If death were not so final, a journalist would by now have voluntarily ventured there to bring back the story. Every reporter worth their bone marrow dreams about being in the right place at the right time with the right equipment to observe and record a major event, then dispassionately disseminate it for all to see.
Yesterday my media friends in Springfield fulfilled such a nightmare role--and did so brilliantly. Particularly difficult I would image for the Springfield Republican, located within the fury of the storm.
When routine suddenly explodes out a broken window, let's hope there will always be a reporter there to cover it.
The Springfield Republican speaks
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Amherst shows great taste
If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach then women up and down the Valley will have an easy time reminding their loved ones they are still appreciated this Fathers Day with a fun, convenient, cost effective jaunt to town center for the 20th anniversary "Taste of Amherst".The culinary event overtakes Amherst center June 16th through 19th, with over twenty restaurants already signed up for the annual community fest.
Yes, the Taste of Amherst has withstood the test of time--precisely because because it never gets old or stale. Other towns, most notably Northampton the Holy Land of restaurants, succumbed to apathy and no longer stage such an event.
Because Amherst is such a transient community with thousand of college students coming and going annually, us townies set a high benchmark for folks who move into town and wish to be taken seriously. Twenty years is the minimum cutoff. As a fifth generation resident, I now declare the Taste of Amherst something to be taken seriously...in a fun sort of way.
Hours for the Taste of Amherst are Thursday, June 16, 5-9 pm; Friday, June 17, 5 -10 pm; Saturday, June 18, 12-10 pm; and Sunday, June 19, 12 – 4 pm.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Gateway Project pauses
A shovel ready former Frat RowThe final report from our consultant Giani Longo is scheduled for presentation on 6/29 to a joint meeting of the Amherst Planning Board and the ARA at an open public meeting--an official unveiling, minus the drumroll.
Giani LongoThe ARA hopes to receive a draft copy hot off the Internet a week or so before the public presentation and will make that available to the general public as well.
The scope of the project was somewhat constrained when predominant public opinion envisioned less dense development on the 2 acre parcel UMass owns, still referred to as "Frat Row" even though the five frat houses are long gone.
One of the sub-consultants also thought adjacent property in the corridor was not slummy enough to be considered "blighted" (although Phillips Street stood out as "decadent") which is required for the ARA to attain 'Urban Renewal' status that brings with it federal money and easier use of imminent domain powers.
Unfortunately our colleagues from UMass, Deputy Chancellor Todd Diacon and Director of External Relations Nancy Buffone missed this meeting as they are attending a four day conference in Colorado hosted by the International Town & Gown Association, where one of the major topics of discussion will be how to control rowdy student behavior in otherwise quiet neighborhoods.
Deputy Chancellor Todd Diacon center
When the topic of "new business" came up, the entire committee opposed even considering other projects besides Gateway and agreed that even if reduced in scope this project can still be a signature development of premier proportions.
Party House of the Weekend
47 South East StreetUnder the headline, "Loud Techno Music and Party," Amherst Police restored peace and quiet to the neighborhood early Saturday morning, issuing one $300 ticket.
According to police narrative:
Loud music from DJ could be heard upon arrival. Approximately 15 guests playing beer pong on rear screened porch. All seemed to not hear officers attempting to get their attention. Resident identified and issued Town Bylaw citation for noise.
Property card for 47 South East Street
Monday, May 30, 2011
Remember
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Hadley Remembers
Unlike Amherst, Hadley has a marching band
Hard to miss Quint firetruck
DA Dave Sullivan underhand pitching candy to the kids
Barry Roberts and his magnificent horses
Cute kid with Dreama the mini pony
Nice old car
Nice new car
A motto Hadley lives by
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