Join us on August 5th for another NH Tweet Up at The Portsmouth Gaslight deck. Our sponsors include Sabrina Inc., Adobe, RiverRun Bookstore, and Long Trail Brewing Co.

Tweet Ups have become all the rage, which is great to see especially within a local community. Please join us at The Portsmouth Gas Light deck this August 5th and be ready to network, share, and possibly collaborate with other Seacoast folks, no matter what your cause. We’ll have appetizers, music, drink specials, and give-aways. You can register for free at gaslighttweetup.eventbrite.com.

Okay, I was the first one to wish for a quick and easy winter, knowing whole-heartedly that living in New England means a long, harsh winter of ice storms, snow, sub-zero temperatures, and plenty of shoveling, snow blowing, and trips to the local car wash.  Be careful what you wish for – we’re on the doorstep of March and so far this winter has been a complete dud in New England. It’s been unseasonably warm, weather patterns are bringing snow to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States and the ski areas throughout northern New England are without a natural white landscape.  There’s plenty of downhill skiing, but if you’re like me – looking for areas to cross country ski, snow shoe, or try out that new toboggan – good luck. Last weekend I traveled to Gilford, NH looking to go ski touring, but the area at Gunstock was closed. The next morning, I drove further up north to Jackson, NH and found an open facility, but the conditions were poor. There were bare spots, icy patches, and the depth of the snow was inconsistent. We ended up ice-skating at Nestlenook Farm instead, which was rather exciting. I zipped up and down the pond, going under the sleigh ride bridge and ending it with a fire and a warm drink at a popular local coffee house in North Conway, NH. Inside the coffee house, people were talking about the lack of Mother Nature’s winter white wonder – asking themselves why Washington D.C. and Virginia got the jackpot this year. The lack of snow has a rippling effect in the already brittle economy. And I mean beyond the ski resorts… Less snow means less salt on the road, which in turn means less work for snowplows and all that other machinery we hear out our windows during winter driving conditions. Have you visited a car wash lately? Yep, there’s less income for area car washes, too.  Despite my selfish thoughts about not wanting a long winter and preparing for Spring back in October – I am a New Englander. I expect snow. I expect cold weather in February and not temperatures in the 50s and rain. It just isn’t right.

Last evening, I ate the best hamburger I’ve ever tasted. I know, we’ve probably all heard that line muttered somewhere before, but believe me – this was no ordinary burger. This was the BT Burger. All the ingredients were tiptop and the combined flavors were absolutely  tremendous. What is a BT Burger and where can you get it? It’s the Black Trumpet Burger and it’s on the Early Winter menu, which I’m not exactly sure how long will stick around, perhaps until it’s mid-winter? All I can say is you better get one while you can.

The Black Trumpet menu describes the BT Burger like this:

NEFF (North East Family Farms) beef patty with melted gruyère cheese on a housemade bun served with truffled skin fries, black trumpet catsup and housemade pickles.

I’m sure the special seasoning inside the beef patty is one of the restaurant’s most kept secrets… but it really is the best burger I’ve tasted, hands down. The excruciatingly beautiful taste of the burger overshadowed the delicate, yet simply delicious potato skin fries bathed in the chef’s truffle oil.  The portion is just right – not too much, not too little and it’s a reasonable price for such a classy take on a what is known as a simple dish. How did I wash it down? With a Victory lager, which can only be found on tap in Portsmouth, NH at The Black Trumpet.  They usually have three rotating beers on tap, all three unique and all three are usually regional or craft-brewer beers. If you do visit the restaurant and order the burger, I just hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Don’t be afraid to let your mouth water…

The Black Trumpet is my favorite restaurant in this little seaport town and it’s located at 29 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH

To my fellow friends, neighbors, and residents
of these United States of America:

I want to share something that I consider extremely important. I’ve been thinking a lot about the upcoming Presidential election and how important it has obviously become.

With the state of the economy headed south, an ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the unfortunate state of public education in this great country – I’ve decided to support Barack Obama as President.

I honestly believe Barack Obama is the better choice and hope you can see exactly what I have seen. I know we cannot always agree on every issue and that as a society, we have become a more bipolar nation. But we’re all Americans and we’re all on the same team, living in the same great country. That’s what makes America the absolute greatest country on Earth. Like JFK, Abraham Lincoln, but mostly like Franklin D. Roosevelt, a man who lead us through the Great Depression, Barack Obama can help us get through this current economic challenge with his optimism and astuteness. Obama also has great bi-partisan support from folks like Colin Powell and Warren Buffet. Having a great U.S. Senator like Joe Biden as his sidekick and the support of the Clintons only makes me feel more secure in my decision. Barack Obama has a strong belief in a government that is for the people and by the people. It’s called Democracy and it’s worth fighting for.

Perhaps you think Sen. Obama is an overeducated constitutional law professor with little experience in government. Have you read his books? Do you know his story? Do you know his voting record and the bills he has presented? “Barack the Politician” has worked across the aisle numerous times with great U.S Senators such as Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN), Sen. Conrad Burns (R-OK), and Congressman Spencer Bacchus (R-AL) among many more.

My point? Listen to your heart when you go into that voting booth. We’re choosing the next President of the United States in the biggest election this country has ever seen. It’s about the future of America. Never mind the political bias coverage on FOX, CNN, or NBC. Just look at the issues and do your own research. The world needs us to lead.

Only Barack Obama has a solid plan and the temperament to be the next U.S. President.

Thank you.

(Portsmouth, NH) – Various members of WUNH, both past and present, gathered upstairs at The Press Room on Friday evening for a jaunt down memory lane. Led by Press Room manager Bruce ‘Blitz’ Pingree, the group solicited each other’s opinions on gray hair, baldness, and children, rather than that of the new Merzbow or Will Oldham records. Those that were present had a great time and besides drinks and appetizers, we all filled up on memories of years gone by, making each other laugh, cry, and plan for another get-together, this time in the Boston area. Good times…