Updates 6/17/13

Lowell was recently featured in an ABC News piece, “6 Hidden Travel Gems Off the Beaten Path!” ABC recognized the Lowell National Historical Park and had this to say about Lowell’s rich history:

“Learn about the grittier side of New England history at the Lowell National Historical Park, about 45 minutes from Boston. Several exhibits and programs bring Lowell’s mill town past to life.

“There are canal boat rides that demonstrate the lock system, an actual mill re-established to show the textile machinery in action, and museums with exhibits about the ‘mill girls’ who worked in the industry, about the various immigrant populations that have flocked to Lowell over the centuries and into the present, etc. It’s history presented in an enjoyable and meaningful way.”"

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/popular-vacation-attractions-off-beaten-path/story?id=19363519#2

—–

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is hosting a public forum on its plans to prepare for environmental emergencies and protect public and campus safety on Monday, June 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Trustees Room at Cumnock Hall, North Campus, 31 University Ave., Lowell. Students, faculty, staff and members of the public are invited to attend. The university is updating its hazard mitigation program, which outlines steps it will take to keep the campus and community safe before, during, and after natural and manmade disasters and hazards, including hurricanes and floods.

This project is supported by a three-year grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Other UMass campuses, including Boston, Dartmouth and Worcester, are also participating in the project.

Representatives from the engineering firm Woodward & Curran, the university’s partner on this project, will deliver a short presentation on the plan’s development and the work that has been completed to date.

Members of the public are invited to contribute their ideas for possible inclusion in the plan.

For more information, contact the University’s Department of Environmental and Emergency Management at 978-934-2618.

—–

The Middlesex 3 Coalition celebrates Small Business Week!

Since 2008, in conjunction with the National Small Business Week celebration held annually in Washington, D.C., the City of Lowell has recognized its small business community by holding a One-Stop Business Resource Fair. For the first time in six years the Lowell Resource Fair has evolved into a regional event with the Middlesex 3 Coalition. This event will include a one-stop business resource fair that includes manyorganizations from the five communities in the Middlesex 3 Coalition that provide technical, financial, procurement, networking and other business-support services. The event will also include a CEO luncheon.

When: June 19, 2013
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: Cross Point, 900 Chelmsford Street, Lowell, MA 01851

(Parking information: http://www.lowell.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/Parking%20Information.pdf)

Schedule Of Events:
10:00 to 1:00- One-Stop Small Business Resource Fair (Free)
12:00-1:00- CEO Luncheon with Bobbie Carlton
Co-Founder of Mass Innovation Nights and Founder of Carlton PR & Marketing
and Recognition of Scott Fallavollita of United Tool & Die Co., SBA Massachusetts 2013 Small Business Person of the Year
(First 100 lunches will be generously sponsored by Enterprise Bank)

Read Full Post »

2nd Annual Acre Festival!

Please join Acre A.C.T.I.O.N & Western Avenue Studios to celebrate the 2nd annual Acre Festival!

North Common Ampitheater

Saturday, June 8, 11 AM to 4 PM

Read Full Post »

City of Lowell Engages Local Artists to Help Promote the City

[LOWELL, MA— May 23, 2013] The City of Lowell has been rebuilding itself through historical redevelopment and the creative economy since the 1980’s.  Now home to a large artist’s community, as well as the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College, Lowell has become known for its wealth of artistic activity and resources.  So this year, when the City decided to create a marketing campaign, it made sense to turn to that local community.   The result  was a campaign of ads, films, and marketing materials that have made it into malls, the backs of buses, movie theaters, and people’s shopping carts, all designed by established and emerging Lowell artists.

“We’ve been talking about how important the creative economy is to Lowell for years now.  It just made sense that we would tap them when we were looking for some creative ideas to promote the City,” said Economic Development Director Theresa Park. 

The campaign first got off the ground when University of Massachusetts professor Karen Roehr approached the City about a grant she had received for her students to design a comprehensive marketing campaign for a business.  Roehr thought the City would be the best entity to promote and approached City Manager Bernie Lynch about the idea. “We weren’t entirely sure what to expect when we agreed to work with the students,” said Lynch, “but we are extremely pleased with the results.”

The UMass campaign designed by Jason Taylor, Juliana DeSouza, and Mike Noonan was incorporated into a series of ads promoting everything from dining and galleries to baseball and affordable housing.  The ads have been appearing in the Burlington Mall, as well as in MBTA bus shelters and on bus tails that have been travelling throughout the greater Boston area. 

 

The success of the UML campaign encouraged the City to reach out again to the community, this time with a pair of marketing contests:  the design of a “Lowell Bag” to be used for distribution at special events like the Lowell Folk Festival, and the creation of a 15-second ad to appear in movie theaters.  

Graphic designer Chase Compton won the bag competition by creating a stylized image of a factory with an entirely upper-cased LOWELL embedded in the design.  The winning picture was screen printed onto bags and sewn by local manufacturer UnWrapped, keeping the whole process “in-house”. 

Three artists shared the award for the best 15-second film.  Former New York ad man Peter Pedulla and local photographer Adrien Bisson teamed up to create a fast-paced montage of “what’s to like about Lowell,” narrated by local actresses Obehi Janice and Jacqueline O’ Kelly. The film is currently being shown at the Showcase Cinemas in Woburn and begins screening in Burlington and Methuen later this spring.  The second film was created by Lowell filmmaker Joey Sylvester and presents a series of scenic vistas of Lowell over which are superimposed the defining characteristics of the City, including creativity and courage. 

While this is the first time the City has created a marketing campaign with local talent, it won’t be the last.  The Office of Economic Development is already working on plans to create a series of films to promote local businesses.  Park had this to say about the decision: “When you have the rich resources that we have here in Lowell, the adage ‘buy local’ is easy to achieve.”

Both winning films, Compton’s bag design, and the ad campaigns created by UMass Lowell can be viewed on the City’s website, www.lowell.org.

Pedulla/Bisson link

https://vimeo.com/62023445

Sylvester link

https://vimeo.com/57593352

###

About The City of Lowell

A crossroad of commerce and creativity, the City of Lowell is a diverse urban environment. Named one of the best places to live by Boston Magazine, the City is characterized by its established arts community, distinct residences and commercial vitality.  The fourth largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Lowell is home to an eclectic mix of cultural attractions and events including the Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell National Historical Park, Lowell Memorial Auditorium and the Tsongas Arena.  A leader in urban redevelopment, Lowell offers a variety of residential and commercial space from renovated mills to modern high-rises.  Strategically located at the intersections of Routes 495, 93 and 3, Lowell has established itself as a leading business and entertainment destination throughout Massachusetts and Greater New England. 

Read Full Post »

Pollard Memorial Library – Board of Trustees Opening

There is an Open position on the Pollard Memorial Library’s Board of Trustees. The position is volunteer based, helps oversee the general care, administration, and policy making for the library, and meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Please contact Lynda Clark (lclark@lowellma.gov, 978-674-1001) for more information.

Read Full Post »

Athenian Corner Serves Up Huge Energy Savings

The Athenian Corner, a local mainstay here in downtown Lowell, has a nice feature on www.energy.gov website, detailing the success the small business has enjoyed since utilizing the BetterBuildings Lowell Energy Upgrade (BLEU) program. 

Some facts:

• The Athenian Corner, a family-owned restaurant in Lowell, Massachusetts, made energy efficiency upgrades that are saving it more than 41 percent in energy costs.
• The upgrades also helped improve the comfort of the restaurant, leading to increased business for the Athenian Corner.

Please visit http://energy.gov/articles/family-owned-restaurant-serves-huge-energy-savings for the full article!

 

Read Full Post »

Updates for 5/3/13

Community Teamwork, Inc. announces their Summer Workshop Series 2013!

The Family Finance Solutions Program at Community Teamwork Inc. is empowering individuals and families to make sound financial decisions through the provision of quality training, education, and resources.

DAY workshops are free, for adults only, and you must register for them. You’ll have two opportunities to win a gift card to Market Basket!

DAY workshops are held Fridays 10:00-11:00 AM:
June 7 – How to Generate Additional Income through Business Ventures
Location: Community Teamwork, Inc.

June 14 – Understanding How Investments Work
Location: Community Teamwork, Inc.

June 21 – Budgeting Tools
Location: Pollard Memorial Library

June 28 – Understanding the Cost of Living
Location: Community Teamwork, Inc.

July 12 – Credit Repair
Location: Community Teamwork, Inc.

July 26 – Protecting Your Money, Credit & Identity
Location: Pollard Memorial Library

Some workshops are being held at Community Teamwork, Inc. located at 155 Merrimack St Lowell, MA 01852 & others are being offered at the Pollard Memorial Library located at 401 Merrimack St Lowell, MA 01852, Ground FL Meeting Room.

NIGHT workshops are free, include childcare (limited space) and pizza for dinner, and you must register for them.

NIGHT workshops are held Wednesdays 6:00-7:15 PM.
June 5 – Get Smart About Credit

June 12 – Finances for Couples Part 1: Understanding Your Family Money Decisions

June 19 – Finances for Couples Part 2: Creating a Plan for Your Household

June 26 – Adapting to Sudden Life Changes

July 10 – Budgeting 101

July 24 – Talking to Your Kids about Money

July 31 – Building a Savings Cushion

Summer Workshops Series during the evening will be held at: CTI’s James Houlares Early Learning Center, 126 Phoenix Ave Lowell, MA 01852.

To register today or for more information, please call Gladys at (978) 654-5673 or online at http://www.ctifamilyfinance.org

—–

Community Teamwork, Inc.’s Financial Literacy Institute for High School Students

The Summer Financial Literacy Institute teaches real-world personal finance skills to local high school students. Students will learn how to budget, handle credit cards, how to set financial goals, and how to create an action plan to achieve their financial goals.

Students also learn how personal choices determine their roles as participants in the greater economy, and how the greater economy influences the decisions they make. This applied knowledge will give them the knowledge and confidence to successfully navigate the major financial decisions to come.

Students will meet for three days and cover the following topics:

Day 1: Money and Debt Management
• Track daily spending habits.
• Understand credit reports.
• Identify ways to decrease spending.
• Credit cards & loans.
• Identify possible ways to increase income.
• Identify helpful budgeting tools.
• Managing bills
• Creating a plan to achieve financial goals

Day 2: Consumer Economics
Students will learn to make informed decisions as they explore the opportunity cost associated with each consumer choice.

Day 3: Reality Fair
The Reality Fair will be an interactive activity where students have the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge they gained during the past two days by making the best money decisions for themselves based on their predetermined career and salary.

Dates: July 17-19, 2013
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Location: Community Teamwork Inc.
155 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852

For more information or to register, please call Gladys at (978) 654-5673 or go to http://www.ctifamilyfinance.org

—–

Calling all entrepreneurs! This summer, turn your business or non-profit idea into a reality. From June to August, the Merrimack Valley Sandbox will host a 12-week accelerator for start-ups in the region. The Sandbox Summer Accelerator will give you the opportunity to:
• Work with seasoned executive MENTORS
• NETWORK with investors, industry experts, and successful entrepreneurs
• Have access to co-shared WORKSPACE
• Participate in technical workshops in business design, fundraising, social media marketing and more
• Compete for $30K in SEED CAPITAL

There are no fees to participate and the Sandbox does not take equity from the startups in our program.
The deadline to apply is May 16th at midnight!

For more information, or to apply: http://merrimackvalleysandbox.org/entrepreneur-program/sandbox-summer-accelerator/.

—–

The deadline to register to vote in the special U.S. Senate election on June 25th is Wednesday, June 5th at 8 PM! The Election Office will be open in City Hall until 8 PM on that day. They are located in the basement of City Hall at 375 Merrimack Street. Normal office hours are weekdays from 8 AM – 5 PM

Lowell voters who are current in the census remain on the Active Voters List but must inform us in writing if they changed their name or city address, or wish to change their party affiliation by June 5th.

Lowell residents who wish to check their registration status or would like to request a mail-in voter registration form may call the Election & Census Commission at 978-674-1200.

Read Full Post »

Lowell Youth Job Fair – TODAY!`

To all of our younger friends out there who are seeking a summer job – Today is the day!!

Please make sure to drop by Lowell High School today, running from 3:00-5:00 PM, for the youth job fair. There are over 50 representatives who are all looking to hire right away!

Don’t forget to dress nicely and bring some resumes!!

When: Today from 3-5 PM
Where: Lowell High School Cafeteria
50 Father Morissette Blvd.
Lowell, MA 01852

Read Full Post »

Updates for 4/17/13

First off, we have some good news out of the Lowell Police Department! Our officers are always committed to protecting and serving the citizens of Lowell; officers are everywhere and they are always willing to help someone who needs it. Below is a letter that we received last month.

Dear Mr. Lavallee,

I am writing to you because of a life changing event that took place on March 8th, 2013 at my parents’ home in Lowell. My father had an unexpected cardiac arrest event while snow blowing his driveway. My mother, who was watching him at the time, saw his collapse and immediately called 911. The operator promptly dispatched emergency personnel to the scene.

First on the scene was one of your officers. Without hesitation, his training took over as he immediately began performing CPR. This dedicated officer, to whom my family and I are forever grateful, played a major role in saving my father’s life.

My father underwent forty-five additional minutes of CPR in the emergency room fighting for his life, followed by four days of uncertainty that he would recover. The doctors told us that if it weren’t for the quick response of the office who administered CPR, the outcome would have been tragic.

I know it may not be possible to thank this officer in person, but if you could, please pass along how his actions played a major role in saving my father’s life. I will always view this officer as a hero and I thank him for every additional day I get to spend with my dad because of his actions.

Eternally grateful,
[Redacted]

The officer in question is Scott Suave. He is assigned to LPD’s traffic unit, and at the time of the incident, was not the primary responding unit. However, upon hearing the nature of the call and realizing he was nearby, he volunteered to respond. Great job, Officer Suave! You truly exemplify what it is to be a member of the Lowell Police Department.

—–

Absentee Voting Hours Announcement:

The Lowell Election and Census Commission announces that their office in Lowell City Hall (Room 5) will be open on Saturday, April 27 from 10am until 3pm for voters who need to cast absentee ballots for April 30 special US Senate Primary. Access to city hall on Saturday, April 27 will only be available through the JFK Plaza entrance.

Under Massachusetts Law, voters may cast absentee ballots for the following reasons only:
1) absence from the City during polling hours (7am – 8pm): or
2) physical disability preventing you from going to your polling location; or
3) religious belief

Voters who are eligible to vote absentee and wish to vote over the counter may also do so during the normal weekday office hours of 8am to 5pm. The deadline to apply for absentee voting is Monday, 12:00 noon, April 29 – the day before the election. But voters who are requesting an absentee ballot through the mail are urged to request the ballot as soon as possible.

To request an absentee ballot through the mail, you may request an absentee ballot application from the Election & Census Commission or send a letter of request including the following: your name and Lowell address where you are registered to vote, the address where the ballot is to be sent, your signed name, your printed name, and reason for voting absentee. Voters who are not enrolled in a political party must also inform us which party (Democrat or Republican) ballot they would like to vote.

Voters who are not current in the census will only be allowed to vote if they submit their ballots with a copy of identification and sign an affidavit that they still reside at the given Lowell address.

For further information about your voter registration status or absentee voting procedures, please call the Election Office at 978-674-1200.

—–

Unwanted Medication Disposal:

If you have old or unwanted medications, bring them to us and we can dispose of them properly and safely. Bring your sharps too (needles and lancets)! Just make sure that they are in a puncture-proof, sealed container. And remember to remove all personal information from bottles.

Wednesday, May 15, 1 PM – 3 PM
Lowell Health Department
341 Pine Street, 01851

Residential disposal only! No commercial disposal!
If you have any questions, please call (978) 674-4304.

—–

National Grid has warned us of a national utility bill scam. Scammers, pretending to be customer service representatives, call National Grid customers and demand that they pay past due bills over the phone. In some cases, they also tell the customer that they have a faulty meter that is dangerous and will need to be replaced for a substantial fee. Note that the meter is the property of National Grid and customers ARE NOT responsible for replacement costs.

National Grid does contact customers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options, but never demands direct payment over the telephone. If customers wish, they can arrange for a payment by check, credit card or debit card if they speak directly to a customer service representative. Payment can also be made by credit card or debit card without a representative’s assistance.

To verify information and for any billing-related questions in New England, customers should call National Grid’s Customer Contact Center at
1-800-322-3223.

—–

Residents of Lowell, please be advised that if you receive a mailing from American Water Resources, it is best to just ignore it, as you would with spam mail.

The mailing may say lead you to believe that you will have to pay for insurance on, or replace the water lines that run through your property.

However, this is false and we have spoken to American Water Resources and have asked them not to distribute these flyers in the future.

Read Full Post »

Counting House Lofts Mills Development Project

Another Mill Development Project is set to get underway in the coming months, with the Winn Companies taking on a second mill re-development into loft style housing units.  The project, slated to be completed in 2014, will create 52 new housing units, with 26 being designated as affordable.  Read a more in depth post about the project here:

http://blogs.lowellsun.com/thecolumn/2013/04/09/another-lowell-mill-readies-for-build-out/

Read Full Post »

Sandbox High Growth/Tech Pitch Contest

Do you have an idea that has the potential to get BIG on a

national or international level?

Is it something that could be the next social media platform? A new invention? Or possibly a technology that can impact millions in the developing world?

Apply to the Sandbox High Growth/Tech Pitch Contest for thousands of dollars in cash prizes and feedback from industry pros!

The deadline is April 25th at midnight.

For more information or to apply, please visit the contest page.

Read Full Post »