A message on my home answering machine alerted me that the book I had ordered had arrived. The call was just in time because even though I had forgotten the title of the book, I knew the Pollard Memorial Library book club meeting was next week (Thursday, September 1 at…
Read More »
The Patriots took a break from their study of practice film last night and saw a real movie, The Fighter. The evening was particularly special for the players because joining them for the movie and a discussion afterward was Micky Ward (shown above with Deion Branch). Here is the reaction…
Read More »
Chancellor Marty Meehan has invited the UMass Lowell community and the public to join him and guest speakers to honor members of the campus community lost on 9/11/01 on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m., at the site of the UMass Lowell 9/11 Memorial. The ceremony will feature a rededication…
Read More »
The front page of the “Home” section of the NYTimes today has an article headlined “The Jack Kerouac of Junk,” which is a profile of the co-star of the popular “American Pickers” weekly program on the History Channel (5.5 million people watch). The “antiques” dealer who started rescuing bicyles and…
Read More »
While I’m not surprised that a candidate pulled out of the Lowell City Council race, I didn’t expect it to be Franky Descoteaux. Two open seats on the City Council will really change the election dynamic! Councilor Descoteaux has certainly made a difference on the City Council. Just posted on…
Read More »
I suspect there’s been dirty tricks in politics since there has been politics. Nixon’s resignation as president of the United States really grew out of dirty tricks on steroids. So the internet is not the cause of modern political shenanigans, but it has helped the “art form”, if you want…
Read More »
The Moses Greeley Parker Lectures’ new season has already begun. Click here for the 2011-12 schedule. The programs are free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of Mr Parker many decades ago. The series began in 1917. The Lunchtime Lectures require reservations because of food service planning.…
Read More »
Here’s a story that’s stuck with me ever since I heard it many years ago: A severe flood was forecast but John, a man of great faith, refused to evacuate. As the water rose, a National Guard truck pulled up to take him to safety. John refused to go, saying…
Read More »
Spinning through the radio dial yesterday I came upon a national political talk show and caught a caller from Texas proclaim that Jon Huntsman was no conservative because he “flunked all four tests” which were (1) he supported same sex marriage (when the host interjected that Huntsman only was for…
Read More »
Burning of Washington 1814 On this day August 24, 1814 British forces invaded Washington, D.C. and set fire to the Capitol and the White House. Most members of Congress and other officials fled from DC when they got word that British forces under General Robert Ross overwhelmed American militiamen at…
Read More »