Year: 2012

Laurie Strickland Represnts! In Scotland

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey,
I was posing to represent on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond when this friendly Scotsman inserted himself in the picture and then took off up the pier without a word!!
Laurie Strickland

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Patti Amaral doing her work

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Most people know Patti and all her hard volunteering to keep this city beautiful and clean of litter. She would like to thank Gloucester garden and Civic Club.  Patti will be on Cape Ann TV at 7:30 Wednesday.  Here she is working hard maintaining a garden on Main Street.  She does an amazing job.  Thank you Patti.

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Chip off the old block

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You all know Allen Estes, right?  You may not know that he has a tremendously talented son, Dylan, who is performing Saturday at the N9NE on TH1RT3EN show at The Landing in Manchester along with a number of local favorites, including Marina Evans, who just released her new EP called Dogtown.

So we figured this would be the perfect week to reprise the Local Music Seen show on which Dylan appears with his father.  They sing together and Dylan performs some of his own songs, which truly transcend generations.

You can see the show tomorrow (Wednesday 10/10) at 6pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 — and again on Friday at 1:30 and Sunday at 6pm.  Check out this video of a song from the show:

(see more videos of Allen Estes here)

It’s really a big week for music on Cape Ann with about 60 artists at well over a dozen venues.  See the complete list of live music in Gloucester and all around Cape Ann here.

One year ago today. You never know.

Posted on by capeannpainter

One year ago today. You never know.

PAUL WITH HIS BEST FRIEND SINCE PRE SCHOOL AND TO THE END,TRACI

One year today we were worried about the Patriots game. My Son Paul called after watching that game at 10pm one year ago tonight to talk to his Brother James about what crazy Star Wars xmas  figures he bought at a Flea Market. 30 minutes later he died protecting two female roomates. You never know what’s going to happen in your life. Enjoy the time you have  Here!

Also I want to thank all the GMG People for the support during this year. It’s been a very tough year losing my son and then my Dad. THANKS!

Here’s a link to a story about Paul; http://nashua.patch.com/articles/accused-accomplice-in-court-on-anniversary-of-victim-s-death

Here’s Pauls Facebook page and memorial Page;

http://www.facebook.com/paul.frontiero.3?ref=ts&fref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/PaulFIII?ref=ts&fref=ts

Before and After Photos

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Willowdale Estate April 2008

In preparing for the lecture I am presenting tomorrow at Long Hill in Beverly, I came across several “before” photo of Willowdale Estate, from the spring of 2008, which was the year I began working on the gardens.

Taming the Wisteria Willowdale Estate Spring 2008

I’ve learned over the years to always take the all-important “before” photos. Clients, and prospective clients, love, love to see the transformation documented!

Five months later, September 2008. We created a “wisteria arbor” that guests could pass through.

Willowdale Estate May 2012

Thank You Seacoast

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Went to visit my dad this morning and Auntie Gerry was there hanging out with him.  It’s always tough to see him with his reduced mental capacity but what gives me so much relief is the care he receives at Seacoast.  Always clean shaven and looked after, they dote on him as well as all the other residents- patiently and thoughtfully. 

It’s such a blessing to have him there with the angels who look after him.

Thank you

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Update: On October 3rd I posted a poll about the local economy. The GDT follows up today

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Poll- U.S. unemployment has remained above 8% for 43 months but do you feel like the local economy is in the crapper?

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Joey C

I don’t have any friends that are without a job.  All of the restaurants we service are having great years and have told me that over the past 5 years things have gotten progressively better.  The malls are always packed.

I don’t see a ton of for sale signs around town on houses like you normally do when housing goes to shit.

So I ask you, do you feel like the economy is horrible based on what you see around you?  I’m not talking about the national 8% number I’m talking you personally?  Do you feel like the economy around you is horrible?

Leave your comment below this post in the comment section.

Results of the October 3rd local economy sentiment poll-

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Today the Gloucester Daily Times has an article fleshing out the actual local numbers-

October 9, 2012

Jobless rate for city dips to 6.1%

By Times Staff Gloucester Daily Times

Gloucester’s unemployment rate, holding steady throughout the summer above the 6-percent mark, inched back down to 6.1 percent in August from a 6.2-percent figure in July, according to the latest city and town jobless statistics from the state’s Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

And the tenth-of-a-point decrease this time comes with supporting figures showing that more people landed local jobs in August amid a growing summer workforce — with 250 more people working in August of this year, than had been in August 2011, when the city’s jobless rate was pegged at 7.4 percent.

For the entire article click here

Be Creative, Have Fun & Win Some Cash Money

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Rockport’s HarvestFest is coming up on Saturday and THIS year Granite Savings Bank has generously furnished some cash prizes for the winning scarecrows in our Scarecrow Stroll Contest. $175 and $150 for first and second place in the 15 & Older Category. Yes, that’s right: $175 and $150! You could do a lot with that money. Teams are encouraged to enter, with nonprofits especially encouraged to enter to raise funds for your organization. The possibilities are endless! There is also an “Under 15” category for groups or individuals with $75 and $50 as the first and second place prizes. Don’t be shy! Make a scarecrow! You can pre-register online (Click HERE and scroll down when you get to the page for online registration) or just show up with your ‘Crow on Saturday, October 13th at 9 o’clock in the Scarecrow Stroll Headquarters in Dock Square!

A fun day at the beach

Posted on by Alicia Pensarosa

wingaersheek beach, dogs

 

wingaersheek beach, dogs

 

wingaersheek beach, dogsCoconut and I weren’t the only ones enjoying our Monday off. Lots of dogs and humans were enjoying the sunny weather on Wingaersheek. The pups especially were having fun, playing in the sand, going for swims and playing catch me if you can.

~Alicia

 

Ardelle Report From Al Bezanson

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

0630  Oct 9th…. Ardelle is docked at Baltimore Marine Center in Canton close to Pride of Baltimore II and a flock of other schooners who will be participating in the 127 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race to Portsmouth, VA.  The race begins Thursday afternoon and the wind that is forecasted may be a bit challenging for some of the gaff rigged boats.  Harold is among a lot friends there, and Canton/Fells Point is swarming with cordial volunteers.  About 38 schooners are entered.  Each boat will have a transponder aboard for tracking.  Avid schooner fans might enjoy watching the race all night, keeping an eye on the weather buoys and wind forecast along the route.  On Saturday there is a Pig Roast and Awards Ceremony that goes on for most of the day in Portsmouth.  More information here:

http://www.schoonerrace.org/schedule.htm

http://www.schoonerrace.org/pdfs/spinsheet12.pdf

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/default.aspx?level0=100#

Al Bezanson

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Black Friday Downtown Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

JOEY!!!!! I have convinced (so far) about 18 different stores to open up with Island Art and Toodeloos! at 6AM on Friday, November 23rd!!!!
and I have just begun my quest to "not be so alone" this year!!! Downtown Gloucester will be a shopping MECCA this holiday season.
Please please PLEASE tell the world, at least once a week about this wonderful happening… I will email you a list of stores participating, as soon as you want me to. Thank you so much for all you do for local businesses.
Also, a side note-   Toodeloos! is having a "decorate Barbie for Halloween contest- I provided the first 36 Barbies (they belonged to my daughter) for people to take home to decorate, and we only have about 5 left! The contest started Oct. 1st and ends the 24th with 5 age categories . Prizes will be awarded. Costumes must be homemade. Can you tell everyone about that, too? Thank you!
-Susan and Don

Susan Parent                      
Toodeloos!                           
142 Main St.                       
Gloucester MA 01930
978-281-2011
http://Toodeloos.com

Community Stuff 10/9/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey, 

Another Month already? Here is our monthly listing for Skeptics in the Pub. This one looks really interesting – but so do they all.

Thanks, Rosie

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Devil’s Island
The Thacher Island Association will show "Devil’s Island," a film shot largely on Thacher Island in the summer of 2010, at 7:30 pm, Wednesday, Oct. 10, at the Rockport Community House, 58 Broadway.  Shaun Goulart, a history teacher at Gloucester High School, wrote the film, basing its plot on classic good-versus-evil movie thrillers like "Heat" and "Public Enemies."  In addition, Goulart directed the film and played one of its central roles. The cast also includes Nick Decoulos, Caralyne Fondulis, Rich Francis, Rick Doucette, and the late Mitch Cohen, with a cameo performance by Thacher Island lighthouse keeper John Fulton. But, for Thacher Island aficionados, aerial and ground views of  the towers, trails, and buildings make the island itself the star of Goulart’s film.  A suggested donation of $5 will be shared by the Thacher Island Association and Gloucester High School’s film club.  A trailer for the film is available by typing "Utube Shaun Goulart Devils Island" into a search engine.