Year: 2013

Rosemary at the piazza on the island of Capri enjoying a glass of vino.  Of course, we don’t actually see Rosemary, but she is there, enjoying herself and sorry to be missing the Grand Finale Mug Up today.

Three Cape Ann-ers are back from  two weeks in China.  Eli Jacobe, James Auditore and Elizabeth Enfield went to Beijing for training in Chinese health and fitness methods, which are called Chi Kung. They joined in with 15 other intrepid Westerners to get woken up at 6:30 AM for  workouts before breakfast. Then there was a daily full schedule of instruction in traditional Chinese healing skills  for oneself and others.  The place was the Beijing  Medical Exchange Center, an institute founded 20 years ago to preserve the traditional approach to Chinese medicine.  The founding president, Professor Wan Su-Jian, M.D. is a four star general in the Chinese army’s medical department.  Several times a year he holds courses for foreigners, providing translators and including some sightseeing in the program.

This coming week here in Gloucester, Eli and James are hosting two Open Houses about Chi Kung at  Center Street Kung Fu Studio at One Center Street, 2nd floor.  It’s directly above Passports restaurant.  The free  Open Houses are Wednesday evening the 16th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM and again Thursday morning the 17th from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.  There’ll be  lessons in Chi Kung movements and meditations.  Plus, on a huge screen, lots of scenic video that Eli shot over there.

Here’s some photos from their expedition.

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month people are coming up with unique ways to celebrate and support the cause, or in this case support the cause without support. today is being deemed by many, “No Bra Day.”

After doing a little research into what could have become my favorite day of the year after my birthday, I found that there is an actual National No Bra Day in on July 9th. That means that this is just some made up day, most likely by a guy who is in need of seeing some breasts covered only by shirts rather than bras and shirts.

People all over social media are buying into it, and it is fine by me… Raise awareness for a good cause, and have a little fun doing it!

 
October is Gloucester Fire Prevention Month.  With this in mind, a new safety campaign – Gloucester CERT-Visible House Numbers and Working Detectors Save Lives – is about to begin.  This pilot campaign is a joint effort led by Gloucester CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) in conjunction with Mayor Carolyn Kirk, Gloucester Fire Chief Eric Smith and the City of Gloucester Department of Public Works, who are working with Pathways for Children, the Gloucester TRIAD Council, the Gloucester Council on Aging, and CAARA (Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association).

CERT members will begin door to door daytime visits to homes in the North Gloucester neighborhoods of Bayview, Lanesville and Annisquam on the morning of Saturday, October 19th.  CERT’s campaign mission is to focus citizen awareness on the importance of visible house/building street numbers and to deliver educational safety literature with contact information to homes in the targeted neighborhoods.  While CERT’s pilot campaign is limited to North Gloucester neighborhoods, this effort is intended to expand citywide leading to:  (1) visible identifying numbers on every home and business throughout Gloucester; (2) working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every home and business; and (3) visible street signs on every corner.

Gloucester’s first responders have reported difficulty locating victims because of unnumbered homes and businesses and unreported missing or hidden street signs.  Every minute lost due to difficulty locating an inadequately numbered home can make the difference between life and death and the level of property damage suffered.  You can help emergency responders locate you quickly during an emergency by having your home and business clearly posted with numbers large enough to be seen easily from the street in a contrasting color from the background on which they are posted.  Four-inch fluorescent numerals are recommended for optimum nighttime visibility.

Mayor Carolyn Kirk said:  “This important public safety program has been an ongoing issue and we are delighted that CERT is taking the initiative to once again bring this to the public’s attention.  I urge all residents to take advantage of CERT’s efforts to assist.”

Have you felt awkward, frustrated or overwhelmed in a synagogue service? Now is your chance to make yourself at home with the beautiful and inspiring liturgy of the Jewish tradition. Join instructors Rabbi Lewis and Rabbinic Intern Adina Allen to unravel the structure, choreography, and meaning of the Shabbat morning service. No previous background in Hebrew or Jewish education is necessary, just the desire to learn.

These classes will be held at TAA at 6:30 pm on October 22, 29; November 5, 12, and 19. 

The classes are free, but registration is required. Please click here if you’re interested and we will send you the link for registration.

 Open again on Sunday 10 AM to 5PM.