SCI Lynn is looking for translators to volunteer editing a Multilingual Publication for residents of Lynn. This publication will include listings of basic services and resources available to the Lynn community at large. The goal of this publication is to increase accessibility to resources, increase the usage of those services, and promote civic engagement. SCI Lynn hopes to have the publication finished by fall 2008 in the five following languages Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Voluteers may possibly recieve a small honorarium. For more information please contact Amanda Richardson at arichardson@socialcapitalinc.org or call 781-599-1269.

Congratulations goes out to the Highlands Coalition and the Ford Community School, which officially dedicated the new International Children’s Garden at Ford School on Monday.  Students will have the opportunity to grow plants in the garden to learn about plants and healthy eating, and the garden will also serve as a great resource for the surrounding neighborhoods.  SCI Lynn was pleased to support the effort as part of the Neighborhood Leadership Awards program.  Many Lynn notables were on hand for the event including Mayor Chip Clancy, Superintendent of Schools Nick Kostan and School Committee member Maria Carrasco, joining project organizer David Gass and Principal Claire Crane.  More on the event in the Lynn Item here:  http://www.itemlive.com/articles/2008/08/05/news/news05.txt” 

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation welcomes children under 18 to participate in this fun and creative environmental project which expresses how they feel connected to nature and their concerns for the environment. A blanket is assembled using fabric squares created by children from local communities, then donated to become a part of the larger blanket.  Each participant should bring a pre-cut, one foot square of fabric, preferably from recycled materials such as an outgrown shirt or fleece or an old sheet. This exciting event will happen on August 9, 2008 at Red Rock Park in Lynn. To learn more please contact Matthew Nash, DCR Visitor Services at 781-485-2804 or email him at matthew.nash@state.ma.us

The City of Lynn cordially invites all Lynn residents and community organizations to the US Census committee meeting on Wednesday August 13, 2008 at 10AM. Local representatives will hold the meeting at  the Mayor's office so that local citizens and agencies can share their insights and suggestions regarding the Census process and how to make the information available for all Lynn residents. The City of Lynn strongly urges each resident to attend this meeting and encourages you to bring a guest.  Community input is greatly desired.The City of Lynn is looking forward to seeing you there. For more information please visit www.cityoflynn.net

Attention all Lynn volunteers!The Marine Science Center has exciting volunteer opportunities for all of you marine science enthusiasts on August 18th at noon. Scientists at the Center are involved in an Intertidal Bioblitz, a one-day intensive survey of Boston Harbor Islands. Work side by side with researchers to help document species diversity out in the rocky intertidal and salt marshes, meet Park Rangers, and spend a day out on the Islands.This is a great experience for those interested in our ocean backyard. Register no later then August 1st. For more information about the Marine Science Center and the Annual Open House on September 20th please visit http://bostonislands.com/biodiversity.

For the past several months, Project Bread has continued to work with many local partners to increase participation in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in Lynn. Many parents do not know that their children can access free meals in different Lynn neighborhoods during the summer.

The Lynn SFSP operates at several locations, around lunch time, all summer long. Anyone under age 18 can receive a meal while school is out, no registration or identification is necessary, and many of the sites have fun activities as well! To find Project Bread locations please visit www.meals4kids.org or call 1-800-645-8333.