You have two cats!
Yes! and you watch nerd TV. Star Wars, and Star Trek, and Star Gate, and Star everything!
The City Hall Annex is like a time capsule.
Built in 1913, much of the interior looks like a Hollywood movie set.
This must be where they keep office supplies. Once the building is demolished, where will city employees get their pencils?
All modern offices should have a jail cell, or two.
Is that wiring up to code?
Asbestos floor tiles?
I need some railing like that for my house.
And wood work too.
Worlds oldest municipal elevator.
Heating and cooling appears to be an afterthought.
Are these blocks limestone?
Public employees love their jobs so much that they had to put these bars on the windows to keep them out after hours.
Looks like a few of them tried to break in.
MIFA is the the group working to restore the Victory Theatre.
MIFA's office is located in the Bank of America building on Suffolk St. On the way over I couldn't help to notice the guy who styles himself as "The Marquess of Holyoke" sitting in purple splendor on Maple St. I really should have a proper interview with him.
Over the years MIFA has persuaded many well known artist to come to Holyoke. Too bad there isn't a vibrant community to great them.
MIFA's office has a great view of the Victory Theatre, and Mount Tom in the distance.
I was happy to see a many people I already knew. Olivia Mausel, chair of the Holyoke Historical Commission, served drinks. Seen here talking to Brendan Ciecko, too young to have the type drink he really wanted. I got distracted talking to Brendan, and his Girlfriend Elisabeth. It's nice talking to someone who sees Holyoke for what it can be, not what it currently is. Brendan is full of facts about the architecture of Holyoke.
Donald Sanders, Executive Director of MIFA, spoke about the accomplishments of MIFA, and in such a nice way asked for $25 million to fix the Victory. Last I knew it was $10 million. I still don't know if he was joking about the inflated price tag.
After the open house a few of us went exploring the mostly vacant Bank of America Building. Former tenants left behind all sorts of things. My neighbor Amy Johnquest tries out a stylist chair. I was surprised to see her at the open house. I had no idea she is an artist, and she has some really cool stuff! Check it out.
Later the issue of the Mayor's new redevelopment plan came up. Particularly the demolition of the city hall annex. So we walked over to see just how bad the annex building is.
Brendan couldn't see why the city would tear down a perfectly good building like the Annex. I had not given it any serious thought until last night. I can see the mayor's point of view, we already have too much vacant property in town including the Smith building right next to the Annex. But then again the Smith is in really bad shape, and the annex looks usable.
Yes, this was taken by me in Holyoke.
Looking for someone to claim the abandoned state representative seat for Holyoke once held by Michael Kane who is missing and presumed incompetent.
Also looking for someone to claim the state senate seat held by Michael Knapik who is hiding out in Westfield. He is wanted by Holyoke voters for cowardice in the face of adversity.
When the company went into bankruptcy, everyone was told to leave and the mill was locked up. Everything was left in place. All the machinery, rolls of paper, company archives, personnel files, everything was left in there.
The remainder of the building is now completely unsecured. besides the open doors from the fire men gaining entry, people have been breaking in for quite some time. Ransacking, vandalizing, and stealing anything of value.
Charred telephone pole across the street.
A steady stream of people visited the site to take pictures, or scope the scrap metal opportunity. I saw two guys in a truck with scrap metal already in it. Overheard: We'll come back later.
A Deputy Chief came in to assess the increasing smoke coming from a deep corner of the Mill.
It wasn't long before a fire truck arrived to add more water.
Canal Duck is on scene
Bill at the Local Buzz has an interesting conversation with Craig Della Penna about the canal walk.
Another website of local interest has been updated recently. ABC40's news site received some much needed attention from WorldNow. The same company that maintains 22news website.
The game starts at 6:30pm against the Keene Swampbats. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for kids and Sr citizens. Children under six enter for free.
Found on the train tracks near Commercial Street
April 20th
June 10th
*update* June 11th
April 20th
June 10th
*update* June 11th
