
The Black Swan Does Men’s Night With Refreshments and 20% off

My View of Life on the Dock
Many Stores Open Late Offering Refreshments and Super Sales! A Good Excuse To Go Out and Get Significant Discounts, Your Christmas Shopping Done Early and Hang Out With The Homies!
What Up Homie?, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
BankGloucester would like to invite the Cape Ann community to participate in their annual holiday events. On Wednesday, December 9th join us for the annual Tree of Lights. From 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at BankGloucester, celebrate the grand illumination of the 2009 “Tree of Lights”. For those who have lost a loved one, their absence is felt even more profoundly during this season. As the “Tree of Lights” is lit, we remember those who have touched our lives. To sponsor a light in memory of a loved one – pick up an order form at BankGloucester or get an order form through our website – click on the “community” link at the top right of the homepage at http://www.BankGloucester.com On Saturday December 12th join us for a FREE photo with Santa. Have a picture taken with Santa from 11 am to noon in the new building on Main Street. We will take your picture with Santa and give you one free 4×6 print. If you would like, we will also e-mail you the electronic file to use however you like. On Saturday, December 12th The Middle Street Stroll. Stroll historic Middle Street between 11 am and 4 pm and enjoy open houses, concerts, and special programs offered FREE throughout the afternoon. BankGloucester is offering FREE refreshments and holiday music performed live by local musicians in their Middle Street building from noon to 3 pm. BankGloucester is located at 160 Main Street in Gloucester. If you have any questions please contact BankGloucester at 978-283-8200.
Harbor Goods/Life is good will have all elves on deck ready to help the guys finish (or start?) their list on Men’s Shopping Night. They have loads of great gift ideas in all price ranges. Stop by Thursday evening for treats, raffles and 20% off all their short-sleeved tees; the elves will even wrap for you.
Harbor Goods is now open evenings for your convenience. Monday through Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 6 PM.
This past Saturday was not fit for man or beast to be out on T-Wharf in Rockport but plenty of small children and Santa himself braved the cold raw wind to light the Rockport Christmas tree in Dock Square.
With Capt. Bill Lee at the wheel, the Ocean Reporter sweeps past T Wharf. A large contingent of children (not shown, I was freezing and my camera as you can see was getting pelted in the rain) were screaming “IT’S SANTA!!”
Harbormasters Scott Story and Rosemary Lesh expertly coax some kayakers (are they nuts? It’s freezing!) out of the way so the Ocean Reporter can pull up to Motif #1.
Santa gingerly disembarks. The crowd is hiding from the wind behind the Fudgery.
Santa asks if everyone has been nice. There were no naughty children out in this weather.
Two Rockport police officers keep a wary eye on me while I chase down Santa to make sure he got my list. Yes, and he had checked it twice this time.
Santa buckling up to the Rockport Fire Truck for a ride back to his sleigh.
After Santa was gone there were still cookies and hot chocolate in Dock Square before everyone got back to Christmas shopping on Bearskin Neck. This GMG cub reporter quickly found a hot toddy.
Sorry for the late post to any of you that tuned in last night to Cape Ann TV at 8:30 and wanted to print out the recipes for the show–I got all involved (or “drove up” as my Father would say) with making GUMBO with native shrimp and it is not a quick process! More on that in another show/post–trust me–it came out YUMMY!
Here are the recipes for the show–one really good for you and so delicious at the same time that no one will ever know they are practically eating “health food” and the other decadent spicy and delicious and perfect for gift giving! Enjoy and as always, if you have any questions, ask away by replying to this post.
My show, Inspired Cooking, airs on Cape Ann TV (and now in Danvers and Peabody so tell your friends to look for it on their local station) Tuesdays at 8:30, Fridays at 4:30 and Sundays at 11:30 in the morning.
For the bars:
2 cups white whole wheat flour (this is a King Arthur product-use ½ white and ½ whole wheat if you can’t find it but they do sell it at all grocery stores locally)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup softened butter
1/3 cup Splenda Brown Sugar (use 2/3 cup brown sugar if you do not want to use Splenda)
2 large eggs
3 cups pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup canola oil
1/3 cup cinnamon or butterscotch baking chips
For the toasted oatmeal topping:
1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick foil or spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt and baking soda and set aside.
In a large bowl with mixer on high speed, cream ½ cup butter and Splenda brown sugar until light and fluffy Beat in eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Beat in pumpkin puree, vanilla and canola oil until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and incorporate flour and cinnamon chips until just combined.
Spread batter in to prepared pan and smooth with a knife.
In a large bowl, whisk together oats, melted butter, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter and bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes until tester inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.
Allow to cool before cutting into 28 bars. If you are Weight Watcher, these bars, using the Splenda and the white whole wheat flour, have 2.5 points each. My WW leader friend Jill provided this info for you–thanks Jill!
First–let’s candy the nuts. Like I said on the show “gift alert! gift alert!” You can make these in large batches by doubling the recipe and putting them in decorative jars or bags for gift giving.
3 cups walnuts (use whatever nuts you like)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (add some ginger, nutmeg, whatever you like)
3 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat.
In a large bowl, toss nuts with egg whites to coat. Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and salt over coated nuts and stir to coat.
Pour nuts on to prepared baking sheet and spread in to a single later. Bake for 20 minutes, tossing once at 10 minutes. Cool completely before using. Set aside. Roughly chop about 1 1/2 cups to top the pumpkin bars. You will have plenty for the topping for the bars and to snack on.
For the crust:
5 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (just beat the heck out of them with a rolling pin in a plastic bag if you don’t have a food processor)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
7 tablespoons salted butter, melted
For the filling:
2-8 oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 15 oz can solid pack pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
5 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of cloves (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish (I use glass) with nonstick foil or parchment paper, using enough foil or paper on the long edges to create an overhand that will help you lift the bars of out the pan when it is time to cut them. Set aside.
In the food processor or by hand combine crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press mixture into prepared pan to form a crust. Bake 10 -12 minutes until firm and fragrant. Remove from oven and set aside.
In the meantime, prepare the filling. In the food processor or in a large bowl with a hand mixer combine cream cheese, sugar, pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Pulse or beat to combine.
Pour pumpkin cream cheese mixture over par-baked crust, sprinkle 1 1/2 cup nuts over the top and bake for 40-50 minutes until center is set but jiggles slightly when the pan is gently shaken.
Allow to cool completely before cutting, at least two hours. Lift out bars and cut with a knife dipped in water (as you would a cheesecake) into 32 bars. Enjoy!
The class is limited to eight students so call today! GMGers With the first crack at it!
From Joe Brancaleone at Hemoglobin Boarding Co-
Hows it going? I got some great projects going on! I will be teaching a workshop at the Art Haven in January 10th on how to paint a longboard! I have attached the flyer so you can check it out. Also I am now selling Roller Derby skates! I found a distributor that i can get all types of RollerSkate/Blade Parts. Really anything they need I can get in 3 days time! Hope all is well and let me know the next time your going to a derby I defiantly wanna go!
Joe B
And a few clues…
1. It’s not in Gloucester, but it is on the island.
2. It abuts 2 streets and is on the water side of the street.
3. You can see it from a main road, but its front yard is on the side street.
Good luck. Joey’s offering a PRIZE!
From Sandy Farrell
Hi Joey,
The Shrimp Boats have finally arrived! Join me and Steve Parkes on Men’s Night, Thursday Dec.10 at the Lone Gull Coffeehouse, 146 Main St., Gloucester. Mary Ellen has kindly invited us to set up at “The Gull” for a shrimp tasting. Steve, Cape Ann Fresh Catch coordinator will be on hand to cook and clean some for you. He’ll talk shrimp and tell you about the new shrimp shares at the Community Supported Fishery. And as anyone who attended the Seafood Throwdowns this summer can tell you, his motto is “relax, don’t let the fish win!” So, stop by the Lone Gull for one of the best coffees around and grab a bite!
We’ll be starting around 6pm. Thanks!
From Beth Williams, Winner of the First Annual GMG Downtown Gloucester Flower Box Competition-
Stop by during the Middle Street Walk for some holiday cheer, live demos of glass beadmaking and see Beth’s newest work. Lots of pieces for gift-giving and gift-getting….for example, her very special fish ornaments that double as pendants or gift tags! http://www.bethwilliams.com
There are lots of things happening in Gloucester within 4 blocks of Beth’s studio that day: during the Middle Street Walk, open houses, concerts, special programs and traditional decorations will be featured throughout the afternoon, from one end of Middle Street to the other. 11am – 4pm, Later on, the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree lighting will be at 4:30, Rocky Neck “Meet the Artist Night” is from 5-8 on Main Street, the Christmas movie festival is at the Cape Ann Community Cinema in the evening, There’s even more to see and do….come check it all out!
And, don’t forget the third annual Wearable Arts Show at the Saunders House in the Sawyer Free Library, Friday 5-8 and Saturday 9-5 and enter the fabulous raffle with lots of great donated prizes! All raffle proceeds go directly to the library….help us support one of our local downtown treasures! http://www.searts.org
GHS Superbowl Pics By David Cox, originally uploaded by captjoe06.
The Lovely Kate Seidmen Fills Us In on The New Art Classes The Will Be Offered At 5 Center Street