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It’s just one week until Christmas and perhaps you still have some shopping to do?  If you are trying to avoid the mall this year, but have run out of time to order online, then why not give downtown Lowell a try?  Start at the Brush Art Gallery, conveniently located in the Market Mills courtyard, by the National Park Visitor’s Center.  When I went downtown early on Tuesday last, the Brush wasn’t open yet, so I browsed around in the Park gift shop (open daily, Mon – Sat, 9-4:30, Sunday, 10-4:30).  You can get pleasing cotton dishtowels, made at the Boott Mills, for $3.95 or $11 for a package of three, or one dishtowel with a small informative book detailing Lowell’s part in the Industrial Revolution for $11.95, which would make a nice gift. They also have park ranger hats ($8.95) and National Park coloring books for the younger set.  National Park T-shirts in heavy cotton, cream colored or green, with a Lowell Trolley on the front, are $14.95, and seem to be only available in the hard-to-find small or medium sizes. 

Back at the Brush (hours:  Tues- Sat, 11 am – 4 pm, Sun. 12 pm – 4 pm), you will find plenty of tempting artist-made merchandise for every price-range.  The prolific, multi-media artist Lolita Demers has interesting glass jewelry, pottery, and glass serving trays which look like flattened wine bottles and are suitable for cheese and crackers, sushi or cookies.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are dressed up with ribbons and include a unique cheese-spreader (prices vary; a large one which I purchased for a hostess gift was $19).  Weaver Cynthia Hughes has a beautiful array of scarves in mouth-watering colors, fine silk, cotton or rayon chenille for $75, she also offers gift certificates for a weaving class; for $60, you can make your own scarf.  Jewelry artist Penny Cox is also offering a class in basic wiring for bead jewelry for $50. In her studio there are many beautiful steel wire and copper beaded bracelets and earrings, as well as “Penny Candy” – affordable, fun earrings.  Near the register, I spotted some whimsical wine-bottle stoppers, made of stainless steel with tall bead tops for $19 (not sure of the artist).  In the joint studio of Jay Hungate and Chrissy Theo Hungate, I was charmed by a pair of gargoyle bookends:  modeled on the paladins who protect Apollo’s temple; they have flat tops that could hold a candle, and are $36 each or $60 for the pair.  Who from Lowell wouldn’t want a print of The Owl Diner ($75 framed or $25 unframed) by local artist Vassily Giavos.  He has many prints to choose from as well as original art work of Lowell street scenes.  His latest work has a dreamy, retro style.  Pastel artist Pamela Wamala has note cards (4 for $10, or 6 for $15) — the winter scenes are particularly tranquil– or tiny original pastels in heavy gold frames for $75.  Gay Tracey’s appealing dogs in surprising colors cry out to be brought home to the dog lover in your life, either as a card, print or original.  Deirdre Grunwald uses Celtic designs as a starting point for her paintings and ceramics, and has note cards and prints available as well as original works.  Other artists are Carol Boileau (landscapes in watercolor and acrylics), botanical illustrator Leslie MacPhail, stained glass artist Donna Murray, and photographer Steve Noroian (I own a print of his “Fiery Rowboat” which I love).  Often you can meet and speak with the artists while browsing at the Brush, and, of course, giving locally made gifts by local artists is priceless! (I hope I haven’t left anyone out; do check the website for more information on the artists).

This post is getting rather long and I’ve only gone to two places, but I hope you’ll continue reading to learn what’s on offer for the holidays at Salon City and other establishments on Market, Middle and Merrimack Streets. more »

I’m reminded of lyrics from a Joni Mitchell song, “I wish I had a river I could skate away on.” Today, I could skate on my driveway and would happily do so if it would take me somewhere warmer, both in temperature and spirit. Yesterday, I learned of neighbors who got into a heated shouting match about where to dump their snow, and one ended up calling the police on the other. The police verdict: “Be neighborly.” This morning’s commute to school was also a nightmare—gridlock traffic, beeping horns, and no place for pedestrians. I saw children walking on Westford Street amid cars and buses because the sidewalks were covered with snow. Some people had shoveled their sidewalks, as the law requires, but not enough to provide a consistent walkway. I realize some folks are elderly or incapable of shoveling, but others have no excuse except laziness; and for a storm that hit on a Sunday, it’s shameful to see so many snow-covered sidewalks during Monday’s busy commute. The police should crackdown on these people, targeting the busiest streets and those around schools first—places that absolutely need safe walkways.  If you’re healthy and able, get out and shovel the sidewalks abutting your property. Not because it’s the law, but because it’s the right thing to do. Don’t’ wait until it’s too late and someone gets hurt. Besides, it’s never too soon to be neighborly.