It’s the week before Christmas, can you believe it?! We’re rounding out this festive month with a variety of holiday performances, events, and even a free gift wrapping at our community in Cape Cod. Keep reading for more details on these and other events we have going on this week.

Whether you’re looking for some Christmas spirit, a musical storytelling about Hanukkah, or a break from the season all together, there’s something happening at EPOCH this week to meet your needs. Keep reading for some of the events we have going on, or click to get even more event listings at an EPOCH community near you.

WCBV reporter Amalia Barreda to present “The News Gathering Revolution” at EPOCH at Boylston Place

CHESTNUT HILL – Amalia Barreda, a long-time WCVB TV Channel 5 reporter, will visit EPOCH Assisted Living at Boylston Place on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. to present “The News Gathering Revolution.” Barreda will discuss her experience as a television reporter as well as the changes she has witnessed in the news industry since beginning her career. Barreda is an accomplished journalist; she has won a Gabriel Award, one of the most prestigious awards in broadcast, and has covered a wide range of stories, including the Angiulo organized crime trial in Boston; the William Kennedy Smith rape trial in Palm Beach, Florida; the OJ Simpson murder trial in Los Angeles; and the Louise Woodward murder trial in Cambridge. A native of Nogales, Mexico, Barreda lives in Quincy, Mass., and Cape Cod. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Julie Bolt at 617-879-2589.

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As part of honoring our veterans for Veteran’s Day, several EPOCH communities will be holding free flag giveaways for veterans from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11. We have a lot of residents who are veterans, so this is an issue that is particularly near to our hearts. We will be distributing flags on a first-come, first-served basis, and are asking that each person please take one flag, as we have a limited number available. Keep reading for a list of participating communities, and the number you can call to reserve your flag.

Whether you’re looking for some musical entertainment, a worthwhile fundraiser to help, or a local artist gallery, EPOCH’s got you covered. Keep reading for some of these and other events happening this month across Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

EPOCH hosts Patriot Paws fundraiser (Nov 3)

PROVIDENCE — EPOCH Senior Living on Blackstone Boulevard, in conjunction with Lifelong Partners and Community College of Rhode Island, will host a fundraiser for Patriot Paws on Nov. 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Patriot Paws is a national nonprofit organization that trains and provides service dogs at no cost to disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities. Admission is $10, with all proceeds going to Patriot Paws. EPOCH, located at 353 Blackstone Blvd., will serve refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.  For more information or to R.S.V.P., call 401-273-6565.

In addition to lots of musical performances and entertainment-focused events, EPOCH hosts a wide variety of informative and fundraising-focused events as well. The following are short summaries of some of these events happening this week, from a breast cancer fundraiser to a slideshow featuring the Red Sox in Norton, Mass.