Community briefs 7/23

JOHN `JACK' DOYLE, Kick-off for Governor's Council
The Committee to Elect John ``Jack'' Doyle to represent District 3 on the Governors Council, which includes Waltham, will be holding a kick-off celebration Thursday July 24, 7 to 11 p.m., at the Ancient Order of Hibernians, 151 Watertown St., Watertown. Refreshments and music. Doyle is a Waltham resident.
For more information, e-mail doyleforgovernorscouncil@yahoo.com.

ITALIAN NIGHT, At Sons of Italy
Italian Night will take place Thursday, July 24, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Sons of Italy, 99 Cedar St. Cost is $10, $12 at the door. Proceeds go to the Benefits Scholarship Fund. Live entertainment and food.
For details, call 781-893-8838.

SPAY WAGGIN, Low cost spay and neuter
The Waltham Police Department and The Cat Connection are sponsoring the Spay Waggin, a mobile low-cost spay neuter clinic for cats owned by Waltham residents, on Aug. 26. It will provide an examination, spay or neuter, rabies and distemper vaccines and micro-chip. The cost depends on the family's income. Forms must be returned by July 28.
Call Officer Ann Campobasso at 781-314-3596, The Cat Connection at 781-642-6808 or visit the Waltham Police Station at 155 Lexington St., to get the forms.

SALVATION ARMY, School supplies
Each year, Waltham Salvation Army provides needy families help with school supplies. Children in kindergarten through eighth grade are assigned sponsors who purchase grade-appropriate school supplies and one back-to-school outfit, including shoes/sneakers. In 2008, the Salvation Army will serve 100 families, including 300 children.
To donate or for more information, call 781-894-0413 or stop in at 33 Myrtle St.

NATIONAL JUNIOR COTILLION, Opening program in area
The National League of Junior Cotillions has announced plans to establish its program in Middlesex County. The purpose of the program is to give students instruction and practice in the courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them. In addition to the usual courtesies connected with dancing and etiquette, character instruction is also provided regarding the following: honor, respect, ethics, sportsmanship, acknowledgments of gifts, behavior at cultural and civic events, correspondence, inter-action in groups, introductions, paying and receiving compliments, receiving lines, table manners, instructional dinners, electronic etiquette, cell phone courtesy, and many other areas of social conduct.
Applications or nominations for cotillion director are currently being received. For additional information call 1-800-633-7947, visit www.nljc.com, or e-mail to cotillions@nljc.com.

COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES, Seeking volunteers
Combined Jewish Philanthropies is in need of volunteers. Teach a child to read, share your time with an isolated senior, make a real difference in the lives of children, visit a new Mom, feed the hungry or use your professional skills.
For details, call Nancy at 617-558-6585.

ARTS FESTIVAL, Newton residents taking part
Creative Arts at Park presents a free, day-long arts festival Friday, July 25, 9 a.m., at Hellenic College, 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline. The Festival presents work in the visual and performing arts by more than 250 young people from 23 Greater Boston communities, including Newton.
The festival features dance, music, drama, gymnastics, film and video, writing, karate, fencing and visual arts. The Festival also features two plays, ``A Midsummer Night's Dream'' and ``Hamletta,'' a musical re-telling of William Shakespeare's ``Hamlet.'' The musical can be seen on Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call 617-875-5015.

CHILDREN'S SERIES, Storyteller Bonnie Greenberg
The Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs and Arts in the Parks, Newton Parks and Recreation presents Drumming About You with Bob Bloom, at the Free Thursday Afternoon Children's Performance Series, on Thursday, July 24, 1 p.m. The performance is at at Ware's Cove, on the shores of the Charles River in Auburndale. Rain location will be in the adjacent field house.
For further information, call 617-796-1540 or 617-527-8283, or visit www.newtonpride.org.

EPOCH, Book club meeting
EPOCH Assisted Living at Boylston Place, 615 Heath St., will host a book club meeting Friday, July 25, 11:15 a.m. The book club is free and open to the public. Book reviewer Gail Rice will lead a book review and discussion of the novel ``Crossing to Safety,'' by Wallace Stegner. The novel by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author who crafts a superb narrative around the friendship of two couples who meet at a university faculty party in the 1930s. This story spans four decades and touches important themes like friendship, the risks and dangers of love and the effects of time.
Reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, call 617-244-6400.