Month: January 2012

The Flower That Mrs Kim Gave Us- A Snoop Maddie Mad Production

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Originally posted on the SnoopMaddieMad Blog

?? Do You Know?? (Mystery Bird)

Posted on by God's Morning

I saw these birds by Goose Cove the other day and knew they were something I had never seen before.  I’ve done exhaustive research trying to identify them, but haven’t been able to.  They are very small, like Bufflehead size, are dabblers but also dive, and move very quickly, their beaks resemble mergansers.  Does anyone know what they are?

E.J. Lefavour

Antennae for Design

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

January, February, March, and for we who dwell in New England, oftentimes well into April, are ideal months for interior home improvements. During these more homebound months I am actively seeking home and garden design inspiration. And, too, with projects that were shelved during the summer months because of seasonal work and summer guests, winter is a great time of year to focus on home improvements. I was inspired to write this weekly series after a recent visit to our home from Joey, Jill, and their two darling daughters. The family stopped by for hot chocolate and story time. Joey was non-stop with investigative questions and curiosity, reminding me of the impetus for writing my book, Oh Garden of Fresh Possibilities!, which was originally conceived as a guide for young couples and new home owners (and someday, hopefully, for my children when they will one day have gardens of their own). My book grew to be more than that, but I am again thinking of the couples with young children that have recently moved to our East Gloucester neighborhood.

Plaster Ceiling Medallion

To think of it, we are following in an old Gloucester and northern seacoast tradition by tending to the interior of our homes during these winter months, in that of “house-pride.” The town’s carpenters, many of whom were master shipbuilders and shipwrights, would have had more free time during the winter months. Fine carpentry details are evident throughout our house, which was built in 1851. And, like many of Gloucester’s older houses, our home is graced with details created by the skilled plasterers that emigrated from Italy and settled on Cape Ann. Although a modest house, certainly by today’s “starter castle” standards, I wouldn’t trade our lovely 19th century home, with its quirky and elegant details (along with its all its foibles) for all the world’s McMansions.

Hand Carved Newel Post

I propose Antennae for Design will encompass home and garden design inspiration, home improvement tips, feature interviews with local business owners who specialize in art and design, and after visiting local, well-tended homes and gardens, sharing information found there.  Let me know through the comment section or by emailing at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com of your thoughts and any topic that you may find particularly relevant or of interest.

Wednesday’s Music Schedule Changes & a question for musicians

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

1-18-12

You’ll want to know these changes from the regular Wednesday schedule.  Plus, Peter has a question — especially for musicians.  Check out the video and comment below or answer on Facebook.

One of our favorite local artists Elle Gallo will be at Chianti’s in Beverly tonight with Mark Earley.

Get a preview of Elle from this video shot at a 2009 benefit we produced at TT’s in Cambridge.

Big Band Saturday Night Swing Dance @ The Annie

Posted on by Joanne

There was such an overwhelming positive response to the Big Band benefit we did last November, and an overwhelming number of people who asked that we do it again (either because they had such a blast at the last one, or because they missed it!), so here it is!

Come at 7pm to bid on some FABULOUS items generously donated by local artists and businesses (items are still coming in, so if you have something to donate, it’s not too late!).

We are also offering swing dance lessons, courtesy of Reuben Pharms and Sylvia Lessa, starting at 7:00. Live music will start at 8pm with the Good Ole Salty Swing Band with myself on vocals, joined again by our very special guest Aja Heussi!

This is going to be a magical night, not to be missed. We had a great season, but with the high cost of rent and utilities, on top of the cost of producing shows, ticket sales were barely enough to sustain us. We really do need your continued support. Our volunteer staff has made this entire season possible, and we are building toward a sustainable career for these amazing young people who are devoted to the vision and promise of this “little cultural center that could.”

If you loved what The Annie offered up in 2011 in the way of shows (Greasy Pole: The Musical, The 1st Annual TRAGABIGZANDA Political Theatre Festival, The Young Playwrights Series’ Song of the Sea, and The LobstahCrackah Ballet), our weekly Cape Ann After Dark events, our classes and workshops, and our support of local artists through The Art Parlour, and ‘The Conservatory,’ please help us keep going strong by investing is us as a community, as a business, as individuals. We need you.

In Service,
Henry Allen
Director

PS: If you are unable to attend, but would like to make donation to support our work, you can can safely do so online by going HERE:
https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/contribute/donate/4582

Checks (made out to Fractured Atlas, our sponsoring organization) can be mailed to
The Cape Ann
1 Washington Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Thank you, friends!

http://www.theannie.org/

 

Click here for more info >  http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/299435510107967/

The Old Freeman House

Posted on by Sharon
Old Freeman House, Gloucester, 1928 Alice M. Curtis/©Fredrik D. Bodin
The Davis-Freeman house, built in 1709 on 17 acres, is a first period colonial house located at 302 Essex Avenue (Route 133). It’s named after owner Charles Freeman, a descendant of eighteenth century Gloucester slaves. For many years the house served as a tavern on one of the two roads into Gloucester before 1950. From the late 1930’s to the early 1950’s, the Freeman house was the Stage Coach Inn, a restaurant serving lunch, tea, and dinner: “In this old tavern – one of the earliest – you’ll enjoy our hospitality and delicious food in an atmosphere of the old stage coach days.” The photograph below shows owner Harriet Johnson in the doorway of the house. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Freeman house is owned by Wellspring House, a Cape Ann organization assisting families and individuals to become financially self-sufficient.
Harriet Johnson, 1928 Alice M. Curtis/©Fredrik D. Bodin

Printed from the original 5×7 inch film negatives in my darkroom. Image #A8557-063 (house), and A8557-061 (Harriet)
Fred
Fredrik D. Bodin
Bodin Historic Photo
82 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

Ted Reed Reminds Us- it Used To Snow Here In the Winter

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Ted writes-

Hi Joey–
I came across this photo my wife, Susan took a year ago during yet another snow storm and thought I’d pass it along. After this morning’s light cover it’s a little easier to remember that it used to snow during the winter here.

image

Bumblebee – Pet of the Week

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bumblebee – Pet of the Week

Bumblebee

I am at the Cape Ann Animal Aid (CAAA), located at 260 Main Street in Gloucester, waiting to be adopted by a loving family.  My name is Bumblebee, but I don’t sting people; I love to snuggle them instead.

I am a two-year-old girl cat with a pretty black-and-white coat.  I am here at the shelter with my sister, Baby. Check our website at CapeAnnAnimalAid.com where there is a photo of Baby with me!

We would love to be adopted together, but understand if that isn’t possible.   We are both excited about being part of a family.   We love the staff and volunteers here at the shelter and hope our new family loves us much as they do.   I have to run, one of the nice volunteers wants to brush me and I never hesitate for an opportunity to be beautified!

That German U-Boat That Torpedoed Our Grandfathers Fishing Boat The Ben and Josephine? Here’s The Account of It’s Day Of Reckoning

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Here’s the account of the sinking of our Grandfather Captain Joe Ciaramitaro’s Ben and Josephine-

http://www.wholesalelobster.com/

David Teele forwards the link to the account of the last days of the German U-boat the 432 on the 11th of March 1943-

REPORT ON INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM "U 432," A 500-TON

U-BOAT SUNK AT ABOUT 1200 G.M.T. ON 11th MARCH, 1943

        "U 432" (Kapitänleutnant Hermann Eckhardt) was sunk in approximate position 51° 35′ N., 28° 30′ W. at about 1300 G.M.T. on 11th March, 1943, by F.F.S. "Aconit" escorting Convoy H.X.228.  "Aconit" had 12 hours previously assisted in the sinking of "U 444" (see C.B. 04051 (63) ), from which boat she had also taken prisoners.

        At about 1100 the same day, "U 432" had torpedoed and sank H.M.S. "Harvester," who had on board one prisoner from "U 444."  Survivors from H.M.S. "Harvester," "U 444" and "U 432" were then transported to Greenock by "Aconit," together with survivors from two ships of H.X.228, torpedoed in the night of 10/11th March, 1943.

III. EIGTH AND LAST PATROL OF "U 432"

(All times are German Summer Time.)

(i)  Departure from La Pallice

        At 1730 on 14th February, 1943, "U 432" cast off from her berth on the north side of the basin at La Pallice.

        At 1750 she left the lock at the entrance to the basin.  There were scenes of great enthusiasm as all present waved "goodbye."  She rammed a harbour launch just after negotiating the lock.  On passing the boom "U 432" was escorted by a "Sperrbrecher" and two patrol vessels.  Also sailing with her was another U-Boat with a crocodile badge on her conning-tower.  Survivors could not remember her captain’s name.  At 2320 the escort parted company and "U 432" proceeded on her patrol alone and on the surface.  Her course was 270°.

(ii)  Passage southwards

        "U 432" remained on the surface until shortly before 0700 on 15th February, 1943, when she dived for the first time on this patrol.  She did not surface again until 1930 when it was found to be much rougher.  Many of her ship’s company were sick.  At 0800 on 16th February, she submerged again, surfacing once more just before dusk.  At 0900 on 17th February, she dived, re-surfacing the same night.  The whole of 18th February was also spent submerged.  Survivors thought that by then they were out of the Bay of Biscay.

(iii)  Receipt of Orders

        About 0100 on 19th February, Eckhardt received a signal ordering him to proceed to join a patrol line named "Wildfang" in a position which he decyphered as a point in the neighbourhood of the Canary Islands.  From this point onwards, "U 432" did not submerge again for some time.

        At 1545 on 20th February hands went to action stations for exercise and that evening there was a party to celebrate the end of the first week at sea.  There had been no events worthy of note since she left port.

(iv)  "U 432"  Alters Course

        By the evening of 21st February, the First Lieutenant began to wonder why they had proceeded so far southwards.  It was then that Eckhardt, seated in his cabin looking through his signal books realised that he had failed to insert a correction, issued prior to his sailing.  Consequently, the signal received on 19th February giving him his orders, had been wrongly decyphered and he had steered south instead of west since that date.  In its correct form the signal ordered him to a position off Newfoundland.  He immediately gave orders to alter course to 300°and made for the patrol line indicated in the original signal.

For the rest of the account which is very interesting click here to read it in entirety on http://www.uboatarchive.net-

http://www.uboatarchive.net/U-432INT.htm

Local Musician Hits the Big Time! (and could use your help)

Posted on by S.D. Kelly

Local Singer-songwriter Brad Byrd’s latest release “Mental Photograph” was nominated for Album of the Year for 2011 along with some industry heavyweights like Bon Iver, Ryan Adams, and more. If you haven’t checked out Brad’s work, you are missing out; you can listen at www.bradbyrdofficial.com. And be sure to click this link to head over to Melodic.net to vote for Brad’s album as the singer-songerwriter Album of the Year. When you get to the page, make sure you click Brad’s album cover before scrolling down to the bottom of the list to vote so that every click is counted. This is a good chance to show some local love for some serious Cape Ann talent!

the melodic.net site

We’ll Never Forget- Ricky- Fiesta 2007

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fiesta 2007

Pow Wow, Syd, Ricky, Magic Joe, The Rabbit, Joey C, DK

DSC02693

That look

DSC02592

DSC02656

DSC02657

DSC02663

Getting After It- Always

DSC02677

DSC02681

DSC02706

Get back here!  Are you a man or a mouse?

DSC02708Memories Bro- They’ll Never Take Them From Us

Rest In Peace

The Floating Marina- My Stance

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

As a waterfront property owner I want you to know that this thing which as I understand it, is a floating dock in the middle of the harbor on which transient boats can tie up to.

I am for things that will help get people to our downtown and spending money thus I am not anti- this type of project.

I just want you to understand why it is being done the way it is- as a big float in the middle of the harbor instead of a dockage facility on a piece of waterfront in Gloucester Harbor close to downtown.

This is because the antiquated DPA restrictions won’t allow for a transient dock to exist within the DPA on the waterfront in any place other than the already grandfathered recreational marinas and on an island in the middle of the harbor.
So the thing is being designed as float in the middle of the harbor built with taxpayer money.

If the zoning made any sense and modifications to the DPA allowed there would already be a transient dock built on one of the crumbling piers inside of the harbor.
It would be able to be financed privately and built with private dollars because it is a project that makes financial sense.

So we could have this type of thing built on the harbor within walking distance of downtown financed without public money and without having to hop on a launch service which we don’t even know is gong to be financially viable to run on it’s own
But instead what we will get because of zero flexibility in the DPA is the float built as an island in the middle of the harbor financed with public dollars and reliant on a launch service to get people around and no improvement to the tax base from a renovated waterfront property.

This is not to say that a single fishing boat would need to be displaced (because you know that is always the cry) there are plenty of properties such as behind the piling field behind the Building Center, behind Seatronics and more piling fields around the city where it could be built.

Joey Ciaramitaro

Captain Joe and Sons

Gloucester MA

"How Long? Not long," says Dr. King.

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

1-17-12
Peter introduces another lyrical speech by Dr. King whose treatment of this familiar song is like nothing else you’ve ever heard.

J.B. Amero sits in for Dan King tonight at Jalapenos.  Snow’s gone.  Music’s on.  So get out and have some fun.

Did You Know? (Call for Guest Artists)

Posted on by God's Morning

Artists have started asking about exhibiting at Khan Studio and the Good Morning Gloucester Gallery this summer on Rocky Neck.  Any of you who exhibited last year, or came to the gallery for Mug Up or other events during the season, know it is a great space with lots going on and even more planned for this season, including the continuation of our Sunday morning Mug Up tradition.  If you are interested in a two week guest exhibit during the 2012 season, and being in the midst of the energy and fun that is Rocky Neck and Good Morning Gloucester, you can go to http://www.khanstudiointernational.com/goodmorninggloucester%20gallery2012.htm for details and date availability.  One exhibit time has already been taken, so there are 8 time slots available.  You can listen to Joey tell about it here.

E.J. Lefavour

Where is Rubber Duck ?

Posted on by paultmorrison

Mom was here a second ago making a snow angel then she vanished!

Is she out there hanging with the Harlequin Ducks? (FYI: mating season for HDs.)