I attended many community events during my campaign, in addition to meeting potential voters through door-knocking and at campaign house parties and other events organized by our campaign. These were a great way to learn more about local issues and organizations, and better understand the perspectives of different community members. During this time, I also continued in my role as a Melrose Human Rights Commissioner. Aside from events, anytime I was out and about around town, it was an opportunity to learn more about the community, build public awareness about local amenities, or strike up conversations.
May 2017
- Healthy Melrose community healthy and sustainability fair
- Around town: getting a library card with my son
- Black Lives Matter workshop
- They Fought We Ride wounded veteran motorcycle run
- Memorial Day observances and parade
At Healthy Melrose! May 13, 2017 
Budding environmentalist at Healthy Melrose, May 13, 2017 
On Thursday afternoon, we went to the library and I was struck by how many people were there – people of all ages and abilities were using the library’s resources. I saw adults using the computers to access the Internet, teens reading, doing homework, and watching videos, and children exploring the toys and collection of books downstairs. I realized Viraj was now eligible for his own library card! He was even able to sign for it himself. The Melrose Public Library is slated for some significant and much-needed renovations in the next few years. Sometimes I hear people wonder if libraries are still relevant in 2017. They very much are – there are articles I could share about why, but if you have an opportunity to visit the library to see for yourself – it may be quite apparent! There aren’t lots of places in town to get away from 90° weather, not be required to buy anything, & share space with your fellow community members. Melrose Public Library is vitally important to our city! May 18, 2017 
I am really happy I attended Thursday night’s workshop and discussion facilitated by Stephanie Guirand and DiDi Delgado from Black Lives Matter Cambridge. It was an engaging conversation about race, identity, accountability, acknowledging harm, and building our connections to each other. To all who coordinated the event, thank you! Posted May 18, 2017 
Daddy (Ravi) was prepared for @theyfoughtweride – he got Viraj some ear protection! To learn more about this annual event visit https://theyfoughtweride.com/boston/ May 21, 2017 
This was really cool to see! To learn more about @theyfoughtweride visit https://theyfoughtweride.com/boston/. Thanks also to @mws_vso for all you do for Veterans here in Melrose. May 21, 2017 
This weekend, we honor the fallen. May 28, 2017 
Melrose Human Rights Commissioners before the May 28, 2017 Memorial Day Parade
July-August 2017
- Melrose Community Iftar dinner during Ramadan
- Melrose Firefighters 5K
- 4th of July at Melrose Common
- Visit to Netherlands Cemetery on Linwood Avenue, 3rd oldest Jewish cemetery in Massachusetts, following act of desecration
- Melrose Chamber of Commerce Summer Stroll
- Melrose Stands Together Against Hate Community Vigil
We are excited about a really successful Community Iftar! This was the second year the Melrose Human Rights Commission held this event, under the leadership of Maya Jamaleddine, and we had more than twice as many people as last year! Posted June 3, 2017 
Melrose Community Iftar Dinner, June 3, 2017 
Melrose Community Iftar Dinner, June 3, 2017 
I was not able to participate in the Melrose Firefighters 5K because we had other Father’s Day plans, but this was an awesome sight to see! https://www.mfd5k.com Posted June 18, 2017 
Fun at the 4th of July Parade around Melrose Common! 
Fun at the 4th of July Parade around Melrose Common! 
Fun at the 4th of July Parade around Melrose Common! 
It was nice meeting many of you today! Thank you to Melrose Recreation for putting together a great event. July 4, 2017 
Sporting my red, white, and blue. 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 
I wish it hadn’t taken an act of desecration for me to visit the Netherlands Cemetery on Linwood Avenue. It is a peaceful, beautiful respite steeped in history; the third oldest Jewish cemetery in Massachusetts. It shook me to know this sacred space had been violated. Thank you to Mayor Dolan, Chief Lyle, and to representatives of the Wyoming Cemetery for responding immediately and restoring the headstones. Thank you to Rabbi Arnie Fertig for his leadership as the community responded. Thank you to Adam LaFrance, Chair of the Melrose Human Rights Commission, to Mike Lindstrom from the Mayor’s Office, and to anyone else who worked behind the scenes to ensure a quick, thoughtful response. #HateHasNoHomeHere #NoPlaceForHate 
Better #latergram than never! Check out these 2 photo collages from the Melrose Chamber’s Summer Stroll. Many Melrosians have told me they’d love to see more events like this. As a city planner, I understand the logistics of events like this, and their role in strengthening community ties while supporting a vibrant local economy. I can’t wait to support more #placemaking as a Melrose Alderman! #mapoli August 30, 2017 
I posted a lot of pics on Facebook from the Melrose Stands Together Against Hate Community Vigil held on August 23, and @melrosefreepress and many others took great photos as well. Here’s one of my son Viraj that @tswartz1028 took – she helped him make the sign! It was a pleasure to work with my fellow Melrose Human Rights Commissioners, as well as folks from MORE, LWV, @maavmelrose, the Mayor’s Office, & the Clergy Association to organize this event. #mapoli #whywerun #latergram August 30, 2017
September-October 2017
- Melrose Symphony Orchestra Centennial Concert
- Food drive organized by Melrose veterans’ organizations
- Milano Center Community Dinner
- Outing with two Melrose entrepreneurs
- Melrose High School football
- Melrose Education Foundation Mystery Night Out
- Melrose Alliance Against Violence 22nd Annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil
- Downtown’s historic architecture
Wow. 100 years of music with the Melrose Symphony Orchestra. September 9, 2017 
Catching up with Kelly Thome at the MSO 100 concert! 
Kids checking out the musical “petting zoo” at the MSO 100 concert. 
The MSO 100 concert begins! 
Fireworks finale at the MSO 100 concert. 
A huge crowd through the end of the concert! 
Kudos to the Melrose Veterans Advisory Board, Shaw’s Supermarket, and the Melrose Veteran Services Office on such a well-organized food drive to support local food pantries! September 30, 2017 
Last night, I met up with two entrepreneurial, creative Melrose women who inspire me – Alex Van Meter and Julie Unger. They both do so much to contribute to the vitality of our city and local businesses! Posted October 6, 2017. 
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of helping out at Community Dinner, a weekly event at the Milano Center on Tuesdays at 5:30. Once again, I was awed by the incredible people who make up this community and take the time to foster connections and put their skills to service. The experience took me back to my college days and one of my favorite jobs – catering at our university’s memorial union. Setting tables, serving food, clearing dishes, and the camaraderie of a shared meal brings back warm memories. Join neighbors for dinner any Tuesday, just make an advance reservation at 781-662-6886, or come by to help get dinner on the table. I hope to make it more often myself! Posted October 3, 2017
Community Dinner at the Milano Center is so fun. It’s held every Tuesday – doors open at 5 and dinner is served at 5:30. Tonight, a dozen high school students as well as a few adults, including me, served dinner to about 80 guests. Anyone who wants to volunteer can show up and pitch in & anyone who wants to dine can reserve a spot the Friday before! Posted October 24, 2017 
Congratulations to the Melrose Education Foundation on their fantastic “Mystery Night Out” event – it was a lot of fun and a great way to learn about the impact that the Foundation has had on our schools. October 14, 2017 
We had an awesome time at the Melrose Education Foundation Mystery Night Out! And thanks to Pizza, Movie, & Yoga night at Joy Healthy Life, our kids had a fun night out too! 
The Melrose Alliance Against Violence 22nd Annual Candlelight Walk and Vigil was a moving event as always. I’m happy I got to participate alongside my fellow Melrose Human Rights Commissioners this afternoon. October 22, 2017 
Great community art collaboration by Melrose Alliance Against Violence, Follow Your Art, and dozens of community members! These are the 4 buttons out of many that we picked. 😊☀️💜🍉🌈⭐️🌊🤖😀 
In the summer of 2014, I emailed the Mayor asking about the city’s non-discrimination policies. Soon afterward, I heard from Maureen Buzby, then the Chair of the Melrose Human Rights Commission. She invited me to join the Commission meetings and mentioned there would be a vacancy coming up. At the time I hadn’t realized that her term would be ending — months later, after a ceremony honoring her service, I was appointed to fill the vacancy created by her departure! Since then, I’ve learned how much Maureen does for Melrose. On Saturday I was honored when she offered to canvass for me — it was an impromptu arrangement and we forgot to take the requisite selfie! Instead, here’s a #latergram of us at the MAAV walk on Sunday. Maureen is the Regional Tobacco Coordinator at the Mystic Valley Public Health Coalition, a MAAV mentor, and much more — she’s a committed public servant and dedicated volunteer. Thank you for all you do, Maureen! Posted October 23, 2017 
I love our historic downtown. This architectural detail popped out me when I was running errands on Main Street the other day. Posted October 23, 2017.