Carol Brooks Ball

UPDATED: Sept. 25, 2013, 10 a.m.: As they await the birth of their first grandchild, Fred and Martha “Marty” Smith know that books and reading will play a large role in their life with their grandson or granddaughter.

If you’re a Boston resident, today’s the day to cast your vote in the Boston primary election for mayor.

UPDATE: 9/20/13, 10:54 a.m.: AARP Massachusetts staff and volunteers enjoyed a successful 9/11 Day of Service, creating several decorated book folders for Generations Incorporated. The book folders will be used by volunteer reading coaches with Generations Incorporated, who work with Boston schoolchildren in grades K-3 to help improve the children's literacy skills. Watch a video of the Day of Service, and thank you to our wonderful volunteers who participated!

AARP Massachusetts invites local residents to voice their thoughts and concerns about the future of Medicare and Social Security during a You’ve Earned a Say Community Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., at the Amherst Senior Center in the Bangs Community Center, Amherst.

Residents in certain voting districts in Boston and other cities and towns across the state have state primaries and special elections coming up, and voters should know that there are related voter registration deadlines for each of these events.

Today, the nation reflects on the civil rights movement and race relations as we mark the 50 th anniversary of the March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s evocative “ I Have a Dream” speech.

It’s a phenomena that’s been dubbed the “new normal” by bestselling author Gail Sheehy and analysts at the AARP Public Policy Institute. “It” refers to the often-overwhelming challenges--physical, financial, emotional--borne by caregivers for their elderly loved ones needing care.

by Kira Hessekiel, Advocacy and Outreach support AARP Massachusetts

As she’d likely be the first to admit, it’s hard to say no to Lois Wells. This tall, striking woman with an inviting smile and welcoming demeanor was the force behind the creation of the Franklin Park Area/Grove Hall Chapter #4685 in Roxbury, one of AARP Massachusetts’ most successful chapters. Seeing a need in her community some 23 years ago, Lois pursued creating the chapter for three years before realizing her dream when the chapter was granted an official charter from AARP in 1991.

It’s summertime in Massachusetts and the livin’ is … indoors? With biting mosquitoes everywhere and the first death of a Massachusetts resident who contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)—a virus transmitted to humans and animals by infected mosquitoes—the outdoors can seem like a frightening place.