Agenda, 3/16/12

The deadline for JP Agenda listings is noon, March 27 for the March 30 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.

Meetings

BPS school choice meetings, Mon., March 19 & April 23, 6pm: External Advisory Committee roundtable discussion. Sat. March 31, 11am-2pm: community meeting. English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: bostonpublicschools.org.

Franklin Park community meeting, to discuss renovations to entrances, pathways and the cross country course. Mon., March 19, 6pm, William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse, 1 Circuit Dr. Info: 961-3019.

Casey Overpass Working Advisory Group, Wed., March 21, 6pm, State Lab, 305 South St. Community meeting: Thurs. March 29, 6-8pm, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: [email protected].

JPNC Public Service Committee, April 3, 7pm, Curtis Hall, 20 South St. Agenda forthcoming. Info: jpnc.org.

JPNC Zoning Committee, March 21, April 11, April 26. Curtis Hall, 7pm, Curtis Hall, 20 South St. Info: [email protected].

JP Problem Properties Committee, normally first Wednesday of the month, 10:30am, E-13 Police Station Community Room, 3347 Washington St. Info: Robert Torres 722-2060.

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

Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, normally the last Tuesday of the month, 7pm, Curtis Hall, 20 South St. Info: jpnc.org.

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.

Special Interest

Education Not Deportation, conversation about the ongoing battle for equal access to education for all Massachusetts students, regardless of immigration status, hosted by Jamaica Plain Forum. Fri., March 16, 7-9pm, First Unitarian Church, 6 Eliot St.Info: jamaicaplainforum.org.

The Ice Cream Social Experiment, a workshop on bridging the two JPs, participatory activity that tests your ability to build an equitable community in the face of systemic obstacles. Thurs., March 22, 7-9pm, Nate Smith House, 155 Lamartine St. Info: jamaicaplainforum.org.

Office Hours

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

Free practice SATs, Sat. March 31, 9:30am, JP Library, 12 Sedgwick St., Info: 524-2053.

Boston Area Health Education Center’s High School program, for 10-12 graders interested in health career exploration and job shadowing. Register for a tracking number at www.bostonyouthzone.com/BYF.

Upward Bound, Boston University’s college prep program is seeking applicants from English High for its intensive summer program. Info: 353-3551 or bu.edu/ub.

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

JP Children’s Soccer spring season, for kids 3.5-6.5. Season begins April 25, ends June 26 at Jamaica Pond/Pinebanks Field. Practices are held Wednesdays & Thursdays, 4pm, & Saturday, 9am, 10am & 11am. Registration through April 13, $25. Info: jpchildrenssoccer.squarespace.com /[email protected].

Roberto Clemente 21 Sports Program, now accepting applications for its 2012 baseball season for boys and girls ages 5 – 18. Info: Alfredo Liriano, 828-9524/[email protected].

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

Nutrition workshop, March 20, 7pm, Faulkner Hospital, Huvos Auditorium, 1153 Centre St. Food tasting 6:30pm. Info: 983-4593.

American Cancer Society’s look good, feel better event. Free program teaches cancer patients hands-on cosmetic techniques to help them cope with appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy. Tues. March 13, 11am-1pm, Faulkner Hospital, 1153 Centre St. Info: 800-227-2345.

Care to Care, a support group for family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, second Wednesdays of the month, 6:30-7:30pm. Springhouse, 44 Allandale St. Info: Meredith Griffiths, 522-0043/[email protected].

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

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

Foreclosure prevention counseling, with professional counselors. Tues., Feb. 21, 6-8pm, 3313 Washington St. Info: bostonhomecenter.com

GED Program, GED, pre-GED, beginning and advanced ESOL classes, individual tutoring, computer-assisted learning and college and career readiness offered by the JP Community centers Adult Learning Program. Classes: evenings, English High School, 144 McBride St.; mornings, Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St. Info/Registration: 635-5201/[email protected].

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].

Spanish-English Language Exchange/Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español, English speakers can learn Spanish and Spanish speakers can learn English, Saturdays, 11:30am, 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.

Volunteers

Volunteer coaches needed for JP Regan Youth League, baseball and softball for boys and girls ages 5-15. Knowledge of baseball/softball and experience with children preferred. League provides orientation and support. info: 983-1563/[email protected].

Faulkner Hospital, active adults to volunteer at various areas in the hospital, including Patient Information, the Taiclet Family Center and the Retail Therapy Center. Info: 983-7424.

Springhouse Retirement Community, volunteer activities can include reading to a group. Cooking, playing music or calling a bingo game, 44 Allandale St. Info: Jacki Katz [email protected].

WriteBoston, is recruiting volunteers for its writing center Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, 2-4hrs. No experience necessary, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: sean.rhoad.jcs@cityofbostongov.

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].

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

Foster care recruitment open house, Sat. March 24, 1-4pm, Home for Little Wanderers, 161 South Huntington Ave. Info: thehome.org/fostercare.

Golf course opening, the Devine gold course at Franklin Park will open March 17, weather permitting.

Jamaica Plain Community Centers board of director elections, Tues., March 20, 9am-7pm, Curtis Hall, 20 South St. Info: 635-5193.

Children’s Book Drive, looking or new or gently used books to benefit elementary school students in JP through March. Drop offs: Hennigan School, 200 Heath St.; Kennedy School, 7 Bolster St.; Manning School, 130 loaders Lane; Curley School, 40 Pershing Rd. Info: 722-2130.

Borrow Laptops, every Boston Public Library branch has laptops available for library cardholders to borrow for up to 2 hours of in-library use.

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].

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *