Year: 2011

Meg Lee Has Some Nice Things To Say After A Visit To G-Town

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Well, the month of July escaped me so I was long overdue for a visit. I decided that not only was I going to make it up to the Gloucester Sidewalk Days, but I was going to take a vacation day from work to do it. My kids, Melee and Freddo made the trek up with me.
The excitement always hits me when I make that turn onto Stacey Blvd. It’s always like seeing it for the first time. What a view – the flags flapping along the boulevard, the Fisherman’s Wives memorial, the Man at the Wheel and the gorgeous view of the harbor.The weather was perfect for that casual stroll up and down Main Street, visiting all the booths and chatting with the merchants. We stepped into Dogtown Bookstore, at Freddo’s request, since he enjoyed it last time we visited. We made a stop in Mystery Train Records, at Melee’s request, which was a first time visit for all of us. I expressed that we could literally spend hours there – what a time machine that place is! At one booth that supported our troops, I was happy to score an official Red Shirt Fridays teeshirt. I have personally been wearing a red shirt every Friday since 2006. I was thrilled to actually be able to purchase an "official" red shirt, which I will now wear proudly every Friday until our troops return home. Further up Main St., Melee scored a colorful abstract print from a booth manned by two young men selling their art to fund their college tuition.
A G-town visit is never complete unless you swing by Rocky Neck. I wanted Melee to visit the GMG/Kahn Studio Gallery, to take in some fantastic art and photography, and to meet kindred spirit E.J. Lefavour. We  had a great visit and wonderful chat with E.J. We were also given a special treat by E.J.. She showed us two paintings of hers and recited the poems that told the story of each painting. It was an honor to receive such personal attention from her. Before leaving I was happy to score a Caroline Stella print – a photo of the iconic face of Man at the Wheel. Great to see you again, E.J., and hope to be back for a visit before summer ends.
As always, time flies when you’re having fun, and I’m always a little bit sad when we turn onto 128 South.
Until next time, G-town…..

Meg Lee

Jeff Weaver Gallery Summer 2011 News

Posted on by capeannpainter
Lanes Cove Spring by Jeff Weaver

 Jeff Weaver Gallery Summer 2011 News

http://www.jeffweaverfineart.com/

JEFF WEAVER Studio/Gallery
16 Rogers Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
Gallery Hours: Friday and Saturday 1-5 p.m.
also by chance or appointment
Call:978-590-2979
Email: Info@JeffWeaverFineArt.com

Open House Saturday 8/13/11

Posted on by Sharon

Hi- We are having a summer artist’s open house here on Saturday evening August 13th from 6 pm to 10 pm. We’ll be serving light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. See the new maps, photos, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and the work of our newest local artist- glass blower Aron Leaman. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page if you haven’t yet (see below).

 Babson Farm Quarry, Rockport ©Fredrik d. Bodin

Fish City © Jean Byrd

 Vibrancy © Kathleen Miller

Our neighbor on Main Street, the POP Gallery, is also having an opening at the same time for Christina Pitsch. Her work is work in print, drawings, and sculptural pieces. They will have snacks from our neighbor the Dog Bar, and wine & beer.

Come on Downtown and enjoy!

Fred

Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Tonight’s The Rocky Neck Artists Ball!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

TONIGHT ~ THURSDAY, August 11

Joey C from Good Morning Gloucester has honored us by agreeing to be one of our judges for the costumes at this event! 
Lots of fun and great prizes!

TICKETS AVAILABLE at the Door, The Studio, 51 Rocky Neck Ave

An Organizer of the Lobster Liberation Event Writes In

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Tsultrim_D in response to my post I’ll Take Responsibility writes-

Thanks for this note…

As one of the organizers of the Lobster Liberation event, I will say that, from our side, there is no anger or frustration at the lobstermen involved, be it a joke or even had it been real. Bluntly, they are doing their job–catching lobsters–and we are doing ours. It is not our place to tell them how to do theirs or to place any judgment on them.

Buddhists have beliefs about hunting as a profession, and those tie in to beliefs about karma and the like, but none of those are matters of judgment. We all do the best with what we are given. And while the joke may have been a bit crass and at our expense, there are no hard feelings. There has been a lot of feedback, from Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, calling the lobstermen involved names and expressing negative emotions toward them. This really is of no benefit, though, and we are sorry it has happened. Buddhist language might refer to them as acting out of ignorance or self-cherishing, but this also isn’t an insult… as humans we spend the predominant amount of our time acting from these things. We are feeling unhappy so we go out and buy a new car, some new clothes, a piece of cake—”This will make me happy!” Well, sure, it does, for a while…. but not ultimately, not real happiness. That deluded belief, that is ignorance. It is a statement about the human condition, not a judgment.

As you mentioned, the article about our lobster liberation had been picked up by a number of news agencies… Reuters, who came with us on the boat, Washington Post, Daily Mail UK, NPR, MS-NBC, and so forth… but now the event is getting even more exposure. Two different news stations came to our Center today to do interviews with some of the people involved in organizing and leading the event (NECN and WBZ-TV). This is wonderful, and I rejoice!

The long story short is, we are all doing the best we can do. Whether in good taste or not, there is no offense on our part from the joke the Degelyse crew members and others put out there with the YouTube video. We urge everyone to maintain hearts of compassion and love, and not harbor any ill will toward each other. Anger and similar negative minds are destructive, and don’t ever accomplish anything substantial or lasting. We offered the ceremony last week not just for the benefit of the lobsters involved, but also for the benefit of all beings. There is always a ripple effect to our actions, and when the intention is pure and good, small actions of putting kindness and love out into the world affect more than just those immediately involved. We want everyone to realize happiness, true, unending happiness… the lobsters and the lobstermen!

Thank you for your kindness and humility. I hope that those involved from your side do not get demonized or any more abuse in the press. In fact, next time we’re in Gloucester we would love to take the crew out for a cup of coffee!

Classy baby!  I’d love to take you up on that offer for a cup ‘o joe.

National Fisherman Archives Now Open- from Adam Bolonsky

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

National Fisherman, the commercial fishing industry magazine, recently opened up its historical archives of east and west coast commercial boats. 

Here’s two. One shows the first of the Novi lobster boats built in Plymouth, Ma. at the tiny boatshop on Union Street. Novi boats have long been a commonplace on the Gloucester waterfront.

The seconds shows an impressive wreck on the shores of what I think is Ten Pound Island, at the entrance to the inner harbor.

The Coast Guard kept an air station at Ten Pound.

Sadly, the island’s a mess: thickets of poison ivy, crumbled walls and staghorn sumac that do a very good job of keeping vandals away from the lighthouse and foghorn.

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Video Cape Ann Profiles- Rich Sagall Interviews Joey C and Patrick Ryan

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This interview aired on Cape Ann TV last week and Rich was kind enough to share it with us.

Rockport Rotary’s LobsterFest Video From Lisa Martin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

LobsterFest is August 13th, 2011 and is always a great time.

clip_image002

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! –

Free-spirited lobsterboy mascots Camden, Kyle, and Eamon will be on hand along with live entertainment from the Cape Ann Jazz Band and hundreds of great folks turning out to support the community service work of Rotary this saturday, August 13, at Rockport Rotary’s 15th annual LobsterFest. More than lobsters will rock, noon to 7 pm, rain or shine, at the Legion Bandstand on Rockport’s scenic back beach! For just $25 cool greenbacks, you get a complete hot-boiled lobster dinner with corn-on-the-cob, chowder, roll and butter, beverage and watermelon (military/fire/police/EMTprice $23). A cash menu of hot dogs, burgers, chips, desserts, beer and wine (yes!) is also available. Advance tickets @ Granite Savings Bank, John Tarr Store, Rockport National Bank, Village Silversmith, BankGloucester, from local Rotarians, or by calling 978-290-8035. Get more scoop at http://www.rockportrotary.org Lobster is good for you and for community, too!

Double Take – Before and After

Posted on by Marty Luster

Although I’m not a huge user of Photoshop or other photo editing applications, I find myself increasingly experimenting with the capabilities of these programs.

I use Photoshop Elements 6, a pared down version of the full Adobe Photoshop set up. Even so, I don’t come close to using all of the tools that are available. Also, Elements costs a fraction of the full Photoshop price.

The photo was made with my Fuji X100, at 1/220 sec, f5.6 with ISO set at 200.

As you can see, the original image was pretty ordinary and quite bland. I wanted to spice it up by conveying a feeling of speed, movement and excitement.

Step 1: I opened the image in Elements 6 and immediately duplicated the original image so I wouldn’t loose the original if I pushed the wrong button. Who says we don’t learn from experience?

Step 2: I wanted to focus attention on the tandem bike riders, so I made a substantial crop thereby eliminating some distracting background and enlarging the image of the bikers.

Step 3: Then, I carefully used the magnetic lasso tool to select the the riders and the bikes. It actually took 3 attempts to get the selection close to what I wanted. I clicked “inverse” in the select menu to keep the bikes in focus.

Step 4: With everything but the bikes and riders now selected (that’s what “inverse” does), I went to filters/blur/motion blur and applied a modest amount of that effect.

Step 4: To further accentuate the bikes and riders I slightly darkened the background (enhance/lighting/brightness contrast)and lightened the tandem riders and bike (filters/render/lighting effects/omni). I also goosed the color saturation a little and tried (without huge success) to sharpen the face of the man on the tandem.

BEFORE
AFTER

2011 Rhumb Line Striper Tournament Preview With Fabulous Fred Shrigley

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

This is an absolute no-brainer must do event. The prizes, cookout and t-shirt are worth more than the entry fee.
Get in on it for Wicked Pissah Fun!

Benefit concert at Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center Friday Aug 12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

lamine toure

The North Shore Jazz Project Presents: 
The Waterfront Dance Party of the Summer with Boston’s Best Afro-Pop
Musicians: Lamine Touré and Group Saloum
Friday, August 12th, from 7-10 pm
At the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, 23 Harbor Loop, Gloucester

It is time to get out your dancing shows. The waterfront party of last summer is back.
The North Shore Jazz Project is pleased to present a joint fundraiser with the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, on August 17th, 7-10 p.m. on Gloucester’s beautiful waterfront.
About Group Saloum
Group Saloum is Boston’s hottest Afro-pop band. Founded by world-renowned griot percussionist Lamine Touré, Group Saloum fuses Senegalese mbalax with elements of jazz, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat. Group Saloum performs original mbalax music highlighted by the infectious rhythms of Touré’s sabar drums, drawing upon the collective creativity of some of Boston’s most talented musicians.
"From Boston, a spectacular afropop act specializing in, but not limited to, Senegalese mbalax."
— Afropop Worldwide
"Lamine Touré and Group Saloum kick out a hard-hitting dance mix that spans the percussive fury of Senegalese mbalax and the joyful uplift of Congolese soukous"
— Banning Eyre, Boston Phoenix
"Whatever your pleasure this album has got it. Group Saloum is a tight group made of some of the best musicians in Boston. For a city boasting hundreds of music conservatory and grads, this says quite a bit. Their polished act will definitely be thrilling live concertgoers for years to come."
— Erich Ludwig, VP Artist Relations, Calabash Music

About the North Shore Jazz Project and the:
The North Shore Jazz Project’s mission has been to create an environment on the North Shore where music education, performance and appreciation can flourish. Since November 2009, the group has presented standing room only events with top quality performances and several inspirational educational clinics at multiple schools and venues. Clinics are free to student musicians.

About the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
The goals of Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center are to champion the preservation of Gloucester’s maritime history and traditions and to serve as a resource for the study of marine science and technology.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the North Shore Jazz Project and the Maritime Heritage Museum. Tickets are $20.00. For more information or to purchase advance tickets visit: http://www.northshorejazzproject.org.  We are also on Facebook as The North Shore Jazz Project.

Dinner at George’s Click Pic For Slideshow From Thom Falzarano

Posted on by Thom Falzarano
Click on photo for a few more views of the evening

Great food, a table full of friends, a few laughs and entertainment by Frankie G, what more could you ask for?  Dinner at George’s! 43 people filled the restaurant with Frankie G providing the entertainment, the menu started with Bruschetta, Crab Cakes on a bed of greens, the main course of Chicken sautéed in a wine sauce with vegetables over pasta and then dessert, a Chocolate and Peanut butter brownie topped with Ice Cream.  Yummmm!  The September dinner plans are in the makings, check in with Dean at George’s for the details.

Big Mikes Bikes, see them at the Cape Ann Farmers Market

Posted on by capeannpainter

From Big Mike;

“Big Mikes’s Bikes, LLC is a husband and wife team offering repairs, tuneups, rehabs and full-on overhauls for your current bicycle – or choose from one of our used and vintage models that are fully tuned up and ready to go!

We are located in Gloucester Ma, and provide mobile service to all of Cape Ann and much of the North Shore area. Come see us at the Cape Ann Farmer’s Market on Thursdays at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester from 3pm to 6:30pm!”

For More Info Click Below

http://www.bigmikesbikes.org/

http://twitter.com/#!/BigMikesBikesMA

Rules and Regulations – No Loafing About the Sheds!

Posted on by Sharon
Cape Ann Granite Company Rules and Regulations, 1875

The Cape Ann Granite Company was organized in 1869 by Civil War veteran Colonel Jonas H. French. It was located near his summer home in Bay View (Gloucester, MA). Colonel French’s quarries supplied granite for the Boston and Baltimore post offices, the Brooklyn Bridge, and was one of the largest suppliers of paving block in the country. One of French’s claims to fame was cutting out a 122 feet long by 45 feet wide and 30 feet deep block of granite from Old Pit quarry in 1871. The original Cape Ann Granite Company was bought out by the Rockport Granite company in 1893. Remember: “No loafing about the sheds.”
Printed archivally from a scan of the original. Negative # ADP-011-001
Fred Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Sean and Tuffy- In Case Anyone Had Any Thoughts That They Like To Have Fun, Here’s Sean’s Jock Strap Dive

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Anyone who thought that our boys were serious only needed to look at this gem from the past-

Here’s our boy diving off our roof in his Jock strap-

It’s a tough job man
Winter fishing on the Trapper John-