Arts

A “Chance Encounter” in the MATV Gallery

The new exhibit at the MATV Gallery at Malden’s Media Center will mark a first-time meeting of local artists James Blandini and Kamil Abdushukur. The two men hail from different cultures and parts of the world and their art shares little by way of style and content. But an unexpected opening at the MATV Gallery and a desire from both to exhibit their work formed the basis for this exhibit. Despite this random pairing, the exhibit took shape in a way that complimented and supported their creative styles, while also creating something new as a unified whole. According to artist James Blandini, a Boston area native and second generation Italian American, his paintings and drawings are an exploration of the human condition and the search for spirituality through realistic portrayal. He is drawn to the rich visual imagery found in the New Testament, the Hebrew Bible, mythology, other spiritual traditions and works of literature. Often using his own image as the subject, Blandini explores how these paths connect with him both visually and emotionally. He […]

Events

Bring One, Take One: FOOGI hosts 13th annual Plant Swap

By Bonnie Blanchard and Jennifer McClain After such a long sloggy winter, it was delightful to bike to the Malden Community Garden on the Bike Path on Saturday, June 9, for the 13th annual FOOGI (Friends of Oak Grove, Inc) Plant Swap.  Although the season had just kicked off, many in the community garden community had tried and true tested varieties ready to swap. Not only were there the plants themselves but the advice to go with them. And not just plants but bulbs, roots, seeds and more. Many participants were armed with a myriad of plants, books, and miscellaneous garden items. The granite stone wall of the garden was soon lined with all manner of great garden paraphernalia. The signs separating the items for swapping were labeled: Sun, Part Sun, Shade, Veggies and Herb, and Miscellaneous Garden Items. This allowed everyone to pick what they needed based on what they had room and sun for.  The gardens themselves were also open for everyone to get a glimpse. A delightful children’s “Vegetable Soup Garden” was […]

Events

Let your garden grow: Season begins at the Malden Community Garden

By Jennifer McClain and Bonnie Blanchard With boundless energy and muddy hands, the green thumbs of Malden kicked off the growing season Saturday, May 19, at the city’s community garden, located along the Northern Strand Community (Bike) Trail between Bryant and Faulkner Streets. Young and old, experienced and beginners joined forces to prepare the plots for the bounty to come; this included a “soup vegetable” garden, a pumpkin patch and a community pick-your-own vegetable spot outside the fenced area. Volunteers also installed a Little Free Library box, practiced yoga, learned about composting and chowed down on pizza and gluten-free muffins. “It’s  amazing to be down here and see people working together,” said City Councilor Barbara Murphy, who had pushed to create a community garden five years ago. “Gardening is a language of its own.” Coordinating the activities was Julie Mangan, garden manager, who directed volunteers in the day of organization and learn up. Gardeners  pay $25 per plot to grow a variety of vegetables and crops. “It’s an extension of your backyard or it IS […]

Events

City Nature Challenge shows Mother Nature isn’t camera shy

By Karen Buck The Malden River showed off its natural attributes on April 29 as Malden and Medford residents took on the worldwide City Nature Challenge, a citizen-scientist contest that included 65 participating cities in 17 countries and five continents. The Friends of the Malden River were joined by National Park Service Ranger Andrew Petite de Manage, a naturalist with a background in urban planning and a ranger on the Boston Harbor Island, to document plants, animals and birds found in our area. As part of the City Nature Challenge from April 27- April 30, urban residents photographed wildlife in their surroundings.  Yes, our urban environments are full of wildlife and all kind of surprises that show biodiversity. They used iNaturalist, a free application for cell phones, which uses photo recognition software to identify what they discovered. If the subject can’t be identifed, it will be reviewed by one of the thousands of naturalists who work with the application. This information is entered into a database which is used by scientists around the world to determine […]

Events

Enough: Malden High walks out to advocate for gun control

A day later than anticipated, but with no less enthusiasm,  students from  Malden Public Schools walked out of class on Thursday, March 15,  to highlight the need for action in the wake of the tragic shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14. At about 10 a.m., students assembled in front of the entrance to the high school’s Jenkins Auditorium and heard speeches by fellow students. The walk-out was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but due to snow, the schools were closed. Thanks to social media, student organizers regrouped and held the walkout on Thursday. Angela Soliz, a junior and one of the event organizers, told her fellow classmates that the NRA’s influence was in fact making them all unsafe. “What about the right to live?” she asked. Meghan Yip, a senior and also one of the event organizers, said her life can be measured by the  mass shooting at schools. She turned 18 on March 1; she  noted that two  weeks prior, while Malden was sharing Valentine wishes, 17 lives were […]

Events

75th anniversary of Maplewood Theatre fire

By Jennifer McClain Movies were magic in December 1942. Bette Davis and Gary Cooper were superstars; the Academy Awards were handed out for both black and white and color films. Disney’s sophisticated animated film, “Fantasia,” hit the screens that year. Women’s eyebrows were perfect, sharp dark lines and men’s suits were fitted and double-breasted. This was also the year that film screenings ended on Lebanon Street in Malden — at least for a short time The night of December 18, 1942, was very cold and the sidewalks were icy and dangerous. Despite that, the Maplewood Theatre was packed. Was it because the theater was playing “Kitty Foyle,” the film that gave Ginger Rogers a Best Actress Oscar? The class-crossing romance started a whole new dress style known as the “Kitty Foyle Dress.” Or was it a packed theater because many there had dreams of rising above their class status by competing in “Bank Night.” “Bank Night” contributed to the ability of the film industry to survive during the Great Depression. This was an ingenious idea […]

Events

Stories & Soup with Housing Families

The folks from Malden Reads love sharing good stories and good food with the community! Malden Reads volunteers told the “stone soup” folktale to children attending the Housing Families Saturday school program on November 18, 2017. This folktale tells about a young child who asks for a bite to eat, and through a “magic stone,” a delicious meal is created together (other cultures show soldiers or villagers; the beauty of the story is that there are so many versions!). After listening to the story, children had the opportunity to chop up vegetables and prepare soup to be enjoyed together. Volunteers also led the children in an activity of creating their own vegetable stick-puppets. Thanks to the generosity of the Malden Kiwanis, a donation of 400 books was given to the children as well. They each got to choose the books they wanted. We encourage our neighbors in Malden to consider a donation to Housing Families this holiday season, or to reach out if in need. Contact Housing Families at 781-322-9119 or through housingfamilies.org. Malden Reads is […]

Arts

St. Joseph Parish makes a joyful noise in benefit concert

By Julie Kelleher With equal parts enthusiasm and expertise, the St. Joseph Parish, Medford Music Ministry, presented its annual concert on Oct. 22, 2017. The Adult Choir exhibited their  range, from the toe-tappin’ “Calendar Girl” to the solemn strains of Gounod’s “Ave Maria.” The Youth Choir regaled the enthusiastic audience with a rollicking medley from the musical “Oliver!” and The Messengers (the ministry’s young adult music group) performed pieces from “Rent,” as well as a somber original piece called “Oceans.” As in years past, there was plenty of opportunity for the audience to join with the choirs in singing, which they did. Violinist Noralee Walker, accompanied by pianist Holly Zagaria, performed the popular violin piece, Vivaldi’s “Spring” from “The Four Seasons.” There were three exquisite duets: Jeremy Ridore and Lisa Scudder sang “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King”; Charles Morin and Renee Paone performed “Try To Remember” from “The Fantasticks”; and Music Director Betsy Pesce was joined by her husband, Phillip, as they sang the main title theme from “Love Is A Many Splendored […]

Arts

Malden Pops Up: A Festive Shopping Experience Brings Sparkle Downtown

By Robin Inman  Do you dread holiday shopping? Do you have trouble finding a special gift amid the mass market clutter? Malden Pops Up is coming to the rescue. Malden Pops Up is a temporary gallery gift shop featuring unique wares by local artisans.  It will spring to life on Nov. 16 in an empty storefront at 480 Main St., Malden, and run through Dec. 24. Even your fussy sister will be mesmerized by the selection of paintings, jewelry, photography, textiles, ceramics, glass, carved wood, sculpture, CDs, cards and books. The experience will be enriched by musical and spoken word performances, presentations and special receptions. New this year will be a children’s art corner, where young artists can sell their work and sit down to create things while Mom or Dad enjoy shopping. Malden Pops Up is spearheaded by Ose Schwab, the principal of Malden Creates, LLC, which is “a small business that partners with local groups, businesses, and individuals to initiate arts and culture opportunities that nourish Malden economically and socially.” The inaugural Malden […]

Events

Video documents “Malden Unites Against Hate” rally

On Thursday, August 17, Malden community members gathered at Malden High School for an interfaith vigil and peaceful demonstration entitled “Malden Unites Against Hate,” in response to the preceding week’s rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and other acts of violence and hatred occurring throughout the country. Hundreds turned out for the event, which began with a “Solidarity Standout” and group chants in front of the high school. It then featured a diverse range of speakers in the high school courtyard, ending with a “water cleansing ceremony” to release messages of fear and hope in a pool of water. The key community organizers of the event were Nichole Mossalam, Fern Remedi-Brown, Amanda Ceide and Lori Ardai. The speaking portion was hosted by Nichole Mossalam. Below is a 2-minute preview video from MATV, Malden’s Media Center. All photos by Greg Cook. Video footage recorded by Joe Gray and Ose Schwab, and edited by Neil Novello for MATV, Malden’s Media Center. To see the one-hour edited version of the event, including all the speakers, click here.