"Civics Bee" tonight

I am looking forward to the "Civics Bee" tonight at the Miles River Middle School, 787 Bay Road, #Hamilton

What's a civics bee? The answer is:

A. a great time for all ages to learn about government and citizenship.

B. a chance to test your wit and knowledge with neighbors and friends.

C. a celebration of the 2nd annual League of Women Voters of Hamilton-Wenham, MA event.

D. all of the above.



If you answered D, then I think you should come to this free and open to the public event for all ages. It starts at 7 p.m., I'll see you there. Here are a few photos from last year - -

Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Perhaps the luck of the Irish was with us for the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon that Representative Brad Hill and I sponsor each year with the #Ipswich Council on Aging - - it could have been scheduled for tomorrow!

Today brought us blue skies, good friends, and good fun as 130 seniors gathered at Ascension Memorial Church for a nice meal complimented by cake. Thank you to Sheila Taylor, Director of the Ipswich Council on Aging and her staff and volunteers.

SeniorCare Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels

The Meals on Wheels program sustains thousands of seniors and disabled citizens throughout the state with nutritious food brought to the door. More than a food program, Meals on Wheels connects people to their community and gives homebound elders interaction and the ability to remain in their homes.

This morning, SeniorCare, a non-profit organization that serves more than a dozen North Shore communities, put together their annual fundraiser to support the meals program. 43 years strong this event brings volunteers, elders, and good cheer together to raise money and raise awareness.

Originally planned as a February Valentine-themed event, tough weather moved us to March where even today’s wind and snow was no match for our enthusiasm and the turnout at the Gloucester House Restaurant was strong.

A very big thank you to all the sponsors and particularly to the volunteers who daily go knock on those doors to deliver warm meals to those in need. It was great to see the Gloucester High School ROTC students helping this morning.

SeniorCare Inc. welcomes volunteers and encourages you to contact them if you would like to lend a hand, you can reach their Nutrition Department by calling 978-281-1750.

Ready to Read

We can all agree that reading is fundamental to a great start in life. I'm having a wonderful time visiting with and reading to students at #Rockport Elementary School today. #ReadForLife

Media Alert:

Alison King of NBC Boston and I talked today about the new legislative compensation law which makes additional stipends available to some lawmakers. Tune in today for her coverage on the issue.

World Leading Wind Technology Closer Than You Think

I’ve written often here about our state’s innovative energy policies and our efforts to reduce our production of harmful emissions in energy generation. This morning, I visited a facility in Charlestown that is unsurpassed in the country for testing wind turbine blades for on-shore and off-shore wind power.

This testing site is managed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a publicly funded agency with a mission of accelerating clean energy technologies and Massachusetts companies.

The Wind Technology Testing Center has analyzed dozens of turbine blades, some up to 300 feet long, to examine stability and design properties. Their pioneering work has attracted academics, entrepreneurs, and policy makers and it’s helping shape our state’s role as a world leader in clean energy. In addition to the natural resource benefits of renewable energy we have also experienced a growth of high-quality research and development, manufacturing, and installation jobs and long-term economic growth. The 2016 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report showed jobs in the clean energy industry have grown by 75 percent since 2010, and the clean energy sector now employs more than 100,000 workers in the state.

They say, “what comes around goes around” and for massive wind turbines capable of generating clean and renewable energy it’s important to all of us that the turbines continue to go around for years to come. My visit today showed me that the research conducted at the Charlestown Wind Technology Testing Center is cutting edge and leading the way.

Local Green Communities Shine

For those of us who value the health and environmental benefits of reduced energy production emissions today rates as a very good day.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced that additional Massachusetts cities and towns have been designated by the Department of Energy Resources as Green Communities. Two additional communities that I serve, through their dedication in adopting responsible energy policies, have now achieved this special designation – congratulations to North Andover and Rockport.

We recognized the achievement with an event led by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew A. Beaton and DOER Commissioner Judith Judson at North Andover at the Town Hall. North Andover, Massachusetts received $169,390 and Rockport, Massachusetts was awarded $148,670. Congratulations to the local officials who worked so diligently to rise to the challenge.

Leadership and action at the municipal level are essential to our state's success in conserving resources and capturing renewable energy. Rockport and North Andover are making an important commitment to our future by becoming Green Communities; their efforts will make a difference for our Commonwealth.

The Green Communities program not only helps cities and towns think about how to be more energy efficient it helps by making investments of grant funds for communities to make smart investment to reduce demand and tap into renewable sources.

The Legislature created the Green Communities Act and challenge cities and towns to meet certain criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding. A major component includes reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years.