5:00 am on Fan Pier in Boston this morning.   It was a beautiful sunrise which I will share tomorrow, but for now sharing a quick shot of blue hour…worth getting up at 3:45 on my day off 😀

Pastels de bacalhau

The real deal.  Cooked to order while you wait.   Note the sliver of hot red pepper.  This, beer included, is less than the cost of a meal at McD or BK.  Support your local pub.  Old Schoolhouse, Hudson, Mass.

Al Bezanson

Can we figure out other stuff to prescribe?   How bout prescribing a little mental toughness instead of making this shit so readily available?  I respect the hell out of any doctor that asks a patient that doesn’t absolutely need hard core pain meds if they can take a little pain and go with heavy duty Tylenol instead.

This stuff is destroying too many young lives.

World Series pitcher describes his battle with Adderall here

Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass legislation that authorizes $200 million for Chapter 90 funding to help municipalities complete road, bridge and infrastructure improvement projects.

The legislation provides Cape Ann’s communities with nearly $1 million for improvements to municipal roads and bridges. Gloucester will receive $665,844.64, Essex will receive $129,965.82, and Rockport will receive $189,641.87. The bill also appropriates $70 million to replace the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s information technology infrastructure.

“Safe roads are key to the safety and prosperity of all communities especially Gloucester,  Rockport, and Essex,” said Ferrante. “Ensuring the safety of local roads for our children, residents, visitors and those who conduct business in our area is a top priority of local leaders, including myself.”

“Chapter 90 funds are essential to providing stability and spurring economic growth in Massachusetts,” House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) said. “That growth starts on the local level. I am pleased we were able to take action on this bill before April to support safety and efficiency in our municipalities.”

“The House of Representatives voted to support $200 million of Chapter 90 funding for our cities and towns,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill), Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means. “Today’s vote will ensure that local transportation projects will continue to move forward as the busy construction season gets under way.  These funds are a vital source of local aid and demonstrate the House’s ongoing commitment to deliver needed resources to our partners at the municipal level.”

“This funding is instrumental to cities and towns seeking to make repairs and updates to their infrastructure,” said Representative William Straus (D–Mattapoisett), Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “The winter weather is especially tough on roads, and The Legislature’s $200M appropriation will allow municipalities added funds this construction season for repairs that are most needed.” 

This legislation complements a 2016 transportation law focused on highways, small bridges and a municipal grant program. That bill authorized $750 million for both federal-aid interstate and non-interstate highway projects, and $50 million for a new program to repair small bridges.

Nautical Driving School: Gloucester, MA

Learn to be safe while having fun on the water!

Boat Handling School

Now Taking Reservations for Spring 2017

The Nautical Driving School will give you hands-on knowledge, skill and confidence to correctly, and safely, handle a boat.

This 12 hour course you will teach you the inner workings of a vessel, boating vocabulary, and the proper protocols for navigating tight waterways as well as open waters. You will learn how to interface with other captains and understand the proper use and protocols of the Marine VHF Radio.

This class will give you the experience and confidence to know how to react in the case of emergencies, to competently and safely relieve someone at the wheel and stand a watch on your own.

Hands on class agenda includes:

Building your self confidence, learn the following…

• The USCG Rules of the Road
• Helmsmanship
• Navigation
• Radio Protocols
• Docking
• Anchoring
• Perform Mechanical Checklists
• Line Handling and Knot-Tying

E-mail for information regarding scheduling, pricing or any specific questions you might have.

Captain George Story

Captain George Story has worked on the water for 40 years, 30 as a professional licensed captain. Over those many years he has Skippered such boats as Whale Watch vessel, High Speed Commuter Catamarans and large Wind-Jamming Schooners and Ketches. Due to his knowledge of northern waterways he has been a sought after Harbor and River tour-boat captain. He has also command tugboats and working barges during winter months inspecting bridge, seawalls and pipelines

Throughout his career he has delighted in educating young and old alike in all aspects of the sea and waterways including how to safely drive boats of all sizes, even under the most adverse conditions. He was an instructor for the Coastal Bound Program. He is happiest when at the wheel of a boat of any size

As an educator, teaching the marine sciences has been a passion and labor of love. Maritime careers are never predictable given the constant challenges to be met. Sharing his knowledge of the sea brings Captain Story full circle.

Richard Congelosi

Richard Congelosi spent 47 years in the automobile industry. The last 30 as General Sales Manager for a well-known Jaguar dealer. Richard brings a background in finance, as well as organizational skills necessary for any business.

Richard is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has worked in several movies and TV programs, had his own rock ’n’ roll radio program “American Jukebox” on 3 stations in the Boston area for 12 years, Richard is always looking for the next adventure. A love for cars, and a fascination with boats brings Richard here.