Month: March 2010

Charlee Bianchini Writes in From China

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Everyone!
I know a lot of you must be wondering what happened to the blog… Well it’s back!  I had a wonderful two months traveling around Asia and I’m back in Qufu and ready to post what I wrote of my adventures and then some.  So don’t hesitate to check it out and leave comments and stories about home.  Looking forward to hearing from you and hope all is well!

Still having a wonderful time here in Qufu.  Started teaching a few weeks ago, and am really lovin in.  Just wanted to let you know that I have updated the blog, and am trying to get better at keeping up with it on a regular basis.  So keep checking it out for more posts!  www.charleebeth.wordpress.com Would love to hear more comments from you guys and any news from home.  Miss you all so much and hope you are well!
Best,
Charlee

Chickity Check It!-

click the pic to check out her Polis Journeys

Mr JJ Jinglenuts

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here he is.  Our cat- Mr JJ Jinglenuts.

Mr JJ Jinglenuts, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Shew Brought Down An Egg Ham and Cheese Sandwich From Morning Glory

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

FOBs (friends of the blog) Shew and his son Brian brought down a tasty egg, ham and cheese breakfast sandwich from Morning Glory last weekend which was much appreciated!

A big shout out to Shew’s son Brian, a hard working kid who just got his license!  Way to go Brian!

Shew Brought Down An Egg Ham and Cheese Sandwich From Morning Glory, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Jenny G

Posted on by capeannpainter
Jenny G at Sunrise
Jenny G at Fishermens Wharf

More storytelling at Magnolia inn

Posted on by Sharon

From the Times–

The second in the “Tell Inn” storytelling series takes place this Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Inn Magnolia at 18 Norman Ave. in Gloucester. The event features storytellers Tony Toledo, Alicia Quintano, Andrea Lovett, Laura Lovett and Leigh Calabrese on her singing saw.

Guests are invited to come share a story of their own (under 5 minutes) and participate in the “Magic Hat” open mic storytelling event.

Toledo has been paying the rent with his mouth since 1990. He adds sign language to some stories since his wife is deaf.

Quintano has traveled to 38 states telling stories in theaters, universities, coffeehouses, and on the radio.

Andrea Lovett has been telling professionally since 1992. She is the co-founder of MassMouth and the ever-growing series of story slams in downtown Boston and Cambridge.

Laura Lovett has two novels in progress, has had works published in magazines and read on radio. She is a student at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

With her singing saw in tow, Calabrese has performed with artists What Time Is It Mr. Fox?, The Sob Sisters, Sukey Tawdry, Beat Circus, The Burlesque Revival Association, and (of course) as part of the soundtrack to countless haunted houses. And yes, her saw does cut wood.

Fordetails contact Amanda Nash, NoTeaParty@yahoo.com, 978-525-3642. Suggested donation: $4

Ra’chelle Perrine At The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Gloucester At Dawn- City Hall Moon 4:58AM

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I was racing to get this picture before the moon went completely down.

Gloucester At Dawn- City Hall Moon 4:58AM, originally uploaded by captjoe06.

Sister Felicia’s Italian Donuts Cooking Demo At The Home and Garden Show

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
View Sister Felicia's Italian Donuts Cooking Demo At The Home and Garden SShow

2 Cups Ricotta Cheese

4 Eggs

1 Tablespoon.  Vanilla

1 1/2 Cups  Flour

1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Tablespoon. Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon. Salt

Whisk Eggs & Vanilla

Sift dry ingredients together: Flour Sugar Salt & Baking Powder

Combine ,egg mixture, sifted dry ingredients and 2 cups of Ricotta Cheese together

Let batter rest 20 min.

In a large pot heat 2 inches of La Spagnola oil “vegetable/olive oil blend excellent for frying”

Drop teaspoon sizes of batter in very hot oil fry till deep golden on all sides

Cool donuts on cookie rack

Roll warm donuts in powder sugar

Enjoy!

Rotary Recycling Day With Rick Doucette, Sal Frontiero and Friends

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

http://www.goodmorninggloucester.com

Last light, Gloucester Harbor Submitted To The GMG Flickr Group By Kristina Brendel

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kristina writes-

Perhaps the most photographed building in the harbor. But for good reason…

Last light, Gloucester harbor, originally uploaded by kristina brendel.

Rockport Harbor pic submitted to the GMG Flickr Group by ciabat

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

142, originally uploaded by ciabat.

Signs of Spring

Posted on by paultmorrison

As a newbie I am still trying to figure out the first signs of spring on the island. Since moving from the midwest to New England in 1970 I am really looking for my spring of childhood. March was windy but ended up warm followed by a month of flowers which continued up to race day on Memorial Day in Indianapolis. Springs are a tad shorter around here but just as good as long as you don’t miss the first signs. Saint Patrick’s Day you are supposed to get your peas planted. Well dang, now the ground is as hard as Cape Ann granite. What are my poor peas doing now?

Anyway, signs of spring I have gathered in the past two years. Home and Garden Show at Gloucester High School today. Check. Top Dog opening today for their tenth season on the neck. Double check. (If you become a fan of the dog on Facebook you can learn the secret word and get money off your dogs this weekend.)

Now I wait for the first sign of summer. Cape Pond butt crack as he fills the ice chest in front of Willow Rest while I finish off my Cuban sandwich. That’s a good one. But right now I wait for Mister and Misses Bathroom sign to announce as you enter Rockport that the pipes will not freeze and you can powder your nose while picking up brochures at the Info booth. That’s the sign I love.

What’s your sign?

Cape Pond Ice – Spring Is Coming!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Spring is just around the corner!

We are turning the corner on the coldest months in anticipation of “WOW ITS HOT!”

The air is warming and the sun is shinning.

It’s time to dig out your “coolest clothes!”

Cape Pond Ice offers a quality line of the

“Coolest Tee Shirts Around!”

&

Our staff is back and busy making ice for all your needs on those hot summer days!

Take our Virtual Tour of Cape Pond Ice

Dealers in Cape Pond Ice – Since 1848

For Fishing Vessels, Hotels, Restaurants, Saloons, Markets & Family Use

FYI- My Sister Felicia Will Be Making And Giving Out Homeade Italian Donuts At The Home and Garden Show Today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

At 2:00 today Saturday if you go to the Home and Garden Show my sister will be making her killer Homemade Italian Donuts at The Home and Garden Show.

I believe our very own Laurie Lufkin will be there tomorrow at 2:00PM on Sunday (Laurie correct me if I’m wrong) doing a cooking demo as well.

For more info including the schedule-

http://www.capeannchamber.com/

Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright Wrap Up From Caitlin Featherstone

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
From Caitlin Featherstone-
Cape Ann TimeBank celebrated the beginning of spring with a crowd of dancing, grooving folks at Alchemy last Saturday.  With over 100 people attending our “Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright” dance party at Alchemy, it was one of their biggest community events ever.  The crowd was a mix of TimeBank regulars and members, interested folks and people drawn by the music of the band, Groove.

A raffle that included offers from TimeBank members piqued interest in the TimeBank and raised some money.  Winners were excited about taking advantage of massage, kayak lessons, garden design, photo portraits and a night at Inn Magnolia.

The evening netted us about $1000 US dollars.  This  does not include the immeasurable goodwill and community awareness that the event also provoked.

Thanks to members who put up posters, distributed postcards, worked the door, sold raffle tickets and organized countless details that made the evening seamless and enjoyable even for the organizers.

Thanks also to James Auditore Events, Alchemy and Groove, without whom the event would not have been possible.
For more information about Cape Ann TimeBank or to join, please contact Cheryl Davis (cdavis_62@hotmail.com) or Nancy Goodman (ngoodman52@yahoo.com).
pictures from Tom and Judy Robinson-Cox- To view the entire album of over 100 photos click here

Pete the Fisherman Gets his News

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

Pete the Fisherman Gets his News from Gloucester Daily Time and Good Morning Gloucester.

The Miserable Music Teacher

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This morning on my way to work I was listening to music and I got to thinking about an old music teacher that I had  when I was just a kid.

This guy had a beard and was probably around 40 years old (or at least that’s how I remember him) when I was in his elementary school class.

I remember him always seeming really miserable.  Looking back on it now with a little perspective I sort of constructed in my mind what this guy was going through even if it wasn’t true at all.  You see to be a teacher and to deal with children you really have got to love kids.  And when I say love kids I don’t just mean your own kids because that’s easy, I’m talking about loving all kids in general and their innocence and playfulness and all of that.

But getting back to this particular teacher and my perception of what was going on with him-

I’m thinking that this guy must have been a serious musician and had some pretty stellar gigs playing with fantastic orchestras, traveling around and such but he probably wasn’t making enough money to support himself as a musician by playing in a band.  He loved music, it was his thing.  So thinking to himself, “Well I guess I could get a job teaching music in elementary school.  I love music, so that would be a way for me to pay the bills and do something I love- being involved with music”.

Keep in mind that this is just all how I’m looking at his life 30 something years later and I could be way off base, but to continue-

Do you remember being in music class when you were 8 years old?  It was a shit show, right?  None of your classmates are paying attention.  Every single kid is fucking around and making fart noises in their armpits and passing notes and who the hell can keep the attention of a classroom full of kids for ten minutes let alone teach them how to play in sync and remember the notes and all of that?

The  music teacher who goes into teaching loving kids and understands that it’s going to be a freaking mess probably has a chance at a happy life.  But can you imagine what is going through the mind of the serious musician that really doesn’t have a thing for kids but takes a job as an elementary school music teacher just to pay the bills?  There are teachers out there that are just wired to be teachers, and there are some that just aren’t in the right frame of mind to be.  I don’t remember this music teacher smiling, not once.  It wasn’t the right career choice but I guess that everyone needs to take jobs to pay the bills.

Hopefully you somewhat like what you do and while no job is perfect, that there are some things you can pull out of your work experience that will allow you to smile and laugh at least a little throughout the day.  Because if you can’t smile and laugh at little kids making fart noises what can you laugh at?