Good morning, Medford, Thursday, May 14
Thursday is a great day for celebrating Medford's many small businesses and their creative use of space, plus all the cool, fun, interesting, educational events that are on tap for the day.
I am probably dating myself here, but I am going to say it anyway. When I was growing up in Beverly, Mass., just north of Boston, the term "masshole" had a negative meaning. People outside of Massachusetts saw us as terrible drivers, arrogant, full of ourselves, and dismissive of other people. I never saw it that way. I love the pace of life in the Boston area, and I think it's OK to be proud of where you come from.
So, when Chris and I attended the Medford Chamber of Commerce Casino Night at the Great American Beer Hall and I walked by the Mass Hole Cafe, which is located inside the Beer Hall building, I had two thoughts. For one, I thought it was a clever name, given that the cafe serves donut holes.
Also, it got me thinking about all the small businesses that are tucked into the nooks and crannies in Medford and that creatively partner with other establishments. One we wrote about recently is Book Wonder, which is located inside Trove Green Provisions on Boston Avenue. It's a small pop-up that specializes in diverse books, comics and graphic novels.
Mass Hole Cafe names its donut holes after Massachusetts landmarks. For May 14 through May 24, for example, The Hole Menu includes a donut hole called A-1 Automotive Repair, which is named after the business in Arlington. It also includes Mama's Lil' Mass Hole, which is described as "A donut for all the Massholes that only a mother could love," and The Big Dig, described as "A rich chocolate cake donut hole dunked in a homemade chocolate ganache, topped with whipped chocolate frosting, Oreo cookie crumbs, and a gummy worm. A perfect companion to planting a tree!"
Here's to all of Medford's businesses, big and small.
Happening today in Medford
If you have an event happening in Medford in the coming days, send the information to gottaknowmedford@gmail.com so we can add you to our calendar.
Senior Center Activities: Whist at 10:30 a.m.; Core and Balance at 10:30 a.m.; Conversational English at 11 a.m.; Art for Everyone with Tom at 1:30 p.m.; Grief support group from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with Janice.
- Men's Breakfast and Banter at 9 a.m. with Rafael and Daniel from The Gables at Winchester. This month's topic is a hands-on project to create your own bird house. Call 781-396-6010 to reserve your seat.
- Stroke prevention class at 1 p.m., facilitated by occupational therapist Stephanie Ramy and sponsored by Tufts Medicine – MelroseWakefield Hospital. Learn about the types of strokes, risk factors, warning signs, and healthy habits to incorporate into your life. Call 781-396-6010 to reserve you seat.
Go Mustangs! Home games today for varsity girls lacrosse, varsity girls tennis, and JV boys baseball.
Playgroups at the Park from 9 to 11 a.m. at Morrison Park. Hosted by Medford Family Network. Arts, games, music, movement and storytelling.
Drop-in Playtime from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Sing Along with Matt Heaton at 10:30 a.m. at Medford Public Library for children up to 3 years old.
Drop-in Grandparents Group from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
55+ Cheese, Chocolate & Book Pairings from 1 to 3 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Senior Advisory Board hosts a cheese and chocolate tasting with related books, pairings, history, and recommendations. Registration required.
Senior Knitting Club at 1 p.m. at West Medford Community Center. Beginners can learn from experienced crafters.
Drop-in Playtime from 2 to 4 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Senior Voice Recital: Sophia Crummel at 3 p.m. in the Granoff Music Center at Tufts.
Art Smart at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library for kids ages 5+ to learn a new way to craft, paint, build, and design.
On Photographing Women & Girls at 5:30 p.m. at Palm Press. Panel discussion, Q&A, and book signing with Kristen Joy Emack, Scott Offen, Cheryle St. Onge, and Arlette Kayafas. Refreshments will be served.
Peg Doll Book Reviews from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library for kids ages 4+ to help create video book reviews for kids. Decorate a peg doll avatar and then talk about the book you read.Senior Voice Recital: Aidan Jackson at 6 p.m. in the Granoff Music Center at Tufts.
Historic District Commission meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall and via Zoom. On the agenda: a discussion about 20 Hillside Ave. and a presentation by a local insurance professional about the challenges facing historic property owners
Make + Mingle from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. Open studio for anybody to come and create among other artists and artist-types. Space, music, snacks will be provided, but bring snacks and drinks to share if you can. RSVP appreciated.
Medford Schools Spring Concert Series at 7 p.m. in Caron Theater at Medford High School. In the second of a series of four concerts, the Grades 6-12 Orchestra will perform.
Getting Started with Microsoft Forms (Part 1 of 2) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Registration required.
Follow the Red Brick Road: Interpreting the Freedom Trail from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Hosted by Medford Historical Society and Museum. Speaker will be Medford history teacher and Freedom Trail guide Phoebe Sargeant.
Pub Night! Presented by 2ToneTim from 7 to 10 p.m. at Medford Brewing. A night of ska, punk, soul, reggae, new wave, and BritPop music either by a DJ or a band.
Woods / Edsel Axle perform live beginning at 7 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Caeltish performs from 8 to 11 p.m. at Mrs. Murphy's.
What we're working on
- Nell has the scoop on a 999-year deed restriction that is throwing a curve-ball at the Medford High School building project.
- Chrystal is working on a preview of the Chevalier's upcoming "Story Pirates Live" show.
In case you missed it
Chris looked at the City Council's effort to create a compensation ordinance:
Chris Stevens | Staff Writer
