Archive for ‘Greater Lowell’

August 25th, 2010

Bread & Roses Festival in Lawrence on Labor Day

by PaulM

Mark your calendars for one of the authentic Merrimack Valley annual events, the Bread & Roses Festival in Lawrence, which is always produced on Labor Day. This year it’s Monday, September 6, 12 noon to 6 p.m. on the Campagnone Common in the middle of downtown. If you go, look for the Robert Frost Memorial on the Common; he was born in San Francisco, but grew up there and graduated from Lawrence High—valedictorian. The festival is animated by a point of view about justice, peace, and fairness in life and work. Planning is underway throughout Lawrence for the 100th anniversary of the Bread & Roses Strike in 2012. The workers said we need not only bread for sustenance but also the roses of joy in our daily lives.  It’s a lasting message.

Performers and attractions will include the Bread & Puppet troupe from Vermont, Boston Music Award-winning Grupo Fantasia Latin music group, Pentucket Players, pony rides and a petting zoo, Sweet Willie D., Itchy Feet, Bylli Crayonne, Dramatik, Dairon Skye, Boys R Us, Show Divine, Febo and Masada, trolley tours, international foods, plus lots of information booths from labor, environmental, peace, and other social justice organizations.

For details, visit breadandrosesheritage.org or call 978-794-1655.

Web photo courtesy of breadandpuppet.org

CategoryCulture, Greater Lowell, History, Lowell, Politics | CommentNo Comments »

August 22nd, 2010

Rock for Food, Aug. 29

by PaulM

Our local blogging colleague “Kad Barma” at choosing a soundtrack has a big benefit event for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank coming up on Aug 29. Instead of a hyperlink, I copied his latest posting (excerpted here) to be sure readers didn’t miss the details. Get on the train, and be part of the solution. Note that WCAP tomorrow between 10 and 10.30 am will give the cause a boost. Here’s the scoop:

more on the will rock for food front! …

there’s a party on sunday, august 29th, beginning PROMPTLY at 4pm, (as in, get there any time after 3 and be ready, cuz Melvern starts playing at 4 whether you’re ready or not!), at brian’s ivy hall, conveniently located at 74 merrimack street in downtown lowell, where all the best bands in lowell are playing in support of the new entry sustainable farming project, and raising money so that their fresh produce can be donated directly to those in need via the merrimack valley food bank. (and if you like, and everybody hopes you like, you can bring non-perishable food items to donate directly to the food bank, and, of course, cash is always most welcome, too!). …
mike flynn at 980AM WCAP (everybody gets it!) is featuring a promo for the event on his radio show some time after 10am on monday (i.e. tomorrow!) morning. between you and me, it’ll likely be on towards 10:30, but since you’re all already getting it, and listening straight through the morning, there’s no chance you’ll miss it, anyway. either way, mike will be talking to maybe me, maybe who else related to the event too, who knows, and we’ll be telling you everything you’ll need to know about rocking your sunday afternoon and evening while doing good for both local agriculture and the local food bank at the same time. …

* melvern taylor and his fabulous meltones. (who will be at toad in cambridge this thursday at 7:30pm).
* peter lavender and his whole band, including the great arte kenyon on bass, who you can see at voices rock club this tuesday night with the great tyngsboro carl johnson.
* jen kearney and the lost onion. (who are playing at ole this thursday, too!)
* treat her right. (i think she likes me, that’s what i think).
* authors and books from the loom press, and bootstrap press. (yo, steve o’connor!)
* art from emily schroer and linda mccluskey, and crafts from sarah grant and others.
* conversations with jay moore (aka the haunted hillbilly) who can rock your event or other PR needs with graphics, websites and all sorts of goodies.
* sound and stuff from mike glunts of fastlane productions.
* the incredibly talented and photogenic bar staff of brian’s ivy hall, who will coinicidentally be pouring lots of specialty lowell-themed (and specially priced) cocktails.
* for that matter, the great team behind brian’s ivy hall, who have so generously opened their doors for the party, and made this all possible.
* raffles and auctions of art and other goodies from all around downtown lowell and beyond.
* meet and greet with amy pescia of the merrimack valley food bank, and matthew himmel of the new entry sustainable farming project, who will be sharing information on all the great things they are doing here in the beautiful, scenic merrimack valley. …

edited to add: peter lavender, fresh off his live performance on wuml yesterday afternoon, is booked for another couple of his great tunes during mike’s program tomorrow morning! get it!

CategoryCulture, Greater Lowell, History, Lowell | Comment1 Comment »

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August 22nd, 2010

Caritas to Cerberus: AG Coakley Needs to Take the Long View

by Marie

With one of the six Caritas Christi Health Care facilities – Holy Family Hospital in Methuen – such an important Merrimack Valley institution, I’ve posted frequently about the role of Attorney General Coakley in the proposed purchase by Cerberus Capital Management – a New York private equity firm Cerberus. The editorial in today’s Globe highlights the pluses and cautions as the AG’s review continues.

On one hand the Globe editorial notes:

There are good reasons to support the proposed sale of Boston-based Caritas Christi Health Care to New York private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management. In addition to protecting over 12,000 in-state jobs, Cerberus has promised to pay off the non-profit hospital chain’s debt, permanently secure employees’ pensions, earmark $100 million for hospital renovations and expansions, create up to 4,300 new jobs, and increase the system’s footprint by 117,000 square feet.

On the other:

In essence, Cerberus believes that by improving the facilities and services at Caritas hospitals, it will be able to attract a large number of patients who currently leave their communities to patronize faraway facilities in Boston. But it’s unclear whether this potential boost in patient volume could net Caritas hospitals enough money to satisfy Cerberus’s investors. And what if it doesn’t? Will Caritas raise prices? Cut services? Close facilities? Cerberus is asking for a stake in Massachusetts’ fragile ecosystem of community hospitals, and if it stops providing certain services, there would be a domino effect on other hospitals. With that in mind, the firm should have already shared a detailed business plan with the public. Since it hasn’t, the attorney general should make those plans public as a part of the approval process.

As noted – the AG’s review gives the best opportunity to really assess the safeguards for the community – the public who uses the system and the public fall-out if the Cerberus plan fails. Madame General – take the time, proceed with a cautious eye and get the best deal for the patients and the community – they too have a vested interest in this “non-profit” to “for-profit” deal.

Read the full Globe editorial here.

My disclosure – I have been an in and out patient at Holy Family Hospital (formerly the Bon Secour) and a supporter of its mission for nearly 40 years. I’m headed to HFH next week . I have a personal vested interest in the success of this project – “much to gain but also much to lose.”  mps

CategoryCulture, Current Events, Greater Lowell, History, Science | CommentNo Comments »

August 14th, 2010

Merrimack Valley Connections

by Marie

We sometimes forget that the Merrimack Valley is a bi-state region with deep historical roots. The  flow of the mighty Merrimack River has been a unifying force for the culture, heritage and livelihood of its residents since time of the Pentacook tribes through the Industrial Revolution to this modern era of highway, environmental and technology connections.

The cross-valley and cross-state connection manifests itself in many ways - including politics, the economy, shared  traditions, sports and other rivalries, deep family and ethnic relationships, transportation, tourism, education, causes, culture, the arts and recreation.

Over the next year I’ll be writing about these Merrimack Valley connections from an historical,  political, practical and personal point of view.

Today I’ll note the practical - a sharing among Merrimack Valley law enforcement veterans is noted in a story from the Manchester NH Union Leader. The subject is a problem with gangs and gang  fighting which is on the rise in Manchester. Lawrence Police Chief John Romero and Lowell Deputy police Superintendent Arthur Ryan have shared their experiences and strategies with Manchester as well as Nashua.

Both Romero and Ryan in offering advice said their cities’ gang problems are far from solved but for the time being are relatively under control. Read the full article here at the UnionLeader.com.

“This is an age-old story,” said Ryan, referring to youth considering the possible benefits of joining a gang. “You’re looking down the street and you see who has all the toys and who’s getting the respect. It’s the bad guy.”

Stay tuned for more from and about the Merrimack Valley.

CategoryCulture, Current Events, Education, Greater Lowell, History, Poetry, Politics | CommentNo Comments »

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August 5th, 2010

Redistricting on the Horizon

by Marie

One of the most important after effects of the 2010 Census is the redistricting process – the changing of political borders of Congressional districts as well as the House and Senate legislative districts.  As  Secretary of the Commonweath Bill Galvin reminded us constantly in preparation for the Census – getting the count right was particularly important since shifting population numbers could cause Massachusetts to lose  a Congressional seat. The Census results will affect the 2012 election. Remember the brouhaha surrounding the 5th CD after the 2000 Census when under the direction of  Speaker Finneran the district was threaten with elimination. Democrats and Republicans both rallied round to “Save the Fifth.” This time around the pushing and shoving could be like the “extreme games.”

Locally, the last legislative redistricting greatly changed the representation for the town of Chelmsford. For years the town had its own representative – most recently Carol Cleven (R) but the post-2000 Census redistricting divided the town among four legislators – all Democrats. Still smarting from that perceived slap-in-the-face to this town of 34,000, both the Democratic and Republican town committees are urging the Board of Selectmen to be proactive and form a  committee to study the issue – to wit – getting one representative who needs the voters of  Chelmsford in order to be elected. In today’s ChelmsfordMassNews, staff reporter Kevin Zimmerman reports:

From the Republicans:
“Ten years ago the town was gerrymandered*,” said Paul Rigazio, treasurer of the Chelmsford Republican Town Committee. “Chelmsford does not have one representative who is dependent on the voters of Chelmsford.” Rigazio believes because Chelmsford is split between four House districts – represented by Tom Golden, D-Lowell; Dave Nangle, D-Lowell; Cory Atkins, D-Concord and Jim Arciero, D-Westford – it often becomes an afterthought to the four representatives.
From the Democrats:
Chairman of the Chelmsford Democratic Town Committee Sam Poulten isn’t unhappy with the town’s current representation, but he agrees the town should start thinking about how it wants the next 10 years to look.
“We support the need for the Board of Selectmen to form a committee and get involved with redistricting,” said Poulten. “We need to speak now of the importance of Chelmsford.” Read the full article here.
Last year House lawmakers voted to create a committee of House and Senate members to handle  task of re-drawing the lines of Congressional and legislative districts while  rejecting an alternative plan that called for an independent commission to do the job. That committee has yet to be appointed but it should be noted that Rep Tom Golden(D-Lowell) who represents part of Chelmsford is the current Vice-Chair of Election Laws. Perhaps he’ll be part of the redistricting committee.
So the battle has been joined – stay tuned.

*Note: Elbridge T. Gerry (1744-1814) - who served as U.S. Vice-President, member of Congress (3CD-MA) and Governor of Massachusetts – was a  Democrat-Republican.

CategoryGreater Lowell, History, Politics | CommentNo Comments »

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August 4th, 2010

Whither the Book Business – Barnes and Noble for Sale

by Marie

The Wall Street Journal reported the other day that Barnes and Noble has put itself up for sale.

Barnes & Noble Inc., put itself up for sale Tuesday, succumbing to pressure from shareholder activists as digital books erode the traditional business of the nation’s largest bookstore chain.

The New York-based company said a falling stock prompted its board to consider all “strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.”

Read the full article here at the Wall Street Journal on-line.

This is just another book-happening that has me asking – What does this and other activity in the book world mean for me – the book reader? I like the feel and tradition of the book in my hand – whether hard cover or paper back. I’m reluctant to turn to the kindle for my “reading pleasure” although my friend Cliff assures me I’d be happy with this new technology. While I might mourn the loss of the “bookstore” – for the most part I get my books at the public library. I borrow from the vast treasures of the Merrimack Valley Consortium of libraries. Will the traditional give way or be lost to the kindle, the i-pad or the Nook? What of the authors? the writers who feed my need to read… how are they affected? While not wanting to be cast as a luddite, I hope I can continue in my traditional reading ways with lots of titles and genres to choose from… hold a book in my hand as I enjoy my back porch and glass of ice tea… just lost in the world of murder, mayhem and mystery. BTW, I’m off soon to the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell – adventures await! Support your public library!

CategoryCulture, Education, Greater Lowell, Lowell | Comment2 Comments »

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August 3rd, 2010

Save Some Dates

by PaulM

From the Moses Greeley Parker Lectures schedule, 2010-11 (a selected list of early fall programs):

Sunday, Aug 29, 4 pm

Boarding House Park, Lowell

“Twelfe Night” performed by the New England Shakespeare Festival

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Saturday, Oct 2, 1 pm

Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market St, Lowell

“Jack Kerouac and the American Bohemian Tradition,” a talk by Dennis McNally, biographer of JK and longtime publicist for the Grateful Dead (Dennis is from Haverhill and is a graduate of UMass Amherst)

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Sunday, Oct. 3, 12 noon

Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell

“Prelude to the Civil War: The State of the Union 150 Years Ago,” a talk by UMass Lowell history professor Michael Pierson

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All Parker Lectures are free and open to the public. For the full schedule, visit www.parkerlectures.com

Check this website for reminders about upcoming programs.

CategoryCulture, Education, Greater Lowell, History, Lowell | Comment3 Comments »

August 2nd, 2010

Red Sox Month @ Tewksbury Public Library

by Tony

If you are a Red Sox fan or just a plain old history buff, you should visit the Tewksbury Public Library this August. Every Wednesday for the entire month, the library will offer a discussion on the  history of the Boston Red Sox… and admission if FREE. This upcoming week, Dick Johnson, Curator of the Sports Museum will be the featured guest. Johnson is an author and sports consultant. He wrote several highly successful Red Sox related books including “Red Sox Century” and “Ted Williams: A Portrait in Words and Picture”.  WGBH TV, ESPN and the Museum of Science have all employed Johnson because of his vast knowledge about sports and baseball in particular.

Don’t hesitate on this one…Tewksbury Library officials expect a big turn out and strongly suggest advanced registration (seating is limited to 50).

The first discussion takes place at 6:30PM on August 4. You can register at the library’s Reference Desk or by calling 978-640-4490 ext 207.

CategoryCulture, Greater Lowell, History | CommentNo Comments »

August 1st, 2010

Casino Roll Call – My Bold

by Marie

The Roll Call of voting in the House and Senate on the Casino bill reported out by the conference committee makes for very interesting reading. My bold for legislators from the Greater Lowell/Merrimack Valley area. This is from the AP and found on the WCVB-TV web-site: 

“Here’s how members of the Massachusetts House and Senate voted Saturday on a bill to allow the licensing of three casinos and two slot machine parlors at the state’s existing racetracks. The House voted 115-36 in favor of the bill. The Senate approved the bill on a 25-15 vote. ”

HOUSE:

 Kevin Aguiar, D-Fall River – X

Geraldo Alicea, D-Charlton – Y

Willie Mae Allen, D-Boston – N

James Arciero, D-Westford – Y

Brian Michael Ashe, D-Longmeadow – N

Cory Atkins, D-Concord – Y

Demetrius J. Atsalis, D-Hyannis – X

Bruce J. Ayers, D-Quincy – Y

Ruth B. Balser, D-Newton – N

Fred Barrows, R-Mansfield – Y

Carlo J. Basile, D-Boston – Y

Jennifer E. Benson, D-Lunenburg – Y

John J. Binienda, D-Worcester – Y

Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams –N

Bill Bowles, D-Attleboro – Y

Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham – Y

Michael D. Brady, D-Brockton – Y

William N. Brownsberger, D-Belmont – N

Antonio F. D. Cabral, D-New Bedford – Y

Jennifer M. Callahan, D-Sutton – Y

Thomas Calter, D-Kingston – Y

Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen – Y

Christine E. Canavan, D-Brockton – Y

Stephen R. Canessa, D-New Bedford – Y

James M. Cantwell, D-Marshfield – Y

Katherine Clark, D-Melrose – Y

Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera, D-Springfield – Y

Thomas F. Conroy, D-Wayland – N

Michael A. Costello, D-Newburyport – Y

Geraldine Creedon, D-Brockton – X

Sean Curran, D-Springfield – Y

Steven J. D’Amico, D-Seekonk – N

Robert A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop – Y

Manuel deMacedo, R-Plymouth – N

Brian S. Dempsey, D-Haverhill – Y Conferee/Negoiator

Marcos A. Devers, D-Lawrence – Y

Stephen DiNatale, D-Fitchburg – Y

Paul J. Donato, D-Medford – Y

Christopher J. Donelan, D-Orange – Y

Joseph R. Driscoll Jr., D-Braintree – Y

James J. Dwyer, D-Woburn – Y

Carolyn C. Dykema, D-Holliston – N

Lori A. Ehrlich, D-Marblehead – Y

Lewis G. Evangelidis, R-Holden – N

James H. Fagan, D-Taunton – Y

Christopher G. Fallon, D-Malden – Y

Mark V. Falzone, D-Saugus – Y

Robert F. Fennell, D-Lynn – Y

John V. Fernandes, D-Milford – Y

Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester – Y

Barry R. Finegold, D-Andover – N Candidate 2EM read more »

CategoryCulture, Current Events, Election 2010, Greater Lowell, Lowell, Politics | Comment1 Comment »

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August 1st, 2010

Trolley Parks Revisted – One Nearby

by Marie

 Strolling Through Canobie Lake Park

Don’t miss the story in today’s Lowell SUN about the surviving “trolley parks.” Oue regional and well-used Canobie Lake Park in neaby Salem, NH is featured. I’ve written before about these parks built by the trolley companies as a way to extend their business into the weekends and to provide access to a whole new realm of leisure activity. There are many books, postcards, phographs and posters celebrating this special era and much available memorabilia dear to collectors. Locally, Willowdale and Lakeview Parks were popular destinations.

As AP Travel writer Beth J. Harpaz tells us:

The parks were built by trolley companies at the end of the line in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as a way to get workers and their families to ride streetcars and railways on weekends. They had carousels, picnic grounds and live entertainment, and they were often located by lakes, rivers or beaches where visitors could take a boat ride or swim.

On Canobie Lake Park:

Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H., located 30 minutes north of Boston, also remains family-owned and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, according to marketing director Chris Nicoli. The park is three times its original size, and the old trolley station has been preserved as a Skee-ball building. A new exhibit at the park documents its dance hall, which through the years hosted Duke Ellington, Sonny and Cher and Frank Sinatra.

Canobie’s rides are a trip through history too: The carousel is a 19th century antique; the Yankee Cannonball wooden coaster is vintage 1930s, and the looping steel Canobie Corkscrew dates to the ’70s.

“We’ve got children coming on their eighth-grade field trip whose grandparents came on their eighth-grade field trip,” said Nicoli.

Canobie Lake Park continues and thrives as an amusement park today enjoyed by families across the Merrimack Valley. My granddaughters love the park. Do you have memories of days at Canobie Lake Park? special outings with groups or as a family? Do you still go to Canobie Lake Park? Do you remember Lake View Park? Share your stories.

Read more here in today’s Lowell SUN on-line.

This steroview from the collection at the UML/Center for Lowell History shows typcial weekend day at Willowdale Park in nearby Dracut, Massachusetts cira 1890s.

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CategoryCulture, Greater Lowell, History | Comment4 Comments »

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