Month: August 2013

And the Winner is . . .

Posted on by God's Morning

chocolate chip cookie mugup

There was intense competition this morning at the GMG Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition Mug Up.  Five excellent entries were received, which were blind tasted and judged by the attendees.  The runaway winning chocolate chip cookie was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread of Gloucester.  The 2nd place chocolate chip cookie was lovingly baked by Sue McDermott of Magnolia.  Paul Morrison was awarded Best in Show for the most artistic and creative cookies baked in the shape of a duck, set onto a boat of vanilla ice cream and surrounded by waves of whipped cream.  I didn’t get a shot of a completed presentation of Paul’s creation, so if anyone did, please send it in or upload it.  Other entries were submitted by Alicia Cox from Mamie’s Kitchen and a 2nd entry was submitted by Alexandra’s Bread

In my book, although all the cookies were excellent and I had a hard time picking the best one, my absolute favorite contribution to the morning was Al Bezanson’s schooner fare of crispy fried Spam and pineapple chunks.  It was just incredible.  I haven’t had Spam in probably 50 years, and have never it served like that.  True genious.  If I’m ever stranded on a deserted island, all I want is cans of Spam and pineapple chunks (and of course a can opener – it would be a total drag if I didn’t have a can opener). 

Thanks to Donna & Rick Ardizonni for the fruit salad and whipped cream, Kathy Chapman for the fruit salad with yogurt, Gigi Mederos for making the coffee and bringing cookies, Alma McLaughlin for hosting in her beautiful back patio area and providing the doughnuts from Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shop, and all the others who brought contributions but I didn’t see who brought what, although I think Giclee James brought the blueberry muffins.

Another great Mug Up.

E.J. Lefavour

Chocolate Chip Cookie Part I

Posted on by paultmorrison

Fraulein Rubber Duck (hey, did someone draw nipples on my duck?) figured that art would rule the day if the contest was held on Rocky Neck. It is the oldest art colony in the Americas.

So Fraulein went with a conceptual art installation of “Rubber Duck in an Ice Cream Kayak in a Sea of Whipped Cream”

Judges were also propositioned with a shot of nitrous from the whipped cream.  The composition was stiff and the limp and a quite ordinary round cookie won. It seems the judges were looking for “taste” and were reticent to eat the art.

Part II will name the winners as the Rubber Duck stomped out before the votes were counted. Brenda beheading the rubber duck cookies will also wait for another post. (EJ told her to! Oh the humanity!)artcookie

Interspecies Love with Shark Cat

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Shark Cat, Sharky the Ferocious Pit Bull, Guinea Pig, and Bunny

See this stuff? It’s Crap and I’m an Idiot For Buying It

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

I ran out of my 50 cent per gallon spring water from Market Basket and was parched so I ran up to Rochdale and bought a couple if these zero calorie Powerades.

First off whatever the fuck is in there sure as hell isn’t as good as drinking pure old water and whatever smoke and mirror bullshit they pulled off to claim it’s zero calorie you can be sure as shit is loaded up with some other bad ass not naturally occurring ingredients to make it zerocalorie

Shoulda just grabbed a gallon of water to chug, but no. Had to go off and buy the crap.

Lesson learned.

Sclafani’s does it again

Posted on by Matthew Green

Having just gotten back from vacation, I don’t have much food in my fridge, so today I went across the street to grab a sandwich from Sclafani’s (49 Washington St.) for lunch. It’s only the second time since I moved here (I don’t eat out often when I’m alone).

I got a small turkey sandwich with provolone and all the toppings except hots (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, oil with spices…). As you can see from the photo, “small” isn’t exactly tiny – more than enough for someone like me. The meat and cheese were freshly cut, and the veggies tasted fresh and were not at all wilted or soggy. Of course, the bread was also fresh and delicious! And it only came to $4.28, which is a great price for a sandwich that filled me up! Granted, I usually have a small appetite, so a small sandwich might not be enough for everyone, but the “large” is only a little more expensive, and the quality is great. It seems to have been a while since Sclafani’s got any significant GMG love, but from my experience, they sure deserve it!

They are open Mon – Sat: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.

– Matthew Green

Gloucester Sea Scouts- Get Involved and Like ‘Em On Facebook

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Hey Joey,

I’m a long time fan of Good Morning Gloucester. I wanted to let you know about the new Sea Scout program running out of Maritime Gloucester. Sea Scouts is a branch of the Boy Scouts, and is open to men and women age 14-21.

Back in the day there was a huge “Ship” in Gloucester. Right now there are about 10 boys signed up.

Our next meeting is August 24th at 7pm. Every Thursday though, the boys are signed on to go out with the Gloucester Gig Rowers at 6pm to get some instruction and develop some skills out there rowing. They also have been learning how to crew on the Ardelle which is super cool.
If you’re interested in checking the program out, I’ll be running the August 24th meeting, but will also be there  next Thursday for the Gig Rowing…

We have a facebook fan page set up if you want to check it out. 
https://www.facebook.com/NSSeaScoutsShip5

Chickity Check It!- Jen Amero’s Take On Sweet Shots Secret Spots-

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Touring with Violet – My FAM Tour with Sweet Shots Secret Spots

cape ann, gloucester, tour, charter, sweet shots secret spots, jennifer amero, violet gray, tourism, boston, boating

Ok so this might just be the coolest land and sea limo going. Sweet Shots Secret Spots Tour Company, Operated by Violet Gray and Corey Newman (flanked in my case by their 2 year old Dahlia and their pup Bogie), SSSS is a two part operation combining a 6 passenger Jeep and a 6 passenger Chris Craft boat giving tourists the flexibility to start from and get to pretty much anywhere on Cape Ann.
cape ann, gloucester, tour, charter, sweet shots secret spots, jennifer amero, violet gray, tourism, boston, boating, rocky neck, paint factory

Our tour was a two part excursion – one with kids and one without.  Narrated by Violet, who’s worked for both the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and many local eateries in the area, we got “in deep” with the local scene – which is saying something when you consider she was touring around a bunch of townies!
Here’s what me 8 hour tour looked like:

Click here for the entire post and to subscribe to Jen’s great local blog

FUNDED!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

#BOOM!

Sista Felicia Update!!!!

Well it’s official- The Kickstarter Campaign was a success! Tipped the Goal yesterday afternoon thanks to all of Felicia’s supporters, family and friends.  Can’t say enough how proud I am of her and her team who worked unbelievably hard to make this a reality.

What a crew!

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Excited to report that my Kickstarter project is currently 94% funded with 9 days remaining to reach my goal and see my dream become a reality! Please continue to help me spread the word and share my Kickstarter link with your family friends and coworkers.

You can pre-order your copy of Gifts of Gold: In a Sicilian Kitchen with Sista Felicia: Harvest at
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/95596299/sista-felicias-sicilian-cookbook

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Although Gifts of Gold is completed and at the printer, my Creative Director James Eves III, owner and Master in his field at Cape Ann Giclee, and I have been busy planning The Red Carpet Cookbook Launch Gala Event to be held on August 28, 2013 from 7:30 to 11:00 pm at Cruiseport Gloucester. James has been designing the beautiful Sista Felicia logo-embellished tote bag that is included in some of the Kickstarter Pledge Packages. He has an unparalleled eye for detail in everything he creates. The invitations to the Red Carpet Gala are just as amazing as the evening we have planned.

The Cruiseport Gloucester staff has been wonderful to work with and very helpful in accommodating all the necessary details for this special evening. I am excited to announce Cruiseport will be preparing recipes straight from the pages of Gifts of Gold that evening and will be shaking up my favorite Lemon Drop Cocktail at the bar. Join me, along with my family, friends, Sista Felicia Team, and supporters, for a night of celebratory dancing, food, and fun!

Individual tickets can be purchased through pledging my Sista Felicia Kickstarter Project at this link-

Sista Felicia’s Sicilian Cookbook

by Felicia Ciaramitaro Mohan

$35.00 Kickstarter Pledge~Individual ticket to Red Carpet Cookbook Launch Gala

$95.00 Kickstarter Pledge~Receive 1 personally autographed hardcover first edition copy of Sista Felicia’s Cookbook, 1 laminated 13X14X3 designer tote bag beautifully embellished with Sista Felicia’s logo, 1 Red Carpet Cookbook Launch Gala Invitation, and a public thank you

$125.00 Kickstarter Pledge~Receive 1 personally autographed hardcover first edition copy of Sista Felicia’s Cookbook, 1 laminated 13X14X3 designer tote bag beautifully embellished with Sista Felicia’s logo, 2 Red Carpet Cookbook Launch Gala Invitations, and a public thank you

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR HELPING MAKE MY DREAM A REALITY- I COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP

Check out North Shore 104.9 This Morning at 9AM To Hear About “Da Cookbook”

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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9:00 am Curtain Up! with Aurelia Nelson

Aurelia will be talking about Sista’s cookbook at 9AM

Community Stuff 8/11/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Cabaret at the Shalin Liu Performance Center this September!

Theatre in the Pines will present the musical theatre presentation of “Cabaret,” directed by Nan Webber, at the Shalin Liu Performance Center , 37 Main Street, Rockport .  Performances will be held on Friday, September 13, Saturday, September 14th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m.  Tickets are now on sale at Toad Hall Book Store, 47 Main Street, Rockport and

The Bookstore of Gloucester, 61 Main Street, Gloucester.

Hello Joey C.,

CAST is looking for actors for its season 2013 -14 opener, “As You Like It”. If the attached can be put into GMG, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Joseph Stiliano

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For a role in Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe’s production of “As You Like It” to open October 31, 2013 at the Gorton Theatre (home of the Gloucester Stage Company) with rehearsals beginning September 3 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. This witty and wise comedy is among Shakespeare’s most popular and filled with delightful characters ready to be brought to life by you . No previous classical experience needed for CAST’s no-fear Shakespeare, straight-out PLAINCLOTHESPRODUCTIONS ™. For more information and to arrange an interview, contact the director, Joseph Stiliano, at cast2008@prodigy.net .
capeannshakespearetroupe.blogspot.com                                    FACEBOOK

Hi, Joey—

A well-known singing teacher is coming to town to do a workshop on Sunday, August 25.  I’d be grateful if you would post the info and the two photos on your blog. Thank you!  Janet

————-
Sing and be heard without strain!
Lead songs with confidence!
Relax and enjoy the sings you attend!
The Strong Sound is a workshop in vocal technique for those who want to sing sea chanteys, work songs and other “shout voice”songs without harming the voice. It includes an introduction to Anabel’s Centered Singing technique, helpful for all singers.

Anyone who has worked on board a sailing ship knows that the work requires strength and stamina. Singing also requires both, although in a different way. In finding your “strong sound” you will learn to relax, to find your center and to use your breath in a healthy manner as you increase your vocal strength, stamina and range.
Come and learn
• to improve vocal quality with basic exercises
• to center the body and the breath
• to use your voice freely and without strain
• to sing so that you can easily be heard in a large room.
We will also work on intonation, using exercises that help us learn the basic scales and intervals of our musical tradition while warming up the voice and increasing vocal range.
Format
First session, 3:00 — 4:15: Techniques and warm-up; the centered breath; relaxation; find your own beautiful, and strong, sound.
Second Session, 4:30 — 5:45: Review of warm ups; individual work; singing with a group; keeping in tune. Lead a song, or even bring a solo; Anabel will help you to sing it with your best, strongest sound.
Cost: Two sessions $40; single session: $25. Anyone is welcome to come for just the first session; contact Anabel for information on attending only the second session. This would be appropriate for experienced singers who have already mastered the basics of diaphragmatic breathing.
These sessions are active, noisy and fun. Come prepared to move, sing, shout, even dance.
Online registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eoutRjJ3qIvxUwbdAw91OHrCo1tV3HgflHyflnCTjrs/viewform
At the Inn at Babson Court
55 Western Avenue
Gloucester MA 01930
Directions: www.babsoncourt.com/inn/location.jsp
For more information:
Contact Anabel at (617) 398-7464; Email: pladies@inbox.com

Joe Popcorn From Virginia McKinnon

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Hi Joey, I was looking through some old pictures and came across this picture of Joe Popcorn at St. Peter’s Fiesta in 1947.  With Joe is my brother, Paul Frontiero, who worked for Joe that summer. We lived at 14 Gould Court and Joe and his family at 16 Gould Court. Later Joe made his famous lemonade slush. I have so many memories of Gould Court. This story is of early times, before the Ciaramitaro’s moved next door. Daily I look forward to your blog. Love, Virginia (Frontiero) McKinnon

Joe popcorn

One of my two Joe Ciramitaro Grandfathers.

Captain Joe Ciaramitaro of Captain Joe and Sons

and Joe “Popcorn” Ciaramitaro of Pat’s Center Grocery

Both Extremely Hard Workers

Madfish Wharf Cookie MugUp Sunday 9:30AM

Posted on by paultmorrison

This Sunday, August 11th at 9:30AM, there will be a joint Madfish Wharf Mug Up on the patio behind Alma’s Arts & Antiques and Carol McKenna’s Gallery.

OK, Rubber Duck is going to crush the competition with a stiff and crunchy (not soft and limp) self likeness of the one and only.

Test Kitchen Run 1:duckydohJust trying to work out all the variables. Quiet down in the peanut gallery. Yes I know this is not the right dough to make into animals. But there’s a will, there’s a way.duckcookie Oh, I think I nailed it. Not only did I make two ducks but I made a seal and a walrus too! Testing is over and the baking begins at 8AM tomorrow so these succulent crunchy Rubber Ducks will be ready to accept the blue ribbons.

It is obvious that if I go with no feet, I make them smaller (sheesh the big ones go nuclear) and I make a small head with an exaggerated beak I will end up with a flock of perfect rubber duck facsimiles.

ROCKPORT FIREWORKS: they are warming up. The start 9:30PM The Granite Pier.

The Latest from Operation Toxic Gulf – Ocean Alliance’s Collaboration with Sea Shepherd of Animal Planet’s “Whale Wars”

Posted on by God's Morning
ocean alliance
 
Ocean Alliance is coming to the end of its summer expedition in the Gulf of Mexico looking at the effects of the 2010 BP Oil Disaster on Gulf wildlife, particularly sperm whales. Iain Kerr, CEO of Ocean Alliance, is concerned, because of the Gulf oil spill and all that the Mississippi dumps into the Gulf of Mexico after traveling though the heartland of America, that the Gulf sperm whales could be the most polluted in the world.  The principle goal behind this campaign is to see if the massive use of dispersants in the Gulf was the right course of action for the wildlife in the Gulf.  While the dispersants removed the oil out of sight (and out of mind) there is compelling evidence to suggest that the dispersants moved the oil throughout the food chain and made the oil and dispersant mixture more bioavailable (easier to absorb or ingest by animals).  
 
A rarely answered question is what causes whales stress – typically the bigger the animal the less that stresses it. To try and answer that question Ocean Alliance did preliminary testing of its “Snot Bot” (developed by Olin College), a flying robot that will collect stress hormones, viruses, bacteria and DNA from whale blows.

Right Now on Madfish Wharf

Posted on by God's Morning

right now on madfish wharf

Kathy Roberts exhibit is up and looks beautiful at Khan Studio.  Her opening reception is tomorrow from 6-8:00pm.

Tonight Sue Handman is having a reception at her gallery, 77 Rocky Neck Ave. G2 from 5-8:00pm.

Aquatro is having an opening reception for Catherine McMurray’s ceramic exhibit from 5-8:00pm.

Lots of goodies for the eyes and the bellies.  Come on by.

E.J. Lefavour