Month: December 2013

SPECIAL TAPING TOMORROW, TUES, DEC 3: Brian Alex of Entrain and local guitar virtuoso Ken Bonfield

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Here’s your last chance in 2013 to be in the studio audience when we tape two new shows for Local Music Seen with Allen Estes.  We start taping about 2pm with guest Ken Bonfield, who is featured in Acoustic Guitar Magazine this month.  Then we welcome Brian Alex of Entrain for our second show.

Both tremendously talented musicians promise to make for excellent shows.  You can join the studio audience at Cape Ann TV, 38 Blackburn Center (get directions).  As usual we ask that you get there by 2pm, but don’t expect us to start on time — it’s TV, something always happens.

Here are a couple of videos to give you an idea of the very high level of musicianship you can expect to enjoy.

Give the gift of music and support local small business this holiday season!

Posted on by Joanne

Continue your support of Small Business Saturday into Cyber Monday with this Piano Lessons Special for the Holidays!

Several piano lesson specials—including gift certificates—for both adults and kids—are available through Dec. 24!! Please visit the website to learn more: http://www.capeannpiano.com or contact Julie directly by phone or email (please visit the Contact page on website).

And be sure and mention that you saw this ad on GoodMorningGloucester.com to get your discounts!

It’s also not too late to book Julie Cleveland to play for your Christmas party! Please visit http://www.juliecleveland.com for more info.

Piano Instruction by Julie Cleveland, Instructor/Pianist Cape Ann Piano Studio Teaching children and adults to play the piano since 1988

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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Look who is the latest GMG Cook!

GMG cook Steve LeBlanc

Re-Elected Ward 3 City Of Gloucester Councilor Steven LeBlanc Jr.  is the latest GMG Cook

Steven writes~ ” I made your cranberry orange tort and it came out AWESOME!!!!! It was soooo tasty!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!”

cran tort photo for gmg

Great Job Steven! tTank you for sending in your photo and comment. I personally welcome you to the GMG Cooks Club!

You too can join all are welcome…simple sending in your photo of a Sista Felicia recipe. They will be featured once per week right here on GMG’s Sista’s Dish!

Santa’s Here!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Santa and dozens of other floats paraded down Main Street today, braving the gray and threatening weather. The heavy rain fortunately held off. The long parade ended up at the City of Gloucester's Christmas tree at Kent Circle, near the Fisherman at the Wheel statue. This year's tree is lit with LED lights, which I think is the way to go. Economical to run, and resistant to vibration and breakage.
Santa and dozens of other floats paraded down Main Street today, braving the gray and threatening weather. The heavy rain fortunately held off. The long parade ended up at the City of Gloucester’s Christmas tree at Kent Circle, near the Fisherman at the Wheel statue. This year’s tree is lit with LED lights, which I think is the way to go. Economical to run, and resistant to vibration and breakage.

Dinner Dealer Decks 2014 Now For Sale- The Perfect Oh Crap Aunt Mildred Is Here With a Gift and I Didn’t Get Her Anything Gift

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Highlighted in Red are places that I generally 100% go to every year which would bring a total savings of $180.  Dinner Dealer Decks Are the Perfect Size For Stocking Stuffers and at $25 a great price to buy a few, have them laying around and in case someone brings you a gift that you hadn’t bought one for you can pop one in a gift bag and you’re DONEZO!  If you get them now they are good all the way through 2013 and 2014 so you get an extra month of savings and use.

Click To Purchase-  Dinner Dealer Deck 2014

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Participating Restaurants • 52 Deals!

Scratch Kitchen • Save $5
Duckworth’s Bistro • Save $10
The Farm Bar & Grill • Save $5
9 Elm • Save $5
Caffe Paolina • Save $5
Foreign Affairs Wine Bar & Bistro • Save $20
Little Depot Diner • Save $5
Maki Sushi Bar & Grill • Save $5
Lime Rickey’s • Save $10
The North Shore Meat House • Save $5
Opus • Save $10
Nathaniel’s • Save $10
Comida Mexican Taqueria • Save $5
Captain’s on the Waterfront • Save $5
Fowles Market • Save $5
Goodies Ice Cream • Freebie Gift
Wild Horse Bar & Grill • Save $10
Brown Sugar by the Sea • Save $5
Nate’s at Front Beach • Save $10
Wally’s Blackburn Bistro • Save $5
The Pub at Cape Ann Brewery • Save $20
The Landing at 7 Central • Save $10
Marino’s Café • Save $5
The American B.B.Q. • Save $10
Boston Hot Dog Co. • Save $5
Henderson’s Café • Save $5
15 Walnut • Save $10
Alchemy • Save $10
SALT • Save $10
Essen • Save $5
Maggie’s Farm • Save $10
Le Bistro • Save $5
Whoo(pie) Wagon • Freebie Gift
Antique Table • Save $5
Shubies • Save $5
Mamie’s Kitchen • Save $10
Half Baked Café • Save $10
Cala’s • Save $10
Latitude 43 • Save $10
Longboards • Save $5
Mile Marker 1 • Save $5
Sea Glass Restaurant • Save $20
Flying Saucer Pizza • Save $5
Vidalia’s • Save $5
Daily Harvest Café • Save $10
Passports • Save $5
Cygnet Bakery • Freebie Gift
Casa de Luis • Save $10
Willow Rest • Save $10
The Grand Café • Save $10
Hungry Fox • Save $5
Organic Garden Café • Save $10

DinnerDealer_DineLocal

Profiling Local Culinary Fare From Karen Pischke

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

‘Shop Local.’ My husband and I are big on supporting local eateries and shops. Here is a picture of the appetizer tray we took for Thanksgiving dinner. Whether out on Laura Ritchie’s Speedwell Charters or at family and friends for dinner we are known for bring the apps. I typically purchase the food, then my husband artfully arranges the assortment of smoked fish, cheeses, dips, spreads, peppers, olives and more! Always something different. Thanks to- The Cave, Common Crow, Sasquatch Smoked Fish, Savoir, and the Willowrest for this particular tray, plus many more places in Gloucester for their great food selections! We are lucky to have so many fun, specialty food shops in town!! Hope you enjoy a restful Thanksgiving weekend!   ~ Karen

Appetizer Tray GMG

Community Stuff 12/2/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

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Tickets are available at Rockport Inn and Suites at $20 each or can be purchased online by visiting http://www.rhsdeca.com. –click on sea shells and jingle bells link
Tickets are available on day of tour for $25.

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Hi Joey,

As part of the Middle Street Walk, I am bringing Santa for the kids and Dawn’s School of Dance will perform starting at 3pm while people wait for the lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree. Could you post the attached. Thanks

Chris Orlando

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Hey Joey!

We had some exciting visitors to the Paint Factory this weekend – the stars of the Animal Planet series “Whale Wars” from the Sea Shepherd Society, including founder Captain Paul Watson. Ocean Alliance staff gave them a tour of the facility for the first time since our new partnership began this year.  Currently between Antarctic campaigns, the group enjoyed dinner and a movie at The Franklin and Gloucester Cinema, with drinks at Mile Marker One, and loved their breakfast at Sugar Magnolia’s on Main Street. They enjoyed meeting the locals who welcomed them at every stop.

We have a feeling they’ll be back!

Amy Kerr

Ocean Alliance

PW at OA 2

(Pictured: OA staff members Rebecca Siswick, Mark Hayes and Andy Rogan; Sea Shepherd crew Quartermaster Shannon Mann, Captain Paul Watson, and Deborah Bassett; photo by John Graham) 

Mary Barker Submits-

Hi Joey,
Lisa Griffiths will be hosting the Inaugural Holiday Open House for her new business, That Nutty Redhead – Frosted and Gourmet Nuts, on Saturday  and Sunday December 7 and 8, from 1-7 p.m. in Rockport.  There will be door prizes, hot Wassail, wine, homemade scones, and a log on the fire.  Lisa uses only all natural ingredients in her nut blends.  Lisa’s mouthwatering nuts were a huge hit at the Rockport Harvest Fest this year.  Almonds, Cashews, and Pecans are available in 5 mouthwatering flavors, Bavarian (cinnamon/vanilla),  Spicy Hug (gingerbread spices and cayenne), Menthe Chocolat (creme de menthe), Orange Creamsickle, and Breakfast in New England (maple).  Half pound and pound bags will be available for sale, and party orders will be taken.  Lisa runs a state licensed kitchen.  All credit cards, checks and cash are accepted.
Please call Lisa at 978-412-5662 or John at 978-412-5259 or e-mail Lisa at ThatNuttyRedhead@gmail.com for the address, directions, and to RSVP (so she can plan for the amount of refreshments.
Lisa moved to Rockport 2 years ago from Pennsylvania and is trying to get herself established both with That Nutty Redhead and in the area of Everything Victorian (Civil War era)

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DOUBLE XXL Technical Jackets Now In The House!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Order here- http://gmg.storenvy.com/

Whenever I order GMG apparel I only order a couple Double XXLs because I never know how many we will move but it never seems to be enough.  Another reason I rarely order them is because the places that sell the gear always charge way more for XXL’s.

But I got some awesome new performance wear from a manufacturer who didn’t upcharge us for the XXL and thought I’d take advantage of it to take care of the many many GMG FOB’s who have been asking me to get some XXL gear.

So I got a bunch of White XXL Dry-Fit Long Sleeve Base Layer GMG Logo Shirts and Some Full and Half Zip GMG Technical Jackets.  The stuff is sick!  I also got some Sm, Lg and XL’s.  They are crazy high quality with vertical chest zip pockets and dry fit technical material.  Total quality, you will be psyched when you see these bad boys.

They are now available in the GMG Store.  Perfect gifts for the GMG/Gloucester Lover in your life!!!

Order here- http://gmg.storenvy.com/

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Performance jacket. A zip-up standing collar can be worn open or closed to give you just the right amount of airflow during physical activities. The zippered chest pocket makes this mid-weight jacket perfect for your phone or MP3 player so you can listen to music while you train. The arm pocket is a great place to secure your keys so they are out of the way.

Standing collar
Zippered closure
Long sleeves
Zippered chest and arm pockets
Mid-weight
Shell: 100% polyester…

http://gmg.storenvy.com/

GloucesterCast 12/1/13 With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guests Toby Pett and Amandacakes

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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GloucesterCast Taped 12/1/13 With Host Joey Ciaramitaro and Guests Toby Pett and Amandacakes

Topics Include: Family Cookie Day, Turducken, ChromeCast, Downtown Gloucester Ladies Night, The Hive Gift Wrapping Service, Buoy Painting, Lobster Trap Tree, Rockland Maine’s Lobster Trap Spike, Favorite Gloucester Breakfasts, Sugar Mag’s, Lobster Land, Sailor Stans, Mamie’s Kitchen, Charlie’s Place, George’s Coffee Shop, Willow Rest, Best House Made Hash, West Indian Hash, Reader Subjects, Cruise Ships, Beauport Princess, Thanksgiving Dinner, Turkey Pot Pie, Sista Felicia On Cover Of Cape Ann Magazine, Mariposa, Lowell Peabody Call-Out, New GMG Technical Jackets, Manchester Athletic Club Holiday Fair

Purchase- GMG Caps, Technical Jerseys, Hoodies, Dry Fit Shirts Here- http://gmg.storenvy.com/

Lobster Trap Holiday Tree Cards for Sale!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Lobster Trap Holiday Tree Cards benefit Cape Ann Art Haven. Click here to order your cards today! Limited Edition, and only 20.00 for a set of ten blank cards, with envelopes included.

Gloucester Lobster Trap Tree-1

David Brooks Photo

Bex Borden from Art Haven Shares Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree Story

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

BuildingTree_DavidBrooks and Ed CollardDavid Brooks and Ed Collard

Recently Rebecca Borden, President and Interim Executive Director of Cape Ann Art Haven, was asked by Conde Nast Traveler to provide background information on Gloucester’s lobster trap tree for an online slideshow they are preparing about New England’s lobster trap Christmas trees. Rebecca shared with me the same information for a Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism post on which I am working. Especially as the tree has become a holiday tradition beloved by all, I thought our GMG readers would love to know the story as well.

Gloucester Lobster Trap Tree-1

Rebecca writes ~

“Our tree is about 45′ tall and is built from 350 traps. We go for quality community engagement experience over height alone. The idea behind the tree began in 2001 by Janice Lufkin Shea, a downtown business owner. Jeff Worthley started it and built it for 10-years and then handed it off to David Brooks, founder of Cape Ann Art Haven and Ed Collard from the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

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No one “owns” the tree. Local lobstermen donate their traps and volunteers work to build it. The fire department uses their hook and ladder to set the star at the top.  It is truly an event that brings out the best in the Cape Ann community and that’s why Cape Ann Art Haven has played a leadership role making it happen for the last six years. Cape Ann Art Haven is a community space where artists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to develop creativity and confidence through hands on learning and collaboration.  BuoyPainting3

We close off Main Street for our tree lighting ceremony because we have so many people and families that attend the event. I cannot put an exact number on those who show up but its in the hundreds. Everyone loves the tree – it is a beloved symbol of our winter holiday season.

Buoys Ready for Auction

BuoyPainting1BuoyPaintingFamilyOne of the things that makes our tree unique is that we have children paint donated buoys the week before the tree lighting ceremony. Last year we had more than 440 buoys painted by children – it’s a really big deal for them. The buoys are then used as “ornaments” to decorate the tree. When the tree comes down in January, we keep the buoys and auction them off as a fundraiser for Cape Ann Art Haven where they can go as high as $450 each. We also have local artists create specialty buoys and those have gone as high as $750 each.”

GFD+HangingStarGloucester Fire Department

All Photos Courtesy David Brooks

Putting up Gloucester’s Lobster Trap Tree

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

Even though it was cold, we managed to get the Lobster Trap tree put up. We want to thank all the volunteers, Hiltz and the Building Center.

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“Gifts Of Gold”…The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Posted on by Sista Felicia

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 On the eve of Thanksgiving while prepping my families feast, I received another “Gift Of Gold!” A Photo taken back in late October with photographer Allegra k. Boverman and reporter/writer Gail McCarthy from Gloucester Daily Times & Cape Ann Magazine was publically announced to have been chosen for the cover of Cape Ann Magazines’ 2013 December issue. I was fully aware that Gail had been working on an article about my cookbook project for the magazine, but was completely surprise by the cover!  Just prior to  the launch of my cookbook “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia,Harvest” in late August, Gail and I met to discuses my cookbook project and it’s journey for her story. In Late October Gail contacted me again, asking if  she could stop by my house to take a few photos for her piece with a photographer named Allegra, and hesitantly  asked if I could possibly stage my kitchen to look as it would during the holiday season, by the end of the week to make the magazine’s deadline. Always up for a challenge I immediately said yes. Knowing I had only days to pull this off, and knowing my holiday decorations were all in storage, I realized I had to get creative and  use what I had on hand left over form past functions and craft projects!  After quickly making a list,  I got to work. Crunched for time I reached out to the Mariposa Company in Manchester Ma, to borrow a few of their lattest holiday collection pieces that would best display my confections planned for the photo shoot. I am a huge fan/collector of Mariposa, and I use their products to display the foods I serve everyday. The company graciously agreed and within hous of my initial phone call to them, my table was beautifully set Sista Style decked out with the latest Mariposa Holiday Collection and ready for my homemade Sicilian treats.  I’m thrilled for Allegra and Gail that their hard work made the cover and I personally would like to congratulate them on a job well done. I also would like to personally thank the Mariposa Company for their willingness to help on such short notice and for consistently producing elegant serving wear for all my entertaining needs. Cape Ann Magazine 2013 December issue is  scheduled to hit newsstands this Tuesday December 3, Again I have been blessed to work with amazingly talented people who help make my mission to keep my cultures rich Sicilian Traditions alive for future generations. I simply can not wait to pick up dozens of copies for my family and friends on Tuesday. Cape Ann Magazine is sold at the following Gloucester Businesses:

sold mag

To purchase copies of “Gifts Of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen With Sista Felicia, Harvest” Click link below

http://www.storenvy.com/products/2742897-gifts-of-gold-in-a-sicilian-kitchen-with-sista-felicia-harvest

Art in the Schoolhouse Preview Opening Reception Friday, 12/6

Posted on by God's Morning

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Another great holiday art event that you shouldn’t miss – presented by Magnolia Historical Society.  Come check out their great new location in the old Blynman Schoolhouse, 46 Magnolia Ave.

E.J. Lefavour

Rubber Duck spends Ten Minutes on the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree

Posted on by paultmorrison

Rubber Dock got this whole Lobster Trap Christmas Tree done in ten minutes this weekend. Spent three minutes on Saturday and seven minutes on Sunday. Hard work and still made it to the Patriots kick off.

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Saturday: I think this tree is a little short. Need a few more traps. Over here on the right. Chop Chop.
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And some more over here on the left! Anyone? Hello?
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David, I’m thinking maybe you should put a star here on top?
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Look ! Right here! This star!
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David, pay attention and stop looking at that camera! The star! Right where I’m sitting!
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Here are some more elves who spent the entire weekend putting up this tree while the elves who blew out their knee stayed home. Ten minutes are up and Rubber Duck has to go watch a football game.

 

OKAY First Off If You Don’t Participate In Ladies Night You’re An Idiot and Secondly If You Don’t Take Advantage Of The Giftwrapping Service at The Hive You’re a Bigger Idiot!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

It’s soooo easy to make Holiday Shopping Painless By Shopping Local and now with the Hive and Teen Artist Guild offering Giftwrapping service on Ladies night, it’s even easier and MORE FUN to get your shit done locally instead of fighting the crowds at the mall.  No Brainer City Baby!

 

Muffy White writes-

Hey Joey!

Okay – to add to the awesome traditions of Ladies Night the Teen Artist Guild is having an open studio/boutique and wrapping event.

Custom made wrapping paper to wrap gifts – for free, of course donations to the program would be lovely!

#coolart #coolerartists #TAG #TheHive

Can you share?

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http://thehivecenter.org/tag-teen-artist-guild/

Xmas Pianos, circa 1900

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The holidays are coming on quickly, and today Peggy Russell from the POP Gallery spruced up my front windows to be more seasonally festive. This sign painter's shop, Browne & Mitchell, was getting it's custom signs ready for delivery. I think they were located in Beverly or Salem.
The holidays are coming on quickly, and today Peggy Russell from the POP Gallery spruced up my front windows to be more seasonally festive. This sign painter’s shop, Browne & Mitchell, was getting it’s custom signs ready for delivery. I think they were located in Beverly or Salem.