Arts

Malden Reads kicks off season with ‘bits & bites’ opener

The Malden Reads season kicked off 2015 with its “bits and bites” opener at the historic Converse building of the Malden Public Library. The community gathering was a success despite attendees having to trek out into one of the snowiest winters in New England’s history. Malden Reads is a community reading program that invites the entire city to read the same book and participate in events based on its themes. The grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 19 featured light refreshments, community conversation and a chance to learn more about the Malden Reads 2015 featured selection and companion books for younger readers. The 2015 featured selection is “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.” Written by Robin Sloan, the book combines elements of fantasy, mystery, friendship and adventure while musing on the transition between new information technology and traditional print books. In the video below, guests including Mayor Gary Christenson chat with Neighborhood View reporter Kylie Garcia about the festive opening celebration. –Photos by Elizabeth Scorsello

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Malden’s Suffolk Square is a forgotten Jewish enclave

Have you ever heard the term banker’s hours? This usually refers to being open for the shortest, most inconvenient hours. But back before Suffolk Square in Malden, Massachusetts was leveled for urban renewal, banker’s hours had a whole different meaning. Suffolk Square was a Jewish enclave in Malden, the heart of which was in the vicinity of Cross and Bryant streets and the old Lincoln Junior High School. When Elaine Lubin’s grandparents wanted to buy land in Malden, the large, established banks in Malden Square weren’t where they went for a mortgage. The Jewish bank in Suffolk Square, Progressive Workmen’s Credit Union, saw the potential in this hard-working Polish Catholic couple who had immigrated to Massachusetts from Vilna in what is now Lithuania. They approved of their plan for a small dairy farm in the area of Bowdoin Street and Bent Avenue and gave them a mortgage for the property that they then purchased from Mrs. Bent. When Elaine’s parents needed a car loan for their new blue Plymouth, they also went to Mr. Eiseman at […]

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EXCLUSIVE: Former Tri-CAP exec goes on record

While attending the annual Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon sponsored by the North Shore Black Women’s Association, Neighborhood View spoke candidly with Phillip Bronder-Giroux former executive director of Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc (Tri-CAP) and asked if he would be willing to go on record as only he could concerning his Tri-CAP departure and the agency’s possible closing. Fortunately, Bronder-Giroux agreed to an interview which in our opinion should silence the many whispered rumors that have been circulating throughout the Metro-North area. Tri-CAP is an anti-poverty agency for Malden, Medford, Everett and surrounding towns. They have been providing services to the area for 36 years. When asked what happened, Bronder-Giroux said the agency overspent their budget by approximately $500,000 and that the agency was “probably too lean at the top.” It wasn’t fraud by the executive director or anyone else in the agency as some have alluded. They have been functioning in the red for a number of reasons, namely: Tri-CAP employed a very capable comptroller who had been with the agency for more than […]

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Ferry Street Food & Drink kicks off Malden Reads dinners

Malden Eats, in collaboration with Malden Reads, is excited to announce the return of the Malden Eats Community Dinner series. We invite you to share a convivial meal, at the same time exploring themes related this year’s Malden Reads selection, “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan. You do not need to have read the book to attend. On Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m., join fellow Maldonians for a fun and relaxing meal at Ferry Street Food & Drink located 118 Ferry St. in Malden.   Enjoy the fine food and drink from this “gastro pub,” which refers to a bar and restaurant that specializes in high-end beer and food. The atmosphere is warm and boasts a local tavern-like vibe. Shannon and Jason Ladd opened this neighborhood hot spot last May. The duo met in culinary school at Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island. Chef Jason is originally from Texas and the menu has elements from his home state, including BBQ pork meatball appetizer served over cheddar grits.   Shannon, originally from upstate New York, says the menu for the Tuesday, March 3 dinner will be a garden […]

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Nathan Lamb leaving helm at Malden Observer … again

Feel like you saw this article before? MATV’s Neighborhood View caught up with Nathan Lamb when he left his position back in the fall. He returned a couple of weeks later and explains what happened below. But now it looks like he’s leaving the post for good. We wish him well and caught up with him one more time. First off, Nathan, where are you headed? Anne– first I really want to thank you for your interest. You and Ron Cox and everyone at MATV have been great media partners throughout my tenure in Malden and I did want to thank you again for that. I’ve taken a position as a site editor at a company named Tech Target in Newton. Our mission centers on providing reliable information for companies looking to solve problems with technology. I’ll be writing and editing for a website dedicated to those topics. What happened the first time you left (in the fall)? I had been freelancing for an old colleague at a company for a couple of years and […]

Events

Neighborhood View catches up with Congresswoman Katherine Clark

On Friday, Jan. 23,  a crowd gathered together at the Malden Access TV headquarters on Pleasant Street for the Mass Access 2015 Annual Membership Meeting in which Congresswoman Katherine Clark was honored as Legislator of the Year. Congresswoman Clark, known for her continued support of local access television, took a moment after receiving her award to speak with Neighborhood View about her first year as a United States Representative and share her thoughts on the value of community access television.

Events

Senior power on display at the State House

On Friday January 16, 2015 approximately 250 Massachusetts seniors from across the Commonwealth went to the State House to deliver to Governor Charlie Baker almost 5,000 signature cards. The signed cards were collected as part of a health care campaign initiated by Mass Senior Action Council (MSAC) demanding that Massachusetts  “bridge the gap” to affordable health care for seniors living below 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) ($35,000) just as they have done for residents under the age of 65. THE PROBLEM: High out-of-pocket costs for health care prevent thousands of seniors from accessing the health care they need. Seniors spend an average of 15 percent of their income on health care compared to individuals 19-64 who spend 5 percent. (Seniors spend three times more) Seniors in good health spend an average of $467.00 per month for health care. THE SOLUTION: Eliminate the asset test and raise income eligibility for the Medicare Savings Programs to 300 percent FDL (MassHealth Buy-In Programs) Raise the MassHealth asset and income eligibility limits for Massachusetts residents age 65 and over […]

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Martin Luther King, Jr. luncheon draws crowds year after year

The North Shore Black Women’s Association held its 22nd Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon Saturday, January 17 at Anthony’s in Malden. In the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy, eight community members were honored for accomplishments that embody his ideals, passion and commitment to service. This year’s honorees were: Silvia Banos of Malden Senior Community Center, Reverend Robert L. Gray of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Boston, Reverend Sharyn Halliday of African Methodist Episcopal Church, Karen Colón Hayes of the Office of Mayor Gary Christenson, Mei Hung of the Chinese Culture Connection, Habiba Idrissi of the American Association for Arab Women and Malden Teen Enrichment Center, Gloria Salazar of the Malden Latino Council, and Reverend Dr. Milton L. Thomas, Sr. of New Life Christian Ministries. Neal Anderson, Ward Seven Councilor of Malden, hosted as master of ceremonies leading the crowd in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Black National Anthem)” and “We Shall Overcome.” Full of highlights like the liturgical dance performance by local community members Tara Mukasa and Markita Latimer, and music […]

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An honest conversation of Ferguson and beyond

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, Mai Du, of Wah Lum Academy in Malden, brought a call to action from the community. Du hosted a forum entitled “An Honest Conversation of Ferguson and Beyond.” She wanted teens and children to speak their thoughts on the happenings of late, and to get more involved. The group of about 75 people consisted of teens, younger children and adults. The program was facilitated by a group of teens. In the beginning, large blank papers were placed around the room for participants to place stick-ums on, according to categories including fears, hopes and questions, etc. The leaders reviewed what had happened in Ferguson, with the known facts. Then participants were given a pre-determined subject to discuss in small groups of six.  People were grouped with diverse ages, races and ethnicities. The groups were given about 20 minutes to discuss among themselves. Then, all joined again in the large group to share what came out of the small groups. These groups met three-to-four times with different questions, and would again join […]

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Malden rent prices skyrocket and leave families homeless

An internet search for rent prices in Malden will bring up countless webpages all promising affordable prices. Gateway at Malden Center Apartments is offering studios to two bedrooms for $1890-$2885, Residence at Malden Station Apartments are offering studios to two bedrooms for $1917 to $3176, and Malden Gardens is offering one to two bedroom apartments for $1550-$2250. Why are apartments so expensive in Malden? Malden is gaining momentum and attention because of its culturally diverse restaurants, thriving art scene, strong school system and easy accessibility to Boston. Malden is also becoming increasingly popular with graduate students. Realtor Zac Engle said that students are now willing to travel to Malden to live because of its quiet and laid back city vibe. “Traditionally students lived in Allston and Brighton but they’ve become so inundated with students that students, particularly older graduate students, are seeking areas with a quieter night life, so they can concentrate on their studies. It’s on the Orange Line and becoming more popular because people are willing to travel that far now,” said Engle. Due to […]