New Year's Eve off Lafayette Street

While this cartoon was being inked, the good news was reported that Polar Beverages would pick up the fireworks tab for First Night. Uncle Timmy and yours truly raise a diet birch beer--with Madame Rhubarb I.P.A. chaser--to the Crowleys for making New Year's literally sparkle. And bestest to you in 2010!

Christmas Eve in "the secret garden"

Sing along with . . .

Speaking of celestial, the Johnny Mercer Centennial Celebration is tonight at 7 at Nick's, 124 Millbury St. Review last week's post for unsolicited testimonial and phone number for reservations. As the good Captain Beefheart would say, "It's a keeper!"

"Mommy! Santa's outside Cicero's!"

Reminder: stART at the Station is today from noon to 5 p.m. at Union Station. Be seeing you at the Marketplace on the second floor!
Bulletin: Nick's Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., the finest eatery and drinkery across all latitudes, will present a reprise of its Johnny Mercer Centennial Celebration, featuring Frank Racette, Bobby Gadoury, Dan Burke, Niki Luparelli, Geoff Oehling, Tom Spears, Trina Vargas and special guests, next Sunday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. Having attended the initial Celebration Nov. 28, Bernadette and I heartily attest that the event was, to employ Duke Ellington's highest praise, beyond category. That initial event sold out fast, so reservations are strongly encouraged by calling (508) 753-4030.

A day in the life

Laurel and I look forward to seeing you next Sunday at stART at the Station at Union Station from noon to 5 p.m. We'll be in the Marketplace on the second floor. Tell us Laurel sent you for a free surprise!

From our block to yours...

From the desk of . . .

Worcester? Turn left at Freedonia!

In our cast:
Worcester Mayor Bancroft S. Hackfeld...........Laurel Tilbury
Councilor-at-Large Solferino De Marco.......Tyler Montello
The Contractor.............................................Gloria Lanark
Thurston Putnam and Ignatius J. Papineau....Themselves

Happy Birthday, Michelle Renee Aquino!

... with a tip of the Hatlo hat to my mom and the rest of Young@Heart for inspiring the above, and for a superlative pair of concerts a few weeks ago at Mechanics Hall! Come back soon!

And now, this public-service message:

and also a Happy Birthday XOX from Laurel to Niki Luparelli!

... and a Halloween jam-packed with fun to you!

http://centralmassrollerderby.com/

Autumn abloom at Tadcaster Place ...

At the Columbus Day Parade . . .

In Laurel and Gloria's secret garden . . .

Laurel and I appear on Hank Stolz's WORCESTER--THE CITY THAT READS show on Charter TV 3 this week at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Thursday. Thanks for a pleasant chat, Hank!

Now showing at the Thurston Putnam Gallery . . .

At stART last Sunday, Hank Stolz invited Laurel and me to visit on his Channel 3 show, WAKE UP WORCESTER. The episode will be taped Wednesday afternoon, with the broadcast either Thursday or Friday at 6 and 8 a.m. Thanks, Hank!

That was the summer that . . . was?

Among next week's stARTists are...

Surf's UP!

While the mops and buckets swing into overtime at the Benchley School, mark your calendars now for the Blackstone Canalfest, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12 (rain date Sept. 19) on Harding Street between Temple and Water streets. Festivities include horse-and-wagon tours, music, entertainment, art displays and a 75-foot-long replica of the canal--guaranteed leakproof as opposed to Laurel and Gloria's. The event's free, with $1 parking at the Union Station garage. Visit www.blackstonecanal.org for more info. And be seeing you at stART in two weeks!

School forecast: weather clear, track fast!

An early start for stART!

Laurel and I look forward to seeing you at stART on the Street on Park Avenue, just four Sundays away on Sept. 20. Along with the first three Laurel books, we'll have two new items at our sidewalk boutique, with a special pre-stART discount offer for our online friends.

Here's the cover for the first Laurel blog cartoon book, collecting the first six months plus an introduction that includes Laurel's debut in a CLASSIC IMAGES cartoon from 2001. The book is $5, but you can reserve your copy for pickup at stART (or postpaid to your home) and take a dollar off. We'll tell you how after we show you...

...the design for the Laurel T-shirt. Our girl's racing somewhere and exuding joy everywhere on a silk-screened, off-white 100% preshrunk cotton T-shirt. This will sell for $10, but you can preorder yours in any size between now and Sept. 1 and take $2 off. To reserve your book and shirt, just e-mail me at sunspott1@gmail.com. For more info on stART, visit www.startonthestreet.org. Thanks and be seeing you!

Greetings from Salisbury Beach!

One sunny Sunday on Randolph Road . . .

Of course, you realize this means war!

Only the names have changed to confuse the traveler.

High atop a hill near Holy Name...

...and high atop George Street...

Next Sunday, cyclists will aim once again to make the grade, literally, at the eighth annual George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor at 10 a.m. July 26 at the corner of Main and George. Day-of-race registration is 8:30 a.m., with all cyclists 12 and older welcome. The $15 entry fee benefits the Major Taylor Association. To register online and for more info, visit www.majortaylorassociation.org.

Share Our Poolz wants YOU!

"A nightingale sang in Institute Park"

It's the Summer Nationals...on Endicott Street!

School's out and the game's afoot!

This week: no words, just music

Can't get there through here!

Meet the new school chef, Thurston Putnam ...

Breaking news: Fort Burncoat seized!

At the recent Benchley arts fundraiser...

Laurel's class visited Higgins Armory, where...

... and in Laurel and Gloria's "secret garden" ...

Last week at the Benchley School...

Bancroft Tower closed? Walk this way!

Your one stop for all things cartoonic, That's Entertainment, 244 Park Ave., Worcester, will celebrate Free Comic Book Day Saturday, May 2. Local guests include comics illustrators Jeff Wamester and Bret Herholz, caricaturist Scott Hamilton and yours truly. Central Mass. Roller Derby will also join the fun, offering league and recruiting info. Please stop by--Laurel and I look forward to meeting you! For more info, visit www.thatse.com.

And here's today's weather for Worcester: windy!

From Laurel, from me, to you, to all...

Speaking of our national pastime, here's our girl rooting for the home team in a cartoon from 2006:

Laurel's pre-blog adventures such as the above are waiting for you at two Worcester bookeries always worth a visit and your support. LAUREL: AN ALBUM OF WORCESTER CARTOONS and A LAUREL FOR ALL SEASONS can be found at the Books 'n' More Store in the main branch of the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square. SEASONS and LAUREL: THE COMIC BOOK! are available, together with the works of several excellent local cartoonists, at the finest comics emporium this side of the rings of Saturn and beyond, That's Entertainment, 244 Park Ave., Worcester.

One sunny April day on Harding Street...

The ultimate laptop

And to our friend, Princess Freddy...

A happy spring to you ...

...and a happy birthday to Pat!

Our chanteuse-in-training, Gloria Lanark, sings birthday greetings on our behalf today to our dear friend Patricia Watson. "Auntie Niki," whom Gloria is endeavoring to emulate sonically and visually, is the incomparable chanteuse Niki Luparelli. With all respect to Gloria, we side with Laurel--see and hear the genuine article together with the equally superlative Dan Burke and the Speakeasy Combo at Nick's, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. A visit to www.myspace.com/NicksWorcester will reward you with a video of Ms. L. plus the latest performance schedule.