Neighborhood Roundup

Lecture on ‘Pruning Possessions’

Beacon Hill Village and the Boston Public Library present a “Pruning Possessions Lecture,” with Betsy Peterson of BHV, at the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., on Monday, March 16, from 2 to 3 p.m.

If you’re like most of us, you have too much stuff but don’t know what to do with the things you no longer need or want. A few years ago, Beacon Hill Village members put together a handy information sheet with suggestions on where to donate, where to sell, or how to just get rid of things. Copies of that handout, “Pruning Possessions,” will be provided at the session, and can always use more suggestions. Join Peterson, other BHV members, and members of the public for a brainstorming session to share ideas and information and pick up tips. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested by calling Beacon Hill Village at 617-723-9713. 

King’s Chapel’s Tuesday Recitals

King’s Chapel, 58 Tremont St., presents its Tuesday Recitals. Admission is by suggested donation of $5 per person; the donations are given to the performing musicians. Programs begin at 12:15 p.m. and last approximately 35 minutes; for more information, call 617-227-2155.

Programming includes Ensemble: Maria Alejanadra Montero (soprano), Maria Gabriela Alvraado (traverso) and Kyle Collins (harpsichord) performing “Gibraltar: A Clash Between Nations” on March 17; Michael Hall (viola) and Aaron Larget-Caplan (guitar) performing works by Read, Trester and Ribeiro on March 24; and David Williams Hughes (voice and lute) performing “Songs of Sadness, Satire and Seduction” on March 31.

Lecture on housing options for seniors

Beacon Hill Village and the Boston Public Library present a lecture called “Time for a Change?,” with Kate Granigan, CEO of LifeCare Advocates, in the Commonwealth Salon, McKim Building, Boston Public Library,   700 Boylston St., on Tuesday, March 17, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Join Granigan for an exploration of the wide, and growing, range of housing options available to us as we age.  Choosing whether to “right size”, relocate, retrofit or rent a spare room to a younger tenant all raise issues with their pros and cons.  Granigan will help sort out the options including independent living, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities, and provide a look-see at emerging creative technologies and intergenerational living arrangements. This is an interactive discussion that is free and open to the public, and your questions will be welcomed.

To register, call Beacon Hill Village at 617-723-9713. 

Hill House Kiddie Kamp open for enrollment

Hill House, Inc. located at 127 Mount Vernon St., is currently enrolling for its Kiddie Kamp, which is specifically for kids aged 3-5 and the perfect combination of new and exciting experiences in a safe, familiar environment. Join a staff of counselors for a summer full of games, crafts, stories, songs, age-appropriate athletics and outdoor fun. Your child will build confidence, independence and friendships.

For more information on Kiddie Kamp, or how to register – some weeks are at 80-percent capacity, so don’t wait – contact Chelsea Evered at 617-227-5838 or [email protected], or visit hillhouseboston.org.

Hill House Spring Baseball League registration now open

Hill House, Inc. located at 127 Mount Vernon St., has opened up Baseball and Softball League registration. Members of the community can now register for its new Red Sox Rookie League for 4-year-olds, T-Ball (ages 5-6.5), AA Baseball (ages 6.5-7), AAA Baseball (ages 8-9) and Majors League (10- to 12-year-olds). Hill house also offers Girls Softball for 6- to 8-year-olds and 9- to 12-year-olds. All leagues are coed, and the season will begin the first week in April.

Visit http://www.hillhouseboston.org/Athletics/Baseball.htm for more details.

For more information on the Hill House Little League, contact Hill House Athletics Director Marshall Caldera at 617-227-5838 or [email protected].

BSNJ Community Children’s Chorus  

The Boston Society of The New Jerusalem (BSNJ) Community Children’s Chorus is a comprehensive musical training program for children in the third through seventh grades.

Your child will be participating in a program that promotes: the love of music, expressive singing, teamwork-cooperative learning, building new friendships, self-assessment and the fun of being in an outstanding program.

The group meets at 140 Bowdoin St. on Saturday mornings. Tuition is free for any child with a Greater Boston-area address. All levels of singing ability are welcome. To register, contact Carlton Doctor at 617-523-4575 or visit www.churchonthehillboston.org (click on “music.”)

BSNJ/The Church On The Hill sponsors this initiative, but we are not promoting any religious ideology.

‘Coloring for Adults’ at the West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, located at 151 Cambridge St., presents “Color Your World: Coloring for Adults“ on Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. 

At this time, the library will supply coloring pages, colored pencils, markers and crayons, or bring your own supplies if you prefer. Feel free to drop in between these hours.

Call 617-523-3957 for more information.

Spanish/English Language Exchange

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, located at 151 Cambridge St., presents the Spanish/English Language Exchange/Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español on Mondays from 3 to 5 p.m.

At this time, English speakers can practice Spanish and Spanish speakers can practice English in this fun, informal conversation class.

Call 617-523-3957 for more information.

BSNJ Community Children’s Chorus

The Boston Society of The New Jerusalem (BSNJ) Community Children’s Chorus is a comprehensive musical training program for children in Grades 3 to 7.

Your child will be participating in a program that promotes: the love of music, expressive singing, teamwork-cooperative learning, building new friendships, self-assessment and the fun of being in a well organized program.

The rehearsals take place at 140 Bowdoin St. on Tuesday afternoons. Tuition is free for any child with a Boston address. All levels of singing ability are welcome. To sign up, please contact Mr. Doctor at 617-523-4575 or visit www.churchonthehillboston.org (click on “music”).

The Church on the Hill sponsors this initiative but we are not promoting any religious ideology.

ESL conversation group resumes meeting at West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, located at 151 Cambridge St., welcomes the English as a Second Language (ESL) conversation group every Tuesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. Come and practice your English language skills with other newcomers and a facilitator.

West End Playgroup meets Tuesday mornings

The West End Community Center, located at 1 Congress St., welcomes the West End Playgroup on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. through the fall and winter.

This is a free drop-in time to let kids play and adults chat with one another. Small toy donations are welcome.

Get homework help at the West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, located at 151 Cambridge St., offers homework help every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Get help from a Boston Public Schools teacher. No appointment necessary; simply drop in with your homework.

Call 617-523-3957 for more information.

Compassionate Friends group reaches out to bereaved parents, families

The Boston Chapter of The Compassionate Friends (TCF) meets at Trinity Church on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

TCF is a national self-help, mutual-assistance organization offering friendship, understanding and hope to bereaved parents and their families. Call

617-539-6424 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

West End Food Pantry seeking donations

The West End Food Pantry needs help to continue serving its more than 120 clients per month. They welcome donations to replenish the supply of food that they give out to hungry residents in the neighborhood.

The pantry is located in the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library and is staffed by volunteers from ABCD’s North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center. Non-perishable (canned and boxed) items are being sought, including rice, pasta, canned tuna, canned chicken, chili, beans, vegetables, cereal, soups, cup of noodles, etc.

Donations can be left at the library, 151 Cambridge St., on Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Volunteers needed for hot meal program

The North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center (NE/WE NSC), located at 1 Michelangelo St., serves a hot, fresh, home-cooked lunch to seniors in the neighborhood Mondays and Fridays, and is looking for two volunteers to help with shopping, food preparation, cooking, serving and clean-up. The non-profit providing services and programs to low-income residents of the North End, West End and Beacon Hill is looking for volunteers who can assist with the whole meal from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a Monday and/or Friday, but can make arrangements to fit your schedule.

Contact Maria Stella Gulla, director, at 617-523-8125, ext. 201, via e-mail at [email protected] for more information.

Introduction to laptops, eReaders and iPads at the West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 151 Cambridge St., offers an introduction to laptops, eReaders and iPads by appointment only. Get the most out of your eReader or Laptop. Receive tips and guidance during these one-on-one sessions. Call Branch Librarian, Helen Bender at617-523-3957 or e-mail  [email protected] to set up an appointment.

Yoga for seniors at the West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 151 Cambridge St., presents yoga for seniors every Tuesday from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. Classes are led by Tatiana Nekrasova, a certified yoga instructor.

Volunteer at Spaulding Rehab

Stay active, meet new people and be connected with your community by volunteering at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Staff members will match your skills and interests to a volunteer opportunity. The hospital is currently recruiting volunteers, ages 18 and up, for two- to three-hour-a-week shifts for a minimum of six to 12 months commitment. Visit www.spauldingnetwork.org for more information.

After-work tai chi group at the West End Branch Library

The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 151 Cambridge St., welcomes after-work tai chi group every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. Come and try this low impact energy exercise with yang-style tai chi instructor Arthur Soo-Hoo.

Be a friend to elderly in need

FriendshipWorks seeks caring people to offer help and support to isolated elders in the Boston area. Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and assist elders with tasks such as reading, organizing, or going for a walk – lend an hour each week and gain a friend and a new perspective. Volunteers also needed to escort elders to and from medical appointments. No car is needed and hours are flexible. For more information or to apply online, visit www.fw4elders.org or call 617-482-1510.

Local residents needed to drive cancer patients to and from treatment

The American Cancer Society is in great need of Road to Recovery volunteers to drive local cancer patients to and from their chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. An integral part of treating cancer successfully is making sure cancer patients receive their treatments, but many find making transportation arrangements is a challenge. The American Cancer Society provided more than 19,000 rides to cancer patients in New England last year, but needs new volunteer drivers to keep up with the demand for transportation.

Make a difference in the fight against cancer by becoming a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery. Drivers use their own vehicle to drive patients to and from their treatments. The schedule for volunteers is flexible, and treatment appointments take place weekdays, primarily during business hours. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer driver for Road to Recovery, contact your American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Join the Downtown Boston Rotary Club

The Downtown Boston Rotary Club, the first new Rotary Club in Boston in 100 years, holds meetings at the UMass Club in the Financial District on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 6 to 7:15 p.m.

For more information, visit  www.dbrotary.org or call 617-535-1950.

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