Faculty Speaker - Toward an Artificial Brain: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 14, Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave.,  Allston.  Could computer algorithms be programmed to work the same way as the brain?  David Cox, assistant professor of molecular and cellular biology and computer science, will explore this idea.  Cox will talk about the ARIADNE project—a multi-university effort to study a living animal brain like never before to figure out how it learns.  This project will create some of the largest neuroscience datasets ever collected, and could give computers new abilities to learn and perceive the way the human brain does.  Free.  For information: http://edportal.harvard.edu. 

Bach and Ysaye with Joshua Peckins: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 14, Boston Public Library - Faneuil Branch, 419 Faneuil St., Brighton.  Violinist Joshua Peckins performs an informal lecture recital featuring solo violin music by Bach and Ysaye, with warm and personal stories about the composers and their music, performed live in an intimate recital setting.  Free.  For information: 617-782-6705. 

Franklin Street Neighborway Community Meeting: 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 22, Ross Miller Studio, Inc., 107 Franklin St., Allston.  Franklin Street is getting a facelift, combining art and traffic calming.  Join the conversation and be part of the design.  This is an open meeting for all neighbors to learn more and give input.  Free.  For information: gmmook@gmail.com. 

Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 23, Allston Brighton Child & Family Service Center, 400 Cambridge St., Allston.  Meet with Boston Water and Sewer staff and learn why it’s important not to dump into catch basins.  Attendees can also pay water bills with a check or money order and talk about billing or service problems.  Free.  For information: bwsc.org/PROJECTS/Construction/lookup/lookup.asp?NBHood=ALBR. 

“The Man in the Cowboy Hat” premiere screening and panel discussion: 2-4:30 p.m. March 25, Boston Public Library, Rabb Hall, 700 Boylston St. “The Man in the Cowboy Hat,” a documentary film about Carlos Arredondo, of Roslindale, will premiere at the Boston Public Library, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A. Arredondo first appeared in the news in 2004 when he learned that his oldest son, Alex, had died fighting in Iraq.  The film follows Arredondo for the next 10 years as he evolves from a grief stricken father to an influential peace activist to the Boston Marathon bombing hero.  His story of public involvement and private struggle raises questions about the American dream, patriotism and the impact of war on families.  Free.  For information and RSVP: tinyurl.com/jtabvpq. 

“Love Your Block”: May 5-7 in Allston and Brighton.  Mayor Marty Walsh announced the 2017 program for “Love Your Block,” a high-impact spring cleaning program that encourages residents to improve their neighborhoods over the course of three weekends.  Spring cleaning activities include community gardens, pocket parks, public schools and sidewalks. “ Love Your Block,” previously known as Boston Shines, will now include year-round cleanups, applications for innovative beautification mini-grants and new uses for city-provided tool sheds.  For information or to volunteer: http://boston.gov/civic-engagement/love-your-block.OngoingOvereaters Anonymous: 9:45 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Brighton Marine Health Center, 77 Warren St., Brighton.  Individuals who find it difficult to stop eating can find physical, emotional and spiritual recovery.  For information: 617-731-8150. 

Free Tax Services: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, ABCD: Allston Brighton Neighborhood Opportunity Center, 640 Washington St., Brighton; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Allston Brighton APAC, 143 Harvard Ave.,  Allston; to be announced, Allston Brighton Child and Family Services Center, 406 Cambridge S., Allston; noon to 8 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Brighton Branch of Boston Public Library, 40 Academy Hill Road, Brighton; to be announced, Josephine Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton.  The Boston Planning and Development Agency is offering free tax services to anyone who makes less than $54,000.  To contact ABCD: 617-903-3640.  To contact all other locations: 617-347-5624; tax@allstonbrightoncfmp.org.  For information: http://bostontaxhelp.org/2017-tax-sites.  Adult Conversational English Class: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 480 Washington St., Brighton.  For advanced-beginner and intermediate levels.  No registration necessary, drop in.  For information: http://bc.edu/neighborhood.  2017 Boston Warriors Boys & Girls Spring AAU Basketball Tryouts: March 4, Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street in Waltham.  The Boston Warriors AAU Basketball organization offers players of all talent level the possible opportunity to play competitive spring basketball.  This year the group will offer multiple teams from second grade to 12th grade.  Tryouts for girls are on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, with grades three through seven at 1 p.m. and grades eight through 12 at 2 p.m. For boys on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, tryouts for grades two through four will be at 3 p.m., grade six at 4:30 p.m., grades five and seven at 6 p.m., and grade eight at 7:30 p.m. On Feb. 25 and March 4, boys tryouts for ninth grade will be at 6 p.m., and for grades 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. For information: 978-460-2122; http://bostonwarriors.com.  Mobile Market: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 21, Charles River Community Health, back parking lot, 495 Western Ave.,  Brighton.  A farmer’s market style distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Participants should bring reusable bags or a cart to carry food.  To register: 617-208-1562.  Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers HIV/STI clinic: 4-6 p.m. Fridays, MAPS, 697 Cambridge St., Suite 203, Brighton.  Walk-in clinic with free, quick and confidential tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.  For information: 617-787-0557.  English as second language courses: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturdays, Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton.  Taught by certified teachers and volunteers.  ESOL Tuesdays and Thursdays also available.  To register: 617-496-5022.  Brighton boot camp: 6:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Rogers Park, Brighton.  The public is invited to a fitness boot camp with US Army veteran Rick Holahan.  Bring water and reflective gear.  This one-hour military workout is not for the faint of heart.  For information: AllBriVets@gmail.com.  Learn to Skate: 4 to 4:50 p.m. Tuesdays, Warrior Ice Arena, 90 Guest St., Brighton.  Ages 3 and older can learn to ice skate.  The seven-week course includes a United States Figure Skating Membership, instruction and practice, seven free public skating sessions and rental skates.  For information: 617-927-7467; learntoskate@warrioricearena.com; http://warrioricearena.com.  ABCD case and tax services: 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton.  Attendees get help with services such as: housing search, SNAP/food stamp applications, cooking classes, cradles to crayons registration.  For information or to schedule an appointment: 617-903-3640.  Fresh Truck Food Market: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Presentation School Foundation, 640 Washington St., Brighton.  Fruits, vegetables, snacks and cooking demos.  For information: rsartor@thefreshtruck.org; 978-886-8526.  Workout Wednesdays: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Brighton Common, 24 Chestnut Hill Ave.,  Brighton.  Led by a local YMCA instructor.  Workouts vary, but are open to all fitness levels.  No special equipment required.  Infant and Toddler Playgroups: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays for toddlers and Fridays for infants, Harvard Ed Portal, 224 Western Ave.,  Allston.  The Harvard Ed Portal and Family Nurturing Center are partnering to offer new baby and toddler morning playgroups at the Portal.  The playgroup is open to all families living in Allston-Brighton.  No advance registration is required.  http://edportal.harvard.edu.  Create a new way of looking at money: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Art Room, Josephine A. Fiorentino Community Center, 123 Antwerp St., Brighton.  Led by Diane the arts intern from Lesley University.  Free.  For information: 617-699-2883.  Learn to Cope Boston Chapter meetings: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, IBEW Local Union, 256 Freeport St., Dorchester.  Learn to Cope offers peer-support, education, resources and hope for families dealing with addiction and recovery.  Meetings offer a safe place for members to share their experiences, ask questions, learn about addiction and listen to guest speakers who are either in long term recovery or professionals in the field.  Overdose education and Narcan training is also available at every meeting.  For information: http://Learn2Cope.org; 508-738-5148.  Veteran Owned Small Business: Mayor Martin Walsh has launched a veteran-owned small business development initiative.  To register as a Veteran Owned Small Business: http://vetbiz.gov.  Long-Term Homeowners Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition: Mayor Martin Walsh signed the Long-Term Homeowner Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition to provide relief to qualifying Boston homeowners who are having difficulty affording their real estate tax liability.  The Long-Term Homeowners Tax Deferral Home Rule Petition is modeled after an existing property tax deferral program available to seniors over the age of 65, who own and occupy their property as their primary residence.  For information, contact the Mayor’s 24-hour hotline: 617-635-4500.  Senior Shuttle: Mayor Walsh’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly offers the Senior Shuttle to Boston residents, ages 60 and older, for free transportation within the City of Boston to non-emergency medical appointments, food shopping, and social and recreational events.  For information or to book an appointment: 617-635-3000.