Author Archives: ldna

Studio A Film Screening "Momma’s Man"

Posted on July 4, 2009 | Leave a comment

“Momma’s Man”
Thursday, July 16, 7 p.m.
2009 (doors open at 6:30)
LTC Studio, 246 Market st.
During a short business trip to New York, 30-something Mikey pays a visit to his parents’ home and decides never to leave, forsaking all his responsibilities as a husband and new father back in Los Angeles. Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, this unique independent drama delves into the fear of facing adulthood, the romanticizing of the past and the unwillingness to accept change, regardless of its inevitability.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown Lowell, Events, Film, Lowell Film Collaborative

CITY COUNCIL ELECTION TIME IS NEAR…

Posted on July 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

FAIR VOTE LOWELL
Fair Vote Lowell is an initiative to increase voter participation, open up opportunities for new candidates, and create local elective bodies that are representative of all residents in Lowell, Massachusetts.Our mission is simple: We’re here to transform Lowell’s voting system for local elections of city councilors and school committee from the current “Winner take All” system to “Choice Voting”, a system that is fair and promotes greater representation for all.We invite you to explore our site and join us in transforming our voting system in Lowell. http://www.fairvotelowell.org/

What is Choice Voting? Choice voting is a type of proportional representation that works on the principle that all voters have a right to someone they support. With Choice voting, the majority still receives a majority of the representation, but some seats are available to other voters, so that all voters can be fairly represented. To vote, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If your top choice loses, your vote goes to your next preferred candidate. After a choice voting election, each elected candidate represents a distinct and equal-sized group of like-minded voters.

I have the petition…please let me know if you have not had an opportunity to sign one.
KMM

Dick Howe takes a historical look at Lowell’s previous use of “Choice Voting” http://richardhowe.com/2009/06/17/is-choice-voting-right-for-lowell/

Candidate web sites to date:
Ryan Berard http://www.ryanberard.com/
Franky Descoteaux http://www.frankyforlowell.com/
Joe Mendonca http://www.mendonca.org/
James Milinazzo http://jimmilinazzo.homestead.com/
Patrick Murphy http://thinkmurphy.com/

Update: I received an email from Ryan Berard;
The First Campaign Fundraiser is scheduled for July 16th at the East End Club from 6-10PM.

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Posted in City Council, Election, Elections, Lowell, Massachusetts

ART WALK 2009

Posted on July 2, 2009 | Leave a comment

Join the Revolving Museum in downtown Lowell for the ArtWalk Kick Off Party. Meet the artists who have created the pieces that people empty storefronts all through Lowell for third year in a row, making the City more beautiful and more fun. There will be a cash bar and lots to look at.
Thurs., July 16, 5pm – 7pm. Revolving Museum, 22 Shattuck St.

Thank you so much to Bob Knapp, Greg Page, Ted Lavash for thier contribution to an LDNA sponsored window this year.

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Posted in Arts, Downtown, Downtown Lowell

The Invention of Lying

Posted on June 28, 2009 | 2 comments

There’s a SUN article today about the trailer for “The Invention of Lying”…
watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgOtGpW2qrc

The neighborhood looks pretty good!

2 Comments

Posted in Arts, Downtown, Downtown Lowell, Film, Massachusetts, Movie Trailer

Hamilton Canal District Update

Posted on June 25, 2009 | Leave a comment

By now I am sure that most of you have noticed that there is a lot of activity happening in the JAM Neighborhood and the Hamilton Canal District. I wanted to provide a brief update as to what is going on.

Temporary Bridge: The City is moving aggressively forward with the installation of the temporary bridge, which is being installed roughly 30 feet to the east of the existing permanent bridge across from Revere Street. Please note that due to the tight time schedule that we are keeping on this project, there is the need to complete work this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday (June 27th and 28th). A portion of the weekend work will take place on Jackson Street, but should not impact travel along Jackson Street.

Courthouse Site Demolition: The demolition contractor for the Courthouse site has started to mobilize equipment at the end of Jackson Street. The actual demolition work will be starting in the coming weeks. Work is scheduled to take place during the summer.

On-Site Preparation: The two story, southern portion of the Freudenburg building is being demolished. This project will be completed by the end of the month.
Thank you!

James Errickson Urban Renewal Project Manager

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Posted in Downtown, Downtown Lowell, Hamilton Canal District, JAM

LET’S HAVE A PARADE…

Posted on June 23, 2009 | 5 comments

UPDATE: LEFT IN LOWELL POSTED DAYNE’S COMMENTS TODAY…YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO AT:
http://www.leftinlowell.com/2009/06/25/citizen-dayne/


Here’s a suggestion…let’s have a parade in honor of Jim Millanazo, the only city council with any %$@& at all… and Dayne should ride on the float….
I dashed into my house and made it just in time to hear what Dayne had to say to the city council…and I was cheering!!! Yeah Dayne! Is this the only person in the entire city who understands that 8 city councilors voted to get rid of “the-guy-they-don’t-like’s” friend? And for all we know know, maybe they aren’t friends! Oh sorry, I got carried away in my “junior high school” personality there for a moment…

Teachers should not allow students to put duct-tape on other students mouth’s and city councilors should not be allowed to air their junior high school dramas on WCAP.

GROW UP!!!!!!!!! Do not fire someone because of “association” with someone else and then at the next meeting, say I think I know someone who can do that…and they just lost their job…so now give “my” your friends job. Oh help us please.,..

comments from sp:
I agree that Dayne said everything I thought needed to be said and in a very professional manner. I wonder if six of the counselors understood her.
I would like to point out that there were 3 counselors who supported the position of assistant to the City Manager in both votes: Jim, Bill Martin and Kevin Broderick. I think this should spur us all on to support these 3 and those who could replace the unprofessional, petty six.
The only thing I would have added to Dayne’s comments is that if I were a business considering moving my company to Lowell I would seriously reconsider it and start looking for another city where there are not such persons in positions to hinder the growth and ambience of the city.

5 Comments

Posted in City Council, Downtown Lowell

MYSTERY…

Posted on June 17, 2009 | 1 comment

Rob Mills at the SUN is trying to unravel the mysterious appearance of a giant face on the top of the Fruedenberg building…

Since it is just outside my door I wandered over to take a look…I do not recognize this face, maybe someone in the neighborhood does…and what is he doing up there?
UPDATE: Part one of the mystery solved (see comments). “The photo is that of a real estate agent, Todd Alperin… “
Should be interesting to find out if this was a great advertising idea or just a prank.
UPDATE: Turns out it was a “theft”, not a prank…more at Rob’s blog:

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Posted in Downtown, Downtown Lowell, Hamilton Canal District

NEW AT THE OLD COURT

Posted on June 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

THE OLD COURT WILL PRESENT TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 7-9 PM

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Posted in Downtown Lowell, Food, Live Music, TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC

City Council Election

Posted on June 14, 2009 | 2 comments

UPDATE:
Franky’s Campaign Kick-Off Party
Tuesday, June 23rd, 5:30 – 7 PM
at Mambo Grill

In this week’s SUN column Franky Descoteaux says she is running for city council.
I say; “YEAH!”

Finally a city council candidate that we can actually get excited about. Franky is:
Smart – let’s face it, brains matter…especially when it comes to making decisions that effect an entire city.
Reasonable – Franky’s statements have always taken into consideration other peoples thoughts and ideas and she has a great perspective as a resident and business owner.
Hard-working- in another SUN article Franky was quoted as saying, “downtown business owners need to work harder at drawing business from other areas of the city”.
We all notice that her businesses are not open 9-5, instead they are open hours that are more likely to attract more customers. I can not think of anyone who would better represent residents of the city.

“THERE’S A new potential candidate in this fall’s election for Lowell City Council. She’s a woman. She’s a wife. She’s a mother. And she owns, or partially owns, a downtown business mini-empire.
Guessed who it is?
It’s Franky Descoteaux.
“I haven’t made an official announcement, but I’m running,” she said. “I want to be part of the continued growth of Lowell as a member of the City Council.”
Descoteaux, a popular downtown figure, owns the Mambo Grill and Humanity, a women’s boutique. She is half-owner of Monkey’s, with Brew’d Awakening owner Andy Jacobson, another active Lowell resident/business owner.
Descoteaux said she won’t be bashful in voicing her opinion, and she added that she isn’t running against any of the current councilors.
“I’ll always have an opinion,” she said. “I feel that the best progress is always made when people cooperate and understand all sides of the issues.”

2 Comments

Posted in City Council, Downtown Lowell, Elections

NEW ENTERTAINMENT VENUE?

Posted on June 9, 2009 | 1 comment

News of the latest entertainment in the neighborhood came in the form of a “lifesize” poster on the front window of the Under Impact Lounge on Merrimac St. that read: “Hot Latin Studs for Hire”…well that got some attention! Apparently someone got the message this was not the best advertising for the club and this posted this smaller version.

I know all the women in the neighborhood will be checking out the new live entertainmnet on Friday night. LOL
UPDATE: This turned out to be classic bait-and-switch…Friday nights “dancer” was not one of the guys above…however, I have heard that the “professional” dancers will be there the week.

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Posted in Uncategorized