Archive for May 1st, 2012

May 1st, 2012

“Meanderings” by Jim Peters

by DickH

Frequent contributor Jim Peters shares his thoughts with us tonight:

Did you ever watch the world pass you by and you have no idea what anyone is talking about? That’s the situation I am in now, basic things like my 40th. reunion for the Lowell High School are understandable but there is no explanation for the excitement generated on the email pages of all things. I like to answer my own email, but I cannot answer forty emails in one night. And what connection does it have to Facebook? Some kind of connection because my comments end up on Facebook, but it is a far cry from questions of my youth, like when we watched the town of Manson, Iowa tear down a tree and we tried to figure out how many toothpicks would emanate from that battered tree. After all, that is all a battered tree could be manufactured into, we boys reasoned.

I enjoyed my childhood and I have every intention of going to the reunion because it will be a good chance to make fun of ourselves. I remember being about four, seeing a fire down the street in Manson, and coming to that conclusion that we had only one tool that would be of use in fighting a fire. I will not tell you what tool that was, but we knew we could help. No one asked us to, however.

Then there was the time I caught a bee in a jar trap. I believed that I was perfectly safe, which was not true. Or the postman who brought over Clove and Black Jack gum every day. You would not see children accepting gum from a stranger now. Or how the gumball machines used to cost a penny for multiple pieces of gum.. Or when my grandfather used to bring us into his gas station and buy us Red Man Peanuts and ten cent pop out of the pop machine at his garage. He had a fine collection of cars at his house but they were all stolen when he went to the hospital. read more »

May 1st, 2012

Climate Action 350.org at City Hall, 5/5

by PaulM

A Note from Jay Mason:

Please join me for an event in collaboration with the climate action group 350.org this Saturday, 5/5 at Lowell City Hall at 10:30 am. It would be fantastic if you could make it (see flyer, attached). We need your participation in a photo to be taken in front of city hall to show support for Environmental Justice in the form of a photo entry on the 350.org website. Called “Connect the Dots,” this event will join communities world-wide with photos which together will connect the dots of erratic weather patterns and other similar and likewise strange behaviors which point to the problem of global warming. The Connect the Dots campaign will provide a backdrop to the need to reduce carbon emissions (currently in excess of 385ppm) with a positive message of hope and determination. Themphoto will be taken at 11:00am and a film is scheduled for 11:30am in the Mayor’s Reception Room. Light refreshments will be served.  This photo, set against the backdrop of our venerable city hall steps, will be testimony to the energy and optimism that was at the core of a revolution here in Lowell 180 years ago. Assembled with photo images from around the globe, Connect the Dots will show that our time to make dramatic change is upon us and that there is a common thread that links the people and places who stand ready to make a difference. I hope you and your fifty closest friends will join me on Saturday, 5/5 at 10:30am at Lowell City Hall. If you’d be willing to help with set up or light refreshments please let me know. Thanks and peace, Jay Mason

For more information contact acs.green.lowell@gmail.com or call Jay at 978-459-2004

May 1st, 2012

Older Americans ~ “Never Too Old to Play”

by Marie

This first day of May, 2012 ushers in Older Americans Month. This year’s theme “Never Too Old to Play” encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities. Who are these Americans? The older population–persons 65 years or older–numbered 40.4 million in 2010  – the most recent year for which data are available. They represented 13.1% of the U.S. population, over one in every eight Americans. In 2010, there were 23.0 million older women and 17.5 million older men, or a sex ratio of 132 women for every 100 men. The female to male sex ratio increases with age, ranging from 112 for the 65-69 age group to a high of 206 for persons 85 and over.

Congress enacted the Older American Act in 1965  – passed as a part of President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society reforms. Though adjusted, changed, contracted and expanded through many administrations, the stated purpose of the OAA remains “to ensure equal opportunity to the fair and free enjoyment of: adequate income in retirement; the best possible physical and mental health services without regard to economic status; suitable housing; restorative and long term care; opportunity for employment; retirement in health, honor, and dignity; civic, cultural, educational and recreational participation and contribution; efficient community services; immediate benefit from proven research knowledge; freedom, independence, and the exercise of self determination; and protection against abuse neglect and exploitation.” The Act was last amended in 2006.

Learn more here on the AoA website: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Index.aspx

May 1st, 2012

Happy Law Day

by DickH

Supreme Court of the United States

May 1st was always a day on which workers celebrated hard-won rights, but after 1919 it also became a day for the Soviet Union to exalt its military might. While the massive parades in Red Square were a boon for Western intelligence services – the Soviets always rolled out their latest and greatest armor and other weapons for public view – the parades also served to show Soviet military might in a way meant to intimidate others around the world.

President Eisenhower, to contrast US priorities with those of the Soviets, during the late 1950s proclaimed May 1 to be Law Day, a day to celebrate the rule of law in the United States. When the Cold War ended, so did much of the motivation to counteract political, military and cultural moves by the Soviets and so Law Day in America has lost some of its importance (although the Greater Lowell Bar Association continues to observe the day with a ceremony in year’s past at Superior Court but in 2012 at District Court, held without much publicity last Friday).

Still, it is important to remember the importance of the law in our country’s history and culture. At a time in which our political system is bitterly divided, the remembering the supremecy of the law is more important than ever.

Soviet May Day parade

May 1st, 2012

Mill City Skill Share coming this Sunday

by DickH

Social networking is great, but to me its true value is to make it easier for people to come together in-person and get things done. A great example of this comes on Sunday at “Mill City Skill Share” during which a number of individuals have volunteered to share a skill with others at no charge. Here’s some information from the Skill Share website:

Want to learn a new skill? Meet your neighbors?
Engage in a creative activity?

On Sunday May 6th, 2012, the first ever Mill City Skill Share will be held in historic Downtown Lowell, MA. Our goal is to share wisdom and knowledge through collaborative learning and connect members of our community in a way like never before! This promises to be a fun free event for all ages that shouldn’t be missed!

Over two dozen awesome workshops will be held from 10-6 at various locations throughout Downtown Lowell.

Registration and refreshments from 9:30-10:30 am at
The Mogan Cultural Center
40 French Street
Lowell, MA

Free for all ages!
Donations of non-perishable food items and gently used clothing are encouraged.

Visit our Workshops Page for workshop details, schedule, locations and map.
If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring, donating food or services, or would simply like more information, contact us at millcityskillshare@gmail.com