My View of Life on the Dock
Pete quit smoking March 18th, 2009 and hasn’t smoked since. Congrats Pete!!!
Posted on March 18, 2009 by Joey C
Pete Mondello, a lobsterman and a smoker for over forty years is mad as a hornet and he’s gonna do something about it.
Read here for the rest of that 2009 post about Pete and cigarettes
Photos from Ron Gilson
What is Gloucester to you? What does it mean to be a part of this diverse community, where your neighbor may be a Fisherman, a Restaurateur, a Software Tech, a Carpenter or any number of things? He or she may be Italian, Sicilian, Portuguese, African, of Oriental or Irish decent or many another nationality mixed in with their American heritage. What does it means to be a part of this Gloucester Community where we’ve sweated in our toil, died in the pursuit of feeding our families and the millions of families across this great nation, or found joy in our recreation on our greatest resource… that of the ocean, or the pride we feel in raising our young ones in this place we live? It’s quite simple… It means together we are family… Gloucester family! This is something to be proud of…
Gloucester to me is being one… one with my neighbors, regardless of occupational backgrounds or our ancestral heritage… We are fortunate enough to live in a city where we don’t experience the separation, the petty bigotry and senseless fears that pervade other City communities. Yes, Gloucester is unique in this way. We are a community teaming with people who, even in these difficult economic times, will think nothing of reaching out to help a neighbor in need. There is evidence of this everywhere in this City, whether it is a fundraiser for the family of a beloved Firefighter who has lost his most courageous battle of all down to the simplest act of lending a neighbor $10.00 until their check comes through so their child will have milk that day. These are things that do happen every day in this city… We just don’t always hear about all of them. The unsung heroes of this place that we live in are many and if you can count yourself among them, and many of you probably can, you deserve to feel proud. Proud for caring about your neighbors and of the city in which you live!
I’m not originally from Gloucester, but I’ve lived between here and Rockport most of my life and there is nowhere I’d rather live than on this Island we call home! My Father was born and raised here, as was his Father before him and they too were proud of this City and proud to have lived and Worked in this great community with such rich traditions in the Fishing and Shipping Industries along with the many, many other industries and businesses that make Gloucester what it is.
Also, I like to remind people, there are cultural resources in this community that, when you think about the many talented Artists and Musicians that live, work and play in this City…well, it’s truly astounding. There are just too many to mention. We members of Full Circle are very proud to live in Gloucester and to be able to count ourselves a part of this live, local music community that just overflows with extremely talented Artists and Musicians! Here’s to our home port…Gloucester, Massachusetts, U.S.A.!
-Wesley A Thibodeau/Full Circle
Joey…..Terrific coverage here on the Parade of Sail, but for those interested in the race itself the information has been sparse and late coming. In the past the Times has had good reporting on the race but none this year. The Race Committee had a real challenge from a fizzling breeze that backed away from the SSE where it started and half the entries were unable to finish within the four hour time limit. Or they just fired up their engines so as not to be late for the 6:00 PM post-race festivities at Maritime Gloucester. (Good judgment.)
The hospitality extended to visiting schooners this year was extra special. Here is a little story on the American Schooner Association website.
Al Bezanson
Chelsea just sent me this poster for her show on February 9, 2013 @ 8pm.
This will be Chelsea with her full band. They rock! Tickets are already on sale (get them here). Don’t wait too long. This show will sell out even more quickly than her last one.
So much fun to see all the different dogs.
Had an amazing opportunity to go sailing Monday on Tom Cox’ trimaran TRIAD, which Tom has owned and raced for 20 years. It was pretty windy, chilly and overcast with little bits of sun breaking through on occasion to scatter shards of light across the water. The company, boat and experience was wonderful. I didn’t take my camera for fear of water damage, and with all the spray I got covered with, I’m glad I didnt. We sailed from Wonson’s Cove on Rocky Neck to Boston and back in 2 hours and were going 22.3 knots at the fastest. Tom said it was the fastest TRIADhad gone this season. It was quite an exhilarating trip. Also aboard were Mary Rhinelander and Mike Lipton who I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know. Thanks Tom.
Quite a bit different from my peaceful little Cape Ann SUP paddleboarding excursions around the harbor.
Here are some facts about TRIAD:
Model:Newick Creative
Designer:Dick Newick, the internationally renowned multihull pioneer and designer, has designed many champion trimarans including Phil Weld’s GULF STREAMER, ROGUE WAVE and MOXIE.
Length:42′
Beam:28′ 6″
Rig:Sloop rigged 53′ carbon wing mast, with 8′ bowsprit, 940 square feet of working sail.
History: Designed as a racer/cruiser, TRIAD was purpose-built for the Route de Rhum single-handed trans-Atlantic race in 1982. Featuring cold molded mahogany/ WestTMconstruction by Marc Le Jeloux of Trinite sur Mer, St. Philibert, France, she is strong and seaworthy.
1983 – 1989:Campaigned extensively in the Caribbean multihull circuit. Consistent winner in the Heineken Regatta and Trade Winds races.
1992-1993:Purchased and outfitted by Tom Cox.
1994:Black Dog Dash: Elapsed time trophy
1995:New England Multihull Association Season Champion
1999: Marblehead-Halifax: First place
1996: Dismasted enroute from Bermuda to Newport, RI. Subsequently salvaged and returned to Gloucester, Mass. for refit following a spectacular rescue of her crew by the cruise liner, Royal Majesty.
1997: Hauled out for one year for repairs and an extensive refit. She was relaunched on September 16, 1997 with her new carbon fiber wing mast and new spectra sails.
E.J. Lefavour
We promised you part 2 of Monday’s interview with Marina Evans (see part 1 here) so here it is:
You can see more Marina Evans Videos here.
Speaking of videos, perhaps you missed the Blues Festival last month. In case you didn’t know, we spent the day live blogging videos from the festival. And now we’ve organized them in one convenient place — see here. Below is one of my favorites by Queen of the Blues: Shemekia Copeland when she walked the crowd and sang without a mic!
If you’re looking for some more great Blues, go see Canada’s Queen of the Blues Rita Chiarelli LIVE at Cape Ann Community Cinema this Saturday at 7:30pm following a special screening of her movie Music From the Big House (see trailer below).
Just kidding although, try telling that to the squirrel. We are convinced that this little baby squirrel is convinced that I am its mom. When out in the garden it comes running to greet me, which was startling, initially. I wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t going to bite me. The squirrel and its sibling cry loudly and plaintively, to no avail, from our neighboring tree. I think their squirrel mom has perished.
Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
The photo is not cropped. I was holding the camera less than a foot from the squirrel.
9/11 My Experience
The World Trade Tower, my first impression.
And from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
When I went to the top observation deck, this is what I saw. The Brooklyn Bridge, which is a subject of one of my posts, is on the lower right.
I always get a little choked up on September 11th, since both my father and I were born on Manhattan Island, we lived nearby, and I lost some high school friends in the towers. My cousin Kate, who lives on nearby Staten Island, remarked to me about driving to her restaurant in Mid-Town Manhattan after the attack, that so many young people died that day. Many of them worked on the floor below where I took this photo from, which was the restaurant. May God Bless them all
Sawyer Free Library Art Auction 2012
The Silent Auction is ongoing all September. Bid for handmade items and paintings in the bidder’s book. The Gala Live Auction takes place October 3. with a 6pm Preview, followed by the auction at 7pm. The proceeds from this annual event benefit the Sawyer Free LIbrary’s art materials budget. Bid now and join us in October for a fun evening!
Gail Farrell standing under her painting: Essex Marsh (#43)
A week ago today, the group that formerly met at The Annie every Wednesday (7:00-9:30PM) to sing together had it’s first session at it’s new home, The Inn at Babson Court.
It was a perfect evening, weather-wise:
It was also a perfect evening for singing. We had a great turn-out, and Paul and Don gave us a great welcome to their inn, which provides an elegant and intimate setting for an evening of music.
Click here for more photos of the evening:
Come and join us! We sit in a circle and take turns singing songs of any genre, with or without acoustic instruments. We often join in with the songs if we know them, harmonizing or just singing the refrain. No formal training or professional experience expected or required – the group includes everything from pros to people who usually only sing in the shower. Or, come along just to listen! BYOB, and snacks to share are a welcome contribution. A $5 donation is requested.
Hello! I am not certain why a sweet, affectionate and mild mannered lady like myself was named Sassy!
I just celebrated my first birthday and like most young cats, I love toys, bird watching (from inside) and taking naps. I have a pretty tiger coat and if you would like to meet me, please stop by the Cape Ann Animal Aid located at the Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter in Gloucester. We also have a website, so please visit: CapeAnnAnimalAid.com and you can always visit me in person!
I can see that the shelter has a “wish list”. I have been told that these are items that we need and if you would like to donate them, the staff here would be grateful. The items include: wet cat and kitten food, wet dog and puppy food, ceramic dishes for cats and kittens, paper towels to name a few.
Do you know what is on my wish list? A family to adopt me!
“The Thrill of the Hill”
The 19th annual running of the Fish Box Derby is coming up on Sunday, September 16th at High Noon. We will be racing down Rogers Street in front of Gorton’s and have more than thirty entrants. The kids and their cars will traverse the 500 foot course in about 20 seconds.
Trophies are awarded to all participants with the grandest prizes (bikes, Y memberships, whale watch tickets, and watches) going to the top four finishers in each of the two classes: Freestyle (sleeve bearings) and Modified (ball and roller bearings). Other prizes are awarded for Best Pit Crew and Koolest Kar. Over 100 sponsors from the community bought advertising signs on the hay bales that will line the course. This widespread support will also allow the Fish Box Derby Committee to award two $1,000 scholarships to former racers going on to higher education.
This is one of the great family events of the year. Much more information is on www.fishboxderby.org.
video from Kenny MacCarthy-
http://capeanninfo.com Another great day for the kids in Gloucester MA and Cape Ann at the Fishbox Derby on Roger’s St. Lot’s of action with the hay bales and burnt out brakes. NASCAR: eat your heart out.
For past GMG Fish Box Derby Coverage Click Here
Whoa!
Boston From Niles Beach Len Burgess Photo
Monday Night 9/10/12 –Len Burgess
Filmgoers in Rockport, Massachusetts, will unite with audiences in over 300 cities spanning six continents to view and judge the work of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world when the 15th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival screens at The Shalin Liu Performance Center Sun Sept 30 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm and the following Friday Oct 5th at 8:00pm. For tickets, please visit the Rockport Music website at http://www.rockportmusic.org or call the box office at 978-546-7391.
Out of 520 entries received from 49 countries around the world, MANHATTAN SHORT selected ten short films as finalists. Each film is 18 minutes or under in length. Countries represented this year include Norway, The Netherlands, Russia, England, Ireland, Peru, France, Romania, Spain and the USA, in what festival organizers describe as the “United Nations of Film Festivals.”
These short films will not only entertain a global audience, but will be judged by them as well. Filmgoers will be handed a voting card upon entry and asked to vote for the one film they feel should win. Votes are tallied at each participating cinema and submitted to festival headquarters where the winner will be announced in New York City, as well as posted on the net at http://www.ManhattanShort.com on Sunday, October 7th, at 10:00 PM.
With past finalists achieving the ultimate in recognition by being nominated and even winning the Oscar in the short film category, the Manhattan Short has become known as a breeding ground for the next big thing.
In one week, over 100,000 people from as far north as St. Petersburg, Russia, to as far south as Buenos Aires, Argentina, as far east as Kathmandu, Nepal, and as far west as Perth, Australia, to over 150 cinemas in 47 US States will come together to view and vote on these 10 films. “While the goal of any festival is to discover and promote new talent, the real aim of this festival is bringing communities together via stories from around the world,” says Nicholas Mason, MANHATTAN SHORT founder and director.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that what started as a small, relatively simple event when I projected a handful of short films onto the side of a truck on a downtown Manhattan street 15 years ago, would grow into what it is today, with communities all over the world getting together to celebrate via ten short films…it’s become like Earth Day—but with film,” adds Mason.
For more information on the Festival and to read detailed interviews with the 10 Finalists visit http://www.ManhattanShort.com or click on the following links:
Download 300 dpi stills of the finalists’ films – http://www.manhattanshort.com/p_press_finalist_stills.html
To see a list of cinemas taking part in 2012 – http://www.manhattanshort.com/cinemas.html
To read interviews and view film trailers – http://www.manhattanshort.com/finalists.html
To view the trailer of the Festival: - http://www.manhattanshort.com/trailer.html
This Used to be My Spot, Viktor Valasek, spray, acrylic ,oil on board; 210×407
Painter Viktor Valasek is a native of Czechoslovakia and has a Master’s Degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He studied at Cooper Union in NYC in 2009 and his work from that time was included in an Exchange Students Exhibition. He has had numerous solo and group exhibitions including at Trafo Gallery and AVU gallery both in Prague. He is currently a resident artist at Meetfactory, a center of contemporary art in Prague.
Artist Statement: Even though I have been recently working on a body of work that is more abstract, most of my work is figurative. I am trying to comment and depict my own surrounding, including cultural stereotypes and memories from my own nation’s collective consciousness. It is a view which is only possible after a person leaves his own culture and looks back from the ‘other’ location. At once, one feels trapped within his or her own stereotype. This is who I am. This is who I am expected to be. We are expected to conform to the view imposed by ‘them’ on ‘us’. I am balancing on the edge between doing a good show – as ‘expected’ and self-reflection. The ‘folklore’ otherness of Central European post communist contemporary art is the product which is delivered to the spectator, yet it comes with a self-critical edge. Is it myself, or is it the image of myself, as defined by others? The most recent abstract paintings are different not only in the attitude but also in the whole visual impact on the viewer. By covering the space of the painting with a symbol of thinking, I am also stepping out of the previous stereotypes. viktorvalasek.com/
For my project here, in Gloucester, I need old canvases, nothing very valuable, rather something damaged or something that noone needs or wants anymore. It is not important what is in the painting or how old it is, as long as it is about to be thrown away. Instead of creating brand new paintings I will try to investigate possibilities of the "recycling idea" in art, painting in particular. By removing and adding layers of paint, I will, in fact, make my own paintings but on top of someone else’s work.
Wine and cheese pairings on the deck Wednesday, September 12 from 5:30-6:30
with dinner reservations with all entrees at 1/2 price tomorrow evening. We
will be filming a commercial for the restaurant so you may even be a
celebrity! Join us at the Castle Manor Inn Please RSVP as to number in
party with phone number
Temple Ahavat Achim (86 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA) invites you to the High Holiday Services!
Come celebrate Rosh Hashanah on:
Saturday, September 16th at 6:30 pm
Monday, September 17th at 9 am
Tuesday, September 18th at 9 am
… and Kol Nidre & Yom Kippur on:
Tuesday, September 25th at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, September 26th at 9 am
… and Sukkot on:
Sunday, September 30th at 6 pm
Monday, October 1st at 9 am
All are welcome!!! No tickets required!!
Interfaith families welcome!
For more information, please visit www.taagloucester.org
