Victorian era (of lights) begins
And then there was light — from four lamp posts that is.
Parts of the downtown were abuzz as the first four new Victorian-style lamp posts have been installed as part of the downtown makeover. They are located on Main Street in front of Bertucci's, Helen Thomas and CVS.
— Judy Wakefield
Resident hosts Irish music hour
Radio Station WCCM 1110 AM will usher in a one-hour show of Irish music and conversation on Tuesday, Sept. 2 from 9 to 10 a.m. Tom Garvey of Andover will host the show, which will also be carried on the Internet, at www.1110wccmam.com.
Bacteria levels cause for concern
The town is concerned about high levels of bacteria in Dug Pond, near Fosters Pond in southern Andover, said Selectman Mary Lyman. People should not swim or boat in the pond at this time.
For the most part, the pond is only accessible to people who live in that immediate area.
— Neil Fater
Andover Choral Society Open Invitation
The Andover Choral Society invites new members to join in its 79th season. Past performances have included "Carmina Burana," "Messa da Requiem" by Verdi, as well as works by Bach, Beethoven and other masters.
Concerts will feature soloists and an orchestra conducted by Choral Director Allen Combs and are performed at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College.
The first rehearsal will start on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7:20 p.m. in Christ Church, 25 Central St, Andover. For more information call 978-682-0196 or 978-688-6353
Record numbers at law school
The Massachusetts School of Law at Andover has reported a record enrollment of 660 students for the 2008-09 academic year, a gain of about 10 percent over last year. This is in contrast to last year's national trend. Aa report on law school enrollment by the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar showed that total enrollment by students seeking the juris doctor degree, the basic law degree, increased only slightly during 2007-08, while enrollment of first-year students was nearly flat, compared to the previous year.
Paula Colby-Clements, director of admissions, attributed the rise to a number of factors including the lower tuition charged by the Andover law school compared to other New England law schools.
Dancing over real estate
Terri Goodridge, of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Andover, will participate in Season 2 of Dancing with the Realtors, a fundraising event for Habitat for Humanity.
Dancing with the Realtors was created by Linda Covino and Season 1 took place in the spring of 2007, raising $21,000. The show is based off the ABC TV hit Dancing with the Stars.
To dance in the show, real estate agents and affiliates must commit to 10 ballroom lessons at Studio 665 in Woburn, where they are currently training. This year, newcomers will be dancing the foxtrot and swing, while returning dancers will be learning the cha-cha and tango. The show, hosted by Sara Edwards of Backstage CN8, will take place at the Burlington Marriott on Nov.14, 2008. All participants will also compete in the statewide finals at the Eastern United States Dancesport Championship at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel on Feb. 20, 2009.
Dancing with the Realtors, a statewide event raised $81,000 collectively in 2007. For more information about local shows, contact Linda Covino at Linda@lindacovino.com. Dancing with the Realtors' goal for 2008 is to raise $100,000.
To attend Dancing with the Realtors Season 2, sponsor the event, or donate to Habitat for Humanity contact Terri Goodridge at 978-482-4194 or email her at terri.goodridge@nemoves.com.
Author Brian Jacques, predecessor to "Harry Potter," to visit Andover
In an event put together by the Andover Bookstore, Brian Jacques, fantasy fiction author, will visit Andover for a book signing and author's talk on Oct. 18. The event will be at 2 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 20 Main St.
Before "Harry Potter" was a twinkle in the eye of J.K. Rowling, British author Brian Jacques was a pioneer in the world of fantasy fiction, according to a release. Jacques has sold millions of books, decade after decade, and has been a permanent fixture on the New York Times adult hardcover list, said Penguin Young Readers, Jacques' publisher, in a press release.
Jacques October visit to Andover will be two days after the release of "Doomwyte," the latest novel in his "Redwall" series.
"In Doomwyte, young mouse Bisky and his fellow Redwall Abbey creatures are on the quest for a long-lost, fabled treasure but the hunt will not be easy; evil Korvus Skurr and his band of sinister ravens are vying for the same prize. Through intricate subplots and a web of unexpected twists and turns, Jacques has created an enduring story about the importance of community, brotherhood and courage," wrote Penguin in the release.
Jacques' Andover stop will be one of three in Massachusetts as part of his book tour. For tickets or more information, contact the Andover Bookstore, 978-475-0143 or visit www.andoverbookstore.com
