March and April are Medford Community Read months!

This year’s Library-sponsored community read book is Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky. There are also three books for younger readers. This year’s Community Read events will deal with the history of New England fishing as well as the challenges facing marine ecology. The first program will take place on Thursday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Medford Public Library

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Photo via Tufts University Blog

All children in grades K-3 are invited to the Annual Kids’ Day at Tufts University.

Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

A fun-filled day for FREE hosted by Tufts’ Leonard Carmichael Society

Check-in at the Campus Center, 44 Professors Row, Medford/Somerville Campus

This year’s theme, “Under the Sea,” will feature various games and sports, as well as a chemistry presentation and other fun competitions.

To register for the event or read more about the event online, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/lcs/kids_day. For more information, please e mail lcs.kidsday@gmail.com or call 617-627-3780, the Tufts Office of Community Relations, a supporter of Kids’ Day.

We are excited to release the MHM Drug Free Communities Grant: First Five Years at-a-Glance which summarizes the activities and plans implemented, the successes achieved, and the challenges encountered during the first five years (2004-2009) of our Drug Free Communities Grant.  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funded the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center/Northeast Center for Healthy Communities and MHM from 2004-2009 and just recently awarded us 5 years of funding to continue our work!

To Haiti with Love: A Benefit Concert from Tufts

Tufts Haiti Benefit Concert

Sunday, February 14, 1pm-3pm
Cohen Auditorium
Tickets $10  (children under twelve $5)
Please join Tufts students, faculty, staff, and members of the community in a fun and diverse concert of music from around the world to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. Performers will include student soloists, bands, a cappella groups, faculty members from the Department of Music, and special guests. If you are interested in being involved, please contact Edith Auner, Coordinator of Applied Music and Outreach, edith.auner@tufts.edu 617-627-5616.

Thanks to all who contributed to and supported the suitcase collection drive for foster children conducted by Suitcases4Kids on Jan. 16, 2010 at Medford City Hall.

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DCR SOLICITS PUBLIC INPUT ON TRAIL PLANNING PROCESS

FOR THE MIDDLESEX FELLS RESERVATION

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has scheduled a Trail Planning Workshop to solicit public input as the agency begins to develop a Trail System Planning Process for the Middlesex Fells Reservation.

The Trail Planning Workshop will be held on Monday, February 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the McGlynn School Auditorium, 3002 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford.

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The Medford, MA Freecycle™ group is open to all who want to “recycle” that special something rather than throw it away. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano or an old door, feel free to post it. Or maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate too!

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By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Parents who wish their teens would quit texting so much may change their tune, thanks to a new text messaging service that Medford High students recently launched to help their peers say no to drugs and alcohol at parties.

The youth organization Teens Against Drinking and Drugs – or TADD, an offshoot of the local nonprofit Medford Health Matters – launched the service about three months ago.

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Medford Health Matters Seeks Ambassador for DFC Grant

Drug Free Communities Coordinator – Medford Health Matters and Northeast Center for Healthy Communities

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Over 1,900 Medford students in middle and high school completed the Communities That Care Youth Survey (CTCYS) in spring of 2009. The CTCYS provides important information for the City of Medford, Medford Health Matters, and the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities to prevent substance abuse among youth in the community. The CTCYS was paid for by the Drug Free Communities Support Program awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  To view a synopsis of the substance abuse data go to the Executive Summary of Substance Abuse Results (2009).  To view the reports go to Middle School or High School reports.