The final, last-minute deadline for JP Agenda listings is noon, July 19 for the July 22 issue. Send listings to news@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Listings with no end date will be run for 3 months, space permitting. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.

Meetings

JPNC Special Meeting, to discuss the report of the Ad Hoc Whole Foods Committee and plan for next steps, Tues., July 12, 7pm, First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. Info: www.jpnc.org.

Casey Overpass Community Meetings, Working Advisory Group: July 13 & July 27, 6-8pm, State Lab, 305 South St. Community Meeting: Aug. 3, 6pm, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: www.massdot.state.ma.us/caseyoverpass/.

JPNC Public Service Committee, Tues., July 5 7pm, Bethel AME Church Fellowship Hall, Wachusett & Walk Hill streets. Info: www.jpnc.org. Agenda includes petition of petition of Los Bendecidos Pizza & Restaurant at 264 Hyde Park Avenue in Jamaica Plain for a 7-Day Common Victualler License with a 9pm closing, with Freddy Nuñez as manager.

JPNC Zoning Committee, Thurs., July 21, Farnsworth House, 90 South St. Info: dave_baron@mindspring.com or www.jpnc.org.

JPNC Parks and Open Space Committee, normally third Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: posc.jpnc@gmail.com.

Southwest Corridor Parkland Management Advisory Committee, First Wednesday of every month, 7pm, Aug. 3, E-13 Police Station, 3347 Washington St. (Sept. Boston Police Headquarters, Columbus Ave.; Oct., 70 St. Alphonsus St., South End.)

Jamaica Pond Association Board of Directors, first Monday of the month 7pm, Jamaicaway Tower, 111 Perkins St.

Egleston Square Organizations, including JPNDC, the YMCA, 826 Boston, Teen Empowerment, St. Mary of the Angels and more meet at 1pm on the first Tuesday of every month. Info and Egleston Square Events Calendar: www.eglestonsquare.mainstreets.org.

Jamaica Hills Association, second Wednesday of every month, except July and Aug., 7:30pm, Springhouse, Allandale Rd. Info: www.jamaicahills.org.

Special Interest

Hellenic Hill Tour, Friends of Jamaica Pond and the Boston Natural Areas Network will lead a tour of the undeveloped woodlands, a portion of which may be sold by owner Hellenic College, Sat., June 16, 10am, Jamaica Pond Boathouse. Info: 542-7696/info@bostonnatural.org.

State Joint Committee on Redistricting Final Hearing, Mon., July 11, 3pm, Mass. State House Gardner Auditorium. Info: www.malegislature.gov/District.

Hyde Square Task Force, Changing Together: Stories and Conversation on Youth and Transformation. June session focuses on the Youth Literacy Tutors and their efforts to combat bullying in the Boston Public schools. First Tuesday of the month, 6pm, 365 Centre Street. Info: 524-8303.

Jamaica Plain Republicans, Wards 11 & 19, first Tuesday of the month, 8pm, Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: Edward Wagner: 524-5352/ Edward59@earthlink.net.

Office Hours

State Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, Weds., July 27, 6-7pm, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: 722-1673.

Congressman Mike Capuano, members of Capuano’s staff, fourth Tuesday of each month, 4-5pm, Ula Café, 284 Amory St. Info: 621-6208.

State Rep. Liz Malia, third Friday of each month, 8-9:30am, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: 722-2060.

Jullieanne Doherty, JP Coordinator from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, 4th Monday of the month, 2-6pm, JP branch Library, 12 Sedgwick St.

Youth/Families

Free Summer Meals for Children, provided by the City of Boston and the Mass Department of Education, through Sept. 2. No registration or ID required. Locations available June 28. Info/Locations: 800-645-8333.

Read Your Way to Fenway, summer essay contest. Youths can win a trip to a Red Sox game by reading three books and writing a brief essay on their favorite. Applications available at Boston Public Library branches or on-line at www.bpl.org/summer. Applications and essays due July 22.

Bike Helmets, Harvard Vanguard Associates is offering $10 bike helmets for youth, Faulkner Hospital, 1153 Centre St. Info: www.harvardvanguard.org.

Swim League, Boston Center For Youth & Families seeks youth participants seeks youths ages 6-17 for a competitive swim league. Experience not necessary, but participants must be able to swim one length of the swimming pool, Hennigan Community Center, 200 Heath Street. Info: Bladimil Pujols, 635-5198/Bladimil.Pujols@cityofboston.gov.

Sports

Weekly Bike Rides, Community Rides (Beginners), Saturdays, 8:30am; Mountain Bike Rides (Intermediate), Sundays, 4pm; Paceline/Roadtraining Rides, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7am, leaving from Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, 66 South St. Info: 524-2453.

William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park, is now open for the season, Info/Reservations: 364-2300.

Beachbody Workouts, from the makers of P90X, all levels. Saturdays, 10am, Father Jack Roussin Community Center, 3134 Washington St. Registration/Info:  mindurbodyfitness.com.

JP Running Club, 4- to 5-mile runs, all ages welcome, 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 6:30pm., Doyle’s Café, 3834 Washington St. Info: jprunningclub.com.

Health/Fitness

Look Good…Feel Better, a free program that teaches cancer patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help them cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. Wig care, scarf and hat use, skin care and nail care will be discussed. Free makeup kits provided. Registration required. Mon., July 18, 1-3pm, 125 S. Huntington Ave. Info: Addy Callwood, 396-5507.

Overeaters Anonymous, No weigh-ins, dues, or fees. Newcomer friendly group, Wednesdays, 4-5pm, Farnsworth House 1st Flr. Library, 90 South St. (on-street parking only). Info: Kristen, 857-244-1664/www.oa.org.

Free Nicotine Patches, the Boston Public Health Commission is offering Boston residents free nicotine patches to help them quit smoking. Residents who are 18 and older can call 1-800-784-8669.

Meditations of Natural Wisdom and Love, trainings offered by The Foundation for Active Compassion, Fourth Saturday of each month, 10am-noon First Baptist Church 633 Centre St. Info: Leah, jamaicaplain.fac@gmail.com.

Al-Anon, are you troubled by someone else’s drinking? Newcomer friendly group, Fridays., 8-9:30pm, Faulkner Hospital 2nd Flr. Atrium Conference Room, 1153 Centre St. (validation for free parking in garage behind hospital); Al-Anon Women’s Meeting, Tuesdays 7-8:30pm,  Hope Church, Seaverns Avenue and Elm Street. Use the back door. Info: www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org.

Faulkner Hospital Stroke Support Group, meets first Wednesday of every month, 2-3:30pm Faulkner Hospital, Atrium 2, 1153 Centre St. Info: www.faulknerhospital.org.

MindBody Center, offers yoga, meditation and stress reduction classes. Low cost, beginners and continuing, English and Spanish, 640 Centre St. Info: 983-4226.

LGBT Caregiver Support Group, join other caregivers for refreshments and discussion in a relaxed, confidential setting. Please contact group leader for times in Boston. Info: Joanne Peskowitz, 271-4182.

Seniors

Crossroads Café, a free lunch and social event for senior citizens. Lunch made with local produce, Saturdays, 12:30–2pm. Info: 524-3992/churchoffice@firstbaptistjp.org.

Retired? An informal coffee & conversation group is starting at a local coffee shop. Info: 971-9419.

Community Cafes, entertainment, good company and a tasty, hot meal, sponsored by Ethos. 3 JP locations: Mon-Fri, 11am-1pm, Farnsworth, 90 South St; Weds.-Fri., 11am-1pm, Soul & Salsa café, Julia Martin House, 90 Bickford St.; Weds. & Fri., 9:30am-1:30pm Nate Smith House, 155 Lamartine St. Reservations required, $2 suggested. Info: 522-6700.

Workshops for Older People Raising Children, support and training for child caregivers where at least one caregiver is over 55 and child is not Department of Children and Families-involved, 10am-12pm, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 157 Green St; 10am-2pm, 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, Julia Martin House, 90 Bickford St. Info: MSPCC, 983-5850.

LGBT Bereavement Group, a project of Ethos and the LGBT Aging Project, call 522-1292 to find the group closest to you.

Taking Care of Me, free group provides techniques on stress management for care givers by learning relaxation and Laughter yoga exercises. There are also supportive discussions, journaling and other techniques. Sponsored by Ethos. Third Monday of the month, 6-7:30pm, Spaulding Rehab and Nursing Center (formerly Boston Center for Rehabilitation) at 1245 Centre St, West Roxbury Pre-registration required. Info: Leslie Ahern, 477-6676.

Alzheimer’s Education and Support Group teaches new communication and behavioral methods to make smoother sailing of your everyday care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Sponsored by Ethos, Every first Monday of the month, 6-7:30 pm, Boston Rehabilitation Center, West Roxbury. Pre-registration required. Info: Leslie Ahern, 477-6676.

Classes/Workshops

Computer Classes, at the Connolly Branch Library, Learn how to Use Email: Thurs., July 14, 3pm & Fri., July 29, 10am. Learn How to Surf the Internet: Thursdays July 8 & 22, 10am. Class size limited to 8, registration required. Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. Info: 522-1960/www.bpl.org.

Practice Speaking English, conversation group for adults, Mondays, July 11, 18 & 25, 6:30pm, Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. Info: 522-1960/www.bpl.org.

Spanish-English Language X-Change/Intercambio de Idiomas Ingles y Español, Thursdays, 6:30pm Jamaica Plain Branch Library, 12 Sedgwick St. info: 524.2053/www.bpl.org.

The Center of Light, offers workshops and opportunities for prayer and meditation., 200 Amory St. Info: www.centersoflight.org.

Classes at the Arnold Arboretum, http://arboretum.harvard.edu.

GED Program, register for GED, pre-GED and ESOL classes. Small groups, individual tutoring, computer-assisted learning and other opportunities available. Placement testing, Mondays, 5:30; ESOL registration, 11am-7pm, JP Community Centers Adult Learning Program, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: 635-5201.

Volunteers

Invasives Removal, with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Sat., July 9, 10am-1pm, Daisy Meadow, Olmsted Park. Info: www.emeraldnecklace.org/522-2700.

Tutor Adults, 2 hrs. a week, AM or PM. JP Adult Learning Program seeks volunteers to help students work toward their HS diploma or learn English as a Second Language. Info: jptutors@gmail.com/635-5201.

Ethos on Amory Street is looking for volunteers in the following areas: friendly visitor, medical escort, shopping assistant, telephone reassurance caller, office assistant, ombusman, money management, internships and other group projects. Info: 477-6623/volunteer@ethoscare.org.

FriendshipWorks for Elders seeks friendly visitors, medical escorts, pet pals (to visit elderly people with pets), walking partners, and volunteers to provide one-time and short-term assistance. JP chapter volunteers offer friendship and care in English and Spanish. Info: JP chapter, 277-5248/www.fw4elders.org.

Volunteers Needed to Help Seniors Understand Their Medical Bills, Action for Boston Community Development seeks volunteers for Serving the Health Information Needs of Seniors (SHINE) program. Info: Elaine Cronin, 348-6226.

Horizons for Homeless Children, seeks volunteers for its playspace programs at locations throughout the state, including JP. Info: 445-1480.

Boston Partners In Education, seeks volunteers to tutor and mentor BPS students. Info: 451-6145/www.bostonpartners.org.

Bikes Not Bombs, seeks volunteers and interns to help with administrative work, events-planning and curriculum development. Info: www.bikesnotbombs.org.

Dare Family Services is recruiting foster parents in JP to provide safe, loving homes for local foster teens that have been abused or neglected, especially ages 10-18. Info: 427-6500/www.darefamily.org.

Local Residents Needed, to drive cancer patients to and from treatment. Info: American Cancer Society, 800-227-2345/www.cancer.org.

Help Seniors Navigate the Complicated World of Healthcare, 12-day training qualifies volunteers to staff hotline for seniors with questions about Medicare. A program of Action for Boston Community Development. Info: Emily Shea, 348-6380.

Beacon Hospice, seeks veterans to provide end-of-life companionship for other veterans in Roxbury. Info: 800-467-7423/www.beaconhospice.com.

VNA Hospice Care, needs men and women to volunteer in JP and nearby communities. Trainings will be held this fall in Charlestown or Quincy. Info: Lisa Palais, 569-2888/lpalais@vnab.org.

Friends of Jamaica Pond seeks volunteers, Info: www.friendsofjamaicapond.org/524-7070.

826 Boston Writing Program, Egleston-based program has oodles of opportunities for volunteers to work with BPS students. Info: www.826boston.com.

Jumpstart Community Corps., seeks volunteers (ages 55+) to work one-to-one with preschool children in Boston neighborhoods including JP. Volunteers serve 6 hours a week during the school year. Comprehensive training and $800 stipend provided. Info: Katharine Gamer, 542-5867 x515.

Public Notices

Affordable Housing Campaign, launched by the Boston Tenants Coalition. Info: www.yestoaffordablehomes.org/.

JPNC Nomination Papers, packets for next Septembers Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council elections are now available at three Boston Public Libraries, the JP Branch (12 Sedgwick St) the Connolly Branch (433 Centre St) and the Egleston Square Branch (2044 Columbus Ave.)and J.P. Licks (659 Centre St.) 

Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 4-7pm, through Oct. 19, Community Servings Parking Lot, 18 Marbury Terrace.

Commonwealth Care Open Enrollment, runs through July 8. Commonwealth Care members may change their heath insurance plans. Info: www.MAhealthconnector.org.

Street Sweeping, City of Boston and state Department of Conservation and Recreation programs, Info/Schedules: Boston, www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/; DCR, www.mass.gov/dcr/sweep.htm.

Boylston Congregational Church Thrift Store, open first Saturday of each month, 10am-2pm, Boylston Congregational Church, 207 Amory St.

Old and Unwanted Telephone Books, can be recycled with the city’s recycling program.

Former Employer Contesting Your Unemployment Claim? Harvard Legal Aid bureau student attorneys may be able to represent you at your hearing. Spanish, Portuguese, Creole support available. Info: 495-4408.

Backyard Compost and Kitchen Scrap Buckets for Sale, Boston Building Materials Coop, 100 Terrace St. Mon.-Sat. 9am-3pm. Info: 635-4959.

Rebuilding Together Boston, a nonprofit that provides no cost home renovations currently seeks new applicants for its services Homeowners and non-profits unable to pay for needed renovations are eligible for programs. Info: www.rtboston.org/971-0058.

Section 8 Voucher Scam Alert, Section 8 vouchers are never bought or sold. Please report attempted sales or fee collections to the Boston Housing Authority Legal Services Department, 988-4185.

College Scholarships Available for Formerly Homeless and Low Income Mothers, through One Family Inc. Info: www.onefamilyinc.org.

Pay by Plate, a new option is available for Boston parking ticket payment on the City of Boston’s website, www.cityofboston.gov.

Donate Gently Used Blankets to the Elizabeth Stone House, for the women and children being served at its domestic violence shelter and transitional housing program. Info: Amanda Green: 427-9801.

Large Apt. Building Recycling, if you are a Boston resident living in an apt. bldg. with 6+ units, have your landlord call 635-4959 to set up recycling.

Free Foreclosure Help, if you are facing the of your home as a home-owner or tenant because of foreclosure, you can be referred for free help from a housing counseling agency, legal help organization or other community organization. Homeowner: HOPE line, 888-995-HOPE; section 8 Tenant: HUD Counseling, 800-569-4287; elderly, 451-0680; other statewide foreclosure counselors: 800-651-8448; local legal services, www.masslegalservices.org/perl/services.cgi.