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Meet the Malden Reads Core Committee
MALDEN READS
One City, One Book
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Susan is an information librarian at the Malden Public Library and a lifelong lover of reading. She is delighted to be able to participate in Malden Reads and see the community coming together over a great book!
Aside from being Assistant Director at MATV, where she has worked for over 20 years, Anne D'Urso-Rose is a a Trustee of the Malden Public Library. Working on the Malden Reads project allows her use her skills in community-building while sharing her passion for reading and literature.
Debbie worked for Delta Air Lines for 32 years and also led a construction site for Habitat For Humanity. She is a merited Member of the Junior Aid Association of Malden. As a Ward 3 School Committee member, Debbie is looking forward to enhancing the education of Malden students. This is Debbie's second year on the Malden Reads Committee and she is honored to be a part of it.
As a homeowner and someone who has called Malden her home for the last 16 years, Michele feels that Malden Reads is a great way to promote the community. She also enjoys reading and hopes that the program encourages more people to visit Malden's incredible library.
Michael is a member of the Board of Directors of Oak Grove Improvement Association. In addition, he volunteers for the Friends of the Library and the Bread of Life. Michael is happy to contribute to Malden Reads as a member of the Finance Committee, the "Street Team," and the Events Planning Committee.
Inna is a journalist and an educator. She likes to write, learn new things about life and people, and share her knowledge with others. She writes, "I hope that Malden Reads will help to unite people with different socio-cultural backgrounds from various communities living in Malden into the large one - Maldonians!"
Ron has been involved with community media for over 20 years and has been the executive director of MATV since 2006. He created the award winning youth program, “Kids Video Adventure Workshop” which he has been teaching every summer since 1998. He is also an accomplished artist and animator and has had several exhibitions. Ron designed several posters and videos to promote the Malden Reads project and has coordinated talent for many of the special events. He is proud to offer MATV's staff time and resources as a lead collaborator in this project.
Eda loves creating excitement around learning and reading. Having worked with international students and lived among different cultures, there is a natural connection between Eda’s values and Malden Reads.
Michael Guarino – Member, Oak Grove
Improvement Association (OGIA)
Susan Francis – Information Librarian, Malden Public Library
Anne D’Urso-Rose – Assistant Director,
Malden Access Television (MATV)
Inna Babitskaya - Freelance Writer,
Member of Malden Historical Commission,
Maldenreads.org' Webmaster/designer
Michele Marcinowski – Vice-President, Friends of the Library
Member, Oak Grove Improvement Association (OGIA)
Co-Facilitators: Anne D’Urso-Rose, Jodie Zalk
Adam Weldai – Vice Chair, Malden School Committee - Ward 5
Ron Cox – Executive Director, Malden Access Television
Debbie DeMaria – Ward 3 School Committee
Eda Daniel – Malden resident / community activist
Jodie Zalk – Member, Oak Grove
Improvement Association (OGIA)
Linda Zalk – Faculty member at Simmons College
Jodie is thrilled to see the community coming together through participating in this project!
A longtime community activist and educator, Linda is participating in the Malden Reads program for a third year with great enthusiasm.
First and foremost Adam is a proud Maldonian! Currently he serves as Vice Chair of the Malden School Committee, and as President of the Board of Malden Access Television (MATV). As an educator working in Arlington and living in Malden, Adam is honored to work on Malden Reads to promote literacy and unity in our community.
Sue volunteers for several community organizations and causes. She writes, "Participating in Malden Reads is a fun way to become an active member of our community – especially nice when you’re new to town!"
Sue Carr - Malden resident
Malden Reads
Subcommittee Members
David Stein - Chef, Musician & Writer
Ose Schwab - Musician
Ose lives in Malden with her son Liam, husband Marcel, and photographer mother, Ose Manheim. Ose Jr. works as a life coach and a learning consultant for small businesses. She is a musician and a strong proponent of the arts and education. She believes that Malden Reads draws out the magic of Malden’s diverse community by providing opportunities for dialogue, artistic expression, collaboration, laughter, creativity, and reading together.
Karen Stern - Freelance Editor & Librarian
Karen Stern is a freelance editor and lexicographer, and has more recently also become a librarian. She lives in Malden with her husband and two sons and works from home as an editor as well as at the public library in Wakefield. She is very happy to foster both literacy and a sense of community in Malden by helping out with Malden Reads.
David Stein is a career chef, food truck owner, caterer, musician, writer and gardener. He presently runs a commissary for food trucks and private chefs in partnership with Triangle, Inc. in Malden. He has worked with the culinary side of Malden Reads since its inception, contributing and helping to organize food at both opening nights, the "Stone Soup" events and last year, with Paula Spizziri, organized the "Malden Eats" community dinners program. David and his singer/wife Sue are owned and operated by their two cats in Malden where they have lived since 1987.
After more than 11 years in adult publishing, Rebecca Smith realized that becoming a children’s librarian would enable her to combine her love of books, information, and children with her desire to serve the public and enrich people’s lives. For more than eight years, she has had the pleasure of serving the wonderfully diverse community of Malden (where, coincidentally, she found her first post-college apartment--just two blocks from the library). A true believer in the power of libraries and books to build community, Rebecca is delighted to be a part of Malden Reads.
Rebecca Smith - Children's Librarian, Malden Public Library
Martha Bezzat is currently a Substitute Teacher for the Malden Public Schools and PTO Co-President at the Ferryway School where she annually coordinates the International Food Festival. She is very committed to promoting the diverse cultures of Malden. She has studied and traveled in the Arab world and brings that experience to the committee. Martha is excited about the Malden Reads program and how it has brought the city's residents together in fun, productive and fruitful ways!
Martha Bezzat - Substitute Teacher & PTO Co-President
Paula Spizziri is a long-time Malden resident. She enjoys being active in organizations and activities that enhance our community. She is a Board member of Malden Access Television and the Malden Cultural Council. She and her friend, Karen Yates, produce a local cooking show, "Neighborhood Dish." Last year, she helped David Stein organize the "Malden Eats" dining program for Malden Reads. .Paula is owner of Applied Insights, a performance consulting and training organization. When she isn’t working or being involved in the community, Paula likes to ski, garden, dance and practice yoga.
Paula Spizziri - member of the MATV board &
Malden Cultural Council,
owner of Applied Insights
Karen Buck has enjoyed being part of Malden Reads for the past two years. She says, "This has been a terrific way to connect with the community and partake in reading wonderful books with coordinated events. Malden Reads is a great source of energy!" Karen Buck's family moved to Malden in 2004 from Cambridge, MA. Her children are in the Malden Public Schools.
Karen Buck - Malden resident
Janis VanHeukelom - homeschool educator & ESL teacher
Janis is a long-time Malden resident and mother of two. She is currently in the Masters program at Simmons College, in Library and Information Science. She also volunteers in the Immigrant Learning Center's literacy class. This is Janis's third year with Malden Reads, and she is very excited about it! Janis has been in book groups for as long as she can remember, and is happy to again coordinate a book discussion series this year.
Karen Steele has been volunteering in the schools and Malden community for more than 15 years. Mrs. Steele is currently director of the Partnership for Community Schools in Malden, Inc., which provides quality out-of-school-time programming to the students of Malden.
Karen Steele – Executive Director, Partnership for Community Schools in Malden
Nathan Lamb - Editor of Malden Observer, Malden resident
Nathan is editor of the local weekly newspaper and website, the Malden Observer. He learned about Malden Reads while covering several of their events last year and knew this was something he wanted to be involved with. He states, "This is a great group with a great community program."
(Not pictured: Candace Julyan, Core Committee Member)
Malden Reads welcome volunteers' efforts to help
