Soon I arrive downtown at the LimeRed Teahouse where I look out the window as I enjoy my tea.
From there I pick up some fruit at the Haymarket for consumption later.
Heading to the bus stop, I pass Sid the cat out on his morning walk. He lives at Shop Therapy.
Later, at the UMass library, I examine this exhibit about events that occurred in the Pioneer Valley and elsewhere fifty years ago, in 1968.
Not surprisingly, the founding of the Brotherhood of the Spirit is featured.
Included in the exhibit is a rare copy of the album by the commune's band Spirit in Flesh, although that record was not released until 1971.
To read about my own adventures among the Brotherhood, click here.
Meanwhile, Granny Warren was on the warpath in Western Mass this week. Her release of a DNA test suggesting she might have a tiny trace of Indian blood has made her a national laughing stock.
More footage has surfaced of New Bedford's Quinn Sullivan at the MGM New England Jamband Festival in Springfield last month.
It had just stopped raining when I arrived at Union Station in Springfield on September 28th.
There I had to wait almost half an hour to catch the bus across the river. Soon I arrived at the Eastern States Exposition.
It don't change much.
My reason for meeting my friends at the Big E was the fact that what's left of the Jefferson Starship was playing an afternoon show. With Grace Slick a nearly 80 year old recluse, Marty Balin sidelined with health issues and Paul Kantner dead, this is truly a last gasp version of the band. Yet, if taken on their own terms, without focusing on who used to be in the band, this version of the Starship is a solid ensemble and a worthy vehicle for carrying on the group's musical legacy.
When the show ended, I did what every veteran concert goer does, which is head right behind the stage to find the back door. Hey, they have to come out some time! I was not alone, there were about a dozen other back-door-johnnies (and janes) also in attendance. Sure enough, Donny Baldwin was the first to emerge. He was the drummer on some of the Starship's biggest 80's hits, like the infamous "We Built This City."
The person we were really hoping to see was David Freiberg, who after an illustrious career with Quicksilver Messenger Service, joined the Jefferson Airplane in 1972, then popped up again in Jefferson Starship, where he has remained for nearly forty years.
Soon Freiberg appeared, carrying his guitar in its case.
He seemed delighted to see us and waved as we cheered. David Freiberg turned 80 years old last month.
He even paused to chat for a bit, and one person asked Freiberg how Marty Balin was doing.
Freiberg reported that Balin was "doing poorly." What none of us knew at the time, is that Balin's death would be announced just a few hours later. Here is Marty Balin performing at an outdoor concert in Northampton in 2007, as captured by Jeff Ziff.
Interestingly, that same day that Jefferson Starship was playing in West Springfield, Hot Tuna - the Airplane breakaway band that Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady have played in for almost half a century - were performing in Northampton. In his blog, Jorma recounted learning that Balin had died.
I was more than saddened yesterday to hear of Marty Balin’s passing. Jack and I were in Northampton, Mass. at the Academy Of Music and we were just getting ready to do our sound check. I stood there in the little room in the wings, stage left… struck dumb.
Jorma also took the above photo of the Academy, which he described as "quite simply a lovely venue." For the record, here is the band's set list that night.
The Academy Of Music
Northampton, Mass.
Friday, September 28, 2018
First Set:
1. Ain’t In No Hurry
2. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
3. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down & Out
4. Search My Heart
5. Barbeque King
6. Let Us Get Together Right Down Here
7. How Long Blues
8. Sea Child
9. Trial by Fire
10. I See The Light
11. San Francisco Bay Blues
Second Set:
1. Been So Long
2. Dime For Beer
3. Hesitation Blues
4. Come Back Baby
5. River Of Time
6. The Terrible Operation
7. Full Go Round
8. Sleep Song
9. Good Shepherd
10. I Am The Light Of This World
11. Candy Man
12. Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning
13. Encore: I Know You Rider
I took the bus to downtown Springfield's Union Station. Across the street, the old Peter Pan bus station is fenced in and ready to be torn down.
Here is a nostalgic look back at the old bus station.
I decided to try the new "Loop" bus, so called because it makes a loop through the downtown area.
It took us to the Hall of Fame.
Then to the Quadrangle.
We got off at the MGM casino.
The local media have their own headquarters right on the casino plaza.
I've got to admit that even as a non-gambler I'm starting to like the joint. It's not glitzy like Vegas or anything. They really did a good job at blending in with the historic district in which it is located, making it almost seem downright cozy.
It's too early to make any assessments about the casino's long term prospects, but so far I don't think anyone can deny that it is off to a strong start.
I am sorry to hear of the death of longtime Springfield activist Mildred Dubar (above with former Senator Gale Candaras and former Governor Deval Patrick in 2008). Dunbar passed away earlier this month at the age of 97.
"Millie" as she was known to everyone, was born in Pine Point in a house on Boston Road that once stood where the former Doyle the Twig Painter gallery now stands. She was a Pine Point resident her entire life until fading health caused her to be unable to remain in her own home.
Sometimes called "The Queen of the Activists" she was widely praised for her unusually intense devotion to the concept of citizen participation in the political process. A lifelong devout Democrat, she none the less was willing, indeed anxious, to help anyone, regardless of political persuasion, who was interested in learning the ropes of participating in the byzantine snake pit known as Springfield politics.
During a time when I was institutionalized, and had no access to computers nor even newspapers, Millie used to send me once or twice a week an envelope full of clippings and other newsworthy items to help keep me abreast of what was going down on the political scene. I came to refer to these telegrams from the outside world as "Millie-grams" and after a while even the staff that brought me my mail would say things like, "You got a Millie-gram today." One time she sent me the following letter: Dear Tom
A way to greatly reduce crime and violence: Make drugs available to all over 18, just as Congress did when they ratified the 21st Amendment in 1933 which permitted the sale of liquor.
Let's talk about the real world. Born in 1920, my adopted parents both drank although it was illegal; as a child I recall four locations, North End, South End, Eastern Avenue and Pine Point, where they purchased whiskey.
My father worked for the City of Springfield and lost very little time from work, this was a period when even those who were well educated were unemployed. It was a time when I'd see a man eating a sandwich on my back steps, many would walk to the next city looking for work. My mother had no fear of the man, the screen door had no hook. The wooden door had a ten cent skeleton key one could purchase in any five and dime store. Compare that with the thousands many spend today on security systems for their homes, cars and business property.
Unfortunately my mother was an alcoholic, both parents lost their driver's license, but that was no problem. She called a taxicab and many times took me with her while she drank and conversed at a speak-easy. At home there was always plenty of food in the icebox and fresh fruit. When she was drinking meals were not prepared so as a child I just took whatever I could reach to eat.
One way police knew a car was carrying a load of whiskey was the trunk would be way down on the springs. Many in law enforcement in decades past (as currently) were on the take. Those who were in the business made plenty of money, as it is now with drugs! Therefore there will be thousands throughout the world who would lose millions of dollars and be unequivocally opposed to legalizing the sale of drugs.
Is there a conspiracy tied into all this?
Unfortunately drugs have been in this world for many centuries. This old woman (85) has not lost her mind, no I live in the real world. This problem isn't going away.
Mildred B. Dunbar
In this apathetic and cynical age, our Valley will not likely see another activist quite like Millie Dunbar, and we are poorer for it.
The UMass Farmer's Market has started up for the harvest season.
