Romeo Lunch 11-16-09

The Romeo gang met for lunch today at the Aegean Restaurant in Watertown, MA. You can see info and menu of the restaurant at the link … http://www.aegeanrestaurants.com/

You can also see photos of the group at the link ….
http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/RomeoLunch111609#

Those in attendance were Jack Tweedie, Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello, Mark Ryan, Jim Terlizzi, Joe Balsama, Paul Girard, Jim Kearns, and Joe Lapiana.

The waitress took our orders for drinks which were beer on tap, martinis, soda and water. We also had baskets of bread, loaf and pita. We then looked at the lunch menu and most ordered some lamb dishes, combinations, or rack of lamb with rice, fries or roasted potatoes. We also got house salad with Feta cheese. Later, we ordered one dessert with spoons to share and cappuccino, decaf or regular coffee. The servings were plentiful and delicious.

As always the group talked about current events and made jokes and we all laughed.

The political race was one of the first topics and most said that Coakley was at the top of the polls with Capuano second. Pagliuca has a great war chest and is worth 700 million of his own money. He has a good platform for JOBS but hasn’t explained his plan yet. Capuano went to Somerville HS and was in classes with Jim Kearns when he was a student. He is smart but also abrasive but gets the job done. He has experience in politics as mayor of Somerville and congressman. Coakley has the women’s vote, has had her name in the paper as Attorney General, and is for health care but against paying for abortion. Nothing was said about Khazei

Jack T. and Joe Lapiana talked about their jobs as Justice Peace and how to create a good Web Site. They said the State Web Site needs to be overhauled. The last breakfast they attended could have been better prepared at $18 a head..

Mark and Jim talked about traveling in Europe. Using ATM cards rather than Traveler’s Checks. Jim mentioned that Joe Loduca was currently on a cruise to Turkey and Mediterranean. Jim also said that he would rather rent a car and travel around Europe than in a group. However, if he went to an Asian destination, he would go in a tour group.

Joe Balsama said he was going to a Historical Society meeting later tonight. I asked him about the vote on the new jail in Swampscott which was in the Boston Globe. He said the vote passed and they were going to build a new Police Department with jail facilities.

I said I saw some buildings on Trapella Rd. while driving in, the Fernal School and the National Archives. Joe Lapiana said that the Archives was a good place to go if you were doing genealogical research similar to Elis Island in New York and the Mormon Library in Utah.

I talked to Joe P. about skiing and asked if he was going to Wachusetts this year. He said he bought a seasonal ticket again and Joe Lapiana said he was going to go on a daily basis. Joe P. said his friend bought some skis for he and his wife which ran about $600 a piece which were quite expensive. I asked how much to rent skis and boots and Joe Lapiana said about $30 a day and pretty good quality.

Steve Winter said he had a solar hot water collector on his roof which has reduced his energy bill last year by $30 per month. He has to fill it with antifreeze (biodegradable) as the primary fluid which then heats the secondary system water. I said a lot of people in my town have put up Solar Electric Panels (ultra thin) which creates a lot of solar electricity that reduces their electric bills.

I talked with Paul about the mystery short stories that I am writing and said I was having a lot of fun doing it. It also keeps my mind active doing all the background research before I write the stories. I also said its pretty easy weaving the Romeo characters into the stories because they are such a colorful group with a lot of interests that I can tap into.

Before you knew it, the tie was 2:30 Pm and it was time to hit the road.

Before we left it was decided to go to a restaurant in North Andover on Dec. 16. Jim Terlizzi will send out emails.

Comments and suggestion are always welcome : email to markryan82@comcast.net