I’d like to thank those folks who take care of the atrium plants. It’s one of a hundred little volunteer activities that make life around here nicer. If you prune the plants, please don’t overdo it, and do be aware that leaves are bound to fall on the lower floors and that it’s the pruner’s responsibility to see that they’re picked up promptly before they get ground into the carpet.

That being said, if anyone sees a pile of dead leaves that have fallen from above and has a minute to spare, please pick them up and put them in the compost or in with your trash. It’s easier for many to do a little than for one person to de-litter every floor.

One other caution for those people who water the plants: be sure they need it first. Some plants have multiple caretakers and it IS possible to kill them with kindness.

Also, if you’re packing things to move or ship, or perhaps have a craft project that might benefit, I’ll have a couple of bags of bubble wrap and kraft paper up for grabs in the office tomorrow morning. Plus an unopened can of cake frosting good until next April (the cupcakes didn’t survive long enough to get frosted). All free for the taking!

As someone heavily involved in getting the word out about the temporary parking ban, I’d like to thank everyone for doing exactly as asked so that that whole side of the lot was clear right on schedule. Unfortunately, the city crew ran into a problem and didn’t show. Once they schedule a new date, we’ll try this whole thing again!

Just a reminder: The row of parking spaces along the fence by the Leo Roy Garage needs to be completely empty by 7am this Friday morning. The city is going to be staging in that area to prune the trees next to the garage. I’m not sure whether any remaining cars will be towed or worked around, but either way they’re at risk.

If you have a yellow sticker and can’t find parking elsewhere in the surface lot during the tree work, you can park in the Roy Garage and keep your receipt to be reimbursed. This includes people who need to park in the Roy Garage overnight tonight because they wouldn’t be able to get their cars moved early enough tomorrow.

That email address had a typo in it. The lobby office email is canalplaceoneoffice@gmail.com. Sorry!

I’m trying to find someone who apparently lived/lives here named Brittany Cummings so I can return a lost item to her. If you know her, please contact the lobby office at canalplaceoneoffice@gmail.com Better yet, have her reach out. Thanks!

Market Street will be closed tomorrow from Palmer to Dutton Street for the Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race. This event is kinda crazy and a lot of fun, but it does complicate getting in and out of our front driveway, especially between 11:00am and noon. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time.

Also, just a heads up that we expect landscapers to be working around our property tomorrow or Monday, and the city has plans to prune the trees between our lot and the Leo Roy Garage late next week which will affect parking along the fence. More information on that as it becomes available.

Georgi and I will be setting up a box at this evening’s potluck for clothing/toys/shoe donations for the six Lowell families who lost their home in a fire on Thursday. This is strictly for the convenience of anyone who feels inspired to give and has no connection with the Association or the potluck itself.

The families are particularly looking for items in the following sizes:

• Men’s clothing sz M-XL
• Women’s clothing sz S-3X
• Boys clothing sz 4T-12
• Girls clothing sz 4T-7/8

I’m hoping we can also find a volunteer or two to take any donations over to the Wish Project in North Chelmsford on Tuesday.

Does anyone have experience with locks on their windows? Is there a universal key for them? We have new owners with locked windows who’d rather not have to call a locksmith.

A reminder that when residents let cigarette smoke build up in their unit, it can cause problems for their neighbors. Please consider taking it outside, opening a window, or investing in an air purifier. For advice on closing up openings that allow smoke to travel between units, click on the search icon here and look for “smoke” or “smoking” to see what neighbors have recommended in the past. Be sure to check a post’s comments.

And lastly, a resident is giving away an unused, queen-size headboard:

This is a poor photo of a really lovely, white fabric, queen-size headboard that was taken out of its box for the first time just to take the photo. I purchased it to use in my real estate staging capacity but decided it was too much trouble moving it from house to house.

So, for the cost to you of picking it up at my facility in Chelmsford and loading it into a vehicle that will hold it, it’s yours! Give me a call: 978-764-5570.

—Georgi May

As of this week, Shattuck Street is closed to vehicular traffic from Market to Merrimack to allow for cobblestone restoration and some work on the gas main. This should take about 8 weeks.

Middle Street will be open to two-way traffic from Palmer to Shattuck for the duration of the closure. Shattuck Street sidewalks will remain OPEN during this process, and businesses will be accessible.

Further detail is available on Facebook, but basically the plan is to remove all of the cobblestones on Shattuck, excavate the road base, put in a new road base. and then bring back the cobblestones and reset them.

For those who missed getting one of the flyers that went out, the Canal Place One Potluck will be returning on September 14th. Follow the link for more info and to sign up!

After a family gathering I’ve ended up with 2 unopened bottles of syrup we can’t use, as well as most of a package of hazelnut Green Mountain ground coffee. Please shoot me an email if you’d like to take any of these off my hands.

And a reminder that the lobby office will be closed Labor Day weekend. Please plan accordingly.