As of today, this blog will no longer be updated. The new address for the Mayor’s blog is https://mayorinfurna.wordpress.com. Please update your bookmarks and re-subscribe if you want to continue to get e-mail updates. All material will also be posted at http://www.cityofmelrose.org.
Join Matt Heaton at Melrose Kids Club on February 9
Melrose Kids Club is excited to welcome back Matt Heaton this Friday, February 9th to Memorial Hall.
Matt is a favorite of the sing-along circuit of the greater Boston area, entertaining children and families with a great collection of songs. Matt also performed at the Melrose Common Playground opening in 2015!
We are excited to hear a great performance this Friday, February 9th, beginning at 10am at Memorial Hall.
To hear more of Matt’s music, please visit http://www.mattheatonmusic.com
Sally Frank’s Farmers’ Market to Host Three Pop-Up Indoor Markets
The Sally Frank’s Farmers’ Market is offering three pop-up indoor markets throughout the winter in various locations around Melrose. The first market will take place on February 11, 2018 from 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. at the clubhouse at Windsor at Oak Grove, 12 Island Hill Ave, Melrose.
As always, the market will offer a wonderful array of local winter produce, sustainably raised meat, poultry, eggs, and cheese, fresh fish, pasta, preserves, teas, spice blends, wine, and a delicious assortment of fresh baked goods. A selection of artisan vendors offering soaps, herbal products, hand crafted jewelry and more will also be attending, featured again in our “Artisan Loft.”
Here are the vendors we expect on February 11: Aaronap Cellars, Brooklyn James, Castle Corner Creations, City Compost, EPOCA, Foxboro Cheese, Greek Girl Soap, Jitter’s Cafe, Kim Gregory Pure Pastry, La Qchara, Laszlo Family Farm, Mr. Tamale, Muddy River Herbals, Oakdale Farm, Roberto’s Seafood, Sasquatch Woodworks, Seven Hills Pasta, Shady Pine Farm, Sweet as JAM Design, and The Bread Shop.
The March 24th market, which will run from 1-4pm, is held in the gymnasium at the Melrose Family YMCA and will feature similar vendors and more, plus live music from a local favorite, The Bohemians.
As part of the Healthy Melrose Family Wellness & Fitness event’s 10th anniversary on May 12, 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the farmers’ market is organizing a mini-pop up market where you can pick up your sustainable produce, meats, fish and more in addition to participating in a day of wellness, health, fitness and nutrition.
The market accepts SNAP and HIP benefits. For the indoor market, SNAP match up to $5 is generously funded by Melrose Bank. In addition, all vendors will be accepting credit cards and cash, so no need to purchase Market Bucks at the Market Table. The vendors will however honor Market Bucks as cash if you have them leftover from the summer market.
The venues for our indoor pop up farmers’ markets have been generously given in-kind by the Windsor at Oak Grove, the Melrose Family YMCA, and the Healthy Melrose Family Wellness & Fitness Event. Please thank them for their generous donations.
For more information, visit melrosefarmersmarket.org and sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates. See you at the market!
Pianist Heidi Breyer to Debut New Album in Melrose on February 9
On this Friday February 9 at 7:30 pm, award-winning neoclassical pianist Heidi Breyer will debut her latest album “Moonlight from Empty Rooms” at First Congregational Church, 121 W. Foster St., in Melrose. The album of 12 pieces are her musical interpretation of the art of Alexander Volkov, eminent Russian realist and her husband.
The net proceeds of the concert go to the Refugee Immigration Ministry.
In a surprisingly private corner of the very public worlds of music and art, you find Alexander and Heidi in their respective studios, working alone on their inextricably connected art forms. These two artists have pushed the boundaries of collaboration well beyond synergy to synonymity through sharing their lives, their observations of the world around them and their love of art as a nourishing life ingredient.
One of the outcomes of that synonymity is the latest album, a collection of 12 piano and violin pieces Heidi wrote specifically in response to Alexander’s paintings of the same name. The booklet that accompanies the CD includes images, explanations and vignettes of inspiration. Also enclosed is a dvd containing astounding moving footage crafted almost entirely of Alexander art, set to Heidi’s music.
The two artists collaborate in this performance. Alexander speaks philosophically about art and life and Heidi plays solo or ensemble and pitches in with lighter comment, steering at the helm of the ship.
Click here to see a video of Heidi practicing for the concert.
Read Conor Power-Smith’s interview on the Melrose Wicked Local website by clicking here.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 18. They can be purchased online by clicking here or at the door.
In addition, also in support of the Refugee Immigration Ministry, three giclees of Alexander’s works are being raffled off. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Raffle choices are framed copies of Alexander’s “Beyond the turning,” “Faith,” both pictured below, as well as an unframed giclee of any picture found in Alexander’s latest book “A Study Of Time Past.”
Weather Update for February 7, 2018
We expect the rain to continue till 8 or 9 p.m. and may end with a period of sleet, snow, or ice. Temperatures will drop below freezing overnight, so we expect tomorrow to be sunny but icy. We will continue to clean up the roads, and we ask residents to shovel their sidewalks today, as the snow will freeze. Please allow extra time for school dropoff and the morning commute, and please use extra caution when driving and walking.
Recreation programs are on for this evening, and the library will be open until its usual closing time.
The phones at DPW will be staffed until 8. Please call 781-665-0142 with problems or questions.
Snow Update for February 7, 2018
We are expecting severe weather today, so I wanted to give you an idea of what to expect. Current forecasts call for a wintry mix of snow and sleet in the late morning and early afternoon. We will have vehicles out salting and sanding, in order to keep the streets as clear as possible.
There will be school in the City of Melrose on Wednesday. The weather may affect pickup. Please be aware that the roads and sidewalks may be slippery, particularly if we have rain followed by a drop in temperature.
The Milano Senior Center and the Melrose Public Library will be open on their regular schedules.
If you live near a catch basin, please help us out by clearing it so the rain and melted snow can drain properly.
There is no on-street parking ban.
If you have any snow or ice related questions or concerns, please call the Storm Center at the City Yard, 781-665-0142.
Peanut Butter Valentines
Throughout February, Melrose residents are invited to give a special “Valentine” to their neighbors by donating a jar of peanut butter, canned fruit or other currently dated canned good to a A Servant’s Heart Food Pantry as part of the Peanut Butter Valentines citywide food drive.
Ten years ago, former Human Rights Commission member Katy Kennedy requested that people add peanut butter into their Valentine’s Day list. The response of Melrose residents willing to match the cost of a jar of peanut butter for a family in need led to a new tradition, and jars have been collected ever since. Melrose High Schools students and the Food Pantry now work together annually, meeting the needs of families throughout a month known for the expression of love and friendship.
Throughout the entire month, residents can drop off donations in the Valentines Day boxes located at:
Art in Motion Dance Academy
Dance Track Studio of Wakefield
Tramontozzi Law Offices
Melrose City Hall
Melrose Dance Academy
Melrose High School
Melrose Public Library
Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School
Milano Senior Center
Northern Bank & Trust
Rockland Trust
Roosevelt Elementary School
There is much to give and many more that need to receive this February. Peanut butter is the most requested food item from food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens nationwide. However, this desired item is harder and harder to afford. Fortunately, with the help of the people of Melrose and the Peanut Butter Valentines food drive, there is restored hope that more people will be able to consume a protein-filled jar of peanut butter this year and the years to come.
This event focuses on peanut butter, but please consider donating any currently dated items such as jelly, Fluff, cereals, coffee and other canned goods, which are all welcomed by the pantry. (At this time, the pantry is not in need of canned beans.)
For more information, contact drive coordinators Lauren Abramson and Cian Murphy at melrosepbv@gmail.com or 781-662-7271.
Donate
Join Melrose High School students on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Shaw’s Supermarket on Essex Street for a special collection.
Watch Mayor Infurna Take the Oath of Office
Mayor Infurna to Take the Oath of Office This Morning
Mayor Gail Infurna will take the oath of office this morning, February 5, at 11 a.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall. All are welcome to attend.
Thank You, Melrose
Today is my last day, and I want to thank every citizen for the honor and privilege of serving as Mayor of Melrose!
Together we have done great things!
Go Pats—and always, Go Melrose!
Your friend,
Rob
Mayor Infurna's Blog 