The Bedford Citizen - Community-supported news for Bedford, Massachusetts since 2012

Observing Ramadan in Bedford ~ Fahad Alden

By Mike Rosenberg | 6 hours ago

This time of year, Bedford High School senior Fahad Alden sometimes finds it hard to focus in the afternoon if he has an exam or “mentally I need to be all there.”

There’s a good reason.

Alden is observing the obligation of Ramadan, a month-long observance during which Muslims refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. “You have to fast for 30 days, from when the sun comes up to when the sun goes down,” Alden said. “It’s basically meant to instill gratitude for what we have. That’s the essence behind the 30 days.”

Board members took the action at an April 13 site-plan review and public hearing. The review is scheduled to continue at a virtual meeting on April 27.

Curbside Yard Waste Collection ~ Next Week ~ April 20-23

Bedford's spring curbside yard waste collection begins Tuesday, April 20, and runs through Friday, April 23. Residents should place the yard waste out at the curb in tall paper bags or open barrels with no lids by 7 a.m. Tuesday. Republic’s employees will not remove bags that are line up along a driveway. Acceptable yard waste for curbside collection consists of leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, garden trimmings, and tree material up to one inch (1”) in diameter.
Good News! Library Planning for Gradual Opening in May

Director Richard Callaghan outlined plans for “restricted” access to the building at Tuesday’s meeting of the Trustees of the Bedford Free Public Library. Phase One is to make the computers, printers, and study carrels available to users, with May 13 as the target date for this service. The Library staff is keenly aware of the need to begin providing these services to residents who may not have internet access at home. To make an appointment patrons may call the Library at 781-275-9440 and press 3 for the Reference Desk. Patrons will also be able to email the Reference Department at bedmail1@minlib.net. The hours will likely be mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. The Director emphasized that safety for both patrons and staff is paramount. Many staff members have not yet been vaccinated, so caution is the watchword. Outdoor curbside pickup of Library materials, which resumed on April 5, will continue into the future. This service has proven so popular with users that Callaghan sees it continuing even though, as the building gradually reopens, the need for it may dwindle over time.

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Schools

Friday Football at Sabourin Field under Windswept Rain: Bedford 27 ~ Waltham 7

Displaying two-way talent and physical and mental toughness in horrendous football conditions, the Bedford High School Buccaneers defeated Waltham High late Friday afternoon, 27-7. Coach Tom Tone’s team finishes the first Fall II season next Friday at Weston, and a win would mean a record of 5-2. The weather was the biggest factor for both teams Friday, with windswept rain raking across Sabourin Field for all 48 minutes.
Building Bridges Initiative Works to Connect City Kids, Suburban Kids, and Families

Six months after its founding by a core of Bedford educators and volunteers, Boston Bridges Initiative (BBI) is already assembling an array of accomplishments. The nonprofit organization awards grants that support local efforts to create social programs between city and suburban kids and their families. The goal is “to foster lasting friendships and dialogue among students and families within racially diverse communities.” On the ground floor were former Bedford Superintendent of Schools Jon Sills, METCO Director Akil Mondesir, Bedford METCO parent Jessica Castro, and Kimberley Anderson, co-founder of Bedford’s Parent Diversity Council.

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Features

Today’s ‘Earth Day’ is Tomorrow’s ‘Today’ ~ Take Action Now

April 22 marks the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, the annual day of action and reflection around the world with a singular focus: Save the Earth. Originally the brainstorm of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, and primarily intended to put the environment on the national agenda, Earth Day has since evolved to include the participation of more than 1 billion people in over 190 countries. In addition, it has influenced legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, and the Endangered Species Act, as well as leading to the establishment of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Soon after his inauguration earlier this year President Biden announced that the U.S. would re-enter the Paris Climate Accord. He has since shown even more support for climate science and action by creating a new position, the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, which will have a seat on the National Security Council and will be filled by John Kerry, a long-time environmental advocate.
Reflections in the Time of Pandemic: Deborah Weiner

I am not unacquainted with trauma and stress and the unexpected. Twenty years ago, while serving on the staff of the Unitarian Universalist Association headquarters on Beacon Hill in Boston, a perfectly ordinary day turned into a rolling horror show as planes flew into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA. Our offices – at the time, next to the State House – were evacuated and we were sent home. There, I worked for up to twenty hours a day, interviewing families of Unitarian Universalist families who had lost loved ones in the tragedy.

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Sports

Thanksgiving Football Rivalry Ends

The 48-year-old Thanksgiving football rivalry between Bedford and Concord-Carlisle High Schools is no more. “We thought it was the best thing for the future of our program to make the change,” said BHS Director of Athletics Keith Mangan. “This is something that we have been considering for the past few years, based on the outcome of the games and where our two programs are.” Discussion and analysis involving the coaching staff, the superintendent’s office, and BHS administrators led to the decision, which was unilateral, Mangan said, and accepted by CCHS. “It certainly wasn’t an easy decision,” he emphasized. “There was a lot of thought and planning.” Mangan said he is pursuing prospects for a Thanksgiving 2021 opponent “that’s more in line with our program.” That arrangement could be for a single year or develop into a long-term rivalry. “We want to evaluate to make sure it’s a good fit for both teams.” Bedford High’s annual holiday matchup with Concord-Carlisle began in 1973. Bedford had been playing Burlington on Thanksgiving. The CCHS Patriots’ traditional rival was Lexington High, and that change was not well received for many years by fans and some players in those two towns. Overall, the Patriots won 33, Bedford 13 on the holiday. Since that opener in 1973, which Bedford won, 28-20, the rivalry has been a story of two eras.
Talented Milton High School Football Team Wins Saturday Match-up 35-21

Bedford High School scored 38 minutes into the game, but a deep, talented Milton High School football team tallied the next five touchdowns, as the visitors emerged from their first trip to Sabourin Field with a 35-21 win Saturday afternoon. The matchup was less than three days old, as the original opponent, Malden Catholic, had to bow out because of issues with Covid-19.