New trash and recycling bins like the ones pictured above will soon be arriving at the homes of Medford residents in preparation for the city’s new trash and recycling program, which begins November 1. According to a recorded phone message by the city, the bins will be distributed over the next three weeks. Each household will receive one 96 gallon recycling bin and one 64 gallon trash bin, with multi-family units each receiving a pair of bins and recycling bins coming with either blue or green lids depending upon the neighborhood and pick-up schedule, which is not changing.

For more information about the new program, the city has developed a program guide that will be distributed in the mail, or that can be downloaded by clicking here.

- InsideMedford.com

Members of Teens Against Drunk Driving who participated in a recent “shoulder taps” event in Medford. Back, left to right- Alton Palmer, Jermaine Henderson, and Michael Henderson. Front, left to right- Sherine Thelemaque, Jenn Mui, and Tia Elliot. Courtesy photo.

On Thursday, August 11 a group of local teens stood outside Medford Square liquor store Grapevine Travelers and asked forty-nine people to purchase alcohol for them.

According to Penelope Bruce, Underage Drinking Coordinator for Medford Health Matters and the Medford Board of Health, each of the forty-nine people turned the teens down.

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We did it again! Medford Health Matters in partnership with the Northeast Center for Healthy Communities/Greater Lawrence Family Health Center was successful in its application for continuation grant money for 2010-2011. We look forward to working with you to continue our efforts in making Medford a healthy and safe place for our youth and families.

DFC grants are provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the federal government.

For more information about how you can become involved, please contact Tiana Wilkinson, DFC Coordinator at twilkinson@glfhc.org.

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

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

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.

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Hey parents and caring adults – check out the latest article in the Medford Transcript by Tami Gouveia-Vigeant, Medford Health Matters’ Drug Free Communities Director!

Team TADD Amazing Race Registration form

Click on image to enlarge

The Amazing Race through Medford Square

We are Team T.A.D.D. West (Teens Against Drinking and Drugs), a youth group of Medford Health Matters who meets in West Medford at the West Medford Community Center. We are organizing an Amazing Race that will take place in Medford Square on April 21, 2010. This race is being held to raise awareness of underage drinking and drug abuse prevention while raising funds to benefit our group. This race is targeted towards teens to provide them with an alternative to destructive decisions over April vacation. We are trying to create a stronger, united community by hosting this race. We are looking for adult volunteers and teenaged participants to take part in this race. Participants will enter as teams of two. The entrance fee for each participant is a $5 donation to our group. The Amazing Race will begin and end at City Hall’s Council Chambers. All participants will need to fill out and return a registration form (parent’s signature required). The deadline to enter the Amazing Race is April 16^th. Please come and enjoy the fun!  For more information, to enter the Amazing Race as a contestant or to volunteer, please contact Penelope Bruce at (781) 393-2560 or PBruce@medford.org

Click on image to enlarge.

Be a Parent Not a Pal Presentation April 12^th

By Penelope Bruce

On Monday April 12^th from 7pm-9pm, Medford Board of Health and Medford Health Matters Substance Abuse Task will be hosting a presentation for parents at the Caron Theater, Medford High School.

Be a parent not a pal is a presentation created by Richard P. Campbell and the law firm of Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy to educate students, parents, teachers and members of the community about the Social Host Law, and to illustrate the legal consequences of allowing those under the age of 21 to possess alcoholic beverages. The presentation will tell the stories of victims of the consequences of underage drinking as well as of the hosts who have been prosecuted under the Social Host Law. They show what happens when good kids make bad decisions and well-meaning parents who think that they are providing safe havens for their children and children’s friends painfully discover that these havens are not safe after all. They discuss the liability of social hosts when civil actions with millions of dollars at stake rapidly follow criminal prosecutions. They give new perspectives on the question, “Mom, Dad, can I have a party here at the house? Some of my friends will be drinking, but since I’ll collect all of the car keys, we’ll be safe, and everything will be all right.”

This program is for all parents with teens 6th to 12th grade but the program content is geared toward parents with teens in High School.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served, please RSVP at Medford Board of Health 781-393-2560 or at pbruce@medford.org