Melrose Red Hawks Is Readers' Choice: Monday Minute

Welcome to the Melrose Minute, made with your Monday morning in mind. This space will evolve over the next few weeks, so if you have any suggestions please email mike.carraggi@patch.com.

The Red Hawks was by far the name Melrose Patch readers most want to see replace Raiders, according to a poll opened last week.

The poll, a rather unscientific look at where readers stand on the high school nickname issue, revealed 54 percent of the 162 respondents wanted to drop the Raiders moniker and only 35 percent wanted to keep it. Twelve percent said they were unsure or had no opinion.

When asked what they'd like to replace the Raiders, 67 readers — or 41 percent — said the Red Hawks. Thirty-seven readers said the Highlanders, while 34 said something else. (Many of the "something else" answers were some variation of the Raiders or other suggestions signifying their frustration with a change.)

When asked what they would choose if they could only choose from the five options the Melrose High School Mascot & Nickname Steering Committee is recommending to the School Committee — Express, Highlanders, Red & White, Red Hawks and Trailblazers — just about half the respondents said Red Hawks, while just over a quarter said Highlanders.

LOCAL PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

None! This is the first week. But I'm hopeful readers send their best photos to mike.carraggi@patch.com throughout each week to be considered for publication.

BUSINESS SHOUT-OUTS OF THE WEEK

None! But you're encouraged to tell me about a great recent experience with a local business. Again, the email is mike.carraggi@patch.com.

READER QUESTIONS/FEEDBACK OF THE WEEK

None! You know the drill. Mike.carraggi@patch.com.

WHAT I BOUGHT IN MELROSE LAST WEEK

A buffalo chicken sub at Petrone's, a chicken bacon ranch wrap at Theo's, a lot of coffee at Starbucks and some tulips at Pepperberry.

What to watch for

Mask on, mask off: The city's indoor mask mandate isn't the only thing on the agenda for Tuesday's Board of Health meeting (hello, dumpster permitting.) But it's certainly the main event. "Review, Discuss and Vote if an extension to the current Indoor Mask Mandate is needed," one of the items reads. Several Massachusetts communities have voted in recent days to rescind or not extend indoor mask mandates. Will Melrose be next?

Money talks: The School Committee has a busy agenda Tuesday, perhaps highlighted by discussions on a proposed nearly $40 million FY23 operating budget. Also planned is an update on the district's diversity, equity and inclusion work, voting on a new position and what School Committee Chair Jen McAndrew told me is an update on the process and dates for the Melrose moniker issue.

A midweek boost: Wakefield is hosting a booster clinic Wednesday at the Hurd School on Cordis Street from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Week in weather(.com)

Upcoming meetings

Feb. 7 — Library Board of Trustees, 7:30; City Council, 7:45.
Feb. 8 — MVMMS Site Council, 5; Board of Health, 5:30; School Committee, 8
Feb. 9 — Human Rights Commission, 7; Zoning Board of Appeals (Public Hearing,) 7:30.
Feb. 10 — Northeast Metro Tech, 7.
Feb. 11 — Park Commission, 11 a.m.

Last Week

Patch stories

• New Melrose Nickname, Mascot Options Revealed
• Melrose Starts Process To Overhaul Accessibility, ADA Policies
• Just Over Half Of Melrose Boosted
• Melrose Mask Mandate To Be Revisited Soon

From the city

• Melrose Public Library Announces 74 New Books Centered On DEI
• Melrose Recommends Residents Buy 2022 Overnight Parking Pass

From the neighbors

• Work Begins On Wakefield Warrior Logo
• Wakefield Hosting Booster Clinic
• Wakefield Police Shooting Of Accused Murderer Deemed Justified
• Stoneham Man Accused Of Robbing Restaurant, Gas Station
• Malden Lifts Mask Mandate, Brings Back In-Person Meetings
• Malden Man Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries In I-95 Crash
• Malden City Council Seeks Members For Racial Equity Commission