(Note: Be sure to check the Entertainment section throughout the week for the latest event postings.)
Nov. 1
FARMERS MARKET ENCORE The last farmers market of the season will be held Thursday, Nov. 1, 1-6 p.m., in Bowden Park on West Emerson Street (the Cedar Park MBTA station). Vendors for the day are: 7 ate 9 Bakery, Beverly Farms Soapwerks, Cannistraci Fine Foods, Dick’s Market Garden, Fish Lady, Mary Ellen Crafts, Something Sweet Without Wheat and Shady Pine Farm. The Nov. 1 date was added to the schedule due to popular demand. For more about the Sally Frank’s Farmers’ Market in Melrose, visit melrosefarmersmarket.org.
Nov. 2
ART EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION The November exhibition at the Beebe Estate Gallery features the work of five Melrose artists working in a variety of media. The opening reception will take place Friday, Nov. 2, from 7-9 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served and all work is available for sale. The Beebe Estate Gallery will also be open for viewing each Saturday in November from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This art exhibition features the photography of Michelle Boulogne and Thom Ciulla, who have previously shown together at Beebe, but this exhibit will feature their latest work. Ciulla will also be showing craft art not displayed before, including whimsical and inventive wind chimes and bird houses. Jewelers and creative artists Deb Haney and Lorrie DiCesare will show their recent work and newcomer Katie Kinnealey will be displaying her blown glass. All in all, a very wide ranging show sure to please the viewers. The Beebe Estate is located at 235 West Foster St. Melrose. For more information, contact Thom Ciulla at thomciulla@gmail.com, or for directions, go visit beebeestate.com.
TRICK-OR-TREATING RESCHEDULED Due to recent forecasts of severe bad weather, the Melrose Chamber of Commerce rescheduled the annual trick-or-treating event at local businesses. This year’s event will now be held Friday, Nov. 2, from 3:30-5 p.m. All children in the third grade and younger are invited to trick or treat where you see the Halloween balloons. Bring along nonperishable food as a donation to the two local food pantries. (The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 31.)
HUNT’S SHOW SALE Explore the latest digital imaging advances at the 36th Annual Hunt’s Show Sale, from Friday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 4. Polish your digital imaging skills at free educational workshops held each day in Melrose. Visit wbhunt.com/seminars for a full list of seminars and online registration. Preview night for professionals begins on Thursday, Nov. 1. Sale pricing continues at all Hunt’s stores through Monday, Nov. 5. Hunt’s Photo Video is located at 100 Main St. in Melrose. Learn more by calling 781-662-8822 or visiting the website huntsphoto.com.
CHURCH FAIR First Baptist Church, 561 Main St., Melrose (located on the corner of Upham and Main streets) will host its Holidays in the Village Fair on Friday, Nov. 2, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. The church is handicapped accessible. Have supper at Rob’s Food Emporium and then enjoy the Homemade Pie Social on Friday evening. Enjoy a lobster roll (and other choices) at the luncheon on Saturday. Lobster rolls must be ordered in advance. (Call 781-665-4470 to order the lobster rolls or for more information.) There will be a two-day silent auction featuring a handmade quilt, Red Sox baseball, stays in vacation homes, tickets to local attractions and much more. Shop for handmade crafts, lovely jewelry and evening bags, baked goods at the Village Yum Yum Shoppe, gifts and holiday items. Get lots of good deals in the large White Elephant room. Visit “Kids Center Stage” for face painting, crafts and more.
Nov. 3
FITNESS AND FUNDRAISING The Roosevelt Elementary School is raising money for a playground renovation project. On Saturday, Nov. 3, 2-3:30 p.m., a Family “FUN”Raiser will be held with Fit Lifestyle Studios. Jenine and Brian Wright, Roosevelt School parents and owners of the studio, will run outdoor, family-friendly fitness classes on the new Melrose football field. This event is open to all families and individuals. Call 781-662-3306 to sign up for classes such as TRX, Mat Pilates, Spinning and Indo Row. Space is limited space, so call soon. Cost: $8 per person and with a maximum of $20 per family. All proceeds will go toward the playground renovation. In addition, Fit Lifestyle will donate proceeds from all in-studio classes to the playground fund. (To learn more about the project, visit sites.google.com/site/rosieplayground2013. For corporate matching funds, email Honey Rossi at rossi_honey@yahoo.com.)
TWO FAIRS AT FUMC The First United Methodist Church in Melrose, 645 Main St., will hold a Country Christmas Fair and Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Start your holiday shopping early with handmade crafts, jewelry, Christmas items, books, kids’ crafts, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, and more. Find a treasure in the white elephant sale and place a bid on some fabulous items in the silent auction. Coffee, donuts and lunch will be available for sale. Admission is free. In addition, the church will hold its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Continue your holiday shopping by checking out a variety of crafters and vendors, including greeting cards, jewelry, and other craft items. Coffee, donuts and a light lunch will be available for sale. Admission is free. Call church for table rental. Call the church office at 781-662-7060 for more information on either event.
MELROSE SYMPHONY The Melrose Symphony begins its 95th season on Saturday, Nov. 3, 8 p.m., at Memorial Hall in Melrose. Joining music director Yoichi Udagawa and the Melrose Symphony is critically-acclaimed violinist Irina Muresanu. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check only at Miter Biter Frame Co. or Sweet Thoughts, both on Main Street, Melrose, or by credit card online at tickets.melrosesymphony.org. Udagawa will give a short pre-concert talk about the music at 7:15 p.m. Bobby C’s Ristorante provides appetizers and beverages. In addition, the Melrose Symphony is partnering with the Melrose Free Press for the newspaper’s fourth annual Paint It All Pink effort, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Melrose Symphony will donate 50 percent of each opening night ticket to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Massachusetts. Residents who purchase tickets just need to write “Komen” in the memo line of the check or “Komen” in the comment box when ordering tickets online.
Nov. 5
EMBLEM CLUB MEETING The next meeting of the Melrose Emblem Club #89 will be held at the Melrose Lodge of Elks on Monday, Nov. 5, at 6:45 p.m. Members will discuss plans for the Supreme President Reception, to be held on Nov. 17 at the Crowne Plaza in Woburn, and the Second State Meeting and Bake Sale, to be held at the Peabody Lodge of Elks on Nov. 18. SPP Marie Ryan and Melrose Emblem Club #89 are co-chairing the Bake Sale with the State Convention Fund.
Nov. 7
ART EVENT Melrose Arts will sponsor an evening art demo with Cape Cod artist Chris Banks on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Milano Center at 201 West Foster St., Melrose. This free demo is from 7-9 p.m. and is open to the community. Banks is currently director of the art gallery of the Guild of Harwich Artists and her work is locally found at the Hourglass in Melrose. Her paintings in oil vary from classical still life to landscapes to faux painted furniture. More information can be found on her website, chrisbanksart.com. For additional information, call Deb Corbett at 781-665-5840.
FAMILY AND CHILD EXPO The Child Care Family Resource Expo will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6:30-8 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School cafeteria, 525 Main St., Wakefield. All are welcome to explore the variety of preschool, family child care, child care center and family support program options available to families of young children in the Melrose, Stoneham and Wakefield area. This is a free event sponsored by the North Suburban Child Family Resource Network, with a grant funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, through the Wakefield Public Schools in collaboration with Hallmark Health System. For more information, call 781-279-0300.
MHS FUNDRAISER Want a night off from cooking? Mark your calendar for Wednesday, Nov. 7, and come down to Liberty Bell, 886 Main St., between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., to help support the Melrose High School junior class. A portion of sales at that time will benefit the class.
Nov. 8
INTERNATIONAL RECEPTION The Melrose Human Rights Commission, Mayor Robert Dolan, and the Lincoln Elementary School Site Council will sponsor the 10th annual International Welcome Reception Thursday, Nov. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Lincoln School, 80 West Wyoming Ave. All members of the Melrose community are cordially invited. The reception is an occasion for Melrose residents to meet neighbors from many cultures and walks of life, and celebrate our similarities and differences. Join them to welcome newcomers to Melrose and enjoy a wonderful international potluck dinner. Attendees are asked to bring a food dish representing their native land or culture. Note: ingredients should be listed on a display card in case of food allergies. For more information, call Sally Stubbs 781-665-7773; email sgjstubbs@comcast.net or Maureen Buzby 781-665-8450; email mbuzby1@verizon.net.
Nov. 9
MELROSE KIDS CLUB Roman Music Therapy will provide the entertainment at this month’s Melrose Kids Club on Friday, Nov. 9, 10-11 a.m., at Memorial Hall. Admission is free. Each month, The Melrose Kids Club features a different entertainer for children age 5 and under and offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to get together and network with each other. Visit melrosememorialhall.com for additional dates and information.
Nov. 10
BIG BAND MUSIC AND DANCING The American Big Band Preservation Society will host an event called “The Big Bands Are Back … Again” on Saturday, Nov. 10, 6:30-10:30 p.m., at Memorial Hall, 590 Main St., Melrose. This evening of Big Band features dancing and live music by Dan Gabel and The Abletones, an 18-piece Big Band. The band will be joined by acclaimed vocalist Amanda Carr. There will be a special tribute to Bob Bachelder of the famed “Totem Pole Orchestra,” along with a guest performance by Nancy Carr. The event includes a full cash bar with hors d’oeuvres included. Cost: table seats $30 and general admission $20. For tickets and more information, visit AmericanBigBand.org. (If you can’t buy online call Bill Doyle at 508-963-6232.) Net proceeds benefit American Big Band Preservation Society, a registered nonprofit that works to provide in-school programs to pass this great music on to the next generation. If you can’t attend, help by donating: Go to the website and click on “Donate” in the menu.
HARVEST FAIR The Harvest Fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, at 70 West Emerson St., across from the Melrose Public Library. The fair features baked goods, crafts, holiday decorations, vintage jewelry and collectibles, plants and garden supplies, and a gigantic rummage sale, featuring toys and baby needs, household items, furniture, and tools. The popular “re-gifting table” filled with brand new gifts will also be back. Breakfast coffee cake and beverages will be served. Vegetarian and meat chili, as well as other lunch options, will be available. There will also be homemade apple crisp, cookies, cakes, brownies and 30 varieties of pie in all sizes. A hand-pieced queen size quilt, quilted with a leaf design and autumn colors, will be raffled off. Other raffles will include a “scratch ticket tree,” Home Depot card, and coffee and treats basket. The MUUC Social Justice committee will be selling coffee and chocolate by the Equal Exchange organization, which offers fair trade prices to farmers.
AUTUMN BAZAAR The Melrose 200 Club will host its annual autumn bazaar at the Fuller House Common Room at 101 Cottage St. on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many interesting items will be available and more vendors are needed. If you are currently selling items at local home parties/demonstrations, consider signing up for a table at the bazaar. Tables cost $20 and the 200 Club President Irene Thibeau will answer any questions you might have. She may be reached at 781-665-5058. More information on the 200 Club, open to every senior citizen resident of Melrose may be obtained by calling Irene or the Fuller House office at 781-662-7676.
Nov. 11
MELROSE KITCHEN TOUR The 5th Annual Melrose Kitchen Tour will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, 1-5 p.m., to benefit the Melrose iRAIDERS robotics programs and teams. Mark your calendar and grab a friend for a great afternoon touring Melrose’s most fun and interesting kitchens. You’ll also see some terrific raffles and enjoy munchies and floral arrangements in each kitchen. Tickets cost $20, and will be available at Brad Hutchinson RE, 193 Green St.; RE/MAX Heritage RE, 536 Main St.; Sexton and Donahue Century 21, 29 Essex St.; and Sit ‘n Knit, 167 West Emerson St. Tickets also available from any iRAIDERS or VEX team members, and can be purchased online at iraiders.org.
Nov. 14
RAISING KIDS: RED FLAGS A workshop, “Developmental Red Flags for Children,” will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 7-9 p.m., in the Perkins Lecture Hall at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, 585 Lebanon St., Melrose. Are you a parent, family childcare provider or teacher wondering how to identify red flags as children approach developmental milestones? Join the North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network for a workshop that will discuss appropriate developmental milestones, as well as red flags to watch for as children in your care grow and develop. The group will discuss what to be on the look-out for, and what supports are available when you have concerns. Presenters are Patti Kheboian and Ruth Ann Strong of the Criterion Stoneham. Suggested donation: $5 (optional.) Registration required: Call 781-279-0300.