“Meanderings” by Jim Peters
Frequent contributor Jim Peters offers another of his essays: There is not a great deal to write about on Christmas Day. If I say that there is too much emphasis on commercialism and profitability, I attack the capitalistic experience that makes the holidays such an important part of rebuilding the…
Read More »In the Merrimack Valley: Rumors of a Romero Removal
The Eagle-Tribune writer Mark E. Vogler is reporting this morning that rumors coming from a neighborhood meeting that Mayor William Lantigua and perhaps some City Councilors are planning to oust Lawrence Police Chief John Romero have riled many in the rank and file as well as the superior officers. A…
Read More »Massachusetts Once Banned Having a “Merry Christmas”
MassMoments reminds us today that the Puritans of Massachusetts led by minister Increase Mather thought the celebration of Christmas a vulgar, pagan-like and “profane and superstitious custom.” Over those early years the custom was never totally stamped-out. In the early 19th century when the revelry – especially drinking and merry-making …
Read More »Creative Economy: Buffalo NY-Style
Buffalo, N.Y., faces the same kind of challenges that most older cities do, but a bright spot is the lucrative local theatre industry built around touring versions of Broadway shows like “The Addams Family,” which earned $995,000 a week in the 3,000-seat Shea’s theatre, according to the NYTimes. Read the article…
Read More »100,000+ Protest in Moscow: Occupy Putin
NYTimes reports more than 100,000 people today demonstrated against Russian power-holders including Putin, who assumes he can rule without consent. The NYT today has two other articles about the growing protest movement in Russia, especially among young workers in the cities.
Read More »Lowell Flashmob: Postcards from Strangers
A group called Mill City Flashmob recently appeared on Facebook. It’s mission: Lowell, the mill city. Socializing with the community. Membership in the group quickly grew (to become a member, go to facebook.com/MillCityFlashMOB). But the true test of any such organization is not how many visitors it can attract on…
Read More »‘Dana Point’
This poem is from the winter of 1983-84, when I was living in Southern California just south of Laguna Beach. Dana Point was a small coastal town that has since expanded to the extent that there is now a Ritz Carlton there. When I was there it was the bottom edge of…
Read More »Down Memory Lane: Christmas Eve 1971
These days there continues to be a kerfuffle in certain places when mentions or symbols or images of Christmas make their way into our public schools. While perusing the December 24, 1971 edition of the Lowell Sun, I came across a story about a play presented at Lowell’s Reilly School.…
Read More »‘Boott Cotton Warehouse, Eastern Canal’
“Venice of the North Series: Boott Cotton Warehouse, Eastern Canal” by Richard Marion (c) 2011 See more artwork at www.richardmarion.net
Read More »