Agenda, 11/4/11

The final, last-minute deadline for JP Agenda listings is noon, Nov. 15 for the Nov. 18 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. 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

Jackson Square Community Advisory Committee, Weds., Nov. 9, 6:30pm, Amory Residences Community Room, 20 Amory Ave. Info: [email protected].

Casey Overpass, Working Advisory Group meetings, Weds., Nov. 9, and Mon., Nov. 5, 6-8:30pm, William A. Hinton State Laboratory, 305 South St. Community Meetings: Mon., Nov. 21, 5:30pm, Hennigan School, 200 Heath St.; Weds., Dec 14, 6pm, Curtis Hall Community Center, 50 South St. Info: massdot.state.ma.us/caseyoverpass.

Quality of Life-Noise & Graffiti Group, of the Boston Police Strategic Plan, Thurs., Nov 10, 6pm, E-13 Police Station, 3347 Washington St.

Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, Tues., Nov. 29, 7pm, Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St. Info: jpnc.org.

JPNC Zoning Committee, Thurs., Nov. 10, 7pm, Farnsworth House, 90 South St. Info: [email protected].

Southwest Corridor Parkland Management Advisory Committee, First Wednesday of every month, Dec. 7 Boston Police Headquarters, Columbus Ave.;  Jan., 4, 70 St. Alphonsus St., South End; Feb. 2, E-13 Police Headquarters, 3347 Washington St.

JPNC Parks and Open Space Committee, normally third Tuesday of the month, 6:30pm, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: [email protected].

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: eglestonsquare.mainstreets.org.

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

Public Hearings

Zoning Board of Appeal, Room 801, Boston City Hall, 635-4775. Tues., Nov. 15, 9:30am, Craig Pearson seeks side- and rear-yard variances, to confirm legal occupancy as a two-family dwelling, raze barn and shed and erect addition to main building and renovate at 12 Chilcott Place; Gilberto Genthier seeks floor-area ratio and usable open space variances to change the legal occupancy from a two-family to a three-family dwelling, 47-49 Catherine St.

Special Interest

What is BPS doing to promote excellence despite budget cuts? A forum hosted by the Ward 19 Democratic Committee. Local educators, education experts and members of the Boston Teacher’s union discuss the achievement gap; the drop-out rate; challenges in teaching English Language Learners and special needs student; teacher retention and compensation; parent involvement and more, Mon., Nov. 14, 6:30-8:45pm, Fansworth House, 90 South St.

Military Family Resource Awareness, learn about community resources and products for veterans, Fri., Nov. 11, 10am-4pm, VFW Post 1018, 500 Morton St. Info:www.vfw1018.org/282-4055.

Boston Neighborhood Network Annual Meeting, Tues., Nov. 15, 6:30pm, BNN Media Center, 3025 Washington St. Info/RSVP (by Nov. 4): Janice Holman, 708-3202/[email protected].

Brookside Community Health Center Annual Meeting, Weds., Nov. 16, 5:30-9pm, Brookside Community Health Center, 3297 Washington St.

Vacant JPNC Seats, the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council seeks candidates for 5 vacant seats following last month’s election. There are 3 vacancies in Area A and 2 in Area B. Candidates should present themselves at the Nov. 29 meeting of the JPNC. Info: www.jpnc.org/[email protected].

Jamaica Plain Republicans, Wards 11 & 19, first Tuesday of the month, 8pm, Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: Edward Wagner: 524-5352/ [email protected].

Office Hours

City Councilor Matt O’Malley, Fri., Nov. 4, 8-9am, City Feed & Supply, 672 Centre St. w/Latino liaison Fernando Mercedes; Sat., Nov. 19, 10-11am, El Oriental de Cuba, 416 Centre St., w/Fernando Mercedes. Info: 635-4220.

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, J.P. 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

How to Advocate for Children with Special Needs, a five-class workshop designed for people of color. Presented by the Union of Minority Neighborhoods. Mondays through Nov. 21, 6:10-8:10pm, 42 Seaverns St. $15 per class, $75 for series. Info: 522-3349/[email protected].

Support Group for Young Parents, a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, open to all faiths, for parents with children from birth to one-year, registration not required. Thursdays, 10:30am-noon. Info: 781-647- 5327/[email protected].

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/[email protected].

Sports

Run the Boston Marathon, on behalf of the Franklin Park Coalition. Registration deadline Nov. 15. Info: franklinparkcoalition.org.

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.

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 techniques to help cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Tues., Nov. 8, 11am-1pm, Faulkner Hospital, 1153 Centre St. Info/Reservations: Tracy Sylvan, 983-7451.

Stroke Support Group, last Weds. of every month, 1-2pm, Faulkner Hospital 1153 Centre St. info: www.faulknerhospital.org.

Meditations of Natural Wisdom and Love/Compassion, taught by a Foundation For Active Compassion meditation teacher, with Q & A, third and fourth Saturday of each month, Omega Theater, 41 Greenough, upstairs, 10am-noon. Donations welcome. Info: [email protected].

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/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.

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: 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: faulknerhospital.org.

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

Transportation Alternatives for Seniors presented by the JP/Egleston Elder Care Network. Info available about The Ride, MBTA Senior T Passes, elder taxi coupons, the Senior Shuttle and more. Spanish interpretation available. Thurs., Nov. 10, 10am-noon, Woodbourne Apartments, 6 Southbourne Rd. Info: Stacey Miller: 983-7907.

Crossroads Café, free lunch and social event for seniors and their guests, often featuring live music and educational presentations. Food made with local produce and other healthy ingredients. Bread, produce, milk, and leftovers to take home as available. Saturdays, First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. 12:30–2pm. Info: 524-3992/[email protected].

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.

Classes

Boston Neighborhood Network Open House, learn about trainings and broadcasting opportunities available through Boston’s cable access station, first and third Thursday of every month, BNN Studio, 3025 Washington St. Info: 708-3224/[email protected].

ESL Conversation Group, all levels welcome, Mon., Nov. 14, 6:30pm, Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. Info: 522.1960.

Spanish-English Language Exchange/Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español, English speakers can learn Spanish and Spanish speakers can learn English, Saturdays, 12:30pm, Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. Info: 522.1960.

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

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

Classes at the Arnold Arboretum, 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  

Boston Teachers Union Pilot School, seeks volunteers to tutor middle school students in math, one-on-one or in small groups, Mon., and/or Weds. afternoons, 3-4:30pm. Info: David Weinstein, [email protected].

Curley K-8 School, seeks volunteers to teach ESL to parents, at least through December, preferably twice a week, 8:30-10am, but times are negotiable. Info: Betty Alvardo, Parent Coordinator, 304-6771.

Faulkner Hospital seeks volunteers to staff its gift shop. Gift shop hours, 9:30am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri. Training provided. 1153 Centre St. Info: 983-7424.

The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain seeks volunteers for the Crossroads Cafe, its Saturday lunch for seniors. Volunteers needed for set-up, cooking, serving, performing, or teaching a subject of interest to seniors. 633 Centre St. Info: 524-3992/[email protected].

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/[email protected].

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/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/bostonpartners.org.

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

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

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

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

Curtis Hall Community Center is currently accepting applications for any programs or/and agencies requesting space usage in its newly renovated state-of-the-art facility. Operating times are 6am-9pm Mon-Fri. and Sat. 9am-5pm. Info: Jeannette Ayala 635-5195/[email protected].

Extend the Life of Your Charliecard, visit www.mbta.com and click on “fares and gifts” to learn how to keep your Charliecard from expiring.

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

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: rtboston.org/971-0058.

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

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