I think I’ve mentioned it before but it never hurts to mention it again (thank you, Elissa for reminding me): textiles can now be recycled in Lowell rather than cluttering up the trash stream. Information about textile recycling can be found here. There’s also a link to general recycling information on the canalplaceone “Useful Links” page.

Just a reminder that there’s a board meeting tomorrow (Monday) night at 7:00 in the lobby office.  Residents welcome.

Also—the city’s adding another festival to their calendar this year; next weekend marks the first Mill City Steampunk Festival (incidentally, Waltham’s Watch City Steampunk Festival is the following weekend).

Charlie and I got invited to do a dance presentation at Mill no. 5 (250 Jackson Street) on Saturday as part of their Spring Steam Faire, so we’ll be doing that at 1:00 and 2:30 if anyone’s interested in hearing a bit about Lowell’s dance history and seeing a few demos of what the locals would have been dancing a century or two ago.

For those who are interested in the lo-flow toilets but want more info, I thought I’d share our experience.  We just had both of ours replaced.  One of our old ones sat atop the tile; one was set in.  Both new toilets sit atop the tile and no retiling was necessary.  The new ones are slightly larger at the base so they cover up the footprint left in the tile by the old one.  Installation took about an hour per toilet.

The new toilets are significantly higher which is great for creaky old knees but not so great for little kids.  The seat is not particularly comfortable, but I assume it can be changed out if that’s a big concern (I haven’t actually checked).  The toilets flush quietly, quickly, and effectively—and the button’s a lot easier to push than the push-button one we had at my old house, yet it’s set in so I can’t imagine it getting pushed by accident.

I can’t promise that everyone’s experience would be as trouble-free as ours, and we’ve only had them two days so I can’t speak to the long term, but we are very pleased with both the process and the results.  I also want to mention that Frank Potvin (978-957-2518) got a bulk price on the toilets that will expire at some point, so do consider contacting him ASAP if you’re interested.  Not only will you be helping the Association’s bottom line, you’ll be saving Mr. Potvin from a potential surcharge if he doesn’t install enough of the toilets to meet the bulk price minimum!  (The current price is $575 per toilet installed.)

Unless I’m mistaken, there’s a board meeting tonight (Monday the 28th) in the lobby office at 7:00.  Residents welcome.

And for anyone who actually has my book, Twirling Jennies, there’s a page of recent corrections available on the Author’s Notes page of the website. The revisions have also gone through with the printer so any new copies should have them included.

Just got info from a resident regarding the closed stairwell at the Leo Roy Garage (thank you, Brian).  Here’s what he says:

“Prepare to be inconvenienced for another month.  The person in charge is Nic Navin of the Parking and Garage department.  He tells me that the project underway over there is a 3 million dollar project and includes new drainage and repairs.”

I found a bit more info on the LDNA site, and on their Facebook page:

“Update: ‎Lowell‬ Roy (Market) Garage repairs. From Nicholas Navin, Parking Director:

Starting March 7, a little more than half of the roof will be occupied as a work zone, with an equivalent area below on the fourth floor as a protected area. This adds up to about 150 spaces. City will shuffle some parkers around to alleviate the impact, including MCC students”

So, while I groan a bit every morning when I realize I have to scoot over to the other stairwell (as I’m sure most of us do), and it’s getting harder to find a parking space, the repairs are clearly needed and should be done before tourist season hits.  Here’s hoping it all goes smoothly and gets finished on schedule!

Just a reminder to vote today. For our building, it’s right downstairs at Lowell Telecommunications, 246 Market, across the breezeway from the Visitor’s Center. The hours are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. More info about voting hours and locations can be found here.

I wanted to let people know that if you subscribe to the Cultural Organization of Lowell’s newsletter you’ll get an e-mail every Thursday with a fairly comprehensive list of things going on around town.  I know I used to spend a lot of time going through calendars (hence, all the links on the Canal Place site link page) but the COOL newsletter is much easier.

And every so often I try to remind people that there is a discount in the Leo Roy garage for anyone over 62.  If you have recently reached that milestone and use the Roy garage, you should stop by the garage office and let them know. Even if you don’t pay them directly, the condo association will benefit from your discount. Parking regulations can be found here.

For those people interested in replacing their toilets to help the building conserve water, there’s been a change in plans that should result in cash savings as well as more personalized service.  Cathy’s working out details and I’ll post info as I get it.

The big concern for everyone seems to be the tiling. I know that our own upstairs toilet sits on the tile and our downstairs one is tiled in. From talking with other people,  I believe this is a common situation.  It’s a concern that ultimately needs to be ironed out with the actual installer.

One resident has contacted me looking for info from anyone who has experience with having toilets replaced in this building (see below). If anyone has any useful info, feel free to post it in the comments.  Thanks!

I live at 210 and have questions regarding how everyone in this building installed their toilets.  I spoke with a plumber familiar with our building and he says that the toilets need to be tiled in and sit flat so that they line up with the rear outlet.  We had a leak nearly ruin our floor completely due to not being able to see a leak because the toilet was tiled in.  What is everyone’s experience? 

From Georgie:  Just wanted you to know that Ruth Sullivan, Unit 408, passed away on Thursday the 18th.

Ruth will be remembered by me as a woman who enjoyed her daily walks around the downtown area wheeling her trusty shopping cart.

Ruth is survived by her son Brian; they have been my neighbors for over 20 years.

Calling hours at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland St., Lowell, are Tuesday February 23 from 10am to Noon.

A procession will follow for burial at Westlawn II Cemetery.

From the Site Administrator (another Ruth):  I’d like to add that my husband and I will also miss seeing her around town and around the building. The cheerfully decorated planter outside her door has always made me smile as I walked by during the 7 years we’ve been neighbors.  We spoke to Brian this morning and he said that he took consolation in the fact that she’d lived a full life and died without pain.

A reminder that Winterfest is going on this weekend.  It’s changed quite a bit over the past few years, but it’s definitely worth bundling up tonight and tomorrow and checking it out (the schedule’s at the link above).  One of our favorites is always the soup contest!

And, unless I’m mistaken, there’s a board meeting Monday night in the lobby office at 7:00.  Residents welcome.