Friends of the Public Garden annual meeting
The Friends of the Public Garden will hold its 49th annual meeting on Thursday, March 28, on 5:30 p.m. in the Alcott Room of the Omni Parker House Hotel at
60 School St.
The meeting will feature a presentation by Chris Cook, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space and Commissioner, Parks and Recreation, City of Boston, on “Competing Interests or Collaborative Challenges: The Emergent Role of our Urban Parks.” R.S.V.P. online at friendsofthepublicgarden.org.
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 Natsumi Malloy on the C.B. Fisk organ performing works by Bach, as well as pop and improvisational pieces, on April 2; “Café Barcelona,” with guitarist Peter Griggs performing works by Jobim, flamenco music and more, on April 9; Emily Bieber-Harris (soprano) and Heinrich Christensen (organ) performing works by Bach, Brahms and more on April 16; Circa Harmonie Boston performing the “Mozart Serenade” on April 23; and Some Assembly Required, featuring spiritual works by Stravinsky, Still and more, on April 30.
Miguel Rosales to speak at Esplanade Association annual meeting
Miguel Rosales will speak on the topic of “The Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Frances Elizabeth Appleton Bridges: A Perfect Match” at the Esplanade Association’s annual meeting on Tuesday, April 2, in the Clarendon Room at the Park Plaza Hotel at 50 Park Plaza. A members reception takes place at 6 p.m., followed by remarks at 7 p.m.
R.S.V.P. by March 27 to Kelsey Pramik at [email protected] or 617-532-0942. For more information, visit Esplanade.org.
December Thieves happenings
December Thieves is partnering wit the French Cultural Center for the Clair-obscur fashion show on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the French Cultural Center at 53 Marlborough St.
The clair-obscur-themed fashion show, which contrasts light and dark, will feature seven emerging designers from across the globe, including Rundholz Apparel and Trippen Footwear from Germany, Lurdes Bergada from Spain, NostraSantissima from Italy, Studio B3 from Poland, Nuit Atelier from Canada and Christian Restrepo from Boston; live music; and more than 30 exclusive looks.
The fashion show is comprised of two fashion collection showings with a 10-minute intermission in between. The evening with a wine and hors d’oeuvre reception where guests can mingle and meet the designers. Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres crafted by Chef Cyrille Couet courtesy of Colette Bistro. and an open wine bar will be provided.
The event is curated by Lana Barakat of Beacon Hill’s December Thieves boutique, and Boston-designer Christian Restrepo and Toronto, Canada’s Nuit Atelier will present their own creations during the show.
Tickets cost $65 general admission and $45 each for French Cultural Center members, and can be purchased at frenchculturalcenter.org/events/clair-obscur-fashion-show-with-december-thieves/.
Also, December Thieves will be hosting an in-store, pop-up and designer meet-and-greet event featuring the launch of the spring collection from Nuit Atelier on Saturday, April 6, from noon to 6 p.m. at 51 Charles St. A champagne and charcuterie reception will also take place from 2 to 4 p.m.
R.S.V.P. to [email protected].
Hill House’s Senior Dinners
Hill House serves a hot meal to the seniors of the community on the third Tuesday of each month, including April 16 and May 21, at 74 Joy St.
No sign up is required for the seniors, and they are more than welcome to come by for a meal and socialization. Volunteers are always welcome at Senior Dinners, and little ones can help, too.
Contact [email protected] or 617-227-5838 ext. 22 to learn more about the requirements for this monthly event.
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.
MGH seeking volunteers
Massachusetts General Hospital Volunteer Department is seeking volunteers for its very busy office. Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with a broad international community of volunteers, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks. Various shifts are available.
Contact Kim Northrup at 617-724-1826 for more information.
‘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.
‘Preschool Story Hour’ at West End Branch Library
The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 151 Cambridge St., offers the “Preschool Story Hour” on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Children, ages 3 to 5, and their caregivers join the children’s librarian for weekly stories, songs, rhymes and movement. This is a high-energy story time, and families, daycare and school groups are all welcome to drop in.
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 1 to 2:30 p.m. Come and practice your English language skills with other newcomers and a facilitator.
‘Toddler Time’ at the West End Branch Library
The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library, 151 Cambridge St., presents “Toddler Time” on Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
At this time, children ages 18 months to 3 years and their caregivers join the children’s librarian for developmentally appropriate stories, rhymes, movement, and songs. Drop-in for families, and groups, should contact the library ahead of time at 617-523-3957.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Give blood and getaway this fall with the MGH Blood Donor Center Fly away with the MGH Blood Donor Center this fall. Donate blood at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Blood Donor Center or on an MGH Bloodmobile in your area to enter to win a roundtrip flight for two on AirTran Airways in September, Porter Airlines in October or JetBlue Airways in November. For more information about blood donation at the MGH Blood Donor Center or to find a bloodmobile near you, visit www.massgeneral.org/blooddonor or call 617-726-8177