June 2012 – The Newburyport Blog

The Story of Lucky and What in the World is George Thinking?

In the previous post George got very upset with me for giving out a recipe to the readers of The Newburyport Blog about a gluten free, yummy coating for fish. George is upset because one of his “pals” who he would like to consider recommending as a political consultant to The Newburyport Blog is a catfish, and George did not like the idea that readers of the Newburyport Blog would be encouraged to eat his relatives (as distant as they might be).

I have never told George that the catfish in question, Lucky, is by no means alone. Frogs’ legs are considered a great epicurean delicacy, and the editor of The Newburyport Blog, moi, happens to love them. We will keep this one a secret, do NOT tell George, whatever you do!!

And I am only considering George’s request about Lucky becoming yet another political consultant to The Newburyport Blog because of his most unusual bio.

Lucky is now 15 years old, and this is how he came by his name.

Lucky was a sole survivor of a batch, ie. school of fish, the rest of whom met an untimely demise. The owner was vacuuming the bottom of Lucky’s and his and companions’ (I am assuming relatives) fish tank, when the bottle attached to whatever was helping to do this task, filled up too fast and after lifting the bottle up, the flow reversed, filling the fish tank with soap suds. Horror.

One catfish (Lucky) was saved and put into a salad bowl.

The cat in the dwelling got the catfish (Lucky) out of the bowl and onto the floor. Lucky was saved, whew, and put in a bowl in the toaster oven for safe keeping. The toaster oven was mistakenly turned on to preheat supper. Lucky, inside the toaster oven miraculously survived, and at that point, low these many 15 years ago, was christened by his now catfish name, “Lucky.” (True story, I kid you not).

And somehow Lucky found his way to The Newburyport Blog and he and George have become pals. Could a catfish become yet another political consultant to The Newburyport Blog? George happens to think so, but I’m still on the fence, or on the proverbial side of the fish tank.

(Photo of Lucky courtesy of the catfish’s owner, Newburyport City Councilor Bob Cronin.)

Gluten Free Breading for Fish – A Eureka Moment!

The Newburyport Blog gets a lot of visitors looking for “gluten free,” that Celiac whammy moment can be quite a shock. And looking for a substitute for breadcrumbs, quite a head-scratcher. Took me two and half years to come up with a substitute that is wicked yummy, so I pass it on to all those who are gluten free searching (and as a btw it rivals or maybe even better than those regular breadcrumbs for those un-gluten free folks).

The great big wonderful secret, Kellogg’s has come out with a gluten free version of Rice Krispies (one would think that Rice Krispies would have always been gluten free, but not so). Put a bunch of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies in a plastic bag and then pulverize them with a rolling pin until they are crumbs (does not take long).

Take your fish fillet, squeeze lemon juice on both sides, coat both sides with oil (olive oil or whatever oil you would like), sprinkle with garlic salt and parmesan cheese, and then coat with the Rice Krispie pulverized crumbs (almost dust).

Cook, saute in oil.

The thing is that this Rice Krispie mixture makes the fish fillets not only brown, and delicious, but gives the fish a crispiness, that I’ve been unable to duplicate until Kelloggs came out with this wonderful gluten free gem (also great for meatloaf and meatballs, as well as a coating for chicken. It’s a Yum!).

Any fish fillet will do, Talapia, Catfish, Flounder etc.

Now, George is VERY upset with me that I mentioned catfish, because Councilor Cronin has a catfish called Lucky who is a big fan of George’s, and George does not appreciate the fact that I am encouraging the readership of The Newburyport Blog to actually eat relatives (however distant) of Lucky’s.

And to make matters even weirder for George (and now for moi), George is thinking about making Lucky a political consultant to The Newburyport Blog. This is all thinking out loud on George’s part, but at some point he would very much like me to consider adding Lucky to the political roster. This may take some head scratching on my part, never mind Newburyport City Councilor Bob Cronin! Although, Lucky does have quite a story to tell.

(If you can’t find Kellogg’s Rice Krispies, Gluten Free Rice Chex will do, not as good, but Ok.)

Citizens for Historic Newburyport to Take Down “Yes! LHD” Signs

This is a press release from Citizens for Historic Newburyport

Citizens for Historic Newburyport (CHN) thank Mayor Donna Holaday for speaking in support of a Local Historic District (LHD) at last night’s public hearing, and take to heart her appeal for all lawn signs and banners to be removed as the proposal moves to the Newburyport City Council.

LHD Yes! signs were made available by CHN last March at the request of residents upset by the appearance of signs installed earlier by opponents of historic district protections. Within days of becoming available, more than 200 LHD YES! signs were displayed by residents throughout the city.

“We think we’ve made our point,” said Jared Eigerman on behalf of CHN. “Proponents of an LHD are steadfast in their support of sensible, mainstream legislation to protect Newburyport’s historic character. Our 11 City Councillors will now take up the issue, and people of all views can contact them directly and at hearings going forward. Lawn signs won’t aid those deliberations.”

CHN volunteers have already begun to remove LHD Yes! signs in a process which should be completed by the end of the weekend.

Newburyport’s Local Historic District (LHD) Public Hearing

Public Hearing on the Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD),

Thursday June 21, 2012, at 7PM

Newburyport High School Auditorium (not City Hall)

This is the legally required hearing, the one where people, for, against and I’m not sure, get to make a statement about the LHD proposal.

There have been lots of changes to Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD), and no it’s not “lipstick on a pig” the way some folks have described it.

The LHD Study Committee has listened to the community, and those who may be totally against anything, well, nothing would make them happy. But, those who would like to find a “common ground” and are willing to compromise, boy or boy, the LHD Study Committee has listened to you!

For more information see previous post here.

Newburyport Daily News article can be read here.

You can also go to the City’s website for detailed information and updates here.

(And this was not decided by the election on June 5, 2012, that was the school projects and the Senior Center, all 3 projects passed. The proposed LHD will be voted on by the Newburyport City Council. After the public hearing, there are several legal steps the proposal will go through before it gets to the Newburyport City Council, and then it will go into “Committee” for deliberation, and then finally come out of “Committee” for a vote. The proposed LHD ordinance needs at super majority vote, 8 out of the 11 Newburyport City Councilors to pass.)

Newburyport Rail Trail, Phase 2, Public Meeting and Maps

On Thursday June 28^th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., there will be a public informational meeting in the Firehouse Center for the Arts theatre for Phase 2 of the Clipper City Rail Trail and Harborwalk project. This is the part of the Newburyport Rail Trail that will go through the South End of Newburyport.

Here are 3 maps courtesy of the Newburyport Planning Office.

And for more information or questions Geordie Vining, in the Newburyport Planning Office, is the project manager for Phase 2 of Newburyport’s Rail Trail.

Katy Ives Running for State Senate

Our very own Katy Ives (Newburyport City Councilor) is running for Massachusetts State Senate (the First Essex District, Senator Steve Baddour’s old Senate seat), and she would be terrific!!

voteives — Kathleen O'Connor Ives for State Senate

Check out Katy’s campaign website!

Check out Katy’s Facebook page!

Check out Katy’s first campaign video on YouTube. You will see lots of Newburyport friends, conservative, progressive and in between, all explaining why she would be such a great State Senator!!

Public Hearing on Newburyport’s Proposed Local Historic District (LHD) and Updated Information.

There will be a Public Hearing (this is the legally required one) on the Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD),Thursday June 21, 2012, at 7PM at the Newburyport High School Auditorium (not City Hall).

Below is the summary of the LHD Ordinance and the LHD Ordinance updates (3rd draft, now officially called the “Preliminary Report”). Press images to enlarge.

LHD Ordinance Summary, page 1 (press image to enlarge) — LHD Ordinance Summary, page 1 (Press image to enlarge)

LHD Ordinance Summary, Page 1, Excluded Items and Reviewable Items (Press image to enlarge)

LHD Ordinance Summary, page 2 (Press image to enlarge)

LHD Ordinance Summary, Page 2, Additional Changes (Press image to enlarge)

The PDF version can be read here: 2012-public-hearing-lhd-ordinance-summary2

Or you can read the PDF version on the City of Newburyport’s website here.

Map of Newburyport's proposed Local Historic District (LHD), Press to enlarge

This is the map of the proposed Newburyport Local Historic District (Press to enlarge). It can also be seen on the City’s website here.

Complete information on the updates on Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD) can be read on the City’s website here.

The Newburyport School Vote and Senior Center Passes

The Newburyport school vote and the Senior Center Passes!!

Good go’n Newburyport!!

Below are the election results thanks to the Port Pride Facebook page!!

School vote and Senior Center passes (photo thanks to the Port Pride Facebook page)

Here is a breakdown of the voting totals, thanks to Newburyport City Councilor Ed Cameron.

Question 1, Building a new Bresnahan Model School building (Press to enlarge)

Question 1, press to enlarge — Question 1, (Press to enlarge)

Question 2, Renovating and upgrading the Nock/Molin Upper Elementary school (Press to enlarge)

Question 3, Building a new Senior & Community Center (Press to enlarge)

All three questions together (Press to enlarge)

Newburyport Election, June 5, 2012 (Press to enlarge)