Good morning, Medford, Monday, June 29
Good Monday morning to you, Medford. It isn't too early to start making a list of July 4th and America's 250th events.
We're hitting the ground running this morning. We'll have an update for you on the manhole fires that shut down Medford Square late Saturday afternoon. Power was shut down, businesses were evacuated, and traffic was diverted.
Also, Crystal will have a look at how the mayor's administration is pushing back on the City Council's public records request and its cutting the budget for the legal department.
In the meantime, a quick heads-up that we're putting together a calendar of activities relating to the Fourth of July and the country's 250th that will take place in Medford. If you are hosting or sponsoring an event that is open to the public, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com and we will add you it to the calendar.
We have three local events to put on your radar, and one of them is happening today.
"Transatlantic Webinar: The US Declaration of Independence at 250" is being sponsored by Tufts University and two other organizations. Details and info on how to register are in the calendar listing below. It begins at 11 a.m.
The Senior Center is hosting "250th American Celebration" Thursday, July 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be barbeque, entertainment by the Boston Saxophone Quartet, a sing-along, and desserts. In the June newsletter, the event is described this way: "It will be a wonderful old-fashioned celebration to enjoy good food, good company, and feel good about America."
The fourth annual "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" will take place Saturday, July 4, from noon to 3 p.m. at Royall House and Slave Quarters. There will be a reading of Douglass's famous speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July," which he gave as a keynote address during an Independence Day celebration in 1852. In it, he challenged white America to recognize the hypocrisy of celebrating independence when millions of African Americans were still enslaved.
Happening today in Medford
If you have an event that you would like to have listed in our calendar, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com.
Senior Center Activities: dominoes/cribbage at 10 a.m.; gentle yoga at 10 a.m.; Al-Anon support group at 10:30 a.m.; chair yoga at 11 a.m.; whist for all levels at 12:30 p.m.; country line dancing at 12:45 p.m.
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 Playtime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Chair and Standing Yoga at 11 a.m. at Medford Public Library. Gentle yoga for everyone.
Transatlantic Webinar: The US Declaration of Independence at 250 at 11 a.m. The Fletcher School at Tufts teamed up with the America Europe Fund at KU Leuven and the College of Europe to organize a transatlantic online conversation about the US Declaration of Independence on the occasion of its 250th anniversary. Register to attend.
Marie's Mystical Magical Moments from 2 to 4 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center for children ages birth through 8 for storytime, music, and movement. Come when you can, leave when you need to.
Braiding for Beginners at 6 p.m. at Medford Public Library for caregivers and kids ages 5+. This program is for caregivers. Bring a child age 5+ to be your model. There will be coloring pages for kids. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.
MakerSpace Drop-In from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For adults and teens 16+.
Teen Game Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for teens to play video games, board games, card games, and more.
Friends of Medford Public Library Board meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library. If you are interested in joining the Friends or volunteering, you are welcome to attend.
In case you missed it
- Nate in the Heights asked Paul Revere if people during his time were confronted with the daunting task of getting rid of an old coffee table.
- Chris was at Seth Moulton's Medford town hall, during which he didn't mince words about why he is running for Senate.
Chris Stevens | Staff Writer
