GMG HOLIDAY PARTY DATE HAS BEEN SET- DECEMBER 8th AT BODIN HISTORIC PHOTO!!!

Are You A FOB?

Then you better get your sexy ass down to Bodin Historic Photo For The GMG XMAS Party December 8th! 6PMTil We Burn Down The Neighborhood!

I’m just gonna put this out there that if you consider yourself a FOB you had better show up for our killer  OFFICIAL GMG CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!!!

Go to all the great Middle Street Walk Events All Day- Dump The Kids with A Babysitter and Come Party With Us.

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We’re gonna celebrate it all, Kwanza, spinnin the dradel, all that fun shit!

I’m springing for the Sebastians Pizza, bring a jug of booze or some beer, we will have cups and ice and we’re gonna have a good time.

Fred Bodin writes-

Hi JOEY, our second annual GMG Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 8th, at Fred’s Gallery, 82 Main Street, in the West End. If last year was any indication, it will be unbelievable.  Rest assured that there will be plenty to eat and drink at this event. I think it will, like last year’s bash, be the party to remember. Hope to see you!

We will also be seeking people pledging to do the Rocky Neck Plunge With Us on New Year’s Day!

2012 GMG Downtown Gloucester Holiday Gift Series- Nelsons

Video Series where we walk up and down Main Street and try to capture as many retailers as we can and highlight their best gift ideas one a day every day leading up to Christmas.

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Patricia Walsh Sends In Photos Of The P-Town Lobster Trap Tree

You know by now I hope folks know that when I write the title of a post like –

Our Always Fair and Balanced Lobster Trap Tree Poll and Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree

and proceed to write-

“Don’t forget to bring your children down to Art Haven to paint a buoy to adorn the tree.  That’s what separates our lobster trap tree from all those horribly disfigured monstrosity lobster trap trees up in Maine that are all built out of simply traps and cheap pre-made ribbons imported from China and manufactured in sweat shops with unfair labor practices.”

Patty was offended by the post obviously not seeing the homerism angle of it so I offered to show her what good sports we are here and to post her photos of the P-Town tree.

Here you go Patty-

P-town treelobster tree

In fairness I really like what they do with their lighted lobster trap buoy bloom at the top.  Very nice.

That being said I’ll take our G-Town lobster trap tree 10 times out of 10.

Happy Birthday To Captain Dave Marciano and new Promo For The Upcoming Wicked Tuna Season

Dave is the skipper of The Hard Merchandise. You can see him on Wicked Tuna.

Video- Dave Marciano Skipper Of Hard Merchandise On Wicked Tuna

here’s what I wrote about Dave on April 5th this year-

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Joey C

This show mark my words will be the best thing for Gloucester since The Perfect Storm.  If you’ve been under a rock and haven’t heard about it, set your DVR and watch it.  This show is a winner.

Check out The Hard Merchandise Website Here

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You can also follow Dave on Twitter

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and this I wrote about him back in 2010-

Dave Marciano Has Balls

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Joey C

Not too many people other than my favorite blogger Doug Maxfield that have the balls to write articles like the one Dave Marciano wrote in today’s GDT-

Letter: Coalition sector support now haunting fishermen

Click the link above to read what Dave has to say.  If what he says is true (and believe me I can’t even begin to understand how complex it all is) the way of life of the independent fishermen in Gloucester Ma will be lost forever within a generation.

I’m not sure how many people understand how sweeping the changes will be to our port but if it all is privatized the way it sounds like it’s going, go grab all the copies you can of John N Morris’ book Alone At Sea about the Schooners and Ron Gilson’s book about the waterfront An Island No More because the way of life as independent fishermen in Gloucester will be history and those two guys captured it in a real (non-romanticized way) better than anyone.

New wicked Tuna Promo here-

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Tired of folks trying to get me to be vanilla

It’s exhausting responding to people that can’t get the obvious humor or freak out at a swear word.

Seriously.  Exhausting feeling like I have to defend obvious outlandish statements like-

“Don’t forget to bring your children down to Art Haven to paint a buoy to adorn the tree.  That’s what separates our lobster trap tree from all those horribly disfigured monstrosity lobster trap trees up in Maine that are all built out of simply traps and cheap pre-made ribbons imported from China and manufactured in sweat shops with unfair labor practices.

Compare our Tree decorated with heart felt appreciation for our lobster industry and hard working fishermen by sweet adoring children form the Gloucester Community to the abomination seen below-“

It’s a joke.  It’s obvious homerism.   If you can’t deal with it or if the word fuck is going to send you into a tailspin please, get your blog on somewhere else.

So sick and tired of the PC police trying to vanillaize the entire world.

Political Correctness is the ruination of funky society.

You heard it here.

You wanna rail on about something?  Rail on about child abuse, rail on about cancer, rail on about how messed up our health care system is or political hacks.  But jesus h christ if the worst part of your day is that you didn’t get an edgy joke or if a four letter swear word freaks you out so much that you feel like writing a three paragraph email telling me how horrible I am- save it.

This here blog isn’t gonna change.

Here’s a site for those too sensitive for the word fuck- http://disney.com/

Fuck.

Seashells & Jingle Bells

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In conjunction with the “Seashells & Jingle Bells” Inn and Home Kitchen tour in Rockport, benefiting Rockport High School DECA, Gloucester artist Eileen Patten Oliver will be at the Rockport Inn & Suites, which is the starting point of the tour, on December 8th from 1-4 PM selling her Christmas Cards and prints of some of her paintings.  Tickets for the tour are also available at Rockport Inn & Suites which is one of 13 locations featured on the tour. Please come out to see this wonderful tour, support the kids in DECA, and get a beautiful card or print!

For more info visit http://seashellsandjinglebellsrkpt.blogspot.com/ 

 

Maggies Farm

Maggies Farm Middleton ©Kim Smith 2012

Last night we stopped at Mark McDonough’s newest restaurant, Maggies Farmlocated in Middleton. Disclaimer: our son Alex recently started working there although, I can honestly say, our dinners were simply outstanding. And as you can see in the photos, the portions are enormously generous.

Maggies Farm Restaurant Middleton ©Kim Smith 2012-2Alex recommended the Nachos and, even though I generally dislike shouty capitals– WOW is all I can say!

The host Kai was gracious and friendly and our waitress was super professional and efficient. The ambiance was warm, welcoming, and fun, and the crowd ranged in age from 20-somethings through the ages including dating couples, sports bar fans, a group of women getting together after work, and sitting next to us, was a grandmother with her granddaughter discussing the granddaughter’s upcoming wedding plans.

Maggies Farm Restaurant Middleton ©Kim Smith 2012-3

Husband Tom ordered the Fish and Chips. I did not try the fish however, the onion rings were the best I have ever tasted–extra crispy flavorful golden brown on the outside, perfectly sweet, tender onions within. We were not sitting under the lights and I apologize for the not-so-great photos, but we’ll be back often. I ‘d love to return at lunch time for better photos and to try more items on the menu. I struggled to decide and was more than happy with the delicious Pan Roasted Chicken with cranberry cornbread stuffing, parsnips, Brussel sprouts, and gravy (and much too full after the perfectly enormous plate of nachos to eat all my dinner). The menu is a collection of favorite comfort food from many cuisines, and is comfort food at its most sublime. For sushi-lovers, the sushi looked very tempting and is half-off on Monday nights. I can see any number of reasons to head over to Maggies for lunch or for dinner as it is only a five minute drive past the long stretch of shops, stores, and car dealerships that line Rt. 114. Maggies is located adjacent to Richardson’s Farm. When the weather warms it will be lots of fun to make a night of Richardson’s mini golf and dinner at Maggies!

Maggies Farm Restaurant Middleton -4 ©Kim Smith 2012.

The name Maggies Farm Restaurant is taken from the Bob Dylan song he penned (from the album Bringing it All Back Home), after his departure from acoustic folk to electric rock. See Mark McDonough’s Gloucester restaurants Alchemy, Latitude 43, and Minglewood.

Todays Twitter Highlights 12/4/12

What’s missing from this video?

All you guitar players out there, answer me this: What’s missing from this video of Savoy Brown @ the Bull Run last Saturday night (12/1)?

Answer: Pedals.  Kim Simmonds and his excellent band rocked the place for over 2 hours and he never once stepped on a pedal.  In these days of more and more gadgets (all of which have to be carted around to each gig, unpacked, hooked up, tested … well you get the idea) I found it refreshing to hear a tremendous variety of sound coming from a virtuoso who lets himself go and just plays like he’s loving every single note.

BTW: His rhythm section, Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums were every bit as good as he was, so perfectly musically tuned to each other you’d think it was a single guy playing both instruments at the same time.

Yes, folk.  Once in a while it’s worth crossing the bridge for excellent music — and it broadens your horizons too.  Plus, as soon as you return to Gloucester, you realize what an unusually rich music scene we’ve got, right here in our own back yard.

Do you really think there was anything else happening anywhere near Shirley MA last Saturday?  Nope.  Bull Run was it.

Want proof?  Google “Live music in Shirley MA” and see what you get.
Then google “Live music in Gloucester MA”.

As Joey would say, #Boom!

If you don’t feel like googling, just go here and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Buoy Painting To Adorn The Worlds Most Beautiful Lobster Trap Tree Has Begun at Art Haven!

For more info go to one of the greatest organizations GTown has to offer-

Buoys Days at Art Haven

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Buoys Days at Art Haven

Drop in at Art Haven to paint a buoy for our Community Lobster Trap tree. Each day is geared to an elementary  school so friends can paint together. Parents can carpool and get some shopping done.

All days are 3pm-6pm, cost is free.

Mon.-Beeman and Plum Cove

Tues.-Veterans and East Gloucester

Wed.-West Parish

Thurs.-Eastern Point,St.Ann’s,Faith Christian,Charter school

Fri.-open to the public

Sat.10am-4pm open to the public

Then the buoys will be auctioned off  on Saturday, January 19th at our annual buoy auction!

Cape Ann Art Haven 180B Main Street Gloucester, MA 01930

The Buoys Are All Primed And Waiting For You To Decorate

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The GloucesterMA Wind Turbine One Adjective Post

Post in the comment to this post below a wone word adjective that to you best describes the Wind Turbines now that they are up.

The rules to have your comment approved is to write one word and it be an adjective.  if you write any more, it will go to the trash bin.

I’ll start with mine- “Cool”

Go.

Free Advent-Christmas Concert at St. Ann’s Church

Advent-Christmas Concert at St. Ann’s Church

The choir of Holy Family Parish will be offering
its 8th annual free Advent-Christmas Concert
on Sunday, December 9, at 2PM.

Nativity scene

In addition to the parish adult choir and the children’s choir, the pastor, Fr. John Kiley, will present some organ pieces.  Not wanting to be left out of a musical event like this one, GMG contributor Fr. Matthew Green will also sing with the choir.

No tickets necessary! Come and enjoy the music!

Holy Family Parish is located just north of the intersection of Prospect Street and Pleasant Street. The entrance to the parking lot is on Prospect.

Be careful to avoid parking in the lot for Savour Wine and Cheese, which is across Pleasant Street from the church parking lot. Unless maybe you stop in to Savour and pick up some treats beforehand, and ask permission to stay in the lot…

– Fr. Matthew Green

This Week in Rockport: Shopping at NIGHT, Inn Tours & More!

Last week in Rockport we had the tree lighting and Santa’s arrival (events covered here on Good Morning Gloucester by intrepid reporter Rubber Duck — and its somewhat useful sidekick Paul Morrison). So what’s up in Rockport for THIS week?

The big news is Rockport’s annual Shopping Night. You read that right! Shopping after dark in Rockport! Dawn Noble of La Provence has organized over 50 stores (even more than the number listed on the poster) to stay open until 8 pm. Stores are offering holiday promotions for this event, so come for the shopping, stay for the fun. This one is a can’t-miss!

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The next one is not strictly in Rockport, but have you been to the new Flatrocks Gallery just north of Pigeon Cove? Stop by this weekend — it’s a beautiful place.

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Finally, there is a beautiful, festival and delicious Inn & Kitchen Tour in Rockport this weekend. Tickets benefit Rockport High School’s DECA program. Check out more information here: http://seashellsandjinglebellsrkpt.blogspot.com/

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He’s Baaaack! Our Elf (Not On The Shelf) Ziggy Made His Return Appearance December 1 (Send In Your Elf Creative Location Photos and I’ll Post ‘Em

What up Zig Master Zig?

Just Chillin Like A Mofo I see.

Send in your Creative Elf On The Shelf Location Photos to goodmorninggloucester@yahoo.com I’ll post ‘em don’t forget to add in your elf’s name and family name. represent!  Bonus points if you can include  a GMG Sticka with your Elf Photo

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2012 Middle Street Walk Schedule of Events Saturday, December 8, 2012

Thanks Bill O’Connor from NorthShoreKid for putting this web friendly table of events together for us.

2012 Middle Street Walk Schedule of Events

Saturday, December 8, 2012
When Where and What
9 am-5 pm Saunders House, Sawyer Free Library
SeArts Wearable Arts Show and Fundraiser Raffle Sale to benefit Sawyer Free Library – tickets sold at Saunders House and at Library. Drawing at 4pm
10 am Sawyer Free Library

Ho-Ho-Hocus Pocus at Sawyer Free Library presented by Mike Bent’s AbraKidabra

10 am
to
3 pm

Gloucester City Hall

  • Festival Headquarters for information and buttons
  • Committee for the Arts will sell postcards of City Hall’s WPA Murals and have a table with information on City Hall Restoration efforts.
  • The Gingerbread House Contest Display – winner will be announced in Kyrouz Auditorium at 1pm.
  • Girl Scouts Troop #60235 – Bake/Cocoa Sale
  • The Phyllis A. Marine Association will have an information table and Ship’s Store.
  • Schooner Adventure – Coffee and Pastries, Ships Store will offer items for sale to support Schooner Adventure and an ongoing FREE children’s activity making ‘Sailor’s Valentine Ornaments’.
  • Craft Vendors
  • Flu Shot Clinic [12-2]
  • Whale Center of New England – Adopt a Whale and mini store.
10 am-2 pm Cape Ann Museum

  • Arts and Crafts for Families
  • Decorate an 1812 Briitish Redcoat ornaments the holidays

Saunders House, Sawyer Free Library
Presentation of history of murals and Samuel Sawyer.

10 am-3 pm

Trinity Congregational Church of Gloucester
Cape Ann Thrift Shop Seasonal Goods Sale.

Cape Ann YMCA
Hot chocolate and pictures with “Santa” (1-3pm) to help kids in need receive Christmas presents, parents can donate a present to a child in need and have their child’s photo with Santa taken for free!

10 am-4 pm Cape Ann Art Haven

  • Free Events
  • 10 am–12 pm (or until complete) help create a Giant Ice Sculpture (ice courtesy of Cape Pond Ice)
  • Buoy Painting for Lobster Trap Tree All Day

Sargent House Museum
Open House decorated for the season, Holiday Goodies & Seasonal Gifts.

10 am-8 pm

Present Seasonal Art Collective Main Street
Special Gift Sales

11 am

Cape Ann Museum
Tour of the Elias Davis House with period “Winter Display” decorations for the Holidays by Gloucester Civic & Garden Council.

Gloucester City Hall
Live performance – Cape Ann Big Band

11 am-2 pm Gloucester City Hall

  • Cancelled due to construction – Tours of City Hall Tower on the half hour by Maggie Rosa, Chair of City Hall Restoration Committee.
  • Ring the bell for $100 donation.
12 pm Cape Ann Museum
Concert – Plum Cove Singers
12-2 pm Middle Street Trolley Rides
Featuring the Songbirds and a Holiday Sing Along, courtesy of CATA.
1 pm Gloucester City Hall

Saint John’s Episcopal Church
‘A Children’s Holiday’ with the Rockport and Annisquam youth choir singing music for the season

1:30 pm Trinity Congregational Church of Gloucester
Concert – with Louis Stella (piano), Mary Jane Fabanio (cello), Jeanine Lynch (flute) and Robert Heinaman (French horn)
2 pm

Cape Ann Museum
Tour of the Elias Davis House with period “Winter Display” decorations for the Holidays by Gloucester Civic & Garden Council.

Temple Ahavat Achim
Open House

2:30 pm

Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church
Concert – Elementary and Middle School String Group & Band and Gloucester High School Chorus

3 pm

Sawyer Free Library
Concert – “Leven”

4 pm

Sawyer Free Library
seArts drawing

4:45pm

Cape Ann Art Haven & Gloucester Police Station Plaza
Lighting of the Holiday Lobster Trap Tree and a visit from Santa!

6pm-?

Good Morning Gloucester Christmas Party at Bodin Historic Photo

Celebrate with the contributors of the blog that was voted Best of the North Shore!

Community Stuff 12/4/12

Cape Ann Center for Dance HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, Dec. 9th  3-5pm. 

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Two opportunities this weekend to meet Roland Merullo, an awarding-winning author of 14 books including 10 works of fiction. Breakfast with Buddha, a nominee for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, is now in its 14th printing. The Talk- Funny Girl was a 2012 ALEX Award Winner and named a "Must Read for 2012" by the Massachusetts Library Association and the Massachusetts Center for the Book; Revere Beach Boulevard was named one of the "Top 100 Essential Books of New England" by The Boston Globe, A Little Love Story was named one of "Ten Wonderful Romance Novels" by Good Housekeeping and Revere Beach Eulogy won the Massachusetts Book Award for non fiction.


On Friday, December 7th at 7:00 pm at Toad Hall Book Store. Roland will be reading and signing books from his latest novel "Lunch with Buddha" http://lunchwithbuddha.com/

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In addition, on Saturday, December 8th at 10:30 am please join bestselling author Roland Merullo and local film producer Meg Montagnino Jarrett in a discussion of the novel Golfing with God as well as the related film efforts on at the Bass Rocks Golf Club, 34 Beach Road, Gloucester, MA.

Funny and uplifting, Golfing with God is a beautifully realized novel that takes the reader on one ordinary man’s most unexpected journey.

"The tale of Hank the earthly golf pro and God the eternal swinger is engagingly and wittily told. . . Amid the laughs and playful banter, Golfing with God is a serious story of self-examination and growth, the hardest games of all." — Washington Post

All are welcome to attend.