Good morning, Medford, Monday, November 2

Editor's note: This story has been updated to remove reference to a meeting of the Energy and Environment Committee that had been on the city's posted schedule. It is no longer on the schedule.

The City Council has a special meeting scheduled for today at 5 p.m., and there is only one item on the agenda. The mayor has asked the council to approve a supplemental appropriation of $15,553.33 for the FY27 Law Department budget for legal service costs and for three settlements. The meeting is being held via Zoom, but you can also see it on TV and via live-stream.

Dropping today

We plan to drop two items today. Chris sat in on a Mystic Players Revival rehearsal for their upcoming production of "Mean Girls, the Musical." This is the first full production the community theater group has put together since they lost their space at the high school.

They were renting through Medford Community Schools, which raised their rent significantly, forcing them to find new space for rehearsals and shows. They have a new location and they're back up and running. Chris talked to the cast about what this means for them.

Also today, we'll be posting a piece written by someone who in 1958 was born into the Congregational Church of West Medford, which closed recently after some 150 years of service in the community. It's a look at the rich history of the church, its place in West Medford, and what its closing means.

Here's the 411 on today's municipal meetings, and then we'll get to all the happenings that are fit to post.

Today's meetings

• City Council at 5 p.m. via Zoom, TV, and livestream. Special meeting to consider the mayor's request for a supplemental appropriation of $15,553.33 for FY27 for the Law Department.

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 – When sign-up is required, call 781-396-6010:

• dominoes/cribbage at 10 a.m.
• gentle yoga at 10 a.m.
• Al-anon support group at 10:30 a.m.
• Poetry with Carol 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.
• My Life, My Health from 1 to 3 p.m. Series with Mystic Valley Aging Services. Sign-up required.
• chair volleyball at 2 p.m.
• New: One-on-One Tech Time with Evan from 2 to 3:45 p.m. Call to reserve your 20-minute appointment.
• FYI: The monthly book club will meet Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. to discuss "The Gold Finch," by Donna Tartt. And, the book for December's meeting ("Remarkably Bright Creatures," by Shelby Van Pelt) will be distributed. Sign up.

Sisters-in-Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center. Walking and other self-led, low-impact activities for seniors.

Go Mustangs!

• Home: JV and varsity boys soccer vs. Mystic Valley Regional Charter School
• Away: no away games

Medford Family Network

• Circle Time Story Time sessions taking place at Medford Public Library: 9:30 a.m. for children up to 2 years old; 11 a.m. for children ages 2-5. Registration is required.
• Creative Coping at 11:30 a.m. requires registration. Email Karen Andrews at karen.l.andrews@tuftsmedicine.org.
• Drop-in Playtime is from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m. at the MFN Family Center.

Medford Public Library

Drop-in programs:

• Chair and standing yoga from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Kids Graphic Novel Showcase at 3:30 p.m. for kids in grades 2-5.
• Notary Drop-in Hour at 4 p.m.
• MakerSpace Drop-In from 6 to 8 p.m.
• STEM Skill Share (for adults) from 6 to 8 p.m.
• "Cracks in the Substrate" book launch party with author Vijaya Sundaram

Registration required:

• Monday Morning Mysteries from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This month's book is "Finding Nouf," by Zoe Ferraris.
• Donut Squishies at 3:30 p.m. for teens in middle school and high school.
• National Novel Writing Month Writing Jam from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Registration encouraged.
• Visit with Jojo the Therapy Dog from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Register for a 15-minute slot.
• Understanding Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (Zoom Program) at 7 p.m.
• Registration for STEM Kitchen has closed.

Tufts University events and activities

• HNRCA Monday Seminar Series from 12 to 1 p.m. via Zoom through Tufts. The Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts hosts virtual seminars on a variety of topics at the intersection of aging and nutrition research each Monday at noon. RSVP.
• Book Talk: Aurangzeb 'Alamgir and the Mughal Empire: A History Retold from 6 to 8 p.m. in Mugar Hall at Tufts. RSVP.
• Never Out of Options from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cabot Intercultural Center with with Siamak Namazi, who was held in prison in Iran for eight years. RSVP.

Ford Tavern Restaurant Night fundraiser from 3 to 10 p.m. to benefit the Andrews and McGlynn middle schools. The Ford will donate 15% of all dine-in and take-out food sales.

Clay & Play Creations from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for kids in grades 3-7. This is the first in a series sex sessions. Registration required.

Davis Square Ultimate Frisbee at 6 p.m. at Tufts Field in Medford. RSVP.

In case you missed it

Nate in North Medford wonders what Paul Revere would think about our Halloween celebrations:

Dear Paul Revere: Was Halloween a thing in your day?

Back in my day, you could just get your mom to do a lightning scar across your forehead, and since you already had the thick glasses, you were 90% of the way to being “The Boy Who Lived.”

Gotta Know MedfordGKM Staff