Vision 2020 Diversity Task Group
Winter 2017 Events
Post Immigration Myths Forum
Tuesday, May 8th, from 7-8:30 PM
Robbins Library Community Room
Free community forum that explores common questions about the impact of immigration on the US economy, jobs, and public safety.
This event is sponsored by the Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project and the International Institute of New England
For information please contact Beth Soltzberg at bethsoltzberg@gmail.com
“Wonder” Read-Aloud
March 2, 9, 16, and 23, from 3:00-4:00 pm
Robbins Library Children’s Area
Drop-in, for all ages.
Robbins Library Book Discussion Group
Monday, March 5, at 7:00 pm
Robbins Library Community Room
The group will be discussing Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Guys Book Group
Thursday, March 8, at 7:30 pm
Fox Branch Library
The group will be discussing Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Contact moderator Brad McKenna for details (bradley.mckenna@gmail.com)
Teen Early Release Movie: “Perks of Being a Wallflower”
Tuesday, March 6, from 2:00- 4:00 pm
Robbins Library Community Room
This coming-of-age story explores themes of mental health, friendship, and empathy for others in a time of need.
Snacks and drinks will be provided
This event is for grades 6 to 12
“Wonder” Book Discussion for Kids and Grownups
Thursday, March 8, from 3:30-4:30 pm
Robbins Library Community Room
Kids in grades 4 and up are invited to bring their adults to a discussion of the Arlington Reads Together title “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
KINDNESS ROCKS at Fox
Friday, March 9 from 3:00-4:30 pm
Fox Library Community Room
Kindness Rocks is a project that started to randomly spread kindness by painting small, flat rocks with inspiring messages.
For kids of all ages.
LEARN MORE at thekindessrocksproject.org
KICKOFF EVENT: Bringing ‘Wonder’ to Life with Sam Drazin
Saturday, March 10 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Robbins Library Community Room
Sam Drazin will be sharing his experience growing up and as a teacher with Treacher Collins syndrome.
This event is generally appropriate for middle school aged children and adults; younger children may attend at parents’ discretion.
Please RSVP HERE
“Wonder” Book Discussions for Adults
Wednesday, March 7, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Fox Branch Community Room
Friday, March 16, from 12:00 – 1:30 pm, Robbins Library Conference Room
Monday, March 19, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Robbins Library Community Room
Refreshments served at all book discussions
PLUGGED iN TO LiFE iTSELF
Wednesday, March 14, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Doors open at 6:30 and the film begins at 7
Robbins Library Community Room
The documentary Life Itself explores Roger Ebert’s career as a film critic and his battles with cancer and the resulting physical disability.
Not-So-Young Adult Book Group
Wednesday, March 14, 7:00 pm
Robbins Library Conference Room
The group will be discussing I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
This is a book group for adults, but they read books written for teens
6th Grade Book Club Reads Wonder
Thursday, March 15, from 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Robbins Library Conference Room
Discussion and papercraft activity based on the book Wonder.
Refreshments will be provided. Sign up HERE
Shine Your Light! An Open Mic Night for Arlington
Friday, March 16, 7:00-9:00 pm
(special after-hours event)
Fox Branch Library Community Room
Questions to Fox Branch Librarian Anna Litten at alitten@minlib.net or 781-316-3196
Teen KINDNESS ROCKS
Tuesday, March 20, from 3:30 – 5:30 pm
Robbins Teen Area
Kindness Rocks is a project that started to randomly spread kindness by painting small, flat rocks with inspiring messages.
This event is for grades 6 to 12.
Teen Zine Workshop w/ Desiree Alaniz
Tuesday, March 27 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Robbins Teen Area
This event is for grades 6 to 12
Robbins Library Queer Book Group/Social
Wednesday, March 28, from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Robbins Library Conference Room
This month QBG will be watching the web series 195 Lewis.
New members always welcome!
Email or call Rob at rlorino@minlib.net or 781-316-3226 with questions.
WRAP-UP EVENT: “Wonder”: The Challenge of Difference – presented in partnership with Facing History and Ourselves
Thursday, March 29, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Robbins Library Community Room
A community discussion of empathy, identity, perspective, and the range of human behavior through poetry, video, and multimodal discussion strategies
This program is suitable for middle school age youth and adults
Vision 2020 Diversity Task Group
Fall 2017 Events
Stories of Reaching Across Class Differences: True Story Theater
Saturday, October 14 from 7:30 pm – 9:15 pm
The Arlington Center – Yoga Studios
369 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA
True Story Theater addresses how class differences affect our relationships.
Event costs between $5 and $20.
How to Be an Effective Citizen Lobbyist: Senator Cindy Friedman and Colleen Kirby
Monday September 18, from 7-9
First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington; in the Vestry
630 Mass Ave, Arlington Center
Event is welcome and free to all!
This workshop is perfect for any concerned citizen who would like to learn how to be persuasive when speaking with legislators and influence government decisions.
*This event is specific to reform for the justice system in MA, but the principles can be applied to other issues.
QUESTIONS? Contact end-mass-incarceration@firstparish.info
Vision 2020 Diversity Task Group
Spring 2016 Events
Arlington Reads Together Kick off with Nicole Maines: You are Part of the Story
Saturday March 4, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
Arlington Town Hall
Event is free and open to the public but registration is suggested
Stories of Welcoming: Brought 
to life by True Story Theater
A free community event! Thursday, December 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The Medford Public Library, Community Room
111 High Street, Medford MA
Murder, Policing and Race a discussion on two authors perspectives. Monday, November 21 7-9 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington 630 Mass. Ave. in Arlington Center, in the Parlor.
A Book Discussion on “Blindspot: The Hidden Biases of Good People” – Thurs., June 2, 2016, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington ( the Stanton Parlor) , 630 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Center
LGBT Senior Healthy Aging Panel – Thur., May 5, 7 – 8 PM, Arlington Senior Center, 27 Maple Street.
Join an informative panel discussion and Q&A with professionals on personal safety, LGBT, senior housing, safe sex, Medicare, mental health issues
“Stories of Stigmas” – Tues., May 10, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, at Robbins Library Community Room
With True Story Theater, explore aspects of feeling stigmatized – or stigmatizing others.
“Meet Fannie Barrier Williams” – Wednesday, May 18, 7 to 8:30 pm at Robbins Library Community Room, 700 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington. High school students are welcome to attend.
Fannie Barrier Williams (1855-1944) grew up in Brockport, N.Y., where black and white children were educated together and freely visited each other’s homes. Imagine Fannie’s surprise and distress when she moved to the South to teach.
“Being An Active Bystander” – Wed., May 25, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, at Arlington Center for the Arts
With True Story Theater and facilitator, learn skills and practice responses to incidents of injustice.
Photography Exhibit -“Stereotypes: A Conscious Look at Race, Faith, Gender and Orientation” Mon., March 7 – Fri., April 15;
With Arlington Center for the Arts, we bring photographer Kevin Briggs’ powerful work to Arlington.
“Identity in Arlington and ‘Americanah’” Tues., Mar. 22, 7:00 – 8:30 pm in Robbins Library Community Room. Diversity Task Group co-sponsoring with Robbins Library.
This panel discussion featuring Arlingtonians will explore the many forces that impact the creation of one’s identity: culture, race, gender, class and personal will.
“Unconscious Bias” Thurs., April 7, 7:00 pm at Arlington Town Hall
We all have biases toward and against other people, especially those different from us. We’ll explore how those biases affect all aspects of our society, and what we can do about them. Presenter: Christopher Dial, Lab Manager, Social Cognition Lab, Harvard University.
Embrace diversity and celebrate individuality – 2016 AIFF Poster Contest & Reception on Thur., Apr. 21, 7 PM at the ACA, 41 Foster Street.
Join us for music & refreshments. All poster submissions will be on display and the winning poster will be unveiled.
