Some months ago in a comment on this blog, Prof. Bob Forrant of UMass Lowell used the term “capital strike” in suggesting that big businesses appear to be sitting on record profits when they could be stimulating the economy, creating jobs, and moving the nation ahead. Here is a passage from opinion column…
Michael Casey is the author of several books of poetry, including “Obscenities,” “Millrat,” and “Million Dollar Hole.” In 1972, he won the prestigious Yale Younger Poets Award for his book “Obscenities,” now considered a classic volume of both Vietnam War literature and war poetry of all time. His poems have appeared in the New York…
The outstanding performers of Actors Inc. last night raised the figurative curtain on Jack Neary’s funny and moving play “The Porch” at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center. Set in a place like Lowell’s Sacred Heart neighborhood in 2004, the play gives voice to the people whom we shop…
Lowell Riverfest, Saturday June 11th, 2 pm to 6 pm, at Middlesex Community College and the Concord River Greenway Park The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, The Cultural Organization of Lowell, and WXRV 92.5 The River radio station invite the community to join this year’s Riverfest: Culture Flows. Enjoy this…
When the Vancouver crowd sings the Canadian national anthem in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, think “Lowell” because the man who composed “O Canada” lived in Lowell and married a Lowell woman. Distinguished musician Calixa Lavallee (1842-1891) was born in Montreal, but lived for years in the US.…
Families are children’s most important educators. Our society must invest in parental education, prenatal care and preschool. Of course, schools must improve; every one should have a stable, experienced staff, adequate resources and a balanced curriculum including the arts, foreign languages, history and science. If every child arrived in school…
Our friend and colleague David Blackburn, who leads the Cultural Resources and Programs unit at Lowell National Historical Park, sent a link to a Los Angeles Times article by James Rainey via the Sacramento Bee and a listserv of David’s. He writes, “It places Lowell National Historical Park themes and our stories on…
Read Nancye Tuttle’s advance report in the Sun on the Actors Inc. production of “The Porch,’ an insightful comedy by Jack Neary. Both Nancye and Jack are regular contributors to this blog. Read her article here, and get the Sun if you want more. The shows are set for June 2, 3 and 4…
Holy Poets, Batman! Lowell’s own Tom Sexton is in the New York Times today. The front page of the Arts section/C1 includes an image of the cover of his newest book, “I Think Again of Those Ancient Chinese Poets” (Univ. of Alaska Press), and his paragraph of attention is on…