Did You Know? (Laundry Day)

That on April 19, 2008, actress Sandra Bullock was involved in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in front of East Gloucester Square Laundromat while in the area to shoot “The Proposal.”?  No one was injured in the accident. 

Doing laundry is not one of my favorite chores, but having a great, clean, affordable laundromat with well maintained equipment nearby and my good buddy artist friend, Wendie Demuth of Wendie Demuth Photography (pictured here after staying up too late the night before enjoying the Rocky Neck nightlife on Madfish Wharf) to do it with, makes it fun.  If you live or are visiting in East Gloucester and don’t have a washer and drier, East Gloucester Square Laundromat at 197 East Main Street is a great place to do your laundry.  They even have a parking lot in back, a cool handpainted sign of a woman doing laundry the way I used to do it when I lived in Jamaica (except I didn’t have a wringer – just my hands), and a nice bench out front to sit on and watch the traffic go by (and hopefully no accidents).  It’s also right around the corner from the North Shore Art Association, so you can take in a little art while your clothes are spinning around, if you’re there after 10:00 am.

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Ask the Trainer Thursday July 21st In front of the Visitor’s Center

Gloucester Dog Park Training

The Friends of Gloucester Dog Park will have their Thursday informational booth with ‘Ask the Trainer Thursday’ this Thursday, July 21st from 3 pm to 5:30 pm.  Come with your dog and/or your question and get valuable information on that question you have been dying to have answered.  Meet Laurel Silva, certified dog trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers with extensive experience in working with rescue/shelter dogs.  And as always we will have our signature red bandanas for the dogs and our Gloucester Dog Park buttons along with handouts on Dog Park Etiquette, Dog Behavior and Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog. Come and learn more about the creation of Cape Ann’s First Dog Park!!!  We need your support.  Visit us at www.gloucesterdogpark.org

PS- We are in need of an event’s planner and PR/Marketing help.  If you can help please contact us at gloucesterdogpark@gmail.com

15th Annual Rockport Rotary LobsterFest will Rock Back Beach!

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Rockport, North Shore, and Greater Boston, MA – Rain or shine, on Saturday, August 13 from 12 noon to 7 pm at the American Legion Hall Bandstand on scenic Back Beach in Rockport, MA, Rockport Rotarians will host their 15th annual public LobsterFest cookout, open to all, and including free entertainment by the legendary Cape Ann Jazz band. Enjoy a complete meal of hot boiled lobster, corn-on-the-cob, clam chowder, roll and butter, watermelon and a soft drink in this festive and picturesque setting for just $25. (military/fire/police/EMT price: $23). A cash menu of hot dogs, burgers, chips, desserts, beer and wine is also available. Each year close to 800 people enjoy this lively event, and funds raised support the good community service projects of Rockport Rotary.

Advance tickets are recommended, available at Granite Savings Bank, John Tarr Store, Rockport National Bank, Village Silversmith, BankGloucester, or from a local Rockport Rotarian or by calling Event Chair & President-Elect Laurene Wessel 978-290-8035, email: lwessel@bankgloucester.com

– Don’t Miss It! –

A Summer Sunset Cruise Performance

FLY AMERO & ALLEN ESTES

Painting by Marilyn Swift
 

The Schooner Thomas E. Lannon
Thursday, July 21, 2011
7-9pm (arrive at the shack 6:30)
Seven Seas Wharf at the Gloucester House
Rogers Street, Gloucester – 978-281-6634
or: info@schooner.org

Bill Gleason Joins Fly Amero This Wednesday Night



Hello everyone!
Wednesday, July 20th
Special Guest:
BILL GLEASON!

Bill Gleason: The straight and natchel delta blues. ~ Fly
Dinner with Fly Amero: 8 – 11pm
*Each week features a special, invited musical guest
Dave Trooper’s Kitchen…
Wednesdays Only!
Prime Rib Dinner –
$9.95 (while they last)
Prepared fresh weekly by “Troop”… always good!
Sincerely…
I hope to see you there! 🙂 ~ Fly


It’s that Time of Year again! From Paul Frontiero

It’s that Time of Year again!

It’s Time for “The Man Grooming POLL!” 

Who dares to take it?!

It’s been hot and sticky lately!

The sweat seems to gather in some unfortunate places!

 Joey has been steadfast in his refusal to trim his most intimate area During these Hot and Sticky Days. Yuck!

Just check out the “Full Rum Moon” Post.

Are there any men out there that would admit to at least a trimming?

Wild Iris and the Love Photo

 Wild Iris, Halibut Point @Fredrik D. Bodin

I frequently scout a location before setting up to shoot a landscape, especially if it’s a sunrise or sunset. The equipment is heavy, the hike may be long, and I’ve got to be ready to shoot as the light changes. This was the case when I shot the sunset at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport. I explored the shore beneath the granite pile and noted two promising spots. The next evening I set up my tripod, framed the image in camera, and waited for the last rays of sunset. Even though the sky wasn’t very interesting, I made a few exposures.  It’s the wild iris in the bottom right that make this image a great seller in the gallery.  Then I moved to the second location about 150 feet to the east.
 
 Dusk, Halibut Point ©Fredrik D. Bodin

As dusk approached, the clouds darkened to purple and reflected off the ocean and tidal pools. The pool on the left is shaped like a heart, which I point out to customers in the gallery. I call this the “love” photo. I returned to this location a year later and the wild iris were gone. But the heart will always be there.
Shot on 6×7 centimeter transparency film. Printed from a 4×5 inch color internegative.
Negative #’s FDB9167-001c and FDB9167-002c
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Reminder On Dangers Of Hot Weather

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE​FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:​Chief Andy Paskalis, Chair 978 526 4040
July 19, 2011​or your local Fire, Police or Health Dept.

Reminder On The Dangers Of Hot Weather
The National Weather Service is forecasting excessive heat for our area this week especially for Friday. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. Heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. In the heat wave of 1995 more than 700 deaths in the Chicago area were attributed to heat. In August 2003, a record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives.

Too Much Heat
Heat related illnesses occur when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate caused by a reduction or collapse of the body’s ability to shed heat. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body’s inner core begins to rise. Heat related illnesses range in severity but share one common feature: the individual has been overexposed or over exercised in the heat.
In adults, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age, heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults. Sunburn can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat.

Know The Signs & Symptoms
HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue.
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Lie down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air-conditioned room. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE (sunstroke): High body temperature (hyperthermia) (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, 9-1-1 OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners.

Children, Adults, and Pets in Parked Vehicles are at Great Risk
Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left in parked vehicles. This can
occur even on a mild day. The temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise rapidly to a dangerous level. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate.

Vehicle Heating Dynamics
The atmosphere and the windows of a car are relatively “transparent” to the sun’s shortwave
radiation and are warmed little by it. This shortwave energy however, does heat objects that it
strikes. These objects (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, child safety seat) heat the adjacent air
that is trapped inside a vehicle. A dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the
range of 180 to over 200 degrees F.

Heat Wave Safety Tips
• Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or rescheduled strenuous activities until the coolest time of
the day. Children, senior and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Cool down. Take a cool shower or soak in the tub or go for a swim.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods like meat and other proteins increase metabolic heat production and increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before
increasing their consumption of fluids.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limited caffeinated beverages.
• Spend time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings
markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
• Avoid direct sun. Especially in the middle of the day. Sunburn reduced your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
• Take frequent breaks, if you have to work in the heat pay close attention for signs and
symptoms of heat related illness.

Child Safety Tips
• Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment aren’t too hot (e.g., child safety seat and safety belt buckles) when securing a child in a car that has been parked in the heat.
• Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in, on, or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks even at home and keep keys out of children’s reach.
• Make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don’t overlook sleeping infants. Don’t leave a child sleeping in a parked vehicle.

If you can’t get cooled down or get to a cool place call your local health, fire or police department. If you think you or someone you are with is experiencing a serious heat related illness, call 9-1-1. Cape Ann Emergency Planning Team compiled this information from the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross.

The Burnham’s Field Gardener Series- Devon the shellfish biologist

Burnham’s Field is the largest green space in central Gloucester. There’s been a resurgence of pride in Burnham’s Field, including a new 20-plot garden. GoodMorningGloucester is now running a series of video profiles of the Burnham’s Field Community Gardeners. Here are their stories.

By John McElhenny

Burnham’s Field Gardeners – Devon the shellfish biologist

Devon, a shellfish biologist, spends most of her days along the Massachusetts coastline. So it’s a treat after work to sink her hands in the dirt of her own garden. “Cape Ann and the North Shore are a combination of land and sea,” she says. “You get the best of both worlds.”

 

The Block Party Steering Committee Sends Thanks

THANK YOU, GLOUCESTER!

Heartfelt and appreciative thanks to all the wonderful people who helped the “second generation” Block Party Committee produce the first Downtown Gloucester Block Party of 2011! With three successful years of the Block Party to live up to, it was an honor and a challenge to accept that baton.

In particular, we thank the people of Gloucester for your support, attendance, and enthusiasm!  It was our pleasure to see so many residents (and visitors!) gather downtown to celebrate our city.

We appreciate the support and cooperation of Mayor Kirk and the City of Gloucester; Fire Chief Dench and Police Chief Lane, Lt Aiello, Mark Foote and their departments; Public Works Director Mike Hale and the DPW staff, especially Mark Cole; Joe Ciolino and the entire Planning and Development Board; and the members of the Liquor Board.

We very much appreciate the support of The Gloucester Daily Times.

We thank the wonderful folks who generously donated their time and talent to keep us “Dancing in the Streets”: Willie “Loco” Alexander; Honky Tonk Women of Gloucester; Livin’ on Luck; The Cape Ann Center for Dance; The Polygroove Orchestra; The Bones and Roses Circus Sideshow; Strings Attached, Banjo Roger Hussey; magician Joe Howard; bongo/poet Jay Kameese; and face painter Kathy Heywood.

Thanks to the originators of the Downtown Gloucester Block Party, who guided us so well: Janice Lufkin; Linn Parisi; Erika Hansen; Peter and Vickie Van Ness; Jackie Hardy; and Joe Ciaramitaro.

Thanks to Good Morning Gloucester for spreading the Block Party love. Thanks to Dawn Gadow and Art Haven; Kate Seidman of the Art Room, Michael Butter of the Empire, Henry Allen of the Annie and the Cape Ann Savings Bank. Thanks also to Rick Doucette and Camp Spindrift, and to Katie Milne and the YWCA Clean Team for a great job cleaning up!

A huge thanks to the participating businesses and civic organizations: Alchemy; Art Haven; The Art Room Boutique; The Black Swan; Bodin Historic Photo; The Bookstore; Café Sicilia; Café Bishco, Cape Ann Brewery; Cape Ann Cable TV; Common Crow; The Dog Bar; Dogtown Books; the Dress Code; the Franklin Café; Gabriel’s Ltd.; Gimme Sound; Giuseppe’s; Gloucester Estate Buyers; Gloucester Fine Arts; Gloucester House; Green Life; Harbor Goods; House of the Raven; Jalapeño’s; Kids Unlimited; La Trattoria; Latitude 43; Local Colors; Magic Scarf; Main Street Arts & Antiques; Mark Adrian Shoes; Mystery Train; Palazzola’s; Passports; Pisces; Pop Gallery; Stone Leaf; Stop & Shop Gloucester; Stuff; Sugar Magnolias; Tiny Island Beach Glass; Toodeloos; Topside Grill; Valentino’s; Village Silversmith; Virgilio’s; The Weathervane; West End Sweets; World’s Hands.

And of course, a big thanks to our the volunteers: Nancy Olsen and Alex; Tonya Woolcott Riggs; Diane Usewick; Will Hunt for audio support; Hartz Street Nursery School; Dave Amero; John at Village Silversmith for helping us power the stage; to Julie Titone for helping clean up; and to anyone else who strung a light, carried a ladder or did any of the many things that made the event come together so smoothly.

We thank you all—and we look forward to seeing you at our second Block Party of 2011: Saturday, August 20!

Sincerely,
The Downtown Gloucester Block Party Steering Committee: Valerie Marcley, Artistic/Organizational Director; Mark McDonough; Jennifer Goulart Amero; Judith Brackley; Lucinda Seigel; Lorre Anderson; and Dawn Gadow
glostablockpahty@yahoo.com

The Gear You Should Buy- The Bogen Manfrotto 797 ModoPocket Small Folding Camera Stand

The next recommendation I have is for a tiny collapsible camera stand made by Bogen Manfrotto which not only uses the standard screw but it folds up into itself flat so it keeps a pocketable compact camera pocketable even while having something that will keep the camera still in low light situations where you need to keep the shutter open for longer periods of time and a camera would be prone to taking a blurry shot due to movement while the camera’s shutter is open to allow more light in.

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When taking photos in plenty of light any camera will do, but when taking pictures in low light you need to take advantage of whatever tools you have at your disposal to reduce camera shake which can lead to blurry unusable photos.

modopocket

Of course you can use a flash but most photographers who want the most natural looking photos absolutely hate using a flash.

Here is an example of a photo taken with a flash-

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and without-

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Note how the colors are much more natural in the photo without the flash?  The results are  almost always more preferable to take a photo without using a flash.  The way one can accomplish this without having a pile of blurry unusable photos is by using a tripod, or some other means to stabilize your camera.

The reason I always tell people that the absolute number one best bang for your buck investment in camera gear is the Bogen Manfrotto Modopocket because it, unlike a tripod adds an insignificant amount of bulk to your compact camera while still being sturdy, well built and totally stabilizes your camera in low light conditions where you prefer not to use a flash. For $17 you will get incredible dividends on the quality of your photos.

You know all those early morning shots?  There is absolutely no way I could take those hand held. IMPOSSIBLE!

They either were taken using the modopocket or a tripod.  the main benefit of the modopocket being that it is always attached to my camera so I never miss an opportunity because I would need to set it up.  I simply unfold it from the base of my camera to which it always attached.

Here are some pictures taken with it-

You can see how I rested the camera with the modopocket attached right on the hand rail and set the timer to take the picture 2 seconds after I released the shutter as to avoid any camera shake at all.

here is a video I took with it, note how clear it is and stable without a any jittery movements which make video look crappy-

Here is a review I did on it after I bought it a couple of years ago (it hasn’t left my camera mount since I bought it)

Pros: Lightweight, Folds Small, Excellent Value, Good Stability, Great Design, Unfolds Quickly

Best Uses: Video, Macro Photography, Tight Quarters, Low Light, Travel, Night Shots, Portraits, Landscape/Scenery

Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast

I photo and vblog blog so having a portable camera at all times is critical. I can leave this attached to my Sony DSC H20 and still keep it in my pocket. For night time shots with long exposures it holds the camera securely. This is not to replace your full scale completely adjustable tripod but for the very little cost to be able to take macro shots in poorly lit areas or conduct impromptu interviews it is fantastic and must have IMO. I have an example of the unboxing and a video I took of it in my review here-https://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/lobster-vs-crab-filmed-using-manfrotto-modopod/

You can buy it here for $17.05 which is almost half off it’s retail price.-

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2011 Downtown Gloucester Sidewalk Bazaar Info With Grace Giambanco Numerosi, Christine Orlando and Linda Palazola

Things Are Looking Up for R.Duck

Here is  ANNE up from Mystic Connecticut going through the Cut.

But look more closely. It seems that our little yellow friend is moving up in the world.

Click to enlarge.