Month: May 2010

THIS WEEK ON CAPE ANN

ROCKPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY presents author Paul St. Germain as he discusses his recently published pictorial history, "Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann" on Wednesday, May 19, at 7pm. The book provides a summary of the island’s history from its sighting by Samuel de Champlain in July 1605 through its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2001. 978-546-6934

THE INNS OF ROCKPORT and the Chamber are co-sponsoring a DineAround Fundraiser at BRACKETT’S OCEAN VIEW RESTAURANT on Thursday, May 20, during both lunch and dinner. Have lunch or dinner at Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant on Thursday, May 20- 20% of receipts for the day will be donated to the Rockport Art Festivals to support Motif #1 Day events and activities. (please print and post the attached PDF)

THE ROCKPORT PLANNING BOARD invites you to join us at the Rockport Library, Brenner Friends’ Room, on Thursday, May 20, at 7pm for a presentation on information we’ve collected for the Master Plan for Downtown, and to take part in discussing steps we should take next. We want to hear your questions and ideas.

CAPE ANN TRAVEL SERVICE invites you to A Special Day in Boston on Thursday, May 20. Includes: Deluxe RoundtripMotorcoach Private tour of Symphony Hall.Unique shopping on Newbury Street consignment shops and afternoon "High Tea" at the Park Plaza Hotel with world-renowned Tea Sommelier Cynthia Gold.$89/person. Escorted by by Marcia Hahn. Information: 978-546-9350

Lady’s Slipper-Beauty & Botany! THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS IN CAPE ANN invites you to join Gloucester native, Rick Davis, to look for and learn all about these unique, delicate orchids found among our rocky and woody Ravenswood landscape on Thursday, May 20, 6-7:30pm. Recommended for 10 year olds and up. Meet at Ravenswood parking area. Free to members, $5 for nonmembers. 978-281-8400

ESSEX HERITAGE will hold its annual meeting and networking event on Thursday, May 20, 4:30-5:30pm at The Blue Ocean Music Hall, in Salisbury. The agenda will include updates on ENHC’s activities & initiatives, introduction of new Commissioners and recognition of Essex Heritage’s 2010 Partnership Grant recipients. The public is welcome to attend. 978-740-0444

ROCKPORT ART ASSOCIATION’S Arts & Flowers Gala Reception will be held on Friday, May 21, 5-7pm. Join us for the opening of the 1st Summer Exhibition of paintings, sculpture, graphics and photography, with an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, lively conversation and music by "True Vintage". This major fundraiser will benefit the Rockport Art Association’s Children’s Summer Art Education Programs. Tickets on sale now: $20. 978-546-6604

MOTIF #1 DAY will be held on Saturday, May 22, all day in downtown Rockport. Motif No.1 Day is an opportunity for Rockport residents and visitors to come together to celebrate Rockport’s heritage of the arts, as symbolized by our famous red fishing shack, Motif No.1, the subject of countless paintings during the early 20th century. Today, Rockport continues to inspire artists working across several mediums.

THE CAPE ANN MUSEUM is pleased to present a gallery talk with quilt maker, Clara Wainwright on Saturday, May 22, at 2pm. On Cape Ann, Wainwright is best known for her Gloucester Fisherman’s Wives Quilt, a community based project which she led in 1998. This program is included with Museum admission. Space is limited and reservations are required; call 978-283-0455 , x11.

I4C2 CLEAN-UP & BEAUTIFICATION DAY. City Hall was full of people who wanted the city to purchase and clean the lot. Now it’s our turn. Saturday, May 22, starting at 8am, the public is invited to come down for a clean-up of litter and small debris that is left. Bring your weed whackers, heavy duty rakes and enthusiasm. Information: contact Ed Collard of House Doctors.

BLUE SHUTTERS BEACHSIDE INN is holding a "Brews & Blues" celebration on Saturday May 22 starting at 2pm, on our lawn overlooking Good Harbor Beach. Guests can enjoy live entertainment featuring area musicians and complimentary beer tastings courtesy of Cape Ann Brewing. Those guests who book a room for that Saturday night get Friday night at half-price. 978-283-1198 info@blueshuttersbeachside.com

Tickets for the Seventh Annual Chocolate Tour of Newburyport are now on sale! A limited number of tickets are issued so yours now. The Chocolate Tour is Saturday May 22, 1-5pm. Participating vendors in the downtown Newburyport area and the Tannery Mall are prepared to surprise and delight your palate with an array of chocolate treats. All funds raised by this popular event support the local services of the AMERICAN RED CROSS. 978-922-2224

CAPE ANN BUSINESS INCUBATOR and VALENTINO’S RESTAURANT present Murder on the Dance Floor, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, on Saturdays beginning May 22 at Valentino’s Restaurant, 38 Main Street Gloucester. Show & Dinner 7:30pm, Doors open at 7pm. $29.95 includes all you can eat pasta & meatballs, salad, cash bar. (Tips not included) Call for reservations. 978-283-6186

THE GLOUCESTER ADVENTURE’S annual Gala Auction will be held on Saturday, May 22, 6-9pm at Annisquam Village Hall. Featuring live and silent auctions, cash bar, hors d’oeuvre, delicious buffet dinner. Tickets: $35 advanced reservations, $40 at the door. RSVP: 978-281-8079

THE SEAWARD INN, Rockport, will feature "Heaven Sent", John Maher and Ed Meradith, acoustic duo, chiming guitars, tight two part harmonies, and great songwriting, Sunday Morning Live during a Breakfast Buffet by the Sea on May 23, 9am-noon. Log on to www.seawardinn.com/blog for more on the artists or call 978-546-3471 No cover charge.

GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS will host "What Schools Can Do to Prevent Bullying & Promote a Positive School Climate," An informational meeting for Cape Ann school and community professionals, on Tuesday, May 25, 3:30-5:30pm at O’Maley Middle School. The program will include remarks by Robin D’Antona, an educational consultant and certified national Olweus Bullying Prevention Program trainer, and round-table discussions with all participants. Information/reservations: Ann-Marie Jordan at ajordan@gloucester.k12.ma.us or 978-281-9816

THE GLOUCESTER ROTARY CLUB has named David McKechnie and David Slade as Paul Harris Fellows. McKechnie and Slade will be honored at a special dinner on Wednesday, May 26, at Cruiseport Gloucester (upstairs). The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $45 per person and may be reserved by contacting Steve Kaity or Ruth Pino.

SCHOONER ADVENTURE Lecture Series. "Our Water Our World: Why the Health of Sea and Its Coastal Waters Matter" Wednesday, May 26, at 7pm at Cruiseport Gloucester (downstairs). Presented by Deborah Cramer, Visiting Scholar, Earth System Initiative, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA Author of "Smithsonian Ocean: Our Water Our World." 978-281-8079

THE ESSEX SHIPBUILDING MUSEUM will hold the final segment of its special four-part symposium on the return of the Evelina M. Goulart on Thursday, May 27, at 7pm. The dragger, returned in 1990, is one of seven remaining Essex-built schooners in existence. Admission $10. Space is limited. Preregistration required. 978-768-7541

In collaboration with Historic New England, THE CAPE ANN MUSEUM is pleased to present Preserving Gloucester!, a two day program highlighting ongoing preservation projects in Gloucester. Please join us on Thursday, May 27 at 7pm for an evening of talks highlighting recently completed and ongoing preservation projects at historic sites including Schooner Adventure, Historic New England’s Beauport, the Sargent House Museum, Gloucester City Hall, Sawyer Free Library, and Cape Ann Museum’s White-Ellery House. On Saturday, May 29, 10am-1pm, visit all the sites to see the preservation work and talk with project managers. These programs are free and open to the public in celebration of Historic Preservation Month. 978-283-0455

Huge Crafts Fair & Bake Sale at Spiran Hall Lodge in downtown Rockport on Saturday, May 29, 9am-2pm. Local Artisans will be displaying their wheel thrown pottery, cards and gifts, handmade quilts, pillows, aprons, scarves, blankets, kids toys, American doll clothing and furniture, silver, and much, much, more! All proceeds to benefit the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF ROCKPORT. 978-546-2989

Join Michael O’Leary & Friends for a floating ‘seisiun’, an afternoon of traditional songs ‘n tunes aboard the SCHOONER THOMAS E. LANNON as it takes a sail around beautiful Gloucester harbor on Sunday, May 30, 3-5:30pm. Info and reservations: www.schooner.org/tel/booktrp1.htm or 978-281-6634

The Rev. Anne Deneen will lead an Ecumenical prayer service for all veterans, veteran’s families and friends on Sunday, May 30, at 4pm at ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1123 Washington Street, Gloucester. This service is being held honoring those who have served or are currently serving in the military. All are welcome and invited to attend this special service.

Celtic Music Session. Join Michael O’Leary and Friends for their Celtic music session on Sunday, May 30, 6-9pm at THE LANDING AT 7 CENTRAL in Manchester. An acoustic session of mostly traditional songs and tunes from the Celtic countries and Cape Breton. 978-526-7494

GLOUCESTER UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH presents "Men, Women and Margaret Fuller" on Sunday, May 30, at 4pm. General Admission $10, Students & Seniors $7. Join us in celebrating the 200th birthday of notable Unitarian, feminist, transcendentalist author and activist, Margaret Fuller – with a special performance by renowned Fuller expert, author and performer, Laurie James. 978-283-3410