Good morning, Medford, Monday, April 13
A much-loved Medford organization that provides activities and services for children and families is facing a significant loss in federal funding.
We're jumping right in this morning to let you know about a financial crisis Medford Family Network (MFN) will be facing as of July 1, 2026.
MFN Director Marie Cassidy posted an urgent message recently to social media to let the community know that as of July 1 this year MFN will lose 50% of its federal grant funding. "This permanent loss of monies is devastating," Cassidy wrote.
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn also posted about the loss of funding and said it amounts to about $250,000.
"MFN is a vital part of our community and I hope to work with the City Council to make sure that the MFN has the resources they need to continue delivering programming and services for families and caregivers," the mayor wrote.
GKM's Nell Coakley will have an update for you on this soon.
Happening today in Medford
Sisters-in-Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center. Walking and other self-led, low impact activities.
Drop-In Play Time at Medford Family Network Family Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Senior Center Activities: At 10 a.m. dominoes/cribbage or Gentle Yoga with Rosa; At 10:30 a.m. Poetry with Robert; At 10:30 a.m. Al-Anon support group; At 11 a.m. Chair Yoga with Rosa; At 12:30 p.m. whist for all levels; At 12:45 p.m. country line dancing; At 2 p.m. Joyful Voices Choir, all are welcome; Medford Office of Planning, Development and Sustainability open house.
Circle time Story Time at 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library. Hosted by Medford Family Network. For children ages 2-5. Registration Required.
Civic Life Lunch – When Walls Speak: Art and Community in Minneapolis at 12 p.m. in Barnum Hall at Tufts. Tufts alumna and artist Audrey Carver will discuss how artists in Minneapolis use murals, posters, and collaborative creative projects to respond to immigration enforcement activity and elevate community perspectives. Lunch will be provided. Registration required
Tween Color Club for kids in grades 5-8 at Medford Public Library at 3:30 p.m. Supplies will be provided.
Go Mustangs! Home games today: Varsity boys baseball, JV boys volleyball, varsity boys tennis, varsity girls tennis, varsity boys volleyball.
Office of Planning, Development & Sustainability open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the senior center. The event is free, but organizers would like people to register. All are welcome to meet the staff, get information, ask questions and share ideas about waste, zoning, the Wellington transformation study, housing, parks, environment, and more.
MakerSpace Drop-In from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For adults and teens 16+
School Committee meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall and via Zoom. On the agenda: Mustang Moment, FY26-27 calendar, public presentations, and a review of committee rules and revisions.
Intro to Knitting at 6 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For kids ages 8-12. Registration required.
How Russia and America Invent and Reimagine Each Other at 6:30 p.m. in the Olin Center at Tufts. Dr. Ivan Kurilla will discuss the impact of historical trends on the mutual imaging by Russia and the United States during Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Arts Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Medford Public Library and via Google Meet.
Master Gardener Speaker Series: Vegetable Gardening 101 at Medford Public Library at 7 p.m. Registration required.
Historical Commission meeting at 7 p.m. via Zoom and live stream. On the agenda: South Medford Connector Path; site reviews for 161 Mystic Ave., 85 Main St., and Tufts Aquatic Center; potential demolition reviews; Brooks Estate archaeological survey; Cross Street Cemetery; Thomas Brooks' park; and more.
Fotocrime / Chainlacing / Gossip Collar live music at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
In case you missed it
Across the Pond: Medford resident Anne Pessala is spending some time in England and is writing a column comparing life there with life in Medford. In her debut piece, she writes about how twice-monthly trash pick-up is working for her across the pond.
And, Nate in the Heights is back with his latest letter to Paul Revere:
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