Month: July 2012

The Summer Glare

Posted on by Marty Luster

The Summer Glare

 

Aboard the Pequod, Ishmael describes the

Japanese Sea as illumined by “freshets of effulgences”

or overflowing streams of brilliant light.

Did he, while in Nantucket, not experience

what we, in Gloucester, find daily in our summer sky?

 

Here, where the ocean cleanses the air and

allows the sun to reach us without filter;

where most summer days produce an explosion

of light that washes out the brilliant colors

around us and makes us squint to get around town;

 

Where shadows are not soft and moody, but

are stark and sharp, and walking down a flight

of outside stairs requires most careful placement

of our feet, and where we learn to recognize

people and places by their silhouettes,

 

and where sun and sand and sea glare so that we

sense the beach, rather than see it, like actors

looking past the footlights to an unseen audience,

and where  patterns in the sand go unnoticed

as we walk the shore into the cauldron’s fearsome light.

 

It’s as if we cannot be trusted with

the airs of summer; that we must be

protected from the magnificence around us

lest we succumb to this abundance of beauty

if we should see all that is within the glare.

 

© Marty Luster 2012

A Great New Thing to Do

Posted on by God's Morning

If you’re visiting Cape Ann, plan to visit, have recently moved here, or have lived here all your life but aren’t big into exploring on your own, you need to check out this great new venture.  Sweet Shots & Secret Spots Intimate Island Tours is operated by Corey Newman and Violet Gray, neighbors on Madfish Wharf, parents of the irresistable Dahlia, and all around great and very knowledgeable people.  Let them do the driving in their ultra cool Jeep Wrangler while you sit back, relax, see and get some sweet shots of secret spots you probably never knew existed.  Like an African safari, but on Cape Ann.  They also will customize tours to suit your interests.  Their rates are very reasonable.  Call Corey or Violet at 978-559-6649 or email them at sweetshots@me.com.  Tell them you heard about them on Good Morning Gloucester (where else).

E.J. Lefavour

www.khanstudiointernational.com

Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

This striking Baltimore Checkerspot was photographed last week in a field of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). The field is located in Ipswich’s town center.

Notice the Baltimore Checkerspot’s vivid orange antennal clubs and white and orange dotted abdomen. The caterpillar’s food plant, or host plant, is mainly turtlehead (Chelone glabra) in low lands and gerardias upland, e.g., Smooth False Foxglove (Aureolaria flava).

Baltimore Checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) Ventral

I find absolutely the most interesting creatures in fields where grows Common Milkweed, which tells us that the plant provides a wealth of nourishment for a diverse range of organisms.

Note: The underside of butterfly wings are referred to as ventral; the upper surface as dorsal. An easy way to remember the difference between the terms dorsal and ventral is to think of the dorsal fin of a dolphin.

Community Photos 7/15/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

At Your Service From Bob Ritchie-

Gloucester police officer Mark Foote assists a pedestrian in navigating Main St. during the re-paving on Friday.

At Your Service

"7 Swans a-swimming" From Janet Rice

Rockport 7/12/12

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Beacon Marine Basin / Kathy Coakley Painting From Anthony Marks-

Kathy Coakley Painting / Beacon Marine Basin

Community Stuff 7/15/12

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Apple Street Farm Hosts a Magical Evening for Summer Dinner Series

WHAT:                 Each month throughout the summer, Chef Frank McClelland hosts a themed dinner at his home on Apple Street Farm to showcase the farm’s seasonal and organic produce, protein and eggs – and the month of July is no exception. The Midsummers Night’s Dream themed dinner will transport guests to the magical fields of Shakespeare’s most beloved play, while enjoying the fare straight from the fields around under the moonlight. 

Upon arrival, guests are encouraged to explore the beautiful grounds while enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres prepared by the chefs of L’Espalier and Sel de  la Terre restaurants. Seated in the open air (or under a tent in the case of inclement weather), guests will enjoy a four-course meal with a trio of wine pairings.

The Midsummer Night’s Dream menu will feature dishes such as; ASF Salad: fresh dug potatoes, smoked wild salmon and caviar, local warm corn mousse and wild sweet orange, dill and buttermilk dressing; Grilled Black Bass and Fried Essex Clams: bean, roasted onions and pickled cucumber salad, melon and anise hyssop broth; Spit-roasted Young Lamb: summer squash gratin and grilled cepes, black olive and rosemary jus.

WHEN:                 July 20 and 21

                                5:30 p.m. arrival 

6:30 p.m. dinner begins

WHERE:               Apple Street Farm

                                35 Apple Street

                                Essex, MA 01929

www.applestreetfarm.com

Other:                   Tickets to this event are $175.00 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity. 

Space is limited so call L’Espalier at 617-262-3023 to make a reservation.

Dinners will be held rain or shine.

 

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Free
Blood Pressure Clinic
Addison Gilbert Hospital
 
Monday, July 16
1-3 p.m.
at
Addison Gilbert Hospital
298 Washington Street, Gloucester.
Conducted by Eileen Matz, RN, MSN.

Women’s Health Conference Room.  Please use Washington Street entrance.   Appointments are not necessary and all are welcome to attend!

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Burnham House Canvas Is At The GMG Gallery

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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77 Rocky Neck Ave. Khan Studio GMG Gallery. Swing by tomorrow morning for Mug Up 9:00 Sunday morning for coffee and to bring this baby home.

Thank you all for the Blackburn Challenge Coverage

Posted on by paultmorrison

Rubber Duck felt like a movie star. The ultimate was paddling like crazy and I hear my name called but I am going under the A. Priatt bridge how could … then I see Donna at the rail way the hell up there (that was a long lens she shot of me with my mouth open stopped in the water agog.)

The whole race Rubber Duck got a shout out from so many points. The race was so much fun I wanted to go around again. Improved my time a bit. Having Rubber Duck face me was much better aerodynammically and we were able to chat so much more.

Time for pizza, thanks all, Rubber Duck and Paul M.

ps. I can’t thank all the photographers because there were so many and special thanks to Ed Collard who not only was at the start along with Donna and Rick, (and all were at the finish along with Kathy Chapman) but he held my kayak as I exited and I did not fall in or over. So, improved time, nice exit, the weather and tides could not have been more perfect,   and this Joey coverage I am just now reading with all the maps is just a hoot.

Paddling around the circumference of Cape Ann, looking into every nook and cranny, cove and craggy point, underlines to me how lucky we are to live in such a place. But it would just be a rocky island without the amazing people who inhabit it.

pps. my internet and mail are down and out and even my iPhone mail is plugged up (you all might get a bunch of mail on a Monday morning reset) so I am back to finishing Joe Garland’s Lone Voyager. I thought I knew the Howard Blackburn story but this dude was amazing.

ppps. And I would be completely remiss if I did not mention what an amazing production that the Cape Ann Rowing Club pulls off for this race. Over 300 racers swarm into Gloucester High School but the behind the scenes work is done as smooth as silk. The pulled pork and cold beer are delish and throughout the race there was a red flagged boat out there making sure we did not paddle off to Nova Scotia. Donna Lind et al., you do an amazing job and I hope it is so much fun you do it again and again because I’ll be back.

Gloucester Gig Rowers Try Out The New Annie B

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Len Burgess writes-

Monday evening, trying out the new 32′ six-oared Cornish pilot gig 7/9/12.

–Len Burgess

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Quarry Swimming From Kathy Slifer

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey , This has been swimming weather for sure ! Nothing like a dip in the quarry , its an aesthetic moment ,  as is so much  here on Cape Ann .

Also wanted you to know the Ardelle Sail for City Hall Reconstruction is a sell out  ! Thanks for your help .

Kathy Slifer

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Welcome Beautiful Goddess Baby!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Francesca Michael Goddess Born July 7, 2012 at 3:34pm 6 lbs. 13 oz.

Francesca 7 days old!

Samantha, Franny, and Tony doing fine and having the time of their lives!

Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce’s Auction

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Please click on link below

http://youtu.be/ot2Lu3UzWNs

Here is an example of some of the items.  Also, please check out the www.capeannchamber.com for more information

This quilt was made by one of the Chamber’s volunteers, Linda Hogan, made from tee shirts that the Chamber has used in the past

July 13, 2012 quilt

More fun items to bid on

July 13, 2012 more fun items

July 13, 2012 Fun gifts

2012 Community Blackburn Challenge Live Blog and Paul Morrison GPS Live Tracking Map

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Most Importantly before we get into the meat of the Live blog I’ll provide a link to Paul Morrison’s Live GPS Location Tracker Here  (The GPS Tracker will be turned on at 8AM to save battery but you can still check it out now. This is a real time tracker so if you see him coming up to where you are on Cape Ann run out to the water’s edge and give him a holler.  I’ll randomly draw a name from people that submit photos of Paul on the Race Course before the end of the day for a Real Deal GMG T Shirt $20 value.  His GPS Tracker even works on smartphones so there’s no excuses.  Bookmark that cool ass link and track his freaky Rubber Duck Toting Around Ass down on your smartphone.

Send in your pictures from the start middle or finish and I’ll add them to this post which I’ll keep stickied at the top of the blog and regular scheduled posts will update below this one.  I’ll also give regular updates from our Paul Morrison’s GPS Tracking Map as to his whereabouts around the Cape.

A note to all Blackburn Challenger Competitors and their families-
Swing down the dock after the race to get a free Good Morning Gloucester Sticker and have your picture taken for these pages Representing!

The Blackburn Challenge – July 14th, 2012

Click to View Current BBC 2012 Registration by Group

New – Click to View Current BBC 2012 Registration by Class

From The Blackburn Challenge Website:

Time Limit Update – 6 Hour limit to complete course. Chase Boats and Timing will finish after 6 hours. Racers are paddling at their own risk after 6 hours on the course. Please plan appropriately if you believe you can not complete in 6 hours.

The Blackburn Challenge is a 20+ mile open water circumnavigation of Cape Ann. Participants row or paddle small boats in the open ocean waters around Cape Ann, and conditions can vary dramatically throughout the day. Occasionally the water can be very rough, with strong winds and high waves.

Paul Morrison writes this pre-race entry-

Saturday: Give a Hoot and a Holler to the Blackburners

Good Luck Paul and All the Other Brave Contestants in this year’s 2012 Blackburn Challenge from the team here at GMG!

Google Map of path around Cape Ann different than Paul Morrison’s GPS Live Race Position Tracking Map Found Here

Here’s Paul Morrison from last year (you can see the Rubber Duck Tracker mounted to the bow of his Kayak)-

Paul Frontiero Photo

Here is our 2011 Blackburn Challenge Coverage

Below this line begins our Live Race Day Coverage-

Last Update from the Live Tracker Was A Test At The High School Launching Area at 6:38AM- Looks Good For The GPS Tracker Paul! –

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Update 7:39AM: Paul Morrison Rubber Ducky GPS Live Tracker Is Live

Click here for live ,tracking map so you can stalk him like the stalker freak that you are

Donna Ardizzoni posts live shot of Paul Morrison’s 2012 Blackburn Challenge Rubber Duck GPS Tracker-

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Paul Morrison and Rubber Duck Tracker Pre Race From Ed Collard-

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Update 8:11AM:

He is In The Water Just Past The Train Bridge-

Click here for the live map

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Update 8:24 Rubber Ducky and Paul are off- averaging between 4 and 5 mph

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Our Paul going under the A. Piatt Bridge photo from Donna Ardizzoni-July 14, 2012 Paul going under the A Piatt 

8:37AM Update:

Well past the A Piatt Andrew Bridge and approaching the first entrance to Jones Creek.  Speed 5mph Uploading video from the starting area now

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8:52AM Update:

At The Mouth Of The Annisquam River 4mph

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9:25 Update:

Coming Up On Lane’s Cove

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Mary Page submits-

Blackburn challenge from Rust Island

Pictures I took this morning of the challenge looking across the Annisquam at the frog rocks

10:16 Update:

Just off Pigeon Cove and maintaining that 4mph pace.

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11:23 Update:

Passing Good Harbor Beach

Click here for live GPS Rubber Duck Tracking

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Update 12:21:

Approaching Eastern Point Lighthouse and Dog Bar Breakwater

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12:43 Update: 3mph

Heading For Home Stretch and Pavillion Beach! C’mon Paul Finish Strong!!!!

Click here for live GPS Rubber Duck Tracking

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Blackburn triumph!

from Crescent52

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