Good morning, Medford, Wednesday, May 6
Happy Wednesday, everybody. We have the scoop on the protest that took place in Medford on Monday.
We want to fill you in on a protest that took place in Medford on Monday, and then we'll get to today's happenings, a did-you-know about Mystic Players Revival, and a story we hope you didn't miss.
Dressed in all white with red splotches across the crotches of their pants, members of Bloodstained Men and Friends held an anti-circumcision protest in Medford on Monday at the intersection of Mystic Valley Parkway and the Fellsway.
The group is not from Medford, or even Massachusetts. Members are from many U.S. states and from a number of other countries. Thomas Mooney, for example, lives in Ireland but said he came to the U.S. to participate in the group's 10-day protest tour across Massachusetts, with one stop in Rhode Island.
"In Ireland and Europe," Mooney said, "being cut is very rare. It's seen as something so cruel."
New Hampshire resident Norm Cobb and Pennsylvania resident Lori Richardson said circumcision affects men's health and sexual functions. And, Cobb said, boys aren't told that the procedure was done on them when they were infants. They learn about it by talking with other boys, and that, Cobb said, is also cruel.
To learn more, visit bloodstainedmen.com.
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.
Street sweeping Zone 13, tag, you're it. Street sweeping today, and is no parking on the affected streets from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Senior Center activities: Zumba Gold with Emily at 10 a.m.; MBTA Charlie Card support and tech help at 10:30 a.m. - Call 781-396-6010 for appointment; Tai chi at 11 a.m.; Bingo at 1 p.m.; Movie at 1 p.m.; Atria culinary demo at 1:30 p.m. - Call 781-396-6010 to reserve your seat.
- Memory Cafe from 10 a.m. to noon. Information, support, activities & social
engagement in a welcoming space for people and their families living with memory changes. There will also be a Mother's Day craft. Call 781-396-6010 to reserve a seat.
Playgroups at the Park from 9 to 11 a.m. at Logan Park. Outdoor fun for families, hosted by Medford Family Network.
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.
Drop-in Playtime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center.
Moon and Back Bookstore Storytime at 10:30 a.m. The book selection will be "Flowers for Mama," by Deborah Freedman. There will also be a craft.
Medford Family Network Stroller Walk at 1 p.m. for children birth to age 5. Short walk will include a story to be read during the break. Rain or shine. Registration required.
Tufts Global Webinar Series: Solidarity within and across Youth-led Movements [Session 3] at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Participants will learn about six global youth-led movements, examining their origins and infrastructure, failures, and the promise of intersectional solidarity. RSVP.
Tech Help Drop-In Hour at 2 p.m. at the Medford Public Library. Library staff will be available to help with anything tech related.
2026 GIS Expo at 3 p.m. in Aidekman Arts Center at Tufts. Exposition of over 200 GIS projects and research completed during the 2025-2026 academic year.
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! Home games today for freshman girls softball, JV boys baseball, middle school co-ed flag football, varsity girls softball, and varsity girls lacrosse.
Board of Assessors meeting at 4 p.m. in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and on streaming services. On the agenda: motor vehicle excise review of abatements, commercial solar PV facilities, and an executive session for review of abatement applications and Appellate Tax Board docket.
School Committee Strategic Planning Subcommittee meeting at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming services. Agenda includes discussion, including public input, about the process, deliverables, and timeline for the development and review of the community-informed strategic plan.
Medicinal Plant Walk from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Meet at Medford Public Library and then join herbalist Mo Katz-Christy for a meander through the neighborhood to meet city plants and explore their medicinal uses. Register.
Friends of the Medford Family Network meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Medford Family Network Family Center. The group is seeking new members. If interested, email info@friendsofthemfn.org.
Affordable Housing Trust Board meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall and via Zoom. Agenda includes Medford Community Housing update, Fundraising Working Group update, Equity buy-down program research update, fractional payment update, financial update, term limit update.
Boston Frisbee hosts friendly ultimate Frisbee pickup game at 6 p.m. at Tufts Park. Open to everyone, and nobody keeps score. RSVP.
Future Teens Paint Night and Record Release Listening Party at 6 p.m. at Deep Cuts. For adults and teens 18+.
City Council Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 p.m. in City Hall, via Zoom, on TV, and via streaming services. There is one item on the agenda: budget process for FY2027.
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.
Community Development Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The agenda includes an "approval not required" plan, continued public hearings, new public hearings, and zoning project updates.
Small Business Resources at 7 p.m. at Medford Public Library. Learn more about starting and running a small business in Medford using library resources, with guest speaker Medford Economic Development Planner Kayla Myros.
World Poetry Salon at 7 p.m. at Arts Collaborative Medford. The group will listen to or read poems, share initial impressions, and discuss whatever questions or themes emerge.
Julia Soojin Cavallaro M.A. Thesis Concert: Mythos - New Songs for Voice & Instruments at 7 p.m. in the Granoff Music Center at Tufts.
Trivia Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at The Ford Tavern. Fast-paced trivia with Kevin Richman.
Line Dancing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Great American Beer Hall.
Did you know?
Mystic Players Revival, a community theater group, had to find a new space to rehearse and hold productions after the rates they were being charged through the Medford school system were raised significantly. The group will hold a karaoke fundraiser on June 5 at Hillside Community Church in Medford. Click here for information and to RSVP.
In case you missed it
Nell was on hand for the Medford Chamber of Commerce luncheon to install new officers and celebrate the Citizen of the Year.
Nell Escobar Coakley | Staff Writer
