Cruisin’ for a Great Local Catch

More than a few degrees above the rest in town, Latitude 43 raises the bar for north shore restaurants. 

Located in the middle of historic downtown Gloucester, Latitude 43 is a coastal restaurant with scenic views of the harbor and ship docks.  Fishing vessels, lobster traps and unique local shops surround the restaurant’s deck, which is open for visitors to dine outdoors in the summer months. 

In the doors of the restaurant is a unique experience of high-class ambiance.  From the first step into Latitude visitors will feel the warm invitation by the large yet cozy waiting area, which holds a large stone fireplace and oversized leather couches.  This living room style lobby causes guests to hope that their table isn’t ready quite yet. 

There is a large sushi bar featured in the center of the room where guests can watch their elaborate sushi dishes prepared right in front of them by expert chefs. The rest of the room holds tables and booths situated by large bay windows by the harbor’s edge. 

But enough about the atmosphere, let’s talk about the food!  Asiago and herbed topped focaccia bread starts the meal off on the right foot.  Taste buds will begin to crave more as diners nibble while looking over the seasonal menu items.

Keeping with the theme of local favorites, the menu has a variety of excellent choices for diners to enjoy.  Local seafood dishes include Seared Diver Scallops with truffled mushroom cream and roasted fingerling potatoes with a red wine reduction.  Recommended by the chef, this is an unbelievable choice that does not disappoint. Other favorites for regular comers include the Braised Shortribs or the Fisherman’s Fried Platter.

However, one dish that is a must try is the original sushi menu’s Nori’s Roll.  Nori’s Roll is a unique and highly structured artistic dish that combines sweet and spice flavors with king crab meat and crunchy tempura crumbs that even the non-sushi fan will enjoy.

Partnered with the decadent flavors, the presentation of each dish is an art in itself.  Bright colors and local ingredients make for quite the beautiful plate. 

Local flavor is not limited to the culinary experience; local artists throughout the north shore have their art featured.  Original pieces include nautical themed paintings of the Gloucester harbor and life-size glass-blown ocean creatures and structures.  Above the open kitchen, the ceiling holds a large, rescued boat hull that was found rotting in a shipyard.  Restored and refurnished to its original beauty, the hull is now back in service as a full-time decoration.  

Local musicians and bands are featured almost every night in the offshoot of Latitude’s main dining room.  Minglewood Tavern is a rustic scene, combining the beloved sushi menu items with classic pub food.  This room is a more down to earth hangout for locals, but just as elaborate with its ambiance.  The pub is lined with wooden beams from floor to ceiling and antlers are hanging from the walls giving visitors the sense that they’ve stepped into a backwoods tavern. 

Whether you’re looking for a first class experience in the main dining room where you can watch the fishing boats pull into the harbor, bringing your lobster fresh from the sea, or your more comfortable in the bluesy tavern scene, Latitude 43 and Minglewood Tavern is a local gem that should go unnoticed either by visitor or local.

Attack at the Boston Marathon

On Marathon Monday, downtown Boston experienced an attack like the city has never scene before.  2:50pm, at about the four hour mark, when the biggest concentration of runners near the end of the race, an explosion went off in a nearby building on Boylston St.  Only eight to ten seconds later, a second bomb went off. 

Runners, spectators, event staff and reporters immediately fled the area, creating a scene of hysteria.  Smoke began to flood the street of the finish line. Emergency personnel rushed onto the scene and the city began immediate evacuation within the surrounding area.  Runners who had not yet finished the race were directed to run away from the race's original route.  And Runners at mile 26 were stopped.

Lead Fox25 news anchor, Maria Stephanos, though on vacation with her family for the week, was on the scene when the bombs exploded.  A few minutes after her husband had crossed the finish line, Stephanos said that a huge explosion went off.

 "We knew that something was wrong, this wasn't a manhole. I told my kids that we had to quickly go the other way." 

So far it has been confirmed that 2 victims were killed, 23 are injured.  Many are missing limbs and have been rushed to different hospitals in downtown Boston, including Tufts, Mass General and Brigham and Womens' Hospital.

Matt Tomlin photographer for Fox25 reported from the scene, "I've never been on a battlefield before, but I imagine this is what it's like.  This is a horror show."

While reporters and emergency personnel came onto the scene, bomb investigators also rushed to began a search for anymore threatening devices.  Around 3:40pm, two more bombs were found and dismantled by the investigators. 

However, the attack was not over.  Another explosion was reported to have gone off at about 5:00pm at the JFK Library in Boston.  Investigators are trying to figure out if the explosions were linked. NEMA (The National Emergency Management Association) is reporting to have located more devices in Boston along the marathon route and urge all to, "stay home."

One of the competitors, a ten-time Boston Marathon racer said that the explosion was extremely loud.  Instead of the sounds of cheering and congratulations, there were screams and shouts of fear filling the Boston air.

"You expect to rejoice when you're done but the area was furious," said the veteran racer. "It was chaos."

This international event has been the central focus of a terrorist attack.  With millions involved in the race, people around the world are scrambling to contact their loved ones.  However, everyone in the vicinity was told to shut off all cell phones in order to prevent detonation of any more bombs that might be triggered. 

The Boston Bruins were scheduled to compete against the Buffalo Sabres at TD Garden tonight at 7:00pm.  The game, as well as many other Boston events have been canceled.  Universities and schools throughout Boston, such as Northeastern, Tufts and Boston College.

This was a planned attack.  Measures are being taken by NEMA and many others to prevent anymore damage or attacks.  The country is in a state of emergency.  President Barack Obama will make a public address at 6:10pm tonight in response to this crisis. 

Gospel Fest 2013

Tonight was the second round of Gordon College’s Gospel Fest 2013 and there were high expectations held after the opening day’s performances.  The previous night the fest had featured original songs by recording artist, Nayara, gospel songs sung by the UMass Lowell Gospel Choir, a sequence of step routines performed by the Kip Academy Step Team, a variety of spoken word pieces by Word Play, and praise songs led by the hosts of the night, God’s Chosen Gospel Choir from Gordon College. 

Friday night’s opening concert was the first annual event of its kind to take place on the campus of Gordon College.  Directed by Gordon’s student choir director, Craig Ramsey, the night was a huge success.  Each performance was uniquely diverse and executed with fervent excitement and excellent professionalism.  The A.J. Memorial Chapel was almost fully filled with students, family, friends and many new faces from the greater Boston community for part one of the Gospel Fest.  With the diverse audience and exhilarating presentations, the energy in the room was electric. 

Though Friday night was a hard show to follow, tonight’s performances did not disappoint.  Gordon continued to wow their once again large audience with a fantastic new lineup for round two of the Gospel Fest.  With modern dance routines performed by Gordon’s own Gospel dance team, songs of praise sung by Shanell and Alanah Percy, new spoken word by Word Play and original songs by solo artist, Trini, the audience was on their feet once again with enthusiasm.  However, just like the night before, it was God’s Chosen Gospel Choir that brought a whole new level of energy and vigor into the chapel.   Ramsey led an hour-long set of Gospel songs, such as The Jesus in You Loves the Jesus in Me, His Blood Still Works and I Need You To Survive.  The audience was actively encouraged to participate through dance and praise songs.  Hands were lifted high, feet were moving, and clapping grew louder throughout the night as Ramsey and his team created a thrilling atmosphere of praise and worship on Gordon’s campus. 

This is the first year that Gordon College has had an organized Gospel choir.  Beginning with just a few members, the choir has grown immensely. Now the choir has over fifty vocalists and a full band.  Schuyler Anderson’s talent on the saxophone stands out among the band members.  Electric guitarist, Richie Dolio, blew the audience away with his solo performance during the song, Alpha and Omega.  Ramsey’s joy for leading the choir in praise songs is contagious.  Without a doubt, God’s Chosen Gospel Choir will continue to grow under the leadership of Ramsey.

Ramsey surprised Saturday’s audience with special guest performers, his mother and older sister.  His inspiration and church choir director, Ramsey’s mother proved that Craig had developed his talent and love for Gospel music under his parent’s roof.  It was obvious to all that this intense passion and energy runs in the family.

The intensity and liveliness that filled the Gordon College Chapel this weekend was of a unique kind.  While the performances may have ended and the audience gone home, the impact of the Gospel Fest continues to permeate the community.  Talk of Gospel Fest 2014 has already begun and artists are being lined up for an exciting weekend to rival the one just celebrated. 

To view video footage of this event visit my Vimeo account:
https://vimeo.com/63525950