Uncategorized Archives - Page 29 of 30

Op-Ed: Hip hop from a Malden resident’s perspective

September 8, 2014 neighbormedia 0

Hip hop is the most influential culture to today’s youth globally. What is hip hop? Well, I’m glad you asked. Hip hop is the absence of rules. People study music theory, but hip hop is not theoretical. It is the practice of taking 1/100 of a sample, or a riff and completely distorting the original context, to create something that the original artist never intended or imagined. Hip hop can be a gentle ode to one’s mother or a direct threat to the powers that be around the globe in the speed of a tweet. It can be funny or ironic, or a witness to obscenely pornographic levels of uncut violence or unmitigated injustice. If it exists in the real world, it is fair game for hip hop. Hip hop is not the pop infused sounds that we hear blaring out of our speakers in the car that provoke youth to twerk. Any similarities to “hip-pop” are due to common cultural influences, “chicken or the egg” type conundrum. There will always be entertainers who mass […]

Corita Kent Exhibit in Memory of Joan Aliberti at the Malden Public Library

August 11, 2014 annedr 0

An exhibit of works by renowned artist Corita Kent is on display at the Malden Public Library in the Lower Gallery of the Converse Memorial Building. The works were donated in memory of longtime Malden resident Joan Aliberti after her death in 2002 by her mother Tina Aliberti. Corita Kent, also known as Sister Mary Corita, is the artist behind the brightly colored gas tanks in Dorchester that are seen along the Southeast Expressway. Known as the Rainbow Swash, the painting on the gas tanks comprise the largest piece of copyrighted artwork in the world. A similar design was used for the artist’s widely recognized 1985 Love stamp. Kent has an extensive body of work that incorporates abstract color, collage, and writing, expressing values of peace and social justice. Her works are included in collections at The Whitney, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Joan Aliberti, a Malden educator, was a friend of the late artist and held a number of her works in her personal collection. The pieces […]

Summer is no reason for children to go hungry

August 1, 2014 azanzirsa 0

Do you know any kids living in low-income households that could benefit from a nutritious, healthy lunch? Project Bread is supporting the Summer Food Service Program in Malden to provide free summer lunches for kid in need while on school vacation. The Summer Food Service Program is federally funded via the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) an agency of the USDA. On a state level most often education agencies administer the program. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are managing our program and Malden High School has been appointed to prepare and oversee the operation for the city. The program serves low-income areas where half or more of the children are from households with income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The twelve Malden sites that are providing the Free Summer Lunch Program are: Malden High School 77 Salem Stree Lunch 11:30 – 12:30 Beebe School Park 401 Pleasant Street Lunch 12:00 – 1:00 Coytemore Lea Mt Ave MDC […]

MATV REWINDS: Flashback to 2002 wedding

July 28, 2014 suzannehishmeh 0

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

Malden’s Lincoln Commons in bloom

July 14, 2014 escorsello 0

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 […]

Malden postman red flagged for stealing

July 11, 2014 azanzirsa 0

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 […]

Trash talk about outsourcing Malden’s custodial jobs

June 5, 2014 azanzirsa 0

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 […]

New Restaurant: Ferry Street Food & Drink

May 27, 2014 hamcd2014 0

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 […]

Maple syrup made in Malden? Sweet.

May 15, 2014 neighbormedia 0

MATV’s Anne D’Urso-Rose reflects on the making of maple syrup at her home in Malden. The sight of metal buckets on snow-outlined trees is the familiar image of maple syruping in Canada, and rural Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Plastic Poland Spring bottles on a tree in urban Malden—not so much. But at my house at 90 Bowers Ave., you’ll see them every few years. My husband, Steve Rose, lovingly pursues the craft in intervals long enough to forget just how much work it is to make even a small amount of maple syrup. The process is simpler than one might think. All you really need is a maple tree and a place to boil the sap. Since the process takes so long, it’s pretty impractical to do all the boiling inside, so an outdoor fire pit really helps. Of course, you need enough fuel to keep the fire going—for days. Yes, it takes days. Fuel, in the form of pine tree branches and logs, we had in spades this year. Which is why Steve […]

City of Malden passes ball to Miller Park

May 15, 2014 escorsello 0

Blighted Miller Park lost bid for $1,000,000 federal grant but city funds bring new hope. The City of Malden has awarded the much-needed funds to bulldoze and renovate Miller Park. Four steel girders topped with a roof of cinder block that became a massive lean to for drug dealers will soon be razed and replaced with trees, plants and pathways with painted hopscotches. The unrecognizable remnants of a vandalized tot lot exchanged for new playground equipment and one of the few remaining basketball courts in the area will be completely refurbished. The neighborhood will reclaim its long needed park that many had feared entering and a new green space will belong to the community. Originally called Harvard St. Park, it was renamed for YMCA outreach worker Robert Miller who devoted himself to the neighborhood youth. The park abuts the Malden Housing Authority and single family homes. Located in the city’s poorest area, Miller Park began its slow decline from neglect about 20 years ago because of the lack of city funds. Unlike other areas of […]