Monthly Archives: April 2015

Learn about ways to promote brain health and the major role it plays in maintaining and improving overall health and well-being. Come to the free Health Fair Expo to be held at the Senior Center on Thursday, May 14, from 12 – 2 pm. Workshops will include: “Music and Brain Health” and “Meditation and the Brain.” A variety of vendors representing a wide range of organizations will be there to offer information about their goods and services. Registration is not necessary for the afternoon sessions and exhibits. Call the Center at 617-730-2770 for more information. Immediately following the Expo, there will be an afternoon Open House from 2:15-4:00 pm at Center Communities of Brookline. All are invited to tour 100 Centre Street, along with enjoying a panoramic view of the Boston skyline and refreshments in the Skyline Cafe from 2:15-3:00 pm.

BrooklineCAN is planning the Town’s third Party of the Century to honor our centenarians on Wednesday, July 15, 2:30 pm at the Senior Center.  Any person from Brookline and surrounding communities who will turn 99 years of age at any time during 2015 or older is invited to attend with a relative or friend.  Plans are in the works to include speakers, personal stories, music, and a special birthday cake.   This event began in 2002 and was held again in 2007—it’s now time for another celebration!   Please contact Julie Washburn (617-730-2760, jwashburn@brooklinema.gov) if you, a relative or friend in the area would like to be placed on the invitation list for this year’s party.

Brookline Adult & Community Education will present a lecture, “Preparing to Age in Place”, by architect Deborah Pierce on Thursday, May 21, 7:00 to 9:00 pm, $6, at Brookline High School.  Pierce says that your home should support your changing needs, whether for empty nesting, embarking on an encore career, or aging in place.   Her talk will help you identify goals and strategies and she will distribute a checklist for evaluating the accessibility of your home as you plan for the future.  To register:   617-730-2700 or http://www.campusce.net/brookline/course/course.aspx?catId=70 .

This year Brookline’s Town election on May 5 is exceptionally important.  The race for Board of Selectmen is highly contested with five candidates competing for two open seats. The School Committee election is also contested with four candidates and three available seats.  There are contested races for Town Meeting Members in some precincts.

We will also be voting on two important ballot questions. The first is an Override to allow the Town to  increase property taxes to cover expenses in the  Brookline Public Schools resulting from a major increase in enrollment. The second is a proposal to allow the Town to borrow money to replace and expand the Edward Devotion School. When voting, be sure to look for the ballot questions. They are at the bottom of the ballot in fine print.  On May 5, the polls will be open from 7:00 am until 8:00 pm. To find out where you vote or to see a copy of a sample ballot for your precinct  and other voter information go to BrooklineCAN web site http://www.brooklinecan.org/ .You can vote absentee before May 5 by going to the Town Clerk’s office. For a listing of the extended hours the office will be open for absentee voting, click here.

Bicycle Beacon Street like you’ve never done before – with no cars to get in your way. Ride the entire length of our historic avenue – both east and west – all car free! You’ll do a 5-mile loop with Brookline Police leading the way, riding with us, and covering our backs. Like a parade!  Join your friends and neighbors as a cyclist or a volunteer.  The Brookline Bike Parade will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Amory Park. Registration and bike safety checks begin at 11:30 am and the ride starts at 1:00 pm. For more information, to register or to volunteer go to the Brookline Bicycle Advisory Committee’s web site BrooklineBikes.org .

More than 82 percent of people say that putting their wishes for end-of-life care in writing is extremely important; 27 percent have done so. BrooklineCAN is sponsoring an event to help you get started. On Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7:00 pm at the Senior Center, join us for a talk by Jerry Goldberg, PhD, a trained volunteer with The Conversation Project (www.TheConversationProject.org). Dr. Goldberg will share his own story of conversations with his family and lead us through “starter packets” – which will be given to each attendee – to help us get ready for our own conversations. The event is free but space is limited. Call 617-730-2770 to reserve a ticket.

BrooklineCAN sponsors a professional networking group for individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations that are based in Brookline and that offer services geared to the needs of older adults. The group meets every other month for breakfast and a chance to share information and resources.  Members include senior living communities, a care manager, a real estate broker who specializes in seniors, elder law attorneys, a paper management expert, and a home care agency.  Further details on the group can be found on the BrooklineCAN website at http://www.brooklinecan.org/pspg.html   For more information, contact Karen Zweig, the Move Maven, at 617-455-1964 or karen@movemaven.com .

The recent renovation and expansion builds on the legacies of Harvard’s Fogg (western art Middle Ages to the present), Busch-Reisinger (central and Northern Europe art), and Sackler (Asian, ancient, Islamic, and Indian art) museums.  All three are now united under one roof for the first time with a striking new glass roof designed by architect Renzo Piano.  The Brookline Recreation Department 55+ program sponsors a visit to this unique facility on Thursday, May 21, 10:30 am – 5:30 pm, $22 for Brookline residents and $30 for non-residents.  Trip fee includes transportation and admission to the museum.  Pick-up and drop-off are at the Brookline Senior Center and the Soule Recreation Center.  To register:  www.brooklinerec.com or 617-730-2069.

One of the favorite attractions on the BrooklineCAN website www.brooklinecan.org/contractors.html is the Service Referral link. Current listings include plumbers, handypersons, contractors, electricians and others who have been vetted by the committee. Now the committee is re-organizing and is looking for a few volunteers to continue its work. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help plan two educational events a year involving some of the listed services. They will also have a chance to enlarge the list by contacting and vetting additional service providers who have been recommended. The Committee will meet quarterly or as needed. Volunteers will work from home and will be in touch with each other over e-mail. Interested??? Contact coordinator Jamie Donchin at 617-730-2753 or by e-mail at JDonchin@brooklinema.gov.