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MATV REWINDS: Flashback to 2002 wedding

In honor of its 25th anniversary, Malden Access Television has been airing programs from one quarter of a century of archives. The idea is to reconnect the community to local history in a creative way. A wide variety of topics and shows have made their way into this “Rewinds” series — to run though late August. One such program is the first ever live wedding of Malden locals Cathy and Jian on Valentine’s Day of 2002. The Chinese themed wedding included traditional music, explanations of decor and symbols, a candle-lighting ceremony and speeches from guests. The bride showed off traditional Chinese dress as well as a typical white gown provided by a local business — just one way in which this wedding mixed cultures from different sides of the globe in a beautiful display of what Malden and its history is all about. To view the full wedding and learn more about MATV Rewinds and programming, visit www.matv.org and tune in to its Public Access channel. –Suzanne Hishmeh

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Arts

MUSIC: Tuesday night summer concert series

On Tuesday, July 8, the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series began with a rousing performance from Keep It Real Band, a local rock & roll band that has been active in the Boston area for over 20 years. Many residents of Malden enjoyed the great music and fine weather on the City Hall Plaza as the band played an exciting set of covers ranging from classics to today’s hits. The following week, rain forced the concerts inside to the senior center, where The Reminisants took the stage (click here for a clip). Despite the change in venue, the concert went on, and nothing could prevent the band from delivering their engaging set of oldies covers with the energy and emotion that the crowd loved. The Tuesday, July 22 concert featured Edgar and Friends Rock and Roll, who brought a set of danceable hits from the 50s and 60s to the City Hall Plaza. Sponsored by Wynn Resorts, the Summer Concert Series runs Tuesday nights from 6-8 p.m. at City Hall on the Plaza. –Len Tetta The […]

Arts

MUSIC: Malden’s ‘Live on the Lawn’ music series

The Malden Public Library kicked off  the “Live on the Lawn” summer concert series on Wednesday, July 9. The first band to perform was Five O’clock Shadow, an a cappella group from Boston. The group has been singing together since 1991. Five O’clock shadow performed several great hits and were a joy to watch. They were also a humorous group and liked to joke around. Five O’clock shadow debuted a new song for the people of Malden (see clip here). Even though they were only there for an hour, it was an amazing time. The acoustic vintage jazz and blues trio, Outrageous Fortune, are coming to town to perform on July 23. The group performs jazz, blues and jug band music. On August 6 and the 20 there will be more live performances on the Malden Public Library lawn … so stay tuned. –Dimitry Legagneur

Arts

Malden’s Lincoln Commons in bloom

Lincoln Commons was originally the site of the small, two-acre farm of Levi P. Nichols.  In 1897 the Lincoln Junior High was built in its place until it was razed in 1998.  The park is located on Cross St. between Bryant and Henry Streets on 4.3 acres. According to Landscape Architect, JP Shadley, of Shadley Associates, who designed the park,  it was given by the City of Malden partly as compensation for the loss of Ferryway Green (also known as Newman Park).  It recalls the work of Frederick Law Olmsted’s firm at Ferryway Green and other Malden parks rich in this heritage. The community asked for an “Olmsted-inspired” landscape as a way to heal from the loss.  JP Shadley said, “In response, I used the flowing paths, rolling topography, defined seating areas, and irregular, naturalistic plantings to all contribute to achieving that goal.”  The relics of reliefs once imbedded in the school’s facade have been encased into commemorative walls along with its motto, “Enter to learn – Depart to serve.” –Elizabeth Scorsello with a special […]

Arts

Malden postman red flagged for stealing

There are a number of civil service positions that necessitate public trust in the execution of duty such as those overseeing public money, police officers and postal carriers to name a few. When that trust is betrayed by acts of corruption or dishonesty, unfortunately it erodes the public confidence and taints by association the good reputation of the many hard working, law-abiding men and women performing their duties in the service to society at large. We give the trust and don’t think about it until…that trust is broken as in the case of the Malden postman who was caught stealing mail out of the blue postal collection boxes he was suppose to deliver mail from. This mailman, a 36-year-old married father of three stole 7689 pieces of mail which included gift cards, iPhones, identity cards, Christmas gifts, laptops, electronic readers and driver’s licenses. He was arrested after being observed taking mail from depository boxes in Medford and Melrose that were not on his regular route of Malden and Somerville. It’s speculated that he gained access […]

Arts

Rebirth in Malden’s Forest Dale Cemetery

Once the 56-acre Pratt Hill farm, Forest dale Cemetery was purchased by the City of Malden in 1883. It is located at 152 Forest St. and extends north to Pine Banks Park.  It was landscaped by Boston Surveyor, P. F. Pane in 1884 in the picturesque style of cemetery form according to the historic records at Malden Public Library. –Elizabeth Scorsello with special thanks to Stephen Nedell, Local History Librarian                       Perhaps it was flowers that made me a painter. -Claude Monet Photography by Elizabeth Scorsello

Arts

‘Here Come the Brides’ exhibit at the MPL

Running of the brides? What’s old is new again at the historical “Here Come the Brides” exhibit at the Malden Public Library’s lower art gallery in the Converse Memorial Building. Curated by John Tramondozzi, the collection showcases wedding dresses dating back to Catherine Mahoney Walsh’s dress from 1883 to Nancy Mover Cohn’s gown from 1983. There is also a parade of photos and other memorabilia offering an intimate peek into the lives of the brides from Malden’s past. Exhibit runs Tuesdays 6-8 p.m., Wednesday 2-4 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. through July 3.

News

Trash talk about outsourcing Malden’s custodial jobs

The debate regarding the fate of Malden’s school custodians has fueled some local trash talk. Should the city outsource? Also, is it about cost cutting or actual poor performance by the school custodial staff? Yes, 28 jobs are on the line. More than half of those jobs belong to Malden residents. Eight belong to residents who live in communities adjacent to Malden with these city employees averaging 16 years of service. So why is the City of Malden contemplating outsourcing these 28 full-time jobs? At Neighborhood View, we sought to investigate what thinking went into the decision—making process to privatize these custodial jobs, by interviewing the union which represents the custodians and Mayor Gary Christenson for the city. Local 888 President Mark DelloRusso went on the record to give the union’s position on the subject. However, Mayor Gary Christenson’s office informed us, “Unfortunately, he is unable to be interviewed about the current situation with the custodians in the schools. Because negotiations are on-going, he can’t discuss any topic that could possibly affect that process.” DelloRusso […]

Arts

The Malden Writers’ Collaborative fosters the art of writing

William Shakespeare was a member of a writing group that called themselves “The University Wits,” Dorothy Parker was a member of “The Vicious Circle”  which later became known as “The Algonquin Round Table.” Although no one from The Malden Writers’ Collaborative (TMWC) has come close to reaching that level of fame and notoriety, TMWC has helped writers of all levels further their craft. As their annual public reading draws near (May 29, 2014 at the Malden Public Library), Neighborhood View sat down with Evangeline Vickery , the founder and facilitator of the group to talk about “fostering a writerly community among aspiring writers with a focus on workshopping and the study of craft.” Originally from Manlius, New York, Eva makes her home in Malden with her husband, her cat, and her string instruments. During the day she’s the Office & Accounts Manager for Reuning & Son Violins but the rest of the time she calls herself a writer.  “I’ve been writing for most of my life. I recently went through a box of old school papers from my […]

Food

New Restaurant: Ferry Street Food & Drink

Malden’s newest kid on the block? Ferry Street Food & Drink located at 118 Ferry Street. Shannon and Jason Ladd, the owners of the city’s newest restaurant, warmly greeted their guests as they entered the door on May 21. Soon after choosing a small, high table by the full-length open window a cool easy, relaxed atmosphere was felt matching the breeze that seeped thru the large screened picture window. The largest of the two rooms encompasses the bar with duo, flat-screen televisions for the sports enthusiasts as well as several high-top tables and plenty of room for those soon to be regular customers. Several small pots of fresh herbs such as Lavendar, German Thyme and Spicy Globe Basil sitting atop a shelf add charm to the area — so do the multiple license plates from the State of Texas. The smaller room contains booths as well as tables. Take your pick.  You will be very pleased that they as well as you have arrived. This “gastro pub,” which refers to a bar and restaurant that specializes in […]