you know that you can get your finances, budgets, and personal records in order using Excel?  This course, designed for seniors, begins by exploring the basic features of Microsoft Windows and then you will learn to produce spreadsheets and to create a database of useful information such as addresses or birthdays.  Students should have completed Computer Basics or its equivalent.  Although taught in a PC lab, skills are transferable to Mac.  The class meets at the Senior Center and is limited to six participants.  Four Fridays beginning April 3, 10:00 am to noon.  $72.  To register, see www.brooklineadulted.org or call 617-730-2700.

“I’ll Be Me” follows country star Glen Campbell, recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, on his farewell tour.  “The film documents this amazing journey as he and his family attempt to navigate the wildly unpredictable nature of Glen’s progressing disease using love, laughter and music as their medicine of choice.”  The film will be shown at the Coolidge Corner Theater Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm.  This special screening was organized by BrooklineCAN, Goddard House, Sherrill House, and the Brookline Council on Aging, as a community effort to bring awareness and support to those with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and their caregivers.  A limited number of free tickets are available by going to www.goddardhouse.org to register.  These tickets can be picked up at the theater on the evening of the movie under your name.   You can also purchase tickets  for $10 each now at the Coolidge Box Office or on-line at www.coolidge.org