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I get regular emails from the folks at the Observatory on top of Mt. Washington; usually, it’s rather comforting to hear about their horrendous wind speeds, devastating wind chill factors and enormous piles of snow (rather like listening to the traffic reports when you don’t have to go anywhere). This year, however, things are pretty dull up there, as just like us, they watch enviously while Pennsylvania, DC, and points south get dumped on (well, I like to ski, so I’m envious). So far this year, the Mountain has seen below average snowfall, but in an attempt to raise staff morale, it was pointed out that in April of 1988, they got over 100 inches of snow. Here’s hoping!

To live vicariously at the top of Mount Washington (“the world’s worst weather” is proudly proclaimed), check out their site, where you can read about the experiences of the summit volunteers, and see some gorgeous, otherworldly pictures.

Just checked out the city website to see this under the News link:

Snow Emergency – No Parking Ban

At first glance, I took that to mean: there is a snow emergency, but there is not a parking ban. Luckily, I clicked on the link to read more. It actually means there is a “no parking” ban – which doesn’t make sense. Howver, there is, of course, a ban, and it takes effect at noon. The ban will be in effect “until such time that the ban is lifted.” Government-speak, I love it!

In light (a poet’s light, that is) of the upcoming Super Bowl in New Orleans, Paul posts on RichardHowe.com about Zeitoun, a book by Dave Eggers that tells the story of a man who stayed behind after Katrina. I have been thinking about this book lately because I was also reading The Trial, by Franz Kafka and found eerie similarities between them. Of course, Kafka wrote surreal fiction and Egger’s narrative is about what actually happened to Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian-American Muslim, but the sense of bureaucracy gone astray with devastating consequences is the same. Kafka, of course, prefigured much of the horrors of the 20th century in his dread-filled, often bleakly humorous works, but Zeitoun’s story is true and happened here. That’s what is so frightening. Check it out, if you wish to see what the unchecked power of the federal government can do to the individual. The word “Kafkaesque” can be applied here. I also recommend Spike Lee’s documentary:When the Levees Broke for an edgy, in-your-face depiction of the disaster. Sorry, Pats fans, but I’m glad the Saints are in – New Orleans needs the boost and, it gives us all a fresh chance to turn our thoughts to what happened there.

Like most folks, I take my news with a grain of salt; this learned response was strengthened since getting elected to the school committee and having seen, on occasion, my own words taken out of context, misrepresented, or used loosely to support some agenda in the newspaper. But even before running for office, as an active member of the Citywide Parent Council involved in issues reported in the press, I had experienced slanted coverage firsthand. Recently, a number of examples of this come to mind—perhaps the most blatant is the headmaster search stories which focused on one candidate, implied a political choice that devalued the work of the search committee and its process, and ignored comments to the contrary. (I can only attest to what I said that did not make it into print regarding confidence in the process and the superintendent.) That agenda seems to have taken a back seat now that the search committee has released the candidates for interviews. Another recent example is this story faulting the school committee travel policy (“Policy change chills Lowell school trips”). If you read to the end of the article, you’ll see the intent of the policy is consistent with other districts. Also, it’s worth reminding folks that the two most important changes to the policy, approved unanimously one year ago, were: 1. Receive school committee approval of a trip before any money is collected; and 2. Require written notice of the learning standards and justification when students will miss school. As I posted here then, the policy is not meant to detract from student trips, but to make sure money is not collected without approval and any sanctioned absence from school is with good reason. The policy is not excessive, nor is it contradictory to what other school districts expect–despite the story’s slant.

Ask any cop and he’ll tell you, most citizens obey the law. The same for students: most behave and are good kids. The majority of Lowell students are diverse, talented, and energetic young people who accept each other’s differences and behave well at school and sporting events. Yet, my first reaction to Tuesday’s front-page Sun article about Lowell kids fighting on YouTube was horror and dismay that our society had truly reached a new low. Schoolyard brawling, unfortunately, goes back centuries and is not a new phenomenon. Technology enables this brutality to be shared easily with the wider community and brings the viciousness into our homes. Fighting is not taken lightly in Lowell as education leaders work with police to identify culprits and stop them. In our schools, we have extensive policies to thwart bullying in all forms because this behavior is absolutely not acceptable. Even knowing that, the story disturbed me and I needed a perspective check, so yesterday I attended the Lincoln Elementary School’s annual show, and I wasn’t disappointed. Those beautiful, singing, dancing fourth graders reminded me who are children are. They performed wonderful skits they had researched about the environment as well as songs amid a colorful set they designed under the leadership of director and art teacher Erin Noonan. The songs were uplifting, snappy, and educational, with the focus on everyone doing their part to save the environment, and the kids were great.

Of course we also have troubled students, like any community, and we do not ignore the need to address these issues (which is one of our strengths), but we must also remember that the majority of our youngsters are good kids, working hard to learn and contribute to the world around them. On a final note, here are some songs from the Lincoln School show: Driving Miss Lazy “Grab a bike or take a hike, call somebody up you like, you know it’s the right thing to do,” or Turn It Off! “Yeah, turn it off when you brush, it’s a five gallon rush, turn it off (running water), turn it off (save the power), turn it off. Yeah, catch the lights and tv, don’t forget the cd, turn it off!” and It’s Our World “It’s our world and we’ll do what we can to be part of the plan…” These horrible fight videos involve a smaller number of troubled teens and must be dealt with; they do not, however, represent the majority of our kids.

If you’re around this weekend, you’ll want to attend a  meeting with Senator John Kerry and Representative Niki Tsongas on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 9 a.m. at Middlesex Community College’s Federal Building, 33 Kearney Square in Lowell. State Senator Steve Panagiotakos, chair of ways and means, will also be there along with civic, business and labor leaders. The purpose of the meeting is to share information, and discuss jobs, the Merrimack Valley, and ways to invigorate the economy. Attend this public meeting to learn firsthand from people making decisions that will impact our recovery rate, and take the opportunity to have your concerns and ideas heard.

We were driving back from the mountains last week, listening to the John Tesh radio show, when he discussed the results of a study that has lingered with me. The study was to determine who was smarter–cats or dogs. Based on a comparison of brain size to body size, cats had bigger brains. Also, when comparing neurological activity in the brains, according to Tesh, cats had almost three times more neuron activity in their brains than dogs did. But despite these factors, Tesh explained, cats were considered far less malleable than dogs; thus, their resistance to obeying even simple commands (not because they don’t know what you want). Dogs apparently have an intuit sensitivity and connection to humans, and they care about the relationship, while cats are simply not motivated to please. This does not surprise me as I think of all the times my cat has ignored my calls to cuddle, so that it feels like a gift when he chooses to sit with me finally. Dogs, on the other hand, are thrilled simply to be near their human friends–part of their pack instinct, most likely, whereas cats are loners. Either way, it feels a lot like rejection (the middle paw in your face kind) and it’s motivating me to consider switching species.

It’s a whole new world out there and we better be part of it or get left behind. Today’s Boston Globe has a two-page feature on a mom-turned-blogger who is shaking up the education scene in Boston, adding her  two cents about the schools, the education lottery, and whatever else she chooses to write about on her blog. Also today, Paul writes on Dick Howe’s site about two new Lowell-area bloggers and how they will contribute to the cyberspace community in our city. No matter what you think of certain sites, there is no doubt that through the power of the internet, individuals can contribute to the discourse in their community (and far beyond) like never before. Expressing ideas and capturing the attention of others on a mass scale used to be limited to those who had FCC licenses and printing presses, but now that power is available to any individual with a keyboard and wifi. Technology is changing the way we relate to each other (interacting with teens now requires texting ability) as well as the world around us. The opportunity to discuss issues in a public context with so many people is heady stuff that invigorates a sense of belonging and makes us less dependent on traditional media for context and meaning. It can also be a major time-robber and should be balanced with direct human connections as much as possible. (My solution is to take days off and focus on computer-free living in the moment.)

It made me sick to read today’s front-page headlines in the Boston Globe and the New York Times about the Supreme Court decision to allow corporations unlimited contributions in federal elections. The Times also ran an editorial that puts the impact of this decision in perspective. As Marie reports here, UMass Chancellor and former U.S. Representative Marty Meehan had a similar reaction. While supporters and the prevailing justices tried to frame this as a free speech issue, this ruling has opened the floodgates for undue influence from special interest groups with deep pockets—a decision that will seriously impact the number and diversity of candidates able to run viable campaigns as well as the effectiveness of incumbents to enact reforms that big business doesn’t like. Also, be prepared for the domino effect because state and local election rules likely will be next. One of the reasons I supported the Fair Vote Lowell campaign to change the city’s charter for electing local candidates was the money issue. It is already difficult for a good candidate to run an effective campaign without friends with deep pockets. In local elections, we have seen some candidates spend $100K in a state representative race, upwards of $40K for city council, and nearly $20K for a seat on the school committee. (Not that spending money always equals victory, but money buys visibility to reach voters, which becomes even more critical in larger races.) No matter how you twist it, this issue is NOT about free speech. It is about rich special interest groups having undue influence on a person’s ability to stay in office or get elected. Unchecked, this ruling will result in incumbents who cannot challenge special interest groups without serious consequences, candidates who will not be able to win without befriending big business, and many good people who will not even try. It is tough enough to get people to run for office. Making it all about the money is the exact wrong way to go.

Prior to its biweekly meeting, the Lowell School Committee will meet at 5:30 in Council Chambers tonight to discuss options related to the potential closing of the Lowell Community Charter School, and the impact the 841 students will have on district classes next year. The meeting will be televised live on cable channel 10 (should also be available on streaming video at some point through LTC). In December, Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester indicated that he will recommend closing the school at the end of the school year; the Board of Education will vote on his recommendation at its meeting on Jan. 26 in Malden. Tonight, the school committee will get more information about the charter-school students who live in Lowell, the potential impact to the district, and various options available to the board if the charter school license is revoked. I will be on WCAP tomorrow morning—sometime after 6:40—to discuss those options briefly on the radio. I will also report my thoughts on the issue here, so stay tuned.