This New England

Nancy Hill, Rose White (2008) oil on canvas, 11 x 14 inches, at the Clark Gallery, in Lincoln, Mass.

This is a tasty part of the "Flower Power II'' show, an eclectic group exhibition featuring work in all media by artists from across America. Paintings, photographs, works on paper, and sculptures present vibrant representations of blossoming floral compositions. Flower Power II will bloom in the gallery through Aug. 15.

Clark Gallery is at 145 Lincoln Rd. Lincoln, Mass. 01773. It's open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-5 and accessible through the Fitchburg commuter line and by car, with free parking available. Call (781) 259-8303 or visit www.clarkgallery.com for more information.

How wonderful that we live in New England, where there are actually passenger trains to get to some of the art shows in the suburbs, of all places.

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These are tough times in the media business -- loads of layoffs, salaries slashed. Freelancing, though it rarely pays enough to live well, may seem more and more unavoidable.

We read of Manchester Union Leader sportswriter Kevin Provencher being arrested on charges of deriving income from prostitution via --what else?-- Craigslist, that newspaper-classified-ad destroyer.

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Glad to hear that a seafood restaurant, Legal Seafoods, will occupy the site of Jimmy's Harborside restaurant, that great Boston waterfront institution (much better than the better known and more heavily advertised Anthony's Pier 4, by the way).

I once engaged in an oyster-eating contest there, unfortunately far less erotic than the one in Tom Jones.

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Kudos to Providence for covering up that terrible grafitti on the retaining wall on North Main Street alarmingly close to Roger Williams National Memorial. The long toleration of sent a very bad message. Now throw into jail anyone who defaces the wall again.

 Tags  Clark Gallery Jimmy's Harborside Kevin Provencher Legal Seafoods Manchester Union Leader Nancy Hill

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