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Hamilton Canal District This past Wednesday I drove to Springfield to speak to the Real Estate section of the Hamden County Bar Association about technology and the registry of deeds. While the 40+ lawyers listened politely, the topic that created a buzz was the future Springfield casino. They pointed out…
Read More »Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. “In Our Youth Our Hearts Were Touched With Fire” [An address delivered for Memorial Day, May 30, 1884, at Keene, NH, before John Sedgwick Post No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic.] Not long ago I heard a young man ask why people still kept up…
Read More »I’ve posted this poem from 1978 on the blog before. It was written soon after the experience that provided the brief story thread. In those days, I was constantly on the lookout for images and incidents that could feed a new composition. I wanted to write, write, write. It’s a slight piece, but has…
Read More »There is a sustained atmosphere of negativity towards the Congress these days. Most of it focuses on long run of “do-nothingness” – but back in 1856 – a volatile time to be sure – it was a physical act in the Congress – on the floor of the United States…
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I’m back from a family vacation in Chicago, Illinois, one of the great cities of the USA. It was my first visit to a city that I associate with Carl Sandburg, Barack Obama, Studs Terkel, Albert Halper, Poetry magazine (founded by Harriet Monroe and Alice Corbin), Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor, the Cubs…
Read More »The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. Many bemoan the revolving door in government/media circles. For a while you’re a politician; then you get a job as a lobbyist, retaining your politicians’ access; then you’re a candidate again. One day you’re a journalist; the next…
Read More »Atty Michael Gallagher speaks about a new program called ArtUp which will display art created by Lowell artists in the Lowell Community Health Center where it can be purchased by members of the public for donation to the Health Center. First item is reappointment of City Clerk Michael Geary. Personnel…
Read More »Chairman Jim Milinazzo, Committee members John Leahy and Bill Martin. Executive Director Jim Scanlon is present. LRTA averages 6000 riders per day which makes 1.4 million per year. Busiest route is Westford Street and also the downtown shuttle. They are almost done a comprehensive service analysis and will hold public…
Read More »John Edward teaches economics at Bentley and UMass Lowell. He’s a frequent contributor of columns on economic issues. A low-risk security with a 4 percent yield is a good return on investment. Using the money to pay off credit-card debt with a 20 percent interest rate is a better investment.…
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It was another quiet council meeting this past Tuesday night which has been the norm since the snow melted. That might all change since the city’s FY16 budget should be out soon. City Manager Murphy has done a good job of addressing the priorities of the city councilors and he…
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