Month: August 2011

Announcing Contractors Mixer at The Building Center Wednesday August 24th

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ed failed To Mention the free grub as he was Planning To Hoard All The Food.

(That’s What Ed Does)

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The Man at the Wheel…on the arm

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Joey
We thought GMG would appreciate this photo as much as we did here at the Blue Shutters…
There are many ways fans of Gloucester can show their love for our favorite seaside town — you’ll find "The Man at the Wheel" emblazoned on tee-shirts, baseball caps, refridgerator magnets, ashtrays and coffee mugs up and down Main Street. But we were particularly impressed with one Blue Shutters guest — Bob from Maryland — who showed us this most awesome tattoo. Bob, whose has roots here, says he always has Gloucester with him wherever he goes.
Tony, Patty, Ed and Annmarie

To see the Fisherman tattoo series of photos click here

tattoo

Do You Know? (Big Nosed and Naked)

Posted on by God's Morning

This big nosed naked thing showed up in the flower box at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery yesterday.  Does anyone know what it is, where it came from or who it belongs to?  It looks like it could be part of Paul Morrison’s ever expanding managerie of rubber creatures.  It can stay for now, but I’d love to see it find its way back home.

E.J. Lefavour

3rd Annual GMHC Harbor Race, September 10th

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Please join us for our 3rd Annual GMHC Harbor Race, September 10th.  We welcome pilot gigs, whaleboats, dories, and other traditional rowing craft.

This is a 5.5 mile triangular course in beautiful Gloucester Harbor (see attached course diagram).

Registration – 8:00 a.m. (pre-registration is encouraged)

Captain/Cox meeting – 9:00

Race Start – 9:30

Water will be supplied, prizes will be awarded, and each participant who pre-registers will receive the first ever GMHC Harbor Race hat.  These are sure to be a collectors’ item, and to bring big bucks on eBay®.

Lunch will be served on the beach following the race (BYO liquid refreshments).

Cost:  $25 per person with advance registration (received by August 8th).
          $30 per person if registering after August 8th.

Contacts:

Esther Martin for registration – esther@netwa.com (please reply to the spam-blocker message;  it will only happen once, but I won’t get your email unless you reply)

Suzanne Clerkin for overnight accommodations – suzannec362@gmail.com

Bart Schick for all other questions/issues – dobbs@gis.net

Do not hesitate to contact Suzanne if you’d like to stay over the night before and/or after.   We’ll do our best to accommodate everyone.

URL for more information:  http://www.gloucestergigrowers.com/gmhc_race_2011

Registration Materials   |   Directions  |  Race Flyer  |  Race Course

Desi Smith At The August 2011 Downtown Gloucester Block Party

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Photo from photog extraordinaire Ed Collard (he’s getting better)

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Hey Desi, it’s nice to see you in front of the camera for a change!

Dave Sag’s Blues Party @ The Rhumb Line to host Diane Blue

Posted on by Joanne

O.K.,Froggy , it’s time to plunk your magic twanger! Hiya, kids, hah-ah-ah…we got a really big shew for ya this week, so let’s get started….
  Starting off Thursday nite, we’ve got Ms. Diane Blue returning to our stage at the Rheum Line. One of our personal faves, she’ll be hootin’ and tootin’ her harp all nite long and singin’ all those groovey toonz that make you wanna dance. She’ll be backed up by that inimitable drummnambulist Mr. Roger Brocklebank, he of MADHOUSE fame. Of course, Greg T. and myself complete this foray into the unknown. Might have a srecial guest or two, too.

http://dianebluemusic.com/index.html

Some more news,

AND, on Friday nite, it’s the melting of the minds at the Studio on Rocky Neck, as the carpet remnants of  the Geezerz lay down the cool grooves to the boogie beat. DM is still recovering from back surgery and Dave Brown is going in for a brainstem bypass proceedure, so, we’ve added Steve Sadler and “L’il” Steevee Chagarris to the mix of Greg T. and myself. Highly explosive, I might add. Drinking, dancing, and keeling over starts at 9 pm.
AND FURTHERMORE, Saturday nite sees the return of John Keegan ® and MADHOUSE to the Madfish Grill! Johnny and his ants will all be there gnawing on the pilings and filling your head with dervishness from 9 pm onward. Come see Cardinal Cushing anoint him with Oil of Ofay! The best summer weekend you’ll never remember!

Forbes Knows What’s Up! The Other Cape: Cape Ann

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Check out Beth Greenfield’s Nice Piece On the Place we Love-

Beth Greenfield, Contributor

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8/22/2011 @ 12:56PM |232 views

The Other Cape: Cape Ann

Drive (or ride the train) just a half hour northeast of Boston and you’ll hit paradise: the diverse and scenicCape Ann, which likes to market itself as Massachusetts’ “other cape.” Less tourism-driven and therefore more mellow than much of Cape Cod, this little mass of land provides a gem of a getaway for anyone loving water, seafood, arts and a fierce community spirit. Its southern portion,Gloucester [Glóh•ster], achieved hard-won fame a decade ago with the release of the Hollywood film The Perfect Storm (based on the book by Sebastian Junger), which dramatized the story of six commercial fisherman lost at sea in 1991. Today it’s still a vibrant fishing community—the oldest in the country—but also home to spectacular beaches, a thriving music scene, great spots for shopping and eating, and an art colony that dates back to the late 19th century. And, come September 2, its bays will be filled with head-turning vessels for the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival, bringing races, public sails, boat parades and fireworks to town. On the cape’s northern portion isRockport, a village that thrums with life through its quirky boutiques and eateries, quaint B&Bs and spectacular coastlines. Herewith, a handy guide to seeing it all:

click here to read the entire story

Casting Opportunities Forwarded By Meg at Film Cape Ann

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Meg From FilmCapeAnn forwards these casting calls-

YSA Logo

August 22, 2011

*** NOT FOR PRESS ***

Boston Casting is seeking expert baseball players to work as extras in the upcoming feature film "RIPD" starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges.  We are looking for players in the following positions:

HITTER
OUTFIELDER
CATCHER
UMPIRE

We are looking for very accomplished players – former college, professional or minor leaguers.  We will also consider semi-pro players depending on skill level.  We are also looking for accomplished umpires.
Job shoots in the Boston metro area at the end of September.  
If you would like to be considered, please email us at ripdextrascasting@gmail.com.  Please include two recent photos (face and full body) as well as your full name, phone number, and a summary of your experience in baseball.  Those selected will be contacted directly by Boston Casting.
Please no phone calls.  Notices for general extras will be posted in the coming weeks. 

YSA Logo

Boston Casting is seeking experienced and licensed FORKLIFT operators to work as extras in the feature film "RIPD" starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds.  
Job shoots in the Boston metro area on or around Saturday, September 17th.
MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE OPERATING A FORKLIFT AS WELL AS THE NECESSARY LICENSE.  
If interested, please email your NAME, PHOTO, and PHONE NUMBER toripdextrascasting@gmail.com.  Please also include a brief summary of your experience as a forklift operator.  Those selected will be contacted directly by Boston Casting.
Please no phone calls.  Notices for general extras will be posted in the coming weeks.

UCONN Buoy Tender 08/22/2011

Posted on by capeannpainter

The UCONN Buoy Tender loads up at the State Fish Pier

in Gloucester Harbor

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/apmet_all.html

http://www.mysound.uconn.edu/index.html

What’s New in Jenna’s Garden? Week 10

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Week 10 from Jenna Howard

"Last week I reported some sad news that my Pumpkin did not make it, probably due to some kind of bug or mildew. I also lost a Squash to the same kind of circumstances about a month ago. Despite the lose of my pumpkin and squash, I’ve had pretty good luck with the other plants in my garden. It’s clearly harvest time and I can hardly keep up with the amount of veggies and herbs I’m picking each week– Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, green beans & more! So, you know what that means; it’s time to start canning! Don’t let your fresh fruits and veggies go to waste because you can’t eat them fast enough. Canning is a great way to make your garden last all year round. Happy Canning!"

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Pinky Schooner Ardelle Heeled Over for Stability Test- Photos Mike Dyer

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,

Monday, August 23: the Ardelle is shown heeled over for a USCG stability test.  She did just fine!

Mike Dyer

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Don’t forget-

Not To Miss!!! Welcoming the Ardelle to Gloucester August 24th at 6:30PM

Come down to the Heritage Center to join the celebration!

Great Blue Heron Photo From Bill O’Connor

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joe,

I wanted to share this photo of a Great Blue Heron that was feeding in Wonson Cove the other night.  He would walk very slowly and stand motionless while he looked for food, so he made a pretty good subject. I was fortunate that he allowed me to get close enough to take this shot.

I can’t imagine what it must be like for the prey though.  How terrified would you be if you were a crab that happened to look up and see this staring down at you! 

For more on the Great Blue Heron check this link from the Mass Audubon!

Enjoy!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

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GMG Tech Talk- Don’t Fall For The Megapixel Hype

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

It seems camera manufacturers are in a race to offer cameras with more and more megapixels.

Here is an excellent definition of megapixels and when they count and when they don’t-

Trying to Define Megapixels?

What is more important than megapixels is sensor size.  the sensor is what collects the light at the other end of your lens and the larger the sensor size the more light can be collected and presumably the better your photos will be.

Here is a sensor size chart-

from wikipedia–

 

Most point and shoot cameras today have sensors that are 1/2.3  APS-C sized sensors like the ones found on your average DSLR are much larger and image quality in low light situations are noticeably better. 

So when shopping for a camera you can go with a larger DSLR for the very best images or a smaller one with an above average sized sensor that will still fit in your pocket like the one I recommend, the Canon Powershot s95.  I think at $369 it is the very best combination of size/price/quality.

Do Not get lured in by megapixels when shopping for a camera.  the Mrs’ Nikon D40 only has 6 megapixels (very few compared to todays 12-18 megapixel cameras) but gets photos like these-

click picture for slide show

If you ever want a camera recommendation let me know and send me an email.  I’ll ask a few questions at to what you will be using it for and give you a recommendation.

goodmorninggloucester@yahoo.com

Recently on Mashable, highly respected tech blogger Charlie white writes about two cameras in which he pits head to head to decide which is best for a blogger.  I conclude that neither are great options.  Read the article for yourself and look for my comments at the end-

Nikon D5100 vs. Olympus E-P3: Which Camera Is Best For Bloggers? [REVIEW]

I say neither.

Acquainted With The Night

Posted on by Marty Luster

  Acquainted with the Night

by Robert Frost

 I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain — and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

 I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

 I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

 But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

O luminary clock against the sky

 Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

                                       I have been one acquainted with the night.

Get Your Fish Box Ready! Derby Time’s A Comin!!!!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Joey,

Just a heads-up to all your loyal readers that the Fish Box Derby is coming up soon. In fact the Registration and Safety Inspection is August 28th, at C. B. Fisk on Kondelin Road from 9 to 12. The race itself roars down Rogers Street in front of Gorton’s on September 18, with the heats starting at High Noon. This is the eighteenth year of the modern version of the race and it’s open to all kids from 8 to 14.  As ever, there is no entry fee, and the kids have a chance to win great prizes like bikes, whale watch tickets, YMCA memberships, and pizza parties. There are special prizes for coolest car and best pit crew. Also each year the committee awards two $1,000 scholarships to former racers who have reached college age. This is one of the great family and community building events of the Cape Ann year and it’s just plain fun. Businesses and individuals who wish to support the race can have their names emblazoned on the hay bales that line the course. Lots more information on participating in or supporting the race is available at www.fishboxderby.org

Greg Bover <<…>> <<…>> <<…>> <<…>>