Calendar 5/1

COMMUNITY EVENTS
SPROUT Sprout: A Benefit for Waltham Fields Community Farm is Friday, May 2, 7 to 10 p.m., at The Paine Estate, 100 Robert Treat Paine Drive. Blues band, food and drink, and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 for members, $45 for non-members. Information/tickets: www.communityfarms.org.
NEWTON OPEN STUDIOS A wine and cheese reception sponsored by Newton Open Studios is Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m., at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Find out more about Newton Open Studios, which is May 17-18. Information: www.newtonopenstudios.com.
REP. KOUTOUJIAN NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts will honor state Rep. Peter Koutoujian, House Chairman of the Public Health Committee, for his work in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities, on Saturday, May 3, noon to 2 p.m., at Solea Tapas Bar & Restaurant, 388 Moody St., Waltham. There will be complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Suggested donation of $10. RSVP: 617-556-8800, Ext. 13; Heather@ProChoiceMass.org.
RABIES A Rabies Clinic, sponsored by Newton Health and Human Services Department, is Monday, May 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Fire Station #4, 195 Crafts St. Cats and dogs must be caged or leashed and escorted by someone over age 14. The cost is $10. Information: 617-796-1420.
GOLF TOURNAMENT The Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce's 43rd annual Golf Tournament is Tuesday, May 13, 11 a.m. (10 a.m. registration), at Wedgewood Pines Country Club, Stow. Cost is $175, which includes a round of golf, cart, BBQ lunch and dinner. There will also be contests, raffle and auction. Information: 781-894-4700, Ext. 123.
WALTHAM RAW The Waltham Raw New England Community Dinner/Speaker Series, with author ``Sproutman'' Steve Meyerowitz, is Tuesday, May 6, 5 p.m., at UMass Waltham Center, 240 Beaver St., Waltham Cost is $5, $10 for non-members. Information: betsy@rawnewenglandcommunity.com; 781-899-6664.
BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON The 24th annual Book and Author Luncheon is Friday, May 2, noon, at the Newton Marriott, 2345 Commonwealth Ave. Cost is $35. Information: 617-997-7942; bookandauthor@gmail.com.
RELAY FOR LIFE The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Waltham-Lexington is May 16, 6 p.m., to May 17, 10 a.m., at Cornelia Warren Field, Waltham. Teams still being sought. Information: 781-314-2681; 1-800-ACS-2345; www.cancer.org.
FLOW Brandeis University presents director Irena Salina, and the Boston debut of her film ``FLOW: For Love Of Water,'' on Thursday, May 1, 7:30 p.m., in the Sachar International Center, Wasserman Cinematheque, 415 South St. Free. Information: delorenz@brandeis.edu.

SALES/FAIRS/FUNDRAISERS
RUMMAGE SALE The Women's Association of Trinity Church, 730 Main St., Waltham, is having its Summer Rummage Sale on Friday, May 2, 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to noon. Information: 781-899-3891.
OPERATION SOLDIER Operation American Soldier is collecting items or donations for shipping costs. Soldiers have requested the following items: candy, cookies (small packages), snacks, microwave popcorn, powdered drink singles, socks (crew), T-shirts, toiletries (unscented), feminine products, blank note cards, playing cards, DVDs & CDs. We need help packing boxes, paperwork and more. Information: 617-504-0532.
GALA/AUCTION The Waltham Boys & Girls Club will host its 18th annual Gala/Auction on Friday, May 2, 6:30 p.m., at Westin Waltham Hotel, 70 Third Ave. The Soft Touch Dance Band will provide the music. Entry is $100 per raffle ticket and you do not have to be present to win. Tickets to the auction are $75. Information: 781-893-6620.
BOOKS TO SOLDIERS Got Books can send someone who is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas a care package full of books. To submit the name and address, visit www.GotBooks.com/troops. Got Books provides all books and also handles and pays for all labor and shipping costs. Information: www.GotBooks.com; 978-396-6026.
MEAT RAFFLE The Waltham Post 2152 and the Ladies Auxiliary, 210 Felton St. in Waltham, will hold a meat raffle to support community activities, Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m. There also will be a 50/50 raffle. Information: 781-894-9243; 781-899-5230.
WALK FOR HUNGER Project Bread's 40th Walk for Hunger is Sunday, May 4, a 20-mile route through Boston, Brookline, Newton and Cambridge. Registration is from 7 to 9 a.m. on Boston Common. Information: 617-723-5000; www.projectbread.org.
SPA FOR KOMEN Tranquility Day Spa, 15 Spring St., Watertown, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate, are offering a special Spa for a Mother's Cure menu May 1-17. For every service on the menu that is purchased during the Mother's Day promotional period, 10 percent will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate. Information: 617-924-1026; e-mail info@watertownspa.com.
BREAST CANCER More than 100 restaurants and bakeries in the Boston area, including Il Capriccio and Tempo in Waltham, Not Your Average Joe's in Watertown, and Aquitane Bis, Kouzina, Legal Sea Foods, Lumiere and Metropolitan Club in Newton, will bake unique desserts the week leading up to Mother's Day, May 5-11, for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. All sales benefits breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Information: www.bostonbakesforbreastcancer.org.
JARVIS GREEN New England Patriot Jarvis Green will be at Borders in Chestnut Hill Atrium Mall on Sunday, May 4, 2 to 4 p.m., to support the Jarvis Green Foundation, a nonprofit organization to benefit single working mothers in disadvantaged, low-income areas. Information: www.jarvisgreen.com.
FLEA MARKET The French American Victory Club, 193 Elm St., is holding a flea market on Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spaces are available. Anyone with donations can drop off at the club on from 1 to 7 p.m. Information: 781-899-8195 or visit www.favclub.org.
CALENDARS Six Waltham elementary schools are selling Raffle Calendars for May. Cost is $10, with 31 hances to win cash prizes. Information: Ethel, Bright Elementary, 781-894-0657; Christine, Fitzgerald, ciannuzzo@comcast.net; Phil, MacArthur, 781-647-4430; Tammi, Northeast, northeast-pto@hotmail.com; Kim, Plympton, plymptonpto@yahoo.com; Lori, Whittemore, 781-642-0834.
RED CROSS The 3rd annual Spring Raffle to benefit the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay, MetroWest Area, features a Bose Lifestyle 28 Series III DVD Home Entertainment System, valued at $2,000, as the grand prize. Drawings held beginning June 2. Tickets are $20 each, 3 for $50 or 7 for $100. Information/tickets: 781-642-7000, Ext. 5546; BaylisHe@usa.redcross.org.
CATHY VAUGHAN Friends and family have scheduled an event for Cathy Vaughan, Carousel School teacher for 27 years, who is ill. On Tuesday, May 13, 5 to 8 p.m., a fundraiser at The Chateau restaurant, 195 School St., The Vaughan family will receive a portion of the sale of all food orders, eat-in or take out, when a coupon is presented. Information/coupon: 781-893-1503; www.carepages.com.
LOCAL COOKBOOK A new cookbook, ``Local Flavor: Waltham,'' that celebrates the city's culinary traditions, is seeking for recipes for Waltham residents. The cookbook will help provide funding for the city's nonprofit groups as a fundraising tool. Information: 781-595-4510; www.walthamcookbook.org.
SUPPLIES FOR TROOPS Waltham VFW Post 2152 and Ladies Auxiliary will be collecting donations to send to our soldiers in Iraq - Sgt. Chris Physic, Spc. Jeremy Bray, Spc. Paul Briggs, Spc. Daniel Fernandez and 2Lt. Ryan Galluzzo. Items: www.carepackageproject.com. Information: 781-894-9243.
BOWEN NURSERY SCHOOL Bowen Cooperative Nursery School annual fundraising yard sale is Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church, 86 Otis St., Newton. Information: 617-332-3923.
CLOTHING EXCHANGE The Waltham Clothing Exchange at the Unitarian Church, 50 Church St., will have a half-price sale Tuesday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The clearance sale is Tuesday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exchange will close after the clearance sale and will reopen mid-September. Information: 781-893-6240.

FAMILIES/CHILDREN/TEENS
SWING CLASSES Arts in the Parks, Newton Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the Summer Swing classes for 3-6 year olds without an adult, and Time for Partners classes for children 18 months to early 3s with an adult. Program runs June 30-Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m. to noon, at the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St. Information: 617-796-1540.
SUMMERWORKS Waltham's summer employment, SummerWorks 2008, has seasonal positions for Waltham students ages 14-21. The program runs July 1-Aug. 29. Applications are available through June 20 at the Personnel Department, 119 School St. Students may participate in the program for only two years. Application/information: 781-314-3356.
SWIMMING The West Suburban YMCA's first aquatic challenge, Miles Madness, is an effort to encourage swimmers of all levels to experience a new type of workout. It runs until Sunday, May 4. Each participant will work at his own level and will complete an aquatic workout based on lengths, laps, or miles in the pool. Incentives and prizes will be rewarded. Cost is $25, $55 for non-members. Information: 617-244-6050, Ext. 3127; amandaw@westsuburbanymca.org.
TENNIS Newton Parks & Rec offers spring and summer 2008 tennis for kids and adults Classes begin the last week of April. Information/registration: www.newtontennis.com; newtontennis@earthlink.net; 617-661-PLAY.
ESSAY CONTEST Waltham students in grades 4-8 (in September 2008) can once again participate in an essay contest, Waltham's History - The Nation's History. Students must use at least two of Waltham's historic resources (free to participating students and their family members through Aug. 4.) Students can enter by sending an e-mail to walthamessay@nara.gov, or they may enter in person at the National Archives and Records Administration, 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham. Information: www.historicwaltham.org.
STORYTIMES Register your preschooler for spring storytimes at the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main St. Storytimes started March 25 and lasts for six weeks. Registration/information: 781-314-3425.
ICE SKATING Public skating hours for the Veterans Memorial Rink, 314 Totten Pond Road, Waltham: Fridays, 7 to 8:50 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 to 3:50 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 11:50 a.m. The Stick and Puck program will run Thursdays, noon to 12:50 p.m., beginning Nov. 15. Information: www.city.waltham.ma.us.
KIDS NIGHT OUT West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church St., Newton, hosts Kids Night Out, a drop-in program Fridays, 6 to 10 p.m. Kids 7-13 years old are invited to participate in swimming, gym, arts and crafts, board games, pool, ping pong, air hockey, electronic basketball, Nintendo Wii. There will also be movies, special events and a pizza dinner. Cost is $20; $25 for non-members. Information: 617-244-6050, Ext 3006; gregge@westsuburbanymca.org; www.westsuburbanymca.org.
WALK AROUND GORE Take A Walk at Gore Place, 52 Gore St., offers families the opportunity to explore the 45-acre grounds with the aid of an activities backpack for children ages 3-9 and their accompanying adults. They can search for animal tracks; identify trees by their shapes, needles, or pinecones; and visit the llama, sheep, goats, and chickens on the farm. Also available is a tour of the mansion. Information: 781-894-2798, www.goreplace.org.

THEATER/FILM/PERFORMANCE
HOVEY PLAYERS Hovey Players presents ``A Shayna Maidel,'' running May 2-17, at the Abbott Memorial Theater, Joel's Way, 9 Spring St. Tickets are $15, seniors/students, $13. Those attending the opening night performance is invited to the opening night party, at Baan Thai Restaurant, 659 Main St. Tickets/infomation: 781-893-9171; www.hoveyplayers.com.
IMPROV JONES Improv Jones Boston, an uproarious eight-member comedic troupe, will perform at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., on Wednesday, May 7, 7 p.m. Information: improvjonesboston.com.
GILBERT AND SULLIVAN The New England Gilbert and Sullivan Society will give a reading of the play, ``Engaged,'' on Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m., at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Information: 617-796-1360.
NEW REP New Repertory Theatre presents ``Dessa Rose,'' from the award-winning composer-lyricist team of ``Ragtime.'' This powerful story of two strong-willed women explores diversity and unlikely friendship in the antebellum South. It runs April 22-May 18, at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Tickets are $40-$59. Information/tickets: 617-923-8487; www.newrep.org.
`FLOW' Brandeis University will present Irena Salina, and the Boston debut of her film ``FLOW: For Love Of Water,'' on Thursday, May 1, 7:30 p.m., in the Sachar International Center, Wasserman Cinematheque, 415 South St. The film focuses on the politics, pollution and human rights that are associated with the challenges facing the earth's water supply. Free. Information: delorenz@brandeis.edu.

EXHIBITS
OASIS GALLERY The Oasis Gallery presents siblings Eleanor Goud and Jeff Sluder, artists-in-residence at the Gallery, in the First Presbyterian Church, 34 Alder St., Waltham, through May 11. Information: info@oasiscoffeehouse.org; 781-795-1041.
WILD LIFE/WILDLIFE The Gallery at Mount Ida College, Carlson Hall, 777 Dedham St., Newton, presents Wild Life/Wildlife, an original exhibit featuring artists' expressions of the essence of wildlife as it relates to the natural world. The works will be on display March 25-May 4. Information: 617-928-4654; kdriscoll@mountida.edu.
ON DRAWING The New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, presents On Drawing: Surface, Line, Mark, on view April 7-May 18 in the Main Gallery. A panel discussion with co-curator Jessica Burko and artists is Thursday, April 24, 7 p.m. Information: 617-964-3424; ceci@newartcenter.org; www.newartcenter.org.
LYNNE AVADENKA The Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis University, 515 South St., hosts its first artist-in-residence and an exhibition celebrating eloquence, bravery. Lynne Avadenka's site-specific installation, A Thousand and One Inventions, runs through May 21. Information/related events: www.brandeis.edu/centers/wsrc/.
MCMULLEN The McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., hosts, Tree of Paradise: Jewish Mosaics from the Roman Empire, on view through June 8. Free group tours Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Information: www.bc.edu/artmuseum; 617-552-8100.

MEETINGS/LECTURES
ROMANCE AUTHOR Historical romance author Emily Bryan dispels the notions of bon-bons and feather boas when she talks about, Neurotica - The Secret Life of a Romance Author, at the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main St., on Tuesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. Bryan also has three books published under her own name, Diana Groe. Information/RSVP: www.waltham.lib.ma.us; 781-314-3425, Ext. 2.
ARCHIVES The National Archives, 380 Trapelo Road, Waltham, offers two free workshops in May. Finding Your Ancestors in Maritime Records, a lecture suitable for novice genealogists and family historians, takes place Tuesday, May 6, 2 p.m. A tour of the facility precedes the lecture at 1:30 p.m. Civil Rights in Federal Records, a workshop for teachers, is Thursday, May 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Reservations: 866-406-2379; 781-663-0121; waltham.archives@nara.gov.
GENEALOGY The Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston will feature Ronald Grim, curator of Maps at the Boston Public Library, at its next meeting, Monday, May 5, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St. Information: www.jgsgb.org; info@jgsgb.org; 617-796-8522.
HOUSING GWARC is holding a free Housing Seminar on Thursday, May 8, 6:30 p.m., at GWARC, 56 Chestnut St., Waltham, featuring housing expert Anne Lane, who will give federal, state or local housing funding resources. RSVP: 781-899-1344, Ext. 4120; athorpe@gwarc.org.
BUSINESS PLAN The Women's Enterprise Initiative will present Business Plan Forum on Thursday, May 1, 6:15 to 9 p.m., at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Free. Information: www.ci.newton.ma.us/wei; 617-566-3013.

SENIORS
AARP The Waltham/Watertown/Belmont Chapter 3809 of AARP will meet Monday May 5, 1 p.m. at the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post 156, 215 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham. The speaker will be Dan Yaeger of the Waltham Tourism Council who is putting together a cookbook celebrating Waltham's culinary heritage. Members with names F-M are requested to bring items for the refreshment table. Visitors are welcome. Bring non-perishable food or new knitting yarn for AARP's annual nationwide Day of Service. Information: 781-893-4655; 781-890-7512.

HEALTH
HOLISTIC The West Suburban YMCA will host Take It Off, Keep It Off, a new unique and holistic program designed to educate, cultivate, and support lifelong personal health changes and improvements. The program begins Monday, May 5. Cost is $13, or $39.95 per month. Information: 617-244-6050, Ext. 3017; jennifers@westsuburbanymca.org.