Politics & Government

Brookline Celebrating National Public Health Week

Brookline Public Health department announces its plans for National Public Health Week, April 2 - 8.

The following is a press release from the :

“Food Justice,” “Marijuana and the Teen Brain,” “Healthy Eating for a Long Life” are just three of the topics the Brookline community will discuss at local events during National Public Health Week 2012 (NPHW, April 2-8, 2012). Linked to NPHW’s theme:  “A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement,” the Brookline Department of Public Health and a broad range of partners offer programs that outline important steps to healthier living.

  • Food justice is the topic at the 9th annual Hunger Banquet to be held at Brookline High School on Tuesday, April 3. Questions about the relationship between diet and diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s will be explored at the Brookline Senior Center on Monday, April 2. Preschoolers at local daycare centers will practice cough etiquette and how to correctly wash their hands. And Brookline residents can attend a free workshop on emergency preparedness, to learn when to “shelter in place,” and how to create an emergency family communication plan. The full list of National Public Health Week events follows:
  • Why Not Pot? Marijuana and the Teen Brain. B-CASA Community Forum featuring health professionals, other speakers. Parents, teens and the community are invited. Tuesday, March 27, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.  MLK Room, Brookline High School, 115 Greenough Street. (Pre-week event)
  • Brookline Woman of the Year: Sonya Elder, Director of Food Services, Brookline Public Schools, will be honored at the Brookline Women’s Commission 20th annual Women Who Inspire Us Awards Ceremony. Thursday, March 29, 5:30 PM, Hunneman Hall, Brookline Main Library, 361 Washington Street. 
  • Tee Off at the Library. Practice your putting when the Brookline Main Library, with assistance from the Brookline Recreation Department, is transformed into a mini-golf course for a weekend. Saturday, March 31, 7:30 PM, (Open to teens 7th-12th grades, Tickets $5). Sunday, April 1, 8:30 AM, (Open to families with kids 5 and up, 4-person Family Tickets $10).  Brookline Main Library, 361 Washington Street. Register at brooklinerec.com; 617-730-2069.   
  • Public Health “Myths” Quiz. Kick off National Public Health Week by taking the Public Health Quiz online at: www.brooklinema.gov/health.  Begins Monday, April 2.
  • Be a Germ Buster: Learn to Wash Your Hands and Cover Your Cough.  Pine Manor College students present an educational program at Brookline Department of Public Health and at various local schools and daycare centers.  Begins Monday, April 2. (Limited to certain preschools, daycare centers.)
  • Healthy Eating for a Long Life: Can you reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Heart Disease by changing your diet. Kathy McManus, Director, Department of Nutrition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. What are practical tips to integrate healthier eating into your daily life. Sue R. Levy, health coach, founder of Savory Living and a Brookline resident. Monday April 2, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street.
  • Make It Meatless at Brookline’s K-8 public schools.  Lunch at the K-8 schools will feature a meatless entree option.  Monday, April 2.  (Limited to K-8 students in Brookline public schools.)
  • Emergency Preparedness Begins at Home. Featuring Dawn Sibor, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, the workshop demonstrates simple steps to prepare for most emergencies, including plans to “shelter in place,” contents of an evacuation kit, and creation of a family communication plan. Tuesday, April 3, 6:30–8 p.m., Denny Room, Brookline Department of Public Health, 11 Pierce Street.  
  • 9th Annual Hunger Banquet at Brookline High School. Learn about Food Justice, eat food from area restaurants and support the Brookline Food Pantry.  Price of admission is a non-perishable item to benefit the food pantry.  Dialogue about issues concerning food justice:  pesticides, food insecurity, climate change. Tuesday, April 3, 6:30 p.m., Brookline High School, 115 Greenough Street.
  • Kick Butts Day at Brookline High School planned and implemented by BHS Peer Leaders.    Brookline High School will celebrate the day with a school-wide event promoting freedom from tobacco among teens.   Thursday, April 5.  (Limited to BHS students).
  • Expand Your Palate at Brookline High School. Brookline’s Food Services will feature a taste test table featuring healthy salads, entrees, etc., cooked from scratch. Thursday, April 5 during lunch. (Limited to BHS community.)
  • Employee Wellness Fair. The Town’s annual Wellness Fair, sponsored by Human Resources, for active town and school employees to gain health-related information. Thursday, April 5, 12:00 Noon – 4:00 pm., First Floor, Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington St.
  • Rabies Clinic. A chance to bring your dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies. All pets must be brought on a leash or in a cage by a person at least 14 years old. $10 fee. Saturday, April 7: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon. Town Hall, 333 Washington St.

For further information about National Public Health Week 2012 in Brookline, please contact Lynne Karsten, Director of Community Health, Brookline Department of Public Health;  617-730-2336, lkarsten@brooklinema.gov

Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here