Cambodian Cultural Class Series

Idea:

A series of classes on Cambodian cultural traditions. These would be focused on Cambodian youth, but open to all, taught by community elders.

Benefit:

The Cambodian community needs to pass its traditions to the next generation or they may be lost. Youth can benefit from feeling connected to their heritage, and elders will feel vital and respected. Building bridges between generations strengthens the community overall.

Location:

Lower Highlands, OldIdea.

Cambodian Cultural Exhibit

Idea:

I propose establishing a Cambodian Cultural Exhibit in Lowell to display Khmer cultural artifacts; conduct lectures about different aspects of Khmer culture, history, traditions, and current events; organize Khmer cultural performances of music, dance, smot, opera, cinema, poetry reading, fashion shows, textile weaving, etc.

Benefit:

Considering that Cambodians constitute a significant portion of Lowell's population, a museum showcasing Khmer culture would have many benefits for the city, including presenting Lowell as a city which recognizes the value of immigrant culture; bringing a sense of pride to the Cambodian community, especially the youth, most of whom [Read more…]

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Cambodian Food and Craft Festival

Idea:

A festival for vendors to sell street food and folks to sell their crafts focused on the Cambodian community.

Benefit:

Local crafters and cooks get to make a little money selling their wares, the community gets to see all the talent in the community.

Location:

Lower Highlands, OldIdea.

Campaign for Vegan Options

Idea:

Encourage local restaurants to have more vegan options on their menu, e.g., vegan/nondairy cheese on pizza. If several restaurants get on board with a signature vegan item or a vegan variation on one of their regular items, we create special promotional materials about the participating restaurants and maybe even dedicate special weekends to go to [Read more…]

Benefit:

It will be a more progressive city, more humane to animals, better for the environment and planet. It will offer more healthy options for people to choose.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Canal Candle Boat Ceremony

Idea:

A multicultural event in which people release small boats that carry small electric lanterns or candles into a canal inspired by similar ceremonies around the world. We would work with Massachusetts DCR and NPS to find the ideal location and choose easily-recoverable boats (to take out of the canal before they reach a dam or [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would bring more attention to one of Lowell's unique resources (the canals), perhaps draw visitors, and be an opportunity for people of Lowell's many cultures to mix. This would also give experience to the action team in working with the owners of the canals, and a small-scale project like [Read more…]

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Canal Cleanup

Idea:

Canal for Merrimack St. to Saint Patrick’s is filled with littler, we should do something about that!

Benefit:

Needs a real cleanup!

Location:

Acre, OldIdea.

Canal Power Demonstration

Idea:

Work with Enel to create a temporary exhibit that is powered by waterpower. A streetlamp could be powered, or cell phone charging station, or maybe a LED sign that provides up-to-date information about the canal system. This could be a demonstration but also start a campaign for waterpower awareness of costs and benefits!

Benefit:

We have enough flowing water in our canals to power Lowell for Free, and likely the surrounding areas..why are we not benefitting from our already existing canal system..GO GREEN! We could cut the cost of living, drive innovation, provide jobs, and be a beacon for advancing Eco friendly city life!

Location:

Acre, Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Canal Nets

Idea:

I have seen other countries use netting at the end of canals to catch the litter from going into the river. Either partner with an organization to install such a net or do a demonstration over the course of several days/weeks to see how much trash it captures. We could also investigate the trash robot [Read more…]

Benefit:

The canals and river are so beautiful and historic but hard to keep clean, these seem like a simple tool to help with this problem.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.

Canalside Dining

Idea:

A special dining event! Use Lucy Larcom Park or another canalside space to set up tables for one evening. Downtown visitors may order a special meal from one of several participating restaurants, and a waiter will bring the meal to the canalside table. It would be much like “Savor the Summit” Grande Table (see link) [Read more…]

Benefit:

This would bring additional exposure to downtown restaurants and to Lowell's underutilized canalside space. It might inspire more use from the former Sun printing building. People may try a new restaurant if it's in a fun new context and want to visit their bricks-and-mortar establishment if they like it.

Location:

Downtown / JAM, OldIdea.

Canalways Trash-Eating Wheel

Idea:

Build a movable floating sculpture that would skim off and collect the trash floating in the canals and/or the rivers around the city of Lowell. Something along the lines of Mr. Trash Wheel in Baltimore. (see URL) It is essentially dumpster on a barge in the canal. Conveyer pulls floating trash out of canal. Powered [Read more…]

Benefit:

It would look cool and clean the waters at the same time! It would benefit wildlife and the environment as well as our tourist industry. I think it’s kind of obvious what the benefits would be.

Location:

Citywide, OldIdea.