I’m disgusted. This guy collects really cool signs and stores some in one of the best maintained buildings downtown, Prime Manufacturing. He wants to light some during Third Thursday, but according to the Item, is threatened not to by the city!?!?
This is where the city gets it wrong when it comes to bringing Downtown Lynn around. It needs to focus on encouraging the talent and the people who are there, like David Waller, to make it cool again. It needs to attract artists and people who collect vintage signs… etc. You get the idea.
This is the article: http://itemlive.com/articles/2008/08/06/news/news01.txt
This is the Lynn Happens where you can more freely and instantly talk about it:
http://lynnhappens.com
Names. Web sites. Addresses. Phone numbers, maybe.
I’d like to know every spot in or very near to Lynn that hosts live music, DJ’s, theatre, performances of various kinds, art exhibits, etc.
I have done and will continue to do some of that research, myself. But, I don’t want to miss anyone. Please send me your venue information!
The list will be compiled on http://lynnhappens.com.
In related news, the forums have been receiving visitors, but they’re not signing up and posting. I can only guess it’s because they don’t see much going on there to add to. Some people have to be among the first participants! Get to it. 
In the meantime, flyers have been ordered. I’m thinking about bumper stickers, but don’t want people sticking them on public property and whatnot. We’ll see.
Different look. Different stuff. Check out the newer new http://lynnhappens.com
UPDATE: The login-loop is only happening with Firefox, now. Internet Explorer works fine. Dust off your IE icon and give it a shot. They will fix the problem with Firefox. I have no idea about Safari. Report back on that.
For anyone who has tried lynnhappens.com and attempted to use the forums linked from there:
It’s a free service except for the small monthly fee to keep Google generated ads off the site, which I think is worth it when some ads are for mail order brides and scam artists. Anyway, I set up the board right after freeforums.org had done a server and software upgrade. It did not go smoothly. If you get stuck in a “log-in loop” or it loads slowly, be sure that the good folks at freeforums.org are losing sleep to try to fix it. I’ll only switch to a new forum hosting service after I know they’ve put in good effort. I’m not so sure I can lose the banner ads from the other services out there, though.
-Seth
LynnHappens.com, a community portal site and depository for neighborhood organization links, events, hyper-local citizen journalism and so forth is in the process of being built.
However…
The LynnHappens Forums are now LIVE!!! They are fully functional while the ‘look’ is still being worked on.
I figure - Why not use them already?
You must register to post in certain areas. It’s completely free.
On Wednesday, July 9th, I took my camera on the first of what may be a series of walks around Central Square. Funny. It almost landed me a job taking a photo for a kid’s Hip Hop release. It was the part about him being between two pit bulls when I take the photo that made me turn it down. Anyway, the purpose wasn’t to photograph a movie shoot this time or to help a local kid rise to stardom. I’ve been concerned about how the area gets trashed (literally - it’s everywhere) and about an apparent increase in vandalism. It looked better here this time last year.
It’s open!!!
Trash.
\
Ugly but at least not vandalized.
Could something nicer go in that window? Show some pride!
It’s a funny thing. Those vacant storefronts with clear windows I didn’t even photograph. They showed no signs of vandalism and were well kept. If I were looking to locate a business here, those are the landlords I’d want to lease from. Soapy and papered windows are ugly and to me are not a sign that property owners are trying very hard to welcome new businesses or to make people feel comfortable walking the streets. If anyone at City Hall is reading, these concerns matter far more than any ridiculous sign ordinance. I do like the effort made next to Lynn Arts to use the vacant space to display art. However, the installation could have a more professional look. The paper backing fades and looks ugly over time. Feel free to comment.
City of Lynn › Create New Post!!
The other day I thought someone had leased an empty corner store. It turns out that it’s a set for a film. It’s just down the street.
The crew’s port-a-potties are uncomfortably close to being under my windows and parking is limited, but I’m glad they’re here!
I hope I get to watch some of the action.
It’s been a while, but this will not become another one of those abandoned blogs. There have been a few things on my mind as of late.
The first one I’d like to point out is this few-day-old article at the Item:
http://itemlive.com/articles/2008/05/13/news/news03.txt
It’s that Downtown Sign Ordinance again. Most of the comments below the article are the usual unproductive nonsense, but a few are worth reading. Mine is under “mediaseth.” I urge you to add your own comment opposing the sign ordinance. I also think a good lawyer could defeat this one. I’m no legal expert, but unless you’re in a private development, such a Route 1 strip mall, I’m not so sure you can tell every building and business owner that the sign has to conform to the exact same style of gold lettering on a black background. It only looks good on some buildings and is not appropriate for everyone. I’m also fairly sure that no one who has moved into Downtown Lynn has done so because they enjoy uniform (boring) signs.
SAFETY AND CENTRAL SQUARE
I’m quick to say that Lynn is not as bad as outsiders think it is. It’s true. I think people’s perceptions of the downtown area are its biggest obstacle to revival. Third Thursdays have helped. But last Third Thursday, our building was broken into. We’re still not sure how. It’s also not the first or second time our building has been breached in some fashion. Our incompetent developer may have presented too good of an opportunity through an issue they have yet to address, or a door may have been left open, or who knows.. Our security issues are being “fixed” so don’t think this is your chance, either! We just have to bypass the Mayo Group and get it done ourselves if we want it done right. I’ve lived in worse neighborhoods with less worry. For the first time in my life, I’m installing an alarm in my residence. Also, I know their budget is tight, but I’d like to at least hear what the Lynn Police have in mind for tackling crime in our neighborhood. I would also like to request a “Public Safety” meeting with the Police and City Council - in the Summer, when I have time, of course..
On a related topic…
I’ve seen a rise in graffiti and vandalism in Central Square. I would have taken photos if I had the time. My concern is that ‘tags’ are not being cleaned or covered quickly enough and that they’re only inviting more. It’s the “Broken Windows” theory of policing. Speaking of which, some broken windows need to be addressed, too. Also, Raw Arts could teach these taggers a thing or two because their work is terrible!
Speaking of…
I love what RAW ARTS has done with their first floor and facade! It’s modern without detracting from the character of the old building and just a little bit “edgy,” which I think Downtown Lynn needs more of. More!
http://itemlive.com/articles/2008/03/21/news/news08.txt
See the discussion below the article.
The new next door neighbors have made an effort to keep things down, more or less. I can tell that they are at least trying, because the wall is so thin I can hear the sound of that. But, they have a teenager and a young child. There’s nothing like hearing “Flaaaava Flaaaave” shouted as you’re about to finally drift off to sleep. Maybe I should shout various celebrity names back at them?
They also thud, crash, stomp and slam various things a lot. The floors of my building, at least, are very solid. Somehow they manage to shake them. They slam their kitchen cabinets and draws hard enough to wake me up, and that’s with a closet full of clothes between me and their kitchen.
I half-blame my neighbors. I fully blame the party responsible for finding sheet rock with complete sonic transparency. Why would they even make sheet rock like that? Isn’t the point of it to separate rooms from each other? How much money did they really save by not doing some sort of sound-proofing between units? That’s the incompetency of the Mayo Group.
I’m changing my tone..
I was not going to make this another blog about Mayo when I started, but they have driven me to it. I may as well also bring up the screen for one of my windows that they are legally obligated to provide based on papers signed at closing over a year ago. It’s still not there. They always say “Yes,” but never follow through.
As I walk through downtown Lynn and see Mayo signs posted everywhere, I realize that the economy is only part of the reason the revival has come to a near-halt. The real reason is Mayo’s reputation. I have not spoken to one person, be they a commercial space tenant, renter or buyer who has had nice things to say about The Mayo Group.
The word gets around.
I haven’t slept more than an hour or three since the new neighbors moved in next door. The exception was Saturday night in Providence. Without that, I’m not sure I could sit upright to type this. The graphic may suggest that they play loud music often. I just couldn’t find a better one. They play music sometimes, but are always being loud in a general sense.
The first encounter was Friday night. At this point, I can’t believe I even felt bad about complaining on a weekend. I did. The weekends are for fun. But imagine you woke up to find your bed in the middle of your neighbors loud living room. That’s exactly what it sounded like, but thankfully still with the privacy of a wall between us.
I was alarmed that there was a toddler-aged kid in there running around playing, screaming and coughing at three in the morning. I don’t blame the kid. I blame the kids who live there that are parents. They are all kids - kids keeping their kid and their neighbor up past their bedtimes. I knew everything that was going on because I could hear everything. So, I knocked on the door. No response. I tried to go back to sleep. No luck. I knocked on the door louder the next time. No response.
They moved in to one of the leftover units that our developer, The Mayo Group, has been unable to sell due to the whole real estate mess and also their awful reputation as developers. I was initially supportive of the idea because it beat having the unit next to yours sell for a lot less. It would bring values down perhaps more than having a few renters. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with renting. I had done it for twelve years prior to moving here almost a year ago. I’m not that sort of snob.
I came back Sunday afternoon from visiting with my girlfriend in Providence and met them for the first time in the hallway. I decided to just be nice and neighborly. The strategy was that if they got to know and like me, they’d be more careful not to disturb me. So, I didn’t bring the incident up. We exchanged names and shook hands. They were nice. They looked to be about sixteen years old with child, but that can’t be accurate.
Later than evening I heard a stereo playing some crappy whining modern-day diluted and sanitized “pop-punk” or maybe it was “emo” or something. It was loud. I kind of wanted to put some Husker Du (the real thing) on my bedroom stereo to show how it’s done but then I remembered that I grew up, somewhat. I figured the adult thing to do would be to knock on the door to let them know I’d need it turned down by about 9:30pm. So, I did. The guy was real nice I was surprised that they turned it down right away. That made me feel kind of bad about asking.
I don’t feel bad, anymore. I was up until 2 or 3am. I knocked on the door three times. They answer, now. They told me all sorts of things about how they’re trying and it’s their kid and so forth. However, it has not been their kid. It was them. I heard loud talking, clanking and banging and only the occasional outburst from the child who probably should have been in bed.
I tried to be diplomatic. I told the guy-kid at the door that it’s not all their fault because the walls are super thin but that I absolutely had to sleep. I said we needed to work something out. He made a joke about us meeting for a “truce” or at least I think that’s what he said and I went to bed feeling a little better about them. Until…
Fifteen minutes later they broke out the acoustic guitar.
I was up until 3-4am. I woke up at 6:30am (an hour late) to call in sick to work because I can not teach without sleep. Then, I heard some stupid morning radio show come on. I couldn’t even sleep-in the next day!!!
I will have to stay with a friend if this continues tonight. I can’t even sleep in my own condo anymore.
I heard from another neighbor that she saw a bunch of them (we’re still trying to figure how many they’ve crammed in there) were drinking beer in the back stairwell.
I hate to be the heavy. I’m not a “Get off my lawn!” sort of old man. I’m not even old. When I’m put into a position where I have to be like this, my frustration is only compounded by how much I hate being like this…if that makes any sense. What I mean by “being like this” is that next time, I’m calling the cops. I’m already going to call the management office as soon as it opens. Any advice is appreciated.
Update: Situation resolved. When I need to use the lot again in the Summer, I’ll have to work out a “special” deal so that they’re aware upfront I only need June-July-August. It seems as though they’re used to long term users and don’t really have a standard way of addressing on-again off-again parkers. For shorter vacations, the T Garage is a better alternative at only two dollars a day.
First of all, I’d like to say that this is the friendliest parking department I’ve ever dealt with - not that I’ve dealt with many. In fact, people at Lynn City Hall are generally very nice and will go out of their way to help someone. I don’t dread bureaucratic run-arounds when I go there at all.
The problem is that with two jobs, I hardly have the time to go there at all. I can’t even make their 8pm closing times on Tuesdays.
That’s how I got myself in a bit of a jam. As a teacher, my schedule changes in the Summer. I need to keep my car parked downtown later into the day, which necessitates a lot. I was using the Buffum St. lot through pretty much the end of August. The tag for my car said it expired on Oct. 7th. You can pay upfront. [They don’t send monthly bills, either way. You have to just remember to pay.] So, I let it expire - or so I thought!
Apparently, the expiration on the tag only means that the tag expires. Literally. I recently received a letter from the Parking Department saying I was past due. Over $200 past due. There is a piece of paper they give you when you first get your tag that actually says to call if you are no longer going to use the lot, but what isn’t clear is that even if your tag expires, you still must call. I don’t understand the purpose in that. I don’t see the point in stamping unique expiration dates on the parking tags if they don’t actually expire. One could be paid up and still have an expired tag, or behind two months and still have a current tag. How do they keep track?
I wonder. Is there a way the Parking Department can remain personable while leaping into the 21st century? Would I’d really like is the ability to pay and keep track of my status online. They told me I could have sent a letter when I was there yesterday. How quaint!
I’m going to bring them the original tag today, as part of some sort of appeal process, I suppose. If I didn’t have school vacation I don’t even know how I would do this. Oh yeah.. the mail. At least they’re nice. I’ll post an update when I have one. In the meantime, if you live downtown and maybe want to park there, consider yourself notified.
There’s one of us there every Friday. We’re DJ’s.
There’s http://radioscotvoid.com/default.aspx RADIOSCOTVOID,
myself,
DJ Ondrej!
and http://www.machine475.com/ Machine 475.
That seems to be the order, but check with http://www.gulu-gulu.com
and remember that Friday is part of your weekend.
This has been a public service announcement. “…with guitar!”
Do you think some signs would work? I don’t think they would, but I don’t know what would. I recently witnessed a car pull up to the Central Square Dunkin Donuts. A woman opened the passenger-side door and not so much tossed but dropped a white paper bag full of garbage as if she were making observations about gravity. But, that assumption gives her too much credit. She then opened her door wider and walked to the Dunkin Donuts. The guy driving got out of the car shortly after. I wanted to say something, but this guy looked like he could beat me up with one hand tied behind his back even without using his limbs.
The amount of litter I see and the littering I witness in action makes me wonder if that famous PSA from the 1970’s with the Native American crying at the end ever aired in these parts. In the Spring the Downtown community banded together and conducted a massive trash pickup in which I participated. I may be relatively knew to the neighborhood, but I am now angered on a personal level when people passing through treat it like a dump. There are plenty of trash receptacles. There is even one close enough, at least, to the Dunkin Donuts. (I don’t hold Dunkin Donuts responsible). So, I ask the question that always gets asked, “What is wrong with people!?” I also ask anyone who cares, “How do we change people’s attitudes so that they respect the area?” I don’t know.
This has been a busier than average time for me, but I still have plenty to say.
More to come…
“Dear Mayor Clancy,
You’re doing it wrong….”
When I first moved here, I learned about the sign ordinance. Every sign downtown must be in gold letters on a black background. It looks great on the Lynn Museum and a few other businesses, but once every place goes gold and black downtown will look like a suburban strip mall. I say that because suburban strip malls are the only groups of stores I know of that have identically-styled signs. Hip and vibrant downtowns are supposed to have funky signs, colorful signs, nostalgic signs and signs that actual artists were involved in the making of. One only needs to look to Jamaica Plain, parts of Cambridge, Somerville, or other neighborhoods that have come back from a slump. Heck, even Beverley has cooler signs.
Then I learned that “Chip” would like to roll back the hours of alcohol-serving establishments. http://cityoflynn.upsidemedia.com/?p=5
I probably said enough in my previous post about this, so there’s the link. This is the Item article on the decision: http://itemlive.com/articles/2007/12/20/news/news01.txt
I do believe that Mayor Clancy wants downtown to revive. I can not understand how he thinks those two steps will help in any way. I wonder what the rest of his plan is and I fear it.
I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I know what I’ve seen.
I have seen urban downtowns and neighborhoods come back that people thought never would come back. I saw it happen in neighborhoods of NYC, Hoboken, Jersey City, parts of Providence, and the decade I spent living in Jamaica Plain. They have all revived mainly because young people wanted to hang out there. It started mostly with artists, arts venues, unique but affordable cafes and restaurants, and of course, some sort of nightlife. Next, trendy shops with quirky wares started to open and it was no longer just “kids” hanging out, but whole families strolling, window shopping and buying ice cream. Then, a combination of recent college graduates and empty-nesters started to move in and it got a little lame (and expensive) for the hipsters, who moved on to the next new thing. (The Williamsburg section of Brooklyn is a great example.) I’d rather not get to the lame stage, but we’re not even hip yet.
Who wants to open up a record store? I need a local spot to shop for vinyl. REAL records! Oh, and a used book store would also be nice. But, it won’t be me. I will open no such place until I know the leadership in Lynn is open to the idea of downtown reaching its full potential. I do not believe they have that vision. Besides, nobody is going to tell me what colors to use in my sign. Nobody.
Some samples with a link to a slideshow. High-bandwidth connection recommended.
http://upsidemedia.smugmug.com/photos/sspopup.mg?AlbumID=3994790
and a street…