Day: February 18, 2011

Is Doug Maxfield DTF?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The question thousands have been asking is if Doug Maxfield will step up and take the Farm Bar and Grille DTF Burger Challenge next Thursday night and compete against such luminaries as Ed “I’ll do anything” Collard", Frankie The Silver Bullet Gwynne, Jeremy The Great Jewish Hope Goldberg and Patrick Lederhosen Ryan.

Maxfield- The man behind my favorite blog NorthShoreWaterman, and the most honest fisherman I’ve never met has yet to be heard from but inquiring minds want to know if he will enter the competition Thursday night at The Farm.

Could we potentially see Maxfield’s name on the same plaque as Dangerous Dick Low and Big Lar?

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Is Maxfield DTF?

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Ten Foot Polecats at The Farm in Essex ~ Tonight ~ 2-18-2011

Posted on by Joanne

I have known  two of Ten Foot Polecats for over five years and seen this band for over two  following them all over Massachusetts to many venues. They tap into the past in such a way you would think they were from it for real. Deep nitty gritty, rockin, smokin blues. I do not know how anyone can sit still with out wiggling around or getting up on the floor to shake their stuff. Dave Darling the drummer left at the end of the year and now Chad has taken over. I don’t think they could have picked a better choice to fill his place, although the way I see it no one can. Dave will surely be missed. It is never the same when an original member leaves but on the other hand you look forward to new things such as more originals like they played out in Worcester a week ago.

See What My Buddy Done and Squeeze are up on the top of the list for favorites. They cover so many songs in one night and I am looking forward to hearing the new ones again and hoping for a new CD to come out soon.

Their bio:

Ten Foot Polecats are a three piece band from the Boston/Worcester Massachusetts area but their influence is drawn from deep roots of the North Mississippi Hill Country.  They have constructed a very definite sound that sets them apart from other artists as they bring a very aggressive attitude and approach to their brand of blues and roots.  Due to this, they have made quite an impression on the national and local music scenes as they are currently one of the few blues based bands booked across the country in the rock, punk, and psychobilly circuits along with the various blues and roots circles.

Check them out,  have a listen.  The player starts right up when you click on their site. I love them and maybe you will too.

http://tenfootpolecats.com/fr_newstourdates.cfm

Did You Know (No Dead Squammers)

Posted on by God's Morning
Photo by E.J. Lefavour

That no one associated with Annisquam died recently?  I learned an interesting bit of Annisquam tradition.  When someone who has ever lived in Annisquam dies, even if they had moved away, the flag at the Village Hall is flown at half-mast and a note is left giving the details of the decedent.  I thought that was a pretty special tradition, and unique way to let people to know that a fellow “Squammer” had passed.  (Information courtesy of Jill Carter).

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Fenway Park getting ready for the Yankees on Friday April 8th

Posted on by paultmorrison

The new Center Field scoreboard is the most obvious new feature to Fenway Park. This morning they lowered the last black panel of screen into place. It’s hard to see what it is made of because it is so black it sucks the light out of your eyeballs.

This thing is massive. 100 feet wide and 38 feet high. 65 brazillion high intensity LED lights imbedded and IBM Watson will be used to run the HD video on this screen.

OK, I don’t know how many lights and the computer will be slightly smaller than Watson.  Now to figure out how to get tickets for Opening Day.

Round one of the Gourmoo Cook Off–check it out!

Posted on by laurielufkin

Hi Friends!

No, I didn’t get stuck head first in a snow bank or lost in a blizzard…..these last few months have been chaotic and wonderful at the same time and it is time to finally come up for air……….and write a quick new post.  Getting settled in our new apartment and all is well 🙂

I know that some of you new that I went to the Gourmoo Cook off sponsored by Lactaid Milk the first week in December but if you didn’t know that, you do now :-).  I have to say, wearing flip flops in December was a real treat.

So, without further delay, here is the first installment in the series, the Appetizer Round:

http://www.moovision.com/gourmoo/index.php

PS–Steve Connolly Seafood shipped those gorgeous scallops out to California for me!  🙂  Thank you!

The News From Rocky Neck

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The News from Rocky Neck is forwarded by Judy Robinson-Cox

Member News

THU, Feb. 17, 6-8pm Montseurat Reception for North Shore Artists

Montserrat College of Art invites Art Associations of the North Shore area to a reception: Thursday, February 17, 6 – 8 pm,
23 Essex Street, Beverly, MA.

Members will have an opportunity to mingle, explore the college, and take in informative demonstrations by Montserrat’s Gallery staff. Leonie Bradbury, Director and Curator of Montserrat’s Gallery and Visiting Artist Program, and Maggie Cavallo, Outreach Coordinator, will provide a brief overview of our current Exhibition: A Debt to Pleasure. Lucas Spivey, Exhibition Manager, will offer tips on how to install an exhibit.

In addition, door prizes will be awarded: a $300 Gift Certificate toward a Continuing Education Course, two tickets to our annual Art Auction and three portfolio reviews by Judy Brown, Montserrat Professor, Painting & Drawing, Co-Chair Foundation. Wine and refreshments will be served in an informal, yet informative atmosphere.

seARTSDeadline, Feb 23: seARTS Bass Rocks Golf Club Loan Program

Call for work for the seARTS Loan Program

at the Bass Rocks Golf Club, 34 Beach Road, Gloucester

April 2011 to April 2012

The seARTS-Bass Rocks Art Loan Program is entering its fourth year. The Loan Program is for members of seARTS (click here to join!) and will run for one year at the Bass Rocks Golf Club, installed on the main floor. Artists will be invited to an opening reception for the show in June and among the marketing opportunities, there will be Viewer’s Choice Award, a binder with artists information at the front door of the Club, general PR, and on-line promotion of the show and award winners.

Deadline for Entries is February 23

If an artwork is sold, the artist may replace it with a new selection after a brief review by the jury.
Please click here to download the application

(This is a new updated link)

seARTS

MON, Feb 28 : seARTS Annual Meeting

Guest Speaker : Susan Silberg-Robinson, Urban Design Expert

MIT urban design and planning expert Susan Silberberg-Robinson will give keynote remarks and discuss arts-conscious waterfront development at the annual meeting of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS) on February 28. The discussion comes as Gloucester undertakes harborside projects such as I4-C2, the Harbor Walk and the Birdseye building that would benefit from close collaboration with the arts community. The public is encouraged to attend.

seARTS’ 2011 annual meeting will also include board nominations, a review of the state of the organization and a discussion of arts-related opportunities such as the "Creative Placemaking" grants recently announced by the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, please contact seARTS at info@searts.org

WHAT: seARTS 2011 Annual Meeting
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 2011
6:00-6:30 PM: Sign in and socializing
6:30-7:30 PM: Meeting
7:30-8:30 PM Speakers and Q & A
8:30 PM: Wrap up
WHERE: Cruiseport Gloucester
Harbor Room (park and enter at the back of the building)
6 Rowe Square, Gloucester
RESERVATIONS: RSVP i or 978-281-1222 info@searts.org
COST: Free and Open to the Public; Light munchies, Cash Bar

Goetemann Artist in Residency Program Info Available Online

The application form for the 2011 Goetemann Artist in Residency Program is now available online at www.rockyneckartcolony.org/11Residency_application.pdf

Deadline to apply : March 1, 2011

Spring Pottery Classes ~ Cynthia Curtis Pottery

Cynthia Curtis

80 Pigeon Hill Street, Rockport 
(978) 546-6186
www.cynthiacurtispottery.com

CURRENT OPENINGS FOR THE NEXT SESSION:
March 7 – April 30
Sign up now. Let’s get muddy!
  • Monday kid’s class with Margie Malley: 3:30 – 5:00
  • Tuesday p.m. adult class with Susan Hershey: 6:00 – 9:00
  • Wednesday a.m. adult class with Cynthia Curtis: 9:00 – 12:00
  • Thursday p.m. adult class with Cynthia Curtis: 6:00 – 9:00          
  • Friday a.m. adult class with Anni Melancon: 9:00 – 12:00

Classes are available to all levels of experience.  Each session covers throwing pots on the wheel, handbuilding, and glazing.  Students work at their own pace supported by individualized instruction. 
Please call (978) 546-6186 for more information or visit website!

Click Here to Vote for Gloucester as a Top 25 Art Destination
You Could Win $500! (Deadline March 5)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUN, Feb 27 : Rocky Neck Gallery Meeting

The Rocky Neck Gallery will have a planning meeting on Sunday, February 27 from 4 to 6pm at the studio of Kate Somers,
25 Lexington Ave., Magnolia. Any art colony member will be able to apply for a "Featured Artist" show at the gallery this year. More information and applications will be available in a few weeks.

TUES, March 8, RNAC General Meeting

6:30 PM, 4 Bickford Way

Galleries for Rent

Several galleries are for rent for the 2011 season. To get first choice of prime space contact

Niki Ahearn at 617-543-2977 OR e- mail: NicoleAhearn@comcast.net.

KUDOS

Richard Seeley’s image "Thor’s Hammer Sunrise" receives an Honorable Mention at the Mile High Wildlife Photo Club in Parker, Colorado (near Denver).

Thor's Hammer

Thor’s Hammer Sunrise – The clouds open-up to highlight Thor’s Hammer at sunrise in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.

http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/

Rocky Neck Art Colony, PO Box 60, Gloucester, MA 01931

Things To Do!- seARTS Captains Courageous Festival on Saturday, March 5 9am – 9:30pm

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Saturday, March 5 9am – 9:30pm
The Captains Courageous Festival returns to Gloucester thanks to success, recognition and, most importantly, the community’s enthusiastic participation and support last year.
The all-day event for all ages features community volunteers reading the novel; tours, children’s and family programs, a performance by sea shanty singers, Three Sheets to the Wind, and Captains Courageous (1937 film) starring Spencer Tracy.

Join the celebration of Captains Courageous, Rudyard Kipling’s classic adventure novel about a spoiled rich boy rescued by Gloucester fishermen. Don’t miss the classic film at Cape Ann Community Cinema at 7pm.

Presented by the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS) in partnership with:
Cape Ann Museum
Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
Cape Ann Art Haven
Sawyer Free Library
Cape Ann Community Cinema
Schooner Adventure

Readings and related programs are free to all; film tickets are $12
VOLUNTEER: To volunteer to read or to help on March 5, please contact seARTS at
captscourageous@gmail.com or 978-281-1222.
SCHEDULE: Look for the full schedule February 21 at http://www.searts.org

    For more info visit seARTS

    Twin Light Half Marathon Accepting Registrations For May 15th Race

    Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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    Pursuit Racing announces the Twin Lights Half Marathon, set for its inaugural running here along the Cape Ann coastline on Sunday, May 15, 2011.  The race course follows an out-and-back loop starting at Good Harbor Beach along Thatcher Road, through
    downtown Rockport, turning around in Pigeon Cove and returning back to the beach. The course is incredibly beautiful, traveling along the rocky coastline of Gloucester and Rockport. Runners will see lighthouses and beaches, and will meander through the quaint and picturesque village of Rockport. Although aesthetically pleasing, the course will also challenge the racers with some hills. The event promises to be an exciting and fun opener to the racing season on Boston’s North Shore and is being sponsored by the Manchester Athletic Club, the race’s Official Training Center. Pursuit Racing was founded by Mike Murray and Stephanie Ridge of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mike, a Gloucester native and three-time Iron Man finisher, has competed in multiple racing and triathlon events around New England and the US. Steph is an avid fitness enthusiast, rock climber and former Boston College Women’s Ice Hockey player. Dave Murray, a lifelong Cape Ann resident, runner and cyclist has partnered with his brother to produce this race in their hometown. “I’ve biked along this course hundreds of times and logged countless miles
    running on Good Harbor Beach and have always been captivated by the light, the smell of salt, the breeze and the challenge. Exercising and competing in this environment, surrounded by this scenery–what could be a better way to launch the season?” After noticing a lack of half-marathon distance races at this time of year north of Boston, plans
    were put in motion to create one. “Each time I have guests from different parts of the world visit, they all say the same thing. ‘This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. You are very lucky.’ We think this is the perfect setting for a new half-marathon in New England. If you haven’t seen this course or experienced spring on Cape Ann, you should come and check it out” says Murray, an East Gloucester resident.

    Online registration and additional race details are available at www.twinlightshalfmarathon.com.
    Pursuit Racing intends to support youth sports in the host communities by making a donation to the Gloucester
    Fisherman’s Athletic Association and the Friends of Rockport Athletics.
    Contact Info: David Murray 617-968-8690 davidcmurray@verizon.net
    Thacher Island photo by Steve Borichevsky

    The weekly Catch From The Cape Ann Chamber Of Commerce

    Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

    UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS

    The Irish Sweepstakes drawing will be held at a St. Patrick’s Day party at The Gloucester House Restaurant on Tuesday, March 15 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The party will feature Irish entertainment and hors d’oeuvres. Purchase of a ticket will admit two people to the party and drawing. Limited to 300 tickets. Donation:$100

    Business After Hours. The Manchester Cricket in Manchester-by-the-Sea will host the Chamber’s March Business After Hours meeting on Wednesday,March 16, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend. Come and meet your friends, new members, and non-members interested in joining the Chamber community. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served, and great door prizes will be offered. The cost is $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Contact the Chamber office at 978-283-1601 or tim@capeannchamber.com.

    Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Home & Business Exposition. March 26 & 27. Gloucester High School Field House. 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road, Gloucester, MA. Over 25,000 Sq. Ft. of Display Area! Demonstrations, speakers, door prizes, free parking. For more info contact Tim Burton at tim@capeannchamber.com or call 978-283-1601.

    THIS WEEK ON CAPE ANN

    Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester. Children’s Birding Program Saturday, February, 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Friend Room. Birds in Winter. A Children’s Program with Donna Jacques Marchant. Learn to identify backyard birds and make a simple bird feeder. Donna has been birding since 1982, and is an active member and volunteer with the Brookline Bird Club. She has worked for Mass Audubon and Halibut Point State Park as an amateur naturalist. Call 978-281-9763.

    The Landing at 7 Central. Join Celtic singer Michael O’Leary, string players Bob & Jennifer Strom and others for their Celtic music session on Sunday, February 20, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. upstairs round the fire at The Landing at 7 Central in Manchester. An acoustic session of mostly traditional songs and tunes from the Celtic countries. For information call 978-526-7494, email celtsinger@gmail.com

    Essex National Heritage Area. Sunday, Feb. 20, 1:00 p.m. Explore the winter woods with seasoned snow shoers and outdoorsmen, Bob Goodwin and Bob Gibb. Discover Camp Denison Conservation Areas in Boxford, MA. This property offers views of Baldpate Pond, a beaver hut, remnants of a 17th century human settlement, and more. Afterwards warm up with treats next to the wood burning stove! Bring snowshoes and poles, dress appropriately (hats, gloves, sturdy shoes, etc.). We can recommend rental facilities; cross country skis are optional. RAIN DATE: February 27. RSVP with payment by Friday, February 18. Essex Heritage members $5, non members $7. Register in advance, online or call 978-740-0444

    CAPE ANN DRIVING SCHOOL located at 127 Eastern Ave, Gloucester is running an accelerated class during February school vacation. Monday, Feb. 21 – Friday, Feb. 25, 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Remember Chamber members get 10% off on the classroom instruction. For information and to sign up call Dave Scatterday at 978-281-1842.

    The Trustees of Reservations invites you to Appleton Farms for WINTER FARM FIELD SCHOOL AT APPLETON FARMS. Winter Explorers February Break Program February 22 – February 25, ages 8-11, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join the Trustees for a winter farm adventure! From the fields, to the barns to the forests, winter explorers will discover it all! Tracking and winter survival skills, farm chores and maple sugaring are just the beginning. $100 members, $130 nonmembers. Please pre-register for programs online, call 978-356-5728 or email afeducator@ttor.org.

    The Enterprise Center at Salem State University. THE BUSINESS OF FARMING, Thursday, February 24, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. If you think you might like farming, from growing greens to raising livestock, check out this workshop! An expert panel of growers and experts who support them will discuss all aspects of farming today, from the true business it has become to the lifestyle it brings. Register or learn more. Also coming up: March is Tech Month, so register early!

    SAVE THE DATE

    The Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offers free small business counseling on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Anyone who is considering starting a business or has questions about an aspect of their current business is invited to make an appointment to meet with Walter Manninen. Walter is a representative from the Small Business Development Center of Salem State College, a Senior Business Advisor, Financial Specialist, and was given the IDG Chairman’s Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Call 978-283-1601 or email susan@capeannchamber.com.

    Health & Wellness Programs offered by Karen Pischke RN, BSN of Dreamtime Wellness. Traditional Level 1 Usui Reiki Training, Sunday, February 20. Relax with Reiki and enjoy the potential benefits of the ‘relaxation response’- improved comfort, increased calm, and improved sleep. Reiki Level 2 training- March 20, Private Reiki and Hypnotherapy sessions available for relaxation, sound sleep, pain relief, positive changes, optimal wellness, and more! Self-Hypnosis CDs for "Relaxation and Sound Sleep" and "Optimal Wellness." For further information and registration call 978-283-4258, or email info@dreamtimewellness.com

    Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church presents "The Trials of Susan B. Anthony," on Sunday, February 27. The performance will be staged by historytellers Beth Blanchard and Peter Van. Susan B. Anthony was an American social reformer and suffragist. This 45-minute, three act dramatization will include Ms. Anthony debating negro abolitionist Frederick Douglass in 1869; Ms. Anthony facing the judge after illegally voting in 1872; and being interviewed at the age of 82 in 1902. The performance begins at 2:00 p.m. at the historic Gloucester Meetinghouse, corner of Middle and Church Streets. General admission is $5.

    seARTS. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, February 28, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Cruiseport Gloucester, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA 01930. Please call 978-281-1222 for more information.

    Looking for some fun close to home? Come to Comedy-Night at the American Legion, Post 113 in Manchester on Saturday, March 12 @ 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $30 at the door. The price includes complimentary appetizers. For more info & tickets call 978-394-4340. Got2laugh.com

    BUSINESS BRIEFS – News and Special Offers from Chamber Members

    The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is designed to help entrepreneurs create a specific, comprehensive business plan tailored for their business, and to provide the skills and knowledge with which to successfully implement that plan. This intensive, comprehensive, non-credit, 20-week program covers all aspects of starting and operating a business. The curriculum includes sessions on market research, marketing tools, product/service differentiation, networking, sales techniques, presentation skills, financial management, as well as legal and insurance issues, human resources, time management, and more. The next program begins March 1st at Northern Essex Community College.

    Dreamtime Wellness. Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Reiki Master Teacher was hired as the RN/Reiki Practitioner for the HOPES Wellness program, offering complementary Reiki at the MGH/Northshore Cancer Center, Danvers MA. HOPES provides acupuncture, massage, Reiki, other wellness and support services for patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

    Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester, MA. Did you know that the library has computers for patrons to use? Bring in your library card, if you are printing put money on the card at the main desk, go upstairs to an available computer, use your library card number as id. The system allows you 2 hours. If you want to save something, bring a flash drive. This is just one of our many resources. Free Films for February-Get 2 free, bring them back and take 2 more. $1.00 charge for late movies. Check out our incredible PBS series, major motion pictures, children’s films, and more. If you haven’t been to the library lately, now is the time to come. Call 978-281-9763.

    Friends of the Rockport Public Library are soliciting donations of books in good condition for their March 18-20 Book Sale. Paper backs, hard backs, children’s books, CDs, DVDs, and tapes are welcome and may be brought to the library during normal library hours Saturday through Thursday.

    Northeast Health System. Adult Attitudes About Youth Alcohol Use Survey. Gloucester adults 21 and over are encouraged to participate in this survey. Fill out the survey and enter a free raffle to win gift cards from Stop & Shop, Shaw’s Market, Market Basket, and the Pleasant Street Tea Company. Available February 9 – March 4. It’s quick & it’s confidential. Look for the survey online at HealthyGloucester.org or at these community locations: City Hall, Cape Ann Savings Bank, Cape Ann Medical Center, Cape Ann Pediatrics, Cape Ann Primary Care, CVS (Main Street), Pathways for Children, Sawyer Free Library, and YMCA.

    Eastern Point Day School hosts "Flanagan’s Wake", an interactive, improvisational comedy on March 5, at Gloucester Stage Company. Tickets are $30 per person and sales will be open to the public beginning on February 17. Call 978-283-1700 now to get on the wait list or to order tickets after February 17. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Gloucester Stage Company is located at 267 E. Main St., Gloucester.

    Transform Fitness Studio, 65 Eastern Avenue in Essex, MA will be holding Spin for Hope on Sunday, March 6, from 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. We ride as singles or teams for three hours to great music and just have a lot of fun raising money for a great cause. To register call Jean or Carol at 978-768-0111

    The Cape Ann Museum invites home-school students ages 6-12 to join us for "Meet Me at the Museum" on Thursday, March 10. This free program will focus on our newest exhibit: The Art of Al Czerepak. This class will be held in the Education room from 10:00-11:15 a.m. To make a reservation please call Liza Browning at 978-283-0455 ext. 16, or email lizabrowning@capeannmuseum.org.

    Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport 4 Cleaves St., presents the short film "5 Wishes" followed by a discussion on end of life issues. Sunday, March 13, 1:00-3:00 p.m. "5 Wishes" is a Living Will that talks about your emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. Ginny Cohen R.N., who holds a certificate from Andover Newton Theological School in Congregational Health Ministry and Parish Nursing, will facilitate the session. A $5 per person donation is suggested. Please call the church office at 978-546-2989 for more information or to reserve a seat.

    The Weekly Catch can be read online at
    http://www.capeannchamber.com/email/weeklycatch021711.htm