Captains Log

Boating Season Begins And For Some It Ends The Same Day

2013-05-12T05:47:00.000-07:00

At last it is here. After working on the boat these last two months I finally finish it. Every two years I go through the whole boat with a new paint job,polish the brass and chrome and go through all the wiring. Of course there are things to do and buy every year because a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into but I like to make sure the boat looks good and I know what I have for upcoming problems.

Launch day will be next Sat. where I put in at Cashman's Park in Newburyport. They have a great boat ramp and it is well maintained. Sometimes they charge a 5.00 fee if the harbormaster is there but I go early to avoid the rush.

Launch Day can also be very entertaining if you're the person watching from the sidelines. For the amateur boater it can the worst day of his life and embarrassing for the seasoned boater when they get a brain fart.

Over the 25 years of boating and launching I've seen it all.....I think. Here are some of the funny and not so funny things I've seen

There are the people that can't back a trailer up tying up both sides of the ramp, some jackknife the trailer and twist the ball end of the trailer and thats it for them for the day. Then there's the guy that backs down and has no rope tied to the bow and the boat floats away. Then there's the guy with a boat on a roll off trailer and doesn't have it tied off and backs down and the boat rolls off and snaps the lower end of his motor off and the boat lands on the ramp. Then there's the guy that backs down but forgets to put the drain plug in and his boat sinks.

Between all of these things and the yelling and screaming and finger pointing it can be entertaining if you're not the guy waiting to launch your boat. So if you happen to be driving by a busy boat ramp stop by and watch the show.

SEA YA
The Capt.

Clock Ticking For The Homeless In The City Of Lowell

2013-05-02T16:00:00.001-07:00

Let me begin by saying I am not a professional in dealing with this issue. My friends and I go down the to the camps and bring them pizza and new socks and clothing 3 times a year and have become friendly with them over the years. It is a humbling experience seeing human beings living in these conditions in the richest country the the world and they are polite and grateful for the merger things that you and I take for granted..

Yesterday I caught wind that the homeless residents were served notice that they had 7 days to vacate their campsites with services that were available to them pinned to their dwellings. This all came about with motion brought forward by Councilor Marty Lorrey asking the City in cooperation with state and federal agencies to find housing and help with medical needs they may have.

I applaud the Councilor for bring this motion forward, but a 7 day vacate notice in my opinion is not enough.
This past Monday all the agencies that deal with Homelessness met at City Hall and agreed on this plan and fanned out across the city to solve this problem in one week....are you kidding me?

I went before the City Council and spoke on behalf of the Homeless that they need outreach on a one on one basis and that they all had different needs and you can't just displace them . I understand that they live on UMASS Lowell property and DOT property and city land but this is their home.

Some have substance abuse issues and mental issues and some just like living outdoors and I also understand that we can't have people just living outside with no sanitation and open fires. This issue should have been on these agencies radar all along. I know they do good work along with the Christian agencies but this in my opinion is too fast a move for these fragile people.

Senate Passes Warren’s Amendment For Fishing Industry Relief « CBS Boston

2013-03-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Senate Passes Warren’s Amendment For Fishing Industry Relief « CBS Boston

Why are Nuns Vanishing in America.

2013-02-24T15:29:00.001-08:00

Cruising my Facebook account my friend Marie Sweeney had a link to a Boston Globe article about What American Nuns Built. Being a product of a Catholic elementary school education I found it a great read but a troubling one also.

The number of American Nuns have dropped from 180,000 in the 70's to 56,000 in the present. The average age is 60 years old. Why is the number so low while the number of young women entering the Orders have increased in South America and Africa.

I suppose in those countries there may be a deeper faith in the church and also a way for these young women to get an education and a stable life. I realize this life is not for everyone especially young women from America with all that we have and the distractions of everyday life.

Did the Catholic church do a bad job in recent years in recruiting young women to this vocation?
My Aunt Theresa is a Grey Nun from the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and has served her community for over 65 yrs. She taught at St, Josephs High School and later became Principal until the school closed.

I hope she won't get mad by me telling you she is 85 yrs old and still loves her life and her community. I'll leave you with a comment from the Globe Article which I agree with whole heartily.

The education provided by the Catholic Schools when the students were taught by nuns was far superior than anything that is being provided to the children of this generation. The biggest thing with the loss of Nuns is now a Catholic education is no longer within reach financially for most families. The nuns being teachers allowed for much more affordable tuition as they were not collecting salaries for the most part. Going to a Catholic School now and being taught by a lay teacher is essentially the same as going to a public school and having a religious class thrown in. The nuns were the finest teachers this nation has ever known. They knew all subjects and we were educated at a superbly high level. Oh and they gave us discipline. The loss of nuns as educators has left a true vacancy in our nation. Oh for the old days and old ways.

The Fading Lowell Sun baits City Council to Fight.

2013-02-18T12:06:00.001-08:00

Wow I just read today's Editorial in the Fading Lowell Sun, talk about chumming the water. " STEP DOWN OR GROW UP". The Fading Lowell Sun wants unity on the Council but continues to writes about the tensions between the Mayor and his colleagues. To quote the Fading Lowell Sun Editorial ; ON TUESDAY NIGHT, COUNCILORS SHOWED UNCOMMON RESTRAINT BY REFRAINING FROM GIVING THE MAYOR A DOSE OF HIS OWN VITRIOLIC MEDICINE'.

Good for my City Councilmen for not acting childish,and do the business of the city. I personalty hate the petty bickering and antics of some Councilors. In my option a certain Councilor does the bidding of the Fading Lowell Sun. This is not what is in the best interest of the city.

Yes the Mayor will not seek a 3rd term but why should the Fading Lowell Sun throw out some stinking bait that no one will bite on. Because he didn't buy over priced ads in there paper thin paper?

I may be only a Neighborhood Activist, Bike Riding, Sea Dog, but I can see a bully when I see one and it,s not the Mayor...

Sea Ya

The Capt.

Cory Belanger is the first one out of the box for Lowell City Council Race

2013-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

The City Council Race in Lowell has officially started today with the announcement by Cory Belanger a local bar owner. Cory ran for Governors Council in 2010 and City Council in 2011. Cory was not successful in ether race. This announcement in my option is very early, but as Cory said he started late in 2011 City Council Race and wants to hit the ground running early.

I appreciate Cory's enthusiasm in getting his message out early, but having run for office twice he will have no legs left for the finish in my option. Unless Cory has a team that will work everyday on ground work and get out the vote he will burnout.

I like Cory and wish him well but he will have a tough road ahead of him. He has served the city well as a board member and has helped numerous non profits and is well connected in the city but what surprised me the most was his endorsement of Councilor Ellott for Mayor if elected.

If Cory thinks that he can hang his hat on Rodney s name plate to get elected I believe he has made a mistake. I wish him well.....Let the games begin.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

Life Gave The Capt. a Right Hook.

2013-02-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

I have always lived my life to the fullest and enjoy being surrounded by my family and friends. Those who know me know my mantra is " We are not here for a long time but here for a good time" . Three weeks ago life gave me a right hook and took my hero, best friend , my Dad. It was fast and he said he always wanted to go that way. He died snow blowing his driveway even though I told him I'd be over to do it. I learned you can't tell an old Frenchman what to do because he'll do it anyway. In a way I'm blessed he died the way he wanted and not linger sick in a nursing home, because he was not the type of guy to be a bother to anyone.

He was a good man and a devoted husband to my Mom for over 60 years and did a great job raising 5 children. I have no regrets because I know he loved me and he knew I loved him. People have told me the hole in your heart will always be there and I believe that is true, after all he was my Father.

Grief is a powerful thing. I have had friends and relatives pass away and it makes you pause, but losing a parent takes the breath out of you. I know I'll be ok after a while and life goes on but it is surreal that he is gone. I know I'm not the only one to lose a loved one . Loved ones die every day and the pain is as great .

I do know that I am the man that I am because of the man that raised me and mentored me. I will miss him deeply but wow.......That was a right hook.

Capt's Year in Review

2013-01-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

It's was a busy year for the Capt. with a lot of ups and downs. My fishing season was the best in 10 years with great catches and new customers and lobsters in abundance. The band the FunRazars had a great year with a number of gigs for non profits and charity's and we even got paid for a few....LOL

I had a health issue but came though it alright and Janet is great as usual. We lost our little Yorkie Isabellee and that broke our hearts, she was a great little girl.

I took some road trips with my buddy's on the Harley,s and plan to do more next year.

We re recorded the Lowell Massachusetts USA song featuring Ziggy Burns on vocals and raised over 4000.00 for the Salvation Army.

I'm looking forward to 2013 with new energy dealing with the homeless issues in the city of Lowell and working with wonderful compassionate people.

I wish all of you a healthy, prosperous and blessed 2013.

Sea Ya

The Capt.

The History of the Salvation Army

2012-12-01T10:20:00.002-08:00

History of The Salvation Army

William Booth embarked upon his ministerial career in 1852, desiring to win the lost multitudes of England to Christ. He walked the streets of London to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.

Booth abandoned the conventional concept of a church and a pulpit, instead taking his message to the people. His fervor led to disagreement with church leaders in London, who preferred traditional methods. As a result, he withdrew from the church and traveled throughout England, conducting evangelistic meetings. His wife, Catherine, could accurately be called a cofounder of The Salvation Army.

In 1865, William Booth was invited to hold a series of evangelistic meetings in the East End of London. He set up a tent in a Quaker graveyard, and his services became an instant success. This proved to be the end of his wanderings as an indepedent traveling evangelist. His renown as a religious leader spread thoughout London, and he attracted followers who were dedicated to fight for the souls of men and women.

Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among Booth's first converts to Christianity. To congregations who were desperately poor, he preached hope and salvation. His aim was to lead people to Christ and link them to a church for further spiritual guidance.

Many churches, however, did not accept Booth's followers because of their past. So Booth continued giving his new converts spiritual direction, challenging them to save others like themselves. Soon, they too were preaching and singing in the streets as a living testimony to the power of God.

In 1867, Booth had only 10 full-time workers, but by 1874, the number had grown to 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists, all serving under the name "The Christian Mission." Booth assumed the title of general superintendent, with his followers calling him "General." Known as the "Hallelujah Army," the converts spread out of the East End of London into neighboring areas and then to other cities.

Booth was reading a printer's proof of the 1878 annual report when he noticed the statement "The Christian Mission is a volunteer army." Crossing out the words "volunteer army," he penned in "Salvation Army." From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.

From that point, converts became soldiers of Christ and were known then, as now, as Salvationists. They launched an offensive throughout the British Isles, in some cases facing real battles as organized gangs mocked and attacked them. In spite of violence and persecution, some 250,000 people were converted under the ministry of The Salvation Army between 1881 and 1885.

Meanwhile, the Army was gaining a foothold in the United States. Lieutenant Eliza Shirley had left England to join her parents, who had migrated to America earlier in search for work. In 1879, she held the first meeting of The Salvation Army in America, in Philadelphia. The Salvationists were received enthusiastically. Shirley wrote to General Booth, begging for reinforcements. None were available at first. Glowing reports of the work in Philadelphia, however, eventually convinced Booth, in 1880, to send an official group to pioneer the work in America.

On March 10, 1880, Commissioner George Scott Raiton and seven women officers knelt on the dockside at Battery Park in New York City to give thanks for their safe arrival. At their first official street meeting, these pioneers were met with unfriendly actions, as had happened in Great Britain. They were ridiculed, arrested, and attacked. Several officers and soldiers even gave their lives.Three years later, Railton and other Salvationists had expanded their operation into California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. President Grover Cleveland received a delegation of Salvation Army officers in 1886 and gave the organization a warm personal endorsement. This was the first recognition from the White House and would be followed by similar receptions from succeeding presidents.

The Salvation Army movement expanded rapidly to Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, and local neighborhood units. The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world.

General Booth's death in 1912 was a great loss to The Salvation Army. However, he had laid a firm foundation' even his death could not deter the ministry's onward march. His eldest son, Bramwell Booth, succeeded him.

Edward J. Higgins served as the first elected general, beginning in 1929. The first female general was Booth's daughter, the dynamic Evangeline Booth, serving from 1934 to 1939. The Army's fifth general was George Carpenter, succeeded in 1946 by Albert Orsborn. General Wilfred Kitching was elected in 1954, succeeded by Frederick Coutts in 1963. Erik Wickberg followed in 1969; Clarence Wiseman in 1974; Arnold Brown in 1977; Jarl Wahlstrom in 1981; and Eva Burrows, the second female general, in 1986. General Bramwell Tillsley was elected in 1993 and was succeeded by General Paul Rader in 1994, followed by General John Gowans in 1999, General John Larsson in 2002, and General Shaw Clifton in 2006. General Linda Bond was elected the 19th General of The Salvation Army in January 2011, the third female to serve in this capacity. She currently commands the Army from International Headquarters in London, England.

How You Can Help

The Remake Of The Lowell Song For The Salvation Army

2012-11-17T13:55:00.001-08:00

The Lowell Song was recorded by The Camelots, a band that performed at the old Spear House back in the 60's. The members were Charlie Pelly on cocktail drum, Dick Dube on the organ and Walter Sarmento on Guitar. I had the pleasure to perform with them on a number of occasions in the early 70's and thought my retirement gig would be a Camelot, but as luck would have it they tore the old Spear House down to build those high rise apartments.

Anyway as the years went by I heard the song every now and then 5 years ago I joined a band called the FunRazrs. One of the members was Rich Sarmento the nephew of Walter Sarmento . I told him I played with his uncle at the Spear House and he told me his uncle co wrote the Lowell Song.

Fast forward to this past summer. I listen to WCAP 980 am everyday a local radio station and they have a segment every Thursday with the unofficial Mayor of downtown Lowell. Ziggy Burns. He is a great guy and does a lot of good in the community and for charity's but his theme song is the old Lowell Song.

Teddy Panos the host of the programs family owes the Athenen Rest and has entertainment during the summer. I put it out to Ziggy to come out and sing his theme song the next time we played at Teddys Rest. and he did.He did a great job and they now play the live version of Ziggys performance as his theme song.

Then I had the idea....Let's redo the song with Ziggy singing it and all proceeded s go to the Salvation Army.
It is all done and the CD is on it's way to be packaged in time for the Salvation Army Radiothon. WCAP will debut it on Tuesday at 7:35 am. We will also lip sync to the track at the City of Lights parade next Sat. in Lowell in front of City Hall.

It was a lot of fun going into the studio to rerecord Richie's uncle s song for the good....
I hope you enjoy it because it was a labor of love.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

The Day After Election Day

2012-11-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

It's been a long campaign season for both national and local candidates. How many times have I heard this past week " I can't wait for this to be over" but I sympathize for the candidates having run twice for local office and worked on another campaign for three years in a row.

First thing we should do is thank anyone that is willing to put there name on a ballot and be willing to serve the public. The minute you're a candidate you are open game to political pundits the media and the public.

As a candidate you lean on your family and friends and supporters to help you get your message out with door knocking and visibility and the toughest thing ( for me ) asking people for money because running a campaign is not cheap.

You are on the go everyday knocking on doors going to this event and that fundraiser. Going to the Senior Centers and meetings with unions. Going to debates and in between knocking on doors. Standing on street corners and
going to coffee shops and standing in front of supermarkets.

You are on the phone all day talking to your advisers and supporters and searching out advice from former elected officials that you admire. You hear your name on the radio and tv. Sometimes its good sometimes it's bad but you keep going and your skin gets thicker.

You lay in bed at night wondering did I do enough today and think about what to do tomorrow.........

Then election day comes. You feel you have done everything you could do to get your message out and now it's up to the voters. It's a long day going to all the polls and making sure there is visibility and all your supporters are happy and thank them for their time. but thats all you can do. It's in the hands of the voters

Results come in if you're a winner it's the greatest feeling in the world. If you lose you wonder what more you could have done.

You have gone 100mph and then it stops. No place to go . No calls to make. No media to talk to.....Its a very very strange feeling. Support the ones that won their races and thank those who were willing to serve.

Sea Ya

The Capt.

Winterizing your Boat

2012-10-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Since taking the boat out of the water for the season the weather has been tough to winterize the boat but I finally got to it yesterday. Some folks pay a lot of money to do this but it is fairly easy to do. I hope these tips help.

The first thing I do when I get the boat home is power wash the hull to remove the scum while it's still fresh. Don't worry about any barnacles on the hull because you will be able to scrape them off easy in the Spring before you touch up your bottom paint.

Next I pour marine grade fuel stabilizer ( blue stuff ) in to the fuel tanks. I use a pint on each side.
Place your ears on your lower end of the outboard....not your ears ears..LOL but a sort of clamp with suction cups that you attach a garden hose to. Place the ears over the intake vents behind the prop.

Turn the water on and start the engine, let it run for a little while to make sure the stabilizer gets in the carburetors.While its running turn off your fuel switch and let the motor run till it runs dry. Some folks have the engine fogged, I've never done it so I don't know if it's good or bad.

Changing the lower end fluid is important One it's lets you see if you have water in the oil which means your seals are gone. And two it lets you see if you have any metal chips in the oil . Unscrew the top screw on the lower end then on do the bottom one. Drain oil and take a look at the bottom screw. The bottom screw should have a magnet on it . Check for metal flakes and if the oil is milky you have water.

If everything looks alright refill your lower end fluid. Some products come with a hose that screws into the lower end or what looks like a caulking tube. Fill from the bottom hole first till it comes out the top hole.. Your done.

Remove engine cover and spray WD 40 on wires and linkage. This keeps moisture from rusting parts and keeps wiring from drying up.

I have been having my boat shrinkwrapped the last 4 yrs and it is well worth it come Spring time. You can pay anywhere from $8 to $10 a foot and for a little more they can put a zipped door in if you what to.
Anyway it's not hard to do.

Sea Ya

The Capt.

Last Boating Day of the Season

2012-10-14T05:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know where the summer went, but here it is the last day. All in all I had a good fishing charter season and it was great to see my regulars and new customers. The Striper fishing was strange this year with most of the big fish being caught in deep water instead of in the mouth of the Merrimack River.

Next season I'll be looking at some changes at the marina as we have new owners. I've heard they plan to push the marina out closer to the channel to accommodate more boat slips and push the gas docks out and widen it to accommodate four boats at the same time.

I don't know what will happen to the old Fish Tale Diner ,some say it was sold and to be moved to a new location and I've heard they may turn it into a Tiki Bar. With all these changes I knew my slip fee would go up and it did by four hundred.

I don't plan to move because I still have the best deal and location on the river. I just hope they will let the charterboat captains operate with no restrictions.

The take out went smooth with us going out to sea and picking up the lobster traps for the last time. We had bugs in every one but only one keeper the rest were either shorts or eggers. We headed back in and put the traps in the back of the truck.

The guys went to the boatyard and picked up my boat trailer and met me up river at Cashmans Park boat ramp. I always feel a little sad as I putt up river looking at all the empty mooring balls and boat slips but I'm also happy that I get to do what I love.

My wife is also happy because she has a list a mile long of chores to do around the house.
I'll talk about winterizing your boat on my next blog.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

Striper Fishing in Cape Cod Bay

2012-09-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

My friends and I decided to change it up and charter a 36ft Sport fishing boat down the Cape and try our luck on the infamous striper fishing we only hear about up here in the north shore.

The boat was a beauty and Captian John Carty and 1st mate Kevin made us feel welcome aboard the Lucky Lady II. I wasn't prepared for the rough seas and the kind of fishing we were in store for. We checked the weather before we left my buddy's house in Sandwich and they said one foot seas and wind out of the NNW at 5 miles and hour. When we got to the boat it was blowing at 15 miles an hour with 3 to 4 ft seas.

We headed out banging though the waves and started to troll along Barnstable beaches about 300 yards off shore using purple jig heads. Two guys sitting in the fighting chairs at the stern pumping the jigs at a good clip up and down as the Capt. worked the boat as he called it over a pile of fish.

It was exhausting at times but rewarding when we hooked up. We kept swapping off and heckled one another and had a lot off laughs and took some shots from the good natured Capt. up on the fly bridge.
After the tide went slack we headed toward the Cape Cod Canal and fished a ledge about a mile off shore.

I have fished in a bunch off boats before but this was crazy, about 60 boats trolling tubes on a small rock pile so close I could walk onto a boat going by at times. This is where we caught our biggest fish and it was awesome.

The wind calmed down and the sun came out and we headed back to the dock after 8hrs at sea and with over a hundred pounds of filet in our cooler. It is very cool to check out the different ways to catch fish because what works down the Cape doesn't always work in the north shore.

I love Striper fishing...

Sea Ya
The Capt.

Open apology to Gerry Nutter

2012-09-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

As a political junky I read all the local blogs. I do comment on occasion on things that interest me and sometimes get caught in the web. I was alittle harsh on Gerry when he accused me of knowing of or being a part of illegal activities pertaining to the stealing of scrap from the Jullian Steel Project.

Gerry does a good job covering local politics and puts in a lot of time in it and his blog is my source of information. I sometimes get frustrated when I hear him on City Life or on Warren Shaws Show make statements like they were fact.

I should know better then to lash out and for that Gerry I am sorry . Keep doing what you do and I'll keep reading and try not to get caught in the web.

Sea Ya

The Capt.

Motorcycle ride to the past.

2012-08-19T13:40:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure to ride my Harley with my friends to Conn. this weekend and stayed at my buddy's daughters camp on Hayward Lake . I don't know what town it's in but I saw what living should be like and the pace we should be living at.

I love living in Lowell and I go about making a living every day but when I take a putt with my buddy's we end up somewhere I have never been and see these little towns and talk to the locals I wonder if a simple life in a rural place is the answer.

The lake we stayed on was beautiful and the bass fishing was unbelievable. The water was clear and clean and you could tell by looking at the fish because they were bright and healthy. The country side was also beautiful with rolling hills and open space and old farm houses on large parcels of land.

My buddy Paul and I took a putt on Sat. and got lost on purpose and ended up on dirt roads for miles and had to stop and let a flock of turkeys cross the road. We also found a old cemetery with many unmarked graves but some from the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War ...very cool.

At night the locals came out to the beach and whooped it up with a band and danced the night away.
They had home cooked side dishes and a 50/ 50 raffle and were very kind to us .

I don't know but it reminded me of a earlier time in my life when we would go to my uncles lake house in the early 60's. I'm very happy that there are still places like the one I found this weekend.

I still don't know what town I was in but it was a beautiful and happy place.

Sea Ya
The Capt..

Fish Tale Diner Closed

2012-08-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to write about the Fish Tale Diner closing last month at Bridge Marina.
It was originally the Agawam Diner and was moved behind Stripers Rest. at Bridge Marina.
It was a classic diner with wooden booths and a long counter and small juke boxes at every table.

It was my favorite place to grab breakfast in the morning before going down to the boat. It was always packed every weekend from the time they opened at 5am with customers getting on the fishing boats from the Clipper Fleet and stayed that way with fisherman ,tourist and locals till it closed at 1pm.

Two years ago they built a large deck on the back of the diner over looking Newburyport Harbor. They had picnic tables with umbrellas and large flower box's around the rails. The view was great and so was the food.

I don't know why it closed but rumors were the building inspectors came it and told them they needed sprinkler systems and handicap bathrooms and handicap access and the upgrades were to costly.
It's a shame that its gone and will be missed by alot of folks.

I don't like change

Sea Ya
The Capt.

The Folk Fest.

2012-07-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

Janet and I were down on Friday night because I volunteer to help out in the Emergency Management Command Center every year. It's something I enjoy and I get to make my rounds around the city in a golf cart.

The crowds were big at Boarding House Park and on Dutton St. and the fact that it was a beautiful night helped. I love the festivals the city puts on. I believe we are a model of what a urban city should be but I observed a couple things that I think should be addressed.

I love dogs I own one but I don't bring my dog down to huge crowds of people. Oh it's nice the dog gets all kind of attention but it's not about the dog it's about you. Leave your dog at home. I heard of two dog fights on Friday night and some children got scared.
'
The last thing I observed were packs of kids on bikes and skateboards wiping in and out of people and at one point took a guy out lucky he wasn't hurt. I don't know what can be done but I did see a Lowell Police Officer blow his whistle to some kids to get off the sidewalks with there bikes.

Other than these two things I think this is wonderful for the city but these two things can turn some folks off from coming back.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

The Old Walbrook Rest. Razed

2012-07-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

Janet and I drove down Pleasant St. in Dracut yesterday on our way home from York Beach to find bulldozers taking down the Walbrook. It was sad to see and reminded Jan and I that we used to go there when we where dating with the picnic tables and pizza and pitchers of beer we enjoyed.

The original Walbrook was great and they later made it a fancy rest. with a function room upstairs. My band Touch of Class played hundreds of weddings up stares and I remember loading and unloading down the fire escape on the back side of the building. Not much fun in the winter.

That later closed and it went though a few changes becoming nightclubs some good some bad.
It was also a church for awhile and that closed. Now I guess from what I heard they are putting in a plaza. Share your memories.

I'm sorry to see the Old Walbrook go.....Memories.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

There are rules on the water.

2012-07-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

After doing three fishing charters this weekend and obseving the boating habits of some folks I thought I'd talk about the rules of the water.

I have the pleasure to work on the Merrimack River and the ocean three to four days a week and see alot of folks that have no busness boating here. As you head out to the ocean there are bouys red and green and no wake bouys you keep the green ones on your right on the way out and the red ones on your left. And on the way in you keep the red ones on your right and the green ones on your left. Easy way to remember is red right return.

No wake zones...They are there for a reason. Around Salisbury State Park many campers bring small boats to fish for Stripers and they can get swamped by large boat wakes. SLOW DOWN.

On a heavy boating days like this past weekend the mouth of the river can become like a washing machine. Many hard core fisherman drift the outgoing or the incoming tides between the north and south jetty. What happens is when the larger boats come flying out the mouth the boat wake bounces off both sides of the jettys and with the current of the in and out going tides it makes it very sloppy and smaller boat have no control and can get swamped. Please slow down going past smaller boats.

Every year we lose some folks beause of bad boating habits or lack of knowledge...Respect Morther Ocean.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

Lets catch up....

2012-06-24T18:56:00.004-07:00

OK lets catch up on some info floating around and some fish reports.
The last couple of weeks I've been going to political party's after laying low and enjoyed seeing old friends and supporters. I wish I counted everyone that said to me they voted for me in the last city council race because I would have beat Rita...LOL. It's all good and everyone is very kind.

Because of my increased duty's at work and building my fishing charter business and my new Harley I will not seek a appointment for the GLTS. That being said I hope that my friend Cliff will get the appointment because he is a good man with a big heart and will do well for the children of Lowell.

Fish Report

Mackerel are still around for live bait and big Stripers in the mouth of the Merrimack.
37in one last week but reports of cut offs by Blue Fish :-(.
Its way to early for Blues but everything is early this year.

It was also very weird this weekend that the high tide was 2 hrs late coming in and there was no current at the tide time.....very strange never saw that before.

The Band had a great time playing for Buds party at Lenzi's and a great turn out for the Salvation Army from what I've heard.

Sea Ya
The Capt.

Things never stay the same

2012-06-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

I found out yesterday when I went down to the marina to work on the boat that Bridge Marina was sold to my next door marina Rings Inland Marina. It didn't come as a surprise that it was sold as there have been rumors that it was for sale for some time.

It does bum me out that it's sold though because I've already seen some changes like my favorite diner the Fish Tale is closed. It was a classic diner run by 3 sisters with a deck overlooking the harbor. I 'll miss getting my bacon and egg sandwich and home fries before my charters.

The new owner did a great job when he brought Rings Inland a few years ago. He put in all new docks with shore power and water. He also put in new showers and bathrooms and turned the old bait shop into a common area with flat screen TV and air conditioning.

Now you must be saying that sounds nice and it is but at my marina we are hard core fisherman and don't need all of those things. And you know with all of those changes come a increase in fee's.

They don't make any more shoreline and it is all premium property but like most people I don't like change. I'll miss sharing a wash down hose with my dock neighbor and stringing 2 hundred foot extension cords together to work on my boat. I'll also miss the smell of bait sitting on the docks.

The end is coming for me and my fellow fisherman because we won't be able to afford the new fee's and will have to move further up river to a new marina making the trip longer to get to the ocean.

Things never stay the same..........Sea Ya

Greater Lowell Voke Rumors

2012-05-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

I've been reading the blogs and watching City Life and reading the Sun and hearing about who's in and who's out if Mike Lenzi's leaves. Just to set the record straight I was called to see if I would be interested in the position in the event Mike would have to step down.

As you know I ran twice for City Council and worked very hard for a State Senate Candidate making it 3 campaigns in a row. I love this city and will and do serve as best I can as a neighbor and activist. I have always wanted to be an elected official but don't have the energy for another campaign.

While my friend Cliff is also interested and Kim Scott worked hard to get him interested in the seat I have been giving this some serious thought. In the event Mike steps down I would be interested in the seat. I believe my experience working in the trades my whole life and my people skills and a former member of a union will be fresh eyes and ears on this board.

I also believe that my relationships with the members of the City Council and School Comm. will give me the votes needed to serve the students and parents of Lowell at the Voke. My Father taught me to work with my hands and he told me you'll always work.

Give the Kids the tools and they will always work.........

Launch Day

2012-05-27T05:22:00.002-07:00

After a long winter I launched the Janet Marie in the water yesterday for the season. For those of you that have a boat and would enjoy a beautiful day on the water Newburyport has a great boat launch. It's called Cashmans Park and it's just over the bridge on the right going into Newburyport. The fee is 5.00.

I've been boating for many years and launch day can go great or horrible wrong. Here are some pointers to keep in mind on launch day.

1. Check your air pressure on your trailer tires before you leave and grease the bearings ,

2.When you ready to back down the ramp make sure the drain plug is in. I don't know how many times I've heard or seen of a boat sink at the ramp forgetting this simple task.

3.DO NOT unhook your boat from your trailer when backing down to the water. I've seen boats roll off the trailer onto the ramp and snapping off the lower end of the motor,not a good start of a day

.
4.When backed in on the trailer lower the motor and start it and let it run. This is good to do on the first day after the winter. When you feel the motor is running good back in all the way and float off the trailer.

My launch day went well we put the bumpers on the dock before hand and took the boat out to the ocean for a shake down run. I had to replace a small piece of fuel line going to the fuel tank and my prop slipped at high RPMs , might be time for a new prop. All in all it was a good day.

One more thing.....Please use common sense. Some rookie tied off his anchor to his stern in the mouth of the Merrimack and sank his boat yesterday and was lucky there were other fisherman close by to fish them out.

Sea Ya Later

The Capt.

The Caswell Motel

2012-05-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't blogged in a while because I'm busy getting the boat ready for the season and I have a new Harley that I can't stay off of, but this story about the Caswell Motel interests me. I grew up in Tewksbury and the Caswell was always a truckers stop or a cheap motel for the night and well maintained. At the time Rt 38 was almost barren to Tewksbury center. Next to the Caswell was the Jade East Rest and The Red Mill. It was the spot you went if you got lucky at the bars and that was it.

Something changed. Did Rt 38 grow to fast? Did the owners let it go? Did the cheap rates draw hookers and dealers there? I think all of the above. One night 2yrs ago I was driving by the Caswell with a friend and we were talking about the good old days and how the Caswell had changed and my friend pulled in and around the back of the building and said watch this and beeped the horn. Almost every door opened and I'm sure there was something for sale behind every door.

These types of motels are in every city and town across America, is it right? NO. But if I know whats going on at the Caswell and every cop in town does why don't they enforce the law? It's to bad that times change and there are desperate people that do desperate things and put a black mark on a good town that I grew up in. Is the answer to take the Motel away from the owner and sell it off and split the 1.5 million that the property's is worth with the Feds and the Tewksbury Police?

They know the problem...... the police bust the hookers and dealers and judges let them walk because there is no room for them. I'm going on and on .....Let me know what you think

Thanks
The Capt.

Captains Log

Boating Season Begins And For Some It Ends The Same Day

Clock Ticking For The Homeless In The City Of Lowell

Senate Passes Warren’s Amendment For Fishing Industry Relief « CBS Boston

Why are Nuns Vanishing in America.

The Fading Lowell Sun baits City Council to Fight.

Cory Belanger is the first one out of the box for Lowell City Council Race

Life Gave The Capt. a Right Hook.

Capt's Year in Review

The History of the Salvation Army

History of The Salvation Army

The Church

The History

The People

The Publications

How You Can Help

The Remake Of The Lowell Song For The Salvation Army

The Day After Election Day

Winterizing your Boat

Last Boating Day of the Season

Striper Fishing in Cape Cod Bay

Open apology to Gerry Nutter

Motorcycle ride to the past.

Fish Tale Diner Closed

The Folk Fest.

The Old Walbrook Rest. Razed

There are rules on the water.

Lets catch up....

Things never stay the same

Greater Lowell Voke Rumors

Launch Day

The Caswell Motel