BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (Ed Note: This column was written prior to the council meeting to meet deadline.) (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 12, 2022) — The temptation to stay with national and world news notwithstanding, today THE PLANET turns it’s focus closer to home, what with Pittsfield’s “new” city council […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 10, 2022) — At his inauguration Joe Biden pledged to stop the “uncivil war” that has divided America. He called on all Americans to come together, turn the page, and move forward in unity. How that’s different than totalitarianism may come down […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION JAN. 7, 2022) — Sharing some thoughts while we watch the Christmas decorations head into storage: WOODSMAN, SPARE THAT SPEECH Those who suffered through yet another dreadful State of the City speech sat through enough wood to build Noah’s Ark 10 […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY Second of Two Parts (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY JAN. 5, 2022) — Low interest rates. Sounds good, until you look at the harm inflicted. Modern economies exist because money moves around. THE PLANET gets that. What we don’t get, and perhaps it’s because we grew up around […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY First of a Two-Part Series (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 3, 2022) — Leave it to the Bay State’s senior senator, the redoubtable Elizabeth Warren, to come up with it. For Liz, it must be the nation’s most pressing problem. Granny Clampett, when not going after Tesla’s […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY DEC. 27-30, 2021 FOR THE WEEK) — As we wrap up 2021, a heads up for this week. THE PLANET shall be taking it off in favor of a hegira to parts unknown and largely off the map. It shall be a time […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION, THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2021) — At the Fortress, many are stirring, including the mice on this Christmas Eve. First, THE PLANET and MRS. PLANET extend warm and loving greetings to all the PLANETEERS, Z-Agents, spies, gumshoes, secret agents, and members […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ED NOTE: On Friday The Weekend Edition announces this year’s winner(s) of the Coveted Orbit Award (COA). Sources tell us the decision has been reached. Stay tuned. ———- ooo ———- (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY DEC. 22, 2021) — What do you get for a country that has […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY DEC. 20, 2021) — In a recent roundup column, THE PLANET had the following item: DONUTS AND IRONY Speaking of Fenn and First, on the opposite corner rests in peace the vacant lot still owned by Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owner Cafua Management, the […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, SPRING-IN-DEC. 17-19, 2021) — Having enjoyed the glorious Northeast weather, we can’t help but noticing the deadly, crazy weather in the Mideast and West, with snow measured in feet, tornados, and winds flipping 18-wheelers. Mother Nature and animals, sentient as they be, have just […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY DEC. 15, 2021) — While hiking today, various thoughts did a time step, asking for air. THE PLANET thus responds: ORBIT BITS We had a record number of nominees for the Coveted Orbit Award (COA), some of which were of the joke kind […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY DEC. 13, 2021) — Now for something completely different. UFOs. Unidentified flying objects. THE PLANET has no jokes to make here in this field so ripe for ridicule. We invite you to seriousness as well. You know it’s time to stop the laughing […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY [ED NOTE: THE PLANET is accepting nominees for out coveted Orbit Award. We shall make the announcement of our winner before Christmas. Last year, Charles Garivaltis took honors. Who will it be this time?] ———- ooo ———- (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION DEC. 10-12, 2021) — […]
PLANET VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, WEDNESDAY FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION DEC. 8, 2021) — Allow THE PLANET to clean out the gutters today with tidbits that we either haven’t had time to develop or items too worn to not merit a full column but who’s nature calls for a shout. […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY ED NOTE: Nominees for The Coveted Orbit Award have been arriving. The list thus far includes Mark and Lisa Tully, PLANET correspondent The City I Hate, city councilor Chris Connell, PLANETeer Jonathan Mele, Mary Jane and Joe Kapanski, and Merry & Bright, another PLANETeer. Do you have […]
BY DAN VALENTI PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY [Ed Note: THE PLANET is accepting nominees for out coveted Orbit Award. We shall make the announcement of our winner before Christmas. Last year, Charles Garivaltis took honors. Who will it be this time?] (FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, THE WEEKEND EDITION DEC. 3-5, 2021) — THE PLANET concludes […]
