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Rep. Thomas M. Stanley
9th Middlesex District |
Rep. Stanley surveys flood damage in Waltham with Gov. Patrick.
Gov. Patrick discusses flooding in Waltham.
Former Celtic Cedric Maxwell addresses Boys and Girls Clubs at State House
Egg hunt
Spring flowers
Assabet National Wildlife Refuge
Race Point
Lighthouse
Long Pond
Provincetown
Setting Sun
Orange Sky
If you'd like to arrange a State House tour, please call (617) 727-3676.
If you'd like Rep. Stanley to visit your classroom, call
(617) 722-2310. |
Contact Information:
State Representative
Thomas M. Stanley
State House, Room 167
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 722-2810
Thomas.Stanley@state.ma.us | |
Dear Friend,
It is my pleasure to deliver April's edition of The Stanley Report, my monthly update from Beacon Hill. Please feel free to pass this e-mail along to your friends, family and co-workers and let them know they can subscribe to receive my monthly newsletter by emailing me.
Thanks for reading, and for giving me the opportunity to represent you in the legislature. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (617) 722-2310.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Stanley |
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News from Beacon Hill
House Passes Anti-Bullying Bill
Rep. Stanley voted to pass legislation that would prohibit bullying and cyber-bullying while requiring schools to develop a bullying prevention plan and integrate bullying prevention instruction into their curriculum. He also filed two amendments to mandate training and reporting which were adopted in principle and spoke up in a House caucus and on the House floor to insist they were included.
The bill prohibits bullying at school - including at school-sponsored events, on school busses and at school bus stops - as well as the use of electronic devices to carry out cyber-bullying. The bill also bans bullying or cyber-bullying that takes place outside of school if the bullying affects the school environment.
The bill directs the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set regulations requiring school teachers and staffers to report incidents of bullying. The legislation also dictates that a school must promptly investigate reports of bullying and notify local law enforcement if the bullying would result in criminal charges. In an effort to protect against incidents of bullying across the Commonwealth, the bill requires schools to add bullying prevention instruction to their curriculum and offer information about bullying prevention to parents. It also well provides for the training of teachers and staff in the identification, prevention, and response to bullying among students.
The legislation would apply to public schools, charter schools and schools providing special education services to students for school districts. It also requires each of these entities to develop a bullying prevention and intervention plan. Such plans must include methods for responding to bullying, guidelines for giving notice to parents of those involved in bullying and appropriate services for students who have been bullied or acted as a bully.
Gov. Patrick Releases $155 Million for Local Road Projects
Gov. Patrick has notified cities and towns they will receive $155 million in state Chapter 90 funds to rebuild and repair local roads and bridges this year. This significant capital investment will create construction jobs, improve transportation and public safety and encourage long-term economic development across the Commonwealth. The Legislature approved this funding, which will allocate $721,174 to Lexington in fiscal year 2011, an increase in $25,209 from last year's funding.
Each city and town will receive an increase in Chapter 90 funding for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2010 compared to the previous year, with funds allocated using a longstanding formula based upon community road miles, population and employment. This investment represents a $5 million increase over 2009 and is part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's record level of investment in the Commonwealth's aging infrastructure. This year alone, officials project the Administration has funded an estimated $1.085 billion in Accelerated Bridge Program and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects.
Chapter 90 funds are allocated as part of the three-year Transportation Bond Bills approved by the Legislature in 2008. The funds may be used for road, bridge and multi-use path projects and related needs.
For transportation news and updates visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.
Rep. Stanley Helps Pass Legislation Funding Workforce Training
Rep. Stanley voted to pass legislation to provide full funding for workforce training grants.The bill provides $9.5 million to the Workforce Training Fund. The funding would be used to provide employers with grants aimed at educating and training existing members of the workforce and new hires. Through the beginning of this year, more than $175 million in grants have been awarded to train almost a quarter-million workers through the Workforce Training Fund. The legislation also directs $2.1 million to the Department of Veterans' Services to reimburse towns for payments made to veterans and includes $200,000 for two families of public safety employees killed in the line of duty.
Rep. Stanley Discusses Reform on Sacred Codcast
Reps. Stanley and Patrick joined the Sacred Codcast to discuss efforts to make the House of Representatives more open and dilute the power of the Speaker. To hear the Codcast, please click here.The Sacred Codcast is a series of podcast interviews with elected officials, political candidates, reporters and pundits in Massachusetts.
2,000 Union Members Rally at Jobs Now Advocacy Day
An Advocacy Day for Entertainment and Casino Jobs took place at the State House on Wednesday, March 31st. Workers gathered to hear about the need to create jobs in Massachusetts from fellow workers who are unemployed in Gardner Auditorium and later spread out through the building to talk to their representatives and senators about the jobs that expanded gaming will create. Proponents feel that the entertainment and gaming complexes being proposed will create desperately-needed jobs and raise substantial public revenues. To learn more about these efforts and issues, click here.
Update on Resort Casinos in MA
Speaker DeLeo filed legislation to license two resort-style casinos in Massachusetts and 750 slot machines at the state's four struggling racetracks. The Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies recently voted in favor (12-2) of the legislation. Five committee members were absent from the vote. The bill was sent to the House Ways and Means Committee, and will soon reach the House floor for debate.
Rep. Stanley Files Amendments to the Supplemental Budget
Rep. Stanley filed an amendment to secure $20 million in funding to reimburse cities and towns for costs to municipal property (and/or flood prevention efforts) due to the March 2010 rainstorm. He also filed an amendment, with Rep. Koutoujian, to secure $100,000 or more for an engineering evaluation and investigation of the Moody Street Dam in Waltham to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the dam.
Rep. Stanley also cosigned an amendment to secure $7.2 million reserve for election costs including but not limited to special election costs for municipalities and an amendment to make the state budget more transparent and accessible to taxpayers.
Rep. Stanley Votes to Increase Punishment for Assaults on Health Care Workers
Rep. Stanley voted in favor of a bill to toughen penalties for anyone who assaults on-duty health care workers. The legislation, which passed the House, would punish individuals who assault nurses, nurse psychologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists with jail sentences between 90 days and 2.5 years or fines up to $5,000. Current law punishes assaults on emergency responders, ambulance operators and ambulance attendants.
Rep. Stanley Votes to Organize Exec Department
The House unanimously passed a bill to reorganize agencies in the Executive Department. Specifically, Rep. Stanley voted in favor of merging the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMBWA) and the affirmative market program within the Operational Services Division (OSD) to create the Supplier Diversity Office within OSD. He also voted for the transfer of MassGIS from EEA to ITD and for additional changes to the structure of the Fiscal Affairs Division.
Committee Passes Bill to Create State Budget Transparency Web Site
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight passed the State Budget Transparency Bill, cosponsored by Rep. Stanley, from its committee. The bill makes all state spending and revenue transparent by establishing a comprehensive state budget website.
The billdirectsthe Secretary of Administration and Finance to create and maintain a searchable website detailing the costs, recipients, and purposes for all appropriations, including contracts, grants, subcontracts, tax expenditures and other subsidies funded by the state government. The database will include state revenue sources and expenses including the "quasi-public" agencies. The web portal would be accessible to the public and updated on a regular basis.
Patrick Administration Awards $16.25 Million in Federal Stimulus Funding for Trailblazing Energy Efficiency Projects
As part of the Patrick Administration's Massachusetts Recovery Plan, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles announced that 11 projects will share $16.25 million in federal stimulus funding to demonstrate innovative ways of achieving dramatic energy savings in buildings across the Commonwealth. Launching between now and June, these projects are expected to create approximately 485 jobs once up and running.
A Request for Responses (RFR) issued by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) last fall for $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding opened a floodgate of innovation - yielding 114 proposals worth over $250 million in requested project costs. After evaluating the proposals, DOER increased the pool of funding to $16.25 million to accommodate more projects. The 11 selected won approval based on their ability to create jobs, leverage cost sharing, and achieve scalable and dramatic improvements in the energy efficiency of buildings across the Commonwealth. Demonstrating ways to significantly reduce energy use, as well as substituting alternatives for fossil fuel-based heat, the High Performance Buildings initiative will pave the way for widespread building energy performance improvements beyond what existing state- and utility-run efficiency programs can accomplish.
Rep. Stanley Cosigns Letter to Speaker Supporting Constituents with Disabilities
Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Murphy, outlining the budgetary needs necessary to prevent an unfolding crisis in the lives of 33,000 citizens with disabilities served at the Department of Developmental Services. Because of the present fiscal crisis, the representative did not demand that a specific dollar amount be added to the House Budget, but requested that this population be given a priority as the budget is drawn. Budgetary areas of concern are day and employment services; family support/respite and the residential services accounts.
Rep. Stanley's Bill to Protect Public Deposits Reported out of Committee
The Financial Services Committee favorably reported Rep. Stanley's bill to increase the security of public deposits (including deposits made by the state, cities, towns, counties, districts and regional school districts) out of committee. The bill called for a special commission to study the issue and recommend reasonable standards to protect public deposits. The bill also protects public money from the impact of any banking crisis that may jeopardize other deposits.
The special commission would be comprised of the House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services who would serve as co-chairpersons; the State Treasurer or his/her designee; the State Auditor or his/her designee; the State Banking Commissioner or his/her designee; three representatives of the Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association, two representatives of the Massachusetts Bankers Association; and a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association.
Commissioner of Insurance Rejects Small Business Health Insurance Premium Increases
Governor Patrick recently directed a review, on an emergency basis, because sharp and repeated rate increases are crushing small businesses and working families in the Commonwealth. Subsequently, the Commissioner of Insurance rejected all health insurance premium increases for small businesses that he deems to be excessive. The Commissioner's decision means that the rates that were in effect in April of last year will remain in effect for those companies that were disapproved.
Small businesses are being crushed under the weight of health care costs that keep rising sharply year after year. Instead of hiring and growing our economy, they are trying to manage under unreasonable pressure from the cost of health care. Big insurance companies and hospitals have been talking about the problem for years but doing little about it. Small businesses and working families need relief now while we continue working with the industry on long-term solutions to control the costs of health care.
If you own a small business and the premium increase charged by your health insurance company has been disapproved by the Commissioner, it means you will be getting a rebate or credit for the premium increase that you paid. That will give you some economic breathing room and allow your business to keep growing.
How the Healthcare Bill Affects MA
As you know, President Obama recently signed historic healthcare legislation. To learn more about the federal bill's provisions and what the legislation means to folks in Massachusetts, please click here.
In a nutshell, this bill contains a mixture of tax cuts and subsidies that will help make high-quality health insurance more affordable for families across Massachusetts and will expand the Commonwealth's existing support. Expanded prescription drug benefits will provide financial relief for approximately 81,000 Massachusetts seniors who are currently in the Medicare prescription drug donut hole. The bill contains more than $2 billion in additional Medicaid funding for Massachusetts, Also, since Massachusetts was recognized as an early leader in health insurance reform, we will get extra federal matching funds to help cover our residents up to about $350 million per year. The Massachusetts model will be protected from any dramatic changes. States can apply for waivers for some requirements, and the Commonwealth Connector fits all the standards for the required health insurance exchanges.
Massachusetts 4th and 8th Graders Rank First in Reading on 2009 NAEP Exam
The Commonwealth's 4th graders ranked first and 8th graders tied for first on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading exam in 2009, marking the third time in a row that the state's students outscored their peers nationwide, the Patrick-Murray Administration and education officials announced on Wednesday.
According to results of the 2009 NAEP exam, the state's 4th graders scored an average of 234 on the reading assessment, well above the national average of 220 and first in the nation. At grade 8, Massachusetts students achieved the highest average of 274, which exceeded the national average of 262 and tied for first with five other high performing states: New Jersey (273); Connecticut and Vermont (272); and New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (271).
NAEP, also known as "The Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in core subjects. NAEP assesses a representative sample of students in all 50 states and reports state-level results at grades 4 and 8. In Massachusetts, 3,900 students at grade 4 and 3,600 students at grade 8 were randomly selected to participate in the NAEP reading assessment. The NAEP reading scale ranges from 0 to 500.
RMV to Allow Customers to Schedule Appointments
Gov. Patrick announced a new program to reduce long RMV lines and urge residents to conduct RMV-related business online. The program will expand a pilot program in place in Springfield and will allow first-time drivers to schedule registry appointments for permits or to convert an out-of-state license to a Massachusetts one. According to the RMV, web traffic at www.mass.gov/rmv has increased by 39 percent in the last 18 months as the RMV has made more transactions available online.
Rep. Stanley cosigns letter to Expand Energy Efficiency
Rep. Stanley signed onto a letter of support for House Bill 3124, An Act Relative to Expanding Energy Efficiency in the Commonwealth. The letter encourages the favorable report of this bill from the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. This legislation will save consumers money on their energy bills and help the Commonwealth reach the greenhouse gas reduction targets of the 2008 Global Warming Solutions Act.
H.3124 updates the law to meet the needs of the modern marketplace by setting energy efficiency standards for common consumer and commercial appliances, including televisions, portable light fixtures, DVD players and recorders, compact audio products, bottled water dispensers, portable electric spas, and commercial hot food holding cabinets. This bill will save Massachusetts residents $515 million dollars (in 2005 dollars) every year, starting in 2011. With Massachusetts residents projected to spend $545.1 billion in energy costs between 2010 and 2030, every dollar we can save is good for residents.
Attention Seniors: Circuit Breaker Tax Credit
The Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is a state income tax credit for eligible Massachusetts residents age 65 or older who paid rent or real estate taxes during the tax year. Even though the credit is based on property taxes, it is the state government, not the city or town that pays the credit.
The credit is for senior homeowners and renters who meet income limits and other eligibility requirements. Homeowners may claim the credit if they paid more than 10% of their total income for real estate taxes, including water and sewer debt charges. Renters can count 25% of their rent as real estate tax payments.
You must file a state income tax return to claim the Circuit Breaker Credit, whether or not you have to file otherwise. If your credit is greater than the amount of income taxes you owe, the state will give you a refund for the difference. The maximum credit for tax year 2009 is $960.
Please click here to learn more.
Helpful Information for Filing Your Taxes
Mass.gov offers a large amount of information to guide you through the tax filing process. Click here to learn more about filing information, tax guides, tax changes for 2010, earned income credit, a 2010 filing season video presentation, info for seniors and retirees and refund anticipation loans.
MBHP Announces Apartment Listing Service
The Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (MBHP) announces the release of a major upgrade to its unique, free online apartment listing service. Located at www.mbhp.org, the service now includes the ability for property owners to post photos of their apartments and to include mention of more amenities. Additionally, addresses will be linked to an online map service so prospective tenants can see the location of the properties. The improved online service provides the Greater Boston region with a unique, free, real-time option for searching for affordable housing.
Listing an apartment is easy. Property owners and managers can submit their information via an online form and have it posted within 24 hours. Enhancements to the site allow property owners to include photos of their units, give owners more choice in describing amenities, and automatically link the apartment's address with an online map service.
US Census 2010 - Please be counted!
The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. The 2010 Census will help communities receive more than $400 billion in federal funds each year for things like hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects and emergency services.
When you receive your census form, just answer the 10 short questions and then mail the form back in the postage-paid envelope provided. For more information, please here click here.
Resources Available to Battle Economic Downturn
Mass.gov offers residents information on how to get help in tough economic times. Please click here to access information on topics such as jobs and unemployment, housing and foreclosures, home heating and energy, gas prices and commuting, managing finances, health care and insurance, food and nutrition and business assistance.
Online access to statewide community resources
Mass 2-1-1 online directory is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families. Click here to learn more about Mass 2-1-1.
AARP launches new web tool to help lower drugs costs
AARP launched its new Doughnut Hole Calculator, a free web tool that can help residents "avoid the dreaded coverage gap" which can leave folks stuck with thousands of dollars in unbudgeted spending. Click here to access this calculator. According to the AARP, in 15 minutes visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.
Apply online for Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance!
You may be able to complete a Food Stamps or Health Insurance and Health Assistance Programs application online. A simple screening survey asks questions about people in your household and compares your answers with the program rules. For more information, please click here.
Job Opportunities with the Commonwealth of MA
There are a number of job listings posted on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts home page. For more information, click here. | |
Lexington Corner
Lexington Housing Authority Receives Award
The Department of Housing and Community Development recently awarded the Lexington Housing Authority (LHA) with more than $16,000 in capital improvement bond funding to supplement its CPA funding for roof replacement at an LHA property in Lexington.
Charles River Cleanup
The Charles River Watershed Association invites you to its 11th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Saturday, April 24th. For the past 10 years, this event has been the largest coordinated cleanup in MA attracting almost 100 volunteer groups from businesses, universities, neighborhoods, civic associations, and scout troops throughout the greater Boston area. Help kick off the event for hundreds of volunteers at 9am at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston, or take the time to visit volunteers working in one of your constituent communities sometime anytime 9am - 12pm. The Cleanup involves over 3,000 volunteers helping to beautify the Charles River, picking up trash and cleaning the riverbanks at over 40 sites from Dover to Boston.
Nonprofit Spotlight: Art Without Borders
The ART Without Borders (ARTwb) members believe that art, through its commitment and interrogation, is one of the most direct avenues for people to use to better understand each other, respect each other's values, and promote peace. Art makes the community and the world a better place in which to live. Behind the pure esthetic, the ARTwb members believe that artists help individuals to have the freedom and ability to make meaning, formulate ideas, ask hard questions and imagine promising alternatives for the world and ourselves. This is why artists are such an important part of any society, but also why they are among the first ones to be the victims of human rights violation or deprivation.
ARTwb wants to participate in the building of a much better world through its programs, and advocate for the artist's human rights in the world. ARTwb is a non-profit organization 501(c) (3), incorporated in April 2006, which supports the cause of artists' human rights in America and in the world. Please click here to learn more about ARTwb.
Opportunities at Minuteman Senior Services
Minuteman Senior Services offers seniors and their caregivers over 22 different programs and services. Over 15,000 people each year turn to them for help. Fifteen Commonwealth Corps Members will serve between October 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010 to help Minuteman Senior Services identify, reach, educate, and connect elders and caregivers to services in Minuteman's 16 communities west of Boston (from Arlington to Harvard). Please click here to learn more about these service opportunities.
The mission of the Commonwealth Corps is to engage residents of all ages and backgrounds in direct service to rebuild communities and address unmet community needs. The Corps will provide opportunities for skill building, leadership development and will encourage and enhance a lifelong civic vocation for Corps members. Corps members will provide direct service, build capacity, and recruit, organize and mobilize additional volunteers, thus building a grassroots movement of volunteers dedicated to service.
Lexington Food Pantry
In November 1990, the Lexington Food Pantry opened its doors to distribute non-perishable food to residents in need of food assistance. Open on Saturday mornings, the Food Pantry is currently distributing food to 60-65 families from Lexington, Lincoln, and Winchester. For more information, please click here.
Volunteer Drivers Needed One Day per Month
If you are retired, have a flexible work schedule, or have available time during the day, please consider becoming a volunteer one day a month for Lexington's F.I.S.H. (Friendly Independent Sympathetic Help), a community-service organization. F.I.S.H. has been providing free rides to medical appointments for over 30 years for Lexington residents, but our 130 volunteer drivers and phone callers cannot meet the current client demand. Drivers typically volunteer to drive for one day a month and can choose to provide round-trip rides to destinations either in Lexington and vicinity or in the greater-Boston area. "Phone F.I.S.H." volunteers make calls from their homes for a few hours on a given day to assign F.I.S.H. clients needing a ride to the volunteer drivers. Being a F.I.S.H. driver or Phone F.I.S.H. is a very rewarding experience and we hope you will consider helping out your fellow Lexingtonians who have become very dependent on this unique service. For more information about volunteering for F.I.S.H., please call F.I.S.H. President David Horton at 781-862-3293.
Donate Your Books to More than Words Bookstore and Café!
Looking for somewhere to donate your books, CDs and DVDs? Interested in hosting a book drive? More Than Words Bookstore and Café is the place for you!
More Than Words is a nonprofit that empowers youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless, or out of school, to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business!
By working as a team to manage their own retail and online bookstore and cafe business, our youth develop leadership, employment skills and self confidence as they prepare for their transition to adulthood!
Please email Jennifer Stewart or via phone at 781-788-0035 for more information regarding book drives and donations or stop by 376 Moody St, Waltham.
Stanley Report to highlight Lexington non-profit orgs
If you'd like your organization highlighted in the Stanley Report, please let Rep. Stanley know! To allow more members of our community to hear about your organization's good work, please submit your upcoming community events, announcements and any other information about your organization. If interested, please email Tara Conklin or via mail to Rep. Tom Stanley, State House, Boston, MA 02133. |
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Lexington Calendar & Events (as announced in the Lexington Minuteman)
Chess club, Starbucks, 60 Bedford St., Lexington, Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m. Lexington Chess Club meets every Friday when school is held that day and on the following Monday. Free, children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information visit http://groups.google.com/group/lexchess.
The Jazz Collective Brewed Awakening, 321 Marrett Road, Lexington, Sundays, 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Jazz Collective presents a series of live jazz performances. No cover. For more information, call 781-863-1189.
Needle arts guild Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, 130 Waltham St., Lexington, meets Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and the second, fourth and fifth Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 781-862-9696 or e-mail NeedleArtsGuild@verizon.net.
Photo exhibit 'Treasured Lands: The Fifty-Eight National Parks in Focus' photos by Quang Tran. National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, Feb. 20-Oct. 17. Free. Hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am-4:30 pm, and Sunday, noon-4:30 pm. Free. For more information, call 781-861-6559 or visit www.nationalheritagemuseum.org.
La leche league
The La League provides breastfeeding support and information through monthly meetings with accredited leaders and mother-to-mother support. The Lexington group meets the second Thursday of each month at the Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave. The Lexington group attracts women from Lexington and surrounding towns. For more information, call Francesca at 781.862.4762, Ann Marie at 781.863.1689, or Shari at 781.270.0944.
Moving On
Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Merriam St., Lexington. Thursdays, 7:30-9 p.m. Moving On is a nondenominational, on-going conversation and social group which provides a comfortable environment for now single adults to re-enter a fuller life after the loss of a partner through death, divorce or relationship termination. A $2 per person donation covers the room rental. For more information about this nonprofit group, contact John, 781.790.1708 (Waltham), moving.on@comcast.net; Marti at 978.256.5872 (Chelmsford); or Phil at 978.922.3690 (Beverly).
Fix It Shop
Lexington Senior Center, 1475 Mass Ave., Lexington. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon. A Fix it Shop is held for the repair of small items. Drop-off and pick up only during the above times. Labor is free, repair parts at cost. Donations accepted.
Volunteers sought
Lexington Senior Center, 1475 Mass Ave., Lexington. The Friend to Friend Program at the Lexington Senior Center is looking for volunteers to spend a few hours a month to help isolated seniors keep in touch with everyday activities. Volunteers could help a senior with vision impairment pick up some groceries or a prescription, get a haircut, attend a special luncheon, or just have a cup of coffee and chat. People are carefully matched according to the time they have available and what they would like to do. Currently, there are several seniors looking for a friendly volunteer. Call Charlotte Rodgers, 781.861.0194, for more information.
Newcomers Club
Lexington Newcomers Club welcomes new residents to town. Consider joining the Lexington Newcomer's Club, a non-profit social organization, to meet friends and learn about the town. Visit lexington-newcomers. Org for more information or call Marjoleine, membership chair, 781.274.9822, to join.
Exhibit
National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington. Ongoing. The National Heritage Museum opens "Sowing the Seeds of Liberty: Lexington and the American Revolution," its new cornerstone exhibition. The new long-term installation is designed to stimulate new ways of thinking about the battle at Lexington on April 19, 1775. In addition to describing the battle and events that led up to it, the exhibition will explain why members of this small farming community were willing to take arms against their own government to protect a way of life, Through an engaging mix of objects, documents, images, re-creations of historic environments, and interactive elements, people of all ages will be able to learn about the roots of the American Revolutions. "Sowing the Seeds of Liberty" will replace "Lexington Alarm'd," the museum's current exhibition on colonial life that has been on view since April 19, 1995. Free and open to the public. Call 781.861.6559 or visit nationalheritagemuseum.org for further information.
NAMI Support Groups
The Central Middlesex affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, serving Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Burlington, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, and Stow offers daytime and evening support groups for families and friends: Bedford, last Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9:30 pm, First Church of Christ, 25 Great Road, Routes 4, 62 and 225, Bedford; West Concord, first Thursday of each month, 12:30-2:00 pm, West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main Street, West Concord; Stow, -third Saturday of every month, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Fellowship Hall, First Parish Church in Stow, near the intersection of Rt. 117 and Rt. 62. Call 781.982.3318. |
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