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Personally, I’d go with Veronica…

Categories: being cool haverhillebrities historical evidence love
May 29th, 2010 by

…but that’s just me.

Last week, we learned that Haverhill’s Bradford College was the basis for spooky Miskatanic University in H.P. Lovecraft’s stories.

However, Lovecraft was not the only writer inspired by the Shoe City: Bob Montana, the creator of Archie Comics lived in Bradford and attended Haverhill High for three years.

Guess where he got the inspiration for his characters and settings?

Two Girls, One Archie

That’s right – Bob based the characters on his classmates and the locations of his favorite Haverhill hang-outs.  From Wikipedia:

His friends Skinny Linehan and Arnold Daggett were the basis for Jughead Jones and Moose Mason respectively. School librarian Elizabeth Tuck inspired Miss Grundy and principal Earl McLeod was the model for Mr. Weatherbee….Pop Tate’s Chocklit Shoppe, a soda shop where Archie’s Gang hang out, was based on real-life locations frequented by Haverhill teenagers during the 1930s — Crown Confectionery and the Chocolate Shop on Merrimack Street and the Tuscarora on Winter Street.

Man, I wish I had friends named ‘Skinny Linehan’ in High School. (Side Note: If you happen to KNOW Skinny – then let us know. We’d love to talk to him!)

Good choice, my man (It was all a dream...)

After 69 years, the story of an ageless small town high school love triangle is still going strong.

But I guess that’s what the kids are into these days.

And in honor of Archie Comics and today being Caturday – here is a picture of my cat Archie* reading a comic book:

Ironically, he's reading 'Mice Templar'

*He is named for Archimedes, not Archie Andrews.

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The future is now! (and only 99 cents at Jennie’s)

Categories: being cool downtown shopping
May 26th, 2010 by

If you’re like me, which is short and pretty unassuming, you probably often find yourself in the unfortunate predicament of being walked into in crowds. Or, how about those times when you’re walking down the sidewalk and you feel like turning but someone is walking sort of beside you but behind you at the same time? Awkward!

Well, if you’re anything like me, then you will be thrilled to know that there’s a revolutionary product, available right here in Haverhill, that will change your life forever.

I’m talking about pedestrian turn signals.

Seriously: haven't you always wondered how much fun it would be if only your ears would light up?

Yes, you’re seeing what you think you’re seeing right now. It’s 2010 here, people. If you’ve waited your whole life for a LED light rig that affixes to your head so people around you know where you’re headed your time is NOW.

Now, I’m sure you’ve already noticed the price tag and are thinking “that truly is an amazing product, Amanda, and totally worth the $99!”

Well, be prepared to have your mind blown again, my friend, because there is a decimal point you can’t quite see and, in fact, these light-weight, high-impact noggin blinkers are only 99 cents! Best of all, they’re available right now at Jennie’s Inc. at 133 Merrimack St.

Now, let’s see these babies in action:

Impressive!

I’m sure I don’t need to convince you to immediately run not walk down to Jennie’s and grab your own set, but hurry! because supplies are limited. (at least I only saw a couple more pairs last time I visited)

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Haverhill: the next urban art gallery?

Categories: being cool downtown graffiti and street art riverside
May 25th, 2010 by

Few things in Haverhill are as divisive as the graffiti downtown. Where some see urban blight, others see colorful expression. But, don’t think Haverhill’s alone in this. These two viewpoints are universal, and their respective camps have been duking it out in major cities across the globe for decades.

Urban blight? Or "Outta Sight!?"

I guess I fall somewhere in between urban art love and graffiti hate. While I was truly bummed to see the colorful backside of Woolworth’s was no longer, I feel that same pang every time I see a haphazard tag on the front of the businesses and homes that people work hard to maintain. And, I wish as an alternative to all this spraypainting we had some wheatpaste artists running around, plastering the city with their more ephemeral and environmentally-friendly art. Still, I happily take what I can get, street art-wise.

The other day, an argument broke out on one of my Flickr photos between a graffiti supporter and a detractor. In the end, though, they both agreed- a potential solution to this problem is to set aside a legal space in Haverhill for graffiti artists to do their thing. Cambridge and Beverly have embraced this concept, and don’t even get me started on the street art of San Francisco’s Mission District. (I just went out and bought not one, but two books on the subject.)

But if in Haverhill, where should it be?

Following up on a tip from my fellow graffiti fan, tonight I drove back behind Building #19 to check out what was described as “seriously like the very best spot” for urban expression.  Tucked back there is a mini urban art oasis.  It’s surprisingly tidy back there, and there are no abutting neighbors to cry eyesore. Very interesting. Here are a few snaps:

Finding a home for graffiti in Haverhill? Easier sprayed than done.

I love this grumpy guy.

I call this one "Snake waving hankerchief." Ohhh...it's a WHAT?

Monster face.

Haverhill is a city that has most awesomely embraced the arts, and I think that street art and graffiti could and should be considered just another facet of that. If I can do just one thing for the city of Haverhill, I’d love for it to be becoming the facilitator of this.  Of course, this is only the beginning of my exploration of this subject, so I’m all ears if anyone has any ideas or suggestions.

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The College of Cthulu

Categories: abandonment being cool bRADford historical evidence
May 22nd, 2010 by

Haverhill’s greatest academic claim to fame may just be fiction.

World-renowned scary story writer H.P. Lovecraft apparently based his imaginary campus, Miskatonic University, on the now-defunct but still-lovely Bradford College.

No more pencils, no more books

If you wanted to attend Bradford College – it’s too late – but fortunately, for those of you interested in occult-like-things, MU is still taking applications.

And for residents who live on that side of the river – if you hear some scary sounds late at night, don’t worry, it’s just Cthulu coming to get you.

And he's hungry.

In honor of our fictional institution of higher learning – I hearby petition to change the mascot of Haverhill High to The Fighting Cephalopods.

Because that would be awesome.

Go Pods go!

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The resale value of my car just skyrocketed

Categories: being cool
May 21st, 2010 by

And so can you!

Vroom Vroom

If you’d like one of these fine, fine stickers – let us know!

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Cosmic Amanda is on a Mission Mission

Categories: being cool food graffiti and street art
May 14th, 2010 by

In case you aren’t a Facebook fan of The Feeve yet (what are you waiting for?) – then you may have missed our very own Cosmic Amanda blogging from all the way on the other side of the country.

Amanda blogging about burritos. Shocking.

She breaks down what it’s like to be a blog tourist and the funniness of fake moustaches.

Hopefully she makes it back to the East Coast because I can’t keep up this daily blog pace without her.

Let her know what you think in the comments!

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Everybody should move to Haverhill

Categories: being cool
May 14th, 2010 by

According a recent Yahoo! article: Haverhill is one of the seven best places to move in the country along with such famous cities as New Orleans (awesome, but too hot), Houston (Texas? cmon), and Philadelphia (where it is always sunny).

I found this picture on the internet

They cite the lively bar and restaurant scene and low housing prices as key factors:

“You can buy a brand new mid-level executive style home in the mid $380,000 to $450,000 range or find a first time buyer move-in condition property at around $170,000,” says Lisa Johnson, vice president at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Haverhill. “Condominiums can be found in the $50,000 to $60,000 range.”

Johnson says the area has a lot of great perks, from a thriving bar/club scene to a downtown restaurant district that can rival those of big cities.

So, if you don’t yet live in the Shoe City – you better hurry up before we fill up.

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Mass Veggieburgers

Categories: being cool food
May 12th, 2010 by

I was so inspired by my interview with noted cheeseburger enthusiast, Jeremy, that I’ve started taking pictures of my own creations.

I now present the veggie double cheeseburger:

Cheese, Thousand Island Dressing, Ketchup

It was good.

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More back alley shenanigans

Categories: being cool downtown the mighty merrimack
April 20th, 2010 by

Apparently, Jeremiah True, the guy who lives under the 125 bridge, and I aren’t the only ones who like to hang out in the service corridor behind Merrimack St. Aimee (Nascartrophywifey on flickr) has been spending some time back there too, and she and her friends echo my sentiments exactly:

"Don't tell her she can't do it."

Aimee et al had a pretty sweet looking weekend in the ‘verill while I was out of town- and I have to say, I’m more than a little envious of the sweet  mugs they snagged (at Jennie’s?). Ah well, even though they yoinked the choice thrift store treasure from my ‘hood, I’m happy to see some fun-loving people coming to visit.

And, maybe this whole Haverhill Fever Back Alley Riverwalk idea has some traction. What do you think, guys?

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A Brief Interview with a Hungry Man

Categories: being cool food
April 15th, 2010 by

Everyone loves a good cheeseburger. But some people REALLY love a good cheeseburger.

Meet Jeremy. He’s the brains (or the stomach?) behind MassCheeseburgers.com, which is a blog about – you guessed it! – cheeseburgers.

Turns out that this modern-day Wimpy lives right here in Haverhill, so we thought it’d be cool to pick his brain and find out all about the Haverhill cheeseburger scene.

Cheeseburgers 4 Lyfe

1. How often do you eat cheeseburgers?

I try to limit myself to four burgers a week. For a while I was eating them every day but then my body got pissed and I had to scrap the daily blog plan.

2. What is the craziest thing you’ve used as a bun?

Long before KFC’s Double Down sandwich… I was clogging my arteries with a McDonald’s double cheeseburger with two mcchicken patties in place of bread.

3. Have cheeseburgers ever come between you and your love life?

Of course not. I let every girl know the second I meet them that the cheeseburger will always come first. That way they won’t be let down when I can’t go to their cousin’s wedding because Burger King is launching a new meat monstrosity. Have I mentioned that I’m single?

4. Has your love of cheeseburgers had any kind of negative effect on your life?

Yeah. I just had to go 2 weeks without a burger because of chest pains. Getting back on that horse any day now though. Health is a great thing to have but I do this for the fans.

5. What do you think is the best burger in the Haverhill area?

The Grill Next Door is the most amazing place in Haverhill that I’ve been to. I haven’t blogged about it yet because it didn’t sit on my plate long enough to get it’s picture taken. I got the Club Burger and it was fantastic. They got awesome beer and stuff too.

Pizza Burger

6. What makes a good cheeseburger? What do you like in yours (besides Ellio’s Pizza)?

I’m a pretty basic burger guy. A lot of places will try to fancy their meat up with weird cheeses and dressings and junk. That’s just not cool.

But here’s the perfect burger: Toasted and buttered bun, romaine lettuce, american cheese, ketchup, bacon and a hand-formed patty.

Mayo does not belong on a burger and tomatoes seem like a good idea but they make the bun soggy.

Also… The burger patty goes directly on the BOTTOM bun. That way the bun soaks up the juices of the meat. Too many places put the veggies under the patty. It’s just not right.

7. Who would win in a fight: The Hamburglar or Grimace?

That honestly depends on which Grimace you mean. The original Grimace was a bad guy. That Grimace could easily demolish the Hamburglar. If you mean today’s Grimace… He would probably still win. Think about it… Giant purple blob vs a guy who keeps getting caught stealing burgers from 6 year olds by a clown with big red shoes. Throw in the McNugget Buddies though and all bets are off.

Frankenburger

8. Do you think Haverhill has what it takes to become the cheeseburger capital of the Merrimack Valley?

Absolutely I do. Who else can take the title? Amesbury? Not with a silly name like that. Methuen? I hear they can’t even spell cheeseburger. So yeah. Pretty sure Haverhill’s got that locked up.

9. How far would you travel for the perfect cheeseburger?

When I created the “Wendy McKing” I had to drive to 2 different towns to assemble the ingredients. If I have to spend more than an hour on the road then it really isn’t worth my time.

10. What about the fries? How important are those to creating a satisfying cheeseburger experience?

Fries are delicious, but irrelevant. It’s nice to have something in case you’re still hungry after the burger though.

11. I love fries – who has the best fries?

You want good fries? You gotta go to The Grill Next Door. 7 different kinds of fries. Place is fricking amazing.

12. I’m a vegetarian – where can I get a good veggie burger?

…In my mind there is no such thing as a “good veggie burger”. Call it what it is. Pile of mushy vegetables smooshed into a ball and then flattened… But that probably wouldn’t fit on the label.

13. How tasty would a cheeseburger in paradise be?

Real quick… I hate Jimmy Buffet. I hate him so much that I refuse to put the second “T” at the end of his last name! Joking of course. He seems like a nice guy. You know he has a restaurant chain right? I see cheeseburgers as a comfort food, so I’d rather have a cheeseburger in Hell than a cheeseburger in paradise.

14. Finally, what would your life be like if you could never have a delicious cheeseburger again?

It would be one suckfest day after another. Give it time though. It’ll probably happen. The world of the future is going to be exactly like the movie Demolition Man.
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