Boston Homes Virtual Neighborhood - MetroWest Daily News

Posted: 28 Oct 2020 12:07 AM PDT

Welcome to our updated Boston Homes Virtual Neighborhood. Since we are now in a virtual world during these days when we need to stay at home, we have selected interesting virtual events and activities from many different places.

Since we are now in a virtual world during these days, Boston Homes has selected interesting virtual events and activities from many different places. If you have any you would like to add, contact Wayne Braverman at wbraverman@gannett.com. For more events in Boston, check linkbostonhomes.com.

This week's categories to choose from include:

• Events from Oct. 31 through Nov. 7 (One Day Only)

• Short Term Events

• Fundraisers for Non-Profits (Date Related)

• Family Events (Ongoing)

• Body, Mind and Spirit – Well-being Events (Ongoing)

• Aquariums, Farms, Zoos, Sanctuaries (All Things Animals – Some with Live Cams)

• Museums, Galleries and Other Educational Venues

• Family Activities (Anytime Fun)

• Positivity Moments and Opportunities

• Performing Arts (Theater and Music Anytime)

• Other Interests (Events and Activities)

• Civil Rights

Note 1: More events can be found in Boston Homes' neighborhood notes. Check linkbostonhomes.com.

Note 2: Isolation is hard. You are not alone. Please visit the Health Related Section on the Kindness Page for a listing of programs that offer mental health, emotional support, violence and suicide prevention via phone, text and social media platforms. Many of these resources are available 24/7/365.

• EVENTS FROM OCT. 31 THROUGH NOV. 7 (One Day Only)

'Juliette's Not So Spooky Dance Party'

Calling all Mummies, Daddies, & Ghouls! The Girl Scouts are celebrating Halloween and the birthday of their founder, Juliette Gordon Low. Everyone is invited to have a spooktacular time at their Juliette's Not So Spooky Dance Party from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Go to www.gsema.org for more information and Zoom registration.

Laurie Berkner Halloween Party Virtual Family Concerts

All dressed up with nowhere to ghost? Legendary children's musician Laurie Berkner will give the season of costumes, candy and jack-o'-lanterns a 'BOO-st' with two special "Halloween Party" Live Virtual Family Concerts on at noon and at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Doors open an hour prior to each performance with a pre-show to enjoy, and to test connections.

With trick-or-treating discouraged this year, Berkner encourages families to join her in bringing out their pumpkins, putting up their Halloween decorations and getting decked out in their Halloween costume finery. She'll be outfitted for Halloween, too!

To join in the fun, fans of all ages should plan to grab their superhero capes, their instruments (or noisemakers), their dancin' shoes, and a Halloweeny stuffed animals, such as cats, bats, or even friendly monsters (for their heads). Berkner will treat little tricksters to her brand-new songs to get kids (and adults) on their feet to sing, clap and dance along and there will be lots of make-believe play.

A fun-filled virtual lobby will feature pre-show music and videos, Halloween games and fun pumpkin coloring pages to bring to the concert. For those who'd like to spend a few minutes chatting one-on-one with Berkner after the show, special meet-and-greet tickets are available.

Go to laurieberkner.com for more information and registration ($20 - regular/$80 - meet & greet add-on package ). Each regular family ticket includes access to one or both livestreams for one device and an exclusive 'welcome' video from Laurie herself.

Virtual Village Halloween Costume Ball

Theater for the New City will virtually host the 44th annual Village Halloween Costume Ball on Saturday, Oct. 31.

An evening of Halloween cabaret theater is planned, with six hours of performances to be streamed on the theater's website and Facebook page.

The event is geared for young people from 4 to 6 p.m. and for general audiences from 6 p.m. to midnight.

Blue Moon Over Boston on Halloween 2020

On Saturday, Oct. 31 – aka Halloween – the sun will set at 5:38 p.m. and 20 minutes later, at 5:58 p.m., a full "blue moon" will rise over Boston. The astronomical event will mark the first time since 1944 that all US time zones are treated to a full moon on Halloween.

Depending on your definition of a "blue moon," Halloween 2020's full moon (i.e. "Hunter's Moon") doubles as a blue moon. In recent years, people have been using the term "blue moon" for the second of two full moons in a single calendar month. 10/1/20's full "Hunter's" moon + 10/31/20's full "Harvest" moon = Halloween 2020's Blue Moon. In other words, October 2020 is considered a "blue moon month" because two full moons occur in one month, i.e. 10/1 & 10/31.

An older definition of blue moon is that it's the third of four full moons in a single season. In that case, the next true-blue moon will occur on Aug. 22, 2021.

To enjoy this phenomenon, look east since the moon rises in the east. If you're trying to take photos, go somewhere facing east with a picturesque foreground. Two well-known spots to watch a Boston moonrise are the BU Bridge on the Boston/Cambridge line and the North Point Park in Cambridge.

Go to https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/1520/october-2020-the-next-full-moon-is-the-harvest-moon and/or https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2546/whats-up-october-2020-video for more information and a video.

True Lies and False Facts: Halloween Edition

Tragedy and turmoil. Gross and gory. Stories that will make you wince and cringe. But are they true? The truth is stranger than fiction and BFB's Halloween edition of the True Lies False Facts virtual tour puts that notion to the test. Boston By Foot docents will be telling a series of dark and dreary tales from 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 and it's up to you to figure out which tales are true and which have been conjured.

Go to www.eventbrite.com for registration. Once you register, you'll receive a scorecard to keep track of which stories are true and which are false. Compete with your friends, compete against yourself or just attend to hear the ghastly stories that took place in Boston. Some of them will even be true!

Learn How to Paint Watercolor Cinnamon Sugar Florals

Learn how to paint watercolor cinnamon sugar florals with Paige from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

This introductory watercolor workshop will teach you all of the basics – no painting experience is required.

Go to www.paigelindseydesign.com/product/learn-how-to-paint-watercolor-cinnamon-sugar-florals for more information and registration ($29) to receive the link to attend.

Yin Yoga and Guided Relaxation Immersion

Find your deepest Zen...

Join Hridaya in this special 2-hour immersion into bliss and expansive consciousness – two hours of mindful, slow Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra to nourish your heart, mind, body and soul from 2 to 4 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Are you the type of person who: Struggles to slow down? Has aches and pains in the body that you know are due to stress levels? Feeling on the edge of burn out and overwhelm? Need some serious me time? Have an over-active mind and need some easy tools help it calm the heck down?

Do you want to feel: Deeply nourished? Incredibly relaxed, calm, alert and clear? Grounded and connected to your body?

Then this free event is designed just for you.

Visit www.eventbrite.com/e/free-yin-yoga-and-guided-relaxation-immersion-online-tickets-120334605043?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1 to learn more about what Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra along with more information and registration.

Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration

The annual Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration at Harvard's Peabody Museum will be held online from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Families are invited to share an afternoon of virtual community and joyful remembrance.

Attendees can write an online message of love, then watch a master craftsman create papel picado in Mexico, listen to traditional verses in English and Spanish, craft a cempasúchil flower for the departed, ask questions about ofrenda, and learn a Mexican folk dance. Advance registration is required.

Guests in the Boston area can join in an outdoor candle lighting anytime between 5:30 and 7 p.m. for a short moment of personal reflection. The front steps of the museum will be set up as an outdoor altar and staff will distribute lighted candles to visitors (one per group while supplies last) in remembrance of loved ones we have lost. Social distancing precautions will be in effect.

Visit www.peabody.harvard.edu/day-of-the-dead-2020 for more information and registration.

Anti-Bullying Virtual "Train the Trainer" Workshop

An Anti-Bullying "Train the Trainer" workshop will be held online from 9 a.m. to noon on different dates, presented by the Massachusetts' Aggression Reduction Center.

Participants will be trained and certified by MARC to educate their colleagues in bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Professional educators who complete this training are authorized to use MARC materials and data disseminated in this workshop.

Topics in the training have been updated to include research on the impact of the current pandemic and an important focus on bias and diversity.

This program is intended and tested for use with professional teachers and other educational staff, faculty and administrators in K-12 schools. The schedule includes:

Nov. 4: Middlesex County – Co-sponsored by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan

Nov. 17: Bristol County – Co-Sponsored by Bristol County District Attorney

Dec. 1: Plymouth County – Co-Sponsored by Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz

Registration is required; fees apply. Go to www.marccenter.org/training-events or contact MARC@bridgew.edu, 508-531-1784 for more information.

Animal Snack Time: Amphibians and Reptiles

Ever wonder how quickly (or slowly) an eastern box turtle moves when it sees a tasty treat? Interested in what gecko toes feel like? Curious about why the African bullfrog makes such silly faces as it eats? If so, then grab a snack and join human museum staffers Javier and Ryan as they spend 30 minutes feeding, interacting with and discussing some of the museum's amphibians and reptiles.

This free family-friendly Harvard Museums of Science & Culture webinar will take place from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 via Zoom.

Go to hmsc.harvard.edu/event/animal-snack-time-amphibians-and-reptiles for more information and registration.

Protect the Results & Count Every Vote Rally – Boston

Protect the Results & Count Every Vote Rally – Boston, hosted by Indivisible Massachusetts and Massachusetts Peace Action, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon St.

With every tweet and refusal to commit to accepting the legitimate results of the 2020 election, Indivisible Massachusetts and Massachusetts Peace Action believe Trump seeks to stoke chaos and fear. They say that people need to be ready.

"If Trump undermines the election results, the Protect the Results coalition will activate nationwide mobilizations to demand that all the votes are counted and for the peaceful transition of power.:

Massachusetts Peace Action will organize the mobilization in Boston; and they invite other organizations to partner with them.

They invite everyone to join in to honor the valid results of the 2020 election, ensuring that every vote is counted and show up to demand the peaceful transition of power.

If you are in another part of the state or nation, go to protecttheresults.com to find an event near you.

Go to www.facebook.com/events/333709767705335 for more information.

Designing Mount Auburn: A Most Pleasing Effect on the Eye

Mount Auburn Cemetery was established in 1831 as a beautifully designed landscape with the purpose of honoring the dead and providing comfort and inspiration to the living. One of the most frequently cited examples of significant landscapes in the country, the cemetery was a major attraction and pleasure ground shaping artistic taste.

Join Meg L. Winslow, curator of historical collections and archives at Mount Auburn Cemetery, at this virtual lecture from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 to learn about the fascinating story of Mount Auburn's early design and the Boston horticulturalists who created a new American landscape and placed the "garden in the grave."

Visit https://my.historicnewengland.org/6830/hgo-mt-auburn for more information and registration (Adult $10) to receive the link for the webinar.

Red Sox in 5s and 10s: Boston's agony and ecstasy

The Boston Red Sox have blown hot and cold over the decades. These lists of Top 5s and 10s cover both the highs and lows of a team that has endured a long history of both joy and sorrow. They won the first World Series ever played and then five more pennants in the next 15 years.

Famously, from 1918 until the magical year of 2004, the Sox endured 86 seasons without a championship, although they lost pennants and world championships on the last possible day more times than fans care to remember. Finally, in 2004, they won it all. Loyal fans will always remember the joy of Mo Vaughn's grand slam on opening day in 1998 and will likely never forget the agony of Game 6 in 1986. Through it all, unforgettable names like Buckner, Yaz, Tony C. and Big Papi still resonate in the shadows of Fenway Park.

From the greatest pitchers to the worst opening days, author Bill Nowlin recounts the highs and lows of Boston's most celebrated sports franchise from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 via Zoom.

Go to https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f0f08f48497d4760a06dd72 for more information and registration.

Driving While Black: African American Travel and the Road to Civil Rights

In a virtual talk from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, acclaimed historian Gretchen Sorin reveals how the car – the ultimate symbol of independence and possibility – has always held particular importance for African Americans. Cars helped black families evade some of the many dangers presented by an entrenched racist society and enjoy, in some measure, the freedom of the open road. She recounts the creation of a parallel, unseen world of black motorists, who relied on travel guides, black-only businesses, and informal communications networks to keep them safe.

As Sorin demonstrates, black travel guides and black-only businesses encouraged a new way of resisting oppression. Black Americans could be confident of finding welcoming establishments as they traveled for vacation or business. At the same time, she shows that the car, despite the freedoms it offered, brought black people up against new challenges, from segregated ambulance services to unwarranted traffic stops and the racist violence that often followed.

At the heart of Sorin's story is Victor and Alma Green's famous Green Book, a travel guide begun in 1936, which helped grant black Americans that most basic American rite, the family vacation.

Go to https://my.historicnewengland.org/6800/10797 for more information and registration (Adult $15) to receive the link for the webinar.

Tamara Payne: 'The Dead are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X'

Learn about the epic biography produced from 30 years of research by the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.

This comprehensive and historic biography paints an unprecedented portrait of Malcolm X, setting him against the larger backdrop of American history. Drawn from hundreds of hours of the interviews including with all living siblings of the Malcolm Little family, classmates, street friends, cellmates, Nation of Islam figures, FBI moles and cops, and political leaders around the world, The Dead Are Arising traces his life from his Nebraska birth in 1925 to his Harlem assassination in 1965. It provides searing vignettes culled from Malcolm's Depression-era youth, describing the influence of his Garveyite parents: his father, Earl, a circuit-riding preacher; and his mother, Louise, who instilled black pride in her children.

There will be a conversation with Tamara Payne, the author's daughter – who, following her father's death, completed the biography – about this riveting work, which has been longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award, featured on numerous "best of" lists, and heralded by O, the Oprah Magazine.

New England Historic Genealogical Society and the Boston Public Library present this virtual event in the American Stories, Inspiration Today author series produced by GBH's Forum Network. The talk will be moderated by L'Merchie Frazier, Director of Education and Interpretation, Museum of African American History.

Go to https://wgbh.zoom.us/webinar/register/7016009800026/WN_D-a-PNyaSwqFRE5zIif3Fw to register.

Monday Job Seekers at Harvard Ed Portal (One Day – Recurring)

Connecting with other job seekers can make all the difference in the world between exhaustion and enthusiasm. Join other job seekers from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays for mutual support, encouragement, inspiration and empowerment in your job search. Job Seekers Connection energizes and motivates participants by teaching valuable career search strategies and techniques.

You are invited to exchange job leads, business cards, resumes, networking techniques and interviewing tips. The topics addressed each week are based on input from the group. Sessions are held online via Zoom.

Visit edportal.harvard.edu for more information, including list of weekly topics and registration.

• SHORT TERM EVENTS

Doing Good Together Volunteer Opportunities

Doing Good Together has a list of opportunities for families (or individuals) to be in service in Boston. Read through the listings and see which opportunities inspire you. Take action and sign up for a volunteer opportunity – or try one of DGT's at-home projects. You'll be helping you and/or your family grow in kindness while helping others out.

Visit www.doinggoodtogether.org/family-volunteering-boston for more information, along with other helpful and fun resources.

Huntington @ HomeSchool

Created by the Huntington Theatre Company's Education Department, Huntington @ HomeSchool is an online learning program for all ages (five years to adult) with a variety of courses and panel discussions led by Huntington educators and artisans.

Classes currently open for registration:

- Teacher Talks: Approaching SY21 in a Pandemic – 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 *Open to teachers grades 7-12 anywhere in the USA

- Warm-ups for the Actor – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Six-week course)

- Let's Make Noise: Playwriting for Youth – 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 5 (Six-week course) *Open to students in 9-12th grade

- Not Shakespeare... but Thomas Middleton – 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6

- Let's Make Noise: Playwriting for Youth – 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 (Six-week course) *Open to students in 9th-12th grade

- Social Justice Education - Arts in Action – 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13

- Acting 101 for the Very Young – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 *Open to ages 7 - 12 years old

Classes are free for students under 18; $15 per session for 18 and older to help sustain the program.

Visit huntingtontheatre.org for more information, including a description of classes and additional resources for teachers and educators, and registration.

QuaranTEEN's High School Workshop

Are you a (rising) high-schooler who just can't manage your time properly?

QuaranTEEN's High School Workshop, slated from 10 to 10:45 p.m. on Sundays through Nov. 1, will act as your personal high school survival guideline, teaching everything you need to know about high school - whether that's grades, sports, time management/balance, workouts, social skills and more.

The attendees will receive advice, lessons, tips and tricks, and also discussion time to chat and learn about one another and our high school experiences. This workshop is designed for incoming and current high schoolers, and is meant to be informative and fun.

Go to www.eventbrite.com for more information, including the instructor's bio and registration.

Boston Jewish Film Festival

The 32nd annual Boston Jewish Film Festival will take place from Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Sunday, Nov. 15.

A 12-day festival will showcase the best contemporary films from around the world on Jewish themes, accompanied by visiting filmmakers, panel discussions, musical events and more.

Visit bostonjfilm.org/boston-jewish-film-festival for the calendar and links to watch.

Arlington International Film Festival

The 10th annual Arlington International Film Festival will share its diversity-minded, global roster of short and feature-length films via the World Wide Web from Thursday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 15.

Your chance to weigh in on an Audience Choice Award for the poster design that best conveys the spirit of the event in 2D form will end at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 4.

The Festival Opening and PC Audience Choice Award will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Go to aiffest.org for more information and links to join the streaming online Festival events.

Wikipedia Edit-a-thons

Join the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) for a series of virtual Wikipedia Edit-a-thons to help strengthen the quality of the world's largest online encyclopedia and improve the searchability of historic public radio and television collections in the AAPB. During these scheduled meet-ups, attendees will learn how to make historic content in the AAPB more searchable through Wikipedia by creating a Wikipedia user account and editing Wiki pages using common conventions.

The final session of this webinar series hosted by WGBH will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 via Zoom.

Visit wgbh.org/events for more information and registration.

Recovery Learning Community speaker series

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Boston Peer Support and Advocacy Network (PSAN) will hold a business meeting and speaker series with Q&A from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The speaking series is co-sponsored by the Metro Boston Recovery Learning Community.

- Nov. 19: Paul Ottenstein and Pat Pesa from HEAP Homeless Empowerment Advisory Project and Friends of Metro Boston speak on the programs of both HEAP and the Friends of Metro Boston. HEAP has meetings at the Lindemann Inn and in connection with Friends of Metro Boston offers many activities for people with lived experience and also does advocacy work.

- Dec. 17: Research from the Center of Excellence at MGH

Speakers: Valeria Chambers, Sandra Whitney-Sarles & Anne Whitman

Contact Howard Trachtman for more information at hdt@mit.edu.

Every Kid Can Cook

Every Kid Can Cook is a non-profit whose goal is to help kids learn about and use nutrition to become successful and healthy leaders.

During Every Kid Can Cook monthly cooking classes, your child(ren) will learn how to cook healthy recipes independently, learn fun nutrition facts and re-make their favorite recipes a little healthier.

Classes will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. Although these classes are designed for kids, ages 6-15, anyone will enjoy participating and may need care-givers assistance/guidance.

Go to www.eventbrite.com/e/every-kid-can-cook-free-monthly-cooking-classes-tickets-118069909277 for more information, including a sample schedule and registration.

JArts Live

JArts Live – is a new series of virtual cultural experiences – with art on Mondays, music on Tuesdays and food on Fridays. Meet some of Boston area talents, telling their Jewish story through art via Zoom.

Coming Up:

- Monday, Nov. 2 at noon – Newton-based photographer Leann Shamash joins JLive Art.

- Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. – JLive Music with concert pianist Donald Berman, Piano Department head at the prestigious Longy School of Music.

- Friday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. – Cultural anthropologist Ellen Rovner, who has led JArts's sold-out Jewish heritage tours of Chelsea, joins JLive Food.

Visit jartsboston.org for more information and registration.

SpeakEasy Professional Development Seminars

Attention students, theatre makers and all those interested in learning more about the arts. Join the SpeakEasy staff and Boston artists for a series of professional development seminars aimed at providing an inside look at how their administrative office operates, all the steps that go into bringing a show to production and what kinds of careers exist in the theatre industry.

The Professional Development Seminar Series will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays via Zoom.

Each session will consist of a 30-minute information session, diving deep into a focused topic, and a 45-minute artist forum and discussion, applying the lessons learned into the real world, with time for questions and conversation in both parts of the session. Participants can attend any or all eight weeks.

Nov. 10: Creating Something New – Play Development & Dramaturgy

Dive into SpeakEasy's new play development program, The Boston Project, with Community Programs Manager Alex Lonati. Learn what it takes to take a play from an initial idea to a fully formed production. She will then be joined by educator/dramaturg/director Pascale Florestal, playwright MJ Halberstadt, and playwright Eliana Pipes for a dramaturgy and playwriting forum.

Nov. 17: From the Page to the Stage: All About Directing

SpeakEasy's Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault returns for a look inside the rehearsal room, outlining his process as a director. He will explore every step of the process – from the very first concept meeting to the tech process to the final curtain call. He will then be joined by other veteran Boston directors M. Bevin O'Gara and Maurice Emmanuel Parent for a director's forum.

Nov. 24: Now for the Job Search: All You Need to Know about Job Hunting

SpeakEasy's Production team Paul Melone and Dominique Burford will return for a crash course on all things related to getting a job in the theatre industry – resume building, interviewing, tax forms, and everything in between. Rather than a forum, this session will end with the opportunity for networking with other emerging theatre leaders attending the session.

Go to www.speakeasystage.com/speakeasy-university for more information and registration. The sessions are "Pay What You Can" (suggested donation of $5-20 per session).

'Celebrating What Unites Us!' virtual cooking series

The "Celebrating What Unites Us!" virtual cooking series will be held at 10 a.m. on select Wednesdays as follows:

Nov. 18: Afghan Cuisine

Dec. 2: Indian Cuisine

Dec. 16: Desserts!

During each session a chef will show you how to prepare a delicious meal, celebrating the cultural heritage of many residents of Boston and beyond. This program is hosted by Oldways in collaboration with Age-Friendly Boston and Friends of Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway to keep us connected, coming together.

Visit ArmenianHeritagePark.com to register for Zoom link, recipes and more details.

Beginner Birdwatching 2 – Online

Why do birds sing? Why do they fuss with their feathers so much? How do I figure out what bird is outside my window? Learn about bird behaviors, such as feather maintenance, migration, flight, feeding, and vocalization in an online series being held on Thursdays through Nov. 5 - sponsored by Massachusetts Audubon Education Center.

You'll discover the physical characteristics of bird anatomy, and how to strengthen your beginning skills as a birder. Topics will include attracting and observing birds, bird conservation projects and practices, and how individuals can support local and global bird populations with everyday actions.

Each weekly class (held from 7 to 8:30 p.m.) will include optional, self-directed outdoor observation exercises and a 30-minute follow-up discussion session (held from 6:30 to 7 p.m.) a week later, providing an opportunity for you to observe birds and then share your discoveries and questions with classmates and the presenters.

Presenters: Scott Santino, Teacher Naturalist at Ipswich River, Joel Wagner, Educator at Wellfleet Bay, and Doug Lowry, Teacher-Naturalist at North River, plus multiple guest presenters from Mass Audubon and beyond.

Beginner Birdwatching 1 is not a pre-requisite for Beginner Birdwatching 2. Both programs are geared for beginners, but they cover different aspects of birdwatching.

Visit www.massaudubon.org for more information and registration (Members: $100; Nonmembers: $120). Registrants will receive login information and instructions to join this program via Microsoft Teams 24 hours before the program starts.

YAYA Movie Club

New England Yachad presents the YAYA Movie Club. Come watch shows, clips and movies and discuss hot-button topics online from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays through Nov. 16.

Participants must be comfortable with difficult and mature subject matter and be between the ages of 18 and 35.

Intake required for registration. Contact Caryn Schiller at schillerc@ou.org for more information.

Visit www.jewishboston.com/events/yaya-movie-club for more information.

Virtual Ventures

New England Yachad presents Virtual Ventures online 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays through Nov. 18. Open to members from all regions, ages 25 and up.

Last season the group saw natural wonders, street performers, unusual musical instruments, strange animals and more. This season the group will experience theme-park rides, unusual inventions, unsolved mysteries and much more.

Each week's format: opening, video presentations, break-out rooms for discussions and activities, then full group closing reflections.

Visit New England Yachad for more information and Zoom registration.

Free Virtual Camp — Real Kids Real Food

The Real Kids Real Food program provides children, ages 3-18 with structured opportunities to learn about healthy living.

Through learning and making recipes at home, exercising and playing games, and learning about plant growth and nutrition with college counselors, kids are able to engage in essential learning experiences while having fun.

Participants will be split into age groups and will meet from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Nov. 21 on Zoom with the counselors assigned to their group.

Go to https://realkidsrealfood.org for more information and registration.

Atechup Virtual Job Fair 2020

Atechup Technologies will hold a virtual Job Fair from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays through Nov. 26.

Atechup Technologies specialize in online workshops, virtual class, and startup training for entrepreneurs, organizations, managers and established businesses/startups with focus in emerging and disruptive technologies. All business professionals are welcome.

Go to eventbrite.com for more information and registration.

'Reimagining Community Safety: A Program in Criminal Justice Speaker Series'

To gain traction on this most urgent of issues, the program in Criminal Justice at the Harvard Kennedy School will present the Reimagining Community Safety: A Program in Criminal Justice Speaker Series from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. on most Wednesdays through Dec. 2.

A variety of individuals from across the nation who have informed policy and/or academic debates on this topic will be joined by a moderator. On Nov. 4, There will be a community discussion about the implications of election results rather than a speaker.

Reimagining Community Safety: A Program in Criminal Justice Speaker Series is an effort to better understand from the perspective of practitioners, policymakers, community leaders and activists, and academics 1) the long-standing nature and roots of this seemingly intractable problem, 2) why reforms have generally failed to achieve desired results, 3) what a different approach to community safety looks like, 4) what ongoing efforts in communities across the country hold promise for real and sustained change, and 5) what considerations should guide our evaluations of these efforts. Taken together, the speakers' contributions represent a kind of narrative arc, ending primarily with community leaders and activists pointing the way to real and sustained change.

Go to www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/wiener/programs/criminaljustice/news-events/reimagining-community-safety for more information and Zoom registration links.

Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters Virtual Fall Lecture series

The National Park Service will present the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters Virtual Fall Lecture series from 7 to 8 p.m. on select Thursdays via Zoom as follows:

Nov. 5: Female Husbands and the Expansion of Policing in the 19th Century

On the eve of war over slavery, Northern elites, reformers and the police who worked for them viewed transing gender as one of many threats to the social order. Join Jen Manion, author of Female Husbands: A Trans History, for a discussion of female husbands and others who transed gender for work, life or freedom were subject to increased scrutiny, interrogation and arrest in the mid to late 19th century.

Nov. 12: George Washington, Councils of War, and the Formation of the President's Cabinet

The cabinet isn't in the Constitution, yet every president has worked with a cabinet. So where did it come from? Join Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, to learn about the origins of the president's cabinet, the importance of the councils of war during the American Revolution and the role of Longfellow House in this story.

Nov. 19: The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae

Professional artist and activist Ifé Franklin invites members of the community to a reading of her book, The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae. Written in the voice of Franklin's great-grandmother, Willie Mae McCain, who was born in Virginia on the threshold of emancipation, this narrative brings to life Willie Mae's journey from enslavement to freedom. This book is in the collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Dec. 3: Photography, Slavery, Agency

Shortly after the 1839 invention of photography, this new medium was embraced by the proslavery cause, while it simultaneously opened up new ways for enslaved people to resist bondage. The scientist Louis Agassiz sought to use daguerreotypes of enslaved people to support and popularize theories of scientific racism. At the same time, some enslaved people were able to acquire their own photographs, which they exchanged and preserved to endure and resist the internal slave trade in the antebellum South. Join Ilisa Barbash (co-editor/co-author) and Matthew Fox Amato (co-author) as they discuss these phenomena outlined in the new book, To Make Their Own Way in the World: The Enduring Legacy of the Zealy Daguerreotypes.

Dec. 10: Walt Whitman, Race, and the Civil War

Join renowned author of poetry and prose Mark Doty for an exploration of Walt Whitman, race and the Civil War. His most recent book is a memoir that centers on his poetic relationship with Walt Whitman, titled What Is the Grass: Walt Whitman in My Life (W.W. Norton, 2020). Blending biography, criticism, and memoir, What is the Grass explores Doty's personal quest for Walt Whitman.

Go to www.nps.gov/long/planyourvisit/fall-lecture-series.htm for more information and registration.

Full Moon Reiki Meditation

A Reiki Full Moon Healing Meditation by Soul Connection Reiki will be held from 8 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, Monday, Nov. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 29. The full moon is a great time to release what is no longer serving to make room for what we most desire.

The Reiki facilitator will guide participants through a short meditation. Then the Reiki facilitator will provide distance Holy Fire Reiki. After the meditation and healing, the Reiki facilitator will provide any messages that has been received during the Reiki.

Go to www.eventbrite.com/e/full-moon-reiki-meditation-tickets-116749295285?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch&keep_tld=1 for more information and registration.

CraftBoston Holiday Online

In a world of sameness, craft illuminates difference.

CraftBoston Holiday 2020, presented by The Society of Arts + Crafts, is going digital. The online festival will be held from Thursday, Nov. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 31.

Meet the artists, visit their virtual booths and shop their work all season long. They will have hundreds of pieces available in their new SA+C online shop, as well as links to artist websites that you can access through the CraftBoston Artist Profiles.

People will also have the opportunity to learn more about their practice through artist demos and special events. Does working from home have you particularly stressed? Start the day with Cra(ahhhh)ft: meditative, videos of the making process hosted live by the CraftBoston artists. Check out Mix + Mingle, a weekly, informal gathering with a handful of artists to chat about their work, studios and more.

A weekend event showcasing a selection of fine craft and craft artists, full of online programming is slated for Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

Visit https://societyofcrafts.org for more information.

How to Work Less and Earn More

In today's internet-focused society, there's no shortage of ways to generate income while minimizing your expenses. The most successful leaders and business owners have mastered the idea of "work smarter, not harder."

Here are five quick things to do to work less and earn more: 1) Automate your workload; 2) Outsource; 3) Hire a virtual assistant; 4) Collaborate and network and 5) Schedule some down time.

Following these five strategies are a great start to working less. With more available time in your schedule, you can pursue additional opportunities or expand on existing ones, giving you the ability to earn more. Mastering these five strategies, like anything else you want to master, will take time, action and commitment.

Join Samex, LLC for a free presentation, where they'll show how to get started with working less and earning more. The workshops are offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the 11th of each month through Aug. 11, 2021.

They'll dive in deeper and eliminate any confusion about the best ways to implement these five strategies. You'll know what questions to ask before pursuing any new income opportunities and know exactly what you want to achieve and where to concentrate your efforts.

Go to www.eventbrite.com for more information, including a description of the five strategies, and registration.

SMILE Mass Fun

Join SMILE Mass for multiple online activities for kids, teens and adults to enjoy. The varied schedule changes weekly. A flat fee ($5 to $25) will get you all the activities for the week.

Small Miracles in Life Exist (SMILE Mass) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping families raising children or adults with disabilities enjoy happy, health memories through vacation and recreation experiences. The suggested donation continues their mission to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

Visit www.smilemass.org for more information, including the weekly schedule and links to join.

Free Happy Birthday Videoconferencing Singing Telegrams

Boston's five-star children's entertainer and musical ventriloquist Kevin Driscoll will entertain children, ages 2 to 102 – the young and young at heart.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Driscoll Productions is currently offering free Happy Birthday videoconferencing Singing Telegrams to any New England resident having a birthday. If you know anyone in a nursing home/assisted living facility or children now at home with a parent or guardian, please spread the word.

A parent or adult caregiver is requested to call/text/facetime Kevin any time at 617-901-6232 to schedule your date and time.

Visit www.driscollproductions.com for more information.

Boston Climate Action Network - Action Team Meeting Short Term

The Boston Climate Action Network is working towards fighting climate change through improved energy policy and education at the local level in Boston.

The BCAN Action Team meeting is a great way to get directly involved in the effort to combat climate change in the era of Trump. They gather from 6 to 8 p.m. twice per month on the 2nd and 4th Thursday through Dec. 10.

Come meet the Communications Team, the Arts Team, and other dedicated climate campaigners to learn how you can help them build support for green buildings in Boston and plan outreach for the Community Choice Energy campaign.

Curious to learn more about Community Choice Energy? Check out their video on YouTube.

While the meeting begins at 6 p.m., the Zoom room will be open at 5:30 p.m. Feel free to swing by early to get a feel for the tech or just to say hi to your BCAN buddies.

Join by online video or by phone: 312-626-6799. At the prompt for a Meeting ID, enter 657 895 958.

Contact the organizer at bostonclimateaction@gmail.com with any questions.

Register at www.communitychoiceboston.org or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-climate-action-network-action-team-meeting-tickets-90456199929

• FUNDRAISERS FOR NON-PROFITS (Date Related)

Fall MASKerade

Join Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's Emerging Leaders Board and other young professionals from Boston and beyond for a virtual evening of cocktail making, entertainment and recognition of the extraordinary contributions made by corporations, non-profits and individuals to improve the lives of the community's most vulnerable and resilient neighbors from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The 2020 Awards – Change Maker Award; Leader in Service Award Sox for Socks MVP – will be presented.

For more information and tickets, go to www.crowdcast.io/e/BHCHPMaskerade2020/register?utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2W8ZEA2MPuO209PL9EcGARuKMRa7WlJQURKt8-LQiodLk5wXXOow8ZIiw.

$40 per ticket - with Maskerade themed swag bag mailed in advance to ticketholder

$25 per ticket - without swag bag - Use Coupon Code: NoSwag

In lieu of attending BHCHP's Emerging Leaders Board Maskerade Virtual Event, you can make a donation here.

Brighton Main Streets' 2020 Mask-erade! Digital Cocktail Hour

Join in on a night of fun and entertainment and raise a glass in honor of Brighton Main Streets' Volunteer & Business of the Year. The Brighton Main Streets' 2020 Mask-erade digital cocktail hour will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 on zoom.

Remember to don your fanciest mask for the party. Whether it's bedazzled with jewels, made by a local artisan or sporting your favorite team, make a statement in true 2020 style.

As their way of saying thank you for joining them, each attendee will automatically be entered into a drawing for a three-day get away to Martha's Vineyard in 2021. Just purchase a ticket and tune in to hear the winner of the grand drawing at the livestream event.

Businesses along with individuals and families can be a sponsor to show their support of the community, too. Check their 2020 sponsorship levels and benefits, and choose the one that's right for you.

The funds raised at the Brighton Main Streets' 2020 Mask-erade will help fund programs throughout the upcoming year. Programs that support the improvement of Brighton's neighborhood commercial district and quality of life in the community. They strive to enhance the appearance of their stores, diversify the business mix and services in their community, keep their neighborhood clean and promote Brighton as a destination within the city of Boston while encouraging residents to support the local economy.

Go to www.eventbrite.com/e/mask-erade-digital-cocktail-hour-tickets-124036661995 for more information and registration ($20-$500).

DAV 5K Virtual Challenge

The DAV 5K Run to honor Veterans presented by Encore Boston Harbor is a run, walk and roll that thanks those who served. Help further the mission of DAV to ensure injured heroes are not alone on their road to recovery. When you participate in the DAV 5K and encourage others to support this event, you are investing in the lives of the wounded American heroes.

Celebrate DAV's 100th Anniversary in 2020 by virtually running or walking from anywhere on Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

Go to https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Boston/dav5kboston for more information and registration along with links to donate.

PYD Mentor Appreciation Night 2020

The PYD Mentor Appreciation Night 2020 will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Partnering for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) will gather online to celebrate the volunteers that guide, support, encourage and befriend young people with disabilities. PYD mentors are leaders and role models who increase mentees confidence, relationship skills and sense of purpose.

Especially in these times, mentors are a vital connection to community for youth with disabilities.

Everyone is invited to them as they present the following awards: Mentor of the Year; Greg Dees & Anita McGahan Career Readiness Award; Rayleen Lescay Spirit Award; Chris Dunne Award for peer leadership; and the LENS Award (Linking Expertise and Networking for Success, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind program).

Plus, hear from mentors and participants on what the program means to them and fundraise for mentoring, PYD's flagship program.

And, while they can't gather on the links for their annual PYD Golf Tournament, be sure to check out their auction for some fun golf items and more.

The event is free. To register for and view the event visit https://PYDMentor.givesmart.com.

Virtual Gala: 'Celebrating Our Healthcare Heroes'

Join the Longwood Symphony Orchestra online from 7 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 for their first ever Virtual Gala – the evening will include music, silent & live auctions, and tributes to the healthcare heroes who keep the community safe and healthy.

For information about sponsoring the 2020 Virtual Gala or if you are interested in donating an item for the silent or live auction, contact Executive Director Bridget Brazeau at bridget@longwoodsymphony.org or 617-987-0100.

Visit http://longwoodsymphony.org/concerts-1/2020gala for more information.

SpeakEasy's Fall Benefit Concert

Join SpeakEasy Stage Company for "Celebrating 30 Seasons of Groundbreaking Theatre," a virtual benefit concert to celebrate 30 seasons of telling important stories, creating meaningful conversation and inspiring audiences and artists alike at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The evening will feature epic performances from some of SpeakEasy's most beloved alumni, including Leigh Barrett, Daniel James Belnavis, Miguel Cervantes, Kerry Dowling, Jennifer Ellis, Crystin Gilmore, Kathy St. George and many more.

There will also be cameo appearances by some celebrity guests, plus a very special guest host.

Sponsorships and tickets to the best seats in your house are available now at www.speakeasystage.com/30th-fall-benefit.

BGC of Dorchester: The Night of Giving Gala

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester will host their annual "Night of Giving Gala" featuring special guest comedian Steve Sweeney virtually on Saturday, Nov. 21. This event will support the Club's mission and their members and families, especially during these challenging times.

The Zoom Cocktail Party will begin at 6:30 p.m. The virtual grand drawing will take place at 7 p.m.

Take photos of you in your party best and your watch party set up.

Enjoy your "Party Box" which will include your signature cocktail and other special items sent to your home. Join the pre-event Zoom Cocktail Party to meet other guests before tuning in to the Grand Drawing. Make sure to connect to their mobile bidding for the silent auction and raffles to grab some exciting items. Prizes in the Signature Grand Drawing will be valued at more than $1,500. Remember to attend a Zoom After Party to celebrate the night.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Director of Development and Communications Patty Lamb at plamb@bgcdorchester.org.

Go to www.bgcdorchester.org/specialevents for more information and registration.

Franklin Park Coalition 8th Annual Turkey Trot 5K

The Franklin Park Turkey Trot is a Boston family tradition, and the Franklin Park Coalition is happy to see the familiar faces that return year after year to support the park. The scenic 3.1-mile (5k) route includes the park's most beautiful and historic views and includes prizes for age-group finishers and best costumes. Whether you're a veteran runner or signing up for your first 5k, you can be sure you'll receive a hearty welcome at Franklin Park on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26.

There will be awards for registered runners in the best costumes and unique running path (can your form a turkey shape with your run?). Additionally, all registered runners will be entered in a raffle for more prizes.

To participate and be eligible for this year's prizes, donate at least $10 and complete the Turkey Trot whenever is most convenient in November. All entrants will be eligible for raffle prizes and those who share their photos of their costumes or of their interesting routes within the park with them on social media (@FranklinparkBos on IG, FB, and Twitter) or by email (turkeytrot@franklinparkcoalition.org) will be entered for additional prizes.

Go to www.franklinparkcoalition.org for more information and registration.

102 Stories Campaign

This year, the East Boston Social Centers (68 Central Square) is celebrating 102 years of catalyzing tight-knit, joyful and thriving communities.

EBSOC needs support to ensure they can continue to provide high-quality early education programs; full-day onsite in-person learning for school age children; and material and social support for their community while also employing nearly 100 essential workers: members of their community who work tirelessly to provide excellent programming for all of their neighbors in need.

Go to ebsoc.org to learn more about and make a donation to the 102 Stories Campaign, (www.ebsoc.org/events) taking place from Saturday, Nov. 14 through Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Chez-Vous fundraiser

The Chez-Vous Rollerskating Rink (11 Rhoades St. in Dorchester) has been a staple in Boston for more than 85 years, providing memories and entertainment for families of all ages.

The rollerskating rink, which has been closed since March, has recently (August) established a crowdsourced Gofundme fundraiser to sustain them until they are allowed to re-open. Any amount (no matter how large or small) is greatly appreciated.

To learn more about this family-fun establishment, visit chezvousrollerrink.com. For more information, phone 617-825-6877.

The 2020 Get Uranus Moving Run/Walk Challenge

Runners, walkers and joggers of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels are invited to join the Moon Joggers group in the Uranus Running and Walking Challenge and Get Uranus Moving in 2020.

It's a 1.6 billion-mile journey to Uranus and all the miles accumulated, not only benefit the individual as you move up the Moon Jogger rankings, but also the group as a whole.

Each year this group chooses a different charity to donate a portion of the registration fees from their virtual races. This year they have chosen Operation Underground Railroad. Their goal is to donate $10,000 to O.U.R. by the end of 2020.

Visit https://www.virtualrunevents.com/2020-uranus-challenge for more information, including registration.

• FAMILY EVENTS (Ongoing)

Uncle Julie's Kids Trivia Show

Uncle Julie's Kids Trivia Show is a fun family-style quiz show, designed for kids, 6 to 13. But anyone can play along.

Join Uncle Julie for trivia, special guests, the quote of the day, an inspirational message, and a riddle on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Ga9hwhovyKDFyUxDe_IvQ/featured.

Visit unclejulie.tv for more info.

Chickenshed NYC Tales from the Shed

The popular Tales from the Shed for young children and their families has returned – still live, immersive and inclusive, but now online.

Meet Chickenshed friends Lion Down, The Thing That Goes Blurgh and their friends. Using a secure online platform, the professional teaching artists takes kids on a great adventure – from wherever you are. And Chickenshed's inclusive methodology means that children of all abilities and backgrounds can play.

The virtual doors open at 9:45 a.m. on Saturdays with pre-show activities, and the show begins promptly at 10 a.m. For security purposes latecomers will not be admitted and a new link and password will be required for each show.

Go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4748222 for more information and tickets ($20/Family).

Mornings with Matt

Sing-a-long with Matt Heaton at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays on Facebook Live and on Fridays on YouTube. Interactive songs will have kids jumping, dancing and singing together with Matt and Friends.

Tune in, chat, make requests – it's his favorite part of the day. He also likes knock-knock jokes, so share them as well.

Remember the Tip Jar links and survey form. Visit mattheatonmusic.com for more information.

'ScreenPLAY!' with the Gottabees

The intrepid artists of The Gottabees are gathering the community for an all ages at-home adventure series which takes place at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays and at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays through Nov. 14 on Zoom.

Each 30-40-minute ScreenPLAY episode is non-stop super-interactive fun where the entire family becomes part of the story. They explore movement, puppetry, theater and the irresistible power of being ridiculous.

Go to www.puppetshowplace.org/screenplay for more information (including a weekly schedule) and registration ($3 to $15).

Virtual Wacky Wednesdays

Children, ages 2 to 102, are invited to join the free interactive Facebook Live fun and drum along virtually with the Driscoll Drumming Dummies... using anything at home that you hit, shake or scrape to make sound... at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays during the pandemic.

Experience musical terms including tempo, dynamics, crescendo, and more. Parents or older children are encouraged to ask questions online about the Irish Bodhran, Tahitian Toere, Trinidadian mini-steel drum or the many other percussion instruments.

Visit DriscollProductions.com or call/text 617-901-6232 to learn more.

'e' inc. Discovery Planet

"Discovery Planet" is a new digital learning experience where students can watch their favorite "e" inc. educators teach lessons about the wonders of water and our world's amazing animals.

A lesson geared toward kids in Grades 2 & 3 and Grades 4 & 5 will be posted on their YouTube Channel as follows:

- Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. Discovery Planet: Animals & Their Habitats

- Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. Discovery Planet: Our Water World

Go to www.einc-action.org/discovery-planet.html for more information, including the link to the YouTube Channel.

Free Chess Games for Kids

The New England Chess School in Newton is offering free virtual chess games for youth, ages 6 and older, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Chess Lessons are a great way to learn chess, but what about practice? Sure, classes are interesting, but how about just fun and social event where kids can meet and play the great game of chess in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. All skill levels welcome.

Visit https://chessne.com/sundaygamesfree for registration and more information.

Sea Chantey Sing-Along

Cooped up in one place with the same people? That was the life of sailors on long voyages back in the day. And just like sailors of yore, you can break the monotony with a rousing sea chantey sing-along.

NYC's South Street Seaport Museum's monthly Chantey Sing returns — virtually from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 6. Join the round-robin of shared songs, featuring members of the New York Packet and friends. Listen in, lead or request a song and belt out the choruses for your neighbors to hear.

Seventh Inning Stretch

After completing 120 consecutive daily live shows on July 23, Fenway Park organist Josh Kantor has moved his "Seventh-Inning Stretch" show to 3 p.m. on Mondays.

So tune in live at Facebook Live and continue to take a stretch, sing along and enjoy some favorite traditional and contemporary songs.

Although the show and fun is free, he suggests that viewers make a donation to their local food bank.

Alex Makes Art

Crafternoons on Zoom will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Join Alex as she makes art using household items to create project that are modifiable for all ages.

Go to www.alexmakesart.com for descriptions and pictures plus a link to register for each class ($10 or by donation).

Once you register, you will receive a Zoom ID Login + Password and a materials list.

Camp Bonkers Live Show

Welcome to Camp Bonkers Live Show – a show where kids are encouraged to embrace their uniqueness, try new things and take part in fun imaginative activities with friends.

At Camp Bonkers, every day is different. It's an opportunity to learn, create and explore.

New videos premiere on YouTube at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Visit https://www.campbonkers.com for more information, including Bonkers downloads.

The Original Paint Nite Party

A variety of Original Paint Nite by Yaymaker virtual family and/or adult paint parties will be held via Zoom.

Grab the kids or not and unleash your inner artist. You'll all go from a blank canvas to a masterpiece of your own with plenty of laughs along the way. You'll be guided by a talented and entertaining artist who will walk through all the steps so you and your little ones can create your masterpieces.

Visit www.yaymaker.com for registration and other information, including pictures of the featured paintings your perusal enjoyment and selection, the class schedule, the age range of the participants (6+, 13+, 21+) the class is geared towards, the price range of each class ($15 per person and up), and a list of supplies needed for the class.

History at Play

Visit @HistoryAtPlay on Facebook Live, at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays to meet the influential women of History At Play™, LLC: Deborah Sampson; Suffragist Lucy Stone; WWII heroines, including SOE leader Vera Atkins and SOE operative Virginia Hall; Challenger: Soaring with Christa McAuliffe, exhibiting the achievements of the beloved Teacher In Space; and Hollywood's Technological Phenom Hedy Lamarr are just a few of the women to meet.

These 30-minute Facebook Live meet-ups are conducted in period attire, based on primary-source research, and offer a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to have your questions answered live by historic women who overcame insurmountable challenges.

Visit www.HistoryAtPlay.com or www.facebook.com/HistoryAtPlay for more information, including the weekly schedule.

• BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT – WELL-BEING EVENTS (Ongoing)

Boston Yoga Online

Boston Yoga Online has a list of virtual yoga classes taught by local instructors.

View the Google calendar at bostonyogaonline.com for a daily schedule of classes offered and information on how to join each one.

While many classes are available for free or donation, please be respectful of individual teacher payment policies.

Project31 Virtual Dance Studio

Project31 Dance Company will teach an Adult Beginner Class at 7 p.m. on Mondays Live on Zoom. All adults are welcome to join.

They will be accepting "pay what you can" donations in lieu of class fees.

Go to project31dance.org for more information, including the links to join.

Lululemon free Workout Classes, Meditations and Mindfulness Practices

Lululemon has a variety of digital workout classes, meditations and mindfulness practices from some of their favorite people to help you stay connected, harness collective energy and maybe even make new friends along the way.

Go on, unleash that natural high. These workouts and practices require little room and no equipment to release energy and stress. Bonus: you might sleep better.

View all free classes at https://shop.lululemon.com/story/community-carries-on.

The Phoenix Virtual and Live Streamed Classes

The Phoenix is a free sober active community that fosters human connections in mental, physical and spiritual fitness to rebuild wounded bodies and spirits and restore hope. The only membership fee is 48 hours of continuous sobriety…

To help everyone transition through these difficult times, the Phoenix is providing high quality live-streamed and on demand programs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily via Zoom/The Phoenix – including meditation, social hour and a variety of fitness programs such as yoga, functional movement and CrossFit training.

Access schedules here.

Sahaja Meditation

Sahaja Meditation is a simple, time-honored technique. It helps reduce stress and increase wellness. It brings better focus and helps people become more centered and better balanced. By practicing Sahaja Meditation, you will become more positive and productive and the importance of your life will become clear. Anyone (kids and adults) can do it. It's also free.

Sahaja Online offers a variety of guided meditation sessions to fit your specific needs. These free sessions are led by expert instructors and streamed live to make it easy to practice from home or anywhere else on any device. Classes are offered at various times throughout the day and evening.

Most of the sessions address the need of first-time attendees, but it is always useful for people new to Sahaja meditation to attend an introductory program first.

Visit https://sahajaonline.com/meditate-online for more information, including class schedules and links to join the classes.

Virtual Special Olympics Massachusetts Programs

Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) offers a variety of sports and fitness programs and other fun activities throughout the year for individuals with special needs on Zoom.

Visit specialolympicsma.org/events/calendar for more information.

Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance

Boston, Newton and the North Shore will offer virtual classes designed for individuals with disabilities from ages 2 to adults through Dec. 31.

- Specialized classes for individuals with Down syndrome, ages 2 to adult, in Boston and Newton (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)

- Specialized classes for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ages 5 to adult, in Boston and Newton (Sundays)

- Inclusive classes for individuals of all abilities and needs ages 5 to adult in the North Shore (Tuesdays) and Newton (Saturdays and Sundays)

This program helps enhance: Creativity and self-expression, self-esteem and self-confidence; Increased pride cooperating with and encouraging others; Increased appreciation and knowledge of music and rhythm; Distinguishing right and left, attending to and following directions; Increased focus, improved balance, posture and alignment.

For more information contact visit the Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance page or email community@bostonballet.org. Tuition for the program is $420 (including fees); Financial aid is available.

Tremble Clefs Parkinson's Chorus

The Tremble Clefs choral group, designed to help strengthen the voices of people with Parkinson's disease, will meet from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. on Mondays through Aug. 18, 2021 on Zoom.

New and experienced singers are welcome. No auditions. Join any time.

To learn more about this program presented by Jewish Family & Children's Service program, visit jewishboston.com. There will also be a link to register for the program.

Parkinson's Therapeutic Movement and Dance

A therapeutic movement and dance group will be held from 10:30 to noon on Wednesdays through Sept. 30, 2021 on Zoom.

Therapeutic movement and dance is designed to target the movement challenges of Parkinson's disease.

To learn more about this program presented by Jewish Family & Children's Service program, visit jewishboston.com. There will also be a link to register for the program.

NAMI @home

NAMI @home is a Support Group with a Difference. On the first and third Thursdays of the month NAMI offers a facilitated support group. On the second and fourth week of the month NAMI offers an education program with time for Q&A. Topics have included stress reduction, telemedicine and de-cluttering among others.

These groups, free and open to everyone over the age of 18, will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month via Zoom.

NAMI Connection Support Groups

NAMI Connection Support Groups are free, groups for adults living with mental health and/or substance use/abuse issues led by NAMI-trained facilitators who have been there.

The groups follow a structured model to ensure you and other in the group have an opportunity to be heard and to get what you need. By sharing your experiences in a safe and confidential setting, you can gain hope and develop relationships. The group encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community.

The NAMI Connection Support Groups are currently offered remotely – online or by conference call. People are welcome to attend any group:

Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to noon

(Metro Boston Recovery Learning Center)

access online with zoom: https://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/955331152

access by phone: 1-646-558-8656 (meeting ID: 955 331 152)

Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

AMRON International facilitates this group by phone. Call in 508-556-4215.

For more information email amronceo123@gmail.com.

Wednesdays at 10:30 am

(Cambridge Somerville Recovery Learning Center)

access online with zoom: https://zoom.us/j/859002245

access by phone:1-929-205-6099 (meeting ID: 859 002 245)

Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

(NAMI Massachusetts)

access online with zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89479943623

Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

access online with zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89309104412

Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

(Cambridge Somerville Recovery Learning Center)

access online with zoom: https://zoom.us/j/621974217

access by phone:1-929-205-6099 (meeting ID: 621 974 217)

Visit www.namimass.org for more information.

Jean Appolon Expressions Livestream

Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is committed to building caring communities by creating hope and healing through Haitian Folkloric dance.

JAE will offer a variety of drop-in dance classes with Jean Appolon and Company Dancers as follows:

– AfroCuban with Nadia Milad Issa – noon to 1 p.m. on Mondays via Zoom

– Power Workout with Jean Appolon – 7 to 7:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays via Facebook

– Creative Dance for Kids with Meg McGrath and Jean Appolon – 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays via Zoom

Classes are free. Donations are welcome.

Visit https://jeanappolonexpressions.org for more information and links.

NamaStay Connected

NamaStay Connected is an online series created by the people at NamaStaySober in order to keep you feeling connected and supported.

Among the offerings are a variety of yoga classes, mindfulness and meditations, community conversations, women's circle and a book club.

These classes are free with a suggested donation of $5 per class/$20 a week. 50 percent of all donations will go to the instructor leading the class. They are a 501(c)3 charitable organization and all donations are tax deductible. After your transaction is processed, you will receive an email confirmation that will serve as a receipt.

Visit https://www.namastaysober.com/news-and-events for more information and registration for the Zoom and Instagram Live links.

2:50 – 10 minutes of daily meditation

Let's stop and take a deep breath together at 2:50 p.m. every day of the week…

– Because ongoing stress can lower the immune response;

– Because physical distancing can cause feelings of isolation;

– Because the things on your plate can probably wait 10 minutes.

Launched at MIT and now spreading through the greater Boston community, @2:50 has been and continues to convene daily since March 12 for 10 minutes of group silent reflection, accompanied by a backdrop of beautiful scenery and peaceful music.

Visit at250.mit.edu for other information, including a link to participate in this ZOOM webinar.

Eating Disorder Hope Online Support Groups

Eating Disorder Hope (EDH) offers hope, information, and resources to individual eating disorder sufferers, their family members, and treatment providers. EDH promotes ending eating disordered behavior, embracing life and pursuing recovery. Their mission is to foster an appreciation of one's uniqueness and value in the world, unrelated to appearance, achievement or applause.

EDH online support groups will be held online as follows:

- Binge Eating Disorder Online Support – 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month

- Anorexia Nervosa Online Support – 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month

- Bulimia Nervosa Online Support – 3 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month

For more information and registration, visit eatingdisorderhope.com.

Accessible Virtual Martial Arts

An Accessible Martial Arts Program for people with and without disabilities who want to learn and practice self-defense, stretching, exercise and relaxation techniques will be offered at 4 p.m. every other Wednesday.

They will also post additional content on Facebook throughout the week to help keep you active.

This recreation program is supported by Easter Seals Massachusetts, YWCA Central Massachusetts, Center for Living & Working, Bay State Wheelers and the REDD Group.

Visit www.easterseals.com or contact Desi Forte, Youth Services Manager, DForte@eastersealsma.org for more information and required registration.

Inclusive Dance Party

Join Alex Maslow, Jewish life coordinator at Jewish Family & Children's Service for a weekly dance party from 4 to 4:30 on Thursdays through Dec. 31.

The sessions are designed for individuals of all ages with developmental and intellectual disabilities and/or mental health challenges, but other community members are welcome as well.

Email jewishlife@jfcsboston.org to register.

Visit jewishboston.com for more information.

Youth Leadership Network group

Looking for something to do during this time of social distancing? Join Easterseals Massachusetts for an online Youth Leadership Network group from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays. It does not matter if you have never been to a YLN group before or if you typically go to the in-person groups, all are invited to take part.

The Youth Leadership Network (YLN) promotes self-advocacy and self-awareness for teens and young adults with disabilities, ages 14 to 26. This is a state-wide initiative for youth to make friends in their local communities and within the larger Network group.

All groups and events feature fun, interactive discussions about communication, teamwork, community service, disability rights, career interests and employment skills.

Go to www.easterseals.com/ma/get-involved/events for more information and registration.

Body Weight Burn

Body Weight Burn will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Fridays and at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom.

Body Weight Burn is 45 minutes of muscle strengthening, sweat-inducing, calorie-burning goodness. There will be a five-minute full body warm up; three circuits targeting the upper body, core and lower body; plenty of variations to challenge anyone from a workout warrior to an eager beginner.

Visit www.trainresonate.com/freezoomfitness for more details, including Zoom log-in link.

'Get a Helmet' Guided Meditation

"Get a Helmet" is a quick breath, movement and meditation reset to help get you and your body on the same team.

Free guided meditations can be found on their YouTube page to enjoy at your convenience.

YogaHub Virtual Mat Practice

YogaHub Founder and CEO Ali Singer presents a free virtual yoga practice from 5:15 to 6 15 p.m. on Mondays via Zoom in hopes of inspiring peace and calm during these challenging times.

Beginning Yoga and Strengthening

Join the Harvard Ed Portal for a virtual Beginning Yoga and Strengthening series from 6 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Nov. 18 on Zoom. (No classes on Nov. 11).

The Monday evening sessions will focus on yoga and stretching. Work on your flexibility and relax while having fun. They will focus on refining movement patterns and stretching the different muscle groups through basic yoga poses.

The Wednesday evening sessions will focus on building strength through bodyweight exercises. No special equipment is needed. The flexibility and body awareness you gain by attending the Monday evening session will help you develop muscular endurance and tone in this fun and engaging strengthening workshop.

Go to https://edportal.harvard.edu/event for more information and registration.

'Get Anything Done Intro' Online

Are you lonely, unfulfilled, feeling lost or distracted, are you unhappy with your job, missing a meaningful relationship, bored of your routine, spinning your wheels, or do you feel hopeless about your direction? If so, it's time to start a new path...

In "Get Anything Done Intro Online," presented by Jason Dzamba from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays through June 24: Learn how to overcome procrastination forever; master your day using timed intervals; triple your productivity; uncover your sprint goals and deep goals and master a simple process that produces consistent results.

the Zoom link is https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7843244757?pwd=a0pKRXBOTEtFV3lRMjJBVXBMcUdhdz09 | Meeting ID: 784 324 4757 | Password: 3rLQxj

Go to www.eventbrite.com for more information and registration.

Live Online Meditation Drop-Ins

The Center for Mindfulness and Compassion (Cambridge) is offering free live online meditation drop-ins from 6 to 7 p.m. on Mondays. Each session consists of both meditation and discussion.

There will be a different topic to explore together as a group for each session. The exploration of these topics will help us deepen our practice & relate to daily life challenges in a different way.

No registration is necessary. Everyone is welcome to join.

Join Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/179935105; Meeting ID: 179 935 105

Visit www.chacmc.org/meditation-dropins for more information.

ED Recovery Group for Women via Zoom

Cambridge Women's Center offers a peer group for women experiencing disordered eating (including restricting, bingeing, purging, over-exercise, etc.) from 6 to 7:45 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month. This group approaches recovery from a nonjudgmental, body-positive perspective. Each month focuses on a topic.

For more info and the meeting link, contact Devyn: feministEDrecovery@gmail.com.

Visit www.cambridgewomenscenter.org to learn more.

Julie Kaufmann Dancin' Virtual

Julie Kaufmann, hostess and primary instructor, invites everyone to her virtual Line and Healthy-Step dance classes.

Push back the couch, roll back the rug, move the kitchen table and get ready to dance. To get everyone moving and entertained while everyone also practices "social gathering at a distance," she'll be teaching and reviewing some new dances, along with some oldies but goodies.

Sunday drop-in: 6:15 p.m. - Chat & Zoom help; 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Beginner hour; 7:30-8:30 p.m. - Improver+ hour

Thursday intermediate drop-in: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – mostly reviews and dancing – all welcome.

Sliding scale donations are gratefully accepted. If you are income-impacted in any way, please enjoy the dancing free-of-charge and without guilt; otherwise if you can donate there are three options: $5 (all I can afford); $10 (regular price); $20 (a little extra) at www.jkdance.com/donations.

Visit https://jkdance.com for more information, including links to join.

Virtual Dance Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA)

Join Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) from 7 to 9 p.m. on select Fridays for their virtual themed dances via Zoom.

Nov. 21: Sports

Dec. 19: Holiday

Visit specialolympicsma.org for more information and registration.

Online Shamanic Healing Circle

Does it feel like your life is ruled by bad habits? Judgmental people? Crippling perfectionism? Fear of making a big move? Do you take care of everyone else until there is nothing left for you? Do you notice it's hard for you to enjoy the good things in life, but much easier to focus on what's wrong? That means you have given your power away – to people, beliefs and obsessions that are draining you. Are you exhausted and ready for a change?

An online Shamanic Healing Circle, facilitated by Natalie Burtenshaw, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Dec. 28. Use spiritual coaching to discover the people, situations and habits you're giving your power away to – and how to take it back.

Visit eventbrite.com/e/online-shamanic-healing-circle-tickets-117132535567 for more information and registration.

Let's Laugh Today

It's a good time to try something new and take care of our mental and emotional health. Let's Laugh Today will be held from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays free on Zoom. You can sit or stand the entire time. All ages are welcome.

In these challenging times, there is nothing like a good belly laugh to help release stress and anxiety. These laughter and deep breathing exercises help to bring more fresh oxygen into the body and brain helping you feel more energetic and healthier. It's a great way to connect with other people through eye contact while remaining socially distant and it is thoroughly up-lifting and immunity-boosting. Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainers and Laughter Ambassadors, Linda and Bill Hamaker.

Visit www.letslaughtoday.com for more information and the link to join.

Remote Individual and Family Grief Support

Talking about such a tremendous loss as a loved one through suicide can be overwhelming for some. Samaritans, Inc. offers support via Zoom video calls or phone calls, in place of their Survivor-to-Survivor Network home visits.

Visit samaritanshope.org for more information.

Virtual Grief Support Group

The Samaritans, Inc. hosts SafePlace Meetings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. For the time being, they are being held via Zoom.

These meetings are open for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide to connect with others who have experienced a similar loss.

Visit samaritanshope.org for more information, including a link to register.

Deep Thoughts Discussion Group

A Deep Thoughts Discussion Group is held from 6:45 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays through Dec. 30. The group is led and moderated by Robert Berend, J.D., Ph.D., who has been offering this group at different locations around the world for more than 20 years.

This is an inclusive discussion group open to all people and opinions. Their goal is to meet with a new topic (humor, travel, therapy, what rules do you live by, privacy, etc.) at each gathering, and hold an open discussion for engaging conversation and sharing of ideas.

Visit facebook.com/deepthoughtslex for more information, including a list of weekly topics and link to Zoom.

Zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 392-906-8802 Password: BOSTON

'Talk About Real Things'

Lauren Muriello LPC, founder of Well Being Therapy Center, will host "Talk About Real Things" for teens, ages 13 through 17 at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays via Instagram: @talk.about.real.things.

Teens, when you join the live stream, no one will be able to see or hear you; you can submit anonymous questions that their Teen Mentors will answer live.

Read about the program and register at www.talkaboutrealthings.com.

Feel It Speak It: 'Inside Out' Virtual Open Mic

The 'Inside Out' Virtual Open Mic will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays to keep the 'if you can Feel it, you can Speak' Open Mic Movement vibe alive while they figure out the long-term impact COVID will have on the way they gather.

This is Boston's only monthly open mic movement dedicated to voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ communities of color.

When possible, they'll live stream on FB, but you can always find them on zoom (and will have to connect via zoom if you want to bless the mic)!

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/d41d8cd9/inside-out-virtual-open-mic/1457243277768217.

Unity Recovery Groups Online

Unity Recovery + WEconnect + SOS Recovery + Alano Club are offering free virtual recovery meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic as follows:

For Individuals – 7 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily

For Family and Loved Ones – 8 p.m. daily

For LGBTQ+ – 11 a.m. on Wednesdays

For Women Only – 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Unity Recovery supports all pathways and programs of recovery from mental health and substance use disorders and is open to anyone.

Visit unityrecovery.org for more information, including links to Zoom.

• AQUARIUMS, FARMS, ZOOS, SANCTUARIES (Some with Live Cams)

Atlanta Zoo (Georgia)

The Atlanta Zoo is one of the four zoos in the US currently housing giant pandas.

Watch the pandas live in their enclosures at Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta.

View other animals and listen to the reading of animal tales on the Zoo's YouTube page.

Visit www.zooatlanta.org for more information.

Bronx/Prospect Park Zoos and New York Aquarium (New York)

The Bronx Zoo – the largest urban zoo in the country featuring 4,000 animals representing more than 650 species – along with the New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo is bringing the animals to you via their "Virtual Zoo" page.

Watch live streaming webcams between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a chance to see some favorite creatures up close, including feeding time.

Visit www.bronxzoo.com and/or Facebook and Instagram for more information, including zookeepers talks, kids' activities, videos, and latest updates.

Buttonwood Zoo (New Bedford)

ZooKeeper Chats are on Facebook Live Learner at 11 a.m. daily. Spend time with their keeper staff and animals, ask questions and learn from home.

You can also find them along with many more videos on their YouTube channel.

Check Facebook, Instagram or Twitter daily for a variety of Nature Connection activities.

Visit www.bpzoo.org for more details.

Canadian Farm Tours

Immerse yourself in 11 Canadian farm and food tours from minks, sheep, pigs and cows to apples, eggs and oats at Farmfood360.ca.

Chengdu Panda Base (China) – Watch Panda Cub And Nanny's "War"

Watch Panda Meng Lan try to "help" nanny's cleaning work in Cheng du Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding at https://youtu.be/CpK1lZJmbJY.

Chengdu Panda Base, a non-profit research and breeding facility for giant pandas and other rare animals, is located in Chengdu, Sichuanm, China.

Visit panda.org.cn to learn more.

Christine's Critters Rescue and Rehabilitation Mission

Christine's Critters rescues and rehabilitates more than 250 birds each year. For the "rescue rehabilitate release" video, along with other videos, go to christinescritters.org.

Every weekday while schools and libraries are closed, Christine will come to you LIVE on Facebook with a different program. You will meet hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, snakes, lizards, frogs and more. Like her page and you will receive a notification when they go live each day.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Ohio)

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is the second-oldest zoo in the US.

Join them for a Home Safari Facebook Live at 3 p.m. each weekday where they will highlight one of their amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home.

All Home Safari videos will be posted to You Tube channel and cincinnatizoo.org as well.

Farm Sanctuary (Upstate New York)

Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York is a national nonprofit rescue, education and advocacy mission that operates homes for farm animals that have been rescued from cruel and abusive conditions.

Meet George, a tiny piglet who has a big life ahead of him and Rita, a young calf who lost so much yet finds her way home, and others who have interesting rescue and recovery stories.

Tune into the calm of the sheep barn and other animals on live cams.

Check out the Sustainable Future Curriculum geared for middle and high school.

Visit Facebook LIVE for their programming schedule for enjoy animal tales, sanctuary sing-a-longs and puppet shows, art classes and other fun activities.

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, housing thousands of animals and representing several thousand species, all of which reside in10 million US gallons of marine and salt water. It was the largest aquarium in the world until it was surpassed by Marine Life Park in Singapore.

View live Webcams: UnderSea Voyager Aquarium Webcam; Beluga Whale Cam; California Sea Lion Cam; African Penguin Cam; Jellyfish Cam; Otter Cam; Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef Cam; Pirranha Cam (feedings); Underwater Puffin Cam.

Hey kids: they're not squiddin you – create an aquarium piece of art and they'll feature it on their website; looking for something to octopi your time? Color one of their new coloring pages with Dive Deep: A Coloring Collection.

Global Shark Tracker (and other animals, too)

Use the Global Shark Tracker to learn about where great white sharks hang out and why. Can you find Grizz? Fitzy? Fletcher? What about Emily the sea turtle? Are there any sharks near Honduras? Puerto Rico? How about Massachusetts?

People can also track alligator, dolphin, seal, turtle and whale traveling all over the world.

Heal the Bay Aquarium Live

Heal the Bay Aquarium goes live on Facebook at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, offering virtual visits with baby sharks and a look at its new exhibit.

Sea life fans can get a glimpse of the Aquarium's marine animal ambassadors and learn more about wildlife habitats off the coast of Southern California.

Visit healthebay.org for more information regarding the series.

New England Aquarium –Virtual Tours, Videos and Activities

The New England Aquarium is now open. All of their virtual visits from their temporary closure – including presentations from aquarists and behind-the-scenes looks at the Aquarium – can be found on their website. You can also watch live views from inside the New England Aquarium and find fun activities to try from home. Visit their YouTube page for new videos.

Visit neaq.org for more information.

Roger Williams Park Zoo – School Zoo (Rhode Island)

Get a behind-the-scenes look at their animals and explore a fun activity you can do at home on youtube.com at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visit www.rwpzoo.org for more information.

Unity Farm Sanctuary (Sherborn, MA)

Unity Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit animal rescue organization founded in 2018. Meet the residents: alpacas and llamas, dogs and donkeys, horses, ponies as well as minis, bulls and cows, goats, pigs, sheep and other barnyard critters and wildlife on the live cams.

All are welcome to tune into their daily Facebook Live meet-and-greet with their animal residents. Check their Facebook page for the weekly schedule and special events, including their Animal Tales preschool book reading and their featured Animal-of-the-Week series.

They update all of their social media pages frequently, so be sure to follow them to keep in touch with all of your animal friends at Unity.

Visit www.UnityFarmSanctuary.org for more information, along with links to cams and social media pages.

Zoo New England (Franklin Park & Stone zoos) – #ZooToYou

Tune in on Facebook at 1:30 p.m. each day for #ZooToYou: a daily dose of animal cuteness, chats with the care staff, crafts and activities to do at home, and lots more.

Create your own animal masks, draw all types of animals with dot-to-dot illustrations, or learn something new like how to make your own compost pile! A full list of activities can be found here: www.zoonewengland.org.

Visit www.facebook.com/stonezoo/videos/2852652514814882 and/or zoonewengland.org for more information.

Learn more about the Franklin Park Zoom by clicking here.

Zoos Victoria Virtual Keeper Talks and Live Cams (Australia)

G'day from the animals Down Under!

Zookeepers from Zoos Victoria – Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo – offer talks about their resident animals, such as elephants, koalas, and baboons, lions, hippos, and gorillas, Wombat, Tasmanian devils, and platypus and the environment they live in.

New talks are posted Monday mornings (which is Sunday afternoon/evening in US time zones).

In addition, the zoos offer live 24/7 webcams of the penguins, zebras, snow leopard cubs, giraffes and lions.

Visit www.zoo.org.au for more information.

• MUSEUMS, GALLERIES AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL VENUES

Arts & Culture Google

Arts & Culture Google offers online tours and exhibits of hundreds of museums around the world, including several in Boston that are also listed under specific neighborhoods. Links to view ALL, A-Z and Map are included.

American Museum of Natural History (NYC)

The American Museum of Natural History (NYC) is making its previously recorded tours of the museum halls available on Facebook Live every day at 2 p.m. throughout its closure. The virtual tours, which are led by museum guides, take viewers through collections in the museum's Hall of African Mammals, Hall of the North American Forests, Hall of Meteorites, among others.

A collection of the museum's educational materials (for children and adults) is also available for free. Discover scientific articles and videos on topics including climate change and human health as well as science classes, games and quizzes for kids on the museum's website.

Boston Children's Museum Virtual Tour and Resources

Children can plot their next museum adventure by navigating past fun spots like the three-story New Balance Foundation Climb on the first floor and the Construction Zone on the third floor.

Among the resources are BCM Home Edition with 26 activities that families can do together and 100 Ways to Play – from cooking and crafting (such as origami, beading, paper dolls and accessories), to imagination and observation games, to exploring and movement activities.

Follow the Boston Children's Museum's social media accounts for more fun activities. Visit their website at https://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/museum-virtual-tour for more information.

Boston Tea Party Museum

Enjoy webisodes from the Boston Tea Party Museum. Learn more about that famous event that forever changed the course of American History. Get more insight on historic artifacts, meet the colonists, explore the ships and more.

Visit the website to experience museum virtually with interactive maps.

California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)

Explore deep sea, deep space and everything in between at the California Academy of Sciences, all from your living room.

Stay curious with Academy @ Home. Cozy up with a curated array of webcams, games, videos, and DIY activities. Start Exploring.

Hungry for science? Tune into the Academy Breakfast Club for live streamed lectures served by an all-star cast of Academy scientists. Stream On.

Clara Barton National Historic Site (Maryland) 360-degree Virtual Tour

A U.S. Patent Office clerk turned field nurse, Clara Barton, was the founder and first president of the American Red Cross. Her life and legacy are celebrated at Clara Barton National Historic Site, the Glen Echo, Maryland house that was her home for the last 15 years of her life, as well as the national headquarters of the American Red Cross, a dormitory for staff, and a warehouse for relief supplies.

In a virtual tour, explore the house's many rooms and hallways, including 12 restored rooms. Hear the "voice of Clara Barton" provide descriptions in her own words and navigate the tour with your mouse to see 360-degree views. Younger virtual visitors can enjoy educational, interactive learning activities, and print out a personalized certificate upon completion.

Commonwealth Museum

The Commonwealth Museum brings the story of Massachusetts to life with state of the art interactive exhibits. You can visit online exhibitions such as The Acadian Exile in Massachusetts, Black People in Massachusetts during the Civil War, Irish Immigration and more at www.sec.state.ma.us.

Davis Museum at Wellesley College

On the Davis Museum's website, visitors can explore three exhibitions via the museum's virtual platform.

One virtual show looks at artists' interpretations of Mary Magdalene's identity, revealing their perspectives on women, devotion, and the divine, and their artistic choices have, in turn, influenced the lives of women.

Additionally, the Davis Museum offers an exhibition of the work of artist Yu-Wen Wu, and a look Portraits of Women in its collection.

Discovery Museum presents 'Discovery at Home' Activities

The Discovery Museum is ready to help keep your kids busy while they are at home with Discovery At Home. This guide provides favorite at-home fun-and-learning activities such as science-based activities focused on the outdoors and nature, simple engineering challenges, "kitchen chemistry" and messy-sensory activities, and ideas specifically for young children. Content will continue to be added to the site.

Discovery at Home can be found at www.discoveryacton.org/education/discovery-home.

Ecotarium

The Ecotarium in Worcester is a "hands-on" place to learn about science and the natural world. You can also learn about its animals with free educational content on its website.

Discover more at www.ecotarium.com.

EMK Institute on You Tube

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate at Columbia Point features a variety of interests for the family to enjoy.

While video highlights from the Institute, including Getting to the Point programs and Year in Review 2019 among other items can be found on You Tube, links to a variety of activities and exhibits can be found on their website.

Make a Difference activities encourages young people to think about how they can make a difference in their communities and in the world; About the Senate activities are for children and families to learn more about the work Senators do, how they work together, and some traditions they follow; Youth Action Guides include resources for teens on how to get involved with important issues facing the nation and the world; and Issue Investigations explore different perspectives that shape the debate on current policy issues before Congress.

Visit emkinstitute.org for more information, including quick links to YouTube and the activities and exhibits.

Eustis Estate Virtual Tour

If you haven't been to Historic New England's Eustis Estate in Milton, Massachusetts, or you've been meaning to visit again, you can do it from your computer or mobile device.

Explore the elaborate Aesthetic Movement interiors of the 1878 mansion and tour its Blue Hills-adjacent landscape on the Eustis Estate app.

Visit http://eustis.estate for more details.

Gibson House Museum Virtual Tours

Catch up on blogs, take a virtual tour and learn more about its history at www.thegibsonhouse.org.

The Museum's latest blog post on the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre can be found at thegibsonhousemuseum.blogspot.com.

Harvard Art Museums (Cambridge)

The three Harvard Art Museums (the Fogg, Busch-Reisinger and Arthur M. Sackler) are filled with incredible works of art from around the world.

Learn more about their various pieces through their social channels or online gallery at www.harvardartmuseums.org.

Institute of Contemporary Art - Boston

Explore contemporary art with videos and audio recordings, including exhibition previews, artist interviews, studio visits, and talks between artists and curators on the ICA website. Some of the ICA's digital offerings include studio visits with artists such as Tschabalala Self, Helga Roht Poznanski and Lavaughan Jenkins, along with recordings of past talks and other exhibition materials.

Visit www.icaboston.org for more information.

Isabella Stewart Gardner – #MuseumFromHome

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is filled with recorded concerts; video and audio content featuring curators, conservators, and artists; and information on collections and horticulture that can bring the Gardner to you until you can visit them again in person.

#MuseumFromHome includes online stories, inspiration from founder Isabella, photos, exhibits and audio guides.

Visit www.gardnermuseum.org for additional information.

JFK Library and Museum – Digital content and curriculum

Learn more about the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy virtually through a variety of interactive experiences created by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Through Google Arts & Culture, you can explore the institution's exhibitions and/or visit the JFK Library and Museum's website to explore its online archive.

The Museum adds a weekly digest of digital content including curriculum and content that parents and educators can easily incorporate into their daily lessons for K-12 students.

Visit www.jfklibrary.org for more details.

MAAM at home

While the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM) staff is working from home they want to bring MAAM to you.

Enjoy behind-the-scenes content from our current exhibitions; artmaking activities for all ages; highlights from past exhibitions; and a few surprises along the way!

Visit https://maam.massart.edu for more information.

Massachusetts Historical Society virtual tours

The Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St. (while temporarily closed) is offering virtual tours.

Founded in 1791, The Massachusetts Historical Society is an invaluable resource for American history, life, and culture. Its extraordinary collections tell the story of America through millions of rare and unique documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable national treasures.

As the nation's first historical society, the MHS strives to enhance the understanding of our nation's past and its connection to the present, demonstrating that history is not just a series of events that happened to individuals long ago but is integral to the fabric of daily lives.

Visit www.masshist.org for additional details.

Massachusetts State House virtual tour

The Massachusetts State House isn't just the seat of political power in the Commonwealth; it also serves as a museum that reflects the history and development of Massachusetts from colonial times to today.

Take a virtual tour and check out the Great Hall, Senate Chamber, office of the Speaker of the House and more. The tour describes nine historic spaces and highlights paintings, sculpture, artifacts and decorative arts commemorating the people and events that helped to shape the Commonwealth and nation.

Visit www.malegislature.gov to enjoy your virtual tour.

The Museum of African American History: An Online Exploration

The Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket is the largest institution of its kind in New England. MAAH is dedicated to sharing the rich legacy of African American accomplishments. Through Google Arts & Culture, you can learn about the abolitionist movement in Boston or take a virtual tour of the Black Heritage Trail.

Visit Facebook @maah.org and/or www.maah.org for more information.

Museum of Fine Arts Boston – #MuseumFromHome

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world with a collection that exemplifies the breadth, richness, and diversity of artistic expression, prehistoric times to modern day.

Follow #MuseumFromHome for videos of gallery tours, lectures and artists interviews.

Each day the MFS will be highlighting various pieces of art over social media with descriptions, podcasts and commentary.

And for fun facts check out twitter.com/Victoria_S_Reed courtesy of MFA's curator.

Visit www.mfa.org for other details.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (NYC) offers Free Online Arts Classes

MoMA NYC has launched a series of free classes for those interested in better understanding the 91-year-old museum's collection via the online teaching platform Coursera at www.coursera.org/moma.

Covering contemporary art, fashion and photography, the comprehensive beginner courses with corresponding readings and exercises will take anywhere from 12 to 38 hours to complete.

Designers, historians, manufacturers and other style experts discuss 70 different garments and accessories in "Fashion as Design" while "Seeing Through Photography" will use photos from the last 180 years to explore the difference between seeing and understanding an image.

Visit moma.org for a virtual tour of their collections.

Museum of Science – #MOSatHome

Check out what's new on #MOSatHome with new

– Virtual exhibits to explore

– Thought-provoking Pulsar podcasts (with topics from outer space to the prehistoric) to listen to

– Sparks of Science videos to watch

– Family STEM activities for you to take part in at home

– Adult Programs after Dark in SubSpace (include free live events, music performances, conversations; art experiences and gaming, among others

Visit www.mos.org and/or #MOSatHome for more information.

Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia, PA) Virtual Tour

Families can visit the Museum of the American Revolution virtually any time of the week and explore their immersive galleries through 360 degree panoramic image.

From the early stirrings of unrest in Boston to the opening shots of the War of independence, and from signing of the Declaration of Independence to the creation of the American Republic, the Museum's core exhibition explores the ideas events, and legacies of American's revolutionary beginnings.

Click here to begin the tour.

Visit www.amrevmuseum.org to learn more.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Interactive Virtual Tour

As the capital of the 19th century whaling industry and a safe haven along the Underground Railroad, as well as the home to legendary figures such as Frederick Douglass and Herman Melville, New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park preserves, protects, and interprets cultural resources within the "city that lit the world." Located in downtown New Bedford, the park spans over 13 blocks, and includes a whaling museum, a waterfront visitor center, a custom house, and more.

Take a video tour or interactive virtual tour of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, not normally open to the public, provided by the National Park Service and the New Bedford Historical Society. Owned by Nathan and Mary "Polly" Johnson, free blacks living in New Bedford, the house welcomed and assisted those traveling along the Underground Railroad. The house was even the first residence of Frederick Douglass after his escape from slavery in 1838.

Newport Mansion Virtual Audio Tours (Rhode Island)

Take a virtual 360o tour inside the Newport Mansions – Marble House, Hunter House, Isaac Bell House, The Elms, the Elms Servant Life, Chateau-Sur-Mer, and Chepstow along with the John James Audubon and Tiffany Exhibitions.

Visit newportmansion.org for more information, including the links.

Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge, MA)

The Norman Rockwell Museum has curated experiences that collect related images, photography, video, audio and history relating to the Museum's renowned collection of Normal Rockwell's original paintings, his Stockbridge Studio, as well as the Museum's vast collection of art.

You can explore the world of Project NORMAN, a gateway to 20,000 works by more than 250 artists; watch hundreds of videos – nearly a thousand hours of content – spanning every facet of illustration art; and find lessons and activities for all ages at the MRM Curriculum Lab.

Visit Virtual NRM 24/7.

Old Colony History Museum fun

The Old Colony History Museum (Taunton) always says "History Happens Here" and now their staff has curated some awesome educational resources, including historical how to's, challenges, and activities, so you can "Make History" from home.

Learn how to make berry ink, butter, ice cream and thaumatropes; become a photo detective; turn your house into your very own museum of your family's treasures; these are just a sampling of some fun activities.

Follow the links at www.oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org/kidsmakehistory and have fun exploring.

Share your results with them @oldcolonyhistory and #kidsmakehistory.

Paul Revere House – Listen now and visit later

Visit paulreverehouse.org to listen to a new episode of Revere House Radio and enjoy a preview of living history presentations, music, and demonstrations of traditional crafts that are coming soon.

Peabody Essex Museum #PEMfromHome (Salem, MA)

The Peabody Essex Museum has one of the most unique collections in Massachusetts. Take a virtual 360-degree tour to learn about the stories behind the changing exhibitions and artists. Find art projects for kids, and check out their podcast.

Visit www.PEM.org and social media channels for more information and links.

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Dallas, TX)

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is helping families find alternative educational outlets that can expand their children's curiosity in science while encouraging them to "Amaze Your Brain At Home."

Families can watch their favorite scientific concepts come to life by using common household objects and supplies to explore nature and science at home and in their backyards.

This free content is categorized for parents to easily select the most appropriate projects – chiefly geared toward kids, ages 5 through 12 – and includes weekly lessons focused on different STEM topics (first up, physics!) with corresponding, informative fun-fact videos and activities that will allow children to have fun while still teaching them relevant educational topics.

There are also resources for teachers, daily trivia, quizzes and an interactive Google Hangouts for kids, ages 5 and under.

Plimoth Plantation: History @ Home

Stay curious and engaged with Plimoth's virtual workshops. They're taking Plimoth's award-winning education programs out of the 17th century and going online. Join engaging, interactive virtual workshops and thought-provoking discussion from home and discover the powerful stories of people who actually lived along these shores of change 400 years ago. Perfect for families.

For a complete list of virtual programs, visit www.plimoth.org/learn.

Revolutionary Spaces = Old South Meeting House + Old State House

Watch videos of their Education Associates giving virtual talks on the people and stories that have shaped the ongoing American Revolution at www.revolutinaryspaces.org.

Salem Witch Museum | Witch Trials Online Sites Tour

The Salem Witch Museum online tour of the Salem witchcraft trials sites allows you to view locations around Essex and Middlesex counties and a few key sites in and around Boston that are related to the events of the year 1692.

You may select a town or city to view pictures (where available) and read about the sites in these locations. This section contains descriptions of the sites from the witchcraft trials which can still be seen today, including original houses, foundations, grave sites, and sites marked by historic markers. Sites in Boston include King's Chapel Burying Ground – the oldest cemetery in Boston, established in the year Boston was founded, 1630; Copp's Hill Burying Ground – the second oldest cemetery in Boston, established in 1659; and Granary Burying Ground – the third oldest cemetery in Boston, established in 1660.

To give you an idea of the proximity of one site to another, they have also included the approximate locations of the homes of key figures that are no longer standing and have provided additional information about the roles these people played in 1692.

Visit the websites or call ahead to historic sites for admissions information, if/when you plan to visit. Many locations are private residences and are marked accordingly. Please treat these locations with respect and note they are not open to the public.

Visit https://salemwitchmuseum.com/witch-trials-online-tour for more information.

USS Constitution & Museum Virtual Tours and Activities

The USS Constitution and USS Constitution Museum are online.

- Take a virtual tour of the USS Constitution on Facebook Live at 10 a.m.

- Download the "Old Ironsides" Activity Book

- Play Mini Games

- Check out the educational series, 'A Sailor's Life, Live!'

- Discover the USS Constitution's history; Explore major voyages and events

- Browse the online collection of artifacts

The Museum will be adding new digital content daily on its website and social media channels.

Visit www.navy.mil/local/constitution; ussconstitutionmuseum.org; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Waterworks Museum Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the 3D model of the Waterworks Museum, 2450 Beacon St. in Chestnut Hill.

Visit www.waterworksmuseum.org and/or Facebook.com/MetroWaterworks for more information.

• FAMILY ACTIVITIES (Anytime Fun)

Activist, You! And other Kids Listen Podcasts

Activist, You! is a brand new Kids & Family podcast focusing on social justice. Every episode features an interview with different youth activists talking about their dedicated social justice topic and how and why they became activists. One of the episodes features a teen racial justice activist. Within this link are other Kids Listen podcasts as well.

Adventures in Chemistry

The American Chemical Society has a collection of fun activities, puzzles and games. Try out some experiments such as "Colors on the Mooove!" or "Time for Slime" and play some games such as "Bugs on the Run" or "Outer Space Molecule Chase."

Watch some videos and learn about the Coronavirus vaccine or what's in the smell of first rain.

There are some classroom science activities for teachers, too.

All this and more at https://www.acs.org.

Art for Kids Hub

Rob and his family – which includes four kids – have been uploading art lessons to YouTube every weekday for several years and have the 2.65 million YouTube subscribers to prove how fun they are! You can find the Art for Kids YouTube channel here. The biggest challenge will be choosing what to draw!

Authors Everywhere

Authors Everywhere is a YouTube Channel created and run by children's book writers and illustrators.

On this channel, you'll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more. They hope to offer you some fun, some distraction, and a creative outlet for any feelings that might come up during this troublesome time.

Barnes & Noble Virtual Storytime

Barnes and Noble keeps the story going with weekly virtual storytimes on Saturdays at Youtube.com/Barnesandnoble.

Storytime read-alongs also have activity sheets at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/free-activities to help bring the Storytime to life.

B&N also offers additional materials such as activities, crafts, recipes and more for all ages fun.

Visit https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-storytime for more information.

Bob Ross 'Joy of Painting' Shows

All the "happy little paintings" that you enjoyed on every season of The Joy of Painting is on Bob Ross's YouTube page. There are more than 400 painting tutorials to choice from – some are short clips while others are full 30 episodes.

Just pick an episode – perhaps a painting featuring mountain, a lake in front of a mountain or a wooded trail leading up to a mountain – and re-create it as your own.

All you need is paint, a few tools, a little instruction, and a vision in your mind to get started, as Ross used to say. And remember, there are no mistakes, "only happy coincidences."

Bob Ross first started showing viewers how to wield their "unlimited power on canvas" through The Joy of Painting on PBS in 1983. While the show ended in 1994, Ross remains a cultural icon and source of tranquility for many to this day.

Boston Harbor Island Junior Ranger

Did you know that you can become a Boston Harbor Islands Junior Ranger from anywhere?

By becoming a Junior Ranger, kids learn about the Boston Harbor Islands through hands-on experiences and can even earn an official Junior Ranger badge. Download resources online at bostonharborislands.org - kids and family and/or www.nps.gov – be a junior ranger and start your exploration today.

Boston parks coloring pages

Looking for activities to do while staying safe at home? The Mayor's Mural Crew has created a series of coloring pages based on scenes from some of Boston's most beloved spaces.

See if you can recognize all 10 scenes in these downloadable coloring pages.

Celebrity Story Time

Check out Storyline Online's digital library for a special story time with celebrities like Oprah, Betty White, Sean Aston, Michelle Obama and Allison Janney among others. Each book is paired with an activity guide for educators and caregivers. Here's how your family can get in on the fun!

Civil Rights Trail

This summer's protests have renewed interest in the historic civil rights movement. The U.S. Civil Rights Trail links more than 100 locations across 15 states and the District of Columbia. Key sites include museums and parks memorializing the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama; the Greensboro, North Carolina lunch counter sit-ins; and the Memphis site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. "This makes history come to life for kids," King says.

Visit civilrightstrail.com for more information.

Code.org

This nonprofit foundation's website is an excellent starting point for coding novices. It shares plenty of useful online resources, apps, and even local schools that teach coding. Be sure to watch the inspirational video on the main page. The current iteration features some of the biggest names in tech talking about how they got started in coding.

Colorize Your World with Coloring Pages

Coloring is a great way to relax and get creative, so dig out your supplies (markers, gel pens, coloring pencils, and more) and try your hand at a few new line art pages – all free. Just download, print and color.

For adult coloring pages that are full of detailed whimsical designs go to www.art-is-fun.com

For Mandalas & Art Therapy; Nature, Travels, Art, History & Stories, Special Events among others visit www.justcolor.net

Coloring pages for kids including Animals; Thematic Pages; Art Masterpieces; characters from Films, Movie, Animation Cartoons, TV, Superheroes; Books, Video Games, Animes and Mangas go to www.justcolor.net.

For educational coloring pages (for kids and adults) including Doodle Art, Mandalas, Magic Coloring, Labyrinths, Wordplay and Zentangles can also be found at www.justcolor.net.

Coloring pages for adults and children, including Characters, Disney, Plants and Animals, Places, Seasons, Words and Letters, as well as Activities and DIY crafts can be found at Crayola.com.

Connect to Nature

Find out what Mother Nature has in store for the coming weeks with Mass Audubon's monthly guide to the natural world. Check out the Program Catalog to find lots of online and onsite programs and special events.

Visit massaudubon.org to learn more.

Cosmic Kids Yoga

Start each morning with Cosmic Kids Yoga to help everyone get centered for the day. Each 15-minute-long video features a cute theme and simple yoga moves that are great for toddlers and older kids alike.

Creativebug

Creativebug has more than 1000 online art and craft classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.

Visit Creativebug Television (CBTV) where you can get a deeper look into the processes, studios, and daily lives of your favorite artists. Check out their exclusive documentaries, HD versions of their Live Facebook videos, mesmerizing timelapses, and more. All content is free and shareable.

Visit CreativeBug.com to learn more.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi's fun stuff

Check out illustrator Debbie Ohi's Youtube channel where she's got tons of drawing videos along with illustrated book." You'll also find "Ask Me To Ask" interview series in which children's book creators answer a question they have chosen themselves, Debbie's Doodles, and Read-Alouds.

Doing Good Together

Doing Good Together empowers families to raise caring, engaged children by offering unique programs and events, valuable services, and fun activities that promote kindness and giving. Go to www.doinggoodtogether.org for more information.

Draw So Cute

This website has lots of fun free activities, coloring pages, games, fan art and cute drawing videos for kids of all ages to enjoy.

Find them all at www.drawsocute.com.

Educational Escape Rooms

BreakoutEDU is an online "Escape Room" with puzzles for K-12 students. A selection has been made free with games that incorporate math, science, and history into topics like carnival games, cooking, and dino digs.

Emerald Necklace Conservancy – activities, music, tours and more

Visit the Conservancy's website at www.emeraldnecklace.org for printable scavenger hunts and activities for kids, audio of The Emerald Necklace symphony, and mobile tour guides you can use while getting in your exercise. The Emerald Necklace parks have been open continuously, providing a much needed space to relax and connect with nature.

Family Activity Book

Catholic Charities USA created family activity books for families (in English and in Spanish). People will find activities, games and recipes. Fun for all ages.

Visit ccab.org for a list of local agencies, programs and other resources.

Fruit of the Spirit Music Video Series

Enjoy the Go Fish Guy's Fruit of the Spirit video series. Lively and colorful – music mixed with positive messages to live by.

Fun Learning for Kids

Make learning fun with tons of engaging and effective learning activities, experiments and free printables at funlearningforkids.com.

Genealogy for the next generation

Several free, easy-to-do fun activities that will keep kids entertained and get them thinking about their family history are available at https://www.americanancestors.org/education/learning-resources/read/youth.

These exercises are designed to teach critical skills while encouraging kids to explore their personal connection to the past. Studies show that young people who know facts about their heritage have a stronger sense of self, which can help them perform better in school and life. Have fun!

Girl Scout fun for everyone

Join girls from all over Eastern Massachusetts for at home fun. The GS Council is adding virtual badge activities, programs, and resources for girls and families to engage with from home every day.

Girl Scout membership is not necessary to participate, so you can get a chance to experience Girl Scouts for free. Check back often!

For more information about the Girl Scouts, visit www.gsema.org/athome

Greenway Carousel Coloring Book

Greenway Conservancy invites you to bring your favorite Greenway Carousel creatures home by downloading a free sample of their Greenway Carousel Coloring Book Artist palette at https://www.rosekennedygreenway.org.

Guinness World Record Weekly Challenge

What are you accomplishing during your stay-at-home time? The Guinness World Records reminds us that spending time indoors doesn't mean we have to be bored.

In fact, with the extra time, we can all aspire to do great things, including becoming a Guinness World Records title holder with the new weekly #GWRchallenge hosted across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

The guidelines for each weekly challenge are posted on the website, as well as on the GWR social channels, as a reference for anyone who needs them.

All attempts utilize household materials, or include no materials at all, so anyone can take part from within their home.

Recently posted challenges include brick-by-brick Lego records, fastest right-rope walker in high heels, and a limbo skate under 10 extremely low bars.

Visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com for more information, including podcasts and other fun activities.

Happy Hooligans Fun

Meet Jackie – she's helping kids explore their world through art, crafts and good old-fashioned play. You'll find lots of links with step-by-step instructions to enjoy – art, crafts, activities, recipes, parenting tips, home daycare info, and much more – at happyhooligans.ca.

Harbor at Home

Boston Harbor Now/WhatWeDo/Play has launched Harbor At Home, their online video gallery created to help you form a stronger connection to the Harbor, waterfront, and Islands from the comfort of your home.

Catch fitness classes, art tutorials, history talks, nature walks and more, all contributed by their community partners and curated by the folks at Boston Harbor Now.

Videos will be updated regularly, so check back to find the latest in virtual Harbor happenings.

Harlem Globetrotters at Home

The Harlem Globetrotters are looking to bring their ambassadorial spirit, and the smiles that go with it, directly to their fans with their new online "Globetrotters at Home" video content programming.

Globetrotter players are delivering everything from motivational messages to a "how-to" style gym class with basketball skills lessons, and even a few geography lessons where possible (they have played in 124 countries and territories, after all!).

ICA has DIY projects/Virtual Harbor Market and more

The Institute of Contemporary Art features craft projects for kids and adults to make together; video and audio recordings including artist interviews, studio visits, and talks between artists and curators; plus in-depth information about individual artworks in the ICA's permanent collection.

ICA also is hosting a Virtual Harbor Market to connect you with local makers, with a focus on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) vendors and creators.

Visit icaboston.org for details.

Khan Academy

Known for its extensive and challenging math games, Khan Academy also has basic programming tutorials that teach kids how to build graphics, animations, interactive visualizations and more. Its latest addition is a partnership with Pixar, which gives users a chance to learn how Pixar artists do their jobs.

Kitchen Table Classroom

The Kitchen Table Classroom has a variety of arts and craft projects with step-by-step instructions, videos, and printables for kids, adults and teachers, too.

LEGO Building & Imagination 30 Day Challenge

Are you ready for a LEGO Challenge?

Build a rocket for NASA; Design and build your dream bedroom; Create something that represents the Webelos; Make your favorite food and see if someone can guess what it is; Create a pattern; Fill a rectangle with Legos without going over the edges.

You can print these challenges (and more) or just write them out and explore!

These brick building ideas will help spark kids of all ages' imagination without showing or telling them exactly what to build.

Doing one a day makes incorporating daily STEM activities a fun learning experience plus it get kids (and adults) off the iPad or computer.

Go to https://thestemlaboratory.com/lego-challenge-cards; or visit thatbricklife.com for variations on the calendars – i.e. 3 Days of Play Calendar; 31 Day Cub Scout LEGO Calendar; 31 Spring LEGO Calendar

LeVar Burton Reads

In every episode, host LeVar Burton (best known for roles in Reading Rainbow, Roots, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life and dive into a great story.

LeVar's narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring more than 80 stories by Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury and others to life. So, when you're ready, let's take a deep breath… and listen at levarburtonpodcast.com.

MamaSteph

Everyone's favorite children's musician has music and a variety of entertaining (and teachable moment) videos on MamaSteph/YouTube.

Mess With Your Milk

In the name of curiosity and science, the time has come to say yes to a little mess – and get your kids thinking about milk in a whole new way. It's time to Mess With Your Milk!

These simple experiments can all be done using everyday supplies you likely already have at home – including milk. They're a perfect activity for cooped-up kids on a wintry weekend. Or take the party outside in the summer and let them really go wild.

What else will your kids come up with when you tell them to Mess With Your Milk? Try all the experiments and share these videos with friends – or even your favorite teacher. It's all about science, after all.

Go to https://milklife.com/articles/10-easy-diy-experiments-for-kids to learn more about messing with milk.

Mindfulness Activities & Meditations for Kids and Parents

Practicing mindfulness can boost kids' well-being and empower them to meet their challenges with resilience.

At Mindful.org, people will find guided meditations for kids at various developmental stages along with Mindfulness activities for kids as well as mindful parenting tips.

NASA @ Home

Explore NASA STEM @ Home Resources for activities that families can do together.

Learn about their Missions or the Solar System and Beyond. Watch their videos and Live TV programs.

Listen to the NASA Crew members read books from the space station and/or perform a science experiment that goes along with concepts mentioned at storytimefromspace.com.

Visit www.NASA.gov to learn more.

National Geographic Kids

Explore the world without leaving home with a little help from National Geographic Kids.

From animals and geography to science, nature, and history, there are so many amazing facts just waiting to be discovered.

Ocean Science After School Program at Piers Park Sailing Center

Find lots of activities and resources for at-home learning from the Ocean Science After School Program. Visit piersparksailing.org to learn more, including videos and downloadables.

Oldways

Oldways is a nonproﬁt dedicated to improving public health by inspiring individuals and organizations to embrace the healthy, sustainable joys of the "old ways" of eating – heritage-based diets high in taste, nourishment, sustainability and joy.

Since 1990, they've helped people live healthier, happier lives by oﬀering educational programs, resources and recipes based on shared cultural food traditions from around the world. It's a mission with proven nutritional and emotional beneﬁts.

Their eﬀorts span consumer advocacy (Oldways Whole Grain Council), heritage diet travel and discovery (Oldways Culinaria Tours), guidance (Oldways Cheese Coalition), as well as the education and celebration of African, Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean cultural eating traditions (Heritage Diets) and plant-based diets (Plant Forward Plates).

They believe food is heritage's greatest gift of all.

Patriots fun

Test your knowledge with a variety of trivia games and challenges. You can also find Patriots themed coloring pages, word search, crossword puzzles and more all at www.patriots.com/fans/quizzes-trivia.

PBS fun

PBS and PBS Kids have lots of fun crafts and experiments, coloring pages and printables, games and videos as well as recipes, parenting resources, tips and advice.

Peep and the Big Wide World

The animated series Peep and the Big Wide World gives wings to the innovative idea of teaching science and math to preschoolers. Set in and around a pond, a bush, and a tin can, the show follows a newly hatched chicken named Peep, and his friends Chirp and Quack (a robin and a duck), on their daily adventures.

Each half-hour episode contains two stories which highlight specific science concepts, plus two live-action shorts presenting real kids playing and experimenting with these concepts in their own big wide worlds.

Check out peepandthebigwideworld.com to enjoy a variety of games, videos, printables and other family fun. Be sure to check out the links for parents and educators, as well.

PEM at home

Looking for museum-inspired activities you can create at home? They've got you covered with origami video tutorials, fun finger puppets and downloadable coloring pages from PEM's children's book Piece by Piece.

Share your creations on social media and tag @peabodyessex so they can see what you make!

Visit PEM.org for more information.

Scholastic – Read, Play, Connect

Scholastic and Kids.scholastic has lots of resources for kids, parents and educators.

People can find lots of fun activities and printables along with a list of entertaining books to read. Check out the programs and contests along with book clubs and book fairs. It's a great resource for educators offering classroom curriculum and how-to videos along with free books and resources, as well.

Scratch

Designed by MIT students and aimed at children, ages 8-16, Scratch is an easy-to-use programming language that lets kids build almost anything they can dream. There are no obscure lines of code here. Instead, arrange and snap together Scratch blocks as if they are virtual Legos.

It's more than just a coding guide; it's a vibrant online community of programmers who swap ideas and inspiration.

Stop Motion Movies

Stop motion movies are made by piecing together a LOT of photographs (like a lot, a lot). In this video, Boston Children's Museum shows you how to create your own stop motion movie at home with help from the app Stop Motion Studio.

Story Seeds Podcast

Story Seeds Podcast: This show captures the magic that unfolds when kids, ages 6 to 12, collaborate with beloved storytellers who grow original stories inspired by their story ideas!

Storycorps

At Storycorps, the storytellers span all generations, allowing teen listeners (and others) to tune in to other points of view.

Visit www.storycorps.org to learn more about how you, too, could be a part of their storytime collections, because "every story matters and every voice counts."

Stuff You Missed in History Class

Do you like learning about history? Try the "Stuff You Missed in History Class" podcast. As its title suggests, this podcast delves into lesser-known historical facts and figures. From the greatest to the strangest, the hosts explore interesting tidbits from the past.

Swift Playgrounds

Designed by Apple for the iPad, Swift Playgrounds is a much more sophisticated-looking version of Code Combat, with the added benefit of being free.

Kids solve interactive puzzles in the guided "Learn to Code" lessons to master the basics of coding or experiment with a wide range of challenges that let users explore many unique coding experiences. It requires an iPad with iOS 12.0 or higher.

The Gottabees

The Gottabees is a Boston-based ensemble that, for the last seven years, has been happily making "super fun theater for the whole family."

They know that, right now, you're all spending a lot of time as a "whole family." So, they're giving you a few moments out of your day – an excuse to giggle, gasp, cheer and play together – to enjoy some of their videos anytime.

Visit http://www.bonnie-duncan.com/trythisathome for more information.

Tipspoke Family Fun Activities

Tipspoke.com has a variety of fun activities for the family, including:

Art Projects & Fun Activities at Home – https://tipspoke.com/fun-at-home

Cool Science Experiments – https://tipspoke.com/science-experiments

Family Games – https://tipspoke.com/family games

Magic Tricks – https://tipspoke.com/magic-tricks

Tumblehome Book: Free Digital Book Offer

I Just Keep Wondering by Larry Scheckel is a 5-star non-fiction book filled with 121 kid-friendly questions and answers ranging from the highly technical to the more lighthearted.

Some examples: How are galaxies made in the cosmos? What do scientists do for fun?

When you get your hair wet, why does it look darker? And "What causes tap water to taste more chlorinated some days than others?

If you like science, and are a curious person at heart, I Just Keep Wondering is a book for you. Reading it could make you much more interested in the world around you.

Get a free digital copy at https://tumblehomebooks.org/readersclub. Offer good till Dec. 31. (Regularly $17.95).

Tumblehome Books are known for producing high quality supplemental educational materials, specifically focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Virtual Boston Harbor

Save The Harbor is connecting community to the Harbor through Virtual Boston Harbor, a series of fun and educational video programming, including activities, crafts, lessons and songs for kids and community members of all ages.

Wally the Green Monster and Friends Home Fun

It was an unusual baseball season, but Wally the Green Monster made the most of it and you did, too.

To help young (and not-so-young) MLB fans stay connected, Wally and his sister Tessie offer a variety of printable activity pages and an online comic book on their new website, Home Fun. Kids are also invited to join Summer Slugger, where they can design their own baseball cards and practice math & literacy skills with baseball-themed fun.

Visit mlb.com/redsox/fans for more information.

'What if World'

For a fun podcast for ages 5-10, check out "What if World," where the narrator spins comic tales out of kids' questions, such as "What if Santa were an elephant?" or "What if sharks had legs?"

Visit www.whatifworldpodcast.com for more details.

Zooniverse

Zooniverse.org is an online citizen science project and the largest platform for people-powered research. Teens and adults can sign up and volunteer to help classify wildlife, transcribe historical texts, identify celestial bodies, and more, all without leaving your tablet or computer.

• POSITIVITY MOMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

- "Be respectful of other's opinions and beliefs; especially if they are different than your own." – From PassItOn.com

- "We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color." – Maya Angelou

Silver Linings

Let's face it: Life is really tough right now. But we can all look for silver linings during this uncertain time.

Read about and/or share your silver linings – Personal Blessings, as well as favorite Quotes, Songs, Movies, Books, Favorite Games, Podcasts, Question of the Day at #PandemicPositivity.

1 Million Acts of Kindness Challenge

Join the Kindness Movement – a super simple concept. Organizations, groups and individuals are all coming together to make their act of kindness count towards making 1 million acts in 2020.

They want to show not only the power of kindness but also that when we unite together we have the power to change the world.

It's so simple to be a part of the 1 million. You can post your acts of kindness to www.sunshinepeople.org.uk and 'Be 1 in a million'.

But if you feel a little shy to share, why not take a free ticket and commit to doing your act of kindness - they trust you.

Visit sunshinepeople.org.uk for more details.

'1812 Overturn" - Boston Pops - July 4th, 1976

This is rare footage of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops at their July 4th, 1976 Bicentennial concert at the Hatch Shell. Around 50,000 people were expected to attend – but the actual crowd was estimated to be 650,000 to 750,000. This clip includes the "1812 Overture."

800 musicians from 55 countries

This is a very impressive video of the Worldwide Virtual Choir and Orchestra performing "Nearer, my God, to thee." This includes 800 musicians from 55 countries who combined to create an absolutely stunning virtual video.

Beach Boys in Concert

No summer concerts in the US this year. So, here are the Beach Boys in concert in Knokke, Belgium on July 21, 1987.

One of the most memorial rock performances at Tanglewood came in July 21, 1970 when Chicago performed. This was during their days when they were more of a real hard rock band and less Top 40. Watch guitarist Terry Kath, who was considered to be one of the best in the world of rock. Even the great Jimi Hendrix said Kath was better than him. Earlier in 1970, the group releases its second album – Chicago II. You can watch the entire concert on YouTube.

Chicago at Tanglewood - 1970 concert

6,000 strangers sing 'Heroes'

More than 6,000 strangers from 45 countries this year submitted a video in three days to sing one song "Heroes," made famous by David Bowie. This is dedicated to "all the frontline heroes who are keeping us safe."

'I Dare You"

This is a wonderful international virtual performance of "I Dare You" – a Global Virtual Performance Video with Kelly Clarkson.

Virtual 'Les Misérables'

Theaters around the world are mostly closed, which means no summer plays this year. The West End theater group in London was going to perform "Les Misérable," but since they can't, they did virtual performances of a few of the songs. Here's 70 of the West End performers virtually singing "Do You Hear the People Sing?"

And the Barricade Boys have a very moving virtual performance of "Bring Him Home." It includes many former cast members of ''Les Misérables.''

Members of "Les Misérables" companies from 1987 to the present returned to the virtual stage in April to share "One Day More" – an anthem of hope in these challenging times "until stages around the world light up once more."

Virtual 'Back to the Future'

The world premiere of "Back to the Future - The Musical" took place not too long before the virus struck. The cast was led by Roger Bart as Doctor Emmett Brown and Olly Dobson as Marty McFly, with a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including "The Power of Love" and "Johnny B Goode". Enjoy the cast singing a virtual version of "The Power of Love."

'So Many Heroes'

"So Many Heroes," a national tribute to our frontline workers, is performed by 75 students representing 16 theatres across the country. Join them in saluting those who have made significant sacrifices during this unprecedented time while you enjoy this performance.

Learn more at www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org.

Boston Children's Chorus – 'Rise Up'

The Boston Children's Chorus, in collaboration with the Denver Children's Choir, the Children's Chorus of Washington DC, the Gondwana Choirs of Sydney and the Cincinnati Boychoir, presents "Rise Up" by Andra Day. They do a wonderful job spreading a message of hope and unity in a time when it is really needed.

Camden Voices – 'True Colors'

Need to be uplifted? Check out this version of "True Colors" with the Camden Voices virtual chorus from Great Britain.

From Our Homes to Yours – Everything Possible –Boston Gay Men's Chorus

The Boston Gay Men's Chorus released a virtual chorus video where members sang from their homes all over New England and dedicated it to health care workers, first responders, grocery store employees, emergency childcare providers, janitors and everyone else working daily to keep us healthy and safe.

They are thankful for your courage and commitment. As the song says, "the only measure of your words and your deeds will be the love you leave behind when you're done." And may each of you "dream all the day never reaching the end of everything possible for you."

See it here.

Teddy Bear Hunt

Stuffed animal scavenger hunts are making life bear-able for bored kids.

Stuffed animals are appearing everywhere along the streets and in the windows all across the world in the global "Teddy Bear Hunts" for children – uniting neighborhoods and giving children an exciting, social distancing safe scavenger hunt activity during shelter-in-place.

The hunts are inspired by the children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (1989) – reading, another family-friendly activity to share.

South Shore Children's Chorus

Here is the South Shore Children's Chorus's virtual version of "Beautiful City" from "Godspell." This was recently recorded. Learn more at www.southshorechildrenschorus.org.

'Together, at Home' – online concerts

"Together, at Home," is a new series of online concerts presented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Citizen that aims to "unite humanity at a time when many may feel isolated at home and inspire people to take meaningful action" to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

"Together, at Home" will continue to feature livestream shows from a number of musical artists throughout the duration of social distancing protocols via social media channels.

Visit globalcitizen.org for more information, including links to listen.

Virtual 'Lockdown Waltz'

The "Lockdown Waltz" by the Corona Orchestra came together with 121 tracks recorded by 75 musicians in 11 countries on three continents playing virtually.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/muzikids and www.facebook.com/bertdecock.

Virtual 'Ode to Joy'

There are a few virtual versions of "Ode to Joy" now available. This one with the musicians from the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the best. These musicians, who are self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic, came together to record a virtual, collaborative performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony from their homes.

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is an ode to humanity, to peace over desperation, to universal kinship and, of course, to joy.

'What can we do for our country?'

"In a time when the nation must come together to protect the most vulnerable among us, President Kennedy's call to ask 'what can we do for our country' couldn't be more relevant. He believed deeply that each of us can make a difference and everyone should try. Never has that been more true than right now. Thanks to everyone for helping your family, community, the country, and the world."

Message from the JFK Library and Museum.

'What if' with 2,292 virtual singers

This is not new, but this version of "What if" from "Paradise Lost" is just as meaningful and uplifting now as it was when Eric Whitacre and 2,292 young singers from 80 different countries joined together to create a special Virtual Youth Choir film for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as part of a unique partnership with UNICEF.

Singers, ages 18 and under from around the globe, recorded and submitted videos to be part of Whitacre's first-ever Virtual Youth Choir. According to the group, "parents, older siblings, friends and teachers helped children as young as two rehearse and record in bedrooms, living rooms and rehearsal halls at the far reaches of the Earth so they could sing in the VYC. In many cases, the voice of just one child represents an entire country, proving that one person can help change the world for the better. These global singers came together to be part of something momentous – to support UNICEF to help save and change children's lives around the world. Together we can #putchildrenfirst."

'What the World Needs Now' – Virtual Orchestra

What started as an idea on a student's flight home from Berklee College ended in collaboration with some of the most incredible people.

Visit www.berklee.edu/news/berklee-now/what-world-needs-now-student-made-video or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QagzdvzzHBQ&feature=emb_share for a little something special to brighten your day.

Share it with other to help promote positivity and optimism while we need it the most.

• PERFORMING ARTS (Theater and Music Anytime)

Boston Ballet Online

Enjoy a variety of behind-the-scenes videos, performance clips, and articles on www.bostonballet.org along with exclusive, ballet videos at: www.facebook.com/bostonballet and www.instagram.com/bostonballet.

Support the Boston Ballet here.

BSO, Pops and Tanglewood at home

The BSO, Boston Pops and Tanglewood at Home is designed to entertain, enlighten and engage audiences around the world with special online and radio content. Each day of the week brings a different activity.

Enjoy a wide variety of audio and video options of some of their greatest performances in Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood.

Watch video tutorials with BSO musicians created to support students and at-home learning along with some behind-the-scenes videos from BSO musicians and conductors (sharing life off-stage) featuring anecdotes, personal reflections and insights, and short informal performances.

Visit www.bso.org for more information.

H+H Season 2020-2021

Experience the mastery and brilliance of the Handel and Haydn Society. Enjoy streaming concerts, featuring beloved H+H musicians and special soloists.

Current performances from their 2020-2021 Season can be found in Back Bay Neighborhood Notes of Boston Homes (linkbostonhomes.com).

For a complete guide to their 2020-2021 Season, along with past podcast series, visit HandelandHaydn.org.

NEC concerts

There is beauty, community, and optimism, inherent in making music, even in these challenging times. Here are three ways to enjoy New England Conservatory of Music musicians:

- Many of the New England Conservatory of Music musicians have returned to campus. Some of their current performance events can be found in the Fenway Neighborhood Notes in Boston Homes. A complete schedule of concerts can be found on the NEC website.

- NEC musicians will continue sending messages of hope and connection from all parts of the globe. Follow the online series at #NECMusic Hub.

- NEC musicians will continue releasing new recordings from NEC's concert halls every Monday to help fill your home life with powerful music. Listen Online.

Visit necmusic.edu for more details.

Play at Home

Play at Home brings joy and connection of live theatre to your own home. Play at Home aims to keep playwrights working while inspiring creativity and community.

Numerous theatre organizations have come together to create Play at Home, a collection of free short plays that have been commissioned to only be performed in people's homes.

Visit www.playathome.org for more information, including a list of plays (with links to download) to enjoy at home.

Shakespeare on the Common: Encores

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents "Shakespeare on the Common Encores" Series featuring artists who have performed on the Shakespeare on the Common stage.

Join them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @commshakes to see who will show up next with a reprise of a piece of their performance – a little reminder of those starry, peaceful summer nights – on the Common until they return live next summer.

Visit https://commshakes.org/production/shakespeare-on-the-common-encores for more information.

• OTHER INTERESTS (Events and Activities)

'Artful Stories: Paintings from Historic New England'

"Artful Stories: Paintings from Historic New England" is an online exhibition that reflects what it is about New England – its architecture, landscapes, towns, and people – that imbues the region with a unique sense of place. The paintings date from the 1730s to today and are arranged by theme. "Land & Sea," in the first gallery, highlights the region's geography. "At Home in New England," in the second gallery, considers where and how people have lived here. "New England's People," in the third gallery, introduces an array of intriguing men and women. "The Wide World," in the fourth gallery, demonstrates the ways New Englanders have experienced places and cultures elsewhere. Curated by Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur, and Nancy Carlisle, senior curator of collections at Historic New England.

This online exhibition also includes historical photographs, additional content provided by the curators, and a chance to see some video of conservation work. This online preview is a complement to "Artful Stories: Paintings from Historic New England," that opens in the exhibition galleries at the Eustis Estate, 1424 Canton Ave., Milton this fall.

Visit http://eustis.estate/location/artful-stories for more information.

• CIVIL RIGHTS

At this time when thousands of people across this country and other countries have come together in protest every day since the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25, it is worth remembering that the struggle for Civil Rights has been going on for a long time.

Here are some short videos worth watching from the Civil Rights movements from the 1950s and '60s:

'BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY'

A campaign to register African American voters was launched during the Civil Rights Movement at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham by Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy and Fred Shutterworth. One of the ugliest, most hateful crimes committed during that era was the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama on Sept. 15, 1963. That bombing resulted in the murder of four children and injuries to many other people.

"Birmingham Sunday" is a haunting song beautifully written and sung by Richard Fariña. It was recorded in the summer of 1965. The four girls who were murdered were getting ready for a church school lesson that morning called, "The Love That Forgives." According to the notes with this song, the bombing was "a watershed moment for the Civil Rights movement at the time. The video has a still of the Ku Klux Klan member who allegedly planted the bomb. In October 1963, he was charged with possessing a box of 122 sticks of dynamite without a permit, for which he received a hundred-dollar fine and a six-month jail sentence. It took until 1977 for Robert Chambliss to be indicted for first-degree murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison where he died eight years later.

This song was recorded solo for the Singer Songwriter Project album. It demonstrates Fariña's growing talent and hints at the greatness he might have achieved but for his untimely death in 1966."

SELMA

One of the most important events happened in Alabama in 1965. There were three protest marches from Selma to Montgomery that year. These marches were to demonstrate the wish of Blacks to exercise their right to vote in defiance of segregationist repression. The marchers were to travel 54 miles as part of a wider voters' right movement. Alabama State Troopers brutally attacked the unarmed, peaceful Civil Rights demonstrators on a bridge outside Selma on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965. TV coverage put on display the horrible beating the marchers received from the police. The marchers went from Selma to Montgomery on March 21-25, led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

Later that year, the Voting Rights Act passed Congress and was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. In 2013, the Supreme Court weakened the law, opening the door for the return of voter suppression in a growing number of states today.

- This video shows the march to Selma, set to "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around" – performed by The Roots. It is a very powerful video.

CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE 1960s

- Here is another version of "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around" showing video from the Civil Rights movement overall. This is also a excellent look back at the events of that era.

- This is a very moving version of "Oh Freedom!" by The Golden Gospel Singers. It's made more powerful with the backdrop of the historic photos.

- Here is another view of the Civil Rights movement set to "Freedom Highway," sung by The Staple Singers in 1965. Included is Rosa Parks, who on Dec. 1, 1955 refused to sit in the back of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her courage inspired many people to stand up for equal rights. She is considered to be "The First Lady of Civil Rights" and "The Mother of the Freedom Movement."

JOAN BAEZ AND BOB DYLAN

Joan Baez was one of the singers to perform at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963. She sang "We Shall Overcome." The most remembered part of that protest gathering – one of the biggest in US history - was Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream" speech.

Also there that day was Bob Dylan. Here is a 1964 video of him singing "The Times They Are a Changin'." The song is just as meaningful today as it was in the 1960s.

REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s inspiring "I Have a Dream" speech was delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on Aug. 28, 1963. The crowd of 250,000 people who traveled from across the country to attend this rally was much larger than anyone expected. This version, highlighting the second half of the speech, is mixed with music composed by Ben Rothbard.

- Here is a portion of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "We Shall Overcome" speech, given at the Temple Israel of Hollywood in 1965. His words are just as relevant today as they were back then.

- This is MLK's final speech, given on April 3, 1968 in Memphis. As with many of his other speeches, this one is just as important and relevant today as it was in the 1960s. Dr. King was assassinated the next day.

STONEWALL NATIONAL MONUMENT (NYC)

"… there was no out, there was just in." Before the 1960s, almost everything about living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) person was illegal. New York City laws against homosexual activities were particularly harsh. The Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village on June 28, 1969, led by Black and Brown transgender women like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, as well as other queer people of color including Stormé Delarverie, is a milestone in the quest for LGBTQ+ civil rights and provided momentum for a movement.

Now a National Monument, people can visit the Stonewall Inn online at the colorful Stonewall Forever virtual monument, where visitors can manipulate a crystalized rainbow to discover nuggets of history and add their own voices to the conversation.

While visiting Stonewall Forever virtually, be sure to stream the documentary of the same name, which is most appropriate for teens and up.

Visit the websites for more information, including resources.

- "Unity does not mean sameness. It means oneness of purpose." Priscilla Shirer, Author

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