Columns - Marblehead Current

24 Apr

EVERYTHING WILL BE OK: Hope is a verb

Virginia BuckinghamColumns, Opinion, Virginia Buckingham

Like Virginia O’Hanlon’s (of “Yes, Virginia” fame) father once said of the New York Sun, if Merriam-Webster or Oxford says something is true then it is. And the estimable online dictionaries state unequivocally that the word “hope” is not just a noun (n- desire accompanied by expectation of obtaining what is desired or belief that it is obtainable) but indeed a verb, albeit a transitive one (v- to express desire for a specific outcome). Yes, I cherry-picked the definitions that most aligned with the purpose…

19 Apr

GUEST COLUMN: What to expect at Town Meeting

Jack AttridgeColumns, Opinion, Top Stories

Marblehead’s annual Town Meeting begins Monday, May 4, in the Marblehead high school fieldhouse promptly at 7 p.m. Town Meeting serves as the legislative body of our town government where Marblehead registered voters come together to debate and vote on the annual budget, local bylaws, major expenditures and other business which is included in the warrant. It is a privilege to be Marblehead's town moderator and an honor to oversee the important business of the town. In preparation for Town Meeting, I immerse myself in…

18 Apr

DOC IN A BOX: AI: Friend or foe?

Stephen BachColumns, Opinion, Stephen Bach

I know I've written about AI before, but things are changing SO quickly, it's time for an update. The Docs use AI every day, mostly for marketing, advertising and social media (and some fun). It saves many hours and produces some pretty great stuff, even short video commercials for the business. So, let's jump in: Stephen Bach COURTESY PHOTO There’s a small moment happening more and more these days. You might notice it when your phone finishes your sentence before you do. Or when you…

14 Apr

GUEST COLUMN: No smoke and mirrors; a sensible shift for Marblehead schools

Submitted ContentColumns, Marblehead Public Schools, Opinion

By Kate Schmeckpeper The School Committee just approved an additional $1.5 million reduction to the Marblehead Public Schools FY27 budget without many staffing or programmatic reductions. Smoke and mirrors? No. This was achieved through a deliberate shift in how the district will manage out-of-district special education costs. It is not the result of a windfall or a shortcut nor a sign that MPS suddenly has money to spare. Rather, it is a thoughtful revision of a strategy that protected Marblehead during the pandemic’s period of…

13 Apr

FOOD 101: Shakshuka — Poached eggs with global flair

Linda BassettColumns, Food, Opinion

Back in the day, college students cooked up ghastly dinners of fast-boiling rice, beans and canned mixed vegetables that I suspect were scraps from the assembly line. We dumped grated Parmesan cheese from a green cardboard jar over it. “Survival food,” we called it. Linda Bassett / COURTESY PHOTO Today, students are more intentional, globally sophisticated. Recently, a grad student introduced me to the meal that sustained her and classmates: North African shakshuka, a skillet of eggs poached in tomatoes with peppers and onions, warmly…

13 Apr

CUZNER IN NATURE: Love is in the air

Rick CuznerAnimals, Columns, Cuzner in Nature, Local News

Spring is a great time to explore local wildlife. Lots of exciting things are happening. The trees and flowers start to bloom, ospreys return, as do migrating birds like warblers and hummingbirds. Perhaps the most exciting from a photographer’s standpoint is the birth of new wildlife. Finding a den or nest usually yields some great photos. This is an older photo of a screech owl nesting cavity that has been the home of many sets of owlets over the years. Here, the two adults peer…

02 Apr

MONEY MATTERS: The ‘Great Wealth Transfer’ will favor women. Are you prepared?

Emily PromiseColumns, Opinion

Over the past several decades, women have made remarkable progress in education, careers and leadership. However, when it comes to personal finances, many still tend to take on a more passive role. The reality is this: financial confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from being engaged, asking the right questions and having a clear understanding of where you stand. Whether you are single, married, divorced or widowed, your financial life deserves your attention. Emily Promise, president of Blakely Financial, is the newest columnist…

30 Mar

COLUMN: Why Marblehead’s budget feels so confusing right now

Margaret BaconColumns, Municipal Matters, Opinion

There’s a growing sense that something doesn’t quite add up. Residents are hearing about potential cuts, fewer services, higher costs and even the possibility of closing the library. At the same time, people see potholes that haven’t been fixed and are aware of recent high-profile expenses and projects that can be difficult to square with proposed reductions. That reaction is understandable. But it misses a key part of what’s actually happening. On March 28, the municipal and school budgets totaling $122.7 million were approved by…

26 Mar

DOC IN A BOX: What technology quietly learns about us

Stephen BachColumns, Opinion, Stephen Bach

Over the past few years writing for the Marblehead Current, I’ve noticed something interesting: The biggest tech stories aren’t usually about the technology itself. They’re about what technology quietly learns about us. And lately, the lesson seems to be this: The internet remembers more about you than you think. Your “anonymous” account probably isn’t.  Many people assume that if they create a second account with a different name, they’re invisible online. But new research suggests otherwise. A recent study found that artificial intelligence can link…

26 Mar

FOOD 101: Frittata — a meal any time of day

Submitted ContentColumns, Food, Opinion

By Linda Bassett In Italian vernacular, the phrase “are una frittata” translates as “to make a mess.” But on the table, that mess becomes delectable. Quite different from a mess of grits or a mess of catfish, a frittata brings beaten eggs together with whatever the cook imagines for a quick meal — breakfast, lunch or dinner. Often likened to an omelet, a plain frittata happily doesn’t require risky flipping for perfection. It puffs up to golden glory and interior creaminess with a quick trip…