The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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Climate justice series continues with ‘A Plastic Ocean’

St. Anne’s Episcopal Church will screen the feature-length documentary A Plastic Ocean on Tuesday, April 25 as part of the church’s ongoing series of films on climate justice. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a light vegetarian supper and the film will start at 7 p.m.

A Plastic Ocean brings to light the consequences of our global disposable lifestyle. An international team of adventurers, researchers, and ocean ambassadors go on a mission around the globe to uncover the shocking truth about what is truly lurking beneath the surface of our seemingly pristine ocean. The film captures never-before-seen images of marine life, plastic pollution, and its ultimate consequences for human health. The movie was filmed over four years in 20 locations around the world to document the global effects of plastic pollution, and to introduce workable technology and policy solutions that can, if implemented in time, change things for the better. Click here to see the trailer.

Discussion will follow the screening as time allows. The film series is free and open to the public, but donations are accepted to defray the cost of screening rights. St. Anne’s climate justice ministry is working to raise up the issues of climate change and environmental justice and to build a community of concerned persons who can make a difference for future generations.

Lincoln Internet guru to give Bemis Lecture

Andy Ory

“The Next Big Thing: More, Faster… but Better?” is the title of the next Bemis lecture to be given by Lincoln resident Andy Ory on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Ory was named as one of the Boston Tech 30 by Boston Magazine “the most influential movers, shaker, thinkers and connectors on the technology scene right now.” Ory was owner of Acme Packet (acquired by Oracle) and co-owner of the new startup 128 Technology, which aims to rethink Internet routing. After his talk, Ory will lead a conversation of the opportunities, threats and challenges in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship in the 21st century, and the impact on our everyday lives. The Bemis Lecture Series  is free and open to all.

Free wellness clinics for all ages

Lincoln residents of all ages are invited to meet with a nurse through a free town service. Come to get your blood pressure checked, ask questions, or learn about wellness resources at clinics funded by the Ogden Codman Trust  and the Pierce House. There will be clinics at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, April 18 and Tuesday, May 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., and at Lincoln Woods from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 9. Services for all clinics are provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. For more information, please call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811.

Food Project fundraiser on April 26

The Food Project will kick off its 26th growing season with the Big Shindig on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts (539 Tremont St.). The event raises over $250,000 each year to support The Food Project’s youth programming, sustainable agriculture on urban and suburban farms, system building to improve community economic strength, and distribution of fresh produce to fill gaps in food access. The Big Shindig will feature inspiring stories from youth speakers from The Food Project’s Dirt Crew and Root Crew, and a celebration of Leadership Award honoree Leah Penniman. Tickets are $175.

Since its founding, The Food Project has grown from a single two-acre farm in Lincoln to an organization that maintains 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland throughout greater Boston and the North Shore. Over 1,700 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 have served on The Food Project’s youth crews, and the organization has harvested almost 4.5 million pounds of sustainably grown produce.

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Volunteer at Minute Man National historic Park this Saturday

Volunteer at the Battle Road Demonstration at Parker’s Revenge at Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Lincoln and Lexington on Saturday, April 15. Learn about the opening events of the American Revolution and assist with event logistics during  the morning shift (9 a.m. to noon) or the afternoon shift (noon to 3 p.m.). Also learn about the recent archaeological discovery on the Parker’s Revenge battle site and the park’s plan to restore the battlefield landscape, and watch the Battle Road demonstration at 2 p.m. To volunteer, email margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov.

Dinner benefits women and children in South Asia

St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church is holding its semi-annual Lincoln Child Haven Dinner on Saturday, April 22 at 6 p.m. to raise funds for Child Haven International, which supports, educates and employs formerly destitute women and children in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet. The evening also features a silent auction and craft table with crafts from South Asia. Tickets are $35 per person and are available from Chris Damon (781-879-5870, christinehdamon@gmail.com) or pay via credit card on this Child Haven page.

Learn about raising healthy bees

Beekeepers can learn how to keep bees healthy and raise their own queens with Charlotte Trim at Lindentree Farm (10 Old Concord Rd.) on Saturday, April 22 from 2-4:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 20 from 3-5:30 p.m. There will be a hands-on demonstration in the field, weather permitting (bring your suits). Cost for both sessions is $120. Pre-registration for $30 is required. Email charlotte.trim44@gmail.com or lindentreecsa@gmail.com.

Portrait tour at Codman Estate

One of the portraits at the Codman Estate.

“Painters and Personalities: Portraits at the Codman Estate” will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 1-3 p.m. at the estate (34 Codman Rd.). From high-end works by John Singleton Copley and Gilbert Stuart to other pictures by the once-famous on down to humble family snapshots, the Codman portrait collection reveals over 200 years of changing styles. A specialty tour will take a fresh, focused look at this collection, including the rarely seen. Hear the real stories of the people behind these pictures, subjects and artists both. Space is limited and registration is required; tickets are $15 for Historic New England members and $20 for non-members. Call 617-994-6690 or buy online.

Donate bikes to Bikes Not Bombs

Do you have unused bicycles or biking accessories kicking around in your garage? Wondering what to do with them? Bring them to the Lincoln bike drive on Sunday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hartwell lot on Ballfield Road. The Lincoln Recycling Committee partners with Bikes Not Bombs (BNB), which ships about 4,800 donated bikes from Massachusetts to economic development projects (micro-enterprise bike businesses, sustainable technology projects, and youth training programs) in Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, and Nevis Island every year. The remaining collected bikes are used in the BNB’s Jamaica Plain location for the youth Earn-a-Bike programs, and others are repaired by teenage mechanics in vocational training programs. Please note that BNB requests a $10 donation per bike to defray storage, processing, and shipping costs. The organization can provide a signed, dated receipt for the cash donation and the value of each donated bicycle. For information, contact Laure Berland (lauraberland@comcast.net) or Bernadette Quirk (quirkx4@msn.com).

Job fair at Minuteman

Minuteman High School will host its annual Career and Job Fair on Wednesday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to all students, alumni, employers, and the general public. For more information, contact Joseph Pitta, Minuteman’s Coordinator of Workforce and Economic Development, at 781-861- 6500, ext. 7361 or jpitta@minuteman.org. Employers wishing to set up a booth must register on the Career and Job Fair website. Students and employers can learn more by visiting the online Minuteman job board.

Talk on climate change impact

Ellen Mecray

What will be the impact of global warming on our regional environment? What can we do to delay the process of global warming? The Lincoln Public Library presents “Global Warming” with Ellen Mecray, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s regional climate services director for NOAA’s eastern region, on Thursday, April 27. Due to a scheduling issue, attendees are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. so the program can begin promptly at 7 p.m. Mecray helps bring NOAA’s climate information to other federal agencies as well as state and local entities. She has also been an oceanographer with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Journalism event has updated panelists

“Breaking News:  Journalism and Democracy in the 21st Century” is the topic of the annual FELS Talk on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. in the Kirshner Auditorium at L-S. The event benefits the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School’s Kirshner Auditorium.

The evening will feature an updated slate of educators and journalists from a variety of media, discussing the current state of professional journalism, the multiple media outlets from which readers, watchers and listeners have their news delivered, how media literacy is challenged today, and how the First Amendment’s guarantee for a free press is upheld in this new era of journalism. The panelists will offer grassroots, state, national, and global perspectives. They will exchange thoughts on the rapidly changing media landscape, how it offers many opportunities and also poses many challenges.

Panelists scheduled to appear are:

  • Isaac Feldberg, correspondent in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe, staff writer for Tastemakers Magazine, and a third-year journalism major at Northeastern University.
  • David Grace, history faculty member at L-S. In addition to modern European history, his research and teaching focus is on U.S. foreign policy and security issues, which he teaches in his World Crises course at LSRHS.
  • Louise Kennedy, senior editor, education, WBUR. Louise oversees Edify, WBUR’s new home for coverage on all media platforms, whether on air, online or in person, about education and learning at all stages of life.
  • Anne Mostue, Bloomberg News Radio anchor, reporter and producer. Anne reports on biotech and finance and co-hosts the Baystate Business Hour, interviewing CEOs on Friday afternoons.
  • Rachel Rohr is managing editor of The GroundTruth Project, a nonprofit media organization, founded by veteran foreign correspondent Charles Sennott and dedicated to supporting a new generation of international correspondents and to adding increased knowledge and understanding on critical global issues through their enterprise journalism.
  • Alice Waugh, founder and editor of The Lincoln Squirrel, an online newspaper she created in 2012. She began her career at the Sudbury Town Crier before earning her master’s degree in journalism from UC-Berkeley.

Julie Dobrow, senior fellow for media and civic engagement at the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, will moderate the evening. She teaches in the Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, the Environmental Studies, and the Film and Media Studies programs at Tufts University. She also serves as director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.

The format for the evening will be approximately an hour of directed questions from the moderator, followed by opportunities for audience questions. Admission is $10. All proceeds will benefit FELS, a non-profit organization that awards enrichment grants to Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions.

FELS was founded in 2000 to offer parents a tangible way to show their appreciation to the L-S professional staff for the unflagging dedication, tireless effort, and genuine caring they routinely offer their students. The FELS Talk was designated The Faye Goldberg-Scheff Memorial Lecture in 2012, to honor the memory of Goldberg-Scheff, a cherished member of the FELS board.

Council on Aging activities for April

Lincoln Academy with members of the First Parish: Seeing the Arizona-Mexico borderlands for ourselves
April 3 at 12:30 p.m.

Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 3 at 12:30 to hear members of First Parish discuss “Seeing the Arizona-Mexico Borderlands for Ourselves.” Members of the First Parish group that traveled to “the wall” on the Arizona borderlands last November will present and then discuss Janet Boynton’s stunning 20-minute video showing photographs and interviews from the participants’ experiences with the complex issues of migration and border security. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Hand drumming for fun and wellness
April 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Come learn to do hand drumming from cultures around the world in a six-week course with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music. The class will be held for six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning on April 4 at a cost of $60 for the course, payable to the Concord Conservatory of Music. Topics to be covered include technique for hand drumming, rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, developing a rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation and exercises to improve internal pulse. No need to bring a drum but bring one if you have one. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Positive Psychology practices class
April 5 at 9:30 a.m.
Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to create transformative change, build increased happiness, and lead a more meaningful life. The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30 at Bemis Hall on daily practices that build on concepts presented in the fall. No need to have attended the fall class. Learn proven tactics to try in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up!

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
April 5 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 5 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence, and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
April 5 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold Office Hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 5 from 1-2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Coffee with photographer Ed Robson
April 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln photographer Ed Robson on Thursday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. for a reception to celebrate his exhibit that will be in Bemis Hall through April. “I’m a hobbyist photographer who lives at Battle Road Farm in Lincoln,” says Ed. “I enjoy trying to capture and edit creatively what catches my eye, whether it’s people or animals, or scenes in the city or in nature.” The photos in the exhibit range from flowers and trees to a spider and pet pig to Walden Pond and the Boston Women’s March.

Pastels class
April 10 at 10 a.m.
Express your most vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels in a class with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m. to noon on April 10, 14, 21, 24, and 28 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials will be furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The fee is $40. Limit of six people.

Lincoln Academy with Josh Grindlay: Designing and building a Harvard-MIT student instrument to map an asteroid in 2019
April 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 10 at 12:30 to hear Josh Grindlay discuss “Designing and Building a Harvard-MIT Student Instrument to Map an Asteroid in 2019.” Over the past five years, students at Harvard and MIT designed and then built an X-ray imaging spectrometer that is one of five instruments on the OSIRIS REx mission launched in September 2016 to rendezvous with an asteroid in 2018. The REXIS instrument will make X-ray maps of the concentration regions of elements (iron, magnesium, etc.) on the asteroid surface in 2019 to help in choosing a location to gather a sample for return to Earth in 2022. Dr. Grindlay will describe how this project developed, from initial concept to the harrowing schedule to deliver the instrument to the spacecraft for final integration and launch, and the work now underway to prepare for the data. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Free elder law clinic
April 10 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship, or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, April 10 from 3-4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages                                     
April 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. 

Using iPhones, iPads, and social media
April 13 at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
Andy Payne will be at Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 13 at 10 a.m. to give you information on the operation and features of iPhones and iPads and answer your questions. If you have tips for using your iPhone or iPad, bring those, too. At 11:30 a.m., Andy will also discuss how to use social media—Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Instagram and such—to get the word out about events and issues and stay in the know. All ages welcome to both classes.

Making ourselves anew in our later years
April 14 at 9:30 a.m.
Join the Reverend Lilian Warner, spiritual director/chaplain of Newbury Court, on Friday, April 14 at 9:30 when she leads a discussion of how, even in our elder years, our spiritual creator, however perceived, can help mold us into new beings, mending and using us in different ways to be of value. She will also touch on her “Triple L, Double C of Living,” or how we must “listen, learn, love, care and connect” with others. Continental breakfast will be served. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Senior dining
April 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, April 18 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let the COA know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club.

The COA science group: how the Internet works
April 20 at 10 a.m.
How does a web page get from a web site to your browser? Come learn the workings of the Internet when Tom Aprille comes to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 at 10 a.m. Don’t worry, it will be a high-level talk with occasional dips into medium-level explanations. Several applications will be discussed, including World Wide Web page capture, email and streaming. Packet routing and your home network (called an Ethernet network) will also discussed. All ages welcome.

Coffee with a cop
April 20 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, April 20 from 1-3 p.m. to meet privately with a police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Manage your pain with alternative and complementary methods
April 21 at 10 a.m.
Learn about different modalities and treatments used by therapists to help decrease pain and improve one’s functional ability when Pete Frye, doctorate in physical therapy and Emerson Hospital rehab director, comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 10 a.m. In addition, learn about home remedies that you can do to decrease pain and improve your functional ability.

Paying for long-term care with Medicare, MassHealth, and VA benefits
April 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Many people rely on Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid to pay for long term care, yet these benefits are usually quite limited. Find out what Medicare and MassHealth/Medicaid actually cover, for how long, and at what out-of-pocket costs when Minuteman Senior Services SHINE—health benefits counseling program comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 21 at 12:30 p.m. They will discuss benefits from the traditional Medicare program as well as supplemental plans, what to ask when considering long term care benefits in those plans, and more. In addition, Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s veterans services officer, will explain long term care benefits for veterans. Bring your questions and concerns! The program is co-sponsored by the Lincoln COA and Minuteman Senior Services.

Amalgamates a capella concert
April 23 at 2 p.m.
The COA invites all ages to a family-friendly a capella concert by the award-winning Tufts University group The Amalgamates on Sunday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Bemis Hall. The Amalgamates perform the latest pop hits to oldies rock to spirituals and more in venues from baseball stadiums to street corners to Barcelona, Spain. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultutral Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Lincoln Academy with Christina Thompson—Sea people: the puzzle of Polynesia
April 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, April 24 at 12:30 to hear Christina Thompson discuss “Sea People: The Puzzle of Indonesia.” Christina Thompson, editor of Harvard Review and the author of Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All, shares her quest to understand who first settled the islands of the remote Pacific, where they came from, how they got there, and how we know. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Fireside chat: how we live our values
April 26 at 10 a.m.
How do we live out our core values? Do we even know exactly what our values are? How do they affect our daily interactions as well as our most consequential decisions? Join others in a lively but respectful discussion facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Our purpose is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share ideas so as to create dialogue and understanding.

Answers about long-term care insurance
April 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Is long term care insurance right for you? What does it cover? What might it cost? How do I go about choosing a plan? What are these new hybrid policies that I’m hearing about? How do I make sure it will really cover what it needs to when I don’t know what kind of care I might require? Find out the answers to these and other questions you might have about long term care insurance when independent agent and long term care insurance educator Tobe Gerard comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, April 28 at 12:30. Tobe has been involved with long term care insurance for 19 years and served on the long-term care committees of both the National and Massachusetts Associations of Health Underwriters for many years. Please call the COA at (781) 259-8811 to sign up so Tobe knows how many sets of materials to bring.

Lyrica Boston Chamber Music performs Schubert’s Trout Quintet
April 29 at 2 p.m.
The Friends of the Lincoln COA cordially invite those of all ages to a free concert by Lyrica Boston Chamber Music on Saturday, April 29 at Bemis Hall at 2 p.m. On the program will be Schubert’s beautiful and renowned Trout Quintet and other works in a surprising array of styles. A reception with light refreshments will follow the concert. The musicians will include Laura Bossert (violin), Annie Bartlett (viola), Mariel Bossert (piano), Mina Kim (cello) and Donald Palma (bass). The Lyrica Boston Chamber Music series was founded by Lincoln resident Laura Bossert to provide a launching ground for young emerging artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals.

Save the date:

Boston Symphony Orchestra matinee on May 5
Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, May 5. Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) Participants will meet at the Donelan’s parking lot at 10:45 a.m. You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or opt to arrange for your own lunch. The cost of the trip is $45.50 with lunch on your own, or $75 with the lunch buffet. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Marilyn Buckler, 12 Hiddenwood Path, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email. Your reservation is complete when Marilyn receives your check. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Watercolors class
Jane Cooper will offer fun dabbling in watercolor painting of scenes of nature, landscapes or some favorite sky. Two sessions of four classes will be offered Fridays and Mondays in May from 9-11 a.m. beginning May 1 and 15. Cost is $30 per session. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 now to sign up. All materials are included in the fee. No prior experience necessary.

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Lincoln Fire Department receives fire education grants

The Lincoln Fire Department recently received two state grants totaling more than $6,500 for fire education for children and seniors. Lincoln’s was one of 228 Massachusetts fire departments to receive Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program grants to work with classroom teachers to deliver fire and life safety lessons. Of those, 212 departments also received a Senior SAFE program grant to work with older adults on fire and life safety. The town’s grant amounts were $3,951 S.A.F.E. and $2,596, respectively.

The S.A.F.E. Program’s allows trained firefighter-educators to work with teachers to deliver age-appropriate fire and life safety lessons that also meet the requirements of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Health Curriculum Frameworks. In the 21 years of the program’s existence, the average number of children who die in fires each year in Massachusetts has dropped by over 70 percent, according to a release from the office of Gov. Charlies Baker.

Seniors are most at risk of dying in fires in Massachusetts. Using the Senior SAFE program, fire departments partner with local senior service agencies to better educate seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be better prepared to survive a fire.

Middle school stages “The Lion King Jr.”

The Lincoln School production of “The Lion King Jr.” takes place in the school auditorium on March 29, 30 and 31. Seventy student actors and 20 crew members have been rehearsing the show’s drum beats and chant-filled choruses since December. Tickets will be sold at the door ($5 for students and seniors, $10 for adults). Show times are 3:30 p.m. on March 29, and 7 p.m. on March 30 and 31.

Panel looks at journalism and democracy

For a lively conversation on the state of journalism from a local, state, national and international perspective, come to the annual FELS Talk on “Breaking News: Journalism and Democracy in the 21st Century” on Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at the LSRHS auditorium. Panelists will be:

  • Deborah Becker, senior correspondent and host, WBUR
  • Isaac Feldberg, journalism major and correspondent for The Boston Globe
  • David Grace, L-S history faculty member
  • Anne Mostue, Bloomberg News radio anchor
  • Charles Sennott, founder and executive director of The GroundTruth Project
  • Alice Waugh, founder and editor of The Lincoln Squirrel, an online newspaper

Julie Dobrow, senior fellow, media and civic engagement at the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, will moderate the evening. Tickets are $10 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury.

Passover seder at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will celebrate Passover with a family seder service and meal on Wednesday, April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). The seder will have the elements of a traditional family haggadah and a meal of hummus and tabbouleh. It will be very participatory and feature activities for everyone in the family.

Passover celebrates the foundational story of Judaism—the release of Jews from captivity in Egypt described in Exodus. The spiritual themes of Passover remain central to the spiritual themes of Christianity and Unitarian Universalism, and are very much a part of the spiritual life of the First Parish in Lincoln. RSVPs are required. Please contact Mandy Beal, ministerial intern, at mandy@firstparishinlincoln.org or 857-208-3482.

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Forum on affordable housing proposals

In preparation for Town Meeting votes on creating more affordable housing, the Housing Commission will hold an Affordable Accessory Apartment Program Housing Forum on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the Town Office Building. A “yes” vote on warrant Article 12 would create the Affordable Accessory Apartment Program, a public/private partnership, a collaboration between the town of Lincoln and an individual homeowner to create affordable housing eligible for Lincoln’s affordable housing inventory. Article 13 would create a tax exemption for affordable accessory apartments that meet state regulations and qualify for the town’s affordable housing inventory.

In addition to the warrant articles, forum attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the Affordable Housing Trust Loan Program, which will grant loans to homeowners who participate in the Affordable Accessory Apartment Program. If the homeowner’s accessory apartment remains on the affordable housing inventory for 10 years, the loan will automatically be forgiven.

Those with questions may contact Pamela Gallup at 781-259-0393 or pamgallup@aol.com.

Food Project seeking teenage summer crew

The Food Project is currently recruiting for its summer Seed Crew. Each summer, The Food Project’s Seed Crew hires 72 high schoolers from diverse backgrounds to work together on one of its farms to grow vegetables and distribute thousands of pounds of produce to area hunger relief organizations while developing important leadership, teamwork, diversity and civic participation skills. Seed Crew is the entry point to participate in The Food Project’s youth crews. Following Seed Crew, young people may apply to work each academic season throughout their high school careers. Click here to apply. The deadline is Monday, March 13.

Report on Israel/Palestine fact-finding tour

The GRALTA Foundation will report on its January study tour of Israel/Palestine on Sunday, March 19 at 1 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Speakers will include legislators and others who participated in GRALTA’s 13-day trip. The event will include reports from delegates Mass. Reps. Paul Heroux (D-Attleboro) and Denis Provost (D-Somerville) as well as Boston College Professor Eve Spangler and her students with audience Q&A, followed by a panel discussion. The event is free but an RSVP for food and beverage planning is appreciated; email Steve Low at steve.low@gordianconcepts.com.

Women’s March discussion

Did you participate in the recent Women’s March in Boston or any other city? Please join us for an evening of discussion about the march, its relationship to the history of the women’s suffrage movement, and what comes next at “On the March: Reflections on the Recent Women’s Marches and Their Roots in Suffragette History” on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library. The evening will begin with a brief presentation by members of the Boston’s Women’s History Trail on the suffragette movement marches in Boston. Feel free to bring your camera or phone to share pictures.

Peggy Schmertzler Leadership Lecture

Peggy Schmertzler

Lincoln resident Al Schmertzler and his family invite Lincolnites to attend the first annual Peggy Schmertzler Leadership Lecture in honor of his late wife Peggy and her transformative leadership as she worked to advance equality for women at Harvard University. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the Parlor Room of the Phillips Brooks House, 22 Harvard Yard, Cambridge. The speakers will be Sarah Hurwitz, senior speech writer for President Obama and chief speechwriter for First Lady Michelle Obama, who will discuss “The Power of Words and Their Impact on Leadership.”

The lecture series was established by three of Peggy’s fellow Radcliffe alumnae in recognition of her leadership of the Committee for the Equality of Women at Harvard (CEWH) an organization she helped create and advance throughout its 30-year lifespan. Her spirit and and dedication to women’s advancement prompted her former CEWH colleagues and the Harvard College Women’s Center to partner in honoring her legacy of fearless leadership.

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Absentee ballots available

Absentee ballots for the March 27 town 2017 election are now available in the Town Office Building. Residents can come in and vote over the counter or apply by mail. Under state law, the town cannot allow anyone to deliver a physical ballot to a voter. A family member may apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to another family member. Click here for more information on absentee voting.

Haitian dance performance at L-S

The Jean Appolon Expressions dancers.

On Friday, March 10, there will be a performance by the Haitian dance company jean Appalon Expressions at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The performance, “Angaje” (which means “engaged” or “committed” in Haitian-Creole) is inspired by the struggle against homophobia and the power of Haitian cultural tradition in the fight for justice. It is a reflection of various forms of social oppression and more particularly the violence against LGBTQ people in Haiti, who are not only victims of discrimination, but also the targets of violence by anti-gay groups.

There will be a reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will start at 7:30 in Kirshner Auditorium. The performance is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Partners in Health. The event is hosted by the L-S French Department and the METCO program and sponsored by SERF (Sudbury Education Resource Fund).

Also as part of World Language Week next week, the public is invited to the 14th Annual World Language Declamation Contest in the L-S Auditorium on Thursday, March 9 during block 4. Students including Lincoln residents Zoe Belge, Marissa Cannistraro, Cal Hamandi and Irene Terpstra will recite pieces they have memorized in the languages they are learning. World Language Karaoke will take place on Friday, March 10 in Kirshner Auditorium during blocks 6 and 7 with singing in French, Mandarin, German and Spanish (karaoke lyrics will be supplied). Email World Language Department Coordinator Joan Campbell at joan_campbell@lsrhs.net for more information.

Free after-school classes for kids

The Learning Hub at the Lincoln Public Library is offering free Friday afternoon classes for children ages 7-11 on four Fridays this month from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Topics include:

  • Picasso Cubism Paper Bag Art  (March 10)
  • Catapulting with Marshmallows (March 17)
  • Make a Simple Glider (March 24)
  • Build a Bubble Rocket (March 31)

To sign up for any or all of the classes, contact the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or email jflanders@minlib.net. Classes are provided by The Learning Hub in Worcester.

Elder law clinic on March 13

Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship or probate? The Council on Aging is offering a legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 2-4 p.m. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

March activities at the Council on Aging

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
March 1 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, March 1 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, nonjudgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
March 1 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lincoln Woods community room. Get blood pressure checks, nutrition and fitness information, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Parenting after 45 and loving it
March 1 at 1 p.m.
More and more people are becoming new parents after age 45 for a variety of reasons. This can be uniquely rewarding for both parents and children, but also exhausting and frustrating. Join others in a discussion of the special challenges and joys of parenting after 45, including strategies for coping, with Pam Mizrahi, the COA’s Assistant Director and a social worker, on Wednesday, March 1 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. All are welcome, whether you are a parent or prospective parent or not. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
March 1 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, March 1 from 1-2 p.m. on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band third anniversary
March 3 at 12:30 p.m.
It’s hard to believe that the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band has been playing here at Bemis Hall each first Friday of the month for three years! Come join in the celebration on Friday, March 3 at 12:30. The musicians are mostly retirees, spirited amateurs who give life to your favorite music of the 1920s to 1940s by greats like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Louis Armstrong.

Lincoln Academy with Lucretia Giese—Winslow Homer and Belmont
March 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 6 at 12:30 to hear Lucretia Giese discuss “Winslow Homer and Belmont.” Winslow Homer’s name conjures up images of Prouts Neck, Maine and its craggy coast, his home from the 1880s. But Homer had an earlier home in Belmont. Thirty years before and for over a decade, Homer visited that town again and again. Why? What was Belmont like then? What features attracted Homer? What work resulted and what effect did his stays in Belmont have on his career? Find out more in this Academy talk. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Coffee with artist George Thomas
March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Join George Thomas on Tuesday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m.to celebrate his painting exhibition in Bemis Hall that will run through March. George is a Korean War veteran who spent most of his career educating aircraft mechanics and being an avid model builder. After retirement, he took classes at the deCordova Museum and began to paint, often painting scenes from places he has visited. He has participated in two shows at the Lincoln Library and also had a showing at the gallery in the Greek Institute in Cambridge.

Lunch and the latest updates on wound care and prevention
March 10 at noon
A wound that will not heal can be both painful and potentially life-threatening. The Advanced Wound Center at Emerson Hospital will be offering lunch and a presentation on wound care on Friday, March 10 at noon at Bemis Hall. Learn to prevent wounds, when you should seek medical care, what the most up-to-date treatments are, and what the center offers. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for the lunch of sandwiches and salads.

Lincoln Academy with Alex Maclean—Aerial interpretations: the connection between agriculture and climate
March 13 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 13 at 12:30 to hear Alex MacLean discuss “Aerial Interpretations: The Connection between Agriculture and Climate.” The focus of Alex’s aerial photography for the past 10 years has been on the causes and effects of climate change as seen through land patterns. He has published six photographic books on land use and energy related issues. He is now focusing his photography on food production and agriculture in relation to climate change. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free legal clinic
March 13 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging provides a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 3-4 p.m. There is no charge for the thirty-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Coffee with a cop
March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, March 16 from 1-3 p.m. to meet privately with a Police Officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member or neighbor? An idea the police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment. An officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Getting ready for Town Meeting: School Committee asks the community to start planning a school project
March 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Last year Lincoln applied to get state funding to help with a major renovation of the Lincoln School. In December the town learned that we were not accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) funding pipeline. After much discussion, the School Committee has voted unanimously to recommend that Lincoln start planning a town-funded school building project. At the 2015 Town Meeting, the town voted to set aside $750,000 to do a feasibility study if we were accepted by the MSBA. At this year’s Town Meeting (Saturday, March 25), the School Committee will ask voters to allow that money to be used now. Join School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass and Superintendent Becky McFall to learn more about the warrant article and the reasons for the School Committee’s recommendation on Friday, March 17 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall. Please come with questions.

Cabaret concert: Tell me the truth about love
March 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Join vocalist Mary Crowe and pianist Evelyn Harris for a free cabaret concert with historical interludes on Monday, March 20 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll find out more about this artistically rich and exciting musical style and hear familiar and lesser known songs by Britten, Weil, Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein, Mary Crowe and others with different perspectives on love.

Senior dining
March 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 21 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead, even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let the COA know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. A special dessert will be provided by the staff and children of the Magic Garden Children’s Center.

Fireside chat: Is America still a land of opportunity?
March 22 at 10 a.m.
America prides itself on being a place where anyone can succeed, but is this still true? Do some people grow up receiving a better education which leads to better jobs, health, and other benefits? How much of an advantage does coming from a wealthier family convey? What do the answers to these questions mean for our society? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and glass flowers exhibit
March 23 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the COA on Thursday, March 23 for a visit to the Harvard Museum of Natural History which will include a docent-guided group tour of the newly restored glass flowers exhibit and time to explore other exhibits. The group will depart the Lincoln Mall via Doherty’s school bus at 10:30 a.m. and proceed to a Cambridge restaurant for lunch followed by the museum visit. They will arrive back in Lincoln by about 4:30 p.m. While there’s plenty of seating within the museum, the tour itself takes place in a gallery where there are no chairs. The non-refundable cost of the trip is $15 with the lunch together at your own cost. The trip will be limited to 24. Reservations must be made by March 20. Send checks, payable to FLCOA/Trips, to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. Any questions, please contact Claire at 781-259-8695.

Relax with a mini-massage
March 24 at 11 a.m.
Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio) will be offering seated mini back and neck massages as a gift or by donation March 24 from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.

Lunch and jazz piano concert
March 24 at 11:30 a.m.
Traditions of Wayland invites you to a free special gourmet luncheon of delicious seasonal fare and a concert of jazz piano music Friday, March 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. On the menu will be braised stuffed flank steak with gravy, green beans and croquettes, and strawberry cake. Music will be provided by pianist and songwriter John D’Ambrosio, who plays everything from Ellington to the Beatles in an elegant and distinctive style. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up by March 17.

Lincoln Academy with Zach Woods—Why we teach STEAM at smARTroom
March 27 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 27 at 12:30 to hear Zach Woods discuss “Why We Teach STEAM at smARTroom.” Most folks are familiar with the push for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in our schools, but what are the additional benefits of STEA(Arts) M? Why add the arts to the mix? Zach, co-founder of smARTroom, will talk through his experiences in bringing STEAM education and fun to both young and old. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Geology rocks—a musical performed by Birches students
March 31 at 8:30 a.m.
Students from Birches School invite Lincoln seniors to their third annual school musical, Geology Rocks, on Friday, March 31 at 8:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. This 35-minute musical production will feature Birches School students in grades K-6. Professor Rock has disappeared! His loyal students go on a quest to find him, joined by the (mostly unhelpful) Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Along the way they meet volcanoes, sea shores, canyons, suspicious ferns, and even Snow White—and learn about the earth’s geological cycles and features as they go. Who’s behind Professor Rock’s disappearance, and will he ever be found? Find out!

Lunch and learn: keeping your brain in shape
March 31 at noon
Deaconness Abundant Life Services invites you to come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 31 at noon for a special lunch of assorted entrée salads and homemade cookies and a presentation and discussion of the latest research on what does and does not work, to maintain your ability to think and memory. Steve Menichetti, RN, BSN of Deaconness will explore the role of nutrition and supplements, “brain fitness” exercises, sleep, disease and wellness, and more, give practical suggestions, and answer your questions. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 if you would like lunch.

Save May 5 for the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Spend a delightful afternoon with the COA on a trip to a matinee performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Friday, May 5. Andris Nelsons will conduct works by Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler featuring pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Kristine Opolais. The program includes Shostakovich’s suite from the incidental music to King Lear, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. (Symphony Hall is handicapped accessible.) You may have a sumptuous buffet lunch at Symphony Hall or you opt to arrange for your own lunch. This trip is open to Lincoln seniors only. Space is limited. Look for more details in the April COA newsletter. Questions? Contact Marilyn Buckler at 781-259-8886 or mbuckler1@comcast.net.

Free income tax preparation help

Volunteers certified under the AARP TaxAide program will prepare your federal and Massachusetts personal income tax returns or answer your tax questions. This free service can answer most of the tax issues faced by low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those over age 60. Appointments begin in February. Call the COA office at 781-259-8811 to schedule a confidential appointment and get a list of documents to bring.

Hand drumming for fun and wellness

Come learn to do hand drumming from cultures around the world in a six-week course with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music. The class will be held for six Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning on April 4 at a cost of $60 for the course, payable to the Concord Conservatory of Music. Topics to be covered include technique for hand drumming, rhythms from Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe, developing a rhythmic vocabulary for improvisation, and exercises to improve internal pulse. This is a fun and engaging way to learn about rhythm and experience the joy of drumming in a supportive group environment. No need to bring a drum, but bring one if you have one. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 now—space is limited.

Ogden Codman Trust funds Positive Psychology Practices class

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and “what is working” to build transformative change, increased happiness, and a more meaningful life—whether personal, family, professional or community! The Ogden Codman Trust is generously supporting a free, eight-session course in Positive Psychology Practices beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 9:30. Everyone welcome—everyone benefits! No need to have attended last fall’s class which covered the theory and history of Positive Psychology. Learn proven tactics to increase your own happiness level and take them home to try them on in your daily life. Instructor: Alyson Lee, co-active life coach, social worker and certified Positive Psychology instructor.

Easy yoga your way

Yoga improves flexibility, strength, energy and more. Try gentle yoga on the floor or in a chair, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. for 12 weeks beginning April 5. You may sign up for the whole course for $120 ($156 for those under 60) or five-class packs, and drop-in is $10/class ($13 for those under 60). Taught by Jai Kaur Annamaria San Antonio. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

News acorns

Video and discussion on Mexican border issues

Parishioners from First Parish in Lincoln who traveled to the Arizona-Mexico border in November will present a 20-minute video about their experiences on Sunday, March 5 at noon at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The video includes photographs from the trip and interviews with six participants sharing what they learned about the complex issues of migration and border security. Following the film, there will be time for questions and discussion as well as a potluck lunch.

Play-reading group invites new members

A play-reading group led by Sally Kindleberger will read the comic play God of Carnage (winner of the 2009 Tony Award for best play) at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 7 at 11 a.m. in Bemis Hall New participants of all ages are invited. No experience necessary; scripts are provided. The group meets on the first two Tuesdays of each month. For more information, call Kindleberger at 781-259-1169.

Lincoln photographer in Griffin Museum show

“Red Ladder” by Mark Levinson.

Lincoln photographer Mark Levinson will be exhibiting in “Photography Atelier 25” as part of a group show of student artwork at the Griffin Museum of Photography from March 9-31. The public is invited to attend the opening reception, 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9 at the Griffin Museum (67 Shore Road, Winchester, Mass., 01890). The Atelier is a course for intermediate and advanced photographers offered by the museum.

Alzheimer’s Association sponsors deCordova tour

Research has clearly shown that staying active is the most powerful way to manage Alzheimer’s and other dementias. To provide those living with mild Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorder with opportunities for social engagement, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter will host a guided tour of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum on Friday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. The tour is free, but reservations are required; call 800-272-3900.

The event is part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alz Meet Up program. “We are excited to start offering engaging activities year round through this program,” said Melody Bushmich, manager of early stage engagement programs at the Alzheimer’s Association. “We want to create a stigma-free environment for diagnosed individuals and their care partners that will also present an opportunity to form much-needed bonds.” Alz Meet Ups are a part of the Alzheimer’s Association Power+Purpose campaign, which aims to offer those Alzheimer’s the resources to continue living their lives as close to normal for as long as possible.

Council on Aging activities in February

Domestic Violence Services Network office hours
February 1 at 10 a.m.
If you are experiencing violence or abuse by a family member, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, or you are concerned about someone who is, come to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 1 between 10 a.m. and noon to have a confidential discussion with an advocate from Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. Come find out more about domestic violence, and how to cope with it, as well as learn about available resources in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. All conversations are completely confidential.

Meet with an aide to Congresswoman Katherine Clark
February 1 at 1 p.m.
Jimmy Santos, constituent services and military liaison for Congresswoman Katherine Clark, will hold office hours at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 1 on federal benefits and other concerns. No need to sign up.

What you need to know about Annual Town Meeting bylaw proposals
February 3 at 9:30 a.m.
Important new bylaws and changes to existing bylaws that affect your everyday life will be voted on at Annual Town Meeting in March. Come find out more and have a chance to ask questions in an informal setting when Jennifer Burney, Director of Planning and Land Use, and members of committees proposing the bylaws will be at Bemis Hall on Friday, Feb. 3 at 9:30 a.m. One proposal would change the solar bylaw to reflect industry standards, eliminating the 12-inch setback requirement and adding in a waiver provision. Another would impose a possible moratorium on recreational marijuana. An Affordable Accessory Apartment Bylaw would create accessory apartments that qualify for the town’s affordable housing inventory. A proposed tax exemption would allow the portion of the property dedicated to an affordable accessory apartment to be tax exempt. A request to the Community Preservation Committee would create a fund for homeowners to access interest free loans for renovating or creating an affordable accessory apartment. Finally, a proposed amendment to a bylaw would allow the sale of farm products for conforming parcels between 80,000 square feet and 5 acres. Come find out more and bring your questions, concerns and ideas!

Trad jazz band
February 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Come join your neighbors who never miss a session. The Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band be at Bemis on Friday Feb. 3 from 12:30–1:30 to entertain you. There will be some good old tunes to sing along to, maybe Ain’t She Sweet or When You’re Smilin’ or All of Me or maybe something completely different this time. Maybe the music will put you in the mood to get up and dance like some of the audience do. Or maybe you’d prefer to just sit and tap your toes. See you there!

Lincoln Academy with Mark Hopkins—Walking the thornfeld: saving Africa’s most dangerous and beautiful creatures
February 6 at 12:30 p.m.
Join Earthwatch volunteer Mark Hopkins as he hikes 60 miles through scenic thornveld landscapes, accompanied by an armed Zulu ranger, counting wild rhino, giraffe, buffalo, elephant, and a dozen other large mammal species, then returning to the campsite for close-up photographic visits with lions, leopards, hippos and crocodiles. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Coffee with watercolor artist Jack Foley
February 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Lincoln artist Jack Foley for a celebration of his exhibit of watercolors at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 2:30 pm. Jack says, “I started painting watercolors in the early ’80s, usually just on vacations. I paint most of my watercolors on site and occasionally at my kitchen table. I sell paintings, donate them to charities, or just paint for fun. Lincoln’s a great place to paint.” His work has been shown at the Clark Gallery, Concord Art, the New England Watercolor Society, the Attleboro Arts Museum, and other venues. The exhibit will run through February.

Communicating across lines of difference
February 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Effective and respectful communication between people with differing characteristics and life experiences has never been more important yet can seem ever more difficult. How do we know if we have inadvertently offended someone and what do we do about it? How do we get started talking to each other about such topics as race, gender, economic status, and other such issues in a way that strengthens relationships as well as recognizes our many commonalities? Mandy Beal, Ministerial Intern at First Parish who has completed special training, will lead a discussion at Bemis Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 9:30 a.m. about communicating around lines of difference, focusing not on being “good” or “bad” but on effectiveness. The 90-minute session will include a short presentation on current thinking and research followed by a group discussion using reflection and questions and answers.

Drawing
February 8 at 10 a.m.
Drawing is a way to capture the world as you see it and the gateway to painting and other art forms. Learn to draw and you have created a new language for yourself! Get started when Bernadette Quirk, a local artist and experienced art teacher, teaches a four-session course on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon beginning February 8 at Bemis Hall. This session will start with simple still life objects to develop skills in measuring and perspective. The cost is $20 for the course. No prior experience necessary or expected! We provide all supplies. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited.

Reframing as a technique for greater happiness
February 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Whether it is a traffic jam, loss of an opportunity, or a negative life story, reframing can change your perspective and outlook on life. Learn various ways to use this technique of being honest about your situation, but finding new ways to look at its opportunities, advantages, and challenges when Pam Mizrahi, the COA’s assistant director and a social worker, holds a discussion on Friday, Feb. 10 at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The discussion will focus on actual examples you can use every day.

First look at Annual Town Meeting: town and public schools budgets and projects
February 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Selectmen Peter Braun and Renel Fredriksen, Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Becky McFall, and Lincoln School Committee Chair Jennifer Glass will present an overview of FY18 budget priorities on Friday, Feb. 10 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Find out what is on the Annual Town Meeting warrant for the town and school budgets. There will also be a discussion of the current status of a Lincoln school building project, and any related warrant articles that might be up for a vote at Town Meeting as well as town-related projects and initiatives. This is your opportunity to discuss the budget, the School building project, and other school and town-related topics in an informal, conversational setting. They welcome your questions, your ideas and concerns.

Valentine’s Day jazz brunch
February 12 at 10:15 a.m.
What could be more fun for Valentine’s Day than a delicious jazz brunch at Trail’s End in Concord? Join the Lincoln COA on Sunday, Feb. 12 when you’ll have a wonderful brunch while listening to some of the best local jazz around! The fun starts by boarding Doherty’s bus at the Mall at 10:15 to go to Concord. Once there, you can choose from menu items including eggs, an omelette, French toast or granola parfait, coffee, tea, juice, sides like bacon, fruit, etc. The venue does have some stairs inside. The cost is $10, with the cost of breakfast on your own. To reserve a space, send your check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Claire Mount, 123 Tower Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone and email so she can send you a menu. Space is limited. Questions? Contact Claire at 781-259-8695.

Lincoln Academy with Tom Gumbart—Backyard butterflies, dragonflies and more
February 13 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Feb. 13, at 12:30 to hear Tom Gumbart discuss “Backyard Butterflies, Dragonflies and More.” Lincoln’s Conservation Director, Tom Gumbart, will give a photo show and talk on insects and other small critters found locally. Featured photos will be close-up images, especially of pollinator species on flowers. Tom spent a significant amount of time this past summer taking photos, mostly at his home in Stow, and will share his experiences with the audience. Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free legal clinic
February 13 at 2 p.m.
Got a question about a legal issue? The Council on Aging is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, Feb. 13 from 2-4 pm. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but advance registration is required. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available. Register in advance by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
February 14 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Get blood pressure checks, nutrition and fitness information, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Science club: breeding and raising miniature sheep in Lincoln
February 16 at 10 a.m.
In 2008, Ray Tomlinson and Karen Seo began working on establishing Ouessant sheep in the United States, beginning in Oregon, later moving to Lincoln in 2010. This breed is the smallest in the world—25 to 45 lbs. and 16 to 20 inches at the shoulder—about one-quarter the size of an average sheep. Unfortunately, they exist only in Europe, from where it is illegal to import any kind of ruminant (cow, goat, sheep, etc.) into the U.S. So this has meant importing semen and upbreeding from a breed already present in the U.S., using artificial insemination to slowly, generation by generation, build a flock of increasingly purebred Ouessant sheep. Each succeeding generation of females is inseminated laparascopically with 100% Ouessant semen. So the filial generations are half Ouessant, then 3/4, then 7/8, and so on. Join Karen as she talks about her sheep, the statistics and process of upbreeding in a suburban environment, caring for and selling the sheep, and more on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.

Coffee with a cop
February 16 at 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 2:30 pm to meet privately with a Lincoln police officer. Do you have a security concern regarding yourself, a family member, or neighbor? An idea for the Police should try? Would you like guidance about a situation? Come on down! No need to make an appointment; an officer will be at Bemis each third Thursday of the month.

Rapture of the senses retreat
February 17 at 11 a.m.
Nourish your body, soul, and heart through this special workshop celebrating loving ourselves. It will be held on Friday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Create bath bombs using dried flowers and essential oils, learn how to make a luxurious face cream; let your mind and nerves be soothed with love songs and poems; write a love poem to yourself: tantalize your taste buds with delicious, healthy treats to fall in love with! Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited.

Senior dining
February 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday Feb. 21 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 at least a week ahead even if you have previously attended. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let the COA know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. A special dessert will be provided by the staff and children of the Magic Garden Children’s Center.

Fireside chat: civic engagement
February 22 at 10 a.m.
What does it mean to you to be a “good citizen,” whether of the town, the nation or the world? What can and should we do as responsible citizens? How can we engage with others in listening and talking about public life? What are some ways we can still be a good citizen when we are limited in our participation, either by physical or other disabilities, a lack of finances or other circumstances? Come join others in a lively but respectful discussion of this topic facilitated by Sharon Antia using questions and answers on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is not to convince others of your opinion, but rather to share information and ideas so as to create dialogue and greater understanding.

Coloring as a meditation tool
February 24 at 9:30 a.m.
All over the country adults are finding that coloring designs like mandalas, peaceful scenes, and more is a way to center, to express creativity, and to aid in meditation. Plus, it’s easy and does not require supplies other than books of designs and some colored pencils or crayons. Come find out more about adult coloring and meditation and give it a try when Tracey Cornogg comes to Bemis Hall on Friday, Feb. 24 at 9:30 a.m. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 so Tracey knows how many sets of materials to bring.

Mini-massage
February 24 at 11 a.m.
Jai Kaur (Annamaria San Antonio) will be offering seated mini back and neck massages as a gift or by donation February 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Massage reduces anxiety and stress, stiffness, fatigue and depression. Jai Kaur is a licensed and certified massage and bodywork therapist offering an integrative approach, yoga teacher and stress management instructor. Call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up for a 15-minute appointment.

Lincoln Academy with Ron McAdow and Betsy Stokey—A visit to Cuba with Mass Audubon
February 27 at 12:30 p.m.
A highlight of 2016 for Lincoln residents Ron McAdow and Betsy Stokey was their participation in a MassAudubon birding trip to Cuba. Ron and Betsy will show their pictures and describe their impressions of the island nation that has been so close and yet so far for most of our lives. The photos include birds—but plenty of other subjects were also photographed, making this a presentation of general interest rather than just for the “avi-centric.” Bring a bag lunch. The Council on Aging provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion.

Free income tax preparation help
Volunteers certified under the AARP TaxAide program will prepare your federal and Massachusetts personal income tax returns or answer your tax questions. This free service can answer most of the tax issues faced by low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those over age 60. Appointments begin in February. Call the COA office at 781-259-8811 to schedule a confidential appointment and get a list of documents to bring.