Wednesday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Join Kate Genovese,author of Two Weeks Since My Last Confession, for a reading and book signing at the Medford Public Library.

The best upbringing in the world doesn’t foolproof one from a terrible life. Two Weeks Since my Last Confession follows Molly O’Brien, daughter of a senator and raised in what seems to be the perfect life. But at thirty, she has a crippling heroin addiction and her life is on the rocks. What went wrong? Two Weeks Since my Last Confession is a moving novel of dealing with one’s past.

Kate Genovese is a member of the National Writer’s Union and also the author of two previous books – Thirty years in September : A Nurses Memoir and Loving Joe Gallucci; : Love and Life with Hepatitis C. Kate is a registered nurse in the community health field and lives in the Boston, Massachusetts area with her family.

]]> http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/07/book-reading-at-mpl/feed/ 0 http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/07/spreading-education-to-end-discrimination-forum/ http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/07/spreading-education-to-end-discrimination-forum/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:30:51 +0000 admin http://medfordhealthmatters.org/?p=435

Please join us for a forum presented by Mass. Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at 6:00PM – 7:30PM

Medford City Hall, Howard Alden Council Chambers

Discrimination in; Employment, Housing, & Public Places

Please RSVP to 781-393-2501 or dmcleod@medford.org by July 22, 2010 for attendance, accommodations, and linguistic translators

Sponsored by the Office of Human Diversity & Compliance, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, & the Medford Human Rights Commission

]]> http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/07/spreading-education-to-end-discrimination-forum/feed/ 0 http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/06/farmers-market-opens/ http://medfordhealthmatters.org/2010/06/farmers-market-opens/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:37:05 +0000 Nikole http://medfordhealthmatters.org/?p=417 Farmers’ Market, in 4th Season, Opens in New Location

Golden Rule Honey

The Medford Farmers’ Market opened its fourth season in a new location- the parking lot of Whole Foods on Route 16. The market will run June through October from 3pm-7pm on Thursdays. For events and vendor updates please visit www.medfordsquaremarket.org.

Picture courtesy of InsideMedford.com

Wheat berries, used in the salad above, will be introduced into the school menu next year.

Medford School Food Services, students from Tufts University’s Tisch Scholar program, consultants from the Massachusetts Farm to School Program, Medford parents and children, community members, and others gathered together on Friday, June 11 to enjoy a dinner composed of local ingredients to launch Medford’s Farm-to-School Initiative.

The project includes the integration of locally sourced products such as produce, fresh herbs, and whole grains into the school breakfast and lunch menus and the creation of future schoolyard gardens. Tufts Tisch Scholar Leah Effron has been working closely with the schools to help with the project.

Diners enjoyed the following items prepared with locally sourced ingredients:

- Rotini Pasta with Roasted Garlic Tomatoes, Arugula and fresh Goat Cheese (produce from Lanni Orchards and goat cheese from Westfield Farms)
- “Confetti” Wheat Berry Salad w/ fresh vegetables and beans (produce from Lanni Orchards and grains from Four Star Grains)
- Tossed mixed greens with fresh herb vinaigrette dressing (produce Lanni Orchards)
- “Mojito” marinated roasted chicken with fresh garlic, cilantro, basil, mint and citrus juice (Herbs by Lanni Orchard)
- Whole Grain Mac and Cheese (by the Great Maria Cantacesso)
- Locally made Richardson’s ice cream courtesy of C.B. Scoops of Medford with fresh berries and apple compote topping (fruit from Lanni Orchards)

The dinner was to give people a taste of some of the local ingredients that have already been incorporated into the school lunch program along with some other locally grown food. Seasonal produce from local farms has been used for several years and whole grains from Four Star Grains will be used starting next year.

A panel composed of local farmers, representatives from the Massachusetts Farm-to-School Program and Medford residents, among others, spoke briefly and answered questions during the community dinner. There was also informational materials on food origin and sustainability, recipes, and an activity where children planted mesclun seeds into cartons to bring home.

- Information from Food Services Director Jeanne Irwin

Article courtesy of InsideMedford.com

MA Drivers License

By Alix Roy, Town Correspondent

A local ordinance requiring all purchasers of alcohol to be carded – regardless of age – took many residents by surprise, but advocates for preventing underage drinking say the rule has been received positively by many retailers and restauranteurs.

For full text article go to:

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/medford/2010/06/liquor_stores_restaurants_rece.html?s_campaign=8315

As you know, the Medford Family Network exists to provide family  support for families in all types of circumstances and situations. We  provide parenting education and family activities when you need them,  as well as concrete supports when you need them!

This is a “Shout Out” to those who may be in a position to help us  with a particular family.  The following is a list of items that this
family would greatly appreciate.  Those that attended the Shower of  Support on Sunday, May 15, 2010, need to be aware that those items  will immediately help this family as well as many others that we serve.

Mother –  Clothes Size 12, Shoe Size 9
Father –  Pants Size 34W x 30L, Shirts M/L, Shoes 8.5
Girl –    Clothes Size 2T, 3T; Shoes Size 4, 5
Household – New Queen Size Bedding
Family – Gift Cards to Kmart, Walmart, Target, Kohls, etc., any amount

Please call the Network at (781) 393-2106 for more information or to donate!

Sincerely,
Marie Cassidy, Family Specialist

Students from Tufts University, along with Medford School Food Services, Consultants from the Massachusetts Farm to School Program, along with a few Medford parents, will gather together to launch a Farm-to-school Initiative for the school children by hosting a citywide, Community Dinner kick-off event at the Andrews Middle School!

The project includes the integration of local produce (principally from Lanni Orchards) into the school breakfast and lunch menus and the creation of future schoolyard gardens.

The event will include dinner and dessert prepared with locally sourced ingredients. There will be a panel composed of local farmers, representatives from the Massachusetts Farm to School Program and Medford residents, among others.

There will also be informational materials on food origin and sustainability, recipes, as well as activities for the children relating to gardening (such as planting seeds in milk cartons).

Tickets will be available soon through the Medford School Food Service office at no cost.

More info to follow…

posted for Bridget Collins, School Chef extraordinaire!

With the nice weather on it’s way, many of us in Medford eagerly await spring cleaning. It’s a wonderful time of year because not only are sprouts and gardens popping up everywhere, but so are yard sales. This year many large “city-wide” yard sales are being organized. In a continued effort to be the green city that we know Medford is, let’s all do our part to keep any items that can either be recycled or reused out of the dumps.

Medford Freecycle, an online group growing strong, with almost 1,900 Medford participants, 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! So sign up today.

Just this morning we have had offerings of baby cloths, board games, books, a baby crib, gardening tools, and a futon.The one main rule: everything posted must be free. This group is part of The Freecycle Network, a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and info on the movement!

E-mail medfordfreecycle@gmail.com for questions or improvement ideas!

pashley bike

Happy Spring! It is wonderful to see the crowds of people walking and riding bikes, buses, and trains! New Walk/Ride Day coordinators and sponsors are joining us and integrating new events, challenges, and incentives. If you would like help organizing an event, please let us know, so we can add it to our website and help spread the word and inspire others.

BOSTON AREA EVENTS
APRIL 30, WALK/RIDE DAY!
7:30-7:45 a.m.: RozzieBikes/JP Bikes Walk/Ride Day Ride Join us for all or part of your commute. Beginning bike commuters welcome! Car parking available. More info here.

BIKE MONTH: Keep in mind that May is Bike Month and more, with all sorts of activities and events — too many to mention!

May 28, 2010~June 25, 2010~July 30, 2010~August 27, 2010
September 24, 2010~October 29, 2010~November 26, 2010~December 31, 2010
January 28, 2011~February 25, 2011~March 25, 2011~April 29, 2011

The Green Streets Initiative is a grassroots organization that encourages the use of alternative transportation to create safer, quieter, healthier streets for all.
The Green Streets Initiative is best known for our monthly Walk/Ride Days, which take place on the last Friday of every month. On Walk/Ride Days, we invite people everywhere to go green, wear green, and celebrate!

Our vision is to create a monthly city-wide party that celebrates alternative transportation, helps people connect with their community, and improves our well-being and that of our Earth.

Green Streets seeks individuals in businesses, schools, and state and local government to help spread the Walk/Ride Day concept. If you are interested in becoming a coordinator or a sponsor, please contact the Green Streets Director at walk-ride-days@comcast.net.