Red Sox trophy coming to Sal's
LAWRENCE — No joke. The Red Sox World Series trophies are coming to Sal's Riverwalk on April Fool's Day.
The coveted trophies, captured by Boston's best in 2004 and 2007, can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Admission is free and the public is invited. Be sure to bring your camera!
You can find the trophy in Salvatore's Function Facility at 360 Merrimack St.
Mayoral bulge battle continues
Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan claims he is winning the weight-loss battle between himself and Methuen Mayor William Manzi.
Sullivan said he's winning the showdown by chowing down less. He said he used to scarf devil dogs and sip milk at night while watching television, but he has nixed that habit. He said he lost 11 pounds in the last three weeks.
Manzi doesn't buy it though. He said Sullivan has been "gorging himself on cannoli and other pastry." Manzi claims to have lost about 8 pounds so far. He said he'll sabotage Sullivan by sending the Lawrence mayor some pastries.
Latitude Sports Clubs is hosting the 12-week Merrimack Valley Biggest Loser competition, which includes teams from around the area.
Library offers letterboxing for teens
NORTH ANDOVER — For teens who like following clues that lead to a goal, the Stevens Memorial Library is hosting a Letterboxing Workshop April 3 at 3:30 p.m.
Letterboxing is like a game. Across the country, people have hidden letterboxes on trails, in buildings and even underwater. By following clues, people find the letterboxes. Inside are a stamp and log book. The letterbox-seeker collects the stamp marks in a notebook and leaves his own stamp imprint on the log book in the letterbox.
Letterboxer Evelyn Greene will give the talk at the library about the benefits and challenges of letterboxing, which include finding hidden places, collecting the stamp images and learning more about an area by exploring.
Registration is required for the workshop at the front desk of the library, 345 Main St. To learn more about letterboxing and get clues for local hidden letterboxes, visit letterboxing.org or atlasquest.com.
Three companies donate time to remove bathhouse
NORTH ANDOVER — Construction of the new bathhouse at Stevens Pond is expected to begin this spring, but first the old bathhouse needs to be hauled away.
Three local companies are pitching in to help out for free. Peter Breen Excavating will tear down the building, the debris will be taken away by William Thompson of Northside Carting and Scott Emerson of Wheelabrator Inc. will get rid of the debris.
Selectmen praised the companies for saving the town money on a project that is already expected to cost $186,000. Selectman Rosemary Smedile said the same three companies also helped with demolishing the former youth center and thrift shop.
Hotel plan clears first hurdle
METHUEN — A chain called Value Place Hotels that wants to build its first New England hotel in Methuen earned the approval last week from the local Zoning Board of Appeals.
Now, the proposal will head to the Community Development Board for a site plan review and approval. The chain wants to build a four-story, 124-room hotel on Pleasant Valley Street, at the intersection of Interstate 495 and Route 213.
The hotel offers "extended stay" accommodations. That means no on-site restaurants or meeting space, just rooms equipped with kitchenettes to attract travelers for a minimum of a week. There will not be any single-night room rentals.
Karen Sawyer, economic and community development director, said the planning board will review traffic, drainage, and other issues before finalizing the hotel permits.
"We haven't seen the plans yet and we want to make sure traffic is not negatively impacted," Sawyer said.
The Loop sold to pension fund
METHUEN — In a struggling market, The Loop seems to be surging. The property value of The Loop in Methuen has nearly doubled since 2002.
The Loop, an open air shopping center on Pleasant Valley Street, was sold to a pension fund for $91 million. It last sold for $54.5 million in 2002. Loop general manager Gayle Nigro called it an "accounting change" and said the sale has no impact on the businesses there or the operations of the Loop. Wilder Co. continues to manage the center.
"It's an investment change," said Karen Sawyer, Methuen's economic and community development director. "It's positive to see the value at $91 million."
The Loop includes a movie theater, retail stores, supermarket and several restaurants.
Discounted rain barrels available in Andover
ANDOVER — Rain barrels are available at a discounted price through the town. Andover received a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection for the discount. Rain barrels are used to conserve water for lawns and plants and are used to collect water during these rainy months for the dry summer ones. The rain barrels will be available for $45 for the first 20 barrels and $55 for each barrel after that. For more information, contact Sandy Gerraughty at 978-623-8350, ext. 515.
