The Museum of Science installed the first two wind powered electric generators of it's research and demonstration project. One is a fairly conventional pinwheel design, and the other is a vertical rotor design that looks kind of like a radio antenna. Some of these designs have shown good efficiency. According to David Rabkin who is overseeing the project at the museum, they both should fully installed and tied into the electric grid within a week or so. They will need a final inspection by Nstar before that can happen.

Yesterday workers were on the roof adjusting the sway and stability of the mountings. You can see the vertical shaft generator spinning in the wind already, but the "propeller" design unit will not spin freely until it is connected to the grid. read more...

According to Beal Co. Senior Vice President and General Council Peter Spelios, the company filed a formal withdrawal of their zoning petition yesterday. read more...

I attended the School Committee’s “meet the candidates for superintendent” forum last night at CRLS. Their search process has narrowed the field to three prospects. Interestingly, none of them hail from beyond Route 128. This may be because of the large number of districts looking at the moment. The consulting firm of Ray and Associates was hired by the Committee to assist in their search. As of this morning their site listed eighteen openings for superintendent of schools. You can also download the application, although the selection process is closed. read more...

I was very pleased to find myself on the Honorary Committee of East End House and as a result, invited to their annual fund raising gala, Cooking for a Cause, at the State Room atop 60 State Street in Boston. read more...

Local Renaissance man Ian Thal will perform "Arlecchino Am Ravenous" and other works at 8:00 PM on Monday March 23 at Out of the Blue gallery located at 106 Prospect St. Cambridge.

I've known Ian for several years through our mutual involvement with the OpenAir Circus where he teaches Miming and Commedia D'ell Arte. Ian has been performing in the Boston area for several years.

His "Waltzing to War" from 2005 by Cosmic Spelunker Theater was a commentary on present and past wars consisting of mime, poetry, storytelling, commedia d'ell arte, and performance art. Why "Waltzing to War"? Armed conflict is more entertaining in three-four time. Most wars are fought in two-four; boom-boom. Explained Mr. Thal. The show included such hit numbers as Operation Hit them Back First Before They Hit US! and Wartime Mash-Up. read more...

North Cambridge Family Opera Company’s American premier of “The Weaver’s Wedding” will be performed the last weekend of this month and the first weekend in
April.

The Weaver’s Wedding or Chincha Chancha Cooroo is adapted from a Bengali folk tale translated by William Radice from a book written by Upendrakishore Raychaudhuri. The music is by Bernard Hughes, the libretto by William Radice, and musical direction by David Bass. Mr. Radice (pronounced ra dee chay I am told), who is currently under consideration for Poet Laureate of Britain, is most well known in the U.S. for his translations of Rabindranath Tagore. Cambridge’s Deborah Mason is the choreographer. read more...

Winter in New England is notoriously unpleasant. All the snow to shovel, where to put it, the neighbor who never shovels. The melting and refreezing on my walk, the pot holes, the black ice. The cold, the wind, and all of the other weather. So why do I put up with it year after year? Well, I guess its because in spite of all that, there is still a lot worth seeing if you do get outside. Granted you have to dress appropriately, and avoid getting splashed with greasy brine for the crime of walking down the sidewalk. That accomplished, one of my favorite winter walks is along the Front. That's what the Cambridge shore of the Charles River from the Broad Canal to the Museum of Science Was called when they built the sea wall and a wide stretch of parkland. Most of the parkland has been sold off to developers. The only bit left is "Front Park" next to the Esplanade Condominium. read more...