richardhowe.com

Related to a post of mine a few days ago about the Museum of Science in Boston planning a $5M Life Sciences exhibit, here is news from boston.com about the N. E. Aquarium making improvements. Again, this raises the question of how a smaller cultural hub like Lowell should respond to the vigorous expansion of cultural attractions in Boston, especially its museums, in order to compete for museum-goers. 

The New England Aquarium plans a $15 million facelift, including renovation of its Giant Ocean Tank and surrounding exhibit spaces plus opening a new ground-floor center focused on conservation and research efforts. Scheduled for completion in July 2013, it marks the final phase of a five-year, $42.5 million expansion and renovation program for the Boston aquarium, which opened on the city’s waterfront in 1969. (from www.boston.com and Boston Globe)

 

Our far flung correspondent Ray LaPorte sends the following from one of the local papers on the island he calls home. Read closely. Ray said a poet could make something of this list.–PM

Martha’s Vineyard Times

FOUND

Black Helix cash box. Call 508-693-4658.

LOST CAMERA

Canon Elf lost in Gay Head near painted house. 508-274-6312.

LOST BALACLAVA

Black, lightweight, lost January 2 on the yellow trail. Under Armor. If found, please call 508-367-0199.

LOST EYEGLASSES

Ray Ban glasses lost between OB/Island Alpaca and Main Street, V.H., on Friday, January 7. Prescription, thin-frames, tortoise shell style. Please call Barbara, 508-423-1443. Thank you!

FOUND

Stuffed lamb chop found in icy parking lot in Edgartown. 508-494-8700.

LOST iPHONE

White iPhone with yellow case lost on Simpson’s Lane, Edgartown, about 8:00 pm on January 2. 508-627-4210.

LOST SOU’WESTER

Black Diamond sou’wester lost on Main Street, Edgartown, on Monday, January 23. Sentimental value. REWARD. 508-627-6160.

FOUND BIKE REPAIR KIT

Tradewinds field area. 508-687-9318.

LOST KEY

Single black car key on a Brighton Academy lanyard. Please call 508-693-2105

LOST-CHILD’S HAT

Black and white knit, jester style with black pom-poms. Lost January 9 on Circuit Ave. near Black Dog store. Sentimental-has other pieces to match. Please call 508-693-3128 or 508-693-1115.

FOUND KEYS

Toyota key, post office key, and house key on ring found on Frisbee Golf course. 774-563-0682.

LOST SCHOOL BACKPACK

I am eight years old and I lost a brown and orange backpack near Gannon and Benjamin last week. It has my favorite stuffed kitty inside! REWARD. Call 920-410-4588.

LOST DERBY PIN

My 2011 Derby pin fell off my coat. It’s silver and round. Please return if found. 508-939-8550.

Watch this video that celebrates one day in San Francisco and think about what a Lowell version would look like.

A Day in the Life: San Francisco

UPDATE: Here’s the video

boston.com reports that the Museum of Science in Boston received a $5 million state grant to develop ”a spectacular exhibit” on the theme of life sciences, specifically, human biology. This is good news for the state and our region. Read the Globe’s Colin Young’s article here.

On top of the recently expanded Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the vastly improved Museum of Fine Arts, this news about the Museum of Science makes clear that the Boston museum cluster intends to compete aggressively for audiences in the region and nation, as well as from around the world. These institutions are a great asset for us in the Merrimack Valley who can get to them easily.  What will it mean, however, going forward for the network of small to mid-sized museums in Lowell? Will Boston-area residents and visitors be inclined to explore the museums of Lowell when so much is available right there? The still-new Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is another major draw.

We  have the largest industrial museum in the National Park system (Boott Cotton Mills), a distinctive Quilt Museum, Whistler’s birthplace combined with an art gallery, the American Textile History Museum, a streetcar/trolley museum, and the preserved historic and canal district downtown and connecting to the Merrimack River that has the character of a museum without walls. Should these attractions be bundled more closely and promoted as a unified experience in order to compete more effectively with the scale of the museum resources in Boston?