Between the Lines: The Conversational Governor

Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick dropped by the Daily Hampshire Gazette's Northampton offices, where the Valley Advocate is also headquartered, for a meeting with the Gazette's editorial board. Gazette editor Larry Parnass invited me to join in; when my turn...

Springfield: Off to the Races

While Springfield has had its share of exciting mayoral elections in recent years—the re-emergence of former Mayor Charlie Ryan, who took back the seat in 2003; Ryan's surprising loss four years later to Domenic Sarno, the current incumbent—City...

Between the Lines: Dom's Dog War

From the moment Springfield Republican reporter Stephanie Barry christened it "Wienergate," the battle between hot dog vendor John Verducci and the Sarno administration has proved irresistible to punsters and word-play aficionados across the city, with the...

Letters: What Do You Think?

Save New World TheaterI am writing in response to the announcement of the planned suspension of New World Theater [Art in Paradise, August 6, 2009]. The University of Massachusetts has been my neighbor since I entered first grade at Mark's Meadow Elementary in...

The World This Week: Booked Up

On many Saturday mornings, I load the trunk of my car with whatever used books have piled up in my basement and drive to Whitlock's in Woodbridge or Niantic Book Barn in Niantic or, if I get a really early start, to the Pioneer Valley to visit Valley Books in...