Some Local Favorites You Should Consider Voting For In The 2013 North Shore Magazine BONS Awards

I finally got around to voting myself and I think what I’ll do is highlight the local establishments that are on the Ballot that are listed for your consideration-

These are establishments that are already on the ballot locally in the Play Category that I’m sure would appreciate your vote, to enter your own votes, click the graphic-

I’ll highlight the other local businesses in the other sub categories throughout next week

Again I’m just going of of what was on the ballot.  You can click on any of the links to see GMG coverage of them and find out what they are all about-

Art Gallery (Viewing) –Local Colors Gloucester, Mosher Gallery Rockport and Pop Gallery Gloucester

Beach- Good Harbor, Natch Last year Cranes and Good Harbor Duked it out and it was close so if you have any local pride at all you will vote Good Harbor

Best Blog Smile

Brewery- Cape Ann Brewing

Dance Studio- Michelle Shaw Elite Dance

Fair/Festival- St Peter’s Fiesta and if it doesn’t win there should be an investigation.

Golf Course Private- Bass Rocks

Irish Pub- Stones Pub (you just gotta love the people at Stones)

Live Music Venue- Shalin Liu

Live Theatre Venue- Gloucester Stage Co

Lounge (no Gloucester joint represented time for your personal write in)

Marine- Cape Ann Marina is on ballot

Movie Theatre- Cape Ann Community Cinema

Museum- Cape Ann Museum

Trivia Night (no local joint represented write in your personal fav)

Tennis Anyone? St Paddy’s Mixed Doubles Social- Guinness Corned Beef and Tennis- What’s Not To Like???

GMG FOB Stu Lehr is putting on this social. To reserve your spot contact Stu at 978-496-6621 or slehr@mactennis.com

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Community Stuff 3/8/13

Women’s Community Club of Magnolia Pot Luck Supper

On Tuesday, March 12th at 7p.m. the Women’s Club will be having a Pot Luck Supper at the Magnolia Library Center.  They have also invited members from the Lion’s Club, The Historical Society, and the Library Board. We are hoping for a good turn-out and asking members to rsvp to their various clubs if they plan on attending.


Pathways’ Cape Ann Families is seeking men and women to participate in the parent mentor program. This Cape Ann Families Program serves families in the Gloucester/Cape Ann Community.  Parent mentors can have a variety of roles, which include enjoying activities together, strengthening confidence and self-esteem, connecting with local resources and creating mutual trust and respect.  We are looking for volunteers to participate in our Parent Mentor Training, after which each volunteer will be matched with a parent, beginning a year-long mentorship/friendship.  The next five week training will run on Friday afternoons beginning on March 15th. Please contact Hailey Granger, Family Services Coordinator at 978-281-2400 x110 or at hgranger@pw4c.org for more information.


March Happenings at Rose Baker

March is another busy month at the Rose Baker Senior Center. In addition to the center’s ongoing events, there are a number of special events. A few of these events are listed here.

· Friday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. is the next Adventure Slide show. Beth Welin is presenting “The Ghosts of Vincent Cove,” the history of the site the Senior Center now occupies. The presentation will highlight the three boatyards and businesses that were originally in this area. This program is supported by New England Biolabs Foundation and is free.

§ Thursday, March 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. we will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day early with a luncheon and party. The menu naturally features corn beef and cabbage. Julie Zelski will sing a selection of Irish tunes. And there will door prizes and a raffle. All seniors are welcome to join the celebration, but you must make a reservation by Monday, March 11. To reserve your space, call the Rose Baker Reception Desk at (978) 281-9765.

§ Wednesday, March 20, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lisa Orgettas, Executive Director of Spectrum Adult Day Health in Beverly, will present “Memory Loss: What’s Normal, What’s Not.” There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is preferred. To register call the Rose Baker Reception Desk at (978) 281-9765. Walk-in guests are also welcome. Come with your questions and concerns.

§ Wednesday, March 20, from 4:30 until 10:00 pm., Jalapeno’s is hosting a fundraising event to benefit the Social Day Care Program at Rose Baker. This is your chance to support this wonderful program while enjoying a night out. Hope to see you there.

For information on additional happenings at Rose Baker see the Costal News, Rose Baker’s monthly newsletter. You can pick up a copy at the Senior Center.


Children’s Shabbat Program at Temple Ahavat Achim

PJ Library Shabbat Circle

Saturday, March 9th at 10 am

Come learn about Jewish Sabbath, sing songs and enjoy Jewish food!
This wonderful program will be led by David Wesson, TAA’s Director of Congregational Learning and Programming.
Everyone’s welcome! Bring friends!

Varian Semiconductor / Applied Materials and the Gloucester/ Silicon Valley connection

Catherine Ryan submits-

Hi Joey

There’s a long and continuous through-line of innovative and inventive companies and entrepreneurial spirit throughout Gloucester ’s history.

Here’s some background from James Kawski, Market Analyst and CI Manager for Applied Materials Varian Semiconductor, on the Gloucester/Silicon Valley, full-circle high tech connection.

  • Late 1940’s, brothers Russell Harrison and Sigurd Fergus Varian formed Varian Associates in California creating one of the early stalwarts of Silicon Valley. In 1953 they moved their headquarters to Palo Alto .
  • In 1975 Varian Associates purchased Extrion Corporation of Gloucester and Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates was born.
  • 1999 VSEA was spun off in 1999 and established itself as the world leader in the manufacture of Ion Implanters: large, technically complex machines used to make microchips.
  • 2011 Varian entered a new market making tools to build better, more efficient solar cells. In keeping with sustainable business practices Varian built the first power generating wind turbine on Cape Anne (which now forms a trio on our horizon with the two from Gloucester Engineering)
  • Late 2011 Varian merged with Santa Clara California ’s Applied Materials, reconnecting Gloucester ’s high technology history with Silicon Valley .
  • June 2012 Varian’s CEO Gary Dickerson named President of Applied
  • February 2013 Bob Halliday named CFO of Applied Materials

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Sigurd Varian

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Russell Varian

Photos courtesy Applied Materials © Ansel Adams

Statues & Plaques in Gloucester Part II From Peter Dorsey

Peter Dorsey submits-

Joey,

Another statue that I found both artistic and interesting is located at the intersection of Prospect and Pleasant Streets. It is made of large granite blocks, and commemorates the War with Spain from 1898 to 1902, and the Gloucester men who served then, ” Gloucester Honors Her Men Who Served in the War With Spain, 1898, Volunteers All, Erected 1923″  There is a copper relief plaque commemorating the Liberation of Cuba on one side honoring, “Gloucester’s Sons, 100 Strong”  and on the other side a copper relief plaque showing the U.S.S. Gloucester, and commemorating her “Sinking of the Spanish Destroyers Pluton and Furor” in July 1898, and the 300 men from Gloucester who “Volunteered for Naval Service”. 

If you have never looked closely at these beautiful relief plaques, I recommend that you park you car nearby, and walk carefully around the traffic; and spend a little time gazing at this beautiful commemorative artwork.

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Four Tracy Pirates Represent! in Bodin Historic Photo Gallery

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Fred writes-

Left to Right: Uncle Sid Tracy (Moran Tugboat Company), Emma Tracy, Karen Tracy, and Theo Tracy. Lacking a GMG sticker, I gave Sid my pirate patch, but Theo is holding a GMG mug that was left here after our GMG/Bodin holiday party (come get it if it’s yours). Emma and her husband are residing at Mother Ann Cottage on Eastern Point for the winter, which is the outermost house next to the Coast Guard Station. Her comment to me about living there: "Magnificent and dramatic views of the ocean, but windy and very cold." The weather will improve for us all, and I hope to see the Tracy Pirates at our next gallery event. They’re definitely a fun crew.

Fredrik D. Bodin

Bodin Historic Photo

C.B. Fisk Open Shop Invitation March 9th, 2013

Greg MF Bover writes-

Dear Friends and Family,

Although I will be away on another installation in Indiana, my Fisk Colleagues will be ready to show folks around the shop and answer any questions during this event.  We are expecting a large contingent of visitors from the school in Niiza, Japan where this organ will be going, I hope you will come see this unique organ too.

Please feel free to bring along anyone you think might be interested, or to forward this invitation along to your own friends.

Regards, Greg

141 Open Shop Invite - Email

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R/V Connecticut

The R/V Connecticut is a 76′ steel single screw research vessel that was designed and built for the University of Connecticut in 1998 and is outfitted for year-round coastal service. The vessel can accommodate up to 30 people for day trips and up to 12 people for overnight and extended science missions of 7-10 days duration. The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system connected to bow and stern thrusters. The vessel design favors stability and precise low speed handling and positioning. Vessel features include wet and dry laboratory spaces and a mid-ship mounted, 20″ diameter instrument wet well which allows transducers or sampling gear to be installed through a main deck access hatch with conduit connection to the dry laboratory and reconfigurable transducer/equipment mounts. Science vans up to 20′ in length can be placed on the large work deck and a full suite of deck machinery is available to perform a wide variety of oceanographic tasks.

Do not forget to Spring Ahead this weekend

On this stormy day, Spring is around the corner.  It will be light out after work.  As a kid I remember being able to go outside and play after supper.  YEAH

Spring has sprung

Someone has a birthday today

As I was sitting in my office working, received a call from a caller with a very quacky voice.  After trying to decipher what they were saying, realized it was a reminder to wish our friend and FOB Paul Morrison a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY…

July 14, 2012 Paul going under the A Piatt

Willowdale Estate Wins TV Show TLC Four Weddings!!!

Four Brides Judge Each Other’s Weddings. Even with Superstorm Sandy threatening to dampen Enza and John Procopio’s day, Willowdale takes the cake!

“In Italian tradition, rain is supposed to be good luck. We have the hurricane, so that means we are going to have life-long happiness.”  said groom John Procopio.

Willowdale Estate Topsfield ©Kim Smith 2012

Willowdale Estate pulled out all the stops to make the event a success. The competing brides were blown away by the catering “My sea bass was fantastic!” said one competing bride. Willowdale received a perfect score for the catering and also achieved the highest score for guest experience. The couple walked away with a luxury vacation in the Caribbean Islands and a wedding story that will be in the family for many years.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/four-weddings/and-the-winner-isenza.htm

Watch the full episode:

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/four-weddings/videos/and-a-super-storm.htm

Willowdale Estate is a special events venue in Topsfield Massachusetts that provides celebrated restaurant style catering for all events, as well as complementary planning services. Willowdale’s fieldstone mansion is surrounded by over 700 acres of forest, the Ipswich River, and beautiful flowering gardens, with sweeping views, privacy, and endless possibilities for any event. Willowdale Estate is a full service venue with many amenities including a pristine Sperry Tent, equipment, and guidance from our experienced event planners.  For more information about planning your wedding, corporate event, or fundraiser contact Info@WillowdaleEstate.com or call 978-887-8211

March Continues with A Variety of Concerts at Rockport Music

Check out all the action at Shalin Liu Performance Center (sent by Karen Herlitz)

March Continues With A Variety of Concerts at Rockport Music

Rockport Music presents the highest quality of concerts and presentations year-round at the stunning, seaside Shalin Liu Performance Center.  This March provides a variety of musical opportunities for people to enjoy—from classical to jazz.

Classical Concerts

On Sunday, March 24, at 3 pm, Blue Heron performs under the direction of Scott Metcalfe.  Blue Heron – Boston’s top early-music vocal ensemble—presents Divine Songs, connections and exchanges between secular song and sacred music, featuring the music of Johannes Ockeghem.  Unknown to many, Ockeghem is one of the greatest composers of all time. His endlessly fascinating sacred music has been characterized as mystical; his songs—each one a gem of invention—can be funny, heart wrenching, or profound.  The program includes Ockeghem’s songs Ma maistresse, Fors seullement, and Presque transi; De plus en plus by Gilles Binchois; and movements from the masses by Ockeghem based on those songs.  The Boston Globe proclaims, “Sensually rich, yet balanced and incandescent.”   Tickets:  $28-$48

Jazz, Folk, Pop, and World Music

On Friday, March 22 at 8 pm, Larry Coryell, known as the pioneer guitarist merging jazz, rock, free-form improvisations, and Eastern influences will perform at the Shalin Liu Performance Center.  Larry Coryell brings his eclectic style described by critic Whitney Balliett as “the most innovative and original guitarist since Charlie Christian,” Coryell’s career spans four decades, over 60 albums (dozens more as a sideman), and performances with some of music’s heavy-weights like Eric Clapton, John Scofield, Elvin Jones, and Chick Corea, to name a few. Also a consummate composer, he tells Rockport Music, “I write music because I can’t help it. I think perhaps I want to complement all the great compositions already out there…Wayne Shorter and Sonny Rollins come to mind, and of course, Monk!”  Tickets: $19-$34

Back by popular demand, the 17-piece Cape Ann Big Band will delight audiences at the Shalin Liu Performance Center on Friday, March 29, at 8 pm, with jazz, swing, soul, and rock n’ roll that will make you want to dance.  Led by Carlos Menezes, the diverse 17-piece big band performs big band classics from a nostalgic era like “Mack the Knife,” “I’ve Got You Under my Skin,” and “Take the A Train.”  Tickets: $19-$34

HD Broadcasts

On Saturday, March 16, at 12 pm, the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD broadcast of Zandonai’s early 20th-century melodrama Francesca da Rimini returns to the Met for its first revival in more than 25 years, in Piero Faggioni’s production. Marco Armiliato conducts Eva-Maria Westbroek in the title role of a noblewoman who is tricked into marrying the brutal Gianciotto, sung by Mark Delavan, instead of her true love Paolo, sung by Marcello Giordani. Tickets: $20-$32

National Theatre of London presents People in a HD broadcast on Thursday, March 21, at 7 pm.

In this hilarious new play, celebrated playwright Alan Bennett (Madness of King George, The History of Boys) takes a stab at modern society by examining  the consequences of a self-serving government that turns a once-dignified nation into a “captive market,” with its people “rebranded as customers… available for easier exploitation.”   Through satirical social commentary, People offers up “classic Bennett comedy with a Downtown tinge” (Daily Express).  Tickets: $22 Adult, $15 Senior

For ticket information and details on these and other 2012-13 Season offerings, please visit our website at www.rockportmusic.org.  Tickets are also available through the Box Office at 978-546-7391 or visiting 35 Main Street, Rockport, MA.  The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10am-4 pm.

Great Music for the Whole Family Starting Tonight and the Whole Weekend

Don’t let this little storm get you down — the weekend starts tonight — here are a few highlights:

At Seaport Grille: Last night of Customer Appreciation Day!! 1/2 off Appetizers Lobster Rolls $9.95 Raw bar on the Deck with the amazing duo Renee & Joe starting at 6:30.

At The Rhumb Line starting at 8pm Dave Sag’s Blues Party with John Keegan, John Hyde. Dave Brown & Benny Benson

Pete Lindberg at the Dog Bar starting at 9pm

The weekend is packed full of great stuff for the whole family, see the full lineup here and make your plans now.

Join Grammy award winners Debbie and Friends for “Story Songs and Sing Alongs” at Old Sloop Coffehouse on Saturday

Cape Ann Represents at MIT Museum Nautical Night 2013

Hi Joey,

MIT Museum has a FREE program on the second Friday of each month, and this month’s program is their fourth annual Nautical Night.  Families are invited to come explore the museum and see special demonstrations and presentations focusing on MIT’s Commitment to Marine Sciences.  Harold Burnham will be there demonstrating his shipbuilding skills and talking about building the Ardelle, and representatives from Maritime Gloucester will be there sharing the rich nautical traditions of Gloucester. There’s also a lot of other demonstrations and presentations including one from the MIT’s Marine Robotic Team. It’s a great family outing, and the MIT museum is a fabulous place to see the where the technology that surrounds us today started.

Enjoy!
~Bill O’Connor
North Shore Kid

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