Catherine Arning chosen as MRWC Director.

Lowell, MA – Catherine Arning has joined the Merrimack River Watershed Council as its new executive director.  This concludes a search process that began after the MRWC’s previous director, Christine Tabak, left in May to accept a new position with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Most recently, Arning served for three years as the Director of Education at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Rhode Island.  Earlier career positions included six different leadership roles at environmental organizations, including Coastal Encounters Environmental Center in Georgia and theNew Canaan Nature Center in Connecticut.  Additionally, she ran a loggerhead sea turtle research program from 2002-2007 and helped to found the Georgia Sea Turtle Center in Jekyll Island, Georgia.  Her involvement in aquatic conservation first began while studying Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I am thrilled to join the MRWC and very much look forward to continuing the important mission of preserving and protecting the Merrimack River,” Arning said.  “It is a privilege to help build upon the important work the MRWC has done for over three decades.”

Please stop by the Merrimack River Watershed Council’s new office in Lawrence to meet Catherine or to discuss questions, concerns, or ideas for future programs.  She can be reached via phone at 978-655-4742, or by email: carning@merrimack.org

Former River Hawks hockey players to be honored.

Craig Charron, Bob Kearin and Michael Murray will be honored by UMass Lowell on October 22, 2010

LOWELL, MA – Former hockey standouts Craig Charron (’90), Bob Kearin (’73) and Michael Murray (’94) will be inducted in the Legends of Lowell, formerly named the UMass Lowell Hockey Hall of Honor,  on Friday, October 22, as the River Hawks take on Providence in the Tsongas Center.

The pre-game ceremony, coinciding with the 3^rd Annual Riley Reunion Night, will recognize their impressive accomplishments as members of the UMass Lowell hockey program. The celebration will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a reception, video tributes and brief speaking program, followed by the game at 7:00 p.m.

Legends of Lowell: The Long Red Line ties the grand history of Lowell hockey together in a magnificent new display located at the TsongasCenter. Last year witnessed greats Paul Ames, Gary Bishop, Mike Carr, Jeff Daw, Tom Jacobs, Dean Jenkins, Paul Lohnes, Craig MacTavish, Jon Morris, and Dwayne Roloson join renowned UMass Lowell hockey coach Bill Riley in the Legends of Lowell.

To RSVP for the 3^rd Annual Riley Reunion Night, please contact Katie Gill in the hockey office. She can be reached via phone at 978-934-4954 or email at kathleen_gill@uml.edu. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and include a ticket to the River Hawks’ game at 7:00 p.m.

Charron skated for four seasons and served as captain of the 1989-90 squad. Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, Charron finished his career as the second leading scorer in the program’s Division I history. Ranked 13^th among all scorers, he tallied 148 points on 64 goals and 84 assists in 142 career games. During his tenure, ULowell appeared in its first ever Division I NCAA Tournament in 1988.

Kearin wore the Chiefs sweater as a defenseman in the early ‘70’s, guiding the program during its infancy. A prolific scorer, Kearin potted 62 goals and 58 assists in only 62 career games. Still the 26^th highest scorer in program history, only three players attained more points in as many or fewer games. Kearin was previously inducted into the UMass Lowell Hall of Fame in 1992.

Murray captained the 1993-94 team that went 25-10-5 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament under head coach Bruce Crowder. Tied for 17^th on the all-time scoring list, Murray had 134 points on 67 goals and 67 assists. A ninth-round selection of the Calgary Flames,Murray was named to the All-Hockey East Second-Team as a junior.

The inductees were voted on by a selection committee comprised of former UMass Lowell hockey players, coaches and administrators.

Devil Eyes [Montreal CA]
+
Loup-Garou featuring Mike Dailey & Emily Jayne [Lowell, Montreal CA]
+
Stephanie Lak [Lowell]

“…raboteux, cru, sale, méchant, dans ta face.” – Bang Bang

“…a bone-melting full-length incorporating sultry blues, garage and swamp rock that will shake your soul. ” – Magnet Magazine

“…a scabrous mix of overdriven guitars and unhinged vocals on songs straight out of whatever primeval swamp first unleashed garage rock.” – listendammit.com

“…plus amusant qu’un baril de singes” – Voir

“Devil Eyes pay homage to the lineage of truly raucous rock ’n’ roll… 8/10″ – Montreal Mirror

No Impact Man follows one year in the lives of New York City husband and wife team, Colin Beavan and Michelle Conlin, as they embark on a quite seemingly insane plan: reduce their carbon footprint to almost none.

The screening begins at 7pm, but there will be a meet and greet prior to the screening at 6:30.

Members of Merrimack Valley businesses, community service organizations, local government, and other not-for-profit organizations are invited to join Lowell General Hospital’s Business Leadership Forum’s fall presentation on Thursday, September 16, 2010 in Clark Auditorium. Registration and Breakfast will begin at 7:30 am with the program from 8:00-9:00am. Boston MedFlight CEO and Medical Director, Suzanne Wedel, MD, will present Boston MedFlight: 25 Years of Collaboration to discuss aspects of lifesaving transport and coordinated efforts across the region for life-saving response.

The Lowell General Hospital Business Leadership Forum is a community leadership initiative of Lowell General Hospital. The Forum offers business leaders and owners in the Greater Lowell area the opportunity to come together to discuss healthcare issues that affect their employees, businesses and community. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please contact Kathy Sullivan at 978-788-7174 or Kathy.sullivan@lowellgeneral.org to register.

Thursday, September 30th

3:30 p.m. reading by Alan Lightman, novelist and physicist (mit)
The author of “einstein’s dreams” will read from “meg: a novel about the creation”.
Alumni hall, UML North Campus, One University Avenue

4:00 p.m. “Lowell Blues” a film by Henry Ferrini.
Lowell National Historical Park (LNHP) Visitors Center–246 Market St.
(this is a daily, ongoing program of the LNHP.)

5:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Historic Kerouac Pubs Tour
Honoring the spirit of Jack Kerouac on his Lowell streets.
Begins at the Old Worthen Tavern on Worthen Street near city hall. Ends at cappy’s copper kettle–245 Central Street.
Opportunities for volunteer readings along the way.
Led by Mike Wurm. Contact Mike at 978-501-1201 if you wish to read.
*suggested $5.00 donation requested.

7:00 p.m. Opening Presentation: Russell Banks, noted american author and writer. (“continental drift”, the reserve) will talk about Jack Kerouac and read from his own fiction. A book signing will follow.
UML Inn and Conference Center. (formerly the Doubletree Hotel)
Admission: $10.00 (free to students and seniors)
contact paul_marion@uml.edu for reservations.

8:30 p.m. Music and Readings at Cappy’s Copper Kettle.
245 Central Street–about a five minute walk from the UML–cc.
Musician and composer David Amram, and Alan Crane, will perform with local musicians and selected readers.
Event coordinated by John McDermott

Friday, October 1st

9:30 a.m. Poetry and short prose competition
Lowell High School Freshman Academy Theater
43 french Street
(Use John Street entrance)

10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Ongoing children’s book illustrators program
Brush Art Gallery. next to LNHP Visitors Center. 246 Market St.
Exhibit, receptions, artist talks, book signings featuring six illustrators: David Macaulay, Chris Vanallsburg, David Wiesner, Christopher Bing, Kelly Murphy, Matt Tavares.
Also involves third grade Lowell students’ work influenced by these artists.

Check the Brush Gallery for further details and additional information.

11:00 a.m. UML campus presentation: “Jack Kerouac and the American Bohemian Tradition.”
dennis mcnally, author of desolate angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation and America and a Long, Strange Trip: the Inside History of the Grateful Dead.
UML O’Leary Library. room 222.

3:00 p.m. A walk in Doctor Sax’s woods. Led by Margarita Turcotte.
Lowell – Dracut – Tyngsboro State Park. Directions available at earlier events.
(Sorry, not handicapped accessible.)

4:00 p.m. Lowell blues. LNHP Visitors Center.

6:30 p.m. Kerouac literary walking tour: “Ghosts of the Pawtucketville Night”
A tour of some of the sites of Jack Kerouac’s Doctor Sax.
Led by Roger Brunelle. Begins at Cumnock Hall, 31 University Avenue.
*Suggested donation of $5.00.

8:30 p.m. Urban Village Artist Series (UVAS) event. Performers:
Antje duvekot, poet and folk singer.
A winner of Boston Music Awards “Outstanding Folk Act of the Year.”
Andrew Schelling, poet/essayist/writer.
Instructor at the Naropa Institute/Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics.
Samkhann C. Khoeun, editor and translator of the honored Cambodian book of poety and “O’ Maha Mount Dangrek”
Site TBA. Admission free

Saturday, October 2nd

8:30–11:00 a.m. Bus tour of the Kerouac sites of Lowell.
Led by Roger Brunelle.
Sign in at 8:15 a.m. tour departs at 8:30 from the LNHP Visitors Center, 246 Market Street. Includes stops in Centralville and Pawtucketville.
For reservations call 978-970-5000.

10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Ongoing children’s book illustrators event. Brush Gallery.

Reception from 1:00–4:00 p.m.
(see the Friday, October 1st entry for fuller details)

11:00 a.m. Commemorative at the commemorative. Kerouac Park on Bridge St.
An annual event to honor the life and legacy of Jack Kerouac.
*persons involved in the founding and early years of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac will offer some personal reflections on the 25th anniversary of the founding of LCK.
*The program will also include a tribute to the late Peter Orlovsky.

1:00–2:30 p.m. Theme speaker: “Jack Kerouac and the American Bohemian Tradition” by Dennis McNally.
Dennis McNally is the author of Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation and America; and a long, strange trip–an inside history of the Grateful Dead.
A joint program presented by LCK and the Parker Lecture Series
LNHP Visitors Center Theater. 246 Market St.

Following the theme speaker a variety of program options will be offered:

3:00–4:00 p.m. Poetry readings: Maggie Dietz (“Perennial Fall”) and Sandra Lim (“Loveliest Grotesque”)–UML English department.
UML Inn and Conference Center – junior ballroom

3:00–4:00 p.m. Discussion with fiction writers David Daniel (“Coffin Dust”), Jay Atkinson (“Paradise Road”), and Steve O’Connor (“Smokestack Lightning”).
Dharma Buns–26 a Market St.

3:00–4:00 p.m. Prose and poetry: reading from the works of Jack Kerouac.
Award-winning poet, painter, and short story writer Mariliene Phipps-Kettlewell, and Kerouac’s brother-in-law, John Sampas, will read from the newly published book Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg: “The Letters.”
Barnes & Noble. 151 Merrimack St.

4:00 p.m. Lowell blues. LNHP Visitors Center.

4:00–5:30 p.m. Open mike upstairs at the Worthen House.
Worthen Street near city hall. Bring your own work or the favorite of another.

4:30–6:00 p.m. “Art and Commerce” panel discussion.
Authors Anita Shreve (“A Change in Altitude”),
Ann Hood (“The Red Thread”) and
Tom Perrotta (“The Abstinence Teacher”).
Moderator: Andre Dubus (“The Garden of the Last Days”).
A book signing will follow.
UML Inn and Conference Center – junior ballroom.

5:45–6:45 p.m. Lowell Celebrates Kerouac exhibit/tour at the Pollard Library.
The Pollard Library will feature a 25 anniversary of LCK exhibit in the first floor alcove.
Tour led by Bill Walsh.
401 Merrimack St.

8:00 p.m. Event to present the Jack Kerouac center for creativity and celebrate 25 years of Lowell Celebrates Kerouac!
*Opening remarks from Lowell Celebrates Kerouac.
*Past (and present) presidents of LCK will offer their favorite Kerouac passages: Brian Foye, Richard Scott, Mark Hemenway, Lawrence Carradini, and Steve Edington.
Musical guest performance by Gypsy Trio Ameranouche
Suggested donation: $5.00 to help cover food and site costs.
UML Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren street.

Sunday, October 3rd

9:00 a.m. “Mystic Jack” literary walking tour. Led by Roger Brunelle.
A tour of the sites of Kerouac’s visions of Gerard. Negins at the old St. Louis de France church building on w. 6th St. in Centralville.
Suggested donation of $5.00 requested

11:00 a.m. Two Kerouac related documentaries: “Grave Concerns” and “On the Trail: Jack Kerouac in Cheyenne.”
Join filmmakers Brent Mason (“Grave Concerns”) and Alan O’Hashi (“On the Trail…”) in viewing and discussing their respective works.
Dharma Buns–26 a Market Street.

1:30 p.m. A walking tour of the downtown Kerouac sites of Lowell.
Led by Roger Brunelle. Leaves from Dharma Buns.
$5.00 donation requested.

3:00 p.m. Amram jam at Cappy’s Copper Kettle.
Close out the weekend with David Amram.
Share a reading of your own with David providing back up on keyboard. Long time Kerouac friend, Billy Kounentzalis will also be on hand to share his reflections on Jack.

4:00 p.m. Lowell Blues. LNHP Visitors Center.

Middlesex Community College dental clinic.

The Middlesex Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic in Lowell offers preventive dental hygiene services to the public at a reduced cost. Licensed dental hygiene faculty and dentists closely supervise the MCC Dental Hygiene teaching clinic students.

Patients accepted for treatment are those whose dental problems have teaching value and who have the extra time required for treatment. Services include comprehensive dental hygiene care, oral prophylaxis (cleaning), scaling and root planing, dental radiographs, dental sealants, athletic mouth protectors and fluoride treatments. Because the clinic is a learning facility, clients may be required to return for several appointments in order to complete the necessary treatment.

Fall semester clinic hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, while the college is in session (September through December). Appointments must be scheduled in advance. Fall appointments can be made starting Sept. 9.

The Dental Hygiene Clinic is located in MCC’s Health, Science & Technology Center, 44 Middle St., Lowell.  Call 978-656-3250 to schedule an appointment.

Interested in selling your goods for a good cause? Rent a table for only $25.00 with 10% of your proceeds going to the Park. More information about renting a table can be found by downloading the pdf on the Friends of Rogers Fort Hill Park website: http://www.forthillpark.org/documents/RecycledHomegoods2010v3.pdf

Be on the lookout for a missing White Alaskan Malamute named Grizzly.

One year old grey and white Alaskan Malamute last seen on Friday in Tewksbury

Greater Lowell, MA – Lowell Unleashed has issued a missing dog alert for the Merrimack Valley, and the organization is asking for the assistance of the public during this Labor Day weekend. Please be on the lookout for a missing dog in the area. Grizzly is a 1 Year Old Grey and White Alaskan Malamute. He stands very tall, is very friendly and will come if called.

Grizzly was last seen on Friday, September 3 in the Marston St. area of Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He was seen being picked up by a young couple in an automobile. Unfortunately, they do not have any details about the make or model of the vehicle. Grizzly is not wearing ID tags but he is microchipped.

Please, if you, or someone you know has seen Grizzly or knows the people that have him, please contact his owners: Branden and Lianna at (978) 397-8575 or you may contact The Barkery. You can reach them by phone at (978) 858-3644 or by email at thebarkery@thebarkeryonline.com.