The Best Things in Life Are Free

and never attended by me, unfortunately.

I absolutely LOVE events like the Newburyport Literary Festival and Newburyport Preservation Week, and I'd love them even more if I could actually get the opportunity to attend them. But my khaki and kids world hasn't allowed me the chance....yet.

But I will make an extra effort this weekend to check out some of the Preservation Week happenings starting this weekend and running through the week, starting with the Saturday at noon talk on the great fire of 1811 and the walking tour of the South End. The bike tour of my beloved North End may also be in the cards.

Most events are free.

Check out the line up for yourself. Good stuff all week.

Local writer Joel Brown offers up a nice write up in the Globe as well.

My God ... It's full of quarters.

Caught a sneak peak at the new parking meter at the Prince Place parking lot....

Oh wait....that's not it. Here you go.

No (or Little) Vacancy

The Daily News offered a comprehensive look at the downtown today, showing that we actually have very little space left in our tight retail district.

This is good news, especially since national reports suggest shopping mall vacancies are on the rise. This clearly shows unique sells, and we've got plenty of that (and still no chain stores.)

A few things of note:

I wrote an article on Steve Rankin's opening of Gram's back in The Day. At the time he'd left a job in public broadcasting (if I recall correctly) to start a new career as a small business owner. I'm glad it worked out so well and wish him the best in his next stage. I admire those people who take the chance to reinvent themselves.

I was disappointed to read that my health club Vanguard Key Club at the former Fitness Factory had closed then relieved to find out that it really hadn't. I stopped by there today on my way to work (admittedly the first time in weeks since nice weather and a bad back has kept me away) and all seems to be the same. Expect a correction tomorrow.

It's clear that the threat of a paid parking plan isn't scaring away business owners. I'm confident it won't affect customers either.

But those interested in shopping where the parking is free will have a few new options on Storey Ave. I've heard from a few folks that Olympia Sporting Goods is opening a shop at the Market Basket Plaza in the site of the former Blockbuster. It apparently will share space with a Sal's Pizza (love Sal's, but we have enough pizza).