Maureen Callahan Smith

How do we move on when we lose the people we love the most?

Medford author and therapist Maureen Callahan Smith addresses this question in her new book Grace Street: A Sister’s Memoir of Grief and Gratitude, which is about her sister Kathy’s cancer diagnosis and their extremely difficult, complex, and emotional journey during the treatment process.

Smith read from her book at the Roasted Granola Café in Arlington on June 16. About 25 people attended, and Smith's editor and publisher, Patricia Crotty, introduced the author.

Smith read the foreword from Grace Street, talking about how death is an unavoidable part of life and how, although “we are so afraid of death in our culture,” we are actually meant to experience its impact and that “we have hearts made for [it.]” She read in a confident, serene tone that captured the audience’s attention.

The Arlington Center for the Arts is in the midst of a strategic-planning process to build Arlington Center for the Arts' next chapter.

As part of that process, ACA leaders want to hear directly from you about your experiences with Arlington Center for the Arts, your needs and interests and what we could do better in the future. Your feedback will be instrumental in shaping the future of our programming and priorities.  

All survey responses are confidential and will be aggregated by our strategic-planning consultants at Paper Crane Associates. The survey should take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The ACA requests responses by Wednesday, Aug. 24. 

There is a current call for wall art, such as paintings, photographs, prints and other 2D work, to be hung at the Roasted Granola Cafe on Mass. Ave. in Arlington Heights.

All art must be framed or be suitable for hanging. Wire hanging is preferred.

The exhibit is to run from Aug. 29 through Nov. 14. The deadline for application is 8 p.m. Aug. 15. Accepted artists will be notified by Aug. 18. 

"Courageous Colors" is the Arlington Center for the Arts' annual members' show. It is open to all media, both 2D and 3D, that explore hue, chroma and value in expressive or inventive ways.

The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Sept. 14. Read more details here >>

Whether your color enhances the energy of your subject, alters the message of your work, or illuminates possibilities, this is the show for you.

  This news announcement was published Thursday, July 14, 2022, and updated July 30, 2022.  Providing the information was Analiese Ruggles of the ACA and the ACAC newsletter.

Sheryl Davis

A new children's book from Arlington-based Pierce Press – Ocean's Alive! by Sheryl Davis – has caught the eye of Dr. Sylvia Earle, a renowned oceanographer.

"I'm thrilled,” wrote Charlotte Pierce, the publisher.

Known as “Her Deepness” in the ocean conservation community, Earle writes in book's introduction: “This book can show you, your family and friends ways to learn about and help protect our seas. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something to safeguard the ocean, Earth’s blue heart.”

Davis's first book, The Mystical Magical Abracadabracal Daniel McDougal McDouglas McFly, won two awards in 2019 from Story Monsters' Purple Dragonfly Awards.Ocean's Alive! continues the McFly series.

Registration for fall classes and workshops is open for all members of the Arlington Center for the Arts. View the catalog >>

Members enjoy advance registration access and other benefits available to those who are part of the non-profit organization.

To learn more about the membership program, including information on how to become a member, one may visit the membership page. The Family Membership level is required to receive member discounts on kids & teen program registrations.

Fall 2022 registration opened to the general public on Wednesday, July 27.

Arlington artist Laurie Bogdan brings her mixed-media collages to three locales this summer, and she asks the public to visit and see her bird art:

• Saturday, July 16, from 11 to 5, at ArtBeat in Davis Square – a street fair with more than 65 artists, plus music and food;
• From Aug. 1 through 30, at the Weston Public Library Gallery; and
•  Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 to 4, at Town Day, during Art on the Green at Whittemore Park.

Bogdan told YourArlington that her collages are created from vintage maps, books, paper and games in combination with a variety of reused materials and objects.

Maureen Callahan Smith

Medford author Maureen Callahan Smith plans to read from her memoir, Grace Street, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 16, at the Roasted Granola Café, 1346 Mass. Ave., Arlington Heights.

Smith, a licensed social worker in a private practice specializing in trauma, writes about love and loss in telling the stories of sisters on a perilous journey that takes them to the edge of life.

In Grace Street: A Sister’s Memoir of Grief & Gratitude, from Gray Dove Press of Arlington, Smith writes from the heart about accompanying her younger sister, Kathy, through a late-stage cancer diagnosis. From the shocking initial news through the ups and downs of her treatment program, family love and resilience help them face the terrible challenges and find joy in the precious moments of everyday life.

Live Arts Arlington kicks off for the 2022 season Wednesday, June 8, from 6 to 7:15 p.m., in the Medford Street parklet.

Performing is an adult jazz combo from Morningside Music Studio. 

Morningside has one of the largest ensemble programs in New England, with 25 different groups that meet weekly.

Read more about the Live Arts Arlington initiative and see what kinds of performances were scheduled for 2021 on Arts Arlington here >>

Also happening on Medford Street June 8, right across the street at the Regent Theatre, is the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's After-Hours Networking event, starting at 5.

UPDATED May 26: An expansive, new self-guided digital audio tour for mobile devices provides visitors and locals with a personalized deep-dive into a wealth of historic, artistic and architectural assets throughout the Arlington Cultural District >>

You have three options:

• Interactive Google Map: Follow the stops and stream the audio on the interactive Google Map 
• Soundcloud: Listen to the ACD playlist or stream specific chapters on Soundcloud 
• Google Podcasts: Listen to tour chapters on Google Podcasts