June 2016 - Neighborhood View

Celebrate Fourth of July weekend in Malden

June 29, 2016 neighbormedia 0

The Malden Public Library will display the original and the newly digitized version of Malden’s town records from the Revolutionary war period. Featured will be the May 27, 1776 document entitled “Instructions of the Inhabitants of Malden, Massachusetts to their Representatives in Congress” unanimously voted on by the townspeople of Malden to be delivered to the Second Continental Congress via their representative Ezra Sargeant. In the 1776 communication, the voting citizens of Malden renounce the Colony’s ties to the Kingdom of Great Britain and set forth their wish to become an independent “American” republic. The document is credited as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence written in July of 1776 when the Continental Congress formally declared their independence from England. The original historical document will remain on display for viewing. On Friday, July 1 at 6 p.m. in the Malden Public Library’s front lawn, local historian and period actor Tom Coots will perform the second annual Reading of the town “Instructions.” Here’s Neighborhood View’s coverage from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OzR2iMORG8

Bike to the Sea is still blazing a trail

June 22, 2016 annedr 4

It’s taken me 24 years to finally get up early on a Sunday morning to join the trailblazing Bike to the Sea folks for their annual 20-mile ride from Everett to Nahant Beach. Twenty-four years—that sounds lame, but it’s true. Finally, on Sunday, June 12, 2016, my husband and I biked down to the Doo Wop Diner in Malden to meet friends, Karen and Scott, for a 7:30 a.m. breakfast, and then on to the starting point for the annual ride. (This article was published in June 2016. We are re-posting in interest of the next Bike to the Sea bike ride to be held Sunday, June 11, 2017.) Every year, I thought about doing the ride. When my kids were young, I envisioned us all doing it together, but I could never seem to garner the forces such as they were. I’m essentially a casual bike rider, often too daunted by the long steep hill I live at the top of, which makes finishing my ride an exhausting feat. I love fresh air and […]

Hoff’s Bakery satiates Malden’s sweet tooth

June 17, 2016 neighbormedia 0

Have a sweet tooth? Head over to Hoff’s Bakery located at 35 Green Street in Malden. The 110,000 square feet facility features a retail component where residents can purchase desserts during regular business hours. Hoff’s, formerly located in Medford invested nearly $8.3 million in renovating the site of the former Asahi America building in order to triple their size. Hoff’s, a family owned and operated company, takes pride in being a forward thinking company that offers exceptional quality products with a personal touch. Nicole and David Frattura, the brother-and-sister team behind the Malden move, talk to MATV’s Neighborhood View about their gourmet cakes, European style tortes, individual desserts, brownies, mini pastries and more.

First Church in Malden is a historic loss

June 14, 2016 lsulda 1

It’s a sunny Spring morning in 2016, and I’m standing outside the First Church in Malden under the shade of a budding tree. A butterfly flits into the sky toward the soaring steeple of the church, and I notice it’s sadly in need of repair. Looking at the facade, it’s hard for me to believe that this building is one of the last links residents have left to Malden’s founding fathers. The congregation of this church virtually “birthed” our present day Malden government and played a prominent role in the Revolutionary War, leading the colonies in support for America’s Independence from Britain. Harder still for me to believe is that anyone could allow this historic treasure to be destroyed. I’m at the church today to attend an estate sale being held before the building is scheduled for demolition later this year. The eighth “Meeting House” of Malden’s founders, this building is reportedly a replica of an earlier church and it will soon be replaced with apartment and retail/office buildings as part of the downtown revitalization […]

Somerville’s Groundwork spreads its roots in Malden

June 13, 2016 karenbuckmalden 0

I dash into the Cha Shu Coffee and Bubble Tea shop on Summer Street to meet Clay Larson of Groundwork Somerville and Lawrence and the Bike to the Sea Organization. Rush is playing in the background. The lyrics of Natural Science spin in my head. Wheels within wheels In a spiral array A pattern so grand And complex Time after time We lose sight of the way Our causes can’t see Their effects We cupped our coffee to warm our hands, kicked back in comfy chairs and talked. The Orange Line brought Clay and his wife, Naomi to Malden in 1997. From this vantage point, they have loved the contrast of venturing in the nearby woods of the Fells to frequent Malden downtown jaunts. Larson smiles, “We liked the downtown area and we wanted a walkable urban environment. We are happy that seventeen years later Malden Center is becoming a destination. And now we have a coffee shop that serves great lattes, just a five minute walk from our house!” Larson reflects, “Changing city hall is […]

Lantern walk at Fellsmere Pond lit up Malden

June 10, 2016 karengarden 1

Darkness leisurely replaced dusk. The pond lit up with the procession of people carrying lanterns along its banks. This was Fellsmere Pond on the evening of June 4. Friends of Fellsmere and YODA hosted an evening of family fun. The Friends of Fellsmere is a group of citizens from Malden and Medford dedicated to honoring the 100-year legacy of Malden Hospital. YODA is a group of middle and high school students also known as Young Optimistic Daring Activists. These two groups organized and advertised the lantern walk. It was a lovely evening, warm and dry. It was attended and enjoyed by men, women and children. Lanterns with candles were for sale, or attendees could make their own. There were plenty of cut off 2L bottles, glue and tissue paper. And there were volunteers to help direct the lantern makers who needed help. There were many activities for children including the lantern making. Various size cardboard boxes were on the grass which the children made into houses, built towers, and used their imaginations in many ways. […]

Never Got Caught featured on “Release the Sounds”

June 8, 2016 thatandtheotter 0

Wow. Feel that heat? Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer, has come and gone but that’s not what I’m talking about. June’s featured artist, Never Got Caught scorched Studio A when they dropped into Release the Sounds. Brothers Bryan Hinkley and Bill Hinkley have roots in the notable Boston hardcore band Tree (all puns definitely intended) but eventually wanted to explore a darker sound. They added Dave Ward on guitar and Jesse Sherman (former Malden resident!) on bass to round out their current lineup and set off playing shows and writing more songs. Those songs grew into albums and now they have been together for over four years. After playing a loud and tight set that included exclusive songs from their upcoming third studio album, they spoke with host, Liz Taegel about the new album, gave some Malden shout-outs, and how rude looking at your phone is during an interview! Look for them at Great Scott on July 16 and they’ll even be featured in a short documentary film about the Hinkley brothers called […]

“Inside Malden” interviews executive director Mei Hung

June 7, 2016 Ose Schwab 0

The power of cultural diversity to unite and intrigue is something Mei Hung has spent a lifetime pondering. Raised in rural Taiwan, she arrived in the United States because of a voracious appetite to learn about the world. Over the years, this hunger that she describes as “like wanting to swallow the entire dictionary in one gulp,” has inspired her work as executive director of the Chinese Culture Connection. The Chinese Culture Connection, an important presence in Malden for the growing Chinese-speaking community, offers experiential programming that includes mentorship, performances, East-Meets-West lectures and dialogues. And yet, more than bridging East to West and West to East, Mei’s mission is to invite all of Malden to join a parade of humanity, sharing culture along the way. For though the differences may pose challenges of communication, tradition, and perspective, the presence of differences, combined with a spirit of curiosity and exchange, builds community that is based on the universal questions surrounding what it means to be human. From a small office on the fourth floor of the […]

The Great Chow offers sizzling Sichuan fare

June 6, 2016 escorsello 0

James and Carol Lin, co-owners of The Great Chow emigrated from Taiwan, China in 1988. James, chef, became interested in cooking after working at a series of restaurants in the Boston area. Later, they owned restaurants in Arlington and Cambridge until they were attracted to Malden’s diverse population and the large number of Chinese immigrants from around Canton in South China and opened The Great Chow in Malden in December 2014. The Great Chow, located at 114 Ferry St., is a casual establishment where large windows fill the air with light that falls on wooden tables and chairs and floral prints decorate the walls. Carol, manager, expresses, “Our restaurant is simple because we want our customers to feel comfortable—that everyone can come here.” Lin caters to locals with Sichuan cuisine. Sichuan Province in Southwest China is famous for its hot and spicy food and the Sichuan peppercorn that is unique to this area of China and is used in its dishes along with red chilies to create distinct flavor combinations. “We have the real thing […]

Bread of Life moves to Malden’s American Legion

June 2, 2016 neighbormedia 1

Bread of Life’s Wednesday and Thursday free evening meals will be served at the American Legion Post 69, located at 368 Pleasant Street in Malden, as of June 1, 2016. Bread of Life and the American Legion Post 69 have formed a partnership enabling both organizations to further their missions by assisting individuals and families in the Malden area. The meal is open to anyone in need, including families with children, working people, senior citizens, unemployed or disabled people. No reservation is required. You do not need to live in Malden to attend. On Tuesdays, take-out meals will be served at Bread of Life, 54 Eastern Ave. and on Fridays the First Baptist Church, 493 Main St. in Malden, will host from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. American Legion 368 Pleasant Street, Malden Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. American Legion 368 Pleasant Street, Malden