MY BROTHER'S TABLE......SUMMER PARTY.....SUCCESS......

2500 Volunteers, 90,000 meals during the last year,365 days a year and no public tax money for support.......
28 years ago, the Founders wrote;
  "We volunteers have more to learn than share.My Brother's Table will be a center for barriers to break down,for the poor to educate the rich,the elderly to teach the young, the powerless  to humble the powerful......And, since we are caring for God's people, We will always get what we need."

Last night the summer garden party was a great success to all who came and participated in any way......The food, music and social camaraderie was fantastic. The spirit of "giving"loomed over the crowd and believe me you could "feel it"........

It was a special night in that so many of my family and friends over the past year have participated in the volunteering at the "Table"in every aspect from the Kitchen, Committees, Walks, and Fund Raising.......Many of them were present last night and it was my honor to be with each and everyone of them......Thanks guys.......It is impossible to mention everybody since I surely would forget someone and have to make "amends".....You know who you are...... and remember that I think of your giving spirit every time I see ,talk or have a thought of you ......whether present or not last night.......

I will be posting some pictures in a short time.......Have a good day....

CHARLIE BAKER......GANGED UP BY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS....

I have made my compassion known for the way Matt Amorello was vilified by the press and the Haverhill
Police, but there is no such feeling for the lack of truth or "spinning"of facts in the interest of political expediency........and that is exactly what Patrick and Cahill are doing by inferring that actions by Charlie Baker 16 years ago are the reason for the Amorello "Big Dig "problems.... Memory is that back all those years ago the Commonwealth had a surplus..........

Matt knew what he was getting into when he took the Turnpike "job", and his handing out patronage positions and pay raises is what got him in the "radar  scope " of then Governor Romney who forced his resignation.My opinion is that he was not qualified to handle a complicated position and Gov. Jane Swift also unqualified appointed him for reasons that had  nothing to do with competency..........

The Governor race is "heating"up early.....and I find it amusing that the Governor and Treasurer who have had responsibility for the past four years are wasting time trying to give History lessons about years "gone by"..........I remember long ago.....when Dukakis wanted to depress the overhead roads in Boston
and  "Ted" Kennedy promised federal money.......

Let's deal with our current issues and get this "mess " fixed.........

MATT AMORELLO.......GIVE HIM A BREAK.......

Matt Amorello has had a "bad go" of it the last few years......He has gone from a powerful political operative in Republican circles being a State Senator and the Head of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority to a Defendant charged with DUI , Damaging Property of others and leaving the scene......He is innocent until proven guilty..........but according to newspaper reports; a relative said give him a break, and I certainly can understand the sentiment of his family member.....

I am not talking a break from Justice if found guilty..........but I think the way the Boston Herald presented the story with  the" booking photo " of  him on the front page was 'uncalled for "........In fact I have no memory of  that type booking picture.in any paper............
.
Other reports say he is divorced, lost his house through foreclosure, and of course quit the "Big Dig Job"under political pressure which had been paying in the range of $ 223.000........

These charges seem to demonstrate that  he has hit the "bottom " on this phase of his journey through life........and
Being who he is.....makes it obvious that many people will find "glee" in this tragedy..........I do not know him and it seems to me that his "public persona " have led him to this particular point of scorn.......But..........that is not the purpose of this " Thought ".............


Compassion is a human characteristic that is greater than the human mistakes that we all make....... the Courts will sort out the judgement but remember none of us are perfect......and except for the "Grace of God " go I.............

Leave the judgements to others .........and think how you would feel if this was you or one of your family members........

First Amendment Rights allow unfettered use of "words, thoughts and sentences........but don't control human reason and dignity......You have to figure that out for yourself..........

SALIM FORT.....TRAGEDY........AND GREAT STORY......

Salim Fort lived for a short fifteen years.......but He left me with a great impression  and a story to tell you...........

I did not know him but his obituary in the Lynn Item said it all;

A Gentleman and Athlete, who personified respect, dignity and humility.............A "Gentle Giant " loved by the entire community.........Who wouldn't want that as a legacy..........

On Friday Evening chance took me by Ocean Street, Lynn and while stopped at the red light I noticed a large crowd of people young, old, black, white and Asian waiting in a long line and mulling around the sidewalk and parking areas of the Solimine Funeral Home.

A young person had brought all types of humans of every creed,color, background together in one spirit to celebrate and honor his "special being "..........It is a tribute to him, his family and the citizens of the City of Lynn......

When conditions seem intolerable and without hope.....A tragedy which seems inconsolable turns and gives us a view of the all that is great.......including this Man who was put on this earth to give us a short glimpse of all that is "good on this earth "........

God's Messages are delivered in many ways and a different route by me would have denied me this moment of reflection........RIP Salim Fort..........

LYDIA SHIRE.....LIBERTY HOTEL.....AND GOOD NEWS

I was privileged to be able to accompany two loves of my life into MGH to discuss treatment and prognosis relative to completed tests.....The meeting results were very encouraging...and the Doctors were positive and upbeat that the situation is controllable........

My observation of MGH and the Children's Hospital for "little people" is that they are the only place to be if "things " have the potential to be serious......The professionalism and caring treatment is terrific........and MGH is also near the Liberty Hotel.......The last time I was in the building I was visiting a client who was confined as an inmate since it was then known as the Charles Street Jail of Suffolk County....those were in my "trial lawyer" days...I remember the case,and it is a good story.......ask me about it sometime.....It involved robbery, polygraphs and a "tree "........

The Liberty is now a beautiful place to stay with three restaurants appropriately named CLINK, ALIBI AND SCAMPO. We celebrated at the Clink and Alibi bars and dined at Scampo.....Lydia Shire the celebrity Chef is running a great operation.....It is a little pricey.....but face it Boston is the "Big Leagues "....The food and atmosphere makes it a place to be seen........If you get a chance give it a try.......If you are not up for a "big " meal they have salads, thin crust pizza and other similar appetizers.....

It was a day to remember..............

MCGEE VS DENT.................

The Governor's Race is in full swing with all the gambling posturing of the candidates and whether the Legislature is the "scapegoat" or the "hero.........It appears that the longer it goes on the more muddled the matter becomes.....I still am of the opinion that the failure of leadership at the "top "has created this latest "fiasco "......That aside lets focus on another race.

The 3rd Essex & Middlesex Senator is Tom McGee and under normal circumstances you would consider him a "shoo in" as his prior reelection numbers attest.............

He is well liked, personal and the incumbent.........however is that incumbency a "friend or foe ".He has voted with the House Leadership on many bills and it past years and it has not hurt him....

however what is in the mind of the electorate ?......I am sure that Tom is concerned and the "word on the street " is that he is working the "door to door " meet and greet.........

His opponent, Christopher Dent, a Nahant Resident, graduated from Syracuse University , joined the US Marine Corp, served in Iraq in 2006 and presently is unable to go "door to door "

since he is with his Marine Corp Reserve Unit in Monzambigue training Africans about Intelligence techniques. He is due to be discharged in November......He certainly hopes the voters support the troops..........

He will be back soon and I assume that the two candidates will have debates.......The fact that the challenger is still in the military and is conservative.... certainly makes this a political race to follow..........

No prediction from "Thought's " on this one.........!

MY BROTHER'S TABLE......SUMMER PARTY.....AUGUST 12

Now that Chelsea Clinton's Wedding is over.....You can turn your attention to the local summer extravaganza......You are invited even if you did not get one to her Party......and You can bring your cell phone and photos are allowed......also no travel to upstate New York.....

My Brother's Table Summer Party is a week from Thursday........August 12 at the Nahant Country Club at 7pm. Remember "The Table " served 90,000 meals last year ......and that is done by a small dedicated staff and many volunteers.The financial support is done "by you the people" and no tax or government money is received or accepted.........

This is the "big"fundraiser of the year......and if you show up you will be treated to culinary treats from the best restaurants on the North Shore, music, silent auction and great friends "doing the right thing ".....

If you have any questions call the Table 781 595 3224 or Mybrotherstable.org to download an invitation.............

Clear your calender.......help teenage unemployment by hiring a babysitter and get your self there............