The lobby office will be closed this Saturday, the 29th. The schedule for May appears below.

A couple of people in the building caught me line dancing at a festival last year and have asked if I could hold an informal lesson for residents sometime before Lowell’s Greek festival season starts in June. As a rule, I’d rather dance myself than teach, but I’m game to give it a shot if there’s interest. Here’s what I’m thinking:

• Location for lesson: Probably the little park out front with the nice pathways, especially since the Board just recently expressed a reluctance to deal with requests to use the atrium or other common areas in the midst of everything else they’re juggling at the moment. Other location suggestions are welcome.
• When: Probably the end of May or the beginning of June. Exactly what day, date, and time depends on the weather and what’s convenient for the interested parties.
• The dances being taught would most likely be:
  • Kalamatianos—This is an absolute favorite, and will turn up at just about any event where there’s a Greek band, including at restaurants and general festivals.
  • A basic Tsamiko—Don’t be scared off by what you see on YouTube if you search for this dance. The simplest version of a Tsamiko can be done by anyone who can count to four, dancer or not.
  • Cost: Free!!

If such an event would interest you, please let me know in the comments, and please include any thoughts or suggestions about a convenient day, time, and place.

A notice about landscaping:

Jim Wilde has planted the begonias outside on the three parking lot islands for many years but won’t be available this year. Betsy Chisholm and I ( Sally Coulter) have volunteered to get them planted. We would like some volunteers to help. Not much knowledge needed.

On Saturday, May 13, we’ll loosen the soil and add our compost. The following Saturday, May 20, we’ll plant the 45 flats of begonias on the 3 islands. If you have hand spades, shovels, and work gloves, bring them. We’ll start around 9 am and work until finished. If you could let me (Sally) know if you are coming, which days you’re available, and if you have any equipment, that would be helpful. Please also include contact info, preferably cell #, so we can be in touch if there are any changes.

The office hours for April have been posted on the office door for awhile, but here they are now as well.

The front door has been fixed and is working fine.

The main front door is currently locked due to alignment issues that keep it from closing properly, so folks need to use a different door to enter and exit the building. If you’re using the automatic door opener on the accessible front door, please stick around long enough to see that it closes without anyone tailing you in who shouldn’t be here.

As far as I know, one can’t buzz anyone in through the accessible door (although I could be mistaken), so be aware that that could be a problem. Management is aware of the situation and is working to get the main door fixed.

For folks curious about whether they’re legally allowed to drive over that curb at what used to be a legit back entrance to the Canal Place 3 parking lot—and hence, our own—the answer is “No.” It violates specific laws about driving over sidewalks since there is indeed a sidewalk along that curb.

For more details, check out this City Memorandum.

A question from a resident. Please post any answers in the comments.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience having a bulky item delivered using Amazon’s “Special Delivery” method.  The delivery indicates “Inside Entryway” which says: “The carrier will deliver your package inside your residence in the first secure location next to the front door. An adult must be present upon delivery.” Further reading online indicates this can mean almost anything.  Has anyone used this method of delivery with success here?

Thanks!

A question from Georgi:

Has anyone extended their loft area in the last five years and remembers how much it cost?

I have someone who is looking to adjust his taxes accordingly regarding the loft area that he extended to a full 10’x10’ office area. But he can’t find any paperwork on his extension or remember how much it cost.

If anybody has any idea of the cost of extending the loft from the 3 x 10 original to a 10 x 10, could they please give me a call at 978-764-5570 or email me at GeorgiSMay@cs.com. Or even just respond through the Bulletin Board…

Thanks so much.

The snow emergency parking ban will be lifted at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, the 15th. Cars taking advantage of the free garage parking offered to downtown residents during a snow emergency must remove their cars from the city garage by 10:00 a.m. or they’ll incur charges.