Community briefs 2/2

BNI ACCELERATORS, Meeting, kick-off at Museum
The BNI Accelerators is taking its innovative approach to networking and building businesses to the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation, 154 Second Ave. To celebrate the move and International Networking Week, the Accelerators invite all interested business owners and professionals to join in a kick-off celebration Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Celebrate the key role networking plays in the development and success of businesses across the world and meet engaged, motivated people.
To RSVP or for more information, call 617-319-6021.

WALTHAM CROSSINGS, Arthritis exercise
Waltham Crossings, 126 Smith St., will start an Arthritis Foundation exercise program on Wednesdays and Fridays, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 4, 10 to 11 a.m.
For more information, call 781-466-9912.

TREASURER'S OFFICE, Real estate tax information
The Waltham Treasurer's office would like to remind taxpayers that their calendar year 2008 real estate tax information is available on the Web at www.city.waltham.ma.us.

MASERGY, Trends in Ethernet technology
MASERGY, a global service provider specializing in simplifying business networks for enterprises, will be hosting a national seminar series Thursday, Feb. 5, 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Westin Waltham-Boston Hotel, 70 Third Ave. Attendees will be able to observe new trends in Ethernet technology and how MASERGY delivers global Ethernet VPNs. This will be followed by presentations on managing and controlling Ethernet networks as well as reviews of real-time application performance and the quality of experience.
For more information, call MASERGY at 866-588-5885.

SUBURBAN COALITION, Help during economic crisis
The Suburban Coalition presents, Speaking with One Voice, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m., at Kennedy Middle School, 655 Lexington St. With probable decreases in local aid, it is imperative to communicate with legislators on reforms at the state level that will help municipalities through the current fiscal crisis without devastating cuts to essential services. The Coalition will provide the background and tools to help attendees communicate with legislators about the imperative need for reform, as well as look for ways to coordinate efforts in advocating for change.
To learn more, visit www.suburbancoalition.org. To RSVP or questions, contact Dorothy Presser at dorothypresser@suburbancoalition.org.

WALTHAM YMCA, Basketball skills challenge
The Waltham YMCA presents, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge on Thursday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. This free competition is open for boys and girls, 9-14 years old. This event is a great chance for kids to showcase their skills in shooting, passing and dribbling. Participants may register the day of the event and must bring a copy of their birth certificate and fill out a completed waiver release upon registration.
For more information contact Pat Ferdinand at email Perdinand@ymcaboston.org.

OASIS COFFEEHOUSE, Poetry Slam
The Oasis Coffeehouse holds its first Poetry Slam on Friday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., hosted by poet/author Joyce Jellison. The Coffeehouse, 34 Alder St., is a not-for-profit run by volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church, and provides a safe, inclusive and alcohol-free environment where all ages can enjoy live music, fair-trade coffee and tea, home-baked goods, and free Wi-Fi. Admission is $5. One winner will receive a variety of locally donated prizes.
For additional information visit. www.oasiscoffeehouse.org.

IRENE PEPPERBERG, `Alex and Me'
Brandeis Professor Irene Pepperberg will discuss her memoir, ``Alex & Me,'' about her lifelong work with Alex the African Grey Parrot, at Back Pages Books, 289 Moody St., on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m. The event is free.
For more information, visit www.backpagesbooks.com or call 781-209-0631.

AARP, Tax counseling
AARP offers a free tax counseling program, AARP Tax-Aide, to assist senior citizens with the preparation of basic federal and state income tax returns, through April 15, the association offers. To find an AARP Tax-Aide site locally, call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669) or go online to www.aarp.org/ma.

HISTORY MUSEUM, Map Night
The Newton History Museum, 527 Washington St., presents, Map Night, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Examine maps of Newton from the 19th century to today. Find out the answers to questions such as: Whose farm was subdivided to make your house lot or when was your street first laid out? Free.
For more information, visit www.newtonhistorymuseum.org or call 617-796-1450.

WARMLINES, Two groups forming
WarmLines has two groups starting this week: Not-So-New Moms Groups, for first-time mothers with infants from 3-12, beginning Feb. 4, 12:30 to 2 p.m.; and Music Stay-and-Play Classes, beginning Feb. 3 and 6, for children 3 months to 3.5 years, along with their adult partners, to gather for music and movement followed by play time for informal fun with friends. WarmLines is located at 225 Nevada St.
Register online at www.warmlines.org or call 617-244-INFO or for more information.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Small Business Seminar
The Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce next Small Business Seminar, Defining and Redefining Your Business Model, presented by Dr. Bruce Katcher, is Thursday, Feb. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St. The seminar he will describe 22 different business models he is writing about in his book to be published next year, ``Starting and Growing an Independent Consulting Practice: Lessons from Those Who Have Been There and Done It.'' Cost is $20, $35 for non-members. Lunch is included.
To register online, visit www.nnchamber.com or contact the Chamber at 617-244-5300.

LA LECHE LEAGUE, Facts and Fallacies
La Leche Legue offers, Breastfeeding Facts and Fallacies, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monthly meetings are open to mothers and their nursing babies and mothers-to-be.
For location and more information, call Linda at 617-527-8343.

COMMUNITY FARM, Making jellies and jams
Just in time for Valentine's Day, The Newton Community Farm presents a course on how to make jams and jellies Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7 to 9 p.m. We will walk you through the steps to make a luscious fruit jam and an herbal jelly. We will also discuss techniques for freezer jams, water bath processing, and useful tools for the home jam and jelly maker. You will go home with two jars of jam, information on how to make your first batch at home, a preserving book, and a list of resources and recipes to get you started. Cost is $25.
E-mail ncfeducation@comcast.net to register and location.

HISTORY MUSEUM, Early-Release program
The Newton History Museum, 527 Washington St., presents a Newton Early-Release Day program, After the Underground Railroad, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Jackson Homestead in Newton is a documented site on the national Underground Network to Freedom. At this drop-off program, find out what happened after slaves escaped to freedom on the Underground Railroad. Come learn where they went and how they rebuilt their lives after leaving everything familiar behind in their quest for freedom. Cost: $10 ($8 for members); includes admission, materials, and snack; prepaid registration is required.
For more information or to register, visit www.newtonhistorymuseum.org or call 617-796-1450.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Women in Networking
The Women in Networking Committee of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce next luncheon event is Tuesday, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel, 100 Cabot St., Needham. The featured speaker is Geri Denterlein, president of Denterlein Worldwide Public Affairs, who will discuss, Power Chicks - Leadership Skills for Women. There will also be an interactive networking exercise and a raffle. Cost is $50, $35 for members.
For more information, contact the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce at 617-244-5300 or visit www.nnchamber.com.

NEW ART CENTER, Springs & Geometry
The New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, presents a lecture, Strings & Geometry: An Intersection between Art & Modern Physics, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. This inspiring presentation will be made by Dr. Cumrun Vafa, professor at Harvard University and a leading expert on String Theory. He will present an engaging glimpse into the connections between art and modern physics, and illuminate some of the visual and conceptual similarities between the disciplines. Suggested donation $5.
For more information, call 617-964-3424, e-mail cecimendez@newartcenter.org, or visit www.newartcenter.org.