Globe West best bets

Framingham: Children’s entertainer Rick Goldin (below) will perform a poolside concert for families with children ages 1 to 6 on Thursday, 5:30 p.m., at the MetroWest Jewish Community Center’s Clearbrook facility, 120 Parker Road. Children are invited to sing, dance, and jump along with Rick and his singing animal puppets. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy swimming before or after the concert. $20 per family. 508-879-3300, www.jccgb.org/metrowest.

LITERARY

Newton: Jennifer Haigh, author of “The Condition,’’ and Amy Hempel, author of “The Collected Stories Of Amy Hempel,’’ will discuss their books Thursday, 7 p.m., at Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut St. Free. 617-244-6619, www.newtonvillebooks.com.

MUSIC

Lexington: The Metropolitan Wind Symphony will perform Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Hastings Park Bandstand, at Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road. Free. 781-862-0500, www.mws-boston.org.

Newton: Dressed in period costume, Vera Meyer will perform on the glass harmonica, an instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin, on Thursday, 7 p.m., at Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St. Free. 617-796-1360, www.newtonfreelibrary.net.

NATURE

Belmont: Roland “Boot’’ Boutwell will lead a trek through Rock Meadow’s varied landscapes in search of blooming wildflowers and shrubs, and offer insights on such topics as plant identification, natural history, an antidote for poison ivy, and a treatment for unruly oxen, on Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, starting at the conservation area’s parking lot off Mill Street. Cosponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society and the Massachusetts Audubon Society’s Habitat Education Center. $18-$22. 508-877-7630, www.newenglandwild.org/learn.

Event organizers: Submit items directly to www.boston.com/ addevent.