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Last night, Lowell was home to the biggest, best outdoor party—with music drifting along the breeze from Boarding House Park to the lot behind the National Park Visitors’ Center (a new location for the dance tent and an absolutely brilliant decision). I know, it’s the Folk Festival, and we expect to hear music and see people outside dancing and eating ethnic foods. Well, I didn’t expect to see so many people having fun (thousands), nor see bands in new locations. In fact, there were only two festival stages set for opening night of the 21st annual event, touted as the largest free folk festival in the country. Area businesses joined together (or on their own) to provide live music, such as the band playing in the middle of Palmer Street, which was flanked by crowds at tables outside Café Paradiso, Fortunato’s, and the Blue Shamrock. There was also a band of local veterans playing in the lot on Market Street where Olive That and More served beer and wine, and Café Aiello dished up gelato. Mambo Grill had a band on the sidewalk amid outside diners, drinkers, and walkers. People of all ages—from seniors toe-tapping on the benches at Market Street to a toddler twirling with mom at the dance tent—joined in the fun as the whole downtown became a huge block party. Best of all, it’s just beginning! more »

My son has been nagging me for days to get him the new Harry Potter book, so while I was downtown today, I got it at Lowell’s own Barnes & Noble book store. Most folks might not think about our book store downtown, heading up to Nashua instead where they have mega book stores along busy Daniel Webster Highway. There are a lot of reasons to stay local when doing your shopping—books or otherwise—and here’s just a few of them: First, our B&N offers Lowell Public School employees a 20% discount on purchases. Second, our B&N discounts New York Times’ bestsellers (30% hardcover, 20% paperback) which Nashua B&N doesn’t. And third, even though our B&N is smaller, it boasts an expert reading staff that will advise you on the best cooking, romance, horror (you name it) books. That personal touch by knowledgeable people, such as Manya Callahan, the helpful bookseller I spoke with today, makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Also, the city now reserves three-hour-parking spots on the first floors of both Market and John Street garages, which are a short walk to the downtown area. And here’s an added plus: when you shop downtown Lowell, you get a walking experience with choices that include great cafes, restaurants, spas, boutiques, specialty stores, museums, history tours (by foot, canal or trolley) and the most stunning library in the state. It sure beats driving to Nashua and sitting at endless lights on DW Highway.

I am in my kitchen cooking and listening to a chilling sound – the thin, piercing cry of a red-tailed hawk.  We are used to crows here in the city, their raucous caws and ugly appearance are something we don’t really notice anymore, like the wail of sirens, the thump, thump of the bass from passing car radios or the hum of traffic on Route 3. There is even the occasional loud thrumming that is harder to ignore, that of another bird-of-prey, momentarily drowning all other city sounds– helicopters flying low and heading who knows where. But the scream of a hawk seems to run down your spine like ice water. There are three of these creatures (buteo jamaicensis - members of the Raptor category of birds) living near my house in the Highlands; when they float by we can sometimes see their reddish tail markings. It brings a glimpse of desert brush and brown hills across my typical view of green lawns, lilac bushes and neatly painted white houses.  It makes one wonder where the cat has got to.