The Acton Exchange

Acton Exchange All-Hands Meeting
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | ActonTV offices, 16a Craig Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Acton Exchange team holds monthly meetings that are open to our active volunteers and anyone who might want to become a volunteer. If you have an Acton connection and want to contribute to independent community journalism in our town, it is likely that the AE has a role for you, whatever your skill sets and interests might be. Each meeting begins with an opportunity to learn what has been going on at the Acton Exchange, followed by an opportunity to improve our journalism skills. Meetings are either hybrid (in-person or zoom) or zoom-only. For this month’s venue and topic, email info@actonexchange.org.
Use this link to join by Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86431644688?pwd=[REDACTED]
The password, if needed, is newspaper.

Acton COA Invites You to Comedy Scene Study with Poornima Kirby
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:15, 2026-05-06 10:00 - 11:15, 2026-04-22 10:00 - 11:15, 2026-04-15 10:00 - 11:15 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Open to out-of-towners 60+ starting April 6th for $20/series
Come tickle your funny bone through an exploration of the art, science and silliness of comedy! Whether you are the class clown or worry you haven’t a funny bone in your body, this class is a perfect place to express (or discover) your inner comedian. In early weeks, we’ll learn the principles of comedy scenes through improvisational games. After the first week, students will each be assigned a comedic monologue and scene from a classic comedic writer from Shakespeare to Moliere to Noel Coward to Neil Simon and more. Over the remaining classes, students will rehearse and explore their scenes, adding staging and character details. In the final class, we will share our scenes and celebrate! Memorization and theatrical experience are not necessary; this class will be tailored to the interests and requests of participating students. Poornima Kirby is an experienced Shakespearean actress, with numerous credits in film and theatre. She has performed at the Senior Center in King Lear, A Christmas Carol, and a compilation of Shakespeare scenes. She teaches public speaking, poetry, and theatre to students of all ages. She holds a Master’s degree in Arts and a B.A. in Drama and trained at Shakespeare & Co, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Registration Required. Please call the COA at 978-929-6652 to register.

Green Acton monthly meeting
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:45, 2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:45 | Zoom
Green Acton works to protect and enhance Acton’s natural environment and resources for present and future generations, and to help resolve the urgent environmental issues that transcend Acton’s boundaries. The group meets monthly (except for August) on the second Tuesday of the month, usually by zoom but occasionally in person. To learn more about Green Acton’s mission, accomplishments, and ongoing work, visit https://greenacton.org/
To get the agenda and zoom link for the upcoming monthly meeting, email info@greenacton.org
In addition to the all-topics monthly meeting, the individual committees hold more specialized meetings; topical committees are Biodiversity, Energy, Materials (e.g plastics, toxics, recycling), Land Use (e.g. zoning), and Water. To find the dates for committee meetings visit the Green Acton Upcoming Events page at: https://greenacton.org/calendar/

Housing Legal Clinics
2026-05-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Acton Community Services office, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton Community Services Office within the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with MetroWest Legal Services, will host a monthly housing legal clinic beginning in January.
Housing Legal Clinic appointments will begin on Jan. 14 and will be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at the Human Service and Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear.
Before you attend a session, you must complete the following registration form, which can be found here.
The program, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, will run until Dec. 31, 2026.

Library: Yarn & Needle Club
2026-05-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-28 15:00 - 16:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and sewers, join the library to work on your project and socialize! We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Library: Great Decisions Group Discussion
2026-05-11 18:30 - 19:45 | Acton Memorial Library Conference Room (2nd floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
To see this month’s topic and more check out the program page on our website!

Boxborough Museum open house
2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Boxborough Museum, 575 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA, 01719
The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road is open on second Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).
Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or to arrange a private tour for a small group, please contact John Fallon through the Boxborough Historical Society.

Carlisle Potluck and Contradance
2026-05-08 18:30 - 22:00 | First Religious Society of Carlisle, 27 School Street, Carlisle, 10741
The Carlisle Dance, with its accompanying potluck dinner, is known as the most sociable dance in the area. Arrive at 6:30 for dinner and conversation, and then dance from 8 until 10. Live music by the Carlisle Band, who bring an eclectic collection of instruments. Outstanding local callers call mostly contradances, plus occasional square and circle dances.
Admission is just $6-10 (self-determined sliding scale) for all ages, along with your tasty and creative contribution for the meal.
You’ll find us at the lovely Unitarian Church in Carlisle Center on the Common. Navigate to 27 School St, Carlisle MA and look for a classic New England church with the town clock in the steeple.

Discovery Museum, Especially for me inclusive afternoons
2026-05-05 13:30 - 16:30 | Discovery Museum, 177 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Especially for Me series offers dedicated hours and free admission for families with disabilities. During these events, we offer accommodations that increase access to exhibits and provide an opportunity for families to network with one another in an understanding, ADA-compliant environment.
All Especially for Me events are free to attend, but preregistration is required. More information, dates and registration links can be found online at http://bit.ly/EspeciallyforMe.

Acton COA Invites You to Comedy Scene Study with Poornima Kirby
2026-05-01 10:00 - 11:15 | Acton Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
Open to out-of-towners 60+ starting April 6th for $20/series
Come tickle your funny bone through an exploration of the art, science and silliness of comedy! Whether you are the class clown or worry you haven’t a funny bone in your body, this class is a perfect place to express (or discover) your inner comedian. In early weeks we’ll learn the principles of comedy scenes through improvisational games. After the first week, students will each be assigned a comedic monologue and scene from a classic comedic writer from Shakespeare to Moliere to Noel Coward to Neil Simon and more. Over the remaining classes, students will rehearse and explore their scenes, adding staging and character details. In the final class we will share our scenes and celebrate! Memorization and theatrical experience are not necessary; this class will be tailored to the interests and requests of participating students. Poornima Kirby is an experienced Shakespearean actress, with numerous credits in film and theatre. She has performed at the Senior Center in King Lear, A Christmas Carol, and a compilation of Shakespeare scenes. She teaches public speaking, poetry, and theatre to students of all ages. She holds a Master’s degree in Arts and a B.A. in Drama and trained at Shakespeare & Co, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Registration Required. Please call the COA at 978-929-6652 to register.

Library: Author Talk Series - "A Long Walk Down a Winding Road" by Sam Farmer
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Sign up on the program page on our website here!
A Long Walk Down a Winding Road by Sam Farmer.
Join us at Acton Memorial Library for a discussion and questions from Sam Farmer. Stick around for a signed copy of the book!
You do not need to read the book ahead of time to attend.

AB Unified Games Day (with Special Olympics MA)
2026-04-29 09:45 - 12:00 | Leary Field, ABRHS, 22 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
As a unified Champion School, Acton-Boxborough Schools partner with Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) to participate in a one-day Track and Field event hosted by ABRHS.
This is Acton-Boxborough’s 7th time to participate in Unified School Day Games. Students from ABRHS, RJ Grey JHS, and Elementary Schools will participate as athletes and partners, supported by staff members and High School student volunteers.

VOTE for town candidates!
2026-04-28 07:00 - 20:00 | RJ Grey Junior High, 16 Charter Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Town elections are sometimes won by just a few votes. Your vote counts!
For information about voting and Town Meeting, see the 2026 Annual Election Calendar.
Note: The last day to register to vote for this election is April 18.

Library: Line Dancing Social Hour
2026-04-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Sign up on the program page on our website here!
This is not a structured lesson, just an opportunity to dance socially with others.

YV Art Museum Opening Reception: Fiber Art - THE COLLECTIVE
2026-04-25 14:00 - 17:00 | YV Art Museum, 68 Quarry Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
THE COLLECTIVE is an immersive fiber-art installation created by Stacey Piwinski in
collaboration with her students and local arts community. The work incorporates
contributions from her elementary school students in Wayland, Massachusetts, her
college students at Tufts University, and fellow artists within her broader community.
Especially in our current times, Piwinski emphasizes the importance of creating artworks
that embody healing, foster a sense of safety, and bring people together through shared
creative experience.

Acton Youth Film Festival Screening
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:30 | ActonTV, 16a Craig Road, Acton, 01720
Films from teens in Acton and neighboring towns; all genres accepted.
Films must be submitted by April 10.

Acton Recreation: Garden Therapy
2026-04-23 12:00 - 14:00 | Acton Recreation Center, 50 Audubon Hill, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Garden Therapy with Cathy Fochtman, Master Gardener
Heirloom Chrysanthemum Growing Workshop
Take a break from your busy day to relax, unwind, and create beautiful seasonal floral arrangements to brighten your home! Your instructor, Cathy Fochtman, has been teaching Acton Recreation classes since 2000 and loves sharing hands-on plant projects with participants. She is a member of the Acton Garden Club, a Massachusetts Master Gardener (MMGA, Inc.), holds a certificate in Horticultural Therapy from the Horticulture Therapy Institute, and is an accredited Flower Show Judge with National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Join Cathy for a creative, calming, and inspiring botanical workshop!

Library: AML Book Discussion Group
2026-04-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Acton Memorial Library Book Discussion Group. Check this link to see this month’s and upcoming month’s books:
https://www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/kids-teens-and-adults/just-for-adults/book-groups/
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Acton DPW polystyrene (styrofoam) collection
2026-04-18 10:00 - 13:00 | DPW, 14 Forest Rd, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
On the third Saturday of every month (except June, which is 2nd Saturday), you can recycle your clean styrofoam containers.
For details about the 2025 schedule, and what you can recycle, see https://actonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10278/Polystyrene-collection-days-and-guide-2025.

Library: Annual Plant Swap at West Acton Citizens' Library
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
For more information check out the program page on our wesbite here!
Hosted by Acton Garden Club
Join fellow plant enthusiasts for the West Acton Citizens’ Library 3rd Annual Plant Swap.

Library: Virtual - Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @sometimesleelynnreads
2026-04-16 19:30 - 20:00 | Provided after registration
Looking for the best books with BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Neurodivergent/Disabled etc. characters or by representative authors but not sure what to read next? Join bookstagrammer, Leelynn Brady (aka @sometimesleelynnreads), monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations – any genre as well as YA and Middle Grade books, as long as they are by diverse authors or have inclusive story lines! We’re sure you’ll find something to like from Leelyn’s many enthusiastic reviews.
Sign up here for the Zoom link!

Library: Virtual – Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @sometimesleelynnreads
2026-04-16 19:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Sign up here for the Zoom link!
Looking for the best books with BIPOC/LGBTQ+/Neurodivergent/Disabled etc. characters or by representative authors but not sure what to read next? Join bookstagrammer, Leelynn Brady (aka @sometimesleelynnreads), quarterly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations – any genre as well as YA and Middle Grade books, as long as they are by diverse authors or have inclusive storylines! We’re sure you’ll find something to like from Leelyn’s many enthusiastic reviews.
This program is in partnership with the Ashland Public Library.

Library: ADHD Family Q&A - Real Questions, Real-Life Strategies
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Sign up on the program page on our wesbite here!
Join certified ADHD Coach, Lindsay Binette, Founder of The Wavy Brain, for this casual, drop-in session that will offer practical, evidence-informed strategies you can use right away—no jargon, no guilt.

Library: Teaching Tech @ AML - Resume Basics
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Acton Memorial Library Conference Room (2nd floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Sign up on the program page on our wesbite here!
This month’s topic: Resume Basics.
No experience necessary—just bring your questions and curiosity!
Please bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop if you have one. If you don’t have a laptop, one can be supplied for you.

Library: Teaching Tech @ West - Resume Basics
2026-04-15 14:00 - 15:00 | West Acton Citizens’ Library, 21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, 01720
Sign up on the program page on our website here!
This month’s topic: Resume Basics
No experience necessary—just bring your questions and curiosity!
Please bring your smartphone, tablet, or laptop if you have one. If you don’t have a laptop, one can be supplied for you.
