Weston COA Community Updates

January Reflections & February Featured Programs

781-786-6280 20 Alphabet Lane westoncoa@westonma.gov website

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Kicking off the New Year – January Reflections

We kicked off the New Year with a luncheon and toast to a happy & healthy yea for all;

Our new Mindful Living class started on Zoom;

Julie Nowak (she/they/xe) helped us to better understand modern pronouns and how to use affirming language to create a more inclusive community;

Former Forensic Scientist, Paul Zambella, brought us into the fascinating world of CSI with an interactive program;

Madhubani artist Anjana Bhargava featured her unique and beautiful Indian folk art with an artist’s talk and reception;

Registered dietitian Tricia Silverman explained why food truly is medicine and how eating strategically may help present against many diseases and chronic illness;

A safari guide Karol showed us a behind the scenes look at the animals at Uganda’s Wildlife Education Conservation Centre;

Jill Geiger helped us learn to improve posture and balance, and move with ease to relieve stiffness, pain and tension, in the 2-session Alexander Technique workshop;

Jane Blair, founder of ArtMatters, provided a look at the work of some great American watercolorists including John James Audubon, Winslow Homer, and John Singer Sargent;

Our theater crew went into Boston to see the A.R.T.’s Life of Pi;

February Featured Programs

Learn & Discuss

We’ll take a look at public art--monumental, political, environmental, whimsical, "art for art’s sake," and more on February 7 on Zoom;
Local and Global Discussion Group will discuss excerpts from key Supreme Court cases on reproductive rights since the mid-1960’s in reflection of the 50^th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade;
Dr. Marc Wein, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an Associate Member of the Broad Institute, will cover bone health and osteoporosis on February 2 on Zoom;
Injury prevention professionals at Brigham and Women’s, Tufts Medical Center, and Beth Israel will provide overview of factors that can increase risk of falls and how to mitigate fall risk factors on February 8 on Zoom;
A local tour guide will take us on a virtual walking tour through the historic neighborhood of Pelourinho, the old town center, of Salvador, Brazil as we explore Black History in Bahia on February 9 on Zoom;
University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell will explore The French Alliance & the Road to Yorktown on February 15 on Zoom;
Jane Blair of ArtMatters will present on portraits on February 28 on Zoom.

Events & Activities

Create an elegant silk velvet scarf with instructor Carson Eddy; hosted by the AIC on February 25;
Calm your central nervous system and heal your body with a Yoga Nidra session on February 23 on Zoom;
Take your health into your own hands this year with a small group training with fitness instructor Michelle Nickerson;
Warm up at the COA on February 6 and February 23 for a hot bowl of soup and dessert;
Be our valentine and celebrate Valentine’s Day with lunch, festive sweet treats, and live guitar music on February 10;
Order a cupcake to pick up on Valentine’s Day & bring one to a friend;
Sit front row at the Boston Symphony Orchestra Open Rehearsal on February 16.

If you missed our art reception for Anjana Bhargava last month, you can stop by the COA to view unique and beautiful Madhubani art;

For more information on these, and a full list of programs and events, check out our February newsletter.

AARP Income Tax Assistance
Fridays, February 10?April 7 at the COA
Trained AARP volunteers return to the COA to provide free assistance to taxpayers, with a special focus on those over 50 and have low-to moderate income, in preparing their returns. They will assist you with basic tax forms and questions; those with complex tax issues will need to contact a professional tax consultant. Contact the COA at 781-786-6280 to schedule your appointment, as appointments fill quickly.

Where in Weston?

Did you guess Where in Weston last month’s photo was taken? Last Month’s Where in Weston was of the rock that sits on land donated to the Town in 1955 by the Charles Jackson Paine family. The sight was chosen so that the view to the west might be enjoyed by future generations. It is called Sunset Corner and is located in Highland Street Town Forest just off of Highland Street. The granite/stone bench was donated by Weston Forest and Trails, formerly the Weston Land Trust which merged with WFT in 2011, in celebration of the Town’s 300th anniversary. When you sit here you can rest and watch the sun sink in the West.

If you can identify where this month’s photo was taken, or have a guess, send your answer to frady.k@westonma.gov We will publish the answer in our next issue. Have fun getting to know our town a little bit better!