Local News Briefs & Tidbits: 08-25-08
by Bill Dusty
TOWER SQUARE DISCOUNT PARKING CHANGE:
Starting this August, the Springfield Parking Authority has taken up the responsibility of handling all transactions for discount parking at city-owned lots, as well as discount parking at Tower Square. Anyone interested in participating in the discount parking program must now go to the SPA’s offices, which are located at 150 Bridge Street. This includes anyone purchasing discount parking for Tower Square.
According to Tower Square’s “Tower Talk” newsletter, the change is due to the city parking system’s switching to the use of parking tokens, which will replace the ticket and sticker validation program. Tower Square announced, however, that it will continue to have ticket and sticker validations available for its own garage. Note that these validations must also be purchased at the SPA offices.
CITY COUNCILOR WILLIAMS VOICES CONCERN:
In a press release dated August 19, 2008, Springfield City Councilor Bud Williams requested that the meetings of the Community Complaint Review Board (CCRB) be publicly posted. Williams said in the release that he understood that some matters before the Board may be sensitive or controversial, but in that event the Board could always move into executive session.
Williams followed up that release with a letter to the District Attorney’s Office on August 21, requesting a legal opinion on whether or not the CCRB’s meetings are subject to the State’s Open Meeting law.
The Mayor’s Office had earlier announced that meetings would be open to the public. In a press conference held this past July, Mayoral Chief of Staff Denise Jordan, who is the part-time coordinator of the CCRB, said that any future public meetings would be posted as they are scheduled.
STONE SOUL FESTIVAL AT BLUNT PARK:
The Stone Soul Festival is coming to Blunt Park this August 29, 30, and 31.
There’s not much information on their website about this year’s event, but the site’s homepage says the festival features gospel, R&B and Jazz. Last year’s event featured lots of music and even a flea market. Click here for photos of last year’s event.
CRYSTAL SENTER BROWN:
While browsing the ‘Net for information on the upcoming Stone Soul Festival, I came across the website of local performer Crystal Senter Brown. The site must have been very recently updated, too, as its “events” page disappeared from the time I discovered (Saturday) it to the time of this posting.
Brown’s website features a poetry page and plenty of pictures. There’s even a store where folks can purchase CDs and books.
Check it out!
SPRINGFIELD RIVERFRONT HEAD RACE:
The Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club will be hosting its 4th annual Springfield Riverfront Head Race on Saturday, September 6th, 2008.
The 3-mile race starts out at Memorial Bridge, Springfield, MA, and finishes at the Pioneer Valley Yacht Club, in Longmeadow, MA. The races will include Men/Women, youth, masters, and Club & Open events.
The races are set to begin at 8:30am, according to the PVRC flyer. For more information, visit this Pioneer Valley Yacht Club page, or email: rowing@pvrowing.com
PIONEER VALLEY ADVOCATES FOR COMMUTER RAIL:
The Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail (PVACR) will be holding a fund raiser event at the Springfield Central Library on September 6, 2008, in the Library’s Community Room.
The event will start at 12:00 noon, with Lt. Governor Tim Murray being the featured speaker.
The PVARC is an all-volunteer organization, and is seeking donations to help with the costs of promoting commuter rail in the Valley. There is a suggested donation of $20.
According to the group’s press release, “those interested in attending may RSVP by September 4 to the PVACR at pvacr@yahoo.com or via mail at PVACR, P.O. Box 90845, Springfield, MA 01139.”
For more information, stop by the PVACR website, here. Also, listen to a recent podcast with members of the PVACR discussing commuter rail in the Valley here.
SHAY’S REBELLION EVENTS AT STCC:
Springfield Technical Community College will play host to two events to be held at their campus on the weekend of September 12-13.
A gallery exhibition of Bryant White’s paintings illustrating Shay’s Rebellion will be held at the Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery on Friday, September 12, from 4 to 6pm. (The gallery is located next to the Pearl Street entrance to the campus.)
A new website, “Shay’s Rebellion and the Making of a Nation” will be launched and symposium will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008, from 8:45am to noontime, on the 7th floor at Scibelli Hall (Building 12). At the symposium, scholars are scheduled to discuss the continuing relevance of Shay’s Rebellion.
BON VOYAGE BUSH BBQ:
“Southwick for Barack Obama” and the Southwick Democratic Town Committee will be hosting what they’ve dubbed the “Bon Voyage Bush BBQ,” to be held at the Southwick American Legion Post #338, on Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 3:00pm.
Guests are invited to bring an item “you think George should take with him when he leaves office.” The gifts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. There will also be a dunk tank with local selectmen and a “reasonable facsimile” of President Bush as targets.
Tickets to the event are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Contact Marian at 413-569-1408 or 214-4239 for more information or advance tickets purchase.
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