Posts filed under 'news'
Winter Somber
The winter we thought we had escaped has settled in; it’s been a somber week here on Nantucket.
15 year old Nantucket High School freshman Vaughn Mitchell Peterson took his own life last Saturday. In a community as small as this, we ask how we missed the signs, or were there any signs, and how have we failed as a community. We’ll likely never know. But we do know that this island came together quickly, efficiently, selflessly and compassionately to help those who suffered the most from this tragedy: daily student assemblies, yellow ribbons, a bulletin board of messages and remembrances, counselors and clergy. And we’re all reminded that that which affects one of us affects all of us, and if you feel desperate, talk to someone. We are here if you need us.
The island also lost Phil Murray last week. Born on Nantucket in 1921, Phil died at the age of 85. He was probably best known for making Nantucket Reds famous through the store he owned, Murray’s Toggery; Phil was also instrumental in building the hospital you see today at 57 Prospect. There will be a service in August at the Sankaty Golf Club.
Add comment March 4, 2007
Nantucketers in the News
In the “It’s About Time” department: Summer residents Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At the ceremony were Ben and Amy Stiller.
Islander Jamie Howarth - sounding particularly erudite, confident, and low key - was on All Things Considered yesterday. Here’s the link to listen to the entire interview, and here’s their description.
Pop Music: Using Digital Tools to Repair Analog Audio
Robert Siegel talks to Jamie Howarth about the next step in audio restoration: ridding analog-era sound of its inevitable speed variations by writing software that virtually recreates the original device on which a recording was made from the existing tape.The sound is then digitally fed back through that machine to correct the errors due to azimuth, capstan bumps, tension in reels, etc. To say the least, it’s a complex algorithm.
Described by the program as “among the best writers of their generation”, summer resident David Halberstam appeared on CBS Sunday Morning on January 7, along with Gay Talese and A.E. Hutchner, taped at Elaine’s in Manhattan. David received the Pulitzer in 1964 for reporting on Vietnam. Discussing how memory changes over time, David said: “You adjust memory as you get older to make life bearable . . . Memory releases you, if you’re lucky, and you tend to remember the better times.” On what he remembers the most: “The camaraderie that got them through the turbulence.”
Frequent summer visitor Massachusetts Senator Therese Murray appears to have the votes to become the next Senate President should Robert Travaglini leave the Senate to take a job in the private sector, according to a recent article in the Boston Globe.
Astronomer Dorrit Hoffleit will turn 100 years old on March 12, probably the oldest living astronomer in the world. Dorrit was the summer director of and teacher at the Maria Mitchell Observatory from 1957 to 1978. She is now the senior research astronomer emeritus at Yale University.
Add comment February 20, 2007
Nantucket News
Just the other day, someone was ranting to me about the price of round trip flights to New York. Just one day later, JetBlue announced that they will begin daily seasonal jet service from JFK from May 24 to September 24. One flight a day for that period (JFK to ACK: 5:30 pm, ACK to JFK: 7:30 pm), with second flights on Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and Monday mornings during July and August. Tickets are $49 if booked by March 7 for trips before June 20. JetBlue will also code sharing with Cape Air through Boston beginning March 19, with lower book through prices (estimated up to $80) and easier reservations.
The Steamship Authority new 393 passenger, high-speed ferry Iyanough has been delivered. The all-aluminum catamaran is 154 feet long and 39-feet abeam, and features an “S-Bow” hull shape to provide additional reserve buoyancy during very large seas. The vessel’s top speed, in moderate sea conditions, is 38 knots when fully loaded. Open house celebration on Nantucket on March 24, and service begins March 28.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has won recognition as a sovereign Native American tribe. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the tribe could buy land and build casinos within a 50 mile radius. That includes us.
Add comment February 20, 2007
Nantucket in the News
A nice new video on YouTube, the architecture of Nantucket put to Mozart:
And another of the island’s Widow’s Walks:
Add comment February 20, 2007
Nantucket News
THE NEW FAST BOAT
Flint Ranney has sent along this photo of the new SSA fast ferry Iyanough on trial runs rounding Brant Point.
ONE RESTAURANT OPEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Stubby’s at 8 Broad Street will be open on Christmas day from 6:30 am - about 8-10 pm with coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and pastries, as well as the regular take out menu.
Add comment December 29, 2006
Nantucketers in the News
Island piano player Jamie Howarth told me he had been working on some Grateful Dead original recordings, his secod commercial application of software he created to clean up old recordings better than anyone else has yet been able to do.
When Frank Conroy passed away, Jamie contacted me to ask if I had any old tapes of the Frank Conroy Band at the Roadhouse from 78 to 80. I did, some beat up old cassettes recorded probably right from the recorder with no external mic. Jamie processed about a dozen songs in just a few days, in time to be given to Frank’s family after the service. What I could not bear to listed to before, I now play when I want to think of those halcyon Roadhouse nights of straight ahead jazz.
I picked this up on YACK today - I’ll summarize.
On Jan. 23, Warner/Rhino will release a 3-CD set of music recorded at the Dead’s 1976 New Year’s show at the Cow Palace, San Francisco, restored by Jamie Haworth. But even sooner, Live At The Cow Palace, New Year’s Eve, 1976 will be streamed in its entirety New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day beginning at 3:01 AM.
You can read more in an article written in the Independent by Mary Lancaster about a year ago.
I checked out some of the previews online, and the sound is warm and silky. Makes me want to roll one. Thanks Jamie.
Add comment December 29, 2006
