If you’re an animal lover

• MSPCA-Angell | Become a member of the Animal Action Team to assist with advocacy and legislative affairs, or make a six-month commitment to volunteer with hospital operations.
• New England Aquarium | Calling all penguin lovers — volunteer duties range from feeding the animals in the giant ocean tank to taking photos at Aquarium events.

For the kids

• Christopher’s Haven | This organization provides programming and community space for families of children being treated for cancer at Boston hospitals.
• Cradles to Crayons | Sort donated clothing items and help package them for delivery to children in need at The Giving Factory in Newtonville.

If you want to help your neighbors in need

• Women’s Lunch Place | Help kitchen staff with food preparation, deliver meals to community partners, or help guests access resources at the welcome center of the Back Bay women’s shelter. The shelter is currently in need of book donations.
• Community Servings | After a 20-minute training, volunteers help prepare and pack meal bags for neighbors in need. Learn about the current Pie in the Sky fundraiser, aka “The World’s Greatest Bake Sale.”

For the outdoorsy types

• Emerald Necklace Conservancy | Join the email list for invitations to volunteer programs, cleanups, and planting projects, or help keep the Emerald Necklace parks clean on your own time with a DIY cleanup kit.
• Rose Kennedy Greenway | Work on horticulture projects, lead tours of The Greenway, or become a park ambassador.

• U35 Poetry Reading | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury St., Boston | Free | Join MassPoetry for a reading series showcasing local poets under 35.
• Bonsai Bar Class at Lamplighter Broadway | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | $75 | This two-hour class will teach you how to create your own bonsai tree.

• Tuscan Kitchen: Veteran’s Day | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 64 Seaport Blvd., Boston | Free for veterans | Veterans and their families are invited to enjoy a free family style meal at the Italian restaurant.
• Jekyll and Hyde | Friday, Nov. 11 | 8-11 p.m. | 89 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | $8-15 | The MIT Musical Theater Guild’s fall musical follows a passionate doctor experimenting with the human mind.

• Beer Fest | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1-5 p.m. | Time Out Market, 401 Park Dr., Boston | Free | Stop by the Fenway food hall to sample craft brews from local makers like East Rock, River Styx, Small Change, Fermentation Arts Brewing, Bent Water + Black Hog.

• Boston Women’s Market | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 12-5 p.m. | Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Boston | Free | Shop over 30 women-owned small businesses, enjoy live music by Kelsey Blackstone and Band, and take advantage of the gift wrapping station.

• 67º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

• The cafe at Beacon Hill Books & Cafe will officially open Tuesday, Nov. 15 for breakfast + lunch. Afternoon tea service will begin Sunday, Nov. 20 by reservation only, and post-work “Sip and Savory” events start Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. 🍽️

• The Boston Athletic Association Half Marathon is taking place this Sunday, Nov. 13, beginning and ending at White Stadium in Franklin Park. The race will be held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. — see all street closures.

• The new cocktail bar at Chattermark Distillers will be open every Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. + Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m. starting this weekend. Visit at 200 Terminal St. in Charlestown. 🍹

• The Boston Planning and Development Agency + Boston Transportation Department launched the South Boston Transportation Action Plan to evaluate and address transportation challenges in the neighborhood. There will be a virtual public meeting on Monday, Nov. 14. 🚊

• Dorchester residents are invited to share input on new public art at the Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library. Fill out this form to share your design vision with local artist Priscila De Carvalho. 🎨

• Regina Pizzeria was listed as the best pizza spot in Massachusetts in a recent Mashed article. The list noted that the North End joint was the first pizzeria in Boston + has been serving slices since 1926. 🍕

• No. 2. That’s where Boston ranked on a WalletHub list of the best sports cities in the country, just after Los Angeles and ahead of New York City. We’re wicked proud.

• Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the BOStoday Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻

• ‘Tis the season to shop products from our online shop Six & Main. From apparel to accessories, there’s something special for everyone. Start filling your digital cart with goodies now.

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• We already know that you love Boston, so you might love this too. Home Where You Belong is a weekly podcast that explores how to feel more at home in your living space and city, provides tools for deepening your relationships + connections with your community, and more. Listen online or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 *

• Drew Abrutyn + Tyler Chaco hold the record for the fastest time to travel to all MBTA stations as of July 2021. It took 6 hours, 57 minutes, and 22 seconds.
• The largest chicken nugget (46.3 lbs) was created in Cambridge this year, thanks to local food influencers Lynn Davis and Nick DiGiovanni.
• The Boston University Global China Connection broke the world record for the Largest LEGO Brick Word this past March, using 44,029 total LEGO pieces to spell out “Terriers.”
• John Kelly earned the title of fastest marathon runner dressed as a videogame character after the 2016 Boston Marathon for his 2 hour and 57 minute race time. For those who are curious, he ran dressed as Link.
• Students at UMass Amherst cooked up the largest stir-fry (weighing 4,010 lbs) in 2011.