A Very Fishy Community Read

2010 Community Read Focuses on Cod

The following announcement is from the Medford Public Library:

The book selection for the 2010 Community Read is: Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky.

Cod is a very readable mix of natural and world history with a lot of writing about the New England fishing industry.

So that all ages can take part in the read, we will also be featuring a children’s version of Cod, The Cod’s Tale, which is for middle readers. For beginning readers we have chosen a great, colorful picture book called Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert.
For older children and teens we will have copies of the Rudyard Kipling classic Captains Courageous.

This year’s Community Read events will deal with the history of New England fishing as well as the challenges facing marine ecology. And of course, we always find a way to fit some good food into the celebration—don’t miss our fish dinner fundraiser on April 13.

As we discovered last year, a Community Read is a great way to share an experience with people of all ages. Join the fun and read!

Community Read Books are Available to Purchase
Copies of the four Community Read books are available to purchase from the Friends of the Medford Public Library. Cod—$12.00, Cod’s Tale-$15.00, Fish Eyes—$6.00, Captains Courageous-$3.00. Please see the Librarian at the Information Desk to purchase books. Make checks payable to The Friends of the Medford Public Library. Thank you to Rob Dilman of the Bestseller’s Café for supplying us with books.

Fish Dinner Fundraiser
Tuesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m., Moulton’s Seafood Restaurant, 178 Winthrop Street, Medford. Choice of three dinners (includes salad, dessert, and coffee): Broiled Cod, Fish and Chips, Steak Tips. $35.00 per person (tip included), Cash bar, Silent Auction. Proceeds from this event will go to fund next year’s Community Read. Tickets will go on sale on March 1 at the Medford Public Library. Space is limited, so buy your tickets early!

We Are All Fishermen: A Lecture by Richard Adams Carey
Thursday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. George’s Bank and the inshore waters of New England were America’s first treasure chest, and Europe’s first clue to the vast natural wealth of the North American continent. There seemed to be no limit to the cod and other valuable species. The treasure replenished itself, over and over, and then it all went bust in the 1980s. Since then warring factions of fishermen, corporations, environmentalists, consumers, and politicians are still trying to figure out how to restore it. The success or failure of that effort is of huge import to us all.

Join Richard Adams Carey (Southern New Hampshire University) for the truth of why it went bust, a peek into the daily lives of real-life Cape Cod fishermen as they cope with the troubles of the industry, and a look ahead to what the future might hold.

This program is funded by the Medford Arts Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Documentary Film Screening The End of the Line: Imagine a World Without Fish
Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m., Room 8, Barnum Hall, Tufts University. The End of the Line of the line is the world’s first documentary about the devastating effect of over fishing. The film examines the effects of our global love affair with fish as food. Filmed across the world – from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market – featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen and fisheries enforcement officials, The End of the Line is a wake-up call to the world. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2009.

For more information about the film and the sustainable fishing movement, visit http://endoftheline.com/

Presented by the Friends of the Medford Public Library.

Community Read Book Discussions
Monday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. Colleen’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop, 61 High St. in Medford Square. Free clam chowder will be available. Please patronize Colleen’s for drinks, snacks, and ice cream treats.

Wednesday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. the Medford Public Library. Coffee will be served.

Cod: The Massachusetts Experience
A Lecture by Steven Correia, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Join fishery biologist Steven Correia for a brief history of the Massachusetts cod fishery and the natural history of cod. The lecture will also include an overview of the state’s efforts since the 1970’s to maintain a sustainable cod fishery.

Steven J. Correia is a fishery biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. He has been a long-time member of the New England Fishery Management Council’s ground fish plan development team.

Cod Cooking Demonstrations at Whole Foods
Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Whole Foods, 2151 Mystic Valley Parkway. Join the Whole Foods staff for two cooking demos: How to Filet a Cod & Preparing a Simple Cod Recipe. Please sign up for this event after March 1. Space is limited.

Feature Film Screening Captains Courageous
Thursday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. Join us for a screening of the 1937 MGM classic starring Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholemew, Lionel Barrymore, John Carradine, and Mickey Rooney. The film, basedon the novel by Rudyard Kipling, tells the story of a spoiled rich boy who falls off an ocean liner, and is picked up by the crew of a Gloucester fishing boat who teach him about the real world.

The film is suitable for family viewing.

This event is funded by the Friends of the Medford Public Library.