Friday Fun #2

This is fun, but also kind of serious at the same time and a good song to boot:

Inside the Fire House

Way back in May of 2005 I wrote about the firehouse on Marion St. that was converted into million dollar condos. Now thanks to This Old House, we get to see inside and check out the renovation.



I have to say, I think this place is really beautiful, but all I can think when I look at all that space is, "why?" I think I would feel like I was living in a warehouse if I lived in that apartment. Granted, if I were decorating it, I would not be so minimalist and I would be trying to warm that place up with a lot more fabrics--perhaps and area rug or two. I guess it's just not my style, although if someone gave it to me as a gift, I wouldn't give it back. Wink.

Friday Fun #1

Ok, I realize this has nothing to do with Eastie, but it's Friday and this is just too cute not to post. Therefore, I'm justifying the post by starting a new series called "Friday Fun." Anyone else wonder why the zoo felt that the Dallas theme was the appropriate song for a cute little polar bear? Dallas used to air on Friday nights, if I remember correctly, so this is even more appropriate for Friday Fun. Without further ado, for your viewing pleasure I present:

"Knut the Cute."



There is actually a whole controversy in Germany about this bear. If you are interested, check out the story here.

Should I take comfort in the fact

that I will probably just be incinerated instantly? As I previously stated in this previous post, I live within view (from my bedroom window) of oil and gas tankers arriving in Boston daily. Thus, I take great interest in any new studies that can tell me how likely it is that it could all end for me in a blaze of glory. According to the Boston Globe, a new Congressional study has been published about the possible effects of a terrorist attack on an LNG (that's Liquified Natural Gas for the uninitiated) tanker in a populated area. The Globe tells us this cheery fact:

Fire from a terrorism attack against a tanker ship carrying liquefied natural gas could ignite so fiercely it would burn people one mile away. . .

Great! So what the hell does that mean for me when I am only this far away from an LNG tanker:

Yes, this is an actual LNG tanker--I know because of the police boats and helicopters following it out and surrounding it.

The article goes on to say:

The GAO report examined six unclassified studies about the effects of a major spill and fire aboard a double-hulled tanker carrying liquefied natural gas. Congressional investigators said most experts believe fierce heat from the intense fire -- not explosions -- are likely the biggest threat to citizens.

Most experts interviewed by investigators agreed such a fire could burn people's skin roughly one mile away, depending on variables that include the amount of gas released, size of the tanker breach and winds, the GAO report said.

Although, I couldn't back Mayor Menino in his handling of the recent Mooninite invasion, I support his paranoia when it comes to LNG. I know that we need LNG and the terminals have to go somewhere, but to have one in such a populated area is just such a huge risk, especially considering the Homeland Security Department has basically done didly squat to protect our ports from the possibility of terrorist attacks. It's been 5 years since 9/11 and Congress has only just gotten around to passing a Homeland Security bill that implements the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, which include more screening for cargo containers entering U.S. ports. And guess what folks, the bill may get vetoed by the White House. Is that because the President doesn't think the bill is doing enough to increase the nation's security? Nope. The President may veto the bill because it allows airport screeners to have a union. I'm sure when a one mile radius of Boston and Charlestown has been incinerated, we'll all be thinking, "Well thank goodness, at least those airport security people didn't get to unionize."

Photography at Perlera Real Estate Gallery

"BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY" by Jake Hart.

Perlera Real Estate Gallery
142 Meridian Street, East Boston, MA 02128
Gallery hours Monday-Saturday 9-6pm.

Jake's photography is on display through the Month of March. Jake's work in this exhibit represent a selection of Gelatin Silver Prints from his many series.

Please come join us at the Closing Reception on Friday March 30th from 6-9 pm. This is a marvelous show that you don't want to miss, Please come meet the artist and enjoy the Black and White photography display.

For more information of the exhibit or purchasing a print, please contact Gloria Carrigg, curator of the show at gloriacarrigg@aol.com.

Atlantic Works will Christen Renovated Gallery

Atlantic Works will be opening a new show--the first in their newly expanded gallery after a year of construction:

High Tide

80 Border Street East Boston

April , 2007
Opening Reception: Friday April 13, 7 - 9 pm

East Boston, March 5, 2007 - From April 6 to 28, 2007, Atlantic Works Gallery will present High Tide, a members re-opening show of painting, photography, jewelry, mixed media and new media. The show theme, High Tide, celebrates the unique waterfront site, and, more importantly, it marks the reemergence of Atlantic Works as "East Boston's Collaborative Space for Art and Ideas." After a year-long hiatus of building demolition and reconstruction, the space is beautiful and the member artists are overjoyed to be returning.

Participating in the exhibition are Laura Baltzell, Kasia Bytnerowicz, Donna DeLone, Richard Dorff, Todd Fairchild, Elizabeth Hathaway, Eric Hess, Lorin Hesse, Melissa Kulig, Nataysha Lindemann, Charlene Liska, Liz Nofziger, Bo Petran, Peter Pizzi, Laura Rollins, Anna Salmaron, Melissa Tyler and Jaye Woodstock.

The public is invited to attend the OPENING RECEPTION on Friday, April 13, from 7 to 9 pm and to visit the gallery during the following hours: Fridays 2-6pm, and Saturdays 2-6pm.

The public is also invited to attend Atlantic Works Gallery's monthly THIRD THURSDAY POT LUCK GATHERING on Thursday, April 19, from 7-9 pm.

Some Art Events to Check Out

Here are a couple of ongoing exhibitions sent to me by Gloria Carrigg of the East Boston Artists Group:

Jorge Guzman Salvadoran painter will be exhibiting his Paintings At the Boston Public Library, Connolly Branch in Jamaica Plain. People can view his colorful art exhibit "IDENTITY", which is curated by Gloria, from March 1st through March 31.



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Also Gloria Carrigg will be participating in the "Boston My Neighborhood" collective art exhibit in Hyde Park MA. at the George Robert White Building, 26 Central Ave.Hyde Park, MA 02136. The exhibit runs from March 12 through May 12, 2007. Opening reception to be announced. Please stay tuned

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And last but not least, a little far flung for my Eastie blog, but if anyone happens to be in New York in March Gloria Carrigg will be participating in a Latin group exhibit "United By The Art" in Long Island, NY. The exhibit can be viewed from March 2nd to March 31. Gloria is exhibiting photographs from El Salvador from her many trips to her native country. For more info. please check www.ikarusgallery.com.

A post, a post!!!

Since yesterday was finally a nice enough day to take a walk, I thought I'd treat the blogosphere to some photos.


Anyone have a waterfront condo they want to build?









Rubble from yet another waterfront contruction project on Sumner St.




Various views of the sunset from Lopresti Park on Sumner Street through various filters on my digital camera. You can see the Zakim Bunkerhill Bridge in the distance in some.

In case you were wondering. . .I AM ALIVE

If any of my readers are still left out there, I just wanted to post and let everyone know that I'm alive and I hope to start blogging regularly again. I'm sorry that I went away. I don't have any real excuse except to say that life got in the way. Things have calmed down for me, so hopefully I'll be able to keep up with the demands of blogging again.