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No, I’m not talking about the school committee, but our local arts scene: The last play of the season at the MRT is A Moon for the Misbegotten, a classic by Eugene O’Neil. Well, I say classic, but who knows? I saw this play in a college production about 20 years ago and was not impressed, as it seemed melodramatic, overwrought and dated. Still, I’m game to see it again. The great thing about live theatre is that there is always something to like, or to discuss or critique after the show. Productions can differ radically because of the added variables of directing, acting, even set design. I’m going Sunday night, but the play runs through May 17th with performances on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at 8 pm; matinees run Saturdays at 4:30, Sundays at 2:00. Saturday night shows at 8:30 and Sunday night shows at 7:00 pm (call the box office at 978-654-4678). The recent positive review of the play in the Boston Globe indicates to me that some of the flaws in the production that I saw so long ago might have been countered by smart directing and excellent acting. It sounds like it might even be a bit humorous! On the other end of the spectrum, we have home-grown theatre right here in Lowell – the Image Theater strikes again with an ORIGINAL play by our own Jerry Bisantz. Entitled The Straight Line, featuring “beer, romance and gun fights,” the play will be upstairs at The Old Court for the next two weekends, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm. Last but not least, Lowell High School students will perform Little Shop of Horrors, opening tonight with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 pm at the Lowell Freshman Academy Theater (how do you spell that word anyway? – er as in Image Theater or -re as in Merrimack Repertory Theatre? These are the things that keep me awake at night!) So, there you have it, entertainment and then some for your rainy May weekend. There really IS a lot to like about Lowell! Enjoy!

I read with interest Marie’s post on the future of public libraries, especially the comment pointing out that Lowell’s library is perhaps the “second or third worst per capita funded library in the state.” This situation is not likely to improve with the looming budget difficulties, but libraries can be havens in tough times, providing a wealth of material for job-seekers, students or individuals who can no longer support a book-buying habit out of the household budget. It is that clean, well-lighted place that we all yearn for at times. The library needs and deserves our support. So, what, besides being a patron and paying your fines, can you do? You can join the Friends of the Pollard Memorial Library, the group that puts on the annual book sale. If interested in supporting them passively with modest dues or being more involved as a volunteer at the sale, contact Janis at friendsofpml@yahoo.com. They also need books for this year’s sale, which can be dropped off tomorrow (or May 2) between 9 am and 12 noon, a the Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway. And mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, for the sale. It’s a great way to support a great cause. (If you join the friends, you can go to the Preview Sale, Friday night, May 15, 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm, refeshments served).

Tomorrow kicks off a month dedicated to celebrating the many contributions women have made and continue to make in our community. In Lowell, it has become an annual event featuring a week’s worth of activities—from films, breakfasts and lectures, to “Because of Her” awards and opportunities for networking. We certainly have come a long way from when Susan B. Anthony made impassioned speeches about how the mothers, sisters and wives of America were not inferior to men, but deserving of the right to vote and participate in government. Today, women in Lowell are active leaders in business, government, education, non-profits, the arts, and community groups. We still, however, do not hold our share of decision-making positions given our population–only about 25% of the state legislature is women, and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas is the only female representative from Massachusetts. Check out this year’s schedule and make time to participate in an event. It’s important. When women share in each other’s successes, we help pave the way for today’s young sisters to become tomorrow’s leaders.

PaulM on richardhowe.com has a great post on last-night’s festivities, so I won’t be redundant but wanted to add my perspective on the evening. Being cramped into the venerable old Owl Diner eating their famously delicious eggs and pancakes was an unusual way for elected officials, community leaders, and non-profit administrators to enjoy a Thursday evening together. But then to have host Senator Steve Panagiotakos spend his brief speaking moments personally thanking leaders from 12 neighborhood groups and more than a dozen non-profit providers was more than unexpected—it was unprecedented. As Deb Chausey, executive director of House of Hope, noted on her way out: “In my 25 years of working here, it’s the first time that’s happened.” Chausey, like many others I spoke to, appreciated the senator’s recognition of the important contributions their organizations make to people, both young and old, throughout our city. We ought to be thankful, say it more often, and especially during these tough economic times, we must work together to weather the fiscal storm. The reality is, everyone is hurting for funds, and we need the non-profits more than ever. The only way Lowell will get through this fiscal crisis is together.

The other day, a soup-kitchen volunteer recognized a former Westford neighbor, now homeless and living at a Lowell shelter. He was stunned to realize the face of homelessness could be someone he knew, someone from a wealthy suburb. No matter where they come from, most homeless folks land in our cities—that’s where the limited services exist. (I’m pretty sure they don’t have shelters in Andover, Westford or Chelmsford.) In Lowell this Sunday, a variety of faith-based groups will meet to address homelessness because although the burden is weighted heavily on the cities, they feel the responsibility is shared. Solving homelessness makes sense from a selfish perspective too: How can I safely enjoy my shelter when increasing numbers of people are literally out in the cold?

Here is the information I got on the event: Homelessness is a real and growing challenge for faith communities in Greater Lowell. As people of faith, we are called to care for the sick, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless. Are we doing enough?  Join us for an informative and inspiring event to learn how you can be a part of the solution.
WHAT: The Greater Lowell Interfaith Forum on Homelessness
Keynote Speakers:  The Reverend Liz Walker and Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray
WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 2009.  2pm-4pm, Registration begins at 1:30pm.  Networking session with refreshments from 3:30-4pm
WHERE: Christ Church United UCC, 180 E. Merrimack St. Lowell. For more information, contact: Brent Rourke at 978-459-0551 ext 219. (Also, check out this article in the Sun.)

WHO: Christ Church United UCC in Lowell, the S.H.I.F.T. Coalition, Social Action Ministries of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance, Eliot Presbyterian Church, New England Prison Ministries, One Family Inc., and the Lowell Transitional Living Center.

I was listening to WCAP while running errands yesterday and happened to catch an interview with Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. Naturally, the discussion centered on the economy, and in particular, the governor’s alleged plan to raise the gas tax 29 cents, making it the highest in the nation. (Turns out, the governor is still in the planning stages on that issue, with his tax hike anywhere from five cents to 29 cents—the former number not even close to being the highest in the nation.) Today’s Globe reports: “The gas tax in Massachusetts is 23.5 cents per gallon, which has not been substantially increased since 1991. A 29-cent increase would bring the state’s tax to 52.5 cents per gallon. New York currently has the nation’s highest state gas tax, at 41.3 cents per gallon.”

During the interview, Widmer said that some gas tax would be acceptable if it was tied specifically to improving roads and coupled with reform of the state’s transportation agencies. He also went on to explain the difference between his foundation and Citizens for Limited Taxation (CLT), probably most familiar to readers in the form of Barbara Anderson and her many columns. Widmer noted that while CLT strongly supported Question 1 on last year’s ballot—you know the one to eliminate the state income tax—the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a research-based think tank, determined the proposal would be devastating to the delivery of services and require a steep rise in property taxes. As someone concerned with quality of life issues and services that impact our community’s health, such as education, I think it’s important to stay informed about an organization that has both credibility and objectivity on its side.

With a collective sigh of relief, those concerned about public education learned the governor would not cut Chapter 70 funding for this school year. However, cuts in regional transportation as well as reductions in municipal aid impacts districts to varying degrees, and it doesn’t let us off the hook for next year, where schools have been told to expect as much as a 10% reduction in state funding. For Lowell schools, that represents about $10 million less in revenue. No doubt about it: tough times abound. To learn more about education policy and players, and how you can impact the quality of our schools, attend Stand for Children’s Summit tomorrow at Reading High School. A national organization known for empowering citizen activism with 13 local chapters across the Commonwealth, Stand sponsors this annual event of hands-on workshops and information sessions as a way for folks to gain the knowledge and skills to become effective advocates for kids across Massachusetts. More than 50 communities will be represented at the summit.

This time of year, my mailbox is full of welcomed cards from friends and family from near and far, as well as the standard amount of bills. There also seems to be an unprecedented number of requests for donations from different organizations. In a few weeks, I’ve collected requests for money from more than 33 nonprofit groups, most of them doing very important work and deserving of every dime we can spare. Here’s a sample of groups looking for my dime recently: Rosie’s Place, Salvation Army, WGBH, American Heart Association, World Wildlife Fund, National Children’s Leukemia Foundation, New England Home for Little Wanderers, Project Bread, Catholic Relief Services, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Local groups soliciting me include Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Stand for Children, Saints Memorial Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, Community Teamwork, Girls Inc, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Acre Family Child Care, Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell Humane Society, Coalition for a Better Acre, and the United Way.

Like most of us, I’ve seen our savings depleted, our home devalued, and our financial solvency destabilized during the recent economic downturn. And yet, the overwhelming requests reflect the real needs of people in our community. In my family, helping others is not only about sharing (as Christ noted, whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do unto me), but also is based on the very practical understanding that as members of a community, we do not fully prosper if fellow members suffer. And so, we decided an amount we can afford during these tough times (when giving is even more important) and to prioritize who gets the funds. (We’re leaning toward local groups where people we know provide for neighbors in need.)

I’m going to avoid the mall traffic this Saturday and look for unique gifts by going downtown to the Holiday Market Place at the Brush Art Gallery and Studios, 256 Market Street (behind the National Park Visitor Center). Special hours for the Sugar & Spice Weekend are 11-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and shoppers will be able to sample free sweets as part of the “Cookie Competition,” which includes voting for the winning cookie along with getting recipes and warm refreshments (another reason not to sit in traffic on Daniel Webster Highway). Visiting the gallery is always a pleasant, stress-free experience and a great way to find special gifts for those hard-to-buy-for folks. But watch out, if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to resist picking up a little something for yourself too.

Before the onslaught of media technology, folks used to visit each other in person, gathering around a piano to sing or in a parlor to discuss the day’s events. Today, we have the internet, which gives each of us the power, with a few keystrokes, to communicate with others globally. We now have podcasts, streaming video, and a host of other technology-driven outlets that enable us to sit in our kitchens with the world at our fingertips, literally. But the need for human connection is still there—perhaps stronger than ever.  It’s depressing to hear about the end of UML’s Sunrise show because it is a loss for our community, especially as an outlet for voices not heard in the mainstream. It seems there might have been other options, as Lynne mentions in LiL, such as a push toward a more volunteer- or student-based production and perhaps we’ll see that happen. In the frenetic world we live in, however, it’s difficult to find time to volunteer, which is why kudos go to the staff of the new LTC cable show, City Life, produced by John McDonough with co-hosts George Anthes and Tom Byrne. The time and effort required to produce a show consistently is daunting, and these guys deserve credit for putting such energy into this project. And like Cliff Krieger—our latest local blogger—each new voice expands our perspectives and understanding of our community. These endeavors become especially important today because they use technology to connect us with our neighbors through idea sharing rather than isolate us in techno-cocoons of our own making, which is, of course, a downside to the text-messaging, ipod, laptop, blue-tooth-laden world we live in.