Month: September 2011

Hi Joey!
I have been a follower for over two years. Congrats on winning Boston Blogger (always had it!)

I am going to try and make this very short. I married a wonderful man who introduced this southern belle to the north shore. After 37 yrs of wedded bliss,we lost our loving Yankee (not New York) in 2009. His wish was to have his ashes thrown in the great ocean on the north shore. It has been two years today. One of the ways I feel close to my husband is through your blog and all the beautiful pics of the ocean. My son, Jon, put this pic together and sent it to me tonight. I would love to share it with you and your readers. Even thought I live in Delaware my heart is there with my husband! Always a fan, Terri

The Health Department and Boards of Health of Cape Ann and Hamilton and Wenham will be providing free influenza vaccine at clinics and events throughout the area over the coming months. We have ample supply this year and the vaccine is free for everyone.

Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over six months of age. Anyone wishing to receive vaccine should bring their insurance card so we can bill their insurance company. If you do not have insurance you are eligible for free vaccine. We will not charge or turn anyone away who is appropriate to receive vaccine. Please wear loose fitting sleeves to more easily facilitate vaccination

Vaccine will be available at the following times and locations:

• Sept. 15, 10am – 1pm, Rockport Community Center
  Week of Sept. 19, Gloucester Senior housing locations
  *September 21, 10am – 12 noon, Manchester American Legion Hall
  Sept. 27, 10am – 2pm, Gloucester Rose Baker Senior Center
  Sept. 29 9 – 11am, Gloucester, Addison Gilbert Hospital
  Oct. 5, 10am – 1pm, Gloucester NOAA offices
  Oct. 5, 1 – 3pm, Rockport Methodist Church
  Oct. 6, 2 – 6pm, Gloucester City Hall
  Oct. 20, 10am – 1pm, Essex Senior Center
  Oct. 22, 11am – 2pm, Essex Clamfest and Health Fair
  Oct. 26, 3 – 5pm, Hamilton, “the Old Library building”
  Oct. 29, 9am – 12 noon, Rockport Elementary School
  Nov. 8, 4 – 7pm, Essex First National Bank of Ipswich
      Nov. 9, 3 – 5pm, Hamilton, “the Old Library building”
  *Over 65 years of age, Manchester residents only

Additional dates and times may be determined and will be posted on the municipal websites. Influenza vaccine will also be available through the schools on Cape Ann. Check your municipal website or call your local Health Department or Board of Health for more information.

When the sky looks like this. . .

and this. . .

and the harbor looks like this. . .

Then it’s time to GET A MOVE ON!!

The first two photos are the same shot taken the morning of the demo and the morning after.  There was still some final demo being done to take the building completely down.  Personally, I like being able to see the character of the building that was hidden behind the falling down shed building (which BTW was a relatively new structure built in the 1930’s vs. the remainder of the manufactory that was built in the 1870’s).  As long as the remaining structures can be restored, our Motif #1 will remain, and in my opinion be the better of the two, because most of it will still be the original versus a rebuilt replica of the original.

Ocean Alliance, who purchased the paint factory, is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1971 by Roger Payne. Dr. Payne has conducted research on whales in all the oceans of the world, and has been an eloquent spokesman for their welfare for over three decades. In the early 1970s, he was among the first to sound the alarm about the threat of worldwide pollution of the oceans. In the January 1979 issue of National Geographic, Dr. Payne said, “Pollution has replaced the harpoon as a mortal threat to whales, and in its way can be far more deadly.”

Believing that rigorous science and widespread public education are basic requirements for long-term conservation, Dr. Payne founded Ocean Alliance for the purpose of carrying out both these global missions. Ocean Alliance has research partnerships in South America and a research vessel, Odyssey (a 93-foot, steel, ocean-going ketch), that operates in all the world’s oceans from her home base in Gloucester.

That Ocean Alliance owns the paint factory is a fait accompli.  Whether they are able to complete this major restoration project so that the paint factory remains for years to come is yet to be seen.  Rather than bemoaning what is done, we might all be better served by supporting and working with Ocean Alliance to accomplish their goal of restoring this iconic piece of Gloucester’s history and landscape.

If you haven’t walked through the buildings or around the grounds recently, these shots will give you an idea of how much work there is to do, and what has been accomplished so far.

E.J. Lefavour

This fall, Cape Ann Community Cinema at 21 Main Street in Gloucester is marking its first three years in business with a number of special events and two large back-to-back film festivals.
On Saturday, September 17th at 4:30pm, the Cinema welcomes author and film critic Daniel M. Kimmel as he hosts the "The People Vs. George Lucas," a documentary about "Star Wars" fans. Kimmel is featured in the film, and will also sign copies of his book, "Jar Jar Binks Must Die… And Other Observations About Science Fiction Movies." The film repeats on Sunday, September 18th at 4:30pm, with a line-up of "Star Wars" fan films, shorts produced as a tribute to Lucas’s galaxy far, far away. Tickets are $9.50 for adults, $8.00 students and seniors and $6.50 for Members.
Liv Ullmann is a world-famous actor, writer and director, and on Saturday, September 24th at 7:30pm, will visit the Cinema with her 2000 Ingmar Bergman-penned drama "Faithless." She will host a Q&A after the show and talk with guests. Tickets for the event, which is a fundraiser for the Cinema, are $20.00 and are available either at the box office or online at www.CapeAnnCinema.com.
On Sunday, September 25th at 7:00pm, the Cinema hosts a special one-night-only screening of indie vanguard Kevin Smith’s latest, the psychological thriller "Red State." The film is about a fundamentalist church that lures sinners and dispatches them with heavenly force, and stars Michael Parks, John Goodman and Oscar winner Melissa Leo. The film does not hit theaters until later this fall. As a bonus, Smith himself will appear live on-screen and will take questions from viewers via Twitter. Tickets to this exclusive fundraising event are $20.00, and are available either at the box office or online atwww.CapeAnnCinema.com.
The Cinema officially celebrates turning 3 years old on Saturday, October 1st at 7:30pm, and hosts renowned political comedian Jimmy Tingle for "Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream: Live On Stage & Screen." First, the 60-minute documentary "Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream," followed by a Q&A by writer/producer/star Tingle, and finally, a live set by Tingle. Tickets for this fundraising event are $25.00 at the door, $22.00 in advance, available either at the box office or online at www.CapeAnnCinema.com.
As for film festivals, October brings the month-long "DoctoberFest," with the 2nd Annual Cape Ann Film Festival playing November 3-20. The line-ups will be announced Monday, September 26th, as will the extensive list of special events and guests.

"Anna Solomon, who was born and raised in Gloucester, is bringing her debut novel, "the Little Bride,"  to the city this coming weekend.

The book takes place in the late 19th century and follows a young Jewish woman who travels as a mail order bride from cosmopolitan Odessa to the desolate plains of South Dakota. Her much-older husband is a member of the Am Olam movement, which supported Jews in their desire to create an agricultural future. 

Amazon.com picked "The Little Bride" as one of the top 30 novels coming out this fall, and here’s part of what BookPage says about it:

    "A fascinating debut…Riveting….Solomon’s prose is bold and often gritty, and she creates complicated, surprising characters that completely defy expectations."

There are two events, both free:

Friday night, Sept. 16, a reading by Anna at The Bookstore on Main Street–7 p.m.

Saturday night, Sept 17, is a performance with Anna reading and singer-songwritier Clare Burson singing and playing (violin and guitar) songs she wrote after reading the book.  This performance, "A Little Suite for the Little Bride," takes place at 7:30 at the Gloucester temple on Middle Street."