Live Free or Die

 A symbol of freedom and a symbol of the cost of freedom

Assuming all 1,664 men Missing In Action from the Viet Nam War are dead, it is still of paramount importance to fly this black flag as a reminder that--all these years later--their final outcomes are still unknown.

Yesterday the town put up a new, larger POW/MIA flag to fly in tandem with the larger US flag purchased last year and originally scheduled to fly only on ceremonial occasions, but now flying daily...as it should.

Bring 'em On

 War Memorial Pool 7/5/12 

UPDATE (4:45 PM).  Okay, it's finally official.  Because you can now read the official press release on the town website.  About time!

#####

BREAKING NEWS:  (4:00 PM) So I just spoke with Pat Desmarais (apparently the only one left at the LSSE office) and she confirmed the pool will be open Sunday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 6:00 PM and it is indeed free, free, free, FREE

#####

The War Memorial Pool looked ready for a refreshing dive (not that they have a diving board of course) around 5:00 PM this afternoon.  Buoys are out, water is clear, new fencing is up all around and the concrete looks uniformly cured.  Probably will not open tomorrow, but if town officials wish to reclaim some badly needed credibility then Saturday is a must.

 Let's hope they do not wait until 5:00 PM tomorrow to make the announcement. 

Meanwhile the "South East Street Massacre" continues unabated.  Main Street/Pelham Road is next, and the trees are already starting to quiver.

Confused Watch Dog

So about six months ago the Gazette published a front page story declaring a car dealership "apparently out of business" based on a tip from a blogger (not me), an empty car lot, and a office that was closed on a Sunday.

The very next day, probably in response to a threatened lawsuit, they published--also front page--a puff piece about the new and improved used car scheme the former VW dealership was about to morph into.

Yesterday the Daily Hampshire Gazette published a belated investigative piece about the used car dealership closing up--this time for good--leaving in its wake disgruntled consumers out thousands of dollars in deposits and cars that cannot be driven because of missing titles.

In other words, the kind of thing that if exposed a few months earlier could have saved their readers (and non readers) a major headache.  

And I could not help but notice in yesterday's  article they never mention the prominent incidents from only six months ago.  Hmm...

Gazette apology puff piece 12/13/11

Born back ceasely into the past

So yes, Amherst did have a July 4 Parade yesterday.  Hundreds of parents, kids, grandparents, friends, family and their dogs descended on the South Amherst town common as they have for over 100 years to participate in the July 4 Children's Bicycle Parade, a grand neighborhood block party painted in red, white and blue.

And 30 years from now some of these children will bring their children, as the baton is passed...

Like a shining beacon upon a hill

Water, water, everywhere...

War Memorial Pool 3:00 PM Today (presumably the water will be less green for Opening Day)

Party House of the Weekend

 11 Eames Place, Amherst

So these party boys and girl at 11 Eames Place are a throw back to the party days of yore (as in anytime the UMass is in session), yet as unusual as a white buffalo:  My first "owner occupied" party house. 

Very early Saturday morning (1:00 AM) police were called to this bucolic, tidy, tucked away neighborhood for reports of a "fight in the area and noise complaint."  Upon police arrival the fight was over, but the noise remained.

Neighbors report that on Sunday the perps came a calling to admit their interaction with Amherst Police and complain that they were unfairly arrested for "noise", when in fact it was the combatants engaged in fighting who attracted a police response.

Next time maybe they will do a better job controlling their guests.   

Arrested for unlawful noise:

Brendan Toohey, Calamint Hill Rd, North Princeton, MA, age 22
Jennifer List, Eli Lane, East Falmouth, MA, age 19
Reed Smith, Paine Street, Wellesley, MA, age 27

####

Amherst DPW

Runner up party house:  Police were called to 62 Gray Street early Sunday morning (1:16 AM) for "reports of a loud pary spilling into roadway."

According to APD narrative:

Several guests were found outside drinking alcohol and speaking loudly.  Resident was identified and party cleared.  Additionally a town "Stop" sign was located in the common area of #2 and seized.  The sign was tagged as property to be returned to the DPW.  The resident was issued a warning for noise.  Approximately 20 guests cleared out.

And if an innocent citizen died as a result of the missing stop sign?