The following programs will take place at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street. For information, please call 617-730-2770 or brooklineseniorcenter.org.
August Spotlighted Volunteer Opportunities: This month’s spotlighted opportunities include, Food Commodity program on third Wednesday of each month — Russian and Chinese interpreters, morning and afternoon shifts and people able to help with phone calls and/or lifting 30-35 lbs. in the morning; one-on-one assistance for seniors with their smartphones and other technology; and Russian interpreters for 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays in the Food Pantry. To apply for these or other volunteer opportunities at the BSC: Patricia, 617-730-2743, pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Alzheimer’s Walk and Campaign: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Walk will be held on Sunday morning, Sept. 24. Everyone knows someone with Alzheimer’s. Help fund research on this disease by signing up for the Brookline Senior Center Alzheimer’s Walk Team. Participants put their walking shoes on and get donations from friends and family. They can walk either 1 1/2 or 3 1/2 miles while enjoying a view and visiting with friends. Transportation will be provided to and from the Senior Center and the walk site. Those who cannot participate in the walk, can make a donation, cash or check, at the Senior Center. Checks should be made out to Brookline Senior Center with Alzheimer’s on the memo line of the check. While the walk is not until September, it is never too early to start collecting donations. For information or to sign up: Patricia, volunteer coordinator, 617-730-2743, pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Greater Boston Food Bank Food Commodity Program: The Greater Boston Food Bank Commodity Program provides shelf-stable food to low-income seniors. Two shopping bags of food for each approved participant are delivered to the Brookline Senior Center at 93 Winchester St., Sussman House at 50 Pleasant St. and O’Shea House at 61 Park St. on the third Wednesday of each month. The program is actively recruiting new applicants to participate. For information or to set up an appointment: Patricia, 617-730 2743, pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Individual Job Search Skills Appointments: Patricia Burns, the REAP Program Job Skills counselor, is available for one-on-one/individual appointments to assist with essential job search tools — resume writing or updating, job-specific cover letters and LinkedIn profile development, interviewing — phone, Skype, in-person or mock — as well as identifying transferable skills from past experience to use in your next job. Appointments required. Contact Patricia at 617-730-2743 or pburns@brooklinema.gov.
Springwell Lunch: As of August 2017, the full monthly Springwell menu will not be included in the monthly newsletter. Copies of the menu will be available to pick up at the Senior Center during the last week of the previous month. To register: 617-730-2747. Lunch should be reserved on the business day prior before 10:30 a.m. On Aug. 15, Springwell’s Annual BBQ will happen. To reserve a lunch on the business day prior before 10:30 a.m.: 617-730-2747. For reservations for Monday, those interested should call by 10:30 a.m. the previous Friday. Springwell can only guarantee a lunch reservation until 12:15 p.m. each day. Those who will be arriving late for lunch should let Kristine know in advance. Those arriving arrive after 12:15 p.m. with no advance notice, cannot be guarantee a meal for that day.
Norfolk Superior Courthouse Tour: 9:30 a.m. Aug. 24. A tour of the Norfolk Superior Court house, courtesy of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. A viewing of a criminal court session, and a meet-and-greet with court staff and a district attorney employee. Transportation from the BSC will be provided by Sheriff Michael Bellotti which will leave from the Senior Center at 9:30 a.m. sharp. The van will return to the Senior Center at about 2:30 p.m. A pizza lunch and bottled water will be provided. Attendees may bring along their own lunch if you would like. There are elevators and ramps available, but there may be a fair amount of standing and walking involved. Space limited. To register: 617-730-2770.
A Tribute to Tolerance: Walking the Walk Together: 1 p.m. Aug. 28. The annual Tribute with Eve Soumerai and friends of all ages. This interactive, intergenerational tribute will honor Anne Frank, MLK Jr., Mark Twain, the Dalai Lama and Felisa Rincon de Gautier. Copies of the script will be available and we encourage members of the audience to be a part of the “chorus.” To register: 617 730-2770.
Dance Party USA: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 30. DJ Tommy (Bahama) spins tunes of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Light refreshments available. This event is co-sponsored by Center Communities of Brookline and the Brookline Senior Center. Registration required. Residents of Center Communities of Brookline can sign up at their buildings, 100 and 112 Centre St. and 1550 Beacon St. To register: 617‐730‐2770.
Free Fun Fridays: Free Fun Fridays offer visitors free admission to many of the most treasured cultural venues in Massachusetts. Every Friday in August, multiple sites are open and free. On Aug. 25, the following places are open and free: Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park; USS Constitution Museum; Plimoth Plantation; MASS MoCA; Nantucket Whaling Museum; The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River; Museum of African American History; Cape Cod Museum of Natural History; and Heritage Museums and Gardens.
Blood Pressure Screening: Barbara Westley, the nurse from the Brookline Public Health Department, will provide blood pressure screening from 2-3 p.m. Sept. 6, at the Brookline Health Department; and 1-2 p.m. Sept. 13, at 50 Pleasant Street.
Ask a Nurse: 11 a.m. Sept. 7. Lynn Schuster, a nurse from the Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association will be at the Senior Center.
Annual Holiday Craft Fair Meeting: 1 p.m. Sept. 7. The 33rd annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place on Nov. 10 and 11. All “Craft Vendor” spots have been filled for this year, but there is still plenty of room for volunteers to help out in other areas. The proceeds from the Craft Fair help to support many programs and services.
“Seven Steps to Improving Your Memory:” 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Dr. Andrew E. Budson will discuss this topic. Refreshments will be served from 6-6:30 p.m., and program with discussion will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Space limited. To register: 617-730-2770.
South Brookline Senior Social: 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays Sept. 8 through Oct. 13. Free kosher pastries, coffee, tea and more at the Brookline Putterham Branch Library in the Community Room, 959 West Roxbury Parkway. For information or to volunteer: Regina Millette Frawley, 617-469-0052.
Book Discussion Group at the Putterham Library: 2-3 p.m. Sept. 18, Community Room, Putterham Library. The group will discuss “Moll Flanders” by Daniel Defoe. The Sept. 18 selection will be “The Summer Before the War” by Helen Simonson. Charlotte Millman and Roberta Winitzer are the discussion leaders for this book group.
Walking Club: This inclusive program welcomes people with dementia and their care partners. Receive a complimentary lunch at Goddard House or at site and transportation. Walkers can also meet us at the site (the shuttle from Brookline Senior Center to Goddard House leaves at 9:30 a.m.). For Shuttle reservations: 617-730-2770. Rides are available back to the Senior Center after lunch. For information: 617-731-8500. On Aug. 18, the Walking Club will go to the Gardner Museum. Must register by Aug. 15.
Public Issues Nonfiction Book Discussion Group: 9 a.m. Sept. 26. Tom Faulhaber challenges the thinking of attendees every month with a nonfiction book discussion centered on public issues, history, current events and other nonfiction topics. “The Road to Character” by David Brooks will be discussed. The Coolidge Corner Branch Library will have copies of the books available several weeks ahead of each meeting.
Brookline Recreation: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 28. The next trip will be to Stone Zoo, formerly known as Middlesex Fells Zoo. Cost: $22; $16 for residents. This is a 26-acre site near sparkling Spot Pond in Stoneham. Charles Price, MDC superintendent of Middlesex Fells Reservation, founded the Zoo. In 1969 the zoo was renamed for Walter D. Stone, former zoo director. In 1991 the Commission of Zoology Corp. was formed to oversee the Franklin Park Zoo as well as the Stone Zoo. To register: 617-730-2069; http://brooklinerec.com. Bus pick up/drop off locations: Brookline Senior Center at 93 Winchester St. or Soule Recreation Center at 652 Hammond Street, Brookline.
Computer One-on-One: Computer One-on-One has resumed in the computer lab. Fran Pechenick is available for one-hour appointments to assist with PC issues. Dan Siagel is available for one half-hour appointments from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays to help with smart phones, apple and PC instruction.
Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group: The Senior Center offers two ongoing support groups designed to help caregivers cope with the stress and demands of loved ones struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. The daytime group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, Aug. 22. If you are interested in this group, please call the facilitator Debby Rosenkrantz at 617-571-3741. The evening group is primarily composed of adult child caregivers and meets on the last Thursday of each month, Aug. 24. If you are interested in this group, please call the facilitator Susan Kanian‐Andriole at 617-730-2754. Note: This group is currently full. Please call to add your name to the waiting list.
ELF: The Equipment Loan Fund is low on stock and is in need of new tub/shower benches and chairs, standard and transport wheelchairs, rolling walkers, and rollators. To donate: Jamie, 617-730-2753.
ICARE — Independent Clients Accessing Rides to Eyecare: The Council on Aging, through the HELP program, has announced a new program in partnership with ITNAmerica, through their generous grant funding. The HELP program will be able to provide free transportation to scheduled eyecare appointments in the Greater Boston area. To access, contact the HELP line at 617-730-2752 at least a week before scheduled appointment.
