Good morning, Medford, Wednesday, April 22
It's a great day when you can talk about bookstores in Medford... and when you get to use "Book 'em, Danno" in a sentence.
Today, we get to say, "Book it, Danno," riffing off the original "Hawaii Five-0" TV series. That's because this Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day and the start of the North of Boston Book Trail Passport Challenge. It's a good time to celebrate Medford bookstores.
Many of you may be familiar with the newer version of "Hawaii Five-0," which ran from 2010 to 2020. But, when I was a kid watching the original Hawaii Five-0, which ran from 1968 to 1980, I could not wait for lead detective Steve McGarrett to say to his partner, "Book 'em Danno," when it was time to make an arrest.
But, back to "Book It, Danno!" Michele Smith of Moon and Back Bookstore in West Medford reached out to us about the two events coming up this weekend. Moon and Back will be participating in both, celebrating Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday and continuing the Book Trail Passport Challenge on Sunday.
With the Passport Challenge, you download the passport and visit as many of the listed bookstores as you can over the weekend for a chance to win prizes and, of course, the pleasure of browsing the shelves. If you need more time, you can take up until Labor to visit all the stores, and you'll be entered to win the Slow & Steady Prize.
While Moon and Back is the only Medford bookstore participating in the challenge, there are several other bookstores in the city that you can check out:
- Book Wonder is a pop-up bookstore inside Trove Green Provisions at 330a Boston Avenue. Founder MJ says on the website, "Our small pop-up shops feature diverse and inclusive books for all ages, from babies to adults."
- Trove Green Provisions at 330a Boston Avenue specializes in planet-friendly products and re-filling, but books are part of its collections, including kids books, cook books, and environment-oriented titles.
- Palm Press at 19 High Street describes its shop as "a fine art photographic atelier offering a full range of services for the image-based artist." But, they also have a sizable collection of books for sale.
- Tufts University Bookstore at 46 Professors Row sells a wide variety of books for adults and children.
- Friends of the Medford Public Library usually holds three book sales each year, in April, September, and December. This year, however, they are adding a sale in June that will focus on summer reading.
If we have missed anyone in this list, please reach out to us. We'll give you a mention in an upcoming newsletter and add you to our list for future book features.
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: MBTA Charlie Card support and tech help at 9 a.m. - Call ahead; Zumba Gold with Emily at 10 a.m.; Tai chi at 11 a.m.; Bingo at 1 p.m.; Movie at 1 p.m.
- Silver Solidarity with Nike at 1 p.m. to discuss the difference, advantages and disadvantages of aging in place, senior living communities, assisted living facilities & skilled nursing facilities. Call ahead to reserve.
Global Webinar Series: The Origins and Architecture of Youth-led Movements [Session 1] at 9 a.m. Hosted by Tufts Participants will learn about six global youth-led movements, examining their origins and infrastructure, failures, and the promise of intersectional solidarity. Register to join the webinar.
Sisters in Sweat Exercise Group at 9:30 a.m. at West Medford Community Center Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Walking and other self-led, low impact activities.
Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. at the Medford Public Library. A high-energy dance party for babies up to 5 years old and their caregivers.
Earth Day Storytime and Upcycled Craft at 10:30 a.m. at Moon and Back Bookstore, with Will Sherwood of Medford's Planning and Sustainability office. Turn an old container into a flower pot.
Tech Help Drop-In Hour at 2 p.m. at the Medford Public Library.
Teen Henna from 2 to 4 p.m. at Medford Public Library for teens in middle school and high school. Have henna applied to your hands by a professional artist. Registration required.
Family Story Time at 3:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For children between the ages of 3 and 7 to explore new concepts with books and songs. Parents and caregivers welcome to join in.
Go Mustangs! Varsity boys baseball and varsity girls tennis teams have home games today.
Sew Gay Club from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For adults, teens and children ages 8+ to work on sewing projects with the Queer Neighborhood Council. All levels of skill welcome. Children is grades lower than middle school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. RSVP encouraged but not required.
Peg Doll Book Reviews from 6 to 8 p.m. at Medford Public Library. For kids ages 4+ to decorate a peg doll avatar and help create video book reviews.
Medford Community Chorale rehearsals are at First Baptist Church in Medford Square at 6 p.m. for youth/young adults and at 7 p.m. for the full chorus. Auditions are not required. All welcome.
Commission for Persons with Disabilities meeting at 5:30 p.m. in person at City Hall and via Zoom. On the agenda: May 9 disABILITYFair, May 2 Youth Summit at Andrews School, and public participation.
City Council Planning and Permitting Committee meeting at 6 p.m. via Zoom only. On the agenda: Zoning Ordinance updates (Boston Avenue Corridor and Tufts Institutional Zone, with Innes Associates team.
Lizabanks performs at 8 p.m. at Deep Cuts.
Scoop Book Club from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Colleen's. For those in their 20s and 30s (and anyone who wants the scoop on great books). April's selection is "Cahokia Jazz," by Francis Spufford. Registration required.
Bicycle Advisory Commission meeting at 7 p.m. via Zoom only.
Trivia Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at The Ford Tavern. Fast-paced trivia with Kevin Richman.
Junk Journal Workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. A simple, fun, and messy introduction to bookbinding and junk journaling. Materials provided, or you can bring your own.
Mosaics: Vertical Garden workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. Led by Susan Altman. Create a vertical garden from halves of teacups or
coffee cups. Registration required.
Line dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at The Great American Beer Hall.
Did you know?
- Street sweeping in Zone 2 takes place today. Look up your zone and get details, and be mindful of the parking restrictions.
- Medford Summer Fun registration is now open. Available to students in grades 1-8, program features sports, games, arts and crafts, swimming, and more. Weekly sessions begin Monday, June 29, and will be held at the Missituk Elementary School throughout the summer.
In case you missed it
Photos from "Revere's Ride, Medford Pride".
Wendall Waters | Staff Writer
