Biker Madness

by | Sep 11, 2008 | News

Because my talk was not matching my walk, I've turned to an old friend—my bicycle. Second only to my dog, my bike is my most loyal companion these days. For the past several months, I've used the vehicle to get around town, to the grocery store, post...
Is This Land Our Land?

Is This Land Our Land?

by | Sep 11, 2008 | News

There's a 282-acre parcel of land off Burt's Pit Road in Northampton that's used for a variety of recreational activities, as well as some agricultural ones. Hundreds of apartment dwellers from Northampton and surrounding towns use the community gardens...
Behind the Beat: Toxic Holiday

Behind the Beat: Toxic Holiday

by | Sep 11, 2008 | Music

With the exception of an intense, short-lived fascination with rock journalism (circa seventh grade), I've been a fairly capricious, fickle music fan, in search of the compellingly listenable pop gem. I download singles. I have infatuations with new artists, but...
Truckin' My Blues Away…

Truckin' My Blues Away…

by | Sep 11, 2008 | Music

There will be no fake blues in Northampton on Sunday night as The Reel Blues Fest takes over the Academy of Music with monumental musicians like James Cotton and Jay Geils performing on stage. The show features the Kramer/Montgomery Band (pictured) with Joey Kramer of...
Soundcheck: A New Station

Soundcheck: A New Station

by | Sep 11, 2008 | Music

It was show time at Mystery Train Records in Amherst, and someone had just ordered a pizza. The first act was supposed to start crooning blues over a 12-string guitar, but there was no sign of a stage. A shopper sat on a green couch, evaluating the LPs in his lap;...