Oh, Northampton, Massachusetts! Let me count the recent take-aways: No more art movie theater - Pleasant Street Theater is gone. No more Queer bookstore - Pride & Joy is gone. No more outdoor adventure-wear store – Mountain Goat is gone. No more gourmet French restaurant – Green Street Café is gone. No more arts center – the Northampton Center for the Arts is gone. No more funky women's clothing store – Ultra Gal is gone. No more bakery – Bakery Normand is gone. No more video rental store – Pleasant Street Video is gone. No more benches – the people are gone! ...(full comment)

Good to know the Agnes Fox Playground is still in use and still being cared for by neighbors. It was cleaned up and reclaimed by residents of State, Church and neighboring streets in the early 1980s and it is nice to see there are folks who not only appreciate the space but are working to keep it clean and encouraging others to do the same. Thanks, Ellie, for reporting on the hidden spots in our community. ...(full comment)

We need MORE benches downtown, not fewer. Put the benches back, and come up with a better way to address the situation. ...(full comment)