Stuff I Missed in May

Last month started out good, in blogging terms. I was getting back on track, posting regularly, but then I started to get very busy. I had taken a lot of photos, but just couldn't get a breather from all the meetings, events, and campaign kick offs to sit down, and start writing. At this point I am forced to admit that I won't catch up, so here is an abbreviation of things I missed in May.


Day 2 of the Spring Open Studios event entitled 'Pulp Fiction' was a lot of fun. After many years of David Scher's Canal Galley carrying the torch, the burgeoning Arts/Canal District looks is finally winning over Holyoke with the younger Paper City Studios making itself a welcome addition to Holyoke's culture.




On May 10th I visited the almost completed Jones Ferry Boathouse.




Pulaski Park is such a gem in the downtown.




On May 14th the Friends of Pulaski Park presented to the Conservation Commission, a request for permission to remove invasive species and complete Vista Pruning at the Park. The issue is complicated because it involves PanAm railroad property adjacent to the park.



At the same Conservation Commission meeting New England Environmental outlined just how much of the tree clearing at Mountain Park had gone into the wetlands. It turns out they went right smack dab into them, well beyond the 100 foot, and 50 foot buffers. (Disturbed wetland areas are shown in dark purple in the photo below) No one from the press besides yours truly was at the meeting. The Republican ran this story the very next day. I'm mildly amused by the leverage Eric Suher has on the Republican. The days of impartial news reporting are totally dead. The way things are going, I fear the Republican may soon follow.




The Open Square gallery is displaying the works of Julian Halpern, and Michael Martindell through the end of June. Here are some scenes from the opening reception on May 15th.




I finally visited the Dam Cafe' last month too. It's a really nice place with great food. Just wish they had later hours, and were located in the downtown, not that the current location is bad at all. It's just not where I want it. :)




Check out the colorful graffiti. Is it art, or vandalism?




The May 29th Open Performance Salon at Gonzo Comix was crazy, and fun. I love taking photos at these events. This months performance included a homemade instrument called the electrolux-a-pipe-a-phone.